-Chapter 114: The Fallout-
Location: Orron III
"Help can come from unexpected places."
"I do not understand why we have to help him. If he dies in battle, so what? He has given his life to the Confederate cause, I do not see what is so wrong about letting him lay it down for the cause as well." Banshee coldly stated.
"Because we have an opportunity to help him. And if we don't help him, then we're as guilty of his death as the Republic is." Reaper answered, his helmet off as he piloted The Revenant through hyperspace.
"Why does he need help? He's supposed to be the archetype, the best of us all. He should be helping us, not the other way around." Banshee continued.
"Even we super-soldiers have our limits." Reaper simply replied. "Go check on the others, we'll be arriving soon." He instructed, adjusting a few system knobs on his console. With a sigh, the Umbaran super-soldier did as asked, making to leave the cockpit. "Banshee," Reaper's voice caused her to stop, "the Republic and the rest of their holdings like to call us monsters. Freaks. All we have is each other. We need to band together." Reaper told her. Banshee remained silent and simply entered the rear hold. While her attitude was very Umbaran in terms of self-reliance, Reaper couldn't help but be worried about Banshee's continued attitude towards 'survival of the fittest'... and wondered just how much of her Umbaran upbringing might come to light.
On Orron III...
The silhouette of the capitol city was plain to see as the sun rose behind it, even if it wasn't nearly as grand or splendid like the capitols of other worlds. At mid-day, the Republic had finally arrived at the end of the valley after another day of marching and fending off attempted attacks by The Wraith. The Titans had proven invaluable to the safekeeping of the remaining Clones and in defending the Republic from further sneak attacks by Wraith. And now, at the end of their march, their destination was in sight. There were certainly less Clones than the Jedi would've preferred, but their victory was virtually assured.
The Clones packed up as the Jedi and the Titans debriefed.
"Your work here has been greatly appreciated, Corsair." Mace stated in thanks. "Seeing as this next phase involves far more of 'our war' as you put it, you are free to leave as you see fit."
"Thanks, but we ain't goin' nowhere jus' yet, Jedi." Corsair replied, tapping some ashes off his cigarra. "We got Wraith on tha ropes, now's our time ta bag 'im."
"Well, if you stay out of our hair, we'll stay out of yours." Anakin surmised, albeit rather begrudgingly. Corsair chuckled.
"'Preciate tha gestuah, Skywalkah. And, as a token of our appreciation, our scoutah's got y'all a new route!" He remarked as Theris stepped forward and produced a holoprojector, triggering a map of the valley's edge. "This may be tha closest way to tha capitol, but it ain't easy." Corsair explained, highlighting the edge the Jedi were making their way towards. "But this one is; a nice slopin' terrain that'll be a walk in tha park. Due north, not too far outta yor way." He stated, pointing to a distant northern side of the valley that was more hill than cliff.
"But it is out of our way..." Anakin mused. "Still, might be of use."
"Any break we could give the men makes them all the more ready for battle." Aayla suggested. Mace and Luminara nodded in agreement.
"We'll investigate the ridge and decide our course. Thank you, Corsair, for the suggestion." Mace offered. Theris stepped back as Corsair blew a smoke ring.
"I can be a lil' ray a' sunshine when I wanna be." He remarked, giving them all his trademark smirk.
At the edge of the valley, a tired and wounded Wraith staggered towards the valley wall. A good fifteen-foot vertical incline comprised of very powdery dirt and an almost sandy compound, it would've been easy for a nimble Jedi to scale but less so for a Clone burdened with armor and equipment. Wraith wasn't very concerned with logistics at the moment, though, he was tired and too weak to care. He hadn't slept in three days, going hard and taking it even harder. Successive repulses by the titans had left him bloody and bruised, his armor chipped and dented while some plates had been torn off completely. He'd done more than the average man could've, but even a super-soldier had limits. He was in no state to try repulsing the Republic again, even though he needed to be. He slumped against the valley wall and closed his eyes, desperate for even a little shuteye.
"Just five minutes..." he mumbled, "I just need five minutes..." It was all too easy for him to fall asleep and within seconds, he had slipped into a dreamless slumber.
"You'll need more than manpower to win this battle."
Wraith awoke with a start as the voice filled his helmet's audio receptors. He bolted awake, wondering how long he'd been asleep for. Minutes? Hours? He looked up to find the sky dark and clouded. Was it night? Was it just storming? Before he could acquire an answer, his HUD highlighted a lone individual, not too far away from him. They were cloaked in grey, a hood concealing their identity from him. He wasn't sure if they could walk or were simply floating off the ground. A strong wind picked up as Wraith slowly rose, the grass rustling violently as Wraith's tattered duster tails flailed about.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"You might call me a 'benefactor'." The figure said. It spoke with an otherworldly voice, one that was not familiar to Wraith, although it certainly sounded masculine. "I'm here to help you fulfill your destiny." Wraith shook his head in befuddlement.
