Have no fear, Grubkiller is here.
This is part 5 of my re-write of 'Clash of the Sith Lords', which also has several plot elements from the Son of Dathomir, comic series.
Please enjoy and review.
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Clone Wars theme plays.
DUEL OF THE DARK SIDE! SUSPECTING THAT EMPRESS ACINA AND DARTH MAUL HAD FORMED AN ALLINACE, COUNT DOOKU AND GENERAL GRIEVOUS UNLEASHED A FULL-SCALE ASSAULT AGAINST THE EXILED SITH'S CAPITAL ON DROMUND KAAS.
ANTICIPATING THE ATTACK, DARTH ACINA AND DARTH MAUL COMBINED THEIR FORCES, AND DEVISED A PLAN WHICH ENDED IN THE CAPTURE OF COUNT DOOKU, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DROID INVASION FORCE.
NOW HAVING WON A MAJOR VICTORY AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES, THE RENEGADE SITH ALLIANCE ADVANCES THEIR PLAN FOR THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF MAUL'S FORMER MASTER, DARTH SIDIOUS…
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Coruscant.
It was a beautiful day on Coruscant.
The sky was clear of clouds. Speeders flew across the sky carrying their passengers through the never-ending beehive of Coruscant's traffic, and to their destination.
Just another day in the busy heart of the Republic.
High up above this beautiful sight, Chancellor Palpatine of the Galactic Republic was looking out over this city from his office, as he was in conversation with a holographic figure on his desk.
"Darth Maul?" The hologram of Jedi Master Mace Windu asked.
"So it would seem, master Jedi." Palpatine said as he continued to look out over the city's skyline. "The citizens who survived the blitz on Ord Mantell claim that separatist forces were raiding the planet in search of someone by that title." He said before he looked over his shoulder to look at Windu. "Could this be the 'Rogue Sith' you've been searching for?"
"If he is, and if he and Dooku are at war with each other..." Windu said, "...then the Republic could use this intel to capture them both, and finally bring an end to this War."
"By all means - do whatever it takes. Whatever resources you require - Bring these villains to justice before they can inflict more harm on the galaxy." Palpatine said before Mace ended the transmission.
Mace Windu deactivated his com-link. "This just got more interesting," he said before he started to walk towards the command center.
As he walked through the ruins of Ord Mantell City, which still had large fires raging in several parts of the city, he watched as the Republic relief efforts were underway. Citizens who were injured were being carted off to field hospitals as quickly as possible. Republic Nu-class shuttles, with red crosses painted on the sides to show that they were med ships, were flying in around the clock, delivering relief supplies to the people below. Clone troopers helped maintain security, while clone engineers and tech experts helped to clear the roads and restore power to the city's electric grid and service utilities that were damaged in the attack.
He finally made it to the makeshift command center, which was where the Republic operations were directed. He found Master's Kenobi and Tiplee standing over a holo-table which displayed a map of the city.
"What do we know, Master Kenobi?" He asked, getting straight to the point.
Obi-Wan stood up and turned away from the table. Then he cross his arms over his chest before he spoke. "It's clear that the Separatist Navy passed through the system, and the Droid Army battled against a massive force of Black Sun and Pykes mercenaries here in this city, before they packed up and left. But we didn't find any evidence that Maul was here."
Master Tiplee stepped forward to put in her two credits worth. "If he or his Mandalorians were here, then they must've taken extreme care to collect all traces of their existence on their way out."
"Not all, Tiplee." Said a new voice. Everyone turned around to see a Twi'lek Jedi Knight, Aayla Secura, walking into the room, while carrying what looked to be a mandalorian helmet. "Commander Wolffe and his men from the 104th uncovered this just outside the city wall."
The other Jedi looked at the damaged helmet with interest. It was an onyx colored Mandalorian helmet, which had a red trim around the orange visor It also had horns on the side and top. Whoever wore it obviously saw action, as the faceplate was bent and the visor was cracked.
"Mandalorians?" Mace asked, while Obi-Wan thoughtfully stoked his beard. "This confirms our intel from the Mandalore resistance that the alliance between Prime Minister Almec and the underworld is still intact."
"Which could mean that Maul is behind this somehow." Obi-Wan said.
"There's more," Aayla said before she pulled something out of a side compartment, "This helmet has a recording device, and the chip is undamaged," she said before she walked up to the holotable and plugged the chip in.
The table started to play a video that was recorded from the perspective of the helmet's owner.
Ord Mantell's city was on fire, as Separatist warships hammered away at the city from the skies. Then they saw battle droids marching through the streets, which couldn't see the helmet's user, as they were taking cover behind a damaged wall.
"This isn't a war - it's a slaughter," they heard someone on the video say.
"He's right, Saxon." Someone else said.
"I don't know what Maul's big plan is, or why it involves going into the unknown regions, but it's not working," the first person in the video said. The part where he said 'Maul' and the 'Unknown regions' peaked the interests of the Jedi.
"Rein it in, soldier." A third person, most likely the helmet wearer, said. "We don't question the strategy - We ensure its success. We just have to keep the Separatists busy until Lord Maul-"
They heard a loud crash. Then a panicked shout. "Gah!"
The image of the recording jerked to the left as the helmet owner turned around to see what was happening. Two massive robot arms, which crackled with energy, smashed through the wall and grabbed one of the people in the video, a Pykes mercenary.
"AH! Help Me!" He begged as the arms of the B2 Grapple Droid pulled him towards the wall.
That's when Mr. Helmet owner and his Black Sun comrade blasted away at the arms constricting their Pykes friend. That's when the droid dropped the mercenary, who jumped away. Then the droid smashed through the wall.
It was a B2 Grapple Droid. The mercenaries blasted it, and tried to bring it down. But it merely stood there, before attacking, and swatting at Mr. helmet, damaging his helmet.
Then the video cut to static.
"Well, we know that Death Watch is definitely supporting the underworld, and they're definitely at war with Dooku," Tiplee said.
"But where's Maul?" Aayla asked.
Obi-wan stroked his beard thoughtfully as he mulled over the information. "In the video, one of the mercenaries said something about Maul going into the unknown regions."
"What would he want out there?" Mace Windu asked.
"Why don't we ask his followers?" Obi-Wan asked before he turned around and pressed a few buttons on the holotable. The still-frame of thee video they just watched was replaced with star charts. He highlighted an asteroid field just outside of the Mandalore system. "We know that Death Watch has a supply outpost in this system. We know that Black Sun had a foothold on this planet, so Maul must've sent troops, equipment and intel here on Ord Mantell. Maul's forces could be operating out of this location to support the underworld."
All of the Jedi looked at each other. Then Mace spoke up.
"And if Maul and Dooku are at war, then that means Mandalore is a likely target for a separatist takeover," Mace said. "We need to capture both Maul and Dooku before that can happen."
"I agree. But first, we need to find out where they are" Obi-Wan said, "Master Tiplee and I will investigate that outpost, and see what comes scurrying out when we shine a light on it."
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Imperial Citadel, Kaas City, Dromund Kaas.
"Lord Tyranus - you disappoint me," said Darth Sidious, who's hologram stood in the middle of the Throne Room.
Count Dooku was on his knees, and put in binders that bound his wrists, which hung down in front of him, and would electrocute him if he so much as breathed too hard. He was flanked by two force-sensitive Imperial troopers, while Darth Maul stood beside him. All three of them were ready to take him in the off chance that the binders failed. The Count looked down at the ground in response to his master's words, maintaining his stoic frown.
Empress Acina walked up to the hologram of Sidious, and stood between him and Dooku. She wore the tight skinsuit that hugged her athletic form quite nicely, with pieces of light armor covering her vital organs. Over that, she wore a silver cape that hung from her shoulders. A small silver headdress adorned the crown of her head, and a red gem downed her forehead, signifying her resent marriage to a young spec ops officer just after the invasion. She looked at the hologram of Sidious with her orange eyes.
