Well everyone. Here it is. The main event. Sorry this has been on such a long pause, but my work for Uni had to come first. I'm a history major so I had to take a break from writing this story to well, write. Lot's of papers haha. I won't lie, I'm a touch Rusty at some of this, but I hope you guys still enjoy this Chapter. Feel free to leave feedback on what I'm doing and how I can improve and, as always.
May the Force be with you.
Rex took a breath as his helmet's seals activated, the filters allowing air in but nothing he wouldn't want. His visor adjusted to an appropriate tint for the lighting inside of the Jedi Temple Hanger, and his information HUD activated and calibrated itself. His armor, for lack of a better phrase, was like a safety blanket. Not that he'd tell that to anyone. It was a comfort, and Rex could feel truly in his element when he put it on.
"You ready to do this Vod?"
Rex turned to see Cody standing before him, fully suited up, with a hand outstretched to Rex. Rex grasped the hand firmly, accepting the greeting of his oldest friend as their chests bumped together. "As ready as ever. This ends today."
They would be part of the small group accompanying the Jedi to the Senate building. Each man would lead two platoons. One of Cody's platoons would take up defensive positions at their landing site to guard the transports, while Third Platoon of Torrent would secure routes to the senate chamber. Rex and Cody's command platoons would move into the senate chambers themselves, secure them, and arrest the supreme Chancellor.
The rest of their respective units would be guarding the Jedi Temple or ready as a QRF in case things went south. This was effectively a coup after all, no, it was a coup. Just one that would save the Republic.
They'd been planning this for two months, collecting evidence, letting the media get used to clones staying at the temple, and preparing for what would be a non-lethal operation on their part. They'd be going in with blasters set to stun, and the men all carried concussion and flash detonators instead of thermals.
"Boys are all briefed up, the Jedi are ready and have the data, and the Senators are already in place." Rex said, he knew General Skywalker was throwing a fit over that one. Senator Amidala was starting to show signs of her pregnancy from what Rex could gather.
"We get in and get everything under control. Quick, clean, and simple." Cody nodded before approaching footsteps gained their attention.
"Commander. Captain. Are your men ready?" Mace Windu asked them as he walked forward with the group of Jedi going on the mission.
"Yes sir! Just awaiting the order to go." Cody snapped out, to which Rex nodded in agreement.
"Good. Go ahead and get your men mounted up then. We'll be leaving shortly." He said, before making for one of the LAAT's nearby. Rex nodded and turned to his men.
"Alright men, let's mount up! Go, go, go!" He said as his men jumped to their feet with their gear, making for the transports.
Rex got his squad to fall in behind him, then fell in behind General Skywalker and Commander Tano himself. Now he really felt in his element. This was just like old times. "General. Commander." He said with a nod as he gave his DC's one last check, seeing both at a full charge.
"How's the boy's doing Rex?" Commander Tano asked.
"We're ready for whatever the Chancellor might have in store Commander. Don't you worry about that." He said with a nod, and he meant it too.
Rex felt the shift under him as the LAAT throttled up and turned to the hangar opening. The Jedi LAAT held a couple of the Jedi Masters, more than enough to chase down Palpatine if he tried to slip away. A larger force was being prepared to take on this Sith that was supposedly hiding, once they located the Sith anyways.
The seven transports moved out in a line formation, and Rex watched as the mid-day light shined down on Coruscant's surface, reflecting off the buildings and ships as they neared the large dome that was the Senate building. Rex could feel his pulse quicken as they drew nearer. He couldn't help but realize that this might be the most important mission in his short life.
The ships settled into a holding pattern not long after, just outside one of the landing bays for the Senate building. The LAAT containing one of Cody's platoons touched down, and Rex magnified the zoom on his visor to get a better look. It didn't take long for the discussion to turn heated, and the Senate Guards were clearly on edge.
Even to Rex's trained eyes, it all happened in a flash. Several stun shots went out, dropping the guards. Some returned fire but were dropped in rapid order by the veteran clone troopers. The platoon leader waved them in, and the pilots didn't hesitate.
