Interior: cockpit, Republic transport.
Having reluctantly agreed to an escort mission he considered a waste of his talents, Starkiller ordered, "Ace, hail the cruiser."
Ace obliged, "Yes, sir, patching you through now," then pressed a button.
Standing next to Starkiller, Luminara informed, "Jedi cruiser Tranquility, this is General Luminara Unduli requesting permission to land."
Via viewscreen, Argyus replied, "You're cleared, General.
We await your prisoner's arrival."
"I look forward to delivering him to you."
Interior: Republic transport, main hold.
Nute Gunray offered, "I am a man of great wealth, and I can be very generous to my allies."
Gree sarcastically replied, "That is a very tempting offer, Viceroy. In the meantime, I have a gift for you," and handcuffed Gunray.
As the ship docked, Ahsoka sighed, "Finally. It's been such a boring trip," then they boarded the cruiser.
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquility.
As he was escorted through the ship, Nute complained, "This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice! I demand my litigator!"
HK-47 said, "Advisement: shut the kriff up and keep moving your worthless carcass, meatbag."
The escort consisted of Luminara, Starkiller, the HKs, Ahsoka, X1, X2, and a squad of clones led by Gree.
As they met up with some Senate commandos, Captain Argyus said, "Greetings, Generals. We have the brig all ready for this traitor."
Luminara nodded, "Very good, Captain." and glanced at her right hand man, "Commander Gree, let's get on the way."
Gree acknowledged, "Right away, ma'am." and pushed Gunray forward at gunpoint, "Let's move!"
Observing the security detail, Ahsoka wondered, "Senate commandos? How does a money-grubbing worm like Gunray rate all this security?
He doesn't look that dangerous."
Whilst keeping his presence masked in the Force, Starguy pointed out, "Neither does Jar Jar Binks, but he and Padme caught Gunray after he rescued her.
And his own people tried to exile him for his clumsiness, but now that weak-minded imbecile is a senator."
"Good point."
Luminara advised, "Don't give Gunray an advantage by being overconfident, Ahsoka.
As we speak, his allies may be conspiring against us."
"Actually, they're enroute," said Starkiller who added, "I sense something off about Argyus.
I don't trust him at all,"
"Indeed? Well, I trust you'll remain vigilant."
"They'll send Asajj Ventress for Gunray. I want her alive."
Curious, Ahsoka questioned, "Why?"
"She didn't willingly turn to the dark side.
That's the last thing she wanted when I met her as a kid.
She's been suffering alone.
She's in pain, and she needs help. She needs hope."
"Then let's try and help her."
Luminara inquired, "Star, why are you masking your presence?"
"To make a point: if you can't sense someone as powerful as me when I'm standing next to you, a Sith Lord or worse could easily go unnoticed whilst shaking hands with the Jetii Council in their own temple."
"Indeed."
"I also don't need my Force presence to act as a homing beacon, or my enemies to know how powerful I've become."
"Fair enough."
Shortly thereafter.
Interior: Jedi cruiser: Tranquility, detention level.
Whilst sensing Gunray's feelings, Luminara said, "Your thoughts betray you, Viceroy.
I can sense your concern.
The fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the war has given you."
Nute stammered, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Obviously you do, dirtbag," scoffed Starkiller, "or you wouldn't be here.
Hell, I'm surprised you're still alive."
Luminara stated, "You hide a great many things.
The name of your secret allies. The locations of their bases."
Gunray nervously replied, "I am an innocent pawn in all of this!"
Starkiller humorlessly chuckled, "One Sidious won't hesitate to sacrifice.
But he's not your greatest fear… is he? No… the Emperor is."
Gunray recoiled and turned pale as a ghost.
Luminara asked Nute, "If you're merely a pawn, then who are you protecting?"
Gunray lied, "No-one! I… I know nothing!"
"Enough lies, you mewling quim!" roared Starkiller whose voice deepened, "Tell us what we want to know, and do it now!
Or the Sith Emperor will be the least of your worries!" as he towered over the filthy Neimoidian whilst the room darkened.
The Mando's companions were speechless and exchanged looks of shock, and some of the guards had expressions of horror behind their helmets.
Gunray screamed in terror as he fell backwards, off his chair, landing on the floor, and backed up against the wall whilst trembling.
As the lights turned back on, Starkiller offered, "Viceroy, if you tell us everything, we can work something out.
The Republic can protect you from the Empire.
Give your willing cooperation, and you will receive a fair trial with possibility of a lighter sentence.
Savvy?"
Gunray gave in, telling them absolutely everything which was recorded, before his memory of doing so was erased from his mind.
Luminara turned to the Mandalorian, and pulled him aside while Ahsoka kept an eye on Gunray.
The Jedi Master reprimanded, "Terror is not a weapon the Jedi use."
