Chapter X
Krat walks up to the landing platform as the Ulars shuttle lands in front of the Jedi Temple. The ramp lowers as the Ulars, Master Bandura, and Yoda walk down.
"General Bandura," Krat says, "General Windu has requested your presence."
"Thank you Krat," Bandura says then turning to his apprentices, "I imagine it will be for your next phase of training."
"Train you will, in this war," Yoda says, "What you have learned, tested they will be."
"Let's not keep Master Windu waiting."
Mace Windu circles the holotable and says, "We've received information from the planet Palhani concerning Separatist movement in the Fakir Sector along the Bakchou Arm. This is a concern to the Republic because the planet Palhani is one of our held planets."
The holotable shifts from the Fakir Sector to an image of Palhani.
"Anything we should know about the planet Master?" Sadike asks.
"The planet is hospitable. Primarily dry land, however volcanoes can be found beneath it's oceans."
"General, if I may speak," Krat asks.
"You may Commander."
"Why would the Separatists want Palanhi?"
Mindu strokes his chin, "Though we are not sure, we have come up with possible reasons. One is that Palanhi holds an important central bank. Another is that the planet is a part of the Namadii Corridor, a fast hyperspace route that links Coruscant to the mid rim territories. Finally the planet connects the Fakir Sector to the Shwuy Sector, called the Shwuy Exchange."
"When do we leave?" Bandura asks.
"Immediately, by tonight. We have a cruiser being prepared for your departure at the shipyard. You will be escorted by Master Piell and his fleet to Palanhi, he will provide air support and provide reinforcements if come to need."
"Then we mustn't keep Master Piell waiting, we will leave now."
Bandura and the Ulars, accompanied by Windu, fly in a LAAT down to the shipyard. Three enormous Republic cruiser come into view. Surrounding them are engineer crews making repairs and preparing the ship for departure.
"Take us down to cruiser 33462!" Krat calls to the pilot.
"Right away commander," the pilot says.
The LAAT descends to the far left cruiser where armies of clones are being orderly marched up the ramp while a row of AT-TE walkers follow behind. The LAAT touches down beside the marching clone armies, staying long enough only for the Jedi and Krat to jump off. The transport takes off to join the rest of the fighters and transport craft moving into the cruisers ship bay.
"Krat," Bandura says, "when will the cruiser be ready for departure?"
Krat points to the AT-TE tailing the line of walkers, "As soon as that last walker and the proton bombs are loaded."
"Start loading the bombs. We need to get to Palanhi before the Separatists, it could be the difference between holding or losing the planet."
"Yes sir." Krat turns to the a crew standing by with the bombs, "Get those proton bombs loaded, now!"
The crew quickly grabs the high explosives and starts loading them up the ramp. Brejik steps out their way as they move past.
"Remember what's at stake Master Bandura," Windu says, "Palanhi is part of the Namadii Corridor, if the Separatists gain Palanhi then we will lose a major hyperspace lane between Coruscant and the Mid Rim."
Bandura's holoprojector suddenly chimes as the master holds it out in front of him. A hologram shimers of an old Lannik Jedi with a large scar running down the left side of his face, leaving him with only one good eye.
"Yes Master Piell?" Bandura says.
"Master Bandura," Master Piell says, "my ships are fully loaded and await your order for take off."
Bandura watches as the last walker is loaded, "The last of our walkers has just been loaded, were heading up to the command bridge now."
"We will await your command."
The hologram flashes off.
"Get up to the command bridge, the sooner you leave the better." Windu says, "When you reach Palanhi you will meet ambassador Galana at the port of Mal'Ira." Windu turns to the Ulars, "Be ready for anything Padawan's, war is never fair with many unexpected twists. May the Force be with you."
"Yes Master," Naman says.
Bandura and the Ulars walk away from Windu and up the ramp into the cruiser.
The door to the command bridge opens into the mass of officers and troopers tending to the ship's functions.
"Attention on deck!" an order is called and everyone stands at attention.
"As you were," Bandura says.
Everyone returns to their business as Bandura steps up to the holotable with the Ulars and Krat behind him. Bandura activates the table and an image of Master Piell appears.
"Master Piell," Bandura says, "we are ready when you are."
Suddenly another image appears of a captain standing tall, with a stern face, and slicked back hair.
"I am Captain Tarkin of General Piell's fleet," the captain says, "cruiser 41286 is ready for departure upon the general's orders."
"Very well." Bandura says, "We will pull away from the shipyard."
"And we will follow." Piell says.
