Chapter 8: Cloak of Darkness
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I am happy to say this story now has over 50 followers and favorites. I'm glad you all are enjoying this. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
Weeks had passed since the droid incident with R2 and BD and now Shun was on an important mission with Ahsoka and Jedi Master Luminara.
Their mission was to escort Nute Gunray to Coruscant to stand trial for his war crimes.
On a mission to Felucia, Padme and Jar Jar Binks had managed to capture the Separatist and the Jedi were asked to bring him to trial.
Heading towards a Republic Cruiser, Luminara was at the front trying to contact the ones in charge.
"Captain, have you made contact with the cruiser?" Luminara asks.
"Yes General, we'll patch you through." A clone said as the image of a man in blue armor appeared on screen. This is Faro Argyus.
"Jedi Cruiser Tranquility this is General Luminara Unduli requesting permission to land." Luminara said.
"You are cleared, General. We await your prisoner's arrival." Captain Argyus said.
"Thank you Captain Argyus I look forward to delivering him to you." Luminara said.
In the back, Shun was looking at the Nemodian with interest.
"What are you looking at Jedi?" Gunray glares.
"Nothing. You're just the first Separatist I've met that wasn't a droid." Shun said.
"I am a man of great wealth and I can be very generous to my allies." Gunray bribes.
"That is a very tempting offer Viceroy, in the meantime, I have a gift for you." Commander Gree said taking out handcuffs.
"This piece of slime is one of the leaders?" Shun asks looking at Ahsoka.
"I don't get it either." Ahsoka said as they walked over to Luminara.
Flying to the Republic Cruiser, the ship docked allowing the three Jedi, Commander Gree and Gunray to leave the ship.
"This is an outrageous miscarriage of justice. I demand my litigator!" Gunray said.
"Why do the annoying ones never shut up?" Shun asks causing Ahsoka to giggle.
"Keep moving." Gree said when Captain Argyus and the Senate Guard meet up with them.
"Greetings general, we have the brig all ready for this traitor." Argyus said.
"Very good Captain. Commander Gree let's get underway." Luminara said.
"Right away sir. Let's move!" Gree said as he and Senate Guard escorted Gunray to his cell.
"It's hard to believe this guy is a threat to anyone." Shun said.
"I know, Senate Commandoes. How does a money-grubbing worm like Gunray rate all this security?" Ahsoka asks.
"Don't let your overconfidence give Gunray another advantage. Even now, his allies could be conspiring against us." Luminara warns.
On a Separatist ship, an elderly man in dark robes and a white beard walked in. This was Count Dooku.
In front of him was a hologram of a person wearing a cloak to cover his body. This was Darth Sidious.
"Gunray's capture could be a serious threat to us, my friend. The viceroy will not last long under Jedi Interrogation." Sidious said.
"I have already put a plan into action, my lord. My best agent, Asajj Ventress will infiltrate the Jedi Ship and either rescue Gunray or silence him." Dooku said.
"Ventress? You are put a great deal of faith in an operative who has failed us in the past." Sidious reminds.
"She is a gifted assassin. You have my word she will complete the mission to the letter." Dooku said.
"Very well. You may proceed." Sidious said before disappearing.
The doors open behind Dooku and a nightsister walks out, this was Asajj Ventress.
"Master." Ventress said walking up to him.
"There is no margin for error this time, child. You must prove yourself worthy of being my apprentice." Dooku said.
"I am worthy and you shall soon see." Ventress smirks.
On the Republic Cruiser, Captain Argyus walks up to Gree who was outside a cell.
"How goes the interrogation? Has the Viceroy cracked?" Argyus asks.
"Not yet. The Neimoidians are a slippery lot but the Jedi will wear him down." Gree said as Argyus looks into the cell to see Luminara, Ahsoka and Shun inside the cell with Gunray.
"Your thoughts betray you Viceroy. I can sense your fear. That you will lose the wealth and power this war has given you." Luminara said.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Gunray said.
"You hide many things. The names of your secret allies, the location of their bases." Luminara said.
"I am an innocent pawn in all this." Gunray said.
"If you are a pawn then who are you protecting?" Luminara scoffs.
"No one. I…I know nothing." Gunray said quickly.
"Liar! Liar!" Ahsoka snaps igniting her lightsaber and holds it up to Gunray's neck. "I'm tired of all this lying! Tell us what we want to know right now or I will gut you like a Rokarian Dirt Fish."
