Now the moment of truth in regards to Echo's fate. Anyone want to take a guess on who the traitor in the republic military is? Go on, I won't mind if you get it right.

Disclaimers are the same as before, enjoy.

Chapter 9: Counter Attack

July 28th 2018, 21BBY

The Citadel, Lola Sayu

1505 hours

Normal point of view

Getting inside the citadel undetected was easy. Getting out was proving to be difficult.

Ever since they rescued the officers from their cell, the droid forces were constantly on their heels pursuing them like sharks drawn to blood. Robert knew this and couldn't help but wonder how the droids were able to learn of their presence.

From what Cassie told him about the prisons warden, he was cruel and showed great pleasure in torturing his captives. Hell, the bastard even spent a little extra time interrogating Cassie more than Master Piel. Turns out Tarkin had let it slip that she had the other part of the nexus route. That was a lie to save his own skin.

Since he heard of this, Robert's trust of Tarkin began to lessen with every step forward towards the extraction point, which was a pipeline.

As he asked himself the question of what Tarkins true intentions were and why he let his Aunt be taken instead of him, Anakin contacted R2 and ordered his droid squad to meet them at the pipeline pick up point after they picked up Obi-Wan and his group.

Scanning the area ahead of them with his rifle, Robert checked for any droid activity before giving the rest of the group a thumbs up stating the area was clear.

"I don't understand it General Skywalker. Why would the most advanced weapon and armor in the republics arsenal be in the hands of a child who will not even let the military analyze them so that more may be built?" Tarkin asked as he followed closely behind Anakin.

"Its because of the traitor in military and the senate." Anakin began turning back towards Master Piels captain. "While his weapon and armor are both powerful and strong, if the spy got their hands on the plans for them both it would give the separatists an extra advantage over us. They have been able to get a hold of our plans and have recently acquired the walker prototypes that were going to be tested." Anakin added before turning around.

"But this boy is a child. He is not military material and seems to only focus on keeping the best equipment for himself." Tarkin countered before Cassie got in front of him. "The kid is a warrior at heart. He choose to fight to protect the people that have been affected by this war. This isn't about equipment, its about doing the right thing." Cassie reprimanded him before following the rest of the team. 'You don't know how close the traitor is, mercenary scum.' Tarkin said to himself before following them, once again staring at Ahsoka's figure.

Meanwhile inside the citadel, droids continued their search for Obi-Wan and his group.

As a group of super battle droids and a mouse droid moved on to the next sector, from above in the ventilation system Obi-Wan, Cody, Longshot, Piel, Ray and the others began to climb up a passage that would get them as close to the landing pad as possible.

Shortly after contacting R2s squad, Cody came face to face with a probe droid. Master Piel leapt of the walls, destroying the droid but not quick enough for it sent a signal to the other droids and the security doors began to close. Obi-Wan, Piel, Cody, Ray and Longshot made it out of the way of the doors, but one of the naval officers didn't make it in time and was cut in half.

Back in prisons command center, Osi was monitoring all possible escape routes the Jedi could take when his tactical droid informed him that Count Dooku was waiting for him in the transmission center. "Count Dooku, my lord how unexpected." Sobeck began before Dooku interrupted him. "You may cease the propriety commander Sobeck. I understand there is a problem with the Jedi prisoner?" The count asked.

"An incursion team attempted to rescue the prisoner, but thanks to our spy the situation is being taken care of now. As for the information, we have not acquired it yet but we will have it soon. With this information, we can use it to launch a direct attack on the capital of the republic, for which we can then…" Sobeck stated before Dooku once again interrupted him. "You are to cease searching for the prisoners." Dooku demanded.

"My lord?" Sobeck said in confusion. "I have thought about this matter for some time since Scarif. The only way for this war to end is not with battles, but through peace. It is what my former padawan would want and it's what I want. There has been too much death and suffering on both sides of the war, it is true the republic isn't perfect but to keep the galaxy divided in two will only lead to more death. Let the prisoners escape or I will be forced to take matters into my own hands." Dooku ordered the warden before ending his transmission.

