Chapter 18
"So you remember the plan right." Vos said watching the droid pilot the Strife into the planet's atmosphere. Fenrir stood beside his acolyte while Yuffie was putting on her helmet and going through her list before the pilot finds a nice place to avoid detection.
"I should be the one telling you that. Just hurry up and see if the Rakatan relics are there or not. Republic fleet may not be near this planet but they can get reinforcements here much faster than we can. I don't want to over stay our welcome and having to use our plan B."
"Don't worry, I'll confirm if the artifacts are real or not, before the clones over whelm you." Vos said before the shorter man punched him in the arm. "Ok now I will take my sweet time." Vos said before hearing Fenrir laugh a bit. "Never mind you might enjoy that."
Fenrir laughed a bit before becoming serious again. "But in all seriousness I sense some powerful Jedi awaits us."
"Oh since when were you afraid to fight a few Jedi. I remember how you and Grievous bragged about the battle of Hypori. But I understand Grievous is slowly showing signs of degeneration so he is not as great as he was then but you, well I guess you're just rusty. After all I think all those diplomatic missions have made you soft."
"Maybe, but what's your excuse?" With that said Quilan flinched as he remembered the little spar they had earlier. Fenrir managed to beat him in again. The fact that the smaller Acolyte's saber skills seem to keep evolving never ceased to amaze the former Jedi master. Each fight was always a little more difficult than the one before.
"Touché my friend." He said with his hands raised in surrender.
"I suggest you head to the shuttle Sir." The droids piloting the ship said to the dark Jedi. With that said the two rivals walked to the hanger. Discussing back up plans should one of them get captured. Or if the shuttle gets destroyed before the mission is done, and virtually anything wrong that happens before the mission is complete.
"You know as soon as we land the Jedi will sense us." Fenrir said, as they entered the hanger. Yuffie was currently sitting on the ramp of the shuttle waiting fully equipped with her armor. Even her helmet was on as she watched the two dark Jedi walk towards her.
"The shuttle is ready and the speeders are inside." She said in a professional attitude. Fenrir satisfied walked onto the ship Vos following close behind. Yuffie made her way to the cockpit as she took the pilot's seat and started to warm the engines of the Shuttle.
"As soon as we land, try to distract the republic for an hour. If the Information is right I will find the relics in half the time. If not I would need the full hour to try and find them." Quilan said, as he pointed to the comlinks he pulled out of his pockets. "Place this on your arm, and wait for the light to flash. If it flashes Red, we abort the mission; if it's yellow it means I'm in trouble. If it's green the mission is complete and we will regroup. By then this shuttle would hopefully remained hidden and we can leave with only a few Jedi Fighters after us."
Fenrir grabbed one of the comlinks and placed it over his Gauntlet watching how the magnets kept it snug in place. "Or a Jedi cruiser if you take too long." Fenrir said the tone slightly joking. When Yuffie's voice echoed through the ship's systems.
"And should the Shuttle be discovered and unable to reach?" The two passengers inside the shuttle smirked before Fenrir answered.
"Then we steal one of their ships and kill every clone and Jedi that gets in the way."
"Then they better hope they don't find this shuttle." The woman said, piloting the shuttle out of The Strife, and through the lower atmosphere of Dantooine. Only a minute passed before Quilan spoke again.
"Your right about those strong Jedi, I can sense…General Fair." Vos said with a little sadness. Quilan was to Zack what Obi wan was to Cloud, the closest friend Zack had in the Jedi temple. Luckily Fenrir had his mask on as Cloud eyes were closed as he mentally prepared himself to face his brother once again. Vos quickly recovered, "I also sense Skywalker, and a third Jed. But no Obi-wan, interesting."
Vos looked at Fenrir and for a moment he worried that Zack would die at this man's hands, and vice versa. During his time as a double agent Fenrir was the only Acolyte that truly respected and became friends with. The others usually trying to bully Vos or think that they are above him, while Fenrir acknowledge his skills and recognized him as an equal. 'Is it possible to convert Fenrir to the Light side? Is there a chance to save this man when I finish my job here?'
