Chapter 49

The third year of the war is in full swing. From the initially 'controlled' war, it has grown into a full-blown conflict. Hundreds of planets fighting and massacring each other. Neighbors and family of the past years now draw weapons on one other due to their difference in ideology.

The only regions relatively unaffected are the Mandalorian Federation regions and the Hutt controlled space. Even the under levels of Coruscant controlled by the Mandalorians and other cartels are doing better than some planets.

As days crawl on into months the fighting is increasing in intensity. Battle lines shift each day. This has both sides worried and looking for that one punch needed to take out the other side.

In the midst of chaos, the 'Charitable' foundations run by the Mandalorians have become a ray of sunshine to many displaced people. It's during hardships that it's the easiest to influence people's minds and way of thinking. Homes are provided for families. 'education' for the young and anyone willing to learn. That is the beauty of being Mandalorian. It's not a race but an ideology. A way of living. Like this while the galaxy tears itself apart the Mandalorians slowly spread their influence.

Even if either side knows about this there is nothing they can do. As they have to concentrate on the war. And especially because these camps are on a few border planets within Mandalorian controlled space. After the people are 'educated' very few of them go back into the galaxy. They are instilled with a sense of pride in 'learning' the Mandalorian way. Plus, most of these people are slowly integrated into the Mandalorian society after extensive screening. Thus, further increasing our ranks.

But everything seldom goes according to plan. Sometimes spies are found in the midst of the refugees. But most of all Republic black-ops units pop up on our fringe territories where the camps are located. But that is a very rare occurrence.

(Cato- Neimoidia)

After the death of Nute Gunray and unquestionable evidence of the trade federation partnership with the Separatists was revealed to the senate by an anonymous source. Due to the unrelenting pressure from the senate and threat of imminent sanctions they unceremoniously joined Dooku in the open. The banking clans turned neutral playing both sides.

But the funny thing is Cato-Neimoidia remained 'loyal' to the Republic. Thus, to reclaim their rightful territory the separatist had launched an all-out invasion of the planet. The battle was wide-spread and intense.

Republic and Separatists forces clash in space and within the atmosphere of the planet. Leading the charge in one of the battlefronts are Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ahsoka Tano.

(POV Ahsoka)

It has been a week since the battle to defend Cato-Neimoidia had started. All it can be called is a slog.

Right now, we are launching an offensive to dislodge separatist forces from one of the major chock points in the region. Due to the world's unique topography, the ultimate victor is the one who can control both space and air dominance. Thus, most of the fighting is in the air.

Soon we launch our fighters. Our job is to engage all droid fighters and clear the way for the transports.

The orbit around the planet is a blaze of combat as separatist frigates try to push back the fleet of republic cruisers.

"Ahsoka lead your squadron and help punch a hole through the droid fighter screen. Leave the fighting to the other squadrons. Our mission is to land these troops and get a foothold on this planet" said Anakin.

"I know the drill Master," I said.

I lead the squadron of fighters on the left flank while Anakin does it on the right. A short distance after launching we run into swaths of drones that converge on us like rain. But we somehow manage to break a hole through the formation long enough for the transports to make it through. But it came at a cost. We had suffered heavy casualties. Even then we had to persist, as a group of tri-fighters was in pursuit.

After taking down a few more of our fighters they launched missiles at us. My system blared a warning to bring the threat to my attention.

"Lookout. Incoming missiles" I called out over coms. I did some evasive maneuvers and got out of the way.

"No problem," said Anakin in his usual overconfident tone and dodged the missiles. The missiles overtook us and detonated to release buzz-droids. They flew back and attached themselves onto Anakin's starfighter.

"Umm… slight problem" he corrected himself and again went with his overconfident tone "when will these droids learn never to mess with the wrong Jedi". He then uses force push to remove the droids on top of his fighter.

"Looks like you are clear," I said.

"Just keep watching and learning Padawan," he said in a snarky tone. Just then his starfighter starts trailing smoke. "Uh oh," I hear him say.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just a small problem" he said. Then everything went quiet.

"R2. Is everything ok there?" I asked. But he replied that Anakin was unconscious.

"What do you mean unconscious? SIGH. Get back to the ship" I said. But apparently, there was some engine trouble. "Roll over let me have a look," I said to the astromech. But what I saw wasn't that encouraging. The bottom of the starfighter was crawling with buzz-droids.

There was no other choice but to crash land the ship. Luckily there was a cliff ledge nearby. "R2 land the ship on that ledge. I don't care how short it is. R7 takes over. Somebody has to save his skin" I throttled down and opened the latch. I had to risk it and jump across to the other fighter. SIGH. This is cutting it close.

