I hope not. I would rather he stay in the order.
May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)
- Thread starter Dr. Snark
- Start date
- Sci-Fi
-
- Tags
- star wars canon what canon tsundere dice ck2 quest actions have consequences all the credits all work and no play makes ciaran a dull girl best sister capitalism ho! despairing qm teetotaller society member gotta catch 'em all insanity looting off the rails sage dice approaching spicy sheev tsundere asajj
- Location
- USA
He can move to the Almas Academy or Corellia for less strict Jedi
prince84
In central Dogma flirting with Lilith.
- Location
- The Madness Place
Anakin: Sure though I feel I have to warn you Padme is letting Lady Ciaran help arrange the wedding.
Yoda: Ah, meditate on this I must.
- Location
- Australia
That is not the reason why they haven't arrested us. The REAL reason is because they sent a Jedi Knight to get information regarding Ciaran's connection to the Hutts and discovered that it was solely to allow her charity to function properly without their otherwise inevitable interference. Some of them might suspect we're worse than we appear, but none of them "know" anything. To most, we're either doing the wrong things for the right reasons or we're well-meaning but misguided.
- Location
- Bulgaria
Eeh, not quite. They haven't "discovered" we're well-meaning but misguided, I think Anakin fucked up and revealed their investigation. The claim that our dealings with the slaving criminal cartel are 100% for the purpose of charity, is just that, our claim. I doubt even the Jedi were dumb enough expect us to plea anything but innocent when confronted. Though I should have clarified that by "try to bring us to justice", I meant to start a more thorough investigation, which would be problematic since the Jedi are guided by Force to a seemingly random extent. I was also strictly referring to the Council's perspective, not the Order as a whole.
It does look like the Sentinels haven't revealed just how shady our dealings might be, but the Council's conduct seems to indicate that they're not convinced all the same. They did let up after we single-handedly stopped the Saparatists from framing the Jedi and turning Hutt Space against the Republic. However, even after such a boon, even after the treaty of Camaas, relations are still cold and they've made no attempts to cooperate or improve them. I think that's pretty telling about how much stock they've put in the "discovery" of Anakin's interview.
I'm not saying that the Jedi have to become an enemy, but I doubt that we'll ever be big friends with the Order. I don't think we'll be able to keep fooling them forever without a war going on. More than anything I suspect they might have a bad "sense" about Ciaran. They put a lot of stock in those so it might be that's what's keeping them on the fence, despite many of our benevolent actions.
That said, unless Palpatine stirs something up, I don't think this is an immediate problem. Hopefully by the time the war is over, we'll be firmly in the "too big to fail" category (If we're not there already). Whatever their faults, the Council seems to get more practical when it comes to staving off chaos.
Open bar you will have. Drain it dry I shall.
- Location
- Reno Nv
Someone needs to do an Omake on this. The amount of drunk Jedi would be hilarious.
- Location
- Leeds
You think a mere open bar is enough to get Yoda drunk?
He's been training his liver for nearly 900 years.
Ciarian will have to up her game.
- Location
- Reno Nv
She will need to bring Space Marine pattern Amasack.
Dr. Snark
Exactly As Planned...Probably
- Location
- Right where I want to be
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Right, while I'm putting together the update might as well comment on omakes:
I think it was the late great Terry Pratchett who said that if you had a suit, tie, clipboard, and the right attitude, you could walk into any military base on the planet. Canon, +10.
I think it was the late great Terry Pratchett who said that if you had a suit, tie, clipboard, and the right attitude, you could walk into any military base on the planet. Canon, +10.
I am sorry to bother you guys, but I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find the chapter where PR-1 and HK-47 were having an argument. I believe that the argument was in regards to PR-1 usefulness. HK-47 was mocking PR-1 as being useless causing PR-1 to challenge him to a bet where if PR-1 won than HK-47 had to do the next briefing for Ciaran. PR-1 won the bet.
- Location
- Reno Nv
[X] Go to the funeral. Even being there might be a good way to rebuild your bridges with the Council.
-[X] Acknowledge her presence but don't speak to her given the chance. Honestly pretending she doesn't exist would be rather childish.
-[X] Acknowledge her presence but don't speak to her given the chance. Honestly pretending she doesn't exist would be rather childish.
Order 66 is a go!
*gasp* this was palpatines plan all along
have us do all the dirty work while he get's away scoot free!!!!!11tinfoilhat!!!#Illuminati!!!1
Wesker vs. the Firekeeper (by Killerflood)
Killerflood
Corporal Cannonfodder
- Location
- Saṃsāra
Hey @Dr. Snark, you had asked for artwork? Well, I did happen to shit something out today ...
I call this "Wesker vs. the Firekeeper". Happy? No? Neither am I but it's the thought that counts. At least that's what I tell myself.
I call this "Wesker vs. the Firekeeper". Happy? No? Neither am I but it's the thought that counts. At least that's what I tell myself.
- Location
- USA
She's the Jedi me had as a hero unit for a turn, got put on a job to help the Huts, and ran to the Council afterwards reporting how shady we were.
Temple Bombing - Injustice
Dr. Snark
Exactly As Planned...Probably
- Location
- Right where I want to be
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Coruscant
"One with the Force, they are. And our job it is to remember that we will, in time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we, but temporary vessels our bodies are. And we shall all find ourselves here, in time. A moment of silence I ask. To remember. And to move on."
The moment of silence seemed to stretch out for an eternity as Ciaran quietly glanced around the room. She saw Satine standing beside Obi-Wan trying not to look in his direction, she saw Ahsoka quiretly speaking with a Mirialan Jedi she didn't recognize, she saw Anakin's hand start to move towards his chest before it drifted back to his side, she saw Bulq with no visible emotion on his face, and she saw Palpatine put on a false mask of sorrow as he no doubt reveled in the deaths of his hated enemies.
"Live through us, forever they will." With those words Yoda tapped his staff against the ground, signalling the caskets to be sealed away, a pillar of light illuminating where they were buried. After some other eulogies that Ciaran didn't really listen to were said, the funeral came to an end, with most of the attendees slowly filing out of the room. To Ciaran's relief Palpatine was one of the first to leave; apparently the man didn't want to pretend to be sympathetic to the Jedi any longer than he had to. As she took in that detail she noticed Darra, who was slowly moving out - with a limp, Ciaran noticed - constantly glancing in her direction.
Ciaran's response was to turn her head towards Darra, acknowledging that yes she did in fact notice her. Darra's face immediately morphed into a combination of fear and anger before she looked away and left the room.
"Afraid of you, she is." Ciaran turned to see Yoda moving towards her, giving a brief but deliberately noticeable glance in Darra's direction. "Fears revenge, she does."
"She really shouldn't," Ciaran replied, not even bothering to explain herself further.
"Surprising, your presence today is. Curious, it also is."
"I wanted to give a sign of goodwill and show people that I'm as horrified by this bombing as anyone else." She shrugged. "That's about it."
"Hm..." Yoda didn't respond, instead turning to face the pillars of light that now illuminated the room. "A great wound, losing these people will cause. Heal it may in time, but time we may not have."
"I won't deny that," Ciaran said as Yoda turned to face her again. "It was such a waste of life." She was silent for a brief second before turning to Yoda. "Maybe I should make myself clear there. These people died because Turmond wanted to send a message to the Jedi about...well I suppose it doesn't really matter now, and that's the point." She faced the pillars again. "Because she was arrested, her words will now be treated as treasonous, the rest of the protestors outside will continue to distrust the Order, and at the end of the day the only thing that's really changed is that there are four dead Jedi, to say nothing of the civilians and clones killed too. At the end of the day nothing came of it but more death."
"Sympathize with her, do you? A point, you seem to believe she had."
"Not so much 'sympathize with' as 'disappointed in.' As I recall you actually took my advice when I said that not all Jedi would make for good leaders in the field." Ciaran shrugged again. "There were a thousand different ways she could have let her words be taken more seriously, but in the end she thought that only they could be heard after enough violence and death."
"Troubling it is," Yoda commented as he also faced the pillars, "that such things are happening. Fearful, many Jedi are."
I can't say I blame them, Ciaran thought to herself. After all people losing faith in the Order has often been a prelude for things to get much, much worse for them in the past...
----------
As Anakin, Tarkin, Ahoska, and Barriss walked together, Ahsoka asked Tarkin "So what happens to Letta now?"
"The bomber has been moved," Tarkin coolly replied.
"Moved? Where? Why should she be moved?"
"The Republic military has taken her into custody."
"But why? This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?"
"Clones were killed, which makes this terrorist attack a military matter," Tarkin replied without missing a beat. "An attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate."
"Admiral Tarkin is right," Anakin said to Ahsoka. "Letta isn't a Jedi. It's not for us to be judge and jury over a citizen of the Republic."
