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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Thirteen – Clones Wars Part 4 The Unthinkable
By
Celgress
"I'm frightened by what I see. But somehow I know that there's much more to come. Immobilized by my fear and soon to be blinded by tears."
Whisper (2003) – Evanescence
Crousant
After a long, arduous journey the star fighters containing Jedi knights Obi-wan Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker along with their padawans Ahsoka Tano & Katooni was approaching the Republican Capital. Glancing over at his new charge Obi-wan questioned if he was truly ready to take on another padawan, especially one so young. After all in his mind Obi-wan hadn't done such a stellar job training Anakin. If Obi-wan had provided a better example than no doubt the young man wouldn't be in his current predicament. Six months had elapsed since Anakin told Obi-wan about the former's secret relationship with Senator Padme Amidala. Obi-wan was no closer to resolving the matter than he had been the day of the revelation. Part of Obi-wan, the strict Jedi, told him that he should turn Anakin in regardless of the consequences. While another part, the part which saw Anakin as a brother or even a son, argued for understanding and clemency. In his conflicted stated Obi-wan had no idea how to proceed.
Worse yet there was literally nobody in the entire galaxy, or so it seemed, he could turn to for help. Obi-wan was painfully aware the other Jedi would all but certainly condemn Anakin out of hand. About the only person Obi-wan felt might understand, his best friend in the order, fellow Jedi knight Siri Tachi seemed to be avoiding him lately. Obi-wan had no idea why. All he knew was that every time he tried getting Siri alone she'd make some excuse why she had to leave. Perplexingly Siri seemed uncomfortable around Obi-wan. Obi-wan feared he was losing her friendship, and he had no idea why.
"Something is wrong master" the voice of Anakin crackled over Obi-wan's com unit. "Air Traffic Control should have contacted us by now. My scanners aren't picking up any incoming or outgoing vessels. Crousant space lanes are never this dead."
"Come in Knights Kenobi and Skywalker this is Commander Rex speaking" the voice of the clone trooper cut into their conversation.
"Rex what is going on?" Anakin's voice asked. "Why are you doing Traffic Control duty? I thought it was still a civilian department?"
"I'll address all your questions once you've lander sir. Please enter a geosynchronous orbit and await landing instructions."
"There is something you're not telling us commander" Obi-wan said cold fear suddenly gripped his heart. "What is the situation Rex?"
A long pause followed. "There has been a,, incident sir."
"What kind of incident Rex?" Obi-wan asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say. Everything will be explained once you have landed and been debriefed, my apologies sirs."
"Master Kenobi I'm frightened" Katooni said her bright blue eyes searching Obi-wan's face for reassurance.
"Don't worry my padawan. I'm sure everything will be alright" Obi-wan said soothingly. Obi-wan didn't know it at the time but he couldn't have been more wrong.
Several hours later the four Jedi stood at the bottom of the massive steps which ran in front of the Jedi Temple. It was dusk when they arrived and the bombarded structure was still smoking. Hundreds of clone troops were everywhere. After climbing the steps a group of clone troops met the bewildered Jedi at the front gate.
"Trust me you don't want to see what is in there sir" A clone trooper said raising his hand when Obi-wan tried to bypass the clones. "None of you do." The clone trooper finished looking at Obi-wan's companions.
"What exactly happened?" Anakin asked the clones his voice cracking. "We were told by Commander Rex there had been some sort of attack on the temple."
The group of clones looked one to another before the lead clone trooper answered. "Somehow, we're still not sure exactly how, a small Separatist strike force lead by General Grievous and Avengia (Ventress) breach our orbital defences and lunched a surprise attack on the Jedi Temple. Half the Council and many of the knights, such as yourselves, were away on various off world missions at the time. First the Separatist force bombarded the structure from above then they lunch their ground assault. Using some type of Force sensitivity deadening gas to lessen resistance the Separatist force then killed nearly ever Jedi in the Temple at the time. After looting several holocrons they escaped before we could apprehend them. I'm sorry."
"No" Ahsoka whispered, burying her hand in her hands. Anakin instinctively put his arm around his distraught padawan.
"Ssssh it'll be okay Snips"
"How can you say that!?" Ahsoka said pushing Anakin away. "How will it ever be okay again!? This is the worse that has happened to the Order in a thousand years!"
"Ahsoka please calm down" Obi-wan said firmly. "Your behavior isn't helping." Obi-wan gestured towards Katooni who wore a blank look on her young face.
