Chapter 7: Detained Once Again

Third Person

Obi-Wan Kenobi is preparing to give his report about the new Separatist General Rommel with what little information he could find. He was prepared to give his findings to the council. Those present are Masters Yoda, Windu, Gallia, and Mundi. The rest are elsewhere in the galaxy either fighting or stationed on ships however their holograms are in their respective chairs.

Obi-Wan's POV

Masters, I must apologize for the lack of information however, we are facing a grave threat that threatens the Republic and many other systems could fall within his grasp. Master Yoda said "About this threat, tell us." I continued on showing the council the face of our new adversary "From what little information I gathered, this is Mason Rommel." Master Adi Gallia looked shocked and said "Master Kenobi, are you certain that who we're facing is him." I looked back at Master Gallia questionably "Yes, I am certain of it, why"? Master Gallia relaxed before answering "During the Occupation of Kharthakk, I know a man named Mason Rommel. He was my Captain that served under me including the Coruscant volunteers. He was born on Coruscant and I heard him mentioning about having a girlfriend. I do not remember her name. He was a brilliant tactician and strategist. He was also capable of creating a defensive position within seconds of being attacked by the enemy. He will continuously lead his troops near the front because he firmly believes in leading through example. He was very loyal to the troops he fought beside and showed almost fanatical loyalty to me during the campaign. He can rally up demoralized troops within seconds."

Everyone, including me, was surprised. We were facing off against a general that can not only bypass our defenses, but also inspire loyalty to him. Separatist have gotten someone of high value. Someone that could overrun us if he was given command a battle group. Jedi Master Luminara said "What is his greatest weakness"? Master Gallia replied "He was known to tire himself out. He would continuously stay up for many days and nights until he drops. Another weakness is his constant attacks usually leaves him vulnerable of getting surrounded." I nodded. "I must meditate more to see if I remember any other weaknesses he possessed. This war has preoccupied my mind, I must of forgotten about him and the others." "I see."

I scratched my beard thinking of other means to defeat him. To see that his only to weaknesses are getting surrounded and his slight insomnia. Before I could say anything, Master Gallia said "Master Kenobi, are you certain that this is our Separatist threat." I showed her a picture of him on Ryloth. I sensed great distress from her. I asked "Is there a problem, Master"? She nodded yes "Yes Master Kenobi, I have worked with this man before and his loyalty to the Republic was unshakable. He was a great soldier and he cares deeply for the civilians and his soldiers. The thought of betraying the Republic was unheard of for him. I need to see him for myself to understand what changed." I nodded back to her, understanding the situation she was in.

Before we could continue, Master Luminara said "I am sorry Masters, however we seemed to receive a distress signal from Rodia. Apparently, Viceroy Gunray is there and he has captured the senator." Yoda nodded "Yes, go to Rodia, you must. Capture Viceroy Gunray, you will. End the war, this will." "Understood master, may the force be with you." She bowed before she exited.

Master Gallia says to me "Master Kenobi, what do we do with him, if we were to capture him"? Master Windu speaks up "Since he was born on Coruscant, he will stand trial as a Republic citizen. He will most likely be charged with treason and sedition against the Republic." She nodded her head in comprehension. "I agreed, we must capture the general as fast as we can in order to cripple the Separatist fighting machine and win the war."

We continued to discuss about our next moves against him, if we were ever facing off against him with Master Gallia pointing out some ways to trap him. We have been discussing for an hour until we received a transmission from Master Luminara "Masters, we have not only captured Viceroy Gunray, but also General Rommel"! I nodded "I see, well head back to Coruscant, with any luck we could end this war once and for all." Master Luminara bowed back before the hologram dissipated. We all had one thought in our minds and we could all sense it, the war could end soon.

Few minutes earlier

Rommel's POV

I stormed off from the senator's cell in anger. First, she calls me a traitor, then she tries to convince me to come back to the Republic. Okay, calm down Mason, she didn't know better, just calm down, a walk would do you good. As I slowed my pace and started to walk, I realized I shouldn't of yelled at her. What I did was uncalled for. I decided to go return back to her and apologize. I also said I would free her so I might as well do that. As I headed back to the cell, I heard several droids saying a Jedi is here on Rodia. I immediately quickened my pace, knowing all too well that if a Jedi is here, it means trouble for Nute Gunray, the senator, and myself. I found her cell, but I saw three blasted droids outside her cellI checked inside the cell and saw the last droid that were suppose to guard her was destroyed. She is a crafty senator. Her escape shows great resilience, I will give her that. I immediately ran towards the bottom of the prison so I would be prepared to meet her.

