Okay, chapter 3 of the Jaeger Wars. This will be picking up right after the first battle. To those who are following, I am so sorry for making you all wait for so long. Just got side track with other stories I have been writing. Anyway, I'll try to keep intros short, focusing mainly on the story and whatever else.
Also, I'm getting some help from SaibotVapor in writing this story since he knows wwaaaayyyyy more about Star Wars than I do. So big props to him for the help.
Anyway, I'll try to update this sooner then what I had you all waiting for.
Hope you'll enjoy it.
Chapter 3: Reinforcements (of another sort)
The battle had been hard fought, but it went well enough that they had some breathing room.
Returning from the battlefield, Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight of the Jedi Order was currently speaking with Captain Rex, a trusted friend of his and loyal soldier. They had lost dozens of men in the battle; the Separatist Battle Droids were as numerous as always. But in the end, the Clones proved that they were more than able to take on the seemingly limitless number of droids that swept across the battlefield.
"Have the men gather the wounded; the Sepes won't be gone for long," ordered Anakin, speaking with Rex as the two returned to the main staging area for the Republic.
"Right away, sir," replied Rex as he jogged off to relay the order to the other Clones. As the Clone Captain was leaving, a Trooper walked towards the Jedi General.
"General Skywalker; General Kenobi has requested your presence, sir." informed the Trooper.
Anakin smirked, just like his old master to make sure he was okay. "Well, let's see what Obi-Wan wants to talk about."
So the Jedi made his way to where he knew Obi-Wan would be. It was a regular thing for Jedi to look out for one another, just as they look out for their men, but sometimes, Anakin felt that the Jedi Council paid a little more attention to him than other Jedi, something his was not entirely fond of but paid little mind to. However, there was something he was slightly wondering about.
During the fight, he wasn't sure if his nerves were playing on him or if this was some sort of Separatist trick, but he could have sworn he saw four droids begin attacking the Separatists, with nothing but their bare hands.
From his position to ambush the Droids, he couldn't entirely make out the machines, but he could definitely tell they were bigger than any standard Battle Droid or Super Battle Droid. Was this some kind of new weapon the Separatists created? No, why would the Separatists build something as strong as the four droids he saw if only to have them destroy their own?
"Anakin," said a familiar voice, drawing the Knight out of his thoughts and to Obi-Wan who was waiting patiently for his former apprentice, "Glad to see you make it out in one piece."
"Everything I learned came from you," joked Anakin as he and his old friend began walking back to the main area.
"Oh, if only that were so," replied the Jedi Master in his trademark joking manner.
"So, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?" Anakin asked. However, before Obi-Wan could respond, the drone of a ship was heard. Both Jedi looked up to see a Nu-Class attack shuttle come flying in.
"Looks like some more help has arrived," commented Obi-Wan as he watched the shuttle come in and descend not too far away.
Wait, did he hear him correctly? Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan for a moment. "More help?"
"Ah, yes, that is what I wanted to speak with you about. During the battle, we received some very unexpected assistance in the form of four droids," elaborated the old Jedi Master. Anakin raised an eyebrow unconvincingly, "trust me, you'll believe it once you see it. But they are unlike any droids I have ever encountered."
"Well, looks like our problems are being solved," replied Anakin dryly, "so where are these droids?"
"They're with R2, being updated on current events," continued Obi-Wan, though he noticed the confused expression on Anakin's face,"I know what you're thinking; trust me I was skeptical as well; they claim to have no records of what is happening, but what's even more perplexing is that they refer to data stored within them as memories."
"Memories?" repeated Anakin, not really convinced.
"Their words not mine," informed Obi-Wan as he and Anakin made their way to the shuttle, "Anyway, our Cruiser must be back."
"Which means we'll be able to get our reinforcements," concluded Skywalker.
"Along with the new ones here on Christophsis. It appears our problems are solved. Fresh troops, new supplies, and perhaps they brought my new Padawan with them."
"You really think it's a good idea to bring a Padawan Learner into all of this?" asked Anakin as he raised an eyebrow.
