I am SO sorry about taking so long. I had to take a hiatus while i got ready for graduation and finals and all that, and was fully planning to get back t this sooner. But then life decided to come at me with problem and hit me like a truck :v. One of which being my computer died and took everything i had set up for this chapter and even part of the next with it. Then i had problem finding a job, and getting into college became a stress and just.. God it was a long one. But i'm back, but unfortunately i must greet with 'this'. I honestly am not a fan of how this one came out and will likely come back to revise it heavily when i get the drive for this chapter again. Jus things sucked the life out of me for this one and i've been feeling stressed lately so I just really wanted to get this done so i could start over next chapter with a blank slate. I won't go into detail yet, since i don't want to scare you off or spoil anything, butif you're interested i'll give some insight into some of the stuff i originally wanted to do after the chapter. Well, i hope you enjoy and please remember to review. The support helps a lot.
"General?", the sith turned his head to regard a droid, are you sure that was a good idea? We could've just finished them right here and now."
"Just shut and listen to me droid."
"But i thought you said-" the droid's head suddenly crushed itself into a ball, silencing the rest of the droids with fear. The sith sighed, cracking his neck, "Just do you jobs for once and everything will go smoothly.". The silence that followed was music to the sith's ears, making him sigh in relief. It was an unsaid affirmation of his orders, the silence of terrified droids whose fear of him overrode any and all of their logic. His smiled faltered before widening when he felt a familiar presence nearby, one his droids has already noticed if the sounds of charging blasters were any indication.
"Define 'smoothly' for me general."
"Kenobi!" began the sith, motioning for his troops to stand down as he turned his body to regard the jedi with a bloodthirsty smile, "You just made my day."
General Obi-Wan Kenobi stood there a smile on his bearded face as he stared down the general and his squad of droids, "I had a feeling I'd find you stalking the halls. Hopefully Anakin is having as good of luck finding your compatriot."
"Who, Ventress? Tch, with a head of hair like that she isn't hard to miss. I swear she has to be shining that thing regularly." quipped the sith with a chuckle. In response Obi-Wan merely shook his head, activating his lightsaber. Raising it toward the general, who smiled broader at him before turning to his droids.
"Make sure you don't throw the game, I'm dealing with Kenobi on my own." ordered the sith making his droids nod. The droids turn around, obediently following their orders while their general had his fun; "Now then," he cracked his neck menacingly, "Time to throwdown."
"I'll be courteous and allow you the first move general." returned Kenobi smoothly, causing the opposing general to let out one of his usual laughs. The smug grin on his face as he calmly started taking steps towards Kenobi, was almost unnerving, the way he so enjoy the prospect of slaughter. And yet, Kenobi could also see other aspects to the sith lord's personality that the younger usually didn't display. Before he could continue to think upon this, Bloodfeud charged forward with his claws at the ready. Striking the sith's vambrace Kenobi used his signature form to his advantage by redirecting the sith past him before countering. The sith turn his body to block and striking back.
The clone cadets and 99 sat in the barracks, looking utterly lost as the seconds ticked away. Soon that bastard will send in his troops and they'd be screwed, unless Fives and Echo could come up with a plan. They just needed to come up with a one simple plan to get everyone out of this mess, without attracting the sith lord's attention... And by the force were they failing at that simple task. Even with all their training and mounting experience, they had no idea what to do and despite their best efforts, it showed. But could one really blame them? For even if they did win, how could they be sure Bloodfeud kept his end of the deal? They knew that us was a safe bet that he wouldn't actually let them use him for target practice, but what if he just decided to use them as chew toys? Damn that Blood-Sucker. While the two combat hardened clones tried to cultivate a plan that would both eliminate the droid threat and protect their brothers, the young cadets and 99, looked like their world had ended. And to be fair, chances were it actually might.
Never before had something like this happened, never did they ever believe it would happen. At least not in there life time, but now it was. Their home was under siege and the Separatist General himself was prouncing around the city like he owned the place. And to his credit, the amount of clones the cadets had stumble upon while wandering aimlessly through the facility, didn't make for an appealing picture. The droids we're here and gaining ground or at the very least holding it furiously. What if the jedi couldn't stop him? What if the two trooper and 99 couldn't help them get out of this? What if they died without ever even completing their training and getting out to the field? The cadets were getting more anxious by the second, with each word traded between Fives and Echo as they tried and failed to come up with a plan. THey were even starting to sound agitated and even...nervous.
"What are we gonna do!?" asked one of the cadets, finally cracking under the oppressive mood of the situation and being the first who voiced the general idea of the downtrodden group.
"The cadet is right." began 99 taking shaky steps forward as he added his own two cents, "A separatist victory means death for all of us.". The silence the enveloped the group at that piece of that very real possibility as it hit them like a rancor. If the republic couldn't hold here...
"What are we gonna do?" 99 finally finished, sighing as he looked between the two troopers before him. Echo and Fives look at each other, very much wondering that themselves. They could always retreat, but Bloodfeud would sense them through the force, a feat they both knew was no problem for a force sensitive after serving with the jedi. Fighting wasn't optimal, especially with only two blasters on hand and droids out numbering them by a healthy margin. But what else could they do?
