A/N: Hello. :) Since I was 4 days late (2 days late for the case of bconfer368's birthday), I thought I'd get to work on this chapter. Now, it's not necessarily all that different from the original version, but it does include 2 more OC's with the first being Mal (voiced by Brian Bloom) and Vai (voiced by Keith David). Also, since I found out that Ambush wasn't in the right order, I decided to start again in chronological order, which is why you see this as the first chapter now. But don't worry. I'll make sure to save Ambush for Chapter V. :)
Star Wars: The Journey of Tilla Shan and Ember Kryze
Chapter I: "Cat and Mouse"
A wise leader knows when to follow.
"An impenetrable defense. Separatist ships blockade the resource-rich planet of Christophsis, trapping Senator Bail Organa and his relief effort. Desperate to aid the esteemed Senator, a Republic task force under the command of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker must break the impasse. But time runs short for the Senator and the good citizens of Christophsis."
On said planet of Christophsis, Bail Organa was speaking with Anakin Skywalker and Admiral Wullf Yularen while currently under attack.
"Separatist forces have overrun our position and we are out of food, water and munitions. Our situation is desperate.", Bail reported before his communicae suddenly went down.
"Senator Organa? Senator Organa!", Anakin shouted.
"General, another cruiser's been hit.", one of the clones reported.
"Master Kenobi better get here soon or this is gonna be one short rescue mission.", Anakin spoke wearily as the attack continued.
"The command ship is bearing down on us!", Yularen shouted as the enemy ship advanced closer toward the republic fleet.
"Full forward shields! Incoming fire!", Yularen shouted before a few small hits landed on one of the republic ships.
"This isn't gonna be easy.", Anakin guessed.
Meanwhile, inside the enemy starship was a Harch, a humanoid spider with six arms, 6 eyes, and a pair of chelicerae near his mouth with grey skin and brown hair, and with him is his second-in-command named Vai, a sort of cybernetic being.
"That pesky republic is more persistent than we expected.", Vai commented.
"Fire all forward cannons, cut off those Republic supply ships, separate them from their escort cruisers.", the Harch ordered before clicking.
"I smell fear…and it smells good.", the Harch smirked as he clicked before one of the supply ships suddenly got hit and was starting to plummet.
"General, one of the supply ships has been hit.", one of the clones reported.
"Over-fire all reactors. We're gonna blow right past this guy, whoever he is.", Anakin ordered.
"General, a Republic cruiser is coming out of hyperspace behind us.", one of the clones reported.
"Obi-Wan.", Anakin guessed as said republic cruiser made its way.
"Looks like General Skywalker's already engaged the enemy. That's nothing out of the ordinary. Especially since I gave him a direct order not to.", Obi-Wan responded before it then showed the enemy ship moving forward.
"The Republic ship is not breaking off its attack.", the droid named TI-99 reported.
"Hold the line. Intensify forward deflectors.", the harch ordered before the droids then powered up the ship's blasters and then hit one of the republic ships once or twice.
"Anakin, I want you to withdraw.", Obi-Wan ordered.
"Withdraw?", Anakin puzzled.
"I brought a new toy that might give us an advantage.", Obi-Wan responded.
"With respect, General, now might not be a bad time to regroup.", Yularen agreed before Anakin thought it over.
"Tell the transports to fall back to Obi-Wan's position. We'll cover their retreat as they escape behind the moon.", Anakin ordered as it then showed a hologram of the cruiser's course toward the moon.
"I don't like this. I hope Obi-Wan knows what he's doing.", Anakin responded before the cruiser then took said course and left, but not without at least taking some hits.
"They are escaping. Should we go after them?", TI-99 asked.
"No. Our orders are to blockade, not chase.", Vai responded.
"He has an excellent point. Besides, I have won this round.", Trench responded, clicking.
"Recycle the shields and let the cannons reset to a full charge.", Trench ordered.
"Roger, roger.", the droids responded.
"And the enemy will soon return. And when they do, we shall be ready.", Trench added while clicking again.
Then, Anakin returned to the star cruiser and landed before leaving as the soldiers at both sides saluted.
"Well, here I am. Tell me about this new weapon.", Anakin responded.
"You're looking at it.", Obi-Wan responded.
"I'm looking at what?", Anakin puzzled.
"Two steps forward and you'd actually be kissing it.", Obi-Wan warned before one of the clones used the remote.
Suddenly, there was a whirring sound as a stealth ship was actually revealed as the cloaking mechanism turned off, revealing a sort of cybernetic being inside with cybernetic arms, legs, torso, and one cybernetic eye that he doesn't wear often and has an eye patch when he doesn't have his cybernetic eye in at times.
