Chương 22: Star Wars : Chapter 22 : Interlude I
"And so it ends the first holovid.", Mace began as soon as the screen faded before them. All of their moods were brightened on seeing Luke gave the galaxy hope that it could still be free from the tyranny that is the Empire. A regime that as Jedi, failed to stop its rise to power and were extinct as a result.
The occupants within the Council Chamber had varying reactions, ranging from worry to anxiety on seeing the future ahead of them. Most present would prefer doubling their efforts in locating the Sith Lord that took over the Republic before it could be transformed into an Empire.
However to some,Yoda and Obi-Wan in particular, would rather ease their minds before they would do anything rash that could only further the rise of the Empire, which they prefer to be more careful in planning.
"To know that we failed our role as peacekeepers in the far future is not what most of us have in mind.", Ki-Adi began in a saddened tone, sharing his current aura along with those present.
"Underestimated the Sith, we have.", Yoda admitted, with the Council members agreeing, though many were reluctant. They couldn't believe that the entire order had fallen to a handful of them. "Attacked when unsespected, we were."
"I concur with Master Yoda.", Luminara added, the thought and memory of the Jedi Order being wiped out and the death of Obi-Wan embedded to her mind. "We may have been blinded or perhaps even played behind the scenes within the Republic or the Senate."
Windu agreed with the Mirialan Jedi Master but with a frown. "It would only mean that Master Kenobi's report that the Republic was under the control of a Sith Lord under the guise of an official or even a Senator surely holds the truth."
Saesee Tinn raised an eyebrow. "Why would Count Dooku reveal the true nature of this Sith Lord in that case?"
"But with due respect, Masters.", Obi-Wan interjected, remembering his time on Geonosis. "Dooku had told me that the Senate is under the control of the Sith Lord. Surely we should suspect Chancellor Palpatine being one?"
Anakin frowned at the implication of the Chancellor being a Sith Lord, having seen Palpatine almost like a father figure to him. And regardless, they didn't have any proof to prove him as such.
"But I don't sense any Force signature from him.", Plo Koon chimed in. "If we are to suspect that the Chancellor is a Sith Lord or to accuse him of being one without any solid proof, this would only garner suspicion or even public doubts to the Order."
Shaak Ti pointed out. "But we cannot know until we tried. We have to take note that Sith Lords are crafty when concealing themselves. Which is why we haven't suspected them in the last millenia."
Yoda hummed in thought. There is indeed a need for adjustments concerning the order. And the Jedi being wiped out in the far future pained him internally, thinking if he had failed as Grand Master of the order if he was not able to stop the Sith firsthand. "Check the other holovids, can you, Skywalker?"
Anakin complied as he was told but before he can play the second, another was activated itself on its own, resulting of the Jedi Knight stumbling backwards in surprise, as did the rest inside the Chamber.
The Hologram activated and it revealed two individuals, one male and one female. One had was wearing a white robe holding what appeared to be a staff but her face was obscured by the hood over her head.
The other was a young man who wore a robe belonging to the Jedi Order; light gray long sleeved hooded shirt with a sleeveless dark brown leather wrapping, trousers, leather calf braces, leather wrap arm bracers, a white sleeveless surcoat, and leather foot wear. Like the female, his head was covered by a white hood.
Anakin's eyes widened with interest as he felt a connection between him and the two over the hologram.
"To Masters and Knights who are viewing this, you have seen the dark times that had shrouded the galaxy. Times that tyranny ruled and of no hope.", the robed man narrated as they watched him with a close eye. He had a distorted voice to begin with, and they couldn't figure out who it belonged to.
"This recording is activated once the first holovid was finished. And I could safely presume that you know what lies before you."
The audience mentally agreed. It was a little too much to begin with, with most if not all people who are watching now are either dead or in hiding.
"However needless to say, it was the Order itself that had fallen from within.", the woman soon spoke, resulting of many arching their eyebrows. "Because of their own arrogance and their refusal to see what they had become, they unfortunately became the architects of their own downfall."
Yoda and Obi-Wan both closed their eyes in deep thought, especially when it revealed the Order's fallen future. Neither were open about it, but the fact that that Qui Gon Jinn may had been right from the beginning.
Right about the Sith having returned and his focus on the present rather than the past, letting them feel them be mindful of what lies before them unlike most Jedi who were anxious of the future instead.
Similarly, the rest of the Jedi were having their own doubts. They may not have embraced the dark side, but they wandered away from the true nature of the Force.
"If I am not mistaken, Mandalore is currently under siege by Maul.", the man began, which raised the eyebrows of many as the main purpose of why Ahsoka and Anakin were here were to request the permission from the Council to help Mandalore. "If so, then we are on time."
