Chapter 5 - Death Watch
Author's Note: Yes, Kolara is a canon character from the comics. She does not have nearly the amount of love or attention as she deserves. :)
~ Amina Gila
Anakin is fully used to expecting... complications, though they don't always come in the forms he anticipates. Certainly, he didn't anticipate the negotiations on Mandalore to be interrupted by Kolara. Anakin hasn't seen her since he and Padme snuck to Raxus a while back.
Obi-Wan had taken Anakin to the Senate – his master had been there to meet with Palpatine, and Anakin tagged along for no real reason, and it was... boring, and confusing, until Padme came in and offered to teach Anakin a bit about politics. Which wound up with them going to Raxus, no matter how worried he was about it.
They'd met Mina Bonteri and a few of her friends – oddly enough, including Mother Pran, who Anakin remembers very well from Carnelion IV. She was leading all the children there into a never-ending war, and Anakin had barely managed to get through to them to try ending the fighting. War changed the planet, and after the Separatist movement began, Carnelion IV broke away.
The Republic took until their planet was entirely destroyed to intervene. Anakin doesn't even blame them.
The talks were ended by an explosion – blamed on the Republic – that killed Mina Bonteri and a number of her colleagues, others who were trying to end the war.
Including Pran herself.
Kolara had been working with her, as something of a representative Anakin thinks, and she dug deeper. Of course, she did, but speaking out in public is a guaranteed way to get her killed.
"You didn't say she'd be here," he says quietly, leaning over a bit so the other Senators won't hear their interactions.
"She wasn't supposed to be," Padme replies.
Anakin watches, feeling sick as the droids drag her away. She's his friend and she helped him. She helped him save his master once, a long time ago, and that's not something he'd ever forget. "They'll kill her. I have to help."
"Do what you can," Padme agrees quietly, "But be discrete. If the Separatists notice something, they'll use it as a reason to end these talks."
"Of course," Anakin promises, squeezing her shoulder lightly before stepping back. Slipping out of the room unnoticed isn't too difficult, and for that matter, neither is tracking down Kolara. He doesn't have his lightsaber, but he's still just as good against droids – he fights them nearly every day. Blasters are almost as good on them as lightsabers are, and he just borrows one of theirs after taking out the first.
"Anakin?" Kolara breathes, wide-eyed.
"Come on," he says, offering her a hand, which she takes, letting him pull her to her feet. "Time to get out of here." Anakin contacts Artoo on the way out, telling him to fire up the engines to their shuttle. Battle droids are chasing them, but Anakin avoids them easily enough.
They don't stop until they sprint aboard the shuttle and Anakin asks the clone captain present to clean up the remaining droids – for all that he wants to do it himself, there's not time.
"Thanks for the help, Anakin," Kolara says once they've settled into the cockpit and he's taking off. They're not going to be safe until they make it out, and Anakin needs to know how many people are involved. He met Lux Bonteri briefly, and he has no doubt there are many Separatists out for the truth. Who know the truth.
"Anytime," he replies, "Does anyone else know? Is there anyone we need to extract off Raxus?"
"Lux already went into hiding," she answers, "On Onderon. He'll be safe there. I wanted to come forwards with the truth myself." There are a few minutes of silence before a comm from Obi-Wan comes through.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan says, arms crossed, "Senator Amidala just contacted me. The peace negotiations have fallen apart."
"Expected," he sighs. Not ideal, but really? It's unlikely they'd have gotten anywhere. Separatists can't be reasoned with, no matter what Satine Kryze may think. Individuals? Sure. As a whole? Jabba is more reasonable. "I'm en route to Coruscant. Kolara's with me."
"Sorry if I cause you any trouble," Kolara offers a bit awkwardly.
"It's fine," Anakin assures, "I doubt they'd have gone through, anyway. Couldn't have ruined too much. I think getting the truth out is more important."
"Bring her to Coruscant," Obi-Wan instructs, "She will be safe here."
