As it turned out Obi-Wan had arrived with more than just a squadron of fighters to back them up. Upon exiting the atmosphere of Hypori the first thing Ahsoka had spotted was the ongoing battle between a pair of Republic Venators and what she assumed was General Grievous' flagship.

And from where she was now sitting in the pilot's seat the Republic ships were fighting a losing battle. No doubt Separatist reinforcements were also on route. If they were going to flee, it had to be now.

Except that both her ship's hyperdrive and stealth systems were offline, damaged thanks to a pair of Vulture droids that had landed a lucky shot when the ship had been fleeing the facility.

That meant they would have to do things the hard way and land on Obi-Wan's capital ship without the benefit of having an invisible shuttle.

"Why can't things be simple, just for once?" Ahsoka questioned aloud, fully intending it to be a rhetorical question as she banked the shuttle to one side slightly, avoiding a barrage of fire from a pursuing Vulture droid.

"The Ahsoka I knew would be relishing this chaos once upon a time!" Obi-Wan's voice came from the co-pilot's seat, clearly trying to keep himself steady due to Ahsoka's flying skills. To the Jedi Master it was clear who she had learned these skills from.

"Yeah well perhaps you don't know me anymore." Came Ahsoka's response. Behind her helmet she cringed slightly at how cruel the words sounded. She didn't want to be mean to Obi-Wan, or make him feel at all guilty for what had happened between her and the Jedi Order. Yes, he was on the Council, and yes he could have supported her more… but in reality what could he have done? If he had acted out of turn it would have been detrimental to both his position on the Council and to the Jedi Order as a whole. In times of crisis the leaders had to be seen as unified, even when they were clearly not.

Through the Force she could feel as despair radiated off of Obi-Wan, before it was promptly replaced with nausea as Ahsoka tilted the ship again, this time to avoid a barrage of fire from Grievous' flagship itself. She would deal with Obi-Wan later. She had to let him know that he wasn't at fault, not at all.

Other Council members however were not so innocent in her mind.

It was easier than expected to land on the lead Venator. Despite its sheer size and power, Grievous' ship had been unable to shoot them down, and both Ahsoka's T-6 and the wing of fighters Obi-Wan had led down to the surface of Hypori made it back safe and sound, the Venators jumping to hyperspace moments later, bound for Coruscant.

And so it was that Ahsoka found herself standing in the hangar of Obi-Wan's ship, helmet off and tucked under her arm as she surveyed the crew going about their work. At a distance she saw Depa and Caleb helping the wounded towards a doorway in the back, no doubt heading towards the medical centre for treatment. Despite the lack of casualties, Depa's battalion had still taken a fair few wounds in the fight on the surface.

And then there was Big-Mouth. Ahsoka could only assume that Grievous had gotten to him, taken him down with ease. Ahsoka didn't like thinking it of course, but she had long since learned about the harsh realities of war. People died, sometimes those that were close to you. When that happened you had to go on, honor their memory, no matter how much it hurt.

Ahsoka couldn't help but morbidly wonder if anyone would do the same for her. She had left the Jedi after all, as well as her loyal Clones. Would they mourn her if she passed?

"Commander Tano? It's good to see you so well." A familiar voice drew Ahsoka out of her inner thoughts, turning to greet the scarred face of Obi-Wan's loyal Commander in the process.

"Cody, it's good to see you. Master Kenobi been treating you and your men alright?" Ahsoka inquired. She and Cody had never really bonded, not like how she and Rex had, but she respected him nonetheless. He was a brilliant Commander, and one of the few to put up with Obi-Wan's endless supply of sass and sarcasm.

"As good as always Commander. He's one of the best. Times like this I'm glad I'm not stuck with General Skywalker like Rex. Uh, no offense intended of course." Cody replied, realising what he was saying in the process.

Ahsoka allowed a smirk to come to her face at the mention of Anakin and Rex, and Cody's interpretation of how the two of them led the 501st.

"Believe me, I know how you feel sometimes. Rex may act the part of steadfast soldier but I think Anakin's been a bit of a bad influence on him at times. He sure as kriff has with me."

Cody chuckled at that, the worry that had been present on his face fading away in an instant. Ahsoka couldn't help but return the smile.

