The Unknown End

Above the icy world of Kerest, Separatist flagships dotted the many surrounding moons as silhouettes.

Count Dooku stood on a balcony overlooking the stage in which he’d set at the behest of his Master. Moments before, the shadowed figure of Lord Sidious had stood with him, envisioning the final battle of the Clone Wars. He had promised his apprentice a final direct blow, at the heart of the Republic. Coruscant. Dooku unclasped his hands from behind his back and strode away from the Invisible Hand’s senior theater. His thoughts drifted to the galaxy under his control. With the senate at his fingertips, he could dismantle the prejudice of the Republic and restore equality through power. No longer would the vile monopolies of the core worlds leave planets, like Serenno, behind.

On the bridge loomed the cyborg General Grievous, whom Dooku tolerated. His monstrous demeanor and whirring life support system frightened most humans. To Dooku, he was only a pawn. Another tool at his disposal.

The distinct and metallic voice greeted with a series of coughs.

“Count Dooku, we are to begin the assault at your command.”

Finally, after the many years of preparation, the Sith would rule again.

-

At night, the Jedi Temple was serene. Even the constant air traffic seemed to slow, blurring into streams of light. Back on Kamino, Shaak-Ti had become accustomed to the stormy atmosphere and acquaintance of clones. Still, it was nice to be home. To feel the Force vibrating among the stone walls, to reach out and feel peace, if only for a moment.

Her trip to Coruscant was not without meaning. Master Yoda had called her here. A keen mind you have, unclouded and calm. It was true that she could ease any tension in the air, but inside she felt a great sadness, that grew with every clone she befriended and lost. The war had taken a toll on her, on them all. Jedi she grew up with, Ima-Gun Di, Adi Gallia, gone. On a table in front of her sat a Holocron. Bronze edges outlined a fluorescent blue, glimmering in the low light. Ti allowed the hum of the Force to ripple through her body and lifted the artifact into the air.

“To whoever is seeing this, I am Jedi Master Shaak-Ti,” she said, lowering the hood of her robe. “The Clone War is raging, and our roles as peacekeepers has come to an end. Master Yoda has instructed me to record this message for the archives,” Ti lowered her eyes and settled herself. “A disturbance in the Force has claimed the minds of the Council. What is coming we do not yet to know, but with it is a change. To those who will take our place, uphold the ways. Don’t let this be the end of the Jedi.” The Holocron pieced together in closing.

With the tap of his cane on the tile flooring, Master Yoda entered the small room.

“Look grim, do not,” Yoda began, “For even now, light is growing in the galaxy.” He stood by the Togruta master with a somber smile. “The Holocron I requested?” Yoda asked with a hum.

“Yes,” Shaak replied, handing the device to him. “I hope to add more, I learned from you that no number of lessons is too many.”

Yoda studied the artifact, “Wise you have become, Master Ti, a great teacher. With me, walk.”

The two exited the meditation room and sauntered down the long hallway. On many occasions, those allowed to walk the temple’s halls whispered in awe. Grand archways made up the ceiling, their pillars streaming down, framing large windows. They stopped and peered out at the bustling city.

“No rest, this world has. Always moving. Difficult to reflect it is, for the senate, for the council.” Many Jedi noticed Yoda had grown far quieter than the years before the war. With each decision he made, life would be lost. No matter the affiliation, he felt every death. “A pinnacle, we are at. Being pulled apart, the Force is.”

Light from passing speeders reflected on the glass, illuminating the dark silhouettes. “Master Yoda,” Shaak-Ti paused, “I’ve been studying the accounts of a clone; the deceased ARC trooper known as Fives, who previously served under Skywalker. He spoke of a plot, a plot against the Jedi.” Master Yoda met Ti’s gaze, her expression was serious, and concerned. “The incident was dismissed by the office of the Chancellor, but I dug further. I cross-referenced the data of Fives with a trooper of my security force on Kamino, and I discovered a chi-,” her sentence was ended by astonishment.

Across the sky, an eruption of thunder shook the starless night. Separatist flagships dotted the expanse. Squadrons of vulture droids descended, firing on traffic and the endless stream of towers.

