The Truth

Alto Stratus and his men marched relentlessly toward the capital. The droids, being machines, kept pace effortlessly, but the Nimbus Commandos struggled, their human bodies worn down by the grueling pace. Alto, driven by rage, had pushed them too hard, forgetting that they were flesh and blood, not machines. Many of them had collapsed along the way, their bodies unable to keep up with the punishing march. Alto's mind was clouded with anger, blinding him to the reality of his men's suffering.

When they finally reached the city, there were no outward defenses, no signs of life. Cautiously, they entered the city. Alto, his judgment clouded by rage, failed to send scouts ahead to assess the situation. His usual methodical approach was forgotten as he stormed into the city with his troops. As they moved through the streets, Alto's frustration grew. The city was eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of the Republic forces or the civilians he had expected to find. The streets were empty, the buildings silent. It was as if the city had been abandoned.

"WHERE ARE YOU!?" Alto screamed, smashing his fist into a wall in frustration. The stone cracked under the force of his blow, but the act did little to calm his fury. He took a moment to compose himself, breathing deeply "Fan out! Search the city! FIND THEM!" He instructed.

As his troops fanned out, Alto noticed something strange—a faint beeping sound, barely audible over the silence. The others didn't seem to hear it, but Alto's augmentations heightened his senses, allowing him to pick up the sound. Frowning, he followed the noise, weaving through the deserted streets and jumping over obstacles. The beeping grew louder as he neared the ruins of what appeared to be the communication tower. Inside, the bottom floor was still intact, and a portable comms unit had been set up, on it was a flashing light indicating a message was waiting. But that wasn't the source of the beeping. Alto's eyes scanned the room, his focus shifting to the floor where the beeping was coming from. Ignoring it for the moment, he pressed the flashing button on the comms unit, activating the holoprojector.

Jaden's image flickered to life in front of him. For a moment, the room was silent, the tension palpable as Alto stared at the image of the man who had been a thorn in his side.

Finally, the message began to play. "I hope you're watching this, Alto... I recorded this for you. Not even any of my men know I made this." Jaden's voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of anger in his words.

"I hate you..." Jaden continued, his voice growing more intense. "I hate you more than I've ever hated anyone. After what you did in Choal, I promised myself I would kill you. I wanted to choke the life out of you with my bare hands, to see the light die from your eyes. But in the end, I had to choose between getting that satisfaction or winning."

Alto's grip on the comms unit tightened, his rage simmering just below the surface as he listened.

"You're probably trying to look for me and my men, but you won't find us. We aren't here. No one is. The city is empty. If all has gone to plan, then I've crushed the forces you sent to attack Cobalt Station. You must be wondering why I sent you here, apart from the obvious reason of splitting your forces."

Jaden's voice took on a mocking tone. "If you'd been paying attention, you'd have noticed that for weeks I've been raiding supply lines, bases—taking everything. But I needed something in particular. You can probably hear the beeping now."

The beeping snapped Alto out of his growing rage, bringing his attention back to the sound that had been nagging at him. It was coming from the floor. He ripped the panel off, revealing a bomb hidden beneath.

"One of my greatest regrets in life is that I won't be able to see you die... but this will have to make do."

"Goodbye Alto Stratus." Jaden's image flickered out, leaving the room in silence once more.

Alto roared in fury, smashing the comms unit with his fist. He bolted from the building, his voice echoing through the deserted streets as he shouted into his communicator, "RUN!"

His command was broadcast through the city, but it was already too late. Explosions began to erupt all around him, the bombs Jaden had planted detonating. The blasts tore through the city, leveling buildings and incinerating anything caught in the blast radius. The droids were obliterated in seconds, their metal bodies shredded by the force of the explosions. Alto activated his rocket boots pushing them to the max, launching himself into the air in an attempt to escape the destruction. He flew higher and higher, the ground below him erupting in flames and debris. But the explosions were relentless, and even in the air, he wasn't safe. A blast wave caught him, sending him tumbling through the sky. He tried to regain control, but the force of the explosion had damaged his boots. They sputtered and failed, sending him plummeting back toward the ground.

As Alto fell, he watched in horror as the city below him was consumed by fire and smoke. His vision blurred as he neared the ground, his thoughts a jumble of rage and despair. He tried to stabilize himself, but the damage to his boots made it impossible. The last thing he saw before impact was the city collapsing into itself, the explosions continuing to rip through it with unrelenting fury. The ground rushed up to meet him, and then there was nothing but darkness.

————————————————————-

Lock and the clones, along with the Jabiimi fighters, had their blasters trained on Anakin. The tension in the air was thick as rain poured down around them. "Please stand down, Sir!" Lock said, his rifle trembling slightly as he held it up.

