Disclaimer:
Star Wars does not belong to me, nor do any of the images shown. This fic was created by me for entertainment purposes.
NA: I have translated this chapter using Chat GPT.
Star Wars Xion 17
"Anakin?" Ahsoka called as she entered the communication room.
Anakin had summoned her there, but at this moment, he was wearing one of the System Zero helmets, and in front of him was a galaxy map with millions of points and some data she didn't understand, making her wonder if it was a secret project she couldn't know about.
The door behind her closed with a wave of Anakin's hand, and he removed the helmet.
"It's not a secret... well, it is a secret, but not for you. Our bond ensures it's always safe to share information," Anakin said.
Ahsoka trusted their bond too, but her trust came from Xion. Anakin was too reckless to inspire confidence in her. Anakin looked at her menacingly, knowing what she was thinking, but Ahsoka no longer saw him as a god, and she didn't care. She reached for her lightsaber, ready for another fight. Anakin grimaced.
"Ahsoka..."
"Anakin, aren't we better off as we are now?" Ahsoka asked. She felt their relationship had improved a lot. "We have fun together," Ahsoka added.
"You're my padawan; we're not supposed to have fun together," Anakin complained. Ahsoka shrugged. Anakin sighed; it seemed their lightsabers wouldn't clash this time.
Anakin pointed at the map and gestured with his hand to show a percentage figure that read thirty percent.
"This is a biological weapon I've created, and when it infects all its targets, this war will be over," Anakin explained, and Ahsoka had to admit she was surprised.
"A biological weapon?" Ahsoka asked.
"Don't worry, it's not a disease, but a cure, and it will take one or two years to complete its distribution. I could use it now, but that would be a disaster because that old man has his eyes on me, and he'll undoubtedly see everything. So, we must be patient.
"In the meantime, I'll leave you in charge of the Truth and Reconciliation. Keep destroying Separatist cruisers. Contrary to what the Republic thinks, we won't win this war by conquering territories because our enemy is the corporations, to which that old man has promised profits. By ruining their economy, we're already delivering a significant blow," Anakin explained.
"Aren't the Separatist systems the ones going into debt by building more cruisers? In the end, if they surrender, all their debts will fall on the Republic," Ahsoka said.
Anakin had already explained to her how this war worked and how the Trade Federation, the Banking Clan, the Commerce Guild, and most super-corporations in the galaxy were using this war to enrich themselves while leaving the Republic in ruins. But if they destroyed more cruisers, it would be the planets that would increase their debts, and the corporations would suffer no harm. Anakin smiled.
"If you call me Master, I might share this information," Anakin said. Ahsoka rolled her eyes.
"As you wish, drown in your ignorance," Anakin said.
"Anakin, I'm the only person you can share your plans with; sooner or later, you'll talk," Ahsoka said casually. Anakin grimaced.
"I won't talk!" Anakin declared.
"I won't ask questions either," Ahsoka affirmed.
"Fine," Anakin said.
"Fine," Ahsoka replied.
Both crossed their arms, but Ahsoka remembered she wasn't there to argue, and Anakin had just given her the Truth and Reconciliation; that wasn't something common.
"Has the Council summoned you?" Ahsoka asked.
"A watch station in the Pantora system has been attacked, and it's presumed to be droids. Don't worry; it's not anything significant; just some native rebels. I would have declined, but there will be casualties if I don't intervene, and I believe I can get some help for our cause," Anakin explained. Ahsoka nodded. "I've also finished your helmet," Anakin said, and a silver sphere flew out of the metallic backpack on his back and into his hand, transforming into a System 0 helmet.
It was an orange helmet with white tattoos that formed patterns like hers, and the helmet also had a custom design for her because it was a helmet that would fit her head.
Ahsoka smiled and took it. When she touched it, it felt warm. Ahsoka blinked.
"You wanted it quickly, so I used the Force to create it," Anakin said uncomfortably.
That explained why its design looked handmade and Anakin's feelings were in it. It was cute…
Ahsoka shook those thoughts from her mind. She wouldn't fall for this fickle idiot's nonsense. She knew his heart was not reliable and he was chasing after other women. She wouldn't even consider it, knowing how unreliable his feelings were. If she ended up like Padmé, wouldn't she be the one suffering afterward? Besides, she was going to be a Jedi; she didn't have time for Anakin's foolishness.
