Naruto: Maelstrom
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Wars
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! This installment will show Naruto using his chakra a bit more. We also get to see the entrance of General Grievous as many have requested. Here is Chapter 10. Enjoy!
-Answers to questions by anonymous readers:
1-Naruto's ability to cloak himself in the Force: This is the same ability that Darth Zannah and Darth Sidious have. While they are/were powerful force users they can hide it from others.
2-Jango Fett: He did survive the Battle of Geonosis and is still alive. He'll turn up eventually.
{ } Signifies an alien language
…
Last time:
Year 22 BBY
Confederate Ship Nocturne
Captain Vooro was dumbfounded. "What is the Republic ship doing?!" he yelled.
The Command droid replied, "We have multiple hull breaches! The Republic ship has docked with us and they are boarding our ship!"
The Neimoidian screeched; "Shake them off!"
"We have nearly a thousand boarders already." said the Command droid. "Prepare all units for hand to hand combat!"
"Does not compute. This wasn't supposed to happen." said another droid.
Multiple screens showing a flood of 325th Legion clone troopers were lighting up on the bridge of the Nocturne and Cappa Vooro panicked. "Get me to my personal ship! I'm getting out of here!"
"It's at the other end of the ship." replied the droid Commander.
"Then escort me down there!" commanded the Captain.
"Roger, roger. Open the blast doors." said the droid.
"WHAT? Wait a minute!" yelled Captain Vooro.
The blast doors opened and Jedi Barriss Offee was standing there with more clones than the Neimoidian could count. "Surrender!" she ordered. "This ship is ours!"
Captain Vooro sad; "I give up! I give up! Don't kill me!"
Barriss still had her light saber trained on the Neimoidian and said, "Order all of the droids to shut down. I'm not taking any chances."
Thanks to Jedi Commander Barriss Offee, the 325th had another victory…
…
Mid Rim, Bothan Sector, Planet Kothlis Orbit, Galactic Republic Ship Resolute
Jedi General Anakin Skywalker arrived aboard the Resolute with his fleet only to find the Implacable and the Nocturne docked together in the most bizarre way possible. Ahsoka, Commander Rex and Anakin were all a bit dumbfounded as Bariss Offee gave her report.
"…And finally I'd like to request repair vessels to separate the two vessels once the wounded are taken care of." said Barriss. "The Implacable is going to need some tender loving care I'm afraid."
Anakin thought to himself, 'I guess Naruto is finally rubbing off on her…heaven help us all…'
…
Chapter 10
Year 22 BBY
Core Worlds, Kuat Sector, Planet Kuat, Kuat Drive Yards Orbital Shipyards*①
Jedi General Naruto Uzumaki was looking at the sad state of the Implacable from a T-6 Shuttle. She was going to be in dockyard hands under repair for months. His Padawan Barriss Offee looked a bit guilty seeing the wrecked ship but Naruto patted her on the shoulder and pointed over to the next slipway over where a brand new Venator class Star Destroyer was being fitted out. "That's our new ship Barris. You did well and kept our casualties to a minimum. I'm proud of you. Everyone will be transferred over to her soon. She's the new home of the 325th Legion. Her name is the Intrepid."
Barriss's eyes got huge. "But Master, High Command said we might get the Venator Class Redeemer if we are lucky and that ship is a near write off."
The blonde nodded. "The Redeemer is being patched up but she's in bad shape. They say she has keel damage and may never be right again. It will probably be scrapped."
"Is that why we got the Intrepid?" asked Offee with hope in her voice.
"No, the Intrepid was supposed to Admiral Terrel as his Fleet Flagship." said Naruto. "See how the bridge is bigger? She has a lot of bells and whistles because of her Flagship status."
That's when the young Padawan got suspicious. "Then what about Admiral Terrel?"
Naruto gave a fanged smile. "He's stuck with the Redeemer until he makes good on his debts to the General Staff."
Frowning ever so slightly; Barris asked, "…And just how did Admiral Terrel acquire these debts Master?"
"Ever hear of Sabacc?"*② asked Naruto. He winked at his apprentice as her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. "Greed can by a powerful ally if you know how to use it."
"I…don't believe this." she said in dismay. "You gambled for a Star Destroyer…"
"More to the point I won us a Star Destroyer." said Naruto. "Do not worry my Padawan; I will teach you too how to win at gambling."