"Alright, boys! Here comes our part!" Rex called out over the open com link for both his platoons. The LAAT's dropped in with doors already open, and clones jumping out before they'd even lost forward momentum, tucking into body rolls along the landing pad. The LAATs never touched ground. Jedi and clone alike jumped off and came up sprinting. "Move, move, move! Get to the entrance!"
His blaster pistols were already out, and he was right behind his Jedi. Leading his brothers in. Just like old times. Cody and General Kenobi along side them, making for a door off to their right. His Jedi plunged their sabres into the door itself, cutting through the locking mechanism in record time and forcing it open.
"What the...!" The surprised senate guard said as the door was forced open. He was met with two rapid stun shots from Rex's pistols. Rex gave a simple wave forward and his platoons stormed in. Men stacked up at the various doors, tossing in concussion and flash grenades before storming in and stopping any resistance.
The attack was swift and caught them off guard. Few were able to put up any sort of a fight, and Rex noted they only had a handful of wounded. He couldn't help but feel it was going too well. The enemy hadn't even gotten a chance to sound an alarm.
His coms chirped, and he accepted the call from Cody. "Alright, Rex! My boys are in place to keep this exit open. We'll meet up with you in the main hallway!" He said.
"Roger that Cody, we're good over here. See you there." He said, before nodding to General Skywalker. "General Kenobi's assault went to plan. Ready to move on your order General."
Skywalker nodded, "Let's go, Rex, we've got no time to lose."
With that, they were back at it, running in a tight formation. Mace Windu's group of Jedi were bringing up the rear. They'd split off once they reached the main hall and make for Palpatines personal office. As they ran farther, Rex could hear what was going on in the Senatorial Chambers. It was being broadcast, as was common. Some Senator or another speaking. Rex drowned it out, instead focusing on what was in front of him. The far door was on them now, and Commander Tano darted ahead, swiping the key card they'd gotten off one of the unconscious guards. The sound of their boots quickly muffled by the carpet as grey durasteel was replaced by soft carpets, deep colors, and far fancier decoration. Then there were the four very surprised senate guards on patrol.
The hallway was a flurry of nonlethal shots for a moment before all was once again silent.
"Alright, Third platoon! Set up a defensive line here and start securing this hallway!" Rex said as he saw Cody's team come pouring out of another hallway. "First Platoon! With me!" He called out.
The Jedi spoke for a moment, in a rush. Soon, Mace Windu and three other Jedi hurried off down the hallway, most likely making for the Chancellors office.
"Rex. We'll need your platoon up on the media observation deck. It's above the rest of the chamber and will offer good cover." General Kenobi told them. "Your personal squads will be with myself and Anakin going onto these two platforms. Anakin will be on Senator Amidala's platform. I'll be on Senator Organa's. Cody, your platoon will move in to make the arrest itself."
Rex nodded, "First Squad, you're with me. Appo, take First Platoon and secure the observation deck." He said as the two squads fell in with the Jedi, the others moving to get into their positions. The Jedi had sheathed their lightsabers, and Rex took a moment to holster his blasters. They couldn't walk in like they were ready to slaughter the room, it'd cause panic. It didn't take them long to arrive at the doors, only a few spaces apart from one another. He got ready as General Skywalker pressed the access button.
The sound of an arguing senate filled Anakin's ears as he stepped down into the pod, along with Rex's squad. He placed a hand on Padme's shoulder, who jumped some, but looked back to him. "We're in position Padme… how are things here?"
"Oh, nothing new… just the Senate arguing over how to best throw themselves at the feet of a mad man with a new military budget. Did you have any trouble getting past the guards?" She asked. He knew she'd been adamant about them not hurting any of the senate guards.
"No, they'll all wake up in a few hours with little beyond headaches." He told her. No one had noticed the entrance of the Jedi and clones yet.
"Sir, First Platoon's in position," Rex told him. "Cody's reporting that his men are ready to make the arrest."
Anakin looked to his wife, who gave him an affirming nod. "Alright. Tell Obi-Wan we're going to begin. Have Senator Organa bring his pod alongside Padme's."