"Now you see the failure of those who follow you," she said, while gesturing to Dooku. "And yet, you could not foresee the trap I had your former apprentice so graciously lay out for them. Your plans, whatever they are, are unravelling, Sidious. Without the face of your Confederacy, it will fall apart. With your top General missing, your droid armies will collapse. Your followers will be in turmoil, and your ambitions will be crushed".
"That only proves their weakness, not my own," Sidious snapped. "Now what are your demands?"
Empress Acina merely laughed.
Darth Sidious arched an eyebrow over the other underneath his hood, which still obscured his face.
"My dear delusional Darth Sidious, I don't have any demands, because you don't have anything that I cannot simply take. I only have an agenda," Acina declared, pacing around the room before looking out over the city from her balcony, before she outstretched her arms. "...and a vision for the future. First, I will execute your failure of an apprentice, for his transgressions against the Empire of the True Sith. Then, I will go to the Separatist capital, and I will stand before your parliament... and tell the people of the Confederacy how their faithful leader was cut down by Jedi assassins while on a diplomatic mission to Dromund Kaas. Filled with rage and bloodlust, they will join our cause, and together... we will march on to the Coruscant. We will burn its mighty skyscrapers to the ground, and then we shall drag the corpses of every dead Jedi out of their precious temple. With the Jedi Order and their Republic puppet masters destroyed, and the CIS under our thumb, the Sith Empire will once again rule over the galaxy that was stolen from us."
Sidious turned around as she continued to pace around the room. He had to admit, she was clever and ambitious.
She then turned away from the balcony to face Sidious' holographic figure.
"And then... with the galaxy under our control, I will hunt you down, and bring you to Korriban, where you can be executed under the eyes of our ancestors. But before I do it personally, I will be sure to thank you for all that you've done?"
"And what's that?" Sidious asked.
"You drove Maul under our wing, and he gave us everything we needed to take control of the galaxy," she said, full of triumph and pride.
But Darth Sidious was unamused.
"Kill Dooku if you wish. I no longer have any use for him." He said coldly.
Acina chuckled before she gestured to Maul. He stepped closer to Dooku and took his Darksaber hilt off of his belt. "So be it." She said before Maul activated his saber, the black blade igniting and extending right in front of Dooku's neck. The ozone made Dooku's beard heat up and get slightly singed. "Since new apprentices are apparently so easy to find when there are only Two Sith allowed at any time..." Acina mocked.
"Tread lightly, Acina. This is a dangerous game you and Maul are playing..." Sidious warned. "....one that the 'old' Sith Order never seemed to win. Have you not forgotten that the Sith emperors before you have all failed to destroy the Republic every time, and were driven into destruction and exile because of it?"
She shook her head and chuckled. "The Sith failed when they decided that skulking in the shadows was a good idea." She said before she pressed a button, and Sidious' hologram fizzled out and disappeared into the holotable.
"Your Majesty, what do we do with the Count?" One of the troopers asked.
Acina walked back over to the balcony and looked out over her city. "Take Tyranus to the brig and keep him under constant watch. He will be publicly executed when we celebrate our victory in three days time. In the mean time, continue the clean up operations, and monitor all regions outside the star cluster. We'll search every corner of the Empire for that monstrosity they call a General," she ordered, referring to Grievous, who's current whereabouts were unknown.
The guards took Dooku away, while Acina continued to look out of the skyline that hung above her dominion.
Smoke columns rose from the skyline of Kaas City. The source of the smoke came from fires that raged from the piles of rubble that used to be buildings, which were now blasted apart with their roofs caved in.
Imperial construction workers assigned to the military moved in to help repair the damage after the rubble was cleared away by slave laborers. Imperial troopers stood by and kept everything peaceful (They really wanted to keep the slaves in line).
It was a clear image of how Imperial society worked. It was a hierarchy. Slave laborers were at the bottom. Citizens were above them. The next level was Military personnel, and after that it was the Sith Lords/warriors, with the Dark Council above that, with the Empress sitting on top and looking down upon her glorious society. People usually stayed in the part of the pyramid that they were born into, unless they were Sith or Military, in which case, you were set for life... unless you were a failure.
Imperial citizens were under martial law, and would come out to witness the military parade that was planned to take place within the next few days, whenever the rubble was cleared up. Too enforce this martial law, security droids set up checkpoints on every major road and intersection, while drones and squads of Imperial troopers patrolled the streets. Star-Destroyers and Battle-cruisers hovered above the city, protecting the capital city's airspace.
This entire image was in perfect view of the Throne Room.
She heard someone clearing their throat behind her. She turned around to see that it was Maul.
"Empress. We need to talk."
She looked at him for a few seconds before she answered.
"Of course, Lord Maul."
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Republic Cruiser, RSV Vigilance, en route to Mandalorian Asteroid base.
As the Republic task force, comprised of the Vigilance and its escorts, moved into the edge of the asteroid field, Obi-Wan looked out over the stars, which glittered and gleamed in the background of the asteroid field.
He felt the ship humming beneath his feet, as the engines drummed on, pushing the ship forward.
But all of these noises and sights went right over Obi-Wan, for all he could think about was his history with Maul, from Naboo when he killed Maser Qui-Gon, and on Mandalore where he killed the love of his life, Duchess Satine Kryze.
These memories haunted him in his sleep, and made him uneasy about the mission ahead.
"I sense your turmoil, Obi-Wan," Master Tiplee said when she walked up behind him.
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest and began to stroke his beard. "My last encounter with Maul didn't go so well," he said.
"He murdered the Duchess Satine," Tiplee said, "Someone you cared for deeply."
Obi-Wan turned towards Tiplee and looked at her. "My emotions are under control, Master Tiplee," he assured. "I will not fail you, or this mission."
Tiplee nodded in understanding, just before a series of beeps sounded off. Behind them, outside the bridge viewport, several small objects were propelled out of a launch bay. The objects flew into the asteroid field, reporting back everything that they found.
"General Kenobi," Commander Cody called out from another part of the bridge, causing both Jedi to look at the clone officer, "Probes are launched and gunships are ready to scramble on your order. If any of Maul's top lieutenants are in that asteroid field, we'll drag them out."
Both Jedi nodded, just before the sub-light engines increased their power, pushing the fleet deeper into the asteroid field.
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Imperial Citadel, Throne Room.
"So, you wish to speak with me, Lord Maul?" Acina asked, as Maul approached her throne.
"Yes Empress. I wish to discuss the fate of our prisoner... and our future plans for the galaxy." He said as he stopped ten paces from the throne.
She motioned for him to speak.
"Empress, I understand that Dooku is guilty of horrible crimes against you and your Empire..." Maul said, "But, I believe that it is within our best interests to keep him alive."
Acina raised one eyebrow over the other one when she heard what Paul suggested, while her lips were hidden behind her clasped hands. Then she started to chuckle.
Maul made a facial expression of his own. "You do not find this idea to be worth entertaining?" He asked.
"Darth Maul, that puppet of Sidious, and his army of mechanical abominations, killed 900,000 of the people who've sworn allegiance to my empire, and 18,000 of the warriors who have sworn to keep it standing. He has assaulted my empire, which means that he has tried to undermine my rule. The fact that you are suggesting that he should be allowed to live, could be taken as an insult to my authority... for questioning my decision." Acina declared, the anger present in her voice.
Maul spoke fast.
"No insult was intended, your Imperial Majesty." He said. "But with all due respect, you don't know what kind of power my former master possesses. Even with our combined efforts, I don't know that we can hope to defeat him. But the with the Count on our side... Sidious will have no hope to defeat us."
Acina was listening more closely. "And what makes you think that he will support you willingly?"
Maul smiled. "You forget, he and I were apprenticed by the same man. I am sure I will find some way to drive a rift between them."