"My... destiny?" He slowly repeated. He'd heard the phrase tossed about by varying Sith and Jedi, never thinking much of it. The being chuckled.
"You really don't know, do you?" He mused in a tone that was somewhere between pitying and mocking. "Your name has been etched in the cosmos since before the Celestials appeared. Your name resonates within the Force as one who will do great and mighty things... but first, you have to reach that point. Which is why I'm here." The being told him. Wraith stood motionless, confused and otherwise bewildered by the notion that he was... more. Something suddenly clicked as he remembered Mother Talzin's outcry when he attacked her on Dathomir, she had seen something in him... something about the future which made her pause as a notion dawned on her. "Come, this way. You'll be gone only a moment." The benefactor continued, turning around as a portal to another world suddenly appeared before him. That seemed to shake Wraith out of his stupor, the being seemingly reading his thoughts, and he made to follow.
"How do you know so much about me?" Wraith asked. "You're making me out to be some kind of... I dunno... 'chosen one' or something similar."
"Such titles are becoming only of mortals who dream of something beyond their mortality." The figure responded. "I do not speak of what you will be... but who you are at heart." The realm they had entered was dark and stormy, a seemingly endless plain of flat earth surrounded by dark, broken mountains that towered high into the sunless sky. What caught Wraith's eye was the body on the ground, directly in the benefactor'S path. The closer they drew, the more features Wraith could make out. The body was clothed in ornate and exotic black robes trimmed with red. His skin grey and his head lined by red markings. His appearance did not match any species Wraith knew of and his mind was beset by further questions. "Here. Now we can begin." The figure casually stated.
"No." Wraith rumbled, stopping even as the figure continued on and rounded the body. "Tell me who you are."
"I have been set aside for this exact moment." The figure cryptically stated. "I am here to put you on the path to reaching your full potential."
"I... I don't understand." Wraith stammered, still confused.
"You will, in time." The benefactor promised. "For now, you are weak and hurt. I will make you strong and healthy." Before Wraith could ask another question, the being stretched out his hands over the body and Wraith could both feel and sense the Force was at work. Slowly, the body began to dissolve into black and red particulate, floating through the air until it entered him. Stepping back, Wraith was wary and startled. But all too quickly a new sensation overcame him and he fell to his knees as an intense heat began to flood his body.
"W-What... is this...?" The super-soldier gasped. The body had nearly disintegrated by now, just a whispy cloud that barley resembled an outline and even that was slowly merging with Wraith.
"The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilties, some of which may be considered 'unnatural' by most." The being told him, calm and steady in his work. "But for you, it is a pathway to power." The promise went unheard as something cold spiked within Wraith's head, forcing him to clutch his helmet. He felt like vomiting, a sickness rising within him as something else merged with his very spirit. It was strong and powerful, inflaming the heat tenfold. "Put aside the soldier. Become who you are destined to be." The benefactor encouraged even as Wraith continued to struggle with the power that filled him. The body was gone now, the last of its essence poured into Wraith. "It is time for you to embrace who you've always been!" He proclaimed. "Embrace the beast within you!" Overwhelmed, Wraith threw back his head and unleashed a beastial roar... his body framed by the shadow of a great winged creature behind him...
A shaking jarred him from sleep and Wraith jolted awake. Was that a dream? It felt so real...
He woke to find a man kneeling over him, his hair grey but his brown eyes vibrant and strong. He exhaled in relief, shuffling away from Wraith.
"We thought you were dead." His aging voice told him.
"Well... I've been known to sleep like a dead man." Wraith quipped, giving his head a shake. He sized up the aging man and took note of five others who were with him, all of the standing with cycler rifles in hand. "Who are you all?"
"My name is Gillian Ardos. These men are my friends and neighbours." The grey-haired man announced. Wraith quickly glanced over their attire, noting the earth-tone tunics of commoners.
"You are locals." He pointedly noted.
"That's right. We've come to offer you our assistance. We want to defend our homes and our families." Gillian told him. Wraith slowly picked himself up, feeling better now. Maybe that mysterious being had restored his health after all. Glancing upwards, Wraith realized the sky was much brighter and bluer than when he'd last closed his eyes. The sun had risen fully, it was mid-morning now.
"Your desires are commendable. But now is not the time. You should be with your families." Wraith stated.
"We were offered spots on the relocation transports. But we refused. We want to stay and fight for our right to live as we see fit." Gillian explained. "The Republic has no right to be here, we want them to know that."
"You are a man of honor, Gillian Ardos." Wraith complimented. "But this battle requires more than simple strength of will. The Republic is on the warpath, they would rather kill you than heed your words."
"Each of us know the cost, Wraith. We are willing to lay down our lives if it means our homes will be assured." Gillian promised. Wraith could say nothing more. He saw the determination in all of their eyes. These men, without any military training or background in combat, were still willing ti fight for their freedom and for the future of their families.
