Hey everyone, here I am again. Sorry it's been taking so long, senior year and, if I'm absolutely honest, trying to plot out the story farther down the road. For a while I've felt like I've just been jumping with this story, and I guess that's because I have. I'm thinking once I wrap up this little arc, I'm going to settle into a more steady timeline. It'll still have some jumps and such, but it'll be more connected with proper story arcs within arcs, more planned out. I just want to say thank all of you who have stuck with me on this, and sorry to have kept you waiting, but I think I'll be able to update more regularly now. Please let me know what you guys are thinking, I appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks again and, as always, may the force be with you.
Fortunate Son, out!
"Sorry for the delay, Kittani and I were working training." Obi-Wan said as he entered the Combat Information Center of the Liberation with Kittani at his side. They were deep within the ship where layers of armor plating protected the vital communications and weapon control area. As he'd told Kittani, if the bridge was the brain of a warship, then the CIC was the central nervous system. It had the same drab gray of the rest of the ship, but was filled with computers, map displays, and other equipment necessary to keep the ship fighting. A few officers and crew moved about the area, going about their business, and Obi Wan had to admit he still hadn't entirely gotten used to a ship that wasn't crewed by clones.
His gaze settled on the group gathered around the central holotable. Master Kota had asked for Anakin, Padme, Ahsoka, Rex, Cody, and himself to gather here. He had invited Master Yoda as well, but the Grand Master had chosen to stay out of the more military functions of their group, instead focusing his time on rebuilding the order. The Grand Master had appointed him and Anakin, along with Master Kota, to be the primary military advisors to the Order and the Council.
"No worries, Master Kenobi, you haven't missed anything." Master Kota said. "Fulcrum takes their time on making sure comms are heavily secured before we speak."
"With good reason." Padme spoke up, "The Emperor may be focused on securing his new Empire, but he hasn't forgotten about us, especially after your run in with those Inquisitors." She said, glancing to him and then up to Anakin.
"Oh, we know… and I know all too well how ambitious Palpatine can be. We're definitely at the front of his mind." Anakin said, putting a hand on Padme's back. "We'll just have to be ready for whatever he might send after us… and lay as low as we can, as much as I hate to say it. Besides, for now, we need to prepare as many Jedi as possible." He added, looking down to Gant, who Obi-Wan had missed.
"General Kota, incoming transmission, highly encrypted tight beam." The comms officer said, turning some in her chair as she waited for orders.
"Alright, all of you, lock down your stations. Lieutenant Neda, send the transmission and then secure your own station. The CIC is going into lockdown." Master Kota ordered. His troops worked quickly, locking down and closing their stations as much as possible. Anything that might be able to send a transmission was secured. Once that was finished, they exited, with the last being Lieutenant Neda, who'd set up the transmission.
"The transmission is ready General Kota." She said, before exiting. Kota nodded and walked over, pounding twice on the bulkhead. Three knocks followed suit, likely coming from one of the two militia soldiers who guarded the entrance. The lights dimmed, and Kota nodded.
"Alright, we're as secure as we're going to get. I'm bringing the transmission on through." Kota said, pressing a few buttons. The holoprojector fired up, and for a moment the table was covered in a blue light before it started to take definition. After a moment, a projection of Bail Organ appeared on the holotable.
"Greetings." Bail said, looking around. "It's good to see that you're all doing well. I'd grown worried after your last report." He explained.
"It's good to see the same from you Fulcrum." Master Kota said.
Bail, under the codename Fulcrum, nodded. "Indeed, things have calmed down some. The droid army has, for the most part, deactivated and left the Separatists defenseless. The Empire is acting quickly to put down any resistance… and gain control over more planets as he does so. Now, Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi, do you think you could explain exactly who it was you encountered?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "They were two dark side users. Dark Jedi was the common term for them, but it seems they've taken on a new term of their own. The Inquisition. One called himself the Third Brother, the other was once a Padawan known as Barriss Offee." He explained.
Anakin nodded, "They were attempting to abduct a force sensitive child… and didn't seem to care how much collateral damage they caused in doing so. This confirms our suspicions that Palpatine is still after force sensitive younglings to make his servants. Not Sith… but Dark Acolytes." He explained, and Obi-Wan could feel the faintest spike in the force from Anakin, a hint of anger that was released after a moment.
