Star Wars: Destiny
Prologue: A New Sith Order
War! The Republic is crumbling
under attacks by the ruthless
Sith Lord, Count Dooku.
There are heroes on both sides.
Evil is everywhere.
In a stunning move, the
fiendish droid leader, General
Grievous, has swept into the
Republic capital and kidnapped
Chancellor Palpatine, leader of
the Galactic Senate.
As the Separatist Droid Army
attempts to flee the besieged
capital with their valuable
hostage, two Jedi Knights lead a
desperate mission to rescue the
captive Chancellor…
Two Jedi Interceptors descended from the ventral Hangar bay of the Venator-class Star Destroyer Integrity. They flew in tight formation across the bow of yet another Attack Cruiser of the same class. As they reached the edge of the massive cruiser the two fighters dipped vertically down into the massive melee ensuing between the Galactic Republic's Open Circle Armada and the Confederacy of Independent Systems Assault fleet; millions of CIS warships were battling across the Outer Rim, leaving only a few thousand frigates and a few dozen battleships to strike at the core, this was enough to keep the Republic's Home fleet at bay but soon they were overwhelmed as thousands of Venators poured from Hyperspace from the Outer Rim Sieges to reinforce their beleaguered Homeworld. Thousands of warships blasted each other at point blank range for control of Coruscant's skies. The two fighters zipped by a Recruscant-light destroyer being shattered by a Venator's main battery, whilst further into the distance a Munificent-class frigate was gutted by a nearby SPMA-T gun that fired from the ventral hangar of an Attack Cruiser.
"Lock on to him R2," spoke Anakin Skywalker from the first Interceptor's cockpit, "Master General Grievous' ship is dead ahead the one crawling with Vulture Droids."
"Oh, I see it," Obi-Wan said with sarcasm edging into his voice, "This is going to be easy."
Almost on cue the thousands of Vulture Droids mixed in with Tri-Droids swarmed towards the two Jedi Knights.
"Odd Ball do you copy," General Kenobi said over the High Comm frequency.
Clone Commander Davijaan leader of the elite squad seven responded immediately. They had just launched from the Ro-ti-Mundi along with another four hundred fighter craft. The Attack Cruiser was flanking th Integrity. Fortunately this allowed the elite pilots of Squad seven to be ready to respond on command.
"Copy, Red Leader," Odd Ball said.
"Mark my position, form your squad up behind me," the High General ordered.
Davijaan complied.
"We're on your tail General Kenobi," he said and switched over to his squad comm, "Lock S-Foils in attack position."
The Arc-170's of Squad Seven formed up right behind Kenobi and Skywalker in tight formation.
"This is where the fun begins," Skywalker said.
"Let them pass between us," Kenobi uttered less enthusiastically. 'Ugh this is why I hate flying' he thought. Staring at the countless droid fighters zooming towards him. The Arc-170's collided with the droid fighters in a fierce fight. The less maneuverable Arcs were slowly being torn apart by the swift droid fighters. Anakin felt sympathy for his fellow pilots.
"Their all over me get them off my..." another trooper's comm went dead as another explosion painted the Coruscanti skies.
"I'm gonna go help them out," Anakin said veering his fighter slightly to the left.
"No, No, they are doing their job so we can do ours," the Senior Jedi Master said.
A couple of droid fighters fired a pair of missiles towards the two Jedi.
"Missiles. Pull up," Anakin said. The the four missiles zoomed past the two interceptors.
"They overshot us!" Kenobi said.
"They're coming around," Anakin warned.
Two missiles followed each of the interceptors. Anakin easily dispatched the two; being the greatest pilot of the Order. Kenobi on the other hand was becoming quite frustrated in a futile attempt to shake them off. Then the two missiles soared past him once again this time they released several buzz Droids onto his fighter.
" R4 be careful you have a..." The Jedi Master's faithful astromech companion had its head ripped off by one of the treacherous little Buzz Droids.
"Oh dear," the powerful master remarked at the sight of the R4's decapitated form, "Their shutting down all controls."