Peace had vanished. Temple guards entered the hallway as the Jedi found themselves amidst a battle. Outside, massive attack cruisers rose and engaged the enemy. Specks of fire lit the abyss of space.

Master Yoda’s commlink flashed as Communication Chief, Ban-Yaro’s, voice echoed, “Master, you are needed in the communication center. The separatist fleet has sent attack forces on multiple high populated areas of Coruscant, in addition to a squadron landing at the executive building.”

“The Chancellor,” Shaak-Ti muttered.

“Go, I must,” Yoda said as he motioned for an astonished padawan to retrieve the Holocron. “To the archives, take this. Know what to do, Master Jocasta will.”

As he turned to face Shaak-Ti once more, he felt the Force shift, and it pained him.

“I will take a gunship to secure the Chancellor.” Ti affirmed.

Master Yoda regarded her, “May the Force be with you, Master Ti.”

-

Inside the Temple hangar, Shaak-Ti amassed a clone squad led by the hangar’s Captain Dorn. As she entered the gunship, Roron Corobb, an Ithorian Jedi knight quickly jumped aboard. Years earlier, Corobb had aided Ti in a planetary supply run on Tanfor, resulting in a crashed ship and the befriending of the planet’s native animal, the Fathiers. Together they had made a skilled team, and she was pleased to have his support.

“Like old times, huh Shaak?” Corobb said through his vocoder.

The gunship shuddered and raised into the air. Quickly, they were off to the executive building, clutching the dangling handles for support. Only a moment passed before they were attacked. In a burst of sparks and fire, the Republic patrol ship on their wing collapsed into the buildings below. Droid Tri-fighters fired on the gunship as it weaved from side to side, dodging the blasts. Stationed in a laser turret, a clone blasted through one of the droids, easing their descent towards the landing platform.

While the ship settled on the ground, Shaak and Roron ignited their blades. Blaster fire hit the gunship’s hull as battle droid squads ran to intercept.

“Just like old times Roron,” Shaak Ti smirked deflecting shots.

Vulture droids blasted the ground, killing two clones.

Ti shouted, “Pilot! Get the ship in the air and return at my signal!” The Jedi made their way forward, leaving a trail of burning battle droids in their wake.

Flashing emergency lights flickered in the darkness, the squad carefully running through the corridors with a blue and green lightsaber at their side. Two Magnaguards waited by the elevator, activating their electrostaffs at the sight of the Jedi. From the back came Destroyer droids rolling to a stop. The gleaming transparent-blue shields casting color on the floors. Captain Dorn fired and his clones followed suit. Corobb engaged the Magnaguards, crossing his lightsaber with the sparking purple electricity. Blaster bolts pocked the walls. Chopping the staff down, Shaak flipped overhead and sliced the droid’s head from behind. Its body wabbled and wildly flung the staff towards Ti. She slashed through the body and allowed it to topple to the ground. At once, the Jedi took on the remaining guard, quickly rendering it motionless and in pieces.

“Head up, Master!” Dorn shouted over the battle. “We’ll follow after we’re done here!”

Shaak nodded, “Goodluck Captain.”

The elevator shook and ascended.

“Let’s hope the Chancellor is up there in one piece,” Roron said sarcastically. His eyes squinted slightly, and Shaak knew it was his way of smiling.

With a thump the elevator opened to a frightening scene. The doors to the Chancellor’s office were forced open, the red clad bodies of his security force lying dead at the entrance. Fresh on the torso’s were marks of a lightsaber. The Jedi walked inside and found themselves face to face with the menacing General Grievous. His cybernetic body towered over Chancellor Palpatine.

“Jedi,” Grievous snarled. He pulled his lightsabers from pocket of his cape and charged the two. Roron clashed with the blades. Light sizzled as they made contact repeatedly. Shaak parried the blows, as the Grievous spun his might towards her. With his clawed feet he launched Corobb backwards with a kick. As Roron hit the ground he looked towards the Chancellor and noticed what couldn’t possibly be a smirk.

“You are a worthy adversary Master Jedi,” Grievous coughed. His multiple lightsabers carved at Shaak-Ti.

“Master Kenobi has been sure to share his tips,” Shaak quipped.