Aubrie ignited her lightsaber, stepping closer to Jaden. "Skywalker, what do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice firm with a hint of anger. Scout and Zule stood beside her, their expressions mirroring her resolve, though they hadn't ignited their lightsabers yet.

Anakin's eyes narrowed, his voice firm as he pointed his lightsaber at Jaden. "All of you, get away from that man. He's a Sith!"

Kass Tod, standing beside Anakin, ignited her own weapon and added, "I can sense the taint of the dark side on him. He's manipulated all of you; can't you see that?"

"You're mistaken," Aubrie retorted, her frown deepening. "It's because of Jaden that any of us are even standing here." Her words were met with shouts of agreement from Scout and Zule, who nodded in support.

"He's been playing you!" Anakin insisted, frustration evident in his tone. "He's not a Jedi. The Temple has no record of him. There is no Jedi Knight named Jaden Katarn."

The argument grew more heated, voices clashing as both sides argued back and forth. Jaden stood silently, letting the rain beat down on his head. He looked across at another Jedi, Master Leska, who watched the confrontation with a similar weariness in her eyes. Finally, Jaden spoke, his voice cutting through the chaos. "They're right," he said quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

The heated words stopped immediately. The only sound now was the steady beat of the rain and distant thunder. "I'm not a Jedi. Jaden Katarn isn't real. I don't have a last name... I'm just Jaden." His admission stunned everyone, especially Scout and Zule, whose faces reflected their shock.

"I am not a Sith either," Jaden continued, his voice heavy with resignation. "I'm just someone who stole a lightsaber and some robes, trying to escape from the lower levels of Coruscant. Whether by my bad luck or the Force, I found myself here."

Jaden's voice was tired, filled with a sense of finality. "I've questioned myself a lot since I got here... whether what I was doing was right... I guess it doesn't matter now. It's over."

Anakin took a step forward, ready to take Jaden into custody, but the Jabiimi fighters and Aubrie didn't lower their weapons. Instead, they stepped closer to Jaden, their resolve hardening.

"What are you doing?" Anakin demanded, his voice sharp.

"This man has saved thousands of us since he arrived... Jedi or not, I will die before I let you take him," Orion, one of the Jabiimi fighters, said firmly, stepping closer to Jaden in a protective stance.

Aubrie stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute. "I knew the truth since the massacre at Choal. I kept it hidden. If you're going to take him, you'll need to take me as well."

"We won't abandon the man who saved our lives ," Zule and Scout echoed, their voices steady with determination.

Anakin's frustration grew, mingled with confusion. The Chancellor had warned him that Jaden was likely a Sith Lord, yet here was a man who inspired such loyalty, who had acted so selflessly. Was it all an act? He couldn't be sure. But the Chancellor had never steered him wrong before, and Jaden was still an unknown.

"Lieutenant Lock, you and your men take Jaden and those supporting him into custody," Anakin commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Lock stood still, the rain pouring down on him as he clutched his blaster. "Good soldiers follow orders..." the mantra echoed in his mind. Jaden wasn't a Jedi, he wasn't Lock's commanding officer. Anakin was. But something felt wrong. Lock hesitated, even when Anakin called out his name again, his voice more insistent.

Lock's hands trembled as he dropped his blaster and fell to his knees, placing his hands behind his head. "I'm afraid I am guilty of treason, sir, and need to be taken in," he said, his voice steady despite the tension. The other clones followed suit, dropping their weapons and kneeling in the mud.

One of the clones shouted at the others to pick up their weapons and follow orders, but they didn't listen, their loyalty to Jaden overriding their programming. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. The Jabiimi fighters were ready to fire on Anakin and his group, while Anakin's allies were just as ready to retaliate.

"Enough!" Jaden's voice cut through the tension like a blade. He walked forward, placing a hand on Aubrie's arm, her skin cold and clammy from the rain. She extinguished her lightsaber, her eyes filled with sorrow and worry. Jaden pulled her close, pressing his head against hers in a gesture of comfort. "I'll come too," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"No. They'll need you out here," Jaden replied gently before stepping back, his expression resigned. He unclipped his lightsaber and tossed it into the mud at Anakin's feet. "There will be no more deaths today, not for me," he said, his voice firm and loud enough for both sides to hear.

Jaden walked over to Anakin, who quickly took him into custody, binding his wrists with a set of binders. Master Leska watched in silence as Jaden was led away. She noticed the clones still had their weapons trained on the Jabiimi fighters "Lower your weapons now! We are all on the same side here," she instructed them. She then walked forward with a smile on her face "Words cannot express how relieved I am to see you three alive," she said to the Padawans. However they didn't reply as they were still looking over her shoulder at Jaden being taken away. "Do not worry Padawan Wyn, no one shall harm him not while I'm still here, now please come, let us return to the base."

