ooc: Hey guys, sorry for the wait. I'm working on two fics right now, so my time is getting crunched. Things are in motion to come, and if you pay close attention and use all that star wars knowledge I know you all have, you might catch the hint I placed in this chapter. Anyways, here is chapter 7. As always, I don't own Star Wars. Please Review, also as always.
Chapter 7: First Contact
The dynamic duo, The Negotiator and the Hero with No Fear, teaming up once again. Anakin and Obi-Wan quickly made their way to the spaceport, where Master Kota was standing with Plo Koon, who was speaking to an array of pilots.
"Pilots loyal to the Republic, and the new Union formed in order to reestablish said Republic. The time has come for us to defend the principals of democracy against the evils of tyranny. Imperial warships continue to pour out of hyperspace above this planet. And it is time to fight!" Plo Koon paused allowing the men to cheer, "Now, get into your fighters! May the force be with us all!"
After his rousing speech, Plo Koon and Rahm Kota moved over to Anakin and Obi-Wan, when Kota spoke: "You two are in charge of this particular mission. We must oversee the evacuation." He paused, "Many Naboo will die if you two can't hold them off. And, be ready for some unlikely aid."
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked slightly hesitantly.
"Mon Mothma, has been elected the new Chancellor of the Union. She has appointed Admiral Ackbar of the Mon Calamari fleets to be the Supreme Allied Commander... And while he is busy uniting all of our fleets, he has asked for aid from a source... We're not too crazy about."
Anakin understood immediately, "The CIS is going to aid us." Kota responded with a simple nod. "God damn it."
"Anakin, relax. We'll need their help." Obi-Wan paused however, and then made his own concerns heard, "Does this mean we've formally allied with them?"
"No. Not entirely. They have sent a delegation to meet Union leaders on our new temporary capital of Taris. The fine details will be discussed there. But quickly, you two need to get into space. Most of the cruisers are already up there, and some fighters have begun engaging the enemy." Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed before Plo Koon added, "And Master Skywalker, don't worry. We'll keep your wife and newborns safe."
Anakin smiled and nodded before turning. "Come on Master, we've got a battle to win." Obi-Wan responded with a simple smile.
They leapt into their fighters, artoo had already set it up, and quickly, Anakin took off in his Jedi Starfighter. Followed by Obi-Wan, and then well over one hundred fighters. As they left the atmosphere, they stumbled upon a battle already in process. The cruisers and capital ships the Union had were magically unharmed in the battle, however the Imperial star destroyers, as they were now called, greatly overwhelmed them.
Soon, a voice came on the comlink. "Generals Kenobi and Skywalker, do you report?"
Anakin responded quickly, "Yes, this is General Skywalker. Who is this?"
"This is Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces of the Union (SCAFU) Ackbar. You may call me Admiral for the sake of time and sanity."
"Very well Admiral. What is the situation?"
"Our frontrunner frigates have formed a melding line on the front. (a meddling line is where one line is in front, chopped up, and a second line is behind filling in the spots) This ploy seems to have the imperial fleet confused for the time. And our fighters have caught them at a surprise. However, this tactic is unlikely to continue for long, and soon our capital ships will have to confront the Star Destroyers in head to head combat."
"Can our ships survive an encounter like that?"
"Even if they could, they would be severely damaged."
"What do you need of us then Admiral?"
"You can do one of two things to help the current situation. Land on a star destroyer and either destroy it from the inside, or commandeer it. If you choose the latter, make it the capital class. And bring back up."
"Very well general. We'll report back to you once we're inside." Anakin finished off, then he turned his attention to Obi-Wan. "Well Master, what are we to do?"
"Let's have a little fun. That one right there would fit in quite well with our fleet. Commander Roslo, do you copy?"
A man responded, Anakin could tell, with a Twi'lek voice, "Yes General Kenobi."
"Mark our position, form your squad up from behind us."
"I've marked your position, and we're on our way."
And sure enough, moments later, about 12 fighters came overhead and leveled out behind them. Anakin took a peek back, and sure enough, the man identified as Commander Roslo was in fact a Twi'lek. Anakin felt proud in knowing that. But he also sensed something different about this guy.
"Good to see you all. I hope you haven't become too attached to your fighters. Because you're about to lose them. Stay close." They trailed perfectly, and when they came upon imperial fighters, the small clump of Union fighters pecked them away. Soon, they came upon the Imperial Command Ship, known as the Impervious. And after Anakin knocked down the defender shields, the 14 fighters landed in the hanger bay.
