Chapter Fourteen
Obi-Wan was making his oral assessment of his audience with the Hutts to the Jedi Council when Skywalker breathlessly ran into the chambers, interrupting a private session. "Sorry to butt in on a private session guys, but we have a major problem that's probably going to be lasting for quite a while! A movement called Occupy: Jedi Temple is taking up residence on the front of the Temple and they're not backing down," he stated immediately as he regained his breath from running to inform the Council. Masters Yoda and Windu immediately turned around to face the front of the Temple from their end and the faces they showed after returning confirmed Anakin's words.
"What in blazes could they be doing there and may I ask if there is anyway we can request information from them?" Kenobi asked in outrage. "I'm not sure but it's late at night and they're waking up the Padawans and Younglings with their noise. My Padawan Ahsoka is finding it difficult to continue meditation with this going on," Anakin answered. Then the electricity went out and the backup generators, powerful as they were, would never have the juice to light up the communications center.
But Ki-Adi Mundi was able to see what had caused the electricity to go out and revealed it to the Council. They had just been blasted with a powerful ion grenade likely launched from a rifle of some sort. This meant they would have no power on the upper and middle levels for possibly weeks plus the explosion that marked the delivery of the package had caused a small fire on one of the Temple corners. "This movement has dangerous and powerful allies on their side, ones who may destroy the Temple when deemed necessary to do so," Ki-Adi stated after noticing that.
"Let's send an emissary out in the morning to ask why they are doing this. We'll have them come back and deliver their report before we then decide on a course of action," Anakin suggested. "Good idea Anakin, we'll need to be diplomatic about this though we do have the right to forcibly remove them if deemed suitable," Kenobi agreed. Everyone in the Council nodded and then Anakin asked what the Council was to do in the meantime; they told him they would sit and wait until morning.
Embo was glad to see that the customization that allowed his rifle to launch grenades had worked with launching an ion grenade at the Temple. He called into the Occupy movement and reported success on his end of the chip before then communicating to Ventress. His greatest hope about this Dark Jedi woman was that she would be ready to stop any escaping Jedi.
Much as he hated the idea of working with collaborators that weren't fellow bounty hunters, he also didn't want to go up against former Jedi allies who had once fought with him honorably. Skywalker, Kenobi, and Tano had been excellent team players when he and several other bounty hunters fought against the pirates of Hondo Ohnaka on Felucia. Now he was forced to turn on them and while he admitted that he was not supposed to care about who he was killing, money no longer seemed to act as the solace it once did. For the first time in many years, he was actually thinking that he was beginning to develop a conscience and one that made him realize the badness of some of his deeds.
He wondered if Ventress was feeling the same way about many of her deeds and realized that was a loaded question. Sure she regretted what she did as a Separatist commander with few exceptions such as being able to fight the Jedi that had abandoned her first real mentor figure. But did she regret whatever it was she had done to get herself this far now that she defected? Then he realized there was only one answer: besides the failure to catch Savage Opress on Reydonia, probably not.
Asajj Ventress received the comm that signaled Embo's success with neutralizing the more important systems of in the Jedi Temple and started moving into position to stop any escaping Jedi. Since the fight over Reydonia, Ventress had taken to masking her face from the view of the public though indeed she could do nothing about her lightsabers. Leaving the abandoned apartment she had utilized as a hideout, however, she immediately ran into her first problem: clones immediately outside. Specifically, these were the clones assigned to making sure law was enforced on Coruscant in places where the police droids couldn't go.
This is going to be a little bit of a hassle, a security force not unlike the soldiers I had fought while with the Separatists. Should I kill them or should I just try and at least dodge them? Or should I take a different approach when caught and just cut off their blaster barrels? she asked herself. Then she decided: she would try to limit herself to destroying their blasters but if they forced her to, she would kill them and not before that point in time.
