Chapter 1-1: Order 66
The fire expanded across the place, the once known sanctuary of the so proclaimed Guardians of Peace and Justice and their knowledge was now burning like a chimney, the Jedi Temple of Coruscant had become a battlefield…
Across a hallway of the Temple, a pair of Jedi Knights were running in despair, the first one was an "Asthary" of thin complexion, gray skin, black hair and sparkling yellow eyes, he was missing his front left horn and had a bionic right arm. The second jedi was a "Váalkuj" with mocha hair, Green eyes, pale skin and a strange mask, his "feathers" varied in colors such as blue, pink and orange.
The two jedi stopped at an intersection, turning on their lightsabers.
-They´re twelve, coming fast-said the asthary
-And more shall come if we don't hurry up-answered the other with his lightsaber pike in hand
As said, twelve clone troopers of the 501 legion surrounded them and pointing at them with their blasters.
-We can´t take prisoners…¡shoot to kill!-exclaimed the leader of the squad
With lightning fast-like reflexes the two jedi extended their arms, throwing the clones against the walls with a powerful Force Push, then they fled to the back of the Temple.
-It will be a massacre Regulus-the váalkuj was saying whose feathers were waving as they passed through another hallway over from which they could saw hundreds of lightsabers sparkling as they deflected back blaster shots, they could see how, slowly, the lightsabers went off and the Force itself started to fade.
-We´ll save everyone we can Gilliam-said the asthary-But for now our priority are the padawan-he reiterated
Surprisingly, both met three young padawan whom came from the east hallway, their face was full with terror but as soon as they saw the knights they ran to their side, crying in the intersection.
-¡Thank the Force we found you masters Regulus and Gilliam!-said one of the younglings, a male zabrak with white tattoos and dazzling blue eyes still tearful.
-We thought it was our end-added the second padawan, a Twi´lek girl with lilac skin
-¡We need to get outta here!-exclaimed the third padawan, a human male with Green hair and lime eyes.
-Calm down young padawan, ¿where did you come from?-asked Regulus trying to reassure the younglings.
-We were hiding with the others when suddenly…-the young zabrak couldn't finish as the five of them felt a great disturbance in the Force nearby.
Behind the three padawan a cloaked figure emerged, with a blue lightsaber in hand and a look full of hatred, it was immediately recognized by the knights.
-¡¿Skywalker?!-exclaimed Gilliam
Anakin didn't respond, Regulus immediately figured out his intentions, the Dark Side of the Force was present in the once called "chosen one", deception and even sadness ran through Regulus soul, but without letting his emotions affect him the asthary pushed back the padawan.
-Gill, take the padawan to the ship as fast as you can, I will handle Skywalker-
-But Regulus…-
-¡Just do it! I´ll meet ya all at the ship-exclaimed the asthary
Gilliam doubted for a moment, but seeing the scared faces of the younglings put him back together, he ran with the children in opposite direction, he looked back to Regulus, fearing for his life, but then again he focused and continued running.
-You are underestimating me Tek-said Anakin, his voice full of hatred-
-Maybe, or maybe you are overestimating your ability Skywalker-answered Regulus.-
The two were walking in circles without losing sight of each other, Anakin´s lightsaber was tearing the floor. Regulus kept his lightsaber pointing at Skywalker.
-¿How could you turn your back on the Order?-said the asthary trying to stay calmed
-It was the Order which turned its back on me-answered Anakin
-¡¿What are you talking about?! ¡The Order accepted and raised you as one of us! ¡We are the keepers of peace Anakin!-exclaimed Regulus
-¡Ha! ¿Keepers of peace? ¡The jedi started the war! And day by day your ambition grew more ¡You planned to overthrow the Republic! But you failed, not even Mace Windu could stand against my master.
-¡¿Master Windu?! That only means that the Chancellor…is the Sith Lord-
-Wise guy, unfortunately for you my old friend, this hallway will become your tomb-said Anakin raising his saber.
Just as a wild animal, Anakin charged at Regulus, fortunately the asthary was able to block the impact with his own saber, sparks popped out of the weapons and a harsh sound echoed across de the place. Skillfully, Regulus activated its double lightsaber saber second blade and spin it 360 degrees thanks to his mechanical arm, forcing Skywalker to retreat to a safe distance.
-¡I always suspected of you Skywalker, you were ambitious, and full of fear, you weren't made to be a jedi, you had far too much hatred inside you-said the asthary taking defensive position
-¡The jedi don't have the necessary courage to protect the Galaxy!-answered Skywalker attacking again.
Regulus dodged and attack him with a stockade aimed to Skywalker´s head, but the former jedi was able to deflect it with his own lightsaber and managed to Force Push the asthary against a wall.
-Only my vision will bring peace to the Galaxy-
-By overthrowing the Republic you will only generate chaos, people will know your treachery-said Regulus slowly getting up.
-I don't think so, in this very moment the jedi are being marked as traitors to the Republic, the so claimed Guardians of Peace will forever be remembered as traitors-
-¡You will not live to see it happen!-exclaimed Regulus launching at Skywalker
The blades clashed again but this time, the asthary charged with such force that was able to force Skywalker to its knees, still with the blades clashed Anakin was holding his ground firmly. Suddenly some clone trooper squadrons appeared of nowhere, surrounding the fight, because of this Regulus hesitated for a moment, allowing Skywalker to take advantage
-You know you can't win, fear has made you hesitate and lower your defenses-said Skywlaker pushing the asthary once again, throwing him to the ground.
