Phantasy Star Horizon
ESKK: Well, here we go a new chapter let's get started here.
(Start Republic Ship the Resolute)
Everyone was getting checked over by ARKs Medical teams making sure none of the Clones suffer from the Falspawns F-Factors. As this went on Yuvel was sitting on a crate as he made sure his teammates were getting the needed medical attention from the Republic and ARKs medics. Those on Yuvel's team were sent to the medical bay when they were cleared of F-Factors as were the Clone Troopers. As this happened Yuvel noticed Laura was missing which he found odd.
"Hey Reggie, have you seen Laura anywhere?" Yuvel asked the CAST who shrugged to Yuvel.
"I don't know." Reggie responded as he looked to Yuvel.
"She was with us when we boarded the ship." Zurna said as she found it odd on Laura's part.
"I think I saw her go over to those crates over that way." A trooper said pointing to where he saw Laura only to see Laura approaching the group just as the ARK's Medics left.
"Hey Laura, you, ok?" Yuvel asked as he looked to Laura who seemed oddly pale.
"Oh? Um yes, I'm fine." Laura said seeming to be lost in thought when Yuvel approached her. "Did you get looked over for F-Factors?" Laura asked as she looked to Yuvel.
"Yeah, we all did, some of the team is heading over to medical to get looked over for some of their larger wounds, the rest of us plan to head over to the mess hall for some grub." Yuvel said as he looked to Laura with concern for the Newman girl.
"That's great." Laura said as she smiled a bit. "I can use some food myself so how about we all go." Laura said as she looked to the group.
"You sure?" Yuvel asked as he looked to Laura with concern for her.
"Of course, I'm sure." Laura began as she then raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I be?" Laura asked as Yuvel looked to her with concern.
"I mean Cad Bane and Apprentice did have you as hostages." Yuvel began but Laura smiled to this.
"Look I'm fine ok let's just grab some food and relax." Laura said but Yuvel wasn't convinced as she turned around to walk off.
"Laura maybe you should." Yuvel began but Laura cut him off with a shock.
"I SAID I'M FINE!" Laura snapped surprising Yuvel with her outburst as even Laura was surprised by it. "I… I mean I wasn't hurt that bad, I don't have any signs of major injuries I… just want to eat before getting my head looked at." Laura defended as Yuvel felt Laura was hiding something from him.
"Well alright." Yuvel said while not convinced let Laura go so, she can grab a bite to eat. But he also took a mental note to keep a close eye on her just in case the thing she was hiding proves to be harmful to herself.
(With the Troopers)
Meanwhile while the general and commander got out of the Shuttle to talk to Admiral Yularen, several clone troopers helping their injured brothers to the medical bay.
"How many made it off this time?" A clone asked his brother as they knew they had less then when they started this mission.
"Just us. And those who took General Ropal's body back to the ship before that frigate blew." A trooper answered, taking off his helmet. "Though it'd been much worse if ARKs weren't there." He said as they knew their losses would have been a lot worse if not for ARKs.
"Tell, me about it. Gotta, admit they're really good in a fight." A third said taking off his helmet as he led the injured away to receive treatment.
"Denal, good job frying that bounty hunter." The second Clone Trooper said as he passed by his brother giving him a pat on the shoulder for a job well done. Oddly enough Denal remained silent as his brother walked out of the shuttle to meet with his brothers. "Let's get some grub. You hungry?" The second clone asked his brothers.
"I'll catch up." Hardcase answered as he noticed something on the floor. As he brought it to the attention of Rex a clone trooper from the Torrent battalion came to check on the less than series injured before pulling out a medical device.
Nearby Ahsoka Tano approached her master, Anakin Skywalker, after he finished speaking with the Admiral seeing that he was walking off to the bridge. "So, what now?" Ahsoka asked as she knew that even if they could not get the Holocron at least the Separatists could not get the Jedi Artifact either.
"We get the injured to the medical bay." Anakin answered, looking back to his padawan while noticing many of the clones who made it out of there heading over to the med-bay.
"General, there's something I think you should see." Rex called out and in response Anakin began to make his way over to Rex and Hardcase.
Just then after Anakin headed over to where Rex was, Ahsoka noticed Denal walking away from where the other troopers are going. "Trooper, are you alright?" Ahsoka asked only to be ignored by Denal who kept walking which got Yuvel's attention.
"What's wrong with him?" Yuvel asked as he looked to Ahsoka.
Ahsoka seeing Yuvel saw he was worried before looking back to the Trooper. "He must've been hit in the head." Ahsoka answered which Yuvel nodded before the two hurried to catch up hoping to help the possibly concussed Trooper.
(Meanwhile with Anakin and Rex)
Anakin arrived back on the shuttle and saw what Rex had pointed out to him. "It's blood, sir." Rex began as Anakin touched the substance with his gloves to feel it. "And it sure isn't from any of our men." Rex said and in turn Anakin began to put the pieces together.
After all bar, the CAST the Troopers were all human in origins and thus had red blood. The same can be said for the Newman and Deuman on the ship. This was blood which meant someone wasn't human and the only nonhuman in this entire mission other than the obvious the bounty hunter Cad Bane himself.
(Back with Ahsoka and Yuvel)
Ahsoka and Yuvel made their way over to Denal knowing he needed to go to the med bay. "Denal, wait! You're injured. That might be serious." Ahsoka said as Yuvel began to look at the injury.
"She's right, you need to go to the medical bay and…" Yuvel trailed off when he noticed something concerning about the injury which Ahsoka noticed as well.
Ahsoka and Yuvel both saw the part of the injury that made it to the surface which showed green blood and blue skin. "You're no clone." Ahsoka stated, seeing the green blood and blue skin and in turn Yuvel saw Anakin come out.
"It's BANE!" Yuvel called out and thus pushed Ahsoka out of the way and summoning his sword. Once it was summoned Yuvel blocked the attack from Bane and in turn bushed the Bounty Hunter back. Acting fast the Bounty Hunter zoomed at Yuvel and looked ready to attack only to jump onto the ship near him and off it to get around Yuvel. He knew Ahsoka would be a problem and in turn proceeded to knee her in the gut before she could draw her saber and continued running.
"Ahsoka!" Yuvel called out and thus glared at Bane before he used the Photon Dash to go after the Bounty Hunter.
As Bane made his escape the disguised bounty hunter used his case to knock out a clone who was doing maintenance on one of the clone fighters. Once that was done, he then followed it up and punched another clone knocking him out before getting into one of the starfighters.
Anakin managed to catch up to Yuvel as the two gave chase to the Bounty Hunter intent on stopping him from escaping the ship. Yuvel then use the wire blades to pull himself to the ship just as it was beginning to take off. "No, you don't!" Yuvel called out as he glared at Bane and reached for the controls.
