Dark Legacy

Chapter 12 - Break Out

"Wished to speak with us you did, about a matter of importance," Yoda states as Anakin joins him in the Council chambers. Windu is there as well. While Anakin could have insisted on a full Council meeting, given that it's already later in the afternoon and he's still getting used to addressing them as equals, he decided not to.

"Rex, Vos, and I encountered Ventress a few hours ago," he informs them. "Something about her is wrong. She doesn't feel right in the Force. She attacked Rex and me with Force lightning – a talent to which she has never before shown proclivity – and had Vos not intervened, she would have killed us." He keeps his tone clinical and neutral, posture straight and unwavering. He is admittedly a bit exhausted after his treatment session, not to mention the events of the last few days. A part of him would like nothing more than to sleep for the next couple days.

"When she was running away, I heard Sidious' voice in my head," Anakin finishes. He doesn't tell him about seeing the spirit on Korriban. They don't need to know everything, after all. That may well have been an illusion. This, however, he's certain was not.

"Disturbing this news is," Yoda declares, looking at the other Jedi Master. "Suspect you do that possessed by Sidious Ventress has been."

"Yes, I do," Anakin admits, forcing himself to meet Yoda's gaze. He has nothing to fear from any of them. "I am uncertain if Sith have the ability to possess people after their physical body is gone; Dooku would probably know, but I can hardly ask him."

"There are legends of such things, but it's nothing the Order has encountered for many centuries," Windu speaks up. He's frowning – not that it's unusual for him. He would know things like this, Anakin supposes, given that he is inclined towards the Dark Side. "If she has been possessed, then she is even a greater danger than we first realized. Her capture is of paramount importance, and if she cannot be restrained, then she must be killed. The Archives likely have some information about Sith spirits. I can ask Master Nu if it's necessary."

Anakin shakes his head. "I would hardly know what to look for at this point."

"Immediately send out groups of Jedi to locate Ventress we will," Yoda promises. "Find her we shall. Make haste we must."

He finds that he's grateful they're acting so quickly solely on his word. It's clear that they're trying to make amends for their past actions against him. He might not be able to entirely forgive them – not just yet – but it makes him respect them more than he did after they tried to imprison him. "There is another thing," he adds. "Have either of you ever heard of the term Inquisitor?"

The Jedi Masters exchange looks, and Anakin can almost feel their confusion. That's a no, he guesses. "Where did you hear that term?" queries Windu, sounding more curious than worried.

Taking a deep breath, Anakin tells him. "Ventress. She – whoever or whatever is around or within her – was speaking to Barriss via commlink. She mentioned the Inquisitors. They're planning to escape tonight. Ahsoka told me that she encountered two Dark Siders. She can describe them to you, but based on her report, I imagine there is a much larger conspiracy which we're not seeing."

Yoda's ears droop. "Blinded by the Dark Side we have been," he states.

"I will go personally and lead one of the search terms," Windu decides. "We cannot allow them to escape. I feel they mean to start a war again." He pauses, his eyes flickering off to stare at something which no one else can see. Shatterpoints. He must be seeing them changing. It must be a useful ability, though not one Anakin would ever want. "If Ventress and her cohorts, or whoever is involved in this, manage to escape, I sense something far greater will be unleashed."

Anakin has never before heard such gravity in the Jedi Master's voice. "Then, I'll immediately go join Vos, and we'll start searching for her or these... Inquisitors."