"I see… it's as I'd feared. Palpatine informed us of the Inquisition being formed to hunt force sensitive criminals." Bail explained. "That alone caused me enough worry, but to see that they are abducting these children to corrupt them." He shook his head. "I'm thankful that you were able to gain some recordings from the clone's helmets of what happened. They'll help us expose the Empire for what it really is."
Padme spoke this time, "I know I don't have to tell you this Fulcrum… but we have to do what we can to stop the emperor, even if it's just inconveniencing him. There are bound to be others out there who do not agree with what Palpatine is doing. We just have to find them."
"I know all too well." He agreed. "And I'm already searching. We're far from the only ones who disagree with the Emperor." He said. "In fact, that's part of why I contacted you today. I wanted to see how your progress with our new potential allies is going first off, and I have a task that you might well be able to complete." He said.
Obi Wan spoke, "We… haven't heard from Bo Katan yet, but she said it will take time to organize the Mandalorian Clans against Maul. She'll be the one to get in contact with us once she's ready, but we don't when that might be." He explained.
"I understand, well, we can only hope that they'll pull through. The Mandalorians are powerful warriors, as our own clone troopers have shown." He said, and Obi-Wan noticed a slight swell in pride from both Rex and Cody. "But now, onto other business. I have a task for you. A rescue operation." He said. "There was a protest in the lower levels of Coruscant by the refugees. The Emperor had his troops come down hard, and the protest was handled like a battle." Bail said, shaking his head.
"Because of his control and because of it happening in Coruscant's underworld, Palpatine was able to play it off as suppressing a gang riot. He claims that he's relocating the people back to the outer rim to protect them." He began. "One of my contacts provided info revealing the reality of the situation. These people are being relocated to mining worlds to be used as slave labor. I want your group to try and rescue them." He explained.
Obi Wan shook his head, and he most certainly felt the spike of anger from Anakin that time. "Slavery?" His once padawan questioned. "The Empire is supporting slavery?" There was a dangerous tone in Anakin's voice, understandably so. It was such a deep part of his past. The Republic had turned a blind eye to slavery for so long, he realized that. Now the Empire was engaging in it.
"Unfortunately, it would seem so. The Senate has no way to stop this, even if most of them cared enough to want to, and the new regional governors all work for Palpatine. Many of them are likely involved." He explained.
Obi-Wan nodded some, "We'd be very interested in helping… we can't let these people keep suffering. But how many people are we possibly going to encounter?" He asked.
"Nearly 4,000. All on a Purgatory class prison transport. It's being escorted by three Arquitens. I'm assuming you have some way of disabling that prison ship?" He asked.
"We're running low on Ion Torpedoes for our Y-wings… but if we spread them thin, then I think we could disable it and catch it in the tractor beam." General Kota said. "It'd require some surgical strikes though."
"I may have another idea." Anakin spoke up. "Master Kota, does the Liberation have a SPHA fitted?" He asked.
"It does, but I don't think that's going to be any good for disabling a ship. Maybe cutting it in two, but that's not what we need now is it." He said.
"No, it isn't. But I know how those SPHA's work. I had to when I figured out how to fit them in the Venators. And they can be reconfigured to fire an Ion beam instead of a turbolaser shot, that was part of their original design. I'll need some time, but, if we use that we'll have that prison ship disabled in a single shot, and then we'll just have to take down its escorts." He said.
Master Kota nodded, "Do you think you can do it then, Skywalker?"
"I know I can, I'll just need a team of technicians and time." He said. "Fulcrum, when and where are we supposed to intercept this transport?" he asked.
Bail sighed, "You won't have long, half a standard day. The transport left Coruscant earlier this morning, before too many prying eyes were awake. I can send you the coordinates now, my contact advised this as the best place to intercept the convoy. It'll give you a little bit of time to get things settled before reinforcements can show up. They have to stop here to readjust their course."
Obi-Wan nodded, it was as sound a plan of action as they could have. "If we act quickly, we can have the ship back underway in short order. The issue will be overwhelming the crew to get control of the ship." He said.
"Rex and I have been considering that." Cody spoke up. "With a Purgatory class ship, there's going to be three main area's we'd want control of. The bridge, the engine and secondary control center, and the control room for the prison cells. We take those and we have effective control of the ship, I'd say we could also force an evacuation."
