Chapter Six
The Second Battle of Kashyyyk (Part One)
After landing on Borgano, Cal went to a gigantic tower like structure as Cere pointed out. Along the way, he met a droid called BD-8. From BD-8, he learnt about a Jedi Master called Eno Cordova and his journey to learn about the mysteries of an ancient civilisation called the Zeffos. Through his initial research, there are two planets of interest to Cordova, Zeffo and Darthomir. After going through Zeffo, Cal discovered the next destination was Kashyyyk and meet with the Wookie Chieftain Tarfful. While they were in hyperspace, Fiver prepped his gears. He had managed to clean his armour for the first time in five years and have a fresh paint job with a small emblem of Tapal's lightsaber on the top of his helmet. With his gears sorted, Fiver went off to the cockpit to join the conversation between Cere and Cal.
"Sir, do you even know where to find the Wookie Chieftain?" asked Fiver as he sat down on a chair opposite of Cere.
"There is an Imperial presence on Kashyyyk for its resources. There's a Wookie resistance fighting alongside an unknown organisation. We should prepare for some heavy action once we get there." Said Cere as she turned to look at Fiver.
"Well, better strap yourself in because we are about to come up at Kashyyyk now." Said Greez as he pulled the hyperdrive lever.
Just as they came out of hyperspace, they arrived at a scene of a space battle. Both gigantic sized and smaller sized Venators were firing on the Empire's two Imperial-I class Star Destroyer. These gigantic sized Venators were Venator-III Class Star Destroyer. Designed by rogue elements of the Kuat Drive Yards, these Star Destroyers were designed to go head-to-head with the Imperial-I class Star Destroyers and in comparison, they have more armaments than the average Imperial Star Destroyers. Each Venator-III still maintained the wedge shape that their predecessor class had but bigger. Capable of holding 400 ARC-170s, 280 BTL-B Y-Wing Fighter/Bomber, 200 V-Wings, 150 V-19 Torrents and 180 LAAT/Is. They are also capable of holding up to 45 AT-TEs and 100 AT-RTs.
The Mantis tried to weave through the chaos as ARC-170s and V-Wings were chasing after TIE fighters, easily destroying them due to having no shields. A squadron of bombers went by the Mantis and dropped proton torpedoes on the Imperial Arquitens Class Command Cruiser, destroying it. Cal, Fiver, Cere and Greez watched with amazement as they passed another Venator-III Star Destroyer. Cere noticed the old Republic symbol on the big Venator and said, "That Star Destroyer must be part of the unknown organisation. I'm going to try and raise them. See if they pick up."
Cere scanned the communication frequency to see which one was the correct channel. As she hovered over a number, she heard a series of communications.
"Admiral Quinn, this is Commander Gree. What's the situation up there?"
"We are just mopping up the Imps up here. We have managed to intercept their distress signal and blocked it. There won't be any reinforcements coming to Kashyyyk so you are free to let loose."
"Alright, me and the boys are going to attack the refinery. We could use some air support."
"Will do. Admiral Quinn out."
Cere locked onto the frequency and said, "Star Destroyer, this is the Mantis. Requesting passage to Kashyyyk."
"Wait who is this?! And how did you get our frequency?" said Admiral Quinn with confusion written on her face. Admiral Lara Quinn was a human female with brown hair that had a few blonde strands, hailing from Corellia. She wore an Old Republic olive drab navy uniform. She was originally an Imperial officer until she defected after seeing her planet being subjugated. In her defection she brought her own Imperial I Star Destroyer, with a full crew that wanted to defect as well, to be analysed by the rogue Kuat Drive Yards. This gained respect from the Council of Commanders in GANR and subsequently, was attached with Gree to defend the Kashyyyk sector.
"No time for that. We are here to meet with the Wookie Chieftain Tarfful. We are friendly. Requesting once again passage to Kashyyyk before a few Imperials find us out. We are carrying a Jedi and a rogue clone." Said Cere as she looked at Cal with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Quinn thought on the information and decided to let Gree know about this but first, she has to get them through. "Alright, I'm sending a squadron to escort you down but if you are deceiving us, we WILL fire on you." She said with a hint of venom at the end.
"Thank you." Said Cere as she nodded to Cal and Fiver.
Cal then turned to Fiver, "Well, let's get ready to help."
"Will do, Sir." Replied Fiver as he cocked his carbine.
The Mantis was escorted by three ARC-170s along with six BTL-B Y-Wings. The squadron had orders to perform air support for Green Company who were down on the surface, attempting to capture the refinery along with their Wookie allies. One of the pilots of the ARC-170s kept a close eye on the Mantis as ordered by Quinn but just as he looked away, he did a double take as he saw Cal and Fiver at the opened doorway.