"You still see Zack Fair as your friend…Don't you?" Fenrir said as Vos eyes widened turning his head to face the dark pits that resembled eyes on Fenrir's mask. "I can sense the conflict from inside you. I will kill him given the chance; you won't have to face him again." There was a pregnant silence until Yuffie landed the ship the ramp deploying. Yuffie quickly got out and headed to her speeder unloading it and waiting outside. Vos felt himself sweating very slightly. He watched Fenrir got up and head over to his own speeder mounting it. "But I might not be able to harm him, after all I think all those diplomatic missions have made…. Soft." Fenrir said turning his head to meet Vos and watch how the taller man smirked in response, gratitude in his eyes.
'I don't think I can ever kill my brother. He may have betrayed me but, I can never bring myself to kill him over it.' Cloud thought to himself as he unloaded his seeder next to Yuffie's where the only female of the group was skimming over the surroundings with her scope. "Do you see anything?" Fenrir asked.
"Our information is right; the republic outpost is east of this position. But it seems they have a few transports heading further south of their position. Possibly to get supplies to the locals." The woman said as Vos unloaded his own speeder.
"Well now seems like the perfect chance for you to start that distraction." Vos said revving the engines to his speeder. Before speeding of to the coordinates of the relics due north.
"So do you want to sabotage the compound or do you want to intercept the land transports?" Yuffie asked jokingly already knowing the answer.
"Just make sure you set off the explosives when I give the command." Yuffie simply tapped the side of her helmet.
"Don't worry I will let you know when they are ready." She said reminding him of the radios in their helmets.
Republic compound Zack's Chambers.
Ann Fenn entered her master's quarters first followed by Anakin. "Master there's been a disturbance something dark has arrived." The Jedi General didn't move a single muscle for a few pregnant seconds before he opened his eyes. Luckily his padwan was standing behind him because his eyes showed a mixture of pain and worry. Standing up he put on a brave face as he turned to face the two younger Jedi.
"I felt it to, the reason I was stationed her was to make sure the Sith didn't come back."
"But it doesn't feel like Dooku." Skywalker spoke.
"It's because it's not, the sith don't deal with things directly, he sent….him." There was a short sign of anger within Zack's eyes that did not go unnoticed. Anakin knew who he was talking about. While Ann looked confused until a wave was sensed through the force. Ann was flashed an image of a helmeted man with a mask that made her shiver.
"What was that?" The teenage Jedi said, while the male Jedi trade glances.
"Fenrir, he is on his way." Zack said his emotions gone, his face as stoic as Mace Windu.
"Fenrir?" Ann asked confused worry in her voice at noticing her Master's face.
"Fenrir is the most dangerous assassin under Dooku." Anakin said.
"How dangerous is he?" She said nervous from the look of the more experienced Jedi.
"Do you know the main cause of death for Jedi padwan in this war?" Anakin said as Zack made his way to the exit.
"Many have died in battle." Ann said.
"True, but not by droids…They died because they tried to face Fenrir alone. Fenrir was the reason we lost the battle of Hypori, not Grievous." With that said Anakin left the room to follow Zack leaving Ann to worry. She heard of Hypori, Shaak-Ti, Obi-wan, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Zack Fair failed to capture Grievous because of one Assassin. But the file she said didn't have the assassin's name because she downloaded it in a hurry and didn't receive all the information.
Ann quickly left the room and made her way to the courtyard in front of the compound. Clones were seen running about some where mounting speeders and distributing munitions. She saw Zack and Anakin mounting their own speeders.
"Master where are we heading."
"Skywalker and I are going to take a squad of Clones to the transports, I Sense that's where the assassin is heading."
"Right I'll go get a speeder."
"Now hold on Ann. I said Skywalker and I are going. I will need you to help Commander Prime defend the compound. Just in case Fenrir brought a friend."
Ann nodded both disappointed and slightly relieved that her master chose for her t stay behind. She wanted to prove her worth in battle but she wasn't as confident to face an accomplished Jedi killer that had beaten her master before. She watched as her master and Anakin lead the squad of clones on the way to the transports. Her right hand subconsciously grasping her Light saber. 'May the force be with you master.' She said in her mind before turning around to help the Clones organize a defense against whatever could come.
Several miles away on the top of a small hill hidden by the tall grasses.
Yuffie had her Scope set to the furthest distance along with the built in scope of her helmet. With her trained eye she was able to notice several small dots leave the republic compound in great speeds. Assuming that the Republic has made their move, she activated the radio within her helmet.
"Fenrir the republic has sent reinforcements to your position I saw a squad of ten clones and possibly two Jedi." There was a short pause then static before she heard her master's voice.