"Let go you'll bring us both down!" Bane ordered seeing where Yuvel was gunning for. Just then Anakin managed to get on and punched Bane forcing the Clone Helmet off of the Bounty Hunter.
On the ground Reggie aimed his gun as did any other ranged fighters from ARKs only for Ahsoka to cut in. "Wait stop if you shoot you might hit Yuvel by mistake!" Ahsoka ordered and thus Reggie growled to this not wanting to hurt Yuvel.
"Look!" Anakin called out as he saw they were just about at the shield that kept the atmosphere breathable in the ship.
With a growl Yuvel let go followed by Anakin where the two rolled on the ground a moment before stopping. In turn Anakin activated his wrist coms, urgent for the bounty hunter to not get away this time. "Admiral, lock down the hyperspace rings! Hurry!" Anakin ordered as his voice carried a profound sense of urgency in the tone used.
"What could possibly have happened since I last spoke with you?" He heard Admiral Yularen's voice from the other end of the coms. However, his voice was the same as it was when he was in the hanger showing he was unaware of what was currently going on.
"It's, Bane shut down the hyperspace rings NOW!" Yuvel yelled into Anakin's communicator knowing full well they had to hurry.
(Outside with Bane)
It would seem though that their attempts were for naught. Despite giving the order one of the Hyperspace rings had already detached before it could be put on lock down. Thus, as the starfighter began to attach to the ring and once it was locked it was prepared to depart. In the bridge Yularen was shouting orders but had proven fruitless as AIS units deployed to stop the ship.
As the AIS flew in Bane was seen piloting the fighter and ring to avoid the shots as the weapons were placed in lower settings to avoid damages. It would prove to be their failure as soon the ship flew off into hyperspace escaping the Republic once more with the List of Force Sensitive children and the Holocron.
(Back in the Resolute Hanger)
Anakin and Yuvel looked through the ray shield that kept the internal atmosphere in the ship contained they saw Bane escape through hyperspace with his prize. Ahsoka began to approach her master and Yuvel knowing the two just failed to capture Bane.
"I had him. I had him in my hands, and I choked!" Yuvel snarled realizing this was on him. The ARKs Operative failed and due to his failure, the lives of every force sensitive child on that list were in danger.
"It's not your fault you tried." Anakin said knowing Yuvel was not taking this well right now. "We'll have to inform the Council." Anakin said knowing the Council was not going to like this.
"I'll… inform the Council of Six on what happened." Yuvel said before he began to walk away. "They need to be aware so they can increase their defenses in case one of those kids is located amongst ARKs." Yuvel said knowing it had to be done to protect the kids on that list.
(Scene Break Jedi Temple Coruscant)
After making their report back in the Jedi council chamber, Obi-wan Kenobi, Master Yoda, and Mace Windu sat there listening to everything. While several seats of the council seats were empty, the only ones who were there via holograms were Master Pol and Master Fisto. Yuvel had already contacted ARKs and needless to say they were not pleased with the results.
"It is most unfortunate Bane was allowed to escape again. " Obi-wan stated, unable to believe a bounty hunter got away from them.
"With access to the names and locations of the most force-sensitive children in the Republic." Mace said as he knew how bad this could get if they don't deal with it soon.
"Inflict devastating damage on the Jedi Order he could." Yoda added seemingly forgetting an important fact of this situation.
Just then the doors opened and to their shock Xect walked in as the head of ARKs Intelligence bureau seemed to be as cold as ever. "More than your order, actually." Xect said sounding like he heard enough of their conversation from outside the door.
"Councilman Xect?" Obi-Wan asked surprised to see Xect was planet side on Coruscant once again. Ever since he met the Newman Obi-Wan had suspected Xect didn't trust any of them. Further interactions prove that fact but also showed he didn't seem to truly trust anyone suspecting that people may have double dealings behind closed doors.
Mace Windu, however got up and said, feeling insulted but this intrusion. "This is a private meeting of the available Jedi high council" Mace warned as he glared at Xect wondering how he got in to begin with. "You overstep your boundaries." He said but Xect begged to differ.
"As it stands Republic Doctors have been on Halpha and the ARKs Fleet inspecting every child born for Force Sensitivity." Xect said calmly making it clear why he was here. "Thus, this situation is also an ARKs matter as well." Xect added as he made it clear he was only hear on ARKs, business. "We can discuss jurisdiction AFTER this matter with the Holocron was resolved." Xect urged as he glared at the Jedi almost like he was deciphering any weaknesses that they might all have.
"Remain he may." Yoda suddenly said as this got everyone's attention. "Insight provide he might." Yoda spoke and thus Xect with a nod continued to speak.
"Besides it's not just your Order or ARKs that will suffer for this but the children on that list." Xect said making it clear those kids were in danger. "And in case you had all forgotten it there is a saying that children are the future." Xect added knowing full well they had to find Bane and the list before he goes for those kids.
"We've forgotten nothing, Councilman." Mace said as he glared at Xect. "But the fact of the matter is that in order for the Jedi to continue as it has, we need more Jedi to keep the peace once this war has ended." Mace Windu stated as he calmed down, a bit while he sat back down on his chair.
"But when the war is over? Will you really still be seen as a peacekeeper?" Xect asked as he looked to the Jedi while Mace's face hardened again. "It's no secret that the Jedi are losing a lot of public opinion as of late." Xect said as her crossed his arms giving each Jedi a look over.
Anakin saw that conflict between the two groups was brewing and knew the situation had to be calmed before it could escalate. "We've discovered Bane's working with the separatists." Anakin suddenly said and thus Ahsoka had more to add.
"And Apprentice with her Falspawn was there as well." Ahsoka said as she knew how bad this could be.
"Yes, Yuvel reported as much." Xect confirmed knowing how bad this could be and knew with Falspawn involved it did become an ARKs matter here.
"There are thousands of children on that list. Which will he go after first?" Obi-Wan asked knowing that the question was a good one assuming that was the next for Bane to target.
"Small chance there is, through the force, the Council may detect them." Yoda theorized looking at those here.
"If any of ARKs own is a target, I need to be made aware." Xect said as that would be a good idea. As a member of the Council of Six he had the needed political sway to alert the entirety of ARKs of the incoming attempt at kidnapping.
(Meanwhile The Dark Falz Collective)
Persona sat on the table as Luther had just finished fixing Apprentice who was no doubt still enraged over what happened. "Despite the set back you suffered Apprentice… Bane has successfully acquired the Holocron." Persona said as Apprentice rolled her eyes to this.
