Anakin and Padme
Chapter 32
"Proving One's Self, A Huttlet & Xanatos's Vendetta
A.N - Thank you to all the wonderful follows, favs and reviews on this story. I honestly didn't expect all the love but glad you're all enjoying.I do apologise for the delays in chapters - am juggling multiple stories. Now that we're in the Clone Wars era, I may move things along although not all Clone Wars stories will be in this part, enjoy!
From the moment their gunship entered Teth's atmosphere, there was little time for casual flying. The enemy had become alert of their presence and began firing at the gunships forcing them to evade the weapons as Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones all held on. "Sir!" One of the clone pilots calls back to Anakin "We're taking heavy fire!" He exclaims as Anakin turns towards him
"Close the blast shields, Lieutenant!" Anakin orders "Get us under those guns!" He orders as the pilot nods "Yes, sir!" He replies pushing a button before they see the outer blast shields close. "Here we go" Ahsoka mutters to herself right at the moment as the clone troopers helmets switch their vision. "Ridge, your com's gone static" one trooper warns another as the trooper taps his helmet "Got it" he replies minutes later just as a red light comes on inside the gun ship "Red light, stand by" warns one of the clones says as Ahsoka looks to see Anakin, remaining calm right at the moment the gunship was able to successful land at the base of the cliff.
"Welcome to paradise, rock jumpers" the pilot calls back as the red light turns green and the blast shields re open "Green light, go, go, go!" Cried the troopers rushing from the ship followed by Anakin and Ahsoka, after they removed their cloaks and activated their lightsabers. The clone troopers run through the trees heading for the base of the cliff. "Move it, move it!" The clones shouted as they evaded fire raining down on them from above "Watch it, watch it!" Other troopers cried "Hurry!" "Go, go, go!" Others called out
Whilst up above, battle droids ordered their fellow droids to remain firing "Concentrate fire on Sector 11374265!" Orders one battle droid as another droid looks at his superior confused "11…what was the next numbers" as the droid snaps "Just fire right there!" He orders as Anakin sees a clearing ahead with a small covering at the base.
"Follow me!" He orders the clones as he and Ahsoka lead the troopers towards this small cavern disappearing from the sight of the droid's line of fire. "I can't see them" one droid says using its electro binoculars as another droid is confused "Where's they go?" It asked as the first droid stumbled and begins to fall down the cliff "Oh, my god!" The droid cries as it falls down towards the ground landing just meters from where Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones were hiding
Proving that droids were not like clones, the second droid looks over the edge confused as to where the droid had fallen "Get back here, Sergeant!" It calls down as Ahsoka smirks "So, this is where the fun begins again" she says as Anakin smirks "Race you to the top" he says seeing her grin "I'll give you a head start" she replies as he smirks back "Your mistake" he says as they leave their shelter and Ahsoka watches Anakin begin to climb the cliff's edge
"Ascension cables!" Rex calls out as the clones all take out their cables to attach to the cliff. Ahsoka looks up at her master "I'm right behind you, master!" She calls out. Ahsoka leaps up onto the cliff, holding onto one of the ascension cables with one hand. Anakin deflects another array of bolts with his lightsaber as he begins to climb the cliff with Ahsoka starting her climb whilst at the same time the walkers and clone troopers begin to climb the cliff. Ahsoka pauses mind climb as she notices one of their walkers a few meters away from her. She smirks getting an idea as Anakin meters ahead of her, continues to climb with one hand and swinging his lightsaber deflecting bolts.
Ahsoka, meanwhile, uses one of the cables to swing towards the walker landing on its back. The walker, unfazed by it's new companion on top continues its climb just as blaster fire continues to rain down on them from the super battle droids, battle droids and spider droids however the walkers were carrying more firepower and firing directly up the droids hitting the cliff's hanger. "Target those walkers!" Orders the commanding droid as the spider droids meters below on the cliff turn their attention directly to the walkers.
The spider droids successfully manage to attack and destroy one of the walkers which was climbing the cliff causing it to fall back down to the ground however the clones continued to climb as the droids continue to fire including one super battle droid who continued to fire before losing his footing and tumbled off the cliff straight towards Anakin who immediately sliced the droid in half with his lightsaber.
Ahsoka steadies her position on the walker as the spider droids continued to fire down at the walker at the same time Ahsoka manages to get from the walker's back to the walker's front window as Anakin high above deflects more blaster bolts however it was right at that moment four battle droids came flying in from the left side of the cliff, in their single trooper aerial platform vehicles otherwise known as STAPs and firing at the walker Ahsoka was standing on top of.
Ahsoka, seeing them instantly, gets into a defensive position managing to deflect the bolts coming from their vehicles unfortunately some of the shots were able to slip past hitting the walker and causing it to start to fall back off the cliff! Ahsoka begins to stumble and falls back off the window and towards the back of the walker.
Anakin sensing Ahsoka's troubles, turns to see her struggling to hold onto the walker and his instincts kick in as he sees the STAPs continuing to fire at the walker. Anakin leaps back down the cliff towards the walker, landing meters in front of Ahsoka before jumping over her leaping from one STAPs to the next taking out each battle droid before he takes control of the last one and flies back towards the cliff straight over Ahsoka.