"Thank you, it's beautiful!" Ahsoka said. He was fickle, but they did have a lot in common. If Anakin would stop bothering her about calling him master, they could be good friends.
"You don't need this…"
Ahsoka ignored him and turned away. She wouldn't listen to this idiot's nonsense. He had absurd control over the Force, and there was no way he understood the limitations of others.
"Don't ignore me; I'm your master!" Anakin scolded.
Ahsoka laughed and ran. Anakin ran after her, and Ahsoka tested her new combat tool in a light chase training that ended up in the hangars.
Ahsoka leaped over Anakin's Jedi starfighter, and as she landed, he was already in front of her, his hand reaching for her neck. On another occasion, this would be the end of her escape, but the System 0 presented another probability long before Anakin slid in front of her. This one involved the spheres firing at Anakin while she used the Force to push herself to the side and draw her lightsaber.
The shots raining down on Anakin did nothing to him, even though he didn't draw his lightsaber; it was all absorbed by a shield, which wasn't really a shield but a Jedi energy absorption ability. At the level Anakin controlled it, he could use his hands to confront a lightsaber, so stopping blaster shots barely required any concentration.
Facing Anakin was like facing an overwhelming mountain, but Ahsoka didn't plan to give up. She had already realized she had no chance of matching him in the Force. That was a fact. So, continuing to train the way Anakin wanted wouldn't serve her goal of surpassing him. She had to take a different path, and part of that path was using System 0.
Even with the System 0 helmet, which added precise computer calculations to her mind, she couldn't match Anakin. Ahsoka took off the helmet when she finished her training; she was exhausted, but Anakin still didn't even look slightly tired.
"Ahsoka, for Jedi, the Force is our greatest ally. We shouldn't rely on external tools…"
"Does that mean you'll stop using your lightsaber?" Ahsoka asked before he finished speaking. Anakin blinked. "Yes, it's an external tool," Ahsoka said when Anakin looked at the lightsaber.
"The Force is our greatest ally, and we must use it with all the tools at our disposal," Ahsoka said, turning around. "I invite you to dinner for making the helmet," she added.
"Dinner is free; you just want to extract information from me," Anakin scolded.
"Well," Ahsoka said, shrugging, and only a few seconds later, he followed her.
Ahsoka smiled; there were indeed few people Anakin could talk to, so he always ended up talking to her, but Ahsoka didn't invite him to extract information; she genuinely enjoyed talking to him. Anakin knew many things that interested her.
…
A day later, Ahsoka and part of the 501 exited hyperspace at a Separatist siege.
"Commander Tano, the Separatist ships are preparing to enter hyperspace," reported the clone in charge of sensors, as the Kyber cannon activated and fired upon a cruiser, causing a massive explosion that also affected a second cruiser.
"Set coordinates for the next siege," ordered Ahsoka with a smile, watching two more cruisers flee, along with some frigates, droid fighters, and several squadrons of bombers heading their way.
The Truth and Reconciliation entered hyperspace long before they could reach it, and the Kyber cannon began charging again by the time they would encounter the next Separatist fleet. This way, every few hours, the Separatists would lose several cruisers. Ahsoka thought they would be bankrupt soon; perhaps this war would end sooner than Anakin thought, and that biological weapon he was preparing would no longer be needed.
…
Anakin, along with half of the 501st, was sent to Orto Plutonia, the planet around which the moon Pantora orbited, the origin of the Pantorans. Anakin already knew the details of the conflict, even though the report only mentioned that they had lost communication at a base on the planet.
Anakin already knew that the clones had encountered a native species called the Talz. He had already confirmed all of this with the Force. But what interested him most about this mission was not the Talz or the Pantorans themselves; what interested him most was their senator, Ryo Chuchi, a newcomer to the Senate, free from Palpatine's influence, and the Force and his own memories told him she could become a great supporter for Padmé.
"Anakin, what are you thinking about?" Obi-Wan asked, who had also been sent with his troops because the Pantorans suspected a Separatist invasion.
Anakin looked at Obi-Wan, who was frowning at him. He glanced around. They were in the observation post of some droids, after visiting the clone observation post. The droids had been violently torn apart, and their mechanical parts adorned the entrance and the command room.