Anakin glances at her, uncertain and wary – Separatists don't get treated kindly even with the Republic, no matter if they've changed allegiances – but these are still his orders. "Alright," he agrees, "On our way."
Something in Kolara is twisting uncomfortably – Anakin can feel it in the Force. "I can't go with you," she objects.
"What?" Anakin asks, blinking in confusion.
"I have a plan," she replies, "I've already set it in motion. I know I'm not a Separatist anymore, but I'm not joining the Republic."
"Then what will you do?" he queries, "There's nowhere for you to go. The protection of neutral systems will only go so far."
"I've contacted a group of people on Carlac who will help me," Kolara explains, "We have the same end goal."
"Which is?" Anakin prompts.
"They want Dooku dead, and so do I."
She's planning to go up against Dooku himself? After what he's done, Anakin doesn't even blame her, but still. She'll get herself killed. "Kolara, you can't. He'll kill you. You don't understand what he's capable of."
"I think I understand well enough," she answers, "He had Mother Pran killed. She's the only mother I've ever known. I've never had anyone else. He's tearing the galaxy apart the same way my own planet was not so long ago."
"There has to be a way to resolve this that's not violence," Anakin argues, shaking his head. "I understand why you want him dead. It would help the galaxy, or at least it could, but the risks are high."
"I understand," Kolara replies, "Thank you for helping me, Anakin, but this is something I have to do."
He understands that. If – if something happened to his mother, or his master, he'd lose himself to vengeance, too. "Alright," he agrees reluctantly, "Let's go, but my master is expecting me. We can't be gone long."
**w**
Anakin leaves his lightsaber with Artoo, just in case – Kolara warns him that she doesn't know what they'd do if they realized he's a Jedi – and in the coat he's wearing, the hood hides his padawan braid. It's enough that hopefully, no one will notice right off.
The air is freezing, and Anakin still loathes the cold. Doesn't think he'll ever stop.
He nearly froze to death. Hard to stop remembering that.
The planet is snow-covered, and its brightness makes the lightness of her skin stand out a bit more.
"Hey, kid," an armored figure wearing a jetpack says, landing in front of Anakin and Kolara as they stand together. Anakin recognizes the markings, though. Death Watch. That is not good. "You're late. Did you get us what we need?"
"Yes," Kolara nods, stepping forwards, "As promised."
"And who's this?" the woman asks, pointing to Anakin.
"He's a friend," Kolara replies, "And a fighter. He can help us."
Anakin senses the warrior's skepticism, and he has... a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling about it. When Kolara said what their plan was, he had a bad feeling, but he had no idea they were Death Watch. This is bad. Very bad – they need to get out of here.
"We leave now," the warrior says, moving for the speeders, "The snow is coming."
"They're Death Watch," Anakin whisper-hisses to her, "They're Mandalorian terrorists. They'll kill us both. We need to get out of here."
"Are you coming?" the warrior snaps at their hesitation.
Kolara's eyes flicker to Anakin's, and they're alight with worry now, but to her credit, she keeps her calm. "Yes," she answers, and considering the numbers they're surrounded by, that's probably best. The most strategic.
Still. Anakin doesn't like having to go. He can't see a way this'll go other than very badly, and he's... wary. Worried.
He's on a different speeder than she is, so they can't talk on the way like he wants to.
It's not until the warrior shoos them into a tent where she says their leader will meet them that they finally find themselves alone in.
"I – I didn't know," Kolara says, "But still, they want to destroy Dooku. Isn't that most important?"
They really don't have time to talk about this right now. They need to go, but Anakin knows, logically, that there's very little they can do right now. Death Watch going after Dooku would be ideal, if at least it'd take out two problems at once, but Anakin doesn't want to let himself and Kolara get caught in the crossfire. "I've never lost a parent before," Anakin says, "But I've lost friends. Family. I understand what you're going through. I want to stop Dooku, but I don't know if this is the way to go about it. They'll kill us once they have the information."
"There's nothing we can do now, is there?" she asks, "I have to try."
