AN: Ok! Another Chapter in the works! A word of warning to you readers, in the future of this fic, there is a good chance I may have to up the rating to M due to...certain content I may be adding. You know what I mean. So just be warned that some of 'those' may be popping up in the future. Probably not for a while, but I thought I should warn you ahead of time.
Also, in case you didn't know, I was inspired to write this fic by a video I watched on Youtube. Here is the link to it if you want to check it out: www . youtube . com / watch?v=VKdvLpBxbeo (Remove the spaces)
So anyways, if your fine with that, then please enjoy!
"Talking"
"Radio/Com link"
'Thinking'
"Alien Language"
Prolog: Those Who Dare
"The Hades Corp didn't follow Order 66 because the knew it was a lie. They knew the Jedi could never outright betray the Republic. And when Palpatine reformed the Repubic into the Galactic Empire, that just proved to them that they had to do what they did. To fight the Empire, and their own brothers in order to restore the very reason they fought in the first place."- Former Republic Commando, on the 247th 'Hades' Corps
19 BBY
RAS Imperator-Class Star Destroyer Inferno
With Jade
Jade sighed as she leaned against the wall after she lost Trips. 'What's wrong with me?' She thought, as she looked to make sure he wasn't following anymore. 'I...I shouldn't feel this way to trips! He's Just a friend. I...I can't feel this way! It goes against the Code!'
Though she would never say it in the open...but Jade did care deeply for Trips, and not just as a comrade in arms, or as just a friend. But she hat the Jedi code would never allow it. There is no Emotion, there is peace.
"Hey Jade, you alright?" Jade nearly jumped onto the ceiling as she twirled around to face the Mercenary Sasha Neos.
Jade quickly regained her composure. "Um, ya Sasha... I'm fine." She said, but Sasha didn't look convinced.
"Jade, I don't need to be a Jedi to know your lying." She said. "Come on, Jade! You can tell me, we're friends, right?"
"It...It's nothing, really." Jade said, trying to find a way out of this. "You don't need to-"
"It's about Trips, isn't it?" Sasha interrupted her, staring at her dead in the eye with her classic 'don't fuck with me' look.
Jade gave out a sigh of defeat and looked down, finding the floor very interesting, "Yes, it is," she confessed and Sasha gave her a look that meant for her to explain, "I just don't know how to explain it. I've been having these 'feelings' towards Trips, and they're strong,"
Sasha looked interested by that, "How strong exactly?"
"Like...every time I'm around him, I feel as though my body is just, wanting to-" She stopped herself as her face started to turn scarlet red, and a grin etched itself across Sasha's face.
"Well, the answer to that is very simple, Jade." Sasha said. "You love Trips is all."
Jade shook her head. "N-No, that can't be it." She said in denial. "I...I can't love him! It goes against the code! There is no emotion, there is peace!"
Sasha sighed in frustration "this is the reason why I don't like most Jedi, no offense Jade." She said. "You guys are trying to do what's impossible for any sentient being to do. You say there is no Emotion, but in truth it's impossible to live a whole life with no emotions at all. You are Human, your a sentient being, and like any other being, you have emotions with you every day of your life."
Jade knew that her friend was right. She always feels emotions, anger when she fights, happiness after seeing her friends at the Temple after for so long, and love when she thinks about...
Jade just shook her head. "B-But even if I really do...Love Trips," She said. "The council will never understand...they would expel me from the Jedi order and then-"
"Is the Jedi more important than what you want?" Sasha asked, her harsh tone causing Jade to flinch a bit. "Jade, you need to learn that Emotions like love don't turn you into one of those Sith guys. Killing off your emotions, and letting them run loose will however. You just need to remember to keep your emotions under watch. Keep them with you, but don't let them effect how you look at the battlefield, or any other similar situation."
Jade remained silent as Sasha laid it out in front of her. "Jade..." She said, with a more softer voice. "I look at you, like I would to the Sister I always wanted." This caused Jade to look at her surprised. "And it's because of that, that I'm gonna tell you this: Stop letting the Code rule your life. Remember the code, but just also remember...codes are more like...Guidelines than actual rules."
For a while, Jade and Sasha just stood there, silently while Jade processed the information Sasha just gave her.
Finally, she sighed in defeat. Sasha was right, she couldn't deny it any longer...she loved Trips.
"Ok...your right." Jade finally admitted, and Sasha smiled in triumph. "But...what if Trips doesn't feel that same way?"
"Well, if you wanna know so badly, why not ask him?" Sasha offered, and Jade just raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather know weather or not he feels this same way for you, and get it over with, or would you like to live your whole life not knowing how he felt about you?"
Once again, Sasha continued too get Jade on her side. Jade finally smiled at the Mandalorian Mercenary "Ya..." She said. "I guess your-"
Jade was cut off as suddenly a cold and dark feeling washed over her, a tremmor in the force that caused her to shudder in fright.
"Jade? What's wrong?" Sasha said, noticing her friend shudder. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Ya..." She said shakenly as she tried to calm herself. "I-I don't know-" She was cut off by a massive head ache, and it felt as if dozens of people were shooting her with Blasters, and she fell to her Knees.
"Jade!" Sasha shouted, kneeling down to her friend, catching her. "What's Wrong? Jade, come on, what's going on?"
"J-Jedi...dying..." Sasha could hear Jade muttered. "So many...dying..." with those last words, the Jedi Knight passed out.
"Jade! JADE!" Sasha shouted, as she tried to wake her up, it was at this moment that Beta Squad came upon the scene, hearing Sasha's screams, and, reacting immediately, went to their General's side.
"Sasha! What happened?" Fury asked, as Doc checked her vitals.
"I-I don't know! We were talking just a moment ago, then all of the sudden she just shuddered, and then grabbed her head like she was in pain and then passed out!" Sasha told them, and Fury looked at Doc who looked back at him with a concerned look on his face.
"Her pulse is quickening," Doc informed them, "We need to get her to the Medical Bay, stat!"
Fury nodded, and then lifted the unconscious Jedi Knight bridal style, then left for the med bay. "Shocker, you go get the Commander!" Fury barked, and Shocker nodded instantly, and ran towards wherever the Hades Commander was.
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Meanwhile
With Trips
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"Execute Order 66."
The moment Trips heard that order, it was as if time itself slowed down around him. This had to be a dream...no, a nightmare. This couldn't really be happening. Order 66 Couldn't really be going on.
"A-As you wish, my lord." Trips said, and he closed the transmission. Even though the transmission ended, Trips continued to stair down at the miniature holopad.
As he finally put the device away, Trips continued to just stand there. He, as well as every other clone in the GAR, knew what Order 66 was.
'In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Chancellor, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Chancellor until a new command structure is established'
Right now, Trips knew he was the only one in the Hades Corps that knew Order 66 was just given to them, one of the Orders that the Clones had to follow.
'This can't be happening...' He thought as he finally began to move forward. 'The Jedi...why would they act against the Republic? They swore their loyalty to us thousands of years ago...what the hell's going on?'
"Hey! Commander!" Trips was jolted from his thoughts and looked up and saw Shocker running towards him in a hurry, and by the sound of his voice it sounded urgent.
"Shocker, what's wrong?" he asked the commando as he tried to regain his breath.
"General...Lee...collapsed...Med Bay," Shocker said in-between breaths.
"Hold on, take a deep breath, and tell me what happened to Jade?" Trips told the Commando. Even though he looked calm on the outside, inside he was panicking.
"We were walking down the hallway to the Mess Hall when we heard Sasha screaming out the General's name," Shocker began after he got his breath back," When we got to where they were, we found General Lee lying on the ground unconscious, and Sasha next to her trying to wake her up, she said that Jade felt a massive shiver and she collapsed like she was shot!"
Trips's eyes widened as Shocker told the story. "Where is she now?" He asked instantly.
"The others took her to the Med Bay, Fury told be to get you." Shocker said. "Come on!"
Nodding, Trips then followed Shocker to the Med bay. All the way there, Trips was silently wishing this was all a bad dream.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Later
In the Med Bay
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Trips, Beta Squad, Sasha and the rest of her team were all gathered in the Med Bay around Jade who was in the bed while Doc did what he could for her. "Well, her condition's stabilized, she's just unconscious right now." Doc said. "But I'm still wondering what the hell happened to her."
Fury then turned to Sasha. "Sasha, did she say anything before this happened?" he asked.
Sasha nodded. "Ya...she said something about...Jedi Dying." She said. "A lot of Jedi Dying..."
No body noticed Trips flinching ever so slightly while Doc nodded "Hmm, I remember reading something that when one Jedi dies, those that were close to him/her can feel them die through the force." He said. "According from what I read, the most you feel is just a small headache...but this...a lot of Jedi must have just died."
"Damn...something really bad must have happened." Roman said, while Sasha looked at Jade, and then back at Trips who's eyes never left the Jedi. She rose an eyebrow, as her 'sixth sense' started to tingle.
"Trips...do you have any ideas as to what's going on here?" Sasha asked.
Trips stiffened, worried that if he told them, there will be a massive fight between them, and the Mandalorians. But, Sasha's gaze when he turned toward her direction told him he cannot lie to her, and he looked around the room, everyone was giving Trips the look that said 'explain'.
Realizing he couldn't just skip around the bush, he sighed in defeat and turned to them.
"Yes, I do," Trips said, his voice sounding somber which none of the Commando saw before. They swore Trips aged by a decade as he pulled up a chair and sat next to Jade.
"About twenty minutes ago, I received an order from Chancellor Palpatine," Trips said and the Clone Commandos stiffened, while the Mandalorians gestured him to continue. Trips gulped at what he was about to say next, "It was a Contingency Order, one of 150 others, that I prayed will never be issued,"
The Commandos and Mandalorians braced themselves, and Sasha, instincts kicking in, reached for one of her Westar-34 blasters holstered on her thigh.
"That Order, was called...," Trips' hand unconsciously gripped Jade's gently, as he choked it out, "...Order 66."
The Commando's eyes flew wide, while the Mandalorian's raised their eyebrows. "Order 66? Are you sure?" Fury asked, making sure their commander wasn't bull-shiting them.
