Chapter Twenty-Five

The moment they came out of hyperspace, Aedan executed his stealth protocol, sending the decoy signals out as well as jamming communications. "First, I'll try a scan. See if the sensors can pick up Obi-Wan's ship."

"And if they don't?" Kyra asked, turning around in the pilot's chair.

Aedan held her gaze, "Then we'll have to try something else."

She nodded than faced the viewport.

Aedan keyed in parameters to the search, and waited. And waited some more. But nothing. The sensors picked up all manner of ships, machines, and droids, but no Delta-7 starfighters. However, there was another ship that they picked up.

"Kyra, there's a Nubian ship coming up on the scan."

She turned back around, "Really? What kind of Nubian ship?"

Aedan watched as the schematics loaded onto the viewscreen. "An...H-type Yacht."

Kyra's eyebrow went up, "That's like finding a Sando on Jakku."

Aedan glowered at his padawan.

"What, it is? Nubian ships are rare, but an H-type is hardly ever used by anyone other than royalty."

Aedan nodded, "Or past royalty."

"You have an idea?"

Aedan chewed on his lip, then nodded, "About the time we got back from Tython there were the two attempted assassinations on Senator Amidala."

"I heard," Kyra said.

"Well, word through the kshyy vine was that Skywalker was assigned a protection detail for Senator Amidala, and he escorted her to Naboo."

Kyra sat forward, hand going to her chin. "And you think Anakin heard about his master being kidnapped and then came here."

"I do."

She pursed her lips, "Not the best protection detail."

"Well, maybe he left her behind," Aedan said, then keyed in coordinates that popped up on Kyra's viewscreen. "That's where the ship is. Find somewhere out of sight to land, and I'll activate the camouflage."

"Roger that."

Within minutes, Kyra had brought the 'Guile down close to where the Nubian Yacht was pinging from, which was down an industrial exhaust port.

"Sneaky," Kyra said.

"Yea, I'm guessing that's the senator's doing. Anakin isn't exactly sneaky."

Kyra bobbed her head, "Yea, he's more slash, smash, and crash."

Aedan chuckled, "Indeed."

They exited the 'Guile and made their way into the exhaust port, finding the sleek Nubian ship still functional, but vacant. Aedan quickly walked in and checked the nav charts. "Well, I think this is their ship. But it left Naboo for...Tatooine. Then it came here."

Aedan closed his eyes, and reached out with the force, he did sense a force signature here. He wasn't close with Anakin at all, but he could certainly sense that someone strong in the force was here. "Come on, let's see if we can find their trail."

Aedan led them out of the ship, and down the long dark hallway.

"Yep, definitely Skywalker," Kyra said surveying several cleaning droids clearing off the remains of what looked like dozens of Geonosians.

Aedan nodded as they stalked carefully forward, "What did you say again, 'Slash, smash, and crash?' Definitely an apt description."

They followed the trail of corpses and cleaning droids down the corridor, and into a droid factory.

Kyra stood at the top of a perch outside of an entryway, and looked out over the massive facility. "This is trouble, Master. There are thousands being built."

"Hundreds of thousands," Aedan corrected, "And I'd bet this is only one of many foundries on this planet, and there are many more planets."

He watched as Kyra looked in dismay at the numerous machines carrying out their mechanical purposes. "Come on, Padawan," he said. "Let's continue on."

The trail went cold a few hundred meters in. There were no more dead bodies, cleaning droids, or indications of a lightsaber battle. "Well, now what?" Kyra asked.

"Well, now we try something else."

"That something else being the force?"

"Yea, we probably could have tried it earlier, but Dooku is here, and may have picked up on it."

Kyra nodded, "Well, let's give it a try."

Aedan sank into the force and reached out with his senses. He dove into that infinite abyss and and found there were others in the force as well. Anakin and Obi-Wan were only a few kilometers away. He opened his eyes, "Come on," he said, "I've found them."

Kyra opened her own eyes, and then nodded, "They're not far."

They snuck through the rest of the factory, and found a tunnel that led them outside. In the distance they could see a handful of Federation Starships, half of their spherical structures sticking out of the ground like slate domes. A massive rock formation with three stone spires on top of it, loomed before them five hundred meters away. There were hundreds, maybe thousands, of geonosians flying into the top of the structure.

"I'm guessing there's an opening up there," Kyra said.

Aedan grunted in response, "Agreed. Let's stick to the canyons to stay undetected. I'm positive that's where Anakin is, but I want to have some idea of what's in there before we...slash, smash, and crash our way in."

Kyra smiled, "I mean, Anakin does seem to have a lot of fun with it."

