Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars; the trademark belongs to George Lucas, Lucasfilm (), Lucasarts (), and others.
Disclaimer: I do not own Halo; the trademark belongs to Bungie (), Microsoft Game Studios (/games/) and other companies.
Author's Note: To Zadok: Thanks for the idea, although I have thought of Jango turning his allegiance, I'm still thinking how. But Cortana still can't be human unfortunately, the technology isn't advanced enough yet and besides if she was human then she would be kicked out because the Chief isn't allowed any attachments. Sorry
To MJLONIR 117: Yes I know that the tenses keep switching, but I have trouble with that, always, so excuse me for those mistakes, I'll try to get them.
Well, on with the show – ehem – story!
Age of Reconstructions
Covenant New Orbital City Ascension – 100,000 kilometers from Sangheilos, cloaked
"Are you sure?" The Prophet of Truth asked. This was not the same Prophet of Truth that was controlling the Covenant. This was the Prophet of Peace, before the destruction of the Old Covenant, at least.
"Yes, Excellency. Our reports indicate that the transmission we intercepted and the coordinates the Shadow of Intent was sent to, was from the Andromeda, outer sector, from the Demons, requesting help from the wretched Sangheili," a Brute, Gargantus, replied. Formerly the Shipmaster of Twilight Compunction, the name was changed to indicate full maturity, and was given the status of Alpha Chieftain. While a Chieftain, he did not have the Fist of Rukt, so was unable to control all of the Brutes effectively. In his eyes, there were nothing but absolute devotion to the Great Journey, however, and Truth can see it. That was why he was given Alpha Chieftain. However, Gargantus is still trying to gain the Fist of Rukt, which was rumored to have been kept by the current Arbiter, and thus his goal to victory was the defeat, and death, of the Arbiter.
"If they were to go there, it must have been something important, maybe a Forerunner facility? The Shadow of Intent is the flagship of the fleet, I have no doubt that the trip is of utmost importance," Truth said thoughtfully.
"But it is of importance to them, not us, Excellency! We do not require finding out, or even knowing, what is so important to them!" Gargantus replied.
"No, we shall go, and if it is a Forerunner facility, we shall protect it. If it is only important to them, we shall deny them the prize, and destroy it," Truth said. Gargantus quieted down. "Yes… they have destroyed our foundation, what we believe was sacred was also destroyed, and nearly wiped us out with their filth, now… we shall begin our revenge. Gather our fleet, Chieftain, and prepare. Prepare for what may be the beginning of the sweetest victory, the beginning of our reconstruction, and the beginning…" Truth said.
"… Of our rule," Truth finished.
"Yes Excellency, it shall be done, all the fleets are to gather up or should we just send one?" Gargantus asked.
"Send for 2 fleets. This city will stay here and monitor the stream. When the time is right, we shall conquer the Sangheili."
"Yes excellency," Gargantus turned and left. Truth looked at the holoprojector, showing the ships in position and their beacons shone. These ships were ships that were leftover of the Second Fleet of Homogenous Clarity, and of course, the Fleet of Absolute Devotion, the only fleet of ships to be comprised of only Brute ships. The other fleets, the Fleet of Supreme Clarity, the Fleet of Truth and Justice, and the Fleet of Particular Freedom were ready in another system in cloak. While Truth despised cloaking their intentions, they were no match for the thousands of Sangheili and Human controlled ships that patrolled the areas as they expanded. Any attempt would just be suicide. Of course, this city was barely built, but contained as much of the old glory as possible.
"The ships are ready, Excellency," Gargantus replied.
"Set the course, Chieftain, you shall head out as well," Truth said. Gargantus bowed, and the screen disappeared. On the projector, the ships gathered, and disappeared as they went trans-dimensional into slipspace.
Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Selona 18th, 22 BBY
Jango woke up from his unconscious state.
His vision was blurred, understandable because of the fact that he was trampled. But what surprised him was that he was lying on something soft. Then, he registered dimly that his HUD was missing, so his armor must be too…
He jumped up, and his vision came immediately into clear focus. No armor?! What happened when I fell unconscious? Where am I? He thought frantically. Calm down me… Calm down… I've been in worse situations before, and this is just one of many… Suddenly his thought was interrupted by a voice, "Ah good, you're awake, now that you are, can we ask you a few questions?" Windu asked as he stepped into the medical chamber of what must be the Jedi Temple, Jango realized.
