Galen sighed as he wiped sweat from his brow. For the last three hours Trace, himself and the mechanics in Kota's militia had worked tirelessly to get the Silver Angel's engines back to full working order. "I think that should do it," said Trace.
"You think," asked Galen. "It's your ship."
"And I worked alone when I built her. I didn't have people helping me put her back together. That's why I think it's fine." Galen sighed and shook his head.
"It'll have to do. Kota!"
"I heard you, Boy," said the general as he turned to his lieutenant. "We'll be heading to Christophsis before heading back here and moving to Kashyyk. If the Council asks where I am, stall them for as long as you can."
"Yes General," said the lieutenant. Kota turned to Rafa.
"Miss Martez. Thank you for allowing us to use your ship."
"Yeah, yeah," said Rafa. "Ahsoka said we're getting paid for this, that's why we're allowing it." Kota cast a slightly annoyed glance at Ahsoka as Rafa's eyes were focused on Galen getting her sister down from the top of the ship. Once inside, the pilot turned to them.
"Ok," said Trace. "The Angel can fit 9 people. If we pick up anymore, someone's gonna have to share a room."
"I doubt we'll encounter that many people," said Galen.
"Don't jinx it," said Kota. "Padawan Tano, Marek. Join me in the back of the ship. Miss Martez. We leave at your discretion."
"You got it, general," said Trace. The three Force users went into the cargo bay and Kota turned to the two and crossed his arms.
"We need to talk about what needs to happen after we verify Galen's story. If it proves to be true, then we need a plan to out the Chancellor before he can start Order 66."
"And if it isn't," asked Galen, already having a feeling what he would say if things didn't pan out in his favor for one reason or another.
"Then we have no line of thought other than you have been lying to us. As a result, we will have no other choice than to bring you before the Council and have you stand trial. The story you fed us will be assumed to be nothing more than lies, and you will face a trial for practicing the Dark Side and be labeled a Sith. Your lightsaber will be confiscated and studied, and you will face execution." Galen sighed.
"Of course."
"But you yourself said you believe him," argued Ahsoka.
"It's not complete, Tano," said Kota. "His story is the single most impossible thing I've ever heard of. But I can't deny that some of it makes sense. How else would his crystal have my own in it? No one knows what it feels or looks like other than myself. And each Khyber crystal is like one's own DNA, it can't be sufficiently copied completely. If it were made using the old Sith method of creating an artificial Khyber by using Sith Alchemy to convert a basic stone into one, it would shine red like other Sith lightsabers because of the Dark Side methods incorporated in the ritual. Nothing about this makes sense. But if we take Galen's story at face value, there's not a lot we can do at this time. Provided we do verify your story, you said in a few short months, Order 66 will begin. That doesn't give us a lot of preparation time."
"What are the contingency plans?"
"150 preprogrammed orders each clone is compelled to follow in the event it's issued," said Galen. "From branding the Jedi as traitors to rounding up a civilian population and executing them to draw out certain individuals to…"
"To what, Boy," asked Kota.
"To one the Senate can enforce themselves. Removing the Chancellor from office in the event that he's unfit to lead the Republic."
"That's it," said Ahsoka. "We can put that into effect."
"It's not that easy," said Kota. "If it requires the Senate to put into place, we have to assume it's a unanimous decision, not simply a majority vote. We would need pretty damning evidence that he's not fit to lead the Republic or that he's not working in the Republic's best interest."
"And being a Sith won't be enough, they'd just see it as another offshoot of Jedi. Since we can't do that, then we capture Tyrannus," said Galen.
"What," asked Ahsoka.
"If we can capture him before he's executed by Vader, we can find proof that Sidious is playing both sides of the war and pass it off as him profiting from the war."
"And put him in the Senate's crosshairs," said Kota. "If we capture Dooku, we can mark the Chancellor as this Sidious. But finding evidence of war profiteering would be damn near impossible."
"Hold on," said Ahsoka. "I think I can do something to help with that."
"And what did you have in mind?"
"We can believe that Sidious is the Master and Dooku is the Apprentice, provided we can find the right kind of help, we can link a direct communication from the Chancellor to Dooku on secure lines rather than ones normally used for something else, say a negotiation."