"On time for what?", Anakin murmured to his master. Another holovid activated and the screen shows a future ahead of them.
"On what will happen in due time...", the man recording said, almost as if he predicted Anakin's next choice of words.
In a corridor, Anakin saw and felt Ahsoka tense as two of the 212th passed them in the corridor, each one with a salute as they greeted her. They continued their walk, two more snapped salutes and her body only got tenser.
"They shouldn't salute me anymore. Not since I left the Order.", Ahsoka said to her former Master.
Anakin merely smiled at her. "It doesn't matter to them. It's a sign of respect. They know what you went through for them, day after day, battle after battle. Loyalty means everything to the clones."
Rex smiled at the implication that his general gave him. Loyalty does mean everything to them, and it allowed them to win countless battles because of it
The door to the hangar opened and Ahsoka eyes widen when Rex stood in front of some of the men. Each one wearing the blue and white armor of the 501st save for their helmets. Each helmet, including the one Rex had tucked under his arm, had been painted red-orange to match her skin tone with her facial markings neatly done in white.
Ahsoka's eyes widened like her future. "Were you..."
"About to introduce you to them? Indeed commander.", Rex finished with a smile.
The Captain stood at attention like his men, but she could see the love and pride in his eyes and a box tucked under his other arm. His eyes burned deep into her soul, reminding her that they important comrades and friends to each other.
Ahsoka couldn't help but smile at the sight with pride, seeing how Anakin gave her a group of her own. Shaak Ti shared her feeling, seeing it as a sign of dedication despite her leaving the order.
"Company, attention!", Rex ordered to the men and they stood in attention.
"Go ahead.", Anakin told her. "They've been waiting to see you."
Slowly, still not believing what her eyes were seeing, Ahsoka walked down the gap the men had made between them. It felt like a dream, her markings on their armor. It was a clear message that anyone within the Army, the Republic, or even among the Separatists would understand. These men were part of the 501st, but their loyalty was first to her and her alone and that would make her their leader.
Anakin smiled at this. He was sure Rex and the rest of the 501st would have been proud to serve under Ahsoka's command by now as well.
"As soon as Rex and the guys knew you were back, they got to work."
Plo Koon felt proud at seeing the Clones value their commanders with outmost loyalty, just as Wolffe and his team are to the Jedi Master. He cared about his men, just as they cared for their general.
Ahsoka slowly walked back to Rex and Anakin, both smirking at her. Rex gave her a smirk and held out the helmet that he himself painted. He would wear his old helmet into battle though. He and Ahsoka had already proven their loyalty to each other.
"The paint job is a little crude, but we think it gets the idea across. Glad to have you back, Commander.", Rex said as he watched as her fingers traced the white markings on the helmet. He peered into her eyes as she lifted her head up from the helmet.
Ahsoka smiled, a sense of nostalgia coming up to her. "Rex, thank you. But you don't have to call me commander anymore."
"Sure thing, Commander.", Rex replied with a smirk.
"Oh. I have one more surprise for you.", Rex added. Ghe bent down, picking up his helmet and the box which he then passed to Anakin. He held out the box to Ahsoka who gazed at it in confusion.
Anakin and Rex looked closely, they knew exactly on what they were doing.
She reached out to touch it and then started to open it…
An alarm began to blare. The shrillness echoed around the hanger and made Ahsoka want to cover the sides of her montrals. Men began to rush past them, hurrying to their assigned stations. And Obi-Wan came rushing towards them.
The audience were caught off guard at this. Are they under attack?
"Anakin, Rex, prepare all forces! We're jumping to hyperspace immediately!", the Jedi Master urged the two.
Obi-Wan dashed into the hangar. His face was pale, but it was the only outward side that something had happened. Something that had shaken him to his core.
"Yes, sir! Men, with me!", Rex complied and snapped into action. He began to bark orders at the 332nd. They scattered at his command and the hanger was suddenly a hub of urgent activity.
"Watch it! Watch it! You heard him, lads! Let's go!", the Clones barked with one another
"So, the attack on Mandalore was approved?", Anakin asked.
"No, it's Coruscant. Grievous has attacked the capitol."
"What?!", many of the Jedi exclaimed at this. Having heard about how most of the Jedi were scattered trough the Outer Rim battles made this even worse.
"This would mean Coruscant will be under siege days from now.", Plo Koon mused grimly, but he knew he couldn't participate in the attack due to his presence needed at Cato Neimodia.
"What about the Chancellor?"
"Shaak Ti has been sent to protect him, but Master Windu has lost contact with her. Not to worry. Our fleet can be there within the hour."
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