"The Separatists are honored to have such men as you working for the greater good." He softly said in a somber tone. "But you must go, all of you, before the Republic arrives. This is no place for bravery." He didn't want to dissuade them, but he wanted them safe.
"It may be too late for that." A man with salt-and-pepper hair remarked, his gaze to the distant hills. Wraith looked as well and saw a first line of Clones and Jedi approaching. The Republic had arrived.
"Sithspit." He growled, quickly closing his mouthguard. "All of you get down and take cover. I will meet them head-on." He commanded, finding enough renewed strength to jog towards the Republic. "That's an order." He added for good measure. His mind racing, Wraith cared little for the determination of the farmers and more for how he was supposed to proceed. He hadn't had any time to plan for the battle, meaning he'd have to think on his feet. But he felt... bolder somehow. His courage, worn down by failures and defeats, had returned anew. Wraith felt empowered, driven to fulfill his mission. And he would do so.
The Republic would be stopped... no matter the cost.
Coming to a stop at the crest of a hill, Wraith was now but a handful of meters away from the valley wall, the Republic much closer than he thought. As soon as they laid eyes on him, they halted, Clones charging their weapons in a position of readiness. "This is your last chance, you warmongers!" Wraith called out. "Leave Orron and its people alone!"
"You expect us to take orders from a Separatist?" Anakin shot back.
"I expect you to respect the universal right of free will!" Wraith responded. "The Orronians have made their choice, now honor it!"
"Their operations here are an obstruction to galactic peace." Mace declared.
"'Republic' peace, perhaps. The Orronians led peaceful lives before you 'peacekeepers' showed up with your armies." Wraith retorted. Barriss couldn't help but feel the sting of his words.
"The Wraith speaks the truth, Jedi." Gillian stated as he suddenly appeared beside Wraith without a cycler rifle. Caught up in his spiel, Wraith hadn't even sensed him coming.
"Gillian, what're you doing?!" He hissed.
"Please, let me speak to them. Perhaps their minds will change if they hear from an Orronian." Gillian offered. Wraith relented and allowed him to step forward. "Jedi, please, we are but simple farmers and workers. We asked for no quarrel and want none."
"Who is it we are addressing?" Mace cordially replied.
"I am Gillian Ardos. I'm but a simple man who works to provide for my family." Gillian told them. "We've heard how you destroyed the other manufacturing plants. We do not want that here."
"If Orron were to cease providing for the Separatists, we might be able to reach an amicable conclusion." Aayla suggested.
"But the Confederacy has been good to us. The Republic had all but forgotten us, relying on the Agriworlds of the Mid Rim." Gillian protested. "We're just trying to make a living. Is that so wrong?"
"It is when you're enabling tyrants and monsters to continue as they do." Anakin sharply told him.
"But they're not 'tyrants' and 'monsters' to us." Gillian said.
"I am sorry, Mister Ardos. But unless Orron abandons the Confederacy, there are few alternatives." Mace told him.
"We will not. We cannot!" Gillian pleaded. He suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Anakin by the robes, earnestly begging him. "Our families depend upon it! Please!" Rex quickly intervened and pulled Gillian back and off of his General.
"We wish no harm to your families. But your factories must be stopped." Anakin firmly stated, straightening his robes. Shaking free of Rex's grip, Gillian fixed Anakin with a steady, energetic stare. He may be old, but his fire was like that of a youth's.
"We will not go quietly into the night!" He vehemently promised. All of a sudden, the other men with him rushed past Wraith and opened fire with their cycler rifles.
"No. Stop, dammit! That's an order!" He frantically cried, knowing the Republic would defend themselves with far more lethal means. Their shots were wide, none of them very good shots, and the Republic immediately went on the defensive. The Orronians kept shooting, but it took only single shots from the Clones to fell the farmers. It was an automatic response, the troopers trained to defend themselves in stages depending on their opponent's aggression. This was a final response; they were being shot at, their lives potentially in jeopardy, so they shot back. One by one the farmers fell dead, the fight over in a manner of seconds. Gillian was horrified by the loss, but would act with just as much fervor as his countrymen. He managed to grab one of Rex's pistols before the captain could react and made to shoot it... until Anakin drew his lightsaber and cut off his hand in defence of Rex. "No!" Wraith gasped. He had to do something, he had to act to save him...
The farmer cried out as his hand fell to the ground, before being promptly shoved away by Rex. Anakin seemed to rear back his saber in a threatening manner and Gillian cowered, fearing a death blow. But then, all of a sudden, his lightsaber was wrenched from his hand. The blade deactivated as the hilt spun through the air...
Until it landed in Wraith's outstretched hand.
