Chapter 14
I.
"You are in charge in my absence my daughter," Monkey Fist said walking down the dark halls of the Sith Citadel on Ziost. "I need to go further our plans back on Earth and in our own realm. I have what I need from here… for now."
"But, what of the many others. Won't you need them to travel back with you? You'll need an army to take Earth?"
"No, daughter. I need you and the others to stay back. It will be your job to maintain the status quo in the Clone Wars," Monkey Fist replied to the younger girl as she followed him.
"But father! I want to go back with you. I want to help take back what is ours!" Monkey Fist's daughter protested. She desperately wanted to go back with her father and help him take Earth and the rest of the new verse.
"No. I need you to stay and oversee our machinations here. You must ensure that the Clone Wars rage on. Darth Sidious is not our ally… just a convenience…" Monkey Fist scowled at the Sith's name as it left a sour taste in his mouth.
"So my goal is merely to keep your sickly friend distracted? Why not just kill him?" Monkey Fist's daughter asked.
Monkey Fist turned away from her. "No. He has clouded the Force both here and at home. The Jedi are focused on him and so are our enemies. They look for a threat that is shrouded in the fog of war. Your other mission focuses on the nuisances that continue to plague my plans for the future."
"You mean Kim Possible… and Ron Stoppable," Monkey Fist's daughter said through gritted teeth.
Monkey Fist smirked at the hatred that dripped from her lips, "Yes. Although I have left Sidious hints at who to search for, I need someone to stay behind and guide him and his apprentice. That way our enemy's attention is focused solely here and not elsewhere…"
The girl's attitude changed. She was being given responsibility over the fates of Ron and Kim. The very thought filled her with a sickly glee as a smile drew itself across her face. Before she could answer Monkey Fist, he erred her on the side of caution.
"Be mindful. Do not rush because your hatred blinds you. Use your hatred to focus on our goals and have patience and strive to see our plans through to the end. How we reach and attain our goal is just as important as the goal itself," Monkey Fist explained.
Another figure walked into the room. "I couldn't have said it better myself, my lord." It was Grayson, Monkey Fist's devout hitman. Monkey Fist smirked at the man while the younger girl looked slightly annoyed, which Grayson took note of as he knew who she was. "I'm sorry for interrupting your lesson, my liege. However, it has come to my attention that eliminating Kim Possible is going to be next to impossible with current tactics."
"Oh?" Monkey Fist turning to smirk at the young blond. "It seems like you have your first problem to solve. Help Grayson in his task, he is a valuable asset." Monkey Fist turned his sight back upon the assassin. "My daughter is now in charge. You shall take your orders from her from now on."
Grayson bowed, "As you command, my lord."
"Don't fail me," Monkey Fist told his daughter. "Your mission is crucial to my success on the other side," after giving her her final order, Monkey Fist turned and walked away disappearing down another corridor.
The young blond girl smiled evilly before turning to the assassin. "So what's so hard about your job? What do you need?" Her question only gained Grayson's smirk.
"I'll need someone convincing and handsome to assist luring in Kim Possible."
II.
Aella walked through the halls of the Asura toward the ground control bridge at the center of the ship. The Asura was less than an hour from Garqi and approaching fast. Spending the last hour planning out the ground battle with Ron and the others was a tedious endeavor. By the miracle of the Force, her student managed to retain what she had taught him about the droid army and its many units.
Once he got on a roll though, he and Cecily indeed had a plan. An odd factor at play made it far easier for Ron to plan out the battle. When Aella and Svana told Ron that he had to keep civilian casualties to a minimum, if not zero, it was as if a fire woke inside him rising to the challenge.
Aella smirked proudly at the thought that her student cherished life this much. If Beta was right, she had no qualms with her apprentice being the one prophesized to bring an end to the ultimate darkness. At least he wouldn't become like Dooku, cold and indifferent to those around him.
The metal doors swooshed open as found herself inside the ground control room with several OOM command droids and Svana, who stood in front of a hologram of General Beta.
"I take it that Cecily and Kyp are confident in their abilities?" General Beta was the first to notice her.
Aella handed Svana a data disk, "Don't worry, sir. Commander Xzelas and Rammel or more than qualified in their knowledge of the units they'll be leading." Although she was able to say it without hesitation, Ron taking her name and hearing it aloud sent chills through her.
Svana took the disk and inserted it into the mainframe. "You may review the battle plans yourself. Our new officers have three main tasks. You can review their aims for yourself."