"Know anyone who could do that," asked Galen.
"I do. When we get back to Coruscant after Kashyyk, I need to make a call. I have a friend who could do something like that."
"It's a start then," said Kota.
"Hey," said Rafa after she entered the cargo bay. "Trace says to strap in, we're about to take off."
"Thanks, Rafa," said Ahsoka. The three Force users went back into the cockpit and Galen noted Rafa subtly glancing to the seat beside her own. Galen sighed before taking the seat, much to Rafa's excitement. Ahsoka shook her head slightly before strapping into the co-pilot's seat as Kota sat apart from them with his arms crossed, lightsaber resting in his lap rather than on his back so he could sit in the chair properly. Rafa turned to Galen.
"So, what's important about this Ventress girl?"
"Asaaj Ventress is a powerful Force user. She and the former Jedi, Quinlan Vos, are attempting to assassinate the leader of the Separatists, Count Dooku."
"Our job is to stop them and apprehend Dooku," said Kota. "That's what Ahsoka and I were doing on my flagship. I had to contact the Jedi Council and let them know of my… Padawan's vision. He was right about his intel on Oba Diah and now we need your help to get to Christophsis and then Kashyyk. With luck, this war will be over that much faster with Dooku's capture, anything else would just prolong the fighting."
"As well as any other planet we may need to get to," said Galen. "Thank you again for helping us."
"Oh, it's no problem," said Rafa with a smile and a blush.
"Get your head out of the clouds, girl," said Kota. "Galen can't pursue any sort of relationship while he's with the Order. It's forbidden."
"Why is that," asked Trace.
"It's an old Jedi philosophy," said Ahsoka. "Personal attachment is seen as leading one to the Dark Side where the darker powers are explored."
"Like my lightning," said Galen. "It's not something normal Jedi ever use. Only one other Jedi master uses it beside me."
"Who is that," asked Rafa.
"Master Plo Koon," said Kota. "Though his is more for stunning an opponent than killing them. Galen tends to be more impulsive than most."
"Like when he evaded you to avoid getting scolded at," asked Trace with a grin as they exited the atmosphere.
"Exactly like that. The Council thought I could temper him so he's not as brash. He's a pain to deal with."
"You're no different, Old Man," said Galen with a grin, seeing as the older Kota felt the same in their short time traveling.
'Hope I played the part right, boy,' thought Kota. 'I don't like being pulled into this lie you cooked up. But seeing as I have no choice I hope I guessed how I acted in your time. Someone like you would give me a headache no matter what age I am.'
'Good guessing, Kota,' thought Galen. 'Good thing I know you well enough to pull your strings.' Within just an hour, they arrived at Christophsis.
"That seemed slower than earlier," said Ahsoka.
"Could be our repairs changed something with the engines," said Trace. "But, hey. We got here!"
"Jedi Master Billaba should be in charge of forces down below," said Kota. "We should contact her and leave the Angel and you two with it." Galen frowned slightly before shaking his head.
"No," he said. "Just take us down to the planet. If the Separatists see us fly to Republic forces, they'll try to shoot the Angel the next time this freighter pops up on their sensors.
"Yeah," said Rafa. "Let's avoid that." Ahsoka looked at Galen and saw him shake his head slightly. When they landed, Ahsoka turned to Trace.
"Three of us will go off alone. You two stay here and look after the ship. We'll find Ventress and Master Vos and attempt to apprehend them and Count Dooku."
"Good luck," said Trace. Galen nodded before leading the other Force Wielders off the ship.
"What now, Boy," asked Kota as the ramp returned back to its original position.
"I'm trying to concentrate," said Galen. "Don't rush me."
"Trying to concentrate?! What do you mean?! Do you even know where we're going?!"
"I… I think so. Follow me." Ahsoka and Kota exchanged a look before following after the former assassin.
"Galen," said Ahsoka. "Where are we going?"
"I don't know. I'm kind of… making things up as I go."
"You can't be serious," shouted Kota.
"General, I need to focus and you're making that extremely hard right now."
"We can't be working on your connection to the Force while we're busy improvising!"
