ahsoka tano managed to break through a blockade of clone troopers firing on her without mercy, and leap into an escape pod set to be launched empty. she's thankful for the chance to catch her breath, and more thankful to get out alive. all of them, even rex, are trying to kill her suddenly for reasons unknown. he told her to find fives - what does fives have to do with all of this? when she asked rex about him, he didn't quite have a full answer for why the republic executed him. she hopes to find answers on coruscant, and the rest of the jedi. anakin most of all - the vision - she hopes is ok.
the pod crash lands in the back courtyard of the temple, a rough landing to be sure, and ahsoka catches her legs stumbling out from the descend down. but she hardly gets a chance to take more than a few steps out before a group of 501st clones begin to fire at her.
she grabs her lightsabers and deflects the blasts, careful to not redirect their fire at them, and steps backward with each swing until she can jump for cover behind the pod. there are no answers and reasoning with them may be as futile as the ones on the ship. she has to find anakin, obi-wan, yoda, anyone who can help explain what's going on. in this moment, however, she needs to come up with a plan to not get shot. ]
[It isn't the crash that captures Darth Vader's attention. Nor is it the frantic chatter on the comms, peppered with heavy blasterfire, requesting immediate support. It's her presence. A presence he hasn't felt since...
Do what must be done, Lord Vader.
One of the clones targeting Ahsoka squeezes the trigger again, only to find that it won't budge. Jammed? There's a low, confused growl in the back of his throat as he tries firing again - only for the weapon to explode in his hands. He cries out in surprise before toppling over backwards, out cold. His pristine armor is now scorched with burn marks.
As intended, the other two clones whip around in search of this unseen challenger - and without warning, are lifted a meter off the ground. Before they can react, they're slammed into one another like a pair of cymbals and are likewise taken out of commission.
Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. That was what the Chancellor had warned Vader before he led this campaign.
But the Chancellor doesn't need to know.
A hooded phantom in the night, Darth Vader descends the stairs into the courtyard with purpose. He steps past the clones - looking every bit like a sprawled out, discarded set of toys - and approaches his former apprentice. Vader lowers his hood... but it's Anakin who speaks.]
[ ahsoka doesn't get far into her plan before the sound of a small explosion blasts, followed by the sound of a hard slam of metal to metal. she turns her head past the protective pod to make a quick look and surprise compels her to stand past her cover at what she sees. all three men are down, and a fourth walks down the stairs.
it's him. ]
Anakin!
[ she smiles, relieved, but it only lasts for a moment. as glad as she is to see him safe, truly thankful, there is still a crisis going on. her expression dims and she starts to walk toward him. ]
Anakin, the clones have turned on me. I don't know why, but something's happened to them. [ she stops in front of him, turning her body half-way to the pod. ] I escaped my ship, but Rex and his company are still en route to Coruscant. It seems your troops are acting the same.
[Anakin grits his teeth, conflicted. She's an enemy of the Republic, as are all their former friends and fellow Jedi, but - ]
I'm glad you're all right.
[He genuinely is. Selfishly, Anakin feels it's for the best that Rex had failed. Everything Skywalker's done was done to protect the woman he loves. He won't let anyone take his apprentice away from him either.
There's much that Anakin wants to explain to Ahsoka, but how much time do they really have? Another squad could make their way out to the courtyard at any given moment.]
...But it's not safe for you to be here.
[Anakin spares a glance behind him to the Temple itself. Black smoke continues to rise, enveloping the central tower. The sounds of blasterfire inside are muted by the crackling flames. There's a strange sort of numbness in Skywalker's eyes as he fixes his apprentice with a hard look.]
[ ahsoka listens, takes in what he says, her frantic concern tempering to quiet confusion. despite everything going on, smoke rising from the temple, clones knocked out that tried to kill her, and the escape pod behind her, anakin isn't at all questioning what's going on the way she is. it strikes her how... calm he is.
everything has changed. ]
Anakin -- where's Obi-Wan and Master Yoda?