"If Letta's guilty she's-" Ahsoka caught herself, shaking her head before facing Tarkin again. "I want to at least know that she'll face full punishment for what she did."
"Calm down Ahsoka," Anakin said. "There's a difference between wanting justice to be done and just wanting revenge no matter what. Don't lose sight of that."
"The evidence seems clear anyway," Barriss noted. "Nothing will ever change."
"The Chancellor wants the Jedi to be separated from matters as this as much as possible," Tarkin started to say-
"Wait, are you saying this is about politics!? People died because of her!" Ahsoka snapped.
"Ahsoka..." Anakin said worriedly, trying to cut off his Padawan.
"No. I understand why Letta has to be moved, but this is..." Ahsoka trailed off before glaring at Tarkin. "I hope Palpatine knows what he's doing," she said before storming off in a huff.
"...I'll go speak to her," Barriss quietly said before following her friend, allowing Anakin to focus his attention on Tarkin. "What exactly was that?"
"I was merely speaking the truth," Tarkin coldly replied.
"I know that, but perhaps you should have considered not telling my Padawan that," Anakin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance with Tarkin. "Or you could have told her that Letta is almost guaranteed to be convicted by the Senate anyway, which is what she's really concerned about. That would have been fine."
"She needs to understand how the galaxy works at some point, Master Skywalker," Tarkin replied. "Reality is far crueler than she believes."
"I think she understands that far better than you give her credit for," Anakin shot back.
Meanwhile Barriss had caught up with Ahsoka. "Is everything alright?"
In response Ahsoka breathed in and out before facing Bariss. "I'll be fine. I...I know I shouldn't have lost my temper and let my emotions get the better of me like that." Her shoulders visibly sagged. "It's just...hard not to let my emotions get the better of me at times like this."
"Ahsoka...do you ever wonder if it's right to ignore our emotions?" Barriss asked.
"'There is a difference between feeling an emotion and letting it rule over your judgement. If anything the latter is what you as a Jedi must strive to overcome.'" Ahsoka said, noticeably changing in demeanor as she said those words, taking on a more refined air for a brief moment before shifting back to normal. "That's what we have to do. We have to move on no matter what and not let the grief and pain control us, as hard as it may be."
"Did your Master tell you that?"
"Ah...no. That's a bit too poetic for him, even if he would probably agree with the sentiment," Ahsoka said, smiling lightly. "The point is that we can get past this, just like we did on Geonosis."
"You've always been capable of seeing things clearly," Barriss replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't say always. But I like to think I've been getting better at it." Before she could continue the conversation, her comlink went off. "Yes, Master?"
"Ahoska, you're needed in the War Room," Anakin said.
"Understood, I'll be right there." As Ahsoka moved to leave, she turned back towards Barriss. "Look, I have to believe that one way or another there's going to be justice for the people killed by that woman."
"You shouldn't keep your Master waiting," Barriss said, clearly trying to ignore what Ahsoka had just said. Nodding towards her, Ahsoka started to head towards the War Room.
----------
As Ahsoka entered the War Room she only saw Anakin and Tarkin's hologram. "Is something the matter? I thought we were facing another Separatist attack."
"Nothing of the sort, at least at the moment," Tarkin said to Ahsoka as she shot a glare at him. "Your presence was requested by prisoner Letta Turmond."
"Why me?"
"We don't know," Anakin said.
"All we know is that she refuses to speak to anyone other than you, Commander Tano."
"...Understood. I'll report back with...whatever she has to say," Ahsoka said as Tarkin's hologram went off and she started to leave the room.
"Ahsoka, wait," Anakin said, catching up to her. "Are you sure you're going to be alright?"
"...I'm not going to hurt her," Ahsoka replied. "That...I won't. I promise."
"...Alright. See you soon."
--------
"Gulan, please tell me we've got at least some way of keeping an eye on Turmond."
"Bad news is: not directly. The base she's at is locked up tight and manned almost entirely by clones. Good news is that with the codebreaker we at least can keep an eye on their comms."
"Good. Anything pop up yet?"
"Maybe. There's been a couple of communications indicating that she wants to speak to one Ahsoka Tano, and only Ahsoka Tano."
"...Did I hear that right? Not Anakin, or Obi-Wan, or...well...anyone who isn't a Padawan? Or for that matter a Jedi who wasn't directly responsible for her arrest?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, boss. I for one would not confide in some rando that arrested me, so I'm fairly sure there's something more to this. I don't know what though."
"Hm...where's our two main teams in the Undercity?"
"Trying to track down our mystery guest at Letta's home. Though honestly there's not much they can do; the base in question takes up a few square kilometers, has basically nowhere to hide, and has constant patrols running through it. If we had time, a dedicated infiltration team, and maybe a mole or two we could get in there but on this short notice-"
"I get it Gulan. Thanks for bringing me up to speed."
"Not a problem boss."
"Any word from Var Zheen on the nanodroids?"
"Well at the moment he's ruled out anything from Karada or the Temple. Right now it's either GAR equipment that got 'misplaced' or some black market stuff unless something comes out of left field."
"Got it. Tell him to keep me posted."
---------
As night fell Ahsoka arrived at the base Letta was being held at. The steel walls, patrolling clone troopers and scattered military equipment only served to make the place feel that much more hostile as she entered the facility and stood in front of the window to the base's reception, a clone in red armor standing at a console close to the window noticing her arriving. "Yes?"
"I'm Commander Tano. Letta Turmond requested to see me."
"A lot of innocent people died in that blast," the clone commented as he moved closer to the window. "Good job capturing her." After that Ahsoka was scanned, relieved of her lightsabers and comlink, and was escorted to Letta's cell, where the woman in question was curled up in a ball in the corner.
"What do you want, Letta?" Ahsoka said accusingly.
"I was told if I needed help you were the Jedi to contact," she replied, surprising Ahsoka. She pointedly shot a look at the clones that had escorted Ahsoka in.
"Give us a minute, please," Ahsoka requested, and the clones dutifully filed out of the room, sealing the door behind them.
"What did you mean that 'I was the Jedi to contact if you needed help?' Who told you that?" Ahsoka asked.
"It's..." Letta looked at Ahsoka with visible fear on her face. "I didn't come up with the idea to feed Jackar the nanodroids on my own."
"Why are you saying this now? If you'd said it earlier it could have helped your case," Ahsoka said, trying to put the pieces together in her mind as she began to get a feeling that something wasn't quite right...
"Because my life is in danger. The person behind this could get to me unless you know the truth."
"...A Jedi told you how to do this," Ahsoka said as her face betrayed the shock of her realization.
"Yes. Some citizens of the Republic like myself-"
"I know, they think the Jedi have become warmongers and so on, that's not the point," Ahsoka said, her voice becoming more intense as something occurred to her. "Who told you how to create the bomb? Was it the same person who told you to contact me?"
"You have to promise to protect me-"
Ahsoka placed her hands on Letta's shoulders, squatting down to look her in the eyes. "I will. But you need to tell me who you've been talking to right now."
Letta was silent for a moment, trying to gather herself "It's-"
She started to choke, her body rising up into the air. In that moment Ahsoka had a terrifying realization:
This meeting was a trap for me. I'm being targeted to take the fall.
Racking her brain to think of some way to try and save Letta she reached out with the Force to try and counteract whoever was choking Letta out, maybe she could dampen the effect-
Only a few seconds passed before Letta dropped to the ground, dead.
And with only Ahsoka in the cell to take the blame for her death. No doubt the cameras had recorded her reaching out towards Letta, and without any other evidence...
Come on, think! What would Thrawn do at a time like this!?
...No. Calm down Ahsoka. Your talk with Letta had to have been recorded. That will prove you're innocent.
Before she could continue her line of thought any further, the door opened and a pair of clones along with their commander burst into the room, shoving Ahsoka aside as one of them moved to take Letta's pulse. "Commander, she's dead," the trooper stoically reported.
"She was trying to tell me that a Jedi was threatening her life," Ahsoka said, fighting to stay calm as she testified to the clones now looking at her with suspicion. "Then all of a sudden someone choked her out with the Force before she could give me a name. I tried to save her, but..." She trailed off.
"We'll have to see whether that's true or not, Commander Tano," the clone commander said as he lifted a blaster pistol at her. "For now, you're under arrest."
---------
At the same time in Ciaran's office she was going over the notes on the case with Thrawn.
"Any ideas where our missing links between Letta, the man casing her apartment, and the actual bomber - assuming they and this man aren't the same person - might be, Thrawn?" Ciaran asked her co-investigator. "Much as I hate to admit it these people were smart and hid their tracks, and since most of the information we need is probably locked away in the Temple's security systems..."
"Unfortunately unless we can find the man in question and get answers out of him we are at a standstill," Thrawn replied. "We simply do not have more information, and given how cooperative your Sentinel contacts have been it is likely the trail has gone cold on their end as well."
