Chapter 85 - Twilight (1/2)

Part 1

Throughout Republic space, all non-military holonet transmissions suddenly ceased. They were briefly replaced by the sigil of the Republic, which was proudly displayed above the words 'Emergency broadcast'. This unusual state of affairs continued for twenty seconds before it was replaced by the image of a human male who stood behind an empty metal desk. The only thing behind him was a plain green wall which gave no real clues about the location.

”Greetings citizens of the Republic. I regret the need to address you in this unusual way. My name is Marik Yle, the director of the SBI.” He smiled sadly. ”If you're watching this transmission, it means that I've failed in my duty to safeguard the Republic and I am dead before I could warn the Chancellor and the GAR of an imminent and present danger for everything we hold dear. There is a plot to subvert the republic by parties that already have their claws in both my own agency, the SBI and at least ONI – the Office of Naval Intelligence. I hope my warning goes out in time, however if I've underestimated our enemies, you need to know this…” Yle took a deep breath.

”Our intelligence services aren't the only ones subverted. The same is true for our supposed Mandalorian allies and elements of the Jedi Order as well.”

Yle pressed a buŧŧon on the computer terminal built into his desk and a holographic window appeared above his right shoulder. It showed a conversation between a group of Jedi, director Ivon Fell from ONI and Count Dooku. Their discussion – planning how to cripple the GAR on Coruscant for long enough so they could successfully remove the Chancellor from power.

”I believe that the conspirators would initially try to present their coup as an attempt to save the Republic from the Sith.” Marik's expression became grave. ”This couldn't be farther than the truth. Count Dooku's presence – a Sith himself – is evidence enough. They plan to sow confusion, cripple the GAR for long enough that our armed forces are unable to respond in time and eliminate some of the biggest obstacles to their plan. This treason isn't a misguided attempt to protect us from the Sith. On the contrary – it is a Sith plot aimed to destroy the Jedi who would stand against an overthrow of our democratically elected government and the first step in transforming our Republic into a Sith Empire. Unless the conspirators are stopped, they will blame the murder of Chancellor Palpatine and other officials – both civilians and military – who would have stood on their way, on the Jedi still loyal to the Republic and thus use the GAR to dispose of them...”

=RK=

GAR HQ

Coruscant

For the rest of his life, Anakin Skywalker would wonder if things would have turned better or worse if he made another choice that day. Hindsight wasn't really helpful. It wouldn't be long before he figured out that things might have turned very, very differently. That at least in the short term he would have been hunted.

All those things were obvious, yet none of them helped him figure out if he made the right choice that day. There would be nights in the future when he would lay in bed wondering if his relationship with Padme wouldn't be so rocky if he had chosen to resist his arrest. If he had fled and eventually joined the Jedi who survived Order 66 and weren't convinced to take the deal they were offered by the Senate – a blanket amnesty for those who weren't a part of the coup in exchange for fighting for the Republic.

Anakin never knew, yet kept wondering till his dying day. He often dreamed of that day, of making another choice.

Yet, perhaps it didn't matter in the end. After knocking that pain in the ȧss of a sergeant and his men off their feet, Anakin didn't run. He didn't cut them down. He didn't fight.

Instead he deactivated his lightsaber, levitated it to the ground between himself and the Clones and then raised his hands as a sign of surrender.

”I don't resist! I'm giving up as you instructed!” Until his dying day, Anakin Skywalker would wonder what exactly went through the trooper's heads at that moment. He could sense their distress. For a moment Anakin was sure that they would open fire anyway and he wasn't certain he could survive.

”On your knees! Hands behind your head! If I even think you're trying to pull one of your Jedi tricks, we'll shoot!” The sergeant barked.

Anakin glared at the Clone. He was sorely tempted to lash out with the Force, yet he squashed that dėsɨrė along with his rising anger and simply nodded. Then Skywalker silently followed the instructions. He was led to a detention center in the lower floors of the building and along the way he got an ever increasing guard detail. By the time he was secured in a cell, Anakin was sure that there was at least a company in his immediate vicinity and there were more soldiers not too far away.