After everyone was out and about, Anakin gave a mini-speech, "Good work everyone. Now, we haven't filled you in on this operation yet, but now, we will." The other pilots looked around in suspense before Obi-Wan finally answered their worries.
"We're going to commandeer this ship."
Murmurs were quiet, but heard, Anakin quickly silenced them, "This will be very simple. We will make our way to the bridge, killing any clone troopers we come across, and take control of the ship. At that time, more reinforcements will make their way on board as well. They will then help us round up the remaining imperials. Any questions?"
Their silence was enough of an answer, so Obi-Wan proceeded, "Very good. Off to the bridge we go! Be safe everyone."
*Meanwhile*
Padme and Ahsoka, along with the new twins had been picked up by Padme's family. And as a collective group, they were transported to a secluded military base outside of the capital.
"Padme, where exactly are we?" Jobal, Padme's mother asked.
"We're at an old Naboo military base. It's being used for the evacuation center today. Ahsoka, any word on when we're actually going to be leaving?"
"We're waiting for the military protection to arrive. Master Koon and Kota are heading it."
Just as she finished speaking, Sola and her family came rushing into the room, and dropped all of her luggage on the floor and screamed. "Ahhhhh!" And she ran to her younger sister, to see her new niece and nephew.
"Sola! Sh. You'll wake them."
"They are adorable! What are their names?"
"This, is Luke," indicating the boy, "and this, is Leia."
"Oh my lord! Luke and Leia? How cute."
However, as quickly as Sola had entered, so did Master's Kota, and Koon, along with newly elected Chancellor Mon Mothma, and Bail Organa. Master Kota spoke, "Everyone, my name is Jedi Master Rahm Kota, I am in charge of the evacuation of Naboo. Most of the populous is centered here in Theed, the capital, and we have successfully moved most people out of their homes. Other members of my order have traveled to the other cities across the planet to gather them as well, and they shall be evacuated shortly. As you may have noticed, the planet is currently under attack from Imperial forces. Led by Grand Moff Tarkin, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Navy, he is a vile man and will not allow a single Naboo to remain alive now the our rebellion has become public. That is the reason we evacuate. So please, everyone file into your assigned military transport, and we shall take off for the temporary capital of Taris soon." With that, the two Jedi began speaking to other military officers, presumably giving them instructions.
Then, Chancellor Mothma approached Padme and her family. "Padme, oh I am so glad to see you're children. Easy delivery?"
"Not exactly how I'd describe it." She responded with a smile.
"Where is Anakin? I thought he'd be here with you and your newborn."
However, Padme, who was still clearly missing Anakin's presence had difficult responding, but after a few awkward moments, she said: "He's leading that battle up above."
Mon Mothma, clearly upset at her own ignorance and stupidity, stumbled to apologize, "Oh-I'm-I'm terribly sorry. He'll be fine. He survived 3 years of war, I'm sure he'll do perfectly fine in one more battle."
Padme smiled, but before she could respond, dear Jobal had a few things to say, clearly outraged at this woman's bluntness. "How dare you ma'am! My daughter has just given birth to her children, and her husband is up in the skies fighting your bloody battle! It's you and all of your kind's fault that my grandchildren's father isn't with them!"
"Mother, please-" Sola attempted to calm her mother, to no avail.
"Don't you 'Mother please,' me! This women is a damned politician that thinks she knows what's best for the rest of us. She was elected by other senators. Not be the people."
Padme, had not even been paying attention any longer. She was still too focused on Anakin. But somehow, she knew. He wouldn't die. Not in this battle, he had plenty of fights left in him. And there was no way he would leave Padme and their children, it wasn't in his character. She smiled at this thought, before deciding to end the conversation. "Mother, don't forget, I am a politician. Chancellor, perhaps it be best if we spoke when we reach the capital?"
Mothma simple nodded, and turned to leave, before she stopped, "Oh, I forgot, Padme, when we arrive on Taris, the Confederacy will be sending some of its representatives to discuss terms of a ceasefire and temporary alliance. Bail is heading up the negotiations, and he's asked if you'd join him. But I'm sure with your children-"
"No. I'm sure my mother and family would love to watch them for a while. I can be spared for a period of time."
Mon Mothma smiled, and bowed, doing her best not to look at Jobal, left.
"That woman has some nerve."
