Castle Serenno
16:01:12 GrS
150 days before the formation of the Empire…
While a battle raged in the Both system, the Count of Serenno stood in front of his holoprojector, prepared to spin lie after lie with his silvery tongue.
"I have been informed by CIS Intelligence that an entire fleet of battle droids is now unaccounted for," he said in a grave voice. The Count stood still, reaching out to the Bothans to try and glean their opinions.
Dooku did not need the Force to know that, once again, his lies were not sticking.
The ears twitched or fell flat on the heads of the two dozen Bothan holopresences on his desk, projected through hyperspace from the Spacer Coalition's War Council. A few of their faces contorted in silent snarls.
It was déjà vu all over again. Less than two weeks prior, Dooku had perceived the very moment when the leaders of another canine species, the Mahran, would believe him no more. Like this time, Sidious had wanted Dooku to use the opportunity to spatter himself with blood in a senseless attack on a helpless planet.
Only this time, Dooku had designs of his own.
The holopresence of the leader of the Spacer Coalition, the so-called Supreme Commissar, was brought into focus. "Your unprovoked attack on Bothan Space is an act of war. There is nothing else to discuss. Either your forces withdraw, or we will eliminate them."
Awfully confident, Dooku mused. But I am not going to be a patsy this time. "Our intelligence believes that the droid fleet has been sliced by Republic Agents to launch an atrocity with tri-hexalon warheads. An atrocity the likes of which—"
"Enough of your lies!" a tan furred Bothan snarled from the back of the group. "The Republic fleet is currently in combat with your fleet."
Dooku stood straight, expecting one of the higher ranking Bothans to reprimand this interruption. When they didn't, the Count resolved to change tactics.
"Since this fleet is out of the control of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, I am prepared to give targeting data—to render any aid I can in destroying it and ending this Republic treachery!"
The Bothan holopresences briefly regarded him in silence then blinked out.
Well it appears they are done speaking with me. I need something bigger to offer. Perhaps I could trigger a shut-down of the droids… But if the Spacer Coalition attacks the droid fleet from behind right now, they could overwhelm their defenses before—
With a rapid series of button presses, Dooku initiated a group holocall to both of the droid commanders simultaneously. Both bowed politely, uttering the phrase "my Lord."
"The Spacer Coalition will be amassing their fleet at any moment to assist Bothawui and the Republic," Dooku said.
"Understood, my Lord," Vartell started, "I will withdraw immediately to a more defensible position. Scirocco, is it possible—"
"Withdraw?" Dooku scoffed, holding up a mini holodisiplay of the fleet formations. "No, you must advance at once. Punch through the heart of the Republic taskforce once Scirocco is through," he instructed, pointing to the middle of the Republic formation with his wrinkly finger. "When the rest of your fleet follows, this bow-to-bow stalemate will end. There will be room for more maneuvering in the more open space around Bothawui."
"Yes, my Lord," Vartell and Scirocco chanted in unison.
o.o.o.o.o
Kelia Los'ean
Aboard the Kestrel, Zone Five of the Bothawui asteroid field
Waves of turbolaser fire and occasional ion cannon blasts rolled over the Kestrel's shields. The Republic task force at the exit of Zone Five had lost zero capital ships thus far, while the Separatists had suffered six losses.
"Shield status?!" Kelia barked, stumbling slightly as the deck shook.
"Eighty-eight percent!" a Clone yelled from the crew-pits.
Kelia stood straight, staring out of the viewports at the Judicator, which was taking just as much fire as the Kestrel.
Ozzel had been completely correct on the Subjugator—whether this was dumb luck or evidence of a strategic genius, Kelia was uncertain. His strategy was ten steps ahead of whatever the Separatists were thinking, but not so convoluted that it was impossible for an outsider to follow.
The Malevolence had relied on its ion cannons to disable Republic vessels, but had to maintain broadside or close bow-on to actually destroy them effectively. In the close quarters environment of this asteroid field, it was impossible for the Subjugator to face broadside, and its forward arcs were almost completely obscured by it being at the rear of the formation. The massive ship was only contributing harassing salvos through the gaps in the leading CIS sections.
The same was mostly true of the smaller, but also very lethal Providence-class ships. They could more than stand toe to toe against a Venator broadside, and absolutely annihilate an Acclamator. Facing forwards, they could use less than a third of their turbolasers and ion cannons, though their banks of torpedo tubes made them a substantial threat head-on regardless. The slightly smaller Recusant-class destroyers could only fire at the Republic formation with their prow heavy turbolaser cannons as the rest of their armaments were broadside-facing or blocked by the ventral superstructure.