"So they left a Jedi behind just in case… Be careful Yuffie I sense an unknown Jedi has stayed behind. Infiltrating the compound may be more difficult than we thought. I advise extreme caution." Yuffie smiled at that. Normally the last few missions she spent on with Fenrir he didn't worry about her situation normally he wouldn't advise anything. No matter how bad the situation seemed.
"Don't worry about little ol' me darling, infiltration is my specialty." She said.
"Please don't remind me." Yuffie smiled even more after that. Glad that instead of ignoring her that Fenrir had actually joked back. 'Little by little I will break down your walls and then we can begin our real relationship.'
Republic transports.
Fenrir stood waiting for the transports to get closer. His speeder hidden above the small cliff that stood perpendicular to the main route that the transports are taking to the nearby settlements. Only a small portion of his conscience felt guilty for what he was about to do. Destroying the resources that the people nearby desperately need. It's a good thing this is the last of the shipments, so the people could get by if they rationed what they already have a little more strictly. Besides this is only to spread the republic forces thin while Yuffie and Cloud buy time for Vos. Fenrir used the scope within his helmet, the dark spots in his eyes glowing a golden yellow as he enhanced his scope to get a visual on the transports.
"Well it seems that there is only a single squad of five AT-RTs acting as an escort for the land transports." Fenrir's eye's powered down to their original dark pits of nothingness. "Luckily I got enough explosives to take them all out at once." He said as he looked to his side below the cliff to the seemingly peaceful grass from below. But if one looked carefully in between the blades of grass when the wind blows you could see a small blinking red light signifying that it was a mine field.
Fenrir took a moment to look into the bag that was securely attached to his speeder; he counted two bombs and three thermal detonators. Reaching inside he detached a smaller Tauntaun skin bag. The skin, once scaled, is smooth and sturdy, making the bag wear and tear resistant. Most people use the basic leather or hide for these pouches but Cloud and his army of Avalanche pirates heard about the creatures of the ice planet Hoth and have set up a small base on the remote planet. Other than another secure location they have new training grounds to practice battle in a harsh winter environment, while the Wampas prove to be a dangerous prize for big game.
Fenrir noticed the transports where getting a lot closer so he chose to lie prone. Using the grass to stay hidden, Fenrir carefully awaited for the Transports and their escort to be within the center of the minefield. 'Alright Jedi, I hope you like fireworks.'
Several miles away.
"General we are closing in to the transport." Said the sergeant, "We should be…" A huge explosion was heard in the distance as smoke soon began to rise in the direction they were heading. The clone shook his head in shock. "You don't think it was."
"Were too late." Zack said ominously. "We'll have to make sure he doesn't get away." With that said the clones and Skywalker fell in line behind Zack. It didn't take long for the Jedi and clones to arrive at the site of the explosion all they saw were pieces and parts of the transports and its escort lying around on fire. The grass in the area either has been burnt or is spreading the revenants of the explosion in a ring of fire. The bodies of clone troopers lay still their armor burnt and debris sticking out of parts of their armor.
"Why would Dooku do this? He is only hurting the people of this planet." The clone sergeant said aloud.
"He probably wants to make the galaxy think about the cost of a republic victory." Anakin said with disgust.
Zack looked around the wreckage to try and find any survivor when he saw a single life form meditating in the center of the dead field. "Fenrir'" Zack said the clones stopped their search once they heard through the radio that Zack found their target. The clones set a semi circle around the Assassin's back while Zack faced the meditating dark Jedi. Anakin soon flanking the Jedi master.
"By order of the galactic republic you are to be taken as..." The clone was cut off as he and his brothers where lifted into the air being choked by the force. Zack and Anakin ignited their light sabers immediately as the former Jedi stood up. "Let the grownups do the talking tank spawn." Fenrir said flicking his right hand in a dismissing action throwing the clones back a few meters before they slowly made their way back on their feet glad to be breathing again. Zack was glad to see the clones were alright but never dropped his guard for He knew the man was one of the most powerful force users he met. Fenrir is just toying with them right now.
"You said let the grownups talk, what you are playing at Assassin." Anakin said.
"Well I guess you are a grown up compared to the clones. But my intentions are to speak with my dear friend General Fair." Anakin's brow twitched in irritation, as the clones now regained their composer switching their blasters to kill at a moment's notice.
"What makes you think I want to talk to you?" Zack said to the man behind the masked helm.
