Prologue
Jedi Council, Coruscant
Master Windu took charge of the end of the meeting, ensuring that everyone understood his or her roles; it was imperative that nobody failed.
"So it is settled, then; Della and her team will go behind enemy lines and plant the explosives from the inside of the factory, while Kal and a small squadron of clones will scout the area for impending threats."
Everyone in the room nodded their approval and understanding of the Master Jedi's plan before being dismissed.
Della and Kal walked together through the extravagant corridors of the Jedi Temple, "I just think that they should have put someone with more experience in your position, or at least to accompany you." Kal was arguing.
"You don't think I can handle myself?" She asked, incredulously.
"Of course I do, Del… I just feel the Council is underestimating the mission, is all." He began to speak in a whisper to ensure that nobody could overhear, "I've heard that the Separatists have more than one Droid Factory on Denovia; they have much bigger plans for that planet which means that their defenses will be much tougher than Master Windu anticipates."
"And from whom did you hear these rumors from?"
"A source." He said, looking away, sheepishly, realizing that she would never believe him now.
"Another unnamed source, Kal? You were asked to stop meeting with these people by Master Yoda, himself!"
"If they're information is accurate just one time, then wouldn't it make it all worth it?"
"If their information is accurate just one time, it'll be the first." She laughed.
"Del, please!" He pleaded.
"Kal," She pulled him behind a pillar so to not be seen by the rest of the Jedi in the halls, "This our first chance to deliver a devastating blow to the Separatists and take an early stranglehold on this war.
He nodded, slightly, realizing that she was right: this needed to be done.
"I'll be fine, okay?" She looked at him with her icy, blue eyes, "I'll have you looking out for me."
The comment silenced Kal, and she took one glance around before softly kissing him on the cheek and departing with a smile. He watched her leave, completely unaware of the smile crossing his face.
Denovia, Separatist Droid Factory
Kal and his men situated themselves atop a small cliff overlooking the route to and from the Droid Factory, which sat just over a mile away to the north. If their timing were right, Della and her team would just be getting passed the guards now and making their way inside. They would still have to take out the security droids, find the control room, and plant the explosives before they can begin their escape.
Rain pounded the ground as it did most nights on this saturated planet; Kal could feel the water soaking through his robes just minutes after arriving.
Binoculars to his face, he kept an eye out for anything troublesome or out of the ordinary. Yet, even with the help of the binoculars, he could barely see more than about half a mile in any direction as the rain was coming down in sheets.
"Sir," A clone called over to Kal, "Sir, come quickly; you'll want to see this."
Kal hurried over to the south side of the cliff and looked to where the clone was pointing. He immediately knew that they were in way over their heads.
"No, this can't be!" He recalibrated his commlink to the Jedi Council, "Master Windu, this is Kal, acknowledge."
Moments later Master Windu appeared in a miniature holocron in the palm of his hand along with Masters Yoda and Kenobi, "What's the problem, Kal?"
"It's big. My team found a battalion of droids coming from the south, they're about a mile out, but it's hard to tell with the rain."
"I trust that you and your team can handle such a problem," He said, annoyed.
"That's not all. They're escorting an old friend, Count Dukoo." Kal could see the expressions change to worry and concern on all three of the Jedi Masters.
"Are you sure that it's Dukoo?" Master Windu asked.
"Positive. My vision may be impaired out here, but I can feel him."
"Very well. How much time do we have before he reaches the factory?"
"Not enough. If everything goes according to plan, Della and her team will just be fighting through the security droids now, maybe making their way to the control room if they're moving quickly."
"So he would be arriving just as they're setting the explosives." Master Windu scratched his bald head in thought, "It wouldn't be a terrible trade on our part…"
Master Kenobi recoiled at the statement. "We cannot blatantly sacrifice a Jedi, Master, especially one as loyal and with as much potential as Della! Dukoo would benefit us much more should we capture him and take him as a prisoner of war."
"If we don't slow him down, Della will have no chance to complete her mission." Kal interjected, "Permission to ambush when in range?"
"Denied."
"What!?"
"We can't risk them calling for reinforcements, then we'll lose both of you. Keep an eye on Dukoo, we're sending Master Kenobi and a Squadron now. We'll inform Della of the situation." The holocron disappeared abruptly, the sound of the rain filling the void once again.