Due to their structural design, which forced any weapons on the ring arms to be placed facing port or starboard, the Lucrehulks also had extremely poor firing arcs. As such, it wasn't a surprise that these vessels were sitting at the rear to allow more of their escorts to move forwards.
This left the Munificent-class frigates and the uncommon but powerful Bulwark-class Cruisers, which could fire forward with a not insubstantial amount of their weapons—and which the Republic fleet was focusing most of their firepower on.
Still, she couldn't shake the gut feeling that something was afoot.
Is this a trap, or are they actually so stupid as to keep throwing themselves at us? She thought, fur swirling suspiciously as she glanced at a flight of V-Wings chasing a pair of Tri-Fighters past Kestrel's bridge tower.
Her question was answered when, moments later, a Clone at the scanning station cried out. "Sir! Separatist ships emerging from the asteroid field!"
o.o.o.o.o
Scirocco
Aboard the Spyglass, Bothawui Asteroid Field
"All vessels, proceed to Bothawui's fourth moon," Scirocco ordered into the comms. "Only engage the Republic ships which obstruct your paths. Our focus is on the Republic vessels attempting to evacuate the planet."
Dozens of "roger rogers" rang out in response from the droids captains of the other vessels.
Out the viewports, the dim glow of the gas giant Bothawui began penetrating the darkness of the asteroid field. Scirocco stared forward at the front viewport, watching the asteroids give way to emptier space.
Crisp static sounds from laser cannon fire making contact with shields rang out, shaking the deck plating.
"Republic fighters!" a pilot droid yelled in alarm.
Six ARC-170s zipped past the bridge tower, one firing a proton torpedo into a cluster of point-defense cannons.
"Scramble all first stage fighters," Scirocco ordered. "Now that we are clear of the belt, they should be able to maneuver."
The space around the Spyglass and the other vessels of Aurek Three was soon filled with Vulture droids and Trifighters. The ARC-170s returned for another pass, but aborted their run, keeping a distance as they followed the Spyglass out of firing range.
No further Republic vessels intercepted them on their path to Bothawui, but the Republic fleet was changing its formation, sending some Venators in pursuit of Aurek Three.
"The Bothans aren't firing at us!" a pilot droid remarked as they passed a Bothawui Navy frigate sitting idly in geosynchronous orbit.
Scirocco stood up, walking back to the front of the bridge. "That computes. They surrendered…" He stood over the comms station, speaking into the channel to all vessels of taskforce Aurek Three. "All vessels, ready the landing craft."
o.o.o.o.o
Lir Sey'les
Ashnenvisk
Shortly after Sey'les and Tav crossed the hospital's forcefield boundary, Veryk said an abrupt goodbye and vanished. The Republic forces now controlled the skies again, and the constant bombardment from droid fighters had ended.
After they were allowed through by cold-weather geared Clone Troopers, she and Tav walked into the lobby where, to Sey'les's surprise, most of the beings were uninjured townsfolk. In the hallway past the main lobby, Sey'les and Tav started seeing more beings who looked injured, many of whom were wearing the same black jumpsuits as the SpyNet personnel who had accompanied Niyusk.
But none of them seemed to pay Sey'les any attention. Just as she was beginning to get desperate to find someone to help Tav and explain what was going on, a shocked nurse accosted them in the hallway.
["This area is off limits! Oh, is he hurt?"]
["It's nothing,"] Tav growled, ["But I am looking for Minipi and Gavir… The other Marshals, do you—"]
["Other Marshals… Tav Mi'zya!"] the nurse exclaimed suddenly. ["They've been looking everywhere for you!"]
["He has some shrapnel wounds,"] Sey'les reported firmly then added with less certainty, ["And I think he has some other injuries, but I don't know exactly. He was a bit banged up before I found him."]
["I'll take you to them,"] the nurse said, but frowned at Sey'les. ["Thank you very much for saving him, but you are not authorized to be back here."]
["It's okay. She's with me,"] Tav insisted.
Sey'les winced. If I get more mixed up with all of these Marshals, it might lead to questions… ["That's alright Tav,"] she smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. ["Good luck. I am sure I'll see you again."]
Looking oddly disappointed, Tav sighed. ["Alright, I'll see you later."]
Sey'les returned to the lobby the way she came. She was safe behind the forcefield, the Republic controlled the skies, and she was now the last thing on the minds of the SpyNet or the local cops. It seemed everything was about to return to normal, yet something about the whole situation felt not quite over.