"And General Xzela, are you sure he will be able to maintain himself in battle?"
Aella closed her eyes…
"So… have you ever considered trying to seek peace with the Republic?" Ron asked as they waited for Master Naltos, Cecily, and Alex to show.
Aella didn't need to ponder. "Yes. Once, just like you the thought of fighting for the Confederacy not only disgusted me but enraged me. I thought of myself as a double agent waiting for General Beta to turn coat, kill Dooku, and shut the droid army down."
"Then… did you try—"
"Not to kill the enemy. Of course. At the very beginning of the war. I did my best to make sure the Confederacy lost ground. Until…"
"Until?"
Aella sighed, "Until the Battle of Akuria. That was the battle I learned the war wasn't so much right versus wrong as much as wrongs versus wrongs."
"He'll do his job. You won't have to worry about that," Aella opened her eyes. "I also updated the records, Ron Stoppable is now registered as a prisoner that has been shipped to Wild Space as a slave. Meanwhile, Commander Xzela is now his new identity."
General Beta nodded, "Excellent. That should keep Count Dooku off of us and sending out assassins or bounty hunters to the fringes of the galaxy to look."
"That gives us some breathing room at the very least," Svana commented.
Aella looked to the ground. Though she was happy her name would give her student cover and safety from the ominous Count Dooku, she still felt frustrated that he was being pushed into the war. She felt she needed to raise the issue once more as General Beta looked over the data.
"Sir…"— Beta barely tilted his head up— "…I want you to know, I still am not fond of the idea of my subordinate out there on the battlefield. If anything happens to him, the blame lies solely on you." She kept Ron's other titles and names off the transmission. His identity was now a secret.
Without saying anything else, Aella turned on her heel and walked back out of the control room. She had said enough. Ron's identity was safe and now General Beta would throw off Count Dooku and whoever his Sith overlord was. This is what Aella thought.
III.
"Sir! We have an enemy contact exiting hyperspace in sector fifty-three delta!" a clone officer shouted from below the deck.
"One contact?" The commander of the Republic vessel asked. "What do they think they can do with one ship?" He stared out the front windows as a separatist dreadnought exited its warp far in the distance.
"Sir, they're in range. Should we engage?" the clone officer asked.
"Engage. Communicate to the other two cruisers to engage as well. Those droids are fools if they think they can take three of our cruisers alone."
"And the assault ships, sir?" the clone asked referring to the assault ships coming up from the rear.
"Order them to form up behind us. Once we deal with the spoilers in front of us, we'll make the jump to hyperspace to reinforce Bandomeer."
IV.
The Asura exited hyperspace to be immediately subject to bombardment from three Republic Venator star destroyers. Blue steaks of intense plasma crossed the vastness of space. The Asura shook as they impacted the shields.
"Forward Deflector shields at maximum power!" Captain Shinone shouted out to her droid crew. "I want all forward weapons to focus on the lead cruiser. Don't let up!"
"How long do you think we can hold?" Aella asked, leaning uncaringly over the captain's chair.
The captain leaned to her left to avoid the general. "Our shields should hold long enough for us to draw them in. Then we can launch the second phase of the plan."
"How long?" Aella asked.
"About five minutes until our shields fail. At this rate, they'll close the distance in three."
Cecily stepped beside Ron and his master. "So this is the war," she almost said in awe.
"I guess so," Ron replied feeling the ship shuddering beneath his feet.
"Ma'am, their lead cruiser is bearing down on us. The other two are beginning flanking us," a battle droid turned to Shinone.
"Keep the same bearing. Decrease our shield strength by thirty percent," Shinone ordered.
"Roger roger."
"Why are we lowering the shield strength?" Ron asked in a worried tone.
"Don't worry sir. I have a plan. You'll see in a minute that I'm the best captain you'll have ever met and you'll never want anyone else," Shinone smirked confidently
Ron sighed in relief, "That's some good news. I'm glad we're in good hands."
Alex huffed, lighting a cigarette. "Did you tell him that all those victories were in computerized scenarios? The closest she's been to a Republic cruiser before now was in her dreams."
"What!?" Ron yelped.
Captain Shinone glanced at Alex shooting her a glare not appreciative of her comment. Before she could remark, Svana stepped in between them, "Pay attention you two," she spoke to Ron and Cecily, "Take in as much as you can. One day, in the event your naval commander is incapacitated, you might have to assume control of the situation."
