Chapter 14: Attack
Asajj sighed as she had to forced herself to sit impatiently on the seat next to Anakin friends, Kitster Banai and Amee, though she wouldn't reveal her last name.
Podracing was a popular sport in the less-developed regions of the galaxy and was one of the most dangerous sports ever invented. Racers losing their lives during competitions was commonplace.
Podracers were small, one-man repulsor craft, composed of an anti-gravity pod propelled by one or more pairs of large turbine engines. The engines were not physically connected to each other, being linked instead by power couplings consisting of plasma discharges. The engines were connected to the pods themselves by means of long, Steelton cables. Podracers were custom-built and were only as safe as the mechanic and pilot made them.
Besides housing the racer's pilot, each pod contained a repulsorlift engine that kept the craft at a specific, low-level altitude. The turbine engines were incredibly powerful and were connected by an energy binder that kept them from flying apart. Podracing was popularized in the Outer Rim Territories. Its underground nature, great excitement, and almost gladiatorial propensity for carnage held immense appeal to all manner of folk living on the fringes of society.
While the first race and racers are lost to history, Podracing traced its roots back to the days of animal-drawn carts on many different worlds. On Tatooine, these cart races evolved to incorporate hanno speeders. These events were held by Boonta the Hutt himself after his victory over the Parliament of Moralan and continued after his death. Developing across the Outer Rim and developing at pace with that of galactic technology, various sports were reported to exist at multiple times in the history of the Galactic Republic, with Czerka Arms being recognized as having produced some of the first engines for an early version of the sport.
The concept of modern-day Podracing was born circa 80 something years ago on Malastare by alien racer Gustab Wenbus. Wenbus had entered himself in a race with a super-fast prototype pod designed by a mechanic named Phoebos. Standardizing the Podracer's configuration and promoting the first circuits, Wenbus' rules were simple: build a racer, make it fast, and race. Prizes usually consisted of parts or credits and were awarded to the first to cross the finish line or the last surviving racer
One of the most famous Podraces was the Boonta Eve Classic, held on Tatooine 13 years ago. The spectacular race was especially notable for being won by a Human, nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker. Other popular races at the time included the Vinta Harvest Classic on Malastare, the Ando Overland on Ando Prime, and the Aleen Classic.
Although technically illegal, but often controlled by the Hutts, Podracing flourished throughout the rule of the Galactic Republic, particularly among planets in the Outer Rim and on worlds such as Malastare and Ando Prime. With hundreds of thousands of circuits in operation on just as many worlds, Podracer pilots were often venerated athletes and were known for their swaggering, jockeying demeanor. The sport was also watched by citizens from the Core Worlds; large viewscreens in seedy establishments such as the Outlander Club on Coruscant relayed Podraces from all over the galaxy. Podracing's popularity reached an all-time high following Skywalker's win, but as the political situation in the Republic deteriorated, so did the appeal of Podracing. Many of the sport's generally-accepted criminal activities were exposed, and some of the most famous racers were arrested for a variety of crimes. Podracing was soon outlawed in the Core. Shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars, it was reported that attendance had dropped more than fifty percent from the era of the Battle of Naboo, although betting transactions remained at an all-time high. Podracing soon gave way to swoop racing and other forms of extreme sports.
Truthfully, Asajj wasn't paying attention to the race as it was boring to her. She had missed the thrilling sounds of battle, not these pathetic competitions that won't value anything in the end.
She had been on a lot of planets across the galaxy as the Confederacy's Supreme Commander so had heard about podracing and had fooled herself into believing it would be interesting despite never truly witnessing one. It wasn't especially popular on planets such as Malastare, Kergans, Theron, Cantonica, and Tatooine.
Ventress stares down at the track where an elderly bith clearly in his twilight years was leading the other racers on the track. There was also a young duro which was not far off.
"Alright folks, old man, F'tamko R'hame, is ahead of the others as always. But what's this? Oh, the rookie, Rilwain Tim, is certainly giving our veteran a run for his money." The announcer spoke.
"Yep, that old man certainly can pack a punch," Kitster quipped.
"Who the kriff cares?!" Asajj wanted to ask but she bit her tongue as another racer zoomed past the track, though she had wanted to pull her eyes sockets at this.
"Look like your old man is going to lose once and for all," Melee, another one of Anakin's oldest friends, remarked from one seat lower than Kitster and Amee. "After all, it is only a matter of time before us youngsters catch up."
That was then R'hame and Tim came speeder to speeder, leaving the members of the audience to grasp the rear of their seats, adding onto Asajj's exasperation.
She could never understand how Skywalker or anyone else to could stand this sport. Why does it matter who's going to lose?! How does it assist them?!
Tim managed to guide his speeder to the left as a Tusken fired, striding on a hill before landing in front of the veteran.