"Master, I'm thinking about this situation," Anakin said, looking at President Pantoran, who was about ten meters away from him.
The president was a skinny, blue-skinned figure who ranted like a madman about the Separatists, making Anakin wonder how he became the president of his world.
"Anakin, don't lie; your senses are everywhere except on the current situation," Obi-Wan scolded in a low voice, while looking at Senator Chuchi.
Anakin shrugged. He didn't need to hide his plans either.
"The Force tells me that this war will be more in our favor if I manage to bring her to our side," Anakin said.
"Anakin, we are Jedi; we have no side," Obi-Wan warned helplessly. Anakin looked at him seriously.
"Master, everyone has a side, and the Jedi's side is the side of peace," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, meddling in politics is too risky; senators have personal ambitions, and supporting them can create an imbalance and escalate the conflict, plunging us deeper into it," Obi-Wan said.
"Master, we lead the Republic's army, and the Separatists see us as mortal enemies. We're practically demons in their eyes. We couldn't be more involved in this war.
"What I intend by getting involved is exactly the opposite of what you're saying. I intend to get out of this pit the Sith have thrown us into. And I intend to do it by fighting for peace," Anakin explained.
Obi-Wan pondered for a few seconds.
"Anakin, your plan gives me a bad feeling. I feel you're risking too much, and when you make big bets, your losses can be big too," Obi-Wan said with genuine concern.
"Master, I'll be fine," Anakin said.
"Anakin, you're in more danger than any Jedi in this galaxy," Obi-Wan said. He wasn't referring to his personal safety.
"Master, even though it seems like I don't listen to the Council, I actually do. I understand the Jedi Code and why it's there. I know it's what our enemies are trying to use against us. I'm trying to deal with everything and make things turn out as best as possible. I also don't ignore how difficult it is for the Council to support me because I represent a change in everything they believe, and they're still not convinced that this change is the right one. I don't judge them for it," Anakin said.
"Anakin, I…" his master took a deep breath. "You have a worse opinion of yourself than the Jedi Council does. Anakin, the Jedi Council doesn't doubt you as a person, and your supposed flaws aren't really flaws. They just stand out because you're a Jedi; it's not customary for it to be this way, but the Council understands that this is your way of being, and you were like this even before joining the Jedi."
"They're aware that they demanded a lot from you by trying to change you, and they also acknowledge that not listening to you was a huge mistake. If they had, we wouldn't be in this war."
"Anakin, since the Council has seen where all this has led us, most of them believe it's time to leave the order in the hands of the next generation and step aside, as Master Jadle did in her time…" Anakin's eyes widened considerably. That was terrible news. Obi-Wan grimaced.
"Yes, Master Jadle and I are aware that the pressure would crush you if you were named Grand Master of the order, and for now, we've managed to put that plan aside," Obi-Wan confessed.
Anakin shivered down his spine; those old Jedi were truly helpless. They messed things up completely and then retired, leaving everything to others. In this world, you really couldn't trust anyone, Anakin thought indignantly.
"Anakin, calm down. Besides, if you become a Council Master, you'll have access to all the holocrons," Obi-Wan offered.
Anakin blinked in surprise and slight discomfort, causing Obi-Wan to also widen his eyes in surprise and create a ripple in the Force.
"Master…"
Obi-Wan turned around, his neck stiff as a woman whose dignity had been violated, and he walked straight as a board, trying to control his anger. Anakin sighed. Surely, Obi-Wan wouldn't speak to him for several days now, but the matter with the holocrons really caught him off guard.
It had been so many years since he had infiltrated the library and studied them all that they were now just something he had forgotten about.
"Damn, I even had a good excuse for when Obi-Wan found out," Anakin thought, but due to his current attitude, his excuse would sound like crocodile tears to Obi-Wan's ears. "Well, at least now Obi-Wan will oppose with all his might to have me named Grand Master of the order," Anakin thought. There was no way he would forget this heinous crime of sneaking into the forbidden library.
"General Skywalker, should I prepare for the clones under General Kenobi's command to try to apprehend you?" Rex asked, approaching him and realizing that he would be persona non grata to Obi-Wan for a few days.
"Rex, I didn't know you were into comedy," Anakin said coldly and walked toward President Pantora and Senator Chuchi.
