Chapter 2: Shadow of Malevolence
A Deadly Weapon unleashed; the separatist battleship Malevolence advances unopposed through republic space tearing apart any ship that stands in its path. After a daring rescue and narrow escape Jedi Master Plo Koon and new ally Anubis Kruger regroup with General Anakin Skywalker's fleet to prepare a counterattack on the enemy ship and its diabolical Droid Commander General Grevious.
Inside The Resolute Hanger Admiral Yularen and General Skywalker briefs, Shadow Squadron on the upcoming mission to destroy the Malevolence.
"This Strike Force has been commissioned by the Senate to hunt down the enemy's new battleship as the bulk of our fleets are engaged on the front lines we'll be on our own. General Skywalker has prepared our attack strategy."
"Thank you, Admiral, while our capital ships are vulnerable to the enemy's attack, I believe a small squad of bomber can outmaneuver their ion weapon our target will be the bridge and General Grevious. Anakin says while gesturing toward the hologram plans."
"The Head Clanker Skywalker is getting pretty ambitious." one of the clones speaks to another
"Our bombers will attack at highspeed to evade the enemy's ion weapon. We'll concentrate our firepower on the bridge superstructure, here. We destroy General Grievous
and the ship will fall with him. Any questions?"
"Just tell us where that metal head is, sir." one clone speaks out
"Yeah, we've been waiting for a chance
to take him out." another clone adds
"All right, men, settle down. This is an important mission. We destroy Grievous, we can bring the war to a quicker end. Pilots, prepare your bombers."
As Anakin wraps up the briefing Master Plo and Ahsoka walk up
"Skywalker this is an aggressive plan are you sure your squadron can complete this mission?" Master Plo questions.
"I don't know, let's ask them. Matchstick! You think our boys can pull this off?"
"Yes, sir! There hasn't been a mission Shadow Squadron couldn't complete." he replies
"That's right. Minimal casualties, maximum effectiveness. That's us." another clone chimes in
"I admire your confidence, pilot. Even so, minimal casualties
may be enough to prevent you from breaking Grievous' defenses."
"Master Plo is right. With Grievous on that ship's bridge, it's bound to be well protected."
"Don't worry, Ahsoka. We'll destroy that bridge, and Grievous along with it."
"Master Skywalker seems to inspire great confidence in his men."
"He does lead by example."
Meanwhile The Malevolence is currently attacking a convoy of Republic Medical Transports. With the same ruthlessness he's known for he destroys all of them leaving no survivors. Count Dooku then provides Grevious with a new target. The Clone Medical Base which currently treating over 60,000 wounded clones.
Back at the Resolute Anakin and Ahsoka are doing one final walk through of the bombers for the upcoming mission.
"Which one's mine?"
You're with me. You'll be my gunner. Anakin says as Ahsoka looks at him with disappointment. "Somebody's got to watch my back."
"Broadside could do that. Besides, you have Artoo."
"But I so enjoy your company, my Padawan."
"Just admit it. You don't like my flying."
"Well, no, I..." Anakin stumbles with his words "No, it's not that. It's just I..."
Skywalker. Admiral Yularen interrupts. "The enemy warship has attacked our convoy of medical transports near Ryndellia."
"Medical transports? Only General Grievous would go after clones who couldn't fight back." Ahsoka exclaims.
"The Ryndellia system. Near Naboo! Isn't that where our medical base is? I'll bet that will be his next target."
"There are many star clusters in that area. With a ship that big, he will be unable to chart a course
that's less than 10 parsecs. Master Plo explains"
"Looks like we're gonna have to take a shortcut. Admiral, warn that station what's coming."
"This journey may be treacherous. If you lose any ships before you reach the target..."
"We won't lose anybody." Anakin interrupts Master Plo
"I will come along and fly fighter escort alongside Kruger"
"Any help is welcome, Master Plo. Just try not to fall behind."
"I had a feeling you'd be coming along. Your ship has already been prepped."
While the rest of Shadow Squadron prepares for the mission ahead Anubis is doing the same to the Waverider. The Waverider has a serious arsenal of weaponry in the event of a major threat, but these weapons have not been used in some time the royal family never traveled without a personal escort and even then, no one was really trying to pick a fight with a Sirian as it was considered by some to be unwise and by others suicide.