A stunned silence fell over the battlefield as everyone comprehended, with great surprise, what had just happened. The Clones looked on in shock, devastated by the reveal. The Jedi were agape as they realized one of their biggest threats was Force sensitive, able to do what they could... but to what extent? His presence was suddenly alive and ablaze within the Force, every ounce of shielding keeping them from sensing him gone as they now sensed the true power within him. Corsair's cigarra actually dropped from his mouth as he realized Wraith was now twice the threat he had once been. "Bloody hell..." He muttered in amazement.
Only Ahsoka stood silently by, the only one to have known this secret beforehand. Now that Wraith had revealed his true nature, what did it mean for them? For the war? The future suddenly seemed uncertain, especially to the super-soldier.
His secret was out. It had galactic ramifications. But for some reason, he didn't care. His simple act was enough to spare Gillian and prevent another tasteless, wasteful death.
"No. More." He simply stated in a cold, growling voice. Anakin seemed to panic.
"Jolt! Open fire! Now!" He shouted. The lieutenant needed no further words and charged up his railgun. Wraith saw what was about to happen and tried to formulate a plan, but then a simple voice in his head interrupted him.
"The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities..." He had the Force. Now he needed to use it.
"Everything I've done, I've done for the Dark Side." He whispered as Jolt pulled the trigger. "Everything I do, I do for the Dark Side." The railgun round screamed through the air, crossing dozens of feet in less than a second. "I am one with the Force," the slug was seconds from impact, "and the Force," mere millimeters away, the slug was poised to strike his chest, "...is with me."
The round slammed into Wraith's chest, crumpling on impact.
Striking an impenetrable, invisible barrier, the slug flattened into a disc with a shower of sparks as the Force protected Wraith. The result was a useless salvo that rolled across the ground and an unhurt, untouched Wraith. Another stunned silence. More jaws gone slack.
Snapping out his hand, Wraith yanked the railgun out of Jolt's hand and into his own with the Force, Clones scattering as he took aim and fired a single shot that exploded an unfortunate trooper's entire upper body, leaving only legs and hips topped by a bloody stump. Anakin scrambled to act as the super-soldier cast the railgun and Anakin's saber aside and quickly pulled the wounded Gillian into his arms. He needed to get him out of here first, before all hell broke loose. Turning on heel, he broke into a sprint, hoisting the farmer over his shoulder. Reaching the valley wall in record time, Wraith summoned the Force to leap the fifteen feet up to the surface before he eased Gillian onto the ground. "I tried to warn you."
"I know... but I couldn't just stand by." Gillian replied.
"Your determination is praiseworthy. But now it is best served protecting your family." Wraith gently told him, retracting his mask. "Now go. Leave this battle to me." Picking himself up, Gillian started on his way, Wraith standing alone as he breathed deeply and mentally prepared himself for the battle to come.
"Having trouble?" A familiar voice asked and Wraith whirled around to see two familiar faces... or, more accurately, helmets.
"Reaper! Banshee!" He exclaimed, mentally kicking himself for not paying more attention to his senses. "When did you get here?"
"Just now." Banshee answered.
"We just got word that the last transfer ship has safely moved the Orronians." Reaper continued. "We wrapped up defending our droid factories and now we're here to help you reclaim their home." Breathing a sigh of relief, Wraith let himself smile.
"Your presence is most welcome." He said, approaching them. "The three of us should be able to handle this." Reaper and Banshee shared simple glances that Wraith didn't clue in on, but he could sense that something was up. Reaper turned back to him, his mouth curled into a smirk.
"Who says there's just three of us?" He replied. Confused, Wraith waited for him to elaborate, but was instead suddenly shocked as a cloaking device deactivated to reveal a fourth super-soldier standing to Reaper's right. Her armor was gray in color and a pair of twin-barreled blasters were strapped to her forearms. Her optics were bright red, just like the rest, but narrow and tiny like a pair of dots set against her face.
"Phantom, awaiting orders." She stated. Before Wraith could get over his surprise, two more figures bounded out from behind some rocks and stood before him. Their armor was identical; black wrapping around their bodies with blue armor plating shielding them. Even their weapons were identical; matching TL-series autoguns across their backs and knives sheathed by their waists. The only way to tell them apart were their visors, the soldier on the left bearing a t-shaped one evocative of Mandalorian helmets while right's visor was shaped like a V, not unlike the phase one Clone helmets.
"Aivela," the right one announced,
"and Esne," her twin continued,
"Reporting for duty!" They stated in unison, snapping to attention simultaneously. Wraith was lost for words. Three super-soldiers had become four, and then six! But the surprises continued as a seventh soldier, this one a truly hulking behemoth, stepped forward. His armor black like the night sky, Wraith picked out the horns of a Devaronian above his narrow, angular red optics.
"Scourge, online and activated." He rumbled. From behind him, a thin and nimble figure rolled out and crouched beside him, his armor a mix of black and silver with the addition of a kama around his legs. His visor was like a pair of lines running down the length of his face from forehead to chin, an odd design but definitely a signature one.
