Disclaimer – all original Star Wars characters in this fanfic (excluding my OC's) are the property of Lucasfilm and Disney.
Chapter 48 "Battle For Bota – part 4"
Planet Drongar, The Jasserak Highlands.
Anakin held a large piece of metal with the Force and use it as a shield while HK circled around him, thanks to his rocket propulsion systems. Since Anakin's lightsaber was temporarily shorted out thanks to the Cortosis blade, the Padawan needed another way to defend himself and the clones until his weapon could be used again.
Still, time was against him. The CIS forces were retreating, and the droids from the Kingdom of the Force began slowly focus more on the Republic army. Yes, the old models weren't made to dominate the battlefield, but with numbers and many weapons at their disposal, they were dangerous. While the clone troopers managed to destroy many of them, the Sentinels, who kept walking behind the droids, were still untouched.
As the fight between the Padawan and HK continued, ArchKnight Zai'shira called the assassin droid. Only ArchKnights could contact HK via his internal comlink, which was located inside his head. HK knew it was an emergency, so he quickly turned around and flew towards a destroyed Vulture droid. He landed behind it and answered the call. Since HK could be in a middle of a stealth mission, the comlink was always set on the lowest volume, and only he could hear the ArchKnights. At the same time, if HK would not be able to respond without revealing his presence, he could send back an encrypted message. In this situation, he didn't need to.
"Query: How may I be of assist, ArchKnight Zai'shira."
"HK! We have an emergency!" Zai'shira's voice issued in his head. "I can't contact Deiven! Find him immediately and learn what happened! I'll send the Sentinels to assist you!"
"Right away, Master!" HK immediately replied and flew away without the slightest hesitation towards Deiven's Force-signature. The protection of the ArchKnights was always his highest priority. Anakin saw him but didn't pursue him since he really could use a break. His lightsaber finally began to work again, but the droids from the Kingdom reached and unleashed at them.
Anakin hurled the piece of metal at one of the droids like a buzzsaw, cutting it in two, and began to deflect all the shots, protecting the troops behind him. Obi-Wan, Dooku, and Asajj joined him and began to deflect the energy bolts as well.
"Where's HK?!" asked Dooku.
"He flew off somewhere!" Anakin replied. "I don't know where but it seemed urgent!"
"Look!" Asajj pointed at something. The Sentinels, who walked behind the ancient droids, changed direction and began to run towards the same direction HK flew off.
"I think they'll following HK!" Anakin said. "That's good for us, right?!"
"At least, we don't have to worry about them right now!" Obi-Wan stated. "We better deal with the droids of the Kingdom as fast as we can before they'll return!"
Deiven felt someone touching his head, and he slowly opened his amber-colored eyes. He was able to recognize the blue photoreceptors of the assassin droid. The Firrerreo's whole body was steaming as his healing factor worked on overdrive to fix all the damage he received.
"Ugghh..." the young ArchKnight blinked a few times and slowly tried to get up. He remembered his fight with General Grievous, but he lost. Or, to be more precise, their fight ended because of an explosion. Yes, his healing factor kept him alive, but not only would he be dead without it, but Grievous could also kill him multiple times during their fight. It was a loss no matter how one looked at it.
"Joyful statement: I'm glad you're alright, young Master!"
"HK? What are you doing here?" Deiven asked, managing to get on all fours and then sit down. His clothes were scorched and torn up. Luckily, his pants were still able to hold on to his waist and spare him further embarrassment. The ArchKnight noticed that the Sentinels surrounded them and formed a protective circle. There were no clones and CIS droids nearby; HK took care of that.
"Explanation: ArchKnight Zai'shira wasn't able to contact you so she asked me to find you. She also ordered the Sentinels to help me."
One of the Sentinels approached Deiven, took off his white cape, and covered the ArchKnight with it. "Thanks," Deiven sighed a smile and rolled his neck. "I'm going to get an earful from her later though, heh." Slowly, the Firrerreo got up and shook his head. "I'm still a little woozy. How's the situation? Did you kill the clones?"