"Alright that's the last of them, Gideon run diagnostics on all weapon systems I want them ready by the time we head out."
"Yes sir"
Anubis approaches his father's sword The Shadow Saber which he has displayed in a glass case. The sword has not been used since the day Sirius fell. It's the only thing Anubis has left of his father. As he stares at the sword lost in his thoughts, he remembers the story of the Shadow Saber told by his father. The Sword itself belonged to a great warrior. Several centuries ago, this warrior was the first king of Sirius as the story is told he liberated his people from slavery by the Zygerrian Empire using this very sword. No one knows the specifics of where the sword comes from, but one thing is known that it contains powers only the ones deemed worthy can harness. The Sword much like a lightsaber, can cut through almost any material, deflect blaster fire, unleash powerful energy slashes and is virtually unbreakable. In the hands of the unworthy it's a regular sword. The Sword was used as a symbol of Sirius rightful ruler as do be deemed worthy of such power it was only fair that said person could be worthy to rule.
"I'm so close father he will answer for what he did to our home and for taking you and mom from me." Anubis says placing his hand on the display. "I can only hope that one day I can be worthy as you were" Anubis then notices in the reflection Ashoka is standing behind him he turns around abruptly which slightly startles the young Togruta.
"Sorry, I saw you were having a moment and I didn't want to interrupt"
"It's fine, you needed something?"
"My Master wanted to make final checks with the squadron before we leave"
"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be."
"I guess with everything going on we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Ahsoka Tano Jedi Padawan." Ahsoka says extending her hand.
"Anubis Kruger" He replies shaking her hand.
"Master Plo told me about you and what happened to your world I'm sorry for your loss"
"Thanks I..."
"Sir I've completed the diagnostics all weapons system are functional and... oh I didn't realize we had guests" Gideon interrupts startling Ahsoka
"Who was that?" Ahsoka says looking around
"That was Gideon"
"Is there someone else on the ship with us?"
"Gideon is not someone on the ship, He is the Ship. Gideon is an advanced artificial intelligence programed into my ship. Gideon this is Ashoka"
"A Pleasure to meet your acquaintance miss Tano"
"I never seen anything like this before usually we have our astromech R2 flying with."
"We did have astromechs for our ships, but when it comes to Sirius, we tended to look toward the future how can we make the latest technological advances in our society? What if we can take the knowledge of the typical astromech and program it into the ship itself thus eliminating the need for a droid. Gideon was one of the first to be developed. He's been with the Royal Family since before I was born. He practically had a hand in raising me when my parents were off on business."
"And he was quite the handful especially in his toddler years. Master Kruger was a hyperactive child to say the least." Gideon adds which gains a chuckle out of Ashoka and a look from Anubis
Just then Ashoka hears a call from Anakin the mission is a go everyone reports to their fighters.
"Thats my cue I guess I'll see you out there"
Ashoka leaves to board her Fighter and Anubis gets ready for the mission ahead.
Meanwhile The Medical Base receives the warning of the incoming threat but to organize such a large-scale evacuation in a short amount of time is impossible. The Naboo has sent transports to assist with evacuation and Master Kenobi's Fleet is in route, but it will take time before he reaches them.
Back at the Resolute Shadow Squadron launches with Anakin leading the charge and Anubis & Master Plo Providing fighter escort.
Shadow Squadron, tighten formation. Call in.
"Shadow 2, standing by."
"Shadow 3, standing by."
"Shadow 4, standing by."
R2 Beeps with worry. "I know, Artooie. This is gonna be a tough one." Ashoka replies to the droid.
"Cut the chatter, Ahsoka."
"Shadow 11, standing by."
"Shadow 12, standing by."
"Fighter escort ready." Master Plo checks in.
"Fighter escort 2 ready." Anubis checks in.
"This is Admiral Yularen. You are cleared for hyperspace jump. Good hunting, sir."
"Thanks, Admiral. All right, boys, let's go."
One by one the ships make the jump to hyperspace in a race to get to the Medical Base before Grevious does. Sometime later the ships come out of hyperspace not too far from the medical base, the only thing standing in between them is a large Nebula.
"Okay, if we can just manage to navigate through my shortcut, we'll be all right." Anakin advises his squadron.
