July 20th
2583/20 BBY
7:15 am UNSC time
Random Sidewalk
Corusant
Nobody's POV:
Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker is walking down the sidewalks of the bustling city of Corusant, much quicker than he would normally work, passing by civilians and speeders flying in all directions to the point where it could almost be thought of as the world blurring around him, the planet's only sun starting to show signs of rising.
Ahoska is innocent. Anakin can feel it in every bone in his body, but time is running out to prove it. Today, in less than 3 hours, Ahsoka is going to be put on trial for the Jedi Temple's bombing.
Anakin has started to lose focus on the happenings of the Clone Wars so he instead focuses on finding a way to prove the feeling in his gut to the Jedi Council. So far, he is planning on wandering the streets of Corusant to clear his mind of the aggravation. A few days before, he had encountered Ventress in the lowest levels of Corusant. After Anakin realized her lightsabers had been stolen, he decided that it would be safe for the 2 to talk with him being wary for anything Ventress might pull. It turns out that after Dooku left her for dead out of her of her growing powers, Ventress decided to become a bounty hunter, finding jobs in the lowest districts of Corusant after moving on from the Outer Rim. Apparently, after the bombing, Ventress had realized that Ahsoka become wanted and tried to bring her in to collect on Ahsoka's high bounty. But Ahsoka managed to escape Ventress long enough to just disappear without a trace. A mere day later, someone had tried to attack her in her sleep and despite Ventress managing to electrocute her attacker for a few seconds, whoever it was managed to escape with her lightsabers. Since then, Ventress has been conducting her own investigation as to what had happened behind the scenes.
The part that Anakin also found rather interesting was that before the bombings, the last person Ahsoka had talked to was her friend Barriss Offee. He suspects that she might have something to do with this bombing, since it's rather rare for a low-level family like the Bowmanis to be in possession of something as dangerous as nano-droids.
Anakin is still walking down the streets, looking for Barriss, who had apparently decided to leave the Temple to relax for the day after the stress that has been spreading through the Jedi ranks.
Soon, Anakin turns to a side-street on his left and walks down the narrow, winding streets until he arrives at the black market's entrance. If there's any place where something as illegal as nano-droids can be found, this is the place. The guards to the entrance are 2 aliens with wrinkling grey skin and long fingers wrapped around blaster rifles, wearing oddly-shaped helmets and robes which are crimson-colored, point their rifles at the approaching Jedi.
But Anakin just lifts his mind, "You will permit me entrance." He says coolly. The guards instantly lower their rifles at the command. One of them then turns around and pushes some buttons into the panel behind him. The doors slide apart and the 2 guards stand at attention. Anakin nods in gratitude and walks through the doors into the bustling streets of the black market. Open kiosks line both sides of the street, with humans, droids, and aliens of all races and genders walk around, haggling over products and whatnot.
Anakin walks down the streets, looking around as he walks deeper and deeper into the black market, walking into the X section, where many products the Galactic Republic declared illegal can still be bought and sold. As Anakin walks by the numerous kiosks, who are selling anything illegal, ranging from the Bulldog Rocket Launching Rifle to sensor jammers, he has to fight the urge to bring in every low life in this pit. But proving Ahsoka's innocence comes first. In the middle of the left kiosk, a human man with a variety of droids and explosives, such as buzzdroids and thermal detonators. Thinking he is a good place to start, Anakin walks over to him. "Hello. How can I help you?" He asks in Basic with a smile that can almost pass off as a sneer.
"Yes, you can help. I was led to believe that you sold nano-droids at one point." Anakin responds, not pulling his hood down. If he did, everyone would recognize him and that would only complicate things.
The man blinks in surprise. "I'm not selling nano-droids. But I have heard they are very popular nowadays."
"Considering that they were the cause for the bombing at the Jedi Temple, I am inclined to agree." Anakin says, his tone becoming colder with each word that passes.
The man now looks shocked and scared for his life now, for this could be the end of his black-market days. "I already told you, I do not sell nano-droids. I don't…"
Anakin then walks closer to the man and grabs him by the throat with his prosthetic hand. "Enough games. Now tell me the truth. Did you sell nano-droids to anyone in the last few days?" He stresses every word of his question, showing that getting on Anakin's bad side would have unfortunate consequences.