"Wait, what are they up to?" asked the pilot, wearing a Phase II pilot armour with orange colour marks on his helmet.
"I don't know, brother but see that armour? That's a clone." Replied the co-pilot.
They both watched and witnessed the two dived down into the ocean. The pilot let out an annoyed groan and commed the Mantis.
"This is Captain Chuck of Barkhorn Squadron. Would you mind telling us what the heck those two are doing?" He asked with an annoyed look on his face.
"Well, Captain. They are about to make the Imperials have a hell of a day." Replied Cere with a smile.
"Being cryptic won't help you and whatever your cause is. We are going to take you to Commander Gree." Replied Chuck as his annoyance grew.
Cal and Fiver swam to a lone AT-AT with vines picked up from the ocean. There were artillery shells coming from three AV-7 Anti Vehicle Artillery Cannons that was stationed behind them. The shells landed on top of the walker but only seemed to just make it stumble a bit. They climbed into the walker and crept underneath the panels where a squad of Stormtroopers were shaken by the fact they all got left behind. Fiver primed his Class A Thermal Detonator and rolled it over to the unsuspecting squad. Closing the floor panel, the two heard a boom and climbed out. The squad were all killed. They then closed in on the cockpit where they heard the pilots panicking a bit and arguing whether to abandon the walker or not. Unfortunately for them, Fiver burst in and shot them in quick succession while making sure not to destroy the controls. Cal quickly sat down on the pilot seat while Fiver took over the co-pilot. Together, they moved the AT-AT into position and fired on the refinery as well as any Stormtroopers they see. It was a massacre for the Stormtroopers. Just as Cal and Fiver moved further, a figure jumped onto the walker and tapped the glass. This figure was Commander Gree of the 41st Elite Corp.
"Hey! Who are you two?!" said Gree.
"Two people who brought an AT-AT to the table. Need any more help?" Replied Cal, looking at the figure.
"Yeah, direct your fire at the refinery landing platform. We'll push ahead on the ground and support you with our AT-TEs and AT-RTs. Meet us there!" Said armoured figure.
Behind Cal and Fiver, the squadron escorting the Mantis flew past and the Y-Wings dropped proton torpedoes on the landing platform. Many Stormtroopers were wiped out from the airstrike with the remaining troops trying to recover but seeing the looming AT-TEs and the captured AT-AT, the Imperial Officer in charge decided to surrender. He first came out with hands up and the remaining Imperial troopers followed suit. Soon after, clones of the 41st Elite Corps put them all in cuffs and escorted them to a LAAT/I that has just landed to take them to a separate small hidden base for interrogation. Gree looked around and then turned to an ARF trooper who was armed with a DC-15A Carbine.
"Duke, take a squad and find out where the Wookies are being held. Once you have confirmed their location, we'll advance forward." Ordered Gree. The ARF trooper saluted and ran to his fellow ARF troopers who were huddled in a conversation. With that order done, Gree turned his attention to Cal and Fiver.
"Nice work with the AT-AT. We can use this to research their armour and maybe even upgrade our AT-TEs. Whatever the case, thank you. I heard from Admiral Quinn that you are here for the Wookie Chieftain Tarfful. Why is that?" said Gree.
"We need his help. We think he can help us in locating something." Said Cal as he walked beside Gree with Fiver following him behind.
"Tarfful is currently at our hidden base here on Kashyyyk, coordinating a planetary wide strike on Imperial facilities. This is the final one. Now, I can't take you to him yet until you have divulged what you are really doing here." Said Gree as he stopped walking.
"Sir, Cal….Commander Kestis is here to search for clues left by Jedi Master Eno Cordova." Said Fiver as he stood at attention.
"Commander? Wait….you are a Jedi?" asked Gree as he looked from Fiver to Cal.
"I am. I'm Cal Kestis, Jedi Padawan to Jaro Tapal of the 13th Battalion." Replied Cal as he held out his master's lightsaber.
Gree looked at the lightsaber and then at Fiver, "Trooper, your designation?"
"CT-08-2019. Sergeant Fiver of the 13th Battalion, Sir!" said Fiver, standing at attention again.
"The 13th Battalion was registered as wiped out. You two are the only survivors?" Gree asked.
"Yes…Master Tapal gave his life to save me. Fiver saved me as well along with a few troopers who had their chips removed but we are the only survivor."