"I spoke to Master Yoda about it. You should put in a request for one," replied Obi-Wan, though he added humorously, "You'd make a good teacher. But I am sure that bringing in the four droids was a good idea."
"No thanks," chuckled the Jedi Knight, though his expression went back to neutral, "though I would like to take a look at the droids you keep talking about."
He should have seen this coming. Anakin was never really one to sit down and try to learn, more going in and learn things as he went. Well, it is true, experience can be the best teacher, as well as failure. But Obi-Wan could understand his interest in the four droids or machines in general. Anakin always had an interest in building droids and understanding how machines work.
"Though you should know, teaching is a privilege, and it's part of a Jedi's responsibility to help train the next generation."
"A Padawan would just slow me down," retorted Anakin as he and Obi-Wan came to a stop just in front of the Attack Shuttle.
Firmly on the ground, the landing gear easily supporting the shuttle's mass, the ramp opened up with a mechanical whine. Standing in the entrance way, a being with orange skin, and a sort of blue and white headdress that looked somewhat like tails. The being had white markings on her face, bright blue eyes and a kind expression. Based on physical appearance, the newly arrived Padawan looked to be female, with burgundy chest bindings that covered her chest, a pair of gloves covered her hands, and a brown belt around her waist that held up a burgundy skirt. A purple loincloth hung from her belt while a white cylinder hung next to it. Her legs were covered by white leggings with burgundy boots going over the top. The girl was a Torgruta female, a species of alien from the planet Shili.
All in all, she was fairly pretty, and very young as well as both Anakin and Obi-Wan were rather surprised to see such a young person here.
"A youngling?" identified Obi-Wan, voicing some minor surprise.
"And who are you supposed to be?" asked Anakin as the Padawan approached the two Jedi.
"I'm Ahsoka," answered the Padawan, "Master Yoda sent me. I was told to tell you both that you must get back to the Jedi Temple immediately. There's an emergency."
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in a bit of an emergency right here," said Anakin sharply.
"Yes, our communications have been a bit unreliable, but we've been calling for help," added Obi-Wan, though he felt inclined to mention the droids that helped, "however he did get some unexpected support."
"Master Yoda hadn't heard, so he sent me to deliver the message," informed Ahsoka, though that was all it took for Anakin to get a little annoyed as he turned on his heel.
"Oh, great," said the Jedi Knight sarcastically, "They don't even know we're in trouble."
"Then it is fortunate that we received assistance from the droids," pointed out Obi-Wan, trying to find the silver lining in all this. It was true, the appearance of the four droids easily helped turn the tide of the battle from what could have had many casualties to only a few lost and some injuries.
"Maybe you can relay a signal through the cruiser that just dropped me off," offered Ahsoka. Obi-Wan smirked, Ahsoka was more insightful than she let on. Pointing out such a fact quickly. Anakin's expression didn't really change, but even he would admit that was a good point.
"Well then, it seems that you'll be getting to see the droids sooner than you thought," joked Obi-Wan as he motioned for both Anakin and Ahsoka to follow.
As the two Jedi followed the Master, they were having some rather interesting thoughts on the reveal of the droids. Ahsoka on her part was slightly confused: the Jedi were supposed to help the Republic fight the Separatist droids, so why would four be helping them? Were they reprogrammed, but if they were, how much help would they be? She had seen a few images of them during her training and if she was honest, they didn't look that helpful, only crudely made. Were they a new type of droid?
While Ahsoka pondered over them, Anakin was slightly more cautious but intrigued as well. During the battle, he caught a few glimpses of the droids. What made them stand out were their color schemes. But he wouldn't lie, he was a little curious to see them. Being a mechanic and having built C3-PO a while back when he was a kid, he was interested to find out what exactly made these things work.
As the three made their way to where R2-D2 was situated. They began to hear a few comments from the Clones about them. Some were about how they destroyed dozens of 'Clankers', Clone terminology for battle droids, with just their bare hands.
After about a minute of walking, the Jedi could hear an accented voice bark out.