The shot the Tusken fired however made contact with another Podracer and caused him to twist and turn his podracer out of control and crashing, it exploding seconds later.
She stares down as she could feel something and saw the guns that Anakin's friends and Rebellion had in a suitcase. They were going to strike by surprise.
She then looked up as she felt something strange.
Suddenly, a Force Presence hit her senses, causing her to freeze as she muttered the word, "Jedi," underneath her breath. Their eyes were on her, calculating her, but there was a shock in their presence, likely at seeing her, and she stared around the crowd.
But the moment she had looked into where she was certain his or her presence were located, they were gone, but the uneasy feeling in her gut warned her that something was about to happen.
And it wasn't going to be good.
Master Ferroda was surprised to see Asajj Ventress sitting down among the crowd. At first, he hadn't believed his eyes and had attempted cleared his vision with his blue hands but he couldn't deny it was actually her, though her presence was lighter than the last time he had felt her signature on the battlefield.
Ferroda was trained in the ways of the Force by the Jedi Order, eventually attaining the rank of Jedi Master after constructing a green-bladed lightsaber. When the Clone Wars erupted between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Master Ferroda took up the rank of General in the Grand Army of the Republic and was assigned to oversee the clone troopers garrisoned on Tatooine. Overseeing the training on the desert world, Ferroda became acquainted with the twin Force-sensitive clones X1 and X2 when Tatooine was attacked by the Separatists. The clones were successful in defeating the droid forces of the Separatists, repelling the Separatist leadership, and securing the world by the end of the battle.
He had been slightly frightened of doing this operation alone. Anakin Skywalker was extremely powerful in his time as a Jedi and was said to best some of the greatest Jedi Masters on the Jedi Council, but it went spoken that Anakin Skywalker must be apprehended and brought in front of the Council for questioning.
He tapped in the frequency to the Jedi Council Members before activating it and stared down at the Jedi Masters via Holo communication.
"Masters, I have concerning news. I fear our fears about Skywalker being on Tatooine is correct and he may have turned to the dark side. I have just spot Asajj Ventress and can feel his presence on her." He revealed, leaving a tense but not shocked silence in his wake.
"This is concerning indeed. Remain in hiding and follow Ventress until she reveals Skywalker's location. If Ventress has turned Skywalker to the dark side, we might have to send you reinforcements that you would be able to use to bring them back to us." Master Windu replied, leaning forward in his seat and frowning.
"I would be able to fight them both off if I have to. Skywalker has no Jedi weapon and Ventress hasn't had much experience." Ferroda replied.
"Careful, you must be, Master Ferroda," Yoda warned disapprovingly. "A lightsaber, not only a Jedi's weapon it is. Dangerous, the Force could be."
"Considering Asajj's past atrocities as a Sith Assassin, we cannot push past the possibility that Master Ferroda would have to claim both of their lives." Saesee Tiin added with a sigh.
"We should do everything we can to prevent that possibility from happening," Kenobi added with a sense of urgency, the expression of pain and sadness clear in his eyes.
"Master Ferroda, be patient. Don't take any action yet." Windu declared.
"Yes, Masters," Ferroda replied, bowing respectfully before the Jedi Council Members before disconnecting from the Jedi Council Members and turning to rewatch the podracing, pretending to be a normal native.
What he didn't see was Asajj Ventress staring down at him, having heard the conversation between him and the Council Members.
Kitster and many of the former slaves of the Rebellion grabbed their blasters while Asajj's hands went to her lightsaber clasped on her belt. The time was coming.
Kitster grabbed a comlink that Anakin and Asajj have given to him before placing it at his mouth.
"Kitster, I am approaching Jabba's palace. Order Seek to attack."
Kitster gave a thumb ups to Seek on the building, who immediately drew an A295 sniper rifle and aimed it at a Gamorrean Guard before firing.
The rifle had been placed to be silent so no one would track him and so they could get a few shots before they finally decide to raid the place up.
Seek aimed the rifle at another Gamorrean Guard before firing as well. He aimed again and fired.
It appeared he was going to go undetected when a bounty hunter, Dengar, no less noticed him and immediately called for the Guards.
"Assassin!" Dengar cried, causing all bounty hunters and Gamorreans to immediately aimed their weapons, the bounty hunters with guns and Gamorreans with their staffs.
However, this left a panicked audience, who immediately begins shattering up, trying to run away from what they assumed as the danger.
This made it harsh and complicated for the bounty hunters and Gamorreans to fight, but this was exactly what the former slaves in the audience needed.
Kitster and the former slaves immediately aimed their guns and begins opening fire.
Ventress jumped up in the air and landed down onto the ground, activating her twin lightsabers and begin hacking away at the bounty hunters.
She reached up a hand and seized a bounty hunter with the Force before throwing her across the ground, allowing Kitster and the bounty hunters to race down and fired at the threat.