Ron and Cecily shook off their anxiety and straightened their pose, watching as the Republic cruisers beared down on the Asura. Just as the battle droid had observed, the lead Venator bore down on them head on, while the other two cruisers swung out to gain ranged and fire their turbolasers from a flanking position.
"Shields holding at forty percent ma'am," the battle droid rang out.
"Lower them to twenty-five percent," Shinone ordered. The droid complied and reduced the ship's shielding output.
"They're launching their fighter squadrons!" Cecily pointed out the bridge's windows. Ahead, the lead Republic cruiser's main hull split open, revealing the cavernous hangar inside. Dozens of Republic fighters lifted out and approached the Asura.
"Have point defense cannons ready. Don't fire unless I give the command," Captain Shinone yelled.
"Are you crazy, you don't want to deter them!?" Ron shouted at Shinone.
"Calm down. Captain Shinone was attached to our fleet by Admiral Norith herself. She certainly has the admiral's regards so she knows what she's doing," Aella defended the ship's Captain. An enemy turbolaser exploded against the shield in front of the bridge. "I hope," she whispered.
"Put up the thermal shields around the bridge. Make sure all SAMs are on stand-by and fire on my command. Prepare all vulture droids for launch. Thirty seconds!" Shinone shouted to the droids at their stations
Ron glanced at Shinone noticing how passionate she was in her duties. She wasn't just sitting barking orders, her arms flailed about as she directed the other droids in the bridge. Ron didn't know what she meant by thirty seconds. In their briefing, Shinone opted to keep her strategy and tactics secret.
Ahead the main Republic vessel closed in as the other two vessels flanked far out and to either side of the Asura. Vulture droids flew by the command bridge engaging the Republic starfighters. The Republic cruiser closed in as the battle intensified and the Asura trembled.
"Shields at then percent!" a battle droid shouted.
"What about the enemy!" Shinone shouted back.
"Enemy shields at sixty-two percent!"
"Now! Launch the attack! Frigate forty-seven through fifty-four and destroyers thirteen and sixteen! Assume attack positions!" Captain Shinone shouted.
At first, Ron didn't know what the captain of the Asura was talking about. Then, with the Asura shaking from the punishment it was receiving, multiple confederate ships exited hyperspace. Two shielded the flanks of the Asura from the enemy cruisers that swung around, while the others engaged them.
"Press the attack! Point defense cannons and SAMs assist our fighter squadrons. Put up the thermal shields and recycle the main shields!" Shinone shouted.
Ron and others watched as the battle in front of Garqi shifted in their favor. The other two Republic vessels that tried flanking the Asura earlier fell quickly as they couldn't adjust their defenses to the surprise attack. The only threat that remained was the lead attack cruiser that heeded its charge but ceased firing its main armament.
"Unit 121, charge forward cannons to full power and on my signal, fire!" Captain Shinone barked orders at her droid crew.
Ron watched missiles zip out in front of the front windows of the bridge chasing after republic ARC fighters. "Wait, you wanted those fighters to get that close. That way the enemy wouldn't fire on their own troops." Ron looked at Shinone who was concentrating on the battle outside. He felt comforted that she had some idea of what to do.
"Fire! Fire!" She shouted. The Patriot Fist's main gun and other cannons it had prickling all over it opened up with a barrage. The red lasers streamed out pounding against the enemy cruiser's shields.
"You!" Shinone pointed at a droid across from her, "All power to the main cannon. Order all other frigates to do the same!"
"But ma'am… We'll be left without shields," the droid said hollowly, calculating the consequences.
"I hate to say it, but the droid's right. If they resume firing or a fighter takes a shot at us, we're toast," Alex added.
"That's what we have the thermal shields for. All power to the main cannon and prepare to fire on my mark!" Shinone ignored the battle droid and Alex. "Let me worry about any consequences."
But the consequences are my life! Ron thought. Shinone pursued her course of action. Admiral Norith taught her extreme discipline and calmness even in the direst of situations. She needed to keep her cool even if what she called 'Grounders' were panicking.
"Fire the ion cannon and disable their shields!" The ship's ion cannon under the command bridge fired two shots following each other into the Republic cruiser.
"Their shields have been disabled. All power has been diverted to the main cannon," Unit 121 informed.
"We're defenseless!" Alex gritted through grinding teeth. She didn't like being defenseless.
Shinone raised her hand in the air, "Has the target been acquired?"
"Roger roger. Target acquired!"
"Fire!" The main cannon below the ion cannon fired using all the energy the ship had generated for the shields. The blast streamed toward the Republic cruiser and ripped into the command bridge blowing it into shards a fiery liquid metal.
