Chapter 6 – Operation Blitzkrieg

Harry stood of the bridge of his new ship, the Hermione.

Dooku had been rather unimpressed when he had been informed of the name change, harry snorted at the thought, the Annihilation was a really bad name to call a ship. Just asking for trouble, as bad as the unsinkable, first thing that would happen, it would sink. Hermione was… is, a champion for freedom and change, to improve the lives of others and to protect those who could not protect themselves. Harry smiled at the thought of his flagship bearing such a name, it was worthy of her.

Unlike its other sister ships of the Subjugator-class heavy cruisers it lacked the immense ion cannons they had. Rather than have them, he had taken control of a shipyard and removed large sections of the ship, replacing them with his own ideas. It had delayed launch by nearly two months and drained the weapons from a number of ships in construction, but he would be damned if it didn't have his touch.

Instead of one or two immense guns with turbolasers every so often, it now had an immense wall of turbolasers to use, Harry had also expanded the launch bays to increase his fighter capacity. Bombers were a great danger to capital ships as the shields didn't really stop them, so a stronger interceptor screen was his counter. To finish it off he had also demanded that the hyperdrive be tweaked to its limits. To harry there was no such thing as too much firepower, there was none, some and just enough.

His plan was to hit hard and fast, shredding his targets shields and hammering away at their hull, then deploying fighters and assault craft before the enemy could properly adapt. There were also very few ships in the capital size that could keep up with them at full speed in hyperspace.

He would hit hard and fast, leave the enemy reeling and as they regrouped leave and strike at the next target, his fleet following in his wake, ripping through the remains he left behind. A Hungarian horntail on the battlefield, a reaping of dementors behind it.

Harry had sent the ion cannons to be stored at the Taris site until he could find somewhere to use as a real base for himself.

Grievous was feared by his enemies and Harry was swiftly entering that bracket, Ventress raged against his rank compared to her own, any chance to remove him she would take. Sev'rance could be a good ally but she was rather rigid in her views, more stuck up and cold than many Slytherin purebloods he had met, then there was Admiral Trench. They had only met once, his abject terror at being in the same room had been amusing, apparently the basilisk had left some sort of mark on him that the Harch species could detect, that might be a clue he could use in his hunt for earth, but he'd need to ask Dooku to send agents to investigate, he had too much to do and so little time.

He signalled the fleet to begin its mission, pride burning in his chest as the fleet moved smoothly to its positions.

Time to win a battle that would make his enemies shudder at what he could do. It would also improve his standing in the confederacy further, expanding his connections and influence in the senate.

Once he would have raged and screamed in puny denial at playing the hero. Now, when it was on his own terms, it wasn't so bad. Also, if the Republic had a hero without fear, this chosen one, this skywalker, then the confederacy should have their own hero to look up to. Chosen one, maybe he could get a chance to face him in a fight and see what he was really capable of, really cut loose.

Harry chuckled at the thought as his ships entered hyperspace, grievous' position as second in command of the confederacy should be his, now he had a chance to prove it to everyone.

The shuttle dropped out of hyperspace and smoothly neared the planet, its engines at a slow and steady speed, simple and open route, avoiding anything that could be seen as a threat. Republic ships moved to intercept.

Suddenly, just before the republic ships reached combat range, a message was transmitted in Galactic Basic across every news and comm channel, a text version coming up on screens. "Republic forces of the Denon System, surrender or be destroyed. If you surrender, your troops will be allowed to retreat with your Generals acting as Hostages to ensure your behaviour. No civilian forces will be harmed unless they attack Confederate forces, you have two hours to decide."

The shuttle stopped its motion and went silent. The only power still active was the communications network.

The republic response was to destroy the shuttle. Their ships moving into defensive positions ready for the battle to come. Fighters deployed ready to attack.

They didn't expect what arrived.

The moment the Hermione arrived, it powered forward, a storm of turbolaser fire shredded ships of the republic force, their shields collapsing under the rain of fire, hull armour unable to withstand the hammer blows striking, the ships spiralled away as the Dreadnaught just shifted targets, methodically tearing the defences open as it kept moving.

Fighters simply disappeared within the wall of fire, small explosions marking their passage as the Hermione fired its anti-fighter turrets alongside the larger weapons.