"Gotta keep up!" He smirks back down at her as Ahsoka's eyes widen seeing him fly up the cliff "Hey! No fair!" She calls back as Anakin speeds up the cliff, past the clones which were still climbing their ascension cables as he flies at the spider droids. He then comms Rex. "Rex, follow me!" He orders as Rex nods "Yes, sir!" He replies "Working on it" he mutters continuing his climb at the same time Ahsoka was gaining her footing on the walker and moving back towards the front window. She looks down to see the troopers navigating the walker
"Get this thing moving!" She exclaims. However Anakin, almost nearing the top of the cliff firing at the droids finally reaches the top leaping off the STAP straight over the droids landing in the middle of battle droids and super battles crouching down. The droids all surrender him. "Surrender Jedi" the commanding droid orders however Anakin then opens his eyes and before any of them could fire, Anakin swings his lightsaber speeding around the platform taking out each droid sending them over the edge.
Unfortunately, the droids had called from reinforcements as Anakin sees three droidekas rolling towards him, realising he was outnumbered for all of them. "Blast it, Ahsoka" he mutters "I told you to stay close to me" he says right at the moment he suddenly sees the droidekas explode just as they were about to unroll.
Anakin turns to see the walker in which Ahsoka had been standing on now up on the platform with Ahsoka standing beside it smirking. "I can't get much closer, Skyguy" she grins folding her arms as Anakin shakes his head "I knew you'd get here Snips eventually" he simply replies as Ahsoka gets down off the walker "Always in time to save your life" she reminds him adding "Guess that's the thirdtime then" she says referring to Christophsis with the wall and on Naboo.
It was also that moment Rex and the remaining clones were had now finished climbing and were on the platform. "All clear General" Rex reports as Anakin nods "Nice work Rex" he tells him "Have some men look after the wounded" he orders as Rex nods "Roger that, sir" he replies. "The gunships are holding at a safe distance" Rex reports.
Xanatos stared down at the Jedi spawn of his former master commanding his troopers. He soon hoped to see his lightsaber straight through his chest. Xanatos sees a black protocol droid approach him. "The droids have done their part" Xanatos glare "Now it's your turn" he adds turning to the droid "Don't disappoint me" he warns before he watched the droid move away to implement the next stage.
As the clone troopers set up a temporary base and tended to the wounded, Anakin surveyed the carnage of droids. He sensed that something wasn't right. "Too many droids here for them to be renegades" he observes adding "I sense Count Dooku and Xanatos's hands in this. Let's find Rotta's son and get outta here" he says as Ahsoka grins "No problem, the hard part's over" she replies as Anakin shakes his head believing that this wasn't over.
"I wish you wouldn't say that" he says as they moved towards the entrance to the monastery with Rex and the squad. The large door opened up to the dark hallway which was ahead of them. With stealth and caution, Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex and the squad moved into the dark monastery. It was eerily quiet "I don't like this place" Rex points out "It gives me the creeps" he adds
Ahsoka then spoke up "This looks like one of those B'omarr monk monasteries that I read about in my studies at the Temple" she admits as Anakin goes on "Smugglers take these monasteries over turn them into their own personal retreats" he explains "And the monks just let them?" She asks as Anakin sighs "Smugglers usually get what they want one way or another" he explains right at the moment they heard a mechanical noise as another door opens. Anakin is quick to ignite his blue lightsaber
"Good guy or bad guy, master?" Ahsoka asks with a sense of urgency in her voice as Anakin glares over at the droid "Who are you?" He asks as the droid approaches them. However they were unaware of this droid's true intentions. "Merely the humble caretaker, O mighty sir" the droid simply replies "You have liberated me from those dreadful battle bots I am most thankful" the droid tells them as Anakin and Ahsoka both remain defensive "Where is the Hutt?" Anakin asks as the droid goes on "The battle bots kept their prisoners on the detention level" he informs him before going on "I must warn you it is very dangerous down there, my friend. Not a place for a servant girl" the droid warns looking down at Ahsoka
However that was something the droid should not have said for Ahsoka was quick to respond "Do servant girls carry these!?" She snaps "I am a Jedi Knight" she glares as Anakin looks down at her with a stern look forcing her to change her tone and stance "Or soon will be" she mutters deactivating her lightsaber.
The droid is unresponsive to her anger and watches them past "A thousand apologises young one" it replies. Anakin turns back to Rex. "Captain, we'll get the Hutt" he says. Rex nods "Copy that sir" he nods watching them move further into the monastery.
Having watched the droid carry out his part of the plan, Xanatos decides to contact Count Dooku with an update. Xanatos cloaked and hooded moved into another area of the monastery and activated his comm.
"They have taken the monastery, Count" he says "Skywalker-Jinn is here" he sneers "On his way to rescue the Hutt" he scoffs as Count Dooku is unfazed by Xanatos tone and goes on "Well done Xanatos" he simply replies "All is going according to plan" he replies as Xanatos snaps "I could run my lightsaber through him now" he snaps as Count Dooku shake his head "Patient. Collect the data we need and you will get your chance at revenge soon enough" he promises before the hologram of Dooku disappeared as one of the droids approached Xanatos
"Master, the Jedi have entered the dungeons" the droid reports as Xanatos smirks. This plan was implementing faster than he expected and soon he would have his chance to kill his former master's sons.
