Kashyyyk was a densely forested region with ancient towering arch trees with trunks wide enough to put most buildings to shame. The Wookiees that called Kashyyyk home lived high off the ground in cities built in and around the trunks of the trees. Wookiees were very in tune with the magics of their homeland, utilizing the naturally enchanted wood of the trees to build flying catamarans and awesome weaponry.
The Wookiees themselves were a long-lived species covered from head to toe in long thick shaggy fur. Wookiee warriors adorned themselves with intricately carved hair beads of wood and bone, leather belts of hunting trophies, and cords made of the braided hair of their families. Wookiees were incapable of speaking Basic or any of the related languages, instead speaking Shyriiwook, a complex language consisting of animalistic roars and grunts.
It is important to note that while not rich in resources beyond its arch trees, Kashyyyk was considered a strategically valuable land since its discovery. It was located at the nexus of several magic ley lines and became a major outpost for sea trade. Kashyyyk's trade hub of Kachirho was located in its largest bay, which was dotted with hundreds of limestone karsts. Kachirho was the obvious point of attack for the Separatists, with the open docks and storage yards capable of being used as a beachhead.
A few days before the arrival of Master Yoda and his reinforcements, the Separatists had taken control of the Wawaatt archipelago in preparation for the full invasion of the mainland. Wookiee scouts in their catamarans had reported increased troop movement in the hours prior to the arrival of the Republic forces. The homunculi in their green enameled armor set to work as soon as they made landfall to establish defensive positions. They didn't have much time before the attack.
In one of the arch trees overlooking Kachirho, Master Yoda, homunculus commander Gree, the Wookiee Chieftain Tarfful, and his second-in-command Chewbacca set to work in their command center devising their strategy. Yoda excused himself when he received a call from the Jedi Council. Anakin had important information.
Yoda watched the miniature silver forms of his fellow Councilmembers and listened to Anakin's report on General Grievous' location.
"Utapau," repeated Master Ki-Adi-Mundi as he stroked his beard. "Are we sure this information is trustworthy?"
"There were coded messages in several communications sent by their Pontiff," said Anakin. "This prompted our spies to investigate and they found hard evidence of Separatist presence. In addition to the expected war automata, they also spotted several Magnaguards which would only be there if Grievous was as well."
"Hmm. Act on this, we must," said Yoda. "The capture of Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively, we should proceed."
Anakin cleared his throat. "The Chancellor has requested that I lead this campaign."
"The Council will make its own decisions on who is to go, not the Chancellor," said Master Windu coldly.
Yoda nodded. "A master is needed, with more experience."
"I concur," said Ki-Adi-Mundi. "Master Kenobi should go."
"I agree," said Yoda. A few more masters voiced their agreement as well.
Anakin looked down to the floor. Palpatine was right.
"Very well then," Mace Windu said. "Council adjourned."
Yoda watched the small silver Jedi Council melt away before returning to the battle preparations. A homunculus scout had just finished speaking with Commander Gree and the inveterate commander looked eager to report to Yoda.
Gree saluted. "General, the automaton army has just finished loading their troops onto landing craft."
Yoda looked out at the mouth of the bay. "Then now, the time is, Commander."
"Yes, sir."
A gutteral roaring battle cry erupted from the assembled Wookiee army as the automaton landing crafts entered the bay. Deep drums sounded throughout Kachirho, playing a ceremonial rhythm of protection. Homunculus musketmen levelled their guns and readied them to fire. Pikemen and swordsmen adjusted their grips as they waited behind their wooden barricades.
When the automaton landing crafts reached the shallows, Commander Gree from his high vantage point saw something strange underneath the surface of the clear blue water. It wasn't until the dark shapes breached the surface that he recognized them. They were what the homunculi had come to call "snail automata."
These strange machines were as their name implied vaguely snail shaped. They were tall at the front and tapered down towards the rear. On either side sat an eye stalk and a seven barrelled cannon with bores the size of a man's fist. Instead of legs or wheels, snail automata used a kind of metal belt that ran underneath their chassis and wrapped back over the top and front. They were also slow like their namesakes, requiring infantry to protect their vulnerable rears.
This was not the first time snail automata had been used, but it was the first time that Commander Gree had seen them used in an amphibious attack. He ordered his cannoneers to open fire, focusing on the snails first. With as large as they were, he was afraid that they would smash through the barricades and wreak havoc behind his lines.