"It's a stealth ship.", Obi-Wan stated.
"I made the schematics for it, myself.", the cyborg responded.
"Not bad, Mal. That's some trick.", Anakin commented.
"Let's hope the Separatists think so.", Obi-Wan responded.
"So, I assume scanners can't detect it?", Anakin pondered.
"As far as we know, but this is the first real field test.", Obi-wan responded.
"That's encouraging.", Anakin responded.
"I figured you'd be up to the challenge.", Obi-Wan responded.
"So, I can move in undetected and take them out from behind. It's a pretty small ship to destroy a whole fleet. Are there more?", Anakin asked.
"No, this is the prototype, and you won't be on the offensive. I need you to run a mercy mission down to the planet's surface. The ship can carry enough supplies for Senator Organa's headquarters.", Obi-Wan responded.
"Oh, I'm still the delivery boy? We don't need the whole fleet. I can do this myself.", Anakin responded.
"Anakin, slow down and do what I tell you. It's more important to save lives than destroy ships. I need you to continue the mercy mission.", Obi-Wan responded.
Meanwhile, Admiral Yularen was looking up who that ship belonged to only to discover who it belonged to, much to his shock.
"Impossible, it can't be him. Tell General Skywalker to hold his departure.", Yularen urged as he then spoke with the clone.
"Yes, sir.", the clone responded before the message ended.
Later, Anakin then met up with Yularen near the stealth ship.
"Thank you for waiting, sir. I'm sorry to hold you up.", Yularen apologized.
"No apologies, Admiral. What have you got?", Anakin asked.
"Something about this morning's engagement struck me as familiar, so I did a bit of research.", Yularen responded.
"And?", Anakin puzzled.
"I believe the opposing commander is none other than Admiral Trench.", Yularen responded.
"If I remember my military history, wasn't he vaporized at the Battle of Malastare Narrows?", Anakin asked.
"That's what I thought, too. But the tactics employed, the efficiency of the droids' maneuvers, and then there's this. The last time I saw that symbol, well, let's just say I lost a lot of good men that day.", Yularen responded while showing Anakin the symbol.
"What do I need to know?", Anakin asked.
"I have seen his work firsthand. A corporate fleet was blockading Malastare, a fleet led by Trench. That's why I recognized the tactics. He tore our ships apart. We barely escaped with our lives. In the end, a Jedi-led task force moved in to settle the matter. Trench's ship was destroyed. And we assumed he went down with it.", Yularen responded.
"Hmm. Are you sure it's him?", Anakin asked.
"It's possible. Not every captain goes down with his ship.", Yularen responded.
"Well, we may be in luck then, Admiral. My orders are not to engage Trench, just to deliver supplies to Senator Organa.", Anakin responded.
"With all due respect, General, I do not believe we will have a choice in the matter. If it is indeed Trench, he will come for us.", Yularen responded.
"Us?", Anakin puzzled.
"Yes. I'm volunteering my services as consultant, General.", Yularen responded.
"Welcome aboard.", Anakin responded.
Later, one of the clone generals named Blackout motioned to the clone running toward the stealth ship's entrance.
"Hurry up, rookie, we're leaving.", the clone general responded.
"CT 1284, Spark reporting for duty, sir.", Spark saluted.
"We lost one of our starting lineup, kid. You ready to step up and take his place?", Blackout asked.
"Yes, sir, just show me my station.", Spark responded.
"You'll be sitting right across from me, where I can keep an eye on you until you're up to speed.", the general responded before speaking to Anakin.
"Everyone's onboard, we are go.", the clone reported as Mal now resided with Anakin and Yularen.
"Dispatch, we are powering up and ready to go.", Anakin responded before the stealth ship then emerged from the cruiser and then headed out behind the moon.
"Going silent in 10.", Blackout spoke.
"Systems green.", Spark reported.
"Power core steady, pick up your scanning five targets...", Blackout began.
"Engage cloaking device.", Anakin stated.
"And 12-1-5.", Blackout added before the stealth ship then continued forward while turning invisible.
When it did, the ship then advanced past the enemy warship.
"It doesn't look like Trench can detect us so far.", Mal analyzed.
"Yes, but if you get any closer they may not need scanners to know we're here.", Yularen warned.
"Relax, Admiral. Hey, you wanted to come on this ride.", Anakin reminded.
Meanwhile, TI-99 grew puzzled.
"I cannot calculate why the Republic fleet has not launched another attack.", he spoke.
"Perhaps they're trying to come up with a plan to strike when we least expect it.", Vai dediced.