Acina still had her hands clasped together in front of her lips, not saying a word. This proved that she was at least thinking about it. But at the same time, Maul couldn't help but feel unnerved by the anticipation of waiting for her answer.
"We are preparing to move our fleet in three days. That is when we will set out for Raxus to speak to the Confederate parliament. He is to be executed that day. If you have not convinced him to join us by then, he will be executed. But if you can, then he will find a place at our table." She offered.
Maul nodded. "Thank you, Empress." He said.
Then she leaned over in her throne and pointed at Maul. "But do not ever take this for empathy. Everything I do, I do for the expansion of the Empire, and for the power of the Sith!" She hissed.
Maul bowed his head. "Of coarse, Empress." He said before he walked out of the throne room, and started to make his way down to the detention block.
Meanwhile, Acina sat back in her throne, thinking of what maul could be up to. She summoned one of her guards, who came over to await his ruler's command.
"Double the security in the detention block and keep our guest locked down. And make sure you keep a close eye on Maul."
Detention Block.
Darth Maul walked down into the detention block, which had guards standing at attention every five feet. That spacing became smaller and smaller the closer he got to the cell of Dromund Kaas' most valuable prisoner.
When he was in front of the cell, the imperial guardsmen crossed the energy staffs over the door, blocking Maul's entry.
"I'm here on business from the Empress herself," he said as he waved a hand in front of their faces. "You will let me pass."
Both guards spoke in unison. "You are here on business from the Empress herself. We will let you pass."
They uncrossed their staffs and allowed Maul to walk through.
When he entered the cell, he saw the Count sitting behind an energy shield, where he sat meditating on the ground. His wrists were still bound together. He opened one eye to see that Maul had entered the room. He looked at the red-skinned Zabrak for a second before he closed it again, and went back to meditating.
The two guards that were in the cell, in front of Dooku, turned their heads and kept their eyes on Maul. But before they could do anything, he waved his hand in front of their faces before he spoke. "Leave the Count and myself alone. We have much to discuss."
One of the two guards spoke. "We will leave the Count and yourself alone. You have much to discuss."
Then both guards walked out of the room and took up positions outside with the other guards. But one of them, the one that didn't speak at all, pressed a button on his wrist comm, alerting the guards in the detention block control center to keep an eye on the cell that belonged to Count Dooku.
Back in the cell itself, Maul began to speak to Dooku.
"I came here to make you an offer," Maul started, "While people like Grievous and the Empress see things through a limited scope, you see much more." Dooku opened his eyes and looked at Maul, his interests peaked. "You abandoned the Jedi when you understood the Sith were gaining power. Now I suggest that you abandon Sidious, and serve me."
Dooku stood up and just looked at Maul.
"Do you really believe that there is any power in the galaxy that can stand against my lord?" Dooku asked. "Ten thousand Jedi knights will try this and fail. What hope do you and Acina have? I can already see cracks forming in your alliance."
Maul had a look of anger in his eyes, but suppressed it. "I assure you... Acina is the one that allowed me to make this offer. I have her full support."
Dooku chuckled. "Oh... is that why you had to mind trick your way into this cell to speak with me?"
"The Empress will remain my ally if she wants to bring the galaxy under out heel, because Mother Talzin put me on the path that made this alliance possible. She has shown me the real power - I have seen the truth." Maul snapped, getting face to face with Dooku, only being separated by the shield. "Sidious is weaker than you realize. He sees me, Acina, and Talzin as rivals, and so he fears us. That - with our combined strength - will be his undoing."
"Our combined strength?" Dooku asked. "When Mother Talzin and I last met, she tried to destroy me."
Maul stepped back away from the shield. "Things have changed," he said as a green mist emitted from his torso and started to fill the room.
Suddenly, to the surprise of Dooku, that green mist took the form of Mother Talzin, who appeared right in front of the shield.
"Count Dooku," the witch said, "Forgive our previous disagreements. You were only following your master's will." She said as she leaned in closer to look into Dooku's eyes. "Sidious is deceiving you - as he once deceived me."
Dooku maintained his stoic stance, in an act of defiance in the face of the witch's statement.
"Then you know to betray the dark lord is folly." Dooku said.
"No, Count - to betray one's self is the ultimate defeat. Sidious seduces you with promises of power, but he already seeks to replace you." Mother Talzin explained. "Long ago, Sidious came to me on Dathomir. We exchanged secret wisdom - mingled Dark Side powers with Nightsister magics. he promised to make me his right hand, but instead he stole what was most dear to me... my own flesh and blood. My son!"
Dooku was confused for a moment. Then he was taken aback when the realization hit him.
"Maul?" He asked, raising one eyebrow over the other. "Your Son?!"
"Yes Count," Talzin confirmed before she continued explaining herself. "When Sidious realized Maul's potential, he took him from me and trained him as a Sith. When he was no longer useful, Maul was left to die." She then gestured to Maul's mechanical legs. "Look at him! Look at my son and see your own future!"
Dooku looked down at maul's mechanical legs before he looked back at Talzin, who continued to speak.
"Sidious will betray you as he betrayed us - but I will honor our alliance should you choose to accept it." She promised. "Join us. Together we can destroy Sidious and rule the galaxy... or you can choose to die here alone," Talzin finished, before she suddenly disappeared, and the green mist disappeared back into Maul's torso.
Dooku sat down on his cot, processing everything that he was just forced to swallow.
"Hmm... i can see how this can be a lot to digest." Maul said before he turned to walk out of the cell, "I will be back to see if you've changed your mind."
Then Maul walked out of the cell. When the door was closed behind him, he saw that over a dozen force sensitive guardsmen were in the corridor around him. They all stayed in formation and stared at him through their faceplates.
Maul frowned, and prepared to reach for his Darksaber, believing that Acina had betrayed him.
But then, one of them raised his hand and presented a hologram of Darth Acina.
"Empress! This is an unexpected pleasure." Maul said.
"Spare me the pleasantries. I saw what happened in that cell. I am deeply impressed. Do you think that Dooku was convinced?" She asked.
"I hope so..." Maul said, "for all our sakes."
Later, as Count Dooku sat in his cell under heavy guard, he secretly used the force to activate a long-range locator beacon that he had placed on himself before he was captured. It began to transmit an encrypted signal of his location across the region.
Just as it was planned from the beginning.
Scimitar, Darth Sidious' personal shuttle craft, somewhere outside the Kaas system.
A Sith Infiltrator, with folding wings around its circular cockpit and a long bow, known as the Scimitar, was flying just outside of the Empire's long-range scanners.
"It is just as you predicted, my Lord..." Grievous said as he hovered over a battle droid pilot's chair, and looked at the screen in front of him, which showed the location of a signal. "...we've traced Count Dooku's signal to Dromund Kaas' surface. He should be somewhere in or near the Citadel. What is your command?"
Darth Sidious sat down in a throne-like seat behind the cockpit.
"Engage the cloaking field." He ordered, making the droids carry out his orders. "We'll head for the Empire's early warning hub, where you will lead the assault on the station. While that occurs, I will take this ship and continue to the surface." Sidious said.
As the Scimitar flew towards the border of the system, energy began to crackle and emit from around it's hull. That's when it was cast with a light-bending aura that blended the ship in which its surroundings before finally disappearing.
The same happened with several CIS droid gunships that were following close behind.
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RSV Vigilance, near Mandalorian asteroid base.
Aboard every ship in the Republic fleet, sirens blared throughout the corridors of every hull, alerting every trooper to rush to their battle stations. Cannons were loaded, shields were raised, and ships were gassed up and ready to fly.
Meanwhile, two Jedi, master's Kenobi and Tiplee, were joining their troopers from the 212th Attack Battalion s they loaded onto their gunships and prepared to fly out into battle.
Clone marshal Commander Cody was running alongside them, giving his latest report from the probe droids that were just launched.