Aedan chuckled, "Perhaps," he said, then took out his commlink. The blue visage of Master Windu appeared. "Knight Kahl, report," he said.

"We've located Obi-Wan," he tiled his head, "As well as Anakin and Senator Amidala."

"Kriffing Ankkox," the Korun master muttered. "We're fifteen minutes out. Are they in danger?"

"We don't know yet, but..." Something changed in the force. The noise from the structure escalated drastically. "Something is happening, and I don't think it's good. Come down on my beacon, we should be at the structure by the time you arrive."

"Copy that, Kahl. May the force be with you."

Aedan nodded, and put the commlink back in his belt pouch.

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Come one," he said, "We need to hurry."

They were nearing the structure when all hell seemed to break loose. A half dozen hailfire droids zipped out of a nearby cave, while four Droid tanks began moving out of a bunker, and driving away from the structure. Aedan and Kyra turned around and saw two Republic Saber Tanks unleashing pure destruction on the ground, clearing the way for a half dozen Troop Transport speeders behind them.

"Well, that's a sight, make no mistake."

The droid defenses crumbled under the devastating power of the saber tanks. The two vehicles were taking fire, but the armor was strong, and the firepower was too much for the opposing machines.

"Look up there," Kyra said.

High above in the upper atmosphere small shapes danced among bigger ones, bright lights flaring around them. "Our starfighters are up there."

The two saber tanks came to a stop in front of the two jedi. The top hatch popped open, and a scowling Master Windu climbed out of the one tank. "No surprise there," I said.

"But still awesome," Kyra said.

Then the top hatch to the second hatch opened, and Master Luminara Unduli hopped out. "Now that, I wasn't expecting."

"Even Awesomer," Kyra said.

The transport ships landed next, and scores of Jedi poured out of the six vessels. "Okay, this just gets better and better."

The two-hundred strong strike team of Jedi jogged forward, Mace Windu at the forefront, and he then turned to address the group. "Scans show this is an arena, and Kenobi, Skywalker, and the Senator are inside. Spread out among the inside, and wait for my signal. May the force be with us."

Aedan and Kyra fell in with one group of Jedi, Master Coleman, Shaak Ti and Bultar Swan among them, as they moved towards one spire. Master Coleman's squad was able to follow a ridge right up to the base of the structure, and with a few Force jumps they made entry into the arena. They didn't run into any sentries, surprisingly. Apparently, they were all too busy watching whatever was going on in there. The noise and cheering from inside were growing, and Aedan could feel things were about to reach their breaking point. They covertly made their way to an access point, which turned into stairs leading all the way down to the bottom of the stands.

It was indeed an arena, and in the middle was a bizarre sight. Obi-Wan Kenobi was wielding a spear while handcuffed, and squaring off against an Acklay. Meanwhile, Anakin was riding on top of a red and grey Reek, and the senator was holding on for dear life behind him. Obi-Wan steadied himself and launched the spear at the giant six-legged monstrosity. It sank deep into the Acklay's left shoulder. It appeared Obi-Wan allowed himself a moment's admiration at his work, as the creature let out an agonized screech. The moment was short lived as the long-necked monster merely grasped the spear with its jaws, removed it from its shoulder, and bit it in half. Weaponless, and still handcuffed, Obi-Wan made a run for it, and jumped onto the Reek with Anakin and the Senator. But they quickly realized there was nowhere to go as half a dozen droidekas rolled their way into the stadium surrounding them.

"Get ready," Coleman said.

"You got it," Bultar Swan said.

Aedan turned to Kyra, "Find your peace."

She looked directly into his eyes. "I have, Master."

Aedan felt his heart do that odd thing again."Stay together no matter what."

"Together."

A ripple in the force let them know that Mace had revealed himself, and it was time to act.

"Let's go," Master Trebor said.

They moved down the stairs and spread out along the railing. Bright colored blades ignited all around the arena. It was a sight to see. Aedan could faintly make out Maces violet lightsaber high up in the royal balcony. It was held to the Mandalorian, and Dooku was right in front of him. Come on, Mace, finish this before it's too late.

Next thing he saw was Master Windu deflecting fire, and gunmetal plated battle droids were attacking the Jedi Champion, who was forced to leap down from the balcony onto the Arena floor. Another new battle droid, give me a break. Then dozens of battle droids entered the arena from one of the tunnels while most of Geonosian spectators were fleeing in a frenzy. It was pandemonium. Jedi began jumping down to the arena floor, and forming ranks to counter the droids' charge. Aedan and Kyra, leaped down as well, and were near the back of the charge. They stayed just under two meters apart, and were deep into the force. The volume of blaster fire was immense, but Kyra and Aedan had drilled this incessantly, so it wasn't too much for them, as long as they maintained their focus. Kyra's demand for perfection in targeted deflection was paying off handsomely as nearly all the shots aimed at her were repelled back towards an attacking droid.

