Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. This will be a bit shorter.
So, this chapter will be the third episode of the Banking Clan arc. Originally, I was also gonna do a little bit of the first two episodes as well, but eventually decided there wasn't enough opportunity to include the Terrans enough to justify inclusion of the episodes. So, I decided just to stick with the third episode.
Let's get to it.
Guest DCDGojira: Yes, Zulu Force will be in the second story. Also, yes, there are more people we've already seen in the Zulu Force. The current composition is as such: 10 former members of SEAL Team 6, 9 former Delta Force, 6 former SAS, 9 former Spetsnaz, 10 former Sayeret Matkal, 3 former Pakistani SSG, 2 former French GIGN, 4 former Canadian JTF2 commandos, 3 former members of the Chinese Special Operations Forces, 2 former Indian Para Commandos, 1 South Korean former member of their 707th Special Mission Group, and 1 former member of the Saudi 64th Special Forces Brigade. I'm not doing the hiatus the same way I first mentioned, but I may be doing it to some degree. You'll see later. About Ahsoka, undecided. I don't plan on doing those storylines you mentioned. Also, which question did I not answer? Also, the third story will begin in the late 2040s. May include the Zulu Force in the Bad Batch arc.
Dalej0523: Yes. I will confirm Fives will. Cody will not. Not spoiling anything about Rex or Echo.
The mysterious Mr.E: Well, Fives doesn't know quite as much in this from Palpatine as he did in canon, but you'll actually see very soon how they react.
RandomFanAuthor: Not sure if I'll feature the Mandalorian, either the show or the bounty hunter it features.
Guest: You'll find out how many ships have been captured when I get to the Battle of Coruscant.
Peter Hong Kong: No, I have no plans for such a chapter. And making a wikia about this universe is not a bad idea.
TaitanoRules555: Yes, I will include the Bad Batch. Very soon, I might add.
CT7567Rules: Yes, they still have their cannons. Yes, the Terrans do still use ballistic weapons in some cases. And I won't be doing a starfighter version of the Su-37, since that's basically what the Su-36 is, just maybe not quite as advanced. But, I'll do more advanced variants of the Su-36 later on.
Chapter 53- Crisis at the Heart
Colonel Mofaz slowly makes his way to the command bridge of the Terran battleship Vladivostok. The ship, along with the Star Destroyers Sentinel and Victorious, has been stationed in a star system not far from the planet Scipio.
Over the past several days, a crisis had been brewing on the planet among the Galactic Banking Clan. Senator Amidala had, with the help of Rush Clovis, discovered serious corruption among the heads of the Banking Clan, and through extensive investigation, had been able to prove that the heads of the Banking Clan had been heavily embezzling funds from the bank. After this had been proven, the heads of the Banking Clan had been removed from their positions and arrested. Rush Clovis was now being returned to Scipio, in company with Senator Amidala, to assume his new position and oversee the transfer of power.
However, the Terran Joint Command has been concerned. In the words of General Powell, something wasn't adding up. Terran leaders were still worried about possible Separatist involvement. So, as a precaution, two members of the Zulu Force had detached to Scipio in secret as recon, and the three Terran warships had been stationed near Scipio as a quick response force in case it was needed.
As he walks onto the bridge, he sees Vice Admiral Vilikov standing at an information display. Mofaz walks over to him, and says in greeting, "Admiral."
Vilikov turns to Mofaz. "Colonel," he says respectfully.
"Any update from Scipio?" Mofaz asks.
"Nothing. Senator Amidala has not yet contacted us," Vilikov responds.
Almost as soon as the words are out of his mouth, the holoprojector in front of them begins beeping. Mofaz presses a button to activate it, and Anakin comes up on the holoprojector.
"General Skywalker. What is it?" Vilikov asks.
"Admiral Vilikov. We have a crisis on our hands. Rush Clovis has decreed that interest rates for the Republic's loans will be raised. And now, the Separatists are staging an invasion of Scipio. It seems that Clovis staged a Separatist takeover of the banks. We need to respond. Are you close enough to lend assistance?" Anakin asks.