The bay was now filled with landing crafts carrying not just troops, but cannons, mechanical mounts, and more bizarre machinations that had been devised during the war. Gree ordered the docked Star Destroyer to open fire with a full broadside. A veritable wall of round shot tore towards the approaching invasion force, smashing dozens of crafts to pieces. Still more came though, and soon the first automaton had put its metal feet on the sand of the Kashyyyk mainland.
Volleys of gunfire smashed into the first waves of the automaton flanks catching scores of mechanical soldiers in the crossfire. Cannons from behind the main battle lines continued pounding the snail automata with mixed effect. At that range, the shots didn't have enough power to destroy the snails, but lucky shots succeeded in breaking the metal tracks, immobilizing them.
While the force that the homunculi brought to bear was impressive, the automata kept coming, eventually pushing onto the beach and gaining a foothold. This didn't concern Gree too much though. His and the Wookiees' main forces were further inland maintaining more defensible positions in the notoriously difficult to capture forests. He just wanted to take out as much of the offensive force as possible while they were out in the open of the harbor.
Once the automata were a stone's throw away from the barricades, Commander Gree ordered his men and the Wookiees to counter charge. Two walls, one of fur and muscle, the other of green enamel and metal smashed into the mechanical army. Wookiees tore automata limb from limb with their raw strength while homunculi impaled them on swords and pikes. More Wookiees descended on the slow snail automata, ripping off the rear chassis plates and destroying the machinery inside with petards supplied by the Republic.
Under his helmet, Commander Gree smiled. The battle was proceeding exactly as planned.
The Loyalist Committee sat in Padmé's apartment, forgoing their usual meeting room in the Senate building due to the grave nature of what they intended to discuss. Palpatine's new oversight of the Jedi Council had them worried. It had been a founding tenet of the constitution that while the Jedi Order was aligned with the Republic, they were to remain their own entity and govern themselves. For such an honored right to be overturned, even if it had been ratified by democratic vote, was greatly disturbing the members of the Loyalist Committee.
"There have been whispers about the Chancellor not intending to surrender his emergency powers," said Padmé to her fellow senators.
Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila shook her head. "This is exactly what I warned everyone against."
"If the rumors are true, it is likely to cause another rift in the Senate like what happened with the Separatists," said Senator Organa.
"We can't let this turn into another war," Padmé said, her eyes darting to each of her allies in turn.
"Indeed," agreed Senator Organa. "After everything we've been through over these last few years, that's the last thing anyone wants."
"At the risk of sounding treasonous," began Senator Mothma, "I was thinking that we all should form an alliance in the Senate to try to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution."
"I think that would be good," said Padmé. "There's a Jedi I feel we should consult with to ensure our concerns are given the proper weight."
"That would be dangerous," said Mon Mothma. "We don't know how the Jedi fit into all this, especially now that the Chancellor effectively controls them."
"I only wish to discuss this with one. One I trust."
"Going against the Chancellor without the support of the Jedi is risky," said another one of the senators. "Perhaps we should go along with Padmé on this."
Padmé bowed her head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you. The Jedi aren't any happier about the constitutional changes than we are."
Senator Chi Papanoida of Pantora turned to Padmé. "Please, Senator, patience. We have so many senators who will side with us. Surely that will be enough for our voice to be heard."
Bail Organa nodded and sipped his wine. "I agree. Let's see what we can accomplish in the Senate before we include the Jedi."
Padmé sighed defeatedly. She knew to the core of her being that without the Jedi, there was little hope that this alliance would be able to accomplish their desired changes. Perhaps in time they would come around, but she was afraid that peace wouldn't last that long.
Elsewhere in Coruscant, Anakin had accompanied Obi-Wan to the Grand Harbor to see him off. Anakin was impressed with how much progress the salvage crews had made on dismantling the Invisible Hand. The lighthouse still sat as a pile of rubble, though. He wondered how long it would take to rebuild.
As the two Jedi approached the main gangplank for one of the two the Star Destroyers bound for Utapau, Anakin turned to his friend. "You're going to need me on this one, Master."
"Oh, I agree," said Obi-Wan. "However it may turn out to be little more than a wild bantha chase. Obi-Wan put a foot on the gangplank before Anakin stopped him.
Anakin's face was serious but apologetic. "Master. I've disappointed you. I... I haven't been as appreciative of your training as I should have. I've been arrogant. I wanted to apologize. I've been so frustrated by the Council recently that I forget myself."
Obi-Wan smiled at Anakin like a father realizing his son is all grown up. "You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you and watched you grow from a child to the man you are today. You have taken everything I have taught you and become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be."
Anakin smiled, slightly embarrassed, but also flattered by Obi-Wan's praise.
