Chapter 324
**Obi-Wan Kenobi's Investigation – Industrial Underbelly, Coruscant**
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood in the middle of the half-collapsed loading platform deep in Coruscant's industrial sector, the air thick with the acrid smell of scorched metal and melted circuitry. Steam still hissed from ruptured pipes, and dim emergency lights flickered overhead, casting long, jagged shadows across the scene.
The area was a slaughterhouse.
Cad Bane and his entire crew lay dead — bodies cooling among the wreckage of assassin droids and shattered crates. HELIOS-3E's optics were dark and cracked. Todo 360's chassis was smashed against a wall, sparks still occasionally spitting from its ruined frame. Shahan Alama had been cut cleanly in half. Robonino and the IG-87 units were reduced to scrap and melted components.
There were no credits. Not a single chit or datachip remained.
What *did* remain were unmistakable lightsaber marks — clean, precise cuts that could only have been made by a plasma blade. Some of the wounds showed the characteristic instability of a corrupted or heavily modified kyber crystal, with faint violet-red residue still lingering on the edges of the cuts.
Obi-Wan crouched beside Bane's body, examining the fatal wound that had pierced straight through the bounty hunter's chest.
"A lightsaber did this," he murmured. "Not a vibroblade. Not a blaster. A lightsaber."
He stood slowly, brushing dust from his robes.
"This was no simple bounty gone wrong. Someone wanted Bane and his crew silenced — permanently. And they did it with a Jedi weapon… or something very close to one."
The emergency beacon that had alerted security was still blinking faintly in the corner. Whoever had triggered it had wanted the scene discovered — but only after they were long gone.
Obi-Wan activated his comm.
"Master Kenobi to the Council. I have completed my investigation into the murder of former Chancellor Finis Valorum. The trail leads here — to Cad Bane and his crew. They are all dead. The scene is clean of credits and most traceable evidence, but the wounds are consistent with lightsaber strikes. I suspect one of Count Dooku's dark acolytes was involved — possibly the one who hired or directed Bane. The killing was professional, precise, and left no trace of the perpetrator except for the blade marks."
He paused, glancing once more at the devastation.
"Whoever did this… they are extremely dangerous. And they are still out there."
---
**Scene 2 – Jedi High Council Chamber**
The Council chamber was deep in discussion when Obi-Wan's report came through. Yoda listened with closed eyes, Mace Windu's face was set in a grim line, and the other Masters exchanged uneasy glances.
Before anyone could respond, the holoprojector in the center of the room activated with an urgent priority signal.
The image of Jedi Master Rahm Kota appeared — rugged, bearded, and clearly fresh from battle. Behind him, the forested landscape of Antar 4 was visible, smoke rising from distant crash sites.
"Master Yoda, Council," Kota said without preamble, his voice rough but triumphant. "I report a successful defense of Antar 4. The Separatist probe was repelled with heavy losses on their side. My Rangers and militia held the line, but we owe a great debt to General Dagon Marek. His timely arrival with the 12th and 13th Sector forces turned the tide. Without his support and the ships he provided, we would have been overrun."
Yoda's ears twitched in visible surprise.
"Sent reinforcements, I did not," he said slowly. "Free roam, I gave you. Your own path, you follow."
Kota blinked, then gave a wry grin. "Then the Force works in mysterious ways, Master Yoda. Because Marek's fleet showed up exactly when we needed it most. He didn't ask for thanks — just told us to keep fighting. But I'm giving it anyway. The Antarian Rangers owe him. And so do I."
The transmission ended, leaving the Council in stunned silence.
Mace Windu was the first to speak, voice low and troubled.
"Marek again. Always Marek. He appears where he is needed, does the impossible, and leaves no explanation."
Shaak Ti looked thoughtful. "He is protecting assets that could help the Republic — the Rangers are valuable allies. But the timing… and the way he moves without Council approval…"
Obi-Wan, still connected via hologram, added quietly, "And now this business with Valorum's murder. Lightsaber wounds. A clean scene. No credits. It feels… connected somehow."
Yoda tapped his gimer stick once, eyes half-closed.
"Shadows move, they do. But the light also moves with them. Watch closely, we must. But interfere… not yet."
The Council chamber fell into uneasy quiet once more.
Somewhere out in the galaxy, aboard the *Finalizer*, Dagon Marek continued his work — unaware (or perhaps perfectly aware) that the eyes of the Order were turning toward him with growing suspicion and reluctant admiration.
The war raged on.
And the pawn kept moving — faster than anyone could do.