"Direct hit ma'am. Their command cruiser had been disabled," Unit 121 informed. "Our shields are still down! Thermal shields offline!"
"Recycle the shields!"
"It's too late for that! Look!" Alex shouted pointing up out the window. Outside an ARC fighter fired a missile before itself was brought down by point defense fire.
"Bring up the shields now!" Shinone stood up shouting angrily at Unit 121 clenching her fists in anger… and fear. The missile rocketed toward the command bridge.
"Twenty seconds until shields are fully recycled and online ma'am."
"That's not fast enough," Shinone whispered holding her breath. Aella and Svana stepped forward raising up their hands, closing their eyes to concentrate on the force. The missile slowed to a crawl inching toward the command bridge. Aella and Svana used the Force to crush it into a lump of metal. The warhead inside imploded causing a small burst that left the bridge unharmed.
Shinone let out a deep sigh collapsing back into her seat. She looked up at Aella and Svana who were looking down on her, smiling. "Thank you, guys."
"You're welcome. All in a day's work. Next time take some advice even if most of us are grounders," Aella replied. Shinone cheeks flushed and she turned away.
"Shields are up. Commencing attack on the assault ships." In the distance, the cruiser they had shot was still erupting in small explosions as its reactor became exposed to the elements of the ship.
"The reactor's exposed!" Ron watched as the captain pulled herself together. Target the reactor with every turbo-laser! Launch vulture squadrons two and five! I want their fighters out of our airspace and scattered," Shinone recomposed herself shouting out orders. The turbo-laser turrets outside scattered all over the ship pounded away firing relentlessly at the already damaged cruiser. It only took one hit to the exposed reactor, and the resulting explosion rocked the void around them.
Outside vulture droids that had been hanging under the metal armor hangings of the other frigates zipped out into the fray of the space battle raging outside. This war. This war made Ron cringe inside. His talk with Cecily and Aella earlier helped soothe his doubts and fears, yet the bloodshed stood incomprehensible like a mighty shadow with no form. The scale of this war made Earth's conflicts look like tiny squabbles.
The scale of death here seemed immeasurable. He closed his eyes. Ron's connection to the Force continued to grow and he could feel the screams and shouts of the people and clones aboard each cruiser as destruction engulfed them. Surreal described Ron's view on the battle at hand. Never did it occur that death could be so tangible.
"Don't you guys have a mission to get to?" Shinone asked turning around to face the others jolting Ron from his meditation.
"Not yet. We need to make sure that the Republic defenses in space are completely broken down. However, Ron and Cecily will need to clear a landing for the droid army," Aella said turning to Ron.
"You both along with Alex need to take control of a Republic outpost near a nature preserve. It's about two thousand kilometers away from the capital city Pesktda. Take out the garrison there and prepare a landing zone for the droid regiment we have," Aella instructed the young students.
Ron remembered their briefing up in the general's quarters. Ron and Cecily would fly their fighters down to the surface where they would raze the Republic outpost to the ground so the battle droid regiment could land soundly without resistance.
"Everything understood?" Aella asked.
"You get all that dweezer?" Alex elbowed Ron in the space between his armor, hitting his ribs.
"Ow! That hurt…" Ron glared her down rubbing his side. Alex rolled her eyes at Ron's antics.
"Make sure you perform your mission flawlessly. Any mishap will greatly endanger our mission Ron… Cecily…" Aella looked at Alex, "That goes for you too," she pointed at Alex.
"Be mindful of the Force you two. Let it guide you in your mission," Svana soothed Cecily and Ron's emotions. Ron could tell she didn't want them too stressed for their mission. They almost botched the previous mission, especially against a Sith assassin.
"We will," Cecily smiled joyfully, bowing in respect to her master. Cecily turned to Ron, "Come on, we've got to go while the Republic is in shock!" Cecily said grabbing Ron's gloved hand. Alex followed them out of the bridge through the sliding doors.
Aella turned to Captain Shinone, "I know they'll be in their own fighters, but do you have anything to help them out?"
"I have a squadron of tri-fighters, they're the newest from the factory and independent from the control computer. They'll be able to fend off the majority of the enemies."
"Good. The last thing I want to tell Beta is that we lost both of our apprentices being shot down," Aella remarked.
V.
