CHAPTER 11

The Republic Senate building was alive with activity. Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda sat in one of the private public viewing balcony, which was set back a safe distance from the senators themselves.

"The chair recognizes the Senator from Sullust at this time." Supreme Chancellor Palpatine said, maintaining order in what would otherwise be chaos during the debates held by the finest minds of the Republic.

The hover platform belonging to the Sullust delegation detached and moved forward closer to the Supreme Chancellor's position, then Nit Numbe, the Sullustan Senator stood saying in his chittering natural tongue leaving it up to translation droids to fill in their owners as to what he was saying, "I haven't been a member of this body for long, but in the time I've been among you I've learned one thing. That is that you have to argue. You love to argue and I think that many of you argue even in your sleep. You argue just for the sake of arguing over small little matters of no consequence. Before us now are matters of grave consequence, the threat that the Separatist pose and yet instead of finding common ground and coming to a compromise you just keep arguing the same arguments you've made since these dark times began. If we continue along this track our glorious and beloved Republic will be under new management before we know it. Therefore, for the good of the Republic, I propose that we immediately grant The Emergency Powers Act and all of the powers of sole government they contain to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine."

Decorum lost the Senate Chambers broke into pandemonium of senators trying to be heard and make their opinions know on this new proposal, a serious proposal of an act that was passed millenniums ago as an answer to the theoretical doomsday, never intended to actually be used.

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine muted the speakers coming from every platform until order resumed itself. He sat back in his chair, smiled a self-satisfied grin. When he supported this freshman senator over his long seated opponent he knew he had made a find. Fresh clay that he knew he would be able to mold with his own hands into whatever image he chose to. So far everything was falling into place just as planned.

Mas Amedda, the senate's vice chair, raised his voice after a few minutes and said, "Order! We must have Order!"

With this the senators quieted down and the vote on Supreme Chancellor Palpatine receiving emergency powers was taken. Once the vote totals were in Palpatine rose and said most earnestly, "It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. The power you give me, I will lay down when this crisis has abated." He waited for the applause from the senators to die down before continuing, "And as my first act with this new authority I will create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the increasing threat of the Separatists."

The Jedi Masters looked at each other, nodded then Mace Windu said so quietly that it almost couldn't be heard, "It is done then. The next step can only be war."

Yoda nodded solemnly and the two Jedi Masters left the public booth entering the rear hall without saying another word.

The first few seconds were spent walking through the hall in silence in the near empty hall. The only other beings in sight were the blue armored senatorial guards and a few of various species that were staff members of various senators whose presence was not required in the senate chambers.

Finally Yoda said, "Serious and troubling these times are. Lays in wait around every corner the dark does."

"Master Tesses Oar is long over due to report in. He is always very punctual on these matters, which only means that he has found trouble. I will take what Jedi we have available to Geonosis and bring him back."

Yoda, who wasn't much taller then Mace Windu's knee cap, nodded his head in agreement and responded, "Visit I will the cloners on Kamino and see this army they have created for the Republic."

As the Republic Senate made the largest decision that it had ever had to make, an equally serious meeting was occurring on Geonosis between the Jedi of the Confederacy. All three of them, Master Dooku, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and the recently promoted Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, were discussing visions of the future common to all of them. These visions were fragments of things to come, so fragmented in fact that no real and true meaning could be derived without the input of each other. These fragmented visions consisted of, an army of Jedi fighting the Confederacy's battle droids, Obi-Wan in a lightsaber duel with a Republic Jedi, either white droids or men in white armor attacking Geonosis, the destruction of the Geonosis command center, and the Confederacy's evacuation of their headquarters world. Also present was the recently promoted Viceroy of the Trade Federation Rune Haako.

"The Republic doesn't have a military, and even if they created one at this very moment they would be unable to train it to a level of proficiency that would allow it to attack us on the scale we've seen anytime in the near future. The attack has to be coming from a governmental system that has it's own Force users out in the Unknown Regions of space." Obi-Wan said.

Dooku shook his head and answered, "Not so my friend. My sources inside the Republic have picked up rumors of a recently purchased clone army by the Republic."

