The Legacy of House Ordo

by Sage1988

Five souls from Earth survive its end and find themselves in a different galaxy, Harry finds himself born into House Ordo one of the most powerful Mandalorian Houses. As the chaos of the Clone Wars spreads how will he and the others fair?

13. Chapter 13 A Busy Time

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Star Wars.

Welcome to 2022 readers! I am hoping this will be a great year for us all and I sincerely thank you all for sticking with this story so far!

Starts during the Clone Wars movie but will cover a number of important arcs during season 1 too. Due to him being on Coruscant most of the time this limits his involvement somewhat but a few major events will feature him. Timing of events might be a little different but hopefully not too much.

During this chapter I will finally reveal the main capital ships the Mandalorians will be using. I know that some people wanted me to use their ancient designs but while that does make sense in some ways the big problems is that they would have no design reference for them beyond what they outwardly looked like, it was nearly four thousand years ago so any plans I think they will be probably be lost so new ships are needed. So I looked into other scifi ships and found some that fit the Mandalorian style.

The Clone Wars will bring Haron...opportunities, not all the time and some might not work out but some big ones will come along sometimes like in this chapter. Haron will also have an impact on events and on people which sometimes has a knock on effect which might not be immediately apparent.

Review Responses from the last chapter…

Zyvrexx – I know, having the command centre of the ship in such an exposed position never made much sense to me.

a sanguinary gaurd – Thank you! The majority of their magic/force knowledge is from Earth and a foci is required, also having adopted a Mandalorian mindset having kyber crystals that can act like a foci in the gloves made the most sense to me.

Ianramos22 – Glad to hear you liked that. Any other fallen/dark siders you think deserve a shot?

BlackWatcher1234 – In the future more members of the family will get their chance to do their own thing like missions.

Shadowkragg – Anakin is as Windu would put it a 'shatterpoint' and much will hinge on him. Haron being on Coruscant will have other ramifications for Anakin and you will see him acting a little more tactically in this chapter rather than face the enemy head on. Basilisk war droids? Believe me I worked hard to find a way they could get them and I found one, it will feature during a very important future arc.

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark – Thank you so much! It really means a lot when people like yourself follow the story! I think Dooku for all his supposed loyalty to Sidious has just been beaten down by him. Indeed the name choice was a deliberate reference to Canderous Ordo.

red demon161 – Indeed, Padmé and Haron have very different views on the galaxy and the way things should be and that is going to cause a big problem in the future. While Haron gets on with Anakin, Padmé is not going to be his friend.

HowlnMadHowie – Haron and Palpatine are almost in a tug of war for Anakin's sou right now if that's a bit melodramatic. As for all Jedi being generals/commanders? Not everyone is suited for the pressure of command or of battle, Haron knows that but the Jedi who haven't had to deal with a real war in nearly a thousand years have little to no clue. I mean, Barriss like you mentioned she lost herself in that war. Yes she was right about the Jedi becoming warlike and too involved in it to be Jedi any more but instead of just leaving or bringing up her concerns she framed perhaps her best friend...her best friend for murder and would have let Ahsoka be killed for it if Anakin had no exposed her. As for Anakin deploying what he has learned from Revan, you see a little in this chapter.

Phillies2 – I don't think Palpatine would be too concerned, he knows Haron has beskar and warrior training that are top notch. He would think Tol Skorr was simply incompetent to be beaten by Haron.

Tellemicus Sundance – Sorry, you brought up a great many points. Bare in mind that although she is the Mandalore Satine is a pacifist and given her lack of action in previous events how many clans or houses are likely to rally to her? If she tried to shut down Haron's operations or his factories which are in his territory that would give Haron who has enough power and influence an excuse to declare war on her and remove her from power. She is aware of this and might demand but not press the point. Only the strict code of the Old Way is holding many back from taking the throne of Mandalore. Satine has a lot of bark but not much bite as was seen in the Clone Wars and had to rely on others many times to solve her problems for her. Will Obi-Wan and the others come to blows over Satine? I can't say just yet but when the time comes...stuff will go down.

On with the chapter...

Chapter 13 – A Busy Time

Coruscant, the Core Worlds…

Haron had been reading up on the most recent intelligence, trying to find a weakness in the Separatist interdiction of many of the hyperspace lanes. It was a difficult situation he admitted with annoyance, having to battle through so many fortified positions to effectively fight the war or remain bottled up in their own territory. Some senators who had reason to dislike him were calling for his resignation calling the entire situation 'his fault' and that it was his incompetence that prevented the war from being fought properly but Haron knew their game. Often it was pride that drove those senators or those that had been denied their much loved bribes due to his influencing policy decisions in favour or actual effectiveness rather than their pockets getting fatter with credits. He knew their methods and had enough logical arguments to dismiss most of them easily besides it was only the Supreme Chancellor's word that matter here.

And despite his suspicions about the man and the lack of the evidence Haron admired the man for his skill in politics, he had the senate in the palm of his hands which was impressive and alarming at the same time.

No sweat he thought with worry as he was making sure his people were as ready as possible such the worst come to pass and looking for an opportunity to expose him. Worse the droid tank plans he had sent to Ordo had proven useless, the design was too flawed to be useable and so their plans to recreate the Basilisk war droids was firmly back in square one. It was frustrating and he sighed with annoyance at the situation.

An enemy he couldn't expose, a stalled project, politics of the Republic and the Mandalorians to worry about.

Still the solution to the hyperspace routes problem had apparently just presented itself, Jabba the Hutt's son had been kidnapped.

That was a very dangerous move Haron thought distracted for a moment from his other woes, wondering just who was crazy enough to mess with the most powerful Hutt crime lord in the galaxy? Jabba was not only rich but had a hell of a long reach and if he found out just who was responsible they were marked for death immediately. But it seemed whoever had taken the younger Hutt was careful enough to hide their involvement.

Haron pondered that while listening to Jabba's message in the Chancellor's office with Palpatine and members of the Jedi Council.

"Jabba requests that anyone who can provide any information they can on his kidnapped son immediately." The hologram of the protocol droid standing next to Jabba said, the hologram then closed down. Those present looked to the Chancellor who was deeply in thought, Haron himself was thinking it was almost too perfect given the timing and their current situation. With the Hutt's hyperspace lanes available to Republic ships they would be able to flank and break the interdiction points not to mention hit some fairly important targets which normally would have been out of reach without a shortcut through Hutt Space.

"I don't like it, having to deal with that criminal scum. This a dark day for the Republic." Mace Windu said from nearby, looking very comfortable at the idea. Haron could well understand his frustration as the Hutts were crime lords and allying with one often came with hard compromises but in this case it was a necessary evil.

"I understand my friend, but we need their hyperspace lanes to move our troops. So we must find Jabba's son." Palpatine said summing up the situation.

"We have a few Jedi to spare but many are not suited to this kind of task." Haron said feeling in his gut and in the force like there was something else at work here, ignoring the Jedi's glares at him their order was not up to the job at hand. "Those that are already have different campaigns to deal with but Kenobi and Skywalker are currently supposed to have finished theirs and have dealt with the Hutts before. General Kenobi could negotiate the agreement while Skywalker rescues Jabba's son."

"Good, make sure we contact them immediately and inform them of this new mission." Palpatine said and went to leave the room, Haron and Windu stared after him for a moment before sharing a look of mutual distrust aimed towards each other before they too left the room. Haron wondered as he made his way to his office if Yoda was the only Jedi that didn't trust Palpatine and what the end goal of this plot was. A cold shiver in the force ran through him and made him question whether this was a Sith plot and he found it likely but to what end he couldn't say.

- x -

Three Days Later…

Haron was in his office working on the latest proposals from different corporations hoping to benefit from Republic military contracts. Many were substandard to the vehicles, ships and equipment already in use and were rejected for that reason, Senators frequently on the companies' payrolls would argue for using them but usually Haron would just place them 'under review' with the Senate Appropriation Committee which he was a part of. The committee was he thought with a grimace the most awkward group in the Republic and that was saying something, more than once he had actually fantasied about just shooting them all and blowing up the Senate Building as they argued about everything and would take months to resolve anything effectively if they ever did. This meant he was able to come up with many arguments against them and if needed find something better.

This latest offering was from Rendili and Kuat Drive Yards, a big collaboration between the two rival ship builders and what they had created was something that he was conflicted about.

It was a new capital ship design for the Republic, a complement they were saying or replacement to the Venator-class...the Victory-class Star Destroyer.

While the Venator was a dedicated fighter carrier that served as a front line warship with reasonable effectiveness, the Victory was a purpose built warship and nothing else. It had far stronger shields and its weaponry was far more powerful than the Venator which would make it a strong warship but it had very small fighter capacity and its design lacked an effective starfighter defence along with numerous other design flaws which he could see as being a real problem in combat if the enemy realised this weakness and exploited it.

The Venator in his mind was fine with the support ships it had but if it was used in combination with the Victory they complemented each other; the powerful weaponry of the Victory and the fighter capacity of the Venator. Deployed in major battles together they would be a powerful team but he didn't want to give the Republic a power pair of assets like that if and when they came against his people but in this case he was feeling the pressure.

Kuat was one of the most politically powerful planets in the Core and had immense wealth thanks to their great shipyards, this power cut right to the top of the political world and even Palpatine himself was being pressed by Kuat to adopt the design right now.

Haron realised that he might have little choice in this and so with his head hung in deep thought came up with a proposal to limit their use and at least put them where they would be most useful to the fleet. At the same time though he was making sure to pass the specs on the vessel to his own people so when the time came they would know just how to hurt this rushed warship.

He was interrupted from writing the statement he had to make over the ship by an urgent communication request from Senator Amidala's apartment. Haron was confused as despite their recent adventure on Balmorra they rarely had cause to speak but nevertheless he opened the channel and saw to his annoyance that the irritating protocol droid she owned was speaking.

"Duke Ordo, oh thank the maker! I was so worried that you would be busy, given your duties." C-3PO started speaking in its long winded way and Haron with a headache brewing had no patience for it and interrupted.

"Is there something the Senator needs from me?" He said sharply and the droid stopped talking for a moment before saying in a distressed tone.

"Oh yes, the Senator has fallen into the hands of a vile Hutt named Ziro who is holding her prisoner! I was going to contact Republic security but Master Anakin spoke so highly of you I hoped you might be able to resolve the situation." C-3PO told him and Haron was immediately concerned as while he and the Senator were not friends he knew she was important to Anakin and one of the few none corrupt politicians in the Republic. This he thought needed quick action to resolve.

"Where is she being held?" Haron said as he got up and picked up his helmet. Honestly was she some sort of danger magnet? He thought with a shake of his head, activating a conference call to Commander Fox, the clone commander of the Coruscant Guard knowing that while he and his warriors needed no help dealing with this it would be better to have some official presence.