The holograms flicker off as Bandura walks down the catwalk to the windows of the bridge where an admiral waits.
"Admiral Dekar," Bandura says, "are we ready for departure?"
"Yes general." the admiral says before facing the crew, "Activate the thrusters and pull away from port."
The gravity locks release it's hold on the cruisers landing gear and the docking gate retracts as the cruisers ramp raises. The thrusters activate and the cruiser slowly lifts up from the port. It ascends into the atmosphere with Master Piells fleet in tow. The fleet breaks Coruscant's orbit and into space.
Brejik walks up the catwalk until he's next to Bandura.
"Set course to Palanhi," Bandura says, "and prepare the jump to hyperspace."
The cruiser's turn into Palanhi's coordinates as the hyperspace drive hums as it prepares to jump.
"General, coordinates set and hyperspace drive is ready to jump." a crew member says.
"Jump." Bandura says.
Brejik watches in amazement as the stars look as if they are being pulled towards him and the fleet enters hyperspace.
As the Republic cruisers travel through hyperspace, three Separatists battleships under the command of General Grievous move through hyperspace towards Palanhi.
Grievous coughs as he activates the holotable and kneels before a hologram of Count Dooku.
"Yes Count?" Grievous says.
"General," Dooku says, "I trust you are in route to Palanhi."
"Yes Count, the fleet will be dropping from hyperspace soon."
"You should know that three Republic cruisers are also moving to Palanhi, to keep their control over the meager planet."
"They will be dealt with, Count."
"There are a number of Jedi protecting Palanhi. Orb Bandura with his three apprentices, and Even Piell. Not to mention their armies of clones."
Grievous laughs, "My lord, the Republic forces are no match to our new weapon. The Scorpionic annihilator droids will destroy their pathetic clones, and kill the Jedi scum."
Dooku gives a slight grin, "You better be right General. Do not fail me."
The hologram disappears as Grievous turns his attention back to the bridge. The battleship drops out of hyperspace in the Fakir Sector.
"Sir," a commander droid says, "there are three Republic cruisers coming out of hyperspace."
"Just as Count Dooku said."
Bandura and Piell's fleet jump out of hyperspace before Grievous's battleships.
"Should we open fire on them?" the commando droid asks.
"No," Grievous coughs, "move the battleships into attack position, but hold fire until my command. Deploy the ground forces to the planet's surface and use the ships to shield their launch."
"Roger roger."
The command droid walks off as the battleships move into position.
"They've moved into attack position." Sadike says.
"But they haven't opened fire, why?" Brejik asks Bandura.
"Their planning something." Bandura answers.
"Should we open fire General?" Admiral Dekar asks.
"No, let's see what plays out."
Bandura's comlink beeps before Bandura answers it.
"Bandura," Master Piel says, "what are we doing?"
"Hold your fire Master Piel. Let's see what they are planning. If they attack us, return fire otherwise wait for my command."
"Very well Master."
The comlink turns off when the transmission ends.
Suddenly large pods launch from out of each battleship and move towards Palani's surface.
"They've launched their ground forces." Naman says, "And they have positioned their ships to cover them."
"Fire all batteries!" Grievous orders.
The Separatists ships fire their cannons at the Republic cruisers. The cruisers shake on impact of the blasts. Bandura falls forward and braces himself on the consul.
"Raise the shields!" Bandura yells.
"Raising shields." the crew complies.
"Bandura," Piell says over the comlink, "move your ship back and launch your ground units. We will provide you cover."
"Yes Master." Bandura turns the comlink off, "Admiral, move the ship back behind the line and assemble the ground troops in the hanger."
"Yes General, good luck." Admiral Dekar says.
"Come on," Bandura says to the Ulars, "time to begin your training."
Bandura and the Ulars run off the bridge with Krat behind.
The clones gather around Bandura and Krat as they give the brief over the mission.
"What do we have for armor?" Bandura asks Krat.
"Three walkers are stand by for launch, General." Krat says.
"And our forces?"
"Army group A and B are ready to mobilize. 300 men ready to fight."
"Right. Everyone get to your shuttles, we are moving out."
The clones hurry off to their designated LAAT, once a shuttle is loaded the pilot guides the ship onto the runway. In moments a large line of shuttles, with three carrying walkers, line up down the runway. Bandura, the Ulars, and Krat board a shuttle marked with a giant Krayt Dragon painted on the side. The shuttle is cramped with six other clones. The LAAT lifts off the ground and takes the lead of the line.
"Open the hangar door," Bandura says through the comlink to the hangar command post.
"Right away sir," the comlink echos.