Skywalker was both proud that they considered him such a threat and resentful towards the implication that he would turn on the people who he fought beside since the war began. The worst thing was that Anakin had only himself to blame for his predicament and he knew it very well.

Not that such an admission made him feel any better…

”Can someone tell me what's happening?” Anakin turned towards the door and asked. He knew that there were a lot of guards nearby – he could feel their presence.

=RK=

Part 2

=RK=

Flag bridge

Corellian cruiser Freedom

Hyperspace

en route to Kamino

When Joanna Holt entered the Flag Bridge she shivered. The large compartment was mostly dark and very, very cold.

”Admiral. We have some unforeseen complications.” A voice rasped from the twilight. It was somewhat familiar – it sounded not unlike that of general Veil, yet it was different too. This voice belonged to an old man, one nearing the end of his life, not to a someone in their mid-thirties at worst.

”Veil, what did you do to yourself?!” Holt snapped before she could think things through.

”My reach exceeded my grasp.” The Sith rasped again and raised his head to look him in the eyes.

This… This wasn't the same man she knew. It wasn't just his sudden change of age, it was his eyes. They were like two yellow stars blazing angry in the void of space.

”What do you really know about the Force? About her limits?”

That question took her off guard. This wasn't a time for a religious discussion, damn it! Joanna's anger grew as she watched Veil's lips twitch into a ghost of a smile.

”This wasn't a rhetorical question, admiral.”

”I've seen Jedi fight. I've felt you… connect this whole fleet into a single whole. I can't explain it.” A shiver went down her spine. ”I felt Crimson.” Joanna spat the world as if it was a curse. Whatever this Force of yours is, it's very much real.” Holt eventually answered – after she shackled her anger and drove it under the durasteel veil of her professionalism.

”It is. There are very few limits on what's possible with it.” The general nodded slowly and tapped the cup in front of him with a finger. That was enough to make the liquid inside bubbling increase into a sizzling hiss that threw droplets all over the metal table. They began eating through the surface with a hiss of an angry reptile.

”What is that?” Joanna asked.

”I hope there's some kind of explanation incoming?” Joanna grumbled. That man was going to be the death of her. What in the name of all Corellian hells did he do and why the bloody hells did he do it now, when they were about to enter battle?!

”An explanation…” Veil glared at his cup. ”I can give you many.”

The Flag Bridge grew darker. What looked like living shadows coiled around them both and apparently swallowed the light. Joanna shuddered at the unnatural phenomena. Veil on the other hand didn't appear to notice what he was doing. That or he didn't care, the bastard.

”There are few limits to what a powerful Force Adept could achieve with the Force. Enhancing our bodies, influencing whole fleets… Making contact with people on the other side of the galaxy – if the situation is either right of wrong enough...” He trailed off.

”I take it its the latter case.” Joanna was almost sure of it. At the end something shifted in Veil's tone. Was that regret? ”I'll ask again, what did you do, general?”

”I sensed the Force trembling with shocks. Jedi dying on Coruscant. I needed to know what in the name of the Force was happening. I needed to know that my wife was all right.”

Joanna frowned. Veil's voice almost broke there… and Jedi dying on Coruscant?! How the kriff did the Separatists reach the capital?!

”It wasn't the Confederacy.” Veil hissed in furyas if reading her mind, and wasn't that a terrifying idea…

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

For a brief moment Holt was tempted to claim he was lying. That what he was talking about was impossible. However she knew better. What Crimson did, what she knew for sure Veil could do… So much power concentrated in the hands of a single man whose allegiance she was unsure of simply terrified her. On the other hand, as the former captain of the Freedom and now as an admiral… Joanna herself had more power at her fingertips than most people across the galaxy could comprehend. The real difference was control. Checks and balances. She simply couldn't burn a world at her whim or go conquer one without good reasons that were approved by her superiors back home.