Trips nodded. "Yes...there was no doubt...Palpatine gave out 66." he said, and all of the Commando's looked at Jade, and then at Trips.
"Umm...what's Order 66?" Revy asked the question plauging her teammates.
"Contingency Order 66..." Trips began to explain. "It was one of the Orders that all Clones were trainned to follow, no matter what." He then sighed, "It says: 'In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Chancellor, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Chancellor until a new command structure is established'."
"In...other words?" Revy asked, though she and her friends knew the answer.
"Basically, it means: All Clones, kill any Jedi you see because they betrayed the Republic, and wait for the Chancellor to make a new government." Fury said, laying it out in front of them, and the Mandalorian's eyes flew wide.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Roman shouted. "Who would be stupid enough to give that Order? no, who would be stupid enough to so much as make that Order? the Jedi are loyal only to the Republic! They would never do something as crazy as that!"
"That's something I asked myself all my life." Trips said, looking at Jade. "The Jedi...have only helped the Republic since its formation...of course I was young when they told us the Orders, So I was the good little clone and memorized it."
Sasha was horrified that someone could make such an order like that.
"D-Did every single clone in the GAR memorize that order?" she asked, and Trips nodded solemnly.
"Yes...the Regular Army, the ARC-Troopers, the Commandos, hell even maintenance clones knew it," Trips admitted, and the Mandalorians thought this was turning into a big nightmare. Sasha's eyes then widen in horrified realization.
"Did 66 meant ALL the Jedi? Not just Knights or Masters?" She asked, praying it wasn't so. Trips could only nod again at that.
"Every single one. Younglings, Padawans, Knights, Masters, the whole Councils, even the Temple Security Guards, and people who just work there," Trips said, confirming her worst fears.
"That's bullshit! This is complete Bullshit!" Revy shouted, raising her hands up in the air. "What kind of guy would tell his troops to do that?"
"All I know, is that the army, as well as those Orders, were ordered and created by two men, Jedi Master Sifo Dias, and a man named Lord Tyrannus." Fury said, and Roman's head pirked up.
"Wait, did you say Tyrannus?" He asked, making sure he heard him right.
Trips nodded. "Yes, Lord Tyrannus." he said. "None of the Clones have ever met the guy of course, only Jango Fett ever worked with him."
"Fuck me sideways..." Roman muttered as he palmed his face. "I can't believe this..."
"what is it?" Doc asked, seeing the look on his face.
"A while ago, before I was teamed up with Sasha and Revy," Roman explained "Lady Artemis gave me and my old team an assignment to track down all leaders of the Separatists. Starting with Count Dooku. When we infiltrated one of his bases, we discovered a few of his contacts. But we also learned he had an alias..." He then sighed as he face the Clones. "His Alias...was Darth Tyrannus."
The Clones' reactions were shown as their eyes widen in shock, even Blade's eyes widen at that. They were not alone as Revy and Sasha's eyes widen at that as well.
"W-We were ordered by Count Dooku?" Doc said, his surprise and shock clear on his face.
"No way, the founder and leader of the CIS was the one who asked for the Grand Army of the Republic?" Shocker said, feeling sick to his stomach.
"No way in Sith fucking hell," Revy said, completely confused, "Why would the Sith create an Army for the Republic?"
"Impossible...," Sasha muttered as she leaned back against the wall, "Just impossible. I don't even know what to think of this anymore!"
Trips' mind meanwhile, was in absolute turmoil. The Sith, the true enemy of the Republic and the Jedi, were the ones who ordered their creation and to serve said Republic with undoubted loyalty and without question. He then remembered the transmission he received from the Chancellor. Palpatine was calm when he issued Order 66, his voice didn't have a shred of regret nor sadness. If he remembered right, he sounded practically giddy and excited.
"Even if this is the same Tyrannus, Dooku died almost eight months ago." Fury said, still confused. "Even if he was somehow manipulating the Chancellor, with his death his hold on the guy would have been broken! Why would he still use Order 66?"
"What if...it wasn't Dooku manipulating Palpatine...but the other way around." Roman said, as he looked at the confused looks on everyone's faces. "I think now we can begin assuming the possibility that after all this time, the Supreme Chancellor has always been...A Sith Lord."
"A Sith Lord?" The others all shouted. "But how could this be? Wouldn't the Jedi be able to sense weather or not someone was a Sith or not?"
"Palpatine must have found out a way too hide his powers from them..." Trips said as he looked at Jade. "Having your own troops kill you...not even most Jedi could see that happening."
There was a long, and tense silence in the med bay. Until Shocker spoke up. "So...what now Commander?"
For a good whole Minute, Trips said nothing. "I...I don't know." He admitted, "I just don't know anymore...this day just keeps getting worse and worse by the minute..."
"Well, I know what I'm gonna do." Fury said, "I'm going to do what I always have done, serve the Republic. No, not Palpatine, not Dooku, and not the Sith, but I will fight for the Republic and the Jedi."
"Boss, you don't need convincing me. I wasn't bred to fight for the Republic, just so I can shoot my commanding officer in the back, just because Palpatine said so," Shocker agreed with him.
"I know what we're doing may be treasonous in the Chancellor's eyes. But I'd rather be called a traitor and die than betray everything I stood for," Doc said realizing they were fucked either way.
Everyone turned to Blade who was silent, but they could he was in thought of the whole situation. Making up his mind he turned to his squad, and did something he didn't do in a long time.
"I'm in," he said shocking everyone, with the exception of Jade who was still out, in the room.
"Holy shit, Blade spoke!" Revy said, with a hint of awe. Blade just rolled his eyes. Fury just chuckled a bit "Been a while since I heard that voice." He commented before turning to Trips. "Well Commander?" He asked. "What are you gonna do?"
Everyone stared at the Clone Commander, who appeared deep in thought. Then, finally, he spoke "Even if Palpatine wasn't a Sith Lord," he said. "And even if Dooku wasn't the one who ordered us..." He then looked at Jade. "...I don't think I could ever bring myself to believe that the Jedi had Betrayed the Republic."
Sasha sighed in relief, at least she didn't have to worry about killing anyone just yet. "Well, now that that's been taken care of, what do we do about the rest of the Clones?" Roman asked. "Eventually, they will find out."
"For now, let's just worry about Jade." Trips said. "I'll deal with the others later."
Everyone nodded in agreement at that, but then Sasha remembered something, or someone who was on Coruscant or more specifically, at the Jedi Temple.
"OH OSIK!" Everyone turned to Sasha, as a look of panic spread across her face.
"What is it Sasha?" Roman asked in alarm.
"I just remembered that Marik is on Coruscant right now. Or more specifically, he's at the Jedi Temple!" Sasha said in great worry causing the two other two Mandalorians to panic as well.
"What in the Fucking blazes is he doing there NOW of all times?" Roman shouted out.
"Well, it's sort of private between Me, and his mom but..." Sasha sighed, 'Marik's gonna kill me...' She thought. "Marik's...ya know...involved with one of the Jedi Knights there."
The Clones and her fellow teammates eyes widened. "Wait...Marik has a Girlfriend who's a Jedi?" Revy asked, amazed. "Who is it?"
"Umm...it's Zule Xiss." Sasha said. "You know? That Padawan from the battle of Jabiim we rescued?"
"The one we saved from being crushed by that crashing AT-AT?" Roman asked, and Sasha nodded. "Ya, they planned on once the War was over, that she would leave the Jedi Order to be with one another. He was visiting her this week!"
"Oh damn, this is not good!" Revy said. "I hope those two make it out alright..."
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Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Minutes before the beginning of Operation: Knightfall
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In one of the hallways of the Jedi Temple, one figure wearing Mahagony with Black trim Mandalorian Shock trooper armor, over a black flight suit, and a black cape draping over his left shoulder was moving through the shadows, avoiding the occasional Jedi or two as he made his way to a specific room.
Reaching the room, he began knocking in a way that seemed to look like a coded message. The door opened to reveal a beautiful orange-skinned woman, who appeared to be in her early twenties and had a build like a panther, with brown hair and green eyes. She smiled as she pulled the armored figured in, removed his helmet revealing a young man, also in his early twenties, and having dark brown military cut hair, and his eyes were a mild dark Mahagony.
The woman then gave the Mandalorian a passionate kiss, surprising the young Mandalorian, but just returned it with equal passion as he embraced her.
"Hello Cyar'ika," the Mandalorian greeted his lover who just giggled and gave him a sultry smile.
"Hello yourself," she said back, "Good to see you managed to get here without anyone seeing you."
"Hey, remember who your talking to!" Marik Orar said as he delivered another kiss to the Padawan, Zule Xiss. "So, how's the arm doing?" He asked when they parted for air.
Zule smiled and she rose her left arm, which looked like any normal arm would. "Still works perfectly." She said. "I still need to thank your mother for getting me this, it's a lot better than that old arm I had at Jabiim."
"She said to not worry about it, Zule." Marik said. "It was her gift to you, also I have some great news for ya."
"What?" Zule asked, and Marik grinned. "I intercepted a transmission from Kenobi's forces at Utapau, and guess what?" Zule motioned him to continue. "General Grievous, has been Confirmed KIA."
Zule's eyes widen at that, and then she jumped up and wrapped her arms around her beloved's neck.
"Oh Marik! That is good news!" She said in jubilation, "That means the end of the war is drawing ever closer!"
Marik just kept grinning as he wrapped his arms around her waste, "Yes it does. And you know what else this means?" he asked her.
"It means I'll be able to leave the Jedi Order and be with you...forever," Zule said as she hugged him tighter. "Oh, this is just perfect! Now I just need to wait a little longer until I can finally get those vows from you." She added that last part with the smile Marik had come to love, and he chuckled.
"Yes ma'am," he replied quickly with a grin "I love you my ka'rta, never forget that."
"I love you too." She replied, the two were about to move in for another kiss...but then Zule flinched as her whole body shivered.
"Zule? You alright?" Marik asked, noticing her action. "What is it?"
"I-I don't know." The Jedi said. "I felt...something bad is happening."
Marik was about to ask what, but that was when they both heard it...the sound of distant Blaster Fire.
