Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 29 "The Malevolence – part 1."
The clone star fleet is under siege ! Dozens of Republic warships have been destroyed in merciless surprise attacks that leave no survivors.
With the information from the Kingdom of the Force, the Jedi Council was able to locate the mysterious ion weapon and now attempts to stop it, once and for all. After preparing a risky trap, Jedi Master Plo Koon has volunteered to play the bait.
Abregado System, Triumphant's Command Deck.
The Kel Dor Jedi master was watching the large Separatist's weapon from his viewport. The red glow of the Abregado star was illuminating the Jedi's face. Plo Koon was ready to start his mission. He's role was to draw the enemies attention, while the awaiting Republic forces will attack the ion weapon by surprise.
"The enemy ship has reduced its speed, Commander," said the naval clone officer approaching the Jedi Master.
"They've must have realized we are tracking them," stated Plo Koon. "So they've taken the bait."
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
"We're tracking three Republic cruisers," stated a B1 battle droid. "What should we do ?"
General Grievous growled hoarsely and turned to face Count Dooku, who was standing next to Darth Enigma. "Jam their transmissions," ordered the Count.
"I sense Jedi Master Plo Koon on one of those cruisers," stated Darth Enigma narrowing his yellow eyes. "We can strike a vital blow to the Jedi Order if we eliminate him."
"And with no effort," added General Grievous with an evil chuckle.
Abregado System, Triumphant's Command Deck.
"We have to contact the Admiral," stated Plo Koon. "And quickly... before they start to jam our signal," he added in his mind. When the Jedi Master approached the communication console, the naval officer was already contacting the fleet.
An image of Admiral Thrawn appeared on the display along with Obi-Wan Kenobi and immediately after that, an image of Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano joined them.
"Kotoya, Master Plo," Ahsoka greeted warmly.
"Kotoya, little Soka," Plo Koon greeted back. The Kel Dor turned his attention to Thrawn. "Admiral Thrawn the enemy ship is preparing to attack us."
"I understand Master Plo," said the Chiss Admiral. "The second they jam the communications our ships will enter the system. If your information is correct, after they use the ion cannon their only weapon will be the laser cannons."
Once the Admiral finished the sentence, all blue images started to flicker. "It's started !" Ahsoka exclaimed. "Commander Skywalker, get ready to attack," ordered Admiral Thrawn. Just before their images completely vanished from the display.
"The enemy ship is closing," said one of the clones.
"Everyone get ready," ordered Plo Koon.
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
"General Grievous this will be a suitable test for our new weapon," Count Dooku smiled ominously. "You may fire when ready."
"Yes, my Lord," replied Grievous. The ion cannon was fully charged and ready to fire. Its great range allowed the Malevolence to stay safe from the Republic's laser fire.
"The ion cannon is ready General," declared the B1 battle droid.
"Fire !" Ordered the General.
The ion cannon fired a massive ion burst that expanded outward from the cannon and headed directly at the Republic cruisers.
Abregado System, Triumphant's Command Deck.
"Brace for impact !" Exclaimed Plo Koon.
The ion burst engulfed the Republic ships, completely disabling all their shields and shorting out all their electronic devices.
"We're losing all our power !" Exclaimed the naval clone officer. "That energy field has left us defenseless !"
"Quickly into the escape pods !" Ordered the Jedi Master. "We don't have much time !" All clones left their battle stations and began to run in the direction of the escape pods.
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
"Their shields are down," stated a B1 droid.
"All cannons fire," ordered Grievous. All five hundred twin turbolasers aimed at the Republic's ships and opened fire.
Darth Enigma approached one of the B1 droids that operated the Malevolence with unconcealed curiosity. "What's the recharge rate of the plasma rotors ?" He asked.
"After each shot, the technicians have to allot some time to clean up residual ionized particles in the cannon before firing again," replied the droid. "And of course we still need some time to fully charge the cannons, so... between three and five minutes, Sir"
"So after each shot, the laser cannons are our only weapon," stated Darth Enigma. "It's a powerful weapon, but it has its weaknesses and..." Suddenly the Anzat stopped in mid-sentence.
Count Dooku looked at Darth Enigma. "What's wrong ?"
"I sense the Togruta padawan and... Skywalker !" Exclaimed the Sith apprentice. The human's force signature was already engraved in his mind. So there was no way he could've been wrong.