- x -

Ziro the Hutt's club was very easy to locate, it was hardly a secret and easily found on the datanet so the Canderous was able to get him and his warriors there very quickly. When he saw the club he was almost laughing at how Ziro had modelled it on a B'omarr monastery like the one used by his far more important and powerful nephew Jabba. Clearly trying to look more impressive than you are Ziro, Haron thought with mirth and now realised given how Ziro had taken the Senator hostage he was likely involved in the abduction of Jabba's son. To try and take over Jabba's empire presumably Haron thought with a shake of the head knowing that if this plot failed then Ziro's life would likely be far...far shorter when Jabba found out.

"Right, scan reveals one human life-form in the main club floor so that will be Amidala. First the droid goes in as a distraction before advance. Only the Hutt and the Senator are to be spared so don't hold your shots." Haron told his warriors who nodded and readied their weapons while he turned to the droid who to his credit did not protest at the dangerous order and instead just remarked before he walked off.

"This part of town is most definitely not my part of town."

Haron was a bit astounded given the droid's usual behaviour but did not waste time as the senator was in danger. Fox and his clones would be here shortly but the threat to Padmé's life meant he needed to act now. The clones would be able to arrest Ziro when they were done.

"Right let's move." Haron said and he led his warriors out of the ship and onto the landing platform before putting a breaching charge on the door. He and his warriors stood back with C-3PO as the door was blown in and the droid wandered into the room, he and his warriors wasted no time and the moment the droid had confused those inside dashed into the room and started shooting.

The thing Haron realised immediately when he saw the room's inhabitants was that clearly Ziro was in bed with the Separatists as the room was filled with their battle droids and another model he didn't immediately recognise. Still he didn't care and started downing the clumsy and fragile B1 battle droids with ease.

"Run for it." Cried out the large, tattooed purple coloured Hutt in surprisingly basic but the sight of a Hutt trying to escape quickly was almost comical as he tried to dragged himself across the floor. Haron and his warriors were almost yawning with the lack of effort it took to take down the b1 droids and Padmé used the distraction they created to wrest the blaster rifle off one of the droids and shoot it down. She called out with triumph as she turned her attention to the purple Hutt.

"Stop Ziro! Stop right where you are." She commanded as she and Haron's party surrounded him.

"Mistress Padmé! Are you alright!? Was I too late?!" C-3PO asked desperately of the young woman who just said with a weary smile.

"3PO, your timing was perfect." She told him and 3PO it seemed was so relieved he cried out thank the maker. Padmé turned to Haron who nodded before saying.

"Next time Senator make sure you have some guards with you. It makes things far safer." He told her, wondering just what had possessed her to come here without at least a couple of bodyguards which he knew she had. She just smiled at him before the purple Hutt said quickly and great desperation.

"I will pay you! A million credits to let me go! Two million?!" He said scrambling to find some way to get out of this but Haron just told him.

"No chance Ziro, I certainly wouldn't want to be on the bad side of Jabba by helping you. He will not be pleased when he finds out just what you've been up too." Haron said and he saw the Hutt shake with fear at the mention of Jabba who he knew would certainly create the most painful and embarrassing death he could for Ziro should he get the chance.

Commander Fox and his clone soldiers came into the room and Padmé turned to the Commander and told him.

"We have a prisoner Commander Fox. Among other things he has been collaborating with the Separatists and tried to have me killed moments ago." Padmé told Fox who nodded and over Ziro's pleading for mercy just said.

"Understood Senator, we'll call for a prison transport."

Haron turned back to Padmé and asked.

"I take it there was a larger plot at work here." Haron asked Padmé who nodded.

---

A Week Later...

Haron was on the landing pad where his new ship rested, he was for once not wearing his armour and instead had donned a set of overalls and a belt of tools while he made some upgrades to his new ship. Fitting a new and faster hyperdrive in particular, taking the old unit out had been a time consuming job but it was worth it as the speed of the ship at hyperspace went up considerably.

It was a step in the right direction and would be just the initial stage of the upgrades he was going to make, it was also relaxing he found despite the awkward work. Something he could do to himself that had nothing to do with managing the Republic's war effort that was now accelerating with the success of the alliance with the Hutts. More campaigns were being pushed and as the advisor he found himself having oversight over nearly all of them. It was exhausting Haron thought not to mention regularly staying in contact with home and expanding their network on Coruscant.

Add to his worries, Ara had discovered she was pregnant again.

None of them had seen that coming, especially when both of them had been using protection but somehow it had happened. Luna claimed it was the will of the force itself, Haron personally didn't know what to think but definitely they were going to look into stronger contraception. This baby he realised with bitter anger he might never see born because he was here rather than at home where he wanted to be. He knew how important this mission was but honestly he wanted to just abandon it all and go back regardless sometimes, almost throwing his wrench in frustration as it got the better of him but he pushed his anger back down and worked to regain his self-control.

His hearing was better without his helmet so he was able to pick up the faint echo of footsteps on the metal floors of the ship and reached for the blaster he had close to hand. Making sure he was ready if it was a threat, he could feel through the force though Anakin's strong aura which relaxed him a little but a second younger and less powerful aura right by him. He was confused as to just who Anakin could have brought here since it was a force sensitive and not a clone and definitely not Padmé.

"You know if you wanted help in upgrading your ship you only had to ask." Anakin's familiar voice said with a smirk on his face as Haron got up to greet them.

"I know Skywalker but there is something about maintaining your own ship, something personally rewarding. Besides it is the only activity around here that I have that is truly mine. But on to othe things, just who is this?" Haron asked as a young togruta had followed Anakin. A female and judging by her considerable presence in the force and the lightsaber hanging off her belt she must be a Jedi, her age being early to mid teens probably a padawan.

"This is Ahsoka Tano, my new padawan. Ahsoka this is Duke Haron Ordo, leader of House Ordo and the Military Advisor to the Chancellor." Anakin introduced proudly. Haron was surprised given Anakin had remarked to him several times that he was not going to take a padawan of his own, felt they would slow him down and Haron was a bit bemused but nevertheless reached and extended his hand to the girl who shook it quickly before she started talking rapidly.

"Are you related to Canderous Ordo? I guess that makes sense since your Mandalorian and the name of the ship. Is it true you defeated a rogue Jedi?" She said and Haron was actually amused as Anakin looked on looking a little embarrassed at her enthusiasm but decided to cut in to spare him.

"Yes young lady I am a descendant of Canderous Ordo and yes I have fought and beaten rogue Jedi before. But perhaps you can explain how you ended up as Skywalker's padawan when he always assured me and others that he was never going to take one?" Haron asked directing the question more at Anakin who looked a little annoyed all of a sudden and started speaking before Ahsoka could.

"Master Yoda and Obi-Wan claim that it was a mistake but I think they intentionally set us both up for whatever reason." Anakin said sounding irritated at the whole situation but seeing the slight fall in Ahsoka's expression he seemed to feel guilty and said. "But despite being rash and snippy, she has potential and with a lot of training I think she can make it as a Jedi." Anakin added which did make Ahsoka perk up a little.

Haron was feeling a lot better about his concerns regarding Anakin and him being isolated with Ahsoka in his life. Being a teacher and a mentor and being responsible for a life other than his own would teach him to be a little more cautious and level headed or so he hoped. It also gave Anakin someone other than Padmé, Obi-Wan and more worryingly Palpatine to talk too.

"Good, because what good is it to have adventures without someone to share them with?" Haron said to the pair who seemed a bit confused at first before they started understanding what he meant. "Sharing the experience enriches it, builds bonds that can last a lifetime and form friendships that can help you learn more about the universe and yourself. When I was out in the galaxy and met my friends they helped me see the galaxy in ways I never could have before." Haron said, remembering all the friends he had in his life, both of them and how much they had taught him. Not just with the force but in terms of living his life, it was a blow to be so far away from them Haron thought with a sad lonely feeling but he consoled himself with the fact he would see them soon.

Both Anakin and Ahsoka seemed to not fully grasp what he was saying but they would in time Haron thought to himself with a smile. He guessed he would be seeing a lot more of Ahsoka in the future and with the installation of the hyperdrive now complete he wiped his hands with a rag on the tool rack and said with a small smile.

"Now that is done, shall we have a spar? I just need a moment to change and get my spear." Haron said and Anakin instantly smiled too as they got on with things. Perhaps Ahsoka could learn a little too he thought.

- x -

Sluis Van System, One Month Later...

The shipyards of Sluis Van were easily one of the best shipbuilding and maintenance facilities in the Outer Rim and a truly important asset to the Separatists. The local population was proud of their great industry and took enormous pride in their work and so no ship ever built there was ever really identical to another even if they were the same class which slowed down production somewhat but their skill as engineers was a thing of legend so most clients were willing to wait. It was well defended too with a number of powerful perimeter battle stations for protection. It had been a loyal world to the Republic for hundreds of years but had become sickened by the corruption of the Senate and had joined with the Dooku and his Separatists.

It was one of Dooku's best assets and reports had recently reached the Republic that the Separatists intended to make it a fortress world and assign a large fleet for its protection and to ensure the local population remembered just who they held their allegiance too.

However so far that had not happened and with the success of a number of recent campaigns the Republic intended to make sure the Separatists could not use that world to further their operations and deny them the use of the shipyards at the same time as gaining them for the Republic. Taking advantage of many of its defence ships being down for repairs or supporting campaigns elsewhere.

So under the command of Anakin Skywalker a task force stood ready to attack and take the planet and given this battle would also be a test of the brand new Victory-class Star Destroyers Haron too was present to see how well the new ship fared.

Given they had yet to receive a military contract for them only five ships currently existed and all were here under Haron's command to see just how well they did. Standing on the bridge of the small squadron the Arlionne Haron with the ship's captain Terrinald Screed while Anakin commanded the fleet from his flagship, a hologram of him and Ahsoka joined them.

"Right Skywalker, leave the station's and defence satellites to us, we need you to focus on any ships and fighters around." Haron told Anakin who nodded, himself fully aware of their fleet's strengths and weaknesses.

"Agreed, see you on the other side." Anakin said and the hologram clicked off so Haron turned to Screed who stood there rigidly as a professional officer albeit one with a cybernetic eye, a memento of an incident earlier in his career.

"Ahead half sublight speed. Power up all forward cannons and lock onto those defence stations, then fire the moment we are in range." Haron ordered and the Captain nodded.

"Yes sir." Screed responded and turned to the gunnery and helm officers to see it all done.