"Negative: No young Master. Before I could, I received the task to find you. Reassurance: They'll not escape termination. Especially since the CIS are retreating and we have only the Republic forces to deal with."
Deiven nodded and replied. "Okay, let's go."
"Disadvise: You should not fight in your state, young Master."
"I don't plan to engage unless the Jedi will give us no choice," Deiven assured. "You know, I'll talk with the Jedi and maybe convince them to give us the clones without a fight. Now go, before the clones escape. I'll contact Master Zai'shira to tell her that I'm okay. Oh... can you lend me a holoprojector? Mine got damaged."
HK reached into his side pack and gave Deiven his own holoprojector. Afterward, he once again activated his rocket propulsion systems. The Sentinels formed a straight line and began to march towards the direction of the two Force-sensitive clones, following the assassin droid.
Deiven activated the holoprojector and made a call. After a few moments, the holographic image of ArchKnight Zai'shira appeared on his hand. "Finally!" she exclaimed with evident relief but immediately noticed Deiven's state. Especially his destroyed attire. "What happened to you?!"
"I got my butt kicked by Grievous," Deiven answered with a frown, but his defeat wasn't what made him upset. "He didn't remember me at all! None of us! The CIS did something to him!"
"You fought him? Alone?! That was foolish of you!" Zai'shira scolded. "You could have died! What were you thinking?!"
"Sorry for making you worry," Deiven apologized sincerely, looking at the ground. "I just wanted to learn what really happened to him. But he didn't fight me seriously. Avelon said something to him and that made him 'toy' with me. At least I know that Grievous didn't break his promise."
"Still, don't risk your life like that again," Zai'shira sighed, closing her eyes. She looked at the young Firrerreo and spoke more calmly. "Our sensors indicate that the CIS forces are trying to leave the planet. Avelon informed us which ships carry the carbonized Bota so we'll shot them down, but we'll destroy a few other ships as well so that it won't be suspicious."
"We still have the two Force-sensitive clones to kill," Deiven reminded, looking back at the Togruta. "We'll head towards the Republic right now and finish it."
"Be careful," Zai'shira said sternly. "You may have a healing factor, but you're not immortal."
"I will," Deiven promised.
When Zai'shira's holographic image vanished, Deiven adjusted the white cape and tied it around his neck. He placed the holoprojector in his side-pack, or what was left of it, checked if his weapons still functioned properly, and followed the Sentinels.
Anakin cut off a leg of a large four-legged assault droid, which staggered but repositioned its third leg to not fall over. Obi-Wan, however, used the Force and pulled its leg to the side, causing the droid to lose balance and fell over. Asajj and Dooku immediately jumped on it and slashed its head with their lightsabers, destroying it completely.
Four Jedi, assisted by the clones, were more than capable of dealing with the ancient droids. Slowly the Republic forces were gaining the advantage, and when the last droid was destroyed by Anakin, everyone took a breather.
"General Dooku, come in!" the voice of Admiral Yularen came from Dooku's comlink. The Jedi Master raised his wrist to his mouth and spoke. "What is it Admiral?"
"The Separatists ships are trying to leave Drongar and reach their fleet at the orbit, but the warship of the Kingdom just opened fire," informed the Admiral. Obi-Wan, who was close and heard Yularen, looked at the sky. He noticed that the massive warship began to fire in one direction, hitting and destroying ships, which were barely visible from their position. The range of the warship was terrifying. The Separatist ships turned into small flaming dots, which fell back towards the planet's surface.
"I think they tried to leave the planet with Bota and that didn't go well for them," Obi-Wan guessed. "Better not follow their example."
"Try to keep your distance and don't engage, Admiral," Dooku instructed. "As long as the warship doesn't attack you, don't provoke the Kingdom."
"Not planning to General," assured Admiral.