Before they could continue the conversation a holographic projection of Gulan sprang to life in front of her and Thrawn. "Boss-" He did a double take as he processed Thrawn's presence. "Oh man. You're not going to like this at all."
"And what would that be?"
"We've just intercepted comms from the base Letta was at. She's dead."
"I do not see how-"
"The last person she was speaking to was one Ahsoka Tano, who has just been arrested under suspicion of murder."
For a brief moment Thrawn froze in place as Ciaran looked at Gulan in shock. "You can't be serious. This -" Ciaran's eyes widened as she realized what happened. "This was a trap."
"Indeed," Thrawn said as he snapped back into focus, his grip tightening around the console. "I know Tano well enough that she would never do something like this, so that leaves the only other conclusion - that this was planned to implicate her in Turmond's death and silence a witness at the same time. Turmond asks to see Tano specifically for reasons she refuses to disclose, Tano walks in to her cell, and Turmond dies. Cause of death?"
"According to the current reports...the Force."
Ciaran slammed a fist down in frustration. "Dammit! Dammit all! We've got nothing then! There's basically no way for us to track whoever killed Turmond; the culprit could have been on the other side of the planet for all we know!" She buried her head in her hands in a moment before she looked back up to Gulan. "Blueprints. Get me blueprints for that base right now. Ahsoka's the last person who saw Letta alive and right now she's our only lead."
"On it boss."
"Thrawn. What is she going to do?"
"For now...she would place her trust in the facility's cameras capturing the truth of her conversation with Turmond."
"Odds they've been sabotaged or something will be 'lost in transmission?'"
"That depends on who is looking at them."
----------
In her cell, Ahsoka was in a meditative pose, trying to calm herself despite everything seeming like it was going wrong.
It's going to be fine. The cameras recorded the talk with Letta. They'll prove you're innocent.
Suddenly she lost concentration as the door opened to admit two clones escorting the last person she wanted to see right now into her cell: one Admiral Tarkin.
"Admiral, I've been set up," Ahsoka calmly explained after he didn't say anything. "Letta was talking to me about a Jedi she was afraid of before she was choked by the Force. The culprit-"
"Is standing right in front of me," Tarkin declared, causing the pit in Ahsoka's stomach to drop. "W-what are you talking about!? The records-"
"Show us exactly what happened," he said as he brought out a projector displaying Ahsoka reaching out towards Letta. "Curiously, the sound isn't working in this one."
To Ahsoka it felt like the room started to spin as Tarkin uttered those words. "It seems the Jedi she was afraid of was you," he continued.
"I did not kill that woman..." Ahsoka said weakly as she realized just how doomed she was.
"You were the only one there!" Tarkin declared as he advanced on Ahsoka, offhandedly tossing aside the hat Letta wore. "I know that you were upset when this woman was taken into custody by the military."
"You have to listen to me, Admiral," Ahsoka desperately said as she tried to stay calm. "Someone else did this. I'm being framed."
"I find that hard to believe," Tarkin retorted. "This is a secure facility, we do not just have anyone running about-"
"The killer could have done this from outside-"
"And why should I believe you?" Tarkin coldly replied. "Surely you could have been able to sense them if that were the case."
Ahsoka went dead silent as she realized what was happening. "You don't care, do you?" she said quietly and coldly. "Whether I'm actually guilty or not doesn't matter to you, does it!?"
"The evidence points to you, Tano," Tarkin said as he turned and walked out of the cell, ignoring her. "Nothing more and nothing less."
---------
"Boss, Thrawn...you're really not going to like this."
"Lay it on us Gulan. Honestly I was expecting things to keep getting worse."
"There's just been an order issued that no one, and I mean no one, is allowed to speak with Ahsoka Tano. The originator of said order is this man-" he said as an image came up - "Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin. Supporter of Palpatine, critic of the Jedi's position in the military, and rumored to have Humanocentrist leanings. In short - a complete bastard even by my standards, and the records we've gotten from the transmissions we decoded with the codebreaker indicate he's in on Palpatine's galactic domination plan."
"Crude, but I see what the problem is. No doubt any evidence of Tano's innocence is now gone."
"Probably. But here's the kicker - did you know that he's closely associated with one of our favorite business partners? Apparently he and Raith Sienar go way back. Much as I'm loathe to admit it, he's probably a better source of information on him than I am."
"...Interesting...Thank you Gulan. I'll have to have a chat with Raith."
"Do you think he has been working with Tarkin this whole time? I must admit that we have been rather trusting of him in regards to rather sensitive projects."
"If he did the Chu'unthor would likely be in a million pieces right now or the Jedi would have 'somehow' found it. There's definitely more to this story than meets the eye."
----------
As Anakin's ship touched down at the base Ahsoka was now being held at, he gripped the Japor snippet beneath his robes tightly for a moment before getting out and heading into the base. The clones patrolling the area visibly backed away from him as he strolled through the courtyard at a brisk pace, entering it and arriving at the same reception area Ahsoka was at only hours before.
"Trooper," Anakin said loudly to the man in front. "My Padawan Ahsoka Tano is being held here. I want to speak with her."
"I am sorry, General Skywalker, but Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one be allowed in there. This is now a military matter."
Anakin's eyes narrowed as a part of his mind that once again reminded him too much of Ciaran gave him an idea. "I am a General of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially recognized as such by the Supreme Chancellor himself," he said, banking on the idea that the clone in front of him wouldn't question if the latter part of his declaration was true or not. "As such I am a formal part of the Republic military, meaning that even if this is a military matter I still have authority over it."
"General-"
"Furthermore Ahsoka Tano is my subordinate as a Commander of the GAR, and is also formally attached to Admiral Wullf Yularen. As such either he or I would have the final say in this matter," Anakin said with confidence even as he internally suspected that his statements weren't entirely factual. "Now then, do I have to order you to let me speak with her and potentially start a crisis of authority within the highest echelons of the Republic chain of command, or are you willing to let me have just five minutes alone with her with no questions asked?"
Silence fell for a moment, then-
"Five minutes. That's all you're getting."
Anakin barely managed to resist the urge to smirk triumphantly.
After being scanned and handing over his lightsaber and comlink, Anakin was quickly - he noticed that the clones were deliberately forcing him to walk very fast through the base - escorted to Ahsoka's cell. As the doors opened, she looked at Anakin with a mixture of shock and gratitude in her eyes.
"Five minutes General, that's all," a clone said before he and the other two with him exited the cell, leaving Anakin and Ahsoka alone.
"Master...I-I...I..."
"I know you didn't do this, Snips," Anakin replied as he sat down next to her, letting her gather her thoughts for a moment before he spoke again. "What happened?"
Ahsoka breathed in. "I was talking to Letta, and she told me that she was given the idea to bomb the hangar by a Jedi. She didn't say anything sooner because she was afraid of...whoever they were. I don't know, I never got a name before...someone choked her to death with the Force."
Anakin's eyes narrowed slightly as he mulled over what she told him. "That's all you got out of her?"
"There is...one other thing," Ahsoka said, nervously glancing around before moving slightly closer to Anakin, "She was told specifically to contact me," she whispered. "Something about how I was 'the Jedi to contact if she needed help.' This wasn't an accident. Master, I'm certain that I was deliberately chosen to take the fall for this."
In response Anakin brought a hand to his chin. "That doesn't narrow things down much though. A lot more people know your name because of Wasskah."
"I know but..." Ahsoka's face fell before she looked back up at Anakin. "You have to help me," she said quietly. "Tarkin doesn't care if I'm guilty or not, he might have sabotaged the evidence that would have proved I didn't do any of this."
"I will get you out of here. You're going to have to trust me because right now there's not much I can do without causing more trouble, but I promise that I won't rest until you're proven innocent. Okay?"
"...Okay."
Before Anakin could say anything else, a loud tone went off as the door opened. "Your five minutes are up, General."
"Right." Anakin slowly got up, turning to nod in Ahsoka's direction before being escorted out by the clones.
----------
"Is there something you need, Lady Ciaran? Your last project took up a lot of my time, so I may not be able to get to a new one until next year."
"It's not that, Raith. I was just wondering if you were going to tell me that you were seeing other people besides me."
"...I beg pardon?"
"Wilhuff Tarkin. Ring any bells?"
"......Oh. Him. Dammit all... Truth be told I wish we didn't have to have this conversation. Not for the usual reasons but rather because he is a rather...distasteful subject in general."
"I've read a dossier on him and-"
"It is insufficient to describe him. Forgive me for interrupting but I assure you that whatever the official records say about him are...well they are certainly accurate but they do not fully encapsulate him."
"That depends. Are the rumors that he's a Humanocentrist true for starters?"