"What the hell?" Marik cursed out as he placed his helmet back on and drew one of his DL-44 heavy Blaster pistols from his right thigh holster, while Zule used the force to telekenitcally bring her lightsaber to her. The two opened the door and cautiously stepped out into the hallway and proceeded to where the blaster fire was coming from, which was the Great Hall of the temple.
Upon arriving, their eyes widen in shock and slight horror as they see a battle between the Jedi and the Temple Security Guards, and to their shock, Clone Troopers with blue trim on their armor identifying them as Troopers from the 501st Legion.
"What is going on here?" Zule asked in horror as she watched a squad of 501st Troopers gun down a Jedi Padawan in cold blood.
"Hell if I know! What's gotten into these guys?" Marik shouted.
"Over there! Blast e'm!" Marik whirled around just in time to see five 501st troopers running towards them, firing their DC-15A's.
Marik reacted on instinct, and fired five shots from his blaster pistol, each hitting their mark downing the Clones. "Marik, Watch out!" Zule shouted as she pushed him out of the way of a Rocket fired at them.
"This is nuts!" Marik shouted as they got back to their feet. "Why are Clones attacking the temple?" It was then they heard Marik's personal communicator go off. He pulled it out, and activated it. Out appeared a single Clone Trooper wearing ARC Commando armor. "Sir, where the hell are you?" The Clone said. "I've been trying to contact you for over an hour now!"
"Revan, what the hell's going on?" He shouted. "I come to the Jedi Temple, and I find 501st soldiers shooting at everything that moves! Including me!"
The Clone, Null-ARC Trooper-01, also known as 'Revan' named after the infamous Jedi, nodded. "Yes, that's what I wanted to contact you!" He shouted. "Order 66 Just went active!"
"WHAT?" Marik shouted, loud enough that probably everyone in the temple could probobly hear. "On who's authority?"
"Who else? Palpatine's." Revan said. "He claims Mace Windu and three other Jedi attempted to assassinate him! They claimed that he was a Sith Lord!"
"A What?" Zule shouted in shock. "Palpatine's a Sith Lord?"
"I don't know ma'am, but things are getting crazy here." Revan said, shaking his head. "But me and my Battalion are loyal to you, sir. We're not following 66."
Marik sighed in relief. "Thanks Rev." He said. "Could you get us out of here?"
Revan nodded "Ya, I'm already working on that." He said. "I just sent a few LAAT/i's from the Prosecutor to the temple, but I had to disable their IFF tags to prevent any of the others from knowing their from us. Link up with them at the Shinarcan Bridge Extension."
"Copy that, we're on our way!" Marik confirmed and turned off the Communicator, "Come on Zule, let's get outta of here,"
Zule nodded, and the two begin to make their way to the Bridge extension. While in another part of the temple, a certain padawan is in the fight of her life.
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Meanwhile
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"Blast it! Why the hell are they doing this!" shouted a sixteen year old Togruta female Jedi Padawan as she blocked a few blaster bolts away from her, and the two younglings she was protecting. One a human boy with copper brown hair and cobalt colored eyes, the other a female Pantoran, with light purple hair and golden eyes, and blue skin with decorative yellow painted tatoos on her face.
The Togruta, Ahsoka Tano, had both of her lightsabers out, one Green and the other Yellow. Dozens of 501st Clone Troopers had begun swarming into the temple just a few minutes ago, and began shooting anything that moved. When all this started happening, she had been talking to a few of the Younglings about how the War would be over soon with Grievous dead, and then she heard explosions and saw LAAT/i transports coming from the skies.
"Take her down!" One of the Clones shouted as they fired their DC-15S Blasters, only for the well-trained Jedi Padawan to deflect them right back, killing a few of them.
"Alright, let's get out of here!" Ahsoka said to the two Children, who nodded as the Jedi lead them away.
"After them! Don't let them escape!" The leader of the clones ordered and the troopers followed after them.
Ahsoka cursed as she saw a whole squad coming after her and the kids.
"Keep running! And don't stop!" Ahsoka ordered. The children didn't need to be told twice as they kept running down the hall. As they passed a hallway, a group of Temple Security Guards, came out of it and started firing at the Clone Troops who fired back.
"Give them cover!" the leader of the guards ordered as they continued to pour into the 501st Clones, firing their RT-97c Heavy Blaster Rifles.
Ahsoka silently thanked the guards as she continued to run with the Younglings while they distracted the Clones. Right now, Ahsoka was trying to make her way to the hanger bay, and hopefully get to one of the ships inside to get her and the younglings out of the Temple. But the only thing in her was was almost the whole 501st Legion.
As they continued running, She couldn't help but wondering...was this happening somewhere else? Or were the 501st the only ones doing this? But on that note, why was the 501st doing this? Was everyone from the 501st doing this? Was Rex Involved?
She didn't have time to think about that right now. Her only concern was to get the kids to safety.
"Commander Tano!" a voice whispered, and Ahsoka told the younglings to stop and she began to search around for whoever said that, "Over here!" she looked in the direction of a bunch of shadows and became on guard when she saw the ARC-trooper Phase-II Armor. The Clone however was gestured them over hurriedly.
"Commander it's me! Fives!" the Clone persisted and Tano raised an eyebrow at that.
"Fives?" she asked and moved toward but remained on guard and told the younglings to do the same. When they reached him he immediately ushered them into a room. "Ma'am, it's good to see your still alive." Fives said once he closed the door. "We've been trying to find you before the rest of the 501st could ever since we got here."
"Fives...what's going on?" Ahsoka asked, "Why are the Clones attacking the Jedi? What's happening?"
Fives sighed in regret. "I think it's best for the Captain to explain." he said. "Come on, follow me. He and the others are in the next room." Fives then guided them to the next door in the room. When it opened, it revealed a room that had about eighty or so Clones that were wearing both Phase I and Phase II armor, some of them guarding the other entrances, others just sitting around. Also inside were Three younglings, one was a Female Twi-lek with Red skin, and orange eyes, the next was a Female Sephi with blond hair and blue eyes, and the third was a Human male with Brown hair and eyes.
One of the Clone Troopers, one that wore a suit that looked like a mix between Phase I and Phase II ARC trooper armor, and was white with blue trimming stood up. "Commander Tano," he said. "You sure are a sight for sore eyes right now."
"R-Rex?" Ahsoka said, shocked and surprised seeing him here. "What's going on? Why are your men killing everyone in the Temple? I was just in the training area with these two, and then bombs started going off!"
Rex sighed sadly. "Order's Ma'am, that's it." he said. "Just a few hours ago, Chancellor Palpatine issued out Order 66. It's one of the 150 Contingency orders that Clones must Follow, or be trialed for treason. It pretty much says that the Jedi have become a threat to the Republic, and must be dealt with lethal Force."
Ahsoka's eyes widened as the Clone Captain explained what was happening. "W-Why did he do that?" She asked "We never would-"
"Apparently, Master Windu and three other Masters came to his office, telling him he was under arrest, claiming he was a Sith Lord." Rex said, and Ahsoka's shock tripled at that, "And apparently, General Skywalker came in and stopped him before Windu could kill the Chancellor, by slicing off his hand holding his lightsaber, thinking Mace was attempting to assassinate him." Ahsoka gasped at that, "And then the Chancellor blasted General Windu out of his office window with Force Lightning,"
Ahsoka was stunned by what her Master did, but then became worried, "Where's Anakin, is he alright?"
Rex gave a sad sigh at that, he knew the young Togruta was not gonna like what he is about to tell her.
"General Skywalker is leading this assault," Rex said and Ahsoka's eyes widen in horrified shock, "Palpatine has given him the title of Darth Vader, and ordered him to take the 501st...and slaughter all the Jedi here in the temple, and anyone else who gets in the way."
Ahsoka collapsed on her knees, not believing what she just heard.
"No...i-it's impossible...not my Master, not Anakin...," tears were pouring from her blue eyes and down her cheeks as the revelation of her Master's betrayal of the Jedi hit her hard.
Rex sighed heavily, he walked up towards the young girl he had come to think of as a close friend, and knelt down as he removed his helmet. "Ahsoka...I know this is hard for you..." He said. "I know how I would feel if one of my Brothers betrayed me..." He then placed his hands on her shoulders, and looked her dead in the eye "But right now, we need you." He said. "Myself, Torrent Company, and the Younglings. We need you to help us get out of here."
"Rex..." Ahsoka said, as he looked at the Clone's face. "Why...why are you doing this? Aren't you...?"
"No." Rex said firmly. "Me and my Company refuse to follow 66. Our Loyalty has always been to the Republic and the Jedi, and it's pretty clear to me that Palpatine does not have the best interests for the Republic in mind. So when we got here to the Temple, we separated from the rest of the Legion to find and rescue as many Jedi and other Temple personnel as we could." He then looked at the three Younglings "So far we've only managed to save these three." He said. "We've been gathering them here, hiding them. So that when the others think their dead, we can maybe smuggle them out on a transport."
Ahsoka then turned her gaze to Fives and before she could ask, Rex beat her to it, "Fives is with us because he believes what we believe, and he was a Torrent Company Trooper before I requested him and Echo to the ARC-Troopers," Rex said, and Fives lowered his head remembering how Echo died on that Sith Forsaken prison world Lola Sayu.
Before Rex could continue his plan.
"Sir! There's someone coming," One of the clones wearing Phase-I Trooper who was guarding one of the doors spoke up and Rex got up and went over to the lookout.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Four of them." The Clone said. "Three in Jedi Robes, another In Mandalorian Shock Trooper armor. I thin it's Marik Orar from the armor colors."
Rex rose an eyebrow at that "What the hell is he doing here?" He asked before he just shook his head. "Whatever, Fives! get them here!"
Fives nodded as he left the room, and a minute later he came back with Marik Orar, Zule Xiss, and the two others. The first was a young woman in her late teens or early twenties, with Black hair and blue eyes, wearing brown and tan Jedi Robes. While the other was a more older male with Dark Blond hair, and blue eyes and wearing brown Jedi Robes.
Ahsoka sighed in relief at the sight "Serra, Zule, Master Drallig." She said. "Thank the force your alright."