As Anakin and Ahsoka entered the dungeons, they silently made their way down the hallway. Ahsoka had an uncomfortable feeling as if they were being watched which meant a trap had been set up. "Master, you know you're walking us into a trap?" She asks however she was surprised with her friend and master's surprised tone "I know" he replies as Ahsoka sees another two droids hiding "We just passed two more droids" she points out
"I know" Anakin only replies as Ahsoka becomes anxious "Well, I don't like this" she groans "Can I just take care of them?' She asks as Anakin laughs "Oh well, if you feel so strongly about it, go ahead" he replies stopping and turning around to see Ahsoka ignite her lightsaber spinning around to attack the formation of battle droids which had been silently following them. She cut them down before they could react.
Anakin was impressed - she had come a long way from those training practices in the temple when they were younger. "Not bad, you remembered to destroy their weapons first" he says as Ahsoka grins deactivating her lightsaber "I'm improving your technique" she smirks right before she sees Anakin suddenly spin around with his lightsaber cutting a droid down which was approaching behind him "Of course, you did miss one" he grins moving on as Ahsoka replies "I did that on purpose" she lies following him on through the dungeons before Anakin stopped a door.
"I sensed our kidnapped Hutt is in here" he says as Ahsoka becomes disgusted "Ugh, I smell him too" she groans covering her nose. Anakin then sees the switch to the door on the side and presses the button to open the door. No sooner had they opened the door, they see a very, very small huttlet crying and moving towards them taking them both by surprise.
"He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be" Anakin admits as Ahsoka tilts her head "Oh, he's just a baby" she coos "This will make our job a lot easier" she informs him "Oh, he's so cute" she gushes as Anakin shakes his head knowing that Ahsoka had no idea what a full sized Hutt looked like "Just wait until you see what he'll grow into" he warns relieved that they had found the huttlet, now that just needed to get him off the planet and back home.
Meanwhile back on Tatooine, Obi Wan had finished making his deal for the Jedi and Republic with Rotta and had now decided it was best if he headed to Teth to join his brother and Ahsoka with their mission. Obi Wan left Rotta's palace and headed straight for his fighter. His droid R4 beeped in unison as he enters the ship
"I know R4, I want to get out of here, too" he admits before he starts his fighter up and takes off into the sky to make the jump to Teth. However just as Obi Wan was leaving the planet, Count Dooku had just arrived and watched the Jedi Knight leave before he made his way to Rotta's palace, entering the palace and making his way to the throne room.
"O Great Rotta the Hutt, I have news of your son" he spoke in a clear bold voice "I have discovered it is the Jedi who have kidnapped him" he reveals. Rotta roars angrily in huttese as his droid steps up to translate. "How have you come by this information?' The droid asks as Count Dooku smirks "I have my ways" he simply replies going on "More important might Rotta, I bring warning" he tells him "The Jedi are planning to destroy you, just like they did when the Jedi and a Senator murdered your father years ago" he reminds him as Rotta speaks in huttese once more as the droid translates again
"The most wise Rotta demands proof" it says as Dooku nods "And he shall have it" he promises knowing that Xanatos was watching every move Skywalker made on Teth and would contact him when he had the proof needed.
Back on Teth, Rex and his squadron were back outside waiting for Anakin and Ahsoka to come back with the huttlet. Rex was standing by as one of his troopers approached him "No sign of any more droids, Captain" he reports as Rex nods "All right, Sergeant" he says before he raises his comm to contact Anakin. "General Skywalker, the cable is secure" he informs him "And it's nearly midday" he warns
Whilst back in the dungeons,
Anakin responds back "Thanks Rex, we've got Rotta's son" he tells him "Any sign of General Kenobi yet?" He asks hearing Rex respond "No sir" he says as Ahsoka, who had been kneeling down beside the huttlet looks up at Anakin. "Master, my Jedi training didn't prepare me for this" she confesses referring to the young huttlet "What are we gonna do?" She asks as Anakin smirks, who had been leaning on the door looks at her
"Well, since you think that smelly larva is cute, you're gonna carry it" he informs her as he starts to heard back down the dungeons leaving Ahsoka with no choice but to carry the huttlet and follow him.
At the same time, Obi Wan had met up with the Republic cruiser that was waiting for him before heading to Teth. Obi Wan lands the fighter in the hanger bay and was greeted by Commander Cody. "Commander, tell Admiral Yularen to get underway" he orders "We need to reinforce Anakin" he insists as Cody nods "Right away, sir" he replies and moves away to head towards the control room to inform Admiral Yularen of their new orders.
Anakin and Ahsoka had made it back out of the monetary as Anakin decides to tease his friend and padawan "How do you like your little buddy now?" He smirks "Still cute?" He asks as Ahsoka chuckles "You know, he's reminding me of you more and more" she teases back stopping along side him as he turns towards her seeing her holding the huttlet rocking him
"See?" You're two of a kind" she grins cheekily as Anakin laughs "Maybe, you should carry both of us then" he chuckles moving on just as Ahsoka turns the huttlet back to face her. She sees the huttlet start to cry once more, looking more greener than usual and slightly more warmer. "Master" Ahsoka calls out "I think this little guy is sick" she warns "He's burning up with a fever" she informs him moving up towards where Anakin and Rex stood.