"I should've just probed and ripped the intel from this pathetic worm.
Then let the HKs torture him for anything I might've missed, until they get bored or kill him," hissed Starkiller, terrifying Gunray even more.
HK-47's eyes lit up, "Hopeful question: oh, can I, Master?
I'd so very much like to torture the Neimoidian meatbag."
Whilst taken aback, Unduli played along, "And what's stopping him right now?"
"I don't want any witnesses," answered Starkiller.
"Insistence: oh, Master, you should really let me.
Fond recollection: my original Master, Revan, would've let me do it in front of an audience." responded HK-47.
Luminara chuckled, "Charming."
"Statement: he was quite popular with the ladies, much like Master Starkiller.
Complimentary: you are quite beautiful for a meatbag, Mistress Luminara."
"Oh, good grief."
HK-55, who was standing next to Gree, mentioned, "Observation: the meatbag Gunray has sprung a leak." making some of the present company chuckle.
An hour later.
The ship was shaken by a blast.
Via comlink, Green leader alerted, "Super battle droids and enemy soldiers have breached our hull!
They're headed for the detention level.
We need reinforcements!"
As the Jedi exited the cell, Starkiller, via comlink, said, "X1, X2, take a squad and reinforce Green Leader defending the hull. I'll join you momentarily."
"Yes, Sir." acknowledged the two lightsaber wielding clones of Falon Grey.
Luminara turned to Gree, "Commander, I'll need your assistance."
"Let's go." said Ahsoka.
Luminara shook her head, "You will stay here with Captain Argyus.
Guard the Viceroy."
Ahsoka mentioned, "I think Starkiller and his trigger happy psycho have beat you there."
Luminara & Gree rushed out of the brig to face the clankers.
Gunray chuckled, "Perhaps after my rescue…"
Ahsoka pointed out, "Rescue? Maybe they're here to make sure you won't talk."
As his eyes widened in horror, Gunray gulped.
HK-55 turned to Ahsoka, "Question: I know our objective is to make the meatbag talk, but does he ever shut up?"
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquility, hangar.
Upon finding a few squads of clones, X1, X2, HKs and Starkiller had cleared the area of dozens of clankers, a handful of dark acolytes, and armoured soldiers before they'd arrived, Gree sighed, "Looks like the last of them, Generals."
Luminara agreed, "Yes, but I sense our troubles are not over."
"I sense it too," noted Starkiller, "it's Ventress."
"We'd best return to the brig." replied Luminara.
Starkiller nodded, "You go ahead. I'm going to check the systems for sabotage."
"Very well."
Via comms, Starkiller ordered, "I need a bomb squad and engineering team to check our essential systems and engines for sabotage.
Take astromechs with you."
"Yes, General."
Turning to the clones, Starkiller said, "I want these soldiers identified.
Where they came from, and which faction they're from.
They're not Republic or CIS."
"Then who the hell are they?" asked one of the troopers.
Inspecting an insignia on the strange soldiers' pauldrons, HK-47 chimed in, "Observation: they're wearing the ancient Sith Empire's crest.
Conclusion: these are Imperial Sith troopers aka stormtroopers.
Alarming revelation: the Sith Empire has returned!"
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquillity, cell block.
Argyus walked over to Ahsoka, "Padawan Tano, may I have a word?"
"Certainly, Captain." nodded Ahsoka before turning to Gunray, "If I leave, you won't go anywhere, will you?"
"Oh, ha-ha," humourlessly laughed Nute.
"I've got the all-clear. The enemy has been repelled." informed Argyus as they neared the lifts.
Ahsoka asked, "And their attempt to free Gunray has-" then saw something down the hallway, "failed?"
Asajj Ventress cut a hole through the door to the lift before knocking out some of the guards.
Igniting her saber, Ahsoka quipped, "If it isn't the Separatist's Siren."
Ventress smirked, "Well, if it isn't Skywalker's adorable little sidekick."
Ahsoka took her reverse Shien stance, "Tell you what: if you surrender, we'll be merciful."
"I can't surrender. That's not an option for me, so don't hold back one bit."
"As you wish," sighed the Togruta who began duelling the Dathomirian.
Both Starkiller and Luminara sensed Ahsoka's battle.
Indicating to Asajj as the two duellists dashed back from each other, Ahsoka ordered, "Shoot her!" before the assassin incapacitated the whole squad of Senate commandos who'd set for stun.
Locking blades with Ahsoka, Ventress taunted, "Skywalker's not here to save you now."
"I was about to say the same thing to you about Dooku."
"Funny," sarcastically replied Asajj whilst clashing blades.
"Are you naturally bald?"
"I'm silver-blonde, but I shaved it all off for charity."
"That's really awesome of you."