The senator and the president had interrupted their conversation because, like the clones, they had noticed his conversation with Obi-Wan and realized they had ended up in a fight.
"President, senator, I offer our apologies. These are matters of the order," Anakin said. Obi-Wan looked at him coldly, but this was a matter of the order, and he reluctantly nodded.
"We're aware of it; many do not approve of your statements," President Chi Cho said with enmity.
Anakin already knew this guy was a militarist, trigger-happy, and his response to everything was shoot first and ask questions later, so he would never gain his support. Fortunately, he knew this president was about to bury his political career, and he wouldn't have to do anything to make that happen, as he could already see events unfolding in front of him. What Anakin wouldn't allow was for the clones to die for this guy's ambitions.
"President Chi Cho, please refrain from making such statements," Senator Chuchi said, with a bit of shyness but more haste than shyness.
Obi-Wan managed to keep his face composed, but Anakin was somewhat surprised, as was President Chi Cho, who looked at Senator Chuchi as if she had grown another head; his shock was almost palpable. Anakin knew that in the future, Senator Ryo Chuchi would become a determined person who would later confront the Empire, but now she was a shy individual who was just starting her career, so her intervention surprised the Pantoran president.
"General Skywalker, the Pantora Assembly, for the most part, agrees with you on thoroughly examining the reasons and interests in this war, so they've charged me with speaking before the Senate about it," the senator explained. "You're very brave," she added in a whisper.
Anakin blinked, and Obi-Wan shot a discreet glance at the senator and then at him. Anakin smiled at her. "What a charming woman, and now that I see her up close, she's also very pretty," Anakin thought. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, turning to conceal his envy.
"Thank you, Senator Chuchi, but I'm just doing what I can to bring peace to the Republic, and as President Chi Cho seems to agree, I may be wrong. We Jedi are guardians of peace; politics is a matter for those well-versed in it, like you and President Chi Cho," Anakin said confidently.
"Hmm…" Obi-Wan cleared his throat, preventing the conversation from continuing. "Senator Chuchi, President Chi Cho, the issue at hand in this situation is different, and Knight Anakin and I are here for another matter," Obi-Wan said seriously.
"I suppose that's correct," President Chi Cho said, seemingly eager to give a speech. The senator hurriedly nodded.
"Master, I don't believe this is the work of droids. To say this, I'm basing it on the violent manner in which these attacks were carried out," Anakin said, looking at the droid pieces impaled on stakes. "Senator, President, on behalf of the Jedi Order, I'd like to request that you allow me to investigate this situation a bit further," Anakin said, and immediately started walking without letting anyone else speak.
…
Anakin stopped outside the observation base, but his companions couldn't speak there either because a ship was landing and causing snow and cold air to swirl around them.
The president, his four guards who were also Pantorans, Obi-Wan, and the clones were buffeted by the snow and cold air, forcing them to cover their faces. Anakin just stood firm, and the wind and snow didn't even touch his Jedi robe. Walking alongside him, an astonished Senator Chuchi seemed unable to comprehend how the wind and snow seemed to avoid the two of them.
Anakin ignored Obi-Wan, who seemed to want to reprimand him for using the Force in that manner, and looked at the rear door of the small transport ship, which opened to release C-3PO, whom he had requested from Padmé. R2 was with him.
"Knight Anakin, Senator Amidala has sent me to this location to serve as your interpreter," C-3PO introduced himself.
"Interpreter for what?" President Chi Cho hastened to ask with an irate tone.
Anakin wondered if this guy already knew about the existence of the Talz. Considering his attitude, that was possible.
"President Chi Cho, as I told you before, there's something unusual about this attack, and I'm about to find out what it is. The Senate's orders are clear; we must get to the bottom of this matter to defend the interests of the Pantorans, who are members of the Galactic Republic," explained Anakin.
"Those orders pertain to investigating a separatist invasion…" Anakin raised his hand.
"President Chi Cho, it's not your place or mine to interpret Senate orders. My orders are clear; I must get to the bottom of this matter for the good of the Pantoran people, ensure their safety, so you and Senator Chuchi will return to the base while Obi-Wan and I conduct the investigation," Anakin said, not giving Chi Cho a chance to respond. Anakin looked at Rex.