Barriss just face planted…
…
Only days later the 325th and all of their equipment were loaded aboard the Intrepid and not a moment too soon. Before they knew it; the new ship was dispatched to join the ongoing Battle of Nexus Ortai*③ against the forces of General Grievous…
…
Mid Rim, Hertae Sector, Planet Nexus Ortai Orbit, Republic Ship Intrepid
The Republic had already lost the Battle of Nexus Ortai. Numerous Troops and Jedi were being pulled out of the area. Jumping into the middle of this bloodbath to extract the many wounded was the brand new Intrepid. Naruto was on the bridge speaking with Master Mace Windu about the situation. "Nexus Ortai is the twenty fourth planet in that region to be taken by the Separatist Forces. Grievous seems unbeatable. Report into Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and help him in any way you can Naruto. The best we can hope for at this point is to help with the evacuation of friendly forces. May the Force be with you…"
Naruto was a bit discouraged at the situation. He turned to his command staff and said, "It appears we've arrived too late to help turn the tide if Master Windu is already referring to Nexus Ortai in the past tense. Commander Checker, I think all those extra medical supplies are about to be put to use. Captain Franz, let's-"
His Padawan Barriss Offee said, "Master, We're receiving a transmission from Master Mundi."
"That was quick, we just entered the system." said Commander Checker.
Ki-Adi-Mundi appeared in the holographic projector screen. "General Uzumaki I'm sending you coordinates to rendezvous with General Aayla Secura's*④ ship the Liberty and the 327th Star Corps. I want you to take command there from the Intrepid."
"No offence Master but shouldn't General Secura be the ranking Officer?" asked Naruto.
Mundi nodded. "You are correct but she is down here on the surface with General Luminara and I. Get the wounded out of here with the Liberty and the Intrepid."
"I understand Master." said the blonde. "The evacuation takes precedence."
"At least someone listens to me!" grouched Master Mundi.
Uzumaki asked, "Excuse me Master?"
"He just ended the transmission sir." said Captain Franz with a sweat drop.
Naruto face palmed. "Put me in touch with the Liberty."
…
"This is the Liberty; Lieutenant Galle of the 327th Star Corp's reporting General Uzumaki." said a Clone Trooper in the hologram.
Naruto asked, "Where is the Liberty's Captain; Lieutenant?"
"He's dead sir." replied Galle. "We took a hit in the bridge."
The blonde wanted to cringe. "Are you the ranking Officer Galle?"
"Yes sir." said the Lieutenant. "General Secura and Commander Bly are down on the surface facing off with General Grievous."
"! #$%^" said Naruto.
"What was that sir?" asked Galle. "I did not copy."
"I said I'm coming over to the Liberty with some staff." replied the blonde. The Liberty and the Intrepid are in charge of evacuation operations per Jedi General Ki-Adi-Mundi."
"Understood sir." replied Galle.
…
Naruto turned to the others and said, "We've got to move quickly. Barriss; the Intrepid is yours. Checker will stay in Vice Command and coordinate with the surface. Franz; you and I are taking the emergency bridge crew over to the Liberty to establish some order. They have probably lost their primary Command crew. You'll be on the secondary bridge while I coordinate with Checker on ground duties. Everyone got it?" Seeing everyone answer in the affirmative; the blonde ordered, "Let's move out"
Naruto's T-6 shuttle was soon aboard the Liberty and the ship was in semi chaos with no leaders in charge. Between Captain Rom Franz on the bridge and Naruto down in the loading bays the Liberty was soon back in a state of order. Naruto was coordinating with Lieutenant Galle about the situation with the transports aboard the Liberty. Most were simply parked having dropped off their cargos. Amidst all of the noise Naruto asked Galle, "How many Legions are down there?"
Galle read of his list to Naruto . "General Secura's 327th Star Corps, General Unduli's 41st Elite Corps, General Kenobi's 7th Sky Corps and General Mundi's 21st Nova Corps are all down there. We arrived late so the 327th isn't in such bad shape but the other units have taken moderate to heavy losses of men. What are your orders sir?"