This was far from one of Haron's more elegant plans but he wanted to see just how much these ships could take and so he was planning to use its powerful weaponry and shields to simply force their way through the defences around Sluis Van to make way for the Venators flying in behind them.

He was feeling very exposed on this appallingly placed bridge but he was wearing his armour and helmet for at least minimal protection. So he watched as the squadron pushed forward and their forward shields started absorbing fire from the defence stations. The red bolts did shake the shields a little but the stronger generators paid off as their weathered the assault for now.

"All batteries return fire." Screed said calmly to the gunnery officer who duly sent the command to the gunners.

Green turbolaser fire erupted from the ship's large cannons, lashing hard into the stations ahead, the combined fire of all five ships tearing into the central stations which shields started to buckle under the impressive rate and level of fire. Haron was admittedly impressed at that but the swarm of fighters suddenly coming up at them from the planet made him worry a little till fighter squadrons led by Anakin intercepted the attack force before it even came close to them.

Smiling in relief Haron saw the shields collapse on the station and the turbolaser blasts tearing into its un-armoured hull. Demolishing swiftly the arrow wall of Victorys led by the Arlionne pushed through the barrier.

Suddenly as the path opened towards the shipyards and main control station an urgent communication was sent from the station which both Haron and Anakin accepted at the same time.

"PLEASE STOP!" A Sluissi male cried out looking terrified, looked like snakes crossed with a humanoid. "We surrender! We will rejoin the Republic and the shipyards will service your fleet just please don't destroy them! They are a symbol of our people! Our pride! Please spare them!" He cried out in desperation. It was such an emotional appeal that it took both Anakin and Haron by surprise, especially as they had only blown up a few fighters and a defence station although they now had a nearly clear shot at the shipyards. Haron and Anakin before hand had decided to destroy the shipyards if they were unable to take the planet so the people of Sluis Van did have a right be be fearful.

Haron turned to Anakin who smirked before nodding in acceptance.

"We have an agreement, I will be meeting you with General Skywalker in hour aboard your central space station to confirm the treaty and your return to the Republic." Haron told him smugly, enjoying this a little too much.

The Sluissi male who he knew was the planet's leader nodded and rushed off to make arrangements, cutting the connection. Haron knew full well this could be some sort of trap but he and Anakin would be ready for that, it was a big achievement and once prepared and garrisoned Sluis Van would be a very useful holding for the Republic.

- x -

So with a large escort of clones and his own Mandalorian guards Haron and Anakin walked through the station where many Sluissi workers watched with fear as Haron and Anakin approached the Khedive, the leader of the Sluissi who had other high ranking members of the ruling body Sluis Van Congregate. Ahsoka, Pellaeon and Screed were waiting in the ships ready to destroy the shipyards if this turned out to be a trap but it quickly turned out not to be necessary.

"Welcome General! Master Jedi!" The Khedive said eagerly and had an agreement for them to rejoin the Republic and ensure the protection of our shipyards already in hand. Given their race had a reputation for being laid-back and easygoing it was surprising to see them this worked up but the shipyards did not only represent most of their planet's income but their best means of expression. With that level of importance their attitude became more understandable and Anakin spoke to them as they read through the agreement.

"This is quite fair, your people will service and build new ships for the Republic and receive a high level of protection from any Separatist reprisals. No sanctions will be levelled against your people and you will receive representation in the Senate." Anakin said and signed it, Haron nodded allowing Anakin to take this lead here to show his confidence in him...hopefully so they could build up the trust between them a little more.

A sea of relieved faces emerged once the agreement was signed and Anakin called the others to let them know things were settled and they could send troops to secure the docked Separatist ships which they would probably find uses for the future.

Haron however was suddenly distracted by a slight pull in the force, he was surprised and looked to Anakin to see if he had felt it but Anakin it seemed had either missed it or it wasn't meant for him. Feeling it again Haron turned to find the source and saw an old deserted office that looked derelict and abandoned, he was confused but as they were offered a tour of the shipyard Haron told Anakin.

"You go, I need to deal with something else."

Anakin looked confused and a little suspicious but was rushed away by the Khedive and other Sluissi with the clones following.

"Problem sir?" One of his guards asked and Haron could only say.

"Not sure, follow me." He said and walked over the office. The dust cover was extensive and logos on the older computer stations Haron realised this office had once belonged to the Rendili Stardrive company, the corporation that had built the Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruiser. Walking through the older complex he saw one of the main consoles and attached a power-pack to it, the console despite being unmaintained for years booted up and his slicer kit easily penetrated the minimal security on the system while his guards kept watch.

Once into the system directory Haron saw no-one had operated this computer in over eighty years, this had been a smaller office of the company that was involved in their innovative ship design branch but been shut down due to cut backs and forgotten. They hadn't even bothered to wipe the drives Haron thought so he was thinking that maybe it was a waste of time even looking but just as he was about to quit and leave he saw a set of files labelled 'Alternate and Supplementary Dreadnaught-class designs'.

Intrigued Haron opened the files, seeing the blueprints of two ships with some similar aspects to the Dreadnaught. A bit boxy like it was but more angular with smoother lines, the command centre was still built well within the vessel and both ships were covered in weaponry and powerful shields.

The main differences between these two and the Dreadnaught however was that one was a much larger version designed to act as a capital ship version and these two designs corrected the lack of starfighters and anti-fighter defence that plagued the Dreadnaught-class. Each had two pontoons connected to the ship, one on each side that contained hanger decks and launch bays to carry a considerable number of support craft.

Haron was stunned, these designs were far superior to the Dreadnaught, they had all its strengths while fixing the key shortcomings with the design. He couldn't believe that Rendili had gone with the inferior design over these ones but reading on he saw a company memo that said the two other designs were more expensive to build and it was the belief of their corporate branch that starfighters were going to be less important in naval warfare in the future so to go with the design that was less resource intensive and quicker to build.

Haron shook his head with disbelief, it honestly was making much more sense and almost laughable that someone in an office somewhere who probably had little to no idea of just how space combat worked had come to the conclusion that a key part of all naval strategy and tactics would be discarded in favour of big lumbering ships which were slow and full of problems that their customers would have to resolve on top of being very crew intensive. It was one of the reasons his ancestors had come up with the trial the heirs had to go through when they turned sixteen, to make sure they had a grounded view of how the universe worked and wouldn't be so easily carried away by false assumptions.

But looking at the designs the fools had rejected Haron was impressed and they fit well with his people's philosophy and way of fighting; plenty of firepower, heavy armour and fighter capability and modular design that was relatively easy to maintain and would allow them to go for long periods without refuelling or visiting shipyards.

While the Keldabe project had great potential it was only just getting underway at Mandalmotors so it would be years before they got one up and running, they needed something to act as interim capital ship or an alternative. It still needed work like the Dreadnaught had before they could even think of building one but it was an amazing bit of luck. Perhaps it was the force, he thought guiding him to the places he needed to be. Either way he was taking this, he downloaded the blueprints off the computer and wiped the system.

"Find something sir?" The guard closest to him asked and Haron said.

"Perhaps, it will be awhile before we learn if it has value or not. Come let us return to Coruscant, there are other matters to be attended too." Haron told his people who nodded before they left the office, the only evidence they were there were ever in that room was a faint trail of footprints in the dust covered floor.

---

Coruscant, the Core Worlds...Two Weeks Later…

"So in my opinion the Victory-class Star Destroyer has a potential strategic place in the Republic Navy as a counterpart to the Venator-class Star Destroyer." Haron said, finishing up his report to the Senate, standing in the pod as it hovered around the vast chamber. Public speaking was something that when he was Harry would have filled him with dread but after all the stuff he had been through since it was now almost as easy as breathing. He knew most of these people were filthy sleaze-bags and he had already figured out how to deal with them. They would do with his opinion what they will but he no longer cared.

He and his people had dirt on a good number of them now and knew how much it took to buy them if he needed too. His information network was slowly starting to expand as they made more contacts and their contacts made more contacts. It was slow work but he now was far more informed of things that were going on here.

"Thank you Duke Ordo, I shall speak to the representatives to see an order for more ships will be placed." The Supreme Chancellor said and then turned to the hall. "Now on to our next order of business..."

Haron knowing he had been dismissed was glad to leave as he hated this pomp and ceremony, it was so boring that he honestly would rather face an army of droids than attend these sessions but occasionally he had too.

Fortunately today he thought with a slight excitement he had something better to look forward too.

"Has she arrived?" Haron asked his men as the pod they were using docked and he disembarked, they answered.

"Yes sir, she is waiting in your office." Moria answered and he nodded and made his way there with his warriors following him.

When the door finally opened a smile came to his face, his guest turned to see him enter and smiled too.

"Deera." Haron said walking over and giving his younger sister a hug which she returned with warmth. Glad to finally see his sister in the flesh after months apart.

"I see you are doing well." Deera said with a smile, looking around the fully furnished office. Haron did respond but his smile lost a little of its shine.

"I might be getting well paid for this and finding us some useful pieces for future endeavours but take it from me sister I would rather be home." Haron said truthfully, sighing a little as that regret at being away from his children and the rest of his family and friends hit him again.

Deera nodded and hugged him again, she felt his missing home through the bond they shared as siblings and didn't need for him to explain any further.

However then the nature of their meeting changed as Haron turned on a high grade holoprojector that created images of him and his sister discussing their recent lives, then he picked up an ornament from his desk and they walked out of the room, heading for one of the empty offices and ducking into one when no one was around, Haron carefully turned on the hidden scrambler that was disguised in the ornament to disable any monitoring devices that might be around.

Turning to his people they silently nodded and checked all the room before nodding again, letting him know all monitoring devices were disabled.

Knowing the coast was clear Haron handed her a key card, a clone of Tarkin's no less which had taken him awhile to secure and smirking she went to his desk and inserted it into the computer terminal. She hooked up her small computer and her fingers danced across the panel as she did what she had come here to do...the visit was merely a useful cover.

For what seemed like an age they sat or stood in silence as she used her mastery of computers and programming to plant her little hidden programs that she had been developing over the last few months and installing hidden backdoors into the network that they could use when the time was right. If the Republic did become their enemy then it made sense to have a way to spy on them without any agents to get caught. These databases would likely become the back bone of future ones some day and if they planted these now they could sit quietly, undetected for years if needed.

It was very dangerous Haron thought with some concern, this would be a crime if they got caught which is why they were using Tarkin's id, a disused room and had disabled all the security systems. That was not guaranteed to keep them from being found out and they may end up causing the war they feared but organic and even droid agents can be caught or dismissed from their posts, this might potentially last a great deal longer.

When thankfully after an hour they were finally finished and returned quietly to Haron's office where he switched off the holoprojector and they sighed in relief that it was finally done.