"And you Ahsoka," Jedi Master Cin Drallig said with a smile, and looked into the room and saw the Clone Troopers along with the five younglings.
"Sir," Rex said and Cin Drallig turned to him, "I believe you need an explanation of why this happening,"
Cin nodded at that and his face scrunched a bit, "Indeed Captain, start explaining why all your brethren are slaughtering us, and you are not joining in?" he said firmly, and Rex could only sigh in regret.
"You might want to take a seat sir, this is gonna take a while," Rex said, and Cin Drallig nodded in agreement and followed Rex over to a makeshift table, while Serra, Ahsoka, Zule, and Marik went over to the younglings so they could keep them calm.
"Ok, now talk." Cin said harshly, and Rex nodded as he began. "It's because of the Chancellor, sir." Rex said. "Master Windu and a team of Jedi Masters attempted to arrest him, because they believed him to be a Sith Lord."
Cin's eyes widened at that "A Sith Lord?" He asked, incredulously. "How is that possible? The Jedi would have sensed that!"
"Apparently, not." Rex said. "Palpatine, or maybe I should call him Darth Sideous, killed the other Jedi masters with almost no effort, and dueled with General Windu. From what I heard, he was about to kill him before..." Rex sighed, not knowing how the Jedi would take it, if they hadn't found out yet. "...Before Skywalker showed up."
"Anakin?" Zule asked, looking up from the Pantoran Youngling. "What do you mean?"
Rex sighed "Anakin arrived in the chancellor's office just in time to see Mace preparing for the killing blow." he said. "Anakin thought that he was attempting to assassinate the 'chancellor'...so he interfered, by slicing off his hands, and Sideous finished him off with a blast of lightning."
The Jedi's eyes, with the exception of Ahsoka since she already knew, widen in shock at that. Marik was also shocked, since he didn't hear that from Revan when he was contacted by him.
"Anakin stopped Master Windu from destroying the Sith Lord?" Serra asked in shock. Zule expression showed she couldn't believe it.
"Why? He was the Chosen One, he supposed to destroy the Sith, not protect them," Zule said in shocked disbelief, remembering the missions she and her then fellow Padawan did during the early days of the Clone Wars. From the investigation mission of Ohma-D'un where she lost her arm at the hands of Asajj Ventress, to the rain soaked mud fields of Jabiim as part of the Padawan Pack. It just didn't make sense to her that the Anakin Skywalker, the "Hero with no Fear" will protect a man who swore to evil.
"It gets worse," Rex said and everyone held a breath at that, "Skywalker is the one leading this assault. Under the new name of Darth Vader," That threw the three Jedi and Mandalorian for a loop.
"What!" was the collective outburst from the four. And Rex just sighed.
"It's the truth. He's the one who the Chancellor has ordered, to Purge the Galaxy of the Jedi, and all who collaborate with them," the Clone said in sorrow and the three Jedi and Mandalorian looked toward Ahsoka who had her head bowed in shame.
"It's all my fault," was the only thing they heard, which caught them off-guard, "I should've been watching him more, Master Obi-Wan told me to make sure I kept an eye on him, to make sure he didn't do something...something like this!"
"It's not your fault, Ahsoka." Cin said in a reasuring voice. "Anakin is simply being manipulated by Palpatine somehow, it is not your fault, but that Sith's fault."
Ahsoka said nothing, when she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked up to see Serra standing there. "Ahsoka..." she said "We'll find out why Anakin is doing this, But now..." she looked at the younglings "We have to make sure they get out of here." she said. "We can't afford to loose them."
"I agree." Zule said, and Marik nodded. "Actually, me, Marik, Master Drallig and Serra were on our way to the grand council chamber where a few of the Younglings were hiding. We need to get there before the Clones do, and get them to the Evac point I set up with mine and Marik's battalion of Clones sent us some LAAT/i's to meet up with them. Their not following Palpatine's Orders either like you and your guys Rex."
Rex gave a grin at that, knowing his boys were not alone in defying orders.
"That's the sweetest good news I heard all day," Rex said with a grin and Zule smiled at that. Marik was also smiling, if they somehow manage to make it out of here he will be sure to incorporate Rex and Torrent Company into his battalion. Putting that aside for now, he decided to formulate a plan.
"All right, here's the plan...,"
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Meanwhile,
Back in the RAS Inferno's Med Bay
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Trips was alone in the room with Jade as he held her hand. He hated seeing her like this. Vulnerable, unable to defend herself. Another thing was also on his mind, the fear of what will be Jade's reaction when she wakes up.
Hell, he wouldn't be surprised if she hated him and all of the other Clones for everything, in fact he expected it. Which is why he spoke with Roman and his team that if Jade wishes to leave the Hades Corps, that she would leave on their ship, a S40K Phoenix Hawk-class light pinnace named the 'Blitzwing'.
Suddenly, Jade groaned as she slowly began to come too. Trips took a deep breath...this was it.
As Jade's eyes fluttered open, her head still hurt like hell. But she as alive, and that's all she cared about at the moment. "Uhh...Where am I?" She asked. "What happened?"
"You passed out in the hallway," Jade turned her head and saw Trips, without his helmet on, "Sasha was calling out to you to wake you up when Fury and his team came upon the scene. They brought you here to the medical bady," he said.
Jade looked at Trips and could see something in his eyes, which looked like a mix of shame, guilt, and hope?
She then remembered the Force vision she had when she felt the many Jedi dying.
"I bet you saw what happened if what Sasha told me was right of you falling down like you were shot," he said somberly and Jade's eyes widen at that. She did remember feeling like she was shot, and just before she passed out, she barely caught sight of an individual in white armor, his blaster pointed at her as he pulled the trigger. And then blackness.
"Y-yes." Jade said. "I...I saw someone wearing White armor like Phase II clone armor shoot me." She then looked at Trips "Trips...what's going on?" she asked. "What's happening?"
Trips sighed "Ma'am...remember those 150 Contingency orders I told you about?" he asked "the ones that Clones were ordered to follow or else risk treason charges?" Jade nodded, remembering him saying something like that around the time they first met. "What about e'm?"
Trips took a deep breath "Jade...Just over an hour ago, I received a transmission from Chancellor Palpatine to execute one of those Orders...Order 66."
"Order 66?" Jade asked, and Trips nodded. "Yes, the Order says: In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Chancellor, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Chancellor until a new command structure is established."
Jade's eyes went wide as Trips continued to speak. "Y-you mean..."
Trips nodded. "Yes...The Chancellor pretty much just ordered every clone in the galaxy to...to execute their Jedi Commander's, as well as anyone who is inside the Jedi Temple. Masters... knights... Padawan's... Guards... younglings, everyone."
Jade's eyes were wide in horror as Trips told her this. She instantly went on alert, preparing for Trips to attack...
But wait! Why hadn't he killed her yet? That was what she thought next. He could have easily taken her out while she was out, and why was he telling her all of this?
"Trips I...Why are you telling me all this?" Jade asked, and the Clone commander sighed. "Because...I cannot follow this Order." He said, much to Jade's shock and surprise. "Jade...I've fought with you and dozens of other Jedi Knights, and so have the others. They saved our lives countless times, and I could never imagine you or any other Jedi betraying us and the Republic...I could never live with myself if I had to Kill you..."
"What do you mean?" Jade asked, knowing that there was another reason. Once again, Trips took a deep breath.
"Because...during the course of this farce of a war," Trips said and prepared himself, "I fell in love with you,"
Jade's eyes widen at that. She had been wondering of the Clone's feelings for her, but was afraid to ask out of fear of rejection. Now it appears he finally confessed his feelings.
"I...I don't know what to say," Jade said, looking at Trips as he gave a look of understanding, but before he can say anything, the next words out of Jade's mouth caused him to almost fall out of his seat, "Except, just recently, I realized I loved you, too."
Trips's eyes were as wide as saucer plates "Y-You do?" He asked, making sure his ears were not playing tricks on him. "But...But what about the Jedi Code?"
"I've come to realize...that the Code is flawed." She said. "It says that there is no Emotion, yet peace...but I know that it is impossible for anyone to live a life without emotion. I don't care what the other Jedi may think. I just care that..." She then smiled "I just care that I love you...and the fact that you could have killed me while I was Unconscious proved to me, that you truly love me to." She then blushed a bit "So...if your willing to give this whole thing a shot, then well..."
Trips smiled a bit, and he then leaned forward, and planted a kiss right onto Jade's lips. Jade blinked a bit in suprise, but she quickly got in the swing of it, and began to kiss back.
Unknown to them, Sasha, her team, and Beta Squad watched the whole thing, with Roman and Shocker holding Revy, who was struggling to get free, so she wouldn't ruin the moment. Sasha grinned as she saw the two kissed, a miniature version of herself waving victory banners was dancing in her head cheering the two lovebirds on.
'About damn time,' Sasha thought with satisfaction, but then the sound of a fist meeting flesh, and a agonized groan reached her ears and she turned only to see Revy give Roman give a sucker to the face, and Shocker in the fetal position on the ground holding his family jewels.
'DAMMIT REVY!' She thought just as Revy charged into the room.
Meanwhile, the kiss between Trips and Jade continued to get more into their kiss. For both of them, it was as if a wall that was built between them had come crashing down. And all of those feelings they had been suppressing was finally released, and neither of them regretted it.
When they parted for air, Jade and Trips just stared at one another, with Jade's cheeks having a bit of pink on them. "Wow..." was all she could say.
"Same here," Trips said with a chuckle, they were about to move in to resume their actions...when a Squeel of Glee, followed by a large blur crashed into Jade forcing her back down into the bed.
"You finally did it!" Revy shouted in glee as she gave Jade a bear-hug, making her turn blue in seconds, "You both finally did it!"
Trips blinked at what just happened, "Revy what the...?"
Sasha, groaning in frustration, immediately went to pry Revy from the suffocating Jedi.
"Revy! Let go of Jade! She's turning blue!" the Mandalorian said, as Jade's face then turned purple, "Correction, she just turned purple!"