Naruto said, "I want every gunship and transport refueled and ready to be dispatched to haul out the wounded. We'll be landing at the 7th Sky Corps Staging Ground to haul out the wounded and bring them back to the Liberty. The starboard bays with continually reload and refuel empty transports while the port bays act as a drop off point for the wounded. I want every available Medic unit unoccupied to come down to the port bay and be ready…"
It took twenty crucial minutes to get the first transport fueled and off of the Liberty before things really started to fall into place. Naruto was leading Galle around showing him and the men physically what he wanted done so no mistakes were made. Transports were soon hauling out the wounded and gunships were providing escort while getting additional men out. It wasn't long before the Medical staff of the Liberty was up to their necks in injured and the floor of the port bay was slick with blood from the wounded. The Medical Frigate Solace soon joined up with the Liberty and the Intrepid to coordinate with them. Between the three ships they were doing all they could for the wounded.
Back on the Intrepid, Commander Checker was doing much the same thing but in addition was sending troops from the 325th down to reinforce the lines so they could get the injured out. The skies were full of Republic V-17 Torrents and BTL-B Y-Wings were defending both the ships and the transports as well as they could to prevent further losses. The act of shuttling men back to the ships was an agonizingly long two and a half hours before General Uzumaki's 325th and General Secura's 327th were all that was left on the ground.
Naruto was soon in contact with Commander Bly of the 327th. via holographic projection. Bly said, "I'm leading a team of ARC Troopers in to back up the Generals. Two of the Jedi are already dead. They are trying to get General Grievous before he escapes."
"Are they hunting Grievous or is Grievous hunting them?" asked Naruto.
"Ummm…I guess that's all a matter of perspective sir." answered Bly.
Naruto growled, "I have a bad feeling about this… Commander Bly, hold your position. I'm coming down there to join you. We're going to infiltrate that building, grab the Jedi and withdraw. If we have to fight General Grievous then so be it."
…
With General Grievous…
"I don't need your help assassin!" said Grievous to Asajj Ventress. "Your so called Force powers are nothing compared to my supreme dueling techniques! I already slew two of them."
Ventress frowned, "These four are Master Jedi. The two you slew were not."
The cyborg chuckled. "Then adding their light sabers to my collection will be all the more pleasurable. Go out to the surface and assist the droids in mopping up those pathetic clone troopers."
She growled, "As you wish General Grievous." 'I hope they cut that ego of yours down to size.'
Grievous had a virtual army of battle droids with him and (to some extent) was justifiably confident that he could beat four Jedi. The building had masses of blast doors that would slow even Jedi Knight down.
What the cyborg General didn't know was who his foes were. The Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, and Ki-Adi-Mundi were not pushovers and had all survived clashes with him before. Furthermore, they were moving as a group. The two he'd slain earlier were alone and he'd killed them piecemeal. Things wouldn't be so easy this time…
…
Nexus Ortai, Battlefield
Down on the surface the 325th and 327th were falling back in an organized withdrawal. "Fall back! Fall back to the staging area! We are pulling out!" said one of the Lieutenants.
Transport after transport was landing, picking up as many men as they could and falling back in rapid succession. Naruto jumped off of a transport with a holographic communicator in hand that showed where Commander Bly's Team was. He was stopped by a clone Commander who introduced himself as Cody of General Kenobi's 7th Sky Corps. Naruto said, "I'm going after the Jedi with Commander Bly of the 327th to pull the other Jedi out kicking and screaming if need be. This is an extraction, not an assault."
Commander Cody said, "The remaining men are organized and retreating as ordered sir. They don't need me to scream at them to stay down. I'd like to join you and Commander Bly; General."
Naruto put his hood up and said, "Our first duty is to our brothers in arms but I doubt you need me to tell you that. I see through the Force that you'll come after me no matter what I say so let's go."
Cody smiled grimly under his helmet and said, "Much obliged General Uzumaki. I like the way you think."
...
Naruto stealthily led Commander Cody around every obstacle they ran into without making a sound. It made Cody wonder why Naruto moved so differently than the other Jedi Knights. 'He moves more like a commando than a Jedi… No, he moves like an assassin!' They saw Bly and his six ARC Troopers spread out so the droids couldn't get a drop on them. Naruto signaled Cody to follow him over to Commander Bly.
Bly was looking through has macro binoculars when Naruto and Cody showed up. "What's the situation Commander Bly?" asked Naruto.
Bly turned and saw Naruto and Cody. After brief introductions Bly said, "We've got multiple blast doors between us and the Jedi. The Droids are keeping the place locked down for General Grievous."