Anakin watched as Padme stepped forward to the microphone on the Pod. "The Senator from Naboo requests the floor." She announced. A hush quickly fell over the chamber. Padme was forceful in making her point, but she never interrupted a fellow senator, regardless of differences. Anakin felt the pod shift as it moved forward, and the momentary silence turned into whispers as others became aware of the clone troopers present.
"Wh…what is the meaning of this? Senators, why have you brought Jedi and… Armed clone troopers into the building. It is illegal to…" Palpatine started, addressing Padme and Senator Organa. Anakin set his jaw and took a breath. As much as he wanted to speak up, this was the time to let Padme and Senator Organa speak.
"Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine." Padme announced. "We have found sufficient evidence to convict you of, and hereby arrest you for treason against the Galactic Republic." She said, and Anakin smirked.
"W…what!? This is absurd. Senator Amidala. Have the Jedi put you up to this?" Palpatine shouted in shock. There was an uproar in the Senate as well, as Palpatine's supporters tried to shout them down. Anakin glanced to Obi Wan, who nodded.
"Obi Wan is gonna send in Cody to make the arrest." He warned Padme, who nodded. The troopers came running in across the floor, brandishing two twelve orange on their sleeves.
"My fellow senators, if you check the console's of your pods, you will see our evidence for this arrest. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has been working to undermine the Republic for the Separatists, and works for the Sith Lord the Jedi have been searching for." She said as the jet packs of one of Cody's squad activated, sending him up to the Chancellor's pod in the center of the room.
Anakin could hear the trooper through their comms and audibly. "Supreme Chancellor, I advise that you surrender peacefully." The Sergeant announced. One of his troopers moved in, cuffs brandished. Anakin smiled some. The war was finally gonna be over. It would finally end and he and Padme could be together.
The roof of the senate building exploded overhead. Anakin ducked as the room was filled with the screams of nearby senators. "What was that!?" He shouted.
"Clanker drop pods!" Rex's reply was all too clear, and four of them were buried into the concrete floor of the room, having crashed through many pods. Bodies were already strewn about, and the senators who weren't hurt were scattering to escape. Dust and debris filled the room.
"Droids. Appo, take'em down!" Rex shouted from behind them. Sure enough, a few squads of droids had spilled out, and were firing at the retreating senators and fighting clones. Anakin pulled Padme down as he and Ahsoka jumped in front, lightsabers ignited. The group was a mix of B1 and B2 droids, a sizeable force. However, the superior position of the clones made fast work of the droids, and soon the large room was eerily silent. Anakin turned and leveled his lightsaber point at Palpatine from the pod.
"Surrender Palpatine! You can't win!" He expected the man to cower. He was no fighter, just a politician.
At least… he had until a chill filled the room that made every hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"No, Anakin. I am afraid it is the Jedi who cannot win." Palpatine said, his voice so much darker. Anakin wasn't prepared for the sudden force blast that swept both pods back and sent them flying back, their two pods coming to rest against the mass of others. The oppressive power of the dark side was crushing down on him now, pressing on him from all sides.
Across from them, he heard Obi Wan, sounding shocked and stunned. "P…Palpatine is the Sith!?" He said.
"Why yes Master Kenobi… Yes, I am. And you are all traitors to the Republic." He said, standing with his arms inserted into the sleeves of his robes, looking peaceful and untroubled.
The doors below them were forced open, and the Jedi force led by Mace Windu stormed in.
Before they could even speak, Ahsoka shouted down. "It's Palpatine! He's the Sith!"
They all halted, staring him down and spreading out. Windu spoke up. "You're surrounded Sith. Surrender now."
Anakin watched as Palpatine sneered at Master Windu. "No. You are surrounded." He said, his voice having changed into a far more sinister tone. It was then that the hiss of ascension cables filled his ears. Appo's platoon descended down, some landing on the ground floor, while others landed on their two pods, blasters leveled. Rex wheeled on Appo, who looked down on them from the rim of the pod above them.
"Appo, Vod. What are you doing?" Rex practically shouted as he and his squads, along with Cody's, took up positions. Cody's platoon seemed mixed, some turning on Jedi, while others aimed at their fellow clones. The tension in the room pressed on Anakin's chest.
