A planet of peace! The artisan colony

of the planet Kawata created a society

without weapons. Instead of war, they

pursue art and beauty. But in the

Clone Wars, even peace-loving worlds

are seemingly forced to change

sides….

In a populated village on Kawata inside the Governors tower and older brown and grey wolf with a blue and yellow shirt was looking out of the window of the tower with a hologram of Blaze behind him. The wolf looked trouble "Master Blaze, when my people formed a colony here, we dreamt of a community where armies were unnecessary. Where the security of weapons paled to the joy of that comes form being with loved ones. And we were successful. Our dream came true". He paused before continuing "And now I fear we are about to lose it. The simple truth is that we are not warriors, Master Blaze. An armed conflict would destroy us. We will negotiate with Dimitri if we are able". Blaze lowered her head "I must warn you, Lobo. You cannot trust Dimitri. I will send you help" "I'm afraid it is too late". Lobo saw multiple Separatist invasion ships descending just outside the village "The Separatists have already arrived". He looked down at his people who were all staring scared at the ships.

Lobo met with the ships which had released hundreds of badniks. He waited when an armour-clad Dimitri exited the ship. Lobo remained calm "Dimitri, we have chosen to remain neutral in this war. Why have you launched this invasion against us?". Dimitri polity bowed his head "I prefer to think of it as a peaceful occupation for your protection as well as ours. I have intelligence that the Republic plans to establish a stronghold here which they will use to attack many defenceless worlds in nearby systems. I assure you we are here for defensive purposes only". Lobo's expression didn't change "Regardless of your intentions, your presence will result in a Republic attack. Then what of my people". The very thought sent a chill down his spine "I have heard the tragic stories of what happens to innocent caught between your badniks and their clones". Dimitri nodded sympathetically "While I am helpless to prevent the fighting, I can offer your people sanctuary, a safe haven until the conflict has ended". Lobo had an image of his village on fire and his people screaming "What choice do I have".

Nineteen rotations later a Republic cruiser jumped out of hyperspace near the planet. Shadow and Espio were waiting on the bridge "Sir, we have multiple Separatists craft around the planet with a strong force surrounding the village" Armand told them. Shadow and Espio walked towards the holo-unit "I just hope we're not too late" the former said, Fang signalled for the pilots to take the ship down.

Shadow, Amy, Fang and Espio were onboard Extreme Gear boards racing through the destroyed city cutting through any badniks they passed while a massive dog fight was taking place above them. Shadow cut one Pawn in half "You have to admit it, Master" "Shadow, we are not keeping score" Espio told him. Shadow barley seemed to acknowledge the battle taking place around him "I'm just saying, one Omega is worth at least five normal Pawns. Right, Amy". "If you say so" Amy replied bluntly as she cut through another Pawn. Espio used his free hand to fire a pistol "Well then, Shadow, one Gamma should be at least five Omegas". Shadow smirked "I thought we weren't keeping score". They saw two tanks ahead of them, they all stopped but Fang used a rocket launcher to destroy both tanks. He looked to Espio "How would you score a couple of tanks, General". Espio raised his eyebrow "Let's just say that puts you in the lead, Captain". Shadow and Amy went to clear out the rest of the badniks while Fang and Espio kept moving and arrived at the bottom of the Governor's Tower where a squad of clones led by Jeff were waiting. The weasel saluted "Sir, we're still mopping up niks here and there, but we've secured the city's north quadrant. Commander Armand and the rest of Sheriff company are approaching from the south facing minimal resistance". Espio nodded "Very good, Jeff. Let's lock down the entrance to this tower and encourage whoever is controlling these badniks to surrender" "Yes, sir. We'll make sure no one gets out without a fight".

Shadow and Amy had finished fighting and were heading to the tower. They arrived but Amy instead of going over to Espio she ran over to a destroyed statue which she kneeled down in front of it. Shadow slowly walked up to her as she lowered her head "I'm sorry, Amy". Amy placed her hand on the broken face of the statue "This isn't how I imagined coming back. Everything we built over the generations is now gone. And we were part of it". Shadow put his hand on her shoulder "I know it's difficult but we can't always avoid collateral damage. The important thing is that the villagers weren't harmed". Espio was looking around the village suspiciously "Is anyone else bothered that we haven't actually seen any of the villagers" "Master, you're not helping". Armand arrived with his men "General, we've secured the building and discovered the badnik commander has barricaded himself at the top. His name is Grimer, and he's sent you a message". Armand took out a holo-disc which projected an image of a green skinned human wearing a white coat "Master Espio, come to the tower. We will negotiate terms for surrender" "Well, that was easy". The holo-disc suddenly flew out of Armand's hand and was caught by Shadow who angrily crushed it "Drakon scum! I'll handle that slaver". Even Amy was taken out of her sadness by the surprise of Shadow's sudden anger. Espio stared at him "Shadow, he asked me. I need you and Amy to find where the villagers are hiding". Shadow glanced away from him "Fine. I'll have Admiral Gerald initiate a planetary bio-scan". He walked away, Amy stood up and watched him concerned "Is he gonna be okay". Espio sighed "Shadow has struggled to put his past behind him for a long time". Amy nodded "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him" "Yes. Make sure you do".

