"The Republic couldn't have asked for better soldiers… nor I, a better friend."
The bridge of the Venator was quiet, lit by the nebulous blue glow of hyperspace shining through the windows. As she spoke, Ahsoka gave Rex a slight smile- which Rex returned with a nod of acknowledgement. With the report that Obi-Wan Kenobi had engaged General Grievous- the droid army's last remaining leader- the end of the Clone Wars was finally in sight. And for both Commander Rex and Ahsoka Tano, it hardly felt real.
As soldiers constructed for combat down to the genetic level, it was difficult to imagine what peace would mean for clones like Rex. Perhaps they'd be freed from their obligation to the Republic- able to pursue ambitions and causes of their own choosing. For Rex, the thought was more than a little harrowing. Meanwhile, Ahsoka welcomed the change. She'd been thrown into this conflict as a mere Padawan, becoming more soldier than Jedi as the conflict dragged on. Still, she held out hope that the Order would soon set aside their role as military generals, returning to their original purpose- peacekeeping. The Jedi had lost their way, but perhaps peacetime was an opportunity to rectify that.
For good or ill, this was probably one of the last times she'd see Rex- at least in any formal capacity- and that knowledge brought with it a bittersweet sorrow. Looking up, she gave him a playful salute and Rex responded in kind. Suddenly, a clone officer emerged from the back of the bridge and approached the commander.
"Commander Rex, the latest briefing has come in."
"Want to have a look?" Rex asked Ahsoka. "It might have an update on General Kenobi's efforts."
Ahsoka shook her head.
"You go. I'm sure it's more good news."
But as Rex turned to leave, the former Jedi called out to him.
"Wait. Rex."
"Yes, sir?"
"I just wanted to thank you. You've stood by me since the beginning, and it was thanks to you that I learned what it means to be a leader. I've always looked to you for guidance and looked up to you for inspiration. So... whatever this war has brought to the galaxy, I'm still glad for the existence of the clones. I'm still glad for the existence of… you. And no matter how the Clone Wars end, I want you to know that I'm grateful. I'll miss having you by my side."
Upon hearing her words, a warm smile spread across the clone commander's face.
"In this war, I've lost many brothers… but I'm so glad to have found a sister."
With that, Rex left to the briefing room, the durasteel doors sealing behind him.
Turning to face the illuminated windows of the bridge, Ahsoka closed her eyes. Despite the end of the war being so tantalisingly close, something still didn't feel right. She still felt uneasy. Ahsoka thought back to the day before- the day she'd faced down and defeated the former Sith lord. She remembered the terror in Maul's eyes, the hopeless desperation in his voice. And she remembered his words- his warning.
"You're all going to burn."
Ahsoka already decided that Maul's predictions would not come to pass. Yet as she reached out with the Force, all she could feel was a frightening sense of imminent and unavoidable doom. Perhaps this was Maul's doing. Perhaps he intended to break her resolve, to manipulate her. She tried to reassure herself the fighting was over and that the threat had passed but the feeling of looming dread didn't cease.
"Anakin," she thought to herself as her breathing grew shaky. Even parsecs away, she could feel the intensity of her master's emotions coursing through her. Pain. Regret. Suffering. And beneath it all... darkness.
Intensifying her focus, she heard familiar voices echoing through the Force.
"You must choose!"
"Don't listen to him, Anakin!"
"It's not the Jedi way! He must live!"
"He's too dangerous!"
"Please don't!"
"I need him!"
"Unlimited power!"
She heard the crackle of Force Lighting so potent her body seized up just sensing it. And as she staggered back, struggling to make sense of all the noise, Ahsoka heard her master's voice with a frightening clarity.
"What have I done?!