"Alright. Alright. I'll tell you." The man chokes out, sweat already beading on his face. Anakin instantly lets go of the man's neck, causing him to stumble for a second before regaining balance. "Okay. There was this woman who came here several days ago. I couldn't see her face, but she wore a black cloak similar to the one you're wearing. By the sound of her voice, she's old enough to become a Jedi padawan, but too young to be an adult. She came here to buy a set of my nano-droids I used to have on the market. She was an odd fellow, constantly poking around each crevice of the market. Of course, when I heard about the attack on the Jedi Temple, I figured someone would come after me so I got rid of all the nano-droids I was selling. I swear to you, I had nothing to do with the attack!" The man said, almost sobbing at this point.
"All right, I believe you. Go back to what you were doing." Anakin said, then walks away from the X section and the market altogether, pondering his discovery. A young woman, dressed in a black cloak, who would he…then it hits Anakin. He suddenly has an idea as to who was behind the attack all along. His stomach churns in pain, hoping that his new theory isn't right, but there's only one way to find out. The poking around part, though, made him confused.
Anakin then makes his way back to his speeder, which he used to quickly travel from the Jedi Temple to the streets of Corusant. R2-D2, who is still in the fighter, beeps at him in questioning when he sees Anakin approaching. "Yes, R2. I think that I solved the Jedi Bombing. Let's get back to the Temple." He says, then gets into the cockpit and activates the fighter's engines, flying into the air before returning to the Jedi Temple, which rises higher into the sky than any other skyscraper on Corusant. As he returns to the Temple, the Jedi Knight looks down on the city.
Everything is peaceful at the moment, a city out of the reach of the horrors of war. From the UNSC and Sangheili and their methods of waging war. It is with these solemn thoughts that Anakin arrives at the docking bay. Setting the ship down quickly, Anakin opens his cockpit and jumps off, R2 beeping almost solemnly as Anakin walks away from the fighter and the docking bays.
Soon, Anakin is back in the main temple area, walking down the open hallways that always makes the temple feel empty despite its hundreds of occupants. Walking down the red-carpeted hallways, he walks to one of the Sentinels of the temple. "Tell the others that I may have found the one behind the Temple Bombing." The Sentinel just nods and walks off to alert the others. Anakin continues his walk to personal chambers of all the padawans. Luckily, he already knows the location of the chambers where Barriss Offee lives. Soon, he arrives at the door and knocks 3 times.
"Enter." Barriss's voice says from behind the door. The door slides up and Anakin walks into the small chamber. Barriss is in a meditative position, sitting in front of a small statue which no doubt came from her species' culture, with 3 candles on either side. She stands up and looks surprised when she sees him approaching. "Master Skywalker. I wasn't aware that you were coming."
"It's all right. I just came to ask you if you had spoken with Ahsoka after the attack. Or if you left the temple at any time before it happened." Anakin responds. Barriss's dark blue eyes widen in slight surprise.
"I'm afraid that I haven't been in contact with Ahsoka. I mean, her bombing the Temple is just ridiculous. You don't think it's her, do you?" Barriss asks.
"No, I don't. I think she's been played by someone else."
"Like Ventress?" Barriss suggests. Anakin looks at her, and she is finally starting to look nervous. "I mean, I've heard that Ventress has been seen around Level 1313. She could have easily attacked the temple."
"Yet Ventress speaks otherwise. I spoke to her a few days ago; said that someone attacked her and stole her lightsabers. Today, I spoke with a man in the local black market. He said that he sold the nano-droids which were responsible for the bombing to a cloaked woman. Also mentioned that the same woman was scouting out the same market." Anakin said, using the Force to summon her lightsaber resting at the alter into his hands.
Barriss starts backing up towards a vase in the left-hand corner of her room, fear starting to work its way onto her face. "That woman who bought the nano-droids has to be Ventress. Only she hates the Jedi and knows how they work to do something like that. You can't possibly think that Ahsoka did it, can you?"
Anakin is trying to fight a smirk off his face when he senses the fear starting to grow. He has no more doubt in his mind that it's her. "No, I don't believe Ahsoka is guilty of the treachery. Nor Ventress. I think that they are both telling the truth. There's only one way to find out." He then activates Barriss's sky blue lightsaber and swings it down at her right arm with the intention of incapacitating her long enough to bring her before the court.
Unfortunately, Barriss reacts faster. She uses the Force on the vase, summoning 2 curved silver and black lightsaber hilts and activates them, shooting out twin red blades which stop the single blue blade in its tracks.