In the Governor's tower Grimer was sitting at the desk with a Swatbot behind him. He was speaking to a hologram of Dimitri and a white polar bear who grinned "The last shipment has been received, Grimer. You have earned your pardon and may return to Drakon" "Not yet, Claws. I'm going to make the Shinobi pay for their arrogance. I have them right where I want them". Dimitri seemed angered by this "Remember one thing, if you speak one word of Separatists involvement with the shipment then I promise you there will be no prison that will protect you from me". His hologram cut off right before the floor opened up and Espio rose up. Claws was angered by his presence "Grimer, bring this Shinobi to me, on his knees" "With pleasure". He turned off the projector. Two Metals raised their blasters and Espio put his hands up but continued to smile "We were going to discuss surrender?". Grimer smirked "Yes. You will surrender" he put his feet up on the desk. Espio stepped forward "We obviously have misunderstanding, my friend" he sneakily activated his commlink allowing Fang, Amy and Shadow to hear. Grimer laughed "No, you are wrong, Shinobi" "Am I. You're no doubt aware that your badnik forces have all been destroyed and you are surrounded. Do the honourable thing and give up now, Grimer. I promise you will receive fair treatment". Grimer nodded "You've broken through my defences. You think you've won. Think again. I have planted bombs all over the city. No one will survive. Now, surrender". Espio lowered his hands "If you're not bluffing, then I must concede, but you'll have to make considerations. First, you release the colonists" "Here is my counteroffer". The Swatbot pressed a detonator, and the tower shook. Espio ran to the window behind him and saw that one of the buildings was now a smoking pile of rubble "There were no colonists in that structure, but there could have been. Now, bow down and surrender to me, you Shinobi filth".

Shadow was kneeling over an injured clone "We need a medic over here". Once the medic arrived Shadow stood up "Armand, we don't have time for a planetary scan. Hook Emerl up and he'll locate the bombs. And move the men away from the tower. We have to hope Espio can keep Grimer up there" "Right away, sir". He then walked past Amy who was tending to another injured clone "Amy, come on" "Where are we going" "To disarm the bombs while Espio negotiates. I hope he can buy us some time". They both got on Cyclones and ran through the city.

Espio placed his lightsaber on the desk "Very well. I surrender". Grimer grinned "Long before this war, you Shinobi destroyed the great Drakon Empire. I would kill you now, but my superiors would prefer you alive". Espio nodded "I understand. It is unfortunate that we cannot resolve our differences as you do in the Drakon tradition". Grimer stood up and laughed "With no weapons, you would fight me?" "For good reason. Say, if I win, you reveal the location of the colonists and the bombs" "And if I win, I'll deliver you to the Empire in a cage". Espio smirked "Perhaps". Grimer charged forward and despite his size he managed to lift Espio with no difficulty and head butted him before throwing him back". He then threw him into a statue "I don't want to damage you too badly. A Shinobi will fetch a high price".

Emerl was projecting a hologram of a city with flashing dots revealing the location of the bombs. Armand examined the map before activating his commlink "General Shadow, your gizoid's transmitting the bomb coordinates now".

Shadow saw the bomb locations appear on the screen of his cyclone "Copy that, Armand. We're approaching the first bomb now. Amy, let's go". Not far away a group of badniks were guarding the first bomb "Do you hear something". The cyclones arrived, Amy jumped out and cut two of the Pawns in half. Shadow dealt with the rest as Amy went over to the bomb and opened up the control panel "There must be a wire we should cut or something to stop the countdown". Shadow stepped forward "Stand back" he slashed across the bomb with his lightsaber disabling it. "How did you know that would work" "I trusted my instincts. Now, come on. There's plenty more to go".