Ron checked the systems of his Rogue-class starfighter. He remembered the controls from his training. His first flight with Captain Vaal of the Grim Squadron went through the clouds of Ord Canfre and skimmed the edges of space. They only performed simple maneuvers as time didn't allow Ron to complete what Captain Vaal said would take weeks and months of training. Ron turned to his right where he watched his partner check her systems.
Cecily trained for over a year, even before the war broke out on Geonosis. Though she never fought in a battle before this, the training instilled in her made her superior to Ron in his eyes. He turned back to his controls as he checked the weapons systems and communications onboard. Flipping through all the screens, buttons, and dials, Ron couldn't believe he had come this far.
Not long ago, Ron and sidekick were synonymous words. Accidently blowing abandoned factories and villains lairs a thing of the past. Ron had morphed from a goofy, bumbling sidekick into something that Ron couldn't quite pin down. Ostari? Jedi? Sith?
"Hey!" Cecily's voice echoed through his earpiece in his helmet, "Are you ready to go?" she asked.
Ron looked over to see Cecily giving him a thumbs-up as she stared at him through her own cockpit. He noticed her small comforting smile before her cheeks flushed red forcing her eyes to retreat back to her dash.
"Right…" Ron blushed too. "Alex are you ready to go?"
"Ready when you are moron," Alex's voice cracked through his headpiece.
Behind him, four separatist shuttles sat cramped in the hangar bay containing the new elite battle droids created by Dementor. Alex, the lead pilot, would lead the shuttles down to the surface while Cecily and Ron carved a path through Republic fighters.
Ron engaged the engines frustrated that Alex would still pick on him, "Alright then, everyone follow me!"
Ron's starfighter lifted off the hangar floor and slowly floated out of the atmospheric shielding over the Asura's hangar. Cecily flanked him while droid tri-fighters trailed behind them in a W-formation, with the shuttles making up the center.
Ron turned his fighter left to go under the metal hangings of the Munificent Frigate flanking the Asura. Ahead, Republic starfighters engaged vulture droids in a losing battle like bees whose nest had been destroyed. Their ship slowly fell apart slowly floating into a new orbit around Garqi. Ron learned here in space, ships rarely sank. Instead, they floated in space as an eerie gravemarker.
The frigate startled him as the main armament on its prow fired, the bright flash illuminating his cockpit. Ron watched the red bolt of plasma streak past the broken Venator and slam into the Republic assault ship carrying the clone legions to reinforce Bandomeer. This was their first objective, to eliminate the Republic garrison, then liberate or occupy the planet. However the population saw it.
"Enemies inbound! We have two head-hunters on our ten! Less than three clicks out!" Cecily shouted out on the comm.
That's on my side! Ron thought, quickly looking out to find Z-95 headhunters were really veering toward the formation. Damn it! What call-sign did the tri-fighters go by!? Ron thought frantically, each second counting. Finally, he remembered, "Niya One through Four! Break off and engage!"
Immediately and without hesitation, four of the tri-fighters on his left zipped ahead and to his ten o'clock, engaging the head hunters. The tri-fighters forced the enemy to break off as they weaved over the Asura and into a dogfight.
"Niya Five through Seven, engage in other fighters that come in on our ten but don't chase out too far. Try to hold formation," Cecily shouted out over the radio.
Ron looked over at his wingman giving her a quick thumbs up. She smiled, nodded, and went back to flying. He looked back out as they zipped past the crumbling Venator. A hologram popped up in front of Ron.
It was Aella. "Commander Stoppable. Commander Campbell. Captain Shinone fears that our ships aren't doing damage fast enough to prevent the assault ships from jumping to hyperspace. Take out their command structures to prevent their jump. If they make the jump, they will reinforce worlds we are currently assaulting including Bandomeer. Don't fail."
The hologram disappeared. Ron glanced over at Cecily, "We cross the lead ship and then I'll go for the one on the right and you'll take the one on the left!"
"Copy that!" Cecily shouted back almost excited.
Ron tipped his fighter to the left swerving out of the lead position as they came upon the Acclamator assault ships. He didn't need to check and see if Cecily followed suite. Somehow, he knew Cecily was on the ball. She too swerved but wide to the right. As they closed on the lead ship, which was being bombarded by Shinone and the fleet behind them, they turned back in.
Timing it just right, Ron turned a sharp right with his cross-hairs lining up with the assault ship's bridge. Out of the corner of his visor, he could see that Cecily was coming in fast from the left, her lasers already streaming out from her ship. Ron pressed his finger over the trigger when he remembered that the bridge had clones in it. For a second, he hesitated to pull as he sped toward the bridge. There was life aboard the ship and the grief of taking life was taking hold.