"Galen, this isn't a good plan," said Ahsoka.
"Do you have a better one? Because I'm open to suggestions."
"Well…" After a moment of silence, Galen shook his head.
"Then stay silent, please." He closed his eyes and started to feel for the Force.
"We're wasting time, Boy," said Kota.
"Freeze," exclaimed a cybernetic voice. Galen opened his eyes and looked up to see a few Trade Federation Battle Droids aiming their blasters at them. Breathing out a sigh of frustration, Galen zapped them with Force Lightning. "What the… Blast them!" Galen summoned and activated both lightsabers in one fluid motion and started deflecting the bolts back at the droids.
"It's a Jedi," shouted the commander of the droids.
"Dammit," grunted Galen before he pulled a large crystal out of the ground and slammed it onto the commander before it could call in the situation and launched it into the droids. The last droid tried running away only to be picked up by Galen before getting impaled with Galen's teal lightsaber. Galen channeled Force Lightning into it and forced its explosion before calling back his lightsaber, deactivating both and clipping them to his belt.
"Could you be more conspicuous," asked Ahsoka.
"I hate distractions." Galen breathed deep and calmed his mind after the fight. With his emotions heightened and his mind more focused after a quick exercise, Galen connected with the force with more clarity than before and turned north. "They're this way."
"Just like that," asked Kota.
"Yep."
"Calm after the storm," asked Ahsoka.
"Or before," replied Kota. "You felt it too, right?"
"He doesn't hold back. It's bound to attract attention."
"That's what I'm worried about."
(Separatist Command)
Count Dooku opened his eyes after meditating and frowned. There was a slight disturbance in the Force, one he couldn't quite identify.
"Lord Tyrannus," said the Tactical Droid Commander. "One of our patrols has not reported in." Dooku scowled slightly before standing up. "What are your orders?"
"I'll be taking a battalion with me to investigate."
"A battalion, sir?"
"Just a precaution. Something tells me I'll need them."
"And the remaining forces?"
"Have them ready to storm the Republic forces on my command."
"Yes sir." Dooku was on edge. There was a powerful Dark Side user on the planet. He'd already felt his former Apprentice return to Christophsis, more than likely to try and kill him, but now he felt there was a more powerful presence on the planet. One with elements of the Dark Side and the Light. He would need to be cautious.
(Hidden Cave)
Quinlan Vos handed Asaaj Ventress a ration bar and sat beside her at a fire. "How's the leg," he asked.
"Better," replied Ventress. "I'll be ready to kill Dooku within the week."
"You better. We'll need our combined strength to beat him."
"I know that." She glared at him slightly. "I was his Apprentice, remember?"
"I remember. We both came here with a clear goal. Kill Dooku. Then we can live in peace." Asaaj glanced at him and nodded.
"I doubt it will be that simple."
"Nothing ever is."
"Well," said a voice from the entrance to the cave. "Don't you two look cozy." Ventress and Vos were put on edge with the former Master activating his lightsaber.
"Who's there?!"
"Put it away, Vos," said the voice of a man as a group of three people entered the cave. "We're not here to fight."
"Master Kota?"
"Ahsoka Tano," stated Ventress as she spotted the Togruta. "How did you find us?"
"We had some help," said Ahsoka as their third companion watched outside the cave.
"What is it you want?"
"We came to help," said the boy at the mouth of the cave. "Your plan to kill Dooku doesn't work. He kills you both."
"And how do you know that," asked Vos. The boy said nothing and leaned against the wall; body mostly hidden from the outside by a large crystal as he surveyed the area.
"Galen… has a special connection to the Force," said Ahsoka. "It's how we found you and knew you were in trouble."
"And you came because," asked Ventress.
"We need your help," said Galen.
"Jedi asking for our help," asked Vos. "Is this a joke?"
"I'm not a Jedi."
"Are you ok," Ahsoka asked Ventress, seeing her leg in a makeshift splint.
"I'll be fine," replied the former assassin, not trusting Ahsoka, but showing her respect for the girl by being civil. Galen activated his com as it beeped.
"Trace," he asked.
"Galen. We had to lift off. There's a battalion on the move… Rafa, hold on!"