[ they were the last two she spoke with on mandalore before everything happened. obi-wan told her to speak with anakin as soon as she could, and master yoda asked if she wanted to send a message to him. where are they now? ]
[ then the clones aren't just after her, it's everyone. and anakin's next words only stump her for a solid moment, blinking as if she misheard him. she didn't. ]
That... no. No, there's something more going on here. [ her eyes, wandering off, return to look at him. ] Rex wasn't acting right. Neither were the other men on my ship. He told me to look for Fives, or information on him.
[ her brow furrows and she starts to move again, this time walking past anakin and to the stairs he came down from. ]
We should be able to locate some data in the temple. The two of us shouldn't have any trouble fending off the clones, at least until we learn why they've turned on us. The real reason they turned on us.
[ the jedi, branded as traitors? something has run afoul. does this have to do with what obi-wan told her before she confronted maul? ]
[ ahsoka stops and turns at his objection, expression stern. his protectiveness isn't a surprise, but she isn't a padawan anymore. she's not even a jedi. but even so, this is her home. it's under attack. ]
No way. If the clones are targeting all of us, then it involves all of us. [ she turns and continues to walk toward the temple again. ] We should go together. The clones aren't going to listen to reason right now.
[ she doesn't know why, but the answer lies with whatever rex wants her to find about fives. ]
[Bee-deeep. The clones aren't going to let up, apparently. The longer he goes without responding, the likelier it is that reinforcements will make their way to the courtyard.]
Ahsoka, listen!
[He meets her stride, a gloved hand surging forward. Durasteel fingers catch her wrist in a tight grip, the look in his eyes equal parts frustrated and afraid. He doesn't have much time. He has to convince her to leave.]
The Force brought us back together for a reason. I won't let them take you away.
[ the grip brings her to a stop, and she turns again. this time, her expression lights up with anger. ]
The Force brought us back because of this. [ her fist, the one he holds by a wrist, clenches tight. ] Anakin, this is the plotting of Darth Sidious. He's the one behind this. The Sith Lord that the Jedi have been after, Maul told me he would orchestrate this attack!
[ and her voice does not proclaim this with speculation, for she cannot hide the truth she has been revealed. what she refuses to accept, looking at anakin directly, are the lies maul fed her about the new apprentice groomed for his role. ]
[She knows. Anakin regards his former apprentice with an even expression, betrayed only by the slightest twinge in his jaw.]
What else did Maul tell you?
[Without warning, a stray blaster bolt grazes past them and strikes the Great Tree. Still holding Ahsoka close, he glares up at its source, his teeth bared. Not now.
As expected, more clones have arrived. The 501st stand in formation with blasters raised. One in front holds a smoking rifle. His commanding officer appears out of nowhere, urgently throwing a hand over top of the muzzle to shove it down towards the ground.
[ ahsoka pulls her hand out of anakin's grip as the stray blast fires past them, and by instinct she brings her lightsabers out and gets into stance. she knows by now what to expect and so it comes as strange surprise when they keep their weapons trained, but don't fire.
have the men come to their senses?
ahsoka keeps position, hands gripping tight, but they don't start blasting. this is either really good or really bad, and she can't discern what's going on. ]
It won't work. The clones haven't come to their senses. No doubt they don't want to risk firing on Lord Vader, their squad leader especially.
"Sir, your orders?"
He gnashes his teeth together. He can feel his insides twisting, burning with fury. How dare they? How dare they?!
"!!"
The squad leader's blaster clatters to the ground. His fingers scramble up to his throat, clutching desperately at an invisible grip as he gasps for air.
So close. They should never have interfered. Anakin won't let them interfere.
[ that they ask him for orders is strange, as if... are they asking permission to fire on her?
but she doesn't get a chance to question it, neither aloud nor in mind any further, before the leader begins to claw at his throat. she has seen enough people force-choked to know what's happening, but still remains momentarily stunned.
she turns half-way to anakin, eyes widening. ]
Anakin, stop! They're not in their right mind!