At that point, the Mantis landed and Cere came out along with Greez. Gree looked at Cere and immediately, he recognised her due to each Commander having a list of Jedi that were reported to be Missing in Action instead of Killed in Action. Gree stood at attention, "Green Company, attention!"
The clone troopers of Green Company dropped whatever they were doing and stood at attention. Cere was shocked to see them standing at attention for her. Gree stepped forward and stood at attention in front of her.
"CC-1004, Commander Gree of the 41st Elite Corps! It's an honour to have here you with us, General Junda." Said Gree as he saluted her.
"At ease, Commander. I'm not a General anymore." Replied Cere with a sincere smile.
"Yes Ma'am. Company, stand at ease. Back to preparations!" commanded Gree. The company went back to preparing for their assault on the rest of the refinery facility with Gree approaching Cere along with Cal and Fiver.
"General Junda, I am relieved to see you are alive. I'm sure General Plo Koon would be happy to hear that." Said Gree
"Master Plo is here?" asked Cere, shocked to hear that there are other survivors.
"He isn't here but at another base with his battalion. Currently, Kashyyyk is the headquarters of the 41st Elite Corp. Tarfful and his tribe helped us build a foothold on this planet. The Imperial came three years ago but we couldn't do anything until now as we were busy rebuilding our numbers to fight against the Empire. The fact that the clones were replaced in Operation War Mantle boosted our numbers as we managed to recruit most of them. Which reminds me, Fiver, would you like to receive treatment for accelerated aging?" Explained Gree
Fiver was shocked to hear that and said, "Yes Sir, I would like to receive it if you wouldn't mind."
Gree nodded and then turned to Cal and Cere, "We could use some extra help. If you can help free the Wookies, we'll take you back to our base to see Tarfful and then, we can go from there. Commander Kestis, can you take a squad of Jedi Guard Shock Troopers to the prison facility?"
"Jedi Guards?" Cal asked confused. Cere was puzzled as well. Gree then explained, "The Jedi Guard consists of former Coruscant Guard troopers that had defected at the beginning of Order 66. Half of the Guards are Force-Sensitive thanks to them being bred on a planet that is strong in the Force. I can't say what planet that is as that is classified. The squad you are taking with you is the Offee Squad. They can wield a lightsaber and personally trained by the Jedi staying at the planet."
At that point, Offee Squad appeared in their traditional Coruscant Guard red colour but with the symbol of the Jedi Order on their shoulder plates. Most of them were armed with DC-15A Carbine with one having a DC-15 Blaster Rifle. However, all of them had lighsabers attached to their red utility belt. Their lightsabers had different designs but one pattern remained the same; they were all double bladed. One of the troopers came forward and greeted Cere and Cal.
"General Junda, Commander Kestis, it's an honour to have you here." Said the trooper, bowing to them.
Gree then stepped next to the Jedi Guard trooper and said, "This is Captain Storm. His squad will assist you in your mission, Commander. Ready to set off?"
Cal looked at Storm and then at Fiver, "You ready for this?"
"Always, Sir" Fiver replied, readying his Carbine.
Cal nodded and Storm then lead Cal to the squad to for introductions. "Squad, this is Commander Cal Kestis and Sergeant Fiver of the 13th Battalion. Cal, this is the Offee Squad." All of the troopers took their helmet off and every trooper had the same Jango Fett hairstyle except there was one feature that they all shared which was a tattoo across their nose and face similar to their namesake, Barriss Offee. The once famed Jedi Knight, Barriss Offee, was imprisoned for her actions in bombing the Jedi Temple. During the events of Order 66, she escaped her prison and redeemed herself by rescuing as many Jedi younglings as she could with the help of Commander Fox. Unfortunately, she tried to buy time for them to escape by fighting Darth Vader and after a short battle, she was struck down. Each fallen Jedi Knights are honoured by each Force Sensitive clone squads through their name. Each troopers prepared their weapons and with Cal and Fiver leading, they entered the facility.
Apologies for the delay. I needed to prioritise my university assignments so that was a handful. Had a few minutes to write this up each day. Anyway, here it is, the continuation of Jedi Fallen Order and it takes place on Kashyyyk. After Kashyyyk is done, then it will be Darthomir next. I'm not going to spoil what happens but let's just say Cal won't be alone in his adventure through Darthomir.
Another thing to note is that I made my own character: Lara Quinn. This chapter marks her first appearance and we'll see more of her later on in the series. There are several characters I have made but they won't appear until Rebels or Rogue One. As for the next chapter, I don't know when I'll have it ready but it should around middle of April or maybe sooner than that. Anyways, please leave a constructive review and if you like the story, don't forget to favourite and follow!
Until the next update and may the Force be with you!