"Oh yes. He is not fond of you in the slightest. However...if you'll indulge me it may help if you're willing to let me tell you a story of two ambitious men who tried to find a treasure that could have changed the galaxy, and how it all went wrong."
"Do tell."
"Several years ago Tarkin and I attempted to launch an expedition to a planet known as Zonama Sekot. From what the two of us learned, the planet was home to living starships that outpaced everything on the open market, and both of us wanted access to its technology for our own reasons. To be honest...the expedition was doomed from the beginning, as both of us independently learned of the planet but refused to fully cooperate with each other. We didn't share information, Tarkin gave me insufficient materiel to work with, and honestly I could go on for hours about how things went wrong from the start. However the final breaking point was when Tarkin in his 'brilliance' stabbed me in the back and decided to launch a full assault on the planet to try and take total control over it, and in response to this aggression the planet jumped to hyperspace."
"I'm sorry, what!?"
"I was as disbelieving as you but I swear on my life I am telling the truth. The planet itself activated hyperspace engines and jumped away. Now...I have no idea where it is. ...I will not demand sympathy by going on some sob story about how it has been my dream to see the planet since I was a small child or anything along those lines. I only learned about it about a decade ago. However, if I am given the chance I would like to walk upon its surface one day and understand its technology."
"That's an interesting story, Raith, but how do I know you're not lying to me?"
"I'm sure if you look enough you will find records of it...or you could simply ask Generals Skywalker and Kenobi. They were present at the time and can confirm what I am telling you is the truth. ...And on that note, I feel that I must admit a large reason that I was willing to work with you was in the hopes you could help me find Zonama Sekot again."
"What made you think that? All I really did at the time was show you the Scimitar."
"A vessel that was specifically designed to remain undetected by even the most advanced sensors in the galaxy. I still don't know how you found it and I'm certain you're never going to tell me for obvious reasons. But it told me something important: that you were a woman who could find anything she put her mind to. Such as a living planet hiding in the Unknown Regions."
"Is that right? Well then, I have one other question - can I trust you?"
"Yes. On a basic level you've saved me from boredom if nothing else - it feels like it's been years since I've enjoyed working with a client so much. But more importantly and in all sincerity I respect you far more than I do Tarkin, though I must admit that is hardly a difficult thing to accomplish. And I would hope that my...discretion on our most recent venture would also be enough proof for you."
"I suppose it is."
"Very well then. I must warn you though that Tarkin is not a man to be underestimated under any circumstances. He is brutish to be sure, but he is intelligent in his brutishness. I underestimated him and it cost me Zonama Sekot. Do not repeat my mistake."
"I'll keep that in mind. Good night, Raith."
----------
Ahsoka had spent the last couple of hours getting some rest, mainly because there really wasn't anything else she could do. As she came to and looked outside, she noticed that a keycard was simply laying on the ground just outside the cell's forcefield, and there were no signs of any clones guarding her.
...How did that get there? This doesn't seem like something Anakin would do, especially after what he said...
Alright Ahsoka, you have two choices. One, stay in the cell and be framed for Letta's death and the Temple bombing for good measure with an almost certain chance of getting executed. Two, use this keycard to try and break out, go to ground, and figure out what happened even if you're almost certain this is another trap.
Well looking at the options I'll take "probable death and the chance to clear my name" over "certain death and let the real culprit get away with this" any day.
Looking out as best she could to see if anyone was coming, Ahsoka reached out with the Force and moved the keycard over to the cell's scanner, deactivating the forcefield keeping her in. After stealing a glance down both corridors and not seeing anyone coming, she immediately took off in a dash towards the reception area in the hopes of possibly recovering her lightsabers.
As she cautiously moved through the facility she was beginning to wonder why exactly there weren't people patrolling around. She got her answer once she arrived at the entrance hallway to the sight of three clones on the ground and her lightsabers and comlink lying on the ground in front of them.
Okay, this is definitely another trap. Great. Ahsoka checked one of the clones and confirmed they were dead. ...And now I have more counts of murder I'm going to be framed for.
Moving to pick up her lightsabers and comlink, she noticed that the comlink itself was displaying an active signal, indicating it was transmitting to...someone. She took up her gear and moved into a hallway corner that looked like it would be somewhat hard for someone to notice her before she spoke to her mysterious contact.
"Who are you?" she said quietly.
Static answered Ahsoka.
"Say something."
The static continued. Concluding that there probably wasn't anything she could get from it and that having an active signal might let people track her she switched it off.
Alright. Front door's out. So that leaves waste or air processing as the best chances I have to get out of here.
Before she could consider her options any further, the alarms began to blare. Without a second thought Ahsoka began to rush through the halls of the base, trying to find an exit as doors began to seal and the sounds of pounding footsteps began to echo through the halls. While she was trying to find a way out she stumbled across the corpses of three clone troopers, each of their bodies covered in the tell-tale scars a lightsaber cut would leave behind.
Okay, definitely playing into someone's hands here, Ahsoka thought to herself as she continued to run, the sounds of shouting coming from just behind her. Escape first, worry about what's going on later!
---------
"Tano's escaped her cell."
"What!? How!?"
"Reports say she mind-tricked some guards or something and has killed a few others, but-"
"Impossible. She would never do such a thing given her nature; at most she would incapacitate them."
"Thrawn, where would she go given the chance? You know her better than I do and right now I need something to work with."
"She would go to ground, try to vanish entirely given the circumstances. I've taught her enough that she would easily recognize that she's in the middle of a trap and given the circumstances she will do everything in her power to shake off whoever is framing her."
"Gulan-"
"There's a vertical tunnel nearby with enough ships moving through it that would let her reach the Undercity. We've got all our assets in the area on high alert and I took the liberty of ordering your teams to be there yesterday."
"Good. Thrawn, we need to go. Put together something that will keep you inconspicuous."
"Boss-"
"Ahsoka knows me through Anakin and trusts Thrawn implicitly. The two of us will have the best chance of convincing her to come with us. You have operational oversight for the duration."
"Got it."
-----------
The good news for Ahsoka was that she reached the outside.
The bad news was that meant she was outside where basically all of Coruscant had a shot at her.
The thought crossed her mind as she was almost constantly dodging or (harmlessly) deflecting blaster fire - evidently the clones had decided to go with "shoot to kill" when it came to her which was just the extra incentive she needed to run faster and hopefully find some way to escape. As she reached a catwalk much to her dismay a gunship moved to hover beside her allowing the clone troopers it was carrying to open fire, though now conspicuously with stun rounds instead of regular blaster fire. Grateful as she was that someone - probably Anakin - had told her pursuers to not shoot to kill she wasn't planning on stopping, continuing to run and dodge as alarms blared around her and spotlights fixed on her.
Just when it seemed like Ahsoka's escape would be cut short, she saw exactly what she was looking for: a large pipe entrance that looked like it led to an air filtration network or something similar. Without hesitating she leapt in, and to her relief touched down in a network of large pipeways that would make it far more difficult for her pursuers to track her. At this point running on sheer instinct she began to run through the maze as lights from pursuing clone troopers began to illuminate the darkness, though she was able to give them the slip fairly easily. And as it turned out Ahsoka's luck hadn't run out yet as she arrived at an exit leading to a large tunnel that seemed to go down for kilometers, with plenty of ships passing through it. Looking around she prepared to jump-
"Ahsoka!"
She turned to see the person who had barely managed to catch up with her - Anakin.
----------
If Anakin was going to be honest with himself, he had no idea how he managed to reach Ahsoka before the rest of the clones following him. At the same time though he didn't particularly care as he reached out a hand towards his Padawan. "Ahsoka, you need to come back-"
"And do what!? Be framed and executed for crimes I didn't commit!?" she fired back. "Master, if I go back I am going to die and the person behind this is going to get away. I can't let that happen," she said as she turned slightly to observe the ships flying around behind her.
"You really think running away is going to solve anything!?"
"I'm going to find out what's going on, Master," Ahsoka replied, visibly fighting to not look afraid. "Please. You have to trust me."
The world seemed to go into slow motion for Anakin.
The 'right thing' to do was to try and bring her in, and with the evidence arrayed against her let her be executed.
The 'right thing' to do was to trust in the justness of people like Tarkin who wouldn't believe her innocence.
The 'right thing' to do was to knowingly sentence his Padawan to death.
As his hand started to reach for the Japor snippet, he remembered another time when someone he cared about was in danger...
"Ahoska, listen to me very carefully. In the Undercity there's a place that Ciaran took Padme and I to when she was in danger. Try to find it, or at least try to find her people. You'll be safe with them."
"Master-"
Anakin looked back as he heard the sounds of shouting slowly getting closer. "There's no time. Go, go!"
Ahoska looked at her Master sadly before nodding, facing the exit, and leaping onto the first ship she could reach.