"Oh goody." Apprentice huffed angered that her beauty was made to suffer to attain that small victory.
"So, what is the next step?" Luther asked curious as to what would be next.
"There is a Force Sensitive Child on Halpha, Aileo Region." Persona began before looking to Luther, Apprentice, and Gemini. "Luther, Gemini; Apprentice I want you three to go there acquire the child and Luther will remain to infiltrate and try to make a hole into ARKs so we may be able to use it later for a direct assault." Persona said planning ahead it would seem.
"Fine but if I find that Newman bitch." Apprentice snarled intent on making Laura suffer for what she did.
"Shelve the bloodlust once we acquire the child THEN if there is time you can settle your petty vendetta, assuming she is even on Halpha." Persona said as she made it clear that they needed focus on the mission.
"Fine." Apprentice snarled accepting the order Persona had given for now.
"I'll make contact with Bane, hopefully he will be willing to listen." Luther said knowing how his time with Apprentice and himself had gone on. "Will there be anything else?" Luther asked as Persona seemed to be thinking on something.
"Yes, I have my own tasks to so I will be out of contact for a brief period of time." Persona said knowing one of the targets to be deal with should be out in the open at this time.
"Of course." Luther said and thus the Collective parted ways to carry out their assignments.
(Back at the Jedi Temple)
The Jedi Council members on Coruscant, comprised of Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, and Yoda were at the moment, with T'ra Saa and Anakin's aid, trying to locate the children. They were currently sitting in a circle as they began to meditate, reaching out to the Force to search for the children. Xect and Yuvel were there as well since it may prove to be an ARKs matter for them.
"A jungle world. Dome cities I see. Rodia it is." Master Yoda stated as he saw the vision. Hearing this Xect pulled out a holo map of the galaxy and had Rodia highlighted on it.
"A house in Kay Tap Square. I see it too." Obi-wan added, receiving the same vision as the aged grandmaster. With this information Xect added it to his notes to make locating the children easier for them.
"There's an ocean planet, home to Nautolans, Glee Anselm?" Mace Windu asked, after receiving the vision, even as Xect's holo-map blinked in the coordinates for the planet.
"Glee Anselm, I see not." Yoda said sadly which didn't help narrow down their search range.
T'ra Saa searched for a vision about the other children and in turn narrowed it down. "I see a world newly colonized a city in the center of a valley a Crest… ARKs?" She said and thus Xect went wide eyed as that was Central City. "There's smoke… fires… Falspawn." T'ra said and thus Xect knew he had to contact Halpha Posthaste.
"I sense… A place I've been to before." Anakin stated, as seeing the location in his vision. "Waterfalls. Naboo." Anakin announced as he knew Naboo well considering the memories he had while living on the planet.
"Jan-Gwa. A village, southern sector. Sense it strongly, I do." Yoda added as he knew this as well.
"The Gungan child was screaming." Anakin said, his voice sounding panicked worried for the child no doubt.
"That was the future that you saw, young Skywalker. Do not worry. You still have time to prevent that outcome." T'ra Saa said as she tried to comfort and calm Anakin down.
It would seem that her words worked as Anakin calmed down hearing the calming words of the order's eldest Jedi Master other than Master Yoda, of course. Master Saa has not been around since the early battles of the war but that was fine. After all her experience and motherly like nature that helped ease the concern of younger Jedi has made her invaluable to the order as an individual.
"To Naboo you must go. Cad Bane you will find. With you, take your Padawan." Yoda ordered as he knew that the child needed to be secured.
Anakin bowed, accepting his mission as he left to tell Ahsoka where they need to be. "You are certain there is no child on Glee Anselm?" Mace asked as he knew now why he had that vision, but no child was there in it.
"Into the shadow of the dark side taken the child was. Shrouded is his fate from us." Yoda explained before noticing T'ra Saa's sorrowful expression. "Great the loss is. But more children in danger there are." Yoda stated as he tried to cheer up the elderly Jedi and focus on the mission at hand.
"I'll return to Halpha and contact ARK's if that vision T'ra had has anything to tell the child is being taken as we speak with an attack on Central City in progress." Xect said knowing that he had to head back to Halpha and defend Central City.
Once Xect took his leave Obi-Wan spoke up for his part after Xect sent the notes where they needed to go. "I shall leave for Rodia immediately." Obi-Wan said and with a nod Yoda went to his own task.
"Find more younglings we will." Yoda told the Jedi master knowing they needed to secure the other children on that list.
(Meanwhile Halpha Central City)
Overlooking Central City Luther, Apprentice, and Gemini saw the barrier protecting the city from unauthorized teleportation's. This meant they could not sneak in and grab the child as they had hoped. They had of course already made Bane aware of what was going on just as he finished grabbing one child and was on his way to Rodia. He didn't like it but considering they would let him take the full payment he let it be.
"Seems we can't use subtlety for this one." Luther said as he smirked to his cohorts for this particular mission.
"No, we cannot." Apprentice said as she then sighed to this. "And the one time I wish we had Elder with us." Apprentice said as they still needed to wait a tad before letting Elder, go on the loose again.
"We simply shall make do." Luther began and then directed his attention over to Gemini. "Won't we, Gemini?" He asked the twins who smirked having just the right method to get pass Central Cities defenses.
(Meanwhile Halpha Upper atmosphere Xect)
Xect flew in on a transport ship as he arrived just above Halpha's atmosphere. Entering said atmosphere he saw Central City seemed ok. At least until the wall in the southern quadrant explode creating a hole in it making Xect go wide eyed. Entering the hole was a horde of Falspawn, Insect, avian, and toy based by what he saw.
"Pilot, get me down there now!" Xect ordered and in turn the pilot nodded in response to Xect's given order.
(Later in Central City Noto)
"Move in!" Noto ordered as the scene showed ARKs Operatives fighting off the Falspawn as civilians were moved to safety.
Just then Xect landed as he had what seemed to be a beam sword out slicing through the Falspawn. He moved over to Noto's position as he looked to him. "Noto what's going on?!" Xect asked as he looked to Noto.
"Long story short, we got jumped." Noto responded giving Xect a quick rundown. "The City Commander has already issued defensive orders and has civilian safety top priority." Noto said and Xect knew this was a diversion.
"Noto have families with children between newborns and two years of age take priority no time to explain." Xect said and thus Noto nodded and took out his communicator to relay the order.
"Evacuation teams new orders focus on families with children ranging from newborns to two-year old children." Noto ordered as he gave the orders to the Teams in charge of evacuation.