Slamming his fist against the wall, Osi growled. "The only way for this war to end is with a separatist victory. Peace has no meaning if we can't be allowed to live in a galaxy not plagued by corruption." He said before grabbing his tactical droid by the neck. "Don't ever surprise me with a transmission from Count Dooku. I need time to prepare!" Sobeck demanded.

On Serrano, Dooku walked towards his desk and once again watched the recording of him and Linda when she was just learning how to walk. "These are the days I miss. If she were here, then I wouldn't be the leader of the separatists." He said to himself before remembering Sobeck said. "Who is this spy that the commander mentioned?" he asked himself.

Roberts point of view

That probe droid would have alerted the separatists to our location had Anakin sliced it apart with his saber while the rest of us acted as bait. A good plan and yet I hated being used like a meerkat trying to distract hyena's.

"I am beginning to admire the design of this fortress. Its rather formidable to evade." I heard Tarkin say aloud. "How can you admire such a horrible place?" Ahsoka asked the captain, confused. "Ah, you reveal your shortsightedness. This ordeal only demonstrates how effective facilities like this are, pity it ended up in separatist hands." Tarkin stated.

"Only someone with a really fucked up hobby would admire a hellhole like this." I retorted, but Tarkin kept on walking to the pipeline, ignoring me. "The captain may have a point." Anakin said walking up to us to which Ahsoka looked at him in disbelief. "I said 'may' have a point. Come on Ahsoka, I need you and Robert to lead the group. Keep following the tunnel, I will catch up." Anakin said to us.

"HEY! Where are you going?" I asked. "Obi-Wans not here so someone needs to protect our flank." Anakin explained. "I guess it's a good thing I tagged along after all." Ahsoka said with a smile. "You just keep telling yourself that." I said to myself.

After walking for a while I heard Tarkin stating his opinon again, this time on Ahsoka. "I am concerned that the Jedi have elected these children to lead us." He said to Rex.

"I've served with them many times and I trust them completely." Rex said to Tarkin. "Is it because of their actions or because of your interest in General Cage? Need I remind you captain, that she is a mercenary and the only thing people like her care about is money. Besides, you're a clone falling in love is not something you were made for. Your sole purpose in this war is to follow the orders you were given." Tarkin said, disgusted by Rex and Cassies relationship.

Naturally, this pissed me off and I was about to step in and sucker punch the guy when Cassie got in front of him. "Listen dickhead, you're the one who told the droids I had the other half of the Nexus route coordinates and not you. You said that only to save yourself. As for me and Rex, that is none of your business. I don't care if he is a clone, I love him for who he is. We mercenary's follow our own code, and me and the others, we don't care about money. So, either get that through your head or go fuck yourself." Cassie said before adding, "I outrank you, Captain Tarkin."

"Uh-oh." I heard Ahsoka say before running up to her and finding that we had arrived at a dead end. "Well shit." I cursed.

Normal point of view

While Robert and Ahsoka found themselves in an awkward predicament, Artoo and his squad landed the shuttle at the landing pad. Dual turbo laser turrets tracked the ship as it landed and waiting for them wasn't Obi-Wan, but the Tactical droid in charge of the Citadel.

Knowing that they couldn't wait for to long, R2's droids make it like they captured R2 as a prisoner and gained access to the prison. As he and his allies stood in the turbolift, he bumped OOM-10 lightly, demanding an explanation. "Sorry commander, just wanted to foul them." OOM-10 explained before asking R2 for his next set of orders.

R2 realized that if he and his squad weren't at the shuttle, then Obi-Wan and his group could be walking into a trap and ordered his unit to contact them.

Back in the tunnel, Ahsoka and the others were at a loss of what to do next. "LOOK OUT!" Fives shouted. Three super battle droids began to open fire on them. Activating her saber, Ahsoka began to deflect the enemy fire away while the others took cover by the tunnel wall. Rex downed one of the supers while Robert downed another before Anakin sliced the last one apart.