With Jaegers
Things had gone surprisingly well.
Though even she couldn't suppress a sigh, a distinct sound that came from the depths of her vents. While it worked out, 'meeting the natives,' who actually weren't even from the planet they were currently on. The Clones were a little distrustful of them, something to do with fighting robots she guessed. But, now that they were with the little robot, R2-D2, Obi-Wan had called the thing. And despite her plan having more holes than a sieve, Crimson couldn't deny the results. So they were getting updated with everything.
Boy, that was interesting, to say the least.
"NO WANKER IS POKING AROUND IN MAH HEAD!"
A terrified R2-D2 hid behind Crimson as Cherno held back a very vocal Striker who was trying grab the little robot and throttle it for all it was worth.
Things had gone really well for the other three. R2 had given then a translator program and a basic history of Republic and Clone Wars. It was Striker's turn after Gipsy.
Did trying to help update the droid get a threat and near impaling by said droid?
No, it didn't.
R2 let out a series of beeps. Cherno, Gipsy and Crimson all knew what he said thanks to the translator program, however, Striker began mimicking the droid's language, or at least tried to. If the Jaeger had a mouth, he would like very foolish, "What is that? A shitty version of dubstep?"
"Oh my lord," groaned Crimson as he facepalmed to his right. Gipsy just sighed, letting out another hiss from her vents and Cherno growled as he forced Striker to sit down on the ground, "Striker, would you just let R2-D2 give you the information?"
"I don't need to know anything else about Yavin code, thank you very much! No, let me up, you walking-" Striker never got to finish that sentence as Cherno grabbed the Mark V by his chest armor and hoisted him up so that his golden orange visor was in line with his searchlight. A dangerous growl rumbled through the Mark 1's frame. Finish that sentence, and Striker was going to learn that the green giant didn't survive for as long as he did by just durability alone.
"It's not about that!" cried Crimson, getting thoroughly fed up with Striker at this point.
"Like that last stuff the trashcan with wheels wasn't," grumbled Striker as he dangled in Cherno's clutches, wriggling slightly as he tried to escape, "Now could you let me down, Cherno?"
A sharp growl came from the titan.
"Seriusly?! I look fucking ridiculous!" swore Striker, as he tried escaping but Cherno's grip never wavered, "Stupid bloody wanker! Just let me go! Gimme a break!"
Glancing over at Gipsy and Crimson, he could plainly see that they were glaring at him, "What?"
"Let R2 update you," growled Crimson, having reached the end of his patience with Striker. The silver war machine was about to protest, "Now."
After a moment of intense staring, Striker finally gave in, "Alright, fine." Not fully trusting him to not break the Astromech, Cherno held onto his shoulders. When the Jaegers were being updated, they didn't have any inputs for the little droids jack (not surprising to them), but they could receive information through their private comm. link. So after being connected to the Astromech, their processors grasped the complicated data without a hitch and the information was uploaded to their processors and data banks.
"Well... that's interesting," admonished Striker as he let the translation data flow into his processors through a special link Crimson had come up with the help of R2-D2.
Point of fact, Gipsy thought Crimson may have been enjoying all this a little more than she thought he should. Turns out, not only were they on a different planet (no surprise there after everything they just witnessed), they were in an entirely different galaxy. Apparently, they're in a galaxy run by a government called the Galatic Republic. The Republic was, believe it or not, around for thousands of years, keeping order and such. Until recently, a few senators or business tycoons wanted to do their own thing, or some others thought the Republic was extremely corrupt and wanted to leave. So they abandoned the Republic to form their own government, the Confederacy of Independent Systems, or CIS.
Government aside, there was one thing Gipsy, personally, found kinda a cool. It was the Jedi people. In the galaxy, there is this weird cosmic energy called the Force which is in every living thing. Sometimes a person has a big connection and can do cool stuff like move rocks and read minds. The Jedi were supposed to be the protectors of the Galaxy, but Gipsy, and to an extent Crimson and Cherno felt that while the Jedi were good, they haven't really done a lot before the start of the Clone Wars. They said they wanted to bring peace, but they didn't really do a whole lot. Aside from the laser swords they possessed, Gipsy was okay with the Jedi.