Surprise appeared on Obi-Wan's face as he replied, "Clones? That changes all of our plans. They will be nothing but born and bred soldiers, with little or no preparation needed to launch an attack on the scale of what we have seen in our visions. If these clones arrive before our reinforcements from the Trade Federation's army we could be in real trouble."

Showing the panic that Neimoidians were known for under stress Viceroy Haako stood and said, "It will take our forces months to arrive. The Republic's clones are much closer. We need to evacuate immediately before they can get here."

Dooku looked at Rune Haako and said reassuringly, "Relax Viceroy, there is no need to panic. All any of us have to go on right now are visions containing fragments of the future and rumors that as far as we know are still rumors even inside the Republic. We need cold hard facts before we decide on a course of action. However, I do think that it would be wise of us to keep all hyperspace equipped vehicles ready for immediate evacuation and to keep all personal, both droid and sentient at a high state of combat readiness until we know for sure what the Republic is doing. That way, should these precautions become necessary we will not be trying to prepare while under fire."

Haako who was still standing and still panicking replied, "No Count. We need to flee now before it is too late."

Dooku came to his feet and with fire in his eyes said sharply, "Sit down now Viceroy and stop being such a coward. We are trying to provoke a civil war, which means fighting is unavoidable. While we always assumed we would fire the first salvo it has ever been preordained who would mount the first strike."

Haako sat down and with fear still in his voice, only this time more directed at Count Dooku instead of a possible attack by the Republic looming on the horizon said, "But they are clones. They are genetically engineered to be the best soldiers available. As good as our droids are, we can not stand toe to toe with genetically engineered humanoids."

The highest-ranking dark Jed in the room pointed his finger at the Neimoidian and said in a voice that left no room for any more argument, "There will be no more discussion of this matter Viceroy. Accidents are known to happen to cowards. Do you understand me?"

Rune Haako nodded his head but no words came from his mouth.

The meeting on Geonosis lasted several more hours after which Rune Haako, still highly agitated, fearful and panicked returned to the bridge of his flagship. He walked up to the captain who was previously engaged in a conversation with his number two and interrupted, "Captain. I want you to check our nava computer."

Both officers, who were also Neimoidians, dropped their conversation and turned their full attention to their Viceroy. This was followed by the captain asking, "What would you like me to check for sir?"

Haako answered, "Check for anything and everything. I also want you to check the engines. I want you to also check the guidance systems. I want you to check everything."

Realizing the panicked state of his superior the flagship captain asked his Viceroy, "If it isn't to bold of me sir, why would you like me to check all of this?"

"I just don't want any accidents like what happened to Viceroy Gunray to happen to us." Is how he answered.

Fighting back laughter the captain replied, "Sir, a ship mistakenly coming out of hyperspace into a system just as its star goes supernova is next to unheard of. It is even more unheard of for an accident of the sort to reoccur with in such a short time span. And the odds of two such accidents happening to the same species are even lower yet. I assure you sir that all systems are functioning within all set safety parameters."

Not feeling the laughter his subordinate was fighting, Haako pressed on, "But the accident did happen to Viceroy Gunray. And it isn't just that particular accident. I don't want an accident of any kind, rare or common to us. As a matter of fact, until I state otherwise I want the maintenance techs to continuously check all major ship operating systems. Am I understood?"

The captain bowed his head in submission and answered, "As you wish sir."

Seven days later Mace Windu face holograms of the nine fellow Jedi Masters who had been placed in charge of the various targets of today's raid as he briefed them, "Three quarters of our starfighters will remain in space and keep their orbital defenses from harassing the ground troops. The remaining one-quarter of the starfighters will accompany us while we land and provide cover fire. The cruisers themselves will not land but get low enough for us to make Force assisted leaps to the ground. This is because they were designed as diplomatic vessels and not attack craft and are therefore unarmed. Once we have cleared out they will return to a safe orbit and await our signal for extraction and which time they will actually land on the planets surface. We do not know where Master Oar is being held or even if he is still alive but we have to try and find him. We also do not know where he is being held if he is still living. Probe droids would have been ideal, but we have not had the luxury of time in planning this mission. Each of you have ten Jedi including yourself aboard your ships, I have transmitted a detailed individual briefing to each of your ships designating specific targets and so forth. These targets where chosen above all of the other possible targets on the surface because based upon what intelligence we have gathered, we believe that these are the most likely places for prisoners to be held. You are to hit your assigned target and clear it. If you fail to find Master Oar, move on to the target closest to your location and assist in the efforts of the team there. If you find him, signal the rest of us so we know we can pull back."