Brejik looks through the slits of the shuttle door to see the hangar doors slowly opening, the sound of its moving track is muffled by the gunships engine.
"You ready for this?" Naman asks him.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Brejik says.
"What about you Krat? Are you ready to get back into the fight?"
Krat laughs, "It's what I was made for." Krat looks up at the clones, "Isn't that right boys?"
"Hell yeah Commander!" the clones hollar.
Sadike steps up to Bandura and says, "Master, won't the Separatists shoot our gunships out of the sky?"
"If Master Piell is right, he will cover our move." Bandura says, "Pilot, launch all shuttles!"
"Yes General." the pilot says, "All shuttles launch in sequence from the front on my mark. Moving!"
The LAAT picks up off the runway, clears the hangar doors, and moves away from the cruiser. The rear shuttles launch one by one and follow the lead gunship.
"General," a pilot droid gets Grievous's attention, "the Republic has launched their ground forces. Should we shoot them down?"
"Let them pass." Grievous orders, "I want to see the Scorpionic droids annihilate them!" Grievous laughs.
"Roger roger."
Bandura's ground forces clear the battlefield over Palanhi as they enter the planet's orbit.
Master Piell's comlink rings to Bandura's call.
"Master Piell," Bandura says, "my men have reached Palanhi's orbit, no casualties."
"Good Bandura, we will handle the Separatist fleet."
Bandura shuts his comlink off and opens the LAAT door's to see Palanhi's vast green and brown plains and timbers. He sticks his head out the doorway to see the small settlement of Mal'Ira ahead.
"Pilot!" Bandura yells, "Guide the units to that port ahead!"
"Yes General."
An incoming transmission is alerted to the LAAT pilot.
"Republic gunship do you copy?" a voice is heard, "LAAT 6641 respond."
"This is LAAT 6641 we read you." the pilot says.
"This is Mal'Ira port security, state your business."
"This is Jedi Master Orb Bandura's task force requesting permission to land."
The transmission goes silent for a moment, "LAAT 6641, you are scheduled to arrive, you may land at Port 9."
"Copy that, moving to Port 9 now."
The shuttle circles around the settlement until it reaches a landing pad with a large 9 on it. The pilot brings the gunship down onto the pad and awaits to take off again.
"Go, go, go!" Krat yells.
The Jedi and clones quickly move off the shuttle and disperse around the platform. As soon as everyone is off, the shuttle lifts away to return to the cruiser and moments later another shuttle drops its men off. In no time, the platform and surrounding area is covered by clones pulling security. The three shuttles carrying the walkers drop their load not too far from the platform.
When the dust settles, Bandura and the Ulars see the silhouette of a man with two armed guards approaching them. Once he is close enough to them, they can see its a tall older man, dressed rather nicely, with combed back white hair. His guards are masked with visors that hide their eyes, with light armor protecting their body, and each one is holding a DC-15S blaster, provided for by the Republic.
"Ambassador Galana," Bandura says, "it's unfortunate we couldn't meet on different terms. However the Separatists have invaded Palanhi."
"As I am aware Master Jedi," Galana says, "some farmers reported their army is just south of the Camarii Ridge." Galana points toward the ridge's direction.
"I will send scouts to map out their location. Krat."
"Yes General." Krat says before turning to the clones, "Runner, Quick Shot, front and center!"
Two clones jump up and run to Krat's orders.
"Yes Commander?" they say in unison.
"I'm sending you out on a scouting mission, locate the Clankers and report where their going."
"Yes sir!"
Galana steps forward, "My men will guide you to the Camarii Ridge. I can also provide you speeders." Galana faces his guards, "Show them to it men."
"This way." one of the guards says leading Runner and Quick Shot off.
Ambassador Galana shakes his head, "I never thought the war would come to Palanhi, I never thought the war would come this close the Inner Rim."
"War is unpredictable Ambassador." Naman says.
"That it is young Jedi, that it is."
"Ambassador," Bandura says, "you should seek shelter, warn your people of the invasion."
"Yes Master Bandura, I will."
Runner, Quick Shot, and the Galana's guards move their speeders up the Camarii Ridge until they reach the top. The group jumps off and crawls on their stomachs until they are able to overlook the valley below.
"Why are we always chosen for these missions?" Quick Shot groans.
"Don't argue," Runner says, "just do it."
"We'll pull security." the guards say, "and let you know if there's anything suspicious."
"Right." Quick Shot says.
The guards run down the ridge a little bit and pull security.
Runner pulls out his electrobinoculars and observes the valley below.
