Ok, so I'm changing the days in which I write so I can streamline this process. Every Friday this story is going up so I have more time to flesh out plotlines and such. Also sorry for the wait, battle scenes are tough to write. To make up for the lack of an update last week, I'm releasing this chapter an hour early.
Also hey I've now got a discord and you can join it by using this code: YTv4ZJF
Ryan Squad: I am honored that I can join you on the council.
The Witch Huntress: Yeah, in the moment you kinda forget that these things are supposed to happen as much as you don't want them to they still will happen.
Autohumans: far be it from me to get between you and the lack of hello theres in my story.
Guest: Thanks for pointing out that plothole, gonna have to go back and do the edit. I'm not gonna answer the second part of the review as that's part of the story I still plan to tell.
Rebellion
Tatooine, Six months later…
Anakin stood out on a rock formation, watching the twin suns set yet again. He ran his robotic hand across his chin pondering about what was going on in the galaxy. The Empire was in near full control of the galaxy. The keyword is near full control as Ahsoka and Rex have been tearing holes in the Imperial Navy. The two of them had been leading their small fleet of Venators into victory after victory. Anakin and Padme couldn't be more proud of the young Togrutan. Ahsoka had laid out ambush after ambush, capturing or destroying the enemy's ships. Her army had also grown, the Kaminioan facilities giving her plenty of troops without the Empire knowing.
Padme was now seven months pregnant and he couldn't be more excited. Satine, who they've maintained contact with, was due any day now. Anakin felt like things were going well for him in exile.
"You've been staring at the sunset for a while now," Padme said breaking Anakin out of his thoughts.
"It's grown on me you know?"
"That's not the only thing that's grown on you," she replied, placing a hand on his bearded chin.
Anakin smirked and wrapped an arm around Padme's shoulder.
"Ahsoka's life day is soon," he said breaking the silence that had fallen between the two as the suns set.
"Already? With everything going on I kinda forgot."
"Yeah, I wanted to surprise her by visiting her but that'll put us at risk. Darth Valicous is running around trying to find Ahsoka and Rex…"
The Imperial high command was sat around a conference table planning their moves against the Fulcrum cell of rebels. Fulcrum, as she was known as was a brilliant strategist, able to outmaneuver any ship and lore large fleets into ambushes.
"Any word on the convoy headed to Mandalore?" asked one of the officers.
"Kuat drive yards received an emergency transmission from the convoy. All transports were destroyed and two of the three Venators sent as guard were destroyed," another replied.
"What happened to the third one?"
"Captured most likely and soon will have its guns aiming at us."
It was at that moment Tarkin and Darth Valicous entered the room. All the officers stood up and saluted the two men.
"Tarkin, Lord Valicous, we were just discussing the Fulcrum cell."
"Yes…" Tarkin sneered. "She just destroyed the convoy supposed to relieve the clones on Mandalore."
"She must be getting help from someone, some system is giving them these weapons and troops."
"No doubt she is receiving aid systems not yet under the control of the Empire."
"More of a reason to expand our influence across the galaxy."
"If we capture her systems flock to the Empire for a means of protection," Tarkin interjected.
"Capturing her will bring us closer to finding where Anakin Skywalker is," Valicous said.
"Valicous, your obsession with Anakin Skywalker will prove fruitless," an officer said.
"Agreed, Skywalker is probably dead, killed during the purge," Tarkin added.
"I know Skywalker is not dead and intend on using Fulcrum to tell me where he is," Valicous responded.
"Then how do you plan on capturing her? Any fleet we've sent at her has been completely destroyed."
"I plan to lure her into a fight she can't pass up. I have reason to believe that Kamino is not as loyal to the Empire as we once thought."
"Kamino still supplies us with soldiers, though the clones are starting to become… a more outdated troop," Tarkin replied.
"Yes but rumors have been circling that Fulcrum has frequented the planet. If they are true then I am going to request that a fleet under my command to deal with these possibly rebellious clones."
"As you wish, Lord Valicous."
Ahsoka was deep in meditation, the last few months have been hectic for her and this was the little downtime she had. Ever since order 66 went down, she had been leading the rebellion against the empire. When the fighting started, Ahsoka only had seven venators under her command. Ahsoka now had fifteen of them and with the large fleet, she was getting bolder with her attacks. Just recently, her men attacked a guarded convoy and defeated in one fell swoop. Ahsoka was pleased but she knew that these victories meant nothing if they couldn't stop the production of Imperial ships.