Now they just have to wait to find out what Striker's opinion is.
After a few more moments, Striker let while R2-D2 wheeled back, wanting to put some distance between him and violent droid.
"There, done," he admonished, "Now get off me!" With that, Striker escaped Cherno's clutches and stood to his feet while throwing up his arms in exasperation.
"Somewhat. Now that you are unable to fake ignorance, please consider your future actions."
"Aw come on!" shouted Striker, "Do you honestly expect me to lash out at some random alien we run into for not understanding it?"
"Yes/*low rumble*" answered Gipsy, Crimson, and Cherno in unison.
"Bloody pricks all of you. Do you want a promise that I won't attack anyone without reason?"
"That would be nice," Gipsy replied.
"Shut up," snapped Striker as the last of the information organized itself within his processor.
"Was that so hard?" asked Crimson, cutting in as he was clearly getting annoyed with Striker's philosophy of breaking everything down and try to figure it out later.
"No," grumbled the Mark V
"Good. Will you act out?"
"Most likely."
"That's probably the best we're gonna get," commented Gipsy as she looked off to the side. However, when she did, the Mark III saw a familiar face and two new ones, "Hey, Obi-Wan."
The action caused the other Jaegers to change their focus to the bearded man and his allies.
"Hello, Gipsy," replied the Jedi Master as he motioned for his friend and the young girl to introduce themselves, "I trust you've been informed of our current situation?"
"We have," replied Crimson as his single optic shifted from Obi-Wan to the two strangers.
"Who's the wanker and girl?" asked Striker, folding his arms.
"What did you just call me?" demanded the man, clearly irritated by the name calling.
"Anakin, calm down," advised Obi-Wan.
"Don't take anything Striker says personally, he's always a jerk," reassured Gipsy, "but who are you, again?"
"Right, this is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, my former apprentice," began the Jedi Master, "and this is Ahsoka Tano, a Padawan learner who just arrived a few minutes ago. Anakin, this is Gipsy Danger, Cherno Alpha, Striker Eureka, and Crimson Typhoon. The droids I was speaking about."
"Well, they're certainly bigger than the Separatist battle droids," commented Skywalker as he, for the moment anyway, forgot about his annoyance with Striker as he let his technical mind admire the machines.
"We're not droids, we're Jaegers," corrected Gipsy, who seemed to bristle slightly at being called a droid.
"What's the difference?" Asked Ashoka as she really didn't understand why these droids refused to be called that.
"We don't go down by just pushing us over," answered Striker as folded his arms, "What are you doing 'ere beside introducing us to your buddy and kid?"
Ashoka and Anakin both looked at the mark V Jaeger with contempt facial expressions but before either of them could say anything Obi-Wan spoke up.
"We were about to see if we could send a message to the Jedi council to see if they can send us any reinforcements. We're needed back on Coruscant in the Jedi Temple for some sort of emergency, but communications have been unreliable as of late so Ashoka was sent to deliver the message," explained the Jedi Master, "We need R2 to relay the message through the Cruiser that brought Ahsoka here to the temple."
This caught the Jaeger's attention, but only one of them voiced their interest.
"What Cruiser?" asked Gipsy.
Christophsis, Exosphere
Space battles are usually what people expect them to be, especially with ships that are practically a kilometer long. And the battle above Christophsis was no different than what one would expect. Blue and red lasers shot past each other as a Republic Venator Class Star Destroyer, a massive, dagger-shaped vessel painted smokey white with a long strip of red running down the dorsal hangar bay. Stretching 3,730 ft in length, 1,798 feet in width, and with a height of 879 ft, the ship was attempting to make a run past three Separatist Munificent-Class Star Frigate, painted an olive green with some hints of blue, each one reaching about 2,706 feet in length, 1,397 feet in width, and 797 feet tall.