As they made their way back to Cobalt Station, Jaden was placed in a makeshift cell behind a portable force field. He sat down on the cold ground, his body aching from the day's events. Finally, he lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling of his cell. For the first time in what felt like ages, Jaden closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him as exhaustion overtook his body. He was so tired.

...

Master Leska sat in the control room of Cobalt Station, her eyes scanning the heated debate taking place before her. Anakin Skywalker and the other Jedi argued fiercely for contacting the Jedi Council or Republic High Command, insisting that Jaden be taken into custody immediately. "We need to inform them," Anakin insisted, his voice firm. "Jaden is a dangerous man, possibly a Sith Lord. The Council must be made aware."

Aubrie, standing opposite him, shook her head vehemently. "Dangerous? He's the reason we're still here! Jaden has done more for this mission than any of us. He deserves our gratitude, not imprisonment!" Her voice was filled with emotion, a fierce protectiveness for the man who had saved so many lives, the man she shared a deep connection with.

Kass Tod, standing beside Anakin, nodded in agreement. "The dark side taint on him is undeniable. We can't ignore that, we can't discount you've all been manipulated by him. The Council needs to know what we're dealing with."

Aubrie clenched her fists, trying to keep her voice steady. "You weren't there. You didn't see what he did for us. Jaden saved countless lives. He's not manipulating anyone—he's been helping us survive!" Aubrie clenched her fists. "Jaden set the charges that have blown up the capital, taking out Alto Stratus and the separatist forces. We have a real chance to win this war because of him!"

The room buzzed with tension as both sides continued to argue. The Padawans and commanding officers, split in their views, raised their voices, each trying to be heard over the others. The storm outside raged on, shaking the walls of the station, Finally, Master Leska stood up. "This conversation is pointless," she said firmly. "The storm has gotten worse, and communication off-planet isn't possible for now. We have much more pressing concerns."

Anakin opened his mouth to argue, but Leska cut him off with a sharp look. "For now, we have ground superiority. With Alto Stratus dead, the separatists will be in disarray. We need to take advantage and clear any remaining bases." Aubrie frowned, clearly still troubled by the situation with Jaden, but she nodded in agreement. "What about in space?" she asked, her voice less confrontational. "The separatists still have a fleet surrounding the planet."

"We can't do anything about that," Leska said, a hint of resignation in her tone. "All we can do is request reinforcements and hope they arrive in time. Until then, we need to fortify our encampments before the weather clears and the separatists can regroup."

Leska turned to Aubrie. "Will you be able to deal with our injured?"

"I'll try my best," Aubrie replied, though the look on her face made it clear that the issue of Jaden's fate was far from resolved in her mind.

"The rest of you," Leska continued, addressing the room, "work to salvage anything we can use. Find any survivors, secure the perimeter, and prepare for whatever comes next."

She then gave a series of rapid orders, instructing the clones and officers on how to fortify the base, redistribute supplies, and prepare for a potential counterattack. The room quickly emptied as everyone rushed to carry out their tasks, leaving Leska alone with her thoughts. With a sigh, she left the control room and made her way to the makeshift brig. The storm outside showed no signs of letting up, the howling wind and rain battering against the durasteel.

Reaching the brig, she found Jaden sitting behind the force field, his face calm despite everything that had happened. Leska took a chair, placed it in front of the force field, and sat down, studying him. Jaden leaned quietly against the wall, the exhaustion evident in his posture. Master Leska watched him for a moment before speaking softly, "You're not like the Council has described you."

For a few moments, Jaden didn't respond. When he finally did, it was with a soft chuckle. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't know the first thing about being a Sith Lord."

Leska joined in his laughter, the tension easing slightly. "I wouldn't say disappointing... but things get a little more complicated when your enemy isn't the one waving a red lightsaber around."

Jaden nodded, his expression contemplative. "It funny how comically good and evil the Jedi and Sith seem to be."

"I like to think that is the case for a reason," Leska commented.

"I never said the Jedi were good in that analogy," Jaden replied, meeting her gaze directly. Leska could feel a swell of emotions within him—pain, regret, anger, sadness. Yet, underneath it all, there was something else, something deeper. She expanded her senses, trying to understand it better. It was hope.

"Do you think the Jedi are evil?" Leska asked, her voice careful. "They say you murdered two of them before you even arrived. Is that true?"

Jaden sighed, his tone becoming almost dismissive. "I'm afraid the truth is far less interesting. I found two Jedi already dead and just decided to take advantage of the situation."

Leska paused, taking in his words before continuing, "And as for whether the Jedi are evil?"

Jaden shrugged. "I couldn't say. The ones I've met have been selfless and good... But the ones that sent children onto the battlefield can be nothing short of evil," he added, his tone suddenly cold and distant. The words made Leska wince slightly.

"It needed to be done," Leska said, her voice strained. "To preserve peace, to make sure the Republic remains standing."