"What is the status of the assault on Christophsis?", Trench asked.
"Resistance is crumbling, sir. I would estimate a half rotation before it is over.", TI-99 responded before Trench clicked pensively.
"We need to add some pressure on those who were sent to rescue our enemies on Christophsis.", Trench guessed before chuckling.
"Send the Hyena bombers to hit Senator Organa on the surface. That should draw those cowards out from behind the moon.", Trench ordered while clicking before the mini-ship-like bombers got ready and then took off.
Meanwhile, the stealth ship's radar picked up on the bombers inbound.
"General, we have incoming bombers with fighter escort. Enemy ships closing, 15,000, 14,000, 13,000…", Blackout spoke as the radar read them getting closer.
"What's our defensive capability?", Mal asked.
"We've got torpedoes and anti-aircraft cannons, sir, but we'd have to de-cloak to use either.", Blackout responded.
"Yeah, and if they don't know we're here that would give our position away pretty quickly.", Anakin responded before the bombers advanced still.
"9,000, 8,000...", Blackout stated.
"Have they detected us?", Yularen asked.
"Can't tell, sir.", Blackout responded.
"If we are going on the offensive we must do it soon!", Yularen advised.
"5,000, 4,000...", Blackout added.
"Stay cloaked, power everything else down, let her drift.", Anakin advised before everyone on-board then powered down as advised with the lights turning off.
"2,000, 1,000...", blackout spoke as the bombers were still advancing.
"They're going to hit us!", Yularen shouted.
"I wouldn't count on it.", Mal assured.
"500!", Blackout spoke before, after a moment, the bombers passed by the stealth ship, but barely without even grazing it.
"They missed us. They don't know we're here.", Anakin spoke.
"They're heading for Bail Organa and the command center. They're going to bomb it!", Yularen realized.
Meanwhile, the hyena bombers were indeed headed for Bail and his command center.
"Sir, we have incoming bombers!", one of the clones shouted before the bombers then dropped bombs across the ground, thankfully nowhere near Bail.
"Get me General Kenobi!", Bail urged before later relaying his plea to him.
"We are under attack by the Separatist fleet. They're coming by air and by ground. We can't hold out any longer. There's little chance for survival. Help us, General Kenobi, you're our only hope.", Bail Organa urged before the holomessage ended.
"Get me Anakin.", Obi-Wan spoke before Commander Cody then activated a holomessage for Anakin.
"Anakin, I've just spoken to the Senator. They're in dire need of our help. Continue with your mission to the planet's surface. I will engage Trench's fleet with the ships I already have.", Obi-Wan spoke.
"General Kenobi, with all due respect, you don't have the resources to engage Trench openly. He wants you to attack. You'll be walking into a trap.", Mal warned.
"He's right, Master, you won't stand a chance.", Anakin agreed.
"Anakin, I've got enough problems without you becoming one of them. Get those supplies to the refugee camp. I'll worry about Trench. Just stay on course and...", Obi-Wan began before Anakin interrupted.
"Your tactic won't work. Prep torpedo tubes one through four. Fix range on Trench's command ship.", Anakin ordered.
"Sir?", Yularen puzzled in surprise.
"You heard me, Admiral.", Anakin responded.
"What are you doing?", Obi-Wan asked.
"We need to destroy Trench, and this ship has the best chance of doing that.", Anakin responded.
"I want those supplies on the surface now.", Obi-Wan urged.
"Don't worry, I'm on it.", Anakin assured before ending the transmission.
"Anakin!", Obi-Wan shouted before the holomessage ended.
"I hope you know what your doing, Skywalker.", Mal responded.
"Right now, I just hope this works.", Anakin responded.
Meanwhile, TI-99 spoke to Trench.
"The Republic fleet is holding position.", the droid spoke.
"This is unusual.", Trench spoke before clicking.
"Clearly, they're planning something. But what?", Vai pondered.
Meanwhile, Anakin was turning the stealth ship towards the enemy cruiser.
"Prepare to de-cloak on my command. Prep torpedo tubes one through four. Fix range on Trench's command ship.", Anakin ordered.
"I thought we were on a relief mission.", Spark puzzled.
"You'll learn pretty quick that when you serve under General Skywalker you're always on the offensive. Now get ready to cycle those shields.", Blackout responded.
"You realize our torpedoes may not be enough.", Yularen spoke.
"All I want is for Trench to think about us instead of the people on the planet below.", Anakin responded.
"All so that when this is over, the supplies can be transported safely.", Mal realized.
"Exactly. It's time to introduce ourselves.", Anakin agreed.
