"Your highness, General Cody is nowhere to be found." came the almost nervous voice from the other end of the comlink.
Bail shook his head, almost dumbstruck at OBi Wan's departure. "Have you checked the hangar? He did say he was going to inspect the maintenance on his fighter last I spoke to him."
A short pause followed by an even more jittery reply. "General Cody checked out his fighter and left the hangar some time last night." Another short pause. "Planetary sensor logs show a craft matching his specifications exiting into hyperspace sometime in the early morning hours."
Bail hung his head, Its not that he needed Obi Wan to be present at the
Another Chance ceremony, but the strict pacifist bloc in the planetary government would have appreciated it if the head of Planetary defense, a man they had barely even heard of, would have been present to mark the occaision. To them this represented the Defense Force's disgust at not being a fully fledged military in their own right. With the
Another Chance taking off with most of Alderaan's weapons the Defense Forces were being reduced into spaceport security and planetary shield operation. Even monitoring of the planetary system was being redesignated to civilian control. While Bail had approved of many of these reforms he did not entirely approve of the timing. The pacficists were counting on the Empire to provide much of their planet's security, but tat the same time growing more vocal against the Empire's policies. It was these kind of situations when all else failed that required the wisdom of a Jedi Master, but wherever Obi Wan was he obviously did not want to be found.
Obi Wan found himself in the middle of a conflict once again, only this time he was playing the role of revolutionary. The current flagship for what compromised the Rebel Fleet was one of the few remaining Providence-class cruisers. Obi Wan was given overall command of the ship and its contingent of soldiers and battle droids. He had not been aboard for even a day before briefing mission commanders about their first mission.
"In two days the
Another Chance, along with her three escort ships, will depart the Alderaan System at approximately 1900 hours Galactic Standard. The first jump is largely ceremonial, a short microjump out of the planet's system close enough to the planet for everyone to get a suitable view from the skyhook stations. However the real jump will occur...here, at Dantooine."
Obi Wan, in his guise as General Cody, was addressing several key political and military leaders of the newfound Rebellion. He stood next to a detailed holographic display charting the path at The Alderaanain War Frigate and its escorts were going to take to unexplored space, along with their cache of weapons.
"As most of you know the Republic and Separatists held a major battle there, but since the end of that conflict and the occupation of Muunilist afterwards there has been little reason for the Empire to stage anything out of Dantooine, Alderaan selected Dantooine as the secondary jump point due to its proximity to the outer rim, and beyond it the edge of the galaxy itself where the ships would be doomed to the obscurity of empty space. Rather than destroy this equipment, the ships have all been outfitted with remote recall transmitters on the remote chance that the equipment is ever needed once again. One of the few concessions Bail Organa was able to coax from the hardline pacifists."
From the seating area, a hand came up, a Gotal whose rank insignia indicated he had served in an officer's position with the Separatists. "Alderaan is a loyal Imperial planet, what makes you so sure they haven't supplied the Imperials with the same information and that they won't be doing the same thing?"
"A good question," Obi Wan could feel the Gotal's senses attempting to reveal anything they could about him. Gotals were known for their ability to read emotions and dsicern truth, and a man such as Obi Wan hidden beneath a mask and synthesized voice was difficult enough to begin with. "Alderaan is currently loyal, but they would prefer that the weapons be handed over to no one at all, even the Empire, and a small number of ships like this is not enough for the Imperial Fleet to care about anyway while they keep building Star Destroyers."
The Gotal nodded his head and accepted Obi Wan's explanation, which made an excellent impression on these men. He had chosen for the time being to keep his lightsaber concealed for now and from the looks of things he felt he had made the right choice. Mon Mothma, after failing to gain support from those she had aligned herself with during the Clone War, had recruited a considerable amount of Ex Separatists to fight against the Empire. Obi Wan now understood the frustrations Bail had felt, but accepted them for the time being. These were not the Separatists he had fought against such as Count Dooku, but rather the soldiers that truly believed that they had to fight for their freedom from the Republic. Obi Wan had fought hard to prove to preserve the side he thought represented freedom and triumphed, but was horrified later on when he found out he had been fighting and advancing the cause of the Sith. Silently he thought to himself, "Now the true patriots of the galaxy are aligned. There won't be anymore confusion as to which side I should be battling." Obi Wan continued the briefing, making sure to let the people serving below him have a chance to give their input, and after a few hours they had their plan hammered out.
Upon entering the system the
Another Chance was to make a computer controlled hyperspace jump towards the spiral arms, where that final jump would be was up to the navigational computer. In order to further the secrecy of the ships' location the hyperspace jump would be partially programmed by a randomizing factor in the computer, which would then be double checked with star charts to ensure safety. The process would take no less than fifteen minutes, but no longer than thirty. Obi Wan's task force would jump into the system and a shuttlecraft would immediately head over to the
Another Chance and begin altering the coordinates in the navigational computer. As that part of the mission proceeded a Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship would begin deploying droid fighters and keep a close watch, especially on the hyperspace vectors coming from Muunilist. They didn't expect any trouble, but these days expectations were a liability as much as anything else.
