Have no Fear, Grubkiller is here!
Hey folks. Here's part 8 of my story: Rise of the Empire!
The Jedi Council meet to discuss the war, while Padme and her colleagues discuss the Chancellor's ever-growing power, and the steps they wish to take to stop them.
Please, review and enjoy part 8.
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Kashyyyk, Wookie home-world, near the city of Kachirho.
Kashyyyk
A temperate, wroshyr tree-covered forest planet located far out in the Mytaranor sector of the Mid Rim, and the home world of the Wookies.
After the battle of Coruscant, and with the death of Count Dooku, the CIS fleet retreated into the outer rim, directionless and aimless. This led to the Republic Military launching a reinvigorated offensive into the Outer Rim. The CIS were no longer able to launch a powerful offensive like the one they did on Coruscant, with the disastrous defeat that they suffered. But they still had a powerful presence in the outer rim, as well as control over most of their fortress and foundry worlds.
The CIS may have lost the face of their movement.
They may have lost the ability to destroy the Republic at its core.
But they could still force the Republic into a bloody war of attrition, which they could try to survive. They were even able to launch attacks on planets such as Kashyyyk. It sat on the crossroads of several important hyperspace lanes, allowing them to link up their forces and launch hit and run strikes against the Republic, and disrupt its shipping. And as an added bonus, the planet was the location of massive reservoirs of oil, and an endless supply of slave labor from the powerful Wookies.
Under their control, the CIS could use Kashyyyk to be a massive thorn in the Republic's side indefinitely.
Not able to hold the planet on their own, the Wookies called for the Republic's support.
After weeks of supporting the Wookies in disrupting the Separatist operations on Kashyyyk, Republic spec ops unit, callsign: Delta, called in reinforcements from Coruscant. And after a bloody space battle, the commando unit was able to use a separatist facility's cannons to blast small holes into the CIS blockade, which the Republic Navy ripped open to land troops on the surface.
Now, Masters Luminara Unduili and Quinlin Vos were on the surface, along with the clones of the 41st Elite Corps, and were deploying around Kachirho to expel the Separatist invasion.
Yoda stood high above the beachhead on the wooden platforms and tree house structures that gave them a perfect view of the area around them. There was a vast lake that separated the two armies. They prepared on their mutual beachheads.
Down below, Clone Scout Troopers that wore jungle camouflaged armor, ran to their stations. They took cover along barricades on the beach. Republic tanks were pouring out of the Star Destroyer that was parked behind several large trees, the RSV Tranquility, as they mustered on the beach with their Wookie comrades.
Wookie catamarans and other flying machines flew across the gray skies as they scouted the CIS side of the lake.
Yoda turned around to see a mini holographic version of the Jedi Council on the table in the middle of the wooden hut. They were back on Coruscant, discussing the status of the War. Most of the Council members were there, but a few, like Plo Koon, Depa Billaba, and Ki Adi Mundi, were in the outer rim, fighting the CIS. They were discussing the new information that Anakin received from Palpatine.
"Palpatine thinks General Grievous is on Utapau?" Mundi asked from the planet Mygeeto.
"Yes. Clone intelligence intercepted a message from the chairman of Utapau that mentions Grievous," Anakin confirmed.
Yoda stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Act on this we must. The capture of General Grievous will end this war," Yoda said. "Quickly and decisively we should proceed".
Anakin nodded.
"Then who is to lead the campaign to Utapau?" Mundi asked.
"The Chancellor has requested, that I lead the campaign," Anakin offered.
Everyone looked at him as if he had grown a second head. No one on the Council liked that Palpatine was interfering with Jedi affairs.
"The Council will make up its own mind who is to go. Not the Chancellor," Windu's hologram said plainly. "And besides, you have your own duties here that concern the Chancellor".
Anakin, who hated spying on his old friend, reluctantly fell in line.
"A master with more experience dealing with Grievous we require," Yoda said.
"I concur. Master Kenobi should go," Mundi said.
"I agree," Yoda said.
Anakin lowered his head slightly in silent frustration as the council agreed one by one.
"Very well. Council adjourned," Windu said before the hologram disappeared, leaving Yoda with the Wookies and Clone Commander Gree.
Yoda hopped out of the chair and walked to the edge of the platform.
Clone snipers and Wookie gunners patrolled the various platforms and the bridges that connected them.