"What am I doing here anyways?" Jango asked, narrowing his eyes, "And what happened to my son?"
"Whoa, you son? You mean the kid that looks just like you? Boba or something?" Windu asked surprised, "We took him with us, he's in the Council chamber... we could get him if you want."
"That… would be very nice, thank you," Jango said. Moments later Boba came in, "dad!" he yelled and hurried towards Jango.
"Are you alright son?" Jango asked.
"Yes father, thanks to the Jedis and the little green guy… um… I think his name was… Master Yoda or something, he was very nice," Boba said. Jango thought for a moment, Maybe I was wrong about the Jedis and my life, maybe there's more than money in living… like my son. My ideals may be all wrong at that, and it's logical to assume that I help the army I created… His thoughts were interrupted by Windu.
"Can we please ask a few questions now?" Windu asked. Jango nodded. "Alright then, please cooperate, thanks. First of all, who hired you to create this clone army?"
"I don't know his real name, but he was the guy that you held the lightsaber across his throat, he called himself Darth Tyrannus," Jango replied. Windu's face formed a frown, "This isn't good Master Yoda, Dooku is indeed a Sith, perhaps another apprentice to replace Darth Maul."
"Agree with this, I do. Disturbance in the Force, I sense around him. Some truth he says about the Senate I could sense when fighting," Yoda said. Boba brightened up at the voice, "Master Yoda!"
"Nice to see again young one," Yoda greeted him. Jango looked at Boba's smile and thought to himself again, Perhaps fighting for the Republic is the right cause, not for the CIS, after all, they don't treat me that well, but here… seeing the smile on Boba's face is really worth it. Jango thought with a smile. Windu noticed it and asked, "What's making you happy?"
"My son smiling," was Jango's answer. After a moment's hesitation, he finally asked, "if I were to defect from the CIS, and instead join the Republic, and join the army I created, am I allowed?"
"I thought you were a bounty hunter," Windu said.
"Yes, but bounty hunters don't raise a son do they? I would want Boba to settle down and perhaps learn his Mando'a legacy and pass it on. Me, I would still like to fight, but for a different cause," Jango replied. Windu thought for a moment, "Please, excuse us for a moment, this is a decision we cannot make on our own, we must have the Chancellor's agreement and that of the Jedi Council, we will speak tomorrow, and hopefully we will have an answer to give you. Meanwhile, rest. That reek had you trampled badly," Windu said. Jango nodded.
"Dad, can I go out and play for a moment?" Boba asked. "There's a lot of kids here around me age."
"Sure Boba, just don't get yourself in trouble," Jango replied. Boba streaked out of the room. Yoda looked at him chuckling, "Very active youngling you have there, like Anakin, yes, very like Anakin," This surprised Jango. Anakin was the young Jedi that was sentenced to execution isn't he? Jango thought back. Well, this certainly makes sense, they're both hyperactive and fast, just one with martial arts and one with a lightsaber. He smiled at the thought.
Selona 19th, 22 BBY
En route to Naboo, hyperspace
"Explain to me why you have to come again?" Anakin asked as they traveled in their Delta-7s in escort with the Naboo Starship.
"I dunno, Obi-Wan told me to, and told me to take my starfighter like you," John replied. In truth, Obi-Wan had told John that he feels waves of emotion rolling off Anakin, and wanted John to make sure that Anakin doesn't do anything rash. "I fear he may have an attachment to Senator Amidala, please make sure he doesn't do anything that might… complicate things" Obi-Wan had said. Like I'm gonna tell them anything, thought John. In truth, Obi-Wan had no idea that John actually supported the idea, seeing them kiss and all that. Of course, he wouldn't tell Anakin anything about that.
"Uh… I have a few errands Padmé wants me to do so um… afterwards you should go back to Coruscant first and report on the situation. After all, you are a better fighter and strategist than I am," Anakin said. John smirked.
"And what, miss your marriage?" John joked.
"What!! How did you…?" Anakin stuttered.
"Huh?? I was just joking! You aren't serious, are you?" John said.
"Uh huh," Both Jedis were silent for a moment, then John finally said, "Good luck with not letting your master or anyone in the Jedi Temple find out,"
"If you keep the secret,"
"Fine, fine, fine," John said.