Anakin reaches out, squeezing her shoulder. "What exactly did you promise them?"
"I have Dooku's location. I tracked the holocommunication when I was in there."
Clever. Dangerous, but clever, and Anakin can understand why she'd be willing to take such risks. "Death Watch is sworn to destroy the Jedi. If they realize what I am –"
Kolara's gaze flickers past him and her expression floods with alarm. He doesn't have a second to think past that before she yanks him closer, kissing him.
...
It – it's weird. He's never been kissed before. Jedi don't do that. Don't have that.
She pulls back before it gets too awkward – okay, it already is a little awkward, because for as close as they might be, he really hardly knows her – tugging his hood up to properly cover his hair. It's meant as strategic, and to the others, it looks like something entirely different.
"Am I interrupting something?" one of the Mandalorians asks, entering.
Anakin steps back, instinctively turning to face them – he doesn't want to have his back facing them. "No," he offers.
"No, we just – uh –" Kolara offers, the first time she's actually lost her calm. Fair.
"It's time to talk business," the Mandalorian says, removing his helmet, "Tell your... friend to leave us."
It's the way he says that word that makes Anakin so uncomfortable, but that's just the circumstance.
He throws another worried glance at Kolara – because he does not want to leave her behind and they could hurt her while he's gone – but they don't have much choice, so Anakin lets them push him out of the tent and back into the freezing air outside.
**w**
It doesn't even surprise him these people are also slavers. That doesn't mean he's not still horrified to see it. They've taken some of the villagers from a nearby town as slaves.
They celebrate their supposed hopeful victory by a feast, and that's the second time Anakin sees the slaves. He feels sick. He remembers that. He remembers being treated as nothing. Remembers what it was like to be nothing, and he – he can't just sit back and watch as others are treated the way he once was. It's wrong and Anakin wants nothing more than to just... burn this place to the ground. He can easily see how and why the Jedi and Death Watch have a permanent feud with one another.
And when the leader of a nearby village comes, requesting Death Watch to leave – more like ordering – the bad feeling Anakin has only grows. These are Death Watch, and there's no way it won't end in some kind of massacre.
For all that Anakin wants to go, he understands Kolara's reluctance. She was already willing to go through with the deal in the first place, despite not knowing these people, and if they told her they intend to kill Dooku, Anakin has no doubt that's what their plans are.
Doesn't mean he likes Kolara's involvement with it, though. He doesn't want her to get hurt in the crossfire. If – if they failed and Dooku survived, she'd have to cover up all traces, or they'd come after her planet. Assuming they won't already for what she did with
But he's still... he needs to be careful. Lay low. If they start hurting people, he'll intervene. Death Watch will be far more focused on a Jedi than some random villagers.
The sun is bright and shining the next morning when they head for the village. The air is still freezing, and Anakin still hates the cold. Doubts he'll ever stop.
They come to a stop at the village, and Anakin doesn't miss how the Mandalorians are taking positions all around. Battle positions, like they're circling in and preparing to destroy it. Anakin knows those positions strategically, and he already knows what he's about to see.
Doesn't think to step in before the Death Watch leader – Vizsla, Anakin overheard – stabs the villager they were supposed to be returning with the Darksaber.
Anakin runs to her, even if there's nothing he can do. He should've stepped in earlier, should have – something.
But there aren't always things he can control, just like he tried explaining to Obi-Wan once. It's different for Anakin, because he's – he's more, but still. There are things he can't stop. If there's one thing he learned from the Clone Wars, it's that there is very, very little he can do. About anything.
"Kill them," Vizsla orders behind him, "Kill them all."
Anakin hears the sound of flamethrowers turning on, feels the heat and smells the smoke. They're going to kill everyone, and these are – they can't even fight back.
"Save them," Tryla – the villager – whispers as her body rapidly slackens, "Save my people."
Anakin feels it the moment her presence fades away into the Force, and it sickens him. She didn't have to die. Had no reason to, except for these people's sick pleasure.
"Wha – how can you do this?!" Kolara demands, voice rising. She's furious, too.