He walked next to Commander Gree, who was looking through a pair of binoculars at the CIS side of the lake.
The small green Jedi came up to Gree's knees, so the Clone Commander had to kneel down next to him.
"The droids have started up their main power generators," Gree said.
"Then now the time is Commander," Yoda said.
"Yes Sir," Gree replied.
On the beach below, the Wookies roared out a ferocious battle cry as Separatist tanks and spider droids marched through the water.
CIS droid gunships flew in the air. Missiles and blaster bolts flew into the air towards the Republic/Wookie side of the lake.
Explosions threw up sand and debris in the air.
Clones and Wookies moved into the trenches. They were dug in deep. They used turrets and mortars, as well as Tanks to meet the CIS in battle.
High above the lakeside fortifications on a mountain nearby, Republic Scout Troopers armed with scoped DC-15a rifles peppered the enemy forces below with automatic blaster fire.
Wookies swung down with ropes from the platforms above the lake. They came down with a battle cry and boarded several CIS 'snail' tanks. They placed explosives on the tanks. Each Wookie managed to jump off before the tanks exploded.
The battle raged viciously.
A stray laser bolt hit the platform that Yoda was standing on. It missed him by a few feet, but he still recoiled. As a Jedi Master, Yoda was very superstitious. He couldn't help but feel that the close call he experienced had a deeper meaning.
He watched as the Battle continued around him.
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500 Republica, Coruscant.
Padme's apartment building is surrounded by the smog-shrouded city of Coruscant. They sit on one of the couches.
"Has Anakin been to see you?" Obi-Wan asked.
She hesitated to speak before she answered his question. "Several times . . . I was so happy to hear he was accepted on the Jedi Council".
"I know..." Obi-Wan said. "...he deserves it. He is impatient, strong willed, very opinionated, but truly gifted"
They laughed. But then paddle put on a more serious face.
"You're not just here to say hello. Something is wrong, isn't it?" Padme asked suspiciously.
"You should be a Jedi, Padme," Obi-Wan joked.
But Padme's face remained stern. "You're not very good at hiding your feelings," she said.
"It's Anakin," Obi-Wan finally said. "He's becoming moody and detached. He's been put in a difficult position as the Chancellor's representative . . . but I think it's more than that. I was hoping he may have talked to you".
"Why would he talk to me about his work?" She asked.
Obi-Wan studies her. 'She really would make a great Jedi', he thought to himself. "Neither of you is very good at hiding your feelings either," Obi-Wan said.
Padme felt her heart begin to race at a faster pace. "What did he say?" Padme asked nervously.
"Nothing. He didn't have to. But Padme, I know you both too well. I can see you two are in love," Obi-Wan said. Padme recoils in response to what Obi-Wan said, a little flustered. She stands up from the couch and walks over to the balcony.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Padme said as she stared out at the city skyline.
Obi-Wan was about to follow her when his communicator went off. He answered it. "Yes Master Windu?"
"Obi-Wan, prepare two clone brigades as quickly as you can. If this report is true, there's no telling how many battle droids Grievous may have with him on Utapau," Windu said from the comm device.
"Yes Master. I'm on my way to the staging area now," Obi-Wan said. He turned off the communicator and turned his attention back to Padme, who continued to stare out at the skyline in utter silence. "I fear your relationship has confused him. He's changed considerably since we returned. I'm just worried about him".
They stand on the balcony and look off at the early morning city. After a few moments, Obi-Wan starts to leave. Padme stays looking off into the distant city. Obi-Wan continued speaking.
"Padme, I'm not telling the Council about any of this. I ... I hope I didn't upset you. We're all friends, I care about both of you," he said reassuringly.
"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she said softly, not turning away from the skyline in front of her.
"Please do what you can to help him," he said before he turned and walked away.
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Padme Amidala's apartment (later that day).
A little while after Obi-Wan spoke to Padme, she invited several other Senators and representatives, Mon Mothma, Bana Breemu, Fang Zar, Chi Eekway, Giddean Danu, and Bail Organa, sit in Padme's living room.
Several topics were thrown around during the meeting. They discussed several items. They discussed the war and the Chancellor's ever-growing emergency powers, which he used to expand the size of government.
As the senators had their meeting, C-3PO went around the table, serving a tray of drinks to Padme's guests.