"Whoa." Shun said surprised as Luminara walks over and pulls Ahsoka away.
"Padawan, terror is not the Jedi way." Luminara said.
"I wasn't serious, but the only way to get him to talk is if he's scared." Ahsoka whispers.
"We have a similar process on my planet, it's called Good Cop Bad Cop." Shun said.
"Uh perhaps I was too hasty. Let's negotiate." Gunray said when suddenly they heard an explosion.
"What was that?" Shun asks as Luminara looks to Gree.
"Captain, status report." Gree said into his commlink.
"Droid fighter incoming and they brought boarding ships." The Captain said.
"Green Company be ready to repel the enemy!" Gree said as clone troopers ran to the hangers where the boarding ships crashed releasing super battle droids.
"Green Leader to Commander Gree! Super Battle Droids have breached our hull. They're heading for the detention level we need reinforcements." He said before they heard a blast and he was silenced.
"Commander I'll need your assistance." Luminara said as Gree let them out of the cell.
"Let's go." Ahsoka said.
"Time to waste these tin cans." Shun said but Luminara stops them.
"You two will stay with Captain Argyus. Guard the viceroy." Luminara said.
"But we can help." Shun said but Luminara glares at them.
"As you wish Master." Ahsoka said Luminara and Gree walked away.
"Perhaps you two aren't able to negotiate after all." Gunray smirks but Shun uses his metalbending to make the chair hit Gunray.
"Nice moves." Ahsoka smirks.
"Had to do something to shut him up." Shun smirks.
"Just you wait Jedi, once my rescue—"
"Rescue? How do we know they're not just here to make sure you don't talk?" Ahsoka asks causing him to gulp.
In the hangar, after all the super battle droids had left Ventress jumps out of one ship to see one clone trooper getting up. Grinning she ignites two red lightsabers.
"All troopers! There's a bald—" Before he could finish Ventress slashes his head clean off killing him.
"Trooper what have you found? Come in trooper?" One over the commlink asks causing Ventress to grin as she takes it.
"They're heading for the detention center. We have to protect the prisoner."
Climbing into the vents, Ventress sneaks over to the engine room.
Inside a 327T droid looks around when two clones enter.
"See anything?" A clone asks but 327T squeaks saying no. "Engine room seems clear. We'll lock it down."
"Good captain, the enemy's advancing toward the prison level." The man on commlink said.
"We're on our way."
"You keep watch 327." The other clones said but 327T squeaks rapidly. "Sorry 327T."
"You know droids don't like to be called by their nicknames." The clone said as they left.
As 327T scanned the room, Ventress dodges his lights and threw thermal charges all over the engine room before sneaking out through the vents.
In the main hallway, Luminara was slashing away the remaining super battle droids while Gree shot one that was about to attack her.
"That looks like the last of them, general." Gree said.
"Yes, Commander, but I sense our troubles are far from over." Luminara said.
In the detention area, Shun and Ahsoka noticed the sound of blaster fire had stopped.
"Sounds like your rescue didn't work out after all." Ahsoka said.
"What do you say now Gunray?" Shun asks.
"I am ready to discuss our bargain again." Gunray said.
"Padawan Tano, Namikaze, may I have a word?" Captain Argyus asks.
"Sure captain." Shun said.
"If we leave you won't go anywhere will you?" Ahsoka asks.
"Very funny." Gunray laughs sarcastically as they walk away.
"I just got the all-clear. The enemy has been repelled." Argyus said.
And their attempt to free Gunray has…failed?" Ahsoka pauses as they heard a noise.
In the control room, Ventress slices a hole through the ceiling and drops down defeating the two Senate guards.
Igniting their lightsabers, Shun and Ahsoka run over.
"If it isn't the hairless harpy." Ahsoka said.
"If it isn't Skywalker's filthy, obnoxious little pet." Ventress said when she noticed Shun. "Ooh a new face."
Who are you?" Shun asks.
"Shun, meet Ventress." Ahsoka said.
"Tell you what boy since you're new I'll make it quick." Ventress said igniting her red blades.
"Red?" Shun said surprised before he and Ahsoka attacked.
Down the hall, Luminara heard the lightsabers clash and gasps. "The padawans."
"Come on men." Gree said to two other clones.
Ahsoka clashes with Ventress as she pushes back. "Skywalker's not here to save you now." Ventress smirks.
"Good thing she's got me then." Shun said leaping forcing her back. Firing a blast of air Shun blasts Ventress into the wall.