Spinning backwards, Grievous tapped controls on his metal forearm. Four Magnaguards entered and stabbed at Shaak Ti. The electricity caught her shoulder and she stumbled forward. With her balance regained, she blocked the staffs.

Roron threw himself up at the cyborg, nicking his chest plate. Grievous roared, slashing at his assailant. Swiftly, the stolen lightsabers cut through Roron’s arm.

The general raised his arms and pointed the blades at Corobb, he lurched towards him. Shaak Ti, holding back a staff with her saber, reached out to the Force with her free hand. She held Grievous’ blades inches away from Roron’s chest. An electrostaff hit her back, then another. Her grip nearly released. Finally, the fourth staff made contact with her neck. Her connection slipped. Grievous launched the blades through Corobb, and Shaak fell to the ground.

A heat grew in her, ones she’d suppressed since a child. The Dark Side hissed in her ears, murmuring promises of power. Then, as if a howling storm faded, she looked on the body of Roron and calmed. Remembering the laughs she had shared with her friends, the proud clones she’d taught, and the wisdom of Master Yoda, Shaak Ti rose. Grievous snatched the Chancellor’s collar and fled down the corridor. With the electricity still impacting her body, Shaak gathered the power she had and raised the Magnaguards off the ground. Immediately she dropped their metallic bodies, allowing them to crush against the floor.

Gone was Roron Corobb, but she pressed her hand to his body, “May you rest in the force, my friend.” She grabbed his lightsaber and raced in the direction of the Chancellor.

Activating her commlink, she commanded, “Captain Dorn, I have engaged Separatist General Grievous. He has taken the Chancellor captive and is fleeing,” her commlink fizzled out and went dim.

The corridor opened to a small hangar, where the Chancellor’s private transport was tucked away. Dawn’s light filled the space, shining on the cold gray of a Separatist shuttle. Appearing around the side, Shaak drew the two lightsabers. Chancellor Palpatine was at the top of the shuttle’s ramp.

Grievous caught sight of her, “Scum. You are foolish to return.”

“Five against one is not a fair fight, General. Now, release the Chancellor.”

“You have decided your fate, Jedi,” Grievous sneered.

Shaak-Ti kneed and crossed her blades, catching Grievous’ blow. She pushed he sabers aside and struck at one of his extended arms, chopping it from its mechanical socket. The General let out a shriek and bashed at the composed Jedi. Shaak carried herself with ease, sidestepping the swipes.

“You have traded skill for power, Grievous,” she began, “Lost you are, to the ways of the Force.”

“Count Dooku trained me himself,” he hacked.

Their blades crossed. A blue and green connection of energy. Shaak-Ti lunged, knocking the general back. Her blades rose and fell against the third hand, holding the hilt of one of her fallen companions. Her lightsabers formed an X as she pushed with the Force, throwing Grievous on the ground, and towards the platform’s edge. Behind him, Coruscant was beginning to wake.

“Concede, General,” Shaak-Ti demanded, pointing her lightsaber at the fallen droid.

From behind her on the ramp, the Chancellor’s voice sounded, “Very good, Master Jedi.” His hand opened and caught Shaak in a choke. Her sabers dropped.

“I am pleased with your work, here and on Kamino.”

For the first time in many years, Shaak-Ti felt fear.

He twisted her around in the air, so her eyes could meet his.

The realization sent her blood cold, her head tails and montrals numb. Palpatine was the Sith Lord they had been desperately searching for, manipulating them for years.

“How?” She felt the grip around her neck tighten.

“You Jedi have lost your way. By entering this war, you have desecrated your order. You yourself have inflicted conflict by training the clone army.”

Grievous clawed his way onto his knee.

“Master Ti, you meddled where you never should have.” He grinned, “I will leave you with this, the Jedi will fall. Your clone army will make sure of that.”

A tear fell from Shaak-Ti’s cheek.

Palpatine nodded to Grievous, who impaled a blue blade through her chest.

Grievous collected the sabers from the ground and joined Palpatine in the shuttle.

As life drained from her, Shaak-Ti watched as the shuttled departed towards the Invisible Hand, and the Jedi Order crumble before her eyes.