For The Blood We Spill

Chapter 9 - Accused

Author's Note: Just giving y'all a heads up that this is the last chapter I have written, but I expect that the next chapter will be done on time, or if not, then at least at some point next month. :) Currently, my brain and attention has been consumed by an Obi-Wan series fix-it fic. Lol. 

WARNING: Self-harm, suicidal thoughts/feelings, blood, and general darkness!

~ Amina Gila

Sidious' death did not, in fact, make the war easier. If anything, in many ways, it seems to have made it even harder over the past month since his demise. Anakin can't help but feel bitter and more than a little guilty for the part he played in it. The Jedi gained even more responsibilities after the inconclusive search for Palpatine. Aside from being the ones solely responsible for the military, the Jedi were given a seat on the Senate, entrenching them further into politics. And more than that, Tarkin, now an Admiral, was appointed as a liaison between the Jedi and the Senate, and his voice is strong enough that it's almost equivalent to that of a Council member.

Anakin doesn't like it. Obi-Wan doesn't like it. Windu doesn't like it. Yoda doesn't like it. In fact, there isn't a single person on the Council who likes it. Many of the Jedi are extremely unhappy as well, because never before in the history of the Order has there been a non-Jedi who sits in on almost all Council meetings. Tarkin is not, of course, a Council member, but he might as well be for how often he's at the Temple.

Initially, Mas Amedda took over the duties of the Chancellor, but that changed after the hasty elections that brought Senator Bail Organa to power. The corruption and Sidious' influence is too deeply entrenched, leaving him with very few recourses to help the Jedi out of their... difficult situation. The Senate had all but demanded that Tarkin be in control of the military matters, something which Anakin very much suspects was the work of Sidious' lackies, because Bail can no longer intervene in these matters. Tarkin, in many ways, has as much influence as the Chancellor himself.

That alone is enough to raise alarm bells. Anakin, and many others, suspect that Tarkin was in on Sidious' plans, and now that the Sith Master is dead, the Admiral is attempting to continue with their plot, whatever all it entails, possibly even with Dooku's help. Anakin really does not have a good feeling about any of it.

It will get much worse before it has any hopes of getting better.

But he can't worry about any of that now, not while attending an important briefing regarding the Outer Rim sieges, and not right after Letta Turmond orchestrated the Temple bombing. On the plus side, at least she's in custody now.

Obi-Wan is there via hologram, and Ahsoka is standing at Anakin's side as they listen to what Obi-Wan is telling them. Many other Jedi, mainly Council members, are clustered around the holotable as well. "We've uncovered a Separatist plan of attack. We shall travel to the Anoit system here, then move across to Saleucami," Obi-Wan relates, gesturing to the holomap in front of them.

"So far out of our way?" Windu questions before Anakin can say anything. Although, he probably wouldn't have said anything. He would rather keep quiet if possible and force his mind to focus on tactics and battle strategies. It's easier this way. He's still worn out from Cato Neimoidia. Not only had he been briefly knocked unconscious in his fighter, leaving Ahsoka to save him, but also, he had been hit by a blaster bolt on his upper left arm. He had ignored it, letting the pain ground him.

Ever since that fateful day a month ago when Padme learned the truth, Anakin has struggled to resist the need to spill his own blood, though it's a vicious circle, because the guilt he feels at the thought of Padme's pain should she find out only makes him want it more. He has never called her though, preferring instead to drug himself with stolen sedatives – if he can be assured that no one will come and interrupt him – or Force healing clones, without making it obvious, until he drops from exhaustion.