The holonet and comms network suddenly collapsed, nothing going in or out of the system. The republic vessels began to manoeuvre to deal with the lone ship, the fear of what that single vessel had done within the first minute of combat rippling through the defenders, confidence slow to return as they all hoped those guns wouldn't be targeting them next.

Then the second wave arrived. Twenty one cruisers. All much smaller than the Hermione, but each still a match for their counterparts in the republic fleet.

Harry opened the fleet comms. "Chasers full advance in my shadow, begin deployment at optimal range. Beaters, sustain long range fire, hound enemy vessels together. Keepers slow advance, ensure termination of all vessels behind the advance. Seekers, destroy their orbital defences."

He turned his head to the shadows, "Hedwig lead the Second Legion. Secure their communications network, ensure it stays down. Sirius take the third, shut down their transport network, nobody moves without correct authorisation. Use the fourth as reserves. I will take the First and hit their command centre."

Harry stood in the courtyard of the command centre waiting on a platform as the political leaders were being brought before him. The control tower collapsing in flames behind him, one of the cruisers waiting overhead, a mobile fortress in the sky. His bait for the Jedi who had escaped. The battle had been an embarrassment for the Republic and the GAR, nobody had expected the blow to hit here and so hard, troops were still in transit when the droids had arrived.

Harry watched as the last ones had been brought in and joined the lines. He removed his helmet at last, his emerald green eyes raking and judging those before him.

"I gave you the option of surrender, do not forget that, instead of doing so or requesting to negotiate you destroyed a shuttle and threw your forces into a meat grinder. Many heroes died today because of your pride." He sighed in disappointment at them, "because of your stubborn refusal to acknowledge the danger; nearly every clone in this system has been slaughtered in combat, all in your names. I hope you are proud of what you have made me do." With that he motioned to a squad of droids with datapads to his side.

"Your details have already been acquired, you may all have noted the wrist bands you are all wearing, they all have a coloured band running around them. Those of you who are marked with a green band will be sent back to the republic, those with amber will be sent to a political prison until this war is over. Those of you with red bands will be tried for your crimes and dealt with appropriately. Those of you with families will be given a few moments to say good bye, if you have information that may be of use to us, it will be set against your status, I would suggest hurrying with that as the window is closing fast." He motioned to the droids guarding the prisoners, "Take them away."

He walked over towards a field command tent and sat down, pouring himself a glass of whiskey he swirled it for a moment, "I'd like some privacy please." His guards all left the tent and stood alert outside. "You know you could have knocked rather than snuck in."

A robed figure stepped out from the shadows and pulled the hood back. The male human stared at him, fighting his anger. Harry could feel it bubbling away within him, his iron will holding it back.

Harry continued, "Jedi Master Ry-Gaul, Senior general of the second sector army. It is a distinct pleasure to meet you. I understand that you are an accomplished duellist, Count Dooku mentioned that he respected your skill."

The Jedi stared at him for a moment and then his eyes widened in surprise, "how old are you?"

"Hmm, oh what, seventeen eighteen, I haven't really kept track to be fair, much too busy. So are you here to attack me, distract me, discuss your surrender, all of the above?"

"I came to see what the monster who conquered this world in less than a day looked like and to put the mad dog down."

Harry chuckled at that, "Mad dog, that's a new one. Don't worry General, I don't expect to be here all that long, I've done what I came here for, everything else is a bonus."

Ry-gaul frowned, "what do you mean?" Confusion colouring his words.

"It's simple really, I hurt you easily in one of your strongholds and I want you to know I can do it again, and again, any time I like. Because you fought me, you have lost a good number of your troops, I've instead bolstered my supplies using yours and can easily replace my losses. My forces have already taken ninety per cent of the planets food and medical supplies. Rare materials have been confiscated and your research has been acquired for the confederacy's use. Actually a large number of your scientists have also signed up to continue their work with more appropriate funding."

Harry moved over to the drinks cabinet and looked at his guest, "Whiskey? No, very well, help yourself if you change your mind", he poured himself another and returned to his chair.

"On top of all that I have," he reached over and picked up a datapad from the table, quickly skimming it before throwing it towards the Jedi. "Two senators, three money lenders, two bankers, seventeen merchants and eight politicians alongside proof of their embezzling of public funds and bribery to protect certain individuals. I also have the families of another two senators who will be politely asked to shift their allegiance to the confederacy. How was your day?"

