Brotherhood

Chapter 21 - To Destroy a Jedi

Night has already fallen by the time that Barriss and Ahsoka leave the Republic base and head through the mostly silent streets. It's just as clear now as it was during the day that the city has been ruined by the war, and not for the first time, Ahsoka hates it. She focuses solely on the path ahead of them, letting Barriss lead the way, her speeder slightly ahead of Ahsoka's. This is it. It's the end. Either Barriss will die or she'll Fall, and Ahsoka isn't certain which of the two options she wants more. She should be able to sacrifice her friend if it's for the greater good, but... then Anakin will suffer, and more than anything, she doesn't want that.

"We just passed another battle droid patrol," Barriss calls, voice rising with anxiety. "I think we're heading into a trap. Somehow, the Separatists know we're coming."

Ahsoka exhales harshly. She'd really hoped that the other girl wouldn't notice. "What do you say?" she wonders.

Barriss shrugs slightly, increasing her speed. "We still need to uncover the truth, and if we don't do it, then who will?"

"The reinforcements?" Ahsoka suggests, pausing. "Who's coming anyways?"

"Master Tachi is leading the 212th, while Knight Olin is leading the 501st," Barriss informs her.

Ahsoka nearly forgets how to breath at the news. The 501st? The legion that Anakin specifically handpicked men for when he still had a chance to fight for the Republic in name only? This is definitely something that the others will want to know. "Siri Tachi?" she questions, hoping Barriss thinks her momentary surprise was due to the identity of the pair. "She's Master Obi-Wan's friend."

"Yes, I know," Barriss responds. "Now come on. We need to find out what's happening."

Obviously, she doesn't want to engage in idle chatter when they're running right into a trap. Normally, Ahsoka would concur with those sentiments, but she desperately needs a distraction from the guilt twisting her insides. It's for the best, she reassures herself, hoping that maybe Barriss will still be her friend, even if she Falls.

I believe that the choice was more because Anakin killed her master on Geonosis. She can almost hear Dooku's voice in her head. Anakin is supposed to break Barriss, and he'll definitely use that against her. He'll probably use Ahsoka's betrayal too. She blanches at the realization. She hadn't meant to make it easier to destroy her friend, but... it wasn't a choice she was given.

They pull up in front of the Separatist headquarters a few minutes later, and Ahsoka lets all her worries slip away. The building almost looks eerie in the darkness, lit up only in part. Something about this is wrong, and Ahsoka can easily see it. There isn't a single battle droid out here to guard the building. "No guards. No barricades," she notes quietly as they begin walking up the stairs leading to the front door. "You'd think the Separatist headquarters would be better protected." She doesn't add that Anakin is all the protection it needs.

"They don't want to keep us out," Barriss points out, flicking a hand to open the doors. "We have to go in and find out what they're up to."

Ahsoka's heart is pounding, fear mingling with dread. She didn't want any of this, and part of her is tempted to warn Barriss and run away. She won't do it. She won't leave Anakin like that. Something he said to her weeks ago surfaces in her memory. If you hadn't, they would have suffered. Trust me. I've seen it happen before many times. This time, it wouldn't just be her – she'd probably be killed by the explosive strapped on her ankle – but it would destroy Anakin.

Trust me when I say that sometimes, actions can irreparably damage. Even in the beginning Anakin hadn't wanted to kill them. He suffered to protect Ahsoka when he hardly even knew her. He was willing to rebel against his master to save Obi-Wan. He offered both of them guidance and support when Sidious tried to break them. And he was right. She knows that he would never recover from her death if that's what she chose. All it would do is push him to be more ruthless, more vengeful, and she doesn't want that.