"Oh, alright." Revy pouted as she released her grasp and Jade gasped for air. "But it's about damn time you two finally kissed! God If I had to wait One more day for you two to make out, I was gonna lock you two up into the Cargo Bay until you two started to really-"
"Revy!" Jade shouted, her face scarlette red knowing what the Manalorian was about to suggest, which only caused Revy to laugh, and even for Sasha to giggle a bit.
"Well, it's good to see you two finally together," Roman said with a smile before he became serious. "But right now, we need to worry about Order 66, and how that's gonna change things now."
The others became serious as well, and nodded "What I don't understand is why The Chancellor would use 66." Jade said, confused. "I mean, it says if the Jedi were a threat, but that's impossible!"
Roman sighed "We have a theory that you might not like, Jade." He said, and Jade nodded for him to continue. "Trips told us that the people who ordered the GAR, as well as the people who created all 150 Contengincy Orders, was Jedi Master Sifo Dias, and a Man named Lord Tyrannus."
"So?" Jade said. "I know that, it was in the report given to the Council."
"True, but in one of my early ops during the war, I uncovered that Count Dooku had an alias, Darth Tyrannus." Roman said, and Jade's eyes widen in shock.
"What?" she said and Roman only nodded.
"That's right, the Army was really purchased by a Sith Lord, to destroy the Jedi Order," the Mandalorian said and Trips' added his own two cents.
"And we also believe the Chancellor is the Sith Dark Lord the Jedi have been looking for," when Jade heard that, everything she thought she knew of the Chancellor was blown out the window. Despite his extremist views during, she deeply respected and admired the former Senator from Naboo. But now after hearing about giving the Order to eradicate all Jedi, and him being a Sith Lord, all of that respect and admiration was shot. It all made sense to her now, the kind old man who was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic was a complete facade, a good facade but a facade nonetheless.
"Unbelievable..." Jade muttered. "He was right under our noses the whole time..."
"Ya...but the question is what do we do now?" Roman said.
"We do like we planned." Trips said. "Roman, you take Jade and the Commando's on your ship, and get out of here before anyone else learns about Order 66-"
"That is not happening, Trips." Jade said firmly, shocking the others. "Like hell I'm gonna run, while you stay here. Especially after what you just told me. I am staying with you, no matter what."
"But Jade, if you stay, they will find out about Order 66 and kill you!" Trips said, but Jade shook her head. "No, they won't." She said, and the others blinked in confusion. "Guys...while I was out, I had another vision besides the one with the Clone. Just trust me on this, I have a plan."
The others were interested and gathered around Jade as she began to tell them her plan.
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Unkown Location
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In a dark room, where there is only a lamp shining light, a figure is preparing for his return, after going under the radar for three years. The figure was wearing Gunmetal Grey Mandalorian Shock Trooper armor, with a red trim around the t-shaped visor of his helmet which sat on the bench where his vambraces and two Westar-34 blaster pistols lay, his flight suit was a grayish red, and a crimson cape was draped over his right shoulder.
The figures face, at first glance, any normal person would mistake him for one of the thousands of Clones in the Republic's Grand Army. He would say they couldn't have been more wrong.
"Jango? It's started." A voice said. Jango Fett turned around to see a beautiful women walk towards him. She stood an inch or two shorter than him, her skin was like a pale purple in color, and she had long dark green hair, pointed ears, and orange eyes. She was wearing similar Mandalorian Armor that Jango had, only she had Crimson Red armor with black trimming, with a bit of orange trim along the T-shaped visor of her helmet that she held under here arm. She also had a pair of Blasters like Jango's, but she also had in her hand a DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System.
Jango gave a sigh at that, and turned to the woman who had been with him after that day on Galidraan.
"Is the ship ready?" he asked her and she nodded, but then a worried look crossed her features.
"I'm worried about Boba," she said with a shaky voice, and Jango Fett, the Galaxy's most ruthless and efficient Bounty Hunter, former leader of the True Mandalorians, and genetic host of the GAR, moved over and embraced the woman in a hug.
"I know, but I taught him everything he knows. He'll be fine," he reasured. "He's a smart kid, Aria...just like we were at his age." Aria-ty Nokta nodded with a small smile. "Ya...I hope so." She said.
"I know so." Jango said, smiling. "Now come on, let's get to the bridge."
Aira nodded, and followed Jango out of the room, and into the hallways of the modified Acclamator I-class Assault Ship Jaster's Legacy II. They passed by a pair of Clone Troopers wearing Green/Red Phase I armor, who saluted him as they walked by, which Jango quickly returned.
Eventually they found themselves on the bridge of the assault ship, which was abuzz in activity as clones and non-clones were at their stations monitoring the communications traffic. Out of the viewing window, in the distance a few light-years away, the Galactic Capital Coruscant was like a jewel in a sea of stars.
Jango turned to the captain of the ship who saluted him, and Jango returned it.
"Report," Jango ordered and the captain, a none-clone who was wearing a set of green/blue Mandalorian armor nodded.
"Sir we just intercepted a few transmissions in the last six hours. It appears Order 66 has been issued," the captain, one Jaeger Asante reported. Jango sighed at that.
"What else?," Jango asked, and Jaeger looked nervous at that for a moment.
"And, it's also been confirmed that Marik Mereel Orar is at the Jedi Temple, apparently there visiting Jedi Padawan Zule Xiss." Jaeger said, and Jango's eyes went wide before he set of a series of curses in Mando'a.
"Of all times for him to visit his Girlfriend..." he muttered, before shaking his head. "Anything else?"
"From our agents in the Clones of the 501st, Torrent Company under the Command of Captain Rex has decided to not follow 66, and is attempting to rescue as many Jedi as he can." Jaeger continued "He's linked up with Marik, Zule and several other Jedi whoa are attempting to evacuate the Jedi Younglings to the RAS Prosecutor, Where Marik and Zule's Battalion of Clones have also decided to not follow the Order."
Jango smiled a bit, knowing that at least some of his Clones were not mindless drones who will obey any order they get. "Well then, let's give them a hand." He said. "Get the stealth attack shuttle and a Platoon ready for deployment. We'll go in, help them evac, and then get out. Me and Aria will be going in as well."
Jaeger blinked at that, "Wha... you sir? Are you sure that's wise?"
Jango just grinned at that, "It's been a while since I been on the field," the Bounty Hunter said as Aira grinned along with him.
Jaeger just sighed at that, knowing he couldn't persuade either way.
"Yes sir I'll inform the hanger bay," he said, as he turned away. Jango then turned to his wife, "Ready for some action?" He asked as he put on his helmet.
Aria grinned "Do you have to ask?" She said as she put her own helmet on. "Time to show the Galaxy that Jango Fett isn't dead just yet."
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Jedi Temple
With Torrent Company
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Ahsoka, Zule, Marik and Rex, along with Fifteenth of the Company's Clones were running through the hallway's of the Jedi Temple, making their way to the Grand Council Chamber where many Younglings were hiding, in hopes to get to them before Darth Vader and his forces could get too them. While they moved to rescue the Younglings, Master Drallig remained with the other Clones and the Younglings to keep them safe, and Serra lead another team of Clones to find more Survivors.
As they were moving through the hallways they saw the bodies of Clones, Security Guards, and Jedi alike laying where they had fallen. They continued on however knowing they had no time to mourn.
They proceeded towards the Chamber when they heard the sounds of blasters firing, clones shouting, lightsaber cleaving through armor and flesh.
"Take that Jedi Down! Take her-AAAHH!"
"We need back-Aiieee!"
"Sounds like someone is dealing death to some poor unlucky fools," Said one of the friendly Clones, known as Thrasher.
"You could say that again." Marik said with a bit of a Grin. The team continued to where the comotion was coming from, and they came across the sight of a small team of five Temple Security guards and a Female Kel Dor Jedi Knight, fighting off a larger force of Clones. The Kel Dor was going to town with the Clones while the guards provided support with their rifles.
"T-That's Sha Koon!" Ahsoka said. "She's Master Plo Koon's Neice!"
"Looks like she could use a hand." One of the Clones said, this one armed with a DC-15x Sniper Rifle as he and two others with the same weapons stepped forward, and took aim at the enemy Clones.
With Sha Koon, she was still fighting off the near endless waves of Clones as she was helped by the five members of the Temple Security guards.
"Keep firing men!" said the lead guard, as he fired his Merr-Sonn Model 6 blaster pistol,"Give Master Sha as much cover as you can!"
Sha leaped over a clone and then impaled said clone through the back. Another clone attempted to blast from the side only to recieve two blaster bolts to the chest and one to the head. Sha and the guards eyes widen at that, and four of the clones took that their advantage, or tried to as they suffered the same fate.
'What the hell? Who fired that?' She wondered, when then a series of blaster bolts came from behind her, and she turned around just in time to see a Squad of Clone Troopers lead by Ahsoka, Zule, and a Mandalorian come charging in, firing not at them, but at the other Clones!
This action caught both The guards, Sha, and the hostile Clones off guard from shock, which helped them finish off the Clones easily, securing the area.
The Guards and Jedi blinks in surprise once the battle was over, and Ahsoka moved towards Sha "Sha Koon! It's good to see your still alright." She said, and Sha Koon nodded.
"Yes...It's good to see you too, Ahsoka." She said before looking at the Clones who saved them. "But...what the hell's going on here? Why are these Clones fighting the others?"
"Their from Rex's Torrent Company, Sha Koon." Zule said as she came to Ahsoka's side. "Their not following the Orders the Chancellor gave out like most of the Clones are. These guys are here to help, and we've already rescued a few Younglings thanks to them. We were on our way to the Grand Council Chamber where a large group of Younglings are hiding until we ran into you and your guards."
Sha Koon nodded "Well, at least not every Clone is our enemy today." She said with a hint of relief. "I suppose me and the Guard's will join you."
"Alright, then let's go!" Rex said. "We need to hurry before Darth Vader or any of the other 501st Clones get to there before we do!"
"Who?" said one of the guards.