"When you put it that way, it sounds easy, but there's a crew of 550 on that ship. Including some 200 clones such as yourselves. Tell me, are you going to try and rescue them too? Like you did that group you brought on board a few days ago?" General Kota said, his eyes narrowed. Obi Wan could feel the tension in the air, Kota had never trusted the clones, and he did so even less after Order 66.
"A group?" Bail asked.
"Yes. They recovered some wounded enemy clones from the fight against those inquisitors. They seem to think they can override that chip by removing it." Kota said, shaking his head.
Rex snapped, "Commander Gree and the rest of those clones have successfully had the chips removed, they're recovering well, and they have no memory of what happened after the chip being activated!" He said. "They've been working with the Jedi to see if they're honest in what they're going through." He growled.
"Yes, honest." Kota sneered, "Because you certainly were built on honesty by Sidious, weren't you?" Kota said.
"That's enough, gentlemen!" Padme interrupted, her voice firm but not loud. "Master Kota, I understand that you have your issues with the clones. But both Captain Rex and Commander Cody have shown their loyalty. Captain Rex, I know you are passionate about your brothers, but you must know that some will not see it that way." She said, her voice firm. Obi-Wan had recognized this as her senator's voice. "Gentlemen, although we may not have all of the same views, we are on the same side. Master Kota, I would trust these men with my life, and I trust their judgement as well. Now, let's return to the task at hand."
Obi-Wan shook his head, he had worried about this. Kota and his crew tolerated the clone troopers but were still highly wary of them. Now it seemed it was boiling over some. He jumped on the opportunity that Padme had made though.
"We understand that it won't be quite that simple, but Cody has a solid point. If we take over those three areas, we have a solid control of the ship, and we can focus on clearing the crew and guards out from that point, maybe even force the crew to abandon ship." He said. "But Fulcrum, do you have a way to care for 4,000 refugees? The Liberation has some room, but not enough for that many people, and I doubt they will want to stay on a prison ship."
Bail nodded, terse from the argument that had just happened. "I do… but I ask that you leave that to me Master Kenobi. Once you've gained control, have both ships jump to these coordinates, I'll have a partial crew ready to come aboard and get these people to safety." He stated.
Kota sighed, "Alright then… we'll do it. Send the package Fulcrum, and we'll be prepared." He said.
"Understood. Thank you all. We can't give up on the galaxy, even when we're laid low like this." Bail stated. "May the force be with you." With that, the transmission cut, and a few seconds later a data package arrived via tight-beam transmission.
Obi-Wan took a breath, now they had to get down to the harder part of this business. Planning the attack. "Alright, based on the information we have… I'll lead Cody, Rex, and the men on an assault towards the prison control center. Master Kota, would you be opposed to attacking the bridge?"
"No, I think that's acceptable. I can also have some of the Liberation's crew come aboard to act as a skeleton force to get that ship back underway. I'd recommend that Skywalker take up the command of the Liberation and it's air wings in my stead." He suggested.
Obi-Wan nodded, as did Anakin. "That works for me, although I'll be commanding from the cockpit of my starfighter. You seem to have a competent captain for this ship after all." He said. "Gant, I'd like for you to go with Obi-Wan. I'd have you come up with me, but you haven't got much flying in under your belt, much less combat flying." He said, to which his young Padawan nodded.
"Alright, that leaves the question of who is going to lead the attack on the engine compartment." Obi-Wan stated. "I was thinking of recommending Master Mundi, if you could let him use some of your troops Master Kota."
The fellow Jedi nodded, "Of course, I can assign a company of men to him, with one company between all of us, it should be more than enough to overwhelm the ship." He said. "Alright, well, if that's everything, let's get ready. Skywalker, I'll have a group of technicians meet you down at the dorsal hangar to work on getting that SPHA converted to fire ion blasts." Kota stated. "Kenobi, have your men ready, I'll make sure boarding transports are prepared for all of us. We'll have to board through the docking bays and move quickly."
"Wait." Padme suddenly said. "Obi-Wan, if you and your men are going to the prisoner containment areas… I have a request." She smiled some, and somehow Obi-Wan could tell she had an idea forming.
"Be careful." Anakin felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind as Padme breathed those words out. He was just about to climb into his fighter, and the hangar was abuzz with activity as the boarding parties and flight crews prepared. Everyone knew what was about to happen, and there was a tension in the air as they prepared for their first major action against Imperial navy forces. Anakin took his hands off the ladder and turned around, pulling Padme to him.