"Rex, our mission is to secure the president and the senator. Take them back to the base and ensure their safety," ordered Anakin. "Be kind to Senator Chuchi; she's one of the few people in this galaxy who cares about us," he added. Rex saluted.
"Understood, General," Rex responded, and immediately, several clones escorted the president while Rex bowed to the senator and invited her to walk back to their transport.
Anakin nodded, while Obi-Wan bit his tongue to refrain from reprimanding him, but his anger got the best of him, and he didn't speak.
…
Obi-Wan and Anakin followed the trail of the attackers to a village, with R2 and C-3PO accompanying them.
…
"Unacceptable. These are mere lies; this is an invasion of Pantora's territory. Pantora declares war to defend its citizens," declared President Chi Cho when Obi-Wan informed him and Senator Chuchi about the Talz and the results of the investigations.
Anakin wondered if Palpatine had his hands in this; this was certainly his style, to stir up conflicts and then send them to resolve them, but without giving them any real negotiating tools or authority, so things ended badly most of the time.
"President Chi Cho, the Talz are native tribes and don't possess the technology to reach this location," explained Obi-Wan.
"These are mere lies; they are invaders, and as President of Pantora, I order you to accompany me to battle to settle this war," President Chi Cho scolded with indignation.
"President, we're not here to interfere in Pantora's internal affairs…" Anakin raised his hand to prevent Obi-Wan from removing them from the conflict and sending the clones to their deaths.
"Master, our orders are clear: get to the bottom of this matter and protect the president and Senator Chuchi. We've already fulfilled our first objective, but the president has refused to acknowledge the value of our investigation and has declared that he doesn't trust the Jedi Order for this matter.
"As such," Anakin bowed to Senator Chuchi, "Senator, our only option is to step back and report this matter to the Senate so they can send a new diplomatic support commission," Anakin reported, and immediately looked at Rex. "Rex, I'm afraid the Pantorans have dismissed us; this will undoubtedly be a stain on our otherwise good record, but the president, as the representative of the Pantorans, has been clear and does not accept our intervention, so we must withdraw promptly. So, let's move," Anakin ordered, and immediately began walking.
"Yes, General," Rex said, saluting and instructing the rest of the clones to follow them.
Obi-Wan was also taken aback, but Cody, his clone commander, had taken the hint and was helping his surprised general leave the facilities.
Before Anakin left the temporary base's communication room, Senator Chuchi ran and stood in front of them, bowing.
"Master Obi-Wan, General Skywalker, please don't leave. President Chi Cho does not represent the will of the Pantorans, nor does our assembly of government," the senator said hurriedly, as if fearing being ignored. Anakin offered her a sincere smile and a questioning look.
…
"Anakin!" reprimanded Obi-Wan three days later when they were invited to the planet Pantora by the Assembly of Government, which had already ordered President Chi Cho's arrest, recognized the legitimacy of the Talz over the planet Orto Plutonia, and negotiated peace with them.
Anakin smiled because the fact that Obi-Wan was speaking to him meant that his anger over the infiltration of the forbidden library was subsiding.
"Tell me, Master," said Anakin, observing the Pantoran city.
"Anakin, you were about to cause an incident with the Pantorans, not to mention that the Jedi Order could have been affected," Obi-Wan said helplessly.
"Master, you were there too. Former President Chi Cho already knew about the Talz; he just wanted an excuse for war. I suspect his popularity among his people was not good, and like any politician, he wanted to divert attention. I simply hastened his downfall. I'm sure the Pantorans appreciate it," Anakin said.
"Anakin, one day your hunches may be wrong, and you're not exactly a great judge of character either," Obi-Wan said with a sigh.
"I don't need to be a good judge of character when the Force guides me. Master, you should listen to the Force more," Anakin replied, turning around and looking towards the apartment door.
The door opened, and Rex entered, escorting R2 and C-3PO. Rex wore a medal on his armor because the Pantoran Assembly had taken the opportunity to recognize the clones' efforts in the Clone Wars, and both Rex and Cody received medals at an official ceremony.
"Knight Skywalker, Senator Chuchi sends her thanks for your assistance in the peaceful resolution of this conflict and invites you to a dinner to express her gratitude at a private dinner, paid for by the Pantoran Assembly," C-3PO said.
