A/N) So I managed to finish this chapter in time! :D Merry Christmas everyone!
A Jedi's Love
Chapter 35
Slipping through the undergrowth Ahsoka moved with precision, using the Force to counter her footsteps and making a path through which a small band of clones could follow. She had one lightsaber hilt in her right hand, the other clipped to her belt, ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice of any sign of an attack. So far her senses were not tingling in warning of any imminent danger.
Her plan focused on the idea that King Rash expected an attack on his main army stationed outside his city. He was quite a simple man who could not consider options the Jedi might consider to end his rule. Attempting to attack his army was suicidal however it did have to be done. No attack would raise his suspicions, however the survival of the clones tasked with that particular assignment fell to Adi Gallia.
It would look more authentic for Adi to be involved, at least it would give the impression the Jedi were falling into his trap. They were all prepared for loss of life however Adi and Cody had concocted a good plan that would ensure minimum life lost and would hopefully prevent anyone being killed in the midst of duty.
The clones were no longer soldiers to have their lives wasted. Most were part of Coruscant Security services. They were people with lives who had opted to join the Republic mission to free Onderon. To callously waste their lives in an assault that guaranteed a disaster would prove nothing to the remaining clones on duty. They would feel betrayed and could potentially turn on those that had created them.
Ahsoka only had a small squadron of clones with her as her mission relied on secrecy. A large force spotted heading towards the droid munitions factory would ensure their plan ruined and counteracted before they could gain the upper hand. This was why it was important for Ahsoka to succeed as quickly as possible. At least Adi would be making her own attack on the main army now to prevent reinforcements quickly arriving at the factory.
Ahsoka crouched down, peering through the undergrowth, her fingers slowly peeling back the leaves in her face. She bit her lip. There was a guard in place outside the main gate. Destroyer droids and super battle droids were stationed there, perhaps the most difficult droids to counter if they were programmed correctly. She could take the risk and attack now, but did she want to?
A clone moved slowly up beside her.
"Would you like us to scout out another way in?" the clone asked, guessing exactly what she was considering on suggesting.
"I think we have to. This whole plan hinges on word not getting back to the main army of King Rash. The first he knows of the destruction of this factory is when it happens. He will see the smoke when we destroy it. But if we can hold our surprise and intention until later then we have an advantage…" answered Ahsoka, leaning slightly forward. "However… there is an easier way possibly. But it is risky."
"We are not above risk, Commander," replied the clone.
"I know, Chum," she said. Ahsoka had made the point of memorising the names of each of the clones assigned to this mission. Individuals were important to her. All the clones needed to know they were respected and were not just a form for the Jedi or the Republic to use to fight in their name and not to lose any of their citizens.
"What is your idea?" enquired Chum.
"Well…" frowned Ahsoka, "do we have disable detonators with us?"
"We do," confirmed Chum, unbuckling one from his belt. "The detonators have been revamped and are more powerful than the original designs used in the war."
"Good," Ahsoka pursed her lips. "If we aim them correctly we may be able to disable all of the droids on duty or distract them enough to take them out with gun bolts from here. But they do have security cameras as I can see them from here. That means our attack will be known… unless…" she frowned. "I could use the Force to twist them around and keep them there. They are swivelling in their slots so they are monitoring the whole area continuously."
"Wouldn't that still alert King Rash something is going on here?" Chum added curiously.
"It could… but it could also be a malfunction which he would have to confirm first before assuming there is an attack going on," smiled Ahsoka. "With the cameras held in place by the Force, the rest of you can sneak inside and start to place the detonators and destroy any security cameras on your way before we detonate the facility. It would mean I'd have to stay outside unless we can physically destroy the motor structure of the camera so it does become disabled."
"I think that is very possible, Commander," smiled Chum underneath his helmet. "When it isn't focused on this area we can fire at the structure. Shot at the correct place we can lodge it in place but so it is still transmitting an image."
Ahsoka's face brightened. "That could work. And I know I can trust every one of you to pull this off."
"And doing so would mean you could accompany us unto the factory. We could split up then and better complete the job faster, ensuring we can return to my brothers," added Chum.
"Then, let's do it," confirmed Ahsoka. This had to work. Onderon's people were relying on them.
