Chapter 63 - A different galaxy [1/2] (1/2)

Part 1

Chancellor's office

Senate building

Coruscant

Palpatine made his way to his comfortable chair and crashed into it. To think things were finally looking up just a tiny bit, before those never sufficiently damned idiots… Bah, Jedi! He should have know they would find a way to kriff everything up.

Speaking about them… The Chancellor leveled a flat stare at the pair that walked in after Veil.

”Master Yoda, Master Kenobi.” Despite all his experience in politics and durasteel self-control, keeping his tone clipped and curt was all he could do while struggling with overwhelming need to fry the closest Jedi with Sith Lighting. ”An explanation is in order. A good one.”

”What he said.” The general nodded and crossed his arms, while giving a pointed look at the Jedi.

”It's your fault!” Kenobi pointed at Veil.

”How did you figure that out? Some of your people have been on my case ever since Windu lost it and almost attacked me while I was risking my life saving Jedi lives. Moments like these make me wonder why I bothered...” The other Sith grumbled.

Well, besides the good PR, Palpatine had to wonder the same thing. Letting the idiots die would have prevented so much headaches!

”Shaak Ti. Apparently she believes that you seduced her, slept with her and then discarded her for power and Mandalorian bride.” Obi-Wan shot back.

”You slept with a Jedi Master?” Palpatine asked. A trace of indignation crept in his voice. What the kriff?! Sidious had been stuck playing the kind old man trying his best to keep the Republic from imploding thanks to idiot Senators and seldom had the opportunity to go out and have a bit of fun… which consisted mostly of removing complications to his plan.

Veil on the other hand had all the fun – leading battles, apparently literally kriffing up the Jedi and enjoying every moment of it. Sidious had seldom loathed someone in his life as much as Veil and the Jedi in general right now. He bȧrėly bit off a snarl and had to make a valiant effort no to reveal his nature as a Sith in front of the Jedi's grandmaster.

At this moment, Sidious had no trouble believing that Veil was a Sith of old and because of it, hated both the man and Bane. The founder of his Sith Order had taught his apprentice that the old Sith were short-sighed fools. That stealth and keeping a low profile would make the Bannites ultimately triumph and see the Jedi crushed once and for all.

And yet, Veil stood right here, proudly proclaiming his status for all the galaxy to see… and no one but the Jedi appeared to care. By the Force, because of that revelation the Jedi were too busy tearing themselves apart – it would be hilarious if it wasn't the danger that they just might bring down Palpatine's ambitions for a galactic empire along with the Republic if something wasn't done about the fools.

If he only knew all it took was revealing his nature, Sidious would have been tempted to do it himself. Yet, now it wasn't the time nor the place for such a stunt. Doing something this audacious might just be one push too many and lead to the Republic flying apart at the worst possible moment.

”I'm afraid I missed that. This revelation came in as a shock...” Palpatine trailed off. He hadn't been paying attention for a bit.

”That's one way to put it.” Veil shrugged. ”If it was my intention to seduce and corrupt Master Ti as you put it, I wouldn't have kriffed it up. She would either be turned or dead. What happened about the no attachment part your conservatives are preaching? There's nothing forbidding sėx in your rules or the Jedi Code. Just attachments.” The general snipped back.

Palpatine raised both eyebrows at that idea and gave the Jedi a speculative look. Did the Jedi of all people had more fun than him too? He dismissed the idea. They wouldn't have been able to keep it low profile, right?

”Delkatar, you of all people should know something about women. I've read about your exploits back in the day.” Obi-Wan stated flatly.

”Sleeping with women after they've tried to kill you or before you try to kill each other isn't exactly the greatest endorsement in that regard. On the other hand, having a lots of sėx with many different women kinda made up at least in part for dealing with copious amounts of deranged lunatics on daily basis. I hoped the latter was done for when I found myself in the future, but you Jedi took up the slack after just a few months of peace and quiet.” Veil shook his head.

Obi-Wan gave out a long suffered sight.

Kriff it all, sėx was overrated for a Sith… Right? Sidious shook his head and wondered how this surreal conversation started. He was sure the Jedi were to blame. Somehow.

”No matter how… interesting this topic is, I believe we aren't here to discus the general's sėx life. Even if its the reason for this debacle.” Palpatine grumbled.