"Ravage, ready to roll." He hissed, drawing a DLT-19x rifle from behind him. Footsteps behind Wraith signalled the arrival of another and he turned around to see another feminine super-soldier standing at the ready, a Relby-v10 mortal gun in hand. Her red visor completely covered the face of her helmet, the bright red glow a contrast to her dark armor.
"Ghost, at your service." She introduced. A final figure decloaked beside her, definitely a man, bearing dark grey armor and angular red optics. A pair of scythe-like blades slid over his hands, sprouting from his gauntlets as he introduced himself.
"Spectre, armed and ready." He said, speaking with a heavily accented voice.
No one word could describe how Wraith felt in that moment. Elated, shocked, bewildered, he had no idea any more super-soldiers were being developed. But he was certainly grateful for their presence and assistance.
"More... There's more...!" He gasped.
"Each one of us represents a facet of the Confederacy. We're a united front against the Republic now." Reaper told him. Wraith nodded slowly, coming to grasp with the the fact that there were nine other super-soldiers serving the Confederacy along with him. He had been the first, his success paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps. He felt proud of what he saw; nine soldiers devoted to changing the galaxy... because of him.
"Then let's give the Republic something to fear." He stated.
Just as the Republic was getting over the shock of Wraith's sudden Force-sensitivity, said super-soldier crashed down into the valley, standing straight and radiating power despite his wounded state. Then Banshee joined him, swiftly followed by Reaper.
"Uh oh..." Ahsoka quietly said, realizing that Master Tiin was right about a third soldier.
"Heads up! Battle positions!" Anakin called, igniting his lightsaber. Then, to their shock, a fourth and a fifth super-soldier joined the line. Then another and another until there was a line of ten dark and menacing super-soldiers standing before the Republic. The Jedi were aghast. Just how many are there?!" Anakin cried.
"Defensive positions! Scramble, now!" Mace ordered, Clones rapidly working to bring forward their heaviest weapons in an effort to slow down the inevitable advance. Stepping forward, Wraith stood before the line.
"Soldiers of the Separatist Alliance!" He called out, rallying the battle-hungry unit with his loud voice. Drawing Tyth from behind, the firesaber flashed to life with a burst of red flame. "Let's raise some hell!" He growled. Punctuating his declaration, Scourge let our a beastial roar that was soon mimicked by varying war cries from all the super-soldiers. With a bellow of his own, Wraith swung his saber forward and let Reaper and Banshee lead the charge, following soon after as all ten super-soldiers rushed the Republic. The Clones needed no further instruction as they held their position and started firing, a hail of blue blaster salvos striking and ricocheting off the armored Separatists. The Jedi ignited their blades and rushed forward, hoping to maybe stall and buy their men some more time.
But their fate was inevitable.
Banshee's twin blades blazed as they were ignited, the Umbaran letting out a piercing shriek as she sprinted towards Anakin. Aivela and Esne had blades slide out over their hands as they made a beeline for Barriss and Luminara, Phantom drawing a pair of knives with phrik blades as she barrelled towards Aayla, Mace remaining grim and stoic despite the joint Scourge and Ravage sprinting towards him, Ahsoka narrowing her eyes as she and Wraith drew closer and closer.
The clash was titanic. Lightsabers and metal blades colliding with extreme force as the super-soldier's began their assault. The six Jedi, otherwise occupied with the super-soldier's attacking them, failed to stop the other four from breaking past them and advancing towards their men. Reaper led the charge with twin rifles blazing, mowing down Clones in droves alongside Ghost as she unleashed a volley of micro grenades from her Relby. Ravage vaulted over Mace Windu as Scourge ploughed into the Jedi, priming his rifle and killing one Clone after another with single, precise shots while their incoming fire simply bounced off his reinforced armor. Aayla was swiftly overwhelmed by Phantom's attacks, the super-soldier wielding the stamina and acrobatic athleticism natural for all Terrelian Jango Jumpers, and was forced to pull back as she tried to aid her men, who came under assault from Spectre and his blades. Their blasters did nothing to phase him and he simply tore through their ranks with his razor-sharp weapons, men severed and separated in dozens of ways as he laid waste to them. Phantom joined in the fray as she hopped and vaulted about, her arm cannons firing quick shots that downed a Clone with every discharge.
Seeing the sudden change in the situation, the Titans quite suddenly bowed out at Corsair's behest. They needed more info and more intel before they even thought about engaging these new super-soldiers.
The battle was heated, especially the fight between Wraith and Ahsoka. Her swift and fluid Form IV prowess really shone as one strike led to another. But Tyth moved just as quick as she did, Wraith quickly calculating every move before it happened so he could meet it. Always ready to parry or block, whichever suited him best. Something about that collected readiness just made her mad. How could he be so calm about this?! That compelled her onwards, driving her to strive to win. The battle moved around them, Jedi and super-soldiers shifting and cycling through positions as they maneuvered around one another across the battlefield. But they stayed in place, equals as they fought. And as they fought, they argued.