"We fight.", apparently someone else had arrived and made the decision for all of them. Echo and Fives turn, feeling relief wash over them as Commander Cody and Captain Rex were seen approaching them. Cody, who had spoken seemed had a look of calm fury etched into his face, as opposed to Rex to who had a slightly less reserved scowl. They clearly weren't happy about the situation they found their brothers in either. now Fives was usually all up for a fight, and he knew Echo Was too, but there situation didn't give them much in the way of even ground. Though the look on Cody and Rex's faces told him his worries might not be, let's say, 'well received. Luckily he didn't have to voice his concerns to the already determined commanding officers as a cadet voice his own worries.
"But our training's not finished!" at the younger's words, Rex stepped up a fire in his eyes and durasteel in his voice as he began to speak. Even before the first syllable left his lips, each and every person, cadet or otherwise straighten and began paying rapt attention to the captain.
"Look around!" he gestured at himself and everyman in the room, "We're one in the same, same heart, same blood! Your training is in your blood. And my blood's boiling For a fight."
"This is our home. This is our war." added Cody taking a stance next to his long time friend. The cadets seemed to be in awe by the words of the two older clones, almost like there was hope after all. Echo brought a hand under his chin as he thought deeply on the situation, and doing the math in his head.
"What about weapons?" he asked, if they were doing this, then they need everyone armed and ready to fight. Luckily, 99 seemed to get a spark of inspiration and smiled brightly as he voiced his own thoughts as they came to him.
"The armory!" the other clone looked to their malformed elder, "It's just a few corridors away, here in the barracks. I can retrieve all the firepower that we need." realizing the implication of this and what it meant for their chance of victory the troopers look at each other and smiled. About damn time things started looking for them.
"Hah, so who wants to blast Some droids?" asked 99, raising his fist enthusiastically.
Obi-Wan ducked under another swing from the ecstatic sith lord, striking back at the younger with a testing swing of his blade. When the sith blocked the attack, Obi-Wan spun the blade in his hands knocking away Bloodfeud's own. With this new opening Kenobi shot his hand out to hit the sith with a point blank force push that sent him several feet back down the hallway they were fighting down. Landing on his back, only to make a quick recovery the sith brought his hands before him to unleash a storm of red force lighting putting the Jedi Master on the defensive. Using his speed to his advantage, Bloodfeud ran to the side and used the wall to jump off and close the distance Kenobi had previously created. Spinning past the charging slash, Kenobi ended up behind the sith and attempt a overhead strike, only for the younger to block high.
The two continued to battle down the hall expertly, the soft whirring of the dangerous sapphire colored weapon mixed with the feral growls of delight from the sith lord. They switched positions between defender and attackers several times, yet their battle never lost momentum and continued outside. Kenobi used his superior reach and experience to his advantage, gain control and pushing the sith back once more. Left, right, right up and then down, Bloodfeud move his arms rapidly to black each precise blow with one of his vambraces and when he attempted a counter Kenobi would already be following up with a new combo. The young man couldn't help the smile on his face, blocking the next blow before bring his other vambrace around to cross of the other, thus locking the blade in place. He then slid his arms down the lightsaber's length and grabbed Kenobi by the wrist once his vambraces cleared the dangerous blade, before pivoting and throwing Kenobi over his shoulder. The strength of Bloodfeud's throw sent Kenobi the rest of the way down the hall and into the outside world altogether, with jedi landing on his back with an audible thud. Looking up in time to see the sith lord launch himself forward, and quickly brought his hands up to force push the sith up over him. The sith landed on his feet with a grunt before turning to Kenobi who reactivated his weapon just in time to ready himself for the sith's next assault. Redirecting the first clawed palm strike, Obi-Wan brought his saber around and soon the smell of burnt flesh briefly filled his nose. Bloodfeud growled in pain, clutching a small cut across his arm, that could've been a stump had he not reacted fast enough.
"Not bad Kenobi. Who says Soresu can't be used well for anything other than defense?" chuckled the sith lord, rolling his shoulders as his wound lost it's glow. Burns took longer for him to heal from, so avoiding future injuries would be his priority. He knew Kenobi would be skilled, but Bloodfeud had let his thrills get the better of him and threw caution to the wind. He'd need to play things safe, or not get his head removed by leaving himself open to a counter. Soresu was made to be an impenetrable defense that would either wear down the user's opponent or create the opening for a lethal counter. And no one was better at Soresu than Obi-Wan Kenobi of Stew Jon. Bloodfeud knew pressing that to attack recklessly was pointless. This wasn't Anakin Skywalker, who he could go strike for strike against in a slugfest and with the lost advantage of environment, he couldn't outmaneuver Kenobi as he originally planned. Letting his eyes drift around the surrounding area, Bloodfeud took note of the narrow walk ways and nearby pylons, likely used to redirect lighting from fierce storms. He smiled as an idea began to form in his head.
