Chapter 7: The Stark Hyperspace War: A Moment Of Opportunity
[Mount Avos caves, Troiken, the Qotile system]
"It's good to see you, Tholme. I only wish it was under better circumstances," said Plo as he finished briefing the new arrivals.
"Heya Obi-Wan," said Quinlan, quietly with a small grin, "you and Siri behaving?"
"No idea what you're talking about," replied Obi-Wan stiffly. They were once again crowded into a circle, with a space left for Jace, who was checking in with the sentries.
"The question that remains, of course, is how long we can hold out," continued Plo, "additional Jedi is something of a gift since Tyvokka is no longer with us-"
"He's dead," snapped Quinlan, suddenly, "Can't we just say it? We're all thinking it; so why can't we simply say he's dead."
"Assuming that Tyvokka is even dead – and he may not be dead – remember the fourth precept, Quinlan," said Tholme.
But Quinlan had already got up and swept out of the cavern.
"Obi-Wan, Siri, make sure he doesn't get lost," said Qui-Gon. They both nodded and hurried after Quinlan.
"My apologies," said Tholme, looking slightly stressed, "I never did manage to stop Quinlan being so rude."
"What was he angry about?" asked Aayla.
"All Jedi have their difficulties with at least one of the precepts of our code," said Plo, "It happens to all of us, even after apprenticeship has finished."
"Hmm, but I fear that this will always be with him," said Tholme. Then Jace dashed up to them followed by a Xexto who most certainly did not look like a soldier.
"Excuse me Masters, but you really need to hear this!" Jace said, "This is Billibango, one of the natives. He came to warn us of something."
"Yes! Danger!" said Billibango hurriedly, "Big danger! You being here disturbs the..." he paused, searching for the word before giving up and using the Xextese word, "'challat' eaters, yes the 'challat' eaters!"
"What are 'challat' eaters and how are they dangerous?" asked Qui-Gon.
"Insects sir, a couple centimetres long, they travel in swarms," interjected Jace, "'challat' is Xextese for 'flesh' sir. They are predators."
"Yes! It is true! Eaters make nest in caves; why mine abandoned. They hibernate but big explosions wake them up!" said Billibango frantically, "Eat you alive if they catch you!"
"Quin?" Quinlan looked up at Obi-Wan as he and Siri sat down on either side of him, "my master asked us to make sure you didn't get lost... although I think we may be lost too."
"Which is completely not our fault," added Siri, "This place is a giant maze."
Quinlan didn't answer at first. He just stared out at the cavern they'd found from the ledge, their legs trailing over the long drop below.
Then, after a long reverie, "The code says there is no death. But I've felt death. I can... read images, senses, memories of things. I once tried to find out how my parents died like that. It was a bad idea."
"Quin..." Siri stopped herself.
"I felt their deaths, I experienced them. Tholme says it's why I have issues with the fourth precept. I got too close to death," he sighed and waved away a small insect from his face, "I don't even know if I should tell you guys, Qui-Gon knows but I'm not sure if Tholme told anyone else."
Siri and Obi-Wan each placed a hand on his shoulder, "you can trust us Quin."
There were now more insects flying around them. They were about the size of Obi-Wan's finger, transparent turquoise and resembled butterfly or fairy-like creatures. To top it all off, they flowed prettily.
"They're beautiful," said Obi-Wan as they swarmed around them.
"Ah!"
"Siri?"
"One bit me!" she sucked on her throbbing finger.
More of the insects were joining them.
More were beginning to bite.
"Ow!"
"What are these things?" asked Quinlan. He looked down the drop below him – and immediately wished he hadn't.
Thousands upon thousands of the insects were amassing below them, rising out of the depths.
As the swarm reared up past the ledge, the new knight and two padawans blew it back with the force.
As quickly as they had scattered, the creatures reformed and flew at them.
"RUN!" yelled Siri and they almost flew out of the cavern.
'This way,' a deep, familiar voice sounded in their heads.
"You hear that?" asked Quinlan.
"Don't question it; just follow it!" said Obi-Wan.
They all ran through the tunnels, turning left and right, pursued at all turns by the positively adorable swarm.
Then they turned a corner and-
"Dead end!" cried Siri.
And then.
"Behind you!" came the voice of Master Koon. They turned and saw him peering out through a crack in the rock, "Stand back!"
They complied and suddenly the cave wall was blasted away, blocking up the tunnel that Obi-Wan, Quinlan and Siri had come from.