Anakin places his hand on the huttlet's head. HIs forehead was indeed getting hotter "You're right, we've got to get back to the ship immediately" he insists "Trooper!" He calls out "Get me a backpack!" He orders.
Whilst above inside the monastery….
Xanatos stood beside the protocol droid from before as he recorded Skywalker and his padawan with the huttlet attempting to get him into the small backpack. "Will you just let me do it?" Ahsoka asks as Anakin grunts "I hate Hutts" Anakin responds as Xanatos smirks. He had exactly what Dooku wanted.
Xanatos steps back into the shadows and contacts Dooku once more. "Count Dooku, I have the recording you requested" he says as Dooku nods "Transmit it at once. Your new objective is to recover the Hutt…" he pauses as Xanatos glares "I think you mean recover the Hutt, kill Skywalker and deliver the Hutt to Rotta unharmed" he corrects as Count Dooku shakes his head
"No, capture him but bring him and the Hutt to Tatooine and then we will deal with him after Rotta sides with us" he warns him. Xanatos glares. It would appear that his revenge on his former master was getting more harder to complete.
With the recording transmitted from Xanatos, Dooku now played it for Rotta and members of his palace to see. They were watching Anakin and Ahsoka getting his son into the backpack.
"Will you just let me do it?" They hear Ahsoka ask before hearing Anakin grumble "I hate hurts" There is a collective gasp throughout the throne room as Dooku turns the hologram off before he speaks "As you can see, it is the Jedi who have your son and are plotting against you, for a second time" he warns before he goes on "My droid army has already initiated a rescue" he promises him. "Rest assured, mighty Rotta, your son will be saved" he assures him.
The droid then asks "Mighty Rotta wishes to know wan you ask in return?" As Dooku answers him "Perhaps you would consider joining our struggle against the Republic" he suggests. "You'd be more protected with the Separatists then with the Jedi. You owe it to your father" he reminds him.
Unaware of what Count Dooku was attempted to undo for them, Anakin, Ahsoka, holding the huttlet in the backpack and Rex all stood around Anakin's starfighter with R2 in his socket. R2 was projected a small hologram of Obi Wan. "Anakin, did you locate Rotta's son?" He asks as Anakin nods "We have him, but it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction" he warns
"This smells like Count Dooku and Xanatos to me" he says as Ahsoka grins "I think it's little Stinky you smell" she grins as Obi Wan thought for a moment before he points out "I'll bet they're using us to get Rotta to join the Separatists" he says just as Ahsoka decides to tell him more bad news. "Master Kenobi, we have another problem" she says "This huttlet is very sick" she informs him as Anakin goes on I'm not sure we can get him back to Tatooine alive, Obi Wan" he says "This whole rescue may backfire on us" he explains "I still don't think dealing with the Hutts is a good idea" he confesses.
Obi Wan shakes his head "Anakin, you know they control shipping routes in the outer rims. Rotta' cooperation is crucial to the war effort, if you let anything happen to his son, our chances of a treaty with him will disappear" he reminds him.
However, it was at that moment they suddenly all heard a flurry of ships flying towards the monastery firing down at them. "Master?" Ahsoka speaks "We've got trouble!" She warns as they all look up to see the fighters coming closer. Anakin looks around at the clones "Defensive positions!" He calls as Obi Wan, unable to see what was happening speaks "Anakin?" He asks as Anakin looks back at him "I'll have to call you back, brother" he only forms him "We're under attack. We could use a little help if you have the time!" He informs him. Obi Wan nods
"I'll get there as soon as I can" he assures him "Protect the Hutt, Anakin" he only says just as the clones noticed they had an influx of ground droids approaching from the entrance. "We've got spiders inbound!" Called out one clone as several of them rushed towards the entrance to fight off the incoming spider droids
"Get inside!" Anakin orders Ahsoka, who was now carrying the huttlet in the backpack on her back. She turns to race back towards the monetary as Anakin, with his lightsaber activated to fight off incoming blaster bolts "Fall back!" He orders turning to follow her as Rex follows him "Fall back, fall back!" He calls out as the clones all moved back towards the entrance as the door began to close down. Rex and the clones rushed inside with Anakin the last to keep the droids back before he slips under the door moments before it closed. They were safe, but the question was for long?
Meanwhile, having just missed Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones, Xanatos approaches the door where the droids were waiting. "Master, the Jedi have barricaded themselves inside the main vault" the droid reports as Xanatos snarls "They have nowhere to run" he simply replies. He didn't care what Dooku had said - he would get inside the monastery, kill Skywalker and pry the huttlet off his body. This ended here.
Whilst, inside the monastery, Anakin, Ahsoka and Rex all prepared their escape plan. Anakin looks over at Rex "Captain, we'll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements" he informs him before he sees Ahsoka look over at him with a confused look on her face. "What?" He asks as Ahsoka sighs "Master…do you honestly think we can hold them off?" She asks 'We've got to find a way out of here!' She reminds him as Anakin only then points out
"Our mandate is to protect this Hutt and that's what we're going to do Ahsoka" he informs her as Ahsoka then argues "Our mandate was to get this Hutt back to Tatooine and time is running out" she tells him as Anakin then begins to sense she has her own plan. "I suppose you have a plan?" He asks as R2 gives a low whistle as Ahsoka nods "Yes…" she pauses to look over at R2 "Or I think so, R2 willing" she hopes.