The troopers began to approach the fallen jedi but Anakin ordered them to stop.
-From now on, the jedi are extinct-Anakin continued
-I don't believe so Skywalker, you and your master shall fail, ¡the Jedi Order will never be destroyed, cause even with only one remaining jedi the order will survive! ¡The light shall prevail!-said Regulus getting up again
-I will hunt down every last of you…one by one, but you foolish asthary, you can take your stubbornness to the grave-answered Anakin preparing to deliver the final blow
Before the blade went down, a great shot hit the ground where the troopers were standing, followed by a giant explosion that killed many of the clones and gave Regulus the chance to take Skywalker by the arm and throw him into the walk, making it collapse. Immediately after Regulus met up with what he was expecting: a giant droid unit that was part of his battalion, Jedi General Rahm Koa and Regulus Morgannus Tek were among the few jedi who didn't rely on clones as troops during the Clone Wars, Kota had a well-trained militia and Regulus had built a battalion of unique droids.
The droid was quite big, with a crustacean form, it had four legs which ended up in a metallic paw, and it´s body was curved and sectioned, ending in a small squared head with various receptor spikes and a one green "eye". Two massive arms had heavy mounted laser canons among other things.
-Nice shot Kranker-said Regulus passing by the droids side-¡Now let's hurry up! ¡Back to the ship!-
The droid launched a loud creak and followed its creator at full speed, leaving behind the clones who were already getting up.
In a blast of hatred, Skywalker emerged from the debris as a mad Rancor, his eyes searching for his asthary foe.
-The rest of the squadron has gone after them sir, they will catch them before they can escape- said one trooper next to Anakin
-No jedi must get off this temple-said Skywalker thinking-I want the troops at the outside to wear the tunics from fallen jedi-he added
-¿The robes sir?-asked the clone
-Any jedi who follows the retreat order will return here with their guard down, a disguise will fool them and it will make it easier to kill them all-
-As you command my lord-said the soldier, joining the rest of its troops, leaving behind Skywalker
Regulus and Krancker advanced through the temple crumbling halls at maximum speed, the number of corpses they found in the way was devastating for the jedi knight, nevertheless they continued until they reached the entrance of the secret landing bay in the temple. In front of them various troopers were engaged in combat with some jedi taking refugee under a big ship, without hesitate Regulus charged against the distracted clones, slicing them with his saber in a matter of seconds, leaving Kranker to finish the rest with ease. Finally he rendezvous with his fellow comrades at the shadow of its flagship.
-I'm glad to see you safe and sound-said Gilliam
-Same to you Gill, ¿How many are we?-
-Just us-said Gill pointing at the present jedi: two humans, an elder hefthorian, the three padawan and themselves
-Then we must wait for more-said Regulus
-I'm afraid we can't afford to do so my old padawan-said someone behind them
An elder male human with surprisingly large muscles appeared, with a big gray beard and a mechanical left eye, his size towered over Regulus whom was approximately 6 ft. tall.
-Master Jal´Onsso…-said Regulus
-The clones have discovered the secret bay, it is only a matter of time before a large force arrive, if w stay we put everyone here in great danger –said Master Onsso
-But master, we can't just leave, we must help as many jedi as we can-replied Regulus
-It will matter not if by doing so we die here, as long as we are alive, the Order shall survive-answered Master Onsso
Still displeased by the idea of leaving Regulus accepted and activated a command code in his mechanical arm, a hatch opened under the ships belly and a large ramp descended from it, from the hatch an astromech appeared, an R4 unit with black paint and purple details.
-¡Hurry up Ruster, start the engines, we need to get out of here pronto!-ordered Regulus.
Without delay, the R4 unit make an affirmative beep and rode inside the ship. Within seconds the big flagship tremble and its systems went online, illuminating both the interior and exterior.
-¡Everyone inside now!-exclaimed Master Onsso
The bay tremble as the large ship was taking off the ground, several clone troopers were approaching, some of them had rocket launchers ready to shoot.
-¡¿Ruster what the hell are you doing? Stop playing and get us out already!-exclaimed the asthary
The troopers shoot but it was too late, as the ship quickly flew into the air, the clones only watched as the ship disappeared in the smoke.
-*sigh* We made it-said Gill as he leaned back on his seat
-¡Not yet, the Republic´s fleet will obliterate us!-said the elder hefthorian
-Worry not master, this marvel had its various tricks-said Regulus activating a button on the control panel.
After flying through Coruscant atmosphere, the ship found the Republic´s fleet in attack position in front of them.
-¡They've been warned about us!-exclaimed Gilliam
-Calm yourselves, the cloaking device not only hides us from their sight but from their radars too-replied Regulus-
Everyone was tense as they approached a Venator-class Star Destroyer, they passed 20m above the cruiser but there were no shots fired, the crew breathed calmly as they flew pass the fleet.
-¿What shall we do now? We´ve been betrayed, we cannot return to Coruscant nor any other Republic system-said Gilliam
-Open the jedi distress frequency, if there are more jedi who survived this treachery we will find them…but for now we must travel across the cold and lonely space-
-¿How long are we going to be here master?-asked one of the padawan
-Until we know how to fight back-finished Master Onsso, leaving the command cabin
End of Chapter 1-1
(Note: Some species, ships etc. Are as you may noticed of my own invention, I hope to share more info about it in the near future)