"The commander behind this attack," Ahsoka informed, " And apparently, the Chancellor is a Sith Lord as well, and is Vader's Master"
Sha's eyes squinted behind her protective goggles, she had suspicions when she felt the Dark Side of the Force surround the Chancellor, but thought it was coming from his aides. She was investigating them when she felt her uncle's death through the Force and passed out, only to wake up later and be attacked by Clone Troopers. Her face took a sad look as she looked at Ahsoka. Her uncle was like a father to the young Padawan, and if she informed her of Plo's death now, she'll do something that'll make her to the Dark Side. So she decided she'll tell her later.
"Alright, we'll follow you." She said, determined. "We have to save as many Jedi as we can, especially the Younglings!"
Nodding, the five guards, Sha, the other Jedi and the Clones made a break for the Council Chamber, running as fast as they could trying to avoid Clone Forces, and fighting only those who get in their way.
At last, they managed to reach the enterance to the chamber. Ahsoka and Sha decided to be the ones to enter, thinking that the Younglings wouldn't be able to tell weather or Not Rex's men were friendly or not.
As Ahsoka approached the door, she was silently praying that they were not too late. As the two opened the door, they at first saw no one.
Ahsoka's heart clenched. Were they too late? However then they heard...
"Ahsoka? Is that you?"
Ahsoka turned to her left, and saw two Human Jedi Padawan's, both who looked just about as old as she was. The first was male. who had short, black hair and green eyes, and had Black/Brown robes, and a Lightsaber cliped to his side. Next to him was a 15 year old Padawan who had long red hair, and green eyes who wore something similar too the boy. Soon after they appeared, at least a dozen younglings also appeared from behind the council chairs.
Ahsoka and Sha sighed in relief. "Drake...Scout...thank the force your all alright." Ahsoka said, relieved. Drake Otto and Scout smiled and nodded. "Same here, you sure are a sight for sore eyes Ahsoka." Drake said. "I thought almost for sure you were gone."
Ahsoka smiled as well and she looked at the Younglings "Is this all of them?" She asked.
Drake nodded "These are the Younglings We managed to gather up when the Clones started marching in." Scout said. "We would have gone out to find any more, but we were afraid to leave them in fear of the Clones finding them. So do you have an escape plan?"
"Yes, we do." Ahsoka said. "Thankfully, not all of the Clones are doing this. Rex and Torrent Company came here to save as many of the Jedi as they could, while Zule and Marik's Battalion of Clones just sent a few Dropships to help us get out of here. We'll be heading for the Acclamator I-Class Assault Ship Prosecutor. We will be safe there, for now."
Drake rose an eyebrow "Can you trust them?" He asked, uncertain.
"Drake, they could have killed me much earlier, and they have already rescued several other Younglings, not to mention Master Drallig is with them, and Serra is looking for more survivors with a team of Clones." Ahsoka said. "We can trust them."
Drake still didn't look completely convinced, but Scout placed a hand on his shoulder. "Drake, we gotta trust her." She said, looking at the Younglings. "We have to...what other options do we have?"
Drake sighed, knowing she was right. "Alright, let's go. Come on kids." With that, Drake and Scout lead the Younglings out of the Room, and to where Rex and the others waited.
Zule sighed in relief at the sight of the Younglings. "Good, their still alright." She said. "Come on, we gotta hurry up and meet up with the others!"
Nodding, Ahsoka and the others began to make their way back to where the other Torrent Clones were. However, Ahsoka froze as a chill went up her spine when a voice from behind them all said...
"Hello...Snips."
Everyone turned weapons ready as a figure came from the shadows of the Chamber. Ahsoka was terrified, even though he had his hood up, there was no doubt it was her Master, his Force-signature proved that as he walked toward the group, who the Jedi members activated their lightsabers, with the exception of Ahsoka, who was still looking at her master with hurt, betrayal, and grief, and Marik brought both his blaster pistols up and aimed them at the now-Sith Lord.
"Now you wouldn't be thinking about leaving without saying good-bye did you?" Anakin/Vader asked rhetorically as four new figures came out of the shadows. They wore Clone Phase-II armor, with kama half-kilts, and had some type of vibro-blade attached to their vambraces, which were folded up when not in use. Marik cursed in Mando'a as he saw these type of clones before, since he worked with a couple in taking out an important CIS General.
"Great, just what we needed, I should've known that Palpatine will send a few here," Marik growled out and Vader chuckled at that, while the Jedi were a bit confused.
"Marik, who are they?" Zule asked, worried.
"Clone Assassin's." Marik said as he glared at them. "Their highly trained Clones in Hand-to-hand combat, and have developed greatly enhanced speed as well as an aptitude for anticipating strikes and the ability to resist Jedi Mind Tricks. They were trained for eliminating targets like Grievous, Count Dooka...and now Jedi."
Vader grinned under his hood. "That's right, it seems someone's done their Homework." He said, darkly. "And these boys have had plenty of...practice these last few hours. It's been forever since they had a chance to take out force-user enemies."
"Anakin...why are you doing this?" Ahsoka finally managed to find her voice. "Why are you working with a Sith Lord? N-None of this makes sense!"
"I have no choice, Ahsoka." Vader said, calmly. "Mace Windu was about to Assassinate the Chancellor, and I thought the Jedi never kill their Prisoners? But apparently I was wrong to believe that."
"I won't believe that!" Ahsoka shouted. "Master Windu would never kill someone in Cold Blood! There has to be another reason for all of this!"
Anakin sighed "There is, but I can't tell you." he said, as he activated his lightsaber. "I'm Sorry Ahsoka...this is something I have to do. To end this War, and to bring peace to the galaxy once and for all."
Ahsoka felt tears come from her blue eyes as she bowed her head, which seconds later raised back up and Anakin smiled inside as he saw pure determination in those blue eyes.
Ahsoka turned to the others and spoke in a low but determined tone.
"You guys head back to Rex with the younglings," She said shocking the others, "I'll take care of this,"
Sha was the first to protest, "No Ahsoka! We have to stay together!"
But Ahsoka just looked back and Sha saw the Togruta's eyes that she NEEDED to do this, "I'm sorry Sha, this is my Master we're talking about. It's my responsibility as his Padawan to stop him, No matter what."
Sha sighed, knowing that there was no way to convince her otherwise. "Just...Just stay alive, Ahsoka." She said. "We still need you."
(Begin Playing: Duel of the fates by John Williams)
Ahsoka nodded, and Sha lead the others away. The Clone assassins then moved towards Ahsoka, Until Anakin said "Wait...she's mine. Go after the others." The Clones looked back, and with a nod they jumped away into the shadows.
"Somehow...I knew I'd find you here at the temple Ahsoka." Vader said. "I would try to convince you to join me, but I can tell by the look in your eyes that's not gonna work."
Ahsoka said nothing, she simply grabbed her Lightsabers, and ignited them. After a moment of staring at one another, in mutual agreement, they struck.
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Meanwhile
With Sha and the others
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The Four Jedi and one Mandalorian along with the younglings met back up with Rex and the fifteen Clones Torrent, just as the Assassins were gaining on them.
"End of the line Jedi" one of the Clones said as they folded their vibro-blades out into attack positions.
Zule stepped forward and activated her green bladed lightsaber, and Scout, Derek and Sha followed her example.
"I don't think so," she growled out and turned back to Marik, Rex, the Friendly Clones, and the Temple Guards, "Go! Get the younglings out of here!"
Marik looked like he wanted t argue, but the look from Zule told him that she could handle it. Reluctantly, Marik nodded and turned to Rex.
"Let's get outta of here, Rex," he said and Rex nodded, even he knew that fighting Clone Assassin's was a bad idea.
"Right! Let's go!" Rex ordered and Marik, the clones, guards, and younglings went down the causeway back to the room they were hiding in.
One of the Assasins tried to follow, however they were forced to jump back by a powerful Force push courtesy of Drake as he activated his Double-bladed Yellow Lightsaber. "You are not getting those kid, you bastards!" Drake growled as he twirled his lightsaber around, ready to fight the assassin.
Scout, meanwhile activated her Blue Lightsaber and held it with a reverse grip like Ahsoka usually does as she engaged the next Assassin. She flipped backwards to avoid the Assassin's first swip, and handed on her feet just in time to catch an attack from Another Clone with her Lightsaber.
The first Clone dashed forward to attack the now distracted Scout, however he was pushed back by a Force push from Sha, and slammed into a Wall. The Clone managed to roll to the left just in time to avoid being stabbed by the Jedi Knight.
Zule fought her adversary and had to admit, these Assassins can move as the one she was fighting dodged the slashes of her prefered style Vaapad and bits of Niman.
As the clone tried to eviscerate her by spinning in the air, with his arms out-stretched. Zule just did a back flip from the clone, and then executed a Force Push that sent the Assassin into a pillar.
"You know...for a Clone you'd make one hell of a Jedi," Zule commented but the Clone just ignored her as he continued his assault.
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Meanwhile
With Marik, Rex and the others
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Marik and Rex lead the Guards, Clones and Younglings too where the rest of the Company resided. When they reached the door, Rex was the first in, and the others followed him inside.
"Rex! Marik! Where are the others?" Cin asked once he saw them and the Younglings enter.
"On our way back, we ran into Darth Vader." Marik said. "Ahsoka stayed behind to keep him destracted while the rest of us got away, but Clone Assassins appeared, and Zule and the others had to stay behind too keep them away. They'll be here soon."
Cin nodded, and it was then from the opposite end of the Room Serra showed up with a Team of eight Clones, three guards, and a pair of Younglings, Both of which were female, and had Brown hair and eyes, probably twins.
"We found these guards defending these Younglings, and got they to come with us Master." Serra said. "But the Clones are heading this way, we need to get out of here before they get here!"
"Blast it!" Marik cursed, "Is there another place we can hide?"
Cin Drallig thought for a moment and then a ideal place came to him
"The Agricultural Corps laboratories in the South Wing of the temple, it's our only chance!" the Jedi Master advised, and Marik nodded.
"Alright let's go," Marik said, but Cin Drallig shook his head.
"No, I'll hold the other Clones off to give you some time to get away," Cin Drallig told him, making Marik's eyes widen behind his visor.