Naruto looked at the map of the partially wrecked tower and saw Secura, Unduli, Kenobi and Mundi were all still alive and on the third floor. "I'll get the front door." said Naruto. "Once we're inside we'll have to hotwire the rest. Wait here for my signal." The blonde vanished in a body flicker.
"What the hell?!" asked Bly. "Where did he go?"
Cody shrugged. "He's different. I've never seen anyone move like General Uzumaki."
That's when they saw about twenty droids sliced to pieces in rapid succession… silently. Bly said, "I don't even see a light saber! How did he…?"
Naruto signaled the group to join him at the door and said, "There are nine of us and a couple of hundred of them. We have them outnumbered. I'm going to pull a little trick to get this door open but I think it will only work once. I'm going to change my voice so don't freak out or anything." Channeling chakra through his vocal cords; the Jedi said, "Ahem… I'm a stupid battle droid, Roger, roger."
All his men looked dumbfounded under their helmets but Naruto continued in the droid voice and said, "Get ready to blast them when I give you the signal." He banged on the door and said (while reading a junked droid's serial) "This is OOM-496. Open the blast doors so I can report to General Grievous."
"What's the password?" asked a battle droid through the speaker.
Naruto face palmed and said, "I'm a command model and outrank you! Open the door."
"Ummm… Roger, roger! Opening blast door." replied the droid as the door started to open.
The Jedi shrugged as the Commando Troopers got ready to fire. The door opened and there were only two droids. "You don't look like OOM-496." said the B-1 droid at the control panel. Naruto's ghostly light saber flashed out and cut the two droids down before they could react leaving an afterimage as Naruto deactivated his saber.
Naruto's voice returned to normal and he said, "Gentleman, let's hotwire these doors."
Commander Bly asked, "How did you do that sir?!"
The Jedi gave a fanged smile and replied, "Ancient Renatasian magic."
All his men sweat dropped…
One of the ARC Troopers said, "I've got the door control overridden sir."
"Excellent." said Naruto. "Let us proceed…"
…
With the Jedi…
Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was talking to his comrades, "It appears that General Grievous has herded us right to him."
Obi-Wan said, "I believe that the phrase of keeping your friends close and enemies closer is rather apt right now."
"As long as we destroy that monster…" said Aayla.
Luminara said; "He's coming. Don't let your guards down for a second."
When the battle was joined; Aalya Secura and Ki-Adi-Mundi were on the offensive and Luminara Unduli and Obi-Wan Kenobi were fighting defensively.
Luminara and Mundi were both lightly injured but still fighting hard. It was becoming a battle of attrition when Luminara hit the blast door behind her hard enough to stun her…
…
With Naruto…
General Naruto Uzumaki, Commander Cody; Commander Bly and the ARC Troopers were making good progress opening doors and eliminating any droids along the way. They heard the light sabers clashing in the next room and muffled yelling. Naruto used the Force to visualize a way to enter and said, "Give me ninety seconds to move before you open the door."
"What then sir?" asked Bly.
"You all have good instincts." said Naruto. "You'll know what to do." He used the Force to open a ceiling grate and said, "See you all in ninety seconds!" as he jumped up into the ventilation shaft.
Cody shook his head and muttered, "Jedi…"
…
Naruto rapidly crawled through the shaft until he was looking down through the next grate and saw the top of General Grievous. He silently lifted the grate out and went through rapid hand signs "Dragon Fire Jutsu!" he whispered to himself.
Grievous was supremely confident that the four tired Jedi were his and said with a chuckle, "This deathtrap of mine will be your end!"
That's a bolt of dragon shaped fire shot down through the grate and hit the Kaleesh General on top of his head. Grievous instinctively shielded himself but was engulfed in red hot flames. Ki-Adi-Mundi telekinetically blew Grievous back while the mechanical monstrosity was distracted. Naruto kicked the ceiling grate out and hit Grievous with a Wind style: Great Breakthrough that fanned the fire to white hot. Grievous screamed in agony as his still biological parts were burnt to a crisp. "YYYEEEAAARRRRGGGHHH!" screamed the General as his eye sockets were burned out. "MY EYES! MY EYES!"
Then the blast door behind the Jedi raised and Bly and the others started blasting Grievous' burning form with everything they had. Grievous dropped one of his light sabers which rolled over to Naruto. The Jedi grabbed it using the Force so he wouldn't burn himself on the hot hilt. The battle droids with Grievous opened up with everything as well and the Jedi withdrew through the blast doors deflecting bolts back the whole way. Naruto was the last through the door and Yelled "Close the blast doors now! We are withdrawing!"