"Shall we spar? All this sitting around has made me tense." Deera said, wondering just how her brother came up with these plots and would be glad to get off this overpopulated planet. Haron smiled at her, she saw he too was eager for some training to loosen them up.

- x -

On the landing platform that Haron now maintained for the Canderous he and his sister were stripped to their sweats and with their guards joining in they were practising their unarmed combat.

Haron and Deera knew each other's moves so well now that it came as natural as breathing, Deera let out a spin kick which he ducked to avoid but she danced away from his blow which had been intended for her gut.

They spun around each other, exchanging jabs and kicks with rapid speed that their people could only just keep up with. They carried on for an hour before all of them took a break and while they sipped water canteens to cool themselves, Deera gave him an update regarding their recent projects.

"The Dreadnaughts are finally being refitted but only a handful have been completed so far. We have uncovered some interesting new pieces on Iokath though, they have some guide of drone weapon which can punch through most energy shield or armour with ease and destroy even the largest vessels if in large enough numbers but we have not figured out the guidance system yet along with a powerful energy beam weapon which focused through a synthetic crystal and is powered by a small hypermatter reactor. Unstable but extremely powerful. Not to mention these automated surgery pods with nanites that can heal and build cybernetic parts if needed but the nanite coding system is very complex. A few other things as well but it is taking us a lot of time to get a decent understanding of it before we can use it." Deera said with her own frustration coming over in her voice. The technology they were finding was awe inspiring but it was so complex that it defeated even her so far. It was intensely irritating for her who wanted to really understand it all.

"You will figure it out, if anyone can its you." Haron told her and she felt his belief in her, she was touched but exasperated that he again expected her to figure stuff out. His smile though was infectious and soon she was smiling with him.

"How is Zara?" Haron asked with genuine curiosity, still not trusting the girl his sister was dating completely but knew his sister was true in her feelings. He didn't want to be overbearing so he knew he had to step back and let things take their course. Deera looked surprised at his asking but with a faint blush in her cheeks that could be from exhaustion or embarrassment and she managed to say.

"She's good, we spend time between Reijar and Iokath. We are just hanging out, the occasional dinner but that is all." She told him looking a little too eager for him to know that so he now knew they had likely gone well beyond that by now. Haron smiled knowingly before telling her.

"Whatever happens, whether she is on the level or not know that I trust you and I will be here for you no matter what happens. Remember that." He told her warmly, wanting her to know he was here for her whatever came next.

Deera was full of emotion at that but managed to keep a lid on it although her eyes became very teary, remembering her earlier mistake and what he had said then too.

A speeder then disturbed their private moment when it arrived at the platform, looking over Haron saw Anakin and Ahsoka exit and look for them. Sighing with frustration Haron got to his feet and his sister, just as frustrated as he was by the interruption got up with him to meet the interlopers.

"Duke Ordo, sorry if we are interrupting we just got back and wondered if you were up for some training?" Anakin asked politely and Haron with a small smile coming to his face told them.

"It's okay Anakin, and I told you call me Haron. I was just spending some time with my sister, the Countess Deera Ordo." Haron said introducing his sister with her title as she was a planet ruler in her own right even though she often ran it remotely and spent most of her time at Reijar. Deera nodded to them while he introduced them to her in turn. "This is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his apprentice Ahsoka Tano."

Deera like her brother did not fear the Jedi, she had the force with her too and knew their ways but she was taken aback at how powerful Anakin was. She nodded and the Jedi returned it, Anakin looked at her with curiosity but it was not lustful or anything like that...his heart Haron knew belonged to Padmé alone.

"I didn't know you had a sister." Anakin said with a little confusion and Deera, glad for once that someone wasn't staring at her with lust said with mirth.

"Actually he has two...and a wife...and two children...with a third on the way but whose counting." She shrugged which surprised both Anakin and Ahsoka but decided to see just how tough the Jedi were. "Since you spar with my brother frequently, how about I spar with little Ahsoka here? See if the Jedi training is all its cracked up to be?" She said with a glint in her eyes, Ahsoka immediately looked annoyed at being called 'little' and said quickly and with heat.

"You're on!"

Ahsoka stalked off to a clear area and tossed her saber to Anakin who caught it looking a little embarrassed at her rash behaviour and worried for a moment but Haron just smirked and told his sister.

"Don't be too rough on her."

"I'll do my best." Deera said with a smirk and walked off while Anakin and Haron stood together watching.

"I need to work on her patience." Anakin said with worry as his padawan stood face to face with a Mandalorian warrior. Haron just smirked before saying.

"Somehow I think Kenobi probably had the same thought once upon a time." Haron said which visibly annoyed Anakin for a moment before he saw what Haron really meant and smiled a bit.

"I was never as rash as she is." Anakin said before looking over to see Ahsoka throw a haymaker at Deera who easily caught and redirected it before throwing the young girl over her shoulder. Ahsoka hit the deck hard and Anakin winced a little but Ahsoka was not one to give up and leapt back to her feet and tried attacking again with a hard kick that Deera easily evaded before striking Ahsoka hard in the chest. Both men winced as the girl fell to her knees before she got up again, strengthening her body with the force and actually managed to start kicking again. She actually managed now she was using the force more to land one on Deera who took the hit and managed to grab the girl's arm before spinning her around so she could get Ahsoka in a choke-hold.

Ahsoka struggled hard but Deera's arm was like a durasteel bar around her throat and she was starting to get light headed. Anakin was now looking worried but Deera then let his apprentice go who immediately started breathing deeply to get some air back in her lungs.

"Experience is the best teacher." Haron said to Ahsoka once she had enough breath back, addressing Anakin too who went over to make sure she was alright. "You underestimated us due to having the force and being raised as a Jedi not to mention allowing yourself to be easily provoked. My sister and I have been trained in unarmed combat since we were old enough to walk, she is a lethal weapon who has beaten many warriors bigger and stronger than her due to her exceptional skill. Rushing in without assessing the situation first will only get you in over your head." Haron told them, giving both a lesson in patience and why not rushing in was a good idea.

Anakin who was now sure Ahsoka was alright nodded, hoping that it made his rash young apprentice think a little before jumping in without looking first. Haron gave him a nod in return before giving Ahsoka a canteen of water which she quickly emptied.

"Thank you." Ahsoka said once she had her voice back and looking suitably humbled. Haron smiled at her and told her.

"'When you lose, don't lose the lesson'. A very wise man said that a long time ago and he has been proven right time and time again. Listen to Anakin and you will get better. Now Anakin, shall we dance?" Haron said with a challenging smirk which Anakin returned.

"Only so I can show Ahsoka how to kick your butt." Anakin returned which Haron only laughed as the two men took up fighting stances.

"We'll see Skywalker." Haron told him and without wasting any more time the pair launched into the fight, laughing with wild abandon as the traded kicks, punches and jabs letting all their feelings out and just enjoying the thrill of the fight much to Ahsoka's surprise and Deera's head shaking exasperation.

---

Tatooine, the Outer Rim…

The heat of the desert was something that even Jedi struggled with and Tatooine had one of the hottest and most inhospitable deserts imaginable. The vast open areas were the perfect place to hide though and despite many thinking it was a place of comprised of sand, mountains and caves existed too.

That was one of the reasons that Yoda's secret group of Jedi had chosen to build the next potential sanctuary here, aside from its remoteness and being unallied to the Republic or Separatists it had some hidden secrets of his own.

"An oasis with a light side nexus, wasn't expecting that. Especially so close to a cave system." Master Fay said as she meditated next to the water with Master T'ra Saa, both smiling serenely as they enjoyed the gentle and calm environment.

"It is a pleasant surprise." T'ra Saa said with a smile, she hated desert worlds given how little organic life could be found here but she was nevertheless enjoying the calm.

"And the caves once we stabilise them will be perfect for a refuge." Fay told her friend. "There are enough chambers below ground for training halls and dormitories and everything else we need. I even managed to acquire enough moisture vaporators so we don't need to use the oasis."

The two fell silent again as they just let themselves go into the force, enjoying this brief respite as once finished here they would have to move on to their next world.

---

Reijar, Ordo System…

Ara was glad of the respite from work so she could at last spend time with her children. Markus was already playing with a mathematical puzzle game designed to stimulate the child's ability with numbers, she smiled as her son solved another puzzle. It seemed extreme but the puzzles started simple and got harder as you got older so he was constantly being challenged and developing their early problem solving and maths skills. It seemed extreme to her to start them at such a young age but she thought with a sigh what did she know about being normal?

Neville and Hannah saw her sigh and came over while little Frank worked on a puzzle of his own.

"Tired?" Hannah asked, Ara just shook her head.

"I am just wishing I knew if I am raising my children right? Is it right to push them so young?" She said with Astoria playing with her blocks that formed patterns when she put them in the right order and Markus again getting another puzzle.

"That's the worst part of being a parent." Neville said sadly, sharing a look with his wife before turning back to their own son. "You don't know if you are doing a good job until it is too late. Just take it one day at a time."

Hannah hummed in agreement and the three went on watching their children, hoping that in the long run they were doing the job right.

---

The Senate Building, Coruscant...A Few Months Later...

While key campaigns were going well so far and the Republic by large remained untouched by the war a new threat had begun to emerge.

Haron stood in the newly constructed war room of the Senate Building, there was a pre-existing one in the Jedi Temple but the Jedi had forbade him to enter their base so he stayed put and the Jedi came to him here.

He saw the different displays that represented the current offensive campaigns that were his main focus; Abrion Minor which controlled a sector of nearly two hundred agro planets and would feed many Republic worlds and others that were starving with wartime food shortages. Abhean which now with the loss of Sluis Van was the major Separatist shipbuilding and maintenance facility outside of Fondor. And finally the Tion Cluster which had the bulk of their operational assets. The cluster had defected to the Separatists wholesale just before the Clone Wars but had six hundred poorly defended star systems rich in mineral wealth, hyperspace route access and more.

All the campaigns were going rather well as the majority of the better generals, admirals and Jedi had been assigned there and the rest were dealing with fast occurring hot spots or defending planets that were being invaded. It was an insane the scale of it Haron thought but the war was actually going rather well for the Republic.

Well except for a new issue that had arisen, something was wiping out whole Republic fleets.

"There were no survivors and little evidence of what attacked the ships. Only that it must have been a devastating surprise attack since they had no time to communicate with the Republic." Master Plo Koon said via hologram from his command ship in the Outer Rim. Around the table Jedi, military officers and others alike were scratching their heads at this worrying development.

"Perhaps we should send cruisers out in search packs, strength in numbers to counter the threat." Master Luminara Unduli suggested but Haron shook his head.

