Consequences

Chapter 36 - Duel at Daybreak

If there's a fic you'd like us to write, I have a SW fic request form which you can fill out. We'll gift write all the requests we get... eventually. :D The link is as follows, but with no spaces: forms . gle / rmXWtRomMMaULuPa6

We also made a tribute for Anakin on our new YT channel. Check it out if you're interested. :P Again, no spaces in the link: youtu . be / T9hdVkokQa4

~ Amina Gila

I don't want to dwell on what happened to Anakin in the future any longer, so I quickly change the topic. "Which reminds me... there's something else that someone needs to investigate. The Empire had a Death Star – a planet sized battle station for destroying planets. It blew up Alderaan –"

"What?!" they all gasp simultaneously, identical looks of horror on their faces.

"The Empire blew it up," I repeat, "I don't know how long it took them to build it, but the thing was huge. It wouldn't surprise me if they're already working on it now somewhere in Separatist territory. I think we should try to destroy it as soon as possible even if we do take down Sidious. There's no way we can leave that thing existing."

"We have to," agrees Anakin.

"I'll inform the Council of this when I can," Obi-Wan decides.

Padme sighs. "To think that Palpatine has been deceiving everyone this whole time..."

I scowl. "He is an expert actor and manipulator after all."

"It explains why every time we tried to reach an agreement, one of the sides suddenly did something so the other Senate rejected the peace proposal," she remarks. Exactly, since he was controlling both sides the whole time, he could easily ensure they continued fighting. My mind drifts to the last time that happened, when the Republic supposedly killed Mina Bonteri. That's when Lux finally realized the Separatists weren't really going to fix the galaxy.

"How could all of the Jedi have been so fooled?" Padme asks.

"Many members on the Council, myself included, have been suspicious for a long time that something was not right," Obi-Wan speaks up, "Yoda and others realized how much the Dark Side surrounds him, but to think he's actually a Sith Lord was pushing it." True enough, but –

"If the Jedi stopped shunning the Dark Side and learned to use it, they would have figured it out a long time ago," I point out.

***

The steady lines of traffic passing through the mostly dark Coruscant sky are the only light coming into the guest bedroom at Padme's apartment where I'm staying. I roll over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. I can't sleep at all. I can't stop worrying about the fate of the galaxy. How are we going to find the evidence we need?

It doesn't help that the feeling of impending doom is growing ever closer. I can't figure out what I was thinking when I suggested such a foolish idea. Killing a Sith Lord isn't like killing a droid. And so far, we haven't gotten any closer to achieving our goal. Padme hasn't been able to find anything more conclusive, and we haven't heard a word from the Council. Not that they'd probably give us an update right now anyway, unless it was something critical, but still.

It's been a month since then. An entire month. Instead of suffering heavy losses from us being taken off the front, the Republic is rapidly gaining ground. Palpatine is insistent it's because we've been helping the Separatists all along, and surprisingly, the Council is maintaining we're innocent. The general public seems completely torn on what to believe.

The feeling of approaching danger is drawing ever closer, but I can't tell if it's just because I'm super paranoid right now or because something is actually going to happen. I'm afraid Sidious is going to try to kill me and Obi-Wan for sure, maybe even Padme too. And turn Anakin.