"A military base hidden among the asteroids? Are you certain?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked at the report.
"No doubt about it." Cody said as they boarded the gunship, "We've detected multiple heat signatures inside the field. That has to be the base. They're in our crosshairs, and have yet to react."
"Then let's move while we still have the element of surprise on our side." Obi-wan said.
The gunships powered up and the passengers doors closed, shutting everyone in. At the same time, as the hanger doors opened up, every main gun aboard the Vigilance and its escorts rotated until they were aimed in the general direction of the asteroid base. For a second nothing happened... before the barrels of each cannon exploded, sending dozens of blue balls of plasma down range, causing dozens of explosions within the asteroid field.
Several asteroids that were being used as military installations by Death Watch broke up upon impact.
With the bombardment underway, and the hanger doors opened, several Gunships, escorted by multiple flights of Z-95 Headhunters, flew towards the asteroid field.
Visla Keep 09, Mandalorian asteroid base.
Onboard the Mandalorian supply base, named after Death Watch's late leader and used to supply its terrorist operations across the region, a mandalorian soldier was looking at his radar screen.
For a while, he didn't see anything as usual. That's when a proximity alarm went off as several objects started to appear on the screen in front of him. He looked at the image in front of him in shock, before he swore under his breath. Then he looked over his shoulder to get his commander.
"Commander Saxon," the trooper called out to blonde-haired super commando, who had a bandage around his head from a close call from a grapple droid on word Mantell, "We have incoming Republic ships!"
"Block their transmissions before they can scan us!" Saxon called out.
"It's too late for that, sir," the radar operator said, just as several asteroids exploded under the sudden barrage from the approaching Republic fleet, "They already know we're here!"
Crumb Bomber, LAAT/i Gunship, en route to Mandalorian Asteroid base.
The Republic gunships carrying the strike force continued to fly through the asteroid field in tight formation with their escorts. At the same time, the Republic battle group continued to harass the base and its surroundings with heavy turbo-laser fire.
"The Mandalorian base is in sight, General," a pilot said over the comm, "The fleet's taken out several emplacements that were on some of the smaller asteroids."
Obi-Wan spoke into his wrist comm, while keeping one hand on the hand rail above him. "Signal the fleet to cease the bombardment, and bring us in closer."
"Copy that," the pilot said before the transmission cut out.
As the gunships flew closer, one of the troopers, Boil, looked out of one of the window slits in the side hatch, and took a peak at the enemy base, which was built into an asteroid that looked like half of a ring. He whistled loudly to show that he was impressed. "Wait 'till you see this place. The base isn't just among the asteroids... It's actually built into one."
An alarm went off in the crew bay seconds later, causing everyone inside to tense up. That's when the gunships started taking fire from some of the weapons emplacements outside of the asteroid. Then, several Mandalorian fighters flew out of the hangers, and flew towards the strike force.
"We've got incoming enemy fire. And it looks like they're launching fighters." The pilot said.
The Republic escorts broke off to engage them, and not long after, the whole thing erupted into a deal dogfight, as fighters from both sides began to zip around the asteroids, trying to tag one another with a fresh coat of plasma.
"Punch through those ships. Get us inside that hanger!" Obi-Wan barked into his comm.
In response, the pilot flew the gunship into the lead position, leading the others towards the main hanger. They didn't have to worry too much about the fighters. But when they got closer t the hanger, the enemy flak started to get thicker and thicker. Two gunships were blasted apart. A third one, the lead one, was hit in the engines and began to lose altitude.
The ship shuddered, and everyone struggled to hold on to the hand rails.
"Hold on. I'm going for a controlled crash!" The pilot shouted out as he continued to fly towards the hanger with what power he had left. The other gunships unleashed a volley of missiles, which struck the weapon emplacement protecting the hanger, fearing the path inside.
When the lead ship passed through the hanger, a pair of Gauntlet fighters were about to take off. The clone pilot pressed the trigger for the chin turrets and blasted both ships apart, before scrapping against the hanger floor.
A few dozen Mandalorians were in the hanger, and began to run for their lives in several different directions, trying to get away from the crashing ship.
When it finally came to a halt, several Death Watch commandoes tried to pry the hatch open to kill the occupants, only for half of them to be crushed when the door was blasted open from the inside out by an invisible force. The others were hacked away at by the two Jedi knights.
Behind them, troopers from the 212th began to pour out of the ship, blasting away at any Mandalorian that they could see.
"I don't sense Maul's presence," Obi-Wan said as he began to deflect laser bolts with his saber, "But let's lock this hanger down until our reinforcements arrive."
"With pleasure, Maser Kenobi," Tiplee said as she began to deflect rounds with her saber, before the two of them began to lead the troopers deeper into the station.
Visla Keep 09, command center.
"Commander Saxon, we've been boarded-" one of the super commandoes reported, "-Two Jedi have been spotted in hanger three. Their troopers are locking it don as we speak."
Saxon began to direct his trooper's to their duty. "Delay them as long as you can. Purge the data banks of all sensitive material." He ordered.
"Yes sir," they all shouted in unison."
"And somebody get my shuttle warmed up."
Outside the Command center.
"Keep pressing forward! We have to reach their command center." Obi-Wan ordered, as he and Tiplee continued to expertly deflect enemy laser blasts as they slowly advanced down the hallway.
Commander Cody and his men were close behind, working together and with the Jedi like a well-oiled machine, blasting and hacking their way through the hastily marshaled enemy resistance.
When the last Mandalorian warrior fell, the Jedi and their troopers gathered up on the door.
A pair of Cody's men, Waxer and Boil, placed charges on the door's locking mechanism before stepping back. When they detonated, the door opened up, allowing them to toss flash bangs through the door.
When they detonated, they could here the screams of deaf and blind Mandalorians. Cody and his men blasted their way into the room, killing any Mandalorian that raised a weapon towards them with lightning fast speed, before cutting down several more Mandalorians who were sitting at their posts.
The clones kept their blasters raised as they moved in to secure the room.
Cody then lowered his rifle and turned to the Jedi. "Room clear. Check the databanks and anything that may be useful." He ordered his men.
As they began to scrutinizing the terminals, the Jedi walked in. One of them was hoping a hologram of Master Windu.
"Master Windu, we've managed to secure the base, and the remaining Mandalorian ships are clearing out of the sector. The situation is under control." Obi-Wan said.
"Excellent. Did you find out where Maul's location is, or what his plans are?" Mace asked.
Master Tiplee shook her head. "Not yet, master." She said.
Mace crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at the ground. "Hmm... let me know if you find anything. We'll continue gathering up a fleet to pursue him and Dooku in the meantime."
Both Jedi nodded before the transmission was cut off. They then walked up to Cody, who turned to speak with them. "We've searched their databanks. They've been purged of nearly all intel. We can't find the location of Maul's bases, or the names of his allies. We also don't know what he's planning." Cody reported.
Both Jedi crossed their arms over their chests. Tiplee shook her head, while Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Another dead end," Obi-Wan said, pessimistically.
"Not quite, general," said the voice of a clone that was walking up to them. They saw that it was a clone tech expert named Switch, who was assigned to the 212th. "I was just looking through the enemy's mission logs. We know that Maul went into the unknown regions. But what we didn't know, was that he was being followed."
Everyone looked at each other in surprise. Then they looked back at Switch. "Go on, trooper," Obi-Wan said.
"He was being followed by a Separatist fleet." Switch said before he tapped his data pad then showed everyone the screen. "This is a video recording that one of Maul's fighters from this base made. Maul's forces were tracking the same fleet that was following Maul."
Everyone looked at the screenshot of the Separatist fleet that was on the data pad. Among the frigates, destroyers, supply ships, and battleships, one of them stood out from the rest.
"That's Grievous' flagship, the Invisible Hand." Obi-Wan realized.
"Which could mean that Dooku is also on board." Tiplee deduced.