"Yes because that worked so well before, at least three cruisers wiped out without so much as a single escape pod surviving or a stray transmission. Bigger ships are seemingly no defence against this secret weapon whatever it is." Haron said with a frown as he considered the possibilities of what it could be and decided that maybe instead of trying to go bigger, the key might be to go smaller.

"Send out light freighters and other scout craft, small but fast. Have them scour the systems where this weapon might be lurking and instead of engaging escape quickly to report back. Once we know what we are dealing with then we can create a strategy to defeat it." Haron said, gambling that whatever it was that it would be less likely to bother with or even see a small single craft.

"Isn't that rather defeatist? Surely our cruisers can handle anything." Admiral Tarkin said with his posh accent dripping with condescension. Haron was annoyed by his dismissive attitude especially as it would likely cost them quite a few cruisers and was about to give him a verbal reprimand but Master Yoda interjected.

"Size matters not, look at me...judge me by my size do you?" Yoda said with a calm and yet firm voice, Tarkin looked uncomfortable under Yoda's gaze and stared indignantly back. Plo Koon thankfully got the meeting back on track.

"I will dispatch scout ships around the indicated systems and see if we can catch sight of this mysterious weapon. Hopefully it should not take too long." Master Plo Koon said before he disconnected himself from the call.

Haron knew this would be a difficult few days of searching now till the mystery weapon was found, with nothing more he could do till a lead turned up he changed the focus of his attention to Tarkin. The man was pushing for more political appointments and making what he called 'a doctrine to ensure supremacy' for the Republic.

Basically he seemed to focus on large scale ships for intimidation and a large number of expendable light units around them. He was a great politician and a capable administrator but his grasp of military matters was more academic and relied far too much on creating terror in the enemy. Fear, that was his weapon Haron thought with concern, like the Sith and given his scores at the academy he seemed unable to win without overwhelming force on his side. Small scale weaknesses seemed to pass him by and he could be very overconfident. Apart from having no empathy at all that summed up Haron's appraisal of him and made him think about taking him out so he wouldn't be a threat in the future.

However he realised that if this man became a powerful figure in the potential empire then his beliefs would likely shape main policy, given that he had reasonable handle on him Haron hopefully would be able to anticipate his actions and as the old saying went, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't'.

Tarkin would live Haron decided darkly...for now.

Looking over to Luminara Unduli his mood didn't improve, she was reasonable capable as a general but suffered from overconfidence and more to the point her apprentice, Barriss Offee was a cause for concern. The younger woman was he understood from her file a highly capable healer and the potential in the force to become a powerhouse if she worked at it but...he thought with his misgivings coming out she was too empathic for her own good which as death surrounded her could warp her personality into something far less benign.

Another Jedi in the room, a Besalisk stood at an intimidating nearly eight feet tall was a worry of his for different reasons. Pong Krell who Haron had actually dismissed at the beginning of the war for a command position had been added while he was on Balmorra behind his back. The Jedi Knight was incredibly arrogant and had a complete disregard for his soldiers which Haron knew didn't inspire loyalty or show it. Losses were a sure thing and Haron had more than once sent people into combat that had died but he did it only when he had too, Krell on the other hand had no interest in saving lives just accomplishing the mission and his clone units suffered horrific casualties as a result but since he had gotten some important victories Haron couldn't have him removed from command...the Jedi simply dug the heels in and refused to budge.

Fighting these political battles was starting to get exhausting but he had little choice Haron thought with annoyed resignation. He instead directed them where possible to low stakes campaigns which could be more easily handled. Lower casualties.

Haron left the war room and once out of sight of the others rubbed the bridge of his nose, hoping that nothing came up for a few hours because he desperately wished for some time by himself. So he returned to his office and decided to do some moving meditation, not even bothering to remove his armour he let himself go in the movements of unarmed combat and into the force, letting his worries and aches go although he still maintained his shield to stop others from sensing him.

The jabs, kicks, grapples, blocks and more became a seamless dance as he moved, not conscious one many levels but perhaps making his true self closer to the surface.

He didn't stop for hours till a chime at the door broke him from his trance, he sighed before walking over and opening the door and saw a clone lieutenant standing there.

"Duke Ordo sir, General Koon reports he has discovered the Separatist secret weapon. It was spotted by scout ships in Abregado System." The lieutenant told him and Haron with resignation that he was not likely to get any more time to himself today but highly surprised they had found it so fast nodded and said.

"Then let us see just what is so special about it." Haron said before passing the clone to return to the war room.

- x -

"I honestly wonder if the designer of that ship was overcompensating for something when they drew this monstrosity." Haron said deadpan as he examined the images of the ship that Plo Koon's scouts had captured.

"It's enormous." Bultar Swan said with disbelief, unable to grasp why you would build a ship that big. "Not even Lucrehulks can match that thing."

"Indeed, so why is it so big?" Palpatine asked calmly, staring at the design with apparent interest. Haron then advanced the images taken by the scouts and saw it fire a large circular discharge of white purplish energy which the scouts had barely managed to outrun and jump to hyperspace before it hit them. Haron who was the most knowledgeable about weapon systems in the room recognised the colour and the look of almost like lightning.

"Its an ion cannon." Haron said with tension, now knowing exactly how this thing had killed their cruisers so easily. "Perhaps the biggest ever constructed, capable of knocking out a whole squadron of cruisers in a single shot if they are close enough together and then tear them apart with regular turbolasers while the ship's shields are down."

"Impressive." Plo Koon said reluctantly as they realised the sheer scale of the problem. They couldn't risk attacking with their cruisers as this thing would just knock them out with the ion cannon before tearing them apart. All the Jedi and military officers in the room looked unsettled as they considered the incredible power and danger this weapon posed to the entire Republic.

"Then we don't go big, we go small." Anakin broke in, his hologram smirking widely continuing when he was sure he had their attention. "The scout ships escaped it because they were small and fast, fighters and bombers have the same advantage. So we use them to weave around its defences and take out the Ion cannon, then the cruisers can attack on mass and tear the ship apart." Skywalker told them.

"An aggressive plan." Plo Koon said while stroking his chin while he pondered. "Are you sure your squadrons can complete this mission?"

"There has never been a mission Shadow Squadron couldn't complete." Anakin said with complete confidence in his pilots. Plo Koon stared at him for a moment.

"Then I and a squadron of Z-95 fighters will join you as escort. May the force be with you."

"Masters. Clone Intelligence units just reported that the ship, the Malevolence has changed its course and is heading straight towards the Republic's new Medical Station for the Outer Rim!" A young Rodian padawan said coming in, out of breath like they had just run a marathon. That news sent a chill down all the spines as they realised that hundreds of clones were effectively sitting ducks for the super ship. Haron knowing that time was very much of the essence told Anakin one simple word.

"Go." The urgency of how he said it made Anakin who knew the severity of the situation as well nod before cutting the connection.

When news came hours later of the success of Anakin's attack they all felt very relieved, especially when Anakin managed to destroy the ship and rescue Senator Amidala who somehow had managed to get herself onboard the vessel and nearly captured by Grievous. Haron sighed wondering just what else the Separatists had in store for them and what Skywalker and Amidala would get up to next?

X

Maridun, the Outer Rim...Weeks Later…

Anakin was still aching all over from the crash on this backwater planet and could only hope that Pellaeon found them soon as he was starting to get bored here. It was he admitted privately to himself a lovely place to live if you didn't mind the dangerous birds. He could see why the Lurmens had come here to escape the war and he was glad of a little rest, the only thing that could have made the experience better was if Padmé was here with him he thought, missing his wife and hoping to see her soon.

Still it was nice to have a reprieve from all the fighting Anakin thought and realised that for awhile at least they would have some time to resolve at least a little the lack of formal training he was giving his apprentice.

"Ahsoka." Anakin said, seeing the young girl turn from the Lurmen she had been speaking too and smile at him made him smile too. She might be a frequent pain in his behind but she had grown on him and he was glad to have her as an apprentice. Having someone to share all the highs and lows with that they were having did enrich the experience like Haron had said Anakin though and it was time he shared some of what he knew with his student. "Come with me to the hill. Since we have a moment I want to show you something that I think could greatly benefit you."

"Yes master." Ahsoka said respectfully being the obedient apprentice, for once Anakin thought with mirth but she did dutifully follow him up the hill near the village. Once there they stopped and he drew his lightsaber, she drew hers as well thinking he wanted to spar although looked worried given his injuries.

"Master, I really don't think we should be sparring right now...you still need some rest." She protested and Anakin while touched and annoyed for her worry for him shook his head.

"No Snips, we're not sparring. Instead I am going to teach you something that has helped me connect deeper to the force. We Jedi need to meditate to connect ourselves with the force, but there are many types of meditation. Rather than sit for hours in silence while trying to force your mind into inner peace I prefer what is known as mediation in movement." Anakin told her, feeling in some ways excited and in some ways worried as he shared one of his own secrets with someone.

"Meditation in movement?" Ahsoka asked, not having heard of that before and so with a smile Anakin explained.

"Instead of sitting, we take a set of moves and repeat them again and again while clearing your mind. Let all your emotions flow into the movement." Anakin said, igniting his saber and doing so with his eyes closed, going through the sequences of Form 5. "Whatever your form, just let yourself go into the moves and nothing else." Anakin told her shutting down his saber and telling her with his eyes now open but stepped a few feet back. "Now you try." Anakin told her with a smile.

Ahsoka looked hesitant, not really understanding this just yet but she took a deep breath and ignited her own saber, closed her eyes and started moving through her current preferred form Form 4 Ataru. Anakin wondered if it was the best form for this kind of exercise given its acrobatic nature but it was what she knew best and while she was growing into the Form 5 variant Shien with some help from him, he was also planning to give her some lessons in Form 6 Niman as an exercise as he hoped it would bridge her two styles and give her some more calm in her fighting methods.

She seemed to be struggling though Anakin noticed and saw her eyes were tensed rather than relaxed not to mention he could feel her anxiety about this so he told her.

"Don't force it, just relax and let the moves flow." Anakin said gently, trying to let her find her own peace. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally after a struggle with herself she finally managed to relax and started moving through the movements more fluidly. Anakin could feel her starting to get more into the flow of it and her turmoil fade away as she lose herself in the stances and sequences. She even had a few Form 5 moves he had taught her in there Anakin thought with pride as she started to get the hang of it. He felt her connection to the force deepen a little with the longer she did it and her power grow with it.

It was starting to become dark when they finally stopped, Ahsoka when he called for her to stop was shocked when she saw the sun dipping below the horizon.

"Where did the day go?" Ahsoka asked, shocked as it had been only midday when they started and had no idea just how she had lost so much time.