Everything seemed to be working in Republic's favor, but the Jedi weren't ready to let their guard down just yet and for a good reason. The Republic forces began to hear a song that got louder and louder with each passing second.
The dusk of the galaxy comes without the balance,
the wheel of time mercilessly turns.
But then we heard it, a divine voice of our creator,
it spoke to us and showed the proper way.
Almighty Force, we have answered your call,
show us the balance, creator of all.
If you open your mind, you may join us today,
believe in the Force, and it will show you the way.
"We have company!" Anakin announced, jumping down off a destroyed droid. The Padawan spotted a line of Sentinels, marching straight towards them with their rectangular, blue-colored, transparent shields raised. He even noticed HK in the air, flying slowly above the Sentinels.
"Take cover!" Master Dooku ordered. Clone troopers immediately complied, hiding behind wreckages and any other possible things that could protect them against enemy fire. They didn't begin to fire yet, waiting for the order. "Anakin, Asajj, protect X1 and X2," Master Dooku ordered while he and Obi-Wan moved forward and prepared to engage the Sentinels.
The wheels of time kept turning, millennia passed,
without the balance in the whole galaxy.
But then it happened, the Force grew tired of waiting,
and the time was ripe for our move.
Once we were loners, but that's long ago,
now we are members of the Kingdom of the Force.
The time of Jedi and Sith have passed,
the galaxy will be in balance for eternity at last.
The Sentinels kept singing as they got closer, but they suddenly stooped their march and their song. HK also stooped in the air and landed in front of the formation. Everyone was still. Clone troopers waited for the order from the Jedi, and the Jedi waited for the Kingdom's next move, not wanting to start the fight.
A few Sentinels stepped to the side, breaking the line, and a person clad in a white cape moved forward. "ArchKnight Deiven," Obi-Wan said as the young Firrerreo stooped right next to HK and allowed the Sentinel behind them to reform the line. The assassin droid immediately aimed at the Jedi with his blaster rifle but didn't shot just yet.
"I can't believe he survived a fight with that cyborg," Asajj stated in disbelief. She didn't know that Grievous didn't fight him seriously. For her, ArchKnight Deiven managed to survive a fight against someone strong enough to fight against four Jedi.
"I'm glad you're alright, ArchKnight," Obi-Wan said sincerely and added after seeing his attire. "Or alive at least."
Deiven was in a bad mood, so he said straight out. "Give us the two Force-sensitive clones or kill them yourselves. Let's not drag this battle longer than we need too." The young Firrerreo was aware that many clones had their weapons pointed at them, so he held his Forcesaber in his hand and was ready to deflect anything that would be fired at him.
"We can't do that, ArchKnight Deiven," Obi-Wan refused. "We can reach a consensus without sacrificing two loyal soldiers, who aided us against the enemy General and saved the life of Master Dooku."
Deiven looked at Dooku, who nodded confirmingly. The young ArchKnight slightly narrowed his eyes. Still, that didn't change the situation. He looked back at Obi-Wan and said. "I understand you're indebted to them, but my decision remains the same. Like I said, cloning Force-sensitives is a sacrilege."
The two Padawans were close enough to hear the conversation. Anakin actually had an idea, but he needed to talk with Deiven. The Padawan moved forward and joined the two Jedi. "ArchKnight Deiven, I have a proposition," Anakin said, drawing everyone's attention. "Maybe instead of killing the two clones, you can simply sever their connection to the Force. Grand Master Yoda can do that."
Obi-Wan and Dooku looked surprised at Anakin. Dooku was surprised and impressed that Anakin knew about such a technique and Obi-Wan was surprised that he suggested an individual's Force connection was the most powerful attack a Jedi could perform. In ancient times, it was used as a punishment.
Deiven crossed his arms over his chest and pondered for a moment. "It... it is a way, true," he admitted. "But who can guarantee me that you'll sever their connection to the Force when we allow you to return to Coruscant."
"You can take me as a hostage," Anakin proposed, but Obi-Wan quickly spoke. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Anakin. I know you want to help, but there are other topics we need to address with the Kingdom first."