Soon citadel commando droids with riot shields arrived and began to fire. Anakin, a little furious that Ahsoka didn't blow the wall began to question whether Master Plo really did assign her to the mission, stating that she should have known to blow the wall.

Robert however, leapt into the air and taking his green saber from his belt cut all five droids in half before Ahsoka arrived holding two grenades she was going to use to take down the droids. As the wall exploded and an exit was created.

Meanwhile, having spotted their escape route but not seeing R2 Obi-Wan decided it would be better for them to get a better view of the shuttle incase this was a trap. Ray on the other hand decided that he take Longshot and the three other troopers with him and stay here incase R2 returned while Obi-Wan and Master Piel went to get a better view with Cody and the others.

This proved to be a mistake for no sooner had Obi-Wan contacted Anakin, Sobeck responded instead and soon found themselves surrounded by turrets, crab droids and commando droids leaving them with no choice but to surrender.

While this was going on, Anakin and his group arrived at the pipe and soon began to climb up the extraction point. "Remember don't use your lights and lock your weapons. The slightest electronic pulse could ignite this whole tube. Robert, Cassie your weapons should be safe, but you better lock the BFG." Anakin said to his men and suggested. "I hope someone tells the droids that." Tarkin pointed out, which pissed Robert off even more.

As they made there way through the pipe, Robert once again sensed the death of one of the survivors of Piels fleet but pressed on knowing that in war people die and you can't save them all. Climbing up the ladder in the pipe, he watched Ahsoka climb the outer part of the ladder and smiled underneath his helmet. "Whether she was assigned to the mission or not, I am glad she is here." He said to himself before rejoining the others.

"You lack faith in the Jedi?" he heard Anakin say to Tarkin. "I their tactics ineffective. The Jedi code prevents them from going far enough to achieve victory, to do whatever it takes to win, the very reason why peacekeepers should not be leading a war." Tarkin said, covering his nose from the rotten smell of the pipe.

His words caused Anakin to glare at him. "Have I offended you?" Tarkin asked. "No, but sometimes I find that there are some Jedi who are willing to do whatever it takes, but usually ends with a lot casualties. Our methods are in place to prevent us from turning into warmongers like many separatists are." Anakin responded, Just as Ahsoka signaled she found the exit.

Back at the landing pad, Ray checked his P99s before returning them to his holsters and was about to contact Obi-Wan when Longshot came over to him. "General, your going to want to see this." The trooper said, handing Ray the electro binoculars. "Those droids are heading for Skywalkers position, I think the pick-up has been compromised."

"I can see that and I don't like it. Can we raise them?" Ray asked. "We can't sir, if we contacted them and they are still inside the pipe the whole thing could explode." Another trooper explained. "Guess we let them handle it." Ray said quietly as he spotted Obi-Wan and the remaining survivors of his group approach the shuttle with R2's squad. "Take up positions and wait for my signal." He ordered.

At the pipeline, Ahsoka had opened the hatch and reported that Obi-Wan and R2 weren't waiting for them. The sound of a droids blaster cocking caused Robert to leap into the air, exiting the pipe as Ahsoka destroyed the two droids that surrounded her. As Robert landed on the pipe, both of them saw a small platoon of droids with a couple of crab droids for support approaching them before they opened fire.

"We got to go!" Ahsoka declared as she began to deflect enemy weapons fire away from the pipe as Robert fired his rifle. Naturally, Tarkin objected to the idea but after being remined that it was better than hiding in a fuel line he followed suit.

Sliding down the other side of the pipe, Cassie took up position and fired her XM8 at the droids downing three of them with burst of 5.56mm gunfire. "The plan's compromised, the shuttle's not coming." Tarkin stated over the roar of weapons fire, hiding a small grin. "Great, the traitor strikes again." Robert added as he fired his rifle at two approaching STAP's coming in from nine 'o'clock high, downing them both and emptying his weapons current magazine.