"You know I will be… I have a family to come back to." He breathed into her hair, taking her scent in for a moment as his head leaned down to rest against hers. Anakin wrapped his arms around her tighter, rubbing her back some, and having to lean just a bit to avoid putting pressure on her stomach, which was now much larger with their beautiful children growing inside her. "I thought you were up on the bridge?"
"I was… but I had to come and say one last goodbye… we've had too many goodbyes where I've had to stay far back." She murmured, and Anakin took in a breath. She was right after all… one too many times he'd flown off like this while she watched at a distance or not at all. "It kills me a little inside to see you going into danger Anakin… but… I know I can't stop you, just like you haven't stopped me. Although I'd feel a lot better if you stayed on the bridge with me." She murmured into his chest.
He gave a soft smile, "I'll be careful Angel, you know I will. And I can't… the men need me out there, our friends need me out there. I can help end the fighting so much faster this way." He said. Anakin tried to not brag about his skills as much anymore… but he was probably one of if not the most skilled pilot on board at this point.
Padme sighed, but nodded. "Alright, I know… just, come back to me safe Ani." She said, Anakin smiled and, before he could act, she pulled him down into a quick but loving kiss. It was when she pulled away that they both heard the chuckle.
"Hmm, now Anakin, that is behavior unbecoming of a proper Master Jedi." Obi Wan said, chuckling still with a knowing grin on his face. Ahsoka was beside him as well, an eyebrow raised.
Anakin gave his usual grin, "What can I say Master, I don't think I was ever a proper Jedi." He replied, an arm still wrapped around Padme.
"No, you definitely weren't that, Skyguy." Ahsoka said. "But I think I speak for the both of us when I say we're happy for both of you."
Anakin swelled with some pride and watched as Padme pulled away to hug Ahsoka. "Thank you Ahsoka, it means a lot."
Obi-Wan nodded, "Sorry to break the moment, but, we're due to exit hyperspace soon, and Captain Schaack has informed us that we're going to on station shortly before our target will be. We need the fighters ready to deploy."
Anakin sighed and nodded. Padme looked to them all. "All of you, please be safe, you're all a part of my family. I'll be on the bridge." She went to Anakin, kissing his cheek. "May the force be with us."
"This is General Skywalker, all flight leads, check off your squadrons and call in." Anakin said. "Red Squadron, sound off." He ordered.
"How're you doing Snips?" He asked while he gave the pilots time to check their squadrons.
"Everything's showing green Skyguy. You ready?" She replied.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He replied, grinning some. He'd tuned up the Azure Angel II, making sure she was in tip top shape, and with R2 seated in his usual spot, he knew he was ready for most anything. It was then that comms from the other pilots started to come in.
"Red Squadron, standing by. Blue Squadron, standing by! Gold Squadron, all clear. Black Squadron, we're ready general! Green Squadron, ready to rock!" Each squadron lead rattled off.
Anakin nodded, "Roger that, all squadrons, assume attack positions. Wait for my command to begin the attack." He said as they settled in, waiting in the blackness of space for the enemy to appear.
It didn't take long before Captain Schaack commed in. "General, we're reporting multiple contacts dropping out of hyperspace… now!" He announced. In the distance, a few ships appeared. As they'd expected, three Arquitens class cruisers were escorting the large prison ship.
"There they are. Liberation, we'll begin the attack when you fire." Anakin said as he watched the large ship move into position. The beam weapon dropped into firing position, now modified for its Ion blast. There was a moment of silence. Anakin held his breath in anticipation. The beam weapon fired in a flash of blueish white light. A concentrated blast of ionized particles ripped through the blackness of space and slammed into the prison ship. Electricity arced across its hull and the ship listed to the side. The cruisers started to scramble to respond to the attack.
"She's dead in the water, all squadrons, begin your attack runs!" Anakin said as he poured on the throttle. "Liberation, move in to help engage those cruisers." He added.
"Master, I'm seeing a few fighters scramble from those cruisers and the transport! I've never seen the design before!" Ahsoka commented.