Gripping her lightsaber hilt in her right hand, Adi Gallia led the charge into the droid army around the main Onderon city. Her and Cody's tactic was simple. Lead a direct charge into the army, attack restlessly and then pull back, giving the impression they had given up. Even a short attack would keep King Rash's attention focused on them rather than at the events that would soon be involving his factory. They hoped that by now Ahsoka and her team would have already made it to the factory and were making headway into it. The quicker it was destroyed, the quicker they could call in the airstrike to destroy the rest of the droid army on the ground, enabling them to enter the main city and arrest King Rash and freeing Senator Bonteri and her son.
Adi swivelled to the right, using the Force to control her movements and to also monitor her team of clones. Danger was everywhere. She knew they wouldn't all survive but she hoped to minimise loss of life by working quickly. A slash, a pivot to the left, an over the head shot and three droids were down. She twisted around in a circle, swinging her blade continuously, at the same time as using the Force to push the droids back, flinging them into the shots of the clone troopers.
Very quickly the army was going down. More droids were piling in but Adi kept her movements unpredictable, staying close to her men and aiding them when she could. She grabbed Cody back as a blaster shot skimmed the side of his head. If she hadn't sensed the danger he would have been killed. She knew Obi-Wan was fond of the man and would hate to be the bearer of bad news if he died in battle with her. Cody had loyalty to Obi-Wan above all Jedi. She knew if given another chance to serve with him, Cody would leap at the chance.
The droids were continuing to close in. Performing a spinning attack, Adi took down a few more droids, allowing the clones to shoot a few more before she leapt over the top of a line of them, cutting them in half at the middle, destroying a row of them, before twisting and attacking quickly at the next row. The clones moved with her, backing her, looking out for one another.
No one had gone down yet.
"Keep on moving forward!" yelled Adi. "Keep focus and keep together!"
Cody acknowledged with a nod of his head, indicating for his men to round up with him. In a line they moved together, working as a team to keep the droids moving.
"Five more minutes!" yelled Adi. Then they would retreat. With any luck the factory would be up in flames then and the air strike could commence. Taking a battle stance, Adi readied herself for the final stage of the battle.
Ninja-like, Ahsoka sprang down the hallway of the factory. Behind her a clone followed. Their tactic had worked. They had disabled and then destroyed the droids guarding the outside of the factory before ensuring the security cameras had been permanently stuck facing the other way. Then they had simply and safely encrypted the code preventing them from entering the factory. Splitting up, with three clones taking one side of the factory led by Chum and the other two led by Ahsoka to cover the other half of the factory.
The production lines were in full swing, producing droids at a fast pace however they were not ready for deployment and they never would be if Ahsoka and her team had their way.
They flitted through the factory had speed, carefully fitting detonators in strategic spaces. Ahsoka even managed to slip into the ventilation system and had successfully come out underneath the main droid producing assembly line where she was able to fit one to it as well.
"Just one more to place and we are done," she hissed to Topper, a clone well known for liking to wear tops when he was not on duty. His nickname had come from his unique fashion sense which no other clone had had before. "Just at the end of the hall."
They skimmed close to the wall, eyes flickering all around them for any droid patrols or hidden attackers. Ahsoka had her lightsaber hilt in hand and as she rushed towards the final spot a droid patrol rounded the corner. Within the blink of an eye she Force-leapt right at them, swinging her blade and chopping them all in half before they had a chance to react against the unwelcome attack.
"Quickly Topper!" she ordered, watching as the clone bent down next to the pipe railing of the wall. He attached the device to the wall, setting the timer for ten seconds which Ahsoka would activate once they had all made it out of the factory and rendezvoused with one another.
"Done. Commander!" said Topper, climbing to his feet.
"Ok, let's get out of here!" Ahsoka replied, starting to run up the next hallway. There was an exit just around the corner from the last detonator placement, allowing a quick escape before the droids cottoned on to what exactly they were doing. The fact that the whole factory hadn't been put on high alert surprised Ahsoka which just showed how much King Rash had underestimated them.
They rounded the corner and Ahsoka Force-pushed the doors wide open. She stumbled out into the baking sun, lunging towards the safety of the jungle undergrowth. Ahead she saw the other clones who had, had a shorter route then her and the others had taken through the factory. The idea was for her to activate the detonators as soon as she left the factory.
Turning in the undergrowth she glanced towards the other clones that hadn't accompanied her. "Everything set?"
"Yes, Commander," replied Chum.