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aalya Secura, the wounded Luminara and Ki-Adi Mundi were all escorted out as quickly as possible by Naruto and the Clone Troopers. The blast doors closed behind them as they ran towards the exit of the damaged building. Commander Bly called for a transport and soon they were on their way out…
Asajj Ventress saw the Jedi retreat and motioned her droids to stand down. "Let them go." she said. "They are leaving the system. We've won the day." '…And I owe them my thanks for humiliating that egotistical jackass Grievous…'
…
Planet Nexus Ortai Orbit, Republic Ship Intrepid
The transport with the Jedi on it landed aboard the Intrepid safely and Naruto contacted his Padawan on the Bridge. "Barriss, how many transports are left?"
"You were the last ones out Master" she replied.
Naruto thought to himself, 'As it should be.' "Order the remaining fleet and fighters to withdraw to the rendezvous point where the other medical ships are waiting. We still have a lot of work to do…"
…
Outer Rim, Ryndellian Sector, Kaliida Shoals Medical Center*⑤
Three days later the last of the wounded were safely on the medical station Kaliida Shoals. The entire Nexus Ortai Campaign had been a disaster for the Republic but the crews of the Intrepid, Liberty and Solace were commended for their outstanding performance in evacuating the wounded. The Intrepid and her crew had very few losses but were exhausted from their efforts to rescue the others in need. They were currently docked at the station.
Naruto was in his quarters aboard the Intrepid. The Jedi just finished cleaning the light saber he'd purloined from General Grievous. It was a double ended saber staff with shorter than average red blades and was a Sith artifact. Naruto wondered how Grievous stumbled across it. This was none other than Darth Zannah's personal blade, Bane's Heart*⑥ which she had used to kill Darth Bane himself. Naruto thought to himself, 'The Force moves in strange ways to have landed this very saber in my hands. I wonder what I should do with it. Part of me wants to take it to the Jedi Archives of Sith Artifacts but another part of me wants to return it to Ambria.' He looked at his new light saber with the ghostfire crystal and noted the design of both sabers were very similar. They were so similar that they looked like a matched set. 'What are the odds...?'
His Padawan Barris Offee came in and said, "Master; I have returned."
Naruto smiled at his apprentice and asked, "How is Master Luminara? Has she recovered from her injuries?"
Barris nodded happily. "Master Luminara is well. She asked me to thank you on her behalf." Then the Padawan asked in distaste, "What are you going to do with that light saber you retrieved? It just reeks of the Dark Side."
The blonde explained, "I'm probably going to give it to the Jedi archives for study. This is an ancient Sith artifact called Bane's Heart. It was designed by Darth Zannah for Soresu.*⑦ …The very same style you use Barriss."
She looked warily at the Sith artifact and said, "I really don't want to use that thing Master Naruto."
He laughed. "I never meant for you to use it my apprentice. I meant we could construct a short saber staff that would fit your small frame. I believe you could benefit from trying something new that potential foes would not expect. Believe it or not Darth Zannah was a Master of the defensive arts. Just consider the possibilities."
Smiling; Barriss said, "Well, that's different. Sure we can try it."
Naruto nodded. "Innovation is often the key to victory. We have some downtime. Let's start crafting you a second light saber."
…
Mid Rim, Hertae Sector, Planet Nexus Ortai
General Grievous was being rebuilt and repaired. His new optical sensors were in place and he was ferociously angry as he spoke to Count Dooku via hologram. "My Lord; I swear I will destroy the Jedi that did this to me!"
Though Dooku didn't dare admit it, he had horrible scars from crossing swords with the blonde as well. He replied, "I spoke to Ventress and she said that you battled the Jedi Knight Naruto Uzumaki. Be wary of him as had does not fight in conventional ways. He fought and defeated General Sev'rance Tann as well as Asajj Ventress so you are not the only one with a grudge against him."
"Perhaps we could draw this Jedi Naruto Uzumaki out by putting a price on his head my Lord." said Grievous. "Assuming any bounty hunters foolish enough…"
Darth Tyranus looked thoughtful and said, "That just might work. Most bounty hunters are fools but there are a few that might be capable of taking him down. I will look into it."