["Lir?"] a voice spoke with uncertainty from the corner of the room, then yelled more excitedly. ["LIR?!"]
Sey'les groaned as her sister Safyan embraced her in a tight hug. All of her nieces and nephews rushed forward, pushing their way through the lobby crowd. ["We've been looking everywhere for you!"]
Looked everywhere for me? Sey'les did not know how that could possibly be true, but ignored the potential inaccuracy of the claim.
["Lir Sey'les?"] asked a gruff and somewhat familiar voice.
Sey'les turned around, ears flattening as she regarded one of the cops who had detained her yesterday. She had forgotten his name, but—
["Is there a problem?"] she asked as casually as she could.
["I wasn't aware you had been released."]
["Released?"] Safyan hissed angrily.
["They just wanted me for questioning,"] Sey'les growled, to both Safyan and the cop. ["It was a case of mistaken identity… Well, trying to buy a blaster too,"] she added in response to the cop's narrowed eyes. ["Mostly mistaken identity though."]
["I see,"] the cop muttered thoughtfully.
Four Clones emerged into the lobby from the hallway, briskly walking across it towards the door.
["Oh, uh—look at that,"] Sey'les said, desperate to get the focus onto another topic.
Six more Clones spilled out, followed by one Bothan wearing a Republic uniform. Now, Sey'les's curiosity was genuinely piqued.
["Who is that?"]
["Jural Dan'lya,"] Safyan said, ["one of the Republic goons."]
Sey'les stared at them for a moment, slowly coming to the realization that the Republic was leaving.
"So, Lieutenant, is the threat gone then?" Sey'les asked in Basic, walking alongside Jural.
Jural's fur was twitching unhappily. That, combined with the expression on her face, was enough to make Sey'les feel nervous. "We did everything we could, but orders are orders. Look, we may be bugging out, but we are leaving you two shield generators."
Wait—but the Republic beat the droid fighters… Oh no… That means—
"You can't just abandon us!" Sey'les snarled, stepping in Jural's path. "You can't just—you can't destroy a whole droid army and then leave civilians standing on a smoldering battlefield! That's just messed up!"
Jural passed Sey'les with her head down. The two columns of Clones parted, marching around a dumbfounded Sey'les on their way to the door.
Immediately outside of the shields, six LAATs lowered onto the street in front of the hospital.
["THEY'RE LEAVING US!"] snarled the cop Sey'les and Safyan had been speaking with a moment earlier.
All at once, the crowd in the lobby jumped to their feet, yelling, snarling, and jeering at the Republic forces.
["Does that mean we won?"]
["No you idiot! Look!"]
["What, no—that can't be!"]
["COWARDS!"]
Shaking her head in disbelief, Sey'les stood behind the sliding transparisteel doors, watching Jural and the dozens of Clones hastily withdraw.
But then she stiffened, danger sense blaring. A shadow flickered in the corner of her eye as the Republic forces approached the edge of the forcefield. It looked like a figure was running by the parked transports.
Before she could yelp watch out, a bright light originating from the LAATs obscured her vision. Rippling noises and muffled explosions pierced the air. The forcefield warped like the surface of a pond under the immense pressure of an explosion just outside.
When the dust settled, all six LAATs were twisted and warped metal. Miraculously, however, Jural and the Clones had been on the right side of the forcefield when the explosion went off.
["Quick lock the door!"] a voice behind Sey'les snarled.
Deafened and dazed, Jural staggered in front of the door, expecting it to open. One of the Clones brushed past her and began knocking on the window himself.
["What the kriff are you doing?!"] Sey'les snapped, pushing her way through her Clan members as she approached the door release.
["They abandoned us! Looks like the tide has turned."]
Sey'les bit the air furiously when her brother-in-law Baroshk and three miners blocked the button. ["Stop—hey get out of my way! GET OFF OF ME!"]
["If you want to help the humans so much, maybe you belong out there with them!"]
["Baroshk! What are you doing?"] Safyan snapped. ["Let go of my sister!"]
["Have you completely lost your—HEY!"] Sey'les snarled, struggling against the crowd.
But it was no use. She was unceremoniously shoved through the door, into the sounds of battle and explosions outside. She glared through the glass, flashing her fangs along with a rude hand gesture at the crowd.
Behind the glass, Baroshk and Safyan were clearly having a heated argument, with all of their children looking worried and dismayed. Scanning the crowd, Sey'les locked eyes with Rysh.
Hey, I didn't know Rysh had made it to the hospital. Sey'les smiled confidently at Rysh. Okay, let me in… Let us all in!