"What about the Bota?" asked the Jedi Master Dooku. "Can we take what we gathered?"
Deiven inhaled and exhaled deeply through his nose. "I said the two clones need to die for us to look the other way," he said. "However, Anakin's idea is acceptable and a peaceful solution. While they'll remain Force-sensitives, they won't be able to use the Force. We could agree to let the Republic take a portion of Bota back to Coruscant, but I need to contact my Master first and ask what she thinks about this."
"That's fine, we need to contact the Jedi Order as well," replied Obi-Wan.
A few minutes later – Planet Drongar, The Jasserak Highlands, Republic Outpost.
While the Republic army and the Sentinels waited patiently outside, the four Jedi, two Force-sensitive clones, Deiven, and HK, entered the outpost and gathered around the communication console. The clones took off their helmets, and Deiven noticed the faces of the Jedi Padawan, Falon Grey. There was no mistake that the two were clones of him.
When Master Dooku established a connection with the Jedi Temple and Deiven contacted the Vicious, holographic images of Master Yoda and Master Windu began to hover over the round communication console while Zai'shira's holographic image hovered over HK's holoprojector in Deiven's hand.
Master Dooku explained the situation and Anakin's suggestion to the Jedi and the Togrutan ArchKnight. "Hmmm... unusual, this solution is," stated the Jedi Master, stroking his chin.
"The effects of Sever Force are not always permanent and can be reversed though," reminded the young Firrerreo. "A skilled Jedi or a Sith can restore one's connection to the Force."
"In this case..." Zai'shira began. "...the two clones would need to leave the Republic army and simply start normal lifes as ordinary citizens. In order to ensure that the Sith or the Jedi would not try to reverse the effects of Sever Force, the Kingdom could provide them with a place to live and means to start a new life."
X1 and X2 looked at each other, speechless and confused. This was something they never expected. They didn't really care about having Force powers, but not being in the Republic army was something they didn't know how to feel about.
The two Jedi Masters thought about it for a moment. There was actually no reason to say no. The army of the Republic wouldn't be weakened without just two clones, and they would get the Bota in return, which was the goal of this battle. It was a fair trade. "We agree," said Windu.
"Do the deed personally, I will," assured Master Yoda. "To the Jedi Temple take them, we must."
"So we have that settled," said Deiven. "But we need a guarantee that you'll not trick us."
Mace Windu narrowed his eyes after hearing the accusation from the ArchKnight, but before an argument could break out, Master Dooku spoke. "Anakin proposed to be the hostage, but I'll go with ArchKnight Deiven instead. Once Master Yoda will sever the clone's connection to the Force, you'll exchange me for them."
"That's fine with us," Zai'shira stated, and Deiven nodded.
Mace and Yoda looked at Dooku. "Are you sure about this, Master Dooku?" asked the Jedi Master.
"I am," Dooku confirmed. Of course, there was nothing for him to worry about since, as an ArchKnight of the Kingdom, he knew that everything would be alright.
"Okay, then it's settled," Mace declared. "May the Force be with you."
"So we can leave Drongar without the fear of being shot down?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes," Zai'shira reassured. "Deiven will escort Master Dooku to the Silent Shadow and you can safely return to your fleet and head to Coruscant."
Dooku nodded and looked at his Padawan. Asajj had an unsure expression on her face, but he reassured her. "Everything will be okay, Asajj. I'll get back in one piece."
Asajj exhaled and smiled with a nod, believing in her Master.
Hyperspace Tunnel, Bulwark-class Battleship, Command Deck.
"So we didn't get any Bota and only received a few experimental adrenals from the scientist," said the blue holographic image of Darth Plagueis after Darth Enigma debriefed him on the mission results along with General Grievous.
"Yes, my Lord," replied the Anzat. "The warship of the Kingdom unleashed our ships as we tried to leave the planet and the ones with the Bota were shot down as well. They won't be any more plants left since the Kingdom will burn every field on the planet. The one solace is that the Republic also took heavy casualties in that battle. Even if they get some portion of the Bota, it won't be worth it in the end."
