Chapter 6 - Assault
Anakin stood at a crossroads, Padmé at his side. Behind him was his mother, the kind and sweet woman he knew eleven years ago. Ahead, a dark cloud hung in the air, nothing visible except blaster bolts and the occasional clone soldier or droid. To the left stood Obi-Wan the Jedi, a soft aura of light radiating from them. To his right stood Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the Galactic Senate in turmoil.
All called for him silently, yet he could understand their cries and pleas.
They all wanted him in one way or another.
His heard yearned for his mother. The Jedi wanted him for his destiny as the Chosen One. The Chancellor wanted him for his skills. The battle ahead wanted him for his battle skills to defend, protect, and save the Republic.
He knew Padmé, his wife, would support him no matter what the decision.
All of the sides called for him, and he looked at each on, confused about where he should go. He looked to his wife, hoping to find an answer, but all he saw was her smile.
"Anakin! Anakin! Wake up!" came a familiar voice.
Anakin opened his eyes, his breathing heavy and sweat on his forehead. Standing above him was the Master, his face barely lit by the torches outside.
"Anakin, the droid convoy is approaching," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin looked at him in confusion, forgetting for a moment where he was. Then, his eyes cleared of confusion, replaced by that determination that always flared, as he stood up to stand next to his Master.
"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked, noting Anakin's awkward sleep.
"We can talk about it later. Right now, we have to save this Wookie village," Anakin said, acknowledging the task at hand.
"Yes, my young Padawan. We will talk later."
The two leave the hut, a Wookie coming in closely and extinguishing the fire, delving the rest of that area, as well as the village, in darkness.
Ahead, at the quick distinguishing central fire-where Wookies were shoveling dirt onto the fire to stop it, and succeeding-the yellow-striped commander stood, waiting for the two Jedi.
"What's our position, Commander?" Anakin asked, wasting no time on small talk.
"We will be attacked in two to five minutes. We have Wookie outposts all along the forest path, and the entrance to the city. They are ready to attack with when the convoy approaches."
"What about the clone troopers?"
"They are also positioned with the Wookies as support fire."
"Very good Commander."
"All of our other units are positioned through the village, ready for any droids that make it through."
Anakin nods approvingly. "What about the ATT?"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat and straitened, looking his Padawan in the eyes. "We have gathered supplies left or bartered from traders, and have gotten together a make-shift ion bomb, much like that of the Gungans on Naboo, but with machinery. With luck-and skill-we'll be able to strike it and disable it before it can do little, if any, damage."
Anakin nodded once more, understanding their situation. "What am I to do?"
"You will be with me, and we are to deliver the ion bomb. After that, we will provide cover for what troops we can and help clean up the droids," Obi-wan replied in all seriousness.
"I'm ready when you are, Master," Anakin said, exhaling deeply, setting his mind on the present task.
"Let's get the ion bomb and get to our stations," Obi-Wan explained equally between Anakin and the Commander, his gaze going back and forth.
It took Anakin and Obi-Wan three minutes to reach their position, deep within the forest, but within sight of the village entry and the huts around it.
The Jedi kneeled, setting the ion bomb down gently between the trees a meter ahead of them. The bomb was metallic in contour, which made hiding it all the harder. Wires stuck out all over the surface, a keypad on one rigid side that emitted a small beacon of light, the only illumination coming from the party of Jedi, Wookies, and clones. On one side was a sticky substance, put on so the bomb would stick to the side of the AAT and explode, giving the effect wished.
In front of them, the convoy was slowly making its way to the village, the first droids a few meters away, their claming heard in the still of the night.
In a flash, two blue beams flashed across the path, instantly knocking out a battle droid. Then, after that moment, a hellish scene unfolding, lasers beams of read and blue going from side to side, droids falling as they fired in confusion. Then, in a loud roar, the AAT fired a laser-missile, igniting the hut diagonal from the Jedi.