"You should try jar'kai, you'd be exceptionally formidable with it." complimented Ventress between well-timed strikes.
"Thanks, Sassajj."
"What'd you just call me? Oh, you're a snippy one,"
"It's part of my charm. I'm Ahsoka, by the way."
"That's a really nice name."
Gunray called to Asajj, "Over here! Open this door and I'll buy you a planet!"
"Shut up, Viceroy! I'm busy at the moment!" snapped Ventress, in the middle of a bladelock.
Blocking high, middle, low, middle high, middle, low and middle, high, middle and high, middle and low in varying patterns for around 10 minutes, Tano eventually disarmed an astonished Asajj of one of her sabers.
"What is happening right now?" chuckled a confused Ventress, "I've killed Jedi Knights and Masters.
How are you more of a challenge?"
"I've been getting lots and lots of practice. And I'm a fast learner."
"Clearly and I'll admit I'm impressed, but I can't let you stop me."
"If we both survive the war, do you wanna be friends?" innocently asked Tano.
"I'll consider it, darling." replied Asajj before being disarmed of her other saber, then Luminara and Gree arrived.
Luminara advised Ventress, "Surrender, and the Council will show leniency."
Seemingly about to yield, Ventress pressed her detonators but nothing exploded so she took her sabers and jumped down the elevator shaft.
As they neared the lifts and Starkiller and the HKs arrived, Unduli said to the Padawans, "Our attacker has come for Gunray.
Stay here and guard him. I'll confront her myself."
Ahsoka protested, "Ventress is too powerful to fight alone.
Let me help you."
"I am more than capable of dealing with a lone assassin." assured Luminara.
HK-55 chimed in, "Reminder: that 'lone assassin,' has single-handedly killed many Jedi Knights and Masters before you."
"Luminara, you know better than to overestimate yourself or underestimate your foe.
Ditto for underestimating your allies," reprimanded Starkiller.
"You're right, I should follow my own advice," conceded Luminara, "Now, please stay here in case she comes back or has friends, and keep clear heads." before going after Asajj.
Pacing, Ahsoka asked no-one in particular, "Luminara may be a Jedi Master, but she doesn't know what Ventress is capable of.
I can't let her face that Witch alone.
Won't we have a better chance of stopping her if I help?"
Argyus replied, "Sometimes, being a good soldier means doing what we think is right.
That's why we're superior to droids."
Hk-47 punched Argyus in the face, "Offended statement: you are not my superior, you filthy meatbag."
HK-55 chimed in, "Reminder: Jedi are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
At the same time.
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquillity, engine room.
Luminara and Asajj were engaged in a heated duel.
As she burst a pipe which blew steam into Luminara's eyes, Asajj taunted, "Do you think you'll still be able to call on the Force after I've separated your head from your body?"
After wiping one of her eyes, Luminara held up her saber, and observed, "Even with my vision clouded, I recognise Count Dooku's fighting style.
Your version is unrefined, amateurish.
Your heart isn't in it,"
Interior: Tranquillity, brig.
In two minds, Ahsoka asked, "I can't disobey a direct order and leave my post, can I?"
Gree replied, "I wouldn't depending on circumstances."
Starkiller chimed in, "Sometimes given orders are the wrong ones.
Trust your instincts, trust yourself, trust the Force, and you'll know what to do."
HK-55 said, "Assurance: we can handle this, Mistress Tano.
Meatbag Gunray isn't going anywhere."
HK-47 added, "Assessment: together, you and Mistress Unduli will defeat meatbag Ventress."
Ahsoka gestured to Gunray, "Watch him closely," then sprinted down the hallway.
"Call us if you need help, ma'am!" called out Gree.
"I will!" called back Tano.
HK-47 glowed his red eyes and caught Argyus by the throat, "Primary observation: the assassin was wearing one of your gauntlets.
Secondary observation: meatbag Ventress initially incapacitated every Senate commando except meatbag Argyus.
Conclusion: meatbag Argyus is a traitor," crushed his wrist-com, and threw him into a cell.
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquillity, engine room.
Gaining an upper hand by trapping Luminara under some fallen pipes, Asajj hissed, "Now you fall… as all Jedi must."
As she entered the engine room to see the assassin leap towards Unduli, Ahsoka cast electric judgement, sending Ventress flying away from the Jedi Master just in time.
While cutting Luminara free, Ahsoka sighed, "I know, I know. You told me to stay."
Luminara nodded, "Well, as long as you're here.
And was that lightning?"
"Electric judgement. Plo'Buir taught it to me."
Using the darkness of the room, Ventress hid from the Jedi.
"Ahsoka, this assassin, I've never faced an adversary like her.
I should have listened to you and Galen."
Tano began, "We never meant to overstep our bounds, but-" then sensed a flicker of light amongst the darkness of Asajj's presence, listened carefully and heard her heartbeat through her montrals.