Anakin sighs but decided he was going to see what Ahsoka had planned. "All right Snips. I'll trust you on this one" he says turning back to Rex "Captain, hold them here as long as you can" he orders before he follows Ahsoka and R2 deeper into the monastery as Rex takes out his blasters and turns to his squad "Will do, sir" he promises "You heard the General" he tells them "Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal!" He tells them.
Heading deeper into the monastery once more, Anakin followed Ahsoka and R2 into what appeared to be some kind of throne room. R2 moved over to where there was a control panel attached to the wall. "If there's a way of here, Artooie will find it" Ahsoka says with confidence as R2 whistles in response and begins to plug into the wall socket. "Make it quick" Anakin simply replies knowing that time was not on their side
It is then he notices that the little huttlet had finally fallen asleep in the back pack. "Finally asleep huh" he notes "Put him down" he suggests "Get some rest yourself" he tells her moving past her "It's been a long day for you little one" he reminds her as Ahsoka only shakes her head "I can hold him, master, I'm not tired" she defensively replied back hearing Anakin sighs "Okay, suit yourself" he only replies taking a seat in front of her.
"I don't see why you won't listen to me" he admits as Ahsoka sighs, "I do listen to you, master" she insists "I just don't like being treated like a youngling" she confesses "Especially since after Naboo"she sighs as she remembers Siri's hurtful taunts about her not strong enough to be Anakin's apprentice ever. Anakin looks up at her "You must have patience" he says "What are you trying to prove anyway?" He asks as she lowers her head "That I'm not too young to be your padawan" she confesses adding "And there are those who think I shouldn't be"
Anakin shakes his head before he gets up "Ahsoka" he begins to say placing a hand on her shoulder "A very wise Jedi once said nothing happens by accident, it is the will of the force that you are at my side" he says remembering his father's words before he smiles down at her "I just want to keep you there in one piece" he insists. Ahsoka slowly raises her head to look up at him seeing him smiling down at her which made her realise that Siri and Darra were wrong and Anakin was the right master for her. Silently, she places the backpack with the sleeping huttlet down on the ground as R2 continues to scan for a way out.
Meanwhile, Xanatos impatiently waited as the droids attempted to figure out how to open the door to the monastery and with each passing minute, they were trying his patience. "The red one?" He hears one droid asks "No" another replies "The blue one?' The first droids asks again "No, not that one" he says just at the moment Xanatos became fed up and sliced the panel clean open with his lightsaber
"That'll work" the second droid replied as the door began to open up before them as inside, Rex and the clones remained in their positions ready to fire. "They've cut the lock" Rex warns as the door continues to rise "Here they come!" Calls another clone as they began to fire at the droids and spider droids which started to fire back
"Hold the line!" Rex orders however the droids continued to advance towards them "Second wave, second wave!" Warns another clone "Watch your left" calls another as the blasts continued to increase firing heavier blasts which began to rock the monastery.
The blasts echoed through the monastery echoing into the chamber in which Anakin and Ahsoka were still in. "That sounded bad" Anakin muttered just as the moment R2 began whistling excitedly before he brings up a map of the monastery revealing a red marker indicating another exit. "A backdoor landing platform!" Ahsoka exclaims as Anakin nods "We'll call for a gunship when we get there" he tells her "Lead the way, R2" he says watching R2 begin to wheel from the chamber as Anakin then looks down to see the backpack suddenly empty!
"Ahsoka, wait!" He calls out "Where's Stinky?' He asks kneeling down to the backpack looking around as Ahsoka shrugs "You told me to put him down!" She reminds him as Anakin only snaps back "Find him!" He warns just as they heard the huttlet's little cries coming from underneath the platform Anakin had been sitting on.
Anakin reaches underneath the platform towards the huttlet "Come outta there, you grubby little slug" he mutters pulling him back out by his tail hearing him crying out however Anakin continued to pull him back toward them. They were not going to lose him.
The droids had managed to overcome the clones, most of Rex's squad were dead with a few including himself lying on the ground. Xanatos surveys the damage "Take care of what's left of the clones" he orders "Skywalker is mine" he warns as the droid nodded "Roger, Roger" he replies before Xanatos goes on "Seal the main gate and all portals, let nothing escape this castle" he orders as the droids nod "Yes, master" they replied
However, they do not see Rex reach for one of his blasters and aim towards the droids and fire hitting one of them and causing Xanatos to activate his lightsaber deflecting the bolts knocking the blaster from his hand. Xanatos then stretches out his hand towards Rex and begins to choke him, lifting him off the ground
"Where is Skywalker?" He sneers as Rex, gasping to breathe slowly responds, hands clutching at his throat "I…don't talk to….Separatist scum" he chokes. Xanatos then releases his grip on Rex watching him fall to the ground. He waves a hand in front of Rex. "You will contact Skywalker now" he says using a mind trick and as loyal and strong as Rex was, he was weak against a mind trick.
"I will contact Skywalker now" he repeats raising a hand to his wrist to activate his comm.