"You were meditating." Anakin told her with a smile glad to see he had been right and she like him would benefit from this technique. "How do you feel now?" He asked, eager to see just how she felt.

"I feel...relaxed...at...peace." Ahsoka told him, not quite able to believe it herself. She had always struggled with finding peace and calm. She was always active, restless, always had to be doing something and it had made many Jedi she remembered with sadness dismiss her as an apprentice for them. But she thought with a smile returning to her face she had the best one now. Anakin was difficult she thought and even more rash than her sometimes but he was her master, Ahsoka thought proudly and her friend.

The two still smiling wandered back down the village to rest of the night unaware that someone had been watching them.

Aayla Secure had not intended on spying on Skywalker and his padawan when she had seen them leave the village supposedly to train, she was however curious and worried at what he might be teaching Ahsoka since he seemed to be not stopping her from forming attachments much like himself and in fact encouraged them. It was a worrying concern and she didn't want the promising young girl who in some ways reminded her of herself at that age to have her career as a Jedi ruined by it. She had not intended to take a padawan herself yet or perhaps ever but Ahsoka might have been the one she picked if she had.

Instead she had witnessed Skywalker do something she had never expected, teach her to meditate through her lightsaber. Using the movements of the form to quiet your mind and find inner peace was something she had never even heard of and was wondering just where Skywalker could have learnt that? Kenobi? She pondered but who knew either way Aayla thought with confusion, it worked well for the girl and for the first time since meeting her Aayla could see Ahsoka find calm and peace within herself. It was incredible and Aayla decided to try and see for herself just what this new meditation style was like.

On the hill alone as the sun went down she lit her saber and did as she had heard Skywalker instruct Ahsoka, letting herself get lost in the moves of her own preferred lightsaber forms; like Ahsoka she was a user of Forms 4 and 5 but unlike her Aayla had more years to practice so the movements came much easier to her. She let herself slip deeper into the force she felt herself gaining a greater connection to it as her body moved, the simplicity of it all easing her worries and concerns.

When later that night she came back to herself she decided not to tell Skywalker that she had been watching but definitely owed him for helping her learn this, albeit indirectly she thought distractedly.

- x -

All that calm however disappeared three days later when they saw the Separatist landing ship approach. Watching at the fat and lazy Neimoidian have his droids smash up the Lurmen village made Anakin feel incredible anger which at first he tried to suppress especially as they managed to steal a shuttle and a pair of shield generators from the makeshift base that he been set up. The sight of their new toy scorching the grasslands only brought the fury back as he realised the only reason to come to a world like this to test it was because there was a defenceless village to use.

The idea of the peaceful Lurmen being slaughtered by that fat bastard just for his own amusement and to test his new toy made Anakin almost boil with anger, he kept it under control and did his best to prepare the village. Glad they had the shield generators as that at least should give them a chance, but the irritation he was feeling with the leader of the village Tee Watt Kaa who was constantly pressing for them to stop was boiling over.

"Stop. We don't want anything from you." He said with a look of annoyance which almost overtook Anakin's own. "If it is our destiny to die in your war then so be it." He said with finality which at last broke Anakin's self-control.

"QUIET!" Anakin snapped at him and the volume and firmness of it shocked all of them, even Ahsoka, Rex, Master Secura and Cody. The villagers looked shocked too as Anakin laid into Tee Watt Kaa about how much of a hypocrite he was.

"Just because you are committed to peace and being a pacifist doesn't mean sitting back and doing nothing! You could run away, hide and rebuild your village later once the Separatists and us are gone! Instead you are quite content to sit here and let yourself, your entire people and even your own son be slaughtered for the sake of your own pride! Being better than us by not fighting! That is all you care about and if your people die to prove it what does that mean to you? Nothing it seems since you are prepared to let it happen, maybe the rest of village need to think about whether you are the right person to lead them since you don't care whether they live or die as long as you are in the right. Now be quiet and let us do what we need too." Anakin told the Lurmen elder firmly and Tee Watt Kaa honestly looked so lost for words he might have been a statue, while his people and Wag Too especially looked at him with looks of suspicion as if weighing up his years of leading them against his apparent willingness to let them all die.

Anakin then turned back to the road which the Separatists were currently marching up, a drop of sweat ran down his face as he considered the bad position they were in here and he knew they were likely to lose in a prolonged fight. Seeing the rows of B1 and B2 droids marching down the road and the large seed pods that surrounded the village, Anakin was struck with an insane idea...one bigger than he had ever tried before but if it worked Anakin thought to himself he could save the village...save Ahsoka and Rex.

So he closed his eyes and drew on the calm he fought so hard to achieve and grabbed hold of one of the seed pods and the sheer weight of it made the pressure in his mind horrible to bear as he had never tried to lift something so heavy before. He dug deeper and felt his self-control slipping as he tried to lift the seed pod which did surprisingly move but he knew that lifting it was not going to be enough...being calm, the lighter side of his personality was not going to be enough.

He remembered the Revan had drawn on the darker parts of himself as much as the light, turning all his worst impulses to a goal and that allowed him to become so much stronger for it. He could use any power Jedi or Sith had and stay within his morals. He had always been fearful of trying this himself as he knew how easy it could be to lose control but the sight of all these scared Lurmens, of his own apprentice and his captain in danger...he resolved that today would be the day he did finally do as Revan had done.

So he drew not only on his love and his compassion for the Lurmens and his people, but also his anger and even hatred of those that threatened them, his fear of failure, his determination and the full scope of his feelings as in front of him the seed pod lifted clear off the ground, the pressure on Anakin diminishing as his strength in the force rose with the full power of all his emotions.

Anakin with his focus completely on the task at hand sent the seed pod, easily as heavy as the tanks that followed the droids straight at the enemy. The seed pod sped straight at them with the force of a crashing starship.

The droids saw it coming and screamed uselessly as it smashed a path clean through their lines but Anakin wasn't done yet, with his grip still on the seed pod he steered it around and then ploughed straight through the lines of droids that had survived the first time.

As Anakin then swung the seed pod around again, his arms moving like some musical conductor in the middle of a performance everyone looked on with awe, Ahsoka in particular was amazed at what her master was doing and vowed to train twice as hard so that one day she might be capable of doing such things too.

This only grew as she saw Anakin smash the second group of droids into scrap with the seed pod before throwing it with all the force he could manage straight into the normal AAT that stood next to their new secret weapon tank. The strength of the impact threw the tank sideways into the air and it came down again on its side leaving a huge dent in the side of it, the alien that had accompanied the fat Neimoidian being thrown from it by the impact.

With the droids now dealt with Anakin ran forward with his muscles and speed amplified by the force, leaving the safety of the shield dome and crossing the distance between them within moments, his lightsaber lit already and slashing the barrel clean off the overturned tank before it could fire.

The fat Neimoidian with no loyalty to his colleague was already out of the strange new tank and was trying to escape but running clearly wasn't his strong suit and he was barely five feet away before Anakin grabbed him with the force and turned him around, his eyes blazing and his saber in hand, ready to impale the bastard on.

"Master." A voice suddenly broke his trance and he realised just what he was doing, looking around he saw Ahsoka had caught up to him and was smiling her bright and youthful grin at him...clearly not realising just what she had stopped him from doing.

Anakin now back in control of himself was shaken by what had just happened and how close her had come to killing someone, a selfish and narcissistic bastard perhaps but still it wasn't the Jedi way to kill an unarmed prisoner. It wasn't even Revan's way Anakin thought with a bit shame coming through him. This one might be useful to discover more about this new weapon or to trade for someone else.

He was disturbed a little at how much had happened or what could have happened if Ahsoka hadn't been there to stop him but also amazed at how much more he was capable of, for a moment he had more at one with the force than any other time in his life and wondered just how Revan had managed to maintain his self control so well. He knew he would have to read through the writings on that as soon as possible.

He was unaware though that nearby Aayla who had seen and more importantly felt the immense emotions flowing through Skywalker, not just positive feelings but all the negative ones too. His balance hanging on a precarious knife's edge between the light and dark sides.

Her fears for this situation, for the path Skywalker might be taking she thought with a cold chill running up her spine and what it would do to not only him but those that followed him like Ahsoka and Rex who now had caught up with them and was congratulating his general. Fearful for Ahsoka especially as where the master led, the student would almost certainly follow. Almost a vision formed in her mind of a dark side fuelled Skywalker and Ahsoka tearing their way across the galaxy.

The sight of Republic ships coming down from the skies brightened her mood and worries a little but she would need to speak to the council about this at the first opportunity.

---

The Senate Building, Coruscant…A Month Later...

Haron again was in the Senate's war room, overseeing campaigns remotely as the massive liberation of Ryloth was being carried out. Normally he would have been there personally to direct the campaign but with so many things going on he had entrusted the job to the Jedi who he hoped wouldn't screw it up too much he thought with some doubt in his mind.

Instead he was overseeing campaigns of the worlds of Minos Kova, Selucin Core and Krant. Each had their important points especially as his other campaigns were going well and recently the Tion Cluster had been brought back into the Republic, freeing up many now experienced units to fight on other fronts. The door opened and Palpatine entered the room with a number of senators behind him.

"Duke Ordo, I take it all the Republic's current operations are going well?" The Chancellor asked and Haron turned to face him and nod in greeting before briefing him, while being annoyed at the lack of security.

"Very well Chancellor, with the victories in the Tion Cluster we have many more units to deploy to other fronts so I expect most of the current campaigns to be completed soon. There are no reports from Ryloth yet I am afraid." He added and Palpatine nodded, glad to hear things were going well at least on the surface. Still Haron wished he could find some evidence of his suspicions about Palpatine but the old man covered his tracks too well, nothing incriminating ever led back to him and it was incredibly frustrating Haron thought with annoyance.

"I do not see why we don't launch a great deal more invasions?!" A senator, a fat human male scoffed at the situation. Speaking of which Haron thought with his patience being considerably stretched.

"Yes Senator we could do that but that stretches our forces dangerously thin against an enemy that cane replenish their ranks a great deal faster than we can especially as we have to garrison worlds that we take not to mention protect worlds that are important holdings to us. Better to focus our attention on more critical targets and defence of the Republic's own borders." Haron to the loud and corrupt Senator who looked instantly disgruntled at the put down but Chancellor Palpatine smiled and told them all.

"Very well put Duke Ordo, I see my faith in you was not misplaced. I see you will be leaving soon to attend the birth of your next child. I hope you will be contactable in case a situation emerges suddenly." Palpatine said and Haron agreed, eager to finish this so he could leave for Reijar.

