Published: 2024-10-14
7958 C.R.C.
The Tribunal jumped to hyperspace. They were in for a long journey: one week estimated hyperspace time before their arrival at Courscant. Ahsoka couldn't help but think about the Jedi Order's role in the Clone Wars.
"Something on your mind, Commander?" It was Rex, now a Clone Commander and the ranking officer in the 332nd Division.
She paused, then told him what she was thinking. "As a Jedi, we were trained to be keepers of the peace, not soldiers. But all I've been since I was a Padawan was a soldier."
"Well, I've known no other way. Gives us clones all a mixed feeling about the war. Many people wish it never happened, but without it... we clones... wouldn't exist.
"Well, then perhaps some good has come from all of it. The Republic couldn't have asked for better soldiers, nor I a better friend."
Rex smiled at that, and he saluted Ahsoka. Ahsoka saluted him back. Behind Rex, a uniformed officer approached. Rex turned to face him. "Commander Rex, the latest briefing has come in."
Rex turned back to Ahsoka. "Want to have a look? It might have an update on General Kenobi's efforts," he offered her.
Ahsoka turned him down. "You go. I'm sure its more good news." Rex and the officer turned away and exited the bridge.
—
Something went wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.
You must choose!
Don't listen to him, Anakin!
It's not the Jedi way. He must live!
He's too dangerous to be left alive.
Please, don't!
Unlimited power!
What have I done?
Chancellor Palpatine? Master Windu? Anakin? What the kriff happened?
Ahsoka winced at the powerful disturbance in the Force that somehow has to do with Anakin. She ran towards the bulkhead that lead to the communications room. The door opened as she approached. "Rex! It's Anakin. I feel like something terrible has happened."
Rex's body was shaking. He dropped his helmet. "Rex?" Two clones behind her turned and pointed their blasters at her.
"No! I'll do it," Rex ordered."
"Rex! What's happening?"
"Stay back!" Rex pulled his blaster pistols out and pointed them at Ahsoka. He was still shaking. "Find him. Find him. Fives. Find him. Fives!" Rex shot at her. She dodged easily. Ahsoka charged Rex, taking him down and hitting his head on the holotable. The other two clones started firing at her. She ignited her lightsabers and deflected the bolts back at them, killing them. Other clones then entered the room, immediately opening fire on Ahsoka. She deflected all their blasts upward, creating a hole into the ventilation system that she used to escape. They stopped firing once she disappeared into the vents.
—
A clone from the Coruscant Guard walked up to CT-7567. "Sir, are you alright?"
"Fine, just... tired, is all," he said, rubbing his left temple. "I want you to go to the detention level. Execute Maul."
"Yes, sir. Alright men!" The trooper took two other Coruscant Guard troopers with him when he left.
CT-7567 briefed his troopers on the situation. "Alright. We know Ahsoka Tano is on board. She's been marked for termination by Order 66. Under this directive, any and all Jedi leadership must be executed for treason against the Republic. Any soldier who does not comply with the order will also be executed for treason. Understood?" The men affirmed their understanding of his orders. "There are only so many places to hide on this ship. Gather up search parties. We'll fan out and move section by section. Come on, let's get moving." The troopers left the room in a sprint to organize their search parties.
—
Maul had been awoken by a very great disturbance in the Force. Something had shifted in the galaxy, though he couldn't pinpoint anything more specific than the fact that the power scales of the galaxy were tipping.
The cell door opened. Two clone troopers with red markings on their armor entered the room. They held their blasters pointed at him, as if he could escape at any moment. One of them pressed three buttons on the side of his containment box—a vault, as the Mandalorians called thme, which Maul supposed was a fitting name—and the cover of the vault opened. Maul was still restrained, though he tried to escape nonetheless. The clone troopers started to back away, blasters still pointed at him. Maul could sense their fingers on the triggers, but there was nothing he could do about it.
The last thing Maul heard was the sound of two blaster bolts.