A wry smile tugged at Ahsoka's lips. Unclipping the remote detonator from her belt, she held it up to eye-level, looking at the factory, and pressed the button. "Ten." wry smile tugged at Ahsoka's lips. Unclipping the remote detonator from her belt, she held it up to eye-level, looking at the factory, and pressed the button. "Ten." wry smile tugged at Ahsoka's lips. Unclipping the remote detonator from her belt, she held it up to eye-level, looking at the factory, and pressed the button. "Ten."
Quickly they moved back further into the undergrowth, well aware of how far exploding debris could go.
"Five."
A few seconds later the factory went up in a chasm of fire and smoke, shards of metal raining down around them. Bits and pieces of droid fell all around, and smoke billowed up in the atmosphere.
Ahsoka glanced around. "It's done." She pulled out her comlink, activating a secure link to the fleet waiting above Onderon. "Admiral Yularen?"
The Admiral's voice came over the comlink. "Commandor Tano?" Admiral Yularen had kindly agreed to accompany Ahsoka and Adi on their mission to free Onderon. He was also the best Admiral for the job. Ahsoka found him to be a truly loyal friend.
"The factory has been destroyed. Please commence bombardment," she explained. "Adi and Cody's troop should be retreating about now so you will not be harming them with your attack."
"Understood Commander," confirmed Admiral Yularen. The comlink line ended.
"Ok everyone. Let us return to the others. Then we can free the Senator and Lux. And then the planet."
Things were going her way.
So far.
Adi glanced up at the sky as y-wing bombers flew over the rendezvous point. They had managed to escape back to a previously agreed upon location without losing any of the clones though some had received blaster-fire injuries.
From not far away came the sounds of explosions as the bombardment commenced. Ahsoka must have succeeded in destroying the factory. That was two objectives down. Once the bombardment was over by the y-wings, Adi would launch another attack on any remaining droids from the main army, which Ahsoka would hopefully participate in as she should have returned by then.
"When we see the y-wings flying over us again that is when we move in, even if Commander Tano has not returned," ordered Adi to Cody who was standing beside her. "We still have a fight on our hands. Make sure you are all prepared for it."
Cody acknowledged with a nod of his head. "We are."
Adi smiled slightly. "It shouldn't be too long before we have to act again."
"Master Gallia!" Ahsoka called out, jogging slightly ahead of the clone troopers. She emerged at the rendezvous to find Adi and Cody's team preparing to depart.
"I thought you were not going to get here in time," noted Adi.
Ahsoka took in a deep breath. "The factory's gone. The next stage is for us to sneak into the city and rescue Mina and Lux Bonteri while Cody destroys the rest of the battle droids and heads into the city. Admiral Yuluran is dispatching another squad of troopers to reinforce us. I know you want to help them but I think we need to rescue them as soon as possible. King Rash could take revenge against us by killing them before we have a chance to spirit them away."
Adi frowned, stroking her chin with her right hand. "You could be right…"
"I'd rather not risk the deaths of one of the Republic's best diplomats by staying to help destroy the rest of the army," Ahsoka shuffled on her feet. "I think I need you."
"Ahsoka, you are more than capable of rescuing them without me," replied Adi.
Ahsoka bit her lip. She had the overwhelming sense that Master Gallia was testing her. Could she really free them on her own?
"I know you doubt yourself but you have to believe you have the ability. When you are a Knight, nor I or Master Skywalker will be around to help you," advised Adi.
"I know…" sighed Ahsoka. "I just worry that two people will die if I am unsuccessful."
"A Jedi has to take risks. It's better for one of us to stay here. It keeps King Rash's focus on us rather than trying to figure out where we went to. He may figure out that we would attempt a rescue if he does not know where we both are. He may not easily come to that conclusion if one of us remains behind," explained Adi. "It is a hard lesson to learn but it is something you have to learn to accept, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka breathed out heavily. "I know."
"What do you want to do?" queried the older Master.
Ahsoka knew what she wanted. She wanted Adi Gallia to go with her but her instinct was telling her to go it alone. It made more sense for her to do so. She was smaller than Adi, could fit into smaller spaces. Even though she was growing and her montrals were growing taller every day, Ahsoka was still small, and not a fully sized Togruta yet. And she had the advantage she was quick on her feet.
"Ahsoka?" prodded Adi quietly.
Ahsoka blew out air, looking directly at Adi Gallia. "I think I have to take the risk and do this on my own."