[ even if they may be targeting them (or, perhaps, targeting her) it doesn't mean they should fight back. if the clones are being used, then she can't permit any harm to come to them if avoidable. ]
[In spite of all the rage that spirals through Anakin Skywalker, there's still the faintest glimmer of light that tries to make itself known. What are you doing? Listen to her.
He doesn't listen. He doesn't stop.]
It's as you've said. They can't be reasoned with.
[Another moment longer and the squad leader stops struggling in Anakin's grasp. His arms fall slack at his side before he clumsily drops to the ground, lifeless and discarded. The other clones' expressions are concealed by their helmets, but he can sense their fear.
Their fear is further amplified as Anakin ignites his sword. surrounding him and Ahsoka both as he prepares himself for battle. Soon they'll be surrounded by fear and dead men.
It's the one who shot first that finds his voice before the others. "Open fire!" he cries out. Without further hesitation, their world is lit up by a volley of indiscriminate fire.]
[ the hard sound of the armored man falling dead to the ground mimics the heavy drop of her heart. she can feel the fear that emits from the men, and they're right to be afraid. ahsoka is not. for that moment, in the silence that follows, she is absolutely hollow.
he is the key to everything.
maul didn't lie.
the men act on their fear - act on what they've witnessed - and begin firing. ahsoka snaps back to reality and starts deflecting the blasts, swinging to redirect the fire off to the sides. to not hurt them. ]
[While Ahsoka moves on the defensive, Anakin surges up the stairs to attack them directly, bolts of plasma bouncing off his saber.
With his free hand, he reaches behind him and thrusts it forward. The clone trooper with the scorched armor is hurtled overhead, knocking several of their attackers off balance on one side. He takes advantage of this opportunity by striking from the opposite end, brutally carving through two of the clones in rapid succession.
These men won't be the first to die by Anakin's blade tonight. They won't be the last.]
[ ahsoka watches him go, sees him carve through the clones without mercy, and races to catch up as the men start directing their fire toward him first. she gets in front of anakin and continues deflecting the fire of the remaining men firing, walking forward as she hastens the swings and rotations of her lightsabers.
once close enough she shoves her hands forward and watches the men lift and fall back from the weight of the psychic push. for a moment, no is firing at them. now's their chance. ]
Come on!
[ she then bolts for the large open doorway that leads into the temple corridors, expecting him to follow. but in the back of her mind, she doubts that instinct that tells her they will always follow each others lead. ]
[Anakin doesn't follow. The attack squad is neutralized for now, but he can't leave any witnesses alive. Ignoring the cries for mercy, he flings his lightsaber from his grasp lodging itself into one trooper's chestplate. The one who shot first now breathes his last.
He calls his lightsaber back to him as the trooper stumbles over, catching one last glimpse of Ahsoka as she makes her way inside the Temple. It's at this moment that his commlink sounds off once more - another request for a sitrep from his Lieutenant. Anakin sighs and closes his eyes.
Now it's Vader that speaks.]
All reinforcements in the courtyard have been killed. ...I couldn't stop her.
[Not the entire truth, but the truth nonetheless. The clone soldier on the other line warns him that the Togruta's advancing through the Temple.]
Execute the others, but leave this one alive. Tell your men to set their weapons to stun if she attacks. Understood?
["But sir - !"]
Understood, Lieutenant?
[There's a pause on the other end before the clone lieutenant reluctantly acquiesces.
[ ahsoka stops when she hears the sounds of the clone cry for mercy, then stop. she thinks to run back to anakin, ask what he's thinking.
she instead turns back and keeps going further in. something is very wrong with this situation. it isn't just the clones. there are virtually no jedi in an otherwise populated temple. the halls are devoid of life and the only sound that permeates is distant blaster fire and explosions. the clones are tearing through everything. why, and how many of them? it wasn't just rex and his company affected - how far does it go?
ahsoka stops at a junction and pauses, trying to think where to go next. then, a robust whistling calls out from the west. she turns bringing her lightsabers up, but lowers them when she sees who it is. ]
Artoo!