Anakin did not feel any deaths, but he did feel momentary fear and confusion, which was then replaced by courage and determination. Anakin smiled briefly at their courage and resolve. He had always admired those qualities in warriors.
And, for that moment, remembered the carnage and chaos of the Battle of Geonosis.
The droids fired on the Jedi warriors with deadly aim, shooting relentlessly on the quickly diminishing warriors. Anakin protected his love, providing cover so as not one bolt would damage her. Obi-Wan, along with Master Windu, was fighting with a ferocity that only his duty could bring out in him. The courage and power felt in the arena would have been overwhelming to a newcomer to the Force, for it was great. Anakin reflected bolt after bolt, trying to stop any Jedi from dying.
A wave in the Force snapped him out of his momentary admiration, Obi-Wan signaling him to follow to attach the bomb the AAT. Crouching, he followed his barely visible Master, going past clone soldiers and flying bolts.
In a flash, Anakin's lightsaber buzzed to life, reflecting a bolt back at a droid, taking it out.
Then, just as quickly, he turned it off and scrambled to dodge a barrage of sudden blaster bolts. One clone fell, Anakin silently asking the clone soldiers to forgive him for his reflexive response that brought on a distraction.
The Jedi approached the massive vehicle, the deafening cannon firing again.
They quickly covered their ears, and then uncovered them just as fast, continuing their short but important journey.
Anakin felt around, sensing no apparent danger, and gave a slight nod to tell his Master that now was the time to attack.
Obi-Wan prepped the through, excluding himself from the world into the Force, readying deadly accuracy that only the Force could let him do. He breathed deep as his shoulders slumped, his concentration totally focused on the task at hand.
Then, the bomb, just as the bomb loosed from Obi-Wan's fingertips, another loud explosion sounded, Obi-Wan's concentration slipping slightly as he pushed for the bomb to go further. As a result, the bomb fell a meter short, and attached to a Super Battle Droid.
"It fell short, Master!" Anakin whispered, slightly alarmed at the change of events.
As the Super Battle Droid flailed in agitation and confusion, Obi-Wan focused the Force once more into a powerful ram. Before he put thoughts into actions, he flicked his sapphire blade on, then off twice, Anakin slightly stumped.
Suddenly, after the second flicker of the lightsaber, all of the blaster fire from the clones ceased, the red-colored beams dominating the trade road. The droids were unaware of the plan, and so, they still fired a frenzy of fierce deadly beams firing into the forest, leaving their deadly mark on any tree that got in the way of their range of fire.
With the push of the Force ram, Obi-Wan toppled the Super Battle Droid. Then, with another, more precise push, like a finger flipping a switch, he focused on the manual switch, pushing it over to the detonate position.
With a spark from the tiny bomb, a field of blue electricity expanded from the now disabled droid, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling array of red and blue hues. In the ion field, droids fell, some on top of each other, the red bolts emerging from blasters near the detonation ending abruptly.
In the wake of the field, clones, Wookies, and Jedi alike moved away, not taking any chances on the field disabling their equipment.
Then, in a matter of moments, the field dissipated, only a couple dozen of Battle Droids and Super Battle Droids left to battle.
"Good plan, Master. You're a skilled tactician," Anakin said in support of his Master.
"It is only one of many battles to be won, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan said grimly.
"Yes, Master," Anakin replied, the clone warriors in the short distance knocking out the last of the droid convoy.
The night finally fell into darkness, the mark of battle left on the trade route in a matter of minutes.
"They underestimated the Wookies, didn't they Master?"
"Yes, but it will be the last time. This was easily won because we took advantage of their expectations. It will not happen again."
"Yes, Master."
Anakin followed his Master back to the village, lit up by the still flaming huts. Wookies of all shapes and sizes ran around, carrying rough wooden buckets with shimmering water, attempting to put out the flames before they could spread to the rest of the village.
"Let's help the Wookies repair their village," Anakin said, the first time he's been completely calm since they departed the Swift Blade.
"Yes, my Padawan, let's."