(Meanwhile Near the wall Breach)
A scream of Terror was heard as a woman was being held back by a group of Falspawn with mantis like arms. Nearby a man was seen on the ground injured and possibly out cold while the woman tried desperately to reach to Apprentice. The Dark Falz in question was holding a crying Newman child and finding said child to be vexing with its wailing.
"By the Profound Darkness why do I have the most vexing job?" Apprentice asked as she glared at the child. "And would you shut up!?" she yelled which did nothing to calm the child down.
"Let her go!" The mother yelled as the Newman was trying desperately to save her child from the Dark Falz.
"Please for the child's sake shut up or this girl will be an orphan." Apprentice said only to hear a familiar sound. Acting fast Apprentice moved out of the way to avoid a Photonic Card imbued with an explosive Technique. From nearby Xect appeared as he glared at Apprentice in contempt.
"Put the child down and surrender!" Xect yelled as he glared at Apprentice.
Apprenticed growled while she landed atop a building glaring down at Xect. "Yeah no, bye." Apprentice said and then began to teleport.
"NO!" Xect cried out sending his card out and teleporting to where Apprentice was. But when he got there, he was a moment too late as he saw Apprentice had escaped. "Dammit." Xect cursed realizing they lost another child to Bane.
(Meanwhile on Naboo)
After making the trip on his flagship, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, and the ARKs team boarded the LAAT Gunship and was flew down to the Royal Nabooian Hanger of the palace. As the Jedi Knight and those accompanying him, exited the craft Anakin saw Captain Typho waiting to greet him with a Gungan dressed in military uniform.
"General Skywalker, they told us you were coming." Captain Typho stated as he saw the Jedi walking out of the Republic gunship. Of course, when he saw the ARKs Operatives, he greeted them with a salute remembering their contributions against the possible outbreak of the Blue Shadow Virus.
"Has the Gungan family been notified?" Anakin asked with concern for the child in question.
Yes." Typho responded before he then gestured to the Gungan with him. "Captain Lunker here is in charge of the operation." Typho said, introducing the Gungan with him who nodded in greeting. "He will take you to Jan-Gwa city." He said and in turn Ahsoka opted to speak up.
"Let me take the lead, Master. I've got a score to settle." Ahsoka requested, which earned several agreeable nods from the ARKs Operatives.
"I want in." Laura said as she had been meaning to pay back Bane for their last confrontation.
Anakin looked at Ahsoka and known she wants to settle the score with the bounty hunter. "All right, go with the Gungan. I'll be there shortly." Anakin said and thus Ahsoka nodded, accepting her mission as she and the four ARKs Operatives followed the Gungan.
(Scene Break that same evening)
Night has fallen and Cad Bane, after escaping from Obi-wan Kenobi, delivered the Rodian baby to his employer and came to Naboo for his next target. The Gungan child of Naboo who has been listed as a potential Jedi. He landed his Rogue-class starfighter, wiping the navigational logs the moment he landed, exited, and sneaked his way into the Gungan city of Jan-Gwa. Using his years of experience as a bounty hunter and all the skills of stealth he gained from his decade before reaching the house.
From there he peaked in from the top of the window and saw the female Gungan put her baby to sleep in its crib. After the mother left the room Bane opened the skylight and jumped down effortlessly and without making a sound. As soon as he reached in and pulled out what felt like the child. Bane pulled it out of the blanket and found it to be a toy. Bane narrowed his eyes, seeing as he has been tricked.
The closet door opened; Bane looked over his shoulder to see the padawan he had defeated days ago there. "Don't move, sleemo." Ahsoka ordered as she glared at the Bounty Hunter before her.
"You weren't the child I was expecting to find." Bane said, in an attempt to mock her, before seeing Yuvel and Zurna appear with swords at him.
"Really I had no idea." Laura was heard as she walked out from the shadowed area with Clarissa the White in hand.
Bane saw he was outnumbered but he didn't make it as far as he did without preparing for the unexpected. "You're all quite clever, but naive." Bane said as he then took out his blaster and fired at the ARK's Operatives forcing them to dodge to avoid being shot. Bane then used one of his wrist coms' functions to shoot out a cord and wrapped around the padawan's hand that held the lightsaber, pulling on it for the weapon to fly out of her hands and onto the ground. Acting fast Yuvel charged in with a roar as Reggie provided cover fire for his friend hoping to get the bounty hunter once and for all.
But Bane then activated his foot rockets and moved out of the way just in the nick of time as Yuvel's sword slashed down and hit the ground. Ahsoka expertly dodge the next volley of blaster bolts as Bane used both of his blasters to fire on both ARKs Operatives and Padawan Learner.
Laura jumped in and used an air-based Photon Technique catching Bane off guard as he began to lose control of his flight pattern. Following it up Zurna busted out her bow and began to open fire on Bane where she managed to hit one of his boots. The result was Bane losing control of his flight leaving himself wide open for attack. Busting out his wire blades Yuvel swung over to Bane and wrapped him in the weapons wires. With a roar Yuvel swung Bane about building momentum as he did so.
Yuvel eventually released Bane as he ended up flying out of the house without any control of how he flew. As Bane went sailing Anakin jumped out and the collision the two had caused Bane to come crashing down to the ground hard with Anakin close behind the Bounty Hunter.
Bane began to get back up and was about to make his escape when he saw himself at the end of one light saber, an ARK's sword, an ARK's rifle, and two Cosmogenic Arms. "Looks like we win." Ahsoka told the defeated bounty hunter, his teeth gritting as he knew she was right. In turn Yuvel and Reggie forced the Duros back on his feet allowing Ahsoka to get the cuffs on him. Once that was done Ahsoka went to retrieve her stolen Padawan Braid that Bane took from her. "I think I've earned the right to wear this again." Ahsoka said as she reattached the Padawan Braid to her headdress.
Anakin then took Bane away as the ARK's Operatives then noticed the baby cooing in her mothers' arms. The group approached the child as it began to giggle at the sight of such strange creatures who were approaching her.
"Cute." Zurna suddenly said in a deadpan monotone she was most known for among ARKs.
"Your daughter is safe again." Ahsoka assured the mother of the Force Sensitive Child. But alas in an attempt to spite his captures Bane had something to say to those words.
"Do you really believe that!?" The Duros bounty hunter asked instilling fear in everyone as a way for spite. In response Anakin forced Bane to keep walking with a hard shove. Ahsoka turned and reassured the Gungan mother thankful they managed to save at least one of the children from the bounty hunter and the Dark Falz Collective's grasp.
(Scene Break on the Resolute)
After capturing Cad Bane Anakin and Ahsoka got to work on trying to figure out where the kids were hidden through it. So far, no such luck since it would seem Bane cleared out the ships logs when he landed. Xect was well as his Mag and a few ARK's Auxiliaries were working on debugging and retrieving the data. After all, if one knows how to work, a computer then if the data was deleted recently enough it can be retrieved from a computer's drives.