"Mother, its fine. Anakin will be fine, and we'll see him in no time. Come, lets get on board." Padme, with her mother and father, and Sola and her husband and two children, led by Ahsoka, boarded the ship. For some reason, Padme felt quite safe. It was as if, for the first time, since the start of the Clone Wars, that she ever felt certain. Whether this was because of her newborn children, or the ever-growing bond she had with her husband, she knew everything would be ok. And as she stepped on board, and starred into the skies, looking at what one would assume to be fireworks, she felt Anakin's presence. She smiled, and entered her cabin.
*Up in Space*
The strike team had reached the hanger bay, and now they began their process. Artoo hopped out of Anakin's starfighter and moved over to join them. "Artoo, you know the drill. Stay here, and guide us through the ship." Artoo beeped wildly in response. "I don't want to hear anymore about it. Now, put up the hologram of the layout of the ship."
Artoo complied, and as the image appeared, Obi-Wan spoke. "Now here is the bridge. It seems that it shouldn't be too much of a problem."
"Except about a hundred or so clone troopers." Anakin remarked sarcastically.
"Right, lets move out."
As the team began moving out, Anakin moved back to speak with Commander Roslo. "So, Commander Roslo, is it?"
The Twi'lek man made a quick turn to see Anakin talking to him, "Yes General Skywalker, I am Zhar Roslo."
Anakin stuck his hand out, "Well met Zhar," and smiled. Anakin couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something different about him. "So, where are you from?"
"Oh, I'm from the Core. I served as Lieutenant Admiral for the Rydonni Prime Defense Force. As soon as the new decree came out, and Palpatine gave the order to kill all you Jedi, I knew I couldn't be a part of it. The King of Rydonni told most of the military that if we did not wish to serve the Emperor, there was a place to go. And most of the RPDF joined the Union military."
"Wow. I'm surprised we never met during the Clone Wars."
"Well like I said, I was in the RPDF, not the Republic Navy. As part of Palpatine's plan to gain more direct control over the Republic, and the appointed governor's established their own planetary militias. Luckily for us, he simply allowed our King to be the governor."
Anakin, while still paying attention to the man, thought for a moment. He remembered all the time in his youth, and even in his young adulthood that he had spent with Palpatine. He admired the man, considered him a mentor, and a friend. He never thought he would be a Sith Lord. Anakin thought if there was ever a time when Palpatine thought of him the same way, rather than just a powerful force user who could become his next apprentice.
"That man is slime."
"I agree. I only wish anyone, not just the Jedi, had recognized his plans sooner. Unlike some, I know that this was not all your order's fault."
Anakin smiled and nodded, then noticed the others had stopped up ahead. "What's going on?"
Obi-Wan turned around to face Anakin and motioned him to come closer. "It appears that perhaps more than a hundred clones stand in our way..." Anakin looked over Obi-Wan's shoulders and noticed he was right. In a gathering center, columns of troops had clustered. Numbering well over the one hundred Anakin had guessed. Anakin could only assume that they were gathering preparing to get into transports to move onto the planet. They needed to be rid of them now to commandeer the ship, but also if they somehow pushed them to go to the planet now, they might halt the evacuation.
"We have to get around them or ambush them. If we attempt to stall them, we won't be able to hijack this thing."
"And if we force them out of the docking bay, their invasion of Naboo might coincide with the evacuation." Zhar finished for Anakin.
"...Exactly." Anakin was convinced there was something different about this man. Perhaps...? No. If he was force sensitive, he would have been sensed early on. Living on Rydonni, a core world, the Jedi Order certainly would have felt him. But something was different about him. He was no ordinary star pilot. "I say we take two teams, one goes down that hallway to circumvent them, and another group stays here. Once the other group makes contact, this group will move in and flank them."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "You would like to have all the fun I assume and lead the other side?"
Anakin simply responded with a smile. He motioned for Zhar and five others to follow him, and then took off down the hall. As they rounded the corner to where the clonetroopers were gathering, Anakin stopped, and turned around to his men. "Alright, Zhar, I want you to come with me, we're going to go and politely say hello to our old comrades."
"Is that really the smartest thing to do?"
Anakin smiled, "You'll soon learn that the smartest thing to do, is generally the last thing I do. Just ask my wife. Anyways, while you and I go in for a nice little conversation, I want you four to slowly creep down the hall, and set yourselves up behind the crates off to the right." Anakin pointed indicating several large metal boxes near the end of the hall, "At some point, the fight will ensue, and you can then surprise them. At that point, Obi-Wan should storm in, and that should be that."