[ the droid chimes again, rolling out from the shadows to greet her with a whirl of its top. ahsoka smiles and takes a quick step forward, setting her hands down on his headpiece. ]
Oh, I'm so glad to see you. [ the droid chirps in agreement, and she carefully steps forward into the darkness of the hall. the lights have been blown out from the ceiling, shards of glass everywhere. her expression falls. ] Artoo, I need your help locating some data--
[ the droid whirls, stopping her mid-word, and begins frantically delivering information. ahsoka's eyes widen. ]
Wait, they're where? [ her breath catches, features hardening. oh no. ] Take me to them.
[ the data on fives will have to wait - this is urgent. artoo agrees and starts to roll down the hall as fast as he can, and ahsoka brings out her lightsabers for cover. ]
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no subject
ahsoka tano managed to break through a blockade of clone troopers firing on her without mercy, and leap into an escape pod set to be launched empty. she's thankful for the chance to catch her breath, and more thankful to get out alive. all of them, even rex, are trying to kill her suddenly for reasons unknown. he told her to find fives - what does fives have to do with all of this? when she asked rex about him, he didn't quite have a full answer for why the republic executed him. she hopes to find answers on coruscant, and the rest of the jedi. anakin most of all - the vision - she hopes is ok.
the pod crash lands in the back courtyard of the temple, a rough landing to be sure, and ahsoka catches her legs stumbling out from the descend down. but she hardly gets a chance to take more than a few steps out before a group of 501st clones begin to fire at her.
she grabs her lightsabers and deflects the blasts, careful to not redirect their fire at them, and steps backward with each swing until she can jump for cover behind the pod. there are no answers and reasoning with them may be as futile as the ones on the ship. she has to find anakin, obi-wan, yoda, anyone who can help explain what's going on. in this moment, however, she needs to come up with a plan to not get shot. ]
no subject
Do what must be done, Lord Vader.
One of the clones targeting Ahsoka squeezes the trigger again, only to find that it won't budge. Jammed? There's a low, confused growl in the back of his throat as he tries firing again - only for the weapon to explode in his hands. He cries out in surprise before toppling over backwards, out cold. His pristine armor is now scorched with burn marks.
As intended, the other two clones whip around in search of this unseen challenger - and without warning, are lifted a meter off the ground. Before they can react, they're slammed into one another like a pair of cymbals and are likewise taken out of commission.
Do not hesitate. Show no mercy. That was what the Chancellor had warned Vader before he led this campaign.
But the Chancellor doesn't need to know.
A hooded phantom in the night, Darth Vader descends the stairs into the courtyard with purpose. He steps past the clones - looking every bit like a sprawled out, discarded set of toys - and approaches his former apprentice. Vader lowers his hood... but it's Anakin who speaks.]
You shouldn't be here, Ahsoka.
no subject
it's him. ]
Anakin!
[ she smiles, relieved, but it only lasts for a moment. as glad as she is to see him safe, truly thankful, there is still a crisis going on. her expression dims and she starts to walk toward him. ]
Anakin, the clones have turned on me. I don't know why, but something's happened to them. [ she stops in front of him, turning her body half-way to the pod. ] I escaped my ship, but Rex and his company are still en route to Coruscant. It seems your troops are acting the same.
no subject
I'm glad you're all right.
[He genuinely is. Selfishly, Anakin feels it's for the best that Rex had failed. Everything Skywalker's done was done to protect the woman he loves. He won't let anyone take his apprentice away from him either.
There's much that Anakin wants to explain to Ahsoka, but how much time do they really have? Another squad could make their way out to the courtyard at any given moment.]
...But it's not safe for you to be here.