"Yes, General. We are in a system just about four parsecs away. We will prepare for the jump to hyperspace immediately," Vilikov says before cutting the transmission.
Vilikov turns to his navigation officers. "Set course for Scipio. All forces to maximum alert," he orders.
The navigation officers immediately begin making the calculations for the hyperspace jump, while a readiness alert is sent through all three ships. Pilots race to their starfighters, and troops begin boarding LAATs, as well as a few C-9979s captured from the Separatists, in preparation for a ground assault.
As the preparations are underway, the holoprojector activates again. This time, its Lieutenant Collins and Captain Jones, the two Zulu Force commandos deployed to Scipio.
"Admiral Vilikov. The Separatists have invaded Scipio. We are holding position out of sight," Collins says.
"Understood, Lieutenant. We are already aware, and will soon be making the jump to hyperspace. Find Senator Amidala and get her out of there if you can. If you can't, keep eyes on her and wait for the opportune moment. We will be arriving at Scipio shortly," Vilikov says.
"Understood, Admiral," Collins says before cutting the transmission.
Within a few minutes, the calculations are made, and the three Terran warships make the jump to hyperspace.
(The Senate)
"It is with grave news I come before you. Count Dooku and his Separatist betrayers have manipulated us, my friends," Palpatine says as he addresses an emergency meeting of the Senate.
"The war must go to Scipio!" a Senator shouts.
"Clovis has been their puppet of deceit as the Separatist are currently invading Scipio," Palpatine continues
"We must stop them and secure the planet," Senator Kin Robb declares.
"We have handed the entire economic system over to Count Dooku," Senator Tills adds.
"We are doomed! Invade!" another Senator adds.
"Actions have already been taken. As a precaution, at the beginning of these proceedings, our allies in the Terran Alliance stationed a small task force near Scipio. A task force that is already en route to the planet. We will send aid, led by General Anakin Skywalker, to assist our Terran allies in taking the planet. The banks will be secured at all costs, and the Republic will not crumble!" Palpatine declares. Senators begin clapping in support.
(Scipio)
The three ships of the Terran task force drop out of hyperspace. Almost immediately, their turbolaser batteries open fire, as SA-10s, SF-15s, Su-36s, and SFA-18s take off from their hangar bays and streak towards the Separatist blockade.
At the same time, LAATs take off and head towards Scipio's surface, trying to avoid turbolaser fire. At the same time, two C-9979s are loading up with troops to be landed once a safe drop zone has been secured to help secure and occupy the planet.
As turbolaser bolts begin to strike the Separatist ships, the Terran fighters swoop in to engage. The Terran fighters fire a volley of missiles at approaching Vulture droids, then swoop in to attack the Separatist warships, firing anti-ship missiles and proton torpedoes. One squadron of fighters keeps a tight formation around the LAATs and a squadron of SA-10s as they escort them to the planet's surface.
On the bridge of the Vladivostok, Admiral Vilikov watches as explosions begin to wrack the Separatist ships. "Destroy them all," he mutters.
Suddenly, one of the Separatist ships, a Providence class dreadnought, begins to turn, and the other ships follow its example. As Vilikov realizes what is happening, the fleet jumps to hyperspace, leaving the Terran warships without targets.
Vilikov just stands there for several moments before he says, "Well. That just happened." He then turns to one of his communications officers and says, "Radio Colonel Mofaz. Let him know the Separatist ships have retreated, but they are to continue on to the planet and eliminate all Separatist ground forces."
In the lead LAAT, Colonel Mofaz is holding onto the straps hanging from the top of the gunship. In the gunship with him are men of the Israeli 35th Brigade.
Right then his commlink activates, and a voice says over it, "Colonel Mofaz, the Separatist fleet has retreated. However, your orders remain. Seize the bank facility and destroy all Separatist forces."
"Understood," Mofaz responds.
The gunships descend towards the main vault fortress. As they descend, the SA-10s streak ahead, along with several Su-36s, ready to clear the way.
A number of Vulture droids fly up to try and intercept the incoming force. The Su-36s fire a volley of SIM-120 missiles, downing all incoming Vultures. The su-36s surge ahead to engage the few remaining Vultures as the SA-10s fly in, strafing any Separatist target they can see with their 30mm cannons.