Besides, these clones would be just doing their job and at most, they would have their blasters set to stun. There was no need to kill them if they weren't even willing to return the favor in the event of surviving her wrath and the wrath of her lightsabers. How she got so strict was beyond her but perhaps it was because she only killed the clones she got to because she was fighting a war, not scrounging around in a Coruscanti slummy street. Only time would tell if her new code was going to hold or if she was going to need to quit discriminating between the Jedi and their clone allies.
When Maul returned to the Black Sun base, leaving Governor Vizsla to handle the use of Mandalorian Iron as a base for the droid and suits of armor, what he found out surprised him. While he was away, Xizor had spoken with the Occupy organization through Guri and had bribed them into protesting on the Jedi Temple. Best of all, Kenobi the Jedi most suspicious of his survival of Florumm, was trapped in the Council chambers as a result. "But why at the Jedi Temple rather than on the fronts where the Jedi are fighting the Clone Wars such as in the Outer Rim?" Maul asked, troubled by this.
"That would have been too diverse seeing as there is at least one Jedi Knight in every single Outer Rim planet in places where the Republic clones has made contact with their Separatist enemies. To catch the most powerful ones, including your old foe Kenobi, would have been a far better prize for the failing organization. Then there is the fact that Occupy has been so low on money since the failure of their first movements that to spread so thinly would require going trillions into debt," Xizor answered. Maul nodded, understanding that Xizor most likely made an assessment that he had Guri print out in case he needed to prove his point so he didn't press the matter.
"The means were fitting for the end, I thank you for what you have done for us without being requested to do so," he said. "You put me in power and unlike the Council, I reward those who help me get what I want rather generously. However, I did have a little trouble since money was not object for a gentleman such as yourself then this came up," Xizor replied. Maul chuckled, Xizor's confession humoring him which was something that few ever really achieved when associated with him.
"Is there anything else I can do to assist you, Lord Maul? Much as I may not be able to travel with you personally, I would like to offer all Black Sun has," Xizor asked. "You could have your troops watch over the Kuat foundry while Death Watch and I use the droids to take over Mandalore," Maul answered. "So that explains why you need it: you're going to make a base out of Mandalore and take in all the neutral systems that aren't picked up by the Republic or the Separatists," Xizor thought aloud.
Maul nodded and added that he would eventually sweep both enemies from under their feet before taking the galaxy for himself. "We have an ally who will see to that if we ask him to assist us in our conquest," he added. "I am very much looking forward to the day where I may meet this ally you speak of. My best wishes to your conquest and I will see to it that the facility is secured with my troops," Xizor stated.
Maul thanked him but shortly after that, his comlink began to beep and he decided to see who was calling him. To his surprise, it was Arden Lyn who had apparently gotten the hang of the new technology of this galaxy. "Lord Maul, let me be the first to congratulate on any and all significant achievements you have made toward the fulfillment of our ultimate goal of complete, total galactic domination. Let me also be the one to let you know that I would like to know your current location and what my apprentice can do to assist you there," Arden said immediately.
Apprentice? She must have been busy in my absence to have an apprentice already Maul thought but didn't say. "I am currently with Savage and the Mandalorian rebel group known as Death Watch on the lava planet of Mustafar. If it is not nosy to ask, who is your new apprentice?" he replied aloud.
"You have heard of her for she was once a high ranking member of the Jedi Order and considered one of the wisest after Jedi Grand Master Yoda, head of the pathetic Order himself. I speak of none other than the fallen Jedi Depa Billaba who, like me, was put into trance by Master Mace Windu only to be revived by my power," Arden answered, proud of her achievement. Depa Billaba... I have heard of her and of how she fell to the dark side after learning Vaapad and being sent to Haruun Kal Maul thought. He also knew in this instant that if he had Depa Billaba, one of the more powerful members of the Jedi Order, assisting his conquest then the Republic would have to face him at some point.
There was not going to be much more hiding and slithering around for much longer and he knew it. The Jedi and their enemies would know of Maul's survival whether before or after the fall of Mandalore. It was just a matter of if the occupation of the Jedi Temple fell through or not before he was ready. "Tell Billaba that when she arrives, I would like her to stay with the troops of Black Sun and assist them in the protection of the Kuat droid foundry we have acquired," he added after a pause.