Veil on the other hand – he himself was a weapon and right now Joanna doubted that anyone but himself had ever been in control of his actions.

”What did you see?” Joanna asked, while her mind was busy going over worst case scenarios.

”Mace Windu crushing my wife's ċhėst. Chancellor Palpatine dying.” Veil's words were quietly, yet Holt couldn't help it but feel a terror when she heard his voice. He sounded like someone on the edge of madness. Just a heartbeat away from becoming berserk. She certainly didn't expect him to smile mirthlessly. ”The Jedi pulling a stab in the back I didn't see coming. It's almost commendable.”

If what Veil was telling her was true, if the CIS hadn't found a backdoor toward Coruscant or even worse – somehow swept all resistance leading towards the capital… it actually made a twisted amount of sense. It was no secret that there were a lot of Jedi who saw Veil as a threat. That because he was a Sith he was the enemy they had to fight instead of the Confederacy. Joanna wasn't blind, nor deaf. She knew that those Jedi had some support in the Senate. It was at least plausible that they might have moved to cut off the people supporting Veil back home while he was far away. If the man was telling her the truth. If he wasn't mistaken. If he wasn't lying for some reason or another. Too many ifs… Too much that was uncertain.

In the end everything went to one simple question – did she trust Veil?

Unfortunately the answer was uncertain too – Joanna simply wasn't sure if she could. She knew who he claimed to be. Knew of his infamous exploits on Corellia thousands of years ago. She knew that if going by his actions he had done his best for the Republic. That he had been faithful to his vows as a military officer. However, Veil was a Sith and everyone knew they were treacherous creatures.

Still… during that battle meditation of his, Joanna had touched his mind; both above Geonosis and when they had to burn down Crimson. She knew she could reasonably trust the man who won Second Geonosis. She could admire the man who somehow turned the whole fleet into a single entity to protect them against Crimson.

Joanna wasn't so sure about the man hunched above her conference table.

That was something many people had been wondering for about a year or so now. Most stopped caring as Veil achieved victory after victory for the Republic. If Joanna was to be honest with herself, so did she after Geonosis.

”I was content. I didn't have the Dark Council to worry about. I was back in command of a military unit and in the thick of things.” Veil smiled wishfully. ”I was lazy too.” He sighed and finally looked back at her. ”Why do you fight, admiral Holt? For the Republic? For Corellia? Or for your family, friends and the menand women under your command?”

”Why do you fight, general?” It was impolite to answer a question with the question, yet Joanna needed to know. She felt it was vital to hear Veil answer and more importantly believe it if he gave her one that she felt acceptable. In the same time… Her gut instinct was to say she fought for the Republic, for Corellia. It was an easy answer, the easy answer. It was true too – it just was far from the whole truth.

”Because its my nature. Because I thrive on the chaos and madness of combat.” Veil smiled sadly. ”To keep the few close to my heart safe.” She almost missed the last words he whispered: ”Something I failed yet again...”

”Because its my duty – to those under my command, to my people. For my family and friends.” Joanna muttered.

Both of them knew there was something Veil didn't say. Something he didn't need to spell.

He was a Sith and vengeance was a part of his nature.

”What do we do now, general?” Joanna asked.

Veil stared at his drink then grabbed it in a single sure motion and downed it in one swing.

”Gahh… This tastes… kriff...” The general spluttered.

Joanna would have found his antics amusing if it wasn't for the changes that occurredwith his body. His hair began turning metal gray and the complexion of his skin changed too as a healthy color bled back into it. His back straightened and Joanna was sure that his very muscles became bigger to fill back his clothes in the way he looked before whatever turned him into an old man occurred.

”Huh. Two moths or so. A bit better than I feared.” Veil muttered to himself.

”Two months?” Joanna inquired while still staring at the slowing down changes. When they finally stopped, the general still looked much older than he originally appeared but it was a far cry from the ancient apparation that waited for her on the Flag Bridge a few minutes ago.