"Move to the right so I can get a clear shot at them," Anakin said calmly.
"The mission," Obi-Wan reminded Anakin,"Get to the command ship. Get the Chancellor. I'm running out of tricks hear."
Kenobi's pleas were answered with blaster fire from Anakin's yellow fighter. Several buzz droids were burned off along with his former Master's left wing.
"Oh!In the name of,"Kenobi remarked,"Hold your fire your not helping here."
"I agree bad idea," Anakin said; his mind racing for ideas to help his Jedi Master.
"This is Clone Commander Ordo of the Attack Cruiser Guarlara," the ship commander said, "General Kenobi please proceed to our main Hangar bay General Skywalker Godspeed save the Chancellor."
"Anakin your more than a match for Grievous I trust you with the Chancellor," Obi-Wan said, the two brothers parted as Anakin went on with the mission.
Obi-Wan landed in the hangar bay of the Guarlara, to be greeted by commander Ordo himself.
"General Kenobi, General Skywalker has made his way to the main Hangar of Grievous' flagship and has started the operation," the Commander reported, "We could use your help planning the battle on the bridge."
"Very well," Kenobi said. 'I sense a powerful presence on that ship'.
"Is it possible for me to get on that ship, Commander?" Kenobi asked while on their way to the bridge.
"No sir, the Separatist fleet now blankets that flagship; I think that they are preparing to retreat," the Commander reported. Obi-Wan cursed at this 'Do take care of yourself.'
--
General Grievous walked onto the command deck of his flagship Invisible Hand escorted by two Magna Guards. He coughed relentlessly from his most recent encounter with Master Windu. 'Jedi Scum' he thought in his head. He turned to face Captain Dolfine the commander of his vessel.
"Whats the situation captain," he inquired.
"A Jedi has landed in the main Hangar bay," Dolfine reported immediately.
"What?Only one?" Grievous said insulted that the Jedi Order would dare underestimate him like that. He the greatest killer of Jedi in a thousand years he rested his hands on his grizzly collection of the countless Jedi he had killed in battle, "Very well continue tracking him; and alert Count Dooku."
The General stared at the encroaching Republic fleet.
"Captain patch me through to the Republic fleet," the General said. He crackled at the thought, "Republic forces you will..."
--
Anakin drew his lightsaber; sensing Count Dooku was near. 'Just need to grab the Chancellor and get the hell out of hear.' he thought sensing the Dark Lord was closer.
Then a sudden jolt rocked the ship. He entered the massive room on the top of the spire. The Chancellor sat on the far edge of the room. He stared outward noticing that the battle no longer raged instead it seemed like they were in an enormous blue tunnel.
"Hyperspace," he whispered. He then rushed down to the Chancellor's side.
"Are you alright," he said to the aging leader of the Republic.
"Count Dooku," he said. And sure enough Count Dooku; Sith Lord and leader of the Separatist appeared escorted by two Super Battledroids.
"Ah, Skywalker, I've waited a long time for this moment," the Sith Master sneered.
"You won't defeat me this time Dooku," Anakin said confidently.
"Anakin don't worry just focus and you'll defeat him," Palpatine said reassuringly. Dooku's eyes narrowed in disgust. 'What is this treachery?' he thought. 'No matter this is the end for Skywalker'.
The two drew their lightsabers and the duel began.
--
Obi-Wan could not believe what he had just witnessed; all at once the Separatist fleet was allowed to retreat with the image of Chancellor Palpatine about to be gutted alive by Dooku. 'I sense something more at work here.' A hologram appeared; it was Master Windu.
"Master Kenobi, the Council is having a meeting planet-side immediately," Mace said.
"But, Master we must..."
"I know what your about to say Kenobi; we must think before we retaliate, we must count our losses the rescue of Palpatine and Skywalker will come later," the more senior master said.
"Of coarse Master, forgive me," Obi-Wan said,"Commander Ordo, get me a transport to the Jedi Temple."
"Yes sir."
--
Anakin dueled Dooku ferociously.