"A nebula can be very unpredictable. I advise caution." Master Plo advising Skywalker
"Don't worry about us, Master Jedi. We can hold our own. Right, Shadow Squadron?"
"Copy that, Shadow 2."
"Does anyone care what the Padawan thinks?" Ahsoka chimes in.
"Of course, we care, Snips But we're still going through that nebula." Anakin replies.
R2 beeps reassuring Ahsoka "Thanks, Artooie."
"Sir I have to agree with the Jedi on this one Nebulas are highly unpredictable there is no way to ensure safe passage." Gideon advised Anubis with worry.
"I hear you Gideon, this plan is out there but if it's going to get me to Grevious then what choice do we have."
The Squadron begin their journey through the Nebula visibility is poor and scanners are practically useless.
"This soup is thick. Can you see anything?"
"Just keep your eyes on my thruster, Shadow 2." Anakin reassures.
"They'll have to. The scanners are useless." Ahsoka adds.
"This is old-fashioned flying. You have to feel your way through
to stay on course."
"Skywalker is right, Ahsoka. Clear your mind, young one,
and you will see the path." Master Plo adds
"Right now, I can't see anything at all."
"I always know where I'm going."
Yeah? Where's that, Broadside?
"I'm going to blow up that battleship."
"A clear path if ever there was one."
"Well at least their confidence isn't lacking." Gideon says to Anubis
"Given how General Skywalker seems to inspire those he commands I'm not surprised my father was the same way no matter how impossible the task or how hopeless one felt he always had faith in his people's ability and in turn his people had faith in him." Anubis explains with a sigh remembering the great king his father was and how much he misses him.
"So, Skyguy, how did you know about this shortcut?"
"It's an old smuggler's route. The pilots used to talk about it on Tatooine."
"Smuggler's route? Ha! That makes me feel better!"
"They call it the Balmorra Run."
"Balmorra Run!?" Master Plo says with shock
"I think I'm picking up a contact."
"Gideon?" Anubis questions his A.I
"The Padawan is correct I'm picking it up too sir there's something out there"
"Skywalker! Listen to me! We need to turn around! Master Plo warning Anakin"
"We can't. Not if we're gonna catch Grievous."
Another contact! This one's much larger.
Skywalker! Balmorra's the nesting ground of the giant Nebray Mantas!
Another? Another!
Soon the Mantas appear and there are a lot of them
"Take evasive action!"
The squadron begin desperately navigating around the large mantas but with so many and given how massive they are it's becoming difficult
"Those gas-gulpers are huge!"
"Don't shoot, or they'll panic!" Master Plo warns
"They'll panic? I'm about to panic!" Ashoka says clearly already panicking
"There are so many of them!"
Just then Matchstick's fighter barley avoids a manta but in the process his fight is grazed.
I'm hit! My stabilizers' out!
Pull it together, Matchstick!
After a few moments Matchstick is able to regain control of the fighter. I'm okay. I got it.
"These things are gonna make a meal out of us!"
"All wings line up behind me!" Skywalker orders.
"Roger that, boss."
The Fighters line up single file flying behind Skywalker as they navigate their way out of the nebula
"Hurry! They will not follow us beyond the nebula."
"That one looks hungry."
"Nah, it's just smiling at you."
"We're coming out of it!"
The fighters finally clear the nebula and now nothing but open space ahead
Let's hope your shortcut paid off.
We're not far behind Grievous now.
While flying Master Plo notices the damage to Shadow 2 fighter.
"Shadow 2 what is the damage to your ship?"
"Just a scratch sir."
"We must not take any more unnecessary risks if we lose even a single ship our mission is that much closer to failure."
Understood Master Plo, but we didn't lose any ships and I did...
"Sir Another Contact!"
"I thought those things wouldn't follow us."
"Not following us, coming out of hyperspace it's a ship, it's the Malevolence."
Just then the Malevolence appears heading straight for the Medical Station. Grievous order fighters launched to combat the approaching shadow squadron. The Malevolence moves into an attack position firing its ion cannon at the Medical Transports leaving the Station. The ion cannons rays disable the medical transports leaving them sitting ducks as the Malevolence unleashes a barrage of blaster fire. Meanwhile the enemy fighters engage the squadron.
"We've got fighters coming in."