----------
The fact of the matter is that thanks to Thrawn's teachings and her time on Wasskah, Ahsoka Tano is very good at staying hidden.
However, no one knows the Coruscant Undercity better than Ciaran. Someone will find her eventually.
The only question is...who will it be?
[] Ciaran and Thrawn. It will take them some time to track down Ahsoka given that they weren't immediately nearby but they can easily convince her to come with them and they can handle themselves. That being said anything could happen before they reach her...
[] Arla, Dani, and Riphath. Between the three of them and their various talents tracking down Ahsoka will be easy. The only question is if they can get her to safety...
[] Asajj and Koliya. Between Asajj's combat skill and Koliya's cunning it would not take them too long to find and extract Ahsoka safely. That being said she may not take the fact that Asajj is alive very well...
And where would they take her to keep her safe?
[] The main base in the Undercity. It's the furthest away from where Ahsoka will come into the Undercity but it is undoubtedly the most secure location and it would make it easy to ship Ahoska off-world if things came to that. All they'd have to do is make it there.
[] Borvo's palace. Whoever's after Ahsoka hopefully wouldn't dare to earn the ire of the Hutts, and besides that the building is very secure between the systems installed by its previous owner, the new ones Borvo added, and the Watcher security. It's closer than the base in the Undercity but still a ways away.
[] The Diamond Deception cantina. No one would think to look there of all places given that it's just one cantina in the sprawling Undercity, and it's noticeably closer to Ahsoka's location. It's not exactly as defensible though if anything happens.
[] Write-in
AN: Alright people, now the show's really begun. I admit this was a really meaty update but there was a lot I had to cover. Enjoy~
"One with the Force, they are. And our job it is to remember that we will, in time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we, but temporary vessels our bodies are. And we shall all find ourselves here, in time. A moment of silence I ask. To remember. And to move on."
The moment of silence seemed to stretch out for an eternity as Ciaran quietly glanced around the room. She saw Satine standing beside Obi-Wan trying not to look in his direction, she saw Ahsoka quiretly speaking with a Mirialan Jedi she didn't recognize, she saw Anakin's hand start to move towards his chest before it drifted back to his side, she saw Bulq with no visible emotion on his face, and she saw Palpatine put on a false mask of sorrow as he no doubt reveled in the deaths of his hated enemies.
"Live through us, forever they will." With those words Yoda tapped his staff against the ground, signalling the caskets to be sealed away, a pillar of light illuminating where they were buried. After some other eulogies that Ciaran didn't really listen to were said, the funeral came to an end, with most of the attendees slowly filing out of the room. To Ciaran's relief Palpatine was one of the first to leave; apparently the man didn't want to pretend to be sympathetic to the Jedi any longer than he had to. As she took in that detail she noticed Darra, who was slowly moving out - with a limp, Ciaran noticed - constantly glancing in her direction.
Ciaran's response was to turn her head towards Darra, acknowledging that yes she did in fact notice her. Darra's face immediately morphed into a combination of fear and anger before she looked away and left the room.
"Afraid of you, she is." Ciaran turned to see Yoda moving towards her, giving a brief but deliberately noticeable glance in Darra's direction. "Fears revenge, she does."
"She really shouldn't," Ciaran replied, not even bothering to explain herself further.
"Surprising, your presence today is. Curious, it also is."
"I wanted to give a sign of goodwill and show people that I'm as horrified by this bombing as anyone else." She shrugged. "That's about it."
"Hm..." Yoda didn't respond, instead turning to face the pillars of light that now illuminated the room. "A great wound, losing these people will cause. Heal it may in time, but time we may not have."
"I won't deny that," Ciaran said as Yoda turned to face her again. "It was such a waste of life." She was silent for a brief second before turning to Yoda. "Maybe I should make myself clear there. These people died because Turmond wanted to send a message to the Jedi about...well I suppose it doesn't really matter now, and that's the point." She faced the pillars again. "Because she was arrested, her words will now be treated as treasonous, the rest of the protestors outside will continue to distrust the Order, and at the end of the day the only thing that's really changed is that there are four dead Jedi, to say nothing of the civilians and clones killed too. At the end of the day nothing came of it but more death."
"Sympathize with her, do you? A point, you seem to believe she had."
"Not so much 'sympathize with' as 'disappointed in.' As I recall you actually took my advice when I said that not all Jedi would make for good leaders in the field." Ciaran shrugged again. "There were a thousand different ways she could have let her words be taken more seriously, but in the end she thought that only they could be heard after enough violence and death."
"Troubling it is," Yoda commented as he also faced the pillars, "that such things are happening. Fearful, many Jedi are."
I can't say I blame them, Ciaran thought to herself. After all people losing faith in the Order has often been a prelude for things to get much, much worse for them in the past...
----------
As Anakin, Tarkin, Ahoska, and Barriss walked together, Ahsoka asked Tarkin "So what happens to Letta now?"
"The bomber has been moved," Tarkin coolly replied.
"Moved? Where? Why should she be moved?"
"The Republic military has taken her into custody."
"But why? This is a Jedi matter, isn't it?"
"Clones were killed, which makes this terrorist attack a military matter," Tarkin replied without missing a beat. "An attack on the Jedi is an attack on the Senate."
"Admiral Tarkin is right," Anakin said to Ahsoka. "Letta isn't a Jedi. It's not for us to be judge and jury over a citizen of the Republic."
"If Letta's guilty she's-" Ahsoka caught herself, shaking her head before facing Tarkin again. "I want to at least know that she'll face full punishment for what she did."
"Calm down Ahsoka," Anakin said. "There's a difference between wanting justice to be done and just wanting revenge no matter what. Don't lose sight of that."
"The evidence seems clear anyway," Barriss noted. "Nothing will ever change."
"The Chancellor wants the Jedi to be separated from matters as this as much as possible," Tarkin started to say-
"Wait, are you saying this is about politics!? People died because of her!" Ahsoka snapped.
"Ahsoka..." Anakin said worriedly, trying to cut off his Padawan.
"No. I understand why Letta has to be moved, but this is..." Ahsoka trailed off before glaring at Tarkin. "I hope Palpatine knows what he's doing," she said before storming off in a huff.
"...I'll go speak to her," Barriss quietly said before following her friend, allowing Anakin to focus his attention on Tarkin. "What exactly was that?"
"I was merely speaking the truth," Tarkin coldly replied.
"I know that, but perhaps you should have considered not telling my Padawan that," Anakin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance with Tarkin. "Or you could have told her that Letta is almost guaranteed to be convicted by the Senate anyway, which is what she's really concerned about. That would have been fine."
"She needs to understand how the galaxy works at some point, Master Skywalker," Tarkin replied. "Reality is far crueler than she believes."
"I think she understands that far better than you give her credit for," Anakin shot back.
Meanwhile Barriss had caught up with Ahsoka. "Is everything alright?"
In response Ahsoka breathed in and out before facing Bariss. "I'll be fine. I...I know I shouldn't have lost my temper and let my emotions get the better of me like that." Her shoulders visibly sagged. "It's just...hard not to let my emotions get the better of me at times like this."
"Ahsoka...do you ever wonder if it's right to ignore our emotions?" Barriss asked.
"'There is a difference between feeling an emotion and letting it rule over your judgement. If anything the latter is what you as a Jedi must strive to overcome.'" Ahsoka said, noticeably changing in demeanor as she said those words, taking on a more refined air for a brief moment before shifting back to normal. "That's what we have to do. We have to move on no matter what and not let the grief and pain control us, as hard as it may be."
"Did your Master tell you that?"
"Ah...no. That's a bit too poetic for him, even if he would probably agree with the sentiment," Ahsoka said, smiling lightly. "The point is that we can get past this, just like we did on Geonosis."
"You've always been capable of seeing things clearly," Barriss replied with a smile.
"I wouldn't say always. But I like to think I've been getting better at it." Before she could continue the conversation, her comlink went off. "Yes, Master?"
"Ahoska, you're needed in the War Room," Anakin said.
"Understood, I'll be right there." As Ahsoka moved to leave, she turned back towards Barriss. "Look, I have to believe that one way or another there's going to be justice for the people killed by that woman."
"You shouldn't keep your Master waiting," Barriss said, clearly trying to ignore what Ahsoka had just said. Nodding towards her, Ahsoka started to head towards the War Room.
----------
As Ahsoka entered the War Room she only saw Anakin and Tarkin's hologram. "Is something the matter? I thought we were facing another Separatist attack."
"Nothing of the sort, at least at the moment," Tarkin said to Ahsoka as she shot a glare at him. "Your presence was requested by prisoner Letta Turmond."
"Why me?"
"We don't know," Anakin said.
"All we know is that she refuses to speak to anyone other than you, Commander Tano."
"...Understood. I'll report back with...whatever she has to say," Ahsoka said as Tarkin's hologram went off and she started to leave the room.