"Trace," exclaimed Ahsoka as the com turned to static. Galen frowned before looking at the Force wielders.
"Ahsoka, come with me," he said. "Kota, stay here with them."
"What are you thinking, Boy," asked Kota.
"Tyrannus is with the battalion. "Ventress is in no state to fight and they're in a choke point. Vos will need back up." Galen summoned and activated his lightsabers, drawing the attention of Vos and Ventress from their color. "Let's go, Ahsoka." Galen left the cave and Ahsoka hesitated before following him.
"How do you know Dooku will be there," she asked when they were a few meters away from the cave.
"I was counting on it."
"You purposely drew him here?"
"I did. I've been finding it harder to focus here. I didn't want him to know how many were here. Just me."
"Why? Are you planning on fighting him alone?"
"Yes."
"Galen, he's a master of Makashi. You can't just fight him. He's given Anakin and Obi Wan enough trouble and Master Obi Wan was a master of…"
"Soresu. I know. I've fought Proxy using his form enough."
"…Was I in the records."
"No. It was mainly Masters we hadn't confirmed to be dead."
"I see." Ahsoka held up her own lightsaber as she frowned.
"What form do you use?"
"Shien and Ataru."
"I prefer Juyo combined with Shien." He looked at the purple lightsaber before deactivating it and tossing it to her. "Here. I feel like you would do better with it than I would. Jarkai is good for defense against blasters but against Tyrannus it's useless."
"Then let me fight with you."
"I need you to keep the droids away from the Angel. I can handle Tyrannus, but not with a lot of distractions."
"Galen. I'm telling you, it's too dangerous."
"Then what do you suggest?!" Galen whirled on her. "The faster we capture Dooku, the faster I can…"
"…The faster you can what?" Galen fell silent and turned from her. "See your parents?" Galen said nothing and started walking back towards where the Silver Angel was.
"We need to hurry. I think they're in trouble."
"…You're right. Let's pick up the pace." The two Force Wielders hurried forward as retraced their steps back to the Angel. Galen stopped as he spotted a battle tank in the distance.
"I think we found the battalion."
"But where's the Angel?" Galen looked around before looking up on a nearby cliff.
"Up there. Looks like they landed there to avoid being fired on."
"They might be jamming communications, then, since the ship looks alright." Galen looked at the tank and the lines of droids behind it.
"But it won't be that way for long. Change of plans. Get to the Angel, help the girls out of here and pick up the others."
"Galen…"
"I'll be fine. Go." Galen ran forward and to the battalion, ready for a fight. Ahsoka shook her head and moved to the cliff. She was about halfway up the cliff when the sound of crumbling stone caught her attention. She turned around, one hand keeping a grip on the cliff, and saw Galen had collapsed a cliff side along the ridge the battalion was traveling under and making a choke point to limit the forces coming. She blinked as she barely made out the teal of his lightsaber deflecting blaster bolts before the lead tank was lifted into the air and shot out to the ridge wall as Galen engaged the droids. She shook her head before continuing her climb.
(5 minutes later)
Dooku stood in his transport behind his battalion. Their patrol had gone silent in this general area and not long before the report came in, he'd felt a powerful Force wielder nearby. He doubted it was a Jedi. They seemed too in tune with the Dark Side to be one. Dooku's thoughts were interrupted as he spotted the lead tank flying towards his transport from above. Dooku moved it away with a strong Force Push and looked ahead. Several droids were running for their nonexistent lives as others fired straight ahead. Dooku left his transport and heard the sound of multiple blasters firing as well as the occasional blast from one of the tanks. He looked ahead and spotted what they were firing on. A single Jedi wielding an unusual teal lightsaber was deflecting bolts and cutting down droids as he made his way through their numbers. Dooku almost wrote him off before seeing him cover his blade with Force Lightning and slicing through a Super Battle Droid before Force Pushing it ahead, the lightning arcing to several nearby droids and causing them to explode. 'Imaginative,' Dooku thought to himself. 'But costly. I wonder who this boy is.'