Upon seeing the sith lord carefully examining him, Obi-Wan took the time to also examine the sith and evaluate what he's seen thus far. While the fact the sith used no lightsaber due to his lethal set of claws thus giving Obi-wan an advantage of distance, it didn't hinder the sith. Infact, after only a few fights Obi-wan deduced that this was part of Bloodfeud's success. Lulling his enemies, most of which being jedi, into a false sense of security with the idea that their range advantage would easily allow them victory. Unfortunately the sith had obviously trained specifically to bypass weapons such as lightsabers and electrostaffs, getting closer where he held the upperhand. Bloodfeud was well learned at using his prodigal skill in the force to cover his frontal advances, and his tactical mind allowed him to used the environment to his advantage. Kenobi saw that first hand when he nearly lost his head to the sith's claw when used the cramped wall of the kimonian hallways to aid his advances and attack. Luckily outside Kenobi knew he didn't have to worry about the sith's agility, though more about his speed and raw strength. However, if he could use his Soresu to hold off Bloodfeud's distant force attacks and maintain a healthy length away when the sith lord charged in then he could prevail.
Feeling satisfied with his assessment, Kenobi reestablished his form 3 stance and readied himself for the sith's next move. When the sith turned towards him, his ever present smile wider than the jedi had yet seen today and that was unnerving for the negotiator. What was the sith planning? The answer came in the form of whining metal followed by the booming 'snap' from his side and immediately he moved into action, rolling out of the way just as the pylon crash on the spot he was previously standing in. Kenobi immediately redirected an attack from the sith as he reached his feet, moving to the side and allowing the separatist to move past him. Bloodfeud turned, expecting a counter blow but was slightly surprised to see Kenobi keeping his distance from him. Bloodfeud grimaced, seeing Kenobi had fallen back on his defensive strategy as he fear the jedi would. Bloodfeud need to press Obi-Wan into action, for while he had yet to meet someone who he couldn't out last, Soresu was still made for battle of attrition and he did not want to test his luck against form 3. Not when it was Obi-Wan Kenobi. Circling the jedi master, Bloodfeud examined his form as the jedi watched him carefully, expecting the next attack to come at any time. Bloodfeud suddenly stopped in front of him, rolling his shoulders before adjusting one of his vambraces as he stared the jedi down. More noise from either side of him made him alert to more of the sith's use of the environment, making him rethink his previous assessment. He was starting to miss being inside, as the sith raised the down pylon into the air once more.
Cutting down another one of the miniature group of aquadroids attempting to take the control center, Shaak -Ti sidestepped the blaster bolts of one of the last three. Raising her hand into the air, she slammed two if the last droids into their remaining counterpart thus destroying all three. Sighing as she turned to her men, Shaak-Ti regarded her men as they exited cover to see how they had held up during the short attack… If that little suicide run could even be called a proper attack. The most senior trooper on sight nodded his head, giving a thumbs up. Good, most of the men were still alive and well, and with the small splitter group of droids attacking the command point, that meant one thing. "The droids are spread thin, we must press our offensive now!" she shouted into her comm link, hoping the troops and her fellow jedi either heard her or had already realized this. A counter attack now would be most opportune and could put an end to this invasion already. And while the thought of driving off that animalistic sith lord filth from this planet was a very appealing idea to her, Shaak-Ti still felt something was off. Kenobi had been right about the debris but even with that kind of surprise, surely the sith wouldn't pin all his hopes on one trick card. No, she's seen first hand that the separatist general was never one not to be so overconfident that he wouldn't have at least one backup plan in effect. The young man was clever and had a complete grasp of war that only a prodigy or someone who's devoted their whole life to the art to reach at such an age. He was still technically a teen but Bloodfeud already shown prowess as a military leader, and something told her the worse was yet to come. But what was it? What else could the sith possibly throw at them?
"You think they heard?" questioned one of the more rookie troopers of the bunch making the jedi turn her head toward them. She'd have to shelve her worries for at least a little bit, so she can address the others. Shaak-Ti nodded at the clone, believing that some was bound to have gotten her message. Fierce battle or not, their allies were keeping their ears for just that piece of information, this she was sure of.
"It's likely that soon our forces shall start pressing the counter offensive anytime now." she assured the clones, confident that the others had also taken notice of the failing enemy numbers. The jedi master had no doubt that the droids were being pushed back into the ocean as they spoke. Something she should be aiding with, and so she took a deep breath before turning to address the men working the control room once more, "I'm heading to the western sector to help push back the droids, i remember reports that their ARC trooper has been killed." she started, keeping her lightsaber in hand as she began to walk. Pausing in the door she turned to address the men one last time before she left.
"Are you okay to carry on without me?", the question made the clone officer present nod in confidence. Shaak-Ti returned the gesture before continuing out of the control center and moving swiftly down the hall, already alert for approaching droids or worse yet… the sith general. She paused momentarily at the thought of him. Shaak-Ti was loathed to admit it, but she was actually intimidated by the younger force user, as ridiculous as it sounded. Her a jedi master and one of the council's strongest, daunted by a man half her age. Shaak-Ti had learned to control her emotions long ago and she had come across many evil men, but something about the Sith Lord seemed to bypass that and more. Every Time she thought back to the battle of Hypori, her blood ran cold and she felt every fiber of her being go on edge. She still felt a ghost's touch choking her, still saw the mountains of mutilated corpse and oceans of blood. She remembered how she made herself and her fellow jedi look like fools with his tact and raw power. He engaged them one by one, gauging each individual jedi's fighting strength before ducking back to the protection of his line so he could move and find his next target. Once he had what he wanted he simply pressed the attack to wear their forces down accordingly until the jedi were alone. Shaak-Ti brought a hand to her neck, still remembering when the sith and snuck up behind her to seize her by the throat. That should've been the end, but Master Barrek had stepped in just in time to buy her time to recover and promptly join the others within the down cruiser. She still wished she had stood beside Barrek instead of following Mundi's order to retreat. Perhaps he would still be alive if she did… shaking her head to clear her thoughts of things that were out of her control and long passed, Shaak-Ti turned to look at her suddenly beeping wrist communicator. Bringing it up and clicking the button, she answer the frantic device.
