The moment the transmission was intercepted, and decrypted, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Vex, rushed to Kamino, intent on bolstering the defenses. Aboard the Resolute, Vex watches the swirls of Hyperspace from the bridge, watching, waiting, until the ship reverts to realspace, the watery planet of Kamino standing before them in the vastness of space.
While their arrival is welcomed, the news is not.
"Master Kenobi, Master Skywalker, Recker, welcome to Kamino." Shaak Ti greets the trio.
"Greetings, generals." The Kaminoan Prime Minister bows.
"I wish our arrival wasn't under such circumstances." Obi-Wan begins, but Vex cuts him off, not willing to listen to basic courtesy when a battle is imminent.
"Oh, just get to the point. Grievous may attack Kamino, yadda yadda yadda, we need to be prepared. Now, let's get this shit sorted out before we are caught with our tails between our legs!" His demand is followed, as a rather bristled, yet somewhat understanding Shaak Ti leads them inside, where the ARC Troopers of Rancor Battalion are brought in to help.
"The Republic blockade is far too strong, the Separatists would not dare attack." The Prime Minister states.
"Everything can be bypassed, if planned well enough." Vex admits, his voice cold, sharp, as though a blade of it's own. "A group of 2,000 can defeat an army of 15,000 if they have a plan and good landscape. Now we need to do the same." Shaak Ti activates a hologram that reveals the extent of the fleet in orbit of Kamino.
"As the Prime Minister said, the Republic fleet is too strong. They would need a backup plan, or a reason to be attacking even though they likely know this." Shaak Ti explains.
"Well, I have a few theories, but most of them still would not give them a proper victory." Vex admits.
"Let's hear them." Obi-Wan says.
"The first theory I have, is that they may send more then one fleet to attack, one brought in on one end, the other brought in on the opposite end… But we would have an advanced warning if that were the case with all the lookout posts we have." He explains
"So that one is out of the question?" Anakin asks.
"Not entirely. When Rishi Outpost was destroyed, that left a gap in our defenses. If anything, they could send in two forces at separate times, from the same area, and we wouldn't know when they were here, until they arrive in the system." As though brought by his words, the proximity alarms blare, the hologram changing to show as the Separatist fleet emerged from Hyperspace, immediately engaging with the fleet above. "Like that." After a few moments, only able to watch as the attack occurs, Anakin heaves a sigh.
"I'm going to join the men up there." He declares, leaving the others as he heads for his fighter.
"The fleet is not as large as I expected." Shaak Ti admits, concern written across her features, before she masks it with determination. "Begin the airstrike."
"Good to see you, General. Ready to have some fun?" Broadside asks across the comms.
"You know me, Broadside. I'd rather be up here, than stuck in a command center." Anakin retorts.
"How do you think I feel?" Vex asks, joining in from the surface.
"If the General isn't there, someone has to keep an eye on General Kenobi." Broadside notes.
"You do know that I am right here?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Oh, I know, sir." Broadside assures with a chuckle.
"Warning, falling debris." The AI warns, the shields of the city raised as parts of ships fall through the atmosphere, falling into the oceans.
"Grievous appears to be sacrificing his transports in favour of protecting his command ship." Shaak Ti notes.
"Something's not right." Obi-Wan notes, the Force singing to him in warning as debris continues to fall.
"I'm gonna press the attack, Master." Anakin advises.
"No, Anakin, wait. It's too easy. Not even Grievous would attack so recklessly." Obi-Wan muses.
"Master, the battle is up here, in the upper atmosphere. Not down there." Anakin admonishes.
"The debris from the destroyed Separatist ships is the key." Obi-Wan sighs.
"What are you thinking?" Shaak Ti asks.
"I'm thinking I'd like to go for a swim." Obi-Wan smirks. Vex watches on, antsy about the fight. He agrees with Obi-Wan's thoughts, how the battle is much too easy, that something else is going on.
"Shore up the City's defenses." Vex orders softly, once Obi-Wan has left the command center, facing the ARC Troopers of Rancor Battalion, as well as Rex and Cody. "I have a feeling that Obi-Wan is more right than any of us wish. Prepare for an invasion force." The troopers salute, something Vex feels jittery about, as they go to prepare their home for an attack.
"Are you so certain of an attack?" Shaak Ti asks, concern in her eyes.
"I don't give orders lightly, Master Ti." Vex sighs, before departing himself, meeting up with the main force in the hangers, as attack craft begin to surface, breaking out of the oceans below. He walks up to Havoc, who had just dismissed Fives and Echo. "I'll be here for support."
"Any help is better than none." Havoc admits. The doors are burst through, as the drill opens up, aqua droids emerging and deploying, as the craft uses it's appendages to eliminate those closest. Vex brings up his DC-17m, firing bursts of energy towards the oncoming droid forces, noting in concern as most of the troopers only have the usual DC-15 carbines and DC-15A rifles. He moves towards the front, gaining closer on the droids as they attempt to advance, holding them back as more and more troopers begin to fall. Vex takes cover temporarily, unhooking his Saber and a DC-17 Pistol he keeps on hand, igniting the blade and charging out of cover, firing the pistol while blocking as much oncoming blaster fire as possible. A surge of warning is all he gets to dodge from a swipe of sabers, holstering the pistol and taking a better grip of the saber in his hand, as Grievous laughs, before coughing.
"Kill them all." He bellows his order, before he moves to attack, pushing Vex back with his mechanically enhanced strikes, his speed too much for the barely trained saber wielder. As he pushes Vex back again and again, the young man notices as Havoc takes a hit, trying to get 99 out of danger. Noticing a bolt heading for a kill shot, he uses his powers to push both away, saving their lives before dodging another strike from Grievous.
