Anakin's POV

"I'm getting really tired of sitting around all day." I huff, staring out the tinted window for another time this hour. This lockdown was getting to me, and I'm finding it harder to cope with than the other jedi in the temple. From what I heard, the all returned back to their quarters- exactly where I am now- and are meditating. Seems like the most un-eventful time to meditate with the chances of a full attack being brought down upon us very likely.

"I know, but you heard what the council said. They don't want to take any risks they can't afford. If just one of us leaves the front steps, we all could be finished. We just should make the best out of the situation." Ahsoka reasons with me, though I can see just how upset she is too. She as well is trying her best to connect with the force, crinkling her nose and eyebrows as she sits in a cross legged position. I sigh, and reluctantly sit down next to her; can't be better than- ironically- having to squint out a window.

Nothing. A wispy cloud of sand twirls in the distance of my mind, but that's it. I shake out of my trance, leaning my head back to the wall in defeat.

"What happened to Dell's body?" I tap Ahsoka's knee cap.

She nods out from her state in a quick shake of her lekku. "Last time I talked to Obi-Wan, they were bringing him down to the med bay for temporary keeping. Master Windu doesn't want us using our comlinks, so I haven't heard anything since." She smiles sadly, "We're postponing the funeral until further notice."

"I think that's smart Snips, don't you?"

She gets up from the ground, placing her hands on her hips. "For as long as I've been training here at the temple, every jedi has told me the exact same thing. That we are supposed to stand up for what is right, and not give in to the hatred and evil. If that is so true, then why are we practically hiding away and showing Dooku just what he believes jedi to be. Cowards." Her words slur in an aggressive tone. "Why don't we have a funeral, huh? Show Dooku that we aren't going to just adapt to his advances at a whim. Master Dell wouldn't have wanted this."

There are very rare occasions where I can become speechless, and utterly unable to form conceivable words. I just lift up from the floor, and take Ahsoka's hands in mine. Her tiny gloved palms flex into the gaps of my fingers as I gaze into her bright blue eyes.

I gulp and crack a smile. "Come on. I think Shmi misses you."

Upon entering the main foyer, temple guards surround us. Ahsoka explains where we are going to them, and soon enough, they let us pass into the turbolift.

"We're here to see Shmi, Shmi Tano." I say to the robotic eye peeking out from the corner of the wall. It squabbles to itself before the thick steel wall creaks open to reveal the catacombs.

The interior of the long corridor is quite simple. Just plain sheet metal carved out with ancient etchings; most of the catacombs haven't been touched in centuries. Supporting stone pillars hold up the curved ceiling and large chandeliers. A small mouse droid leads past some closed doors, each with a different labeling.

The catacombs aren't just for jedi seclusion and safety; they also hold many other purposes. Down here, there are laboratories, lightsaber training centres and meditation rooms amongst others. It's like a vacation resort down here, for the jedi.

The small droid skids to a stop, quickly opening the large door in front of us with a swipe of one its arms. Rex and some of his clones, all without their armour off, sit on the floor and clap in time with Shmi as she dances around in a circle. I can feel my dimples stretch open into a smile.

"Oh, I missed you so much!" Ahsoka grasps Shmi in her arms, kissing her all over her face with pursed lips.

"General Skywalker, nice to see you." Rex greets me. "Shmi was certainly more exciting than any of us anticipated, right men?" The rest of the clones nod in agreement, blushing grins shedding across their faces as well. "We decided to let loose a bit under the circumstances."

"That's alright Rex; I guess I cannot really blame you." I chuckle. "Ahsoka and I have been practically quarantined in our dorm as well."

"Is there any word from the council?"

"Not yet, and it's more than just peculiar. If Dooku is really planning an attack he would try and get us of guard. Why would he wait until the council is more secure than it was a day ago?" I shrug and take a seat next Rex. Ahsoka twirls Shmi through the air, making ship noises and chattering her lips together.

"Good point General, it's not like being in lockdown makes us anymore oblivious to the outside world." Rex agrees.

"But, I don't think that is what he's planning. It's all too clouded to see exactly what the future holds for us."

"Maybe Dooku is making all of this clouded, you know? He can work in mysterious ways." The distraught suggests.

"I don't even think he has that kind of power though, Rex. There is so much we don't even know and we're practically blind inside here." I sigh. "First chance I get out of here, I'm getting some reinforcements; someone who isn't a jedi and can bring their own firepower."

"Do you really think there is anyone so willing to just jump into battle at the drop of a hat?"

I bite down on my bottom lip, shaking my head in disbelief. "I… I don't know."

There is a loud screech, and a tiny intercom swivels out of the wall. All of the laughter and upbeat conversation between clones seizes, and everyone looks up in curiosity. Ahsoka pulls Shmi close to her chest, her child burying her face in her mother's chest.

Static subsides on the screen, and the disgruntled, furrowed face of Master Windu appears.

"Attention all jedi, clones and workers. All higher rank jedi - knights and up - please detour to the main foyer immediately for response mode confrontation in a calm, orderly fashion. Padawans please round up all younglings and descend to the lower levels immediately. All clone occupants of the catacombs are to remain on duty until further notice."

My heart sinks as the camera shoots to a live shot of the building across from the courtyard, a crowd of civilians surrounding. A tall, lean man parades out from his ship, among the gasps of horror below.

"…Count Jard Dooku has arrived on temple premises, seemingly unarmed and alone."