Shadow of Trust

Chapter 13 - Discovered

Chapter 13 – Discovered

Clones were everywhere. They ran around in dim alleys and it seemed as if they were chasing someone. A figure shrouded in a brown cloak ran at least ten yards ahead. Not everyone owned a coat like that. It was a cloak specially made for Jedi. But this person didn't seem to be a Jedi. One recognized that immediately. A Jedi would have jumped a roof to safety. Instead, the figure kept running straight ahead, turning left and right. Where? After the next corner the clones were gone. They had been outrun.

Panting, the figure stopped, looked around again to be sure, and then pulled the hood off its head. The light from a small lantern lit her face. A young woman in her 20s with long curly brown hair. She walked on cautiously and stopped short when suddenly someone jumped in her way. No sound came out of her throat. She was too shocked at that moment.

Ahsoka's eyes widened, and she awoke from the trance she had fallen into. The Force was open to many surprises. The young Togruta quickly tried to get her breath under control. The Force had revealed something to Ahsoka. It had shown her some kind of vision. And that's where she'd seen Padmé. There was no sign of the motivated senator, only a frightened young woman trying to save her life. Now Ahsoka couldn't just sit around and do nothing because she knew what could happen.

"I have to help. For Anakin's sake," Ahsoka whispered to herself. She had a very good relationship with her master. Not in a romantic way, but in a fraternal way. Anakin was like a big brother to her. And as a rule, siblings helped each other.

Once Ahsoka made up her mind, she got up and headed for the door. Then she slapped her forehead. "Ahsoka you don't even have a plan!" But in a way she didn't care. In the Clone Wars she had often improvised. After the door closed behind her, Ahsoka walked down the hall with a determined step. Until she came to a big elevator. The heavy metal door opened with a soft hiss. Then Ahsoka entered and descended into the depths of the Jedi Temple.

oOo

Anakin peeked around the corner as fast as he could. There was nobody in the hallway. Inside he cheered. The guardians had retreated! That meant he could walk Padmé down the halls with little effort. The Jedi were cocky about one thing: They thought that one couldn't break out of their prison. Today I will personally provide proof to the contrary, the young Jedi thought to himself with a slight grin.

It was quiet. So quiet that he could hear Padmé's breath on his left. She stood next to him, leaning against the wall and trying to be as quiet as possible. But he sensed how distressed she was. The events of the last few days had not left her cold. Very calmly he took her hand and pulled Padmé around the next corner. Anakin knew his way around, otherwise he'd hardly have found his way here. She quickly padded down the hallway behind him. She was so deep in thought that she bumped into Anakin when he stopped. Padmé gave him an apologetic look, but he just smiled.

It went like this for a while. He checked if the way was clear and started walking, she ran after him and ran into her husband. Until they finally came to a dead end. Padmé felt uncomfortable. "Are we sure we're in the right place," she whispered softly in Anakin's ear. The Jedi nodded and held out a hand. A moment later, the grille of an air duct flew into his hands, creaking loudly. Both flinched and paused for a moment.

Now they'll come and get us. Then there's nothing more I can do for Padmé. They'll probably lock me up as an accomplice. Tensely, Padmé grabbed Anakin's hand. Seconds passed. Minutes passed and slowly it became increasingly unlikely that anyone had heard them. Padmé slowly leaned over to Anakin and whispered in his ear, "Are there no video cameras here?"

He nodded. "Of course there are. But when I came to you, I used the Force to turn off the cameras for the corridors and cells without anyone noticing. That means that sooner or later they'll notice our escape when they notice that the video surveillance system is deactivated." He grinned triumphantly at her. Padmé was about to smile, hug him when the alarm went off.