"Are you certain?"
"No… but if I don't try and get the experience I need then I won't make a very good Jedi Knight will I?" That was the crux of the matter, Ahsoka knew. She had to take the risk or she would never get used to doing things on her own without anyone watching her back. She had to learn otherwise she simply would not make an adequate Jedi Knight and there was no way she was going to disappoint Anakin Skywalker. Steeling her lips, Ahsoka straightened her back and continued staring at Adi. "I know I can do this."
Sitting in the cell alongside his mother, Lux opened his eyes. He had tried to doze but the lack of a bed or a seat made attempting to nap rather difficult. The floor and the wall were simply too hard. "Mother… Will we get out of here?"
Mina Bonteri turned a sad face towards her son. "I don't know. We have been labelled traitors to the system. If rescue comes it will be a miracle. I do not know what is happening out there but last I we knew there was a Republic fleet enroute to Onderon in an attempt to free us from the rule of King Rash. That was why we were arrested, Lux. King Rash hopes to use us as hostages against the Republic...perhaps even have us killed."
Lux swallowed, fear gripping his heart. He appreciated his mother telling him the truth. "But how did he know we were involved?"
"It is very simple. We collaborated with the Jedi when they were here on their diplomatic mission. He already had the proof we were involved. I continued to fight the Republic's case even after they left. It was really only a matter of time before we became prisoners of a diplomatic incident."
"Oh," Lux hung his head.
"To rescue us, the Jedi have to get into the city, capture King Rash and then have the order rescinded by a newly implanted governor," she continued.
"Or, we could just sneak into the air vents and rescue you both that way," came a voice from above them.
Lux swung around, his eyes widening as he saw the peely gaze of Ahsoka Tano looking at them both through the bars of a hatchway in the ceiling. "You are in the ducts!" he gaped. "How?"
"I'm small enough to get in," came the answer. "In fact, compared to other ducts I've been in recently, this one is quite big. It should fit you both."
Lux looked around. There was nothing he could grip on the walls that would enable him to reach the ceiling grate. "Erm, we can't get up there. We are both a bit short."
"I can levitate you both up with the Force," replied Ahsoka. Her hands easily pulled the grate away, and she flipped down into the cell, landing on the balls of her feet.
"Are you alone?" his mother was on her feet, determination set in her face.
Ahsoka shook her head. "I am on my own here but Master Gallia and Commander Cody and his troops are making their way through the city as we speak. We'll have King Rash arrested on conspiracy against the Republic and working with a wanted criminal. You'll have your planet back today. And we are definitely not letting the King use either of you against us. I'm surprised how lax the security is in this place. I thought as important prisoners you'd be heavily guarded but sneaking into the ventilation system was a lot easier than I expected."
"King Rash isn't known for his smart decisions. He doesn't think ahead a lot of the time, nor of any consequences that could occur from his actions," explained Mina. "He believes the people are on his side but they are not… not by far."
"How are you going to overthrow him without throwing our people into disarray?" asked Lux.
Ahsoka reached into her pocket and pulled out a data-chip. "On this is all the details and deeds of King Rash. Every deal he has made with Count Dooku and his plans for Onderon and its people. Before I blew up his droid factory I inserted this chip into the network frame. I have the passcode key to it. All I need to do is input a simple code at a data-terminal and all of that information will be revealed to everyone on Onderon. King Rash will have an uprising on his hands. I'm hoping with the threat of that he will surrender."
"He is consumed by power," warned Lux's mother. "He will find a way to try to cling to it. He will not want to be arrested."
Ahsoka shrugged. "Either way, whatever he does, Onderon will be free." She bit her lip. "I'm afraid you may have to step into his shoes as a transitional period. The Republic needs you to bring Onderon back into the fold. It makes sense for you to lead Onderon while this process is going on, whilst you look for a worthwhile successor who has Onderon's best interests at heart rather than their own."
Mina Bonteri stepped back. "I'm not sure I could lead…"
Lux looked at his mother curiously. "But you would be the best choice, mother."
"All you would need to do is oversee a period of transition," continued Ahsoka. "A month at most while thing settle. Mina, we need you. And the people trust you."
"Let Onderon be free first before anyone makes any movement to govern the planet, even in a transitional period," suggested Mina Bonteri.