With a hardened expression, Rysh turned away, disappearing into the crowd.
The howl of Vulture droid engines drew Sey'les's attention skyward. Once again, the sky was lit with explosions as Separatist and Republic fighters engaged in battle. A boxy Republic Pelta frigate ascended from the ground, a few blocks away from the hospital, taking out a swarm of droid starfighters with its laser cannons before opening the flaps at its rear and ascending at full thrust.
"Lieutenant Dan'lya to any Republic forces," Jural spoke desperately into her wristcomm, "We are trapped at the hospital. Our transports—"
A beam of laser fire from a passing droid HMP gunship pinged against the hospital forcefield, failing to penetrate the barrier but loud enough to cause Jural and Sey'les to cover their ears.
The unmistakable sounds of small-arms fire rang out from somewhere out of sight in front of the hospital. Sey'les could make out the sounds of DC-15s and E-5s.
That sounds close.
"Hey, I know how to use a blaster," Sey'les said insistently.
Jural ignored her. "Say again, we are at the hospital in need of immediate evac."
Sey'les pointed to a holstered pistol on one of the Clone's hips. "Come on, you can use all the help you can get."
"Sir," said a Clone Sergeant Major, "We should take cover."
Ears perked up, Sey'les could now hear shouts and screams from beyond the forcefield. Some of the voices sounded like Clones, but there was another she couldn't make out. Soon, the thuds of footfalls came closer and closer, until six Clone troopers wearing blue and white cold assault armor, and one Aqualish Lieutenant Commander in a Republic naval uniform emerged into view from behind the wreckage of LAATs.
"Friendlies!" Sey'les yelled, drawing momentary stares from the Republic personnel around her.
"Friendlies! Hold your fire!" Jural echoed. Her forces lowered their blasters as the newcomers walked through the forcefield barrier.
"What is going on here?!" the Aqualish yelled, approaching Jural and her Clones. "Identify yourself!"
"Sir, I am Lir Sey'les, local of this—"
"Lieutenant Dan'lya, sir," Jural interrupted, "From the RSD Kestrel. We were evacuating from the hospital when our transports were destroyed."
One of the Clones raised his blaster, kneeling as he aimed it at the forcefield. "Incoming!"
A platoon of battle droids stepped through the flames and into the shield, blasters leveled.
Sey'les took cover behind a large empty vase, just as the blaster bolts started flying, the B1s firing with abandon and hitting the permacrete and transparisteel hospital, putting scorch marks on the exterior walls and windows.
Screams and yelps echoed from inside, the crowd surging away from the windows in a panic as a grey-marked Heavy Battle Droid sprayed suppressing fire across the front of the hospital with its heavy blaster rifle before being destroyed by return fire from one of the Clones.
Sey'les sneered at the fact they had been treating combat like a show, gawking idiots, you think droids care about collateral?
"Lieutenant! Get your troops inside immediately."
Crouching next to Sey'les, Jural squeezed the trigger of her blaster pistol, firing into the crowd of droids. "We can't! They locked us out, and the windows are blastproof!"
Five more battle droids stepped through the forcefield but were reduced to smoldering scrap before they could fire off a single shot.
"Locked you out?!" the Aqualish yelled incredulously, standing up once the blasterfire ended. "Locked out on your own world! This is the biggest failure of leadership I have ever witnessed!"
Jural began stuttering an explanation, then gave up and sighed.
"Boxer," the Lieutenant Commander barked to one of his Clones, "See if you can get that door open with the magseal kit."
"Yes sir."
"Look," Sey'les said softly to Jural, "My brother-in-law locked me out because I tried to get them to open the door. Sometimes shtak happens. There will always be some Lieutenant Commander or something who thinks you're an idiot. When you're a leader, you just gotta forget about it, and—"
"Who are you?" Jural interrupted, looking Sey'les directly in the eyes.
"Uh, no one," Sey'les growled automatically, looking down at a particularly interesting clump of ice on the side of the staircase to avert her gaze.
"I don't believe you," Jural said bluntly.
"Of course you don't," Sey'les whispered, "But it's not very prudent to tell me that is it?"
Jural's eyebrows raised, then she shook her head, as if deciding it was dangerous to pay Sey'les any attention.
A vast shadow suddenly crossed over the hospital, and the dull drone of engines filled the air.
Sey'les looked up at the sky with a blank expression. With the Republic craft in full retreat from Ashnenvisk, droid transports were descending from the skies in greater and greater numbers.