"Check out that armor they were wearing?" Quick Shot asks, "That ain't gonna hold up to droids."
"No wonder they brought us in." Runner jokes.
"See anything?"
"They definitely landed here, there's scorch marks, and craft lying about. I just can't find
them."
Quick Shot looks to the left side of the ridge.
"Wait, what's that?" he points.
Runner turns his scopes in the direction where Quick Shot is pointing. Through the scopes Runner can see an army of battle droids moving up the ridge through the thicket.
"Oh yeah," Runner says, "there they are. Battle droids, some B2's, ah, even destroyers….oh, what the?"
"What is it?"
Runner hands Quick Shot the electrobinoculars, "Ever seen those before?"
Quick shot look's through the lens.
"No," he says, "I've never seen anything like that. They're huge! That's some pretty thick armor too. They got deflector shield generators also."
"Those won't be easy to hit."
"We have to report back General-"
"Ah!" one of the guards groans.
Runner and Quick Shot look behind them to see super commando droids kill Galana's guards.
"Damn, commando droids!" Quick Shot yells as he shots at the droids.
The droids are fast, they dodge every blast. One of the droids sprawls back and pounces at Quick Shot. It kicks him the sternum before blasting him in the chest.
"Quick Shot!" Runner yells.
Runner shoots the commando droid in the head, destroying it as the other droid jumps at him. Runner braces himself and is able to toss the droid over the ridge. He runs over to a speeder as the droid climbs up the ridgeside. When he's out of range, he pulls a grenade out and throws it back at the droid. The grenade goes off, but Runner doesn't look back to see if it got the droid.
Runner pushes the speeder as fast as he can, every now and then he looks behind him to see three droidekas pursuing him. Runner moves over a hill, Mal'Ira is just a hundred yards away.
"Look!" Brejik yells pointing to Runner's speeder.
The droidekas reach the top of the hill and sets up to attack. They open fire on the speeder, blasting its engine. It nosedives into the ground throwing Runner off. Runner hits the ground and roles a couple yards before looking up to see the destroyers blasters aimed at him.
"No!" Brejik yells.
Brejik runs up the hill ignoring his master's orders to stay. He opens up his lightsabers blades as he launches himself off the destroyed speeder. The droidekas shoot at Runner but Brejik lands in front of him to deflect the bolts. Brejik charges the middle destroyer, slices its optics off before slicing it through the side. The other two droids turn to shot at him but Brejik jumps on top of the far left droid making the right droid shoot the left, destroying it. Brejik jumps off the left droid and lands in front of the right, with one blade he cuts a leg off while he slices up the droid with the other.
"You alright?" Brejik ask Runner.
"Well I am now, thank you." Runner says.
Brejik helps Runner up before they run back to the platform.
"Runner." Krat says, "Where's Quick Shot?"
"Dead." Runner says, "And so are the guards."
"And the droid army?" Bandura asks.
"They're moving toward the settlement. It's the whole damn army, battle droids, B2's, commando droids." Runner points up the hill. "Destroyers. The Separatists also have a new toy, they're big, heavy armor, and shield generators."
Bandura looks at Krat, "Set up a line of defense around the settlement, dig in." Bandura looks up at the large wall that surrounds the settlement. "I want those walkers up on that wall with men up there and on the ground."
"Right away General." Krat says running off to relay the message.
"And what about us Master?" Naman asks.
"I want you at my side at all times. No more reckless moves." Bandura looks at Brejik.
"He was going to die Master," Brejik says, "I wasn't just going to sit by and let that happen."
"That may be true, but it also could have gotten you killed."
"It's gonna take more than three destroyers to kill me Master."
Sadike and Naman look at each other, staying out of the argument.
Bandura glares at Brejik, "There is a reason they are called 'destroyers', my young apprentice, those things have killed Jedi before and are not programed to show mercy. What you did was reckless and dangerous, things like that can get even the most experienced Jedi killed."
Bandura walks off towards the settlement, "Now come on, we have to prepare for battle."
By nightfall the AT-TE walkers have positioned themselves on top of the settlement walls. Two machine gun nests sit beside them with a crew on each. Troopers line the top, some resting while others pull security. Same can be found below the wall as clones are dug into foxholes awaiting the droid army.
The Ulars walk alongside Bandura on the wall monitoring positions.
"Master," Brejik says, "my apologies for what I said earlier, it wasn't my place to act out that way."
"Brejik," Bandura says, "you are still young and have much to learn, but you have to realize that in war and combat, acting out of emotion will often lead to a less than desirable outcome."
