A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...
Star Wars
The Clone Wars: Battlefield Christophsis
The Clone Wars have begun, not two months have passed since the opening battle of the war on Geonosis and the planets of the Galactic Republic are under grave threat from the Confederacy of Independent Systems and their Droid Army. The Separatists control many of the hyperspace lanes that link the Republic together, effectively isolating member planets across the Republic and leaving them all but defenseless.
One such planet is the rich world of Christophsis. This planet is not only a major economic hub for the Republic, but it is one of the few planets which has allowed refugee camps upon its surface. Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan has been a major sponsor of these camps and was touring the planet when the Confederacy struck.
With only limited defensive forces, Christophsis was no match for the might of the Droid Army which quickly swept across the planet and conquered it save for a few scattered hold outs. Desperate both to secure the vital economic world and save Senator Organa, the Republic hastily formed a fleet under the command of Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to break through the Separatist blockade and retake the planet along with their clone forces in the 7th Sky Corps.
While unable to defeat the Separatist force in orbit around Christophsis, Kenobi and Skywalker were able to land with just enough troops and supplies to reinforce the beleaguered hold outs in the planet's capital city. Meanwhile, in orbit, Admiral Wulf Yularen was forced to retreat, defeated by the dread Admiral Trench, leaving the two Jedi and their troopers to fend for themselves on the planet's surface.
With no support, Kenobi and Skywalker dig in to wait for further reinforcements as the Droid Army, led by General Loathsome, closes in around them and prepares to wipe the Republic from Christophsis once and for all...
Republic Haven Space Station
"We can't support Christophsis without more naval power." Admiral Yularen said tersely, his arms crossed as the planet in question floated in the center of the command room, casting its blue glow across the chamber.
"Brought you more ships we have." Master Yoda said simply, leaning forwards on his cane intently. "Rescue Senator Organa and liberate Christophsis we must."
"There are nearly twenty major warships between us and the planet!" Yularen protested. "My forces were no match for them and are now badly damaged!"
"Master Kahan, explain you will to Admiral Yularen what we bring, yes?"
The stooped green Jedi Grand Master stood aside as Jedi Master Kahan stepped forwards and began reading from the datapad he carried, his long black hair cast a shadow over his dark blue eyes as he read.
"Five star destroyers, seven assault ships, ten cruisers and eight frigates." he looked up at Admiral Yularen. "That is in addition to your seven star destroyers six assault ships and five frigates."
Yularen swallowed nervously, shaking his head. "This is insane, that dreadnought will tear us to pieces."
"Maybe." Kahan said flatly. "You let the Typhon worry about that."
Admiral Yularen frowned. "The Typhon?"
"It's one of the new Tector-class star destroyers." Kahan said with a thin smile. "I think it will take care of your dreadnought problem."
"Make haste we must." Master Yoda said urgently. "Hold out forever Generals Kenobi and Skywalker cannot."
"My ships won't be able to leave for another three hours at least." Admiral Yularen said gruffly. "They'll be nearly useless as they are now."
"Send help we must." Master Yoda stated. "Master Kahan," he turned to the young Jedi master. "An idea you have?"
"I'll take a single assault ship ahead and deliver the initial reinforcements. That should buy Kenobi and Skywalker additional time to do whatever it is they need to."
Master Yoda nodded. "Approve this plan I do, suited to your skills it is."
Admiral Yularen frowned. "One assault ship?" he threw out his hand dismissively. "They'll be torn to shreds before they get anywhere near the planet!"
Master Yoda eyed Kahan with a sage smile. "Underestimate us you do Admiral, learn you will why it is why Kahan a Jedi master he is."
Kahan bowed at the waist and left the chamber, leaving Master Yoda to discuss the follow on forces. He checked the datapad, scrolling through the forces under his command. Amidst all the clones he spied a name that was definitely not among their number. He frowned. Aira-ty Nokta, Commander, GAR. What was a human woman doing in the clone ranks of the GAR?
Crystal City, Planet Christophsis
Obi-Wan swatted aside the incoming blaster fire from the advancing droids as his clone troops held the barricade they'd set up along the thoroughfare blocking the approach to the capital building of Christophsis. His eyes widened as three AATs rolled around the corner and turned their cannons on the barricade.
"Everybody get down!"
Obi-Wan and the clones around him all crouched down behind their makeshift barrier just as the roar of the cannons sounded. He felt the heat from the blast as the energy bolts either struck home or whizzed overhead. He grabbed his comlink and called into it.