"What I should have done sooner Rex. The Jedi tricked you… they're fooling you into betraying the Republic. Give up now… and I'll do what I can for you." Appo said. Anakin couldn't believe this. His own men were turning against him, Rex's brothers were turning against them.
"Appo… you're wrong. Palpatine's a Sith! Brother… you're wrong… he has to be stopped." Anakin could hear the hurt, the betrayal, in Rex's voice.
"No… You do." Appo said simply.
"Yes, Yes. Excellent Marshall Commander Appo." Palpatine announced the mans new rank to them all. "Now, Commander… Kill the traitors."
Rex barely dodged Appo's first shot. How could he do this? How could one of his most trusted commanders turn against him? He pushed the thoughts away, and, with no other choice, opened fire on Five O' First blue. General Skywalker and Commander Tano were both deflecting blaster bolts, back to back. Cody and General Kenobi, across from them, were in the thick as well.
He heard the sounds of boots clang on the edge and looked up to see Appo standing over him. Rex barely punched the mans blaster away, sending it clattering over the edge. He received a boot to his visor for his efforts. Rex grabbed it and sent Appo crashing against the side of the pod as he pulled back.
"I'm sorry to do this Brother!" Rex shouted as he let go and gave Appo a push. However, he hadn't expected Appo to grab on.
"You're no brother of mine, Traitor!" Appo said as they both went tumbling over the side to the ground below. They hit. Hard.
Rex groaned, thankful that his armor had taken the brunt. Still, one of his arms wasn't working right. Appo was a short distance away, one of his legs twisted the wrong way at the knee. However, Rex was more focused on the blaster pistol aimed at him. One of his blaster pistols.
"Die." Was all Appo grit out before Rex's world exploded into pain.
Anakin focused on deflecting bolt after bolt of blaster fire and trying to protect Padme, who was of course up and firing with her pocket blaster. "You know. It would be easier to cover you if you would stay down!" He emphasized the last part.
"What, and not watch your backs?" She retorted. Anakin shook his head and glanced down below them. The Masters had cleared a path to the Chancellor, and, lightsabers ignited, were moving in.
The Chancellor cackled, and two lightsabers appeared from his sleeves as he jumped incredibly high, spinning and launching himself at the Masters' with a speed Anakin hadn't thought capable. Both sabers were driven through Master Tiin's chest before he could act. The Chancellor used his body as a jumping point to move away from the other three Jedi.
Anakin glanced back to Obi-Wan and Ahsoka now that things were more or less under control on the platforms. "We have to help them!" He shouted. "Rex!" Anakin looked around for his Captain. "Kix, where's Rex!?"
"I don't know Sir! He was here one minute and then he and Appo went fighting over the side!" The clone medic announced as he worked on Jesse's shoulder.
"Master! I found him!" Ahsoka cried. Anakin moved to the edge of the pod again, and the Jaig eyes staring up at him from below were an instant give away. Rex had a hole in his upper chest from a blaster. Appo was gone, as were most of the clone's who'd been loyal to Palpatine.
"Kix! Rex has a chest wound! He's your priority now! Ahsoka, get Kix down there to Rex! Rally any men still loyal to us!" He said, and without a second thought, Ahsoka jumped over the side, Kix following her a second later.
Anakin looked to Obi-Wan, who nodded. "Well, Sith Lords are our specialty. Shall we?" Obi Wan asked as he jumped up onto the edge of Organa's pod. Anakin gave Padme a kiss, not letting her argue about this, and stepped to the ledge as well.
"Let's." He said before stepping off, dropping to the floor below.
Palpatine wasn't holding back, Master Tiin's body lay motionless on the ground. Anakin could see Master Kolar also laying motionless in some of the rubble nearby. He and Obi-Wan moved up carefully, lightsabers at the ready as they joined Master Windu, Master Fisto, and Master Allie to encircle Palpatine. The Sith's hood was up, both lightsabers at the ready as he chuckled lightly.