"Yes master, understood."
A clone suddenly comes running up to the Jedi.
"General," he solutes, "the droid army is approaching, they are just beyond the hill."
"Ready the men," he says, "hold your fire until my command."
"Yes sir."
The clone runs off to alert the rest while Krat walks up.
"And what about the walkers sir?" he asks.
"Fire all light defenses. Hold the cannon for when the fight escalates."
"Yes General."
Krat pulls out his DC-17 pistols and holds them in the air, "Time to get back in the game." he says.
The sound of marching droids echos through the settlement until they come over the hill in rows and columns. The army is large and menacing as it gets closer to the defense line.
"Sir?" Krat asks.
"Wait."
They get closer.
"Sir?"
"Hold it."
The droids start running at the line and open fire. Red blaster bolts fly everywhere.
"Fire!" Bandura yells.
The clones return fire and the battlefield erupts in red and blue blaster bolts, all going against each other. The Jedi activate their lightsabers as the machine guns open onto the droids below.
One by one the droids fall. A clone next to Sadike throws a grenade over the wall, it explodes in the middle of the army sending droid parts flying. Brejik deflects enemy bolts back at the army, knocking out some of the droids. In no time, the fight ends with the last standing droid being cut down.
"That wasn't so hard." Naman says.
"That was only the first wave." Krat says.
Suddenly a much larger unit charges over the hill this time with B2 droids. The droids rapid fire blaster pelt the lower line of defense causing heavy casualties. Two B2's fire rockets at the top of the wall.
"Incoming!" Krat yells.
Sadike throws Brejik on the ground as Bandura does to Naman. The rockets hit the wall sending clones over and knocking out the machine gun nests.
"They've knocked out our machine guns!" Brejik yells.
Bandura sees how his forces are dwindling as most of the walls defenses have been destroyed.
"Stay here." he says.
The Jedi launches himself off the wall and into the droid army.
"Covering fire!" Krat yells, "I hate it when he does that!"
Bandura slashes through the army, creating a path up to the B2's. Bandura slices he super battle droids in half, cuts off arms splits them in two. The B2's desperately try to shot the Jedi but he too quick and experienced. Bandura destroys the last B2 and moves on to what remains of the attack. He cuts them down, even using the Force to pull them into him before slicing them in half. With the droids destroyed, Bandura is the only one standing in the middle of the battlefield. He Force jumps back onto the wall.
"Still got it." he jokes.
Suddenly Bandura turns around to see the giant Scorpionic droids mount a position on top of the hill. Droidekas move in between them mounting an attack position as well. The Scorpionic droids activate their shields, protecting them and the destroyers at their side.
"That must be what Runner was talking about," Krat says.
The droids open fire from the top of the hill, raining heavy caliber blasts down onto the clones below. Dirt and blood spits up in the air with each impact as the men below are slaughtered.
"Fire the cannon on their position! Now!" Bandura orders.
"Fire the cannons on their line!" Krat yells at the walkers.
The cannons fire and the droids line explodes, knocking out a few of the Scorpionic droids, but many still remain.
Brejik looks up to the sky to the sound of whistling. To his fright, he see's vulture bombers inbound.
"Bomber's incoming!" he yells.
Brejik looks away as the bombers fly low and release their bombs. The bomb's hit the walkers, leaving them in flames. One of the walkers falls off the wall and onto the broken line below.
"We've lost our heavy artillery!" Krat yells.
"We need to pull the line back." Bandura says.
"There are woods behind the settlement," Naman says, "we can seek refuge there."
"Good idea. We'll get Ambassador Galana and move to the timber. Everyone fall back! Fall back to the woods!"
Brejik and Naman bring Ambassador Galana to the woods. He was reluctant to go, but knew the droid army was entering the settlement. Bandura and Sadike move what remains of their forces far back in the woods. Ambassador Galana can only look in horror as he watches his settlement burn. Krat moves up to Bandura with a status report.
"Report?" Bandura says hesitant.
Krat shakes his head, "We took heavy casualties. We only have fifty three men remaining, sixteen grenades, eight rocket launchers, and were low on ammunition."
"There must be something we can do." Ambassador Galana says.
Bandura shakes his head, "We can request reinforcements from Master Piell's fleet."
Bandura turns on his comlink, "Master Piell, do you copy?"
No answer is heard.
"Master Piell, can you hear me?"
The comlink sputters as a voice is heard trying to come through.
"Weak signal," Brejik says.
"This is Captain Tarkin," a voice comes through.
"Tarkin," Bandura says, "where is Master Piell?"