"Fair enough," said Ahsoka. She glanced upwards. "We'd better go. I heard movement in the distance. They could be coming to take you away."
Mina stepped aside and pushed Lux in front of her. "Lux first."
Ahsoka nodded, reached out a hand and levitated Lux up to the ceiling where he grabbed onto the open grating and clambered inside.
He poked his head out of the top. "I'm in," he hissed.
Ahsoka acknowledged. "Mina, you next."
Lux watched from above as the young Jedi levitated his mother up to the grate. He grabbed her hands and pulled her inside. They moved slightly up the ducts so Ahsoka could leap inside. The Togruta Padawan closed the grating duct and motioned for them to follow her.
Slowly but surely, Mina and Lux Bonteri were making a bid for freedom.
"What are you planning on doing now?" asked Mina quietly as they continued to crawl through the ducts.
"We need to get as close as possible to the throne room where I will activate the data chip, allowing everyone on Onderon to see the duplicity that King Rash has been involved in. The people are likely to rebel and Master Gallia and Commander Cody will be free to move into the city. I will arrest King Rash myself. I'm hoping you have given it some thought to taking his place on an interim basis," explained Ahsoka.
"Leading a planet is not my area," answered Mina. "But I can see I have no choice. If we want freedom to come to our planet, I will have to make some sacrifices."
"If you are ruling in his stead, you would have full control of the droid army. You'd be able to order them to stop attacking our army and your people," added Ahsoka, pointing out a few more advantages to the position of ruler.
Mina was not stupid. She knew Ahsoka Tano was trying her best to convince her to take King Rash's place. As she was Senator, she had enough diplomatic experience to ensure the planet went through a smooth transition as they tried to elect the next leader in a fair manner. The problem Mina had was that she did such a good job the people would vote for her to remain in place. Her role was of Senator not as a leader. She worked for her people, not ruled them. But there were advantages to taking the position even for a short while and she could make it clear she was not going to be in the role for long, thereby eliminating herself from the election process.
"Mother?" Lux asked quietly. "I think you should do it."
"I know," she replied.
"If you want my assurances, I can tell you now I will ask the Supreme Chancellor to not push you into taking the position permanently. If Onderon's people respect you and your contribution to the world, they will take your feelings into account," said Ahsoka. "They will want advice from you. They would trust you to back the right successor if you can." Ahsoka stopped and peered down into the corridor below. She held up a hand stopping Mina from replying. "We're there."
"The terminal or the throne room?" asked Lux.
"Both," smiled Ahsoka. "Now, this is where I need your help."
Mina almost felt like shivering. "You want us to input the passcode key into the terminal while you arrest King Rash, don't you?"
Ahsoka's cheeks would have reddened if they could have done. "It is preferable for you two to remain outside of the main action. There are no guards that I can see down there. King Rash doesn't suspect we have got into the palace, not freed his hostages. But I do need the evidence broadcast. As soon as the people see it, they will rebel and King Rash will be dethroned."
Carefully, the Togruta pulled the grate out and dropped down into the floor, swiftly levitating Lux and Mina to the ground. The corridor was deserted.
"What's the passcode?" asked Mina.
"R16A1S17H8 OND," said Ahsoka.
"Hmm. Interesting passcode," mused Mina.
"It's the password we need to be able to transmit this message across. King Rash' computer systems are not that secure… All his computer terminals come with that code. It will give you access to the system and it will also automatically send off all the evidence to everyone on Onderon," explained Ahsoka, unclipping her lightsabers from her belt.
"I think we can manage it," said Lux.
"Good. I'm counting on you," the Togrutan Jedi said before she sprang down the corridor to the doors into the throne room.
Mina turned towards her son, taking in a deep breath. "Let's get to work and free our people."
To be continued…
Please let me know what you think!
I decided to cover the final end of this arc in the next chapter. Originally it was meant to be one chapter but I think the following confrontation deserves another chapter dedicated to it. There was a lot of ground to cover in this chapter and I've probably covered about half of it.
So, it's Christmas Day on Thursday and I am working. Yes, really. The job I do means someone has to be at work. Whether I do any work or not depends if they need me. But I will be at work on Christmas morning until mid-afternoon. This will be the perfect time for me to write my next chapter so hopefully I will get quite a bit of writing down on Thursday before actually going home and enjoying my Christmas meal with my family.
Hopefully I will update again before 2014 is out…
Until next time,
the-writer1988