Galen grunted as he was blown off his feet by a blast from another tank. He kipped up before lifting a droid and blocking the next blast. He Force Dashed to the tank and lifted a giant crystal from the ground before sending through the armored unit. He jumped onto the tank and threw his lightsaber at a group of droids before using Chain Lightning on another group as the lightsaber sliced through the droids with ease and flew towards him. He ended the chain and caught his lightsaber in time to deflect a barrage of bolts away from him. Sending a Force Push out, Galen hopped off his perch and lifted the tank into the air. He grunted in exertion and launched the tank at the droids in front of him, crushing them instantly. He felt a bolt hit his shoulder and turned to deflect bolts from a pair of droidekas. He lifted them into the air before launching them into the sky and using a charged Force Repulse to knock away droids who were surrounding him.
Still more seemed to be coming towards him. Galen glared before casting a worried glance at the cliff at his back. He couldn't keep this up for long. He was close, he could feel it. He'd beaten Vader and the Emperor in his time. Tyrannus would be simple in comparison. Galen crushed the tank with the Force before slamming it down onto the remaining droids between him and the Apprentice of Sidious. He took a breath before leaping on top of the scrap heap and seeing a lone figure below him. "You're strong with the Force, boy," said Dooku as he stood patiently below the remains of his battalion. "I sense the Dark Side within you. Tell me. What is your name?" Galen hopped down and ignited his lightsaber once more, glaring at the Sith Apprentice. "Not one for formalities, I see. Very well, then." Galen watched as he grabbed the curved hilt of his lightsaber, igniting the crimson blade. "Then let our blades speak for us."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Tyrannus." Galen rushed forward and swung his lightsaber at Dooku. The Sith blocked and expertly deflected the blade aside, free arm remaining behind his back as he tested the boy's skill with a lightsaber. Galen swung the lightsaber at the older man's waist, meeting a block and being kicked aside. He growled and sent out a torrent of Force Lightning. Dooku met it with one of his own and Galen forced the clash of energy forward, his skill with the Force far surpassing the old man in front of him. His lightning struck the man and he Pulled Tyrannus to him before grabbing his robes and throwing him into a nearby crystal. He rushed forward and stabbed his lightsaber into the crystal, missing the man as Dooku ducked to the left and pushed him away.
The Sith kicked the boy's lightsaber away as he dropped it and advanced on the boy before swinging down. He blinked in surprise as the lightsaber activated in the air and spun to deflect his own. Galen jumped up, grabbing his lightsaber and unleashing a rapid barrage of strikes on Tyrannus. Dooku admitted, the boy was strong, but he lacked control and refinement, fighting more like a rabid animal than a skilled swordsman. With another deflect of the teal lightsaber, he hit the boy with a blast of Sith Lightning and halted him in his tracks from unleashing another series of slashes. "You were not trained by the Jedi. Who are you?"
"Rraggh!" Galen swung his lightsaber, sending a Force Push along with the strike and catching Dooku off guard, the skill not being employed by any conventional Sith or Jedi. He righted himself in the air and blocked the lightsaber as it spun to him. He found himself in a saber lock as the strength of his opponent seemed to bare down on him and the boy stood several feet away, using the force to keep the Sith Apprentice in the saber lock. He raised his free hand and shot another wave of Sith Lightning at the boy. He stared as his opponent created a shield of lightning around his body, blocking his own lightning before pulling his hands back. Dooku reacted quickly and deflected the lightsaber away, ending the saber lock and moving to the side as an extremely powerful Force Push hit the crystal he was backed against and broke it in half. He took a moment too long to glance at the broken crystal before feeling a kick in his ribs, sending him to the ground. Galen stabbed down with his lightsaber, narrowly missing the old man as he rolled to his feet and Pushed the inexperienced duelist away from him before lifting the broken top half of the crystal and throwing it him.
Galen caught the crystal with the Force before throwing it aside, only to be put on the backstep as Tyrannus lunged forward. Being on the defensive, Galen found it harder to deflect than he originally assumed. The curved angle of the hilt meant the blade had a lower arc to block than the wrist normally showed. He found himself pushed back and outmatched by the Master Duelist as Dooku stuck to lightsaber combat only, pressing his advantage. Galen tried to Dash away, only to be met with Dooku's own dash, and the attacks continued. Darth Tyrannus nicked the edge of the boy's arms and Pushed him away. Galen grunted and sent out a Force Push to Dooku who sidestepped it and advanced on the boy. "Your skill with the Force is formidable. But your skill with a lightsaber is severely lacking."