"Occupied General. What do you need?"
"Our forces are dwindling, we need more men if we are going to take Palanhi."
"I cannot render assistance to you right now Master Jedi. The Separatists have blocked all
transit between the planet and the fleet, any attempt to send reinforcements would be disastrous."
"What's the status on the fleet?"
"We are taking heavy damage, the enemy fleet has destroyed our shield generators and were taking fire."
"Get Master Piell online now!"
Tarkin patches Master Piell.
"Bandura," Master Piell's voice is heard, "our fleet is on the break of destruction."
"Understood Master Piell, pull the fleet from the battle."
"We will send shuttles to get you off the planet."
"No. It's too risky, pull the fleet from the battle. We will find another way off the planet. Get out of here!"
The comlink goes quiet.
"As you wish Master Bandura. Good luck, and may the Force be with you."
The Republic fleet, now sustained heavy damage, turns from the fight and jumps to hyperspace in retreat.
"General," a battle droid says to Grevious, "the Republic fleet has retreated."
"Good," Grievous says, "now their forces on the surface have no escape. Ready my ship and prepare another invasion force."
"Roger roger."
The lifesize hologram of Mace Windu stands before Bandura, the Ulars, and Galana.
"I gave the order to pull our fleet from Palanhi," Bandura says, "we are trapped on the planet's surface, with no way off."
"We need more clones," Galana interrupts, "the majority of the Separatists army was wiped out, we just need more men to finish them off."
"That was only a small portion of the the droid army Ambassador. They will be coming back and in greater numbers. I lost the majority of my forces today alone, as we are, we do not stand a chance and it is useless to try to break that blockade. It's time to accept that Palanhi is lost, it is now time to figure out a way off the planet with our lives."
"Master Bandura is right Ambassador." Windu says, "Palanhi has been overrun. We need to figure out a way to get you all off the planet and you to Coruscant."
Galana shakes his head, "No. I will stay with my people."
"Ambassador, if you stay you will be arrested by the Separatists and forced to sign a settlement."
Suddenly another voice is heard on the hologram, "I concur with Master Windu."
Taking Windu's place is Chancellor Palpatine.
"Chancellor." Bandura and the Ulars bow, acknowledging him.
"Ambassador," Chancellor Palpatine says, "the desire of the Separatists is to occupy Palanhi, repenting it from the Republic. Having you there assures them of achieving so. Come to Coruscant where you can fight to regain Palanhi in the Senate."
Galana sighs, "Understood Chancellor. I will go to Coruscant when I am able."
"Very good. I will await your arrival here."
Chancellor Palpatine steps aside as Windu comes back into the hologram.
"Master Bandura," he says, "keep your distance from the droid army. The Council will-" the transmission starts to flicker and buffer. "Send….he-lp as soon as-" the transmission dies.
"They've cut all transmissions off the planet." Bandura says.
"What do we do now?" Sadike asks.
Bandura thinks.
"We do as Master Windu said." he says, "We stay away from the Separatists and wait for help."
The Ulars sleep as Krat and Bandura stay awake keeping guard. Anyone holding guard duty is ordered to keep low in the shrubbery to avoid being spotted.
"Hopefully the thicket will keep those new droids out." Bandura says.
Krat takes off his helmet, "They're large enough to knock down those trees I imagine. But I doubt they will push another assault until their forces are replenished. Have you ever seen anything like those Clankers, General?"
"No, and I hope after this I won't be seeing them again."
Krat looks at Galana who is sleeping against a tree.
"Do you think Palanhi will regain Republic control?" he asks.
"That's for the Senate to decide." Bandura says, "But I doubt there is much they will do. There are alternative ways to reach the Mid Rim than just the Namadii Corridor, and the Republic's finances are handled through the Banking Clan, therefore the bank here will be of no importance. I'm afraid it may be a while until Palanhi is released from Separatists control."
"So there is no point of him going to the Senate."
"Not necessarily commander, hope, there is always hope for tomorrow."
Meanwhile on Coruscant, at the Jedi Temple, Mace Windu searches the nearby sectors of Fakir looking for any help to the trapped men on Palanhi. Windu searches the sectors surrounding Fakir, trying to find the closest Republic ship. The hologram flashes red on the planet of Bilbringi, a planet close to Palanhi, it lies along the Namadii Corridor.
Windu selects the planet and an image of Bilbringi pulls up with a Republic cruiser orbiting the planet. Windu selects the cruiser to find it is the Negotiator, Obi-Wan Kenobi's flagship.