"This is Jedi Master Shaak-Ti, what is-"
"General!" came the breathy voice of a clone trooper, "This is Commander Cody of the 212th, in need of assistance!"
Kenobi's commander? Why did the togruta have a bad feeling the pit of her stomach all of a sudden? "Where are you trooper?"
"East sector, outside bridges, we're supporting General Kenobi against Bloodfeud and his droid, but they're overpowering us! We need back u-gaah!"
Shaak-Ti's head snapped up, turning from the left turn at the end of the long hallway to address the right hallways directly ext to her. Without a second thought, Shaak-Ti steeled herself and charged down the right hallways, determined to put her negative feelings to rest, by facing them head on. Perhaps it was her already clouded mind, or the determination to let another one of her brethren fall to the sith, but the jedi never noticed the presence around the corner at the end of the hallway. A shuffle of feet against the metallic fall as a voice sounded quietly, fading from a masculine human's call to a cold droid drawl, "Jedi is moving to position as the general had hoped. Move in and claim control center."
The battle had been going well, at least according to Admiral Wullf Yularen of the Grand Republic's 501st Naval Fleet. In fact if he was being honest he might even say that, with the line being held and enemy being push back at a slow but steady rate, it was all going smoothly. Too smoothly. Yularen had seen combat far too many time to let a perfectly running operation soothe him, in fact experience told him that such a thing should worry him. It was something all military commanders knew, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. No matter how well developed, but on the off chance said plan did in fact remain unscathed in the battle's opening… well it usually didn't bode well later on in the battle. The admiral could feel something coming, something that would benefit the enemy more than it did them. Even as he watched the battle from the bridge of his cruiser, Yularen's mind was else where, running calculations and possible scenarios. His mind was a well oiled machine, trying to figure out what General Bloodfeud's master plan was. Surely he knew, brute forcing his way through the kamino blockade would fail with this number of cruisers. Even if he somehow managed to sneak some troops past them, they wouldn't be able to hold or even capture the city in the first place. Could Bloodfeud have miscalculated? Was he that assured of himself and his odds of victory? No, the boy was young and bold, not foolish and blind. That could only mean he had another move up his sleeve, waiting to be revealed and the left only one question. Did said surprise apply to the ground force or will he and the fleet have first contact up here?
Yularen would have his answer shortly, as another pair of blips appeared on the radar before his men, the size of each told the naval officers what was coming before the ships even exited hyperspace. Yularen grimaced at the pair of separatist cruisers as they arrived on scene to accompany the trio taking on their flank. Sizeable ships to be sure, but they would do nothing for the tide of the battle, though the Admiral wasn't about to rule out these just being the first of many. Still he had expect more than mere reinforcements to help the brute force attack on their blockade, another costly error? Or was that what he wanted them to think? However, if these were reinforcement, why hadn't they slowed down? Come to think of it, they had come out of their jumps rather hot, and hadn't even bother to try slowing down… Wullf's eyes widened as he rushed to the nearest communications terminal, shoving the station close asie slightly; "Ships five, six, and seven evasive action! Now!" but it was too late, the she other criser failed to react and the two separatist ship crash into them head along, their heavy shield allowing them to close the distance. The cruisers hit by the kamikazes exploded almost instantly after the collision, sending debris flying out and striking other ships. Chaos descended briefly as confusion and slight panic overtook the ships nearest to the collisions. Yularen's ship itself had actually taken some shrapnel to it's own side causing the ship to rock. Keeping his footing with the help of the chair of the trooper before him, the Admiral recovered from his initial shock to look back up. And he saw that behind the kamikazes, hell followed. It was hell in the form of several droid drops ship following close behind, but Yularen saw past these ships as the decoys and 'meatshield' they were. There were several vulture droid laiden with in the formation via spread out position to disperse them. As one flew by he could even make out that it was outfitted for bombing runs.
"All ships, fire on those ships! Do not let another one passed us! Any ship not currently in combat, form up and close up those holes in our line!" ordered Yularen loudly as the men scrambled about the bridge checking systems and various monitor. Yularen took a step back with a deep scowl, frustrated at himself for not being able to stop this. The sheer unexpectedness alone was enough to throw him off, but at the same time what was the point? Even if enough of those ship made it past them, they'd never get past the anti-air cannon on kamino...unless they were able to-
"It's not possible," gasped the Admiral before turning to the communications officers, "get in contact with our ground force immediately! And be sure to contact the generals directly!"
"Sir?"
"Do it trooper! And deploy all remaining fighters, and order them to ignore the drop ships. I theorize half of them are empty anyway, and are simply decoys for the bombers." marshaled the admiral as he turn his head back to the remaining cruisers as they now moved to provided cover for the rushing in ships.