[Anakin spares a glance behind him to the Temple itself. Black smoke continues to rise, enveloping the central tower. The sounds of blasterfire inside are muted by the crackling flames. There's a strange sort of numbness in Skywalker's eyes as he fixes his apprentice with a hard look.]
Everything's changed. Do you feel it?
no subject
everything has changed. ]
Anakin -- where's Obi-Wan and Master Yoda?
[ they were the last two she spoke with on mandalore before everything happened. obi-wan told her to speak with anakin as soon as she could, and master yoda asked if she wanted to send a message to him. where are they now? ]
no subject
[Though who knows, at this point? What does it matter at this point? Anakin furrows his brow - why isn't she listening?]
Ahsoka... the Jedi have been branded as traitors to the Republic.
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That... no. No, there's something more going on here. [ her eyes, wandering off, return to look at him. ] Rex wasn't acting right. Neither were the other men on my ship. He told me to look for Fives, or information on him.
[ her brow furrows and she starts to move again, this time walking past anakin and to the stairs he came down from. ]
We should be able to locate some data in the temple. The two of us shouldn't have any trouble fending off the clones, at least until we learn why they've turned on us. The real reason they turned on us.
[ the jedi, branded as traitors? something has run afoul. does this have to do with what obi-wan told her before she confronted maul? ]
no subject
There was a time where he'd find her determination admirable, where he'd be swelling with pride, but times have changed.
Three troopers in the courtyard is easy enough for him to cover up. Whatever happens inside the Temple? Not so simple.]
I don't think -
[He's cut off by the shrill bee-deeep of his commlink. Damn it. His men are trying to reach him. He ignores it, his focus solely on Ahsoka.]
I don't think that's a good idea. Let me handle this on my own.
no subject
No way. If the clones are targeting all of us, then it involves all of us. [ she turns and continues to walk toward the temple again. ] We should go together. The clones aren't going to listen to reason right now.
[ she doesn't know why, but the answer lies with whatever rex wants her to find about fives. ]
no subject
Ahsoka, listen!
[He meets her stride, a gloved hand surging forward. Durasteel fingers catch her wrist in a tight grip, the look in his eyes equal parts frustrated and afraid. He doesn't have much time. He has to convince her to leave.]
The Force brought us back together for a reason. I won't let them take you away.
no subject
The Force brought us back because of this. [ her fist, the one he holds by a wrist, clenches tight. ] Anakin, this is the plotting of Darth Sidious. He's the one behind this. The Sith Lord that the Jedi have been after, Maul told me he would orchestrate this attack!
[ and her voice does not proclaim this with speculation, for she cannot hide the truth she has been revealed. what she refuses to accept, looking at anakin directly, are the lies maul fed her about the new apprentice groomed for his role. ]
no subject
What else did Maul tell you?
[Without warning, a stray blaster bolt grazes past them and strikes the Great Tree. Still holding Ahsoka close, he glares up at its source, his teeth bared. Not now.
As expected, more clones have arrived. The 501st stand in formation with blasters raised. One in front holds a smoking rifle. His commanding officer appears out of nowhere, urgently throwing a hand over top of the muzzle to shove it down towards the ground.
"Hold your fire!"]
no subject
have the men come to their senses?
ahsoka keeps position, hands gripping tight, but they don't start blasting. this is either really good or really bad, and she can't discern what's going on. ]
Men, stand down!
no subject
It won't work. The clones haven't come to their senses. No doubt they don't want to risk firing on Lord Vader, their squad leader especially.
"Sir, your orders?"
He gnashes his teeth together. He can feel his insides twisting, burning with fury. How dare they? How dare they?!
"!!"
The squad leader's blaster clatters to the ground. His fingers scramble up to his throat, clutching desperately at an invisible grip as he gasps for air.
So close. They should never have interfered. Anakin won't let them interfere.
He lost Ahsoka before. He won't lose her again.]