"Are you crazy? That's an entire legion out there! You'll get shot up out there!" Marik tried to reason, but Cin Drallig just smirked. "It doesn't matter, this is something that has to be done, For the Younglings." He said, as he looked at the children "They are the future of the Jedi. If anything, they must be saved at all costs. Should I die, I knowingly know that I did what I could to save their future."
"Master..." Serra said, tears welling up in her eyes. Cin sighed sadly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Serra, do not cry." He said. "I have nothing more to Teach you, and I will die knowing that you have become everything I dreamed of you becoming. So go now, and keep the others safe."
Serra nodded, knowing it was true.
"Y-Yes Master," the Jedi Knight said sadly as she wiped her tears away, "Also, just so you know, I always saw you as the father I never had,"
Cin smiled at that, "I know, and I saw you as my own daughter," Serra returned the smile and embraced her master while Cin returned it.
"Now...go," Cin said after they broke the embrace and Serra nodded and turned to the others.
"Alright, let's go. I know the fastest way there," she said and Marik nodded, telling her to lead the way. The guards and clones gathered up the younglings and they left the room.
Cin smiled as he exited the room the other way. As soon as he exited, he saw at least two companies of the 501st heading towards him. And leading them were three individuals dressed in white Echani style clone trooper armor, and armed with electrostaffs which reminded him of General Grevious' Magna Guards.
"Well, it appears Palpatine ordered his own clone version of the Magna Guards," said Cin as he activated his own green bladed lightsaber, "This will be a interesting fight." And with that, Cin charged forward.
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Meanwhile
With Ahsoka and Anakin
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The duel of Master Vs Apprentice continued as Ahsoka and Vader continued to fight, their Lightsabers clashing in speeds that many would have a hard time keeping up.
As Ahsoka continued to block her Master's attacks, no words were exchanged between the two. They knew there was nothing that could be said to one-another at this time.
Ahsoka jumped back, and used the force to toss a few chairs at Anakin, only for the Jedi-turned-Sith to slice them in half with his Lightsaber. Vader then jumped forward, and their Lightsabers clashed again as he then attempted to Kick ahsoka, only for he to lean back, and Jump away.
Ahsoka then went of the Offensive, attacking with Both Lightsabers. But Anakin caught her attack's with his own, but had to hop backwards to avoid a downward swipe from his apprentice, before then raising his Lightsaber, and charging forward again.
Ahsoka went on guard, never losing focus as she blocked or dodged his strikes. It's true he has strength and skill, but Ahsoka had agility and skill as she jumped out of the Council Chamber with Anakin following and they continued clashing blades neither getting a hit on the other.
'I've trained Ahsoka well,' Anakin thought proudly of his Padawan, 'But I have no time for this,' with that he pressed his assault on the Togruta, while said Padawan countered with her own defense.
Ahsoka knew she won't be able to defeat him like this, but she could at least try. As their fight continued, for how long Ahsoka couldn't tell, their battle found themselves in the Room of a thousand fountains, on one of the stone catwalks. Ahsoka managed to force her Master against a stone pillar. She then attempted to end it right there, but Anakin managed to dodge and roll to the side, causing her to slice the pillar.
Ahsoka turned back to face Vader, but he rose his hand and used the force too rip the pillar Ahsoka just slashed into off of the wall. Ahsoka had just enough time to dodge the full force of the attack, bu tshe was forced to the ground floor, nearly avoiding being crushed by the Pillar.
Ahsoka stood back up just as her former Master jumped down to her. "I'm Sorry, my old Padawan," He said. "But now, I have to end this. For what it's worth...I'm sorry that it had to come to this."
"As am I." Ahsoka said, as she prepared to fight her master one more time...only for him to turn to the left and jump back, avoiding being hit by a chair tossed his way.
Ahsoka blinked and looked to where the attack came from, which was from a single 14 year old Padawan who had Blonde hair and blue eyes, and holding a Green Lightsaber.
"Ahsoka! Get out of here! I'll hold him off!" Whie Malreaux shouted as he ran forward.
The Togrutan's eyes went wide "Whie! What are you doing! Get out of here!" She shouted, but Whie shook his head. "No...I'll hold him off, while you get back with Scout and the others." He said, calmly, but Ahsoka could still hear the fear in his voice. "Ahsoka...do me one Favor...tell Scout something for me."
Ahsoka blinked at that and she nodded for him to continue.
"Please tell her, that even if the Code forbids it, doesn't mean I won't stop loving her," Ahsoka's eyes widen a at that, "Also, tell her to take care of herself, and try to be happy, even without me."
Ahsoka eyes widen in shock at Whie's confession of love to Scout, but she nodded.
"I will Whie, and thank you," and with that Ahsoka went off to rejoin the others. For Anakin, he was relieved inside that Whie interfered and convinced Ahsoka to flee. But he was also stunned at his confession.
"So...your willing to cast aside your own life, for someone you love?" Anakin asked, whine said nothing, but nodded as he prepared to fight.
"I see..." Anakin said. "I can understand that, I will make this quick for you then." Anakin then rushed forward, Whine managed to deflect a few of his strikes, but the Sith who was trained better managed to deliver quick blows to his legs and arms, forcing him to the ground. And with one final Strike, he stabbed him through the chest, ending his life quickly.
With Ahsoka, who continued to run, she froze for just a moment as she felt Whie's death. She sighed in regret, but continued on.
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Moments before
With Scout
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Scout, Zule, Sha, and Drake continued their Fight with the four Clone Assassins. The four Jedi were forced to admit, the Assassins were very skilled fighters. It was unfortunate that they had to be their enemies.
Scout managed to block the strikes of the Clone Assassin she was fighting, using the Force to anticipate the Clone's moves. The Clone continued to make attempts to Stab Scout, using his agility to try and get behind her.
The Jedi then saw an opening in the Assassin's defenses, and took that as her chance, and in two swipes, she managed to slice off the Clones left arm. Before he could even scream, Scout plunged the Lightsaber into his Torso, and moments later, he died.
She let the body fall to the ground, and was about to help the others when she felt something in the force...her eyes widened a bit as she felt someone die through the force 'Was that Ahsoka?' She thought 'No...she's still alive, I can sense it...then who...Whie!' Her eyes grew wider, and the Clone Assassin fighting Sha Koon saw that she was distracted, and took this to his advantage to get revenge on the death of his brother.
"Scout! Look out!" Sha Koon shouted, Scout finally got out of her stupor and rose her Lightsaber to defend herself, but Sha acted quicker, and tossed her Lightsaber at the Clone, who didn't see the attack and payed with his life as the blade pierced him through his chest. The Clone fell to the ground, and Sha retrieved her Lightsaber with the force.
She then ran over to Scout who had collapsed on her knees, as Derek and Zule finished off their opponents with Zule removing both arms and legs of hers, and then impaling him through the heart, while he was flat on his back, and Derek catching his Assassin off guard with a force push, slamming him into a wall, and then throwing his double edged lightsaber like a spear and nailing the Clone through the head and then the Force to bring it back to him.
"Scout? Scout talk to me! What's wrong?" Sha said trying to get Scout to answer her.
"Whie," was Scout's response and Sha blinked behind her goggles,"He killed Whie. He's dead, I felt it."
Zule gasped slightly, while Drake closed his eyes in saddness. Whie was a close friend of his, even though they both shared a similar crush on Scout, they still got along pretty well with one-another.
Sha meanwhile nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry Scout...but we have to get to the others now." She said. "I sense them heading for the Agricultural Corps lab, and with any luck we can catch up to them before they make a break for the Evac point."
Scout nodded saddly, putting aside her grief of the loss of a good friend while Sha and Drake helped her back to her feet. Not a moment later, the four Jedi made their way to where the others were heading.
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Meanwhile
CR25 Troop Carrier en-route to Jedi Temple
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Jango and Aira were inside one of the LAAT/i Dropships docked to a CR25 Troop Carrier. "How much longer till we're there?" Jango asked.
"We're almost there, sir." The CR25 Pilot said. "We will be launching your Dropships in a few minutes, you'll be deploying around the Shinarcan Bridge Extension, where Marik's own Dropships will be arriving as well. But they won't be showing up for a while though."
Jango cursed a bit at that, but knowing some things like this happen in a military like the GAR, so he couldn't complain.
"Alright, when we detach from you once we're in sight of the temple, I need you to double back to the ship," Jango ordered the pilot, "We'll leave with Marik's gunships and regroup at the Prosecutor. Have Asante rendevous with us at the far side of one of Coruscant's moons," he finished.
"Yes sir," the pilot acknowledged as they continued on to the temple. It was then one of the Clone Troopers who was wearing Phase-I ARC Trooper armor called his attention.
"Sir," the Clone known as Beskad said, "Our agent reports that Torrent Company along with TSF guards, and a group of younglings are heading to the AgriCorps Labs in the southwest Quarter of the temple."
Jango nodded "Alright, we'll split up." he said. "We'll drop off some of us at the Bridge Extension, while the rest of us head to the AgriCorp Labs. That bridge extension is out only way out of here, so it has to be secure for the Evac."
"How are we gonna split?" Aira asked.
"Me and half of the Platoon will secure the Bridge Extention." Jango said. "You take the rest of the men head to the Temple and escort them over to our position."
Aira nodded, as did the other occupants of their LAAT/i. "Approaching Drop Zone." The CR25 Pilot said. "Deploying Transports in 3...2...1..and releasing!"
There was a slight drop as the two LAAT/i's carried by the Troop Carrier were released, before the transports accelerated forward, and sped towards their positions.
"Alright, we're heading back." The CR25 Pilot said as they steered away. "Good luck out there sir."
"You too." Jango said as their Transports moved forward.
"Approaching Drop Point one." the LAAT pilot said. "Looks like the Traffic down their is being blocked off by 501st Clones, my guess is that their searching for Fugitive Jedi in the crowd. We'll be setting you down away from where the'll see us land."
"Good." Jango said. "Everyone, get ready!" They nodded as they prepared their respective weapons.
"Be careful Jango." Aira said, and Jango smiled "Hey, your looking at a guy who managed to cheat Death!" He said, and Aira rolled her eyes.
"Ya, but this time you don't have a personally trained body double to take your place." She said.