"Fire Ron! Fire!" Instinctively at the sound of Cecily's voice, Ron completed his squeeze of the trigger. He watched his shots slam into the tower with Cecily's, erupting into hot shards of metal and sparks.
Ron held his breath as he twisted his fighter over the bridge, giving Cecily just enough berth to cross underneath him. Time slowed for the tiniest fraction of a second as Ron could just make out her crimson hair in a blur before he raced toward the next assault ship. This time he didn't need to think as he lined up for the attack.
Remember what Aella told you. To be an Ostari or a Jedi, you need to be able to be prepared to take a life. The sacrifice of my innocence is one of the burdens. He remembered her words exactly as he squeezed down on the trigger again, each red blast the last seconds of an enemy's life. Ron listened to Cecily and Aella. He could feel their release in the Force and it was a burden. One that he desperately wanted to not feel.
In a cruel way. The Sith assassin Katsumi was right. Where Katsumi took pleasure from killing others, Ron felt pain. Whether this turned out to be good or bad, he had yet to find out. It would take time and he knew it.
The final two towers were taken out and the assault ships left as sitting ducks for Captain Shinone. Aella popped up on his dash again. "Excellent job. We can handle the rest. Resume your assault on the Republic outpost on Garqi and secure a landing zone for our forces. Once you've secured the landing zone, let me know so I can issue the order." Again, his teacher disappeared without time for Ron to give a response.
"Are you okay?" Ron turned to find Cecily barreling over him and back to his starboard side. "You hesitated back there."
Ron nodded lightly as if she could see it. "Yea, I'm fine," he replied confidently. On the inside though, he could feel his soul-shaking from what he had just done.
"It's okay to talk about it," Cecily answered timidly.
Ron dwelt on her offer. He wanted to take it badly, but he knew Alex was close behind listening in on their communications. He didn't want to deal with her. He shook his head to drown out all the thoughts and screams. "No, I'm good. Intelligence suggested no Jedi were present here?"
"That's right. Intelligence suggested that no Jedi have been present in the system for a few weeks fortunately for us," Cecily added.
"I thought they were the good guys…" Ron flustered over the meaning of the war again. Why was it 'us' against 'them' if we were on the same side? Did Beta have a disagreement with the Jedi? Or am I missing the bigger picture? Ron, even after Aella's explanation still didn't understand the divide. He was confused. He understood and then he didn't.
"Ready to go into the fray Commander Stoppable?" Alex blurted out as the planet's atmosphere loomed ever closer.
Ron gripped the stick in his hands and push down on the throttle. "I'm ready."
VI.
The Neimoidian shuttle zipped downward from the gray skies of Bandomeer toward its rugged rocky surface. The shuttle flew over a smoldering Republic walker and up over a cliff that looked over the rough, spiny forested valley. It landed in the midst of an intense firefight atop the cliff where battle droids were trying to subdue the last of the clones.
A ramp descended from the shuttle and its doors hissed open. Clone troopers' fire hit the entrance of the shuttle until a wall of battle droids charged in front of their blasts, creating an armed suicidal shield. The battle droids, still being fired upon, didn't waver and fell with every hit until the way to the ramp was cleared.
Revealed behind the crumbled battle droids was Beta and his battle-hardened commando droids, all of which had their blasters trained on the clones. The battle was quick as only one sides blasters echoed over the terrain.
Beta stepped over the slain clone troopers. Looking out over the valley he watched the battle between his battle droids and the lingering clone troopers whose resistance continued. Vultures and Hyena bombers descended from the under-hangings of a Munificent-frigate that had entered the atmosphere.
Admiral Norith and the Lucid Voice had made quick work of the Republic defenses in space. Now with Admiral Norith blockading the planet, all Beta had to do was wait as his troops continued to land and disperse by the thousands.
OM-1 approached from behind. "Sir. The raiding force has engaged the Republic forces on Malastare. We lost contact with the last of the strike group about an hour ago."
"Good. Have their air defenses been destroyed?" Beta asked, referring to the defenses of Bandomeer.
"All air defenses have been destroyed," OM-1 answered.
"Land the rest of the troops. Set up our own anti-air batteries and any enemy emplacements we've captured. I want make-shift fortifications built and have the troops dig in within the canyon walls," Beta motioned his hand to each terrain feature.
"You're anticipating that the Republic will make it past Admiral Norith's blockade?" OM-1 asked.