A human Jedi whose hair and beard were so long he was beginning to resemble a small Wookiee said, "This is obviously not planned as a covert mission. Since they will know we are there, what kind of odds are we facing?"

"This is a factory world, therefore I think it is safe to say that a conservative estimate will be one thousand battle droids to each of us." He gave the Jedi a moment for that to sink in and continued, "The odds are very much against us, but unlike them we have the Force as our ally and a powerful ally it is. However, the odds against us are too great, even with the Force to ensure each of our safety, so the best thing any of us can do is get this over with as fast as we can."

The pilot looked over his shoulder to Mace Windu and said, "We will be reverting to real space in twenty seconds."

Master Windu looked at his brother Jedi and said, "This is it. May the Force be with you."

The Jedi holograms answered with the traditional, "And with you."

On the surface Count Dooku, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Rune Haako and the representatives from the Commerce Guild, the Techno Union and the Inter-Galatic Banking Clan stood Confederacy's War Room, which was located in the center and underground of the Geonosis Command Center. This was only one of several meetings with the designs of putting the Republic onto the defensive by striking first.

An almost skeletal looking battle droid approached where the humanoids stood and reported to Count Dooku, "Sir. We have readings of ten CEC Consular class ship and one hundred KSE Delta-7 Aethersprite class ships having just come out of hyperspace."

Ignoring the droid Obi-Wan ran his hand through his hair and said, "Ten Republic Cruisers and one hundred Jedi Starfighters."

Anakin looked around to the others standing around the holographic display and asked, "Why would the Republic Jedi come here?"

"They come here because they don't know that their spy is dead. They are here to recover him and any others that they may have here." Count Dooku thought to himself. Instead of vocalizing these thoughts he turned to the droid that had made the report and ordered, "Get the droid star fighters we have stationed on the moons launched and after them."

The droid saluted and said, "Yes sir." Then marched off.

Anakin looked to his master with a quizzical expression and asked, "Master, why use our droids. Why not use the Geonosisian pilots stationed in orbit?

"That my young friend is a matter of priorities. Geonosis is one of our major producers of battle droids, and therefore is likely to become a major target of the Republic at a later date. When this war really heats up we will not likely still be headquartered here but their production facilities will be. Therefore the Geonosisian pilots will be needed to defend this planet at such times. We can build new droid Starfighters much easier than they can raise, train and equip living pilots to replace the losses that we will sustain today." Dooku answered.

"But…" Anakin tried to continue.

Dooku cut him off by saying, "Not now Anakin. We are under attack."

The Jedi broke out of hyperspace into the waiting arms of a swarm of droid starfighters. The Jedi assigned to take on the orbital defenses went to work while the rest proceeded to the planet. The war had begun.

While the invasion of Geonosis commenced, Yoda sat in the office of Lama Su, who is the prime minister of Kamino and over saw the creation of the Republic's clone army.

"Most impressive your clones are Lama Su. Enjoyed the tour I did."

Lama Su nodded his small head that rested at the end of his long neck, "I'm please that you are please Jedi Master Yoda."

"Old my memory is and at times faulty. Please once again, tell me who placed the order did."

Lama Su answered politely, "Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas ordered the army on behalf of the Republic. I was truly saddened to hear of his passing. How did it happen, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi never told me?"

Seeing in chance to find out who actually placed the order for the clones Yoda answered, "Fruitless remembering ones death is. To remember their life much better it is. Tell me Lama Su, when Sifo-Dyas was here, how look did he?"