While this was going on Bane, was being interrogated by the Jedi. It was clear that the Jedi Interrogators wanted both the Holocron returned, and the force sensitive children brought to safety. Currently Obi-wan Kenobi and Mace Windu were seen interrogating the Duros bounty hunter and by the looks of things it was not going in the Jedi's favor.
"We know you've taken at least two children." Obi-wan said to the bounty hunter no doubt in his intent for answers. "Where are they?" Obi-Wan asked as his tone betrayed the anger over this Bounty Hunter's actions.
Bane looked at the human before him as he was not at all afraid of him. "Beyond your reach." Cad Bane said as Obi-Wan was not happy about this response.
"Who are you working for?" Mace Windu asked, glaring at the bounty hunter before him.
Bane looked at the bald human but was not cooperating at all. "I work alone." Cad Bane said as this was starting to get them nowhere fast.
"It is only a matter of time before we locate the holocron." Obi-wan continued what some troopers and ARK's Operatives had called the 'good cop' routine. "Make it easier on yourself." Obi-Wan suggested but it was clear it would not fly with the Duros Bounty Hunter.
"What are you going to do, Jedi, torture me?" Bane retorted, inwardly grinning, knowing that Jedi do not torture their prisoners.
Mace Windu then walked calmly closer to the bars, with his back to Bane. "You are indeed a strong-willed individual, bounty hunter. However, I believe the fear of whoever you work for outweighs your fear of us." Mace said as he suspected that Bane would not talk do to not only his employer but also the power said employer may currently be in possession of.
Bane's face became hardened into a glare, knowing the Jedi would sense his fear about the Sith lord who hired him, and what would happen if he gave out any intel. So as an honorable bounty hunter loyal to his client, Bane chose to keep his mouth shut on this. "This conversation is over." Bane said and in turn it was clear he would not talk any further on the matter of his client or the children he already acquired.
The two Jedi masters exited the cell as they saw Xect approach followed by Anakin and Ahsoka. Xect then saw the looks on the two humans' faces and quickly figured that their interrogation of the Duros failed.
"I have a lead." Xect said as he then showed a small cloth that had what looked to be ash on it. Apparently, Bane didn't clean his ship thoroughly." Xect said as Windu looked to the cloth.
"How is this a lead?" Windu asked as Xect was calm about it.
"Simply put it shows he went somewhere with a lot of ash a volcanic planet most likely which narrow downs the search." Xect said as Obi-Wan saw a hole in that logic.
"Perhaps… or he simply landed somewhere that has a volcano." Obi-Wan said but Xect begged to differ.
"I did my research and even if he did wipe the records off his ship a copy would still exist in its hard drive. I have a program retrieving it, but it may not be fast enough." Xect said as he had a few ideas on how to get the information off of Bane.
"Maybe we should use the Force to make him talk." Anakin offered but Xect had other ideas.
"No… I have something a bit more subtle." Xect said and in turn headed to the door. "Let me talk to him." Xect said and thus Mace was not convinced but it was preferable then using the Force in the way Skywalker suggested.
(Inside Bane's Jail Cell)
"Oh, great another one." Bane said as he saw Xect enter the cell.
"Don't worry this isn't an interrogation. I just finished digging through your ship." Xect said as he looked to Cad Bane. "We found the kids and Holocron's location and now have Republic forces and ARKs Ops enroute as we speak." Xect lied as he glared at Bane.
"Please you expect me to believe you found data that isn't there anymore?" Bane asked clearly not buying it.
"Yes, because even if you did delete it someone who is an expert in computer handling can retrieve the deleted files if they are fast enough." Xect said as he looked to Bane. "I'm just here to tell you that you'll be taken to prison soon." Xect said as he then looked away from Bane.
Xect had been researching Hyper Space Lanes and saw that between the two planets Bane took a child from he clearly had to make a stop for the first two children to be dropped off. Judging by the find on the ship it would mean that the planet he stopped at had to have a spot to land near a volcano. Thus, cross referencing the lanes Xect managed to narrow it down to three possible locations. Now all this would need is a lot of luck and a good poker face.
"Though I must confess Bane, taking them to that planet where Jedi can't sense them a stroke of genius on your part." Xect said as Bane grew intrigued. "After all, Mustifar has a history of being a place Jedi go to die." Xect said and in turn saw Bane make the smallest of micro reactions to those words.
"That's impossible." Bane said silently before glaring at Bane. "Even with the best tech experts it would take longer for you to figure that out and even then, it wasn't even close." Bane snarled knowing something was wrong here.
"Your right." Xect suddenly said which he then turned over to Bane with a smirk. "Because you just confirmed my suspicion." Xect said making Bane go wide eyed to those words. "I saw your micro reaction that was all I needed to confirm my suspicion that it was Mustifar." Xect said and in turn Bane realized he'd been had by ARKs again.
Xect then walked out as he then saw Bane was ready to roar at this humiliation. Once Xect was outside he looked to the Jedi and gave them some advice. "I suggest sedating him for transport he may have a few tricks up his sleeve." Xect said and in turn looked to Anakin.
"So, whose going after the kids?" Anakin asked surprised with how subtle Xect was in acquiring information.
"Thank you for volunteering." Xect suddenly spoke much to Anakin's surprise.
"Shouldn't someone report our findings to the Chancellor?" Ahsoka asked and thus Xect looked to this.
"I'll contact Yaga and Klara they'll inform the Chancellor since a child of ARKs was also stolen." Xect said with his arms calmly behind his back as he then began to walk away from them. "After all it would do well to show cooperation between ARKs and the Jedi since this plot affected both parties." Xect added as Anakin saw Xect was being logical here. But still glancing at Windu Xect could tell the Jedi felt it that in spite of his aid Xect didn't exactly trust any of the Jedi. What made it concerning was he could clearly hide it but chose not to. Still, they had a task to do and that was to deal with Bane's plot.
(Scene Break Chancellor's Office Coruscant)
In Palpatine's office things have been going as norm even in this time of war. Though despite ARKs great aid against the Dark Falz Collective the Dark Falz had helped keep the stalemate on the side of the Separatists. This was good as the secret Dark Lord of the Sith had been worried the stalemate would be broken with ARKs aiding the Republic and/or the Dark Falz Collective aiding the Separatists and the droid army.