"You just couldn't leave us alone, could you? You had to go and make life absolutely miserable!" Ahsoka snapped, three consecutive strikes pummeling his flaming saber.
"Look, I didn't know they existed either, okay?" He responded, executing a low leg sweep she expertly backflipped over.
"You're not telling them to stop either!" Ahsoka retorted, charging him before launching into a spinning strike which forced him to parry multiple blows from both her saber and her shoto. "Just admit it! You can't stop because you don't want to stop!"
"Enough, Forcedammit!" Wraith roared as he promptly went on the offensive, forcing Ahsoka to avoid or block his wild, swinging blows. "Are you just gonna keep hanging this over my head or are you gonna kriffing do something about it?!" He growled as his saber collided with her double block.
"You're so neck-deep into killing you can't even see that I'm trying!" Ahsoka retorted, using the Force to strengthen her block. "I'm trying to get you to see the error of your ways! Mina's death has put Lux down a dangerous path, you totally kriffed up his life!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
"And what about Clones? What about Anakin? They totally kriffed up the lives of the Orronians! Shouldn't they be held accountable for their actions as well?!" Wraith's own strength forced Ahsoka to bend her knees as he continued to gain leverage over her. "You're not as black and white as you like to think you are, Ahsoka!" He growled when she did not answer.
"Neither are you, Wraith!" Rolling back, Ahsoka freed herself and bounced back in on the rebound, hacking into his defence as Wraith held his ground.
"I've always killed people! I embrace that!" He stated.
"You're not killing any more of my Clones!" Ahsoka vehemently vowed, and Wraith could see the anger ablaze in her eyes.
"So you're suddenly overprotective of killing machines?! Is that not what I am?" He shouted.
"No! You're a monster!" Ahsoka retorted.
That hurt. And Wraith reacted.
"Shut up shut up SHUT UP!" He bellowed, the flames of Tyth flickering from red to white hot as he attacked with renewed vigour, fueled by this sudden burst of rage.
The Jedi were unprepared for the ferocity, for the technical superiority and sheer force of will that hit them. Separatist bio-engineers had learned from Wraith in how to make a being superior to a Jedi, how to be faster, smarter, stronger, deadlier. All the Jedi could do was try to force a super-soldier's attention towards them, as the new arrivals cared little for the Jedi and mainly for tearing the the ranks of Clones they commanded. Blood stained the grass, green blades turning crimson as the four armies were slaughtered in droves. Even when a Jedi did manage to force a super-soldier to face them, another would simply take their place and renew the carnage.
Reaper had worked his way over to the Star Corps, more than one yellow-painted trooper already riddled with scorch marks from his rifles. He watched as Spectre shredded three with one swoop of his blades while Phantom bounced about firing her wrist cannons. He moved at a steady, determined pace, blasting Clones left and right with quick movements and deadly precision. Some were subdued with quick shots to the helmet, leaving molten, scorched armor around a single entry wound. Others were blitzed with a stream of shots running vertically up their body, dead long before they hit the ground. To Reaper it was his duty, as one who worked in the buisness of death this was how he plied his trade.
That is, until, he quite suddenly stopped.
A concussive wave from Aivela's rifle sent General Secura sprawling, the Twi'lek coming to a stop not far away from him. All of a sudden, Reaper froze as he laid eyes on her, something within his mind stirring as it was drawn to some painful similarities. The luscious blue of her skin, the spirited look in her hazel eyes, flashes of memory suddenly made brought the past into the present. The sounds of battle grew dull all around him, fading into monotony as his gaze was transfixed upon her.
"H-Hirani...?" He gasped, trembling as memories surfaced. She looked just like her, and in her eyes Reaper could see the same energy his wife once had. He never thought he'd see it again...
Reaper did not believe in reincarnation. He'd seen dozens of Twi'leks before, but none of them were like his lovely Hirani. But her, this Aayla... he was starting to wonder...
"Reaper?" Aivela calling out to him shook Reaper from his reverie and he stammered out a response as he tried to get a grip.
"Y-Yeah, uh... I-I'll handle the Jedi, go help Scourge." He ordered. Aivela nodded and dutifully moved towards the 187th Legion. His legs feeling like lead, Reaper swallowed nervously as he holstered his rifles across his back, taking a few heavy steps forward. He knew she was the enemy, his job demanded he slay her right here and now. But he couldn't. He had to talk to her, speak with her if only to settle his nerves.
Aayla was still rattled from the concussive wave, down on the ground and collecting her senses. By the time coherency returned in full, there were a pair of dark, armored boots beside her. Looking up, she saw the exposed jaw of Reaper, his protective mask retracted. He was slightly stooped and his hand was offered to her.