Maul's eyes flicked open. The vault that confined him was a Mandalorian device, sapping his strength and leaving him unable to draw upon his powers. He could neither move nor speak- just look through the viewing slit- and there was not much to see in his sparse cell. But even the vault's ancient technology could not numb him to the Force's screeching. He could hear the thoughts of Ahsoka Tano- the way they intertwined with those voices crying out, vague and implacable. And he realised then that his master had won. Minutes of fearful anticipation passed before the cell's door slid open. A pair of clone troopers entered, their blasters readied, one opening the vault's outer casing with the press of a button. Maul's eyes darted around the room in a futile attempt to find a way out. He pulled at his restraints in a panicked fervour, but his strength was no match for the formidable steel. After the unimaginable pain he'd endured to make it this far, this couldn't be how it ended. The clones raised their weapons.
Then, without warning, Ahsoka appeared in the doorway. The first clone turned to face her, only to be thrown against the wall with a Force push. As the second clone attempted to train his blaster on her, she swiftly ignited her sabers and sliced through the weapon, before throwing the trooper against the cell roof. With the two assailants neutralised, the former Jedi took a deep breath before releasing Maul from the vault. She watched as the once-mighty Sith all but collapsed in front of her, exhausted from whatever Mandalorian mechanisms had kept his abilities at bay.
"You… survived…" Maul said, his breathing sporadic and heavy.
Ahsoka raised her blades towards Maul's neck, a ruthless expression on her face.
"Is this your doing?! Choose your words carefully."
Maul's response came in an exhausted and almost defeated tone.
"I was in no position to do anything... as you of all people should know. I warned you of the coming darkness. You chose to ignore me. But now, surely you have felt it. The voices crying out. The death."
Once again, she sensed no deception from Maul. Once again, he seemed to be telling the truth. Cautiously, she switched off her lightsabers and helped Maul to his feet.
"The clones turned against me. Even Rex. I don't know why... they just... suddenly weren't themselves."
Maul couldn't help but chuckle in admiration. Finally, he understood. The Republic. The Separatists. The Clone Wars. Every piece expertly arranged for the Jedi Order's extermination.
"Brilliant... brilliant! I was not privy to my master's plan, but now... I see it. He turned the Jedi's own army against them."
Ahsoka recoiled in horror. Had the clones always been just a tool for the destruction of the Jedi? And for how long had Sidious played the puppetmaster, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike? Maul, however, seemed unfazed by the revelation, as he continued to speak.
"Well, you've done the right thing by coming to me. Only together can we survive this. Now, if you will follow my lead-"
"Hold on- follow your lead?!"
"This ship is currently en route to Coruscant... the heart of Republic power. And given recent developments, we must assume that the Republic is now under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith. Hence, our time is limited. We must disable this Venator's hyperdrive before it arrives at its destination. Then, we can secure a ship from the hangar bay, open the hangar doors, and make our escape."
Ahsoka had to admit, his plan was sound. Aside from the part where she allied with Maul.
"And who said I want to team up with you? Last I checked, you were a murderer. A Sith."
Looking at Ahsoka, Maul growled in frustration.
"The Republic is on the brink of collapse, the Jedi are no more, and you still wish to hold onto these old rivalries?! The galaxy itself is being remade, and unless Sidious is destroyed, his reign will bring devastation the likes of which you cannot even conceive! 'Jedi'. 'Sith'. Such labels are irrelevant now. You seek to save the galaxy from the clutches of tyranny, and I seek vengeance against Sidious for casting me aside. Sith or no, our goals align."
Maul was a monster. Ahsoka knew that all too well. She'd seen the transmission where he'd massacred civilians in the hopes of luring Obi-Wan into a trap. She'd heard about Maul's ruthless execution of the Duchess of Mandalore. And she knew what his intentions were for Anakin. But to make an enemy of Maul now would be suicide. She was only somewhat certain she could best him, even in his weakened state. And even if she did, there'd still be an army of clones standing between her and escape. As much as she loathed to admit it, Maul's strength would make him a valuable- if temporary- ally.
"Let him think I'm on his side," she thought. "It's the only chance I've got."