"Oh, about normal for an aging human I'd say. Handsome for a human, well trimmed beard which along with his hair was beginning to turn white."

Realization set in with Yoda and a snarl appeared on his gnome like face, "Dooku." He growled.

Lama Su appeared surprised as he asked, "You mean it was not Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas?"

"No." Yoda answered.

Lam Su responded, "Well then we must inform the authorities in the Republic. Surely you have laws against impersonating a Jedi."

Yoda shook his head and replied, "No time there is. Into harms way Jedi are now going and matters are much worse then feared we did. The clone army now we need. Discuss your terms we must."

"There are no terms. This Dooku paid for the first crop in full and half of the second crop of replacements."

Yoda looked away from Lama Su and said to no one in particular, "War Dooku wants, war get he will. Unavoidable it now is."

The unarmed Republic Cruisers, lumbering diplomatic vessels they were, came into view. Along with them came the smaller armed craft that Jedi used when being sent on missions by themselves who flew ahead of their larger companions firing a frenzy of laser bolts into the awaiting battle droids, super battle droids, Armored Assault Tanks, and the All Terrain Tactical Enforcer Assault Walkers.

Four of the Republic Cruisers, including the one which had Mace Windu aboard, came to hover over the Confederacy of Independent System's Geonosis Command Center, Three came to hover over the production plant compound, one came to hover over the barracks, which housed the Geonosisians who had come into the Confederacy's service, one came to hover the battle arena, one came to hover over the battle droid maintenance facility, and the last cruiser came to hover over the recreation facility for the sentient members of the Confederacy.

At approximately the same time the sky filled with sentient beings of a wide diverse range of species leaping out of the cruisers at an altitude that would have been suicide had they not had the Force to assist them.

These Jedi rushed head on into the Confederate war machines that had survived the initial strafing runs provided by their comrades in the starfighters.

The war room inside the Confederacy's Command Center was a flurry of activity with droids and lower level sentient beings hurrying about in their assigned task when the metallic droid voice came over the speaker system saying, "Republic forces are on the ground. Repeat Republic forces are on the ground."

Count Dooku, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Viceroy Haako, as well as those who represented the Commerce Guild, Techno Union and the Inter-Galatic Banking Clan stood around a real time three-dimensional holographic display of the assault on their headquarters.

Dooku stroked his white beard and noted, "They seem to be strategically placed. They have brought enough ships to cover twice the area that they are."

Obi-Wan, exuding the calmness that often infuriated the younger Anakin Skywalker thought out loud, "Why would the Republic attack us? It is unlike them to launch the first assault in a civil war."

Anakin, who was seething with rage born from the invasion of his current home, added his thoughts, "Maybe they are here to eliminate us. If you kill the head of a Wampa the whole creature dies. Perhaps they have the same view of us. Kill us in one swift stroke and they can win the war before it really starts." Then his conscious seemed to drift off briefly before he continued, "But that seems so unlike them. It is very aggressive and the Republic Jedi fear aggression out of fear that it will lead them into using the dark side powers."

Dooku shook his head and said, "No. They would not push into a war without a reason, and if they had been able to trace us to Geonosis they could also eliminate us by an orbital bombardment with little to no risk to themselves. No, they are here to recover their spy."

All eyes turned to the aging human as Anakin questioned, "Spy?"

Dooku answered, "Yes a Republic spy. We caught a Jedi who had been placed inside our command center while you were both gone on missions, back when Qui-Gon was still alive. Unfortunately we didn't learn too much from him because he died under interrogation."

Obi-Wan's displeasure with this statement became evident on his face as he challenged, "Died under interrogation? Just how was he interrogated?"

Count Dooku waved his hand in dismissal, "It doesn't matter. We are getting off the subject of being attacked."

While the Jedi attacking the command center and the production plant found heavy resistance just as they had expected to, those who had the barracks and recreation facility as targets found even less of an enemy presence then predicted. The ten Jedi who attacked the droid maintenance facility found exactly the predicted number of battle droids, but many of which were in various states of disrepair and were quickly dispatched. Those who were assigned the battle arena expected little to no contact with enemy forces but found resistance in an unplanned for way. The beast handlers turned the various carnivores, which the Geonosisians used for their gladiatorial entertainment, they had captured on a hundred different worlds loose on the Jedi.