"Those are Ventress's lightsabers." Anakin says, finally having proof that Barriss was the terrorist behind the attack all along. "Why did you steal them?"
"I had to silence the woman they arrested before she gave me away. Besides, I think they suite me." Barriss responds, all the fear that was in her eyes are gone, replaced with an almost crazed fanaticism.
Anakin gets into battle mode, swiping Barriss's lightsabers to the left, then Force pushes her out of her room. She is well-trained and experienced in a fight, so she easily lands on her feet. Knowing that she's been caught, the padawan turns to the left and starts running down the halls in an attempt to escape the Temple. But Anakin is faster, leaping high into the air and swinging his new lightsaber at Barriss's head, only for her to block it. "How could you betray Ahsoka? How could you betray the Order?" Anakin demands as he swipes at her again, only for Barriss to leap into the air and avoid the attack and tries to cut Anakin in half, an attack that he blocks easily.
"Because I see the truth now. The only thing the Jedi stand for now is spreading chaos and violence across the galaxy. I have felt the darkness surrounding your actions, and they make my own look petty." She spits out, anger dripping from her voice. She then slashes at him with one of her new lightsabers, with Anakin blocking it. Instead of trying to cut him apart, she uses Force push on him. Caught off-guard by the combination, Anakin is sent flying backwards until he crashes on his back, Barriss's blue lightsaber deactivating and falling out of his hand. Taking advantage of the break, Barriss turns to her right in attempt to escape.
Her hopes are dashed when 3 Jedi wearing Sentinel armor run down the hall, effectively blocking her path. "Surrender, traitor! You have nowhere to run!" One of them says in a deep voice, the trio activating their staff sabers and activating the yellow beams in perfect unison. Barriss turns around, only to find that another 4 Sentinels have arrived, activating their staff sabers as well. She starts backing up a little, only for to turn around and just barely block Anakin's new attack with his familiar lightsaber. The 2 start spinning around slowly until Barriss's back is facing the glass window that overlooks the Temple gardens where numerous younglings are learning how to wield a lightsaber. Barriss tries to hold her own, but slowly, she starts getting pushed back by the raw strength that Anakin wields. Eventually, Anakin breaks the padawan's stance, distracting her long enough for him to use Force push. Barriss sails into the air, forcing the glass behind her to shatter into tiny pieces and spread all across the ground as she rolls down the slanted roof towards another flat section of the roof. Anakin jumps high into the air again and tries again to incapacitate Barriss.
Unfortunately, she is still as fast as ever, as she rolls to the right to avoid the attack and jumps to her feet, reactivating her lightsabers and resumes their duel. "Help him!" A male human youngling shouts to his friends and teachers, seeing the Mirialan padawan attacking a respected Jedi Knight with twin red lightsabers. Despite their age, even the younglings had figured out who is the aggressor in this duel.
Anakin swipes to his left, causing Barriss to lose her balance and fall down to the ground where the younglings are. Fortunately, they are smart enough to back away from the crazy ex-Jedi as she once again lunges towards Anakin. He, however, sets a crazy plan in motion. He uses his open left arm to grab Offee's right while locking their blades together again. She tries to break from Anakin's iron grip, but his fist only clenches tighter and tighter. Finally, she can't take it anymore and drops her lightsaber from the pain. The Jedi Knight then kicks Barriss back a foot then lifts his left hand. The Mirialan slams into the far wall, her entire body paralyzed.
With that, Barriss Offee drops her other lightsaber, rejection on her face. Accepting the fact that she has finally been caught.
8:20 am UNSC time
Galactic Republic Court Room
Corusant
The time has come. Over the last 10 minutes, senators from the Galactic Senate had been gathering and taking their seats in the enormous court room. Then the Supreme Chancellor himself gets seated, 2 Senate guards on either side, before Ahsoka Tano. She is still wearing her UNSC model armor and staring at the Chancellor defiantly. Thus far, the trial has not been going well for Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka Tano. Do you anything to say to counter these charges?" Palpatine asks, looking at Ahsoka who is standing in the middle of the court, surrounded by 2 guards as a precaution.
She looks at the Chancellor with defiance. "If you think I'm going to grovel for mercy, then you've got the wrong idea." He answers coldly.