"Throw me a charge." Anakin shouted to Rex who tossed him a grenade which he then threw into the pipe, closing the lid and getting the droids to look down as the pipe exploded, taking the droids with them. "Come on, time for Plan B." Anakin stated as he walked over a broken crab droid.

"There's a 'Plan B'?" Tarkin asked in surprise. "There's always a back up plan. It looks were going to have to meet Obi-Wan at R2's position." Cassie said as she followed the rest of the unit, none of them seeing Tarkins face turn red with anger.

Cassie's point of view

The moment we arrived at the landing pad it was perfectly clear why the shuttle didn't meet us at the pickup point.

Even from far away we could hear the sounds of blaster fire and the clanking of battle droids. Taking aim with my carbine I fired a single shot at one of the droids manning one of the turrets knocking it out of commission as we rejoined Obi-Wans group.

"The ship is surrounded." Ahsoka pointed out. "No kidding." Robert retorted before taking one of the remaining detonators and lobbed it at one of the crab droids. "Suppressing fire." He shouted to Echo and Fives as he reattached his Morita to his back and pulled out his BFG in rifle mode.

"We need to launch a full-frontal assault and take that vessel." Tarkin stated.

"We may have a bigger problem: those turrets. If we don't take them out they will use them to destroy the shuttle and prevent our escape." Obi-Wan remined the captain as Robert sprayed the droids with a barrage of plasma fire. "Not to mention they have us pinned down, we can't move up with out getting our asses shot off." My nephew added as one R2's reprogramed droids was destroyed.

"Which is precisely why we should get aboard that shuttle and use the weapon system to decimate those droids." Tarkin argued. I knew he lacked faith in the Jedi, but even he should know we couldn't do a thing with those guns still online.

"Whatever we're going to do, we better do it fast." Anakin commented as STAP's came in from 2'o'clock high guns blazing. Activating their sabers, our Jedi generals began to deflect the enemy weapons fire back at the droids.

Master Piel leapt into the air and sliced one of the droids causing its STAP to crash into some crates while Anakin leapt into the air, kicked the droid operating the vehicle off and began to use it against the droids himself.

While Fives provided covering fire, Echo lobbed a grenade at one of the Crab droids destroying it while Anakin lured the remaining STAP away for our position. I watched as Ray used his DSA 58 and sniped one of the droids on another one of the turrets before turning his attention to a new threat, Commando droids with riot shields.

Once again, Fives provided covering fire while Echo lobbed another grenade at the droids. One of the droids dropped its shield and leapt up to the unoccupied turret. "Generals. That droids manning the turret, its going to try and blow up the shuttle." Echo reported.

Anakin and Piel who had leapt onto Anakin's 'borrowed' STAP tried to strafe the turret but were shot down. "Echo, Fives, flank left and distract the droids attention!" Robert shouted as he loaded a new power pack into his rifle.

"No, they need to attack the turret head on and get to the shuttle. Take it now!" Tarkin argued. "The captains right, this is our only chance, we've got to stop him." Echo said before he rushed forwards, picked up one of the fallen riot shields and sprinted towards the shuttle. This however caused the turret to track him. "ECHO LOOK OUT!" Fives shouted also catching Roberts attention. Throwing down his weapon, Robert sprinted forwards with all the energy he had and tackled Echo to the ground just as the shuttle exploded sending a piece of wreckage hitting the turret.

"ECHO! /ROBERT!" Fives and I shouted at the same time, both of us thinking they were dead. "IT TAKES MORE THAN A TURRET TO KILL ME!" I heard Robert shout as he and Echo ran back to us. "We have to go. Cassie, You, Ray and Robert lay down covering fire and follow us as soon as possible." Obi-Wan instructed.

