Welcome back to A Jedi Warrior Of Peace I hope everyone continues to enjoy and two quick side notes 1. I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS CLONE WARS 2. This story will be like an anthology of stories like Star Wars Clone Wars is what this means as there is no order in the chapters so a chapter could deal with future events or past events. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 4 - Second Battle For Geonosis!
Many believed that the Clone Wars truly started by the first battle on the desert planet Geonosis where the clone army was introduced. Artis was never there but, he had heard the stories of the battle the brutal deaths of many jedi. He had wondered if he had died like the other padawans did who were there but, his answer would receive an answer. The Republic had received information that a droid factory was being used on the planet surface. So it was their job to go to Geonosis and destroy it and keep it that way this time. So the 501st and 212th would go planet side and take out the droid factory that was on the planet which was no easy deal. Artis was told he would be in a separate shuttle from his master but, would rendezvous with him at the drop point. But at the moment he was walking with his master Obi-wan Kenobi and the clone Commander Cody as they made their ways to the shuttles. Obi-wan had asked if Cody was part of the first battle.
"No sir. I wasn't apart of that first battle." Cody looked at his General as they walked.
"It had more excitement than anything. I was chained to a pole and attacked by dozens of ravenous beasts." Obi-wan didn't like having to remember what happened to him.
"I'm sure that was very entertaining master." Artis had laughed at his master's experience.
"Oh it was. For the Geonosians." Obi-wan bordered his shuttle and looked at his padawan. "Be careful. May the force be with you."
Artis bowed his head. "Good luck master and may the force be with you."
Soon Artis and Commander Cody bordered the shuttle as the blast doors closed and the shuttles began to flood out of the cruiser. But, once they did the Republic immediately came under fire from the Geonosian forces. Artis reached up and held onto something as the shuttle shook like mad as they continued to make their way to the landing zone. Artis could hear hear the other shuttles being shot down but, had to keep himself calm. Artis didn't like this though and the clones could tell and Cody put a hand on the young jedi shoulder in hopes of giving him some comfort. But, even Cody knew that this wasn't going to be easy as his coms went off.
"Come in Cody drop the tanks!" Cody soon ordered a landing of the shuttles and tanks.
The pilot nodded. "Yes sir. Have fun down there!"
Soon the shuttles landed directly where they were supposed to only they were the only group to make it to the drop point. Once the doors opened Artis and the clones all poured out of the shuttle and into the heat of the fire fight. Artis looked seeing his master's ship was hit and crashed as the clones all formed a perimeter as planned and fired back the attacking forces. Artis was deflecting blaster fire as the tanks kept firing. Soon Artis and Cody saw two clones running up.
"Waxer reporting for duty sir!"
"Boil reporting for duty sir!"
Artis remembers them from the liberation of Ryloth and he looked at them both. "There's a down gunship five clicks east. You two are gonna get out there and check for survivors. I'll provide cover. Now let's move!"
The three rushed for the down gunship dodging blaster fire until they reached it. Artis kept covering them as Waxer and Boil took cover.
"Why do we always get the fun missions." Boil shook his head at there luck.
"Oh this isn't the fun part. Getting back to the square is the fun part." Waxer grabbed one side of the blast door.
Boil grabbed the other and both yanked them open to reveal Obi-wan was still alive.
"Waxer..Boil..Am I glad to see you." Obi-wan was hurt pretty bad as Artis ran into the gunship.
"Hello master you look no worse for ware." Artis check the other clones to see if they made it.
"Good to see you my apprentice..Chopper and I are the only ones still alive." Waxer slung Obi-wan's arm over his neck as Boil did the same to Chopper.
"Good to see you sir. Commander Cody has a square established just beyond this position. The bugs are on the move and trying to surround us as we speak sir." The two clones helped Obi-wan and Chopper out of the shuttle as Artis provided cover.
The small team began making their way back as clones ran up to help cover them as Artis threw his lightsaber cutting a Geonosian speeder in half causing it to crash. He used the force to call it back to him as they finally made it to the square. Cody told Obi-wan the situation that they had no air cover and master Skywalker and Mundi were busy. Obi-wan reassured the Commander that the two will make it to them in time.
"We just need to make sure we're alive when they get here." Obi-wan looked at Artis. "You have been doing well my padawan."
"Thanks master. I just hope we make it long enough for the others to reach us." Artis looked back at the attacking forces with worry they might not make it.