One of the other soldiers, spoke, "General Skywalker, are you telling me, you actually believe that 2 jedi and and 12 other grunts can take out," he paused looking down the long hall, "give or take, two hundred imperial clonetroops?"
Anakin didn't smile this time, he simply said: "Of course."
It didn't seem to reassure the man at all, but he readied his blaster, and Anakin motioned for Zhar to follow him. They began walking down the hall, and Anakin whispered, "Don't be afraid. I've been in far tighter spots before."
"That's not very reassuring Master Jedi."
Anakin nodded, then added: "But it's the truth."
As the clonetroopers stood still in the room ahead of them, they entered the room and standing before them was Anakin's old "friend." Admiral Wulif Yularen.
"Admiral, I see that you're hard work in the Clone Wars has paid off."
The man turned around to see his older superior, and quickly many of the clone troopers turned their attention to Anakin and Zhar. "Ah, General Skywalker. The Hero with No Fear returns, I must say, that even as someone with your reputation, landing on an Imperial Star Destroyer with a single traitorous Twi'lek is a bit... reckless. Wouldn't you agree?
"I suppose you could view it that way," He said, beginning to walk around the room, circulating them away from the halls that had Obi-Wan and his own troops. "However I have a different approach on the matter. You see, I am a Jedi Master now, unlike when you served under me during the Clone Wars. I am more in tune with the force now, than when we last fought together."
"Regardless, Master Skywalker, you must realize that you and your friend here are doomed."
"Perhaps." Anakin taunted as he ignited his lightsaber, "But you see, you have betrayed the Republic. Along with Palpatine and the rest, so while many may die today, you will certainly be among them."
Zhar jumped back behind a desk, as blaster bolts began to fire, Anakin deflected most of them. From behind the clones, Obi-Wan and his squad entered hitting them from behind, simultaneously, Anakin's squad from behind the crates also joined the fight. Blaster bolts flew everywhere as Anakin and Obi-Wan met in the center of the room, and began cutting down clonetroops. Zhar and the other men soon realized that their fear that they were committing an act of suicide was quickly diminished. They watched the two Jedi moving across the room, cutting down the opposition.
They were in perfect sync. They moved their sabers in harmony, and yet while they were taking lives (albeit clone lives), they made it seem like an art. Zhar sat in disbelief as the clones, numbering well over two hundred mere moments before, were cut down. And soon, all but a dozen or so of them remained. And they were fleeing, along with Admiral Yularen, but for some reason the Jedi did not pursue them.
"Why do we not pursue them?" Zhar asked hesitantly.
"The force will decide their fate." Obi-Wan responded.
"Even though we may have a personal past with Yularen, and I would love to see him dead, we can't give in to those feelings."
"Why not? It is is only natural to want revenge."
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other, and then Anakin answered. "Revenge is the path to the dark side. It is only natural to feel angry, and anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering."
"In other words, for Jedi, we cannot fall down that path. It will lead to our demise."
Zhar nodded, not fully understanding, but respecting his newfound friends to let the subject go. "But we do need to get to the bridge, do we not?"
"Yes. We have a ship still to commandeer, and if Artoo is right, then I believe that elevator right there will take us there." The group relaxed for a moment, as the other troops regained their composure, they then proceeded to said elevator. "Move off to the sides of this thing."
"What?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Move out of view of the doors. Yularen probably is up here and informed them we're on our way. They'll probably be waiting for us." The men did as instructed, while Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in the middle.
When the doors opened, sure enough, Yularen was standing in the central platform with an elder man, with a long face and a receding hair line. "Ah yes. Master Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. My friend Wulif has just told me of your adventures on board my ship. A pleasure to finally meet you, I am Grand Moff Tarkin." The man stuck his hand out to shake. Obi-Wan returned the gesture, despite being surrounded by several other imperial officers and clone troopers. Anakin did so as well, however, with much more reluctance. "So, tell me Master Jedi, why have you decided to come aboard this ship?"
"We have plans to commandeer it, and make it part of the Union fleet."
Tarkin nodded, "Yes, I suspected enough. It is quite a majestic ship... Well then, what are we to do? I cannot, in good conscious surrender my flagship. Nor can I let you go freely, the Emperor has a great desire to speak with you Master Skywalker, thusly I cannot kill you either. And I know that you won't leave until you have this ship. We are, as they say, stuck in a rut."