"I sense great fear in you Skywalker, you have hate, you have anger, but you don't use them," Dooku barked. Anakin then clumsily fell into the Dark Lords trap. Letting his emotions get the better of him Anakin made a number of swift moves. Blocking one of Anakin's blows and blasting him with Force Lightning. Anakin's saber flew out of his hand with the force of the blast.
"Skywalker you have great potential, you should join me; as my apprentice," Dooku said.
"I'll never join you! The Sith are evil murderers," Anakin said.
"Huh, thats some way to talk about your mentor," Dooku said, "Fool Palpatine is my Master!"
"Thats...impossible," Anakin said.
"Search your feelings my young Jedi; you'll know it to be true,"Dooku said.
"Tyranus, what in the Force's name do yo think you are doing," Sidious said through the force connection the two had.
"Treachery is the way of the Sith," Dooku replied.
"Skywalker, the Jedi are under his control," Dooku said aloud, "They have been corrupted by the Dark Side; all of them."
Anakin sensed the communication between the chancellor and Dooku; what he said was true. He tried to sense any deception in Dooku but his feelings now clouded his judgment. 'He's telling the truth.'
"Only with the Dark Side can we bring balance back to the force," Dooku said, "Otherwise the Chancellor will destroy everything; including the Senate; your wife included. And besides the Jedi would surely strip you of everything if they learned about her.
Dooku could now read Anakin like a book; his force block had failed in every way possible.
"I can't live without Padme'," he said almost in a trance.
"I pledge myself to your teachings," Anakin bowed to Dooku.
"Good you shall be known as Darth Vader henceforth you shall call me Lord Tyranus,"Dooku said.
"Thank you, master" Anakin said.
Dooku then walked over to Palpatine.
"As for you 'my master', I believe I am powerful enough now to take your mantle," Dooku said.
"Tyranus, what are you..."
"General,send this to the Republic's fleets," Dooku said over the comms cuing live footage to be displayed all throughout the Republic's core worlds and outposts, "Jedi, behold, the death of your leader. I am done playing nice with the Republic. It is time that you know that the only reason why you're clone army has survived this long against my quintillions of battledroids is by both my desire. Now I am putting my life pack into my hands; the way it should be. And now for the main event the Decapitation of the Chancellor as performed by Darth Vader."
Anakin stepped forward lightsaber in hand. Chancellor Palpatine watched with unbelieving eyes as Anakin drew his lightsaber.
--
Obi-Wan watched the holographic footage in horror as Darth Vader lobbed off the head of Chancellor Palpatine. He recognized the new Sith; Anakin. 'But how.' Upon the death of the Chancellor the Jedi Masters in the room felt the shroud of the Dark Side lift.
"Called to order, this meeting is," Grand Master Yoda said. The diminutive Jedi Master said immediately after the holographic message ended.
"Why would Dooku kill Palpatine so early?" Ki-Adi Mundi inquired. He along with Masters Koon and Allie attended via Hologram.
"Yes, it seems it would have been more strategic to have kept such a valuable hostage," Plo Koon added.
"As I said before, the Dark Side of the force surrounded the Chancellor," Master Windu piped up, "When Palpatine died I sensed something happen aside from young Skywalker's fall."
"Yes, I sensed it too as though a fellow Jedi had perished," Saesee Tiin added.
"Uncover the secrets of the Sith, we must," Master Yoda said, "Masters Tiin and Kolar search the Chancellor's office you will. Master Kenobi meditate you should; bring him back we will. Master Windu focus all of our efforts to finding Dooku you must. Until then Council Adjourned. May the Force be with us all."
The Masters on the Council left the room intent on fulfilling their objectives.
"Master Kenobi, sorry for your loss I am, to lose a student to the Dark Side; difficult it is," Yoda said thinking of Dooku, "Visit Senator Amidala you should, close to both of you he was," Master Yoda said.
"Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan said sadly. 'Anakin what happened' Obi-Wan said looking out towards the Coruscanti sunset. He felt a hot tear slide down his cheek. Then he turned once again to leave the Council Chambers.