Just as he was leaving the briefing room, a battle droid walked up to Obi Wan, Obi Wan almost instictively went for his lightsaber but managed to restrain himself. "Sir," the droid said, in a mechanical tone not much unlike his own. "New Intelligence from Oovo IV." Obi Wan read over the reports, much more detailed versions of what had managed to make the heavily censored holonet news broadcasts. A dark feeling grew in his stomach as he read the details...
Within his chambers on Coruscant, Darth Sidious examined a short list of names, short yet infamous to those who fought on the side of the Republic. Sev'rance Tann, Sora Bulq, Quinlan Vos, Tol Skorr, and Kadrian Sey just to name a few. Darth Tyranus, though merely the Apprentice in the Order of the Sith, utilized a number of Dark Side adepts to further the chaos in the galaxy. However these apprentices, powerful as they were, were nothing but disposable pawns. Sidious knew that if any of these dark adepts had been allowed to survive they would pose as much of a threat as any Jedi to the power of the New Order.
Dooku had done a terrible job of cleaning up after his mess, and if it wasn't for significant infighting between that group some of them may have been able to escape. Sidious' eyes narrowed as he opened two data files on two particular subjects. Asajj Ventress and Aurra Sing, the only two of the names on the list that were not confirmed dead. If Dooku were still alive Sidious would have killed him for his incompetence in failing to deal with them. But soon it would make no difference, the last of Dooku's pawns and the only remaining being who knew of Darth Sidious' existence within the Separatist heirarchy would soon be dead, and in such a way that would finally turn Lord Vader fully to the Dark Side.
Sidious rose to enact his plans when a ringing sound began playing from his console, indiciating a message on his private channel. It was Vader, fresh from his mission on Tatooine, Sidious used the Force and activated the holoprojector. In the background behind him, a variety of military craft were coming and going, meaning that Anakin was still at the spaceport.
"General Skywalker," security was not absolute on the other end of the terminal. "I am pleased by the reports of your success."
"Master, my success was far greater than we could have hoped for. After destroying Jabba the Hutt I managed to take a prisoner of great value, you will be most pleased."
Sidious maintained a calm demeanor, but within his mind he cackled, the news he had been awaiting was finally about to be delivered. The image shifted towards a shackled Yoda, who was currently facing the ground as a trio of clone troopers trained their blasters on him.
"He surrendered without a fight Master, he is broke as is the Jedi Order." Anakin's voice was full of anger, which pleased Sidious greatly. Dooku would have been filled with a false pride at this capture, while Anakin was able to focus his hate. The hate would make him powerful, and when he finally learned to embrace his anger he would grow even more powerful. Sidious looked at the Jedi Master whom he had defeated in the Senate Chambers and began laughing, the schemes and designs in his mind replaced with thoughts of the incredible pain he would inflict on his nemesis. For years he had been cold and methodical in enacting his vengeance, in the last days of the Republic though the Dark Side had called to him, clamoring for pain and suffering, calling on Sidious to fuel the blackness of his heart and revel in it.
"Do not delay General, have him turned over to my guardsmen and personally escort him to my office. I will deal with him from there."
"Yes my master."
Sidious turned from the projector and let out a maniacal laugh as he summoned his guards to him, deep within the underbelly of Coruscant, where Sifo Dyas and Jedi before him had been made to suffer. So too would Yoda, and once he was secured Sidious would send Skywalker to erase Count Dooku's failure from the galaxy once and for all.
Padme rested, sitting upright with her children nestled in her arms as a droid servant brought in a holoprojector.
"A transmission from General Skywalker my lady." the droid said.
Padme's eyes lit up, though the smile and warmth that she used to wear when seeing Anakin no longer came to her, she still desperately wanted to see him. Ever since the children had been born he had been away from her, being sent around the galaxy in the name of this New Order. She had been promised by her doctors that soon she would be able to take the children and return home, and not a moment too soon.
"Padme..." Anakin was obviously lost for words, as she looked upon his face she could see the weight of the universe piling on his shoulders. The darkness that had covered his face on Mustafar was still there, and the light she felt in his heart was fading. But she could still feel it, there wasn't anyone else that could save him right now, it was her duty to try. As a wife, and as the mother to their children.
"Ani, I miss you."
"I have missed you too, I am due for a meeting with Emperor Palpatine in but a few moments, when that is done I promise I will come to your side."
Padme felt tears well up in her eyes. "You will? Is that a promise?"
Anakin nodded. "It is, and I will stay by your side, and with our children, for a long rest." Anakin took a breath, the darkness within him was pushed back slightly. "I'm tired Padme, i'm sorry..."
"Don't be sorry Anakin, the doctors say i'll be able to go home soon, then we can all go to Naboo."
"I have responsibilities here." Anakin's excuse sounded weak, as if even he didn't believe it.
"You haven't stopped fighting ever since Geonosis, Ani no one can fight forever even if they're fighting for what they believe in."