Shaak-Ti rush down the halls of Tipocca city, rushing to get to the battling force sensitives on time. She was not going to let another friend fall to the sith, she would not allow him that satisfaction. The togruta was going to stop the sith and bring him to justice, even if it had to be the last thing she did. She was not gonna let him win, never again.Never again. The Togruta turned a corner slicing a pair of wandering droids as she went, feeling that she was nearing her objective. She could feel two beings, strong in the force, dueling for supremacy nearby. One was a dark raw power and the other was a refined one while also disciplined. Two distinct signatures that she would recognize anywhere, no matter the the corner, she found her desired targets, battling at on of the landing pads in the middle of the walkways. The two were alone as they fought, meaning the clones and droids accompanying them must've been wiped out prior to hr arrival. She was right on time then, with Bloodfeud ducking far back to dodge one of Kenobi's counter's before dropping to his back going straight into a breakdance styled leg sweep that caught kenobi off guard. Landing with a thud, Kenobi shook his head to regain straighten out his gaze just in time to see the pouncing sith. Rolling out of the way Kenobi got to his knee turning to face the sith as the younger readied for another attack, only for a new figure to jump past the jedi and strike at the jedi, catching both off and forcing the sith lord back. Bloodfeud rolled back and onto his feet, ducking under the sapphire blade of Shaak-Ti's lightsaber before jumping back with a force push to cover his retreat. Once both males laid eyes on the Togruta, their reaction contradicted one another, Obi-wan's being surprise while Bloodfeud's was pleasant approval.
"Master Kenobi," began Shaak-Ti as she fixed the sith with an ice cold glare, "I understand you required assistance?"
"While I admit i was handling the situation well enough, a little help is never something to shy away from." responded Kenobi smoothly, pointing his saber at the sith lord. While he wondered just why his fellow Jedi Master deemed it to come here and help, he quickly brush it up. THe droid were sparse in number even before he ran off to find the general and that was some time ago. They were probably already pushing the droids back and Shaak-Ti simply decided it was better she helped apprehend the general. And as he said, he would be happy to accept help in ensuring the sith lord's capture. Blodofeud for his part was far more calm than many would be in his situation, even daring to smile as he rolled his shoulder in preparation for the challenge ahead. For some reason his excitement didn't surprise them. Bloodfeud was a glutton for battle, his blood lust being both literal and figurative. The sith stalked from side to side, examining the pair of jedi before him rolling his shoulders as he moved. He seemed perfectly relax, the drums of war acting as his heartbeat. Bloodfeud slowed to a stop mid way through one of his stride, tilting his head at the two waiting jedi. He was waiting for them to make the first move, but Shaak-Ti would not make the same mistake twice. She would not give him the satisfaction. Bloodfeud only seemed to chuckle at this, shaking his head as got low to the ground for an attack.
"Someone's learned their lesson." laughed the sith before charging forward, flipping over the jedi at the last second and landing to lash out with force lighting. The jedi blocked the attack while the sith backtracked, moving farther away from them so he could transition into his next attack rather smoothly. Sliding his feet further apart so they were slightly wider than his shoulders, Bloodfeud stopped his force lightning abruptly, the sith reaching out with both hand to either side. Soon the pylon on either side of the platform gave way before flying at the two jedi who flipped over the rushing pylons, just as the sith had hoped. Rushing forward Bloodfeud lashed out with a hard kicked sending Kenobi back before he landed, before turning to Shaak-Ti and blocking her attack. Pushing him back, Shaak-Ti let out a force push, but the sith was a step ahead moving away from her to block the push and retaliate with one of his own. The jedi planted her feet firmly and, though she slid back some, held her defense before leaning back to avoid the sith's incoming claws. Bloodfeud dropped for a leg sweep that the jedi was caught by, before flipping back to her feet to avoid the sith lord's powerful stomp. The sith turned, ready to engage before being pushed back by a flurry from his flank, Kenobi's lightsaber a blue blur in the sith's sight. Soon the sith was on the defensive from both sides, back tracking to try and get out from between the jedi. The pair were able to follow him however, and the sith soon came to the grim realization that he wouldn't be able to keep this up long and growled as he led the force guide his hand to block each attack. Channeling the force into his arms, his hands crackled to life with electricity that soon spread to his vambraces even as they blocked that lightsabers. Timing it just right, Bloodfeud let out the electricity right as the lightsaber both came into contact and sent a relatively moderate current of electricity down their lightsabers which shocked the jedi. Nearly dropping their lightsabers at the sudden and unexpected jolt, the togruta and human took instinctive steps back giving the sith just enough space to escape their vice. Flipping through the air several times, the sith turn mid air on his last flip to face the jedi as he landed easily.
"Say what you will about him," began Obi-wan, rotating the wrist of his free hand, "I've don't believe I've ever seen such acrobats outside a circus. Even from most jedi."
"Maybe i should charge tickets then." smiled Bloodfeud placing his hands on his hips.
"Only after you've serve the punishment for your various crimes general." reminded Shaak-Ti pointing her saber at the sith lord who rolled his eyes. 'Some people.' he thought to himself, rolling his eyes as he watched his two adversaries face him from the other side of the platform. He moved to return to his proper stance, stopping midway through his movement as a familiar sound his him and caused him to smile. The jedi glance at each other when the sith return to a relaxed standing position, as he smiled an unnerving smile. Jedi weren't supposed to be the betting type, but Obi-Wan and Shaak-Ti would both put their money on something bad coming their way. Of course neither of them expect a vulture droid to fly over head and destroy the bridge connect the landing platform on either side. Their shock was quickly brought to an end when they heard the sith cackling as the vultures flew off, shaking his head as his laughter subsided.