Selona 20th, 22 BBY
Naboo, Varykino Lake Retreat
It was almost sunset when they wed. John, Artoo, and Threepio are the only people/droid that knew of the wedding besides Anakin, Padmé, and the holy man. It was completely quiet as they kissed, and looked at the sunset. John looked at this and smirked, If he ever tries to threaten me with anything, Anything, again, I could use this against him… hmm, I wonder how Obi-Wan will think of this.
They stayed at the lake retreat for a few days, John meditating as usual in his morning routine while Anakin and Padmé was on their "honeymoon", which is just in the Lake retreat. They had orders to protect the Senator again as Nute Gunray, head of the Trade Federation, still wanted her dead. Until they are recalled for the war, they are to continue protecting the senator, and they're alright with that.
Age of Reconstruction
Covenant Assault Carrier Truth and Divinity
Gargantus looked at his fleet of around 20 to 30 ships and snorted in disgust. Ever since the defeat of the Prophet of Truth in the hands of the Demon and the traitor, the Arbiter, their fleets were all very small, nothing close to what they had just units ago. But, this fleet will suffice for his trip to the Andromeda, as he did not expect heavy opposition.
"All ships, prepare to jump, we shall crush whatever humans, demons, and sangheilis that stand in our way," Gargantus ordered. One by one, the ships disappeared into slipspace in a flash of light.
In Ascension, the new Prophet of Truth tapped his fingers together. At last, the beginning of the end for the enemies are near, and soon, the Great Journey shall begin again, closer than ever before.
Selona 24th, 22 BBY
Lake Retreat, Varykino, Naboo
"Anakin, can you hear me, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said over the comlink. Anakin stirred and woke, and grumbling about the time, picked up the comlink, "'yello?"
"Anakin, finally! What took you so long?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I was sleeping, master, what's going on?" Anakin asked as Padmé stirred as well and woke up, but unlike Anakin, she simply asked, "What's going on?"
"I dunno, hang on," Anakin said and turned to the comlink, "Master, is there an assignment?"
"Yes, a few weeks ago the CIS attacked Rhen Var, where I was stationed, we were able to evacuate most of the Republic presence, but they're digging something important up, and you two are needed pronto and we're going there," Obi-Wan explained.
"Ok, ok, we'll be there, after I take a nice, long-" Anakin yawned loudly, "-nap, good night, master,"
"Anakin, wake up now!" Obi-Wan yelled into the comlink, then sighed. Why did I tell him to escort the senator with John and told them that this was still their mission? Damnit! Obi-Wan thought. Just then, his comlink beeped again, "This is Obi-Wan,"
"Knight Kenobi, we've located Nute Gunray, he's on Rhen Var as well! Capture him and we'll trial him," Windu said.
"Yes Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied and transmitted to Anakin again. A moment later his voice came up, "Master, why are you calling me again? I'm taking a nap!" he grumbled.
"Nute Gunray is on Rhen Var-" Obi-Wan began but was cut off.
"Oh hang on a sec, we're on our way to… um master, where are you?" Anakin said, and he could hear him trying to put his clothes on while swearing colorfully in Huttese.
Selona 25th, 22 BBY
Orbit around Geonosis
A wreckage disposal team arrived at the scene, directed by the Separatists, to recover what metals they could still salvage. They carefully avoided the Acclamators still standing by in the system and retrieved some of the vaporized durasteel and transparisteel, as well as cutting chunks of metal out of destroyed ships, in places where the Republican fleet won't see or bother to detect. Some of the scavenger droids carefully maneuvered back towards the small ships in the belt, docked, and the ships disappeared into hyperspace.
Republic Acclamator-I class Assault Frigate Striker
Clone Commander Cody, CC-2224, walked onto the bridge of the Frigate Striker.
"Report, any signs of activity?" he asked.
"Sir, we have detected small hyperspace ruptures, however those may be aftershocks of some sort from a faraway jump," one of the clones reported, "hang on, receiving another set, 2 of them, and coordinates… sir, they're in the asteroid belt, just a couple thousand kilometers from us."
"Track their coordinates, they may be Separatists," Cody ordered.