Both ships were the most commonly used ships in the Clone Wars. The Venator acting as the Bread-and-Butter of the Grand Army of the Republic, while the Munificent was a gift to the Separatists from the Banking Clan. Both ships had their strengths and weaknesses. The Venator had an arrow-shaped hull, progressively getting narrower towards the bow while wider towards the stern. It had a relatively flat hull, not without reason, and two control towers that made up the majority of the height of the Venator, and despite its size, the Venator was incredibly fast, reaching a top speed of 606 miles per hour. While slower than most planes on earth, given its size, that is extremely quick, thanks to the eight drive engines that propelled the ship forward. Four main engines that provided the much of that propulsion, a pair of secondary engines, and a pair of tertiary engines.
With its speed, the Venator also boasted a class 1 hyperdrive, a nifty device that allowed ships to reach the speed of light and grant transport from one planetary system to another, and a backup class 15. Meaning that the Venator could travel sixty-thousand lightyears with one jump. With its speed, the Venator also packed some impressive firepower starting with eight heavy turbo laser cannons, two medium turbo laser cannons, about 52 point-defense laser cannons, and six tractor beam projectors. Along with the turbo lasers, it also packed four heavy proton torpedo tubes, and when combined, carried about 19 torpedoes.
Though, despite the firepower, the Venator was more along the lines of a carrier, having extremely large hangars, capable of carrying around 420 starfighters. Two secondary hangars flanked the ship while the main hangar bay could open up to the flight deck. While it could launch fighters like nobodies business, it also left the Venator incredibly vulnerable.
But despite its flaws, the Venator was a reliable and powerful ship. And the Venator was going to be in for a heck of a fight when compared to the three Munificent attacking. The Munificent started out its carrier as mainly a transport ship for the banking clan until dozens were donated to the Separatists. To match, and in some cases, outclass the Venator's firepower, the Munificent was armed with 20 light turbo laser turrets, 26 twin turbo laser cannons, 38 point-defense laser cannons, and the much larger guns; two long-range ion cannons, and a massive two turbo laser cannon.
Unlike the Venator, the Munificent was more suited for cargo rather than actual starfighters, which made sense since the ships originally belonged to the banking clan. Both ship types had their strengths and weaknesses, and right now, the durability of the Venator's hull was being put to the test.
The Venator that came to the Christophsis system was actually Anakin Skywalker's flagship: The Resolute. At the command of the ship while Anakin was away in battle was Admiral Wulf Yularen. The man was not a clone as not all officers in the Grand Army of the Republic were clones. Yularen was a good man and a great commander. And right now, inside the bridge, his skills as an Admiral were being put through the grind.
"We need to go back and pick up our reinforcements," ordered Admiral Yularen, standing calmly in the bridge of the Resolute even as Vulture Droids and V-19 Torrents whizzed past the window and the occasional shake and groan of turbo lasers from the Separatists Munificents collided with the Venator. Yularen was by no means a coward, he just knew when he was outgunned and outmatched, "We've got to get out of here!"
Relaying that information was a clone bridge technician who was standing over a holotable, informing Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka. Their holograms flickering in and out of existence as turbo lasers continued to pummel the Resolute's shields.
"We're under attack by Separatist warships," informed the officer, "But, I'll try to make contact with the Jedi Temple for you. Stand By."
Back on the surface of Christophsis
The two Jedi, Jedi Padawan, and four Jaegers were wating patiently as R2-D2 tried to boost the signal. Gipsy was rocking back and forth on her feet, Crismon waited patiently, his single eye adjusting every now and again, Cherno had his arms folded across his massive chest, while Striker landed on the table which thankfully supported his weight and drummed his fingers impatiently.
"So how long is thing supposed to take?" asked the Mark 5 irritably, he was someone for action, not just standing around and looking pretty.
"Give it time," suggested Crimson and no sooner did he say that, a hologram of a new alien being came into view. He looked very old, bald on the top of his head while grey hair was shiveled back. He wore more traditional robes and had a small cane in his hands. The most notable feature was his extremely large ears and short claws.