"Sir, our sensor have detected several Republic warships jumping out of hyperspace," said the droid, confirming Enigma's words. At the same time, two Republic warships arrived behind the Malevolence. A few second after that, another two warships jumped out of hyperspace, this time in front of the Separatist's secret weapon.
Republic starfighters began to pour out of the warships, heading straight at the Malevolence.
"There is no way they've managed to warm the fleet in time. It's a trap !" Exclaimed the Anzat.
"They have the advantage," pointed out General Grievous.
Count Dooku narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard. "With our ion cannon recharging we won't be able to fight all four ships at once. Activate the hyperdrive," he ordered.
"Umm, the hyperdrive motivator is not responding, Sir," replied the B1 battle droid. "Probably some kind of malfunction."
General Grievous growled hoarsely and bashed the droid's head. Quickly another model replaced him at the console. "Just fix it and get us out of here," the cyborg ordered.
"And in the mine time, fire at the ships," ordered Darth Enigma.
"Roger, roger," the droids complied.
Abregado System, BTL-B Y-Wing starfighter.
"I hope you're ready Snips," said Anakin, sitting in the leading starfighter's cockpit. "This is going to be a bumpy ride."
"It always is when you're flying, Master," Ahsoka replied with a smile. The young Togruta was set in the starfighter's bubble-turret, ready for action.
A small image of Admiral Thrawn appeared on the display before Anakin. "Commander Skywalker, your squadron's mission is to destroy the ion cannons," said the Chiss Admiral. "Supreme Chancellor Palpatine wants the Separatist's weapon damage to be as small as possible. We can use this weapon against them in the future. After you destroy those cannons, board the ship and take out the commanders... we don't need them alive."
"What about Master Plo ?" Ahsoka asked with worry.
"He's safe is the escape pod," reassured her Anakin. "We're gonna send a team to extract him later on."
"Exactly," added Thrawn. "Let's see if all those rumors about you are true Commander."
"You're going to be amazed, Admiral," Anakin replied cockily. Ahsoka only smiled and rolled her eyes.
"We shall see," Thrawn said gravely, ending the call.
Artoo beeped and whistled spurring them on. "I think Artooie is just excited as you are Master," Ahsoka stated.
"Well then, let's get to work," said Anakin. "Shadow Squadron our target are the ion cannons. All wings line up behind me."
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
"This looks bad," stated Darth Enigma. "But why are the Republic warships not firing at us ?"
"A squadron of republic starfighters is approaching," warned a B1 droid.
"Skywalker," stated Darth Enigma.
"Those puny starfighters can't penetrate our shields. Focus all cannons at the warships," ordered Grievous. "And when the ion cannon will be fully charged... fire. This will be the ultimate test for our weapon."
"Don't underestimate Skywalker," warned Dooku. "He is reckless, but not stupid."
"Ion cannon thirty-five percent charged," informed the droid.
"Send vultures to intercept them," ordered Darth Enigma.
"Roger, roger."
"How the hell did they set this up ?" Asked Darth Enigma. The Anzat turned to face Dooku. "Your Master probably knew about this. Why didn't he warned us ?"
The Count didn't respond. The same questions were inside his head as well. "The most important question is... who betrayed us ?"
General Grievous also turned and looked at the Sith Lords. "We have a traitor in our ranks ?" Asked the cyborg.
"That's the only logical explanation," replied Count Dooku.
"The Republic knew about our weapon and they were expecting our forces on Belsavis," pointed out Darth Enigma.
A sudden shake caused by enemy fire pulled the Sith Lords and General Grievous from their thoughts. "We'll deal with this later," said Dooku. "Now we need to deal with our present problem."
"Our vulture droids have engaged the enemy starfighters," informed the droid.
Abregado System, BTL-B Y-Wing starfighter.
"Get those fighters off of us Ahsoka !" yelled Anakin.
"Your flying is making it difficult ! " Ahsoka shot back, trying to aim at the vulture droids. Anakin's crazy flying definitely wasn't helping her at all.
"Do you mind if I'll lend you a hand ?" Asked Obi-Wan, his voice coming out of the cockpit's console.
"You're late for the party, Master," Anakin said jokingly.