"Shoot her!" Ahsoka orders as Argyus and the Senate guards attack but Ventress redirects them killing all but Argyus as she uses her Force Grip to throw him next to the control panel.
Ventress was about to attack when Shun uses fire forcing her to jump over them.
"My you certainly have a few tricks up your sleeve." Ventress said.
"Over here! Open this door and I'll buy you a planet." Gunray said as Ventress ran to his cell and unlocked it.
"Oh no you don't!" Ahsoka said as she and Shun charged towards them. Acting quickly Gunray got out and Ventress kicks Shun into the cell before judo flipping Ahsoka in so she lands on top of Shun.
Seeing the perfect payback, Gunray locks them both in the cell he was in.
"Oh yes, yes such delicious irony. How do you two like your room?" Viceroy mocks as both of them stand up.
Taking a deep breath, Shun slams his fist into the wall and the metal plating shoots out knocking Gunray to the ground.
'Hmm very impressive.' Ventress thought when Luminara ran in and saw them.
"Halt assassin!" Luminara yells deactivating the cell with the Force allowing Shun and Ahsoka to attack.
Shun fires a wave of metal but Ventress leaps back allowing Ahsoka and Luminara to corner her.
"Surrender." Luminara orders pointing her lightsaber at her.
Smirking Ventress clips both her lightsabers to her belt and holds up her hand surprising everyone.
Suddenly her wrist started to beep and the thermal charges in the engine room went off creating a series of powerful explosions that caused everyone to fall to the ground.
Using a Force Push, Ventress sent Luminara flying back before igniting her lightsabers and leaping over.
Grabbing his glider, Shun swings it and a blade of air knocking her to the ground.
Using this opening, Luminara and Ahsoka charge after her, but Ventress uses the Force to open the elevator hatch and leaps into it making her escape.
"You're not getting away that easy." Shun said about to leap after her.
"Shun!" Luminara said pulling him away just as the elevator came down.
"Whoa, that was close." Ahsoka said as Captain Argyus recovers and examines the controls.
"Everything's haywire, the doors, the lifts. Communication's down. Propulsion's dead. She's crippled the entire ship." Argyus said.
"Our attacker has come for Gunray. Stay here and guard him. I'll confront her myself." Luminara said.
"Master with all due respect there is safety in numbers." Shun said.
"Ventress is too powerful for any one Jedi to fight alone. Let us help." Ahsoka said.
"I am more than capable of dealing with a lone assassin armed with undisciplined fighting skills." Luminara said.
"Master, you told us not to be too overconfident with Gunray do you think it's possible that's what you're doing with Ventress?" Shun asks.
"I appreciate the concern Padawan, but I need you up here guarding the Viceroy." Luminara said leaping down the hole after Ventress.
"Get back to your cell." Gree said as he and the Senate guards forced Gunray back into his cell.
"Luminara may be a Jedi Master, but she has no idea what that bog witch is capable of." Ahsoka said.
"You've faced her before, haven't you?" Shun asks.
"Yes I have and she's very strong. Our chances would be better if we joined her." Ahsoka said.
"Sometimes being a good soldier means doing what you think is right. That's why we're superior to droids." Argyus said.
"But we can't disobey direct orders and leave our post. Can we?" Shun asks.
"I wouldn't." Gree said.
"Don't worry, we have this under control young Jedi. Your friend won't be going anywhere." Argyus said.
"All I know is I never risk my own skin if I don't have to." Gunray said as everyone looked at him. "What?"
"Ready to go to battle Avatar?" Ahsoka asks.
"I'm ready. Watch him closely." Shun said as they ran out.
"Call us if you need any help sir." Gree said.
In the engine room, Luminara enters to see Ventress leap in to attack. Rolling out of the way Luminara dodges only for Ventress to slash the pipes nearby hitting her with hot steam hurting one of her eyes.
"Do you still think you will be able to call on the Force after I've separated your head from your body?" Ventress asks leaping in only for Luminara to deflect it.
"Even with my vision clouded I recognize the fighting style of Count Dooku. Your version is unrefined, amateurish, sloppy.
Roaring in anger, Ventress attacks but Luminara uses calm movements to deflect her attacks.
Raising her hand Ventress uses the Force Push but Luminara counters with her own forcing both of them to jump backwards.
Leaping up, Luminara runs along the engine before jumping down.