It's not what she teamed up with them for. They had even ground, until – well, until right now, and Anakin can't just let them do this. Blowing his cover will endanger them both, but he can't do nothing.
"Never let the weak tell you want to do," Vizsla replies, "Welcome to Death Watch."
Anakin reaches out, grabbing a pole and throwing it at one of the Death Watch members who's using a flamethrower – those are most dangerous. Blasters can be avoided, and outrun, but finding cover from flamethrowers is far more difficult.
The fight is over faster than Anakin cares to admit because he never accounted for the cables they have. He took out a few of them, but considering he doesn't have his lightsaber, he just... well, it was something. better than nothing. Artoo is back at the camp with his lightsaber, and Anakin can just hope they won't kill him right off, so they'll have a chance at escape.
Considering they seem intent on literally dragging him through the snow back to base, he obviously doesn't need to worry about it too much.
He's freezing though.
Literally.
Getting dragged through snow and ice for such a distance is worsening the numbness in his hands. He can hardly feel anything anymore. It's freezing. He's freezing, and they practically have to drag him to his feet for him to stand again. The tent is warmer, at least, even without his coat and all. It'd be soaked by now even if he was wearing it.
"Now, child, this does not look good at all," Vizsla says, helmet off as he paces in front of Anakin. There are four guards surrounding him, and another is restraining Kolara, though she's presently not actively fighting. Her hood's fallen back some point, her light blue hair falling messily across her face.
"This does not look good at all. I asked you to join us in good faith and you bring a Jedi into our camp."
"He wasn't supposed to be here," Kolara argues, "I didn't realize what it'd mean. Please let him go."
"I'm afraid that's not an option."
"I thought you had honor," Kolara snaps, eyes blazing, "But you're just murderers. The same as Dooku."
"You call us murderers?" he asks, a shred mockingly, "And yet it was your own lust for revenge that made you seek us out."
"I'm not after revenge. I want justice," she retorts, "For everything he's done."
"And you shall have it," Vizsla continues, turning away and pulling out the Darksaber. Anakin tenses, bracing himself, preparing to lash out with the Force – he is not going to let himself and Kolara die here. Not now, not ever. "But the Jedi are no different from Dooku and this one shall pay in part for their crimes against Mandalore. So, you see, it's not murder at all. It's like you say. It's justice." The blade raises, and that's the moment Anakin hears a very familiar beeping.
Artoo.
He rolls into the tent, smoking it up to provide a distraction and a moment of cover, rolling up to Anakin to shove his lightsaber into his hand. He jolts to his feet, taking out the guards around him. Kolara rips away from the one holding her, drawing a knife from under her coat and stabbing Vizsla.
The blade cuts between the joints of his armor, and he grunts, stumbling back.
"Kolara, get outside," Anakin yells to her, jumping at Vizsla. He needs to distract him before he hurts or kills her. Kolara runs for the door.
Two Mandalorians step forwards, blasters raised, but Vizsla calls them off. "The Jedi is mine," he says, and their blades clash together. On any other day, Anakin would be more than happy to engage him in a full out fight, but right now, he's injured, and he knows his limitations. He's not able to fight right now, not when he's so cold and so exhausted, but he needs to buy some time.
Anakin makes for the door amidst their exchanging blows.
There's a group of droids outside, ready and waiting – Artoo's doing.
"Thanks, buddy," he calls, rebalancing himself as the Mandalorians gather around, preparing for attack. They start firing, and Anakin deflects the few shots that come near him back at them, opting to refrain from another close up fight with Vizsla. He's injured, anyway. If he understands strategy, he won't come near.
"Anakin, come on!" Kolara yells from the speeder, firing up the engine.
"Do you always carry a hidden knife with you?" Anakin asks, clambering into it as she takes off. He's seen her fly once before, but either he's forgotten how good she was, or she's gotten much better.