"Yes Anakin has certainly been a somewhat chaotic influence on you young one, but I daresay you have been a much better one on him." The voice of Obi-Wan interrupted their conversation, the Jedi Master coming up behind Ahsoka, resting a hand gently on her armoured shoulder. She couldn't really feel the grip through the thick material, but she imagined he was squeezing gently as a form of comfort. Obi-Wan was fond of such subtle gestures, something which he had also passed down to Anakin.

"Considering the trouble we've gotten up to in the past I don't know if I'm a good influence on him or a willing accomplice to his crazy plans?" Ahsoka replied, turning to face Obi-Wan, who glanced at her with a sad smile on his face. Through the Force she could again feel his guilt and remorse over what had happened to her.

"Yes, you two were far closer than most Master and Padawans ever were. In a way I am jealous. I would have liked to have such a bond with Anakin myself, though all we ever seemed to do was argue about trivial matters."

Out of the corner of her eye Ahsoka caught the figure of Cody leaving, clearly understanding that this was a private discussion. Grateful for his absence Ahsoka focused all her attention on one of the two Jedi she considered her closest mentors.

"Anakin looks up to you Obi-Wan, even now. As do I for that matter. Aside from Senator Amidala you are pretty much the only individual in our lives that has even an ounce of negotiating skills. We'd have been long gone without you around."

Obi-Wan laughed at that, his sad smile becoming brighter, his guilt in the Force fading away slightly, for which Ahsoka was grateful.

"In that case I am proud to be of service to you both." Obi-Wan replied, bowing in a half jest, clearing humouring the Togruta for her comments. Ahsoka was grateful for that.

"Well, regardless of what role you play in our bizarre family I'm certainly glad you came when I asked. Knew you couldn't turn down the opportunity to clash against your favourite cyborg General."

"How could I refuse?" Obi-Wan replied, the smirk on his face growing wider.

Not much more had been said during their conversation in the hangar, and Ahsoka had taken her leave not long after, heading to some quarters that had been reserved for her. Both Depa and Caleb had disappeared to somewhere on the ship, leaving Ahsoka alone once again. Obi-Wan was up on the bridge giving a report to the Council over what had happened. Whether or not he had revealed her presence or even her identity was unknown to her, but she wouldn't have been surprised if he had. She knew that one day it would all come out, and that her new allegiance to the Chancellor would put her at odds with the Jedi Council.

And frankly, she couldn't care less. The Council had done nothing to deserve her loyalty or support. Palpatine on the other hand had.

That reminded her. She had to report in, if only briefly, to the Chancellor. He needed to know what she had seen at the facility on Hypori.

Moving over to a small communication screen on a table in the quarters she had been given, Ahsoka sat down and began to input the Chancellor's frequency. He had given it to her for use on missions, in case she needed to report something important.

It took several seconds for the call to connect before an image of the Chancellor's elderly face appeared on the screen, looking far more tired that he should. Clearly it had been a long day at the office for him.

Upon recognizing the figure calling him Palpatine's eyes brightened slightly, a pleased look forming on his face.

"Agent Tano, I'm glad to see you in one piece. Was your mission on Hypori a success?"

On instinct Ahsoka straightened up in her chair, attempting to look as professional as she could, despite how tired she was. On that note she and Palpatine had something in common.

"To an extent Chancellor. We've recovered the information and learned what the Separatists are up to with this bioweapon. To put it simply the weapon is designed to completely nullify the effects of the Force, severing an individual's connection to it. If this weapon was to be deployed on the Jedi Temple for example…" Ahsoka began to detail, watching as the features on Palpatine's face fell as he began to understand the full extent of the weapon.

"It would remove the Jedi from the war as a whole. We'd lose our greatest advantage." Palpatine finished for her, his eyes dropping as he spoke, a hand coming to rest on his forehead, massaging it gently as if to ward off a headache.

"We need to find the source of this bioweapon Chancellor. Hopefully the data we will be bringing you will help pinpoint the source." Ahsoka continued, trying to be helpful towards the leader of the Republic. In the end it was his decision, but hopefully he wasn't opposed to her making a simple suggestion.

Palpatine did not speak for a while, his hand continuing to massage his forehead before he finally removed it, looking back up at her.

"We must inform the Jedi Council of our findings once you reach Coruscant my dear. I will speak to them directly, and I would like for you to be present at the meeting as well if you feel up to it. If not then I completely understand given the circumstances of your dismissal."