Aedan sensed another ripple through the force coming from behind them. Aedan, along with Kyra and several other Jedi, all turned to see what the disturbance was.

"We're being surrounded!" Aedan yelled out, "We've got to get to higher ground, otherwise we're sitting porgs."

I'm with you, Master.

"I'll deflect," Aedan said, "You clear a path with the biggest force push you can summon."

"Copy that," she responded, "It won't be that big, there's too many Jedi in the way."

"Do what you can," he said. "Coleman," Aedan yelled toward the hulking Vurk who was several paces away, "A little help here, Kyra's about to clear a path. We've got to get out of this kill box."

"You got it," he said and strode over, deflecting laser fire.

Kyra then knelt down, while Aedan let the Force take over as an onslaught of blasterfire accosted their position. It was a lot, but nothing he couldn't handle. Not yet at least. Aedan felt Kyra sink deep into that bottomless abyss that she could tap into, and then come up out of it surging with power. Wait, Aedan thought, not surging. Glowing! A slight blue aura was emanating from her. She was literally shining with the force. She stood up and shot one hand out, releasing the gathered power in one devastating wave. The strength of it demolished everything in a two-meter-wide path all the way to the wall, which half of the droids ended up being bashed to pieces against.

Coleman turned to Kyra stunned. "Kriff."

"Right?!" Aedan responded.

"Let's move," Kyra said. Aedan and Coleman shared a look, and the three of them took off, parrying blaster bolts as they made it to the Arena wall, and then all force leaped up and over it, landing in the stands.

Aedan turned to survey the battlefield and was dismayed by what he saw. Jedi were dying fast. "What are they doing? They'll all be slaughtered down there."

A number of droids and Geonosians had tracked their movement, and were now firing at them as they approached. Soon they'd be coming up the stairwells.

"Well, we can't just leave them to their deaths, we have to go help them."

Aedan knew he was right, and was about to jump down when he looked up to the royal balcony.

"Wait," he said.

"If they're all going to die, Aedan, then I will die as one of them."

"Look, Coleman," Aedan said while pointing upwards, not too far from their position. "Dooku is still up there. We can end this war now."

The big Vurk looked to the arena of death, and then back up to where Dooku stood. "Let's end this," he said.

The three of them made their way up an enclosed stairwell, and came out on the next floor which was level with the balcony. "Should we take the hallway around back."

"I don't think so, mainly because I don't know how many droids he has blocking the entryway. I say we jump and take him by surprise." It was a good distance away, but well within their capability. Because of the acute angle they would have to jump from, and the multitude of rock formations that obstructed their path, the only way they could do it was one person at a time.

"Good thinking," Trebor said, "We'll have to go one at a time. I'll go first, then Kyra. Aedan you watch our backs and bring up the rear. Are we ready?"

"Ready," Aedan and Kyra said simultaneously.

"Ok, on three," Coleman said. Kyra and Aedan lined up behind the big Vurk and crouched down, summoning the force.

"One, two, three!"

Coleman Trebor ran forward and leaped. As he made his jump, a Geonosian Sonic Cannon fired at them. Too focused on the jump, none of them had sensed the danger coming. The sonic blast missed Coleman, who soared toward the balcony, but hit Kyra full on in the torso as she was in mid jump. The angle of the blast sent her flying upward into the rock ceiling, which she collided with hard, and then sent her skidding across the floor towards the edge of the unpartitioned floor.

There was no conscious decision made. No deliberation. He sprinted towards her as he saw her clawing, scrambling to find purchase as she began to slide over the edge. He dove catching her wrist as she fell, but the violent pull wrenched something lose in his shoulder. Pain exploded in his arm. But it was nothing compared to the agony that assaulted him as he felt Coleman Trebor get riddled with blaster bolts, fall off the balcony and down to the arena floor below. He felt the life leave his friend, and his grip weakened. No, no, no. Not again. Not again!

His face pressed into the sand covered stone which he now lay on, both arms stretched out holding onto Kyra, he felt his muscles weaken. Felt his tendons begin to rip and tear at the strain. But he was numb to his body's breakdown. He had lost someone else. Once again someone he cared for had died. His grip was slipping.

He looked up and saw bright blue eyes staring at him. Kyra's eyes. And in that look, he didn't see fear. Nor did he see disgust or disappointment. He saw faith and trust as her legs dangled over the edge, a hundred of meters above the ground.