"Excellent," the Muun replied as a sinister smile appeared on his face. "A few more such 'results' and Sidious will make his next move. The Jedi will have to take orders from someone more capable, who will do anything to win a battle."
The Sith apprentice arched his black eyebrow, but for now, he didn't ask. "By the way, how did the General performed?" Plagueis asked, looking at the Kaleesh cyborg.
"The young ArchKnight and the Jedi had no chance against our General," Enigma answered with a smirk. "He'll be an excellent Jedi killer on the battlefield."
"He didn't kill the Firrerreo, right?" Plagueis asked, narrowing his eyes. Just like Darth Enigma, he knew how the Kingdom would react to such an act.
"No, Lord Plagueis," Grievous answered and snickered. "But he made an excellent ragdoll."
"Heh, good," the Muun nodded with a smirk.
A few hours later – Coruscant, Jedi Temple, High Council Tower, Council Chamber.
The pair of Force-sensitive clones stood in front of the small, green Jedi Master, who stood on his seat. The other Jedi Masters, excluding Master Shaak Ti and Master Dooku, who was kept on the Silent Shadow, observed them closely. A real-sized full-colored holographic image of Deiven, who watched everything as well via PROXY, stood near the chamber entrance.
"Do you understand what's about to happen?" asked Master Plo Koon.
"Yes," both clones answered in unison, and X1 added. "You'll block us from the Force so that we won't use it again."
"Correct," Master Windu confirmed with a serious expression. "After that, you'll leave the Republic army, go with the Kingdom and they'll give you a new home. Simply speaking, you'll no longer be soldiers of the Republic and become regular citizens with casual lifes. You need to forget about who you were before."
"I would advise changing your names afterwards as well," Master Gallia added with a warm smile.
"We will," replied X2.
Master Yoda closed his eyes and focused. He extended both of his hands towards the clones. A bright light began to surround them, and they began to feel strange but not uncomfortable. Taking the shape of a round dome, the light encased X1 and X2.
Usually, such a technique required a lot of effort, but since the two clones didn't have much experience as Force-users and didn't resist in the first place, Master Yoda was able to sever their connection to the Force.
When the light vanished, Master Yoda opened his eyes and exhaled, sitting down on his seat. "Done, it is," he said.
Since X1 and X2 didn't have Force training, they didn't feel that much different, but they believed the Jedi Master did his thing.
"Good, I'll take over from here," Deiven said, walking towards the clones. He looked at Master Yoda and added. "I'll take them to my ship and Master Dooku will join you shortly."
"We hope there will be no tricks involved," Master Windu replied, repaying the ArchKnight in kind for the earlier accusation. Deiven ignored him and gestured the clones to follow him.
All Jedi Masters followed Deiven and the clones with their eyes in complete silence. "I bid you all farewell," said the ArchKnight as he and the clones left the chamber.
A few minutes later - Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Processional Way.
Since everything was okay, Deiven landed the Silent Shadow on the large public landing platform and waited for PROXY and the clones in front of his ship. The droid escorted them, and the exchange was made. Master Dooku returned to the Jedi Temple with PROXY, and the clones stayed with the young ArchKnight.
"You're free men now and you don't take orders from anyone," Deiven stated, crossing his arms over his chest. He managed to get changed aboard the ship and had a new, clean set of clothes. "I'll take you to Corellia when you can start a new life."
The young ArchKnight reached into his side-pack and gave the clones a solid amount of credits. "With this, you can buy food and anything you want, but you have to keep earning the money."
"We will," X2 assured. "We also want to thank you for agreeing with the Jedi's suggestion and sparing our lives."
The Firrerreo was silent for a moment, and he finally replied. "Don't mention it. Now come, Corellia awaits."
The clones and Deiven boarded the Silent Shadow, and the ship took off.
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