”Don't look at me. It's not my fault the Jedi couldn't handle their affairs as an ȧduŀt. Shaak Ti trying to skewer me with her lightsabers next time we meet would have been perfectly understandable. If what you insinuate is true and she's to blame for practically pushing the Order to splinter, that's a big no-no in a time of war.”

”Obviously you have a long history with women trying to kill you. I wonder why...” Obi-Wan snarked.

No. Sidious grunted. He wasn't even going to think about it. It was irrelevant with how many Jedi or Sith Veil had slept. The important thing was that the Jedi obviously had access to records he lacked and they were convinced that Delkatar Veil was indeed a Sith of old which changed things. And while thinking about the past, kriff Bane too. So much for the superiority of the Bannites when all it took for the Jedi to be marginalized and on the way to extinction was a single one of the old Sith re-appearing.

Palpatine took a deep breath and focused.

”I've obviously gotten one shock too many today, because my thoughts are drifting. Might you be so kind to clear up a few things for me?” The Chancellor asked sweetly. ”First, you believe that the good general is really a Sith from the time of the Great War that happened almost four thousand years ago?”

”That he is. Four thousand years old and he's still able to cause trouble for everyone.” Obi-Wan grumbled.

”I aim to please. Besides it's not like you have a reason to complain. If it wasn't for me pointing out some truths, you would still be single and brood worse than Skywalker.”

Kenobi let out a long suffered sight as if to say ”You see what I have to deal with?!”.

”Good to know. Second, am I to understand that the corruption Masters Tiil and Piell talked about was that the general slept with an ȧduŀt woman and then proceeded to aid you in marrying Duchess Satine Kryze? And before it slips my mind, congratulations for your marriages.” Palpatine waved at Veil and Kenobi.

”I think you have covered it, Chancellor. Unless I'm mistaken?” The general looked at Yoda, who stood slumped over his cane.

”True that is. You betrayed her Master Ti believes. Convinced your actions sinister are, she is. Threat to the Jedi she sees you.” The grandmaster spoke quietly.

From where Sidious stood, Shaak Ti was correct. Veil's very existence was tearing the order apart and the foolish woman was unwittingly helping him. Palpatine would applaud her under different circumstances. Perhaps even trying to recruit her. However, with the woman far away on Kamino and he himself being stuck on Coruscant dealing with an ever increasing amount of idiocy, that was simply out of the question for the time being. Still, he was going to keep her in mind in case Master Ti didn't piss off Veil enough with her meddlesome ways that disposes of her if he met her before Sidious got the chance.

”Master Yoda, I know that my words and tone aren't fit for someone in my position, but I have to ask… What the kriff is wrong with you people?! Jedi Masters coming in front of the full Senate and accusing one of the best generals the Republic has in the middle of a war for her very survival of what amounts to high treason… because he slept with an ȧduŀt woman even if she's a Jedi Master. Oh yes, the general helped another Jedi Master marry. That's so sinister and corrupting I'm at lost for words. Have you people lost your kriffing minds?!” Palpatine stood up and shouted.

Kriff it all, at this rate he was going to reveal himself as a Sith before the hour was out.

”I've been wondering the same.” Veil had the temerity to be amused by the whole mess, making Palpatine loath him even more if that was physically possible.

”Emotions. Attachments. Path to the Dark Side they are. The conservative Jedi stand against it. Corrupting the Order Veil is, they believe. Luring Jedi to the Dark Side they see him. The death of the Order they fear. Desperate they are.” Yoda explained.

Then again Jedi. Why was he surprised?!

Calm down, look at the situation from the bright side, Palpatine thought. Once the substance behind the Jedi's accusations became public – something he would ensure happened later today, the Order was going to be finished sooner rather than later.

Plan… He needed plan. Figure out how to prevent the situation from further blowing in everyone's faces if at all possible and once the Jedi were out of sight have a chat with Veil about a contingency plan for purging the Order, rebuilding GAR officer corps while keeping morale up before the CIS onslaught hit.

The Sith Lord had the sneaking suspicious that no matter what he tried the Jedi were going to kriff things up even more spectacularly and force his hand. He almost laughed. Here they were, two Sith Lords conspiring how to keep the Jedi from committing a collective suicide.

The Force sure had a twisted sense of humor.

”This madness ends now!” Palpatine slammed a fist into his desk. ”Master Yoda, what exactly is the situation within the Jedi Order? How many of you support the agenda of Masters Tiil and Piell?” The answer of that question was hopefully not too many. What was even more concerning was how many Senators allied to that infuriating Cathar woman were going to listen to those two lunatics.