Dengar jumped on Ventress and pinned her to the ground, knocking her sabers away and attempting to keep her onto the ground, aiming his gun down at her head.
Asajj growled and kicked him in the shin before punching him in the face.
Dengar's bounty hunter career was considered to be at its prime during the galaxy-wide Clone Wars conflict, during which he attained a remarkable track record. He was part of an operation alongside fellow hunters Boba Fett, Bossk, Latts Razzi, C-21 Highsinger, and Oked. The hunters were hired to escort a subtram containing cargo valuable to Otua Blank, the leader of the Belugan people of Quarzite. While preparing for the mission in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina, Oked was murdered by the wayward Asajj, who promptly agreed to take the dead hunter's place on the mission roster.
Dengar and company set off in Bossk's ship, the Hound's Tooth, to Quarzite, where the Belugan Major Rigosso transported the team to the train's subterranean loading dock via a space elevator from an orbital skyhook. Dengar, along with Ventress, was assigned to guard the rear of the train. After unsuccessfully flirting with Asajj, a team of skilled Kage Warriors boarded the train in an attempt to retrieve the cargo. Dengar managed to fight off many of the attackers due to his skilled hand-to-hand combat techniques and even managed to kill two using sticky explosives. Dengar was eventually overwhelmed by the attackers and was thrown from the train, landing safely on the subterranean surface. Dengar and his allies, who were likewise thrown from the train, returned to the skyhook to await Asajj, who had betrayed the mission objective by swapping the cargo with Boba Fett, who was bound and gagged. Before departing, she hands over the rest of the team's share of unmarked credits
"I have been waiting to track you down. You had one job to complete which would have given us a lot of money. Instead, we hadn't received more than we could have because you had chosen to have a conscience." For the first time since Ventress has met him, there was a genuine sneer on his face. Ever since she knew him, there was always a smuggler smirk that she had wanted to wipe off herself.
"Oh please, you and I both know Boba would have received the most share out of each of us. He even admitted it to me himself." Asajj states sarcastically, snickering slightly as she remembers all of the credits she had received thanks to her trickery.
"I would kill you!" he begins discharging blaster bolts at her, but Ventress begins rolling to the side, calling for her prime saber and activating the crimson blade, blocking each of the shots.
One of Asajj's shots hit Dengar, and this gave her enough time to dash forward, jumping down and slashing him across the face with her lightsaber before releasing a Force Blast against the bounty hunter.
Asajj intercepted blaster shots from other bounty hunters, back into them. Some of the former slaves went down while others immediately went for cover and got lucky.
Kitster aimed his gun at a light-skinned bounty hunter who was attempting to use cover behind the benches and fired at him.
Asajj grabbed a bounty hunter with the Force and cracked his neck, swiftly flipping around and parrying each of the shots back into the bounty hunters, and hacking away at the bounty hunters.
The other guards swarmed toward Ventress. Arrogantly, she waded into them, lightsaber flashing as she arcs her blades at the guards.
Suddenly, as over twenty bounty hunters aimed their guns at her, Asajj felt herself cursing slightly as there were only at least 10 former slavers remaining which means this Rebellion would likely fail as all of the others were either dead or too injured to fight back.
Each of the bounty hunters aimed at them in all directions and the former slaves returns their aim.
"Prepare to die with these pathetic slaves, Jedi," the one in front of her said calmly, causing Ventress to get into a fighting stance. "You have failed."
The one in front was shot down, not by Banai or any of the other former slaves who were moving about, but by-
"Clones?!" She exclaimed, shocked to see why they are there and shocked that they were helping her.
The Galactic Marines ignored her and begins blasting away at the slavers, sensing their satisfaction as each of the bounty hunters were outright gunned down.
Commander Jet came forward with the Galactic Marines, their eyes staring at her. She squirmed slightly uncomfortably as she had killed many of these men's brothers throughout the Clone Wars.
"I can assume you are with General Skywalker, witch," Jet said roughly, his anger to her obvious, "considering you are fighting with these slaves."
Undoubtedly, if they had been able to, and if they hadn't developed a respect for Anakin Skywalker after he had saved many of their brothers and won the Republic many victories, they would have shot her down without hesitation.
She could even sense uncertainty from a few privates and confusion from others about who she was.
Well, they are clones and most of them were new since the war takes away a lot of clones' lives.
"Former slaves," Amee corrected coldly.
"Well, if this Rebellion doesn't succeed," Commander Bacara added, coming next to Jet and glaring at Ventress with critical eyes, "you will all die slaves."
Asajj heard rumors about Commander Bacara and the Galactic Marines and have even come across them a few times.