As I am making my way down, I started to hear blaster fire. That was probably the senator if she is as crafty as I think she is. I got outside and I saw the senator getting pinned down, while I saw a super battle droid and three others surrounding a drainage pipe. Suddenly, an explosion in the water caught me off guard. However, I saw that the senator on the ground. I immediately took my chance to capture her. I am quite surprised she got away from the droids while being pinned. I just turned my head for one second and she's a good 17 meters away. Impressive.

I ran up to her and I pulled out my blaster and aimed it at her. I charged the weapon and she immediately raised her hands up. She looked back with a sad face when she saw me. I immediately knew that she lost a friend. The underwater explosion must have been her friend. I looked back with gun holstered with my hand on her shoulder "I am so sorry. I know what it's like to lose a friend. I know I can't do anything to replace him but the only thing I can say is my most sincerest apologies. C'mon, let's take you home. Back to Naboo." Just when I brought her up on her feet, I heard clapping. I turned around and I saw Viceroy Gunray clapping "Congratulations General Rommel, you have recaptured Senator Amidala. Count Dooku has chose quite a competent and brave commander. I will send him a recommendation after you kill her."

I looked back shocked and I stepped back as a result. The senator realized this and stepped back as well but farther away from me. I turned back and saw she was moving towards the hangar wall. I looked back at her. Her body shows an exterior of fearlessness however, her eyes tell me she is afraid. I then heard the rumble of droidekas moving my way. Then it happened. I immediately stood right in front of the senator arms to my side. "No"

Padme Amidala's POV

"No." That is what I heard. At first, I thought the general is going to order the firing squad to kill me when I heard the rumble of droidekas. The first mention of Dooku and recommendation, I honestly prepared for the worst, thinking he would kill me to get a promotion. Then I suddenly, saw him look at me with anger in his eyes. I thought he was still angry with me, then he ran in front of me, back towards me and then he said those two letters "No."

Nute Gunray looked quite taken aback by what the general said. If I were in his position I would have done the same. The general said "No sir." Nute angrily said "You will do as I say or else the droidekas will execute you, senator Amidala, and her droid. I looked beside me and I saw 3PO captured beside me. "Mistress Padme, oh, were you able to find Jar Jar." I responded sorrowfully "I think Jar Jar's dead 3PO" 3PO replied "Oh no, not again, oh poor Jar Jar, he was always such a misfit." I turned my attention back to Nute Gunray and Uncle Ono. "Don't do this Viceroy, there must be another way" said Uncle Ono. Yes, he was finally seeing the truth. "Silence. General Rommel, if you do not do as I ordered then you will die." The General replied simply "I'm sorry viceroy, but that is an order I refuse to obey." "Very well, then you shall die." "I say there must be some kind of horrible mistake, I am a protocol droid here on a diplomatic mission" said C-3PO as he tried to protest. I had to roll my eyes on that. "Ready..." I prepared for the blast. "Aim..." I looked at General Rommel just stand still and tall trying to cover me and C-3PO. I then looked Uncle Ona. He was staring at me with lots of worry, then he looked behind him "It's the Jedi"! I looked where Uncle Ona is looking and I saw Jar Jar, with Anakin 's robes! Viceroy Gunray then stuttered, while turning around "It's the Je Juh." Gunray starts stepping back. I answered smiling "Jedi." Jar Jar said, with his best Jedi imitation "Release the Senator." One of the battle droids says "That Jedi is going to attack." I looked and I saw Jar Jar raising his hands towards the droids. "Kill, kill the Jedi."

I feared the worst for Jar Jar, suddenly a giant worm came out from the ground. Nute Gunray started to frantically shout "Shoot him! Shoot them all! That Jedi has summoned a monster." I quickly picked up a E-5 Blaster and fired on a couple battle droids as their backs were turned to me. "We have to get out of here." I turned around and saw Nute Gunray leaving with two other battle droids while the general covers their backs. Just as they were running to the shuttle, the giant worm smashes into the shuttle and pushed it off the platform.