"Considering I spared the lives of five clones instead of killing them on the spot I think I deserve at least five minutes of talking in a civilized manner. You know a minute per clone's life. "The cloaked figure said holding his hands behind his back, over his robes so the clones could verify he was not reaching for a weapon.
"Fine but your five minutes has started from the moment you spared the clones lives." Zack said deactivating his weapon drawing looks of confusion from Anakin and the clones. But they soon followed Zack's actions Anakin replacing his weapon on his belt while the clones stopped aiming at him but holding the blaster rifles in the arms.
"Just take a moment to bask in the force. Listen to the planets breath, the Light side of the force is overwhelming on this planet." Zack watched as the dark Jedi sat back down to meditate, and soon copied his actions while Anakin never let his guard down and stayed at the ready. "The Jedi used to have a temple here, and you could feel the impact they had on this world." Zack realized what Fenrir said was true while Anakin wondered how the Assassin gained knowledge that Dantooine held a Jedi temple at one point; the information was solely in the Jedi archives on Coruscant. And he knew that Cloud was not the scholar type.
"But if you focus deeper you can feel it also has some of the darkest imprints of the dark side. No matter how light the force of the planet feels the dark side always dwells from the shadows, just as the dark side consumes the planet but somewhere guarded safely the light can still shine. There can't be one without the other. There has to be balance." Zack already felt this in his previous meditations and now opened his eyes.
"What are you getting at assassin?"
"If the Jedi preach about bringing balance to the galaxy, why are they afraid of the dark side, why do they shun it's teachings. When balance could only be achieved when one studies both the light and the dark."
Zack eyes widened at what the assassin was implying, but Anakin voiced his opinion. "The dark side leads to corruption and pain to all who use it. Once one falls victim to it, they become the dark sides slave."
"And the Light leads to a false sense of security and hubris. The Jedi have no right to claim that they bring balance. You thought you had this galaxy safe while the corruption of the republic bleeds out the life of its people. And Despite the Jedi's numbers the Dark side and the sith have enough power to not only rival but decimate the numbers of the Jedi. How many sith have fallen in this war compared to the Jedi. I alone killed more Jedi than the republic has killed sith." Anakin was stunned at the tone that Fenrir used, gone was the calm collected tone he used before and now was the angered passionate response that a teacher would use to try and make a student to get their butts into gear.
"The Sith have stuck to their ways making them just as strong as ever, if not stronger. While the Jedi have become so adjusted to the light they are blind to what goes on in the shadows. You have yet to locate the second sith for that reason as he plots his plans right in the face of the republic. Instead you focus on playing his little game fighting a war that he benefits from on a daily bases. You think you're doing well but you are doing exactly as Darth Sidious plans. The Jedi have become merely puppets, toys that he brought out so his apprentice can play in the playground we call a war."
"You lie, everyone knows the sith are liars" Anakin said the doubt clearly in his tone.
"Ponder on what I have said, and you will realize this is all a stage. This war is only the introduction of the sith's plans. General Fair Sidious fears you, and your brother Cloud. That is why he made Dooku kill his former apprentice. You are an unexpected variable, with enough potential to become the next Jedi grand master. That's why I'm telling you this; Sidious has become so powerful, that the Jedi will not win this war, The Jedi will fall and Yoda will fail. You hold the future of the Jedi is in your hands that is why I am here." Fenrir said standing his light sabers falling into his hands causing the Clones to raise their blasters, and Anakin to ignite his.
Zack stood up reaching for his own weapon but not igniting it yet. "I am the best assassin count Dooku has at his demand, and his master wants you dead." After Fenrir said that he and Zack turned on their weapons.
"Your five minutes are up. Surrender now and you will have a fair trial." Zack said.
"Sadly I have plans of my own and I can't see them through in the republic prison."
"Then we will have to force you to surrender." There was a small silence and every one flinched when Fenrir raised a hand to the side of his helmet.
"My lord the bombs are set waiting for your command to start the fire works." Fenrir projected the radio sound so everyone heard.
Fenrir enjoyed the panic in their eyes, "Let's give the Jedi a light show they won't soon forget." And within moments the sky back where the Jedi came from was stained by a flash of bright light and a smoky haze. A small amount of vibration was felt though the ground and seconds later the sound of an explosion whispered above the dying embers of the flames that were around the field. Anakin and Zack looked towards the explosion in shock and worry. But quickly turned back to face Fenrir when the sound of blaster fire went off.