"I will give her those orders before she leaves for Mustafar, she has learned a powerful new ability I wish her to test whilst out there. And I also think you will find it very useful when you get a chance to see it in practice," Arden stated with a bow. Then her hologram faded and Maul put his comlink back into its pouch on his belt, the whole thing bedazzling him.
One moment, Arden Lyn had been just revived and was confused as hell at the changes made in the galaxy since her time. Now, she was a wise and powerful Sith Lady training an apprentice of her own in the ways of the Dark Side. Maul would now have to watch his back even if Arden could be trusted to remain allied to him. After all, trust was a leisure that the blind and the foolish took for granted and he did not want to be either in his hour of greatest power.
All he had done since the pathetic failure on Florumm had been a marvelous achievement that more than compensated for that little skirmish. Kenobi may have defeated him and Savage through means of Jar'Kai but the next time they met, he would not have that luxury to use. I will have my revenge, on that you can be sure Kenobi Maul vowed silently as he left Xizor alone. As the imminence of his revenge became more obvious, Maul found it difficult to keep his anxiety in check.
"The mob still hasn't left the Temple and I highly doubt they want to listen to a Youngling emissary. So who do we send to try and reason with them?" Anakin asked before the Jedi Council. "Most of our Padawans in active duty are across the stars with their Masters, yours being an exception," Ki-Adi answered. "That's it: we send Ahsoka to try and find out what the hell brings this riot to our Temple!" Anakin exclaimed.
At first, considering the amount of deliberating already done on the riot and their purposes all night long, they couldn't believe debate was already over. "I guess that settles our several hour-long debate: Padawan Tano shall find out what brings the riot here. We will take the information to heart and decide whether or not to send her after anyone who can help us," Master Windu calmly replied. "I'll go alert her immediately," Anakin said as he left the chambers at last.
To think that it took the Council this long to come to conclusions is an example of why we're not winning the war any faster he said silently. Though he would never publicly question the Council's decisions unless he felt they truly were wrong, he didn't mind confessing they were flawed. Far more so than when they had first accepted him to the Order twelve years ago, following the death of Qui-Gon Jinn and the end of the blockade on Naboo. He would continue to serve them despite of this unless there was a good reason not to though and didn't want to push his luck on anything.
When he arrived at Ahsoka's chambers, he found her just restless as he was and curious for the results of the debate. "You'll be tasked with sneaking outside the Temple and finding out why the riot is gathered at the front of the Temple. Do what you have to so long as you do not kill or seriously hurt anyone and report your findings to the Council whenever you can," he told her. "I won't fail you Master, I've been dying to know why they're here myself; does the Council have a few ideas?" she asked.
"Nothing real concrete but they do believe that the mob may have heard something about us that they didn't like. Either that or they are not used to something that has changed about us. Again, nothing really concrete which is why we're depending on you to return with info," he admitted. "Then I will make sure to have every single word they say to me ready to be told to the Council when I return," Ahsoka replied with a bow.
She grabbed her lightsaber and her shoto and ran off immediately, not caring to obtain anything since she knew she would be back soon enough. But Anakin watched her go and honestly had to admit that he was glad that she had been so quick to react to the mission and take it on. He wished he had been allowed to do that when he himself was a Padawan under Obi-Wan at times. However, this was quickly countered by the fact that Obi-Wan had done what he had done with Anakin for his good.
"Do you feel confident enough in your abilities to help Maul and Savage maintain their what is theirs?" Arden asked Depa. The younger woman nodded but stated that she wondered why Arden herself wasn't coming. "Because much as I would love to, Admiral Thrawn has need of my Battle Meditation here. The extragalactic enemy is trying to regain the holdings they lost during my first bout of power and Thrawn doesn't want to allow that," Arden answered.