"We cannot let this turn into another war," Padme said, worried about the possibilities of a civil war if the Chancellor didn't give up his emergency powers.
"Absolutely, that is the last thing we want," said Bail Organa, who was standing up as he addressed the people sitting down around him.
"We are hoping to form an alliance in the Senate to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution, that's all," Mon Mothma said while facing Padme.
Padme turned her head and scanned the faces of her colleagues. "I know a Jedi I feel it would be wise to consult," she said.
"That would be dangerous," Bana Breemu said.
"We don't know where the Jedi stand in all this," Mon Mothma added.
"I only wish to discuss this with one..." Padme said. "...one I trust."
Going against the Chancellor without the support of the Jedi is risky," Giddean Danu said, agreeing with Padme. Bail, who was pacing back and forth slightly, was nodding in agreement.
"The Jedi aren't any happier with the situation than we are..." Padme said.
"Patience, Senator," said Pantoran Representative Chi Eekway Papanoida.
"We have so many Senators on our side, and we have the election between Dalyell and Palpatine coming up. Surely that will pursuade the Chancellor to listen to us," Fang Zar said, somewhat naively.
"When we present the "Petition of the Two-thousand" to the Chancellor, things may change," Bana Breemu said, trying to reassure Padme, and keep her from doing anything rash.
The Delegation of 2,000 was the name for a group of concerned senators in the Galactic Senate, many of whom were part of the Loyalist Committee. These 2,000 individuals were bothered by the way that Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine had waged the Clone Wars; along with his accumulation of executive powers and constant changes to the Galactic Constitution.
"Let us see what we can accomplish in the Senate, before we include the Jedi," Bail suggested while nodding to Padme.
All of the Senators nodded their own heads in agreement.
But Padme took in a deep frustrated breath before she lowered her head in disappointment.
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Coruscant, Republic military base, staging area for the 212th Attack Battalion.
Anakin and Obi-Wan walk onto a landing platform overlooking a docking bay where thousands of Clone Troopers and armored weapons, tanks, etc., are being loaded onto a massive Republic Star Destroyer.
Clone Marshal Commander Cody, Obi-Wan's second in command, could be seen directing them onto the RSV Vigilance.
"You're going to need me on this one, Master," Anakin said.
"Oh, I agree. However it may turn out just to be a wild bantha chase," Obi-Wan said, referring to Grievous' slippery nature.
Obi-Wan starts to turn and leave.
"Master!" Anakin said to Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan stops and Anakin walks over to him.
"I've disappointed you. I have not been very appreciative of your training . . . I have been arrogant and I apologize . . . I've just been so frustrated with the Council. Your friendship means everything to me," Anakin said
"You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know and you've been able to pass that knowledge on to someone," Obi-Wan said, referring to Ahsoka, who was still fighting on Mandalore with half of Anakin's legion.
The other half of the 501st Legion was divided up and sent to several other hot-spots in the outer rim, including Mygeeto, Felucia, Kashyyyk, and Utapau with Obi-Wan.
"And you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be, and you have saved my life more times than I can remember. But be patient, Anakin. It won't be long before the Council makes you a Jedi Master," Obi-Wan said reassuringly.
Anakin's old friend started down the ramp, then turns back.
"Don't worry. I have enough clones with me to take three systems the size of Utapau. I think I'll be able to handle the situation . . . even without your help," he said with a smile.
"Well, there's always a first time," Anakin joked.
Obi-Wan laughed.
"Master? May the Force be with you," Anakin said.
Obi-Wan smiled.
"Good-bye, old friend. May the Force be with you," he said before he headed down a ramp toward the waiting Republic cruiser. A while later, the engines of the Star-Destroyer, RSV Vigilance, rumbled even louder, before it slowly rose from the ground, it's landing gear slowly retracting back inside the hull. It then took off into the sky with an escort of Republic shuttles, ready to move on to the front.
Anakin smiled as he wished his master the best of luck under his breath, and walked back into the facility.
But unbeknownst to either him or Obi-Wan, this would be the last time that they would see each other as friends.
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That's part 8 of 'RotE'.
Hope you enjoyed.
Part 9 is right around the corner, and it will cover Ahsoka and Bo-Katan's continuing fight against Darth Maul's regime. Stay tuned.
Feel free to leave a review.
Until next time, this is Grubkiller, over and out.