Regaining control Ahsoka's expression became one of guilt and shame. "Sorry master Obi-wan. I don't know what came over me."
"Stand back everyone!" ordered one of the clones. "They're about to bring out more bodies."
"Sirs I do not think the padawans should be here when the bodies are brought out" the Lead Clone suggested.
"Quit right" Obi-wan agreed with a nod. "Come along everyone."
The group hurried away from the battered Temple. Katooni couldn't help but steal one last glance at the entry way. Katooni would spend the rest of her life wishing she hadn't. The little Jedi recognized two of the bodies the clones were removing from the Temple. They were her friends Petro and Ganodi!
From another group of clone troops near the Temple the four Jedi learned where the survivors of what was already being called the 'Great Jedi Massacre' were being treated. An hour later the four Jedi made their way to the military hospital in question. After proving their security clearance to the clone troops manning the front gate the four Jedi made their way to their fallen comrades. Along the way they learned masters Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon, Saesee Tiin & Agen Kolar along with archivist Jocasta Nu, amogst others, had all been killed by Grievous whereas Avengia (Ventress) had slain most of the two dozen knights who had also fallen. One of the few survivors was Knight Ferus Olin, though he had lost both an arm and a leg in the ordeal. When the four Jedi reached Olin's room they found Knight Siri Tachi by the bedside of her former padawan.
"Hello everybody" Ferus slurred when the group entered his room, "excuse me if I don't get up."
"What happened at the Temple?" Obi-wan whispered to Siri. Who was tightly clutching the hand of her one time student.
"Why are you asking her?" Ferus slurred. "She wasn't there. She was away protecting the Senate. I was there, ask me. Damn kiffars took us by surprise. They used Force robbing gas on us you know, Force robbing gas for kiff shake! We couldn't use the Force. We were helpless. I, I tried to protect the younglings I honestly did. There were too many of them. Magna Guards were everywhere. Grievous he, he, just laughed at us, I wanted to stop him. I kept fighting even after he took my arm. He killed them, the younglings. I, I, I oh Force. I've got to help them. Let me up!" Ferus screamed his eyes wild.
"Ferus please calm down" Siri said holding Ferus down by his shoulders. "Guards I need some help in here, now!"
"Is there anything we can do?" Obi-wan asked.
"Leave, please I can't deal with both you and Ferus right now. If you care about me you'll respect my wishes and go" Siri answered.
By now the clones had entered and were helping Siri restrain the delirious Ferus. Obi-wan taken aback by the vehemence of Siri's demand escorted his group out of the room. Obi-wan was both confused and a bit hurt by Siri's actions. He couldn't understand for the life of him why She'd reacted the way she had it seemed completely out of character.
"Force I forgot to call Padme, tell her I'm safe" Anakin said slapping a palm against his forehead.
"Go, do what you must" Obi-wan said with a wave of his hand.
"Thanks master" Anakin said before running off.
"Hey wait for me Sky Guy" Ahsoka said following him.
"What about us master?" Katooni asked looking up at Obi-wan with sad eyes.
"How about we get some food young one? I know a great little bistro. I only hope it is open."
Over the course of the next two months much happened. With nearly a third of the total Jedi order gone and the High Council decimated the remaining members decided new blood was badly needed. Both Obi-wan and Siri were each elevated to the rank of master and given seats on the Council, although neither sought the positions both Siri and Obi-wan had no choice but to accept the appointments. With traditional Jedi recruitment of children at an all-time low, due in large part to the Sith's propaganda campaign, the Order was forced to use new recruitment strategies. The more force talented members of the AgriCorps, who were usually considered too weak in the Force for continued Jedi training, were offered reintegration into the Order if they passed a series of skill tests. Additionally the Order began searching far across the galaxy for force sensitive beings which might have slipped through the normal detection net. The results being that several otherwise undiscovered adolescent and adult force users were convinced to join the Order.