"Activate the turbo chargers. Release torpedo safety! Ready to divert power!", Blackout ordered.
"Shield regeneration on standby.", Spark spoke while tapping a selection.
Meanwhile, Trench was pondering something as he clicked.
"Something odd is going on out there.", Trench spoke.
"Ready torpedoes, lock onto primary target.", Anakin ordered before the torpedoes were then prepared.
"Disengage cloaking device.", Anakin ordered next before the cloaking device was then shut off, exposing the stealth ship.
"There! A cloaked ship!", Trench spoke as he saw said ship.
"Fire!", Anakin ordered before Blackout then fired said torpedoes on the enemy ship.
"Torpedoes locked and closing.", TI-99 spoke.
"Activate the shields.", Trench ordered before the shields were now shown as the torpedoes hit it instead of the ship.
"Foolish Republic scum. Your puny torpedoes are no match for my thermo-shields. Prepare to fire all cannons!". Trench shouted before the droids then prepared to fire said cannons.
"Well, that did little good.", Yularen spoke.
"It's only a matter of time before he retaliates now.", Mal added.
"Re-cloaking in nine, eight...", Anakin began.
"Fire!", Trench ordered before the missiles were launched toward the ship.
"Six, five...", Anakin continued as the missiles inched closer toward the ship.
"Pilot, prep the flares.", Anakin ordered.
"Too late, General!", Yularen shouted.
"The missiles are headed right for us!", Mal added.
"Launch flares!", Anakin spoke before said flares were then fired.
"And cloak!", Anakin added before the ship then cloaked itself again while the missiles hit the flares.
"That was too close. And I don't think we're out of the woods, yet.", Mal spoke.
"Fire a spread of lasers.", Trench ordered just before said laser spread fired from below.
"Incoming!", the pilot shouted.
"I see it.", Anakin responded before the ship then swerved pass the laser without a single hit before meanwhile, TI-99 turned to Trench and Mal.
"Scans are coming up negative. We missed.", TI-99 responded.
"There must be someone else aboard the ship. After all, no clone could successfully fly through that many lasers.", Vai responded.
"Yes. That means we are dealing with a Jedi.", Trench responded before clicking.
"Patch me into the com channel, open frequency.", Trench ordered.
Meanwhile, in the stealth ship, a notification of a holomessage chirped out.
"What you got, Spark?", Blackout asked.
"There's an open communication signal coming from the enemy.", Spark responded.
"Better tell the General.", Blackout spoke before Spark got off his seat on his way to do that.
"Now that they know we are here, what's your plan?", Yularen asked.
"I'll think of something, Admiral. In the meantime, I've got Trench right where I want him, thinking about us.", Anakin responded.
"General, there's a transmission on the open frequency, it's the enemy.", Spark reported.
"Put it through.", Anakin ordered before a holomessage with Trench and Mal poped up.
"Hello, ugly.", Anakin greeted jokingly.
"I am Admiral Trench. And this is my second-in-command, Vai.", Admiral Trench responded before clicking.
"If you are listening, Jedi, you've made a bold move and a grave mistake.
"I appreciate your decision to face me, ship to ship, to play this little game. It's been so long since I had a worthy opponent.", Trench spoke.
"You may have an impressive new vessel, but I must warn you, we have dealt with its kind before. Your technology will not save you and your friends on the planet below shall perish as a result of your failure.", Vai discouraged.
"The people of Christophsis and her resources shall join the Separatist Alliance. Turn back now, retreat while you can, for I am your doom.", Trench spoke forbodingly while clicking before the holomessage ended.
"He said he's dealt with this kind of ship before.", Yularen spoke.
"How?", Anakin asked.
"Not sure. Perhaps Obi-Wan would have some answers about this.", Mal deduced.
Meanwhile, the droid turned to Trench and Vai.
"I calculate the Jedi will not turn back as you request, Admiral.", the droid spoke.
"Of course not. I do not expect him to. He'll attack again. A stealth ship could have passed our blockade easily, this Jedi chose to attack.", Trench spoke.
"A fatal miscalculation to be certain. But I wonder what strategy this jedi has in response.", Vai responded.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was speaking with Anakin, Yularen, and Mal via holomessage.
"You were right, Admiral, there are records of Trench's battles and a few against ships with cloaking devices.", Obi-Wan responded.
"And?", Anakin asked.
"It seems, in each case, he used tracking torpedoes to hit the ship somehow whether it was cloaked or not.", Obi-Wan responded.
"Then he knows a way of detecting us.", Yularern guessed.