Artis and the remaining clones continued to hold their position as they were being hit and hit hard by blaster fire. Artis continued to deflect as much blaster fire from his troops as the Geonosians began flying around them with their natural wings. Artis leaped on top of one of the tanks and began cutting as many in half as possible. He was trying to keep them from killing the troops manning the turrets and guns though it was easier said than done. Sadly things were getting much worse as time went on and they were being boxed in. The Republic forces were falling as Artis deflected blaster bolts and using the force to slam the speeder bikes into each other. Artis like the clones were on their back foot as they were being overwhelmed. Until Artis heard the best news all day.
"Reinforcements! Reinforcements! Reinforcements have arrived!"
Artis looked as a squad of bombers flew over head bombarding the attacking forces saving Artis, Obi-wan and, the rest of the Republic troops that were in the square. Artis and the clones cheered as they had been saved. Artis ran back to check on his master and saw Anakin, Ahsoka, and Ki Adi Mundi arriving with the rest of the troops. Artis felt relieved to see Ahsoka his friend alive.
Anakin walked over to them. "Well what happened to you two?"
"We should be asking you that." Artis smiled as Ahsoka looked at him happy he was alive.
Soon they brought up the holomap of of the their location. "Our combined forces should be able to destroy the shield generator. Anakin you'll need to take a small team through the shield and take out those gun emplacements." Obi-wan pointed where they were. "Soon the tanks will knock out the shield. Mundi will bring in the rest of the gunships."
Anakin nodded. "It will be done master."
The troops began to march and Artis was told to go with Anakin and he did as told once they were in position Mundi gave the order. Anakin, Artis and, Ahsoka along with the clone troops attacked but, were met with heavy resistance. Soon Anakin gave Artis and Ahsoka droid poppers which they threw disabling the guns and the tanks soon destroyed the shield generator. Soon Mundi and the rest of the clones charged in securing a victory. After some gunships arrived Anakin helped Obi-wan onto the ship as Artis was ordered to stay and help Anakin.
"So master what was your total?" Ahsoka looked at Anakin continuing their contest.
Anakin looked at her. "55. And yours?"
Ahsoka smiled with confidence. "60. Looks like I win."
Anakin tried thinking of something. "Yeah but, I called in the air strike. Tie."
Ahsoka laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"I'll never understand how you simplify these battles into some kind of game." Obi-wan was helped aboard the gunship.
"Take care of yourselves. I hope to see you both back here by the time I've destroyed that factory." Anakin was about to leave till Mundi caught his attention.
"65 Skywalker." Anakin was of course confused till Mundi said it again. "My total. 65. So what do I win?"
Anakin smiled and bowed his head. "My everlasting respect master Mundi."
Obi-wan smiled. "You should be honored. Anakin rarely bestows a gift like that."
Artis and the others watched the gunships take off but, the mission is not over just yet so he and the others got ready for the battle as Master Luminara Unduli and her padawan Barriss Offee were sent with clones to reinforce Anakin, Artis, Ahsoka and the other clone troopers. In the meantime Ahsoka was trying to tell the clone troops the plan but, Anakin kept undermining her each time. Once the squads was dismissed and of course Ahsoka was trying to voice her opinion that Anakin didn't trust her and Artis just shook his head. Artis looked at the two jedi approaching and tapped both Anakin and Ahsoka's shoulders getting there attention.
"Uh if you two are done. We have a mission to do." Artis looked as Luminara approached them.
"Well Barriss? Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Luminara looked at her padawan.
"Padawan learner Barriss Offee at your service." The young padawan bowed her head to Artis and Ahsoka.
Ahsoka smiled as Barriss stood. "Glad to meet you. I'm Ahsoka."
Barriss looked at Artis who bowed his head. "It's an honor to meet you Barriss. I'm Artis."
Once that was out of the way Republic troops were loading the wounded onto the gunships as others worked on the AT-ET's getting them into working order. Artis and the other four jedi were around a holomap of the Factory trying to find a way inside. They came up with the idea to use the underground tunnels to reach the main reactor and blow the factory to bits. It was decided that Artis, Ahsoka and, Barriss was to sneak in. Artis put on the backpack of explosives as the three padawans took off for the tunnels. Artis had a bad feeling about all of this but, trusted Barriss to lead them through the tunnels which Artis internally shuddered. The three padawans reached the edge they climbed down the side and made their way to where they need to cut into the tunnels. Artis took out his lightsaber and cut the hole in the rock after Barriss found it. Barriss was first it since she knows where to go.