"FALL BACK!" He orders, before using his size and wit against Grievous, taking down as many droids as he can in the few sparse moments, before blocking what strikes he can once more, holding the General back with difficulty. They traverse through the halls, splitting away from the retreating troops. Grievous continues to push Vex back further and further, as they find a large force of droids fighting a small number of Clone Troopers. They are gunned down quickly, with Ventress grabbing Colt, the leader of Rancor Battalion in a Force choke. Vex calls for help, the Null answering as roots of darkness slither up to Ventress, breaking her concentration as she tries to slash herself free. "RUN!" Vex orders to the ARC Trooper, who shakily retreats. Grievous manages to shove him back, knocking him to the ground.
"Your lightsaber will make an interesting addition to my collection." Grievous chuckles.
"Sorry, not my saber." Vex retorts, as roots of darkness reach for the droids around them, as well as Grievous, giving him the time to run, ducking through the halls and corridors, finding his way to the barracks, where the closest group of signatures reside. Vex comes face to face with a group of Cadets, Fives, Echo, 99, Rex and Cody. "What did I miss?" Vex asks with a wince, the Cyborg having dealt some internal muscle damage from the powerful blows. He would need some energy to heal it quickly.
"Nothing yet. But the droids will be here soon. You up for one last fight?" Rex asks.
"For you guys, I'm always ready." Vex assures. "99, can you get us some advanced weaponry? DC-17m and attachments would be great, along with the normal weapons."
"I can do that." 99 assures. "I know you like your droid poppers too. I'll grab as much as I can."
"Thanks, 99. You're a life saver." Vex thanks the 'defective' clone99 heads for the armoury, the cadets begin to make their way to the bed pods, getting their assigned pods ready, creating enough room to hide within, when Shaak Ti's voice echoes through the comms.
"The droids are spread thin. We must press our offensive now!" She orders.
"We've got our zone. The barracks and armoury will be clear shortly." Vex assures, answering her order, as 99 returns. Vex uses his power to get everyone equipped, with two energy cell mags each, leaning against the nearest wall, exhaustion and injuries catching up to him. Grievous was one hell of an adversary to non-Jedi, especially those with a weaker frame due to age. He looks to everyone with concern. "I'm not sure how much help I'm gonna be at this rate." He warns. "Grievous did a decent amount of damage to me."
"I had a feeling you might say that. Stick with this. Should be enough to lend a hand." 99 assures, handing him the sniper variant of the DC-17m. Vex takes it with appreciation, making his way to the other end of the barracks, calling on numerous roots of darkness to block all other entrances. He calls out to the others.
"They'll only be able to get in one way. They'll be bottlenecked!" His words bring an assurance to the troopers and cadets, as they get into position. The march of metallic feet increases in volume. Fives, Echo, Rex and Cody move to the door, as a droid blasts it open. With a hiss, it reveals them, as they all open fire on the droids, taking out a good dozen, before leading them further within, where Vex begins to open fire. He continues to stay on the other end, firing at any clear shot he has, sometimes getting a collateral as the droids are piled up. The other four take cover, using the boxes and crates to their advantage. They toss the droid poppers whenever the droids are in a large cluster, soon running out.
"Anymore droid poppers?" One of the cadets calls out in askance from his bunk cover.
"I can get more!" 99 begins to run back to the armoury.
"99! Don't!" Fives calls out in warning, but too late, as even with the covering fire, red bolts pierce through 99, tearing through his heart, lungs and spine, as he falls to the floor, his breath leaving him as he passes.
A burst of rage encompasses Vex, the feeling from all those present entering him, as arcs of electricity burst from his fingers towards the droids, frying the rest without issue, finding himself out of breath. Fives sprints over to him, moving to support him, helping him over to 99's body, where everyone gathers in sorrow.
"He always was one of us." Rex notes, as they all remove their helmets, paying their respects to 99.
"You all did well today. You fought for your home, and you succeeded. You fought with honour, courage, and bravery." Rex states to both Fives and Echo, Vex by the Captain's side. "Reminds me of me, actually."
"I pulled a few strings with Rancor Battalion, gave enough praises too. You're both going to be trained to become ARC Troopers." Vex adds. "You fought like them today, you acted like them. You were able to take control and lead before Rex and Cody came to help. You've earned this." The two troopers salute, and Vex salutes back.
"While you won't officially be part of the 501st, we will still be your Battalion, your home, for when you return." Rex states with pride. "We'll see you again on the other side." Rex and Vex move off, as Fives and Echo move to the surviving members of Rancor. Jedi Master Shaak Ti awaits both Vex and Rex, who salute in greeting.
"Recker, Captain. Thank you, for your efforts today." She thanks the two.
"This was our Home, General. We weren't gonna lose it without a fight." Rex answers. "If you'll excuse me, I need to find General Skywalker. He needs to know about Fives and Echo." Rex salutes once more, before he leaves the Jedi and Soldier alone.
"You have questions." Shaak Ti states, her canine smile shining in mischief.
"You know me well." Vex blushes lightly. "I'm still not entirely comfortable with your form of teaching though."
"No one ever really is." She retorts. "But I see this a cause worth teaching. Not one that many get to learn."
"Why do you have to make everything so sexual?" Vex bemoans.
"You already know why. The Jedi forbid attachments, but not sex. As long as you control your emotions, and you love enough to know when to let go, it is fine. At least in my eyes." She assures more softly. "Besides, I don't have someone to play with that often." Vex pales slightly at her tone. But, he would do almost anything to make Ahsoka happy, to give her some form of joy outside of war. Even if it results in Shaak Ti's... risque teaching methods.