Windu sends a transmission to Kenobi.
A hologram of Obi-Wan Kenobi replaces the image of the Negotiator.
"Yes Master Windu?" Kenobi asks.
"Kenobi," Windu says, "what is your status?"
"My ship is currently orbiting Bilbringi."
"You're needed for a rescue mission."
"Rescue mission? Anakin again?"
"No, not this time. You're needed on Palanhi in the Fakir Sector, you're the closest to the
Planet. Master Bandura and his armies have been virtually destroyed and their fleet has withdrawn, they have no way off the planet."
"I'll move to Palanhi immediately. Anything I should expect?"
"There's a blockade to the planet, three Separatists gunships."
"Of course there is. Nothing can be too easy. Don't worry, we will be in out of the system before they hit us."
"Very well, get to Palanhi as fast as you can, time is running short."
"Yes Master."
Windu turns the holotable off. On the Negotiator, Commander Cody approaches Kenobi who is stroking his beard.
"Orders sir?" he says.
"Set the hyperdrive to coordinates K-9," Kenobi says, "we're going on a rescue mission Cody."
Grievous, escorted by two IG-100 MagnaGuards, walks through Palanhi's now captured settlement to the commander droid. The droid commander snaps into attention as Grievous approaches.
"Status report." Grievous orders.
"The remainder of the Republic forces have fled into the woods General." the droid says.
"And the Jedi?"
"Alive General, fled in the woods escorting the ambassador."
Grievous growls, "Where are the commando droids?!"
Fifteen commando droids form up around Grievous ready to receive orders.
"Find the Republic forces and destroy what's left of them," Grievous orders, "leave the Ambassador and the Jedi alive. I will deal with the Jedi myself."
The droids click and sputter before running off the settlement towards the woods.
There is laughing, laughing of men, several of them. The scene flashes to a bright fire giving away their silhouettes. The scene shifts to a closer image of one of the men, the light of the fire just barely reveals the marker of Deathwatch on his armors shoulder pad. Suddenly the back of a Twi'lek comes into view as she serves drinks to the warriors.
The image shifts again to a warrior reaching up behind her and groping her backside. The girl reacts by throwing the drinks down onto the table, spilling them onto the warriors. She is grabbed by the wrist as the warrior who groped her rises to his feet, he towers above her. He smacks her across the face before throwing her onto the floor.
"Get up." the warrior demands, "Then clean this up."
The Twi'lek roles onto her side before showing her face in the firelight. The light of the fire shows her blue eyes are filled with hurt. She moves even more into the light to reveal the Twi'lek is Malina.
"Get up." the warrior demands again, "Get up. Get up. Get up! Get up! Get up!"
"Bejik get up!" Brejik awakes to Sadike shaking him.
"Malina," Brejik says half awake.
"What? Malina, she's….no….Brejik wake up, there's movement in the woods."
Brejik looks around at the dark forest remembering he is not on Mandalore.
Brejik rubs his eyes and asks, "an attack?"
"Not sure," Sadike says, "just stay low and be ready for anything."
Brejik puts on his helmet before joining his siblings, Bandura, and Galana are huddled around the surrounding trees and bushes. Krat holds up his pistols while looking ahead on his scanners. The fifty three men that remain are all awake, watching the woods for any movement.
The crunch of sticks and leaves being stepped on breaks the silence, Krat instantly shifts his sensors in the direction of the noise. Banura motions to the Ulars to remain quiet.
Through the night vision camera in the Krat's sensor, he sees some large plants move.
"There's movement, somethings out there," Krat whispers.
"Commander," a clone whispers, "I'm not picking up any distinct life forms on my scanners."
Suddenly the private is grabbed by the neck and pulled into the brush.
"Ahhhh!" the clone yells as he is dragged away.
As the clone is pulled away to his death, a commando droid jumps from the thicket at Krat. Krat sees him in his sensor and fires at the droid, destroying it in two shots.
"Commando droids!" Krat yells, "Shoot into the brush!"
The forest is lit up by blue blaster bolts shooting into the thick greenery. The commando droids react by jumping out of the line of fire and at any clone within close range. Men are shot dead all around.
A clone fires at a droid in pursuit of him, but the droid dodges every blast. The clone runs out of ammo and in a desperate attempt he throws his blaster at the droid, but he misses. The droid lunges at him, knocking him in the legs before breaking his neck. It shifts it's attention to Brejik and charges him.
Brejik opens one of his lightsabers and slices the droid in two.
"Krat!" Bandura yells, "Get the men out of here! We'll fall back and try to shake these droids off!"