"Ahsoka, wait," Anakin said, catching up to her. "Are you sure you're going to be alright?"
"...I'm not going to hurt her," Ahsoka replied. "That...I won't. I promise."
"...Alright. See you soon."
--------
"Gulan, please tell me we've got at least some way of keeping an eye on Turmond."
"Bad news is: not directly. The base she's at is locked up tight and manned almost entirely by clones. Good news is that with the codebreaker we at least can keep an eye on their comms."
"Good. Anything pop up yet?"
"Maybe. There's been a couple of communications indicating that she wants to speak to one Ahsoka Tano, and only Ahsoka Tano."
"...Did I hear that right? Not Anakin, or Obi-Wan, or...well...anyone who isn't a Padawan? Or for that matter a Jedi who wasn't directly responsible for her arrest?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, boss. I for one would not confide in some rando that arrested me, so I'm fairly sure there's something more to this. I don't know what though."
"Hm...where's our two main teams in the Undercity?"
"Trying to track down our mystery guest at Letta's home. Though honestly there's not much they can do; the base in question takes up a few square kilometers, has basically nowhere to hide, and has constant patrols running through it. If we had time, a dedicated infiltration team, and maybe a mole or two we could get in there but on this short notice-"
"I get it Gulan. Thanks for bringing me up to speed."
"Not a problem boss."
"Any word from Var Zheen on the nanodroids?"
"Well at the moment he's ruled out anything from Karada or the Temple. Right now it's either GAR equipment that got 'misplaced' or some black market stuff unless something comes out of left field."
"Got it. Tell him to keep me posted."
---------
As night fell Ahsoka arrived at the base Letta was being held at. The steel walls, patrolling clone troopers and scattered military equipment only served to make the place feel that much more hostile as she entered the facility and stood in front of the window to the base's reception, a clone in red armor standing at a console close to the window noticing her arriving. "Yes?"
"I'm Commander Tano. Letta Turmond requested to see me."
"A lot of innocent people died in that blast," the clone commented as he moved closer to the window. "Good job capturing her." After that Ahsoka was scanned, relieved of her lightsabers and comlink, and was escorted to Letta's cell, where the woman in question was curled up in a ball in the corner.
"What do you want, Letta?" Ahsoka said accusingly.
"I was told if I needed help you were the Jedi to contact," she replied, surprising Ahsoka. She pointedly shot a look at the clones that had escorted Ahsoka in.
"Give us a minute, please," Ahsoka requested, and the clones dutifully filed out of the room, sealing the door behind them.
"What did you mean that 'I was the Jedi to contact if you needed help?' Who told you that?" Ahsoka asked.
"It's..." Letta looked at Ahsoka with visible fear on her face. "I didn't come up with the idea to feed Jackar the nanodroids on my own."
"Why are you saying this now? If you'd said it earlier it could have helped your case," Ahsoka said, trying to put the pieces together in her mind as she began to get a feeling that something wasn't quite right...
"Because my life is in danger. The person behind this could get to me unless you know the truth."
"...A Jedi told you how to do this," Ahsoka said as her face betrayed the shock of her realization.
"Yes. Some citizens of the Republic like myself-"
"I know, they think the Jedi have become warmongers and so on, that's not the point," Ahsoka said, her voice becoming more intense as something occurred to her. "Who told you how to create the bomb? Was it the same person who told you to contact me?"
"You have to promise to protect me-"
Ahsoka placed her hands on Letta's shoulders, squatting down to look her in the eyes. "I will. But you need to tell me who you've been talking to right now."
Letta was silent for a moment, trying to gather herself "It's-"
She started to choke, her body rising up into the air. In that moment Ahsoka had a terrifying realization:
This meeting was a trap for me. I'm being targeted to take the fall.
Racking her brain to think of some way to try and save Letta she reached out with the Force to try and counteract whoever was choking Letta out, maybe she could dampen the effect-
Only a few seconds passed before Letta dropped to the ground, dead.
And with only Ahsoka in the cell to take the blame for her death. No doubt the cameras had recorded her reaching out towards Letta, and without any other evidence...
Come on, think! What would Thrawn do at a time like this!?
...No. Calm down Ahsoka. Your talk with Letta had to have been recorded. That will prove you're innocent.
Before she could continue her line of thought any further, the door opened and a pair of clones along with their commander burst into the room, shoving Ahsoka aside as one of them moved to take Letta's pulse. "Commander, she's dead," the trooper stoically reported.
"She was trying to tell me that a Jedi was threatening her life," Ahsoka said, fighting to stay calm as she testified to the clones now looking at her with suspicion. "Then all of a sudden someone choked her out with the Force before she could give me a name. I tried to save her, but..." She trailed off.
"We'll have to see whether that's true or not, Commander Tano," the clone commander said as he lifted a blaster pistol at her. "For now, you're under arrest."
---------
At the same time in Ciaran's office she was going over the notes on the case with Thrawn.
"Any ideas where our missing links between Letta, the man casing her apartment, and the actual bomber - assuming they and this man aren't the same person - might be, Thrawn?" Ciaran asked her co-investigator. "Much as I hate to admit it these people were smart and hid their tracks, and since most of the information we need is probably locked away in the Temple's security systems..."
"Unfortunately unless we can find the man in question and get answers out of him we are at a standstill," Thrawn replied. "We simply do not have more information, and given how cooperative your Sentinel contacts have been it is likely the trail has gone cold on their end as well."
Before they could continue the conversation a holographic projection of Gulan sprang to life in front of her and Thrawn. "Boss-" He did a double take as he processed Thrawn's presence. "Oh man. You're not going to like this at all."
"And what would that be?"
"We've just intercepted comms from the base Letta was at. She's dead."
"I do not see how-"
"The last person she was speaking to was one Ahsoka Tano, who has just been arrested under suspicion of murder."
For a brief moment Thrawn froze in place as Ciaran looked at Gulan in shock. "You can't be serious. This -" Ciaran's eyes widened as she realized what happened. "This was a trap."
"Indeed," Thrawn said as he snapped back into focus, his grip tightening around the console. "I know Tano well enough that she would never do something like this, so that leaves the only other conclusion - that this was planned to implicate her in Turmond's death and silence a witness at the same time. Turmond asks to see Tano specifically for reasons she refuses to disclose, Tano walks in to her cell, and Turmond dies. Cause of death?"
"According to the current reports...the Force."
Ciaran slammed a fist down in frustration. "Dammit! Dammit all! We've got nothing then! There's basically no way for us to track whoever killed Turmond; the culprit could have been on the other side of the planet for all we know!" She buried her head in her hands in a moment before she looked back up to Gulan. "Blueprints. Get me blueprints for that base right now. Ahsoka's the last person who saw Letta alive and right now she's our only lead."
"On it boss."
"Thrawn. What is she going to do?"
"For now...she would place her trust in the facility's cameras capturing the truth of her conversation with Turmond."
"Odds they've been sabotaged or something will be 'lost in transmission?'"
"That depends on who is looking at them."
----------
In her cell, Ahsoka was in a meditative pose, trying to calm herself despite everything seeming like it was going wrong.
It's going to be fine. The cameras recorded the talk with Letta. They'll prove you're innocent.
Suddenly she lost concentration as the door opened to admit two clones escorting the last person she wanted to see right now into her cell: one Admiral Tarkin.
"Admiral, I've been set up," Ahsoka calmly explained after he didn't say anything. "Letta was talking to me about a Jedi she was afraid of before she was choked by the Force. The culprit-"
"Is standing right in front of me," Tarkin declared, causing the pit in Ahsoka's stomach to drop. "W-what are you talking about!? The records-"
"Show us exactly what happened," he said as he brought out a projector displaying Ahsoka reaching out towards Letta. "Curiously, the sound isn't working in this one."
To Ahsoka it felt like the room started to spin as Tarkin uttered those words. "It seems the Jedi she was afraid of was you," he continued.
"I did not kill that woman..." Ahsoka said weakly as she realized just how doomed she was.
"You were the only one there!" Tarkin declared as he advanced on Ahsoka, offhandedly tossing aside the hat Letta wore. "I know that you were upset when this woman was taken into custody by the military."
"You have to listen to me, Admiral," Ahsoka desperately said as she tried to stay calm. "Someone else did this. I'm being framed."
"I find that hard to believe," Tarkin retorted. "This is a secure facility, we do not just have anyone running about-"
"The killer could have done this from outside-"
"And why should I believe you?" Tarkin coldly replied. "Surely you could have been able to sense them if that were the case."
Ahsoka went dead silent as she realized what was happening. "You don't care, do you?" she said quietly and coldly. "Whether I'm actually guilty or not doesn't matter to you, does it!?"
"The evidence points to you, Tano," Tarkin said as he turned and walked out of the cell, ignoring her. "Nothing more and nothing less."
