Chapter XXIX
Prisoners
Ahsoka, Galen, and Lee Char watched a squad of aqua droids swim past as they hid behind the rocks.
"We can't hide forever." Lee Char said.
"The Gungans where the last of Republics reinforcements." Galen said. "There won't be anymore."
"The failing is mine, not the Republic's."
"Get back!" Ahsoka said pulling Lee Char into hiding as more aqua droids passed.
"If my father where here he could untie with Nossor Ri and the Quarren. The Mon Cala and Quarren have always had a different relationship, but it was respectful. Until riff Tamson arrived. Once that Karkarodon got in Nossor Ri's head, the alliance between the Quarren and the Mon Cala fell apart… I know what I must do. The Quarren and the Mon Cala people must be reunited."
"Okay, I like you're thinking but what's our stragey?"
"Count the prisoners, Mon Cala, Gungans, clones. Together we would outnumber our opponent."
"If this is gonna work we're gonna have to let your people know." Galen said.
"They'll have to be ready to fight." Ahsoka finished.
"We need Captain Ackbar. And I think I know where to find him."
Lee Char led them to a spot that was cut off by an energy shield. "It's a prison camp." Lee Char said.
"How can we be sure Cpatain Ackbar's inside?" Ahsoka asked.
"He's in there." Galen said, "I can sense him. He's hurt but alive."
As they sunck in behind the droids they heard the Mon Cala despair over their situation.
"Will we ever get out?"
"The city has fallen!"
"The Prince is lost."
Suddenly one of the Mon Cala noticed them. "Prince Lee Char?" he said and swam up to them with a few others. "Are you a prisoner here as well?"
"I am her but not as a prisoner, I come with a message. As your future King I have not lost hope. The time is coming when you will be free again! I will not fail you."
"We want to believe, but how can this be possible?"
"Commander Tano, General Marek." A clone said as he swam up to them.
"Monnk." Ahsoka said.
"Man are we glad to see you." Galen said to him.
"Yes Commander, General, but you can't stay here. You'll attract to much attention. And there's someone who will be glad to see you."
"Prince! You can't leave us here!"
"Have courage! The next time I appear to you I will appear as your King."
The clone to another area of the camp where the found Senator Meena Tills tending to Captain Ackbar.
"Prince! Your alive! Your we're right Captain."
"Prince, I knew you would survive the battle." Ackbar said.
"Captain I need your help. I have a plan, I know how we can win this fight."
"But the battle is over young Prince, and it appears that we have lost."
"No, in truth we know outnumber our enemy. We can overwhelm them!"
"But we are prisoners." Tills said. "If we revolt then thousands will die."
"Not if the Quarren struck first and aided in our attack." Lee Char said.
"Prince! How can you say this?" Ackbar demanded. "The Quarren betrayed us! They assassinated your father!"
"No, Riff Tamson murdered my father. Of that I am sure."
"The Quarren are being used. Galen and I have seen this before."
"Count Dooku has deceived them." Galen said.
The Mon Cala spoke among themselves, unsure.
"We'll find Nossor Ri. He was my father's friend I know he will listen!" Lee Char said.
"How can you be certain of this?" Tills asked.
"I can't, but I must lead, and this I feel is my only course of action!"
"I will ready our people my Prince." Ackbar said.
"But Captain you're injured!" Tills protested.
"I will be ready to fight. With our future King."
"I'll marshal the remaining clones and Gungans." Monnk said. "What will be our signal?"
"When a Quarren attacks our enemy, that will be you sign."
Suddenly they were surrounded by aqua droids. Ahsoka and Galen drew their sabers.
"No!" Lee Char said, "Stay you blades my friends." He then turned to the droids. "I am Lee Char! Leader of the Mon Cala people and I demand to speak to your superiors!"
The three Karkarodons led Ahsoka, Galen, and Lee Char into the throne room. Riff Tamson sat upon the throne with Nossor Ri next to him. "Prince, we met again. Ha ha ha! I must admit you were more difficult to capture then I anticipated. You have my respect as hunter to his prey."