"You didn't mention Jedi in that list." Growled Ry-Gaul, thrown by his targets lack of concern, his mind running in circles wondering why this had happened.

"No, I did not, you were hoping I'd mention the three padawans I have in a rather secure place. Currently six hundred and seventeen innocents are on route to join them. I'll give you a clue, look up."

Ry-Gaul froze at the words and Harry's large grin at his shock.

"Oh yes, they are currently on the cruiser directly over us, destroy the vessel and you kill them along with a large civilian population as the ship crashes, the munitions onboard alone would remove the capital of this world from the surface. Never mind the damage caused by the ship itself. So, how long before your strike team are done? Please, feel free to tell them to surrender, or not, your call."

Ry-Gaul slowly pulled a commlink from within his robes and began a call. When the link opened, "cease the mission, it's a trap, they know you're there. I have been informed to surrender to prevent an immense loss of innocent life." He starred in Harrys eyes for a moment, judging if he was bluffing or not, Harry simply stared back at him, "I am going to surrender." He cut the line and placed both the commlink and his lightsaber on the table before him, slowly and carefully.

Harry nodded and gave a sad smile. "Excellent, you and your Jedi will be held for trial as well for your attempted massacre of innocent civilians of Denon. Do not worry, your padawans will be sent back to coruscant and your temple, alive and unharmed. I wonder, are you hungry? there's this delightful restaurant that would deliver, my treat."

Harry stood before the mirror staring at himself once more. The darkness of the tent broken by a single light above the mirror. His head cocked slightly to one side, "that was too easy, I threatened the deaths of millions without a blink. I don't feel anything about it, not shame, not anger, it was just something that had to be done." He frowned at the man in the reflection, "how far am I willing to go?" He snorted in amusement as he turned away back into the darkness.

He already had his answer.

"My Lord", the droid called from the doorway.

"Speak", harry commanded as he glanced up from his reading, the Korun people were so interesting, Honor, Duty, Family, Herd. Least important to most important. Your herd keeps you alive, thus it is more important than family, family is more important than your duty and duty is more important than your honour. Noble ideals, he might have to use some of it for himself.

"The munitions have been transferred, three military ships have been cleared and are in suitable condition for addition to the fleet, our holds are full with physical wealth and materials. Our prisoners are on route and the refugees are on route using civilian vessels only. The population is anxious but controlled."

"Good, what about Master Windu, how long until he arrives?"

"Our spies report that he is on route, expected in six hours."

"Everything is packed and stored?"

"Yes my lord, this tent is the last part to go."

"Excellent, then let's leave, we apparently have overstayed our welcome."

Harry stood and twisted on the spot, apparating to the bridge of his ship. "Prepare to begin bombardment, precision is required, I don't want a single hair harmed on any civilians."

The fleet moved into position and at his mark began firing at the surface. Every last GAR military asset on the planet was destroyed. His droids had removed every last record of his fleets' composition, fifty espionage droids had been left behind to collect information and continue to disrupt logistics, another fifty were instructed to spread to nearby systems and infiltrate.

As his gift was prepared and the fleet moved away from the planet to jump into hyperspace, he muttered out loud, "how will you deal with that I wonder?"

Jedi Master Mace Windu was borderline apoplectic with rage, most who could see him would say he was rather irate. He quickly gathered himself and focused on the issues at hand. He stared at the datapad in hand, two words glowing on the screen, he looked down again at the crater where his command post had been, the medics attending to the three padawans who had been sitting on a platform floating above the centre with the pad with them.

He looked at the pad again, Your Move. Two words that burned into his mind, did he think this was some sort of game? Lives were at stake, he…

Windu stopped his flow of thoughts as he realised, yes this Jade individual did indeed understand lives were at stake, he had struck at this target with that in mind. The Jedi master frowned in thought, "my move indeed."

Harry sat in his quarters reading his reports muttering to himself when Sirius knocked on his door. His eyes raised, heavy bags under them.

"Father, my brothers and I believe that you require contact with other organics. You are entering an unhealthy cycle of habits and are showing signs of mental problems developing."

Harry chuckled at that, "thank you doctor Sirius, I'm fine."