Blocking her attack Ventress kicks Luminara down onto the lower level before leaping up and slashing the pipes making them fall towards her.
Gasping Luminara uses the Force to soften their landing but one fell on her leg trapping her.
Turning around Luminara saw Ventress making her way over when Shun and Ahsoka ran in.
"Now you fall as all Jedi must." Ventress said leaping in to deliver the final strike when Ahsoka and Shun use Force Push to send Ventress flying back.
Looking over Luminara gasps as Ahsoka frees her leg.
"I know, I know you told us to stay." Ahsoka said handing Luminara her lightsaber.
"Well as long as you're here." Luminara smiles.
"Master your eye." Shun said bending the water out of his canteen. "Hold still." Holding the water up to her face the water flows causing Lumianra to sigh in relief as the injury from Ventress healed.
"Much better." Luminara grins being able to see with both eyes again as Ventress ignited her lightsabers.
Charging in Ventress swings his sabers but Shun blocks it and goes on the attack forcing Ventress to jump back allowing Ahsoka and Luminara to leap in.
Ventress tries to fight them off when Shun lifts a metal pipe and hurls it at her. Pushing back Ventress slashes the pipe to pieces before leaping towards the upper level.
"We have to find her. We can't let her get to Gunray." Luminara said as the three of them leaped after her.
Using this chance, Ventress clicks her commlink sending a signal.
At the detention center, Captain Argyus' commlink beeps.
"What's that captain?" A Senate guard asks.
"Oh nothing to worry about." He grins as he turns around and shoots both Senate guards blocking the cell.
"What are you doing?!" Gree gasps as Argyus opens the cell and grabs Gunray.
"No don't!" Gunray gasps as Argyus uses him as a human shield.
"Oh please shut up. Count Dooku is paying me a fortune for your slimy carcass so please try and stay alive." Argyus said.
Down below, in the engine room the three Jedi were searching for Ventress when they saw movement behind some chunks of ceiling.
"Be ready." Luminara whispers as Ahsoka gripped her saber and Shun made a ball of fire in his free hand.
Running to it they move the ceiling chunks to reveal the movement to be 327T under the rubble.
Sighing Shun makes the fireball disappear before waving his hand and the ceiling chunks flew off allowing the droid to move away.
"Well look who's warming up to droids. Guess having BD-1 in your life has helped." Ahsoka said.
"I guess. Kinda glad I didn't bring him with me this time." Shun shrugs.
"Ahsoka. Shun." Luminara said getting their attention.
"What happened to Padawan Tano and Namikaze?" Ahsoka asks.
"This assassin…I've never faced anything like her before. You were right Shun I was overconfident and I am sorry." Luminara apologizes.
"Master we never meant to overstep our bounds but—"
"General! We've been betrayed! Argyus has freed Gunray!" Gree said over the commlink.
"I've been a fool!" Luminara said.
"That sneaky! He was the one who suggested we come help!" Shun said.
"Come on!" Ahsoka said as they ran to the exit.
Seeing that she needed to buy some time Ventress ripped out a pipe and threw it at them.
Turning around Luminara slashes the pipe in half as the three of them face Ventress who lands across from them.
"We'll take her together." Ahsoka said as Shun creates a ball of air and leaps over Ventress and attacks her from one side while Luminara and Ahsoka attack from the other.
In the detention center, Gree was staring down Argyus.
"Stop! This is your last warning!" Gree said aiming his gun at them.
"Don't shoot! I am an innocent pawn." Gunray said.
"He won't shoot. He doesn't want to damage his prize." Argyus said when Gree fires a shot knocking his blaster out of his hand.
"Stand down, captain." Gree orders.
"Come and get me." Argyus pushes Gunray towards him and when Gree pushes him off Argyus leaps in and kicks his blaster out of his hands.
"Why'd you do it Argyus?" Gree asks as they circled each other.
"A clone like you could never understand. I wanted a life with more than just empty servitude." Argyus said.
"And for that you'd betray the Republic." Gree growls.
"Like I told the Padawans, sometimes being a good soldier means doing what you think is right." Argyus said going for the blaster but Gree steps on it and punches Argyus in the face.
"You and I disagree on what makes a good solider." Gree said when Gunray came up behind him and whacked him to the ground.
"You should have taken my offer when you had the chance, clone." Gunray mocks as Argyus clicks a button on his commlink.
In the engine room, Shun charges at Ventress who attacks but Shun parries and dodges before lunging forward allowing Ventress to leap over him.