"We also have a general direction that the ships were heading. We can follow that path and it could lead us straight to Dooku and Grievous, maybe even Maul." Switch said.
"Nice job, Switch," Cody complimented.
Obi-Wan turned to one of the troopers. "Contact master Windu. We know where the Sith are. And tell him to get his fleet underway as soon as possible. We'll be going in ahead of him."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Imperial Sensor Array Control Station.
On the edge of the Kaas system, a lone space station hung amongst the stars.
The purpose that the station served was to use its sensor array to scan the region for incoming meteorites and warships. it was this station that was able to warn the system of the incoming separatist invasion, and help gather enough time to muster a defense.
The corridors were dark gray, but were illuminated with red and white lighting. Imperial guards, officers, and technicians walked throughout the ship, doing whatever their duty called for.
Suddenly, several ion blasts were fired on the station. The communications arrays were hit, as well as the shield generator for the station's hanger. They deactivated for a few seconds, causing several dozen of the station's personnel, and a lot of equipment, to be sucked out into space.
Many of the station's defenses were also down.
And with the comms out, there was no way to call for help, or warn of an impending attack.
"My lord, we've lost all power to several of our critical systems, and the defenses are down. I'm diverting several repair teams to fix the damage." A captain said to the Sith Warrior in charge of inspecting the station.
"Very well. And try to find out what hit us."
"My lord, a ship just de-cloaked and entered hanger bay 7."
"Then send a security detail there immediately, and tell all squads to fan out and protect our critical systems."
"Yes sir."
All throughout the station, technicians went to repair the damaged circuits and get the station up and running again, while a platoon of Imperial troopers rushed down to the main hanger. When they got there, they saw a ship entering the hanger. They took up position and fanned out, surrounding and training their blasters on the ship.
For the longest time, nothing happened. And the only lights in this dark hanger were coming from the lights on their rifles or their helmets.
Then the rear hatch slowly opened, and everyone tensed up, continuing to aim their rifles at the open hatch. Two of the troopers walked over to the ship, and started to look iced the hatch
Again... nothing happened.
They were about to walk up the ramp, when suddenly, a cyborg with a skull-like mask jumped down from the top of the hatch.
"Surprise!" He said before he shoved one trooper away and used one of his taloned feet to crush the second trooper's head against the deck with a sickening crunch.
When the cyborg stood to his full 7-foot height, the troopers all shook with fear.
"It's Grievous. Open Fire!"
Every trooper cut loose with a barrage of blaster fire. In response, Grievous got down on all limbs and started to spider crawl across the deck at an incredibly fast speed, trampling over several troopers on the way, laughing out loud as he did so. He then stood on his hands and swung his legs over until he grabbed the faces of two troopers. He then flipped over and smashed their faces into the ground.
The remaining troopers surrounded him and rushed to subdue him. He merely activated two lightsabers, a green and blue one, and started hacking away at any trooper that got too close to him.
He kept going this until only one trooper remained. The trooper tried to run away, but then Grievous split his arms apart and reached for two more blades. He then jumped high into the air, and landed on top of the trooper before thrusting all four of his blades through his back.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The General laughed before withdrawing all four blades from the dying trooper
As the trooper died with a groan, several droid gunships started to de-cloak before releasing dozens of droids into the hanger. The General looked around at his assembled strike force.
That's when Sith troopers began to run into the hanger, in a desperate attempt to drive the intruders out.
But the CIS had different plans.
"ATTACK!" One of the droid commanders called out, before the droids started to open fire on the Sith troopers, and rush towards the entrance.
That's when Grievous got in front of wall of battle droids and began to spin two of his blades in front of him like propellors, deflecting everything that was shot at him, and cutting any trooper that was dumb enough to get in the way.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The General laughed as he continued his unrelenting advance into the station.
Imperial fleet. In orbit above Kalakar 6, Dromund system.
"Grand Admiral, with Count Dooku in our custody, the Confederacy will become leaderless and aimless. By tomorrow, we will set out to their capital with our fleet, and we will persuade them to join us. And then, the galaxy will know that we have returned, and the Republic will feel our wrath." The holographic version of Darth Acina instructed.
An Imperial admiral, a bald-headed and obese man, was standing before the hologram on the bridge of his flagship.
"It will be done, your Imperial Majesty," the Admiral said with a bow.
Just after Acina's hologram disappeared, an alarm went off.
"Admiral. We have multiple contacts coming out of hyperspace," someone called out.
The admiral was taken aback. Most of what remained of the Sith Empire was already stationed here, and there was no way the CIS would waist another wave with the way they were devastated the last time. That meant that there was something new heading their way... perhaps the Far Outsiders they tangled with at one point.
"Battle stations!" The Admiral ordered.
Everyone rushed to their stations.
The admiral took this opportunity to look out the viewport. That's when he saw several dozen warships shoot out of hyperspace, literally right in front of him. They were gray star-destroyers with red stripes. Then he saw the emblem of the old, and hated, enemy.
'No, not something new. Something old.'
It was the Republic Navy.
And they outnumbered his local forces 4-1.
"Oh Stang," the admiral said under his breath before blue muzzle flashes dotted the Republic fleet, and the bridge exploded around him, before he was sucked out into the crushing black void of space.
RSV Vigilance, In orbit above Kalakar 6, Dromund system.
Obi-Wan and Tiplee, along with Cody and several officers, were gathered around the holo-table in the back of the cruiser's command center. They were speaking to holographic versions of the Jedi Council, which was currently in session to discuss this latest development.
According to their report, they tracked Dooku and Maul to this system, only to run into a heavily militarized star system. It's owners were an enemy that was thought to be destroyed one thousand years ago: The Sith Empire.
"How is this possible? The Sith Empire was destroyed centuries ago?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked.
"I'm afraid that the impossible has become reality, Master Mundi," Obi-Wan said. "This remnant of the Empire seems to have dozens, if not hundreds, of ships at their disposal, with several planets in this system heavily militarized."
"They've also built an industrial base to support it," Tiplee added, "they must've spent the last millennia rebuilding."
As the council began to talk back and forth, Yoda raised his hand to silence everyone.
That's when he spoke up.
"Managed to rally the old enemy against us, Dooku has. Assume that Maul is allied with them as well, we must. Means to destroy the Republic through total war he does. Prepare our response we must, and stop the Sith we must." He said as he tapped his cane on the floor.
"I agree, Master Yoda," Mace Windu said before his hologram turned to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi, what's your situation as it stands?"
Obi-Wan brought up a map of the system, and highlighted the moon that his fleet managed to secure. "We came out of hyperspace over this moon. When we confirmed that i was the Sith, we engaged immediately, and drove them away. We fought off a counterattack from their Navy, which we drove back with a heavy price. But we are also planning an attack on the surface of the planet they call Dromund Kalakar, which is heavily industrialized, and feeds their war machine. We're confident that if we can take that planet, and hold it until reinforcements arrive, we will have broken the backs of the Sith Empire."
"Then it's settled: Master Secure and myself will take a fleet to reinforce yours as soon as possible. More Jedi-led reinforcements will follow us in. Until then, you and Master Tiplee will do everything you can to disrupt the enemy's operations. Once we've united our forces, we'll cut a swath across the system. And then, once the Sith Empire has had it's back broken, we'll find out where Maul and Dooku are hiding, and what they're up to..." Mace said before he looked around at the council, "...and we'll bring them to justice."
The Council members nodded in agreement. Normally, they would hesitate to expand the Clone Wars, which was brutal enough as is. But this was the Sith Empire that were talking about. The ancient enemy of darkness and evil, which had to be destroyed, especially before Dooku could rally them to his side to destroy the Republic.
The time for action was now.
Obi-Wan and Tiplee bowed their heads before the hologram disappeared.