Rex entered the room carrying two cups of caf in his hands. If there was anyone keeping her sane it was the captain with the jaig eyes. What had started as an immediate friendship at the Battle of Christophsis had evolved over the years and the two found themselves in a relationship some considered to be inevitable. Rex placed one of the cups by her side and stood next to her.
"Watcha thinkin' about?"
"How hard do I have to throw this cup of caf to make you shut up."
Rex laughed and sat down next to her.
"How was the meeting?" Ahsoka asked.
"Good, I told the boys the plan if Imperials were to come here. I also tried to tell them that you were still thinking about the next target but they're already assuming you want to hit the drive yards."
"I do want to hit the drive yards but I'm worried we don't have the strength." Ahsoka opened her eyes and looked at Rex. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him up to stand.
"How many ships do we have, thirteen?" Rex asked.
"Fifteen and who's to say how many ships are guarding the place."
"We need to do something about them soon though. You said it yourself all our victories in the past couple months mean nothing if we can't deliver a crucial blow to their ship construction."
"I know what I said Rex."
Ahsoka sighed and made her way up to the bridge of the Resolute and looked at the holo map. They were on their way to pick up Tibanna gas from Bespin and they were just passing Crait. An officer walked up to them looking like he needed to speak with them now.
"General Tano, Captain Rex we've intercepted a transmission," he said.
"What is it?" Ahsoka asked.
"Here I'll play it for you."
The officer pressed a couple of buttons on the holo table and the image of an Imperial officer appeared.
"Greetings Commander Wolffe, your service on Utapau is no longer required and we are rotating your men out with another unit. Your transports will be arriving shortly and you will be taken back to Coruscant until further notice."
The transmission ended and Ahsoka placed a hand on her chin to help her think. Rex turned to Ahsoka who seemed eager about this report.
"Sir, this first confirmation we've head about the whereabouts of clone high command within the empire and it's Wolffe. I think we should change course and head there to capture him and his men and get their chips out," Rex said.
Ahsoka pondered for a minute before nodding.
"I agree, we'll be able to bolster our numbers." Ahsoka turned to the navy officer, "Contact the rest of the fleet, tell them we are heading to Utapau."
"Sir, yes, sir!"
The officer turned around and left the two of them at the table.
"Well so much for getting the tibanna gas," Ahsoka said sarcastically.
"I'm sure Cody would love to get the gas," Rex replied with a smirk.
Ahsoka stifled a laugh and made her way to the viewport as the blue streaks of hyperspace lit the way.
Soon enough the fleet of six venators dropped out of hyperspace and made their approach towards the stationary Imperial ships. Ahsoka pressed a button on the control panel and alarms started blaring across the ship. She looked to Rex and nodded and the two of them left the bridge. As they walked to the hangar an announcement came over the intercom.
'All pilots report to the hangar, I repeat all pilots to the hangar area. This is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill.'
Ahsoka and Rex arrived in the hangar watching soldiers rush around the facility. The pilots were hopping into their starfighters and reading to take off. Bombers were being prepped and their crew's boarding. Ahsoka then turned her attention to LAAT gunships that were sitting next to a squadron of ARC-170s.
"I see what you're looking at," Rex said breaking the silence.
"If we're boarding, I want to capture Wolffe as quickly as possible."
"We don't know if he is still on the ground or not- your using the force aren't you?"
"Yep," Ahsoka replied.
"What ship?"
Ahsoka closed her eyes and reached out to find Wolffe through the force. After a brief moment, she opened her eyes and faced Rex.
"The lead ship, you can tell which one it is."
Ahsoka opened up a holo map and pointed to the ship in question.
"They've formed formation around her, the best form of attack is guns blazing."
"How many ships you want to capture?" Rex asked.
"I don't know, besides the flagship."
"Looking at this map, we've got two candidates. The flagship and that Venator to her starboard side."
"What makes that ship a target?"
"Cody was telling me about this particular model of Venator. Its firepower is slightly higher than normal venators and its got experimental weapon systems."
"Then I guess were capturing her as well. Get the boys ready for boarding and I'll notify some pilots to get in the LAATs."
Rex nodded and started to send out comms to get squads of troops to the hangar. After Ahsoka notified the pilots, the two of them made their way to the gunships. Torrent company, who had just recently painted their helmets like Ahsoka's facial markings, marched towards the gunships and started boarding. Ahsoka made her way to one of them and looked back at Rex.