Of course, Palpatine had been suffering several setbacks as of late thanks to both ARKs and the Dark Falz. At the moment Palpatine had been trying to device a plan to deal with ARKs but the problem was that ARKs was their chief and only weapon against the Dark Falz Collective. So, until he can replace ARKs Palpatine needed a method to control them. It was most fortunate that Yaga and Klara had become ARKs, representatives to the Republic because it gave Palpatine a means to gain some control over the Photon User fleet.
Of course, this also came with having a few setbacks of its own. The key set back was dividing his time between grooming Anakin to become his apprentice and gaining the trust of both ARKs Representative Yaga and ARKs Representative Klara. ARKs had become a thorn that he could not afford to remove at the moment and that was because he needed more time for it. The Clone Army were for the Jedi but ARKs had its own military so they may fight the Dark Falz Collective. Spreading them out was a good start but once the Empire Rises ARKs was still needed to eliminate the Dark Falz.
Truly Palpatine was stuck in a troubling loop in his schemes for his new Empire and new apprentice. But if recent situations with the Jedi Order are anything to go by, he may have a method to gain the trust of ARKs soon enough. Thus, with that same trust then by proxy Palpatine would be given a way to keep the Dark Falz at bay while Palpatine works on a replacement for ARKs.
Just then the door opened and from there he saw Yaga, and Klara enter. "Ah Senator Yaga and young Ms. Klara it is good to see you." Palpatine greeted as he looked to the two members of ARKs.
"Hey old timer." Yaga greeted as Klara face palmed herself for Yaga's antics. Yaga clearly wore his emotions on his sleeves and was actively open with people unless situations demanded him otherwise.
"Sorry your excellency Yaga is well… Yaga." Klara apologized for Yaga's antics, but Palpatine chuckled in response.
"I see no problem his open nature is a welcome change to the normal sort I deal with on a day-to-day basis." Palpatine confessed as most Senators tend to keep their true intentions hidden in the political arena. "Now I assume you two brought valuable information pertaining to the plot to destroy the Jedi?" Palpatine asked and thus the two ARK's Councilman nodded.
"Yeah, we just nabbed Bane and already we got Republic Troops and ARK's Ops on the way to get those kids back." Yaga said as Klara nodded to this.
"I see." Palpatine said as he then began to walk to his window with Klara and Yaga close by on the opposite side of his desk. "Do you think a simple bounty hunter could create such a plan? Or was it the Dark Falz Collective who had conceived this truly cruel plan?" Palpatine asked looking at the two ARK's Operatives or more specifically looking to Klara.
"I doubt it, Luther was spotted with Bane in the Temple and Apprentice was also spotted on the ship according to reports." Klara said as she looked to Palpatine.
"Oh?" Palpatine asked as he found this curious.
"Sir if I had to garner a guess, I think the Dark Falz is trying to get a new weapon to use against ARKs." Klara said as she was no doubt trying to put the puzzle together. "But why would they attack ARKs for a Force Sensitive Child?" Klara asked as she tried to think about the information.
"Have patience young Klara." Palpatine said with a grandfather like tone to Klara. "Not everything can be solved in a fortnight." Palpatine offered some pearls of wisdom as Klara nodded to this in understanding.
"I know… thank you, your Excellency." Klara said, grateful for the wisdom from the politician. Klara felt at ease around Palpatine, yet she never understood why. Maybe a part of her yearned for the comfort of a relative or perhaps she simply admired the man.
"Anytime young Klara." Palpatine said with a pat on Klara's shoulder.
But it was more than that for the secret Dark Lord of the Sith because while Yaga wore his emotions on his sleeves it also made him unpredictable at times on what he would do. Klara was another matter entirely for the Dark Lord. Klara's emotions often betray her and thus was easy to read at times and while he could not paint a clear picture, he got just enough to see who she was.
Klara was truly a child prodigy and do to this fact many had exploited the girl's talents and ability to learn and retain knowledge. Thus, Klara hardly had much of a childhood to experience and more so then that she was gifted in ways that earned her spot on the Council of Six. But from her perspective due to her age the girl had often times been made a minor thought in most group settings and thus forced her to work five times as hard to be recognized as ARKs.
Now while Palpatine had his heart set on making Anakin into his Apprentice he was flexible. Klara was powerful and due to her personality would be easy to manipulate and in turn have a mole inside ARKs so he may be able to control it.
(Meanwhile on Mustifar)
Meanwhile on volcanic world of Mustafar, in a secret facility that was empty of much except for the cries of three babies. "There, there, child." The voice of Darth Sidious assured the infant before him, "Soon you will cry no more." Sidious said as he looked to the children. The Newman child Apprentice had brought in was truly a remarkable find the first of ARKs born Force Sensitive. This opened a new pathway for the Sith Lord of several means to control ARKs. Still, he could not take to many risks because this child may be the first, but he also may be the last.
Hence why to avoid taking unneeded risks instead of appearing in person, he was using an astromech droid to project him into the facility's room via hologram. With his plans in motion, he looked over everything involving this project.
"Master, subjects of this age rarely survive the slave conditioning procedure." The Droid programmed to serve him warned as it knew the risks was well documented.
"And I'm afraid the risk is necessary." Sidious told the droid in a matter-of-fact voice. "The natural talent these children possess is too great to be wasted by the Jedi. I foresee an army of force-talented spies in my service, trained in the dark side to peer into every corner of the galaxy from afar. And my enemies would be helpless against such vision." Sidious explained his vision of the future as he could see it all so vividly. Not even ARKs will be able to stand to him when several of their own are his eyes and ears within their great fleet.
Once the Sith Lord began to calm from his vision he looked to the Droid. "If the surgery fails, I will have lost nothing." Sidious said showing he was not worried at all about the lives of the children he took.
(Scene Break Resolute)
"So, we're in agreement." Xect said as he looked to the group. "We'll split into two groups." Xect said as he had a holo-map of Bane's prior destinations with one more added. "General Windu and General Kenobi will depart for these coordinates to locate either the children or the Holocron." Xect said as he had the image of their plan on screen. Now one might wonder why Xect would make such a plan, but it was actually simple for the group.
Xect suspected Bane may not have left the children and Holocron in the same place and thus devised a means to retrieve both of them. It would be smart because that way in case he was ever caught he still had some bargaining power.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Anakin asked as he suspected it to be a trap for them.
"Hence why we will split up our resources to cover more ground" Xect said as he had every intention of getting those kids back to the safety of their parents. "I will remain here see if there is anything else I can pull out from Bane." Xect said as his voice carried a certain edge to it.
"I don't like the sound of that." Yuvel whispered from nearby as he and Ahsoka noted how ominous it sounded. Once their tasks were given, they parted ways and went looking for the lost children and Holocron at their designated objectives.