Grimer kneed Espio in the stomach and grabbed the back of his head "For thousands of years, the Drakon Empire supplied slave labour to the galaxy. We prospered". He punched Espio in the face "Our customers prospered. Then you Shinobi came". He grabbed Espio by the throat, but the desk then projected a hologram of a Pawn "Uh, excuse me, sir. We have a problem" "What problem?". Before the Pawn could answer Espio punched Grimer in the face and smashed his head against the projector shattering it.

Shadow was fighting a squad of Omegas while Amy was disarming another two bombs "Master, these bombs are linked" "We'll have to defuse them at the same time". Two Omegas appeared on the roof of a building and fired down on the two of them forcing them to take cover "Amy, they're weak under the arm. Same time". They jumped out and both deflected a shot at the chink in the armour of the Gammas destroying them both. They then ran towards the bombs and slashed them both at the same time disabling them. Amy sighed in relief "That was a close one" "Let's hope Espio shares our luck".

Grimer was holding Espio by the throat "I will return the Empire with honour when I bring you". The Swatbot stepped forward "Sir, you have an urgent transmission". The Pawn appeared on a holo-disc "Sorry to interrupt, sir, but you weren't responding" "What is it?" "Uh… the Shinobi have disarmed your bombs" "What!?". He threw Espio to the ground and grabbed the detonator. He ran to the window and activated it, but nothing happened. Espio stood up looking unfazed by his beating "It certainly took him long enough this time". He crushed the two Metals with the Force and grabbed his lightsaber "Well, shall we discuss your surrender. Again". Grimer waked over to the Swatbot "I still have one bomb left, Shinobi". He activated one on the Swatbot's back "Ah, sir, how could you". He threw the Swatbot at Espio who used the Force to throw him out of the window. It blew up mid-air not harming anyone. Grimer used the distraction to get to the lift. Espio got on his commlink "Shadow, come in. Grimer is making his escape from the tower" "On our way".

They were heading back to the tower "We'll never catch him in time, Master" "I am not letting that slaver scum get away!" Shadow said angrily. They followed Epsio's signal and headed to a landing platform just outside the city.

Espio was running towards a Drakon ship which was taking off. He jumped onto the engine right before it was out of reach and cut through into the cargo hold. He ran into the cockpit and fought Grimer. Espio held his own a lot better now that he wasn't a distraction and quickly pressed something on console which disabled the ship's shields. On the ground Shadow and Amy fired on the ships engines with the cyclones destroying them. The ship began spinning out of control and hit the ground just outside of the city. The clones ran to the crash site and started to search. "Sir, over here!" a clone said to Fang. He ran over as they moved a piece of debris and found Espio looking worse for wear but relatively uninjured. Fang smirked and helped him up "Well, sir, I'd say taking down a Separatist commander outscores a tank" "Why, thank you, Captain". Shadow and Amy were looking through another part of the ship and found Grimer. Shadow crossed his arms "Where are the colonists?" "I will tell you nothing". Shadow grabbed him and put the handle of his lightsaber to his throat "Where are they!?". Amy was staring at him "Master". Shadow reluctantly released Grimer who grinned "My queen is going to bring back the royal slave auction as in the days before the Shinobi. Drakon will be rich and powerful again. The Shinobi will not stop us this time". Shadow glared at him "We'll see about that". Amy was staring blankly in front of her, the idea that everyone in her village have been taken into slavery was something she could barely comprehend.

In the Shinobi Council room, they were listening to holograms of Shadow, Amy, Espio. Amy sighed "I don't understand how Dimitri could get away with this. The Separatists Senate would surely not support the Drakon Empire". Merlin nodded "Our spies on Syphon have answered that. Apparently, the colonists were removed from the village as refugees. But the ship carrying them was 'attacked' on the way to a safe haven. If Dimitri was behind this then he's covered his tracks well". Shadow tried to hide his anger "What about Grimer? Has he said anything?". Merlin shook his head "No and since he was not part of the empire when Dimitri recruited him then he can claim that Grimer simply betrayed the Separatists to return to them". Espio pondered "The Separatist Senate are most likely deciding a course of action as we speak". Blaze sighed "The return of the Drakon Empire is troubling". Rob nodded "It is likely Dimitri is helping them rebuild". Shadow took a step forward "We cannot allow that, Master" "I agree, but first, we must find the colonists. Dimitri will be leading the Separatist Senate in circles. We are their only hope". She suddenly stopped and clutched her head "What is it, Master" Rob asked. Blaze sighed "I sense a darker hand in this mystery. Slavery in the past has been a great tool for the rise of the Raiju".