Anakin stood at a crossroads, Padmé at his side. Behind him was his mother, the kind and sweet woman he knew eleven years ago. Ahead, a dark cloud hung in the air, nothing visible except blaster bolts and the occasional clone soldier or droid. To the left stood Obi-Wan the Jedi, a soft aura of light radiating from them. To his right stood Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the Galactic Senate in turmoil.
All called for him silently, yet he could understand their cries and pleas.
They all wanted him in one way or another.
His heard yearned for his mother. The Jedi wanted him for his destiny as the Chosen One. The Chancellor wanted him for his skills. The battle ahead wanted him for his battle skills to defend, protect, and save the Republic.
He knew Padmé, his wife, would support him no matter what the decision.
All of the sides called for him, and he looked at each on, confused about where he should go. He looked to his wife, hoping to find an answer, but all he saw was her smile.
"Anakin! Anakin! Wake up!" came a familiar voice.
Anakin opened his eyes, his breathing heavy and sweat on his forehead. Standing above him was the Master, his face barely lit by the torches outside.
"Anakin, the droid convoy is approaching," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin looked at him in confusion, forgetting for a moment where he was. Then, his eyes cleared of confusion, replaced by that determination that always flared, as he stood up to stand next to his Master.
"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked, noting Anakin's awkward sleep.
"We can talk about it later. Right now, we have to save this Wookie village," Anakin said, acknowledging the task at hand.
"Yes, my young Padawan. We will talk later."
The two leave the hut, a Wookie coming in closely and extinguishing the fire, delving the rest of that area, as well as the village, in darkness.
Ahead, at the quick distinguishing central fire-where Wookies were shoveling dirt onto the fire to stop it, and succeeding-the yellow-striped commander stood, waiting for the two Jedi.
"What's our position, Commander?" Anakin asked, wasting no time on small talk.
"We will be attacked in two to five minutes. We have Wookie outposts all along the forest path, and the entrance to the city. They are ready to attack with when the convoy approaches."
"What about the clone troopers?"
"They are also positioned with the Wookies as support fire."
"Very good Commander."
"All of our other units are positioned through the village, ready for any droids that make it through."
Anakin nods approvingly. "What about the ATT?"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat and straitened, looking his Padawan in the eyes. "We have gathered supplies left or bartered from traders, and have gotten together a make-shift ion bomb, much like that of the Gungans on Naboo, but with machinery. With luck-and skill-we'll be able to strike it and disable it before it can do little, if any, damage."
Anakin nodded once more, understanding their situation. "What am I to do?"
"You will be with me, and we are to deliver the ion bomb. After that, we will provide cover for what troops we can and help clean up the droids," Obi-wan replied in all seriousness.
"I'm ready when you are, Master," Anakin said, exhaling deeply, setting his mind on the present task.
"Let's get the ion bomb and get to our stations," Obi-Wan explained equally between Anakin and the Commander, his gaze going back and forth.
It took Anakin and Obi-Wan three minutes to reach their position, deep within the forest, but within sight of the village entry and the huts around it.
The Jedi kneeled, setting the ion bomb down gently between the trees a meter ahead of them. The bomb was metallic in contour, which made hiding it all the harder. Wires stuck out all over the surface, a keypad on one rigid side that emitted a small beacon of light, the only illumination coming from the party of Jedi, Wookies, and clones. On one side was a sticky substance, put on so the bomb would stick to the side of the AAT and explode, giving the effect wished.
In front of them, the convoy was slowly making its way to the village, the first droids a few meters away, their claming heard in the still of the night.
In a flash, two blue beams flashed across the path, instantly knocking out a battle droid. Then, after that moment, a hellish scene unfolding, lasers beams of read and blue going from side to side, droids falling as they fired in confusion. Then, in a loud roar, the AAT fired a laser-missile, igniting the hut diagonal from the Jedi.