"If you truly need my expertise then I will of course be available but I am sure things will be fine till I return." Haron assured him, hoping the Jedi could keep things together at least that long before giving a slight nod to the Chancellor and left the room, his warriors followed him to the landing pad where the Canderous awaited. Some of his people were already there, making last minute checks before they departed. Seeing Qyel, one of his more experienced people standing to attention Haron nodded and asked.

"Everything set Qyel?" Haron asked eager to leave. Qyel nodded before adding.

"Two bombs from Senators Yeb Yeb Adem'thorn and Lott Dod, both defused, three surveillance devices and two sabotaged parts which have been repaired or disarmed. Sir, shouldn't we do something about them? This is a pathetic display." Qyel said as they all boarded the ship, Haron said back with weariness.

"Indeed, we'll have to look into solutions for them upon our return. But for now, let's just get home." Haron said, eager to just get out of here in time for his next child to be born.

- x -

A day or so later with the much faster hyperdrive earning its price tag as Haron made it to Reijar just in time to run to the delivery room and stand with his wife.

"You bastard!" Ara screamed as he burst into the room and let her punch hit him. He could take it and right now she needed it.

"I know, I know." Haron said and took her hand and let her grasp it. As the contractions hit again she made good use of it and screamed with pain, grasping his hand with all her strength. It was enough to make him wince but he took it and mopped her brow and when finally, an hour later their second son came into the world. As Ara was trying to still her fiercely beating heart their son was put into Haron's arms, Haron smiled widely at his son a small tuft of black hair on his head and his sleepy eyes showing the great that he and the rest of their family had. He carefully put their son into Ara's arms and she too was totally ensnared by their son.

"Corridan, its an older family name but it has come to mean integrity to us." Haron told her as he wrapped his arms around her and gently kissed her forehead. Loving displays weren't really them but in the privacy of medbay they allowed it.

"Corridan Ordo, a good name for a second son." Ara said knowing it was good name and one few had reason to question, just glad that since Haron was here he could take over and let her rest for a while.

Their peace did not last long as the doors opened and a crowd entered the room. Their inner circle of course along with Din and all the Ordo children.

"Daddy!" Markus cried along with Astoria who ran forward, abandoning his wife for a moment Haron reached down and grabbed them both in his arms to pick them up and spin them around. Holding them close Haron couldn't believe how big they had grown since he was last home and just enjoyed the feeling of having his children in his arms. He kissed each of them on the forehead and slowly turned them around so they could see their mother who smiled gently with the baby in her arms.

"Now children, this is your little brother Corridan. Now you have to be very careful since he is so little." Haron said as he carefully put the two next to Ara who they snuggled up too while marvelling at their little sibling. Haron turned around seeing that was okay and saw Lelia and Din standing there by the adults, he smiled at them and held out his arms. Lelia ran over straight away and he gave her the hug he knew she wanted while Din wandered slowly over. He told them both proudly.

"Your teachers have nothing but praise for you both. I am proud of all you have accomplished and hope to enjoy some time getting all caught up with you both." Haron told them and Lelia kept hugging him tightly which he returned while Din smiled too.

Seeing his friends and Deera smiling too he was glad to be home. The fact that nasty little senators were trying to destroy all this just made him angry and decided to very covertly put a bounty on their heads. Make it big enough and ensure it couldn't be linked back to him and someone would bite.

---

The Jedi Council Chamber, Jedi Temple…

This session of the Jedi High Council had been convened in secret to discuss the conduct of one of their own after a particular knight had raised concerns over what had been seen on Maridun.

"His behaviour is not only concerning but dangerous to the Order. He is treading far too closely to the dark side." Ki-Adi-Mundi said after they were all informed of Skywalker's actions on Maridun. A mumble of agreement went around the room and Master Oppo Rancisis from his chair said.

"He has long been too lax in following the rules of the Order but to nearly kill a defenceless prisoner is unforgivable."

"But he didn't." A firm but cultured voice said from the side. Obi-Wan's hologram sat in his chair and was very calm despite the accusations levelled towards his former padawan. He was new to the Council but already had a firm presence on it. "Anakin might have emotions and his anger may have been closer to the surface than is good but he didn't kill that prisoner and there is no evidence to say he would."

"No evidence?! Master Kenobi the boy relishes in breaking the rules of the Order and flaunting the Council's decisions." Adi Gallia said with a cold look in her eye but Obi-Wan didn't fold from it so she continued. "He indulges in connections to others so frequently it is so unhealthy as a Jedi, it can lead to the dark side to get too close to others."

"Can lead. Key words Master Gallia." Obi-Wan said firmly, his control so perfect no one would be able to find fault in it, even Master Yoda who was sitting brooding nearby. "Anakin may form connections to others but they have been a great source of strength to him and helped him stay firmly in the light side of the force. They give him something more to fight for, to give him the focus and determination to succeed and no one here can doubt he is already highly accomplished in this war. Not to mention how far Ahsoka has already come under his wing." He said calling to their attention all Anakin had achieved. Many frowned, struggling to find fault with Kenobi's defence of Skywalker.

"Then perhaps we should prevent his influence spreading, his apprentice should be reassigned." Even Piell said from his own chair which immediately got a look of worry from Kenobi. "Find her another master that can guide her properly. Master Plo and the girl are close and he currently has no padawan."

If Kenobi was annoyed by the statement he didn't outwardly show it but before he could say anything against it strangely Plo Koon himself did.

"Ahsoka would make a fine apprentice I admit but she is better with Skywalker." He said firmly which surprised many of the council even Kenobi. "He and her are two of a kind, the strength of their bond is already very high and I have no doubt breaking it would hurt both of them deeply. It would drive a wedge between them and the Jedi and I know that she has a good heart. Her compassion and kindness will temper Skywalker and give him a reason to be less rash in his actions. They might be mavericks together but they are better for having each other than they would be apart." Plo Koon said.

Any further discussion of separating Anakin and Ahsoka was immediately put to rest at Plo Koon's firm rebuttal of the idea. Obi-Wan knowing now was the best time to press his point spoke again.

"I know Anakin best and I will keep an eye on him for any more signs of trouble but if any one is going to deliver balance in the force...it will be Anakin." Obi-Wan said and he sent a firm look around the room as if daring anyone to challenge him.

The other masters fell silent, even Ki-Adi-Mundi although Master Windu did look ready to say something but Master Yoda spoke.

"Whether the chosen one he is or not, better on our side then against us Skywalker is." Yoda said making his presence known, silencing any opposition. "Young Tano will help Skywalker learn to let go in time, besides if feed fear we do then only stronger will it grow. Watch we can and make our decision when more certainties we have."

Yoda's decision was clearly an end to the discussion and the rest of the council fell in line quickly even those that wanted to pursue action against Skywalker more earnestly as no one would dare question his judgement.

Yoda meanwhile was feeling very uneasy about the situation with Skywalker all the same but took a little comfort in the fact that his secret group was making good progress in restoring or building new Jedi safe havens.

X

Ancient Grove, Alaris Prime...

Recently rediscovered nearly two decades ago by Qui-Gon Jinn during the Wookiee settling there the Ancient Grove on Alaris Prime was perfect for a Jedi hiding place since so few knew of its existence and it was hidden by thick forest and trees even obscured much of it from the air too.

Rebuilding the small temple buildings with stone was slow work but ensuring the trees covered it from the air or were disguised as natural rock formations was what was really taking the most time. The two long pools needed to be made to look like natural ponds but that was easy enough with a little landscaping.

To create more room they had begun to excavate below ground too which was difficult to do without big machinery but slowly they were getting the work done. By the time they were finished it would be a good hideaway for the Jedi.

X

Coruscant...A Few Weeks Later…

Haron, fresh from a slightly extended break from his duties was again back on Coruscant and supervising the campaigns for the Republic most of the time. Having just finished a meeting with the newly renamed Arms and Vehicles Appropriation Committee he was seeing to some most personal business namely meeting with the Incom Corporation board members a shareholder.

"Profits have been at an all time high since the military contract with the Republic was signed and more planetary defence forces are placing orders for the Z-95, ARC-170 and our new UT-60D U-Wing hybrid starfighter is gathering interest with the Republic Special Forces. They are in need of a fast, well armed insertion craft and given our good relationship with the Republic so far they naturally turned to us." The CEO of the company said and Haron kept his mouth shut that in reality it was him that had made sure that happened. Tarkin was pushing his supposed friend and supporter Raith Sienar for the contract but since Sienar had no craft that were suitable for the job at present Haron had won out. The expansion of Incom was going well and earning him good money along with his other investments. He sat quietly through the rest of the meeting before getting up to leave and just as he was exiting the meeting room in the Incom's Coruscant Office a member of his guards, Jex came up to him.

"Sir, I have just been informed that a group of armed assailants have forced their way into the Senate Building and taken a good number of Senators hostage." Jex told him with calm and focus. Haron nodded, surprised that someone had been this bold but no security was ever fool proof and he knew full well that if they had inside knowledge and someone with at least a decent tactical mind it could be overcome with a little planning.

A beeping on his comm unit was suddenly predictable and when activated a hologram of Palpatine appeared.

"If this is about the Senators being taken hostage I was just informed Chancellor, I will be returning to the Senate immediately." Haron told him and Palpatine who looked angry and annoyed told him.

"Indeed at once my friend, this situation is intolerable and must be resolved." Palpatine said before the connection of was cut. Haron sighed having a feeling this was going to be a long day.

- x -

A quick air taxi later and Haron accompanied by his warriors arrived back at the Senate building where the number of Clone Troopers, Coruscant police and Senate Guard had tripled since he left. A good number of Jedi could also be seen around the building. Haron wasted no time and was thanks to his reputation unchallenged as he entered with his men, going straight to the Chancellor's Office where a number of Coruscant Police and Senate Guards stood watch.

"Thank goodness Duke Ordo. I can only thank you and Admiral Yularan for the installation of an independent communication system in here otherwise we would have been completely cut off." Palpatine said upon seeing him and Haron nodded before cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"It is always best to have a back up now do we know what the intruders want?" Haron asked and Palpatine nodded.

"Yes they contacted me and told me that unless we release Ziro the Hutt they will kill all the hostages in that room."

Ziro the Hutt? Haron thought with surprise, not sure why anyone would bother to do that or that Ziro could afford such an operation. In fact being in prison might be safer for him at the moment since Jabba had good reason to hate him and would likely want him dead, unless of course Jabba was bankrolling this to get Ziro out to kill him.

"Chancellor, there is another message from the hostage takers." An aide told him and Palpatine nodded before activating the holoprojector in the centre of the room.