"Surrender Palpatine. There is no escape. You've lost." Master Windu said. Anakin felt chilled as Palpatine began laughing again, the dark side pressing in.
"Oh, Master Windu… how right you are. There is no escape. For you Jedi!" His laugh became a full-blown cackle. Master Allie charged the Sith, and Palpatine spun on her, catching her by the throat with a force choke. Master Allie struggled desperately, saber falling from her grip as her hands clawed at her throat. Before they could react, there was a sickening crack, and Anakin watched as he threw her body away. "Even as we speak Master Windu, the separatist fleet has assembled over Coruscant. Your precious temple will burn!"
Anakin chose this moment to move in, making a quick attack at the Sith's back. His lightsaber clashed with the angry red of Palpatine's. The Sith moved to bring the other saber at him, but Obi Wan moved quickly, bringing his Saber down. No matter the force they applied however, Palpatine just continued to cackle, and his sabers would not budge. They were both pushed back as a blast of the Force propelled Palpatine into the air. Palpatine landed a few feet away, looking directly to Anakin, his eyes glowing the yellow of the Sith.
"You cannot save her you know." He said with a sneer. "The Jedi won't allow you to raise your children. They will take them from you and if you ever see them again they will not recognize you. Then what Anakin? You'll have failed to protect your wife and have lost any children you may have."
Anakin froze, he'd been masking the children's force presence to ensure Palpatine wouldn't know. "Y…you're wrong! I can save her, and Master Yoda has given me his word!"
"Yes, and I am certain that is all he has given you. What of the dreams you told me of Anakin? Of Padme dying. Did you tell Master Yoda of those? Did he immediately grant you access to the forbidden section of the Jedi Archives? Or did he deny you, saying that they were just dreams!?"
Anakin could feel the anger boiling up inside of him. Could he save Padme? Could he protect his children. Master Yoda had never fully stated that they would be allowed to raise them. He could feel that darkness inside him rising up again.
"Anakin! Don't listen to him! He's trying to poison your mind!" He suddenly heard Obi-Wan shout. His Master… his brother, was looking to him with concern. But Anakin was doubtful. If Master Yoda did take his children, would Obi-Wan stand with the council like he had with Snip's trial?
"Join me Anakin. Join me and I can teach you what my master learned. Ways to preserve and save life. I can save Padme for you, and I will let you train your children and raise them as a family." Palpatine retorted. His voice had gone back to that of a smooth government official, the voice Anakin knew so well.
"Anakin. You have my word; the Council will not take your children from you. We will help you and Padme. I won't allow them to tr-aghh!" Obi-Wan had nearly finished before something cut off his voice. Obi-Wan went wide eyed, gasping for breath against the Force Choke. Palpatine had one hand extended.
"Anakin. He is betraying you as we speak. There is no choice. Join me, and I can help your family."
"My family doesn't need your help!" There was the sound of a blaster rifle firing. Palpatine released Obi-Wan and expertly blocked the single blue bolt that Padme had fired at him. The bolt then hit a Thermal detonator carried by one of the many battle droids that'd been dealt with earlier. Palpatine let out a scream as he was enveloped in the explosion as Anakin shielded his eyes. He looked back, to see Padme holding a clone DC rifle and bracing it on the edge of her senate pod.
There was a shout of rage from Palpatine, and Anakin's look of surprise turned to one of horror as two senate pods were brought down on top of Padme's, covering it as she screamed.
Anakin couldn't believe it. 'No. Nononononono!' "NO!" He roared, as did the darkness inside of him. Anakin charged Palpatine, bringing all his rage down on the man who was in the process of recovering. Their lightsabers locked again as Palpatine brought his up, but this time Anakin was pushing him back.
The lock broke, and Anakin spun away, carrying the momentum into a new strike which Palpatine blocked again as Anakin lay into him, moving with the Sith as they threw strike after strike at one another. Anakin could feel his rage boiling within. The Darkness boiled up, overpowering the light. As the two parried each other again, Palpatine changed tactics. Lightning shot from the man's hand, and Anakin's body seized up. It was excruciating, far worse than Dooku's lightning.
