Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 14- Gather the Fleet
At the marshaling yards on Coruscant, it is a hive of activity. Dozens of ships and legions of clones are all preparing to set off on their mission. Republic transmissions have given the impression that these ships and clones are all being split up and sent to various battlefields across the Outer Rim in order to keep their true target secret. Dromund Kaas.
This fleet is one of the most powerful the Republic has assembled for a single mission, as the Republic intelligence services have not been able to figure out how many Separatist forces might be on Dromund Kaas. The fleet includes the Executrix and two more Imperator class vessels, a Tector class Star Destroyer, four Victory-II class Star Destroyers, 86 Venator class Star Destroyers, six Dreadnaught class heavy cruisers, about two dozen Carrack class light cruisers, and, the real heavy firepower of the fleet, a Mandator-II class dreadnought. The Mandator was one of very few in Republic service, and its inclusion in the fleet made it clear to everyone that this operation was extremely important. The Mandator was actually waiting in a nearby system so that Separatist spies would not notice it.
The Republic had also marshalled a massive army for the operation in case the Republic had to fight a major ground battle. A total of 240,000 clones are being marshalled and are boarding Acclamators to be deployed to the surface of Dromund Kaas during the assault. Among the clones are the 501st and the 212th. The clones also had the most advanced weapons and vehicles available to the Republic, including brand new walkers and updated personal weapons.
In the center of it all, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka are all waiting with Master Yoda, Master Plo, and Master Windu. All of them will be going together on this mission. They had decided to go with so many Jedi because it was clear at this point how powerful Palpatine was, and they didn't want to take the chance that Palpatine had some tricks up his sleeve that would make it near impossible for just one or two Jedi. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka will be traveling aboard the Executrix, Mace will be traveling aboard the Tribunal, Yoda aboard the Tranquility, and Plo aboard the Intrepid.
Anakin looks around at all of the Jedi around him and says, "Well, this is going to be the mission of our lives. We can end the Clone Wars at last and end the Sith."
"Bring peace, at last, we can," Yoda adds.
Mace now speaks up and says, "This will be the fight of our lives. We have no idea exactly what to expect. We must be prepared for anything, and any surprises that Sidious has ready for us."
"We'll make it, Master Windu. We're putting an end to Palpatine and the Sith now," Anakin says confidently, certain that this will be the end of Palpatine and the Clone Wars.
Yoda now speaks up and says, "May the Force be with us all. Depart now, we must."
Everyone nods and says their final goodbyes before they separate and begin to head to their various ships.
As Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka approach the Executrix, which lies in a dock to allow its crew and complement to board easily. As they approach, they see not only Cody and Rex waiting for them, but Padme waiting with the twins to see Anakin off.
Obi-Wan and Ahsoka smile a bit as they see Padme. They look at Anakin and Obi-Wan says, "We'll let you say goodbye." They then walk ahead, exchange brief greetings with Padme, and move to board the Executrix with Cody, while Rex waits for Anakin to finish his goodbye with Padme.
Anakin walks up to Padme with a smile. "Hello, my darling," he says.
"Be careful out there, okay?" Padme says.
"I'll be okay. I've got the best Jedi in the Order going with me. We're going to win this and end the Clone Wars at last," Anakin says confidently.
"Just be safe. You know how Palpatine is now. I don't want you to underestimate him, or him to sway you," Padme responds with concern in her voice.
"I know, my darling. But I promise you, I'm done with Palpatine and his manipulation. I know that the light is my path, and you and our children are our future. I'm going to come back to you," Anakin says firmly.
"I know. But just be safe," Padme says.
"I will," Anakin says with a smile. He pulls her into an embrace and kisses her. After pulling back from the embrace, he then bends down to plant a quick kiss on Luke and Leia's foreheads. He then looks into his wife's eyes and says, "I'll see you soon enough."
"I know," Padme says, though it's clear she's still worried. Anakin smiles reassuringly at her before he turns towards Rex. Rex nods once, and the two head down the passage to board the Executrix.
Within an hour, the departure begins. All clones and equipment have been loaded aboard the ships. One by one, the ships begin to take off from the marshalling yards. The Executrix is one of the first to take off. On the bridge of the massive ship, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka watch as the buildings of Coruscant slowly grow smaller and smaller as the Star Destroyer rises into orbit.
The plan for the journey to Dromund Kaas is somewhat elaborate. The fleet will be departing Coruscant in small groups, each looking as if it's heading for a different location. In reality, they will all be taking courses to the planet Dorin in the Expansion Region, where the entire fleet would assemble and then move on as one to Dromund Kaas. During their journey to Dromund Kaas, multiple other Republic fleets would launch a series of attacks throughout the Outer Rim to draw the Separatists' attention and hopefully keep them from noticing the strike fleet heading for Dromund Kaas.
As the Executrix moves into formation with the five other ships in its battle group that it will be making the initial jump with, Anakin takes a few moments to just breathe and release his tension into the Force. This is one of the most pivotal moments of his life. Hopefully…all will work out well.
"Standby for light speed," Admiral Yularen, who is aboard the Executrix with them, calls out.
Anakin opens his eyes again and looks out of the viewport. In a few seconds, the stars ahead of them, and the Executrix and the other five ships make the jump to hyperspace.
The countdown to the Clone Wars' climactic battle has begun.
And, I'll end there. Hope this was a good chapter.
So, this is going to a major battle, obviously, and will begin to see the introduction of some weapons and systems we see used by the Empire. It'll take place over at least 2 chapters.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!