Due to his training by the ex-Journeyman Protector Cort Davin, Bacara received a different upbringing than the vast majority of his clone brothers. Learning the traditions, history, and language of the Protectors, Bacara came to see himself not only as a soldier but also as a lawman as prescribed by the traditions which Davin had taught him. As a result, his learning of the language of Concord Dawn alienated him from many of his fellow clones, who often chose to speak in Mando'a. This caused him to become an independent individual who was often viewed as a loner by other clones. Bacara is an extremely efficient clone commander and exceeded at his natural job as a soldier bred for war. The talents that he exhibited early on in the Clone Wars allowed for him to be selected as one of only a hundred clone troopers for specialized ARC training.
The 21st Nova Corps, also known as the Galactic Marines, was a prominent military unit of clone troopers noted for their unique armor and relentlessness in combat. The corps served in the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic as part of the 4th Sector Army under the leadership of Jedi General Ki-Adi-Mundi and Marshal Commander.
At the Battle of New Bornalex, the Galactic Marines made use of prototype spacetrooper powersuits. Although the weapon systems on their new suits failed, the Marines continued to fight on. They engaged B2 super battle droids in hand-to-hand combat, using the enhanced strength granted to them by their powersuits. Their actions at New Bornalex earned the Marines a fierce reputation, making them one of the Republic's most feared clone military units.
The Marines were cross-trained to fight in a variety of environments in ground and space, making them extremely versatile. They specialized in boarding and capturing enemy starships as well as planetary assault, and were deployed on many planets such as Rhen Var, Aargonar, and Boz Pity, and likely would continue to maintain their reputation as the war continues throughout the galaxy.
Bacara demands the absolute best of his men and would tolerate nothing less, unilaterally reassigning marines who did not meet his high standards, much to the dismay of General Ki-Adi-Mundi.
It was said they had fought battle droids on the battlefield with their bare hands and the battle having their resources.
Slavers ran up and immediately Bacara and the Galactic Marines ran up to them, slamming a few slavers down while others blasted each of them. With Snipers that were of former slaves blasting the snipers that are with the bounty hunters, they were believing that the battle was ending, but the former slaves snipers were being overwhelmed and the remaining snipers had little choice to retreat.
Former slaves climbed down and retreat upon seeing most of them were being overwhelmed and being shot down, but Commander Bacara's men assumed their positions, and they shred into the snipers' positions, overwhelming them and none of them going down, the few being shot had their armor protecting them.
The former slaves rushed forward and assisted the clones, but they didn't completely need assistance as these bounty hunters proved to be nothing for trained armed men who have been bred to fight in the Clone Wars for over 10 years. Still, the former slaves were capable of shooting down their fair number of bounty hunters, and as times slowly envelop, many bounty hunters' corpses were scattered across the Tatooine's dustball in the sand.
Ventress sliced downwards, dodging to the right and parrying a blaster shot back into the woman bounty hunter before quickly deactivating her left lightsaber and clipping it onto her belt before seizing her and bringing her before her, snapping her neck with the Force.
She swiftly swiped behind her at a Pantoran male bounty hunter who was aiming for her abdomen with a dagger, swiftly kicking him in the chess before grabbing him with the Force, tightening her Force Grasp around his neck before twitching her hand, and snapping his neck. She threw herself at another bunch of bounty hunters, dodging under a blaster shot and swiping at the short Bith bounty hunter, arcing her lightsaber in front of her and watching as each of them falls by her blade.
Gunships descended from the sky and clones used their ascension cables to lower themselves onto the ground, beginning to blast at the slavers the second they landed onto the ground.
Only a couple of clones were taken down, but even snipers from the buildings were blasted down by the clones.
Four slavers jumped on top of a clone, and that caused him to growl as he shakes them off, stepping on a slaver neck and snapping his neck, immediately turning around and punching one harshly in the face and knocking him unconscious, grabbing one slaver off of his feet and snapping his neck with his bare hands, and grabbing another by his knee and snapping his leg, breaking it before grabbing him upside down and slamming him onto the ground face-first, knocking him out unconscious.
The Galactic Marines fired at bounty hunters, who were attempting to shoot them down. Each of the slavers was perishing by blaster shots or by the Galactic Marines bare hands.
Asajj deflected a blaster shot back into a sniper and watched with satisfaction as they fell off of the building.
"Although we are going to win with the help of the clones, we can only hope Skywalker can succeed now. Jabba has resources he could send from off-world that even these clones cannot handle." Banai informed her.
She can't believe she was saying this.
"I have faith in him."
Arthur's note: Now, we shall go to Jabba's Palace. It's not going to take long as I have been writing that chapter before this one.
I just had to have the Galactic Marines appear and assist the former slaves. The thing is the slaves are too little in number to actually stand a chance and these bounty hunters are extremely skilled. With the Galactic Marines helping them, that's the only way they could actually probably stand a chance. I had a feeling I should have added a clone unit earlier and thankfully I did or plot armor would play a little bit of games.
May the Force be with you all always.