"Cody! Fire on my position!"
Commander Cody's voice came back hesitantly. "General, we might hit you—"
"There are three tanks just north of us, fire!"
"Yes sir, shots incoming."
Obi-Wan hunkered down and waited. Good as his word, a volley of artillery shells rained down just ahead of the barricade, kicking up debris and showered Obi-Wan and the troopers with bits of ferrocrete and duraplast. He stood up and surveyed the damage the artillery had wrought. Where the tanks and battle droids had been there was now a series of craters.
"Good job Cody."
"Thank you sir. Sir, Senator Organa is requesting your presence in the Crystal Palace."
"Of course he is." Obi-Wan said tiredly. "Where is Anakin?"
"General Skywalker is scouting beyond the perimeter with Captain Rex." Cody replied.
Obi-Wan sighed, wondering what sort of trouble Anakin was looking for this time. He was concerned for his former Padawan, since the war had broken out he'd become even more reckless and aggressive. Obi-Wan feared that Anakin would become too much the warrior to ever come back to what a Jedi was truly meant to be.
"I don't like this sir." Rex grumbled under his breath.
Anakin smiled at the clone captain. "What's wrong? You worried the droids'll get the drop on us?"
"That has been the trend." Rex replied flatly. "Every patrol we've sent beyond our perimeter has been ambushed."
Anakin shrugged idly as they walked through the war torn cityscape. Just a few short days before these buildings had marked the main battle line of the Republic forces but they'd been pushed back almost seven blocks before managing to dig in again and then only because they were able to find clear lines of fire for their artillery. Anakin would never admit it to Obi-Wan but he found war thrilling. He would certainly never tell Padme how much he loved the constant rush he got from combat. It was as if all the pent up rage and energies he had harbored all these years had finally found an outlet.
"Relax Rex, no one is going to ambush us in the middle of an attack. They were pushing the barricades just a moment ago."
"Which sounds like an excellent reason to get back to the barricades and reinforce them." Rex retorted, adding respectfully. "Sir."
"Obi-Wan can handle the barricades Rex, and we have no intelligence beyond our lines. We need to know what's out there. Besides," Anakin waved behind them idly. "We have the walkers."
Rex glanced over his shoulder at the trio of walkers, grateful for their blasters and concussion grenades. At the very least they'd have fire support if things went to hell which they had been doing of late. Rex didn't like it. He was sure there was a spy in their camp but he couldn't work out who it was. None of the refugees were allowed into the defensive perimeter that the clones had setup and it was unthinkable that either of the Generals could be giving information to the Seps so...who then? The Senator? That didn't seem to make any sense either but...well he was a politician.
One of the troopers ahead of them held up a fist. The platoon froze in place, their weapons scanning the buildings around them.
"Trooper, report."
"I heard something Captain, 0300."
"Roger that." Rex swept his hand over his head and pointed towards the building in question.
The platoon reformed and headed for the door, stacking up besides it as Skywalker took up a position in front of the door. Rex hated letting the General do that but he'd had no success in stopping him from pulling stunts like this so instead he planned around them.
Anakin took a deep breath and steadied himself as he readied his lightsaber. Then something changed and his eyes widened.
"Get back!"
He leapt away from the door as did the rest of the platoon just as the explosion shattered it. A destroyer droid came tramping out of the blown doorway. A grenade struck the droid and it shattered under the explosive impact. Blaster fire tore through the wreckage as a line of super battle droids came marching forwards, their blaster arms upraised and firing. The clones and walkers returned fire, the walkers blasters sweeping across the line of battle droids with murderous effect. Anakin deflected bolt after bolt of the incoming fire, shielding his men from the attack.
A concussive blast tore through the platoon then and Anakin fell to the ground amidst the debris. Anakin's ears rang and he tried to shake the ringing from his head as he looked around. Most of the platoon was still intact but two of the walkers were down.
"Get the pilots out!" Anakin shouted as he turned to look down the street.
"AATs!" Rex shouted. "Move!"
One of the tanks fired, Anakin swung his saber and swatted the round high into the buildings above.
Rex swore under his breath. "Everyone fall back to the perimeter. This is CT-7567, fire mission on my coordinates! General, get back!"
Skywalker followed after Rex and the other clones as they fell back. It was another ambush Rex grumbled as the artillery rained down behind them. This was one too many times.
