Brotherhood

Chapter 68 - The Fall

Author's Note: I'm guessing this fic will be around 80 chapters, and we're beginning the climax now. Hopefully, I won't forget any of the loose ends I need to tie up. Lol.

Also, uh... this is a little bit fast-paced, I think? Maybe. I hope not. xP

~ Amina Gila

"You were wrong about Anakin," Kenobi had said after telling Dooku, curtly, that he had spoken to him, "And I think all of us were wrong about the nature of the Force."

That had been a few weeks ago now, and Kenobi has declined to say any more on the subject since. All he has said is that Anakin will not be a threat to them, if indeed he ever was – which he was; Dooku knows Anakin – and that Dooku should never have sent Grievous after him. Now, in the privacy of his own mind, Dooku can admit that perhaps he was wrong on that count. He had been... afraid, and he had acted a little rashly, something he has come to regret. He suspects that Kenobi, and even Tano, have had minor contact with Anakin since Obi-Wan's meeting with him, but he himself has heard nothing.

He tries to pretend it doesn't sting as much as it does. He made mistakes. A lot of them. Mistakes which he regrets deeply, but then, regrets change nothing. There is only one path forwards, and he'll follow it, wherever it takes him.

Over the past weeks, Dooku has spent a great deal of time lying out the groundwork for Sidious' defeat. They have to be clever about it, cunning, which is hard when they are dealing with someone who makes a career out of manipulating people. It's a talent that he has learned and perfected over many years, one that does not even rely on his Force abilities, which is more of a hindrance than anything else right now.

Dooku has no doubt that Sidious will know they are coming; it's only a question of if they can defeat him before he can effectively counter. The future is uncertain, clouded. Everything is concealed by the veil of the Dark Side, and... he is not very optimistic. Even if he has the Jedi as his allies, Sidious is... well, he's insidious.

The height of the war is upon them now, and Dooku is not ready. But then, he probably never will be. All he can do is take things one step at a time and trust in the Force to lead them to victory, no matter the cost.

***

The silence in the shuttle is heavy, oppressive, and Padme fidgets under it, trying and failing to still her movements. She has no doubt that her anxiety – and yes, her fear – are easily noticeable to her companions. They have prepared and planned and schemed, and now, finally, they are ready. They are ready to go after Palpatine, to eliminate him. She's relieved, but she's also terrified, because if it goes wrong... they are all doomed.

But, if he can be removed without destroying the Republic, even at the cost of her life, she is... okay with that. Silently, she spares a thought for Anakin, hoping that he'll be alright, that he'll stand with them if it comes down to it. She hasn't seen him in so long, and she misses him horribly. She doesn't feel the same when he's away, and it's been this way since the war started. It's – it's unfair is what it is. But soon, hopefully, it will all be over and then, they can finally reunite and build the life they've dreamed of.

"Let's go over the plan one more time," Windu says, breaking the silence, and Padme instinctively straightens, feeling the way Eirtae snaps to attention at her side. On the other side of the shuttle, Siri leans forward, eyes fixed on the Jedi Master.

They've gone over the plan several times already, but once more can't hurt. They're all on edge, and maybe assuring themselves that they're as ready and prepared as they can be will help settle their nerves some.

"I will report to the Council along with Master Tachi," Windu says. "They know we're coming, though they don't know the details, and while we send in a team to try and arrest Palpatine, former Senator Amidala will prepare a public address which Senator Organa will deliver. Hopefully, the clone Rex has successfully taken control of the communications off-world, jamming everything so in the event that we fail, Sidious will be unable to issue Order 66."