With one swift slash, Dooku maneuvered past Galen's defenses and slashed off Galen's arm. The young Force wielder screamed in pain before Pushing Dooku away with his free hand. Acting on instinct, Galen sent another Force Push followed by a stream of Force Lightning, in an attempt to keep the Sith at bay long enough for him to regroup. What came next was something that neither had ever seen before. The two abilities combined, and a ball of overactive lightning arced between the two and made its way to Dooku. Galen hit the ball with another Force Push and the lightning exploded outwards, attacking anything within reach, including Galen himself. Leaving his hand and picking up his lightsaber, Galen made for a retreat.
Dooku balked in the face of the violent storm in front of him. He dodged several bolts but couldn't dodge all of them. Three managed to strike him and knocked him off his feet, several yards away from the unstable lightning. He looked up as a ship descended towards the boy, a ramp lowered to bring him in. He spotted the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, as well as Jedi Master Rahm Kota, on the ramp and helping the boy in. His eyes met Kota's and the two glared before Dooku retreated as the lightning arced even more.
"Galen," said Ahsoka. "Your hand!"
"Get us to Master Bilaba's ship," shouted Kota. "The boy needs a bacta treatment and fast!"
(Kashyyk, same time)
Former Jedi Master, Kento Marek stood on the balcony of his new home and frowned. The last couple of days, he'd been feeling odd things in the Force. And just now, it was like a massive explosion sounded in the Force. "Kento," asked his wife inside. Mallie Marek stepped out on the balcony and turned to her husband. "Did you feel that?"
"I did," replied the lightsaber specialist. "For the life of me, I don't know exactly what is happening out there. It definitely didn't feel like Skywalker."
"No it didn't. It felt… familiar though."
"Did it? It was like a stranger to me."
"Well, you were never one to fully focus on the Force. Focusing more on your combat skills than anything. I, however, can feel… something different about what just happened."
"Well whatever it is, it won't reach here."
"There you go, jinxing things again."
"I…"
"I'm only teasing, Kento." She kissed his cheek, smirking as the normally passive man blushed. "See, this is why Qui Gon said the Jedi need to change. We've spent too much time worrying about the Darkside consuming us, we closed ourselves off completely. I've been watching other people for a long time outside the temple. They all have such… vibrant emotions."
"We have emotions too."
"But we didn't know how to properly process them. That's why I wanted us to move here to Kashyyk. The Wookie's all have such keen emotions and know how to be expressive with them. I know it would be beneficial to hide amongst other humans but there's almost no known system the war hasn't reached. Other Jedi would be bound to find us." Kento looked up.
"It seems as if one already has."
"What?!" Mallie looked up and spotted a starfighter coming close to their hut. Spotting it's passenger, Mallie chuckled slightly. "Damn. I don't know how she does that."
"Is that Shaak Ti?"
"Yes, it is. She always knows where to find me, it seems."
"Guess it wouldn't do to be impolite hosts, then. I'll make something."
"No. We don't want to poison her. I'll make something. You greet her."
"Right." Kento sighed as Mallie stepped inside. "Well. So much for a quiet, peaceful life. Now the Order knows where we are…" He walked over to where the starfighter landed and saw the Togruta Master hop out of it before looking at him, curiously. "Master Shaak Ti."
"Master Kento," asked Shaak Ti. "You're here? I thought I felt Mallie."
"She's just inside. She didn't seem surprised you found her."
"Well, I was always able to find her when she avoided lessons." Kento chuckled and waved to the hut.
"Please, come inside, Master." Shaak Ti nodded slightly before looking at the hut. Was Mallie living with Kento? Were they in any danger? Why were they on Kashyyk in the first place? These were the questions running through the Jedi Master's mind. But there was one that took more priority. Who was this Galen she heard in her Force Vision, and what did he have to do with Mallie?