What they saw was all the clones lifted in the air and the sound of their necks breaking as Fenrir twisted his own neck gaining a few less lethal cracks of his own. The bodies of the clones fell to the ground limp. "Tell me do you think the survivors can handle my companion, she has a record of killing clones easily, and have tangled with a fair share of Jedi before."
The two Jedi shared a look one full of anger the other worry. "Anakin head back to the compound, Ann isn't ready to take on someone on this caliber."
"Master surely commander Prime and Padwan Fenn can hold her of long enough; no Jedi should face Fenrir alone."
"It's an order Anakin, besides I have a score to settle." Fenrir let the padwan go having faith that his lover can hold against the clones and two padwans. 'If the third Jedi turned out to be a master I would have pushed past these guys and cancel the mission.' Fenrir looked at the comlinks he had on his gauntlet the green light switched to yellow meaning Vos needs more time.
"You made a mistake blowing up the compound; the nearest republic cruiser will come within the hour to check on why the outpost has gone silent." Zack said.
Leaving Fenrir to think to himself, 'Time is wasting Vos hurry up.' And just like that the two brothers engaged in single combat. Zack believing the Assassin is trying to kill him while the other hopes to buy enough time.
Republic compound a minute before the explosion.
Ann Fenn was walking side by side Commander Prime running the last check up on the perimeter. They walked to the make shift barrier of crates where a few clones were hiding behind waiting for any sign of the enemy. "Any signs of clanckers corporal?"
One of the two clones turned to face his Commander, "No sir nothi..." That's when the explosions went off the entire compound burst into a ball of flames. The shockwave of the explosion knocked every person outside the building to their feet, and those who didn't go up in flames, got killed by the shockwave if they were to close or got crushed under debris. Ann slowly got up looking around, her ears ringing as she saw a few clones dragging unconscious and other injured to any surviving medic.
"Who could this have happened, Prime." Ann said before realizing Prime was not standing next to her, worried she turned around to see that he was trapped under a piece of debris along with the other two clones. Prime was not moving and seemed to look the worst.
"Don't worry commander Fenn, Prime is still alive just unconscious. Scribe and I are ok as well but we could use some help getting free." The corporal said.
"Right give me a second." Using the force she raised the piece of debris and the clones where able to get up. "Bring prime to me I'm trained in the medical ways of the force." Sure enough they brought her the commander, as she used the force to check on his wounds and heal him. "It's nothing serious just a few bruises. He will be back up soon."
A blaster shot rang out and one of the medics working on an injured clone had a hole drilled in the center of his visor. Ann quickly ignited her light sabers and ran to deflect the next shots saving the lives of the wounded as the other clones dragged them to a safer location. "Get the wounded somewhere safe. As soon as the others are safe those who can still fight comeback here!" She shouted and sure enough the ten healthy clones dragged out the rest of the wounded with the medics.
"You know when I heard there was a third Jedi I thought you might have been older." Sure enough a woman in green armor stood out of the tall grasses her armor shifting back to the default color of gray. She had a blaster rifle resting on her shoulder.
Ann stood in a defensive form as she glared into the visor of the woman, 'her armor has the ability to blend in with the surroundings. So is that how she was able to sneak by us all and plant the bombs?' "There was civilians in the building you monster!"
The woman shrugged, "All is fair in love and war. People die in war little girl, both combatants and non combatants."
"Still why would you do this, what have you to gain."
"I just do what I get paid to do, kiddo. That's what mercenaries do."
"So you would take credits over the lives of civilians. You make me sick."
"Well the credits are good, but I'm mainly here because someone that I love depends on me to get this done. I believe he is out there fighting the other Jedi."
Ann eyes widened as she made a connection. "Your fight us just because you love Fenrir? The man is a murder and a crook." With that said Ann founder herself deflecting a few more blaster bolts, but they came in such quick succession some of them made it past her defense and caused some minor burns.
"Fenrir may be merciless on the battle field but to the people he cares for he is our guardian. Our provider, protector, and my beloved. I will kill you slowly for insulting his name." Yuffie said replacing the rifle on her back and pulling out two large Knifes that were made of Gaian gold. 'Being the girlfriend of a Gaian noble. And the Friend of the king's older brother was definitely a major benefit.' Yuffie thought to herself. As she used the jets on her feet to close the distance between herself and the Jedi.