The LAATs descend to a landing platform. As their sides open up, Colonel Mofaz and the other men of the 35th Brigade storm out of them, firing their assault blasters at the droids up ahead.
As Colonel Mofaz and several of his comrades make their way forward, Colonel Mofaz gets on his commlink and says, "Lieutenant Collins. Captain Jones. Do you copy me?"
"We copy you, Colonel," Collins' voice responds.
"Do you have eyes on the Senator?" Mofaz asks.
"Affirmative. She's being held by Rush Clovis and two battle droids," Collins replies.
"Get her out of there," Mofaz says, firing his assault blaster at an incoming commando droid. With most of the droids destroyed, he and several Israelis troops race into the main fortress.
"Copy that," Collins says.
Up near the top of the fortress, the two slowly lower themselves on their extension cables. Both are wearing their armor.
The two lower into position, aiming their assault blasters at the two droids holding Padme. Setting them for just a brief burst, they wait. Finally, Padme takes a step towards Clovis, definitively getting her out of the line of fire. Both Collins and Jones pull the trigger, and their bolts destroy the two droids.
Both Clovis and Padme look surprised. Then, Mofaz and the three Israeli troops that accompanied him race into the room.
Mofaz ignites his lightsaber, twirling it in hand as the other three Israeli aim their weapons at Clovis "Surrender, Clovis. You're outnumbered here," Mofaz says.
Clovis looks at them with fear in his eyes. "Please. I am not the villain here. You've all been deceived. By Dooku," he says.
Mofaz looks at Clovis with narrowed eyes.
"What are you talking about, Clovis?" Mofaz asks.
Right then, outside, an Su-36 is pursuing one of the last few Vulture droids. Lining it up, he fires his two laser cannons, hitting the Vulture droid. In flames, the droid begins to fall from the sky, and slams into the fortress close to where they are.
The chamber they're standing in begin to cave in. One of the Israeli troops grabs Padme's hand while grabbing onto something fixed so they don't slide off. The other two Israeli troops fire off extension cables from their guns to also keep them from sliding.
Mofaz deactivates his saber as he begins to slip. As he does, he sees Clovis sliding towards the edge. He tries to get over to him, but before he can, Clovis slides over the edge and falls to his death.
Mofaz tries to stop himself, but at the last second, he loses his grip and falls over the edge as well. Thankfully, Collins spots him and flies down with his jetpack, catching Mofaz and taking him back down towards the ground.
As Mofaz and Collins land, Mofaz looks over to where Clovis' body is lying. Clovis' last words, plus this whole situation, have struck a real suspicion in Mofaz. Something is going on behind the scenes here.
(The Senate)
"It is clear to the Banking Clan that it was Rush Clovis who was behind the corruption that almost caused our collapse. In hope of a better tomorrow, we cede control of the banks to the office of the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic," the Muun representative declares to the Senate.
Cheers and applause echo through the Senate Hall. Palpatine stands and says, "It is with great humility that I take on this immense responsibility. Rest assured, when the Clone Wars end, I shall reinstate the banks as we once knew them, but during these treacherous times, we cannot in good conscience allow our money to fall under the manipulations of a madman like Count Dooku or Separatist control again. May there be prosperity and stability in all our Republic lands. May our people be free and safe. Love live the banks!"
From his position in one of the entrances into the Hall, Mofaz is watching the proceedings, his worry begins to grow. Something is not right. Something about the Chancellor is increasingly off. As the Senators continue to clap and cheer for Palpatine, Mofaz walks away. As he does, he activates his commlink straight the General Powell's office.
"General Powell. This is Colonel Mofaz. I have a report," he says.
And, I'll end there. I know, not my best chapter, but I tried to do it well.
I considered skipping the Banking Clan arc entirely, but I had to include it for a chapter I'm doing to work.
So, next chapter will be the second totally original chapter since I started covering the Clone Wars show. And, it is going to be a highly important one, and will affect Terran actions later in the story. I will post it tomorrow to celebrate the premiere of Season 7, which I hope you're excited for.
Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!