It stopped when the other masters caught up to the duel, which Anakin noticed had moved across the bottom floor of the chamber. Residual lightning flickered across him for a moment as he pushed himself up, just in time to see Palpatine unleash another blast of the force which sent Anakin and the masters flying back. Anakin felt his body slam into one of the pods, knocking the wind from him. Palpatine had turned to advance on them as Anakin pushed himself up, seeing multiple of the still loyal clone troopers move in around them to support the Jedi. Before they could attack though, the wreckage of a ship crashed through the senate building, shrouding them all in dust and some debris. The main portion however, split the room in half, and gave Palpatine a chance to escape.
"Obi-Wan. Stay here with Skywalker. Master Fisto and I will go after Palpatine." Anakin heard Master Windu say. He was back on his feet and watched as the two Jedi leapt over the wreckage, lightsabers ignited. Anakin instantly wheeled to where Padme's pod had been and breathed in relief. Ahsoka had lifted the two pods off to reveal Padme, along with the clone troopers and Senator Organa, alive and well, if a bit shaken.
"It's okay Anakin. I've got you." Obi Wan said.
"H…How's Padme? We… we have to go after him. He'll pay for trying to hurt her."
"She's okay. No Anakin. We have to trust Master Windu and Master Fisto. We have to get back to the Temple." Obi Wan said as Anakin leaned on him for a moment as he regained his stability. "You've been burned, and your cybernetics in your hand are damaged. The Temple is very likely under attack."
The darkness in Anakin was raging at him to chase down Palpatine and end him for what he'd done. Anakin took a breath, resisting the temptation and urging the dark and light in him to balance out. He managed to level himself without Obi-Wans help, and ran over to where the clones were helping Padme down. He pulled her into his arms.
"I'm here Ani. I'm okay. We all are." She said. "You didn't loose us. You aren't going to."
He just nodded, reassuring himself for a moment. "He got away Padme. I can't let him get away." He said.
"Not for long. We will catch him. For now though… we need to get back to the temple. They need us there too." He sighed, and looked around. His own clothing and body were singed and banged up from the fighting. They were all covered in dust. The dead lay everywhere, both clones and Jedi. Kix was hurriedly working on Rex, having removed the Captain chest plate to reveal a blaster burn in his upper chest.
Anakin took a breath, "Okay. We'll go. But I won't let him get away with this Padme." He said, the rage still barely controlled.
"I know. He won't. We'll bring him to justice Anakin." She reassured.
"Sir. The Captain is stable, but he needs a med bay. Shot missed his heart by two inches." Kix reported in. "Also, you need to see this. Jesse, show him."
Jesse, one of the ARC troopers, walked forward and pulled up his comms wrist, which was active. The message was like a punch to the gut. It was Palpatine's voice.
"To all Clone Commanders. Execute Order: Sixty Six."
Well, let me know what you guys think of it all. Many clones betrayed the coup because while they all did not want to become like droids, many of them were still more loyal to their training. Absolute, blind, near dogmatic loyalty to the Republic, and namely to the acting Chancelor. Plus, when you remember that this is after battles like Umbara for both the 501 and the 212, there are quite a few new replacements in who aren't as loyal to the Jedi as the Old Breed would be. I did this because, as one of you guys helped me realize, I was letting this rebellion get too big.
I will also warn that while this is no Game of Thrones, any character, canon or OC, is open to die. Rex, Anakin, Padme, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, and Kittani, are not impervious and I'm trying to give them as little to no plot armor as I can.
To all of you who have given me suggestions. No, your ideas are not annoying. I love many of them. However, I have a plan for this and while I can work some ideas into it, as it becomes more solid there are less and less places to change things. But. I encourage all of you who don't already to try your own hand at writing, there are so many amazing Ideas I've heard that I wouldn't mind seeing myself. Give writing a shot. Make an account. Do or do not, there is no try. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because you will get better. My first story on here was terrible, and I'm still improving to this day.
Finally, thank you all for sticking with me through the hiatuses I've gone on. The story will be getting back on track soon, I promise that. Thank you again for making this story everything it is now. It means so much to see how many people are supporting this little hair brain story of mine.