They were going to be a huge headache and Palpatine was determined to place any setback caused by the Separatists squarely on their shoulders then hang them all with them. He would tremendously enjoy doing so, provided that the Republic was still standing and he was still a Chancellor when the dust settled. It was unfortunately that various fools made that more and more unlikely lately.

”Evenly divided the Order is. Things worse Master Ti did.” Yoda glared at Veil who shrugged.

”You can't simply order them to cease and desist until the war is over, can you?” Palpatine sighed. Of course not, kriffing Jedi.

”Master Yoda, should I be watching my back for Jedi ȧssassins?” All humor was gone from Veil's faces. ”You're aware what happened the last time. I let my grudge go because the Jedi Order I knew had been destroyed a long, long time ago. If Jedi led ȧssassin come after me or even worse, anywhere near my wife, there will be consequences.”

The cold fury emanating from Veil made it crystal clear what consequences he had in mind and Palpatine cursed silently. Under any other circumstances, he would have taken that statement to arrange something and blame it on the Jedi. Now he had to worry what the idiots might do without any prompting from his corner.

Why did he want to become Chancellor and later Emperor, Sidious wondered. Because right then and there the ultimate power he would wield if his plan succeeded didn't seem worth it.

This time Palpatine was paying attention and saw how Obi-Wan winced at Veil's words. From what Sidious gathered, Darth Vael had been married and his wife ȧssassinated, though his records were ambiguous on the details. Now knowing that the Jedi were apparently to blame, put things into perspective. It also indicated that whatever was Veil's long game, making sure that the Jedi weren't around for it was a given. What Palpatine doubted was that the other Sith had planned for the fools coming apart this soon and in such a spectacular fashion.

Well, it wasn't like the Jedi weren't surprising Sidious either.

”That's enough accusations gentlemen. I don't care who slept with whom or why. What I want to know is how we prevent this madness from crippling the Republic.” Palpatine decided it was high time to stop all this bickering and find a solution. ”The Senate will be back in session in just a few short hours and we need solutions!”

”Chancellor, how much support do you enjoy in the Senate right now? Would it be enough when combined with Amidala and Mothma's little clique and Corellian support to keep Sylvaris' cronies from winning any vote they might force?” Veil asked.

So his meeting last night had been productive. That was good for the time being. ”We should have the support of at least two thirds of the Senate at best. Some of the new Senators are still wild cards and its anyone's guess how they would vote after the earlier commotion.” Palpatine said after thinking about it for a few seconds.

”They still don't know about the intelligence reports, do they?” A thin smile appeared on the general's face.

”They shouldn't. Unless someone in ONI or SIB talked, in which case I'll make personally sure they get what's coming for them.” Palpatine smiled back. It wasn't a nice smile.

”What intelligence?” Obi-Wan asked warily.

”You know that CIS offensive we all know its coming soon?” Veil asked.

”Obviously not enough about it.” Kenobi deadpanned.

”Intel finally got reasonably accurate estimates.” The general cited the conservative numbers making Obi-Wan groan.

”I believe you see why I'm so upset.” Palpatine grumbled and received a nod from Kenobi.

”Some will find the existence and contents of those reports convenient.” Obi-Wan cautioned.

”And I find this Jedi created debacle's very existence and timing highly inconvenient.” Palpatine shot back.

=RK=

Part 2

GAR Medical center Green-51

Location classified

Ahsoka was getting more and more frustrated. She has been cooped in the same old space station for about a month now, while she fully recovered from her wounds. Healing her injuries should have taken much less time and it actually did with the obvious physical ones – a long dip in bacta solved that issue.

Tano's issues ran deeper – she apparently used more Force than she could handle before being knocked out back on Geonosis. As a consequence she had suffered some nerve damage that was thankfully fixable with a lot of time spent in healing trance. That however was currently a problem. Thanks to her overload, every time she accessed the Force, Ahsoka felt like being electrocuted – the normally soothing feeling of energy passing through her now lit her nerves on fire.

That was the primary reason why she was stuck on this boring space station – to recover in peace and with the help of a truly awful concoction left by Delkatar so she could drink it once per day. If Ahsoka hadn't believed that man an evil Sith, a single taste of the bubbling and frothing… thing she had to drink was more than enough to convince her otherwise.