It was almost like her vision. Almost. The dark armor certainly matched, but his face was unknown to her.
The gesture struck her, though. As a super-soldier he should've capitalized on her downed state and taken one more Jedi from the Order. But he didn't and that confused her. "May I?" He offered, his voice trembling a little. Aayla offered him a quizzical, untrusting look.
"Isn't it odd for a Separatist to be helping a Jedi?" She asked. Force, she even sounded a little like Hirani.
"It's... impolite to kick a woman when she's down." Reaper responded, trying to be courteous and chivalrous. Aayla huffed, the corner of her mouth turning up in a slight smirk.
"Chivalry from a super-soldier. I was not expecting such a thing." She dryly mused. To Reaper's delight, she accepted his hand and he helped her up. But the instant she was on her feet, Aayla unleashed a Force push that knocked him flat on his back. Not expecting the move, a stunned Reaper could only look up from the ground as Aayla offered him a simple tilt of the head, her expression flat save for a rather mischievous look in her eyes as she ignited her lightsaber and moved on to try and further help her men. But that look was all it took to keep Reaper down. He knew that look well. Hirani had shot him a similar one dozens of times during their marriage.
"Sweet kriffing... kriff...!" He gasped, floored by how similar Aayla was to Hirani. He could not stop his fascination from growing, nor could he stop how fast his heart was beating.
On the other end of the field, Tempest Company held their ground alongside Anakin, opening fire on the charging ranks of Esne, Ravage and Phantom.
"That's a lotta armor!" Reverb remarked as he kept up a steady stream of fire.
"Ya know what they say," Backlog stated, "the bigger they are-"
"The harder they fall!" Sixshot boomed as he unleashed his Z-6 upon the super-soldiers. Anakin continued to deflect shots from Esne's rifle and used the Force to catch several of Phantom's grenades and throw them back. Each super-soldier took his efforts in stride, Ravage quickly dropping down to get off a shot from his rifle. The bolt zipped through the air and pierced Lugnut's helmet, killing him instantly.
"Lugnut!" Rex shouted, trying to help up his brother only to realize his body was lifeless. After Umbara, Lugnut had come into his own and become a valuable member of Tempest Company. Rex was saddened to see him go, forced to stop and control his grief even as Jolt urged him on. Anakin took note of this, saw the slaughter going on around him, and got really worked up.
"Rex, hold the line." He commanded, stepping towards the advancing super-soldiers. Deactivating his lightsaber, Anakin summoned the Force to envelop him. He could feel it in the air, in the ground, all around him. It was his to control and he did just that, channeling his emotions into a powerful telekinetic blast that sent the trio sprawling across the ground.
"He plays rough." Esne noted as she picked herself up.
"Then let's show him how we play..." Ravage growled, charging his weapon. With his lightsaber at the ready, Anakin met their renewed charge head-on.
The slaughter dragged on, the Clones valiantly attempting to hold their own as the Jedi did their best to keep the super-soldiers at bay. But the Separatists came prepared, highly trained and ready to kill, Jedi and Clones overwhelmed by the assault. As they fought, dark clouds filled the sky, the weather apparently amplifying the grim mood of the Republic. The Clones had been pushed back, the Jedi accompanying them as the super-soldiers ran them ragged.
But one fight was still waged where it had begun... the fight between Wraith and Ahsoka.
Both of them bore the signs of a prolonged struggle; Wraith's already damaged armor now bearing multiple slash marks from successful lightsaber hits while Ahsoka fought with one lightsaber, her shoto knocked from her grip by a successful kick. Her tunic was dirty and scuffed but she still fought on, as did Wraith, Tyth clashing with her blade over and over. Both of them driven by passions seemingly incomprehendable yet so deeply seated within them both. Perhaps this flight was all about them venting their frustration with one another, or maybe it was something else... something worse... they didn't know. Both of them duelled with all they had, their fervor and their energy equal.
Ahsoka's comm finally crackled as Anakin announced they were retreating. "Kinda busy here, Master!" Ahsoka responded as she blocked two slashes from Wraith and parried the third, enabling her to rush forward and put him on the defensive. An exhausted Anakin ordered Rex to buy her the space to retreat.
Wraith blocked Ahsoka's next attack, only to have the Togruta use the Force and shatter his defence, throwing Tyth out of his hand. Flexing his hand, though, Wraith unleashed a wave of telekinetic power that sent Ahsoka sprawling across the ground. He stopped to breathe, shaking his head as he comprehended the fact that they had been fighting. Actually fighting! When they'd met on previous battlefields, they just sparred and never treated it too seriously. But this was an actual duel with very real stakes.
What had they come to? Why had it come to this?
His thoughts were halted as pistol rounds ricocheted off his helmet. Wraith turned to find Rex crouched and firing at him with both his DeeCees in hand.