Obi-Wan then walked on the bridge of the Vigilance, watching as different clones started running back and forth between their stations. As the fighters began to take off and intercept several attempts b the Imperial Navy to bomb the Republic fleet.
As his forces did battle with their's, he fond himself deep in thought.
'I doubt that even Master Qui-Gon would have prepared for this'.
Imperial Sensor Array Control Station.
Back on the Empire's early warning station, the droids were just mopping up the last pockets of Imperial resistance. In the command center, General Grievous was holding the station's captain by his throat, while a dead Sith warrior lay at his feet, with his red saber added to Grievous' collection. He laughed as he kicked his feet and struggled to get free.
"Those of you who can still stand - go back to your Empress..." Grievous said as he crushed the captain's throat with his clawed hands, and got blood splattered on his mask, "...and tell her to send more men."
"General, the station is under our control, and Republic forces have entered the system," the droid officer reported.
"Excellent," Grievous said as he tossed the body aside, "scuttle this station and prepare to evacuate. I don't want the Republic to know that we were here." He said before he looked out the window and watched as Republic and Imperial warships continued to hammer away at each other. "We will let the Jedi and the Empire have their fun."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Main Plaza, Imperial Citadel, Kaas City, Dromund Kaas.
Ranks of Imperial troopers marched through the streets, their heavy army boots making a rhythmic sound.
PLUCK-PLOOK! PLUCK-PLOOK! PLUCK-PLOOK! PLUCK-PLOOK!
As the troopers marched in tight boxes, Imperial tanks and walkers followed them. Cheering crowds were gathered on either side of the street, as they applauded their glorious Imperial Army.
A hologram of Empress Acina looked out over the scene in front of her.
She smiled.
After about half an hour of parading, the Army halted in front of the Citadel. Every soldier in the each file turned to face their Empress in perfect unison, their boots echoing down the street as they stomped them onto the pavement. The thunderous sound echoed down the street in both direction.
All of the clapping and cheering from the crowds ceased. That's when everyone else turned their attention to Acina, who's hologram projected her image from the throne room balcony high above the city.
She placed both hands on the stone balcony, before she spoke into the com device, which amplified her voice across both the city, and the rest of Imperial Territory.
"My People, sons and daughters of the Empire! On this day, as our enemy's ships burn away in orbit, as their bodies lie broken in our streets, we are once again reminded of the depths of their arrogance, and their depravity. For years we have suffered unbearable hardships. Banished by our enemies to die from disease, from famine. They scarred us, they weakened us... But that time has passed. For years we worked away on empty stomachs, slowly rebuilding our strength, our pride and our Empire... But that time has passed. We are now, once again, a powerful force to be truly feared. Our enemies tried to destroy us and our way of life. But thanks to the courageous efforts of our professional army, and your unwavering loyalty, they have failed."
People cheered at what she said. She waited for them to stop.
"All these years, I have been humbled by the honor to lead you. Ever, EVER onwards! From this day, till the end of days!"
Empress Acina's people nearly lost it. They were her loyal subjects, who would go up into space to fight an asteroid with their bare hands for her. She smiled, before she raised her hand and waited or them to stop.
They stifled themselves.
"Now is the moment that we strive to our glory, and to our destiny. And to do that, we must do what is necessary. We must cut out the disease that our enemies have tried to taint us with." She said as Count Dooku was escorted out onto the plaza in binders. People began to chant for his beheading. "With the death of one of our greatest enemies, we shall begin our glorious march to salvation and revenge!"
Dooku was forced onto his knees with his wrists bounded behind him. The crowds continued to chant for his execution. One of the Sith warriors nearby had Dooku's lightsaber, which he took as a trophy, and that he planned to use on the Count's neck during the execution.
Darth Maul walked over to Dooku and activated his 'borrowed' lightsaber and held it to his throat.
"As your blood spreads across the steps of our Citadel, so too shall our great Empire across our galaxy," Acina said as Maul prepared to swing the sword back.
But that's when one of Acina's aids ran up to her with a report. "Your Majesty, I-"
The Empress turned around swiftly and began to stare daggers into the young officer. "Can't you see that you're ruining our moment of glory!" She hissed. She didn't realize that the loudspeaker was still on, making everyone look at her with shock as they heard this conversation. "Tell me, what is so important that you had to disrupt this execution?"
The young officer trembled with fear. "My Empress... our early warning systems have been knocked out, and a Jedi-led Armada has come out of hyperspace. They're breaking through our lines!"
"Grrr!" Acina growled as she force pushed the officer away before she seethed with anger. Then she turned to the podium to speak to her subjects, who were all stunned into silence by both her rage, and the impending Republic invasion. "The ancient enemy is upon us. It is time for us to take up arms against the invaders. For The Empire!"
"LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!" They all shouted repeatedly in unison.
As the army began to spread out to defend the city.
She then turned to Dooku, who had yet to be executed. "Take him back to his cell. We'll deal with him later."
Throne Room.
Empress Acina sat in her throne, looking at the holographic figures of Republic warships blasting their way through her defense fleet. But her forces were fighting back, making the Republic suffer heavy casualties in the process. But since then, Republic reinforcements have been pouring into the system, and have captured Dromund Kalakar... the industrial heartland for her Empire, making the situation become more dire by the hour.
"Empress, we are receiving a transmission from the Republic flagship." Someone informed.
She waved her hand, gesturing for him to put the message through.
Two holograms appeared. They were both wearing robes, which led Acina to believe that they were Jedi Masters. One was a dark-sinned man with a bald head and a stoic look that could've given Dooku a run for his money. The other was a bearded man with brown hair, who came off as cool and relaxed.
Acina leaned forward in her throne and began to address the two callers.
"I take it that you're the Jedi who're invading this system?" She asked before she started chuckling. "So tell me, what do I owe the displeasure of this call?"
The bearded Jedi bowed, before he started speaking. "Your Majesty. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am General Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is Master Mace Windu," he said, gesturing to the stoic Jedi beside him. "It is our sad duty to inform you that your rule is... at an end."
Acina exploded from her seat and slammed her fist on her throne, making everyone in the room tense up. Then she pointed to the two Jedi. "You will not dictate to me, Jedi filth! My Empire is forever!"
Obi-Wan wasn't fazed by her outburst.
"I am afraid that it does not appear that way, your grace. You will surrender the whereabouts of Darth Maul and Count Dooku, your forces will lay down their arms, and you will submit to Republic law."
"We will never submit you you, Jedi Scum! We will destroy your fleet, and once we have access to Dooku's forces, and Maul's underworld resources, we will march across the galaxy, and burn your precious Temple to the ground."
Before the Jedi could be allowed to continue speaking, Acina stood up and threw one of her purple lightsabers, slicing the holo-table apart, and making the Jedi's images fizzle out and vanish.
She looked around at all of the officers, advisors, and the Sith Lords. They were all looking at her for answers.
"Lord Acina," said her apprentice and heir apparent, Darth Vowrawn. "Whatever is your order, we will follow you to the very end".
She scanned the throne room and saw only blank faces. But then she spoke.
"My loyal subjects... we, the true Sith, have spent centuries building our strength in the depths of uncharted space. Myself, and many Sith Emperors before, have patiently planned for the day when our Empire would repay the Jedi for the humiliating defeats of the past. In the time many people like you have given me and my predecessors, generations of Sith have come and gone, working hard and devoting their lives to the dream of vengeance."
Some of the listeners began to nod.
Acina continued.
"The followers of the Rue of Two have failed to stop our ascent, and now..." she said while waving her hand towards the holo-table she just destroyed. "...the Jedi want to do the same. Our ancestors escaped from these monsters, and came here, carving our destiny into the treacherous unknown. We forged a new civilization, built on strength, labor, and vengeance, while Sidious and the Jedi battled to see who was weaker. That is not our way. A true Sith is strong. We build strong civilizations from nothing. We have a military, built on the strong foundation that our society is made from. We will meet the jedi armies in array, just as our ancestors did, and drive them into oblivion."