"No father, you are not. Complete the next mission, then we would appreciate it if you added organics to the crew, there would be plenty of volunteers to do so. All the droids in the fleet are now up to your standards, so you are unable to use that excuse any further."

Harry sat back sighing in defeat, "okay, okay. I'll get some shore leave after the next mission and I'll organise some new crew, might make it a PR stunt while I'm at it, but first we have work to do. How long until arrival?"

"Nine more hours father. Get some rest, we will wake you before we arrive."

Harry stared at the sensors at the barren and nameless world below, a quick check of his screens and he watched as the republic was trying to evacuate as quickly as they could before his fleet arrived in orbit. He brought up the file for the base, a few Jedi and nearly ten thousand clones with vehicles and material, no civilians, a dead world with no material value, strategic only as a way point for resupply in the region. Ten thousand lives.

Ten thousand soldiers trained to fight and kill from their birth, what a waste.

He activated fleet wide comms, "begin."

He watched as the ships maneuvered into position around the planet and began firing. Twenty one warships and the Hermione annihilated all opposition on the world.

Twelve hours work and a smooth molten ball was left behind, the small mountains shattered and turned to ash and dust, valleys now lakes of molten rock.

Ten thousand soldiers were gone with a simple command, a few messages may have gotten out but nothing was alive on that rock now, unless a ship had escaped before he had arrived, nothing had broken the blockade.

With only a wave of his hand, the signal was given and the fleet moved to resupply and acquire crew.

He looked at himself in the mirror that night and nodded to himself.

"I am a necessary evil."

Onderon was a beautiful world, rich in history and nature.

Both Revan and the Exile had walked upon this world millennia ago in their quests. Freedon Nadd had conquered it. Darth Bane and Darth Zannah, the founders of the rule of two had been here. The Mandalorian's had struck here and left their mark as well. Mandalore the Preserver had used the moon of Dxun as his base as he began to rebuild the Mandalorian's into a force unlike any other. Such history, it was all inspiring.

It was such a pity about its current leader.

Harry managed to school his features when Sanjay Rash laughed out loud in amusement at the suffering of his servants, Senator Mina Bonteri tried to distract Harry with pleasant conversation and polite discussions, rarely branching into politics. King Sanjay just wanted to hear about slaughtering the republic dogs. It was an odd thought but he wished Draco Malfoy had been there instead of this idiot who just happened to have Dooku's backing.

As soon as the meal was complete and it was polite to do so, both Harry and the senator left the king and walked through the gardens. Wrapping her arm around his they walked in quiet for a few minutes before she began talking.

"General…"

"Harry, call me Harry, at least now that we've escaped the idiot."

She smiled at him with not a small amount of amusement. "I must admit that you aren't really what I was expecting. I also believed that your name was Evan Jade?"

"Indeed, that's what the records say", he leant towards her and stage whispered, "but my real name is Harry."

She chuckled in amusement at the lighter attitude he was showing. "Then Mina for myself, unfortunately that is my real name. Might I ask why you chose to visit Onderon with the war progressing, we've already heard news of your victory at Denon, a remarkable thing."

"I try my best, I am a being of action, Gryffindor's charge." His chuckle turned sad for a moment before he shook himself slightly. "I am afraid I dislike politics, I prefer to face my opponent in the open, just the two of us, them versus me. It's the most honest you can be."

She nodded sagely, "indeed, politics is a darker form of combat, one minute you are allies, then enemies and then allies once more. It gets rather convoluted at times. My husband is like yourself, a man of fiery passion and hunger for action. She smiled at the thought of him. He's signed up as a volunteer in the war, he's not front line of course, but he's in charge of constructing new bases for the warfront. It's a little dangerous if the republic comes across them but I don't think… I pray that never happens."

"Sometimes faith is all we have. I hope that nothing will happen to him," he paused for a moment and then looked at her with intense focus, "I am about to open my fleet up for organic crew members, perhaps he might be interested in a new post? It would be the least I can do to make the offer for your wonderful company and conversation."

"My thanks for the surprising offer, I will pass it on, I hope he agrees, it would make me much happier to know he was safer and would be able to come home to our son."

Harry grimaced for a moment, "no child should grow up without their parents."