"Got it sir." I replied as I handed Rex my carbine and the ammo for it. I taught him a bit of firearms usage before I was assigned to accompany Piel and he knew how to handle everything up to a machine gun. As the others began to fall back, I unslung my M960A and gathered at Roberts position with Ray and cocked our weapons. "Lets kick some ass." I stated as more droids exited the prison.

Normal point of view

(Diamond Eyes begins)

Firing a burst of 9mm fire at the incoming droids, Cassie downed four battle droids with twenty rounds before returning to cover behind the crate she was using as cover. Firing her gun overhead, she blinded fired and knocked out three more droids emptying her current magazine. Loading a fresh helical magazine into her weapon, she took out a grenade and lobbed it at the droids scoring a total of seven kills with one grenade.

A crab droid exited with the next group of droids and it took her an entire magazine to bring the thing down. As she reloaded her submachine gun, a pair of commando droids approached from the right flank and fired at her.

Quickly, she threw down her submachine guns, pulled out her Desert Eagles and dived to the left, firing both of her .44 magnum pistols at the droids gunning them down with two shots each before she turned and the remaining rounds in her pistols at ten more B1's scoring ten more kills.

Ray began to fire his own rifle in short automatic bursts at the droids and downed about five of them before he reloaded his weapon. When he finished he saw that more droids had arrived. "Fall back!" he shouted as he fired a burst of 7.62mm fire at a super battle droid knocking it out while Robert recovered his BFG and the three then left the landing area.

They hadn't gotten very far from the landing pad when Obi-Wan transmitted their coordinates, a small cave system several clicks from the prison. "We can't go anywhere until we lose these metalheads." Robert shouted as he fired his Morita in a long burst gunning down several droids without even letting go of the trigger until his weapons magazine was dry.

"I don't have any grenades." Ray shouted, firing his rifle at a group of three commando droids. "Robert, use the launcher mode." Cassie shouted as she loaded her twin pistols and fired both of them at a single crab droid.

"Cover your ears. Or better yet cover your ass, FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Robert shouted charging up his launcher and fired a big ball of plasma at the droids. The projectile hit the lead crab droid and destroyed it, the explosion taking the remaining droids with it. "Lets get out of here." Robert stated as the group left the wrecked remains of droids behind them.

(Diamond Eyes Ends)

A little while later, after successfully evading droid patrols the trio arrived at the teams hiding location. Spotting Tarkin sitting on one of the rocks, Robert casually walked up to the captain and punched him right in the face. "YOU BASTARD! WE LOST OUR WAY OFF THIS FUCKING ROCK BECAUSE OF YOUR PLAN TO RUSH THE SHUTTLE!" Robert shouted as Tarkin held his bruised face.

"You struck a superior officer. I should have you court-martialed if it weren't for your outstanding service record." Tarkin stated before Robert grabbed him by the jewels. "LET ME GET ONE THING CLEAR MOTHERFUCKER. THE NAVY IS YOUR JURISTICTION, THE ARMY IS MINE. YOU DON"T KNOW GROUND COMBAT LIKE WE DO, EITHER FOLLOW THE PROGRAM OR STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY OR NEXT TIME I WILL CASTRATE YOU!" Robert threatened the captain before finally letting go of Tarkins nuts.

"Fighting amongst ourselves, won't change the fact that we need to head to the secondary pick up point. Unless we get off this rock, the information is useless to the Republic if we are stuck here." Rex stated, breaking up the argument that was about to occur.

"That is the trap of the citadel. It was designed so that it would be impossible for fugitives to get off the surface, even if they escape the tower." Obi-Wan stated. "Lucky we're not just any fugitives." Anakin remarked.

"I hope your right." Piel said as the group began to long trek to the secondary evac point, none of the noticing Tarkin take his code cylinder and press the bottom of it before returning it to his breast pocket.

Part 2 of the citadel arc completed, one more to go. Like how I kept Echo alive? I know I did since I am writing the story.

Please rate and review and I will see you all next time.