"Race you?" she asked.
Rex smirked and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"You're on," he replied.
The two of them boarded separate gunships and the hanger bay started to open.
'Pilots you are clear for takeoff, good luck, and happy hunting!'
The Resolute's cannons had begun to fire at the Imperial vessels and the space above Utapau became a warzone.
Three Imperial ships dropped out of hyperspace and slowly made their way towards Kamino. Valicous wanted to see for himself if Kamino was still loyal to the Empire or not. He vaguely could recall the memory of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a mission to this planet but he forgot what for. The dark lord boarded his transport and went to the planet below.
The shuttle landed on one of the landing platforms and its door opened allowing Valicous to step out into the rain. Two clone troopers made their way to the dark lord and saluted him.
"Lord Valicous, welcome to Kamino," one greeted.
"You're greeting is most welcome trooper. If you could escort me, I would like to speak with the leader of this city."
"My lord, with all due respect, the Kaminoian leadership is in a meeting of sorts. They are-"
"If they are in a meeting than I shall join it," he replied as he walked past the two clones.
As Valicous passed them, the two clones looked at each other before nodding and commed Cody.
"Sir, Valicous is here."
"Great, I'll make sure no communication between us and General Tano is intercepted. In the meantime, follow Valicous and report back to me what he's up to."
"He wants to speak with the long necks."
"And he will, it'll keep him distracted and will allow us to get our men ready. I'll com Tano and see what she wants us to do."
"Sir, yes sir!"
Cody walked over to the halo table and entered Ahsoka's secret frequency. Cody was surprised when Rex answered.
"Rex, where's Ahsoka?" Cody asked
"On a different gunship."
"What do you mean 'on a different gunship'? I thought you two were going to Bespin?"
"We were but we intercepted a transmission about Wolffe and his boys."
"What about?"
"They were being transferred off of Utapau and we were in the area so…"
"You're going to try and capture him aren't you?"
"Affirm, brother."
"Well good luck with that, just relay this message to Ahsoka when you get the chance."
"What?"
"Valicous is here."
The two clones trailed Valicous as he walked the halls. The sith lord was determined to get to the bottom of the rumors he heard.
"Tell me, sergeant," Valicous said as they turned a corner. "Do you know of Fulcrum and her rebellion?"
"Just on the holo news sir."
"The Empire is doubling its efforts in capturing her which is why I'm here. I've heard rumors that Falrcum has visited the planet and has turned Kamino against the empire. Tell me, do the rumors hold any truth?"
"No sir," he replied. "We're loyal to the Empire and if Fulcrum did come to Kamino, she would have been shot in compliance with order 66 sir."
Valicous didn't respond and kept moving. Eventually, he came to a stop and turned to face the sergeant.
"You've helped me greatly sergeant, what is your number so I can recommend you for a promotion to a rank more fitting of a soldier such as yourself."
"CT 12619," he responded.
"I shall remember sergeant you are dismissed."
The clone nodded and walked away. Valicous turned around and walked into a side room. Making sure the door was shut firmly behind him. Valicous placed down a holoprojector and began to kneel as a hologram of his master appeared.
"What is your status on Kamino, lord Valicous?"
"I have no doubt in my mind that Kamino is with the rebellion, my master. With your permission, master, I would like to rally my troops and attack."
"Very well lord Valicous, you may gather your troops and bring Kamino back under our control. With any luck, this will draw out the padawan of Anakin Skywalker."
"And I will use her lore out her master and get my revenger on Skywalker."
ARC-170s danced around the fleets as they dodged incoming fire. Both fleets had launched their starfighters and battle was growing more intense. One squad was able to punch a hole through the Imperial defenses and now covered Y wings as they made an attack run one of the Venators.
"You got one your tail green six," said one of the ARC pilots.
"Yeah, I see 'um on my radar red 4," the pilot of green six responded. "Get him off our tail Flak," he told his tail gunner.
"Yeah, yeah I'm on it Ace," Flak responded.
Flak aimed his turret at the enemy ARC and started to fire. The fighter dodged the first few shots but got hit on his wing.
"I hit him!" Falk yelled.
"I'll finish him off Ace," Red 4 added.
Red 4 dropped down behind the enemy ARC and fired. His shot met their mark and the starfighter began to spin uncontrollably.
"He's down, you're cleared for your attack run green squadron," Red 4 said.