Several senators and Jedi murmur among themselves, Obi-Wan amongst them, only for Palpatine to raise his right hand. The chatter ceases instantly. "Very well then. As of this moment, Ahsoka Tano, I declare you…"
"Wait!" A voice calls out and Anakin runs into the court room, before stopping. Everyone stares at the newcomer, surprise written on their faces. Even Ahsoka is shocked to see her former master appear at her trial. "Ahsoka is innocent. I captured the real culprit." He waves his hand forward and 4 Jedi Sentinels walk forward, carrying a bound Barriss Offee between them. "Barriss? Did you coordinate the attack on the Jedi Hangar?" Anakin asks his prisoner coldly.
Barriss looks up to see the dumbfounded looks on everyone's faces, especially Ahsoka's and Luminara Unduli's, but she then focuses her glance on the Chancellor. "Not directly. I just provided the weapons to make it happen. After years of fighting in the Clone Wars, I have realized that the Republic and Jedi have lost their ways, only caring about domination over others and killing any who stand in your way. What really tipped me off that you have fallen was that a week before the bombing, the Force showed me a vision. A vision of a squad of clone troopers ordered by your greatest heroes to release a living plague that kills all life it touches. What does that tell you of the Jedi, huh?" Barriss asks, borderline insanity in her voice.
No one spoke during her short rant, shock that such a young woman, even a Jedi, would hold such bitter views about the Republic she had protected. Palpatine stares at the former padawan, a borderline emotionless look on his face. "I see. Unfortunately, Barriss Offee, you have confessed to treason against the Repubic and the Jedi Order. I hereby sentence you to live out the rest of your life at the Judiciary Central Dentention Center. Take her away."
Upon the Chancellor's orders, the Sentinels escort Barriss away from the court room. She doesn't even bother fighting against her captors. Everyone then turns toward a still-shaken Ahsoka. "Ahsoka Tano, I give you pardon and an apology."
"Thank you, Chancellor." Ahsoka says, bowing in respect.
"Ahsoka." Mace Windu says, walking over to the Togruta. "The Council would like to speak with you privately."
"Of course, Windu." Ahsoka responds, following him. But she looks back to see Anakin and gives him a reassuring smile before continuing her walk.
For over an hour, Anakin stands outside the court rooms, waiting to see what the Jedi Council wants to talk with Ahsoka about. He is broken from his thoughts when he sees Ahsoka walk out of the building and towards Anakin. She is still wearing her new armor and has a determined look on her face. "So? What did the Council want to talk with you about?" Anakin asks when Ahsoka is within 3 feet of her former master.
She stops in her tracks and looks up at him. "They apologized to me and asked if I would like to rejoin the Order as a Jedi Knight."
A lump forms in the back of Anakin's throat as he gets a solid idea on how Ahsoka responded to that offer. "And did you take the offer?"
Ahsoka shakes her head. "No, I'm going to forge my own path, a life I have complete reign over. I'm not sure where I'm going to go yet, but I'll think of something." She says this as she looks out at the vast city-planet that is Corusant.
Despite his expecting of the answer, he can't help but feel saddened that Ahsoka didn't decide to rejoin the Order. He clears his throat, causing Ahsoka to look at him. "I understand your decision. Wherever you go, may the Force be with you."
For the 2nd time that day, he sees Ahsoka smile at him. "Thank you. May the Force be with us all, Skyguy. I have this feeling that the Bitter Wars are only going to get messier before it's all over."
"The Bitter Wars?" Anakin asks, a little confused. He hadn't heard that name before.
"That's what the marines at the UNSC are dubbing the Clone Wars. You know, Skyguy, if you give them a chance, you will find that they aren't as bad as you think. For now, I bid you farewell." With those last words, Ahsoka uses the Force to leap high into the air and land on the ground, making her way through the streets.
Anakin heaves a sigh as he also starts looking out at the city. The more he thinks about it, a rather unsettling feeling starts making its way through his mind.
Someone has setting them up the entire time.
AN: Well, that's a wrap on that small arc.
I always found Barriss's motives on the actual show a little weak, so I decided to spice it up. Don't take it the wrong way, she was smart enough to realize that the Republic and Jedi were making stupid decisions. But I don't believe she ever saw anything in the Clone Wars that truly pushed her far enough to do the Bombing.
Anyway, see you next time when the Clone Wars/Bitter Wars are cranked up another notch.