"Yes sir, commencing track sir," the trooper tapped a few signals, and sent out signals in hyperspace to find the ships that just jumped. "Sir, the destination is Dantooine,"
"Plot a course, send 2nd fleet with us," Cody ordered. A clone from the communication station replied, "Sir, we're given secondary orders, we're to go to Rhen Var and meet up with General Obi-Wan Kenobi, General John Johnson, and Commander Anakin Skywalker, and attempt to retake the planet."
"Very well, set a course for the planet then,"
"Yes sir, ETA in approximately 30 hours,"
Rhen Var,
CIS Droid Control Ship converted into Headquarters
"What is the Dark Reaper anyway, Count?" Gunray asked impatiently for the thirtieth time.
"Gunray, you've been asking me this question for the past 2 hours, and I've answered it already, do not make me lose my patience or you will suffer the same fate as Skywalker on Geonosis, or even worse," Dooku replied, completely out of patience for his question. Gunray cowered a bit and backed away, then left. Dooku stood, watching the excavation taking place. Droids are particularly efficient, as they never tire out, and they can keep working until the work is finished.
"Sir, contact detected approaching in-system, silhouette matches Acclamator class Assault Frigates and Delta-7 Aethersprite-class light interceptor aka Jedi Starfighter," a Battle Droid said over a transmission. Dooku scowled. Now? Just when I'm about to excavate this? He thought, No way. "Attack them now," he ordered.
"Yes sir," the OOM Commander Droid answered. In orbit, Droid Control Ships began to engage the forces.
Orbit around Rhen Var
The battle is progressing quite well in John's opinion, but he had a feeling that the reason its going well is just for delaying them, not stopping them outright. He relinquished that thought when he barrel rolled through a narrow gap in two Droid Starfighters and shooting, destroying 5 in front and the two after they crashed against each other.
"Nice one John!" Anakin called from his personal fighter, the Azure Angel. He fired while rolling as well, nicking 8 fighters off the sides. Obi-Wan rolled and weaved, cursing while dodging the shots. John fired again at another fighter, which disabled its engines and forcing it to crash into a Droid Control Ship, which blew a chunk of the hull off. John armed his concussion missiles. That was not part of the original fighter, as now that this ship was his, he can modify it. He was simply too tall for most fighters in the Jedi Order.
His fighter, which was named the Pillar of Autumn after his fateful Captain's ship, was armed to the teeth, but unlike the way Anakin did. He armed his with 4 forward firing cannons, located in the wing section, and 2 particle cannons in the front where the original cannon was. The size was elongated to 12 meters instead of 8, and the width is 5 meters. He added a pair of boosters to the side for emergency brakes and speed, and customized his normal engines with longer pipes and denser ion fuel. When it burns it essentially detonates and then burns, which gives it more thrust than normal, even for a Delta-7; however, he was really looking forward to the one Anakin told him about (Author's Note here: in case no one knew which ship, I'm talking about the Eta-2 in ROTS). It had a larger cockpit, and he already had ordered one that was slightly elongated. But for now, he's content with his current fighter. The sides had S-foils to reduce engine heat and stress for even faster performance. As his armor can give life support, it was taken away with the targeting system enslaved to his HUD, giving him more room. The result was enough room for 10 concussion missiles with their launch bay.
He fired straight at the breach, and with a bang, the entire ship shook, then detonated as the reactor core blew apart. Several Droid Starfighters stopped in mid-flight, destroying many that were unfortunately tailing and helping.
"Hehe, bet Dooku might not be so happy," Anakin said as he fired a few missiles at a Control Ship, bringing down its shield. Anakin followed up with a daring maneuver which led to 2 Droid Fighters crashing onto the hull after being broken a bit by Anakin's lasers. The hull creaked, then crumpled, leaving an exposed reactor core. "Incoming fireworks," Anakin cried out gleefully as he executed a dive and pulling out, his tailing fighters not so lucky and crashed into the core, destroying it.
Two down, a quadrillion or so to go… John thought as he destroyed another starfighter. He flipped up and barrel-rolled at the same time and fired his particle cannons, destroying another pair of Droid Fighters and at the same time fired another pair of concussion missiles, destroying another Core Ship, leaving a small clearing with no opposition.
"Opening there, go down and engage the enemy on the surface. Acclamators, engage in heavy bombing at the Core Ships and send LAATs with troops down. Send some Torrents to aid in bombing runs," John instructed. Cody's voice replied, "Yes sir,"
The battle for Rhen Var had begun.