"No. She's going to let them pass and land. It'll be a lobster trap. It'll be easy to enter the trap and they'll take the bait without a second thought, then the Republic will be ensnared in a hopeless battle where they will be trapped."
"All to let General Grievous have a clear shot at the colony and core worlds of the Republic in the southern slice," OM-1 replied.
"It has been our mission from the start. We need to ensure that Grievous doesn't get bogged down in the Colony worlds by the Jedi. With the Jedi trying to contain two major offensives, it will make it hard for the Republic to defend," Beta explained.
"Trapping the Grand Army of the Republic here, yes! Trapping the Republic Navy, yes! But the Jedi, you should know better than anyone that the battle here, no matter how big will keep them once they find out Grievous isn't the leader," OM-1 countered.
"No. The battle is just to draw their attention here. I will keep the Jedi occupied…" Beta replied to his droid commando.
"So you plan to reveal yourself to them? You finally plan to make your grand entrance and let the galaxy know that there are others to fear other than Grievous and Dooku?" OM-1 asked.
"I exist to neither the Republic nor the Jedi. No clone trooper has ever lived to tell my tale," Beta replied.
"So you won't…" OM-1 tried to clarify.
"If I have to reveal my true nature, then so be it. But my identity will remain a secret," Beta answered. Before Beta could continue his answer, a battle droid with yellow markings followed by battle droids escorting captured clone troopers. The battle droids lined them up in front of Beta, the lead clone being forced to his knees right before him.
"Sir! These clones surrendered to us two clicks from here. What are your orders?" the battle droid officer asked.
Beta stepped toward the clone commander who also stared him down through his phase II helmet. The silence deafened the surrounding battle around them as it became background noise. The other clone troopers knelt down in silence behind him, their hands cupped over the back of their heads.
"Seppie scum. You'll be pushed off this planet when our brothers arrive," the commander of the clone forces replied.
Beta stood their silent, closely examining the clone's armor and helmet. Beta recognized the armor. The same armored clone that foiled his defense of Muunilinst a year earlier. It was the famous commander of the Muunilinst Ten, Captain Fordo. At the time, General Beta was going to intervene and kill the Arc troopers until he was instructed by Count Dooku to stealthily withdraw from the system and leave it to the Republic.
"Arc trooper 77. Also known as Captain Fordo. You've been a pain, sabotaging many of my earliest operations in the war. It's so ironic that you'd be captured here of all places. Honestly, I'm surprised you surrendered."
"I ran out of ammunition. I was surrounded and stunned… and I'm glad my reputation is being a pain in your rear," Captain Fordo snapped back.
"You're nothing but drones. Aberrations to your template," Beta pulled his blaster out of its holster, referring to their clone template Jango Fett. "You're worth nothing more than your programming," Beta steadied his aim as he pushed the barrel against Fordo's head. "You're a drone. A droid," with saying that, Beta squeezed the trigger, the clone falling back dead.
Several clicks were heard as the other B-1's that brought the prisoners took aim. Beta looked at them, "We don't take clones prisoner. Execute any more that surrender." Beta turned away as the droids blasters went off. Beta walked back toward the shuttle that would take him to where he planned to draw the Jedi in. His offensive had begun.
VII.
A black shuttle zipped through the eerie cold skies toward an ominous citadel embedded in the icy cliffs of Ziost. The shuttle entered a dark cavern below the giant fortress. It stopped, circling itself to face the entrance of the cavern.
Its wings folded up against the main body, the rear doors hissing open. The eerie red light from inside illuminated the darkness as the ramp extended forward. The Sith Lord Bariss stepped out followed by his apprentice Katsumi, the Sith assassin under his supervision.
A cloaked figure stepped out of the darkness. It wasn't his master, he could tell by his presence. "Where is Master Fist?" Bariss looked around the chamber to see if he could feel his master's aura in the Force. When he couldn't he looked back at the shorter figure that stood in front of him. There was no answer. "Where is Master Fis—"
Bariss's body along with Katsumi slammed into the ground as an overwhelming force pushed down upon them. Bariss forced his head up, glaring at the figure that stood in front of him. "What is the meaning of this," he clenched his teeth together.
"You made a mistake that I'm correcting. You should have knelt as soon as you felt my presence," the female voice hissed. "Master Fist has left me in control of the situation here. So tell me. Was our mission a success?"
Still straining from the Force being exerted over him, Bariss's eyes defiantly shot back at the younger female. "Execute order sixty-six was a success with the clone troopers. Now our agents on Garqi can execute orders thirty-seven and twenty-five."