(Scene Break Obi-Wan's Team)
The team comprised of Obi-Wan, Windu, Commander Cody, and Oma arrived at the deep reaches of the Outer Rim, which happened to be in a thick asteroid field. After maneuvering through they arrive at a space station, completely undamaged by the field no doubt due to some defensive shielding to keep the asteroid away from them.
After the ship had docked Obi-Wan and Windu stepped out as Oma and Cody both looked ready to help. "We'll be fine, Cody." Obi-wan assured his regimental commander as Oma looked ready to join in. ""Stay here and watch the ship." Obi-Wan ordered and thus Cody understood the order.
"Yes, sir. I'll keep the ship running." Cody stated as Oma drew his Partisan just in case trouble was afoot in the area.
"I got a bad feeling about this." Oma said as he knew something just wasn't right here. They soon boarded a lift and thus began to enter deeper into the station.
(Later)
The lift soon arrived at the end and thus the Jedi and single ARKs Operative looked around. "I do not sense the children here." Obi-Wan said as Oma then noticed a glow.
"Well, no kids but we're looking for that right?" Oma said pointing to the Holocron and thus Windu saw it.
"Well at least Councilman Xect had the right idea." Windu said only for Oma to stop him.
"Wait General!" Xect called out and thus pulled Windu away from the floor. He then pointed downward and thus the group saw motion sensors on the ground.
"Splendid." Obi-Wan said and in turn used the Force to pull the Holocron to his waiting hand. "We should exercise caution this place may be booby trapped." Obi-Wan said as he then looked to Oma with some praise. "Nice eye Oma." Obi-Wan said as the ARK's Operative smiled and shrugged to Obi-Wan. In turn they began to make their way out of the station being careful to avoid setting off anymore traps.
(Meanwhile in the Mustifar facility)
Sidious stood, waiting as the droids worked with the devices necessary to transmit the slave conditioning protocols to use. Just as the droid was about to place the device on the infant's face the other nurse droid approached his hologram with a report. "Master, a starship is approaching. It is not the bounty hunter." The Droids said which caused Sidious to grimace.
"This was unexpected." Sidious said as he knew time was short. "Evacuate the children to my secondary facility. I'm afraid this installation is lost. We must destroy all the evidence. Turn off the gravity supports and let the building sink into the lava." Sidious ordered knowing they must act fast.
The Droid was shocked by the given order and thought it may have misheard him. "I beg your pardon, sir." One of the nurse droids asked, shocked by this order hoping it was a mistake.
"Just do as I say." Sidious ordered and in turn the Droid began to wheel off to carry out the orders Sidious gave.
(Meanwhile over with Anakin's team)
The Twilight landed on the only spare landing port before the boarding ramp opened allowing Anakin, Ahsoka, R2, and Yuvel with his team to disembark. "You sure this is the right place?" Ahsoka asked as she found this concerning.
"We're gonna find out." Anakin told her as the group approached the facility.
As the group approached the door R2 rolled on to the access port and began to slice into the system. When the door opened the group felt a cold chill seep out which was odd considering how hot it was on Mustifar. "I sense something, Masters, and I don't like it." Ahsoka said but Anakin knew what it was.
"It's the Dark Side Ahsoka." Anakin warned as he could feel the evil radiating from this place. "This is the right place." Anakin said and in turn Laura moaned a bit feeling woozy.
"Laura?!" Yuvel called as he saw Laura quickly regain herself.
"I'm fine just hot and cold back-to-back made me dizzy for a second." Laura lied as Anakin could sense it as could Ahsoka. "I'm fine now." Laura said and with this in mind the group had to focus on the mission. They began to make their way through in hopes of locating the children and getting out of this place.
(Inside)
The group was seen running through the halls trying to find the missing children. Reggie was hovering as he had his rifle out while the other ARK's Operatives were using the Photon Dash to run. They kept going knowing the children had to be here until they heard the sound of a baby's cry.
"Did you hear that?" Ahsoka asked as she looked around causing the group to stop.
"Yeah, I heard it." Anakin said as he tried to find where it came from. "The question is, where are they?" Anakin said as he stood behind Ahsoka.
In turn Ahsoka began to reach out with the Force and focus on the baby's cry. It only took her a moment before Ahsoka's eyes snapped open to the source. "This way!" Ahsoka called out while pointing down a hall before the group in turn got moving again to save some lives.
(Later)
The group arrived at the door and once there Anakin and Ahsoka lit the lightsabers. Once the weapons were ignited the pair began to cut open the door going as fast as they could. Once the hole was made Reggie roared and kicked the door down before jumping through followed by the others.
Once they were inside, they found themselves in a darkened room where all was ominous and silent. "Marco… Pollo." Reggie said as he carefully moved around trying to find the kids. "Marco… Pollo." Reggie repeated as the group moved through the ship carefully.
Just then a third Lightsaber was heard and thus the group saw a violet blade shoot out of one of the droids causing it to fall forward. Looking to the source the saw Persona standing there as she then took out her blaster and fired it at the other droid's head causing the two children in its grip to go flying.
"No!" Yuvel called out and moved to catch the infants. Thankfully Yuvel succeeded as he saw the children were crying as expected of them but were all right.
Persona stood there for a moment as Anakin hesitated to fight her knowing whose face was under the mask. Persona then walked over to Anakin holding the child in her grip before to his shock passed the child over to him.
Yuvel walked over and passed one of the children over to Ahsoka as he glared at Persona ready for anything. Just then the entire facility began to shake and in turn the children began to cry again. "The facility is coming apart I suggest you leave now before the children suffer a blazing death with you." Persona said as she began to walk away.
"Wait Pa-Persona!" Anakin called out only to find Persona's sword pointed at his neck.
"Make no mistake Skywalker you will die by my blade but not at the risk of innocent children if it can be helped." Persona said making it clear she had standards that were well within reason. Just then the facility shook again, and Persona stumbled back. Once she had some distance, she vanished into a Falz Warp and vanished back to wherever the Dark Falz gathered.
"We need to go now!" Yuvel said and thus the group got moving to get out of the sinking facility.
(Later in the Twilight)
Yuvel and Ahsoka were stuck with the children as Ahsoka had the two while Yuvel held the Newman child. The duo was calming the three children down as Laura and Anakin got the ship started. As they took off the group was surprised to see that Persona was correct in her warning as the facility was sinking into the lava.
As they got out of their Yuvel could not help but think of this entire adventure. Who would kidnap children like this and more so who would even attempt this? But most of all why did Persona go out of her way to help them out? SO many pieces of a puzzle and so few ways to answer all these questions. One thing was for certain this Galaxy had just gotten larger for the ARKs fleet.