Orbit of Planet Christophsis, Separatist Dreadnought Invincible
Admiral Trench paced the bridge of his dreadnought Invincible. These obnoxious clones and their Jedi were proving annoyingly resilient despite his best efforts to dislodge them. Even without their fleet to supply them they were still fighting.
"And you're sure that this spy of yours is reliable?"
The cloaked woman with the pale skin smiled dangerously.
"Reliable enough." she said darkly.
"Mm, according to Loathsome it would be far easier to eliminate them if they were without their heavy cannons."
"That can be arranged." the woman said with a dark chuckle.
"Admiral, hyperspace signature detected."
"Hmm," Admiral Trench buzzed. "We are not expecting any more ships. It must be Republican, destroy it."
"My my," the cloaked woman chuckled. "You are as ruthless as they say."
The Admiral said nothing as he watched his gunners train their weapons on the vector where the hyperspace signature was projected. His many eyes narrowed as nothing appeared on the screens.
"Where is it?" he hissed, leaning forwards intently.
"Unknown Admiral, we detect nothing in the space where the signature was detected."
The cloaked woman canted her head to the side as if listening to something, but the Admiral ignored her, intent on finding the source of the anomaly.
"I sense something." she murmured, her brows knitting fretfully.
Orbit of Planet Christophsis, Republic Assault Ship Jelial
"You sense nothing." Kahan said quietly, his eyes closed serenely in meditation.
Commander Aira-ty Nokta looked over her shoulder at the Jedi Master uncomfortably. As one of the officers of the 13th Assault Corps she'd been in on the briefing where General Kahan had explained his plan. She had volunteered her 44th Battalion to be part of the two legions from the corps to take on the task of infiltrating with reinforcements and supplies aboard the assault ship heading towards Christophsis and the beleaguered forces on its surface. She still thought this was insane though, but despite that, she wanted a chance to fight the ones responsible for Jango's death.
She didn't blame the Jedi, no, it had been them after all that had commissioned the clone army. No, she blamed Count Dooku and his Separatists for killing her husband. If he had simply remained on Kamino and continued his work with the clones instead of taking on that last job with Dooku...
She clenched her fist tightly. All she had left were the clones that Jango had created. Boba had vanished, and with him the last truly personal trace of her husband had fled from her save the precious memories she held within her heart. The clones were the last thing she had of Jango's, and if she didn't fight besides them as they fought and died for the Republic...she would never forgive herself.
Kahan could sense the roiling emotions within the 44th's commander and considered reaching out to her and easing her pain but decided against it, such intrusions were rarely welcomed by those who were not Force sensitive. In any case, he had more pressing things to consider, such as maintaining the web of bent light around the Jelial as she continued on her course towards the planet before them. That, and defending against the searching probes of the Force user aboard the Separatist dreadnought. Her presence was an added complication that he had not anticipated and did not need. However he had to deal with it nevertheless.
Orbit of Planet Christophsis, Separatist Dreadnought Invincible
Asajj Ventress snarled in annoyance. Something was there, she was sure of it. Everytime she reached for it with her mind however she was rebuffed by whatever it was. As if there were a wall she could not cut through. This she would not accept. There was nothing in this universe she could not defeat. She would crush whatever this was and find the answer to the mysterious hyperspace anomaly.
"Where are you?" she growled.
Admiral Trench ignored the mumblings of his guest as he directed his crews attentions where they were needed.
"Are you sure there is nothing there?"
"Affirmative Admiral, there is no trace of any ship that we can detect. Merely a drifting ion trail."
Trench stopped and frowned. "Ion trail?" his eyes glittered darkly. "Can you follow it?"
"Affirmative, tracing now."
"Excellent." Trench said wickedly. "Follow it, and once the trail ends fire on its projected coordinates."
Ventress' eyes widened. "There is a Jedi out there!" then she clutched at her head. "Get out!"
Orbit of Planet Christophsis, Republic Assault Ship Jelial
Kahan withdrew from the Sith's mind, his eyes snapping open as he rose from the command chair.
"Shields up, engines at maximum, plot an entry course at maximum angle and velocity, get us planetside now!"
Aira-ty was startled out of her own thoughts by the Jedi General's outburst and she turned to look at him in bafflement.
"What's going on? I thought you wanted to maintain a low profile."
"I did, but their admiral has smoked us out." Kahan said with a tight smile. "Luckily, we're already past the dreadnought and there aren't any ships able to intercept us."