Those who cleared the barracks and recreation facility moved on to assist their brother Jedi in the battle arena.

Inside the Confederate War Room the mood was anything but celebratory. Viceroy Haako looked up from the com station where he had been monitoring the communications of their forces and reported, "We've lost everything but the command center, the arena, and the production facilities. Our space forces are inflicting heavy losses on the Jedi."

Dooku, feeling slightly sick at the trouble his forces were having controlling the much smaller force said, "Order a complete fall back to the arena. I want all Geonosisians, droid troops, and Jedi there. I want all of the droid control ships that we have here to remain on station as well. The rest of you, get into a safe orbit and prepare for the evacuation plan, however do not flee until you receive the signal from my ship. Should it come to it, the computers here are all slaved to the Techno Union ships so therefore you can slag them and erase all information that we do not want falling into Republic hands from orbit. I'm not worried about it right away though, they won't stop to gather intelligence until they've secured the ground."

Rune Haako began to look offended and said, "My flagship is one of the droid control ships. Why do I have to remain in harms way while everyone else goes to a safe orbit?"

Irritation showing in his voice as well as his face, Count Dooku answered, "Viceroy Haako. We live by duty and die by cowardness. I suggest that you strengthen your sense of duty because you can be replaced just as easy as Gunray was. Consider it, there is no way we can loose here. We have the Jedi severally out numbered. All we have to do is draw them all into one location where our united forces will have no trouble crushing them." He paused for a moment and walked over to the computer terminal where he punched a few buttons and the image of a massive space station appeared which was currently unnamed but would many years from now be known as the Deathstar appeared. Dooku then continued ejecting the data disk with the image, "However, due to its pure destructive power this can win the war for us in one stroke. On the off chance we should loose here I'll see that this remains safe."

Mace Windu, having been reinforced with the Jedi who landed at the droid maintenance facility, stood along with his fellow Jedi, lightsabers activated and deflecting the blaster bolts that were being fired at them. Of the original fifty Jedi who landed with the two groups, only thirty remained among the living. All thirty were in full flow with the Force, using it not only to guide their lightsabers but to also fight the onslaught of droids by Force pushes and using the Force to drive droids into each other as well as making power and plumbing conduits collapse on top of them.

Then the unexplainable happened, the droids began an orderly retreat. The front wave of droids would pull back while cover fire was provided by the proceeding waves. Then the second wave would pull back over the operationless hulks of their comrades while the remaining droids provided cover fire.

As the droids made their retreat farther and farther away from the Jedi, their fire gradually decreased as they reached a safe distance. Once the danger of incoming fire was no more the Jedi deactivated their lightsabers and began to look at each other, all with the same confounded expression.

Puda Moullen, an Aqualish Jedi Knight, gave words to the thoughts they all shared, "Why did they do that?"

"Maybe there is a more important location that needed reinforced?" A Gotal Jedi suggested.

"It doesn't matter why they pulled back. We need to follow behind them and secure the command center." An Ishi Tib Padawan said.

Mace Windu stroked his chin and chimed in, "Your right Padawan. However, we have to proceed with caution. Their withdraw could be no more then the lure us into a trap."

The Jedi all nodded their assent to Mace's words, reignited their lightsabers and carefully moved forward.

The Jedi in the production plant weren't fairing as well. Their bodies littered the forty feet that they had covered so far. The surviving ten out of thirty had taken cover behind a large support beam that one of the now deceased Jedi had pulled loose with the assistance of the Force and brought to rest between the opposing forces.

The droid army was laying down such heavy fire that the Jedi couldn't even raise their heads to look at them. To do so would mean death, which each of the Jedi had silently resigned themselves to. None of them expected to advance any farther then they had up to this point.

Then, just as unexplainably as it occurred in the command center, the Jedi noticed that they were no longer under fire.