(Scene Break Jedi Temple Coruscant)
When they returned to the ship the two teams had taken the cruiser back to the Republic capitol world, while using the journey through hyperspace to give the kidnapped children a physical to make sure they were not harmed nor there was anything added to them while they were captive by the bounty hunter's employer. Thankfully, none of the children had been giving any added scares and showed no F-Factor signals from either of them.
They soon made their exit from hyperspace over Coruscant. In turn the Jedi away on this particular mission had returned to give their account of what happened. Anakin and Ahsoka were relieved to see that Obi-wan and master Windu had come back safe from their mission to retrieve the holocron.
The council members that were there sat as Anakin and Yuvel gave their report on what happened after they were able to locate the true location of the kidnapped children. How they were confronted by Persona who then helped them save the children though briefly.
"The base was completely destroyed, Master, and so was any clue who's behind this." Anakin said, ending his report to the Jedi Council.
"Most unfortunate, this is." Yoda said as there was some good news.
"But we still have Bane." Anakin stated and in turn Xect grimaced a bit. "What happened?" Anakin asked as he saw the look Xect had gave.
"Bane was saved by Falspawn in transit." Xect said as he looked away from the group. "We never saw it coming." Xect admitted and thus this showed that the Dark Falz had some use for Bane still.
"The important thing is that the children are safe, and we've recovered the holocron." Obi-wan assured them of the primary concerns of these events.
"The list is intact, and there is no evidence it was copied." Windu said as they were thankful for small miracles.
"Still, the future of all Jedi uncertain is. Move forward cautiously we must." Yoda consulted, as a Newman child from ARKs was Force Sensitive this could be either good or bad for the Galaxy.
"Yeah, but at least now we can get these kids back home, their parents must be worried sick." Yuvel said with a sigh of relief.
"I've already contacting their families." Xect said as Windu had some objections to that. "They are expecting their children soon." Xect said and in turn the Council saw Xect overstepped his boundaries again.
"Councilman Xect with all due respect after this situation the children would be vulnerable returned to their parents." Windu said as Xect then glared at the Jedi Master.
"Wait back up what?" Yuvel asked as he heard what was said.
"We will be needing to take the children into the temple in order to keep this from happening again." Windu said as Yuvel felt something rise in him a feeling he was most familiar with as was any regular being.
"So, I'm assuming you will bring the parents here then?" Xect asked and thus Windu went silent for a moment. "I see." Xect said as he got the memo. "Then it seems I'm not the only ones overstepping my legal power." Xect said surprising the Jedi.
"Excuse me?" Windu asked and thus Xect glared at the Jedi Master.
"You heard me, according to your laws only under extreme circumstances can the Jedi take a Force Sensitive Child from their legal guardians. Otherwise, you will need parental consent and if reports are to be believed none of the parents gave consent." Xect said as he glared at Windu and the Council.
"You have no right to speak that way about the Jedi, Councilman Xect." Anakin said with a hardened face as Xect glared at Anakin.
"Regrettably, this decision this Jedi Council is making would disagree with that." Xect said as he then directed his attention back to the Jedi. "The children WILL be returned to their families less legal repercussions follow." Xect said as Yuvel carefully stepped away in case a fight broke out. "Need I remind you of the 'Baby Ludi,' case?" Xect said and thus the Jedi saw Xect did his research.
"Councilman Xect while I understand your concern." Ki Mundi spoke as Xect glared at the Jedi Master. "If the children are younglings, then they belong at the Jedi Temple." He said hoping to convince Xect against such a path he seemed to be taking. "It is a great honor to be trained as a Jedi. Very few beings in the galaxy are born Force Sensitive." Mundi said but Xect would disagree on this.
"An honor perhaps but I highly doubt so few beings are born Force Sensitive." Xect said as he glared at Mundi. "The size of the known Galaxy Force Sensitive Children, are far more common than you claim." Xect said as he then focused on the other Jedi. "Furthermore, one of those Force Sensitives is from ARKs and ARKs is the only place anywhere one can find a Photon User." Xect said making it clear that ARKs needed the child more assuming said child would join ARKs in the future. "I will be blunt, back off the child or else." Xect said and thus it was clear that both parties were getting stand offish on the subject.
"Councilman Xect please consider this carefully." Plo Koon said as he hoped Xect knew what he was doing.
"I have and after the Baby Ludi case I would think the Jedi did not need that level of bad publicity again." Xect said and in turn the Jedi knew Xect had a point. "Besides with a case like this… it may put the children in even more danger than before." Xect added and thus both sides were ready to go at it if it came down to it.
"Very well." Yoda suddenly said getting everyone's attention. "Return the children we shall but provide protection you must." Yoda said and thus Xect smirked a bit.
"That was the plan." Xect said showing he already had guards on standby to keep the children safe. A decision now made the Jedi adjourned their meeting but clearly this confrontation would put a strain between the relations between ARKs and the Jedi.
(Scene Break Arthur and Morgan)
Arthur, Morgan, and Xect were in a secret meeting once more with Xect there via a hologram. "So did you get it?" Arthur asked and thus Xect pulled out the Holocron.
"Yes, I forged a report stating Luther took the other Holocron and managed to acquire a copy of the data on the Holocron." Xect reported as he showed Arthur and Morgan the list with three names highlighted. "Other then the one stolen there are at least three other children on that List from ARKs." Xect added and thus this was concerning. "With this in mind I went ahead and deleted the names from the original list after the Jedi opened it to ensure it was intact." Xect said as he looked to the group.
"How did you pull that off?" Morgan asked and thus Xect smirked a bit.
"A small spike in the ship causing a surge and a temporary blackout." Xect said thus showed how he used the time to modify the list removing any names from ARKs from it. "But in the end as far as the Jedi know the one child was an isolated event." Xect said as he looked to the two.
"Still four from ARKs chances are more will follow." Arthur said as this was concerning for him.
"Parental consent is a must but if the Jedi overstep, then I have contingency plans in place." Xect said as Morgan looked concerned.
"But are we truly doing the right thing?" Morgan asked as she was worried about how this could bite them if they were ever discovered.
"Morgan its for the good of ARKs." Arthur assured her but Morgan begged to differ.
"Perhaps but at what cost?" Morgan said before she took her leave.
A game of clock and daggers was being played a dangerous game in fact. But now the puzzle growls larger and the question remained what is, the Dark Falz collective planning and how will ARKs be able to challenge their dark foes. Only time will reveal the answer if one has patience.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, here we are Chapter 22. I hope you all enjoy it and will leave a review for it. Now then its time for me to sleep so until next time I leave a review before leaving as I again tell you all, ja-ne.