"What's the word, Sir?" The Clone Captain asked, gun at the ready.
"Stand down, we're a scouting squadron, that's all."
They quietly followed Dukoo and his escort form the cliffs above, the rain continued to pour form the sky preventing their enemy from hearing anything from above. Unfortunately, though, it didn't slow them down at all, as the service road took them directly to the entrance of the Droid Factory. If everything were going according to plan, Della would just now be setting the explosives in the control room. She was trapped inside.
Kal called his Captain over to contact Master Windu yet again; moments later the holocron stood before him looking extremely impatient.
"What is it, Kal?"
"Dukoo is at the entrance and Master Kenobi has yet to arrive. "
"They're probably being slowed by the storms."
"I need to distract them, give Della enough time to get out of there."
"Negative, Major. We've informed Della of the situation, she understands the risk; she is ready to move on for the sake of the Republic. The explosives should weaken Dukoo enough for you and Master Kenobi to easily apprehend him."
"No, she… you can't. You can't do this!"
"It's already in motion. You are not to engage the enemy until Master Kenobi arrives, do you understand? Do you understand!?" He asked again after receiving no answer.
Kal cut off the commlink and readied his troops for attack.
The small squadron had no chance alone, but Kal figured that if they could follow Dukoo, unseen, until he discovers Della, then they could flank him form behind; the two squadrons could easily defeat Dukoo's escort and he and Della could hold off the Count himself until Master Kenobi arrived.
The factory was dark and hot; there was a constant hum of mechanical equipment at work that made for an uneasy feeling among the team. Kal and his men stealthily trailed Dukoo as he weaved through the building, seemingly sensing the presence of intruders.
It took just minutes for them to reach the control room. Della and her team had set up a trap in hopes of holding Dukoo and his droids in the room when the explosives were detonated.
"Ahh, I thought I could sense the presence of a self-righteous Jedi Knight." He said smugly as he entered the room.
Della stood her ground, lifting an arm and displaying the manual detonator in her left hand, "You're surrounded, Dukoo; you have one chance to surrender."
The sith calmly walked towards her, "Is this what the Jedi have resorted to, now? Suicide to achieve their goals..?"
"I would gladly give my life to ensure the salvation of all those you plan to destroy."
"My dear, ignorant, Jedi," He began.
CLANK!
Kal looked over to see one of his men trip over a metal rod. The clamor caught the attention of everyone in the room; the distraction was all Dukoo needed as he ignited his lightsaber and lunged towards Della, his red blade piercing her chest. As she fell to the floor she found Kal in the corner; making eye contact for the very last time, she mouthed the words, "What have you done?"
Kal couldn't move for what seemed like hours, he kept seeing Della impaled with Dukoo's lightsaber over and over again. Dukoo. His rage began to take control as he screamed and jumped out of the shadows, looking for blood.
"Kill them all." Dukoo instructed as his droids turned and opened fire on both squadrons.
Kal dashed towards Dukoo, igniting his own lightsaber; the purple blade slicing through countless droids on his way to his target.
The red blade of the Sith easily defended the wild, uncontrolled attacks from the inexperienced Jedi Knight. If I can just get that detonator, he thought, then her death won't be in vain.
Dukoo had no plans of allowing that to happen, though, as he toyed with him just long enough to amuse himself before releasing dark, force lighting from his fingertips that sent Kal into a wall ten meters away. Forcing himself up, he charged once more with all of his remaining strength.
"You forget your training, young Jedi. Your Master would be most disappointed." Dukoo taunted him as he parried the aggressive slashes being thrown at him, before force pushing him across the room once more.
"Lord Dukoo," A droid hurried up to him amidst the volley of blaster fire, "General Kenobi and a large battalion of clones have just entered the factory."
"Perfect." Dukoo smiled as he ran out of the room towards a hidden exit and boarded his ship.
Kal watched as the Sith Lord fled from the fight, remembering at the last moment that he still held the detonator in his hand.
"Master Kenobi, get away! Don't come in, it's a trap." He yelled into his commlink.
Obi-Wan could barely make out the sentence with so much background noise. He stepped aside as his team rushed into the factory, "What's that Kal? Repeat."
"Don't enter, get your team away from the factory! Dukoo has the-."
BOOM!