Jedi Master Plo Koon hazard a look over the support beam and said, "My friends, the Force is truly with us today. The droids have left, and I say that we don't give them time to come back."

With that, the surviving Jedi stood and advanced slowly upon their foe.

The Jedi that landed in the arena faired well having lost only one of their original members to the various beasts from hundreds of different worlds, and having been reinforced by the still full strength contingents of Jedi from the barracks and the recreation facility.

The bodies of all the wild beasts littered the arena grounds as the Jedi deactivated their lightsabers and began moving on to find out if Tesses Oar was being held anywhere in the arena. This was halted when Even Piell stumbled, and Eeth Koth helped him back to his feet and inquired, "Are you ok?"

Piell looked at Koth and answered, "We have to stay here."

"Why is that?" Eeth Koth asked his fellow council member.

"I just had a vision of the future and we were right here along with the rest of the Jedi fighting off the battle droids. I also saw Master Yoda coming to our aid with some sort of new droid, or so they seemed. The new droids were all white." Piell answered.

Eeth nodded his head and replied, "Well. It seems that we stay where we are then."

The Confederacy's military leadership, along with Viceroy Rune Haako, moved quickly through the tunnels that interconnected the entire Separatist Headquarters. Every three hundred yards Count Dooku would stop and post a pair of battle droids to harass the Jedi Advancement.

The team of Jedi led by Master Mace Windu searched every crevice of the command center. Having failed to find any living beings they began discussing which target would most likely be in further need of assistance when a Chadra-Fan Jedi Knight said, "Look over here. They appear to be escape tunnels."

Mace strode over, took a look and said, "Well. I find it possible that if they were holding Master Oar here they would have taken him with them when they fled." He paused opening himself up to the Force for guidance on which tunnel to take. "I sense life forms in two of the tunnels but I can't tell if it is sentient or not." He then looked to the Chadra-Fan who found the tunnels and said, "Jedi Ooth check the one to the left." He then turned to a young Trandoshan and said, "Jedi Mousk check the one to the right."

Both Jedi nodded in acceptance and acknowledged Master Windu by saying, "Yes Master." Then they disappeared down their respective tunnels.

Very little time had elapsed before the remaining Jedi heard blaster fire erupt from the tunnel the lizard like Trandoshan had gone to investigate.

Unnecessarily the Nautiloid Jedi Master named Kit Fisto said, "Well, it seems we know which tunnel we need to be in."

Without seeming to realize Kit Fisto had said anything the Jedi all thumbed their lightsabers to life and moved to aid their brother in the Force.

Due to the acoustics of the tunnels, Ooth failed to hear the blaster fire and continued to investigate his tunnel.

A few thousand yards from him, his tunnel merged into another. In that tunnel, the fleeing Sith and dark Jedi sensed his presence.

Dooku looked to Anakin and ordered, "Skywalker. Take care of this intrusion."

Obi-Wan's distaste for the younger dark Jedi and his lust for Dooku's favoritism over Anakin came to a boiling point as he said, "Master. I'm far more experienced then Anakin and this is hardly the time for a trial into knighthood since the death of Qui-Gon. Why don't I take care of whoever is coming towards us."

Count Dooku waved Obi-Wan to the tunnel, "Then be to it. One thing you young ones must really learn is not to argue with your seniors in situations like this. Perhaps I've been too lenient with you in the past, from now on dire consequences will follow such behavior."

Obi-Wan hurried down the tunnel to whatever future the Force had in play for him.

The two Jedi, one dark one light met, upon seeing each other both came to a halt and brought their lightsabers to bear in the particular favored stances.

"You shouldn't have come here false Jedi." Obi-Wan challenged.

"The dark radiates off of you Obi-Wan like the suns of Tatooine. I'm here because of the dark you and your kind are spreading throughout the galaxy, it needs to come to an end. We both still live, we can see that it remains that way by you seeing the error of your way and coming back to the light."

"Then you should prepare to die." Obi-Wan said a brief second before launching a sideward stroke with his blade in attack.