The Imperial officers and Sith lords continued to listen, nod, and even agree with her. Even the bodyguards protecting her were infatuated by her speech. They began to clap. She waited for them to stop before continuing.
"And once we've dealt with these Jedi, we will go back to the known galaxy, and show the ancient enemy our collective might," she finally said.
Everyone stood up and gave her a standing ovation.
After a few minutes, they stopped clapping. That's when Darth Vowrawn got down on his knees and bowed before his master and Empress.
Everyone copied Vowrawn and kneeled before Empress Acina, the True Lord of the Sith.
"Now, prepare our people and armies for battle. We will brace for our darkest hour. But fear not. Our cause is just. The Republic, and the chaos they represent, will be brought to heel".
They all cheered.
A few minutes later, they filed out of the room and went to their assigned tasks. When they all left, Empress Acina walked over to her viewport, in front of her command chair. She looked out over the city, which was surrounded by a thick jungle. The ability to build a city in the middle of a dense and treacherous jungle was a testament to the resolve and spirit of the Sith Empire. Something that they will need for the days to come.
She began to speak under her breath.
"I'm right here Jedi. Come and get me".
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RSV Vigilance.
All four Jedi, and several clone officers, were gathered around the holo-table. They had just finished speaking to Darth Acina.
"She said that she nearly had access to Maul and Dooku's resources. They must be working together." Aayla Secura said.
"Then we have to stop them before they cause serious harm to the Republic." Mace Windu said.
They all continued to study the map.
All across the Dromund system, the burning wrecks of dozens of Sith battlecruisers and many support ships floated lifelessly. On the other hand, Republic warships, from an Armada large enough to capture this system 3 times over, continued to tear their way towards Dromund Kaas, before plastering the surface of the planet with turbo-laser fire, just like Dromund Kalakar.
On Dromund Kalakar itself, cities burned. Buildings were blown open. Clone Troopers from the 212th Attack Battalion, 327 Star Corps, and the 91st Recon Corps, walked over the corpses of Sith warriors and troopers, who lay where they died.
Imperial citizens were rounded up.
At least those who were willing to give themselves up. Others... many others... made sure they couldn't be captured by the Republic, and experience the horrors that they've heard the Republic committing... from their masters who were deceiving them.
"Cody," Obi-Wan said, getting the clone commander's attention, "what's the situation?"
"Sir, we've made some incredible progress since we came here. We've captured Dromund Kalakar, and cut off their industrial resources. Dromund Kaas is cut off from the rest of the system, but the rest of the Imperial Navy, which still outnumbers us, is trying to take the system back," Cody said.
The holo-table showed images of Sith fleets that had been pushed away from Dromund Kaas, and deeper into the system, by the Republic, but were advancing back on the capital planet. Holographic Republic ships that were flashing were in active combat. More holographic Republic ships were hovering above Dromund Kaas itself, bombarding it from orbit. The image then zoomed in on a large dome shield protecting the capital, Kaas City.
"This is Kaas City, the capital. If we can take it and kill their leadership, then the Imperial forces will become disorganized and be easy prey for our fleet. We can maybe even get Maul and Dooku if we're fortunate enough. But it appears that Kaas City is well protected by a domed energy shield, which only protects the planet from an orbital bombardment, and heavy turbo-laser is keeping our warships from getting too close to this part of the planet."
"What about the H.O.P.E. pods?" Mace asked.
Everyone was stunned into silence for a few seconds, before the Commander finally answered.
"Yes sir."
That's when master Tiplee pointed at the map. "It appears that the turbo-laser defenses protecting the city are powered by these three generators," she said as three objects were highlighted on the holo-map, near the outer edges of the city. "Disabling at least one of them should allow our fleet to move in and provide supporting fire."
The other Jedi nodded and then looked at Cody.
"Commander, gather Ghost Company and Foxtrot Group," Windu said before studying the map, and an image of the H.O.P.E. pods., "we're going for a ride."
Sith flagship, ISD Marauder.
Admiral Layek Davos, a human admiral with a cybernetic eye, facial implants, and a mechanical arm - something he acquired in the recent battle against Sidious and his confederate minions - stood on the bridge of the Sith flagship, shouting orders to his subordinates.
"Target their bombers. Protect the defense platforms." Davos called out.
"Sir, there's too many of them. We can't shoot them all down-aaccckkkk!" An Imperial crewman said before he was choked with Davos' cybernetic arm.
"If we can't shoot them all down, then call in our fighter reserves to do so!" Davos exclaimed as he continued choking the crewman. "We can't allow the Republic to break through to the surface."
Before anything else could happen, an explosion ripped through the bridge superstructure, causing the ship fall out of orbit. The last thing that Davos saw before being sucked out into the crushing black void of space, were over 150 man-sized capsules zooming past the ship, some going right through the bridge.
H.O.P.E. pods, en route to the surface.
High Orbit Precision Entry.
That was the type of pod that the Jedi, and about 150 clones, we using to get down to the surface. It was used by commando units that needed to be dropped behind enemy lines when a gunship wasn't able to carry them.
The turbulence shook the pods around viciously.
The sensation made Obi-Wan's stomach turn as he shook around in his harness restraints, and his heart began to race harder than it ever had in all the years that he's been alive. And Anakin wasn't even here, oddly enough.
He pressed a button, activating a screen that showed the outside of the pod. He could see his other comrades' pods entering the atmosphere, covered in flames from the re-entry. It suddenly became gray outside, as they passed through the cloud cover. When the gray clouds cleared up a little, Obi-Wan was able to see the walled off capital city just below.
"General Windu, we're 15 klicks from the surface. With this trajectory, most of us'll end up inside the city." Commander Cody reported.
"Very good, commander. Everyone stand by to deploy your chutes and-" Windu said before heavy flak started to appear all around them. Obi-Wan could feel his pod rattling around.
"Incoming, heavy flak!" Captain Gregor called out over the comm.
Several pods were incinerated as soon as they were hit.
"We're losing pods, fast," Aayla said.
"Everyone, deploy your chutes!" Mace called out.
Seconds later, dozens of pods started to deploy chutes that slowed down their descent. They even deployed thrusters that did the same. Pods were still being shot down left and right, but many more made it to the surface.
When Obi-Wan felt his pod hitting the ground, he undid his harness and force pushed the door open. When he was outside, he immediately had to start deflecting blaster bolts. The battle around him was vicious, as Sith troopers fired on the clones from buildings above, and the clones fired back wit heavy weapons.
As clones hit the ground, and buildings lit up in flames, the realization came that the fight was going to be bloody.
"Over here, General!" He heard, before looking over to see Commander Cody and Lt. Waxer waving at him. He ran over, deflecting blaster bolts as they went.
"Boy, are we glad to see you, General," Waxer said.
"Likewise, Waxer. Now, what's the situation?" Obi-Wan asked as he looked around at the bodies on the ground, and could here the screams of the wounded over the sounds of battle. he saw that four men from Cody's squad were dead, and two more were injured. "What's you situation, Cody?"
"Sir, the situation's FUBAR. Half our pods landed outside of the city, and a lot more never even made it. "I'd say that we're only at 25 percent strength inside the city. General Tiplee landed inside, but we've lost contact with her. General's Windu and Secura are outside the, trying to rally our scattered forces." Cody said. "But we have some good news: the generator we were hoping to hit is nearby. It's on the other side of this wall. Any ideas, General?"
Obi-Wan looked over the wall for a way in. Then he saw a guard tower all the way to the left of the enemy's front line, which had a blind spot, which would allow the troopers to infiltrate the facility. But then he had a better idea.
"Commander, I want two of your men to follow me, We're going to seize that tower on the enemy's right flank. I want you and the rest of the men to stay behind and provide supporting fire," Obi-Wan said.