"Well, we can't worry about that now! Let's see what they can do!" He said. "Red and Blue Squadron, engage those fighters. Orange and Black Squadrons, make your runs on those escort cruisers." Anakin barked as he throttled up, Ahsoka right behind him. The enemy ships, small and agile with a ball shaped cockpit between two large solar or radiator panels, began to close rapidly. "R2, get all the info you can on these fighters."
Anakin selected one of the fighters for his target as they neared. A game of nuna. Anakin took a breath, his heart racing at the exhilaration of a dogfight. This was where the fun began. His targeting computer blared at him suddenly, and Anakin opened fire just as the fighter he was charging did. Anakin rolled his fighter to dodge the green blaster bolts sent his way as his own shots hit home. They'd closed fast, and Anakin pulled his fighter up before putting it into a highspeed turn to keep up the pursuit. "Well, they're fast!" He commented, ignoring the chatter filling his headset.
He turned back onto the smoking fighter, and another quick burst of fire sent it spiraling away, destroying itself in the process. Green blaster bolts suddenly streaked across his cockpit. The force screamed at him to dodge. "Snips, I got one on me!"
"Don't worry, I've got him Master!" Ahsoka replied. Anakin pushed his fighter into a tight spin before breaking into a tight turn to throw the pilots aim off. There was a sudden explosion behind him. The fire stopped.
"You're clear Master." Ahsoka said as she reformed as his wingman.
"Thanks, Ahsoka. Let's get back in the fight. We need to make sure those bombers get to the target!" Anakin whipped his fighter around, applying more throttle to catch up with the bombers. The furball was still going on around them, and even though they outnumbered the enemy, the new fighters were holding their own. Yellow and Black Squadron were both still pressing home the attack, setting up their runs. The Liberation was slowly advancing into range.
Anakin slipped his fighter into formation with Gold squadron. "Gold Squadron, Black Squadron. We'll escort you in on your runs. Make them hurt!"
"Understood General!" One of the pilots confirmed. "We're beginning our attack run! Watch out for that flak, those cruisers still have teeth!"
Anakin grit his teeth as they broke past the furball of fighters, the ball gunners on the bombers sending fire at any targets of opportunity. The cruisers started up their defensive fire. Almost instantly one of the Y-wings was hit. "This is Black 3! I'm hit, we're going down! We're going-ahhh!"
Anakin forced himself to look away as the bomber spun and exploded. "All pilots, stay on target!" He barked as more defensive fire streaked past them and another bomber detonated almost instantly. Just then, the three ships fired off a spread of concussion missiles that headed straight for them.
"Incoming, break and prepare for evasive action!" one of the pilots snapped. Anakin rolled as the missiles reached them and kept his head on the swivel to see if the missiles turned to pursue. Instead, the entire barrage kept moving towards the Liberation.
"Liberation! You have concussion missiles inbound; they're locked on!" Anakin snapped off.
"Understood General, focusing forward shields! Everyone, brace!" Captain Schaack called as the missiles closed. The point defense lasers started up, along with some of the flak deck guns. Some of the missiles were stopped, but more got through. Anakin watched in shock as multiple detonations rippled along the Liberation and her shields.
"Liberation! Come in! What's your status!?" He shouted, fighting the urge to not break off to check on Padme. There was a moment of silence, before the comms returned.
"This is the Liberation, we're still in good shape! Shields took most of the hit, damage is minimal but I don't want another hit like that, we need you to hit those Arquitens now General!"
"Understood! Everyone, make your runs, we can't let them get another hit like that off!" He said, setting his own targeting computer on one of the cruisers. The Y-Wings split into three groups, 8 craft targeting each cruiser. Anakin settled in on the command cruiser and took the lead of the formation, then his targeting system gave him the all clear. "Torpedoes away!" He shouted, rifling off two of his own torpedoes. The Y wings fired in quick succession as well, and as Anakin pulled away from the run a series of explosions rippled along the three cruisers. Fires were already breaking out, and one had dipped out of formation.
"Liberation, we have good hits on all three targets, get ready to send in the strike team and mop up! We'll be on standby in case of enemy reinforcements." Anakin said.
"Understood, get everyone clear of those cruisers, we're going to focus fire and take them down." Captain Schaack replied. Anakin and the others didn't need to be told twice, and quickly got clear. He watched as the dorsal hangar opened, and gunships started to spill out as the heavy turbolasers spun into position.
"Good luck…" He said softly.