I make the jump just as the ship touches the ground. It kept skidding towards the ledge. I used the force to rip open the canopy and pull Anakin out before jumping for it. R2 detached and used his thrusters to escape as well. That was really cutting it close.

Just as we were catching our breath Anakin wakes up "What did I miss. Wait a minute wasn't I flying. Where is my fighter?" he looked around puzzled.

"Oh. Nothing much. Fighter crashed. I save the day. You are welcome" I said with a snarky tone. And walked off for extra dramatic effect.

"Fuuu alright then," he said getting up before calling for a pickup.

Just then a holo form master Yoda came. "Return to the Jedi temple you should. You and your Padawan" he said.

"We are kind of busy here master," said Anakin.

"The reason we need you important it is. Bombed the temple hanger has been. Your assistance to find the terrorist we need" said Master Yoda.

"But who could successfully bomb the Jedi temple?" I asked. Anakin shrugged slightly.

"We will be right there master," he said and cut the coms. Just in time for our pickup to arrive. "We better get going," he said leading the way to the LAAT.

(Coruscant- Council chambers)

"How could the separatists infiltrate the temple?" asked Anakin.

"Worse than that it is," said Master Yoda solemnly.

"What could be worse, Master Yoda?" I asked. They all looked at each other. Worry evident in their eyes.

"Everything is on the table. We have to look at the possibility that it could be anyone in the temple. Even a Jedi" said, Master Windu.

"If a Jedi this is. Gone to the dark side they have" said Master Yoda.

"I can't believe a Jedi would attack a sacred place like the temple," I said with both worry and uncertainty in my voice.

Master Windu sits up and looks at us seriously and said: "You will lead the investigation. You and Ahsoka will provide an impartial view. We can't trust anyone that has been here. Even Jedi".

"Careful. You must be, Skywalker. If willing to attack the temple the attacker is. To great lengths they will go to keep from being caught" said Master Yoda.

"Then we will have to go to even greater lengths to catch him," said Anakin seriously.

(Temple- Hanger *Bombe to shit*)

"I can still hear their screams. SIGH" said Anakin.

"Do you believe what they said, master? That a Jedi could do this" I asked.

"Not every Jedi supports this war. There are many political idealists among us" he said.

"But a traitor?" I asked.

"I am afraid one can become the other. Remember Count Dooku and General Krell. That's how they started too" he explained.

"Only analysis and investigation will prove what's true or not," said the droid that was taking scans.

"Who are you?" asked Anakin.

"I am RUSO-ISC crime scene analyzer for the Jedi. I will be working with you on this case. I was assigned by master Windu" the droid explained.

"Ok RUSO. You and Ahsoka should interview the witnesses" said Anakin.

"I would rather interview them alone. The rumor of a Jedi being behind this has spread. It might prove unfavorable during the meetings" explained the droid.

"Many Jedi, maintenance crew, and clones were killed during the blast. Take Ahsoka with you anyways" ordered Anakin.

(Infirmary)

The investigations have proven troublesome. Many of the victims have been looking at me through eyes of suspicion. Even the ones that have been working at the temple for decades.

I was slowly losing hope in finding something substantial when an injured worker from the side spoke up

"I think I know who did it," he said.

"Who?" I asked.

"I believe it was Jakar Bomani," he said.

"Who is he?" I asked.

"He is one of the maintenance crew in the hanger" the injured worker explained.

"Why do you think he did it?" I tried digging for more answers.

"I passed him while going for my shift change. He had been working the whole morning in the section where the blast came from. It was the last place I saw him" he further explained his suspicion.

"Is this him?" asked RUSO showing the details of the suspect on his holo-pad.

"Yes," said the worker.

"I need to know. Have you seen him since the explosion?" further inquired RUSO.

"I haven't. To be honest I haven't seen much after the explosion" he explained in grief.

"Thank you," I said gently patting his shoulder.

At least we have a lead now.

(Deep core.)

In a dark office room within the bowels of the ship, a hologram pops up. A person can be seen sitting in a chair.

"I everything in place?" asked the person. He slowly leaned forward.

"Everything is going as predicted. The package is in place and waiting. Do you want to spice things up?" asked the person on the other side.

"Stick to the script for now. Find the source. And acquire the product. It might prove useful" said Thrunn standing up slowly "I have dispatched two people to assist.

"Roger that. I will see to it Mand'alor" said the voice before cutting out.

Thrunn walks out of the shadow. And looks out the viewport. In the vast expanses of the system. Titanic constructions can be seen taking shape.

"This era will soon draw its last breath," he said, a smile adorning his face.