"I agree my lord," Obi-Wan said, showing respect with the title, Anakin gave a cough at that sound. "My personal opinion is that you turncoat on the Emperor, and willingly bring this ship with you. But I would assume that its optimistic thinking..."
Tarkin nodded and smiled. And as several blast doors opened up, two more squads of clones entered with their blasters locked and armed. "As much as that would be your ideal scenario, mine is unfortunately not like that. Master Kenobi, I appreciate your courtesy, considering the lack of which I received from Master Skywalker. But I'm afraid, I must order my men kill you."
Obi-Wan responded this time with a nod and a smile, "And you must again understand that I cannot allow that to happen." He ignited his lightsaber, and jumped above everyone and behind the squads of clones and began cutting them down. Zhar and the others in the elevator came out blasting, and Anakin joined as well. Lunging after Tarkin with his saber, he was blocked in his goal by two cloaked men, who were wielding vibrostaffs. Anakin quickly disposed of them both, before more clones had got into his way of getting to Tarkin.
Obi-Wan finished off most of the clones that had just entered the room, while Zhar and his men secured the rest of the bridge. Anakin still dealt with several clones, before finally cutting them all down and reaching Tarkin, some other officers, and Yularen. His blade still ignited, with his intent obvious. Yularen spoke, "Skywalker, ever arrogant, when will you learn?"
"I don't quite understand what you mean Admiral. I have you cornered, my strike team has succeeded, and the Union fleet is on its way to its first victory over the Empire. So tell me, how am I being arrogant?" Anakin's voice grew ever more deep, and dark. Obi-Wan sensed his anger and moved over towards his friend.
"Anakin, you must let go of your hatred. He made his choice. He'll become a Union prisoner, as is customary practice with officers."
"Obi-Wan, how can you not want to see him dead? He betrayed you on Utapau! He was fine with the clones killing you! After 3 years of working together, he was fine with it!" The tone in Anakin's voice became even more dark, almost unrecognizable to Obi-Wan.
"Anakin, relax. I am not dead, and things have worked out fine for me. He is now our prisoner, his fate will be determined by the force. Don't worry." Obi-Wan reached out his hand, as if to pull Anakin back from the edge of darkness he was encroaching on. And to his relief, he felt Anakin come to his senses, and the light flushed back into his mind. His worry disappeared when Anakin disengaged his lightsaber. Obi-Wan put his hand on Anakin's back, and then stepped forward, "Grand Moff Tarkin, Admiral Wulif Yularen, other Imperial officers, I hereby place you under arrest by the authority of the Union of Free Planets." Zhar's men came from behind them and put them in force holding cuffs. "Anakin, make contact with Admiral Ackbar, we'll need to know where you're piloting this thing. Zhar, have your men take the imperials into the holding room over there, leave two or three guarding them."
While Obi-Wan gave directions, Anakin made contact with the Union fleet, "Admiral Ackbar, this is General Skywalker, interim-captain of the Imperial Star Destroyer, Imperious, do you copy."
"General Skywalker, this is Admiral Ackbar, we copy. We'll send two troop transports to reinforce the ship. We have successfully defeated most of their fleet, and with your successful capture of their flagship, they will likely soon retreat. I am happy to say that the first battle of this new war is a Union victory."
Anakin smiled widely, "Very good General. I shall see you soon, I would very much like to meet you in person."
"And I you Master Jedi. I have heard much of your exploits during the Clone Wars. Once we're done, most of the fleet is heading to our new, temporary capital of Taris. Most of the outer rim has joined us, and until we can find a more suitable planet, Taris will suffice. Your wife and her family will be there. Bring the Imperious there as well. It's in for a new name."
"I shall see you there Admiral."
As the battle continued, and the Imperious joined her new fleet, the Imperials were routed. Anakin's piloting of the ship helped finish of the remaining frigates and cruisers, leaving all that were left in full retreat. Soon, several Confederate war ships exited out of hyperspace, just as the battle was ending. Part of Anakin wanted to turn his ship's cannons on them, but he restrained himself. Ackbar dealt with the confederates, and made sure that most of the Union fleet present remained in the system, but soon he, along with Anakin and a few other battleships went into hyperspace, headed for Taris. The first battle of this new war, this Galactic Civil War, was a victory.