Cody looked at the situation in front of him and then looked back at Obi-Wan. Then he nodded.
"Alright," he said before he looked at his squad. "Trapper, I want you and Woolley to stay behind and protect the wounded. Keep them under cover. Boil, Waxer, you're going with the General. Help him get to that tower on the left".
The squamates he called out nodded. "Got it, Boss." Boil said.
"The rest of you: prepare to lay out suppressing fire on my mark!" Cody said.
The troopers got into position on the window sills, ready to fire out of the building, which had served as their 'mighty fortress' since they've landed. Two men went with Obi-Wan, and prepared to charge.
Obi-Wan and Cody looked at each other.
The Jedi master reached for his saber and glanced at his two companions to the left of him. He looked up over cover. "NOW!" He shouted as he vaulted over cover, as his lightsaber made a snap-hiss sound as he ignited it.
The two clones followed, and the storm of laser blasts came next almost immediately.
With the Sith focusing on Obi-Wan and his two men, they left themselves exposed to Gregor and the others.
"SUPPRESSING FIRE!" Cody shouted, before he and his men aimed their weapons over cover, and unleashed a storm of blaster fire upon the Sith defenders. Some of the Sith turned their attention back to Cody's squad, taking the pressure off of Obi-Wan's group.
Obi-Wan continued to deflect blaster bolts back into the Sith defenders aiming at them, keeping his two clone companions safe from the enemy. They eventually made it to the tower on the enemy's right flank, which was out of the firing arc of the other enemy positions.
The three of them took cover behind a wrecked speeder.
Obi-Wan looked up at the defense tower. "Let's take them out. Now!"
Waxer and Boil prepped their grenades. They tossed them at the exact same time, aiming for the window that the Sith gunners were using to fire out of. But they weren't close enough. The grenades bounced off of the wall, just short of the window, before falling back towards the ground.
The grenades landed a few yards away, exploding. Some debris bounced off of the commandoes helmets.
"Gawh! We have to get closer to the wall!" Boil exclaimed, frustrated.
"Try again. I'll give you a hand." Obi-Wan said.
The clones nodded and reached for another grenade each. They looked at their General, who nodded. Then they tossed their grenades again. They were about to fall short again, but Obi-Wan quickly raised his hand, and reached out with the force, focusing on the two grenades. Then he made them fly straight into the bunker's window.
Then they heard screams, which were all silenced by an explosion that ripped through the top floor of the defense tower, which crumbled and collapsed, falling over, off of the wall, before crashing and shattering on the ground below.
"Follow me!" Obi-Wan said, before he ran off to the wall, with his comrades following close behind. They didn't even have to use cables or the force. The tower made a nice ramp for the three of them.
"What now, General?" Tosser asked.
Obi-Wan looked at the enemy defenders, most of whom were still trading fire with Cody's men. The rest that did notice them, were rushing towards them.
"The Jedi have breached the facility. Keep them away from the generator! We can't let their reinforcements attack the city!" One Sith trooper called out.
"You two, clear this wall, and help your men get to the front gate. I'll take care of those generators".
The two clones nodded, and went to work, blasting at the backs of the Sith troopers on the facility's perimeter. Obi-Wan jumped off of the wall and charged straight through the enemy troopers. They blasted at him, but he merely deflected their rounds back at them, before getting up close and hacking away at them.
When he was done, he went up to the generators, which were large. They pulsated with energy as they supplied power to shields all over the city, keeping the Republic forces at bay.
Not being able to find a control panel, he decided to do it the old fashioned way. He placed his saber back on his belt, before lifting both of his hands. He closed his eyes, and reached out with the force, concentrating on the four massive generators.
For a moment, he struggled, as the generators refused to budge.
That's when a new voice spoke to him. "Need a hand, Master Kenobi?" He turned to see Master Tiplee running up to him.
"Much appreciated," he said, before she came to a stop right next to him. "Together." He said before they both reached out with the force.
The generators still seemed like they wouldn't budge. Then he heard the shriek of metal, and he could feel the generators move slightly, as they protested in response to the two Jedi's combined efforts. Then, they heard the generators snap, and the energy released from the damaged reactors crackled majestically. Then there was an explosion, and then sparks began to fly out of the generators. And with one final push of the force, the generators were all ripped out of their housing.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked around. He saw Cody's men enter the facility, before fanning out to secure it. Then he saw that all of the turbo-laser blasts that he saw shooting up at the sky had suddenly ceased firing.
Suddenly, dozens of Jedi interceptors and hundreds of Clone fighters screeched overhead, unleashing their payloads on unseen targets all over the city. Then he saw gunships flying overhead, ready to deploy their clone passengers into the streets.
Obi-Wan smiled as he saw several Republic Star Destroyers, including the RSV Vigilance, punching through the load cover, before firing it's turbo-lasers at several targets across the city, while unleashing another wave of fighters and gunships.
Then felt his com-link start to chirp.
He answered it.
"Master Kenobi!" Master Windu said from the com-link. "Our forces are entering the city now. We're closing in on your position now."
"Copy that, We'll see you soon." He said before cutting off the transmission. He then turned to his companions. "Get ready to move out. We're going to start taking this city block by block."
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Imperial Citadel, Throne Room.
Empress Acina and her new husband, Colonel Odile Vaiken, were standing on the the balcony overlooking the city, sharing a tender moment as they locked their lips together in a passionate, wet kiss.
Acina stood on her toes to get level with her husband, pushing her bust up against his chest, and deepening the kiss
As their tongues dueled for control of each other's mouths, Odile allowed his hands to roam his wife's body, until they rest on her voluptuous rear end. When they broke apart, they rested their foreheads against each other.
"Please, be careful out there." She requested, with her orange puppy dog eyes. "You're not allowed to fall in battle unless I say so."
"Don't worry, my beloved Empress," Odile said before he sunk to his knees, so that his head was level with her lean stomach. He continued to hold her hips as he looked up at her. "I will come back when this battle is won, and we will rule over this galaxy, so that our unborn child may experience the glorious future we are creating," he said before he kissed Acina's stomach, which didn't have a noticeable bump yet.
She smiled down at him until he broke away from her stomach and stood back up to give her one last kiss, before he turned around left, with two bodyguards closing the door behind him.
She turned around as her heart fluttered, and looked out over the city, only to see the disgusting images of Republic warships clouding her line of sight.
Her stomach began to turn, and it wasn't because of the morning sickness that she's had for the past couple weeks.
Acina turned to one of her guards. "Get me in touch with Lord Maul," she ordered, causing one of her troopers to carry out her orders. She then looked down at the floor in the general direction of the prison blocks beneath her palace. "I have a task for him."
Detention Block.
Darth Maul walked into Dooku's cell, to see the old man already standing up, as if he was already anticipating his arrival. The guards deactivated the shield in front of Dooku's cot, but they didn't take off his wrist restraints.
"Back again, I see," Dooku said. "Has the Empress ordered that you release me, or execute me?"
"That is entirely up to you." Maul said as the guards tensed up and prepared to strike if Dooku made a wrong move.
Dooku chuckle a little. "The Empress must be desperate if she want's prisoners and enemies to fight for her." Dooku said.
"Consider yourself on parole, should you choose to accept this overly generous offer," Maul said as he reached for Dooku's lightsaber on his belt. "So what's it doing to be, Count? Allies... or death?"
Maul raised the saber between them, and activated it to make a point.
Dooku frowned as he looked at Maul. But then he looked down at his wrist restraints.
"Let's go kill some Jedi," he said.
Maul then swung Dooku's lightsaber through Dooku's wrist restraints. The freed Count then took his lightsaber out of Maul's hands.
"Wise decision." Maul said before they left the cell to go join the battle outside.
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That was part 5 folks. Hope that you've enjoyed.
I'll be working on part 6 soon. Keep an eye out for it.
Until next time, as always, this is Grubkiller, over and out.