Whilst back in the chamber…..
With the backpack back on Ahsoka and the huttlet inside, Anakin smirks "Let's see you get away this time" he smirks as he hears his comm chime "Anakin, come in" Rex calls as Ahsoka blinks confused "Anakin?" She asks knowing it was out of the ordinary and protocol for any clone to call a Jedi by their first name hearing Rex go on "We've held the droids, sir" he goes on as Anakin then says "That's not like Rex" beginning to suspect something wasn't right. "What is your location?' He hears Rex asks
Anakin then realises just who else was here on Teth, someone he didn't think he'd see after Geonosis. "Xanatos" he snarls as Ahsoka looks up at him "Your dad's old padawan?" She asks as Anakin then realises why he's here. "He's here to kill the Hutt, come on!" He tells her hurrying from the chamber knowing they needed to make to the back landing platform before Xanatos had the chance to find them.
Just as…..
Xanatos was preparing to go after Anakin as one of the droids came up to him "Master, I must inform you that Republic reinforcements have arrived" they warn as Xanatos knows time is also against them, knowing that Qui Gon's other son Obi Wan was amongst the Republic reinforcements. "We must hurry" he warns "Roger, Roger" the droid responds as they set out to find Anakin and Ahsoka before they were overwhelmed with Republic reinforcements.
High above the planet Teth, loomed Republic starships which then opened up their hanger doors revealing hundreds of fighters including Obi Wan's straighter all heading to towards the planet. "Skywalker is in trouble" Obi Wan smirks
"You know the drill" he informs them hearing one of the clones respond "Copy, that, sir" he says. It may have only been a few months since the war began but months of Obi Wan and Anakin's missions always had one common trait - Anakin's schemes getting him into the trouble.
The fighters flew towards the monastery alerting the droids to their arrival "The Jedi warships have arrived" the droids inform Xanatos who only looks back at them "You must hold them off until I finish my mission. Do you understand?" He asks heading on his way as the droid nod "Yes, sir" he repeats "Launch all fighters!" The droid calls out.
Anakin and Ahsoka had made it out to the back landing platform along with R2. Anakin, now carrying the backpack holding Stinky, raises his comm "Anakin to Obi Wan" he calls "Mark my position. I need a medical ship immediately" he orders trying to get a message to his brother who was flying his fighter towards the monastery.
"Do you copy?" He asks as Obi Wan tries to intercept his transmission "Anakin, do you read me?" He tries to respond finding it harder to pick up his message "Anakin!" He tries once more "Come in!" He tries again realising just what the Separatists were doing "They're naming our transmissions!" Obi Wan says "I hope Anakin is having an easier time than we are" he mutters.
Anakin then realise that the transmissions were being blocked - they were on their own. "I can't get ahold of Obi Wan" he says "I'll see if I can find Captain Rex" he says pressing another button on his comm.
Unfortunately at that moment, Rex and his few remaining troopers had found themselves captured by the droids and lead outside to the courtyard. Rex's hands were behind his head as his comm chimed 'Come in, Rex, do you copy?" He hears Anakin asks "Rex?" Alerting the droids to the noise
"Did you hear that?" One of the droids asks "It came from the prisoners moving towards them. "Let me show you how it works, clanker" Rex snarls hitting the droid right in the face as the troopers scramble for blasters from the fallen droids as Anakin tries once more "Do you copy? Captain Rex, respond" he hears Anakin try once more.
Rex scrambles for cover before he responds "I read you, General" he replies as more droids advance "We're pinned down in the courtyard" he reveals.
On the back landing platform
"Do you need help?" Anakin asks. He doesn't hear Rex respond but the sound of blaster fire instead. "I'll take that as a yes, Captain" he says "Stand by, we're on our way" he informs him "Skywalker, out" he says moving past Ahsoka as he attempted to find a way back up to the courtyard. However, as he passes Ahsoka, she notices that the little huttlet is looking more and more sicker.
"Master!" She calls out "Stinky is really sick. He's turning every shade of green except the one he's supposed to be!" She warns before she decides to bring Anakin's focus back to the mission "Our mission was to get to back to Tatooine alive!" She exclaims as Obi Wan turns back around to her "Obi Wan will get here eventually" he assures her "Right now, we need Rex to help find a ship" he reminds her.
It was at that moment they heard and saw three droidekas rolling towards the entrance "Great" Ahsoka sighs 'Rolling death balls" she mutters as they quickly ignited their lightsaber as they droiekas unrolled and began fighting at them. It is at that moment Xanatos begins to move into the light closer towards the door.
"R2, the door!" He tells him as R2 wheels past them towards the door controls before minutes later the door closes on the droidekas and Xanatos. However, Xanatos was determined to get through and the next Anakin and Ahsoka saw was his red lightsaber coming through the door. Anakin nervously looks down at Ahsoka. "I think now's a good time for a retreat" he confesses as Ahsoka giggles "Retreat?" She teases "That's a new word for you" she tells him as Anakin deactivates his lightsaber and turns back "Maybe in the jungle" he suggests moving up to the edge of the platform looking down
Ahsoka hesitates "Wait" she pauses "I remember the jungle was a bad place" she reminds him at the same moment they noticed spider droids starting to climb up the cliff's edge and began to fire up at the cliff to destroy it. The blasts shook underneath the cliffs where several flying creatures came flying out of the trees underneath startling them both.