More importantly, the insects were shut in.
"WHAT WERE THOSE?" shouted Siri as she took in Master Koon standing in the new opening.
"'challat' eaters," said Master Koon as he inspected the blockage to ensure none of the eaters could get through, "We only just learned of them - your distress helped me find you."
"Er, yes," said Obi-Wan, "I can safely say I was distressed."
"I'm sorry for storming off," said Quinlan somewhat sheepishly, "I... need to work on that."
"We all have our battles," said Master Koon, "The others are securing other tunnels; we must ensure they cannot enter the main cavern. We should join them."
[Space near Corellia, the Corellian system]
"We're coming up on Corellia," said Adi as they exited hyperspace, "Nigh Verity should be in orbit on the other side."
The Zutara rounded the planet swiftly, revealing that the enormous jelly-fish shaped station was indeed orbiting the world.
Suddenly arcs of electricity blasted out of the controls and into Adi. She grunted heavily before firmly planting both of her hands onto the dashboard and closing her eyes in strain. The electricity appeared to flow out of her hands, into the dashboard – which proceeded to melt. When the lightning storm abated, Adi straightened up and turned to Valorum and Gunray, panting heavily.
"Ow. Redirecting electricity is a lot harder than generating it," she sighed.
"What happened?" asked Gunray.
"Rigged controls, there must have been a code or other form of security we didn't know to input," Adi stopped and rubbed her now sore neck before continuing, "The controls are ruined; we need to get to the escape pods."
At which point a countdown began to sound.
Valorum's eyes widened, "Self destruct?"
"Looks like it, escape pods. Now."
About ten seconds after their pod was away, The Zutara was annihilated in a fiery explosion fuelled by the oxygen from the life support systems. Adi directed them towards Nigh Verity, where security forces picked the pod up and confirmed their identities. In very short order, Gunray had left to return to his ministerial duties and to file a report with the Trade Federation. Valorum made straight for the senate chamber while Adi used her communicator to contact the Jedi council. She was only mildly surprised to find it already in session – apart from Saesee, who had been discovered unconscious in a hallway and was still recovering. In less than an hour and a half, Valorum and Adi were in Valorum's office, communicating with a now up to speed Jedi Council.
"The Senate has been informed that Stark's sabotage can be fixed by simply replacing the navicomputers, that will however take time. The Republic has prioritised trade vessels and their escorts," said Valorum as he settled into his favourite arm chair.
"What about the troops on Troiken?" asked the hologram of Yarael Poof.
Valorum shook his head sadly, "The Senate will not help them. The only way to keep the peace treaty from breaking is to keep Tarkin's military and navy unauthorised. As such the Senate considers them expendable. I'm sorry; they are on their own."
[Mount Avos caves, Troiken]
"Master Koon," Plo looked up at Tarkin as he approached, "I must speak with you."
"I am listening," said Plo. Tarkin regarded Plo rather stiffly before speaking again.
"My entire life, my parents raised me to hate your kind: 'Non-humans are inferior beings, unfit to lead or associate with any self-respecting human'. I have been watching you as you steal my command and direct my forces. I have come to the conclusion that my parents were fools who did knew nothing of what they spoke. You may have wrested my command from me, but you know what you are doing. You care about my troops and if anyone can get them out of this, it is you. Thank you."
With that, he turned and marched off.
"Well, that was hilariously awkward," said Siri as she slurped her nutrition soup.
"I think that's the best we're gonna get from him," replied Obi-Wan, pulling a face as he plucked up the courage to down more of his meal.
Suddenly, without warning, Billibango came running into the main cavern.
"BACK ENTRANCES! THEY FOUND BACK ENTRANCES! SURPRISE ATTACK COMING!"
"Prepare for a defence!" called Plo, abandoning his meal and hurrying over to Qui-Gon.
The tentative calm dissolved in seconds to a frantic scramble for weapons, cover and helmets.
Less than a minute later, Combine troops began pouring into the cavern from the entrance Billibango had come from.
Lightsabers and blaster-fire lit up the caves as Tarkin's troops tried to hold back the inexorable tide.
"SNEAKY DEVILS! TRY TO CATCH US SURPRISE-LIKE! WE CATCH YOU NOW! YOU BE STAINS SOON!-"
"Get down, you idiot," shouted Tarkin as he pulled Billibango behind him and began picking off enemy troops from behind a crate.