"Commander!" He called out, trying to catch Ahsoka's attention. But Wraith swiftly became a bigger priority, the super-soldier reaching out with the Force and lifting Rex off the ground only to slam him back down. The wind knocked from his lungs, Rex coughed and struggled to recover as Wraith advanced menacingly towards him. Drawing a blaster pistol, Wraith primed the charge and took aim at his head, his finger tightening against the trigger.
But that cursed sensation came upon him and, no matter how hard he tried, he could not pull it.
He fought with himself, stuck struggling as if he were frozen. He let out a growl as he tried in vain to fulfill his act and kill Rex here and now. Yet something deep within him was stopping him, preventing him from following through. His dulled response time was long enough for Ahsoka to recover, see his actions, and react.
Igniting her blade, Ahsoka threw it forward, the saber spinning tip over hilt as it cleaved through his pistol and split it in two. Jarred back into action, Wraith discarded the destroyed remains and turned on Ahsoka, her lightsaber quickly returning to her hand as she rushed him. She lept high with her arm cocked back and Wraith drew a quick conclusion. He raised his arms to block her, anticipating her blade to come from above.
But he miscalculated and forgot about her shoto.
Over the course of their fight he'd misplaced its presence, assuming Ahsoka had too and was just relying on her main saber. But he was wrong... and it cost him dearly.
He blocked the green blade, yes, but that just allowed Ahsoka to use his arms to hook around and drive her yellow blade into his torso.
Wraith froze, spluttered. The suddenness of it all swept over him and the dull burning sensation gradually grew fiercer and fiercer until he could feel every inch of scorched flesh along the hole that passed through his body. His jaw tightened, a grimace forming as he realized he'd just been stabbed... by her.
She meant to do this. This was not an accident.
Ahsoka froze as well, the fight coming to an abrupt standstill as she realized she'd suddenly scored a definitive hit. For a moment she just stood there, realized her blade was hilt-deep in his flesh and protruding out his back. It had passed through an exposed section of his duster, where the armor plating had been blown off by the Titans. She hadn't really been expecting it to go through, acting on autopilot without putting much thought into it. Now she realized the true extent of her actions and her hands started to tremble.
No one survived getting stabbed with a lightsaber. They just didn't.
Her thumb found the emitter switch and disabled the blade, Wraith grunting as he was suddenly left with a hole running through him. His hand insctinvely reached for it, the vague heat from seared flesh obvious to his touch. Portions of his innards were gone, burned away in an instant by the saber. He was missing a part of him, and it was the most painful thing he'd ever felt.
Ahsoka remained frozen as her eyes locked with his optics, Wraith stumbling back as he radiated hurt and the betrayal through the Force. He managed to gasp as his legs went weak and he fell to the ground. Through it all his eyes remained locked with hers, disbelieving that this had happened...
That they had come to this.
Rex's voice calling out to Ahsoka again broke through the moment, the Togruta's eyes now darting back and forth between the Captain and Wraith. Part of her didn't want to leave, part of her wanted to apologize.
The rest of her knew she had to go.
Feeling weighed down, Ahsoka turned and started to move, her slow walk gradually picking up into a jog as she and Rex made to join the retreating Republic forces. Losing strength, Wraith lay on the ground, whispering a prayer to the Force to at least give him a sense of peace. His vision grew dark as his head rolled to the side, tears slowly filling his optics as he watched Ahsoka leave. He continued to watch her until everything went black and he lost consciousness...
Later...
In his private study on Serenno, Count Dooku was in a private communication with Darth Sidious, the two Sith conversing about the latest developments in the war.
"I have heard reports that The Wraith has exhibited Force-sensitive abilities on Orron." Sidious informed him, a dangerous edge to his voice.
"It is true, my lord. The Wraith is indeed a Force sensitive." Dooku cautiously confirmed. "However, the matter is in hand. He is no threat to us, Master. Only the Republic should fear him. I have personally taken the initiative to ensure that Wraith knows where he stands in the hierarchy." He added.
"For your sake, Tyranus, he had better." Sidious growled threateningly, content with the notion Dooku had things under control for the time being, before moving on. "I understand our special projects have debuted with great success."
"Indeed, my lord. All of our new super-soldiers have exceeded expectations. They will be more than ready for what is to come." Dooku agreed.
"Then it is time to begin Operation: Requiem." Sidious announced. "With an army of super-soldiers and an armada of fleet-destroying battlecruisers, we will take the first step towards the annihilation of the Republic. Today we mark the beginning of the end of this war, knowing that this Confederacy will stand triumphant when it concludes." His grand proclamation made Dooku smile. Their time and resources and patience was about to pay off in full. "You know what you must do, my apprentice. Begin Phase One."
"At once, my lord." Dooku promised.
Author's Note: Well, it was fun while it lasted...