"Is that man interested in only gaining territory and wiping out this enemy or does he have higher aims?" Depa asked, more rhetorical than not though she did need an answer. "Tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure: he doesn't appear to want something higher but at the same time... at the same time, he's performing as though I am wrong to think he doesn't want a higher aim. Certainly doesn't explain why he's helping out the Sith brothers either," she answered with a brief giggle. "Indeed it does not but perhaps he'll enlighten us at his convenience or at least enlighten you," Depa said.
Or I could also use the Talisman's ability to rip knowledge out of a person's mind and transfer it into the mind of another whenever compelled to Arden thought but didn't say out loud. Much as she appreciated what it had done in reviving her and helping her return the kindness for Depa, she was reserved about using it again. The price it had taken from her when she rescued her apprentice was too great for her to immediately revive the fallen Jedi and she didn't want to see it again just yet. Not yet anyway but he did sometimes border on provoking the need for Arden to pay any price that came with ripping knowledge from his mind to answer some of her questions.
Besides, she needed his mind intact and with its wrappings much as she may wish she could do otherwise. So long as he was able to provide a safe place for Arden to train her apprentice and be trained in Vaapad, he had his usefulness. And Arden had to admit that the sessions of Vaapad training were everything she expected in the style and more. She had a full grasps of the basics enough to complete her training on her own time though she liked sparring with Depa for practice.
In addition, she had managed to complete her learning in Ataru and Soresu and now felt ready to take on any Jedi or Sith she encountered. But not before her apprentice had a chance to reveal her revival to the galaxy and eventually the means by how she was restored. And Arden was counting on the fear that would surely emanate from the Jedi to fuel the power of the Talisman, thus sustaining them. But because the Talisman could keep them on the road for as long as they desired, Arden had often considered going to the territory of Thrawn's little enemy with it and battling them personally.
It would be interesting to have an opponent other than the Jedi to face down for a start she thought to herself. Going along this train of thought, she knew that neither she nor her apprentice were ready to face down the Sith just yet. Even though they probably could defeat Maul and Savage together, she was more concerned about the other: specifically, this Lord Sidious. From the way Depa and Maul had both talked about him, he was not a being to be trifled with.
And since he had managed to keep himself hidden from the Jedi for most of his life, he certainly would make for an excellent mystery to solve. Plus, since he had been the one who raised and trained the fearsome Darth Maul, Arden had a feeling that he would be a worthy opponent to cut down. Or perhaps he would be more useful as an ally than a mutilated, dead enemy she told herself. But in the end, she decided it was best to avoid seeking him out when possible and face him only if necessary.
Though she was painted as a killer by the Jedi, she was not one without morale as the Sith were. She had morale that she would follow to the letter and die for whenever and wherever necessary. But she couldn't help wonder who this Darth Sidious was and where he came from. Worst of all, she couldn't help but ask herself why he was fighting the Jedi and why he had trained Maul for it.
Ahsoka was flabbergasted by the hostility of the riot that had formed outside the front of the Temple. She had had to dodge at least twenty-five empty cans, seventeen spitballs, and at least three rocks being hurled her way. "What is your problem, people!? Why are you doing this?" she asked immediately and directly.
"There are some citizens of the Republic who believe the Jedi Order is not what it used to be!" a citizen with a thick accent immediately replied. This citizen had come up to Ahsoka rather boldly and spoken out, catching the Padawan. "And what did it use to be? I am too young to have ever remembered," Ahsoka required, admitting her age and desiring informational satisfaction.
At this point, the woman was silent which proved that either she wasn't the leader or she just hadn't expected Ahsoka to be so openly humble about her lack of historical Jedi or Republic education. It was then that the man who was leading this riot stepped out and introduced him as one of the leaders of the original Occupy organization. "I will give you the rundown as to why we're here but I must tell you that I can't tell you who's paid us to do this," he warned. "Why not?" she asked.
"It was an anonymous donation that put this as the price for us in addition to more if we keep Kenobi and/or Skywalker trapped in the Temple more than three days," he answered. Ahsoka was too surprised to respond as but instead, listened as he gave her the rundown of their reasons for being here. Who would want to trap Kenobi in the Temple and why would they want to? She couldn't understand it at all nor did she have the slightest clue as to where she could start.