"I do not need nor do I want your respect!" Lee Char stated firmly. "I have to demand the freedom of my people!"
"Your people? You are wrong Prince. They are my people and under my rule!" he said swam close to him. "They, like you, are nothing more than slaves."
"Your rule is not recognized here Tamson! My people are all those who live in these seas! Be the Mon Cala or Quarren."
"Surely you have not come here seeking the aid of Nossor Ri? Do you really think he would trade his place for the likes of you?"
"The Quarren are already slaves! Though they may not know it. Nossor Ri, you knew my father. Whatever differences our people hadin the past, you must know we can work together to make Mon Cala whole. Dooku and Tamson want only to exploit us! And leave our cities broken and our resources depleted. What will then be left for the Quarren?"
"Well Nossor Ri?" Tamson asked, "Would you like to join this little fish and his dead father?"
Tamson laughed when he didn't answer. "There! You see? What good whould the help be anyway Prince? The Quarren are even more gutless than your people."
"As long as I live I will give all people of Mon Cala hope to fight another day!"
"Hmm hope? We are of the same mind. Which is why I have prepared your public execution. TAKE TEM AWAY!"
"Nossor Ri! There's still time! Unite and we will defend our home!"
he other three Karkarodons swam around Lee Char like sharks as the prisoners from the camps, Anakin, Kit Fisto, Jar Jar, Padmé, Ahsoka, and Galen where brought to watch.
"Good job protecting the Prince." Anakin said sarcastically.
"All part of the plan master." Ahsoka said.
"I was hoping you were going to say that. What can I do?"
"Actually it's out of our hands now." Galen said.
"I've decided I don't like this plan so much after all."
"For crimes against the Separatist State I order the execution of former Prince Lee Char!" Tamson announced.
As he did so a Quarren came up behind Ackbar and slipped a weapon into his hands. "The Quarren will fight with you." He said and swam off to rally the other Quarren.
"KILL HIM!" Tamson ordered and the three Karkarodons roared and charged Lee Char before he was pushed out of the way by Nossor Ri. "Fight Quarren! Fight for Prince Lee Char!" Nossor Ri said as another Quarren broke Lee Char's schakles and handed him a laser spear. Lee Char then gunned down the three Karkarodons.
Quarren passed out guns and laser spears to the clones, Gunagans, and Mon Cala as they fought back with a vengeance.
Ahsoka and Galen took back their sabers and then freed Anakin, Padmé, and Kit Fisto.
"So," Galen said back to back with Ahsoka. "Forests or beaches?"
"What?"
"When we leave the Order together. Forests or beaches?"
"Now? You're asking me that now?"
"And?"
"Beaches with a forest or a jungle to go with it."
Soon Tamson joined the fray killing three Gungans with exploding knives before he was face to face with Prince Lee Char.
"Prince Lee Char."
"Your rule is at an end before it started Tamson!" tamosn charged the prince and traded blows. Lee Char escaped Tamson's viscous punches and toke one of Tamson's exploding knives. When he unsheathed Tamson laughed.
"I killed you father without mercy or pity."
"Then allow me to return the favour!" Lee Char said and threw the knife. It stuck in Tamson's shoulder and Tamson couldn't pull it out. Lee Char aimed and shot the knife making it explode. It was finally over.
Thy left after Lee Char's coronation.
"Man," Ahsoka said on the gun ship as she took of her helmet it feels so good to be out of that helmet right now!"
Coruasant a week later…
"Umbara?" Galen asked.
"We've received some worried transmissions form Rex." Mace Windu said, "He is worried that something is wrong. We're sending you to investigate. Rendezvous with Krell and the 501st on Umbara."
"Yes Masters."
"One more thing." Obi-Wan said, "The Rogue Shadow II arrived. It's in the hanger."
"Then this will be a perfect shakedown run."
A/N: Read and Review. Next time, Galen v.s. Krell!