"Tracking torpedoes? Hmm. What class ship was he fighting?", Anakin asked.
"Mostly cruiser to cruiser, nothing as small as your ship.", Obi-Wan responded.
"Well, no ship this small usually has a cloaking device.", Anakin responded.
"It could be possible that he's tracking the magnetic signature.", Mal guessed.
"Yeah. I think you're right, Mal. Thanks, Obi-Wan. Hold off your attack until we destroy Trench.", Anakin spoke.
"Might I remind you that this was not your mission?", Obi-Wan asked.
"You might.", Anakin responded before hanging up.
"Admiral, prepare to disengage cloaking device and fire.", Anakin ordered before Yularen then turned to the others from behind.
"Battle stations!", Yularen urged.
"Engineering, check.", one clone spoke.
"Navigation, check.", another added.
"Guns, check.", the 3rd added.
"Torpedoes, check.", the 4th added.
"Shields, check.", Spark spoke.
"Admiral, we are ready and waiting.", Blackout reported.
"Your move, General.", Yularen spoke.
"Fire!", Anakin shouted before the ship's cloak was deactivated and the torpedoes were then fired.
"There she is!", Trench spoke.
"So, what now?", Mal asked.
"Re-cloaking in five, four...", Anakin began.
"Sir, four more Republic torpedoes armed and closing.", TI-99 reported before the ship then cloaked itself.
"Lock us onto that ship's magnetic signature.", Trench ordered before the torpedoes hit the enemy cruiser by the shield, shaking it.
"Magnetic signature locked.", TI-99 responded.
"Arm tracking torpedoes and fire on my command.
"But, sir, we cannot fire unless we lower our shields.", TI-99 warned.
"Lower shields and fire!", Trench ordered.
"Lowering shields.", TI-99 responded before lowering said shields with the torpedoes then firing.
"General, I really hope you know what you're doing.", Yularen spoke.
"So do I, Admiral.", Anakin responded.
"That makes three of us.", Mal added just before the stealth ship started turning around with the torpedoes following them.
"They are turning around.", TI-99 reported.
Meanwhile, one of the clones gave Anakin a report.
"General, the cloaking device is active, but they're locked onto our magnetic signature.", the clone reported.
"He took the bait. Turn off the cloaking device, divert all power to the engines.", Anakin ordered before the cloak was dropped and the ship then headed straight for the enemy cruiser with which inside in the meantime, Vai noticed this and then went for the escape pods without anyone noticing.
"He is headed right for us.", TI-99 reported.
"He can't! Raise the shields!", Trench ordered.
"We cannot. The shields are still recharging.", TI-99 responded just before Anakin eventually grazed the enemy cruiser with Mal then noticing a lone escape pod with Vai inside it as they each glanced at each other before Trench closed his eyes and the torpedoes then hit the enemy cruiser.
"That's the way! Yes!", Blackout shouted in joy.
"We did it!", Spark cheered.
"We made it!", one of the clones cheered.
"Good job!", another congratulated.
"I hate to admit it, but good job, Anakin. We're beginning our attack on the Separatist fleet.", Obi-Wan spoke via holo message.
"Have fun. I'll be delivering the supplies to the surface, Master.", Anakin assured just before the holo message ended.
Later, the group arrived at Christophsis.
"Something on your mind, Mal?", Anakin asked.
"Sorry, General. It's just that… I saw his second-in-command in the escape pod before the torpedoes hit Trench.", Mal responded.
"Really? You can never tell with that guy.", Anakin responded.
"Maybe… but I have afeeling that we aren't done with him yet…", Mal responded just before Senator Organa then appeared near the ship.
"General Skywalker, I have no idea how you did it, but you saved a great many lives today.", Senator Organa spoke.
"Good job, kid. Looks like you're now officially part of the crew.", Blackout congratulated.
"Thanks, Commander.", Spark thanked.
"Well, looks like we make a pretty good team.", Anakin responded.
"I must admit, I am a bit surprised at the reckless nature of your tactics, though I cannot argue with their results.", Yularen admitted.
"Well, you'll find I like to do things, uh, differently from time to time.", Anakin laughed a bit in response.
"If by that, you mean always.", Mal added.
"Indeed, the Chancellor mentioned as much, though he insisted it was the highest compliment.", Yularen responded, puzzling Anakin somewhat before he shook his head.
"A compliment? Well, that's a surprise.", Mal responded before walking with Anakin and Yularen to help unload the rest of the supplies.
A/N: And with that, the first chapter concludes. Pretty cool start since last year, huh? :) Well, in any case, I better get some other stories ready. Until next time.