Anakin looked shaken, his robotic hand opened and closed almost uncotrollably. Finally, his head turned as he tended to do whenever he felt ashamed. "I will see you soon my love." The transmission ended as he turned away. As soon as it did Luke began crying, a soft gentle cry that subsided slightly as PAdme pulled him closer to her. Leia cuddled up against her closer as well. Not long afterwards the twins fell asleep, and Padme began to wonder about the future.
"Dooku was always fond of this ship." Ventress mused out loud as her fingers caressed over the Solar Sailer's exterior. "Even though he had been a Jedi for so many years, he had never been able to escape the pompousness associated with aristocracy. He cherished his possessions, almost as much as he cherished himself. It's no wonder he chose to forsake the Jedi." As Aurra Sing watched Ventress looked up, almost wistfully, at the roof of the large cave she now called home.
They had fled to Bpfassh, not far from where Ventress finally escaped for good at Xagobah. The wrecked fanblade fighter from that incident was not far off although it was largely in pieces. It was in this small out of the way area that Dooku and Ventress had established a small hidden enclave for themselves and Dooku's other disciples as the Clone Wars raged on, by keeping this outpost secret they had a place to fall back to when times were tough, or to hide away prisoners when no other place would do. Bpfassh was also ideal because few Jedi had dared to travel there after a group of Jedi fell to the dark side and used it as a staging ground, which led to a large distrust of the Jedi byt he planet's natives.
"Dooku was a narcissist, I gathered as much, so what does this have to do with me?" Aurra Sing gritted her teeth and kept her hand close to the lightsaber Ventress had given her on Oovo. She had never liked taking orders when money wasn't at stake and she had never liked being out of control of the situation, currently Aurra was neither in control or in position to profit.
"It has everything and nothing to do with you Aurra Sing. Have you heard of what has become of the Jedi order from your prison cell?"
Aurra's voice became louder as she grew impatient. "I was stuck in that hole! How was I supposed to hear anything!"
If the aggressive posture Aurra was taking bothered Ventress, Asajj didn't let on. "Then you might be pleased to know that the Jedi have been all but wiped out."
Shock exploded across Aurra's face. She had never thought it possible, she could grasp the deaths of many Jedi, and select master son the council, but the entire JEdi Order being wiped out was nothing short of an impossibility to her. She was only able to stammer out one word. "How?"
"Apparently our Jedi friends turned on the beloved Chancellor Palpatine shortly after he declared himself Emperor. The Jedi were wiped out by the clone army, and one of their own. The famed General Skywalker. Now that Aurra Sing, is where you come into play. "
Aurra was losing control of the situation again just as she had begun to assert herself. In all of her experiences with the Jedi she had never faced Skywalker before, how was it then that Ventress was connecting her to him then?"
"Shortly after my last battle with Skywalker and Kenobi, " As Ventress spoke the name of Anakin's mentor she became filled with anger, so much that Aurra could feel it through the Force. "I came here, I was done fighting. Count Dooku had betrayed me on Boz Pity and I wanted nothing more to do with him. I took his Solar Sailer and came here, when I heard over the holonet that he had been killed I managed to assume several small hidden fortunes of his and I was on the verge of living in deep obscurity for the rest of my days. Until recently, when my true master contacted me."
"Your true master?" Aurra asked.
"Dooku was a brilliant strategist and powerful warrior, but even he lacked the power and desire to conquer the galaxy. My true master, the true Dark Lord of the Sith, is the one responsible for the Separatists, for the Empire, for the entire Clone Wars. Only a few days ago did he contact me. He told me that if I could kill Skywalker then the Jedi would be extinct and that I would be able to take my rightful place as a Sith."
Aurra tensed at the mention of the Sith. Even though she had embraced the Dark Side, she had made it point to avoid the Sith if she and they ever crossed paths. The Sith were all about power and control, and Aurra did not like the idea of being dominated.
Ventress continued. "I was ashamed to tell Lord Sidious that I was unable to defeat Skywalker, that his powers were beyond mine. But it did not take him long to provide me with your location and your imprisonment status. HE told me that Skywalker must be eliminated and that you would be of great assistance in this matter."
Ventress walked towards Aurra Sing and ignited her lightsaber blade, Aurra activated hers and matched Ventress strike. as the two locked blades and exchanged vicious glances at each other Ventress smiled.
"He was right, you do have a hunter's instinct." Ventress disengaged her blade and propelled herself backwards with the Force, smiling. "With your help, and with the Dark Side of the Force. You and I will kill Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi will be extinct for all time!"
Aurra had never taken on a job for free, but she was drawn into this now. NOt only did she owe Ventress, but the opportunity she was being presented with was too great to pass up. She had sensed no deception from Ventress in the Force, and her hatred of the Jedi was as strong as it had ever been after Aayla Secura's lucky victory.
Ventress clipped the hilt of her blade to her belt. "Will you help me?"
Aurra did the same, and after a brief pause she met Ventress gaze with ice- cold eyes. "I will."
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