Acting as if she hadn't seen his reaction she smiled at him, "indeed. So what is next for the heroic General Jade?"

"I actually have no idea. I will notify command of my change in crew structure, that will do me some good, then I intend to go back to the war and fight, save as many as I can."

She looked at him in surprise for a moment, "save as many as you can, not eternal glory, immense riches, your name in song, immortality in public culture. You just want to save people?"

He looked confused at her for a moment, "is something wrong with that?"

She smiled and patted his arm, "never change harry, never change."

Darth Sidious looked at the report before him, General Evan Jade, no further information had been acquired on his past. He wondered if he had been a clone experiment of Dooku's that had been hidden from him. he pondered the idea for a moment and then dismissed it, had that been the case, then he would have been made aware of it.

He would need to test the matter, see how things progressed and how resourceful this Jade truly was. He moved into position and awaited his apprentices response to his summons.

The holonet transmission activated and Count Dooku went to one knee, his head bowed.

"What is your bidding my Master."

"Darth Tyranus, I have heard excellent news about the war, your acolyte jade is doing well, his victories cause panic amongst the senate."

"Thank you my master."

"He is strong in the force, the dark side is a welcome tool in his arsenal. You have taught him well."

"Thank you Master." Pride now shone in Dooku's voice, his smile hidden from his masters view.

"Too well I think, if I did not believe that your loyalty is without question, that you have been training an apprentice." Dooku felt his heart freeze. "I believe that a string of victories like that will enhance his ambitions too much for my liking, use grievous, give your acolyte some humility, take away his new toy. We have too many heroes running around for my liking."

"As you wish my Master." His mind ran as his fear spiked, how can he complete his masters orders without risking Harry's life. He remained kneeling for a few moments after the link was broken, slowly standing he keyed in a new link.

It quickly connected, General Grievous knelt before him.

"General."

"My lord," he snarled.

"It is time for you to stop playing, you have a new mission, a distasteful one but necessary."

"What do you wish me to do?"

AN:

Reviews:

Wulffe: Glad to hear that you're enjoying the story.

Manoj Kumar Gupta: I am very happy to be classed as a competent author, and I am glad you are enjoying the story.

Ahsanrox: that duel scene was really hard to do. I hope it was easy to imagine, I could see it in my head and did my best to put it down in words. As for more chapters like this, I'm currently writing my first draft of chapter 16 whilst editing chapter 8, and I'm in the late middle period of the clone wars still. After that I've got from the third year onwards back in Hogwarts as well as the temptation to carry on the story of those left behind. Plenty of life in this one yet :)

Ronin Kenshin: sometimes it's how things are seen that matter most :)

Robohobo: he's had a few examples to learn from over the years. The rogers are like the clones, rarely focused on in a fight, more background dressing than anything else. But they will get to play later on.

Indecisive Bob: Harry has plans but now has the freedom to actually follow them.

Separ: Thank you for that :)

Starboy454: glad you enjoyed it.

Thunder 18: glad you are enjoying my work.

Thorndsword: I've got most of the story mapped out in brief already. This Harry at least acknowledges his Slytherin instincts.

Lord of Carrion: I can't say more at this time due to spoilers. Sidious' problem is that he has everything planned and believes he can't fail, his victory is just a matter of time, at no point did his plans include the spanner that is called Harry Potter :) Dooku spent two years training and guiding a lost and broken harry, he gave him support and approval, trained him to be the best he could be and let him loose upon the galaxy trusting in his judgement. Dooku's problem is his loyalty to Sidious and his attachment to Harry, he's rather stuck between the two sides.

Falseproffitt: Glad to hear you're enjoying the story. Events are in motion, don't worry on that part. Thank you for that, I hope people enjoy it as much as you do.

Karthik9: thank you.

Blackholelord: harry has already been both hero and villain to the wizarding world, this time he's I control of the information and understands things better.

Lycan01: thank you.

Kaioo: Anakin in my stories is more the clone wars version rather than the film versions, so much less whining, although I did mention it later in the story :) and yes there will be a fight between chosen ones later on, just have to find the right point to use it.

Meja9201: thank you.

RAD092515: Thank you, high praise indeed.

Capctr: Thank you. I hadn't planned something like that so far, but I'll have to give the idea some thought.

Bigfan22: Thank you.