Alternate Start (ARCHIVE)

Chapter Fifty Nine: Jedi Temple

One Month until War End

It was good to be home, after another month of battle and cutting off the Separatists. They'd gotten back two clones, with one more dead. None of them Fives, luckily — or unluckily, depending on how you saw it. The moment they'd gotten in orbit and started heading down to the Coruscanti surface, Satahl had grabbed Guilttrip and pulled him into the ship headed for the Jedi Temple.

Kaar had stifled a chuckle at that. He, Echo, and Droidbait were headed towards the creché themselves. As far as he knew, the others were headed to make preparations for a night out.

As the time ticked down, with only seven weeks until the original end of the war, every Jedi and clone who knew held their breath. He saw how tense Obi-wan had been last time he saw him.

For now, it was his duty to be at the temple today. He gave a little wave over his mental bond, receiving a swift buzz of hello-excited-happy from the bond he shared with young Cybele. He couldn't help but crack a smile. Theya and Hardcase had found out about Cybele's force sensitivity last month, and had been — while disappointed, since they really were in no position to raise a force sensitive child on a battlefield — excited to know their daughter would be in good hands.

By now, it was standard — though more an unspoken rule — procedure to dechip arriving shinies. For Kaar's battalion, and several others, that meant waiting with tranquilizers to ambush the shinies first and explain later. At least the medics had fun. Guilttrip had developed tranquilizer darts he could throw after one particular event where he lost his dart gun.

Kaar smiled softly as Satahl ran off the gunship as quickly as possible, dragging Guilttrip behind her. Guilttrip hadn't changed much, besides the fact that he was seven and a half now.

He, Echo, and Droidbait caught up with Hardcase and Theya. Theya held Cybele close to her chest, smiling a little as the baby squealed at Kaar. The master let out a chuckle, lightly tapping Cybele's nose.

Kaar stepped off to the side as Droidbait and Echo stopped to visit with their nieces and nephews. Lasmoso and Dagger would be stopping by later, but for the moment Kaar just stood next to Master Kynesgrove, who was settling down two Kaleesh twins.

"No Page today?"

"No, she and Eraiya are in the archives." Kynesgrove hummed, setting the twins into a crib. He looked around, a small smile settling on his face as he watched Hardcase and Theya tearfully leave Cybele in the arms of a crechémaster.

Soon enough, Master Tarvil and the Skywalker twins would be in this room as well.

"Master Sunna!"

He looked up at a sudden cry, only to find Master Drarii running as fast as she could towards him. She took a moment to catch her breath, then looked up and said with a deep concern in her voice, "It's Youngling Sheelal. Something is wrong."

He, Echo, and Droidbait all stopped what they were doing. Kaar waved Echo along as they hurried into the other room, followed by Kynesgrove.

Echo crouched down, letting Desnuri grip his forearm. He showed no discomfort, even as she dug her little claws into his arm. "E— Echo they're hurting him!"

"Who? Des'ika, who are they hurting?" He asked softly. Looking at the room, the younglings had been meditating when this happened.

"F— Fives! T-They're hurting him!" She wailed, bringing up a hand and jabbing about where the implants have been on all three retrieved clones. "They're hurting his head Echo!"

Master Kynesgrove settled down in front of Desnuri. Kaar slowly exited the room to allow them to do what they must.

He had a meeting.

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"So, we are all in agreement on housing the kidnapped troopers in the temple or safe havens until they've recovered?" Mace asked the rest of the council, who all nodded. "Sunna, if Youngling Sheelal proves to have a connection to trooper Fives, then you'll take her with you next deployment." Kaar nodded in agreement. Mace then turned a critical eye towards Anakin, "And you are not to give the locations of safe havens to the chancellor, Skywalker."

Anakin sat up, furrowing his eyebrows. Kaar's cut tail curled. He still felt a bit miffed about Dooku cutting his tail off. Rat bastard. Now wasn't the time to think about that, as he could already see the incoming bitching from Skywalker.

"Why not? He should know, he's the Chancellor."

Kaar stretched out a leg, eyes drawing to Mace as he inclined his head in a questioning motion. After a few moments of wordless back and forth, a few prods at the mind, Kaar's gaze snapped to Anakin.

"Because, Skywalker, I have long known him to be the Sith Lord." Kaar said, settling both of his arms on the chair and shifting his odd sitting style.

"How is that possible? We would've sensed it! And if you knew, why didn't you tell any of us? Why didn't you tell me when you explained your story?" Anakin protested.

"The council is already in the know of Sunna's dilemma." Mace remarked, interlacing his fingers, "We're working to stop him, but an outright attack is exactly what he wants. He began this war to yank us out like a weed, Skywalker, and he's been grooming you for your role in our destruction."

Before Anakin could say anything, Kaar spoke up again, "We do care, Skywalker, but you cannot be too rash. Don't let him know that you're aware."

The entire room could feel how angry Anakin was. Mace and Plo looked at him for a possible solution. Thankfully, one came to him quickly. He sent a mental prod at the pair, and Mace quickly dismissed the meeting. Kaar crossed the room to Anakin, jerking his head towards the door.

Hesitantly, Anakin followed Kaar into the elevator.

"I want to help you control your anger, Skywalker. I've been teaching my padawan this same technique. I was going to practice it today, but you'll need someone to assist you with the second part, at least for a time."

Anakin looked over, raising an eyebrow. Kaar felt a small jab of satisfaction that he'd gotten Anakin's attention. "It's called Sunset Eyes, or that's what my master called it."

•—END OF CHAPTER—•