The deck bucked violently and Aira-ty struggled to maintain her balance. Kahan she noticed smugly also had to struggle to keep his feet. She couldn't be seen to be any less than the Jedi she was serving with. She would not allow it.
"Shields holding, almost within the atmosphere."
"Won't we still be vulnerable once we're down there?"
"I'm hoping that the proximity of our forces to the enemy will prevent them from firing on us." Kahan replied stoically as the ship continued downwards towards the planet.
Aira-ty swallowed nervously, doing her best not to show it. That was a hope she did not want to place any bets on. Those were just droids down there, the Separatists could build more droids anytime they pleased.
Orbit of Planet Christophsis, Separatist Dreadnought Invincible
"Fire! Fire!" roared Admiral Trench. He was furious that the Republic vessel had managed to get so far through his lines before he'd thought to check for the ion trail. He should have thought of it sooner. "I want them dead, NOW!"
"Admiral, we risk missing the target and striking General Loathsome's forces below us." one of the bridge droids intoned.
Trench clacked his mandibles in annoyance, damned Republic tricksters.
"Do not worry Admiral." his guest said quietly. "I will take a shuttle down to the planet's surface. I need to contact our informant, and while I am there I will deal with these Jedi Generals as well."
Admiral Trench nodded, his red eyes glittering dangerously. "Make sure they suffer."
Ventress smiled, showing her teeth as her eyes reflected the murderous shimmer in Trench's gaze.
"Oh, believe me I will."
Crystal City, Planet Christophsis
Obi-Wan walked into the wing of the capital building which had been put aside for the Senator and those civilians and refugees that had decided to take their chances with the Republic forces.
"General." Senator Organa greeted him with a wry smile. "It's strange addressing you like that Master Obi-Wan, I must admit."
"These are strange times Senator." Obi-Wan replied candidly. "Did you require something?"
"I was wondering if there had been any word from the Republic regarding a relief force."
"You mean a further relief force." Obi-Wan stated, feeling a slight twinge of annoyance that the Senator did not consider his and Anakin's presence as the relief force it had been meant to be.
"Yes of course." the Senator said hastily. "Forgive me, is there any word?"
"None that I am aware o—" Obi-Wan's comlink blared insistently. "Yes?"
"Obi-Wan," Anakin said breathlessly. "There's another attack, it's a big one."
"I copy." Obi-Wan looked back to the Senator. "Senator, if you will excuse me."
Senator Organa bowed. "Of course, may the Force be with you General."
"May it be with us all Senator." Obi-Wan replied as he headed to rejoin his troops.
Cody hated General Skywalker. It wasn't a personal hatred, no, nothing like that. It was a professional hatred. Skywalker was going to get them all killed with his antics. Cody had assigned Captain Rex to Skywalker in the hopes that the capabale Captain would keep the rampant General in check but such had not happened. Instead it seemed that all Rex could do was be dragged along in Skywalker's wake. The best laid plans.
He turned as General Kenobi joined him on the barricade.
"Report?"
"Skywalker's unit is beyond the perimeter still. We haven't seen signs of them yet but we are in communication with them, they're under heavy fire but are falling back in good order."
The General nodded. "Alright, be ready to give them supporting fire, are the guns armed?"
Cody nodded in turn. "Yes sir, their crews are standing by and ready."
"Very well, then lets get ready for them."
"Commander, we have incoming."
Cody tapped his comlink. "Yes, we know that lieutenant."
"No sir, it's above."
"An air attack?"
"Negative Commander, it's not an attack, it's a Republic transport."
"The blockade is broken?" Cody asked in disbelief. Surely they would have noticed something like that yes?
"No sir, as far as we can tell it's a single Acclamator heading for the central plaza. They're broadcasting the correct IFF codes."
"A single assault ship?"
"Yes sir, Jedi General Kahan is aboard."
Cody cursed silently. Another Jedi? Did he really want a third one to keep an eye on? General Kenobi was a good enough commander but he still wasn't sure whether Kenobi or Skywalker was indicative of the norm.
"Orders sir?"
"Give them landing permission lieutenant, make sure there's sufficient space for them to touch down."
Aboard the Republic Assault Ship Jelial
"We're cleared to land General."
"Ready gunships, I want them to sweep the perimeter, do we have communications with General Kenobi?"
"Ready now sir."
Master Kenobi's features appeared in the holotank and Kahan inclined his head with a solemn bow.