It was truly unfortunately that the concoction actually helped her feel better and soothed her body allowing her to enter a healing trance for short periods of time without feeling like screaming her head off in pain

The only bright spot in this whole unpleasant arrangement was a mixed blessing at best. While Ahsoka wasn't actually alone surrounded by unfamiliar medical personnel and strange clones, Rex and what little remained of the 501st were recovering in the same facility. On one hand, it was great to have some familiar faces around and someone she could talk with. However, even while doing her best not to access the Force and thus avoid pain until she recovered, Ahsoka could steel sense the men's feelings.

Rex and the other survivors positively loathed Skyguy. To be honest, she had trouble putting in words what they felt towards her former Master.

Ahsoka wasn't sure that she could disagree with them either and that sent her head for a spin. What Anakin did… The young Togruta shook her head in frustration. She too liked Padme a lot. In fact, Tano looked up to the Senator because of the older woman's unwavering convictions. Ahsoka wasn't really surprised to learn that Skyguy has fallen for Amidala and even married her, no matter it was a breach of the Order's rules. The Padawan actually approved.

Tano could even understand where Anakin was coming from. She hasn't been in love, yet she knew that she would do anything within reason to keep the people she cared for safe… even if it wasn't supposed to be that way according to the Jedi Code.

”That doesn't make me very good Padawan, I guess.” Ahsoka mumbled.

Tano sighed and opened her eyes, cutting short another unsuccessful attempt at meditation. The same old, painfully familiar white wall greeted her gaze. Her room wasn't particularly good. It was painted an almost blindingly bright shade of white and contained little more than a bed, small locker and various pieces of bundled up medical equipment if the place was needed to treat injured soldiers.

If it wasn't for a limited connection with the hypernet and some books left by Veil, even with Rex and company around Ahsoka might have lost it by now. At least she had almost completely recovered – the Padawan was experiencing only an odd irritating chaffing feeling when using the Force – nothing she couldn't handle. The best thing was that she had only two doses of that terrible drink left and the she should be free to go.

A mischievous smile appeared on her face. The latest news she saw were quite entertaining and Ahsoka couldn't wait to find out the real scoop once she was back to her master. To think that Obi-Wan of all people would marry – a Mandalorian Duchess at that! For sure that was going to sent the whole Order for a spin! Apparently the same was true for Veil, who got hitched too. Ahsoka frowned. Neither of them called about it! It was irritating! At least she could understand it – with Grievous attacking Mandalore and making a mess of the place, then Delkatar becoming Mandalore… Ahsoka was sure that they both had their hands full lately, but was it so hard to pick up a comm unit and call?!

The Togruta shook her head in irritation. She couldn't wait to be out of this place and give them a piece of her mind. She could have been recovering either with them on Mandalore - a CIS attacks notwithstanding or back in the Jedi Temple.

It had to be less boring there, right?

Ahsoka's comm unit beeped and she frowned. Usually no one but Rex and a few of his buddies called… In fact…

”I forgot about the card game, didn't I?” The Padawan frowned. There weren't many ways to pass the time here and playing cards was one of the better – and wasn't that a sad state of affairs?

Ahsoka got herself out of her meditation position, stretched and headed towards the mess hall. She ġrȯȧnėd while passing through depressingly familiar and uniform gray corridors. It was like the whole station was designed to bore patients out of their minds so they could be in a hurry to get back on the battlefield.

Huh. That actually made sense. And people called the Sith evil…

The mess hall was disgustingly ordinary – no more different than any other the GAR had either at barracks planet side, space stations or ships. Whoever designed this needed to be spaced without the benefit of a suit or worse.

Ahsoka scanned the mess hall's occupants. On the far right were the kitchens, where a group of droids were busy cooking and serving food. At least the eating here was much better than the MREs Ahsoka had to eat often while on a mission. It wasn't nothing spectacular, especially compared to Dax's steaks, but it was still quite tasty and there was usually more than enough of it, especially meat. As a Togruta, Tano emphatically approved of the protein rich diet.

The rest of the mess hall was what everyone should expect – rows of plain metal tables surrounded by benches bolted to the floor in case something went wrong and gravity was lost. There were half a dozen groups of clones eating dinner along with two groups of normal soldiers – Axanar Rangers and the remains of tank crews that ran afoul of Confed heavy weapons.

The Padawan found Rex surrounded by a group of 501st survivors in the corner to the right. They had commandeered a table there and even had snacks. Ahsoka still wasn't sure how the legion's quartermaster was able to procure the oddest things while trying to adjust to his prosthetic legs.