As she and Ahsoka felt a freezing cold presence of pure darkness, Luminara breathed shakily and shivered as an ice cold chill went down her spine before regaining her composure, "Something's wrong… I sense a dark presence but it's not Ventress."
Trusting what she was sensing from the former Padawan, Ahsoka implored, "Ventress, you don't have to do this.
We can feel the good in you… the conflict."
Falling from the shadows of the rafters as she felt a sharp pain inside her mind before landing on her back, Asajj slowly got to her feet, and denied, "No… no there- There is no conflict.
There… there is only darkness."
Compassionate, Unduli chimed in, "Let us help you… in the night, we will help you find the light."
"You can't help me… not with this." dejectedly declined Asajj who snapped, "If I fail to get the Viceroy, death will be a mercy compared to what the Dark Emperor of the Sith Empire will do to me!" and threw a smoke pellet whilst she fled.
Interior: Jedi cruiser: Tranquillity, brig.
Gree glared at the traitor, "Why'd you do it, Argyus? Why'd you betray the Republic?"
"The Republic? Ha, no… I'm loyal to my immortal Emperor, and the glorious Sith Empire." boasted Argyus, making everyone exchange looks.
Gunray chimed in, "You should've taken my offer when you had the chance, clone.
You could've been rich, and had anything you wanted."
"I would never betray my brothers. And your promises are worth less than Republic credits on Tatooine or Jakku."
Argyus looked at Starkiller, "I'm actually a little bit sorry you had to be here to see your meat droid brothers being killed, Mandalorian.
It's really nothing pers- agh, ugh-" then was lifted off the ground and began to gasp for breath.
As he Force choked him to death, an unamused Starkiller replied, "Apology accepted, Captain Argyus," and let the corpse drop to the floor, surprising the present company.
HK-47's eyes lit up, "Praise: Master, I'm so proud of you."
Via the PA as an alarm blared, a pilot alerted, "Three unidentified Star Destroyers have just come out of hyperspace!" before the ship was hit by a barrage of laser blasts destroying the engines.
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquillity, bridge.
As they appeared via a red hologram before the Jedi, Mandalorian, and some officers, a darkly armoured figure, with glowing yellow eyes, blood red skin and twin tendrils on his chin, snarled, "Republic scum,"
Luminara asked, "What is it you want?"
Without taking his glaring eyes off Starkiller, the Sith pureblood answered the Jedi Master, "Surrender the Viceroy.
If you fail to comply, we'll storm your ship, and either kill you all, or enslave you to the Sith Empire."
Seeing no acceptable alternative, Luminara conceded, "Very well… he's yours." before handing Gunray over to Asajj who walked in.
The Sith's hologram lingered as he stared intensely at Starkiller before ending the transmission.
"Someone really doesn't like you, Starguy," observed Ahsoka, "that guy did nothing but stare at you the whole time.
He didn't even blink."
"I noticed, 'Soka."
A little while later.
Interior: Jedi cruiser, Tranquillity, bridge.
Via hologram, Anakin, having heard some of the report, praised his Padawan, "You're amazing, Ahsoka. I'm so proud of you."
Tano smiled, "Thanks, Skyguy."
"Did you know, my first battle against Ventress was my trial of skill?
I barely won, and she almost killed me, on Yavin IV."
"Really?"
"Yeah, now what's this I heard about wanting to redeem her?"
"There was something seriously off about her presence.
The darkness inside her wasn't hers.
It was someone else's, and we could sense that."
Skywalker raised an eyebrow, "Come again?"
Luminara elaborated, "Someone she called the "Dark Emperor of the Sith," terrified her to her core, and she claims death is a mercy compared to what he'd do to her for failing.
Whomever he is, he may be influencing or controlling her from afar."
Starkiller produced a hologram, "To make things worse, the Sith Empire has returned."
Yoda's face saddened, "Troubling, is this revelation."
The hologram of Obi-Wan inquired, "Did you manage to get intel from Gunray before his rescue?"
In case the transmission was intercepted, Starkiller shook his head, "No, the Sith extracted him before we could shut him up long enough to interrogate him,"
Obi-Wan sighed, "That's unfortunate.
We'll discuss this with the Council."
As the holograms faded, Ahsoka turned to the Mirialan Jedi Master, "Luminara, I guess this is goodbye for now."
"I owe you my life, Ahsoka.
And Galen, you performed admirably as well," praised Unduli, "your instincts serve both of you well."
"Protecting a Jedi mentor is the role of a Padawan." replied both Padawans, at the same time.
"And teaching is usually the role of the Mentor.
I have no doubt Obi-Wan and Anakin are very proud of you both, as I am." said Luminara.
"Thank you."
Mando'a translations:
Jetii - Jedi.