If Ahsoka was being truthful then she never wanted to stand before the Jedi Council again, not after what they had put her through.

But this was not about her and her emotions. This was about the risk posed to both the Jedi and the Republic. As the Chancellor's personal agent it was her duty to be present at this meeting.

"I'll be there Chancellor. You can count on me." Ahsoka replied, a false smile coming to her face as she began to imagine how the situation would go. Hopefully Palpatine couldn't sense her discomfort at it.

"I know I can Ahsoka, which is why I have another urgent mission for you. Whilst you have been away we have had a dire situation emerge, one that is not too dissimilar to your trial."

Now that caught her attention. What could have possibly happened on Coruscant now?

"What's happened?" Ahsoka inquired, her tone curious, a sense of trepidation washing over her. Something told her she was not going to like this.

The Chancellor's eyes moved from side to side for a moment, as if scanning the room he was in for something, before he replied.

"Recently Clone Trooper CT-5555 attempted to assassinate me. We believe he has been exposed to some kind of virus on Ringo Vinda. It has already caused another trooper, CT-5385 to go insane and execute a Jedi General in the midst of battle. Now the same affliction appears to be effecting CT-5555. He is on the run in the lower levels of Coruscant and is armed. Both General Skywalker and his Captain are searching as we speak, as is my personal guard, but neither have had the experience of running or searching in the underworld as you have. I want you to find this renegade trooper and bring him back to us. It may be possible to cure this illness in him before he goes too far. The last thing I want is more people harmed."

All Ahsoka could do was sit and listen. Listen as Palpatine explained how two of her men, two of her friends had gone insane. Tup had killed a Jedi... and now Fives was on the run! What could have possibly caused this?

She had to find him, before someone else did. Something was wrong here, and she knew from experience that not everything was always as it seemed. There was no way Fives would attempt to assassinate the Chancellor of his own free will. Same with Tup killing a Jedi.

"The second we get back to Coruscant I'll head down to the lower levels and find him Chancellor. There's got to be a reasonable explanation for this. Neither Fives nor Tup would ever do something like this willingly." Ahsoka replied, not able to keep the concern off her face this time.

The image of the Chancellor nodded once before smiling at her.

"I hope you are right Agent Tano. Once you have resolved the situation with our runaway Clone I want you to return to your home to rest. I will schedule the meeting with the Jedi Council in a few days to give us time to prepare. It is the least I owe you for asking such things of you."

Ahsoka was grateful for the gesture. Rest sounded good.

But first she would have to find Fives before anything bad happened to him.

"So the Jedi escaped?"

"Unfortunately so my Lord. Kenobi arrived from nowhere to extract them. My forces did not stand a chance against such an ambush."

"This does not reflect well on you General. I must discuss this with my Master."

"Of course Count Dooku. I await your commands."

The hologram of General Grievous fizzled away from before Count Dooku, leaving him alone in his palace throne room. No sound, aside from that of his breathing, echoed through the large chamber. There was nothing to disturb him, aside from his own inner thoughts.

Thoughts that now dwelled on what to tell his Master. Sidious would not be happy. Grievous had failed, allowing the Jedi to escape the carefully conceived trap, most likely with some of the data pointing towards the truth behind 'Project Nullify'. Why had his master made such a calculated risk in exposing the facility? Surely it was not worth it?

But despite his inner thoughts, despite what he thought, Dooku was in the end only the apprentice. He would not openly question the wisdom of his Master, at least not yet.

Reaching a wrinkled hand forward he keyed the hologram transmitter to his Master's signal lowering himself to one knee.

Moments later the ever imposing figure of Darth Sidious appeared, draped in his long black cloak, concealing his identity to all.

All except him.

"Lord Tyranus, I trust you have a report on the conflict on Hypori?"

"Yes my Master. Grievous failed to eliminate the Jedi and they have no doubt escaped with data pertaining to 'Project Nullify'."

Sidious did not respond at first, and a sense of dread began to cover Dooku. Whenever something like this happened, Dooku himself would usually bare the brunt of his Master's punishment.

Suffice to say he would make Grievous suffer for it later as well, just as he was about to suffer.