R2 beeped, expressing disdain. Obi-Wan brought his hand to his face.
"Master, envy is the path to the dark side," Anakin said as he walked to the front, using the Force to leave R2 and C-3PO behind, as those two could ruin his date.
"Rex, lead the way; there's a lovely senator waiting for me," Anakin ordered.
The fact that the Pantoran Assembly was paying for the dinner meant that this was politics, but there was no need to be so attached to subtle matters; he could ignore it.
…
"General, I suppose this matter shouldn't be mentioned to Commander Tano and Senator Amidala," Rex said as he walked alongside him.
Anakin's heart skipped several beats as he looked at Rex in disbelief. Rex didn't even turn to look at him as he walked with determination, holding his helmet under his right arm.
"General, every time Senator Amidala calls for help, the galaxy has to do without its finest general," Rex explained. "As for Commander Tano, I've never witnessed anyone rebelling against her orders without suffering severe consequences," he added.
Padmé had him running around, Ahsoka was insubordinate. It had been easy for Anakin to expose himself to his troops. Anakin sighed.
"Rex…"
"Senator Amidala is undoubtedly a great woman," Rex supported confidently, before Anakin could speak.
"Well, Ahsoka is still young…"
"Commander Tano is no less capable than you, but having both of you together can be somewhat dangerous," Rex explained. Anakin didn't understand.
"Rex, the Jedi Council doesn't execute those who break the rules. At most, they'll carry out their threat to expel me, but you don't have to worry about that. Ahsoka is determined to be a Jedi," Anakin explained. Rex turned and looked him up and down.
"General, I meant the galaxy could be in danger," Rex said.
Anakin blinked, realizing that these days, nobody had any respect for him. This guy only wanted him to be with Padmé because he thought she could keep him in line. In contrast, Ahsoka, to Rex, was more of the same, and together they would cause twice as much trouble as he could on his own.
"Rex, when we get back to the Resolute, you'll be in charge of cleaning the upper hangar floor for a week," Anakin ordered.
"Of course, General. Insubordination must be punished without hesitation," Rex said with a smile.
"Rex, you'll also be in charge of cleaning all three lower hangars," Anakin ordered. Rex saluted to acknowledge his orders but continued to smile.
…
Several months had passed since Padmé's intervention in the Senate, and Palpatine had not made a move against her yet. Padmé wasn't relieved by this; she was only more worried, wondering when Palpatine would decide it was a good time to get rid of her. But today, Padmé was more concerned because she had received a call from her home planet, Naboo, about the presence of droids in its territory. The current queen had called her, fearing a Separatist attack.
Padmé also considered that Palpatine might dare to try to destroy all of Naboo due to her intervention against him. This was also her planet, but she knew that the Sith Lord cared for nothing, and that's why she was very concerned about the citizens of Naboo, which prompted her to hurry to the location, accompanied by 02.
Now Padmé found herself in a swamp after following a trail of dangerous poison there.
"There's a base below the surface with several battalions of droids and what appear to be laboratories for biological weapons," 02 reported with his robotic voice. Padmé confirmed her worst fears, but she couldn't let her emotions overwhelm her. She had to act for Naboo's safety.
"02, send all the information to Captain Panaka and inform the queen and the Senate. In the meantime, look for an entrance we can use. I need to see this with my own eyes," Padmé said.
"It's not recommended. This planet is dangerous. You should return to Coruscant and call the Republic's army," 02 advised.
"Thank you, 02, but for that, I need to at least see the danger with my own eyes," Padmé said, drawing her blaster.
02 guided her behind a tree and indicated he would hack a door for her.
Half an hour later, Padmé had been captured, and 02 floated around her like a toy while Nuvo Vindi, a Faust scientist, explained his evil plans to spread a deadly virus throughout the galaxy.
Behind him were five mercenaries and hundreds of droids, with more than twenty droidekas.
"Doctor, are you done yet? Can we get on with our task now?" one of the mercenaries asked.
"Of course not. She will be my guinea pig…" The mercenary placed the barrel of a blaster to the doctor's head.
"Doctor, we've let you spout nonsense long enough, but don't think for a moment that we'll stay in this place longer than necessary," one of the mercenaries reprimanded as another one advanced.