Bariss lifted his head to look into his Master's eyes. "We have drawn out Beta and his accomplices. We now know of their true nature. Albeit more dangerous than the Jedi, they practice both aspects of the Force."
"You're hiding something"—her eyes narrowed— "and you're not telling me. What happened?"
"We were engaged by the droids as planned. Just as Lord Fist told us we would to cover up the order. What we didn't expect, was to be engaged by rogues," Bariss grimaced under the weight of her strength.
"Rogues?" The girl released her hold on Bariss and Katsumi, allowing them to take a more appropriate submissive posture. "What rogues?"
"The droids brought what we thought were Jedi. These rogues wielded sabers that are rare. Silver-white sabers that felt purified in a way I can't describe. Yet…" Bariss trailed off as if puzzled himself what he ran into.
"Yet? Yet what!?" the girl demanded.
"They used the dark side of the Force," Bariss stated almost surprised himself. "They said they were Gray Jedi. Ostari"
"Ostari!?" The Sith Lord crossed her arms pensively. "Did you manage to kill them?"
"No," Bariss lowered his head dismally. "Our contests came to a draw. We were forced to retreat and destroy the evidence of Order Sixty-six."
The Sith turned to Katsumi, "And you? Who did you face?"
Katsumi never raised her head, out of fear that it would garner a negative reaction from her failure. "I faced two of these Gray Jedi and their dogs," Katsumi spat spitefully, "Unfortunately, I failed to eliminate any of them. The blond one and his minions were too mu—" Katsumi reached for her neck struggling to release the invisible vice.
"You mentioned, a blond?" The Sith raised Katsumi off the ground and into the air. "Please, explain yourself."
"I was confronted by what I thought was a Mandalorian— and an Ostari…"—Katsumi scratched at her neck futilely— "While trying— to reconnect with Master Bariss, I managed to remove— his helmet—"
Katsumi fell to the floor, coughing as her tormentor released her grip. "What did this 'Mandalorian' look like?"
"He was blond… his hair cowlick. Pastel skin and a soft freckled face…" Katsumi continued to cough as she rubbed her neck. "What is it to you?"
The Sith Lord removed her hood and revealed her identity to Bariss and Katsumi. Her golden locks flowing down over her shoulders and black robes. Her bronze eyes turned an eerie gold as they bore into Katsumi's. Her lightly freckled cheeks were tarnished by her vindictive smile. "Let's just say it's important to me. Was a name given?"
Katsumi scurried through her thoughts trying to remember the name she heard back on the Urnin, fearful of the young girls malice. Now she knew exactly who she was and her overbearing darkness was palpable. "It… it was… Ron! His name was Ron," Katsumi breathed in relief.
Silence fell over the two as they remained in their kneeling positions. Katsumi glanced over to Bariss who had just started to look up. Katsumi followed his eyes. The girl stood there with her back to them. Her hands now at her sides, bristling with static as if she wanted to unleash her darker powers.
"That name… that name is the bane of my existence. And you didn't just let him slip away, you were chased out!" the girl snapped angrily. "Your failure disappoints me."
"My apprentice was foolish and ignorant—Ahh—" blue lightning rippled over Bariss and Katsumi as the girl unleashed her fury upon them.
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" the young girl shot out more dark side lightning over the two. "I want that arrogant dullard's head at my feet and you fail!"
When the young blond devil was finished, both Bariss and Katsumi were writhing in pain at her feet, their clothes smoldering. They groaned out in agony as static still rippled across their body as the young girl sneered down at them, disgusted with their failure to kill Ron. They didn't know the reasons why they were receiving such harsh punishment, they just knew it was the way of the Sith.
The younger blond girl clenched her fist tightly. "You two both failed to kill the very entity that is responsible for my failings. The very boy that has caused my life pain and suffering. The bane of my very existence."
"Please!" Katsumi coughed trying to catch her breath, her master still hacking, "Give us a chance. We'll go and kill him. We'll bring you his head."
The young blond girl, Monkey Fist's daughter turned and shot out more lightning. The torture inflicted upon Katsumi opened her mind to her probing telepathy. As she reached deep within the recesses of her thoughts, she saw what she faced. Ron's fears and anger. The very thoughts showed the young man's thoughts on the war.
"No… I think I know the perfect candidate to take on that pest. You, however"— the girl laughed evilly— "Need more time to suffer for your failure," she let out another burst of lightning.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Let me know what ya think. I'll have more to say next time.