"Master Kenobi, glad Ahsoka found you, I am," greeted the being.
"So that's another Jedi," whispered Gipsy to Cherno who only shrugged.
"Master Yoda, we are trapped here and vastly outnumbered," informed Obi-Wan right off the bat, "We are in no position to go anywhere or do anything. Our support ships have all been destroyed."
"Send reinforcements to you, we will," answered the Jedi Master, however, before Yoda could say anything else, the transmission began to cut out.
"What's wrong with the bloody thing?" asked Striker.
"Master Yoda, we've also found allies here on Christophsis..." attempted Obi-Wan, but the transmission feed began to cut out even more, "Master Yoda."
The transmission suddenly cut out and was replaced by a clone officer, "We've lost the transmission, sir. We have to leave orbit immediately. More enemy ships have arrived. We'll get back as soon as we can."
With that, the transmission cut out, if it was due to enemy fire or jamming it didn't really matter. Crimson raised his hand to stroke the area under his eye as if it were his chin. Meanwhile, Anakin just snorted as if he wasn't surprised.
"I guess we'll have to hold out a little longer," quipped the Jedi Knight.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," quipped Striker as he rubbed his knuckles.
Ahsoka gave the Mark 5 a weary look, one that wasn't lost on either Crimson or Obi-Wan.
"My apologies, young one," apologized the Jedi Master, "It's time for a proper introduction. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, your new master."
"I'm at your service, Master Kenobi," began Ahsoka looking a bit more confused, "but I'm afraid I've actually been assigned to Master Skywalker."
To add to it, she pointed at the chocolate brown haired Knight, earning an immediately look of surprise. The look wasn't lost on Striker who began snickering. Crimson shook his head but he didn't notice the tiniest of smirks on Obi-Wan's face.
"What?!" gaped Anakin as he wasn't sure if he heard her correctly, "No, no, no, no, no, there must be some mistake. He's the one who wanted the Padawan."
The Knight pointed a finger toward Obi-Wan, but Ahsoka wasn't having any of it as she folded her arms, "No, Master Yoda was very specific. I'm assigned to Anakin Skywalker, and he is to supervise my Jedi training."
"This is like a sitcom," snickered Striker quietly, but only received an elbow from Gipsy and a small glare.
"But that doesn't make any sense," pleaded Anakin as he was training to figure out what went wrong and how it went wrong.
"We'll have to sort this out later," placated Obi-Wan before returning to the matter at hand, "It won't be long before those droids figure out a way around our cannons."
"I'll check on Rex at the Look out post," muttered Anakin as he turned to leave, but didn't make it two feet before Obi-Wan stopped him in his tracks with a single sentence.
"You'd better take her with you," advised the Jedi Master, ushering Ahsoka forward so that she would follow. Anakin stopped in his tracks, taking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. He figured Obi-Wan would say something like that. He then continued on his way, Ahsoka following behind, leaving the four Jaegers and Jedi Master behind.
"I would advise you do the same," added Obi-Wan as he placed his hands behind his back, "It would be wise to make your presence known to the troops to avoid being mistaken as a Separatist Battle Droid."
"Right," nodded Gipsy as she made her way after Ahsoka and Anakin. Cherno followed behind while Striker and Crimson hung around for a moment.
"Something tells me you had a hand in the mix-up," inquired Crimson in a level tone, not making an accusation but just noting the look he saw earlier.
"Perhaps," confessed Obi-Wan not losing his smirk. Striker saw this and chuckled deviously. He could see himself getting along okay with the man.
Striker then gestured to Obi-Wan.
"I like you," was all the Mark 5 said before heading after the other Jaegers. Leaving Crimson to stay with Obi-Wan.
"Now that we have a moment, I assume you looked at the information provided by R2-D2?" asked Obi-Wan, remembering the deal he made with Crimson and the other Jagers. The Mark 4 nodded.
"We have, however, before we make a final veridic, I want to speak a little more about something," answered Crimson.
"That being?"
"What do the Jedi represent in this galaxy?"
To Be Continued...