---------
"Boss, Thrawn...you're really not going to like this."
"Lay it on us Gulan. Honestly I was expecting things to keep getting worse."
"There's just been an order issued that no one, and I mean no one, is allowed to speak with Ahsoka Tano. The originator of said order is this man-" he said as an image came up - "Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin. Supporter of Palpatine, critic of the Jedi's position in the military, and rumored to have Humanocentrist leanings. In short - a complete bastard even by my standards, and the records we've gotten from the transmissions we decoded with the codebreaker indicate he's in on Palpatine's galactic domination plan."
"Crude, but I see what the problem is. No doubt any evidence of Tano's innocence is now gone."
"Probably. But here's the kicker - did you know that he's closely associated with one of our favorite business partners? Apparently he and Raith Sienar go way back. Much as I'm loathe to admit it, he's probably a better source of information on him than I am."
"...Interesting...Thank you Gulan. I'll have to have a chat with Raith."
"Do you think he has been working with Tarkin this whole time? I must admit that we have been rather trusting of him in regards to rather sensitive projects."
"If he did the Chu'unthor would likely be in a million pieces right now or the Jedi would have 'somehow' found it. There's definitely more to this story than meets the eye."
----------
As Anakin's ship touched down at the base Ahsoka was now being held at, he gripped the Japor snippet beneath his robes tightly for a moment before getting out and heading into the base. The clones patrolling the area visibly backed away from him as he strolled through the courtyard at a brisk pace, entering it and arriving at the same reception area Ahsoka was at only hours before.
"Trooper," Anakin said loudly to the man in front. "My Padawan Ahsoka Tano is being held here. I want to speak with her."
"I am sorry, General Skywalker, but Admiral Tarkin has ordered that no one be allowed in there. This is now a military matter."
Anakin's eyes narrowed as a part of his mind that once again reminded him too much of Ciaran gave him an idea. "I am a General of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially recognized as such by the Supreme Chancellor himself," he said, banking on the idea that the clone in front of him wouldn't question if the latter part of his declaration was true or not. "As such I am a formal part of the Republic military, meaning that even if this is a military matter I still have authority over it."
"General-"
"Furthermore Ahsoka Tano is my subordinate as a Commander of the GAR, and is also formally attached to Admiral Wullf Yularen. As such either he or I would have the final say in this matter," Anakin said with confidence even as he internally suspected that his statements weren't entirely factual. "Now then, do I have to order you to let me speak with her and potentially start a crisis of authority within the highest echelons of the Republic chain of command, or are you willing to let me have just five minutes alone with her with no questions asked?"
Silence fell for a moment, then-
"Five minutes. That's all you're getting."
Anakin barely managed to resist the urge to smirk triumphantly.
After being scanned and handing over his lightsaber and comlink, Anakin was quickly - he noticed that the clones were deliberately forcing him to walk very fast through the base - escorted to Ahsoka's cell. As the doors opened, she looked at Anakin with a mixture of shock and gratitude in her eyes.
"Five minutes General, that's all," a clone said before he and the other two with him exited the cell, leaving Anakin and Ahsoka alone.
"Master...I-I...I..."
"I know you didn't do this, Snips," Anakin replied as he sat down next to her, letting her gather her thoughts for a moment before he spoke again. "What happened?"
Ahsoka breathed in. "I was talking to Letta, and she told me that she was given the idea to bomb the hangar by a Jedi. She didn't say anything sooner because she was afraid of...whoever they were. I don't know, I never got a name before...someone choked her to death with the Force."
Anakin's eyes narrowed slightly as he mulled over what she told him. "That's all you got out of her?"
"There is...one other thing," Ahsoka said, nervously glancing around before moving slightly closer to Anakin, "She was told specifically to contact me," she whispered. "Something about how I was 'the Jedi to contact if she needed help.' This wasn't an accident. Master, I'm certain that I was deliberately chosen to take the fall for this."
In response Anakin brought a hand to his chin. "That doesn't narrow things down much though. A lot more people know your name because of Wasskah."
"I know but..." Ahsoka's face fell before she looked back up at Anakin. "You have to help me," she said quietly. "Tarkin doesn't care if I'm guilty or not, he might have sabotaged the evidence that would have proved I didn't do any of this."
"I will get you out of here. You're going to have to trust me because right now there's not much I can do without causing more trouble, but I promise that I won't rest until you're proven innocent. Okay?"
"...Okay."
Before Anakin could say anything else, a loud tone went off as the door opened. "Your five minutes are up, General."
"Right." Anakin slowly got up, turning to nod in Ahsoka's direction before being escorted out by the clones.
----------
"Is there something you need, Lady Ciaran? Your last project took up a lot of my time, so I may not be able to get to a new one until next year."
"It's not that, Raith. I was just wondering if you were going to tell me that you were seeing other people besides me."
"...I beg pardon?"
"Wilhuff Tarkin. Ring any bells?"
"......Oh. Him. Dammit all... Truth be told I wish we didn't have to have this conversation. Not for the usual reasons but rather because he is a rather...distasteful subject in general."
"I've read a dossier on him and-"
"It is insufficient to describe him. Forgive me for interrupting but I assure you that whatever the official records say about him are...well they are certainly accurate but they do not fully encapsulate him."
"That depends. Are the rumors that he's a Humanocentrist true for starters?"
"Oh yes. He is not fond of you in the slightest. However...if you'll indulge me it may help if you're willing to let me tell you a story of two ambitious men who tried to find a treasure that could have changed the galaxy, and how it all went wrong."
"Do tell."
"Several years ago Tarkin and I attempted to launch an expedition to a planet known as Zonama Sekot. From what the two of us learned, the planet was home to living starships that outpaced everything on the open market, and both of us wanted access to its technology for our own reasons. To be honest...the expedition was doomed from the beginning, as both of us independently learned of the planet but refused to fully cooperate with each other. We didn't share information, Tarkin gave me insufficient materiel to work with, and honestly I could go on for hours about how things went wrong from the start. However the final breaking point was when Tarkin in his 'brilliance' stabbed me in the back and decided to launch a full assault on the planet to try and take total control over it, and in response to this aggression the planet jumped to hyperspace."
"I'm sorry, what!?"
"I was as disbelieving as you but I swear on my life I am telling the truth. The planet itself activated hyperspace engines and jumped away. Now...I have no idea where it is. ...I will not demand sympathy by going on some sob story about how it has been my dream to see the planet since I was a small child or anything along those lines. I only learned about it about a decade ago. However, if I am given the chance I would like to walk upon its surface one day and understand its technology."
"That's an interesting story, Raith, but how do I know you're not lying to me?"
"I'm sure if you look enough you will find records of it...or you could simply ask Generals Skywalker and Kenobi. They were present at the time and can confirm what I am telling you is the truth. ...And on that note, I feel that I must admit a large reason that I was willing to work with you was in the hopes you could help me find Zonama Sekot again."
"What made you think that? All I really did at the time was show you the Scimitar."
"A vessel that was specifically designed to remain undetected by even the most advanced sensors in the galaxy. I still don't know how you found it and I'm certain you're never going to tell me for obvious reasons. But it told me something important: that you were a woman who could find anything she put her mind to. Such as a living planet hiding in the Unknown Regions."
"Is that right? Well then, I have one other question - can I trust you?"
"Yes. On a basic level you've saved me from boredom if nothing else - it feels like it's been years since I've enjoyed working with a client so much. But more importantly and in all sincerity I respect you far more than I do Tarkin, though I must admit that is hardly a difficult thing to accomplish. And I would hope that my...discretion on our most recent venture would also be enough proof for you."
"I suppose it is."
"Very well then. I must warn you though that Tarkin is not a man to be underestimated under any circumstances. He is brutish to be sure, but he is intelligent in his brutishness. I underestimated him and it cost me Zonama Sekot. Do not repeat my mistake."
"I'll keep that in mind. Good night, Raith."
----------
Ahsoka had spent the last couple of hours getting some rest, mainly because there really wasn't anything else she could do. As she came to and looked outside, she noticed that a keycard was simply laying on the ground just outside the cell's forcefield, and there were no signs of any clones guarding her.
...How did that get there? This doesn't seem like something Anakin would do, especially after what he said...
Alright Ahsoka, you have two choices. One, stay in the cell and be framed for Letta's death and the Temple bombing for good measure with an almost certain chance of getting executed. Two, use this keycard to try and break out, go to ground, and figure out what happened even if you're almost certain this is another trap.
Well looking at the options I'll take "probable death and the chance to clear my name" over "certain death and let the real culprit get away with this" any day.
Looking out as best she could to see if anyone was coming, Ahsoka reached out with the Force and moved the keycard over to the cell's scanner, deactivating the forcefield keeping her in. After stealing a glance down both corridors and not seeing anyone coming, she immediately took off in a dash towards the reception area in the hopes of possibly recovering her lightsabers.