Ooth side stepped the attack and brought his lightsaber to block the attack. Both Jedi attacked and countered their opponent's attack. Strike after strike, parry after parry, leaps into the air that would have astounded a non-Force sensitive the fight continued both contestants appearing to be an even match for the other. Obi-Wan noticed a small boulder twice the size of his one-meter tall opponent and reached out with the Force to seize control of it.

The boulder shot from its resting place to the Chadra-Fan like an escape pod leaving a stricken vessel. Ooth sensed this through the Force and dropped his lightsaber drawing on the Force himself to stop the would be fatal blow.

Seizing the opportunity to attack a weaponless opponent Obi-Wan charged forward. Ooth dived out of the dark Jedi's line of attack and summoned the Force to draw his lightsaber back to his hand. Ooth regained his feet and reignited the blade.

Ooth came in with a high attack meant to remove Obi-Wan's head. Obi-Wan ducked under Ooth's blade and brought his own into Republic Jedi's right side right where his lungs were located cleaving him in half. The lifeless Jedi fell to the ground, one more in the already high causality rate which would have to be calculated by some senator's aide on Coruscant who at this moment was sitting in a nice climate controlled, plush room.

Obi-Wan's blade disappeared and he ran to regroup with the Confederate compatriots.

Slowly the surviving Jedi found their way to the battle arena, unaware that the locals had every intent of making them the next gladiatorial exhibition. The CIS leadership remained tucked out of sight in their overlooking viewing box.

Finally when he was positive that the majority of the Jedi that made planet fall were in the arena, Count Dooku stepped out of the darkness with Obi-Wan slightly behind his right shoulder, Anakin slightly behind his left shoulder and Viceroy Haako well behind all of them. Out of every possible exit from the arena's battleground poured hundreds if not thousands of battle droids standing at the ready but not in firing position.

Upon seeing the Confederacy's leadership and their new droid adversaries, every Jedi lightsaber came to life as if controlled by a collective conscious. Count Dooku waved his hand as if to inform the Jedi that their lightsabers were unnecessary and said loudly, "Master Windu. How pleasant of you to join us. You've fought gallantly today, worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order." He then paused for dramatic effect and continued in a lighter and more conciliatory tone, "Now, surrender and your lives will be spared."

Mace Windu answered defiantly, "We will not be hostages to be bartered Dooku."

Dooku replied in a tone which Obi-Wan and Anakin couldn't be positive didn't contain some actual sadness, "Then I'm sorry old friend."

At this all of the battle droids took up firing positions and the Jedi readied their lightsabers to make their final stand.

Then out of nowhere several unknown spacecraft came out of the sky, as if angels of mercy for the Jedi and began firing upon the droids. The droids realizing a new threat took their focus off the Jedi and began firing on the spacecraft.

Two of the spacecraft touched down in the arena, and in the lead one Jedi Master Yoda said, "Around the survivors a parameter create." The white droids from Master Peill's vision began pouring out of the newly arrived vessels and the Jedi quickly took places inside. Once the Jedi were all safely inside, the clone troopers returned to the vessels which promptly lifted off.

Seeing that the arena was finished for the day, Dooku left his viewing box and said to the leader of the Geonosisians, "We've lost here today. Send your warriors to hide in the catacombs." Then he headed for his private landing pad as did Obi-Wan and Anakin. Viceroy Haako quickly recovered to the general landing pads to his flagship.

Inside his gunship Yoda looked at Mace Windu and said, "If Dooku escapes, rally more systems to his cause he will."

The gunships roared though the sky taking fire, and due to the fire a few fell from the sky. On orders from Windu they landed in the clone assembly area where the clones would go to meet the droids in earnest.

At the forward command center Yoda looked at the droid artillery officer and said, "Concentrate all your firepower on the nearest starship."

The clone trooper replied "Yes sir." He then fed the new coordinates to the clones operating the artillery and in a very short amount of time Viceroy Haako along with his flagship were no more.

In their own private landing pads Count Dooku, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker all managed to lift off just as the pads filled with clone troopers escaping by the skin of their teeth.