”Ahsoka, over here!” Rex waved at her when he noticed her.

The Padawan cracked a smile and waved back.

”What will it be tonight? Sabaac, Pazaak, or something more exotic?” The Togruta asked. ”Where are the others?” She continued.

Only Rex, Echo, Fives and Boomer were at the table.

”Got bored with cards and up to no good, I'll wager.” Boomer shrugged. ”Either that or watching re-runs of Skywalker being escorted to a detention center.”

”We owe whoever smuggled that video a case of Corellian Brandy or whatever they like.” Echo nodded enthusiastically. ”Watching that bastard being marched to prison made my day.”

”I… saw.” Ahsoka muttered. To say that her feeling were mixed would be a joke. She still admired Skyguy and saw hims as both her teacher and a great big brother. Yet, at the same time she couldn't help but hate him for what he did to the 501st and all those other poor bastards who trusted him with his lives.

”What do you think?” Rex asked his brothers.

”I'm sick of sabaac.” Echo shrugged. ”Pazaak too to be honest. It's gotten kinda old.”

”I want to shoot droids.” Boomer shrugged.

”What about you, Ahsoka?” Rex asked.

”Same old. Still bored out of my skull.” The Padawan sat across the commander and slumped over the table. ”I can't wait to get out of here. What about you? Any news? How long before you're leaving?”

”I'm stuck here for at least a week so the doc can be sure my implants won't create any complications.” Rex grumbled.

All Ahsoka really knew about it was that the survivors of the 501st had been offered the opportunity to receive some experimental enhancements that were going to make them better soldiers. At least a few troopers who were injured bad enough to require a medical discharge were expected to return to service, though in their case it was to be a few more months of additional surgeries and therapy.

Others like Rex, opted for a lighter augmentations, which would allow them to return to the front that much faster.

”On the bright side, I'll should be clear to talk about some of what I got in here,” Rex patted his ċhėst, ”once its reasonably sure there won't be any issues.”

”Neat. So can you bench press super droids or is that classified.” Ahsoka asked.

”It's a surprise.” Rex shot back.

”It's not like shooting droids is your job boss.” Echo quipped. ”You just leave all the fun to us and be a proper and respectful commander.”

Rex gave his friend a dirty look. ”I'll remind you about this the next time I have to drag your ȧss out of trouble.”

”That's why you're the boss.” Echo grinned. ”Pulling us out of trouble is in the job description!”

Someone cleared his throat right behind Ahsoka.

”Commander Tano? Lieutenant Lok. I've got a message for you from the Jedi Council.” A Clone in a Navy uniform introduced himself.

”Really?!” Ahsoka perked up. ”I'm finally getting out of here?!” The Padawan exclaimed.

”Can we come too?” Fives pleaded. ”We're dying of boredom here!”

”Ma'am, you're to report to a medical flight for Kuat tomorrow. From there you're to board a transport for Alderaan. You're being reassigned to the Agri-corps there.” Lok announced.

The excited smile froze on Ahsoka's face. Her huge eyes blinked in confusion and she stared at the Lieutenant.

”Heh. Who of you jokers put him up to this?!” The Padawan glared at Rex and company who didn't look amused, but just confused. Tano frowned and used the Force to better sense their emotion. Only confusion all right.

Ahsoka turned her eyes to the unlucky lieutenant and glared at him. ”Please repeat that. I could swear you just told me to go kriff out to the Agri-corps!”

”Uh… Ma'am, those are your orders. We authenticated them as per SOP. They come from the Jedi Temple, Council codes.”

The Padawan stared at the junior officer. Did one of her friends get their hands on the codes and was making fun at her expense? Ahsoka dismissed that thought. If someone pulled such a stunt, they would be in so much trouble it wouldn't be funny.

What did this leave?

”This has to be some kind of mistake...” Ahsoka shook her head in denial. She was a good Padawan! Sending her to the Agri-crops would mean she wouldn't become a Jedi! That simply couldn't be happening, right?!

”Ahsoka, please calm down.” The Padawan flinched when a large hand was placed on her shoulder and squeezed it gently.

She looked back at Rex and gave him a wan smile.

”We still have some time before you should be reporting anywhere, so why don't we make a few calls?” The commander suggested.

”Master Kenobi. I'll speak with him!” Ahsoka perked up. ”Lieutenant, I need to use the comm station.”