"Amazing what you can do with a voice changer, stolen codes, and few commando droids. Am i Right?" he laughed making the Jedi turn to each other. The look on their face was absolutely kriffing priceless. He bellowed another great laugh, unable to help himself at the gobsmacked look the jedi sported. And why not? In a few minute the shielding to Kamino's building would be deactivate along with their AA guns soon and in a few minute a squadron of bombers will wipe the place off of the map. He just had to keep the jedi busy so they didn't ruin his plans. With that in mind, he rushed the jedi thus getting them out of the stupor and having to worry about their new objective. Defeating the sith in time to regain control of the command center before it was too late.
Losses weren't new to any of the clone troopers in the room. The four of them all knew what losing a friend was like. They all knew that feeling all too well, and for the most part had learn to cope. Cope or just ignore the feeling altogether. But this? It stabbed deep into the heart. 99 was dead, and it just hurt so much. The man was a true brother and to some even the only real father figure they had. It was like a knife to the gut, no worse, seeing him gunned down while helping them. Though, there was some bitter solace in the fact that he died finally doing what he always wanted. Aiding his brother on the front line.
"We lost a true soldier." said Cody solemnly as he looked down at the deceased 99 lying in Fives' arms.A rather heartbreaking sight indeed, one that marred their recent victory over Bloodfeud's droid squad.
"He really was one of us." added Rex, eye closing in silent agreement as he too mourned the passing on 99. However their time of mourning was brought short by the sudden rocking of the building causing Cody and Rex to share a worried look. Sharing a conversation through eye contact Rex nodded and move his arm to his face, activating his wrist coms.
"General Skywalker, what's happening? Why is the building shaking?". When static replied to his inquisitive hails, a grimace overtook his face. No signal shouldn't have been possible since they were communicating via a on planet communication relay located in the control room. Unless of course thing happened to the control center… Cursing under his breath, Rex turn to Cody to who seemed to have already reached the same conclusion.
"Sorry to cut this short but we might have a situation on our hands. Get ready to move out to the control center.
Shaak-Ti ducked under another swing of Bloodfeud's claw before being forced back by a rough kick that found her unguarded stomach as she attempted a counter. Looking up she found Bloodfeud ducking under Kenobi's follow up attack before rolling away to put distance between himself and then Negotiator. The three stood in place panting as the ferocious combat reach one of it's few recess period, allowing them to regain their energy. Bloodfeud always seemed to regain his composure first, but he would wait for his opponent the few seconds needed to catch up. Whether it was for good sport or he just buying more time, she couldn't tell anymore. What she could tell that though was that they were running out of time, with the seconds till Bloodfeud's plan came to fruition ticking away more and more. They had to move on from this conflict as soon as possible so they could retake the control center before all was lost.
"We can't stay here any longer." she said, aside to her partner during this combat. The two weren't making much progress with the sith, and despite it being a stand still, they couldn't afford this. It appear didn't appear they could out last him, and overwhelming him in a coordinated assault proved to be difficult at the moment. The sith was pacing this combat, choosing to duck out whenever the two managed to put together a good and synchronized assault. Then he'd come right back in and separate them, knocking one away to focus on the other. He was playing the long game, looking to out last them as long as he needed to.
"I can't help but agree with the sentiment but it doesn't look like he's going to be let us go anywhere soon. If one of us tries to escape, he may sabotage the jump and that won't end well." replied Kenobi, examining the sith who smiled darkly. He didn't like that smile, not that his usual psychotic and bloodthirsty grin was much of an alternative, but this made him feel like he was missing something. Like the Sith had another plan up his sleeve. Thought that was likely the plan itself, after catching the off before, he's using the threat of the unknown to intimidate them. To keep their minds racing rather than focused on the now.
"What's wrong jedi? Feeling your age?" laughed the sith. Angling his head to regard the sith, Obi-wan match the man younger man's smile with a grin of his own. A calm and confident thing to let the sith know that they were still holding strong. The sith simply began circling them like a predatory animal, examining his prey with an overtly excited vigor. And is he was being honest, Kenobi sometime wondered if that really was all there was to the sith when all was said and done.
"Hardly general, I'm feeling more and more like my younger self. This is actually quite relaxing, were you planning on getting serious anytime soon?" questioned Obi-wan making the sith laugh. Shaking his head the sith once again regard Kenobi with his trademark smile.
"Force, I'm gonna miss these little back and forth roasts we have Kenobi." said the sith rolling his shoulders as he readied himself for combat.
"You and I both general." replied Kenobi pointing his saber at the sith in his usual soresu style. As the three soon began to return to their respective stances, another vulture broke through, dropping hitting the nearest building with blaster fire, causing their platform to shake violently from the resulting impact. Falling over, the sith landed on his hand and knees, shaking his head violently to get his bearings back before looking up to see a small group of fleeing clones trying to across another catwalk. Like a group of stragglers that couldn't quite get to safety given he could sense the few cadets among the veteran clones. Their signatures felt younger and more vibrant that the older and battle hardened soldiers escorting them. Now normally sith would think anything of them, had it not been for the walkway giving out from under them. Acting before he even knew what his body was doing, Bloodfeud reached out with the force and caught the dislodge walk way. He grunted feeling a strain in his arms, a likely effect of the highly force infused combat he had been partaking so recently.