Jace wiped sweat from his brow aand switched his blaster to fully automatic, completely gaving up on aiming.
A large mob of troops was focussing on his and Tholme's position by a turret emplacement – it would be overrun any second now.
"Move! Fall back!" Jace grunted to the soldiers close by him and they slowly began creeping back between boxes and rocky outcroppings.
Tholme left a mine behind at the abandoned turret.
The explosion kept the Combine back for a little while before even more of them surged across the empty space.
They almost got to Jace's new position, but suddenly an ammunition crate was flung into the enemy by Aayla.
A well-placed shot from Tarkin spread fire in front of Jace's cover, stalling them a moment longer.
As he was seeking out another ideal target, Tarkin noticed a fuel cell behind Jace.
His eyes widened.
"DALLIN! MOVE!" Jace couldn't hear him.
No-one could hear him in this racket, save Billibango.
"Me get him," called Billibango, who took off across the battlefield.
"NO! DON'T!" but it was too late. The Xexto was already out of earshot.
Jace was once again under heavy fire, troops falling around him.
He could see ,out of the corner of his eye, Tholme was making a beeline for his position.
Jace ducked below another shot.
Then suddenly everything seemed silent.
He couldn't see.
All he could feel was a searing pain.
He felt himself being pulled by someone... then his thoughts became hazy and he knew no more.
He could now hear voices, feel a dull ache.
He managed to crack open his eyes.
There was a bearded human standing over him.
Then it all came rushing back.
He could feel bandages on the left side of his face, which was stinging badly, covering his eye. Mercifully his eye itself felt fine.
"What happened?" he asked Master Jinn.
"A fuel cell behind you exploded, I've done my best but we've no bacta left and Tholme is stretched thin healing as it is. Billibango pulled you out; if it hadn't been for him you probably wouldn't have survived. Rest now, save your energy."
Jace could now see the other Jedi and Tarkin around him.
"Adi reached Nigh Verity with Valorum and Gunray, but their ship self-destructed," said Master Koon, "They made it to an escape pod and managed to reach the senate and inform the council. Stark's spies informed him; I was watching his mind at the time. Unfortunately the senate has decided against aiding us, lest the Sith use it as political leverage."
Tarkin sighed, "So after all this, we fail now. So do we surrender in humiliation, or die here?"
Plo seemed to think for a moment, "Perhaps... there is another way. Perhaps we have a moment of opportunity."
"You have a plan?" asked Tholme.
"I can see a few possibilities."
[Halls of Learning, The Ouran, orbiting Falleen, the Falleen system]
"Sha? Are you paying attention?" asked Master Saldith as he set his gaze on Youngling Koon. The entire class turned to look at Sha.
"No, Master Saldith," she said, calmly.
Saldith stared at her for a moment before responding, "And may I ask why that is?"
"My uncle wants to talk with the Jedi Council."
"Sha, your uncle is on Troiken."
"I know. He is talking to me in my mind."
[High Council chamber, The Ouran]
Saesee Tiin had finally recovered and joined the rest of the council. He was rubbing his rather sore temples when Saldith entered the council chamber.
"Master Saldith? To what do we owe this interruption?" he said in his soothing, measured voice.
"Apologies councillors, but Youngling Koon here says she is in mental communication with Master Koon. She says he wishes to speak with the council immediately."
"I see," said Master Windu, "Saesee, you're the mind expert. Would you say such long distance communication is possible?"
"Entirely possible," said Saesee, "As his niece, Sha knows Plo well. Plo also has the benefit of other Jedi to bolster him."
"Then do the same, we should," said Master Yoda.
"Agreed," said Adi's hologram.
"Very well," said Saesee, "If you will all gather round me and Youngling Koon, I will join our thoughts to hers – and by extension Plo's. Adi, I can link your thoughts through me from afar."
They all – apart from Adi's hologram – rose and encircled Sha. Saesee placed his hands on Sha's head.
'Masters, it is good to hear you again,' came Plo's distant voice, 'I believe I may have a method of ending this affair. I would particularly appreciate Master Rancisis' thoughts.'
'Unorthodox but workable,' replied Oppo after Plo had explained his idea to them, 'All we need is a means to transport from Falleen to Troiken. By the time our hyperdrives are overhauled, it will be too late.'