Turning around Ventress lifts all the broken metal at them and hurls it.
Holding his hands out Shun stops all the metal before making it spin around Ventress trapping her in a circle of metal.
"All yours ladies." Shun said giving them an opening as Luminara and Ahsoka do a Force Push sending her smashing into the engine.
Ventress is slow to get up when her commlink beeps causing her to grin.
The three move in when Ventress leaps up and goes to the vents. Ahsoka tries to follow but Ventress throws a thermal detonator causing it to explode on her causing her to fall.
"Ahsoka!" Shun leaps catching her before she fell.
Looking up Ahsoka saw Shun struggle to hold her up.
"Hang on Ahsoka I got ya." Shun said when Luminara pulls him up allowing him to lift Ahsoka up.
Running to a Republic ship, Argyus and Gunray climb it.
"The outer shields are still down and the ship is still in turmoil. We're home free." Argyus grins.
Nearby Ventress entered one of the escape pods and followed after them.
"A successful rescue if I do say so myself Viceroy. I'll be a legend for this." Argyus grins.
"I always had a good feeling about you, Captain." Nute said as Ventress entered the room.
"You see Assassin? Our plan went off without a hitch." Argyus said.
"Our plan?" Ventress asks.
"Don't worry I'll be sure to say how great you were in my report to Count Dooku." He said when Ventress impales him with her lightsaber killing him instantly.
"I'll tell him myself." Ventress said pushing him to the ground. "Hello Viceroy."
"I always had a good feeling about you Assassin." Nute grins.
Sitting down Ventress sent a message to Count Dooku causing a hologram of him to appear.
"Ventress? The mission?" Dooku asks.
"Successful, the Viceroy is safe, but during the mission I made an interesting discovery." Ventress said.
"What kind?" Dooku asks.
"There was Jedi, a Padawan to be exact who possessed powers no Jedi has ever had before." Ventress said.
"Interesting, tell me more." Dooku said intrigued.
Back on the Republic Ship, Shun, Ahsoka and Luminara were giving their report to Anakin and Yoda.
"I'm sorry that despicable worm Gunray got away." Ahsoka growls.
"Sorry Masters, I let you down." Shun sighs.
"It's okay Padawans I know you did your best." Anakin said.
"Master I—"
"Troubling is the treachery of the Senate Guard Captain Argyus. Revealed all around us our enemies are." Yoda said.
"I'm not sure all his lost. Gunray stole a Republic Ship to make their getaway." Luminara said.
"The means it can be tracked." Anakin realized.
"Indeed." Luminara said.
"A coward Gunray is, but powerful allies he has. Swiftly we must move if we are to capture him." Yoda said.
"Master Fisto's fleet was closest to his position. I've sent a message to him already." Luminara said.
"Ahsoka, Shun I'll meet you both at the rendezvous point." Anakin said.
"Yes Master." Ahsoka said as they hung up.
"Well Master Luminara I guess this is goodbye." Shun said.
"For now. I owe you two my life." Luminara said.
"Protecting a Jedi Master is a Padawan's job." Ahsoka said.
"And protecting everyone else is the Avatar's job." Shun said.
"And teaching is usually the Master's job. Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi should be proud." Luminara smiles.
"Thank you Master." Shun bows.
"Shun that healing trick of yours. My Padawan has a similar ability, perhaps you two should meet?" Luminara suggests.
"Maybe we will." Shun said as they left.
Walking out of the room, Shun looks to Ahsoka.
"Well that was one of our less successful missions." Shun said.
"It happens sometimes. We can't always be the winners." Ahsoka said.
"I guess, man that Ventress was tough." Shun said.
"Well you did pretty good for your first battle against a Sith." Ahsoka said.
"Is that what she's called? So what are they?" Shun asks.
"Basically the ancient enemy of the Jedi and they always use red lightsabers." Ahsoka said.
"And I thought that tin can Grievous was a pain." Shun sighs.
"Don't worry you'll be fine." Ahsoka assures.
"How can you be so sure?" Shun asks.
"Oh just a feeling, by the way thanks for catching me back there." Ahsoka smiles.
"Hey I don't want you to die yet. I enjoy having you around." Shun said.
"Me too." Leaning in Ahsoka pecks Shun on the cheek causing him to freeze up.
As Ahsoka walks ahead Shun sighs happily. The mission may not have been a success but Ahsoka just made him feel like a real winner.