"So much for going that way" Anakin admits realising now they needed to find another way off the platform.
Meanwhile Rex and his troopers attempted to keep the droids at bay however without the Jedi or the reinforcements, they were finding increasingly difficult. "We can't hold out much longer, sir!" One of the clones exclaims "Where's General Skywalker-Jinn?" They asks as Rex, knowing that Anakin would not let them down simply replies "He'll be here"
Stuck on the back landing platform with no where to go, Anakin and Ahsoka could see that Xanatos was nearly finished slicing through the door. "Looks like we're out of options" Anakin says right at the moment the huttlet noticed something in the distance and began to squeal once more. Ahsoka grits her teeth together "No, not not, Stinky" she mutters as the huttlet continues to cry before Ahsoka followed his gaze where in the distance she saw another platform
"Master!" She cried "Another landing platform!" She exclaims as Anakin turns to see there was still a ship on it "With a ship on it" he adds. Ahsoka smiles "Nice work, Stinky" she replies seeing the little Huttlet gurgle and smile before she then asks "So, how are we gonna get over there?" Seeing Anakin just smirk as an idea came to mind. "Leave that to me" he simply says before she watches him suddenly leap off the platform leaving Ahsoka looking down in shock
"I hope I don't have to learn that" she mutters just as she hears part of the door come crashing down revealing Xanatos with his lightsaber at his side. Ahsoka had never face Xanatos before however she knew the trouble he had been for Anakin and his family and any enemy of her friend and now master, was an enemy of hers. Ahsoka moves into a defensive stance with her green lightsaber in front of her.
Xanatos leaps towards Ahsoka who rushes towards him, her lightsaber effectively blocking his first strike. Ahsoka surprisingly holds her own against Xanatos who continues to fight her as she blocks each strike. Xanatos snarled before he pushed her back forcing her to land on her back. The next thing Ahsoka sees his a red lightsaber directly at her face.
"Where is he?" He snaps. Ahsoka is silent before just at that moment Anakin re appears now riding one of those flying creatures they had just seen minutes ago. "Right here, Xanatos!" He exclaims. Using the creature, Anakin flies straight towards him catching him off guard and flying across his platform. Ahsoka knew it was time to leave. "Time to go" Ahsoka says just as she feels the platform start to shake from the blasters coming from the spider droids underneath.
Anakin turns the creature back around towards Ahsoka "Hop on Snips!' He tells her reaching out for her hand as Ahsoka sighs "Like I have a choice!" She squeals as he pulls her up onto the creature just as the platform begins to crumble. R2 begins to fall down until he activates his rockets and flies after Anakin and Ahsoka leaving Xanatos annoyed and furious once more.
Xanatos doesn't see one battle droid appear until they spoke. "Count Dooku demands a report on your mission" he reports "Should I tell him….." He didn't even have time to finish that sentence before Xanatos reached out with the force and sent the droid hurling down the cliff. "Why!" The droid cried.
At the same time, up the skies of Teth, Republic fighters were coming face to face with Separatists fighters as they flew towards the monastery. The Separatists fighters were relentless picking off fighters one by one.
One of the clones, OddBall was finding himself overwhelmed as he was coming under attack "I'm hit, I can't shake them!" He cries as Obi Wan then responds "Just relax, Odd Ball, I'm right behind you" he assures him flying his fighter towards him shooting down the fighters that were chasing Odd Ball's fighter.
Odd Ball breathes a sigh of relief "Thank you sir" he says "I'm sorry I panicked" he confesses as Obi Wan laughs "That's alright Odd Ball" he assures him "It happens to everybody" he assures him as they see the monastery coming into sight.
"It looks like there's some kind of battle on the east side of the palace" Obi Wan observes seeing fighting taking place on the platforms below "I see it, sir" he hears Odd Ball reply as Obi Wan continues to fly towards it "And if there's a battle, Anakin's probably in the middle of it" he points out "We'll start looking for him there" he informs them "All ships, follow me" he orders before he pilots his fighter straight towards the monastery as the clones followed him in pursuit.
However, Anakin was getting well away from the battle towards the second landing platform however as Anakin piloted the creature towards the platform and allowed them both to jump off as R2 landed beside them. Ahsoka saw that the ship was not in the best shape.
"We're taking this junker?" She asks in disgust "We'd be better off on that big bug" she points out as Anakin shakes his head "Get aboard and prime the engines" he simply tells her seeing her move towards the ship "Assuming it has engines" he mutters kneeling down towards R2 slipping the backpack off his back.
As Ahsoka moves closer towards the ship, she sees a droid moving down the landing ramp and soon recognises the droid as the droid from inside the monastery. "Hey!" She calls out startling the droid "You're that caretaker droid" she says "I wondered what happened to you" she admits as the droid begins to stammer for a response "Oh, young one…I mean soon to be Jedi Knight" it stammers "I had to get away from that terrible…" he pauses right at that moment three droids appear at the entrance to the ship.
