Part 1: Ghosts of Clone Wars Past
19 BBY, fifteen minutes prior to the Battle of Coruscant
A "tink" causes two Clone troopers to jump. They draw their blasters, searching for its origin. "What was that?"
"I don't know," the second trooper notices a pebble. "Where did that come from?"
He turns to his brother, only to watch his neck snapped by a commando droid. He cringes and then raises his blaster but a magnaguard kicks it out of his hands. He throws himself aside to avoid another kick. The slender droid wields dual clubs, crackling with electricity. Then a man appears and shots a dart. The Clone gasps as it pierces his throat; he presses his hands against his neck wound. The Magnaguard slams both clubs into him.
The Human motions for his team to advance; followed by a tall and willowy Sephi, who winces at the corpses. Beside her is a short and dark Onderon Human. She wears a pair of blasters casually, and steps over the corpses without a second glance. Lastly, a burly Aqualish follows with a heavy blaster rifle. He waits before joining them, to check for tails.
"Did you really have to kill them Commander Stone?" The Sephi asks, only to receive such a harsh glare that she recoils. Immediately she drops her gaze. The tall and slim woman can feel the heat in his look, even when she doesn't meet it. He snaps his fingers to get his squad's attention. He points at the Aqualish and motions towards the keypad. The burly humanoid, with four arachnoid eyes, dull green skin, and an orange beard moves forward without a word. He hands his rifle to the Sephi before he rewires the console.
The Aqualish holds up three fingers, then two, and one before giving the thumbs up. The console switches from red to green and the doors slide open. Utterly secure, the three technicians don't even look. One sits with his chin on his fist, barely observing his screen. Another has his feet up on his desk and snores. The last has his back to the door and is busy reading a datapad.
Stone hits the nearest tech with his blaster carbine, driving him to the ground. He stuns another and follows it by stunning the tech on the ground. The Onderian and the Sephi blast the sleeping tech. The Aqualish follows them in with the droids entering last, circling along the edge.
"Last droid," The commando announces as the doors whisk shut. He moves to the storage closet, while the Magnaguard charges in. A heartbeat later they give the thumbs up. "Clear."
Commander Stone points at the Sephi and Aqualish and motions to the consoles. The aliens push the technicians out of their seats and punch keys feverishly. Stone points at the commando droid and then motions at the Clone Troopers. Together they strip the armor and disguise themselves as Clone Troopers. Only the splash of blood on Stone's neck reveals the fatal transition. Next, Stone points at the door. The commando droid responds with a thumbs up before guarding the entrance. The Aqualish gives him a thumbs up too, "Hehh-hummm."
"Unhur says security is down," Commander Stone translates. "Where are we on the planetary alarms and communications Mala?"
"This isn't an upload; there's no timer," she replies as she clicks away. "I'm slicing three omega-grade, AI supported, security systems at once. It will take as long as it takes."
He snarls, "You have three minutes or we'll miss the call and the fleet will be detected. A lot of troopers are depending on you. Can you do it?"
"Yes," she responds offhand and then steels herself. "Yes! I got this."
"Conqueror bind the techs and put them in the closet with the corpses," the Magnaguard nods. "Unhur, do what you can to assist Mala."
Commander Henry Stone is a Separatist officer and their leader. He's medium Human build, pale, with light brown hair buzz cut short and a clean shaven face. His calculating brown eyes stand out from his unremarkable presence. His blue utility suit gives him the appearance as one of a thousand other mechanics across the galaxy. The combat bracer that decorates his forearm matches the ear and eye piece covering his right eye. No one would look at him twice if he wasn't carrying them…and a blaster.
"His eyes are blind," a call comes over his radio.
"Now Mala."
"I'm almost there," she replies urgently. "Almost there…"
"Conqueror, plant the explosives," Stone orders and the droid immediately complies.
"I almost have it!" Mala insists and her hands blur as she slices the security.
"His eyes are blind," the call comes a little more urgently.
"Hm-humm-hmm," the Magnaguard states.
"Explosives set. Everyone prepare for immediate evac," Henry orders.
"Got it! Got it! Alarms down and all communication is routed through this console only. We have complete control of all interplanetary comms."
"His ears are plugged," Henry recites the coded response. "He will not speak."
There's a moment of silence as all of them wait on edge for the next communication. Time twists with their stress but they're too disciplined to voice their fears. Then after what seems like an eternity, "T-minus ten, radio silence until Final Operation commences."
"Yes!" Orromia cheers and Unhur wipes sweat from his brow. She clicks her communicator and dance music fills the room. "Party time!"