Looking up, Kenobi was rather shocked to see Bloodfeud risking his own standing in this battle to save someone else, his enemy no less. But, kenobi wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and this was no exception as he got to his feet. Getting in position next to the sith, Kenobi reached out and began assisting him with supporting and positioning the broken catwalk. Looking over to a just as surprised Shaak-Ti, Kenobi nodded a silent message that he could handle this. Nodding in understanding, Shaak-Ti took advantage of this and lept across the large gap, using the force to propel her the rest of the way to a safe landing. Bloodfeud seemed to take notice, cursing his mistake yet still not ceasing his action. 'Besides', he reasoned 'not much of a point stopping now is there?'
With that thought in mind, Bloodfeud simply worked with his jedi counterpart to keep the platform in place long enough for the cadet and their escorts to get off and to safety. Once it was done, both men let the object of their concentration fall into the deep water below. Rolling his shoulder with sighed bloodfeud couldn't help but lament the turn of events, "Well that was a blunder if i've ever seen one. I really doubt she isn't gonna make it to the control room." he murmured making Kenobi, angle his head at him from his crouched position.
"Yes, a rather odd turn of event given the circumstances. I never would've expect a general to do such a thing, especially not a sith. And normally, while brash, you'd never put your own plan in jeopardy so readily." pointed out the negotiator, standing to his full height once more and turning to the sith, who simply watch the cadet run off.
"Maybe i just have a soft spot for kids, ok?" he muttered bitterly at this turn of events.
"Oh good," began Kenobi, textbook troll smile on his lips, "I was very much worried that your were going soft on us."
At that Bloodfeud sighed, opening his claw to get ready for a strike, though still giving kenobi time to prepare. "You know what? I take back what i said about missing the banter with you." and with that Bloodfeud struck out at Kenobi, who now had a new look into the stih. Unlike Dooku, it appeared Bloodfeud did have a line even he wouldn't cross. And interesting development to be sure.
-LATER-
The clone had once again found themselves in quite the predicament, to say the very least of it that is. Rex had expected something bad, but a heavily dug in squadron of commando droids? How the hell did they even get this far deep? And where was the general supposed to be holding this place? To say he was left in the dark on all this would be an understatement, but the current issue of being caught in a firefight far outweighed everything else on his mind. Dodging out of the way of another bolt, Rex advanced to the next support, using it as cover as the others covered him. Turning back out of cover once the attention was off of him, Rex down another commando with three shots to the chest and head. "Everyone move up! We're pushing them back!" called Rex diving back into cover. Nodding, Cody motioned for Fives and Echo to move up, using his rifle for long range suppression on the enemy droid unit.
"You heard the man, now get moving!" ordered Cody, blaster at another droid. Echo and Fives were quick to fall into pace, rodeo running down the hall and into cover at separate support beams before Fives blind fire to draw attention to himself to give the other room to fire.
"How is there so many of them? What happened to General Ti?" questioned Echo putting so blaster bolts down range.
"Doesn't matter just keep firing!" replied Rex, ducking behind cover just in time to avoid a volley of blaster fire. He grunted in frustration, as the droids seemed to pick up their defensive game, applying more heat to the four clones. They weren't going to be make any head way anytime soon, and the longer those clanker held the commander center, the worse things would get. Time was running out, and they had already been trying to get through this hallway for the last few minutes. To say this was the least ideal situation possible would be an understatement. So of course the fate we're just going to pull down their pants and dump load of excrement down their throats, just for good measure.
"Enemy reinforcement, coming down the other way!" called Fives, barely getting back into cover, making Cody and Rex curse as the younger two clones began cover their flank. Red blaster bolts trafficked across the hall from two different way, creating a sort of 'kill box' for the the clones to contend with. And with only four? Even Bloodfeud's game was easier than this and they had to protect the freaking cadet among everything else! Thought admittedly, there were no Cammando droids in play and the Cadet made themselves useful during the battle. And this fact made itself painfully obvious, when one close dropped to the floor all of a sudden, the side of his helmet scorched.
"Echo!" called out Fives in horror, blasting a few B-1's before combat rolling to the other side and dragging the groaning Echo out of the line of fire back into cover, "Echo? Echo! Come Echo, hang on!"
"Head in th game soldier!" called Rex, barely getting a shot off before being forced back into cover, "otherwise, none of us are getting out of here."
Closer and closer, the droids pressed, quickly forcing the clones down and making them unable to return fire under the continuous blaster fire. It looked bleak, more bleak than even the time they had to retake rishi base. Hearing the metallic footsteps drawing closer and closer, Rex let out a resigned breath, ready to make his final stand the second those clankers turn the corner. And then… panic from their flank. A whirring noise and hurried foot steps herald the sound of metal crashing to the floor. Soon the panicked voice of B-1 Battle droids accompanied the familiar sound making Rex smile.
"Jedi! Shoot the je-GAAH!"
"I thought the general was taking care of the-wah!"
"Heads up boy!" called Rex, with Shaak-Ti bursting into the main hallway barely a second later, "I think thing just took a turn for the better!"
