In theory, the idea sounded... well, it was bad either way. They were desperate, they thought ‘the enemy of my enemy is maybe a friend.’ Or at least a loosely associated ally. In practice, it turned out that Maul was just a stabby son of a bitch who didn’t care who was on the end of his blade as long as it wasn’t him.

The mission had started out successfully. While Anakin didn’t feel the draw of the using the Dark Side, he could not deny that having an unabashed Dark Side user was useful when clearing a Destroyer of its occupants. He didn’t feel any remorse for anyone that died at the end of Maul’s blade.

They’d hit the communications room first, then the systematically worked their way outwardly until the last Stormtrooper was felled.

Now, on the bridge, it was just a matter of dealing with the payment.

In good faith, he’d deactivated his lightsaber, and it almost looked like this operation would be a success.

Anakin should have known it wouldn’t be that simple.

When he turned to Maul, the Zabarrak’s blade was still bright, traitorous red.

“Thank you for the help, but I’m taking what what’s mine!”

Anakin spared the briefest of glance for Obi-Wan and reignited his blade to meet Maul’s.