'Stark's Combine has a patch for the virus – it is how their ships were able to circumvent it.' thought Plo, 'Qui-Gon, his padawan and Padawan Tachi will obtain it. I will have Master Tholme and Knight Vos standing by to broadcast it to you. I, along with Padawan Secura and Senator Tarkin, will co-ordinate our ground forces.'
'I have one Idea on how to transport the order,' added Adi, 'The Trade Federation must have freighters on Falleen. If we can convince them to transport us and provide fighters for us then we have our solution.'
[Office of Minister Gunray, Nigh Verity, orbiting Corellia]
"Absolutely not!" said Gunray, leaning back in his new mechno-chair, "All risk and no profit."
"If the Collective is not conclusively defeated, they will scatter and plague us all – including The Trade Federation – for goodness knows how long," said Adi, "But if that doesn't motivate you, how about this: Master Tholme has communicated to us the truth of how you and certain officials manufactured the bacta shortage."
Gunray stared almost disbelievingly for a moment before, "Lies! You have no proof. Merely your word against ours."
Adi smiled a dangerous smile and leaned her face very close to Gunray's, "True. But who do you think is more likely to be believed?"
"If... if I do this, these absurd allegations against me are unheard of?" said Gunray tentatively, leaning away from Adi.
"Not against you, not from the Jedi," replied Adi, her smile widening, "And who knows, you may even be treated as a hero by the media."
[Troiken's capital]
Stark found himself slammed against the wall by the neck, courtesy of Trodos.
"Give us one good reason, Stark, why we shouldn't kill you now and move on," demanded Boor-Daa.
"It.. -ack- it's hard to answer when you can't... breathe," choked out Stark.
"Hard to Lie you mean," Tam Gozon replied.
"Listen..." Stark coughed as Trodos' fist tightened, "got.. plan. Can't fail!"
"Let him down for a moment please Trodos," said Lom Porton, "He will choose his words carefully; they may be his last."
Trodos complied and Stark collapsed onto the floor, heaving.
After he had recovered and straightened up, Gozon spoke, "What is this plan then?"
"We need to make one final push into the mountain. This time it can't fail," said Stark.
"Why is that?" said Boor-Daa, "We've tried it before, remember."
And it didn't go very well. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result, added Trodos.
"Ah, but it is not the same thing," grinned Stark, "Because this time I have an inside man."
[Space above Falleen]
Saesee was preparing his personal fighter, The Sharp Spiral, in the hangar bay of one of the Trade Federation cruisers that had been lent to them. Eeth Koth walked up to him as he closed the last maintenance pannel.
"Are we the preparations done Eeth?"
"Yes. Master Rancisis is on the bridge to co-ordinate. We have six cruisers and three landers at our disposal. Do we have enough Fighters prepared?"
"Yes, they will still outnumber us but we have enough Jedi Aces and Masters available. However unless we receive the virus patch, we can't do anything."
[The Raptor, space above Troiken]
Aboard the combine flagship, The Raptor, Tholme and Quinlan were crouched behind one of the ship's main transmitters. Infiltrating the ship had been a simple matter of stowing away on a supply ship using force camouflage.
"Pity Aayla isn't adept enough for a trip this long yet," said Quinlan.
"She'll master it in time," replied Tholme before speaking into his comlink, "Qui-Gon, we are in position. Do you have the patch data?"
[Troiken's capital]
"That may be a problem," replied Qui-Gon's. He, Obi-Wan and Siri were standing in Stark's headquarters in the capital city. In front of them sat a protocol droid, "The patch data is held by a protocol droid programmed to release it only upon receiving the correct code."
Then the doors opened and Stark, Tam Gozon and Boor-Daa ran into the room flanked by troops.
"See? Just as my ally said," Stark smirked at Qui-Gon, "Can you guess what happens next?"
Suddenly Stark shot Boor-Daa in the back with a stunner.
"What the-" was all Tam Gozon managed to get out before he too was stunned by Stark. Stark's troops seemed taken aback and were unable to react before Stark hit a button on the wall, causing a blast shutter to drop down between him and the troops.
"Did I forget to mention?" Stark asked the unconscious form of Tam Gozon, "The ally I mentioned was a Jedi; I heard him in my head. His name is Plo Koon. He has been in my head, monitoring me this whole time. He pointed out to me that – win or lose – I was finished," Stark then turned to Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Siri, "He offered me amnesty in exchange for my co-operation. It was better than my other prospects."
"Speaking of which?" said Siri.