"I see you were able to communicate with the rest of the Republic Chancellor and confine us to the Eastern wing, no matter." A hologram of a Duro smirked with a pair of breathing tubes connecting to the side of his face and a wide brimmed hat, looking to Haron's mind like an alien cowboy but then realised to his own concern that they were dealing with the very slippery Cad Bane. "To ensure you realise that I am serious I wish you too see my determination." He said, shifting the focus of the image to himself, two of his thugs and Haron noticed Senators Yeb Yeb Adem'thorn and Lott Dod on their knees before them. The Duro wasted no time in shooting both men in the chest right before their eyes.

Haron couldn't help but wonder if the bounties he had posted on them might be responsible for them being chosen but he didn't care about that. No his attention was stolen by one of Bane's associates. She was a bit younger than him and human, wearing sleek durasteel armour, but what caught his attention was how much like Deera she looked, the shape of the face and the build were almost the same.

A cold feeling settled in his gut as he realised what this could mean, hoping that it was coincidence.

"That is Cad Bane, I've never met him but with the death of Jango Fett he has become the most high priced Bounty Hunter in the galaxy now. Since none of them are bothering to hide their identities and as bounty hunters they have no political association this is probably financially driven. Someone is paying them for this...paying them a lot of credits. Bane probably has a plan to ensure their escape in place from what I've heard of him." Haron told them what he knew. Palpatine nodded before saying.

"Anakin is in there and so far undetected but he is unarmed. I have sent for Ziro but I would prefer it if we didn't hand him over."

"Me and my warriors will handle this. We enter through the windows of the upper offices." Haron said and Palpatine nodded, Haron would have expected some objection but perhaps the man was angry at this annoyance interfering with his plans. Haron was also aware he might be hoping he failed but Haron wasn't going to be caught unawares.

With his mind still wondering about the woman he had seen he and his people left the Chancellor's office. Haron put on his helmet and he could feel his people's excitement, this post was rather boring most of the time so some action would be good for them. Going to the office adjacent to the Chancellor's Haron wasted no time in shooting the glass, shattering it before he activated his jet-pack and with his warriors behind him flew out of the window and over to the East Wing, landing on the roof. Haron carefully made his way to the nearest office window and turned to one of his warriors who was equipped with a laser cutter. She nodded and made her way to the window and carefully started cutting a hole in the glass, grabbing it as it fell so it didn't break when it fell free of the rest of the window, making sure no one heard them enter.

Now with the path open Haron and his warriors moved single file into the office as quietly as they could. Haron switched on his infrared and saw the heat signatures of two people coming up the corridor. Haron gestured with his hands and two of his warriors moved to a position by the door, ready to attack on command. Carefully Haron waited for the two to pass before giving the next signal to his warriors. They with the skill of seasoned commandos leant out of the room and shot the two thugs, downing both with a single round each. Rushing over they dragged the bodies into the office that was their hiding place and out of sight while Haron scanned the building.

The Senators who were being held hostage were easy to find, a large cluster in the atrium and a few others scattered around. One was in the security room and another was in the storage rooms nearby. Haron gave his orders quietly to his warriors now he knew who was where.

"Jex, Moria. Secure security room. Maz, Drell, clear the ones on floor 56. Olle, Gar, clear storage area. I'm taking Floor 55 then all assemble outside Atrium here." He said, marking it on his HUD and sending the data to them. They all nodded in acceptance and in pairs they left the room before he exited himself.

Haron however had a reason for going alone, reaching into the force he knew the woman he was looking for was on Floor 55 and made his way down there. Creeping down the corridors he was watching her thermal signature through the walls and when finally he reached the end of the corridor he deactivated thermal and looked without it.

Even from here he could see she moved with precision, not a single wasted movement and was always steady on her feet as she walked up the corridor. Now that he was looking at her for real and not a hologram it became even more disconcerting as she was blonde and her resemblance to his sister Deera was very close, when he managed to get a good look at her face his heart which was already pounding his breath almost stopped in his throat.

Her eyes, they were green.

Just like his...like Deera's...like his own children and like their uncles and cousins.

The green eyes had been a thing for the last four generations and all of them that were biologically Ordo had them and this young woman had the exact same shade as them. Either it was fluke of genetics or worst yet she was somehow related to them.

Haron took a breath and did his best to not think about the implications if his suspicions were right and without waiting he stunned her.

She took three stun blasts to take down, her armour resisting the shots and her own impressive self will which impressed him a little but he walked over and carefully with his dagger cut her hand, not enough to truly injure her but enough to draw blood. He took out his medkit and drained the tiny amount of blood into a container before sealing it so he could examine it later. Looking down at her he took a small bandage and applied it to the cut before securing her hands with some primitive but effective zip ties.

Carefully putting her into a store room he closed and locked the door to make sure she was secure before leaving to join his warriors at the atrium. Moving as quickly and stealthily as possible to the atrium he found his people already waiting there with Anakin.

"Sir, we found him in one of the offices. There are seven hostiles in the room and the senators in the centre." Jex told him and Haron nodded before turning to Anakin and asking him.

"I suppose it would be pointless to ask you to stay out of it till we clear the room?" Haron asked and Anakin who looked anxious probably because Padmé was one of the hostages just glared at him. Haron sighed before handing him one of his blaster pistols which made all of his warriors look at him with surprise. "I want that back the moment we have the room." Haron warned Anakin who took the blaster awkwardly, not really used to using it but nodded slowly in agreement.

"Right...go!" Haron said and with no hesitation he and his men accompanied by Anakin stormed the room.

Leaping from the balcony above they landed around the Senators and began shooting the thugs who were completely shocked at their sudden appearance, that gave the Mandalorians and Anakin a precious moment or two to strike. None of the thugs wore armour and the droids they had with them were flimsy, a single shot was all it took to take them down but when Haron shot Cad Bane, the first person he went for in the room being the most dangerous something unexpected happened.

The shot went right through him! Everyone looked on in confusion while Bane smirked and then vanished leaving behind a high level holoprojector attached to a small mouse droid which seemed to lose power.

"A Decoy! When did he leave the room?" Anakin asked desperately while standing as close to Padmé as he could and Bail Organa answered with worry.

"About half an hour ago, he left the room and came back a little later but he didn't touch anything after that."

"Then where's the real one?" Padmé asked with concern. None of them had an answer.

- x -

Not far away from the Senate Building the prison transport carrying Ziro was suddenly flying away from its intended destination. The corpses of two Republic correct officers lay on the floor with blaster burns in their chests while Cad Bane sat in the cockpit and smirked a little as he held the controller. That holoprojector had been expensive but well worth it he thought with a smirk, he only needed them to bring Ziro out of the prison, he was far easier to get at while in transport anyway and the Senate had been a useful distraction for him. Not to mention fewer people, fewer cuts which of course meant more credits for him Bane thought with satisfaction.

- x -

Hours later Haron stood in the small sickbay aboard the Canderous. He had gone back to get the mystery woman he had arrested but she had managed to free herself somehow and had fled the building the chaos afterwards. He honestly felt like a moron for making so many mistakes today but before he could beat himself up over it he had one last thing to do.

Taking the small container with her blood he put it in the small analyser he had on-board, a small model but a decent one and then used a syringe to take a sample from himself. Putting both into the machine he selected DNA comparison and while the machine worked he held his breath, hoping that his suspicions were wrong.

It took only a few moments for the results and he looked at the small display, almost praying he was wrong.

It felt like a hammer blow when he saw what it said.

Positive Patriarchal Match.

Father, dead for years and you are still causing me problems. Haron thought with anger towards the man, wishing he could bring him back to life just so he could kill him again. Probing her biological age he saw she was roughly the same age as Deera, a little younger by a matter of months. He sighed, his own memory that far back was limited due to how young he had been at the time so he would need to seek out someone who had been around back then.

But first he had to decide just what the hell to do about this? It was a major social taboo in Mandalorian culture to cheat on your partner but they already knew of one incident where Jorah Ordo, this father had done just that. The fact that he must have had other women they didn't know about honestly worried him as who knows how many more half-siblings he and his sisters could have out there that they didn't know about Haron thought rubbing his temples as a migraine started.

He had no idea if his father had known or not or what the story might have been so he sent out an urgent request for a conference to Deera and his uncle Branum, Deera was a part of this too and they needed answers from one of the few people who might know something about this.

It took nearly an hour for them both to respond but eventually they were having a three way conference, Deera looked confused at the sudden urgency while the stern older face of their uncle merely waited for Haron to speak with a stony expression.

"The reason for the call is I just discovered Deera, Lelia and myself have another half-sibling, a sister no less. Do you know anything about this?" Haron said sternly to his uncle whose stony expression broke for a moment especially as Deera who was stunned look at him too and their combined stares managed to get their uncle to tell them what he knew.

"Yes, your father had other mistresses. Blondes of your sister's build generally since they were his type preference but when power was involved he would pursue others." Branum said reluctantly. "He was at least careful enough to ensure no pregnancies except once around the time Deera was born, the young woman in question came to him hoping he would support her and the baby but instead he banished her to Nar Shaddaa to get rid of her. The girl was a nobody from an unimportant family in his eyes so she gave him no advantage, hence he sent her away in the hopes she would just be destroyed by the dangers of that moon." Branum said with shame, he had been honour bound to support his brother at the time despite how much he disagreed with what he had done but only his shame had prevented him from confessing what he had gone along with or helping the poor young woman.

Deera and Haron were both shocked and appalled at what they were hearing, they both hated their father for what he had done to their mothers and plenty of other things aside but this...they both thought with anger was a just a different kind of bad they had seen from him.

It was not just the shock of this revelation that caused them to worry though, this could be devastating to their reputation if it got out, since they had nothing to do with it they could weather it but it would definitely hurt their standing with the other Mandalorians if it got out...unless they handled this very carefully.

"Do we know anything about her?" Deera asked, recovering from her shock and now looking very stern, like him wondering just what to do. Haron nodded.

"I know she worked with Cad Bane and most of his crew were either droids or other bounty hunters so I guess she probably is the latter. I have some images and a few contacts we can try and reach out too. But aside from that there is very little to go on." Haron informed her and she nodded.

"Then we start with that, I am coming out to meet you. This is something we keep in the family till we know just what we are dealing with." Deera said firmly and Haron agreed with her a hundred percent.

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There you have it. One of the longest things I have ever written in one go so I am eager to hear what you thought, please leave a review to let me know.

Mandalorian ships brought in from other fandoms will be taken mostly from Battlestar Galactica and Halo since they are the closest I could find to the Mandalorian style. There is another fandom being considered but if anyone has a ship they would like to recommend just tell me by either a review or a message.

'When you lose, don't lose the lesson'. A quote from the Dalai Lama.

This new half-sister has an important part to play certain parts of the Clone Wars and shape events at the end. She was not just added for the sake of it.

Next Chapter – Haron and Deera hunt for their new sibling while Anakin tries to find his own balance.