”That's how long I've got left unless I find a way to permanently fix up my body. On the bright side, I'm back in the game.” Now he sounded much younger too. ”We've got some contingency planning to do, admiral. Unless you think it would be prudent to throw me in the brig and space the key?”

Now that he brought up that idea, Joanna was tempted. Doing so might be good for her sanity. Kriffing Sith!

=RK=

Part 3

Tipoca City

Kamino

It was fitting, I think. The furious storm trying to tear down the city around us was a good reflection of my surging emotions. A massive lighting bolt slammed into a nearby building lighting up the night. The resulting deafening cracking thunder struck with such a force that for a split second the waterfall like rain was blown away letting me get a good look at Rancisis and the squad of troopers behind him.

I glared at the bastard and smiled coldly.

Another lighting bolt struck – this time to the light and the flash illuminated a robed figure sprinting towards us from behind the Jedi Master.

For a moment I wondered what Shaak Ti was going to do – even drenched she was easy to recognize in the twilight. However I found it hard to care. The Jedi did it again – baring a miracle Bo was dead. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't sense her in the Force.

Perhaps she was merely critically wounded and her signature was faint. Perhaps I didn't have the strength left to sense someone who wasn't Force Sensitive all the way to Coruscant.

Or the more likely scenario – my wife wasn't able to survive her ċhėst being crushed.

My wife.

Murdered.

By a kriffing Jedi.

Why the kriff didn't I join the Confederacy and ensured that they burned downthe whole Republic and every single damned Jedi?

I glared at Rancisis who was simply waiting for Shaak Ti's arrival. I glanced at her when she finally made her way to stand beside the older Jedi Master. Ti looked like hell and not just because the heavy rain had turned her robes into a sodding mess.

That sight brought a thin, cruel smile to my face. I could almost taste my vengeance unfolding.

”Master Rancisis, Master Ti.” I greeted with as much false cheer I could muster.

It wasn't a lot.

”Veil.” The snake hissed back. His clawed hand went to the hilt of his blade. ”Your madness ends tonight.”

”Madness?” I tasted the word and smirked. ”The only madmen I see are you, Jedi. A coup at this time? Your stunt is a worthy of Sith.” I taunted.

The news came just an hour ago, mere minutes after we arrived in system. Even when I was able to sense what was happening through the Force I still found the truth hard to believe – the Jedi pulling such a stunt at this juncture.

I underestimated the bastards. Under other circumstances what they did would have been something I could respect. Admire even.

Despite my precautions, the Chancellor was officially critically wounded, though I knew the truth. The Jedi somehow offed Palpy – I sensed his death after all. At least he was able to activate Order 66 – something I should thank him if I ever met his Force Ghost.

That's why I was down here instead of coordinating an evacuation alongside Holt and Tarkin the Elder. I wanted, needed blood to satisfy my thirst for vengeance.

”Congratulations, Jedi. Your friends murdered Chancellor Palpatine – the most respected and beloved Chancellor in centuries.” I chuckled darkly. ”Well done! Order 66 is in effect. So I offer you my congratulations once again – today you doomed all the Jedi across the galaxy.”

”What did you do?!” Ti exclaimed. She could sense I was telling the truth. Well, mostly.

”What we had to.” Rancisis hissed and pulled out his weapon. A blue blade came to life and began sizzling as raindrops fell upon it only to evaporate before they could touch it.

The armored men behind the Jedi spread out and leveled sonic blasters at me.

”Had to? Yes. I can see it. Mace Windu had no other choice than to murder my wife.” I nodded. ”That might even have been true. Bo wasn't someone to just back off from a challenge. It doesn't mater Jedi. Your kind robbed me from my wife again.”

Ti flinched at my words. She knew what I did the last time.

Yet another lighting bolt lit up the skies. I could see Ti steeling her resolve.

”I can't allow you to wreak vengeance upon the Jedi no matter what Windu did.” She declared.

”You know, there's a part of me that hoped you would say something like that.” I nodded and let go the hold I've been keeping upon my fury ever since arriving in system.