Bloodfeud ducked under another attack from Kenobi and came back around with a dangerous backfist that cave in the metal hull of the nearby pylon when Kenobi dodged. Growling as he brought his free hand to block counter, Bloodfeud let his other hand recover before using it for a singing counter upper cut that disturbed the hair on Kenobi's chin. Coming back Kenobi force push the sith back, taking several steps in retreat to further create distance between them. They had long since abandoned the platform bloodfeud had carefully created to isolated them, the sith seeing no point in keeping Kenobi there. Keeping him there after he allowed his plan to fail for the sake of children, children that would soon grow up to oppose hi no less.
"I can't help but say general, the last thing i expected was you risking your own life for the sake of others. The enemy no less." prodded Kenobi watching the sith rolling his shoulder he approached him. Drake grunted, shaking his head before answering Kenobi in an abnormally resigned tone.
"What can I say? Even i gotta draw the lon somewhere i guess, just so happens it's children for me. Little test tube bred canon fodder in this case, but kids nonetheless." Said the younger, sounding more bitter than usual. Not surprising. While the general could easily accept a loss, and would even admire an enemy that can out maneuver him in a battle, this case didn't warrant his usual chipper and nonchalant manner. Likely due to him shooting himself in the foot this time around, and the idea of ruining his own plans just left a bad taste in the general's mouth.
"A rather noble ideal for a sith."
"Last time i checked, I basically flipped normalcy off just for fun." said the sith flexing his claws for emphasis before lunging forward and clashing with Kenobi again. A furious dance of death ensued for a short time before kenobi once again opened up the distance, leaving the sith with a scorched cut across his bicep.
"Still, mercy isn't the way of the sith general. And given your 'habit'," Obi-wan's tone when describing Bloodfeud's drinking preferences was less malice filled than most more absent minded disturbance, " many would assume you understand, and perhaps, even enjoy that aspect for your career."
"What is this, 'therapy time?" questioned the Sith as Kenobi kept back pedaling towards another wide platform, this one having a large aquatic assault vehicle lay, long abandoned due to the fight moving long past this point. Kenobi merely shrugged as he moved, making the sith grunt and let out a bolt of force lightning with one hand which Kenobi easily blocked until it relented. It seemed the two had slowed down their combat in preference to talking. Now this was out of character for the sith, who normally loved the thrill of combat over just about everything else. Perhaps, he was interested to see where Kenobi was going with this, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"I'm simply pointing out that you're aren't nearly the mindless sith attack dog everyone makes you out to be. Ad you certainly aren't a wild beast or thoughtless killer like you even lead yourself to believe." observed kenobi now making the sith groan.
"We're not beating this dead tauntaun again!" groaned the sith, rubbing his temples as he still remained closing in on the jedi.
"I'm simply pointing out that there may be hope for you. The dark side doesn't have you completely consumed by it's presence and with the proper guidance? Who knows, perhaps you can do great things." said the Jedi making the sith look at him in thought, something quickly flashing across his mind.
"You're going to do great things. I know it, my puțină bucurie."
Growling to himself the sith couldn't help but mutter, "Get out of my head!" making the jedi raise a confused eyebrow at the sith right before he suddenly surged forward with savage intent behind his swing. Bare able to jump out of the way, landing on top of the abandoned vehicle Kenobi merely regard the sith with a sly smile. The sith groaned, feeling that he had just been played.
"I hate to add onto your troubles general, but it appears I've no gain the high ground." said Kenobi and, as if fate wanted to rub salt in the wound, the anti air cannons kicked in just in time to smash his bombers from the skies. Shaking his head, Bloodfeud couldn't help a bitter smirk at it all, before making to jump, feeling a shift in the force. Frowning, Kenobi got ready what seemed to a foolish attack on the younger man's part before he suddenly smiled.
"Yeah, i'm not that stupid." and with that he flipped backwards, landing perfectly in a passing Kimono ship. The familiar signature made him grimace.
"Ventress." shaking his head, Kenobi merely hopped down and placed his weapon back on his belt, staring at the fleeing sith. "May the force be with you general. I sense much turmoil with you."
See what I mean? Easily my worst chapter in my own personal opinion. And the fact it took so long? I kept you waiting for so long only to reward you with this? I honestly feel dirty about it :v, but maybe i'm over reacting. What do you guys think?
I had so much planned for this chapter and to be honest i had this chapter, almost done and in FAR better shape before i started college and then well… My computer had a heart attack and i lost it all. That severely hurt my drive and a bout of writer's block shortly after didn't help. I had planned to more with Blood's plan, i was desperate to just get this done so i can move onto to the next chapter that I even cut out some major scene. Mostly with the clones to, which is sad since this was their episode and were the best part of the episode. Like the scene with 99's death, or a scene i planned with Echo waking up in the infirmary with a new robotic eye and Fives sitting next to his hospital bed, desperately waiting for him to wake up. I'll probably make that a flash back, and if i'm being honest? I think i'm gonna come back to this chapter later and do some MAJOR revisions.
*sigh* I'm sorry again if this was hard to read and jumped around too much, I'll do better next chapter, much better. I have a strong drive for the next chapter and I am aching to make up for this one. We're entering the home stretch everyone, so get ready. Also I'll be making a big announcement next chapter so be ready. Welp, until then may the force be with you my jedi and sith friends.