"Okay, everything's loaded" one droid says "Let's get out of here" the droid then notices Ahsoka standing there and Ahsoka realises that the droid was working with the Separatists. "Why you tin-plated traitor!" She cries igniting her lightsaber as the droid then points over at her "Blast her!" He orders the battle droids who begin to fire at the Jedi who deflects each bolt alerting Anakin to the commotion.
"She's at it again" Anakin tells R2. "Let's go" he says getting to his feet as moves after Ahsoka with R2 following him carrying the huttlet. Ahsoka had managed to destroy the battle droids rushing up the landing ramp to where the protocol droid now stood. Ahsoka holds her lightsaber towards him "Don't you dare!" The droid warns however Ahsoka raises her lightsaber and slices the droid's head clean from its body "Don't…you….dare" the droid repeats, its head landing at Anakin's feet. He shrugs before he moves up the ramp. Ahsoka was coming a long way from the youngling he knew in the temple and showing that she had grown since the Battle of Naboo.
Whilst, still making his way towards the monastery, Obi Wan decided to bring in the remaining ships. He presses a button "Commander Cody, prepare the gunships for ground assault" he orders. Cody who was standing at the hanger entrance of the Republic starship nods "Yes, sir" he replies before he raises his hand to signal the pilots
"Go, go, go!" He orders seeing the gunships take off from the hanger to head down towards the planet.
At the same time….
Rex and his clones were keeping the droids at bay and not backing down despite their limited numbers. "This is it!" Rex calls out "Scrap them!" He says right at the moment Obi Wan's starfighter flies over the platform.
"Take over R4" he orders the droid who takes over the controls of the ship at the moment Obi Wan leaps from the ship just as the battle droids were advancing towards Rex and his clones. "Surrender, Republic dogs!" One droid cries as Rex keeps his blaster on them. "We've you outnumbered!" He warns as the droid looks confused "Outnumbered?" He asks "Wait, one, two, three….." He starts to count the clones at the moment Obi Wan's fighter flies down and blasts the droids right before Obi Wan lands down onto the platform.
HIs blue lightsaber cutting through the remaining droids as he rushes over towards Rex. "Where's Anakin?" He asks as Rex simply replies "Best guess is he's still in the castle, sir" he informs him "Keep the droids occupied" he instructs him "I'll go find him!" He assures him however he had no idea just who else was inside the monastery.
Back on Courscant, Commander Cody was giving the Jedi Council an update. Masters Yoda, Windu, Jacen and Qui Gon stood in the Temple's communication room along with Padme who Qui Gon had asked to come along for an update on Anakin and Obi Wan's progress.
"The gunships have headed down to Teth as per General Kenobi's orders. There's no sign of General Skywalker or Padawan Tano who were last reported to have the huttlet in with them until General Kenobi lost contact with them" he reports.
Master Yoda then spoke "Return Rotta's son, he must however more to this plot we still do not know" he says as Jacen then spoke "If the Separatists are determined to take back the huttlet, I sense they're being lead by Count Dooku which also means that….." He pauses as Qui Gon sighs "Xanatos is not far and he'll be determined to ensure Obi Wan and Anakin don't leave the planet with the huttlet" he admits
Master Windu looks back at Commander Cody "Have General Kenobi report back to us when he's found Skywalker" he says seeing the clone nod before the hologram disappears as Padme has a thought and speaks.
"Perhaps there is something I can do to help" she suggests seeing all four Jedi masters look over at her before she explains herself "Jabba has an uncle in the old downtown area here on Courscant. He's be Rotta's grand uncle and perhaps I can reason with him and have him convince his grandnephew to keep negotiations open with us until Anakin and Ahsoka can get his son home to Tatooine" she suggests
Jacen and Qui Gon look over at her before Qui Gon spoke "Given your past with Rotta's father, I don't think it's wise for you to go near any of the hutts given there was a bounty out for your capture" he reminds her as Padme remains strong.
"I have to do something!" She insists "I can't stand around and wait for the next report. If I can get Rotta's grand uncle to ensure negotiations stay open, it will give Anakin and Ahsoka time to make it back to Tatooine" she reminds them. Master Windu then spoke up
"Senator, you should reconsider what you're thinking of doing. Skywalker could be on his way to Tatooine and just unable to contact us" he says as Padme sighs. "We can't take that risk Master Windu" she says "I will go to Rotta's grand uncle as a representative of the Senate and attempt to negotiate with him" she informs him as she starts to leave. Qui Gon speaks up
"Be careful Padme, the Hutts have always been vile gangsters. If Rotta's uncle remembers you, you may find yourself in more trouble" he warns her. Padme looks back at them "I'll keep an open communication with you just in case I need help" she smirks exiting the control room as Jacen looks over at his son "She's quite like Anakin isn't she?" He asks as Qui Gon shakes his head "More like Anakin is rubbing off on her" he admits. They could only hope Anakin and Ahsoka succeeded in their mission before Padme found herself in her own trouble unaware just who Obi Wan was about to confront.
Next time: As Anakin and Ahsoka flee Teth with the huttlet, Obi Wan comes face to face with Xanatos once again who is determined to destroy Qui Gon's father and destroy the Republic's chance to make a deal with Rotta as Padme meets with his uncle however soon discovers that Rotta's grand uncle has his own ambitions and doesn't care about anyone else as Padme becomes determine to show how much of a Senator she is and save her family?