"Well I'm not always going head first like you do Anakin," Obi-Wan replied, bantering his former padawan a little. Ahsoka smiled and spotted Obi-Wan's starfighter, which was shooting down the vulture droids one by one.
"Get ready Ahsoka," Anakin said firmly. "We're closing in on our target."
Anakin's starfighter was closing into the Malevolence's ion cannons. To be more precise, their aim was focused on an abutment that was attached to the cannon's disk. "Torpedos away," Anakin ordered. Every single shadow squadron's fighter launched a pair of missiles.
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
"Ion cannon eighty-five percent charged," informed the droid.
"Hurry," urged Grievous.
Another shake almost knocked Darth Enigma of his feet. "What the hell was that ?" Asked the Anzat.
"The Republic starfighters launched a few missiles at the ion cannon," replied the droid. "The damage is mediocre."
"Don't fire the ion cannon !" Darth Enigma yelled.
"Why ?" Asked Grievous.
"If the cannon is damaged, it could explode the second it fires," explained the Anzat.
"I agree," said Dooku, surprising Darth Enigma, who didn't expect his rival to ever agree with him. "Skywalker is planning to incapacitate us and then board this ship."
"Then I'll say let him," said Darth Enigma. "If he's so eager to fight head on, let's open the hangar's doors."
"When we beat him we use him as a bargaining chip," stated Dooku.
"Exactly," Darth Enigma chuckled.
General Grievous approached one of the consoles and pushed a button. "I've opened the hangar doors in hangar 23-B," he said.
"Good, let's see if they'll take the bait," said Darth Enigma.
Abregado System, BTL-B Y-Wing starfighter.
Anakin admired his squadron work. The human knew that if the Separatists will try to fire the weapon it will explode. In other words, their primary weapon was useless right now.
"Nice job guys, you did great. You too Ahsoka !" Anakin praised his padawan. "Now we need to think of a way to board this ship."
"I think I see a way in," Obi-Wanś voice reverberated from the console. "One of the hangar bay's doors are opened. Do you see it Anakin ?"
"Yeah I see it," Anakin confirmed.
"I have a bad feeling about," Ahsoka said worryingly. "What if it is a trap Master ?"
"I agree with Ahsoka Anakin," said Obi-Wan.
"It probably is, but it's are only way inside," Anakin insisted. "Good job shadow squadron, return to the ship and await further orders. We'll take it from here."
After the pilots complied and turn back to the Republic warship, Anakin steered the starfighter in the direction of the hangar. Obi-Wan's starfighter followed suite. Immediately, when the two starfighters landed in the hangar, Obi-Wan and Anakin noticed something fishy. The whole docking bay was empty.
"No welcome committee ? I'm almost disappointed," stated Anakin with a smirk. Ahsoka and her Master disembarked the starfighter. The human turned to the Astro-mech droid. "Artoo, guard the ships," he commended the blue astromech, who made a consenting beep.
Ahsoka smiled to Obi-Wan, who also disembarked his starfighter. The older human returned the smile. "Stay on your guard Ahsoka," warned Obi-Wan.
"Don't worry Master Kenobi," Ahsoka said with fire in her blue eyes. "I'm ready."
Abregado System, Malevolence's Command Deck.
Watching everything on the monitors, General Grievous chuckled and turned to face Darth Enigma. "Kenobi, Skywalker, and some Togruta child boarded our ship," he stated.
"Close the hangar doors and trapped them," ordered the Anzat. General Grievous happily complied and pushed the button on the console. Approaching the monitors, Darth Enigma watched as large metallic doors were activated and shut. He also spotted the three Jedi that ran inwards the Malevolence.
"We need to separate them," said Dooku.
"I'll take care of that," assured General Grievous. The cyborg looked closely where the Jedi were heading. In the perfect moment, he pushed another button at the console.
On the monitors, Darth Enigma noticed as the large door closed itself with great speed, separating Ahsoka from the two adults in a corridor. "Perfect," stated Darth Enigma.
"I'll take care of the Skywalker and Kenobi," said Dooku. "I'll leave the padawan to you."
"You're coming with me," ordered the Anzat, looking at General Grievous. "I have a special plan for our little Togruta."
"Ahsoka can you hear me ?!" Yelled Anakin hitting the metal door with his fist. Obi-Wan tried to use the panel next to the door, but none of the buttons responded. Ahsoka was separated from them in a big corridor.