Once in Artis and Ahsoka followed Barriss through the creepy looking tunnel and they were filled with sleeping Geonosians. Which made it even creepier even more so than the random hand falling on Barriss' head. Soon the three reached a dead end but, Barriss realized that the direction was up and there was a hole in the ceiling. Artis and Ahsoka continued to follow Barriss through the tunnels as Artis was hoping to make it to the reactor fast. And just his luck they were getting much closer only he didn't know they were being followed. The three kept moving through the tunnels before making it to the reactor and Artis started planting the explosives all around. Sadly they were caught red handed so the three activated their lightsabers. And began cutting up any Geonosians trying to take off the bombs as the super tank kept firing distracting them. Artis looked as the bombs were being removed and ran over only to fail with one last option. Artis ran over to the super tank and opened the hatch and cut up the droids inside as Ahsoka seemed to regain consciousness.
"Looks like we have one option left…" Artis sat in the driver's seat as Ahsoka and Barriss climbed in.
"What do we do now? The bugs took the bombs." Ahsoka looked at Artis and Barriss hoping they had something.
"I don't know what to do without the bombs." Barriss had no idea what to do as they looked at Artis.
"This super tank could destroy the reactor..and us along with it.." Artis looked at them with a heavy heart.
Barriss looked at him. "It might just be our only chance."
Ahsoka tried contacting Anakin. "Master..can you hear me?"
"Ahsoka set up the bombs!"
"We won't make it out.." Ahsoka looked at Artis and nodded.
"Ahsoka wait!"
Artis nodded and sighed. "Fire." Artis blasted the reactor as rubble fell on top of the tank trapping them inside of the tank and their coms were damaged.
Ahsoka and Barriss activated their lightsabers and looked around in the dark.
"How deep do you think we're buried?" Barriss looked at Artis and Ahsoka.
"Truthfully I'd rather not." Artis moved over a bit despite the lack of room.
"Hand me that power cell." Barriss handed Ahsoka the power cell as she gave Artis her lightsaber. "Mind holding the light?"
"I hope whatever you're doing I hope it works. I'd much rather die fighting up there than starve down here." Barriss had some hope to survive.
Ahsoka took apart her communicator. "Don't worry we'll run out of air before we starve."
Artis let out a deep sigh. "That's a cheery thought."
Ahsoka tried using the power cell on the communicator and touched the two together sparking morse code. Thankfully it was working but, Ahsoka was losing consciousness as was Barriss and even Artis who struggled to stay awake.
Artis bumped Ahsoka's knee jarring her awake somewhat. "Hey..don't go passing out on us..we'll..make it.."
Artis, Ahsoka and Barriss all grasped hands ready to die together knowing they saved a lot of lives. As Artis could hear the metal and rock moving till the light shined through. Artis slung Ahsoka's arm over his shoulder and they climbed out coughing from the lack of air as clone troopers ran down to help them. Artis grabbed Anakin's hand as he helped him up and soon gunships came down to pick the rest of the Republic forces that were on the planet. Artis, Ahsoka and, Barriss climbed on a gunship to go receive some much needed rest.
"I'm glad to finally get some rest especially after all of that.." Artis stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. "I've heard the stories about the first battle. Truthfully I hope to get a simple job."
After the final push the Republic finally claimed victory on Geonosis and received a distress signal from Windu on Dantooine. So Artis, Ahsoka and, Barriss were told to take the medical supplies to Mace Windu. Artis let out a sigh happy to have a boring mission for once as he and the two other padawans boarded the medical frigate with a group of clones. Artis yawned wanting to get some much needed sleep as they made the jump to hyperspace. Arts along with Ahsoka and Barriss would return to their quarters to rest only it was difficult since they just came from a fire fight. So the three decided to get something to eat and even Artis was having trouble relaxing. The three were alone in the mess hall eating and discussing what the role of the jedi will play after the war. Artis did wonder what the jedi would do after the war. Soon Oax and Edge walked in only...they were acting strange.
"You two okay?" Artis stood up worried about them and without warning they opened fire.
Artis, Ahsoka and, Barriss deflected the blaster fire and took cover and used the table as cover. Till they subdued them. Suddenly two more walked in and Ahsoka and Barriss held them back with their lightsabers.
"Woah what are you doing?" The two clones held up their hands.
"Two clones attacked us. Trap what happened?" Artis looked at them wanting an answer.