"Master Kenobi, it seems I have arrived just in time."
"Yes Master Kahan, is it just your ship?"
"I'm afraid so, my powers were strained enough as it was with a single ship."
Master Kenobi frowned. "Powers?"
"I promise to explain everything Master Kenobi, for now it seems you have a large enemy presence advancing on you."
"Yes, can your troops sweep the area?"
Kahan nodded to the flight officer. "We're launching now."
Aira-ty stood in the bay door of the gunship as it was launched from the assault ship's hangar. It soared over the city below with dozens of others of its kind.
"Orders commander?"
Aira-ty smiled beneath her helmet at Jesp's voice, it was so like Jango's...though the accent was missing.
"Do we know where the enemy are?"
"We ma'am."
Aira-ty keyed in the command circuit on her comlink and began issuing orders.
"All craft, we're going to sweep up the main boulevard where the enemy are advancing. Weapons free, show them you're better than a whole army of droids."
The gunships swept in over the advancing droid forces, their beam cannons and missiles tracing paths of destruction across the mechanized ranks.
Aira-ty watched as anti-aircraft fire reached up and blew one of the other gunships in the formation out of the air, she found it with her helmet mounted sensors.
"Pilot, drop us on that AA."
"Yes ma'am."
She turned to look at the troopers with her. "Get ready boys, we're going in."
The troopers all hefted their rifles and readied themselves as the gunship peeled up and over, diving towards the deck to get under the enemy fire. The bay doors opened and Aira-ty leapt from the gunship along with her clones, their jetpacks kicking in as they descended in amongst the droids. Their blaster fire swept through the metal ranks, cutting down droid after droid as more troopers dropped in amongst them. However there were more of the droids and their tanks and walkers were coming up to join the fray and there was no denying the press of numbers was telling.
Then a new fusillade of heavy fire joined the fray. Aira-ty turned to see more clones and a single Jedi advancing up the boulevard at a run. Then, from above a new force of clones repelled down the side of a building and landed in amongst the tanks and walkers, planting detpacks on the heavy armor before dropping to the deck amongst the clones and droids and firing their blasters at point blank range as the enemy armor erupted around them.
The death knell came a moment later as what must have been several heavy guns opened fire and artillery shells rained down amongst the rearmost ranks of the droids, sending hundreds of broken metal limbs flying into the air.
Shortly thereafter, the droids ceased their advance and fell back under the covering fire of their tanks and spider droids.
Aira-ty turned to the Jedi who had come to join her, there were now two of them, she didn't bother removing her helmet, instead turning back to her clones.
"Alright, sweep the area, check the buildings, I want everything—"
The roar of a cannon silenced her words, even over the internal comlink she maintained with the troopers. Aira-ty looked up to see three massive energy blasts sailing through the atmosphere towards the incoming assault ship.
Rex watched with a mixture of horror and taciturn acceptance as the assault ship took the three hits and shook violently for a moment before it pitched over and began to fall out of the sky towards the central plaza where it had been descending.
Commander Cody's voice cut across the command circuit. "All units, brace for shock!"
Another voice cut across the circuit. "This is Master Kahan to Master Kenobi and Jedi Skywalker, I require your assistance."
"We'll help however we can Master Kahan." General Kenobi replied.
"Very well, if you would help me land this thing I would be in your debt."
Rex blinked, what on earth were they talking about? How could General Kenobi and Skywalker help to land the ship from down here?
"I've never moved anything that big." Skywalker said dubiously.
"We have to try Anakin." Kenobi replied. "Size matters not."
Rex frowned, and then his eyes widened in shock as both Jedi raised their hands and gestured towards the ship as it came down. Were they really trying to—if his eyes had been wide, now they were out of their sockets. The assault ship righted itself until it was again even keeled. Rex watched as it came down into the central plaza, still too fast for a real landing, but it did land on its struts at least. The foremost landing leg bent as the nose of the ship touched down, and then it snapped, sending the assault ship's fore into the ferrocrete of the plaza.
However the ship rested there on its remaining two struts, for all intents and purposes intact. Rex turned to look at the two Jedi Generals, both were sweating.
"All available troopers, head towards the crash site and conduct recovery operations."
Rex wasn't entirely sure recovery operations were needed, he was still looking at General Kenobi and General Skywalker in something akin to disbelief. If he survived this war, he wasn't sure he would ever see something that impressive again.