"Thank you, Red squad. Green squadron, get into attack formation now!" Green leader yelled.
The Y wings formed a V formation and descended on their target.
"Fifteen seconds, stay on target, stay on target."
The Y wings got closer and closer to the Venator which had its guns firing at the incoming bombers.
"Now!" Green leader yelled.
They launched their torpedos and pulled away from the enemy ship. As green squadron pulled away, they could feel the explosions rocking the enemy destroyer.
"Good job Green squadron, the enemy ship was heavily damaged. General Tano wants you to swing around and hit the flagship."
"On it sir," replied Green leader.
The Y wings pulled up and then spun around and began to make their way towards the flagship. As they dodged incoming fire, the bombers were able to get their payload off and the flagship became dead in space.
"This is green leader to Homebase, the enemy flagship as been disabled."
"Good work, General Tano you are clear for your attack."
"Copy that," Ahsoka said as she felt her gunship lift off.
The gunships exited the hangar bay and were immediately experiencing the incoming anti-aircraft fire. The LAATs bobbed and weaved past friendly and enemy starfighters as they made their way towards the disabled flagship. Soon they entered the hangar bay and landed in one of the side hangars. As soon as they opened the doors any resistance in the hangar was quickly dealt with.
"Where to Ahsoka?" Rex asked as he ran up to her.
Ahsoka closed her eyes and used the force to sense where Wolffe was.
"The bridge, come on!" Ahsoka yelled as she ran towards one of the doors.
Valicous made his way back to the shuttle. The rain pounded against his armor as walked to the landing platform. His mission was a success, he could tell the clones were lying to him. All he had to do is wait for his troops from Coruscant to arrive and he could make sure Kamino remained loyal to the empire.
"Obi-Wan," a voice said.
Valicous stopped in his tracks and looked around to find where the source of the voice was coming from. From where he stood he could make out the apparition of a man he thought long dead.
"Qui-Gon?"
"Was it worth it Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon said.
"The Jedi had what was coming for them!"
"But was it worth killing your friends, loved ones, most of all hurting Anakin?"
"He doesn't matter to me anymore, just like you don't. You're dead, you died in my arms on Naboo, you're nothing but a memory."
"Am I, after everything you did to become my padawan, after everything you did for Anakin?"
A memory from Obi-Wan filled his mind, a moment Anakin and Kenobi shared. It was a conversation the two had about what they went through on Mortis. He remembered Anakin having nightmares about Ahsoka dying again and him comforting the young Jedi. Valicous shook the thoughts from his mind and looked back at the ghost of his old master.
"As I said, Anakin means nothing to me and when I find him, I will kill him and get revenge."
Qui-Gon said nothing, only sighing at what his former padawan had become.
"You're not an evil man Obi-Wan but you saved Anakin from the same fate you suffer now. Before you stepped in Obi-Wan, Sidious was grooming Anakin to be his next apprentice. After your fight with Maul, something in Anakin changed. Any bit of darkness he had in him died and went you."
"So what? I saved the man that put me in this suit. Anakin will suffer for what he's done Qui-Gon and I soon my master will rule the entire galaxy
"Your overconfidence is your weakness, my young padawan. You must understand that what you are doing is wrong…" Qui-Gon said as he disappeared.
Valicous looked to where his former master once stood and shook his head. The force was playing games with him, he was sure of it.
"Lord Valicous, are you alright?" an Imperial clone trooper asked.
"I'm fine trooper, just looking around is all."
The clone nodded and followed Valicous as he boarded his ship.
From the platform he stood on, Cody watched as the shuttle took off. Ahsoka hadn't gotten back to him so he could only guess what to do. Cody had a gut feeling that Valicous would be back soon, he could only hope they could hold off the Imperial army.
Ahsoka and her men had fought their way to the bridge of the ship. The enemies had shut the blast doors behind them and barricaded themselves in the bridge. The troops rested outside the bridge trying to get in. Torrent company tried cutting the sides of the door but to no avail.
Rex shook his head as he watched sparks fly from the side of the doors. They weren't getting anywhere and they could be calling for reinforcements. Rex turned to Ahsoka who was watching the men cut the door.
"We aren't breaking through sir."
"I know."
"Do you have any other ideas?" Rex asked.
Ahsoka nodded and grabbed her lightsabers. She made her way to the door and ignited both blades.
"Men on me," she said.