"Yes sir!" Krat yells before turning to his men, "Fall back! Heavy weapons lay out suppressive fire!"
A heavy trooper with a Z-6 rotary blaster, rises to his feet from a kneeling position and fires into the woods in a sweeping motion.
"Eat laser Clankers!" he yells.
"General!" Krat calls, "Fall back! We'll handle this!"
"You be right behind us!" Bandura orders.
Bandura looks looks to the Ulars who are deflecting enemy blaster bolts, "Padawans! Get the Ambassador and fall back with the men!"
The Ulars follow Bandura's orders then joins what remains of the clones. Krat and the heavy gunner hit a few droids that fall and disappear in the brush.
"Left side bound back!" Krat orders, "I got you covered!"
"Moving!" the heavy gunner yells.
He seizes fire and runs back fifteen yards.
"Right side bound back!" the heavy gunner yells, "I got you covered!"
"Moving!" Krat responds before running back.
Krat moves back and covers the heavies retreat. They both bound back one at a time until they meet with what is left of the group.
The sun starts to rise on the eighteen clones that remain. The commando droids broke off their attack and retreated to the settlement.
"We must keep moving," Bandura says, "they know we are here and it won't be long before they come back."
"And go where?" Galana asks, "There is nowhere to go. The next settlement is over fifty miles away."
"Then we will move towards it," Bandura says, "if there's a settlement there has to be some people near it. We have no other way, that is our best hope than sitting and waiting to be killed."
Glana walks past the Jedi, "The next settlement is this way." He says over his shoulder.
For five hours the group walks to seemingly nowhere, through just a never ending forest.
Namans stops as the group keeps moving.
"Do you hear that?" he calls to no one in particular.
Everyone stops to listen, at first nothing is heard, but then the sound of grinding metal echos around them, accompanied with the sound of footsteps.
The group turns around to see Scorpionic droids move through the woods with ease, with battle droids surrounding them.
"Run!" Bandura yells.
The group takes off trying to get away from the pursuing army.
"Those things can move through woods!" Krat calls.
They run and run with the droids not far behind. Suddenly the woods clear to nothing but a stretch of flatland that ends on a cliff.
"There's nowhere to run." Sadike says.
Bandura analyses the area but finds Sadike is right.
"Form a line of defense!" Bandura orders, "We may not get out of this. But we will go down fighting. For the Republic!"
"And Palanhi." Ambassador Galana says taking one of Krat's pistols.
The clones form a line around the Jedi and ambassador with their weapons at the ready. The Jedi unleash their blades as they await the enemy. The battle droids step out from the woods, with their blasters aimed at the clones. Two drokedias role out and mount an attack position as the Scorpionic droids set up behind their forces. Brejik puts his lightsaber together, ready for the fight.
Suddenly seeming from nowhere, three LAAT's come up from under the cliff and idle at the cliffs edge. The doors are open with clones inside who instantly shoot at the droids as the droids open fire at the shuttles. In the center gunship, Obi-Wan Kenobi stands beside Commander Cody.
"Need a lift?" Kenobi says holding out a hand.
"About time you showed up!" Bandura jokes.
Bandura takes Kenobi's hand and pulls himself into the craft. The Ulars and Galana follow him. Once the clones are loaded onto the gunships Kenobi gives the command for the gunships to open fire onto the droids. The laser cannons hit and destroy the majority of the droids, even the Scorpionic droids. As the smoke and dust settles, General Grievous emerges accompanied by his MagnaGuards.
"Kenobi." Grievous growels.
Kenobi mockingly solutes Grievous, "We will have to dance another time General." Kenobi taunts.
The LAAT's take off from the cliffside as Grievous yells at his escaped prey.
A commander droid walks up to the furious general.
"General," the droid says, "you have a transmission from Count Dooku."
The droid holds out the holoprojector and a hologram of Count Dooku appears.
"General." Dooku says, "What is your report on Palanhi?"
"The planet is taken, my lord."
"And the Jedi?"
"Escaped, Count. Aided by Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Dooku frowns, "How disappointing. Your Scorpionic droids failed to destroy the Jedi?"
Grievous groans, "The mission was to capture Palanhi, to which I did. The Jedi simply get to live another day, they narrowly escaped this time. That will not be the case for the next."
"See to it that it is so General."
The hologram turns off as the commander droid holds down on the comlink in it's head.
"Uh-huh," the droid says, "I'll tell him….General, the Jedi have reached their cruiser and made their escape to hyperspace."
Grievous screams in anger at the droid before smashing its head off.