”Uh, Ma'am...”

”You heard the lady, Lieutenant.” Rex glared at his brother. ”Please lead the way. We all want to her what general Kenobi has to say about this… mess.”

”Yep. There's no way they're sending you to be a what? Farmer or something?! You're one of the best Jedi Commanders in the whole army!” Fives exclaimed.

The rest of the 501st voiced their support too.

=RK=

Reaching Obi-Wan turned out to be harder than Ahsoka hoped and that didn't help how she felt. It was only Rex's presence that prevented her from climbing up the walls. It took about an hour before he call came in and the Jedi Master activated his comm.

”Yes? Ahsoka?!” Kenobi sounded surprised when he saw she was calling.

”Obi-Wan! You've got to help me! I just got a message from the Council that I have to go to the Agri-corps! You know what that means! Almost no one comes back from there to become a Jedi!” Ahsoka blurted out before she could think.

”You forgot to mention that!” A familiar voice exclaimed off screen.

”Ah. Is general Veil there too?” Ahsoka looked sheepish at letting her mouth run in front of her brain.

”I'm here too snips and certain someone forgot to mention you're in a bind too.” The Padawan was sure Veil was giving a pointed look at her master.

”I'm afraid it's not that simple Ahsoka. I was expelled out of the Jedi Order earlier today.” Obi-Wan sighed.

”What?!” Ahsoka exclaimed along with Rex and company.

”This really isn't the best time for that conversation. I'll call you later, all right?” Obi-Wan looked away from the screen.

”Is there something else you need to tell us, Master Yoda, Master Kenobi? Or is it just general Kenobi from now on?” Another voice asked and it sounded awfully familiar.

”Is that the Chancellor?” Rex asked. When Ahsoka and his brothers looked at him, the commander shrugged. ”What? I watched a couple of interviews he gave last night. That sounds like him.”

”Yes, it's the Chancellor.” Obi-Wan confirmed. ”The same Jedi Masters who in their infinite wisdom decided to sent you to the Agri-corps for your own good have been causing problems for everyone today.” The former Jedi looked anything but amused at that revelation.

”Watching any news outlet will give you some idea of the fun we're having here.” That was Delkatar. ”Commander Tano, am I to ȧssume that you don't wish to spent the rest of the war cooling your heels on some Force forsaken agri-world in the middle of nowhere?”

”We'll its actually Alderaan, but no I don't!” Ahsoka spoke clearly. There had to be a way out, right? Even if the Council had kicked Obi-Wan out… Eh, right. If they did that to a Jedi Master what chance did she have?

”The way I see it at worst you'll simply have to re-enlist into the GAR if you so dėsɨrė. That's if there's an issue with you retaining your current rank. That would be a question better answered by the legal department. Worst case, you might have to go to a military academy before being let back in command. However...” The general trailed off.

”If I don't follow the Council's instructions, they'll kick me out of the Jedi Order too, won't they.”

Obi-Wan wincing and shaking his head was all the answer Ahsoka needed. ”I'll have to think about it. Can I call you later today?” She pleaded.

”We'll be busy tonight, but I'll call back once I find a bit of free time.” Obi-Wan said.

”Thank you, Master and sorry for interrupting you all.” Ahsoka winced at that.

”It's all right. We needed a bit of distraction anyway. Stay safe, Ahsoka.” With those words, Obi-Wan cut the connection.

Ahsoka stared at the screen and began shacking. ”Those, those… utter bastards! Argh!” The Padawan shouted as a wave of anger hit her.

”Hey, Snips, you heard the generals.” Rex gave her a one handed hug. ”It's going to be all right. You don't have to go if you don't want to.”

”All I've ever wanted was to be a good Jedi!” Ahsoka snapped.

”Uh, weren't there some Jedi general Veil met with on Corellia? I remember reading something about that before Geonosis. Then there's general Kenobi. I'm sure he'll train you if you ask. It's not like the Jedi could stop you if none of you are part of their Order, right?” Fives asked.

”I… don't know what to do.” Ahsoka grumbled. She glanced up at the Clones. ”Thank you guys for trying to cheer me up.”

”Hey, what are friends for?” Boomer quipped.

”To keep you in one piece after you've pissed off every droid in the region.” Echo slapped Boomer's back.

”That was just once!” The Clone exclaimed.

”Once was more than enough!” Fives added.

=RK=

Part 3

Chancellor' office

Senate building

Coruscant