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but she doesn't get a chance to question it, neither aloud nor in mind any further, before the leader begins to claw at his throat. she has seen enough people force-choked to know what's happening, but still remains momentarily stunned.
she turns half-way to anakin, eyes widening. ]
Anakin, stop! They're not in their right mind!
[ even if they may be targeting them (or, perhaps, targeting her) it doesn't mean they should fight back. if the clones are being used, then she can't permit any harm to come to them if avoidable. ]
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He doesn't listen. He doesn't stop.]
It's as you've said. They can't be reasoned with.
[Another moment longer and the squad leader stops struggling in Anakin's grasp. His arms fall slack at his side before he clumsily drops to the ground, lifeless and discarded. The other clones' expressions are concealed by their helmets, but he can sense their fear.
Their fear is further amplified as Anakin ignites his sword. surrounding him and Ahsoka both as he prepares himself for battle. Soon they'll be surrounded by fear and dead men.
It's the one who shot first that finds his voice before the others. "Open fire!" he cries out. Without further hesitation, their world is lit up by a volley of indiscriminate fire.]
no subject
he is the key to everything.
maul didn't lie.
the men act on their fear - act on what they've witnessed - and begin firing. ahsoka snaps back to reality and starts deflecting the blasts, swinging to redirect the fire off to the sides. to not hurt them. ]
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With his free hand, he reaches behind him and thrusts it forward. The clone trooper with the scorched armor is hurtled overhead, knocking several of their attackers off balance on one side. He takes advantage of this opportunity by striking from the opposite end, brutally carving through two of the clones in rapid succession.
These men won't be the first to die by Anakin's blade tonight. They won't be the last.]
no subject
once close enough she shoves her hands forward and watches the men lift and fall back from the weight of the psychic push. for a moment, no is firing at them. now's their chance. ]
Come on!
[ she then bolts for the large open doorway that leads into the temple corridors, expecting him to follow. but in the back of her mind, she doubts that instinct that tells her they will always follow each others lead. ]
no subject
He calls his lightsaber back to him as the trooper stumbles over, catching one last glimpse of Ahsoka as she makes her way inside the Temple. It's at this moment that his commlink sounds off once more - another request for a sitrep from his Lieutenant. Anakin sighs and closes his eyes.
Now it's Vader that speaks.]
All reinforcements in the courtyard have been killed. ...I couldn't stop her.
[Not the entire truth, but the truth nonetheless. The clone soldier on the other line warns him that the Togruta's advancing through the Temple.]
Execute the others, but leave this one alive. Tell your men to set their weapons to stun if she attacks. Understood?
["But sir - !"]
Understood, Lieutenant?
[There's a pause on the other end before the clone lieutenant reluctantly acquiesces.
"Yes, my lord. Understood."]
no subject
she instead turns back and keeps going further in. something is very wrong with this situation. it isn't just the clones. there are virtually no jedi in an otherwise populated temple. the halls are devoid of life and the only sound that permeates is distant blaster fire and explosions. the clones are tearing through everything. why, and how many of them? it wasn't just rex and his company affected - how far does it go?
ahsoka stops at a junction and pauses, trying to think where to go next. then, a robust whistling calls out from the west. she turns bringing her lightsabers up, but lowers them when she sees who it is. ]
Artoo!
[ the droid chimes again, rolling out from the shadows to greet her with a whirl of its top. ahsoka smiles and takes a quick step forward, setting her hands down on his headpiece. ]
Oh, I'm so glad to see you. [ the droid chirps in agreement, and she carefully steps forward into the darkness of the hall. the lights have been blown out from the ceiling, shards of glass everywhere. her expression falls. ] Artoo, I need your help locating some data--
[ the droid whirls, stopping her mid-word, and begins frantically delivering information. ahsoka's eyes widen. ]
Wait, they're where? [ her breath catches, features hardening. oh no. ] Take me to them.
[ the data on fives will have to wait - this is urgent. artoo agrees and starts to roll down the hall as fast as he can, and ahsoka brings out her lightsabers for cover. ]