Jaden chuckled, though it lacked humor. "Did you get that off a flier? Tell me what you really think."

Leska hesitated, then sighed deeply. "Before I came to this planet, those words would have come out of my mouth with the same conviction as if uttered by the Senate," she admitted, her voice softer now, more vulnerable.

"And now?" Jaden asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Now, I hope that when these children return home, we can fix what was done to them here," Leska said, her facade cracking slightly as her eyes began to water.

"I hope so too... none of them deserved this," Jaden replied, his voice carrying a weight of sadness.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the distant rumble of the storm outside. The quiet stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"What is it that you want, Jaden? Why are you doing all of this, fighting so hard?" Leska finally asked, her curiosity piqued by the mystery that surrounded him.

Jaden shifted, leaning his head to the side. He was close to the forcefield now, only a few inches separating them. "I want a house... in a green forest, with lots of animals... a dozen or so meters away from the shore. A white shore stretching for miles and a crystal blue ocean reflecting the stars." He looked up at the ceiling wistfully. What he didn't realize was that Leska had gotten off her chair and was now sitting next to him on the other side of the forcefield.

"Must sound stupid," he added with a small laugh.

"I think it sounds wonderful," Leska replied gently, her tone warm.

"Jedi are taught not to make attachments... but I miss the Agricultural Corps. I miss them a lot."

Jaden looked at her curiously. "What's the Agricultural Corps?"

Leska smiled faintly, appreciating his genuine curiosity. "We go around the galaxy helping to grow food and even do a bit of terraforming. A lot of planets on the Outer Rim suffer from famine. They don't benefit from the trade routes close to the Core. We use the Force to help encourage the growth of their crops."

Jaden found himself smiling, too. "That sounds wonderful as well. I can see why you miss it."

"It's funny," Leska said with a bittersweet tone, "I thought I was being punished when I was first assigned there. I hope I can go back to that one day."

"Why not join again when you leave this place?" Jaden asked.

Leska sighed deeply. "I want to, but I don't know if I'll be allowed. A Jedi Master is in short supply these days. I'll likely be reassigned to another planet."

"Why not leave?" Jaden asked.

Leska breathed out slowly, contemplating his question. "Sometimes I consider it, but it's the only life I've ever known... and I feel I need to try and protect the Padawans being sent to the frontlines as well."

Jaden nodded in understanding. "I feel the same... I'm glad it's over now."

There was another pause, this one filled with an almost palpable sense of exhaustion. Finally, Jaden spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do they go away?"

"What?" Leska asked, turning to look at him.

"The nightmares," he replied.

Leska paused for a moment, realizing in that instant that despite everything Jaden had done, he was still just a boy. A boy who had seen too much, done too much. Without a word, she stood up and deactivated the forcefield, sitting down next to him and pulling him into an embrace. Jaden stiffened at first, but then he relaxed, leaning into her. In the end, it was all she could do. She couldn't lie to him, not about this. The nightmares hadn't stopped for her either. "Go to sleep now," Leska whispered, her voice soft and maternal. "You must be tired."

Jaden nodded slowly, letting his eyes close. As he drifted off to sleep, Leska stayed beside him, feeling a deep sense of sorrow for the young man who had been forced to grow up far too quickly.

————————————————————-

Edan sat at his console in Tassan, surrounded by the hum of machinery, his face pale and emotionless. The weight of what he was about to do hung over him like a dark cloud. He had already shed tears long ago, and now, there was nothing left but resignation. The Mass Shadow Generator would soon be ready, and the planet would crumble under its power.

There was a commotion outside, and Edan turned to see a figure stumbling through the village. Tol Skor, badly injured and barely standing, was making his way toward him. "Activate the generator," Tol rasped, his voice hoarse, yet filled with urgency.

"It's not ready yet, my Lord," Edan stammered, backing away. "It's only at fifty percent power. It won't—" His words were cut short by a sudden surge of Force lightning that coursed through his body, causing him to scream in agony. The electricity burned his nerves, and his muscles spasmed uncontrollably under the sheer intensity of the dark side.

"Activate it now!" Tol growled, lifting Edan off the ground with the Force and shoving him toward the control panel. His presence was overwhelming, and Edan, trembling, had no choice but to obey. His hands shook as he keyed in the final command, activating the Mass Shadow Generator.

The ground beneath their feet began to tremble violently for a few moments before going still. Tol Skor's face twisted into a cruel smile as the vibrations faded. "This planet's days are numbered," he muttered, satisfied with the devastation to come. Edan, filled with dread, knew there was no turning back now.

(AN: The endgame has now begun there is only a few more chapters left hopefully then we are going into the second arc. It's been a while but I'm glad we can move on, there's been a lot of character development but I want there tk be more tangible development in Jadens force powers and other things too, also him developing his relationship with Aubrie and meeting other members of his harem. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

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