"Yes and I'm okay, Master," Ahsoka responded quickly.
"We can cut through it," Anakin proposed holding his lightsaber.
"The doors are too solid, tt will take too much time," Obi-Wan replied and shook his head. "Ahsoka", he raised his voice, "try to find a way around."
"And don't do anything reckless," added Anakin.
"You mean don't follow your example ?" Ahsoka asked with a grin, whom Anakin couldn't see.
"Y-yes," Anakin replied with a frown.
"At least she's keeping a cool head," Obi-Wan pointed out with a smile.
At the moment both humans heard an all to well known rolling sound. When they've turned their heads, Anakin and Obi-wan spotted three droidekas heading straight towards them. "Oh, great," Anakin groaned, readying his lightsaber.
At the other side of the door, Ahsoka turned on her heel and began to run. She remembered that they've passed a junction before. With a bit of luck, she could meet Anakin and Obi-wan if she would pick a right turn.
Turning left at the junction, Ahsoka spotted a bunch of B1 battle droids already aiming at her. Activating her lightsabers, the Togruta took a Shien stance that Deiven taught her and started to deflect the bolts. Although the droids outnumbered her, their aim and speed were nothing compared to HK's. And with her montrals, which she enhanced further by the Force, Ahsoka didn't pay any attention to the bolts that didn't fly directly at her.
Slowly but surely, Ahsoka was decreasing the droid's numbers, deflecting the bolts at them. After destroying the last one, the Togruta smiled triumphantly. "Too bad Deiven didn't saw me," she said to herself. "He would've been proud."
"Dammit, I hate those things !" Exclaimed Anakin, deflecting another bolt at the droideka, which was absorbed by the droid's shield.
"We need to push trough," said Obi-Wan.
Anakin rushed forward, deflecting the bolts as he ran. When he was close enough, the human jumped on the droid and impaled his lightsaber directly in its head. The human repeated this maneuver with two remaining droidekas.
"I see you've gone better at dealing with those droids," stated Obi-Wan.
"I'm just that great," Anakin bragged with a confident smile.
"And your modesty is a role model for every padawan," Obi-Wan responded with a sigh, to which Anakin only shrugged.
"Come on, we need to meet up with Ahsoka," stated Anakin.
When the two Jedi turned down the corridor and ran up to a large junction, they immediately spotted a man standing in its middle. He stood with his back to them, but they knew exactly who he was. "Count Dooku," Anakin hissed.
The Sith Lord slowly turned with a treacherous smile. "Gentlemen, I welcome you on my ship," the Count greeted them.
"Surrender Dooku," demanded Anakin. "Your ship is surrounded and there is no way you'll escape."
"Oh, but I will," argued the Sith Lord. "Once I'll beat you, the Republic will be more than willing to trade your safety for my freedom."
"Keep dreaming Dooku," Anakin frowned and activated his lightsaber. Obi-Wan did the same thing. Dooku also activated his red lightsaber, performing a trademark Makashi salute. Wasting no time, Anakin charged at the Sith Lord, who only smiled.
Ahsoka was getting frustrated, running in a maze of corridors. "Darn it, where are you Master," snarled the Togruta. "I'll even settle for a droid. At least then I would knew, that I run in the good direction."
Not enhancing her montrals, the young Togruta didn't sense a motion just around the corner. Running, she turned down the corridor and bumped hard into a metallic figure. The Togruta thought it was just a droid, but when Ahsoka lifted her head up, she spotted a large cyborg.
"Well, well," the cyborg said with a hoarse voice, "looks like I've found the padawan."
"Indeed you did General," Darth Enigma walked up behind the cyborg smiling mischievously.
The Togruta quickly backflipped and activated her lightsabers. "You must be General Grievous," guessed the Togruta. The cyborg laughed and coughed a few times.
"We meet again little padawan," said Darth Enigma. Ahsoka met the Anzat's gaze and slightly nodded. "General over here will fight you. I'll just be spectating."
"I'll turn this stupid droid into a pile of scrap," Ahsoka said forcefully, not knowing that directing the word 'droid' at Grievous was a very stupid thing to do.
The cyborg growled, activating his two lightsabers and with lightning speed, he dashed at Ahsoka.
Please R&R ;)