"Ah, yes. Well..." Stark said with a winning smile, "That password must be worth a lot to you guys... maybe we could haggle a little? Sweeten the deal?"
The three Jedi looked at each other for a moment before simultaneously igniting their lightsabers.
"Okay! Okay!" said Stark hurriedly, "It was worth a try. The password is 'hot-tits'"
"Thanks," said Siri; she smiled and punched him in the face, "That's for all the people you killed, the trouble you've put us through and most of all that awful password."
[Mount Avos]
The Combine's forces were flooding into the mountain unopposed through the main entrance. As they did, Tarkin's troops were hurrying out through the back entrances with their equipment. Plo was stalling the Combine at one of the exits from the main Cavern.
"Sir! Enemies all in mountain! None left outsides!" Billibango whispered over the comm-link.
"Excellent," Plo replied, "Jace, Tarkin, Aayla? Are our troops evacuated?"
"Yes," came Jace's voice, "and the demolitions are all set up. We're just waiting on your signal."
"Good, I'm on my way out."
[The Raptor]
"Captain Zur! Sensors show republic troops on the plain outside the mountain!"
the surly captain of The Raptor turned to the scanner, "Well then, let's bomb them into dust."
"Captain Zur! Trade Federation cruisers and landers coming in from hyperspace!"
"What?"
[Trade Federation cruiser, space above Troiken]
"Squadrons Red and Blue, follow my lead," said Saesee over the comm, "May The Force be with us."
Squadrons of starfighters poured out of the cruisers' hangars and engaged the Combine fighters.
[The Raptor]
"Ah ha!" said Tholme as he and Quinlan ran towards The Raptor's hangar bay, "It would seem our fellow Jedi have arrived! But why aren't this ship's shields up?"
"That might be because I sabotaged them while waiting for the patch," said Quinlan, "I am but a mirror of my master."
"Then we need to get off this ship before it is destroyed!"
[Mount Avos]
"Blow the mine entrances now!" said Plo over the comm-link.
There was a resounding explosion as charges detonated all across the mountain.
With a great crash, every exit from the mountain collapsed.
Barring one.
"Master Koon? This is Jace, all entrances are sealed except the final checkpoint. The enemy is trapped but we have a problem. Aayla is missing, is she with you or General Tarkin?"
"Um, Master Koon? I seem to have gotten lost," came Aayla's voice, "Oh my- Master Koon! I FOUND MORE OF THOSE BUGS!"
"I have your signal Padawan," came Tarkin's voice, "Home in on mine; I'll prepare a little surprise for the eaters."
"Jace, allow out any combine troops who surrender!" said Plo as he ran through the caves, "Aayla, I'm coming too. Tarkin where are you?"
"I'm with Tarkin now, Master Koon," Aayla again, "he's setting a charge to seal this tunnel."
[Space above Troiken]
The Raptor exploded under heavy fire as a small shuttle, occupied by Quinlan and Tholme, flew out the main hangar.
"Master Tiin," Tholme said over the comm, "please don't fire on my shuttle. How goes the battle?"
"It is more or less over, they aren't very good," came Saesee's reply, "We only have to round up the troops in mount Avos."
[Mount Avos caves]
"This should sort the buggers out," said Tarkin as he armed the charge. He and Aayla took cover behind a rock further down the tunnel.
"Three, two , one," Tarkin hit the detonator.
Nothing happened.
They stared at each other.
Then Tarkin inspected the detonator. He pulled out the power cell - it was mouldy and discoloured.
The 'challat' eaters were now in view down the tunnel.
"Can you hit the manual trigger with the force?" Tarkin asked Aayla.
"No," she said, "Well, yes I could, but I'd need to be able to see it. So I'd be too close; I'd be caught in the blast anyway. May as well just press it myself."
"Right then," said Tarkin. He got up from behind the rock, "Stay here."
"But-"
"Stay here, alien, unless you wish to die."
Tarkin ran down the tunnel to the explosives. He pulled out his comm-link.
"Master Koon, I'm not going to make it. Padawan Secura will."
"Tarkin? What are you-"
"Could you do me a favour please, Plo," continued Tarkin as if discussing the weather, "Could you ask Finis to not let my son turn into me?"
He disconnected his comm-link and hovered his hand over the switch, "Well, Finis, I suppose you won't be expecting me to have died like this."
He pressed the button.
Aayla felt the explosion shake the cave around her.