Rex and twenty of her soldiers formed up behind her and she thrust her sabers into the door. Slowly, Ahsoka started to twist her sabers in the door, cutting through the barrier. Eventually, she nearly cut a large enough hole for the clones to fit through. When her sabers met her start points, she retracted her blades and used the force to push the door in.
"Go, go go!" Ahsoka heard Rex yell.
The clones rushed past her and blaster fire soon followed. Rex dogged an incoming shot and responded by shooting at the clone that fired at him. Torrent company filed in the bridge as the gunfire intensified. Ahsoka soon entered and started to block incoming shots.
As Rex dodged another shot, he saw him. Wolffe was behind the majority of his men shooting Rex's men.
"Ahsoka!" Rex yelled.
"Yeah?" Ahsoka responded as she blocked another incoming shot.
"I see him, cover me?"
Ahsoka nodded and the two of them started to move forward. Rex ducked underneath a blaster bold and shot a trooper to his left. Ahsoka spun around Rex and blocked incoming shots towards the two. Soon they had cut off Wolffe from the rest of his men. Wolffe growled viciously at them and tried to shoot Rex but blocked all his shots, sending them to the ground. Rex set his blasters to stun and shot at Wolffe. Wolffe was able to dodge the first couple of shots but Rex's third shot met its mark and the clone commander fell to the ground.
When Wolffe fell, the remainder of the troops and the navy officers surrendered. Ahsoka and Rex walked to the window and watched as one of the Imperial Venators began to list as an explosion appeared all around the ship.
"Valicous was on Kamino," Rex said.
"What?!" Ahsoka responded.
"Cody commed me as we were taking off. He doesn't know why he was there, he just knew that Valicous wanted to speak with the Kaminoan leadership."
"We need to tell Anakin, he'll want to know."
"Agreed, now let's get Wolffe and his men back to Kamino."
Ahsoka nodded as she began to press buttons on the console of the ship.
"Resolute, do you copy?"
"Copy, Fulcrum."
"We've captured Wolffe and the enemy flagship. I'm working on getting her ready to jump. There are still enemy soldiers on board, can you send another squad over to help us?"
"Of course general, also Captain Vaughn has captured the Venator you wanted him to capture. The enemy is now in full retreat."
"Good, Ahsoka out."
As Ahsoka and Rex worked to get the ship working again, a squad of gunships landed in the hangar reinforcing torrent company. Soon enough both captured ships formed up with the fleet and turned towards Kamino.
Valicous stood at the bridge of his ship, waiting for anything to happen. His fleet hadn't moved since arriving, they were waiting for reinforcements. They were taking to long, giving time for the rebels to prepare for an attack. Valicous was about to order his men to get ready for an attack when a transmission from Tarkin stopped him.
"Lord Valicous, I have a task for you. These are orders directly from the Emperor."
"What is it?" Valicous asked with venom in his voice.
"You are to move your fleet to Utapau, the ships that were supposed to take Commander Wolffe off of the planet were attacked. Seeing that you're the only competent commander somewhat nearby the area, you and your reinforcements are being directed to Utapau."
Valicous scowled at Tarkin but nodded.
"Tell the Emperor that I am on my way."
Tarkin nodded and his hologram disappeared. The three ships turned towards Utapau and jumped to hyperspace. Not too long after, Ahsoka's fleet exited hyperspace, and gunships and corvettes started to take off from the fleet. Ahsoka wasted no time in making her way towards the command center.
"Cody, where is he?"
"Gone, sir."
Ahsoka breathed a sigh of relief as she looked towards Cody.
"He'll be back, I know it. I wouldn't put it past him to be returning with an army," Cody added.
Ahsoka nodded and turned towards the holo table and punched in Anakin's personal frequency.
"Hello?"
"Master, its me Ahsoka."
"Hey snips," Anakin greeted. "How's the hand?"
"It's good, master. I have something to tell you."
"I have something to tell you as well."
"You first," Ahsoka replied.
"Congratulations, you're going to be an aunt."
"I am?" Ahsoka asked confused. Then the realization hit her when she saw Padme walk onto the holo.
"Congratulations, master! I can't wait to meet them. How far along are you Padme?"
"Seven months and Satine just gave birth," Padme responded.
"She did?"
"Yep, Mara Jade Kyrze-Kenobi looks just like her mother with her father mixed in there as well," Anakin replied
"Speaking of Obi-Wan, he was just here to Kamino."
"What?!"
And with that statement, the mood in the room changed.