"I don't know sir." Trap seemed just as confused as he was. "Look no guns." Trap and Havoc put down their weapons.
Artis tried brainstorming for a reason of what happened while Trap took the three to the bridge while Havoc stayed back. Artis felt like something was wrong with the clone troopers on the ship and when they tried to hack the security shields. Till one of the clones attacked and some kinda parasite came out of its mouth trying to infect Barriss. She was quick and killed the clone but, the worm like thing tried to take over her body till Artis cut it in half.
"Well that explains what is going on. But, what are these things?" Artis kneeled down looking over the parasite.
"It must be some kinda parasite. But, how did it get on board?" Ahsoka looked at the clone trooper.
"The clones must've been infected on Geonosis." Barriss' idea made the most sense.
They soon heard something and went to investigate and found the already infected clones were infecting another. The parasite seemed to go through the troopers nose and took control of his body but, the three were discovered and had to fight back. Artis cut up the clones weapons and used the force to fling them around. Ahsoka had an idea to go to the vents and Barriss decided Artis and Ahsoka should send an S.O.S while Barriss takes out the engines. Artis and Ahsoka were successful but, Fisto had ordered them to dock so they can analyze the parasite. Soon Ahsoka tried making contact with Anakin and was successful and warned him about the parasite.
Soon Barriss walked over making Artis jump. "Jeez. Don't do that."
Barriss didn't respond making Artis worry. "Barriss are you okay?"
Still no response and then Barriss attacked sending shattered glass at the two thankfully Artis and Ahsoka deflected it.
"Barriss we're your friends snap out of it!" Ahsoka tried to break through to Barriss but, failed.
Barriss activated her lightsaber as did Artis who blocked Barriss and kicked her back looking at Ahsoka. "Run!"
Artis and Ahsoka ran out of the com room as Barriss gave chase and would use the force to make the two stumble. Artis blocked Barris and her wicked wild strikes as he and Ahsoka both sent her flying against the wall. Soon Artis and Ahsoka went into the vent to escape.
Ahsoak tried contacting Anakin. "This is Ahsoka come in."
Anakin thankfully answered. "Ahsoka the parasites affected by the cold."
"The cold..the cooling system! We need to mess with it and freeze them." Artis jumped out of the vent as did Ahsoka.
They made their way to the cooling system and messed with it sending the cold air through the vents as the ship came out of hyperspace. Artis and Ahsoka needed to get to the bridge sadly they ran into Barriss but, used the vent to escape to the bridge. Artis sat in the pilot seat.
"This is Artis Lendix I'm going to shut down the engines. Maybe-" Before Artis could continue Barriss destroyed the controls.
But, she inadvertently hit two of the tubes blasting more cold into the room. Artis would blast Barriss in the face with it.
Barriss was in great pain and she looked at them. "K-Kill me...please…"
Artis shook his head. "No."
The parasite attacked Ahsoka trying to jump into her body but, Ahsoka would manage to kill the parasite. Unfortunately she collapsed from the cold shaking as Artis looked at her he took off the jedi robe he had on since boarding the ship and walked over putting it on Ahsoka. He began to freeze but, Ahsoka might not and he managed to stay alive despite collapsing from exhaustion. But, Artis scooted over and would put Ahsoka in his lap along with Barriss and wrapped his arms around them using what body heat he had. Soon the cold would catch up and he lost consciousness.
Artis could feel heat and when he opened his eyes he saw Master Fisto. "Hey..Master Fisto..we're..ready for the supply pick up.."
"We'll take care of that." Fisto had Artis helped.
Soon Ahsoka woke up with a gasp and Anakin rushed over to her. "Easy Ahsoka."
"Where's Barriss and Artis?" Ahsoka looked around for them.
"Barriss is fine. Artis is still recovering. We found you with his robe on. He was willing to freeze so you wouldn't." Anakin looked back at Artis who was asleep.
Ahsoka smiled. "I'm glad everything worked out."
Anakin smiled at her. "You should thank him when he wakes up. But, for now get some rest." Anakin left for her to rest.
After some much needed rest and recovery Artis, Ahsoka and, Barriss returned to the jedi temple and all shared a good talk.
"Well I'm just glad to finally be done with Geonosis." Artis let out a sigh of relief.
Barriss looked at Artis and bowed her head confusing him. "I wanted to thank you for saving me."
Artis bowed to her which confused her. "We saved each other."
Barriss and Ahsoka both smiled as Artis looked at them. So..who's hungry?"
End Of Chapter 4