The Onderon woman spins and leaps around the room, much to the amusement or disapproval of her comrades. Unhur waves his arms and grunts, "Urr-huurr."
"I wouldn't call it unacceptable," Commander Stone replies. "More annoying."
"Oh come on!" She calls out. "We've been on edge for a week, dodging security patrols and criminals. We need to unwind. Ten minutes of dancing is just what we need!"
The Sephi rolls her eyes, "Not more dancing."
"That's not what you said after a couple of ales Mala," with arms waving in the air and her body gracefully crossing the distance between them, she spins until she's only inches away from the Sephi. "You're quite a dancer once you relax…."
"You promised not to talk about that!" Mala shrieks with embarrassment.
Orromia cringes, "Ye-ah, I make a lot of promises when I'm drunk."
Stone laughs, "Five minutes. Turn that down Orromia."
"Awww," she draws out her whine and responds with a childishly sullen voice. "O-kay."
As the music dims Commander Henry Stone looks each member of his team in the eyes. With their full attention he begins, "I don't know what's going to happen so I want to say this now, in case I don't get the chance. Serving with you has been my greatest honor. Three years ago, against my wishes, I was sent to Geonocia to protect the Minos Cluster's representative. I witnessed Jedi infiltrate a factory, slaughter innocent Geonocians, and cause millions in damage.
"When they were caught, what was the Republic's response? They invaded an independent world with a slave army, in clear violation of the law. Where were the Jedi, the so-called Guardians of Peace? They led the attack! Any doubt in my heart, died that day.
"Unhur, you stood shoulder to shoulder with me as we retreated into the tunnels beneath the surface, fleeing Jedi and Clones alike. Since that day I've been proud to call you my brother. The same goes for the rest of you; you've earned my trust a hundred times over."
Unhur nods solemnly; Orromia wipes a tear away and Mala sighs. With each passing word Henry can feel his confidence building. As harsh as the truth may be, he'd never lie to his team. "No promises. The danger will grow with each passing minute; we'll face local law enforcement, Clones, and yes…Jedi. There is no guarantee of support. It's just us until the ground forces land and they'll have their own objectives. Three years ago I'd never believed I'd be standing on Coruscant. Now, there's nothing that can stop us."
"Dad! Daaaaad!"
5 BBY, Fourteen years later, five years before the battle of Yavin
Staring into the mirror, head sanitation engineer Henry Stone wipes his hand across his face. Fourteen years had changed him; although, he's still medium build and fit. Now his brown hair is finger length, lighter with a hint of grey, neatly parted to the right side. Although bearded, he keeps it short and properly trimmed. On the dresser, his earpiece and his bracer await him.
"Dad! Are you up? It's time for school!" His daughter yells from downstairs.
"Where did you go?" Her voice is heavy with sleep. Henry glances over his shoulder at the stunning yellow skinned Twi'lek in his bed. She turns her head slowly from side to side, freeing her head tails from the pillows. She stretches, arms up, the blanket slipping a little further down her skin. Wearing nothing to bed, she teases what remains hidden from sight. She slithers beneath the covers; radiating sexuality. Sometimes even he can't tell when her allure is intentional or innate. "You've been distracted all week."
"I'm leading a team into the sewers today. It brought back memories of Coruscant."
Instantly she sits up, "I'm so sorry love. I didn't know."
He sighs, "It's not your fault. I didn't want to talk about it so I didn't tell you." Hollow eyes meet his stare; Henry's gaze is lifeless and cold.
She wraps the blanket around herself and climbs out of the bed. He listens to her approach but doesn't look. He stares into the mirror, into his eyes, steeling himself. Her hands interrupt; brushing the beard along his jaw. Her silky skin pulls him away from his doubts and she unflinchingly meeting his eyes. "You'll bring everyone out alive and well. It's what you do."
He smiles, returning her embrace, "Have I ever told you how good you are to me?"
"Daaaaad! Are you driving us or should I ask Boots?"
"I'm coming," he yells back. Then he whispers to his lover. "I'll see you tonight."
"Tomorrow," she corrects him while squeezing tighter. "I'm working a double."
He reluctantly lets her go and unlocks their door; it whisks open. Tapping her foot impatiently is a starry eyed Rodian girl. The instant he sees her, his fears are replaced by his love for her. Her large eyes dominate her face; her green skin is lighter and smoother than most Rodians. A pair of round antennas shoots up from her scalp with green spines running between them. She's petite, tiny, wearing a grey and white school uniform. She notices the barely clothed Twi'lek and blushes a deep emerald, "Sorry Noemie."
His wife beams at the Rodian, "Have a great day at school Odi."
"Thank you," she squeaks before rushes to catch up with her father.