Anakin did not feel any deaths, but he did feel momentary fear and confusion, which was then replaced by courage and determination. Anakin smiled briefly at their courage and resolve. He had always admired those qualities in warriors.
And, for that moment, remembered the carnage and chaos of the Battle of Geonosis.
The droids fired on the Jedi warriors with deadly aim, shooting relentlessly on the quickly diminishing warriors. Anakin protected his love, providing cover so as not one bolt would damage her. Obi-Wan, along with Master Windu, was fighting with a ferocity that only his duty could bring out in him. The courage and power felt in the arena would have been overwhelming to a newcomer to the Force, for it was great. Anakin reflected bolt after bolt, trying to stop any Jedi from dying.
A wave in the Force snapped him out of his momentary admiration, Obi-Wan signaling him to follow to attach the bomb the AAT. Crouching, he followed his barely visible Master, going past clone soldiers and flying bolts.
In a flash, Anakin's lightsaber buzzed to life, reflecting a bolt back at a droid, taking it out.
Then, just as quickly, he turned it off and scrambled to dodge a barrage of sudden blaster bolts. One clone fell, Anakin silently asking the clone soldiers to forgive him for his reflexive response that brought on a distraction.
The Jedi approached the massive vehicle, the deafening cannon firing again.
They quickly covered their ears, and then uncovered them just as fast, continuing their short but important journey.
Anakin felt around, sensing no apparent danger, and gave a slight nod to tell his Master that now was the time to attack.
Obi-Wan prepped the through, excluding himself from the world into the Force, readying deadly accuracy that only the Force could let him do. He breathed deep as his shoulders slumped, his concentration totally focused on the task at hand.
Then, the bomb, just as the bomb loosed from Obi-Wan's fingertips, another loud explosion sounded, Obi-Wan's concentration slipping slightly as he pushed for the bomb to go further. As a result, the bomb fell a meter short, and attached to a Super Battle Droid.
"It fell short, Master!" Anakin whispered, slightly alarmed at the change of events.
As the Super Battle Droid flailed in agitation and confusion, Obi-Wan focused the Force once more into a powerful ram. Before he put thoughts into actions, he flicked his sapphire blade on, then off twice, Anakin slightly stumped.
Suddenly, after the second flicker of the lightsaber, all of the blaster fire from the clones ceased, the red-colored beams dominating the trade road. The droids were unaware of the plan, and so, they still fired a frenzy of fierce deadly beams firing into the forest, leaving their deadly mark on any tree that got in the way of their range of fire.
With the push of the Force ram, Obi-Wan toppled the Super Battle Droid. Then, with another, more precise push, like a finger flipping a switch, he focused on the manual switch, pushing it over to the detonate position.
With a spark from the tiny bomb, a field of blue electricity expanded from the now disabled droid, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling array of red and blue hues. In the ion field, droids fell, some on top of each other, the red bolts emerging from blasters near the detonation ending abruptly.
In the wake of the field, clones, Wookies, and Jedi alike moved away, not taking any chances on the field disabling their equipment.
Then, in a matter of moments, the field dissipated, only a couple dozen of Battle Droids and Super Battle Droids left to battle.
"Good plan, Master. You're a skilled tactician," Anakin said in support of his Master.
"It is only one of many battles to be won, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan said grimly.
"Yes, Master," Anakin replied, the clone warriors in the short distance knocking out the last of the droid convoy.
The night finally fell into darkness, the mark of battle left on the trade route in a matter of minutes.
"They underestimated the Wookies, didn't they Master?"
"Yes, but it will be the last time. This was easily won because we took advantage of their expectations. It will not happen again."
"Yes, Master."
Anakin followed his Master back to the village, lit up by the still flaming huts. Wookies of all shapes and sizes ran around, carrying rough wooden buckets with shimmering water, attempting to put out the flames before they could spread to the rest of the village.
"Let's help the Wookies repair their village," Anakin said, the first time he's been completely calm since they departed the Swift Blade.
"Yes, my Padawan, let's."