"It's useful," she replies. Fair. They've both grown up in wars, and Mother Pran used to carry a blaster and knife everywhere. It was mildly annoying. Anakin had to stop her from stabbing a leader of the opposing side after he already cut up their blasters because they wouldn't even stop trying to kill each other long enough to explain what was wrong. It was insane.
A blaster shot strikes the speeder, nearly throwing it off-course, and Anakin scrambles to his feet again, igniting his lightsaber. There's three Mandalorians closing in.
He deflects the blaster shots, covering for Kolara as she picks up speed. They have to take out the warriors before reaching the ship, though, or it'll be... much worse.
Anakin reaches out with the Force, crushing one of their jetpacks, but the others are still closing fast.
He needs to be faster.
A shot he deflects glances off the armor of another, throwing them back, but the other is still coming, gaining ground fast. She lands before Anakin can stop her, and they exchange a few blows before he manages to kick her off into the snow.
Either way, he doesn't let himself feel relieved until they make it to the ship and take off without ending up dead.
Death Watch has Dooku's location, for better or worse.
What matters is that they got out and that Anakin was able to save the village. At least for now, but Death Watch will probably be leaving Carlac before the Jedi show up to deal with them. They might not presently have an active conflict, but that could change on a moment's notice.
"I'm sorry about that," Kolara offers awkwardly once they're in the ship. "The – this entire thing was my fault. I thought I could help, but it only..."
"It's okay," Anakin promises. It's a little weird for him, too, but he understands. She thought she was doing the right thing. Everyone makes mistakes, some worse than others. "You don't need to apologize for anything." He doesn't want her to go, even if it won't change very much.
"Maybe not," she shrugs, "But still. That could have gotten a whole lot messier."
"Could've," Anakin agrees, "But it didn't. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she promises, "Are you? You were in the snow a while."
His hands are throbbing now that they're in the warmth of the ship, but it's not that bad. "I'll be fine." He's a Jedi. It's not really normal for people to worry about him, or even ask about him.
Now really isn't the time to be thinking about the... moment they had in the tent earlier. When she – oh, that was awkward, but still, he... Jedi don't marry. They don't have relationships, but Anakin finds himself thinking about it, anyway. She's nice in a way that Anakin doesn't really know in people. Padme is, and so is Aayla, and even Barriss, but that's just different. Kolara is a friend. An equal somehow, and she doesn't... she isn't about war and fighting, or the Jedi, or politics like Padme is.
She's just her.
A perfectly normal someone.
And if, for some reason, Anakin ever did want a relationship, that's what he wants. She's smart and quick on her feet, but she's gentle, and that's why he cares about her so much. The clones are gentle too, but it's different. He's their commander.
To Kolara, he's not anything. They're just them.
"Anakin," Kolara says, hovering in the back, not moving up to the copilot's seat. "I... know your orders were to take me back to the Republic, but that's not where I need to go."
The disappointment he feels at that is nearly ridiculous – though she is the only friend he's ever had who's actually his age. "You'll need their help," he tries pointing out.
"Maybe," she offers, "But I was careful to hide the details about my identity from Death Watch. They won't know where to look. My people need me, Anakin. I'm not a Separatist anymore, but after what happened to my home, I don't want to join the Republic. If that's a choice my people make, I'll follow it, but that's not where I belong."
It hurts, but Anakin still understands it. "Be careful," Anakin requests, "There aren't many places safe for you, Kolara."
"I know," she replies, "But I can't go with you."
Artoo beeps beside him, a bit sadly.
Anakin stands, approaching her. "We made a good team," he offers instead of any of the protests he could say. She made this choice, not him, and he needs to respect that. Does respect it.
"You saved my life again, Anakin," she answers, "Thank you."
"Yeah," Anakin agrees, "I guess I'll... see you around?"
"If we ever need the Jedi's help, I know who to ask for." Anakin hesitates, reaching out to touch her shoulder. She steps forwards to hug him briefly. It's over in a moment, and Kolara heads to the back and the escape pods. Anakin follows, watching until it's ejected into space and out of sight, Artoo at his side.
They'll see each other again. Sometime.
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