…
Core Worlds, Corusca Sector, Planet Coruscant, Jedi Grand Temple, Jedi High Council Chambers
A week later; Jedi Knight Naruto Uzumaki was kneeling before the Jedi High Council. Grandmaster Yoda said, "Confer upon you the title of Jedi Master; this Council does. Done well you have; Master Uzumaki."
Naruto rose and said, "Thank you Masters; I will continue to do my best for the Jedi Order. Though you not doubt sensed it; I have a Sith artifact I would like to present to the Jedi Archives with your approval. He held the saber staff out and said. "I present you with Bane's Heart which was used by Darth Zannah in antiquity to slay Darth Bane himself."
Mace Windu's eyes widened slightly. "How did you come across this artifact?"
The blonde smiled. "General Grievous dropped it and it rolled straight to me. I have no idea how he came across it himself. The Force moves in strange ways, no?"
"Is it genuine?" asked Plo Koon. "Is that the Bane's Heart?"
"Having met Darth Zannah I can say without a doubt this is the genuine article Master Plo." said Naruto. "It bears all her marks. I'm sure the scholars will debate the matter endlessly but I know it belonged to her long ago. She told me this about it should I ever come across it. Zannah said:
"The unique construction of the Bane's Heart light saber makes a subtle yet critical difference from other light sabers in the way it is wielded. The half-standard blade length results in reduced reach and leverage but grants a considerable increase in quickness and dexterity, a balance well-suited to the defensive nature of Soresu. The defensive salute consists of the light saber extended with the blades held horizontal to the ground. The weapon requires precise wrist control and a light, but nonetheless firm, grasp to use the twirling maneuver that constitutes a wall of near-impenetrable defense. The hypnotic patterns woven by the ignited light saber serve to unsettle unsuspecting opponents who became increasingly frustrated as their attacks are repeatedly parried—instead of blocked—with minimal effort. When the enemy finally falters, Bane's Heart allows its wielder to retaliate with lethal speed, although the specialized length of the blades usually requires close-quarter engagement to dispatch foes."
"A brilliant treatise for Soresu." said Mace Windu. "Can you teach this knowledge to others?"
Naruto nodded, "My Padawan Bariss Offee is already a superb Soresu combatant. I want to impart these lessons to her to make her even more capable so she can protect both herself and others with the new saber staff she is building."
"A praiseworthy goal." said Grandmaster Yoda. "Young Offee's future was clouded before; now in the light it is."
Then Yoda chuckled. "Now young Uzumaki; explain to the Council you will about the brand new ship Intrepid and how it came under your stewardship…"
Naruto took a page out of Barris' book and face planted then and there…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: Kuat Orbital Shipyards: Kuat Drive Yards, KDY, or Kuat Engineering is the largest military shipbuilding corporation in the galaxy at the time of the Clone Wars. It is based on the planet Kuat.
*②: Sabacc: Sabacc is the name of a popular card game with numerous variations, many of them including a hard-to-beat hand also called sabacc. Often played at high stakes, the goal of many versions of the game is to win the sabacc pot by collecting a hand with an absolute value closest to 23 but not over.
*③: Nexus Ortai: Nexus Ortai is a Mid Rim planet located at the intersection of two hyperlanes. It is considered a peaceful world.
*④: Aalya Secura: Aayla Secura, a Force-sensitive Rutian Twi'lek female, is a Jedi Master who serves as a Jedi General of the Grand Army of the Republic.
*⑤: Kaliida Shoals Medical Center: Kaliida Shoals Medical Center is a secret Galactic Republic Haven-class medical station. It is located in the Outer Rim Territories. The station houses a large number of bacta tanks to heal wounded Republic soldiers.
*⑥: Bane's Heart: Bane's Heart is the name given to the light saber of the Sith Lord Darth Zannah, a name shared with one of the two synthetic crystals used to focus its blade. The double-bladed weapon was created to suit both her petite figure and particular choice in light saber combat style, Form III: Soresu.
*⑦: Soresu: Form III, also known as Soresu (pronounced sor-EE-soo), the Way of the Mynock, or The Resilience Form is the third form of light saber combat created by the Jedi Order. It focused more on defense than attack.
It's rare that the Republic is shown on the losing side so this was a chance to write something different. I imagined the Huey UH-1 helicopters pulling the wounded out of forward bases in Vietnam when I wrote the extraction scenes. I hope everyone enjoyed the introduction of General Grievous as well. See you next time. Blue out. 7/10/21