"02, that should be enough," Padmé said, and 02 changed his color from white to black.
"Infiltration complete, raise your hands and surrender…" one of the mercenaries nonchalantly raised his blaster and first shot at her and then at 02. In both cases, the shots were ineffective because 02 was unaffected, and she was now surrounded by a shield.
"Massacre mode activated," 02 said in a robotic voice, deploying blaster cannons from all over its surface and firing blaster shots in all directions.
Doctor Vindi was the first to fall, followed by the four mercenaries. They didn't last a second; 02 had shot them all at once. The droids in front fell in the next second, but they were only B1s, and behind them came B2s, followed by droidekas that activated their shields.
02 didn't stop firing, and two hours later, all resistance in the underground base had been crushed, subdued, and now 02, which had split into twenty smaller spheres, reassembled in front of her, atop a heap of scrap that had once been the droid army guarding the underground base.
"All files have been deleted, the virus destroyed, and the explosives planted," 02 reported.
"Thank you, 02. Let's get out of this place," Padmé said.
"Senator, I've located a more efficient transport than the cargo vehicle we arrived in. Please follow me," 02 said. Padmé nodded with a smile. She didn't support the war, but Palpatine would certainly be in for many surprises if he attempted to harm her and her allies.
…
"Apprentice, General Skywalker is destroying Separatist cruisers at a rate they can't replace," Darth Sidious, who was a hooded hologram in the communication room, said.
"Master, this could accelerate our plans with the Banking Clan and the Trade Federation," said his apprentice, Count Dooku.
Ventress observed the conversation in silence, on alert for any intrusion by Darth Maul, who had become the new general of the Separatist army and was not present at the moment. Nonetheless, Ventress remained vigilant because Darth Maul and Darth Sidious's purpose was to dispose of her and her master.
"Apprentice, you have a keen mind. Make the preparations; Skywalker's actions will only hasten the Republic's fall into our hands," Sidious said and cut off the communication.
"Fool!" his master exclaimed, reprimanding Sidious.
Ventress agreed with that sentiment. Skywalker couldn't be underestimated; he wouldn't play into Sidious's hands, especially when he must already suspect his true identity, something obvious due to his recent moves.
"Master, how shall we proceed?" Ventress asked.
"We'll follow all orders, not interfering in this political battle. If Skywalker manages to turn Darth Sidious's plans against him, it will be beneficial for us," her master declared. Ventress agreed with that as well.
"Now, follow me, apprentice. I must introduce you to some senators to whom you'll suggest that Darth Maul might not be following the proper rules of engagement in this just war for their rights," her master said, leading the way.
Ventress smiled; that would also disrupt many of Darth Sidious's plans and pave the way for their rise and the rise of their master. They could blame Darth Maul for all the war crimes committed by the droid army and its commanders while reaping the rewards of their incursions into Republic worlds, increasing the confidence of separatist worlds in them.
NA 1: Rex is with Padmé. Anakin continues to gain support, and what he's spreading across the galaxy, or more precisely within the Clone Army, is aimed at eliminating the obedience biochip and Order 66. Once the chips are tampered with, Anakin will have no fear in going directly against Palpatine, so if he succeeds in his mission, the war will end at that moment.
NA 2: Now Padmé also knows the capabilities of the robots, "massacre," and will act with more confidence in opposing Palpatine.
NA 3: Palpatine has seen an opportunity in the indiscriminate destruction Anakin is causing in the Separatist cruisers and plans to use it to advance his schemes. The pieces are starting to fall Into place, and the end of the war is approaching, as there isn't much more to tell about the Clone Wars.
NA 4: Before the end of this part of the Clone Wars, we will move to Mandalore, as it is an important point. Remember that Satine is the leader of fifteen hundred neutral worlds, and Palpatine wants everyone in the war. I'm thinking about the Nightsisters, but with Ventress with Dooku and Maul with Sidious, Mother Talzin doesn't have much to do to gain favor with either of the two apprentices. Who we will see here is Cad Bane because Palpatine will want to use him soon. As you can imagine, with everything that has happened, Revenge of the Sith will change significantly, as will the main plot.
NA 5: Of course, Anakin infiltrated the Jedi library years ago and absorbed all of its knowledge. That's why becoming a Council Master has never interested him.