"No matter Lord Tyranus. This defeat is merely an obstacle in our path to complete domination. Soon the galaxy will be ours."

Dooku had not been expecting such a response from Sidious. There was no trace of anger in his tone, aside from the malice befitting his status as a Sith Master, and yet none of it was directed towards him.

Dooku would be lying if he said he wasn't a little relieved.

"As you say my Master."

At Dooku's response Sidious huffed aloud, his wrinkled hands coming forward to gesture to the Count.

"Fear not my apprentice. We are so close now. I am sending you another dossier on an individual I wish you to analyse. They will be a worthy addition to what we have planned for our glorious empire." Sidious spoke, changing the direction of the conversation. This wasn't the first time the Sith Master had sent him such dossiers. Each of the ones he had received so far had specified an individual within the Jedi Order, strong with the Force, but clearly at odds with the Order as a whole, much as Dooku had himself once been.

"Of course my Master. I will study this individual extensively and report back to you with my findings." Dooku replied, bowing his head in confirmation.

Sidious said nothing in reply, his hologram fading seconds later, clearly showing he was done with Dooku for now.

Raising up from where he had been kneeled, Dooku moved to his throne, gently sitting down before opening up a file on a nearby datapad, the information Sidious had sent appearing before him.

On screen was the face of a male Miraluka, details about their name and personality below them, as well as their current position within the corrupt Jedi Order.

Leaning back in his throne, Dooku began his research.

He really hated paperwork.

Author's thoughts

So yeah... I lied. No rest for Ahsoka just yet, and you can probably all guess what's coming next for her.

I'm sure some of you expected a more detailed reunion with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka as well. I chose not to go this route as it didn't feel right for either of them in this case. Unlike with Anakin, where feelings and stuff is important, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan have always had a more practical relationship. I doubt either of them would dwell on the past and bring up bad memories. They are simply content in being side by side again, if that makes any sense. No reason for an overly emotional reunion.

Anyways, not much else to say really, aside from the small tease at the end of this chapter. I wonder what... or who Dooku is reading into?

Once again, thanks to my beta reader 'ArrinSynders'. You're the best buddy.

As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:

Ghost14lebi: Glad you enjoyed the inclusion of the meme reference thing. I couldn't not do it. I'd have been shot if I hadn't.
Your speculation about EpIX could very well be right. I fully expect one of them to go down.

SWGoji2001: Obi-Wan and dramatic mean the same thing, hence his arrival in style. And people say Anakin is the showoff. XD
Yes, he arrival was a reference to the movie. Thought it was a cool move and wanted to see it again. Kinda reminds me of Vader on the TIE in Rebels as well.
Sorry that there wasn't much Ahsoka and Obi-Wan, but there will be more in the future for them both. They are still friends at least.
Yeah, EpVIII did kind of squander a few things, but whatever. Nothing I can do about it so not worth getting worked up over it, at least in my eyes.
Downtime will be coming soon for Ahsoka. I promise. :)

Mysterious guest 1: Thanks, glad you liked it... Palpatine quote huh... that doesn't bode well for me. :)

Erukat: Who else would come to anyone's rescue when Grievous is concerned. Obi-Wan was just really wanted to see his cyborg nemesis again.
Grievous will most certainly be pissed off, but he will appear again in the future. I'm not done with him yet. XD

Mysterious guest 2: The arc was dragging on I agree, so I'm glad its at an end. Its nice to write some singular chapters like the ones up next. The next arc in a shorter one too so say for that. :)
I'm not too sure about Big-Mouth. Guess we will have to see if he survived.

Juxshoa: More about the Jedi who want to leave... consider it done in the near future. There's a pretty interesting pair of characters coming up soon.

Jayfeathers Friend: Obi-Wan and Palpatine are the master of memes. The light and the dark of memes in a way. XD

Mysterious guest 3: Obi-Wan's move was swift and decisive, more than enough to achieve victory and piss off Grievous. Hope you like what comes next.

Travis Middleton: Glad you enjoyed Obi-Wan's dramatic rescue. He is known for such things after all, especially when Grievous is involved.
Kylo's fascination with Vader is great. I really hope he meets Anakin's ghost as that will hopefully be a bit of a wake up call for him.

Jojobinks: Clearly the reference went right over my head. Sorry about that. :)

Cellorules: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you liked this one as well.