On the political front Supreme Chancellor Hego Damask and his supporters used, some critics such as Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo would say skillfully exploited, the 'Great Jedi Massacre' to not only suspend the upcoming election but also to ram through a vote which extended Damask's emergency powers until the end of the War. Increasing numbers of senators feared this was just the beginning, amongst the most vocal was Bail Organa of Alderaan. Their fears were proven correct when less than a month later Damask using one of his emergency powers, executive privilege, unilaterally ordered a threefold increase in clone trooper production along with the creation of an extensive intelligence network, critics termed it a spy network of the emerging police state, and a specialized battalion of purple armored, specialized clones to serve as senatorial guards. The office of Supreme Chancellor justified these moves by playing on the fears of the Senate by claiming that only a traitor, or a nest of traitors, could have been behind the security breach which precipitated the attack on the Jedi Order. Now armed with the proper tools Damask and his inner circle boldly vowed to weed out all traitors, much to the chagrin of critics like Padme.
The repaired Jedi Temple
Obi-wan sat meditating in his private chambers which he shared with his new padawan Katooni. Obi-wan was reflecting on the massive changes the Order was undergoing when a knock came at his door. Having sent Katooni to practice her saber work with the other younger padwans Obi-wan was alone.
"Enter." Obi-wan was surprised to see fellow master Siri enter his chambers shutting the door behind her. "Master Tachi to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"We need to talk Obi-wan" Siri said after taking a deep breath. "Force I've be dreading this moment."
"Why, what is it?" Obi-wan asked concern evident in his expression as he got to feet.
"There is no easy way to say this. Obi-wan I overheard your conversation with Anakin in the room of One Thousand Fountains eight months ago."
Obi-wan froze. "Siri I know what Anakin is doing is considered wrong by the Jedi Code." Obi-wan said misreading the situation.
"I'm not here because of Anakin" Siri said putting up her hand up indicating for Obi-wan to cease his speech. "I'm here because of, us. This is harder than I thought. Obi-wan I heard what Anakin asked you about me and I heard your reaction. I saw everything Obi-wan. Now I have a very important question for you. Jedi Code aside, what are your true feelings towards me. Please Obi-wan I beg you, be honest for both our shakes" Siri said her body visibly trembling.
"Siri I, I', can't" Obi-wan stammered looking away.
"Please Obi-wan, I must know the truth" Siri pleaded.
Turning his attention fully towards the female Jedi "I,,,, love you Siri" Obi-wan finally said. It was as if time stood still neither said a word minutes passed between the two in utter silence. The only sounds were the ticking of Obi-wan's antique grandfather style chrono, which he had inherited from the late Qui-Gon Jinn, and the thanks to their Jedi senses the beating of their hearts.
"I fear, I, feel,,, the same way" Siri managed to spit out. "I've tried to deny it, but I can't. The true question is now that our feelings are out in the opening. What are we going to do about them?"
"If our feelings become public knowledge we'll be expelled from the Order, along with Anakin. Ahsoka and Katooni will likely lose their positions as padawans due to my and Anakin's 'tainted teachings', through no fault of their own." Obi-wan said gravely. "Right now the Order can ill afford the loss of any more members. I see only one alternative."
"Keep everything secret" Siri whispered. "While I agree with you Obi-wan on basic principle, I hate hiding my feelings."
"I know" Obi-wan said. "I feel the same way."
"Obi-wan this is going to be so, difficult"
"I know" Obi-wan said as the two embraced. The two Jedi held each other for a long time.
The next shoe to drop was an unexpected Separatist raid on the seemingly insignificant planet of Tatooine. Perhaps the most dire consequence of the raid, though few knew it at the time, was the deaths of a middle aged moisture farming couple named Cliegg Lars and Shmi Skywalker-Lars. While mutual recriminations rang through the Senate Anakin was beside himself with grief. It was touch and go for a while. Many including Obi-wan, Siri, Ahsoka and even Grand Master Yoda, feared Anakin would abandon the Jedi Order.
Two weeks later Obi-wan and Siri, whom Obi-wan had informed Anakin knew about their secrets, were unexpectedly invited to a discreet, private ceremony. There in a small chapel Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala were wed. The only witnesses to this galaxy shaping event were Jedi Masters Obi-wan Kenobi and Siri Tachi along with the droids Artoo Detoo and, newly arrived from Tatooine, C-3PO.
Padme and Anakin were snuggling in bed bashing in the afterglow of their first marital love making when something on the holonet console, which they had forgot to turn off in their haste, caught their attention. It was a breaking news report. The presenter announced that the enemy double agent responsible for the recent spate of security breaches had been apprehended. Neither Anakin nor Padme could have been anymore shocked if the image before them was Yoda. There being hustled into a waiting security vehicle by a group of heavily armed clone commandoes was Senator Bail Prestor Organa!
To Be Continued