As she cautiously moved through the facility she was beginning to wonder why exactly there weren't people patrolling around. She got her answer once she arrived at the entrance hallway to the sight of three clones on the ground and her lightsabers and comlink lying on the ground in front of them.
Okay, this is definitely another trap. Great. Ahsoka checked one of the clones and confirmed they were dead. ...And now I have more counts of murder I'm going to be framed for.
Moving to pick up her lightsabers and comlink, she noticed that the comlink itself was displaying an active signal, indicating it was transmitting to...someone. She took up her gear and moved into a hallway corner that looked like it would be somewhat hard for someone to notice her before she spoke to her mysterious contact.
"Who are you?" she said quietly.
Static answered Ahsoka.
"Say something."
The static continued. Concluding that there probably wasn't anything she could get from it and that having an active signal might let people track her she switched it off.
Alright. Front door's out. So that leaves waste or air processing as the best chances I have to get out of here.
Before she could consider her options any further, the alarms began to blare. Without a second thought Ahsoka began to rush through the halls of the base, trying to find an exit as doors began to seal and the sounds of pounding footsteps began to echo through the halls. While she was trying to find a way out she stumbled across the corpses of three clone troopers, each of their bodies covered in the tell-tale scars a lightsaber cut would leave behind.
Okay, definitely playing into someone's hands here, Ahsoka thought to herself as she continued to run, the sounds of shouting coming from just behind her. Escape first, worry about what's going on later!
---------
"Tano's escaped her cell."
"What!? How!?"
"Reports say she mind-tricked some guards or something and has killed a few others, but-"
"Impossible. She would never do such a thing given her nature; at most she would incapacitate them."
"Thrawn, where would she go given the chance? You know her better than I do and right now I need something to work with."
"She would go to ground, try to vanish entirely given the circumstances. I've taught her enough that she would easily recognize that she's in the middle of a trap and given the circumstances she will do everything in her power to shake off whoever is framing her."
"Gulan-"
"There's a vertical tunnel nearby with enough ships moving through it that would let her reach the Undercity. We've got all our assets in the area on high alert and I took the liberty of ordering your teams to be there yesterday."
"Good. Thrawn, we need to go. Put together something that will keep you inconspicuous."
"Boss-"
"Ahsoka knows me through Anakin and trusts Thrawn implicitly. The two of us will have the best chance of convincing her to come with us. You have operational oversight for the duration."
"Got it."
-----------
The good news for Ahsoka was that she reached the outside.
The bad news was that meant she was outside where basically all of Coruscant had a shot at her.
The thought crossed her mind as she was almost constantly dodging or (harmlessly) deflecting blaster fire - evidently the clones had decided to go with "shoot to kill" when it came to her which was just the extra incentive she needed to run faster and hopefully find some way to escape. As she reached a catwalk much to her dismay a gunship moved to hover beside her allowing the clone troopers it was carrying to open fire, though now conspicuously with stun rounds instead of regular blaster fire. Grateful as she was that someone - probably Anakin - had told her pursuers to not shoot to kill she wasn't planning on stopping, continuing to run and dodge as alarms blared around her and spotlights fixed on her.
Just when it seemed like Ahsoka's escape would be cut short, she saw exactly what she was looking for: a large pipe entrance that looked like it led to an air filtration network or something similar. Without hesitating she leapt in, and to her relief touched down in a network of large pipeways that would make it far more difficult for her pursuers to track her. At this point running on sheer instinct she began to run through the maze as lights from pursuing clone troopers began to illuminate the darkness, though she was able to give them the slip fairly easily. And as it turned out Ahsoka's luck hadn't run out yet as she arrived at an exit leading to a large tunnel that seemed to go down for kilometers, with plenty of ships passing through it. Looking around she prepared to jump-
"Ahsoka!"
She turned to see the person who had barely managed to catch up with her - Anakin.
----------
If Anakin was going to be honest with himself, he had no idea how he managed to reach Ahsoka before the rest of the clones following him. At the same time though he didn't particularly care as he reached out a hand towards his Padawan. "Ahsoka, you need to come back-"
"And do what!? Be framed and executed for crimes I didn't commit!?" she fired back. "Master, if I go back I am going to die and the person behind this is going to get away. I can't let that happen," she said as she turned slightly to observe the ships flying around behind her.
"You really think running away is going to solve anything!?"
"I'm going to find out what's going on, Master," Ahsoka replied, visibly fighting to not look afraid. "Please. You have to trust me."
The world seemed to go into slow motion for Anakin.
The 'right thing' to do was to try and bring her in, and with the evidence arrayed against her let her be executed.
The 'right thing' to do was to trust in the justness of people like Tarkin who wouldn't believe her innocence.
The 'right thing' to do was to knowingly sentence his Padawan to death.
As his hand started to reach for the Japor snippet, he remembered another time when someone he cared about was in danger...
"Ahoska, listen to me very carefully. In the Undercity there's a place that Ciaran took Padme and I to when she was in danger. Try to find it, or at least try to find her people. You'll be safe with them."
"Master-"
Anakin looked back as he heard the sounds of shouting slowly getting closer. "There's no time. Go, go!"
Ahoska looked at her Master sadly before nodding, facing the exit, and leaping onto the first ship she could reach.
----------
The fact of the matter is that thanks to Thrawn's teachings and her time on Wasskah, Ahsoka Tano is very good at staying hidden.
However, no one knows the Coruscant Undercity better than Ciaran. Someone will find her eventually.
The only question is...who will it be?
[] Ciaran and Thrawn. It will take them some time to track down Ahsoka given that they weren't immediately nearby but they can easily convince her to come with them and they can handle themselves. That being said anything could happen before they reach her...
[] Arla, Dani, and Riphath. Between the three of them and their various talents tracking down Ahsoka will be easy. The only question is if they can get her to safety...
[] Asajj and Koliya. Between Asajj's combat skill and Koliya's cunning it would not take them too long to find and extract Ahsoka safely. That being said she may not take the fact that Asajj is alive very well...
And where would they take her to keep her safe?
[] The main base in the Undercity. It's the furthest away from where Ahsoka will come into the Undercity but it is undoubtedly the most secure location and it would make it easy to ship Ahoska off-world if things came to that. All they'd have to do is make it there.
[] Borvo's palace. Whoever's after Ahsoka hopefully wouldn't dare to earn the ire of the Hutts, and besides that the building is very secure between the systems installed by its previous owner, the new ones Borvo added, and the Watcher security. It's closer than the base in the Undercity but still a ways away.
[] The Diamond Deception cantina. No one would think to look there of all places given that it's just one cantina in the sprawling Undercity, and it's noticeably closer to Ahsoka's location. It's not exactly as defensible though if anything happens.
[] Write-in
AN: Alright people, now the show's really begun. I admit this was a really meaty update but there was a lot I had to cover. Enjoy~
- Location
- america
hahahah yees, finaly fanart.Hey @Dr. Snark, you had asked for artwork? Well, I did happen to shit something out today ...
I call this "Wesker vs. the Firekeeper". Happy? No? Neither am I but it's the thought that counts. At least that's what I tell myself.
Night_stalker
Slava Ukraini!
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Right, so we need to get her out ASAP. To do that, we need to be very careful.
Hey, where's the Oracle? In orbit, right?
Sorely tempted, but at the same time, we could be playing into the plotter's hands, if we're caught near a fugitive. Still, she does trust us....
Not sure, mostly due to her probably not being on best terms with them, I think. Tracking isn't the issue, convincing her to come along IS.
I shouldn't even have to explain why this is a bad idea. Asajj and Ashoka got along like fire and water. And I'd rather not have to answer questions like "Why do we have a former Jedi apprentice turned Dark Jedi turned whatever she is on our payroll".
Best bet, secure, and the Undercity is a pain in the ass to be tracked in. Get her a ride there, should be smooth sailing.
Eh, I dunno, if we're caught with a underage Jedi apprentice in a Hutt palace, awkward questions would be asked.
Yeah, right. I want someplace secure, IE, with actual walls.
Hey, where's the Oracle? In orbit, right?
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well...I like to think Ahsoka could handle herself until we get there, aka Thrawn and Ciaran. If nothing else besides her own capable skills she's also a bit wiser and smarter than in canon, along with Anakin's advice (which, it should be noted, we don't IC know, so it's not factored into the fluff of the choices)
- Location
- The internet
@Dr. Snark can we have some of our disposable mooks start a riot or two for cover? Like, I'm sure we've got hundreds of rent-a-thugs who have no idea they're on our payroll.
Night_stalker
Slava Ukraini!
- Pronouns
- He/Him
In the Undercity? That's not a distraction, that's a Tuesday.