"Hold it right there, Viceroy." I pointed my blaster at the Viceroy and General after I shot the guards. Then I heard Uncle Ona say " At last we can finish this." Nute Gunray happily said "Onaconda, it is about time. Blast that Jedi and shoot her"! I looked at him worried, but he looks at me twitching his eyes. I finally smiled that Uncle Ono had finally returned back to the Republic. I lied "Uncle Ona, I think it's time to tell the Viceroy about our little secret, how you never meant to leave the Republic and how you truly care what's best for your people." Nute Gunray angrily exclaimed "What is she talking about"? Uncle Ono exclaimed "Sorry, Viceroy, she is right. I am with the Republic, and you are under arrest." Nute Gunray angrily said "You will pay for this treachery."

The thing is, I noticed General Rommel wasn't talking during the conversation and he continued to protect the Viceroy. He was pointing his blaster at me. He could of threatened me or Uncle Ona, yet he said nothing and kept protecting the slime ball. I spoke up "Viceroy, you are going to spend the rest of the war in a cell and you general Rommel, if you surrender now, then I can arrange for you to attend a fair trial. I can also arrange for you to see your family." That got his attention as he looked surprised and he started pressing the trigger of his blaster." I continued "General, please, I'm begging you to return back to the Republic. The Separatist are just using you. Once they're done with you, they will betray you." He paused for a second before saying "How do I know, YOU are not just lying to me." I slowly walked towards him. He tensed on the trigger, yet I kept walking, albeit a little slower. I gave my genuine concern face and said "Please, I know you don't trust the Republic, but will you just trust me, just once." He looked to the side, biting his lips again. After a small while, I almost lost hope until he sighed and said "Alright, you win. One time, just one...if a rescue party comes, then I can't promise going to the republic." I smiled "That will be good enough, thank you." Then Gunray interrupted "Your victory will be fleeting, Senators and I will complain to Dooku once we return General."

I looked up and saw Republic ships above on Rodia's atmosphere and smiled. I looked at General Rommel, and he looked down on the floor, depressed. I walked over to him and smiled "Don't worry, when you get back home, I will help you get used to it. A lot have changed when you left." He looked back sad "I hope your right senator. I don't think I would be welcomed back." I reassured him "Don't worry, I will help you find your wife and kids." He looked back, with a slight smile "I thank you for your concern, but the truth is, I don't have a wife. When I left to serve, I served to help pay for my mom's medical bill." I looked back at him shocked "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have came..." He waved me off "Don't worry, everyone makes assumptions, once in a while. I should be the one apologizing to you. I was the one that took my anger out on you." I smiled "Don't worry about it." I then looked back and saw gunships landing.

The clones started landing as they raised their guns on the two Separatist. One approached Jar Jar "We got your message, general. What are your orders"? Jar Jar replied "Take thosa away" The clone nodded "Take this separatist scum away." As I saw the general walk away, he looked back and have me a wink. I had a feeling I will meet up with him. I turned back to Uncle Ono and Jar Jar "Master Bombad, on behalf of the people of Rodia, I thank you. You're either the bravest or the most foolish Jedi I have ever met." Jar Jar replied "I'm just a gungan, and I don't think I'm either." I think I heard 3PO say "Well, I think you're a little bit of both." A clone approached us with a communicator and a hologram Chancellor Palpatine Senator appeared "Amidala has brought your people's needs to my attention, and I have already sent a convoy of supply ships to your system." Uncle Ono gracefully said "Thank you, Chancellor." Palpatine continued "The capture of Viceroy Gunray is a major victory for the Republic. All of you should be commended for your courage, and from what I hear, especially you representative Binks." Jar Jar replied "Ah, it'sa nothing." Uncle Ona said to me sorrowfully "Can you ever forgive me, Padme"? I replied "It is the Republic that should be asking your forgiveness, my old friend. Far too often, we forget that our most important allies are not always the most powerful."

I have a feeling I would meet General Rommel soon. And when I do, I can help restore his faith back into the Republic and I can save him from the pain of being betrayed again. That I swear I will do.