He may have lost someone else, but he could save her.

He refocused his heart and mind, and drew on the force, pleading for assistance to help lift her. The force responded, and her weight became negligible. Within seconds he was able to pull her back up and onto to solid ground.

He sat there, staring into her eyes, breathing deeply as she gazed back into him. No words needed to be spoken, but tears fell down her cheeks. She had felt Coleman's death as well.

"Are you okay?" Aedan asked

"Yes," she said shifting around, and moving her arms. She let out a cry of pain. "Ok, no, not exactly." She prodded her arm with her right hand, wincing as she did. Then did the same with her ribs.

"Bruised shoulder. Cracked ribs. Lots of scrapes and abrasions." Aedan stated.

Kyra nodded, "Feels that way." A racket of clanking noises reverberated from the enclosed stairwell they had recently come from. They would have company very soon.

"They'll be up here any second, and we're not out yet."

"Aedan. I'm so sorry," she said putting her hand on his shoulder. "This is all my-"

"No," he said vehemently, "This is my fault. Mine." He stood up, as the first droids were nearing the top of the stairs. "Can you still fight?

"I can fight."

Aedan smiled, and then helped her to her feet. The droids were emptying out of the stairwell, and began firing away at them.

"We'll fight through these up here, and then hold them off at the top of the stairs they just came from." Aedan said while deflecting the bolts. They both charged forward, parrying blaster fire until they came within saber range, and then they carved a path through the dozen or so battle droids until they made it to the stairs. The enclosed stairwell was only wide enough for three battle droids ascending side by side, and only two of the new chrome battle droids.

"Master," Kyra said as she sliced through mechanical foes, "This seems strangely familiar."

"Yes, but try not to bring down the mountainside this time," Aedan responded.

The programmed metal soldiers were no match for them and there swift and brutal lightsaber strikes. The narrow passageway made it so the droids numbers counted for nothing. The droids barely got a chance to fire shots because the fighting was so close.

"Some behind us," Kyra said in between strikes, "I'll handle it."

Aedan released a quick force push knocking six droids backwards, clogging up the corridor, while Kyra turned and fought off a group of the super battle droids above. The force rippled, and hundreds more were pouring onto the level above them. While they were fighting excellently, the droids never tired, but they did. How much longer could they hold this off.

The heavy resistance Kyra encountered forced her back down the stairwell, so now they were fighting back to back. They were deep in the Force, but both could sense the numbers closing in on them. How many droids were there? They could also sense the number of Jedi falling, and it was starting to rattle Kyra. The losses were getting to her, her wounds were taking their toll, and she was on the verge of faltering.

Despair gripped them both. Was this really going to be the end?

The firing stopped.

The new battle droids retracted the blasters on their forearms, and an odd silence now took hold. Kyra and Aedan savored those precious few seconds and caught their breath. "What in the blazes is going on?" Kyra asked, between gasps.

Then they heard Count Dooku talking loudly from the Arena. "Master Windu, you have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now, it is finished. Surrender and your lives will be spared."

"We will not be hostages to be bartered with Dooku," Mace Windu yelled back.

"Then, I'm sorry, old friend."

The droids extended their blasters once more, and the two Jedi readied themselves. Before the droids began firing, the force spasmed and they felt a host of new players enter the battlefield. Well, looks like the Republic acquired its army, Aedan said.

Yea, and sounds like some new ships too

There are too many droids in the arena still, and we may even walk right into enemy fire. Let's make a push for the upper level. Hopefully most of the droids are drawn away from us by the new targets.

You got it.

Aedan performed a force enhanced side kick right into the super battle droid's torso that was standing in front of him. The power behind the kick sent the front droid into nearly a dozen behind it, causing another momentary clog in the stairwell. Kyra simultaneously sent a force push of her own, and pressed forward, stepping over the downed droids, and engaging the ones at the very top of the stairwell. Aedan was right behind her, terminating the fallen droids, and coming up alongside Kyra. They sliced their way through the remaining battle droids, and found that, as assumed, the rest on that level were sent to engage the reinforcements.

They quickly went up another flight of stairs and found a secluded rocky nook. Kyra slumped against the wall. "Ouch," she said, holding her left side.

"I'm afraid we have more fighting to do, and a bacta patch will have to wait," Aedan said, "Unless you want to attempt to heal it now. It could take too much time and energy though."

Kyra gritted her teeth, and shook her head. "I'll be okay, for now."

Aedan nodded, and helped her to her feet. They ventured out of their nook to see the arena. They caught sight of the last few open fuselage gunships rising up above the stadium, and continuing onward. Then they both noticed an odd sight on the arena floor. A blue and white astromech appeared to be tending to a rusty, bronze protocol droid. "What on earth are those droids doing here?" Kyra asked.