My lightsaber jumped into my open palm and Rancisis soldiers opened fire.

Finally my vengeance was at hand.

=RK=

Part 4

Tipoca City

Kamino

Cold fingers gripped Shaak Ti's spine and it wasn't because of the icy sheets of rain whipping at her drenched robes. She wasn't a stupid woman by any means. The short conversation between Rancisis and Veil made all the pieces fall together.

”What did you do?!” The exclamation fell from her lips before the Jedi Master could help it.

When Veil showed her Ashara's death all those months ago Ti experienced those events through his eyes. She knew that it broke him. Sent him into a murderous fury that never truly went away. Now if Bo-Katan had really been killed at the hands of Jedi, no matter the circumstances…

Ti stared at Veil. While she couldn't see his expression thanks to the helmet he wore, the man felt almost calm in the Force.

She knew better.

Last time his vengeance had been mostly targeted at those responsible for Ashara's death even if Veil hadn't really cared if he had to burn whole worlds to get to them. Because he knew his first wife wouldn't like him to eradicate the Jedi Order as a whole because of what happened to her.

This time it was different. He had no reason to hold back. No reason to spare any Jedi who wouldn't follow him, perhaps not even then… and that wasn't something Shaak Ti could allow. Not something that she could live with, even if she believed that what the Council apparently did was sheer madness. Going after Veil – fair enough. Launching a coup? Taking out the Chancellor while the war was going this badly? Sheer madness.

Yet, she had only Veil's words about what really happened on Coruscant. He didn't feel like he was lying so he might very well believe his words. They might be the truth as well.

However, there were still Jedi dying all over the galaxy after what felt like scores being cut down in a very short period of time. No matter what happened on Coruscant, no matter what some of the Jedi might have done, Shaak Ti simply couldn't support someone who was going to go after every one of her comrades.

”I can't allow you to wreak vengeance upon the Jedi no matter what Windu did.” She declared.

”You know, there's a part of me that hoped you would say something like that.”

Shaak Ti knew Veil was smiling when he said those words. Only then he did release the grip he had upon his emotions and what she felt coming from him almost brought her to her knees. Shaak Ti had never sensed such uncontrolled fury. Blood-lust emanated from Veil like a cloak and she knew he had to stop him now. No matter what could have been, no matter what either the Jedi or he had done, he had to be stopped.

Because the way he felt in the Force – Shaak Ti was sure that right now Veil would cheerfully set the whole galaxy on fire just to enjoy watching it burn.

=RK=

Something in Veil's presence shifted and the Force screamed. Rancisis was bȧrėly able to bring his lightsaber up and brace himself when a solid wall of Sith Lighting slammed into him. The corrupted energy coming at the Jedi Master was grounded by his blade, yet tendrils somehow whipped around and rend gorges into his armor no matter how much Force energy he pumped into a barrier to protect himself. Beside him Shaak Ti was doing the same with a bit more success. Forks of lighting twisted around her blade only to disappear just before they could touch her flesh.

The Cathar commandos who came with the Jedi Master weren't so fortunate. They managed to sent few shots at Veil before the lighting storm literally picked them up and sent them flying off the platform.

Rancisis felt them die screaming before they hit the water.

The onslaught was over as suddenly as it began. The Jedi knew what was going to happen and left himself be submerged into the Force. He felt its power surge through his body and the dark night suddenly became clear as a day. The Force was on his side. It would guide his actions and ensure that the Sith end today.

There was no doubt in Rancisis mind. It didn't matter how strong Veil was in the Dark Side. The Force had always been more powerful than a Sith could really grasp. Rancisis knew it for he was one with the Force. He was its tool to restore the balance in the galaxy.

When the blood red blade came for him, the Jedi Master was ready and at peace.

=RK=

Shaak Ti knew it was coming, yet the sheer ferocity of Veil's attack caught her by surprise. His movements were wild, furious. If it wasn't for the sheer speed and strength behind each blow, the Jedi Master might have dismissed her opponent as a mere monster.