"Alright, Go! go! go!" The Pilot said, and the side of the Dropship opened up as Jango and a total of 24 others piled out of the two Dropships.
Once they were off, Jango Turned around just in time to see Aira smile, and nodd her head, which Jango returned. The hatch closed and the two Dropships flew away towards the temple. "We're off, good luck sir."
"You too," Jango replied as he watched the gunships head off to the temple, he then turned to the Clone troopers with him. They all wore Phase-I ARC Trooper armor, and carried an assortment of weapons on them, 8 of them carrying a brand new blaster rifle from BlasTech, the A280. On the left shoulder armor piece, which was colored red, was the insignia of the True Mandalorians, but with a added feature as it also included the circling dragon emblem of the Mandalorian Crusaders as it circled the True Mandalorian emblem.
After looking them over Jango took a deep breath and gave one order.
"Alright, let's go take a bridge." He said, and his Troops nodded as they moved forward.
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Meanwhile
Back with the Hades Corps
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Trips and Jade walked onto the bridge of the RAS Inferno. After Jade explained her Plan, the others had their doubts. But they all knew Jade was set on doing this, and knew better than to argue.
"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Trips whispered to Jade, who nodded.
"Possitive, just trust me." She whispered back.
Trips could only sigh, but nodded his as she turned to the Admiral of the Hades Corps Fleet, wearing her custom red Republic Naval uniform, and who was one of the few female Admirals in the Republic Navy, her sandy blond hair tied in a high pony-tail and her amber colored eyes showing concern.
"Ah! Jade! Are you alright? I heard you collapsed and taken to the medical bay," the woman said but Jade just waved her off.
"I'm alright now Satele," Jade said as she gave the 28 year old woman a warm smile.
Admiral Satele Reels, a native of Chandrila, and former member of Chandrila's Defense Force, was a strongwilled, open-minded, and dedicated woman. She graduated from the Chandrila Naval Academy with top honors, and was a gifted strategist and tactician. Unlike most of her male counterparts in the navy who despised the Clone Troopers with a passion, Satele treated the clones as equals, not as abominations. It the main reason Jade picked Satele as her Naval counterpart, and to make a few sexist pigs in the Navy pissed off and jealous.
Satele smiled and nodded "That's good to hear." She said. "All of the troops are back in the ships, and we're ready to set a course back to Corasaunt."
"Actually, there may be a change in plans, Satele." Jade said, and the Admiral blinked in confusion. "You'll see. Trips?"
Trips sighed, but nodded as he turned to the Communications Officer "Open up a channel to all of our troops." He said. "There is something I need to tell them."
The Comm Officer rose an eyebrow, but complied as he did just that.
"Attention all Clones of the 247th Hades Mobile Assault Corps." He began. "I am contacting you yet again, because I have news that I believe you have the right to know about." He then sighed 'I hope this works Jade...' He thought.
"A few hours ago," Trips continued "I received contact from Chancellor Palpatine on my Private Holo Channel, and he gave us one of the 150 Contingency Orders that Any Clone is expected to follow...no matter what...That Order...was Order 66."
The eyes of all the Clones on every ship in the fleet widened. "For those of you who do not know," Trips continued "Order 66 says: In the event of Jedi officers acting against the interests of the Republic, and after receiving specific orders verified as coming directly from the Supreme Chancellor, GAR commanders will remove those officers by lethal force, and command of the GAR will revert to the Supreme Chancellor until a new command structure is established. In Other Words, the Chancellor just Ordered us to Execute our Jedi Commanders."
Satele's eyes widened, since she had never been told of this Order. She looked at Jade, and she could tell she already knew about it.
"However...we will not be following this Order." Trips continued, to the surprise and shock of the whole Hades Corp Forces. "The Reason why, is because I refuse to believe that the Jedi would willingly attempt to betray the Government they have been serving for thousands of years without question. And after some information provided by our Mercenary allies from Ne'Tra Kad, I no longer believe that the Chancellor is fit for leading the GAR."
"As you all know, we Clones were Ordered by two men, Lord Tyrannus, and Jedi Master Sifo Dias." He continued. "However, I was informed by Roman that during one of his early ops for Ne'tra Kad, Count Dooku had an alias...Darth Tyrannus." Many Clones, and the Admiral gasped at that.
"Yes, we have been ordered by a Sith Lord, to use against the Jedi," Trips continued,"But...Count Dooku was just a pawn in this chess game,"
The clones quirked an eyebrow at that wondering what he meant by that.
"I also believe, along with the General and a few others, that the Chancellor was, and still is a Sith Lord as well," that caused the eyes of everyone in the Hades Corps and Fleet to shoot wide open, and the clones began to talk back and forth about the revelation of the Chancellor being a Sith Lord.
Satele was completely shocked at this. She made a mental note to inform her friend Senator Mon Mothma about this later. "The Chancellor Is using Order 66 as a chance to remove his enemies. Not the Separatists, but the Jedi." Trips said. "It is obvious to me that the Chancellor does not have the best interests of the Republic or the Jedi in mind, so I refuse to Fight for him. If anything, I will fight against him."
Trips then sighed "But, I know some of you may wish to continue serving him...so I am not Ordering you, I am asking you, as brothers, to stay with me, so that we can fight the Chancellor, and to preserve the Republic as we know it."
"This will not be an easy task," he continued. "If we follow this path, it means we may have to fight our own Brothers in the future, those who follow 66..."
The Clones in the Hades all grimaced at that. But Trips was giving them a choice instead of giving them orders. Some wanted to follow orders, but all of them owed the Jedi their lives for saving them time and time again. Especially Jade who treated them all like they were her own siblings.
"I'll give you boys some time to think," Trips said, "I know that this will be a hard choice for all of you. If you do not wish to join me, then wait at Cloud City for when the Occupation Forces arrive. For those who do leave...I thank you for all of your services."
Trips sighed as he finally finished. He turned to Jade, who smiled a bit and nodded. "You did good." She said.
The commander nodded, and was about to step off the bridge until...
(Begin Playing: 'Armored Prayer' From the Gears of war 2 Soundtrack)
"This is the RAS Liberty to Commander Trips." Came the voice of the Captain of one of the Inferno Victory I Escorts. "Me and my Crew refuse to Follow 66 as well. We will fight for the Republic and the Jedi."
"This is the RAS Independence, we're with you 100% Commander, General." Said the other Victory
"RAS Interceptor, we'll be staying with you, sir."
"RAS Daybreak, you'll have to do better than that to get rid of us, sir."
"RAS Defiant Here, we'll always be with you sir! You too General Lee!"
To Trip's shock and surprise, soon Every ship, every Clone, all the way down too Mechanics, declared that they will be following them, not Palpatine. Trips looked at his bridge crew, and all of the Clones present nodded their agreement. Satele smiled and nodded as well.
Trips smiled and sighed in relief, "Thank you all," he said in gratitude, "Now let's get out of here and find a place more suitable to hide shall we?" was what he said and he recieved "yes sirs" from all the ships.
"Question though," Satele said and Trips & Jade turned to her as the latter gestured to continue, "Where are we gonna go?"
Jade and Trips thought about that for a moment as they tried to think of a planet that will be very suitable for them to hide at. It wasn't long until then Jade perqued up.
"Hoth," was Jade's suggestion as Satele and Trips looked at her. "It's a Planet not to far from here. It's pretty much an Ice ball, but it'll be a good place to set up a least a temporary base of operations. At least until we find somewhere better."
Trips thought about it for a moment. "It would be the best choice for now at least." he said. "It's a good thing we still have a few of those Prefabricated Garrison Bases." He nodded "Very Well, we'll set a course for Hoth. Helm, you know what to do."
The Clone at the Helm nodded as their ship began to turn around, soon followed by the rest of the fleet.
"By the way, Jade?" Trips asked. "What was that vision you mentioned you had? The one that convinced you to get me to do this?"
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Flashback
Jade's Vision
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The Vision went as it originally did. Jade had been kicked to the ground, and a soldier wearing armor similar to Phase II Clone Armor aimed his rifle at her...
Only for a trio of blue blaster bolts to crash into his chest, sending him back. Jade looked up, and saw five figures in either Phase-I Clone armor, or mandalorian shock trooper armor.
A man Jade identified as Trips walked up to her, and offered her a hand. Jade smiled and accepted the hand and the six of them continued forward. Eventually coming across a massive assembly area, multiple Venator-Class Star Destroyers, and a few Imperator-class Star Destroyers were in the skies, as ARC-170 Starfighters and other Republic Starfighters chased down multiple H-shaped Starfighters that reminded Jade of V-Wings (TIE Fighters).
On the ground, was a massive base camp of Soldiers in different Armors, mostly Phase-I Armor or Mandalorian Shock Trooper Armor. There were also a pair of Acclamator I-class Assault Ships on the ground, deploying even more troops to the ground.
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End Flashback
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Jade smiled "Well...It's nothing too special..." She said, "Just...a symbole of Hope."
Trips smiled, and nodded. The fleet was now away from the Planet, and preparing to leave. Then, in several flashes of light, the 247th Hades Corps activated their Hyperdrives, and left Bespin. Preparing themselves for a long road ahead. A road that will lead them to another great conflict...the Galactic Civil War.
AN: And CUT! Another Chapter DONE! Again, special thanks to Patriot-112 everyone! Though it may be a while before I get the next chapter out, mostly because I have other fics to work on (Spartan Alliance, New Blood) and I'm Helping Patriot-112 with his Mandalorian Fox Fic, and DKR with some of his as well.
Also, the OC Aria-ty Nokta was created by someone on Devianart named Rayn44, so credit to the OC and her pictures go to him!
But fear not! The next chapter will come out!
Next time on Star Wars We Dared: As Operation: Knightfall comes to a close, meanwhile the Infamous Republic Commando Team 'Delta Squad' Is operating on Kashyyyk hunting down Trandoshan Mercenaries. But after uncovering a Trandoshan Prison Camp, one where a lost brother may be kept, they will disobey orders to find him. But they are not alone, as they will be receiving help from the single most unlikely group of Mercenaries imaginable...
So until next tiem, may the force be with you.