"Excellent question, but we'll probably never know. Come on," Aedan said, "If we can get to the Peerless, we can still help out."

It was an easy descent as there were hardly any enemies left to encounter. They made it back to the ship, and took off immediately. The droid army had gathered just outside one of their hidden foundries only a few kilometers from the arena. They both were stunned by what they saw. Thousands of droids charging towards thousands of soldiers wearing all white duraplast armor. Towards the back of the republic lines were six legged walkers, and high up in the atmosphere were huge star cruisers. "Where in the world did the Chancellor get all this?"

"That, Padawan, is another excellent question."

"Not saying I'm not-"

Explosions lit up the sky as two gunships were struck by missiles.

"Dive!" Kyra yelled.

Aedan didn't hesitate a second, and a third missile streaked over their ship, missing them by meters. "That was too close," Aedan said. "Thanks,"

"We'll land behind that mobile command center. It's too hot in the air." Aedan said.

The two exited the vehicle and ran to the small platform where two soldiers sat at computer terminals, and a soldier with yellow markings on his armor stood with binoculars observing the battlefield, a commander he assumed. And behind them stood a tiny, green troll.

"Master Yoda," Aedan said.

"Aedan, Kyra, glad I am that you survived," he shook his head, "Lost so many we did today."

"I think we need to work on our battle tactics, Master," Aedan said as he looked out over the fighting before him. "And we could definitely start right now, before we lose anymore Jedi."

The little green master turned to him; eyes wide. "Suggestions you have?"

"There is no cover and we're using linear warfare tactics against a droid army," Aedan said, exasperated. "But we're already committed, so we can't pull them out now. However, that battalion on the left flank, the ones with the equipment packs, varied weaponry, and heavier armor. Those are what, special forces units, I'm guessing?" He asked Yoda as well as the commander.

"Yes, those are our commando's," the clone commander said.

He turned to the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, "Master Yoda, please, pull the commando's out before we lose all of them. Their talents are wasted in this type of fight."

Aedan couldn't help but notice the Commander staring at him. He reached out with the force and felt the commander's…gratitude? And respect?

"Make it so, Commander," Yoda said to the clone. "Anything else, Knight Kahl?"

Aedan looked back out to the battlefield. This was terrible. Charging straight forward into expendable soldiers that don't fear and don't get tired. "Utilize the gunships as much as you can. Droid don't have much in the way of air defenses. Have them fire non-stop. And those heavy artillery turbolasers, can they fire at a low enough angle to take out their walkers?"

The commander was relaying the command to the gunship pilots, and then answered, "No, Sir, they won't be able to fire that low."

Aedan raised an eyebrow, an idea coming to mind. "Master Yoda, Padawan, care to help me lift these?"

"Lift them?" the Clone Commander asked.

"Yea. The three of us will lift the backs of the artillery up, allowing the lasers to shoot down at the ground troops."

"You can do that?" the Commander asked.

Aedan smiled, "We have a lot to learn about each other, but yes, we can. Have your men prepare to fire," he turned to Yoda and Kyra, "Ready?"

They nodded, and together they easily lifted the Artillery's rear into the air. The Clone operator was startled for a moment, but awaited orders inside the vehicle cockpit. The Commander judged that the angle of fire would be safe and effective. Safe from hitting our own troops, and effective for blasting theirs.

"Fire," he yelled.

The artillery's continuous blue laser sliced through the enemy lines, cutting large streaks through droids, vehicles, and even the walkers.

The strain of lifting it became too much after thirty seconds of firing, so they gently set it back down, but they had wreaked significant damage to the opposing force. "Well done, Knight Kahl," Yoda said.

"We'll take up the slack on the left fla-" he felt his padawan stiffen next to him. He turned towards her and saw she was staring up at the sky, her gaze following a starship.

A black and red Kom'rk Starship.

"It's him."

Aedan glanced back at her, "You're sure?"

"Positive," she said, still watching as it landed on a structure a half kilometer away.

Aedan faced Master Yoda, "Master, that's Salas Sa'kard. Permission to engage."

"Granted. Have this under control we do."

Aedan then gestured to the Clone Commander, "We could use a lift, Commander."

"Roger that, Sir," he said, then pointed toward a gunship that touched down. Aedan and Kyra ran to the transport ship and hopped on.

"General, welcome aboard," the clone pilot said. "Where to?"

Aedan pointed in the direction of where the sleek fighter ship landed. "Right on top of that rock formation," he said, and within seconds they were moving towards it. Towards Salas Sa'kard.