"But be patient, Anakin. It will not be long until the Council makes you a master." Obi-Wan smiled just a bit wider and patted Anakin on his shoulder. He took several steps up the gangplank.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin called after him.
The elder Jedi turned.
"May the Force be with you," Anakin said with a smile.
Obi-Wan smiled back. "Goodbye for now, old friend. And may the Force be with you as well."
Anakin watched as Obi-Wan ascended the gangplank. He had a strange feeling, similar to the sense of loss that comes with nostalgia, but it was different. He had never felt anything like it before, and he wasn't sure what it meant.
The Star Destroyers' voyage through the Hyperion stream was as smooth as anyone could ask for. After a few hours of travel, the ships slipped from a pair of gates far from the coast of Utapau. Even though the Separatist-held cities were far inland, the Republic Army couldn't risk being spotted by any scouts patrolling the coast.
Obi-Wan entered the Star Destroyer's hangar. Thousands of soldiers rushed around, preparing themselves and their mounts for the upcoming assault. Obi-Wan walked over to the homunculus Commander Cody. He looked up from the table of maps that he and several other homunculi were examining. "Ah! General Kenobi, you're just in time. Me and the boys were just finalizing strategies."
"Well, let's hear what you have so far."
"Of course, sir. Most of Utapau's cities are fortunately located in this region here. It's some distance inland, but our birds can get us there. We just have to coordinate to make sure we arrive in all the cities at the same time."
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "I think if I went in first, I could keep Grievous occupied long enough for you to move in unnoticed."
Cody held his chin and nodded. "I think that would work."
"Just don't take too long."
"Come on, General. When have I ever let you down?"
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Very well. The burden is on me to not destroy all the automata before you've arrived." He walked over to his delsev and patted its head. "It's good to see you again. Don't worry, this mission will be an easy one."
The delsev snorted in response, blasting Obi-Wan with a puff of warm, humid air. It had been quite battered during the return to Coruscant, and still felt quite sore and grumpy.
As he climbed into the saddle, Obi-Wan looked at the bronze nautical automaton that had been supplied to him. It was strange to him not to have Arfor there, but he didn't feel guilty. As far as he knew, automata were just soulless constructs animated by magic. At least, that's what he had always heard.
Once the hangar doors had opened, Obi-Wan and the delsev took to the air, heading for Utapau.
Anakin had been reading a book in Padmé's apartment when he was struck by another vision. This was the first time that one had ever had while awake, and his inability to shake himself out of it terrified him almost as much as what he was shown.
Once more, Padmé was dying while giving birth, but this time he could see things more clearly. Anakin could feel that whenever and wherever this tragedy would occur, he would not be there with her. But someone else would be. He heard Obi-Wan's voice before he saw him.
Suspicion and jealousy filled Anakin's mind as the vision continued. Could Obi-Wan be the reason why Anakin wasn't there? Padmé asked where Anakin was, but Obi-Wan didn't answer. The vision ended as Padmé's last breath left her lungs.
Anakin came back to reality drenched in sweat. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He placed the book next to him on the couch and dried the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. A sound from the bath caught his attention and he tried to calm himself.
Padmé entered the room, tying the sash of her robe into a bow above her rounded belly. Her skin was still damp from her bath. She gave Anakin a smile.
Anakin smiled back, but it was an obviously joyless one. "Obi-Wan's been by here today, hasn't he?"
"Yes, he stopped by this morning," Padmé replied as she tossed her hair to tie on her japor wood amulet.
"What did he want?" Anakin's voice had an edge to it, but Padmé didn't notice.
Padmé moved the book and sat next to him. "He's worried about you. He said that you've been under a lot of stress."
Anakin sighed. "I feel lost..."
"Lost? What do you mean?"
Anakin stood and began pacing. "Obi-Wan and the Council don't trust me."
"They trust you with their lives."
Anakin stopped pacing and looked out the window. "Something's happening... I'm not the Jedi that I should be... I- I want more... And I know I shouldn't."
Padmé stood and moved towards Anakin. She wrapped her arms around him from the side while Anakin stared out at the city below. He sighed and turned to hug her back. "...I think I might have found a way to save you, Padmé."
"Save me?"
"From my visions."
"Is that what's been bothering you so much?"
"I won't lose you, Padmé."
Padmé smiled. "I won't die in childbirth, Ani. I promise you."
"No. I promise you."
Padmé didn't like the look in Anakin's eyes when he said this. They were filled with a desperation and something akin to hunger. She worried that whatever Anakin was planning would only bring sadness, but she trusted him to do the right thing.