Chapter 35 : Black Sun's Endgame - Part 2
[ PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: ANAKIN SKYWALKER ]
Coruscant Security headquarters. Morning after gang war massacre. The briefing room's holoprojector displays battlefield footage from Level 1313: barriers stopping vehicle-borne explosives, sensors coordinating defensive response, that damned mech shredding attackers with professional efficiency.
Twenty-seven dead. All Black Sun. Zero Red Spire casualties. That's not gang warfare—that's military operation executed by criminals with equipment decades ahead of standard galactic technology.
"Replay the barrier activation." My request is studying technology that shouldn't exist on Coruscant.
Detective Varen complies. Footage shows speeder approaching at high velocity, blue kinetic barrier materializing milliseconds before impact, explosive detonation absorbed completely by shimmering energy field. The barrier holds against force that should have destroyed building behind it.
"That's Mass Effect technology," Rex observes from position beside me. "Turian design, restricted military hardware. How did criminals acquire it?"
Ahsoka leans forward studying projection. "Same supplier as the mech? This Varro merchant?"
Varen confirms: "Kade Varro supplied both offensive weapons during earlier gang war escalation and defensive systems last night. We've confirmed fifteen sales through various channels—Red Spire Syndicate, Republic officers, clone units, possibly Separatists." His report is comprehensive: transaction logs, witness statements, surveillance footage documenting Varro's extensive operations.
Forty-seven sales total. Fifteen officially confirmed. Unknown number to unidentified clients. This merchant is supplying half of Coruscant's factions simultaneously.
Rex adds: "Clone network considers him reliable supplier. He's not typical criminal—more like military contractor without allegiance. Treats soldiers professionally, delivers quality equipment, maintains operational security."
The assessment is factual but I'm hearing subtext: Rex respects Varro despite recognizing he's problem. That's concerning—my most trusted clone is sympathetic to arms dealer who's escalating conflicts across Coruscant.
"Like many corporations supplying Republic military," Rex continues. "Difference is Varro operates independently rather than through government contracts."
The comparison irritates me. "Corporate suppliers aren't arming gang syndicates and possibly Separatists."
"Some are. We just don't investigate because they have legitimate business licenses."
He's not wrong. That makes it worse. Republic's moral authority is compromised when corporate profiteers operate legally while independent merchant faces prosecution for identical behavior.
Ahsoka interrupts before argument escalates: "Master, we're missing pattern. Varro isn't causing violence for profit—he's providing solutions to existing conflicts, then profiting when those solutions create new conflicts requiring additional equipment."
The strategic assessment crystallizes my concerns. "He's a war profiteer. Professional, efficient, completely amoral. He'll sell to whoever pays regardless of consequences."
"Like many suppliers," Rex mutters.
"Rex." The warning is clear: defending arms dealer while wearing Republic military uniform is inappropriate timing even if technically correct.
Varen provides additional intelligence: "Problem is we can't prove illegal activity. Every transaction has documentation, clients are willing participants, no direct violence by Varro himself. He's never pulled trigger—just supplied weapons to people who do."
The legal technicality is frustrating but accurate. Varro operates in grey area where arms dealing isn't explicitly illegal on Coruscant unless supplying designated terrorist organizations. Red Spire Syndicate isn't officially terrorist group despite criminal operations. Clone network purchases are technically legal using personal funds. Even Separatist sales are difficult prosecuting without confirming buyer affiliations.
"Legal or not, he's escalating conflicts across Coruscant. Next time might be civilians or Republic forces." The decision crystallizes: Varro is threat requiring immediate action. "Rex, I want him found within 48 hours. Bring him in for questioning—not arrest since we lack warrant, but make clear he needs to stop operations."
Rex's expression is carefully neutral. "Understood. I'll coordinate with CS for simultaneous raids on known locations."
Ahsoka adds concern: "Master, he'll probably flee once he knows we're coming. If he's as competent as reports suggest, he has extraction plans prepared."
"Then we move fast. Today." The urgency is preventing escape that delays resolution indefinitely. "Rex, how quickly can you mobilize raid teams?"
"Three hours for full coordination. We've identified five potential locations—safehouses, storage facilities, known contacts. Simultaneous raids prevent him warning other locations if we hit sequentially."
"Do it. I want this resolved before he supplies something that kills Republic personnel."
The briefing concludes with tactical planning. Rex coordinates with CS units, establishing raid protocols and rules of engagement. Varen provides updated intelligence on Varro's movements. Ahsoka reviews equipment manifests documenting what technology we're facing.
I'm studying Varro's profile—psychological assessment based on behavior patterns. Pragmatic, efficient, willing to abandon ethics for survival. Reminds me uncomfortably of Separatist commanders who justify atrocities through strategic necessity.
Or myself when darkness whispers about expedient solutions to complex problems.
The comparison is disturbing. Push it away. Varro is arms dealer escalating conflicts. Finding him is justice.
Has to be.
Ahsoka approaches after others leave. "Master, you seem personally invested in this. Varro is just merchant—dangerous but not unique. Why this urgency?"
The question is perceptive. She recognizes my emotional investment exceeds professional concern.
"Because he represents everything wrong with war economy. Profiteers who enable violence without consequences, hide behind legal technicalities while people die using weapons they supplied. If we don't stop this, others will follow his model."
"That's principle. But there's something else. You're angry beyond what situation warrants."
She's right. The anger is disproportionate because Varro's pragmatism mirrors my own worst impulses—choosing efficiency over ethics, justifying morally questionable actions through strategic necessity. He's reflection of what I could become if I abandoned principles for expediency.
"I'm angry because he's good at what he does. That makes him dangerous. Professional arms dealer is harder to stop than incompetent one."
Ahsoka accepts explanation without pushing further. "Be careful. Personal investment compromises judgment."
"Noted."
Alone in briefing room, I'm reviewing battlefield footage again. Twenty-seven dead in twelve minutes. Military precision executed by criminals. Technology that shouldn't exist deployed by gang syndicate.
All enabled by one merchant who's built empire in six weeks through competence and complete moral flexibility.
Finding Varro today isn't just tactical necessity. It's proving that Republic can enforce justice against clever criminals who operate in legal grey areas. That principle matters more than profit.
The conviction feels solid. Ignore small voice questioning whether I'm seeking justice or projecting self-hatred onto convenient target.
Finding Varro is right thing to do. Has to be.
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