"I got them Gideon ready weapons, set deflector shields double front we're gonna clear a path forward" Anubis say as flies the WaveRider ahead of squadron.
"Weapons ready sir"
The fighters close in and waste no time firing on the squadron. Anubis, using the WaveRider's advance weaponry unleashes his barrage of blaster fire taking out a bulk of enemy fighters advancing while the others fly by. The squad follows behind while also engaging the enemy.
"Keep those fighters off of me!" Anakin shouts at Ahsoka
"Your fancy flying is making it difficult!" She retorts.
"Sir The Malevolence is charging their ion cannon" Gideon Warns
The Malevolence fires the ion cannon at the squadron and the rays are closing in fast.
"General Skywalker incoming!" Anubis says he begins to pull up steeply toward the rays edge.
"Make toward the edge of the rays now!" Skywalker orders as the rest of the squadron follows suit. "Give it everything you got"
"Shadow 2 your speed is dropping what's wrong?"
"Nothing, sir. Just trying to keep it together."
"You can make it, Matchstick. Hang on!"
Just as Skywalker says that Matchstick's fighter starts to break apart and falls of formation and colliding with another fighter killing both pilots and gunners the remaining fighters work towards the edge of the rays. Only Anubis, Anakin, Plo Koon, and a handful of fighters manage to get clear of the rays.
"Shadow Squadron, check in."
"We lost Matchstick and Tag. Shadows 6, 7 and 10 were caught in the ray."
The Fighters begin their run flying alongside the Malevolence toward their target but Malevolence arsenal of weapons makes it difficult to stay on course.
"Stay on course."
"This flak is heavy!"
"All deflectors, double front!"
"Master! We need a new plan!"
"We can make it, Ahsoka. Hang in there."
The squad pushes toward The Malevolence, But the onslaught gets more intense as they draw near
Watch those towers, boys!
We're too close! Loosen up!
And just like that another fighter from shadow squadron is shot down while the remaining fighters push forward.
"Sir The Malevolence is beginning to Target the Medical Base" Gideon warns Anubis
"We're almost there, we gotta keep pushing"
The Ion Cannon begins to charge up again
"Sir the Ion Cannon is preparing to fire we won't be able to make it to our target in time." Gideon warns Anubis again
"We can do it Gideon we have to!"
"Master, you can make it, but everyone else is getting shot down!" Ahsoka pleading with her Master.
Master!
"If we can do enough damage, the weapon may overload when Grievous tries to fire." Plo Koon suggest
"Sir the Master Jedi is right a well place shot to the weapon itself will cause a critical overload that will disable the weapon we have to change target" Gideon informs Anubis
"We can still complete the mission"
"Sir I know how much you want to get Grievous, but the enemy's Ion Cannon is almost fully charged and the Medical Base and all who are not evacuated will not survive please I implore you."
Anubis thinks it over he's so close to getting Grievous and getting his revenge, but he can't let those clones perish. He may never get another chance than now, but he'll never forgive himself if more innocents die because of his personal vendetta. The options weigh heavily on his mind until he knows what he must do.
"Your Right, General we have to stop that weapon" Anubis tells Anakin
Anakin comes to the same conclusion. "Shadow Squadron, new target. We're taking out the starboard ion cannon.
The Squad maneuvers toward the ion cannon
"Torpedoes away!"
One by one the fighters launch their torpedoes which causes significant damage the weapon
Just then the ion cannon attempts to fire but the damage to the structure causes the weapon to overload and then a massive explosion rocks The Malevolence. The Weapon is destroyed, and The Malevolence is severely damaged.
"Good work, Shadow Squadron!"
"Nice job, Ahsoka
Soon after General Kenobi's Fleet finally arrives.
"Anakin, do you copy?"
"I'm here."
"Congratulations. It looks like your mission was a success."
"Partially, but Grievous is still alive."
"The battle was pretty rough on my men. We're heading for the medical station."
"We'll take it from here, but don't worry we'll call when we need you."
"I'll be waiting, Obi-Wan."
"All right let's finish what Anakin started. Ahead full."
General Kenobi fleet engages the now retreating Malevolence
Later the remaining squadron docks in the medical station's hanger
"Great job, Master Skywalker. Your leadership skills are most impressive." Master Plo complements
"You didn't do so bad yourself."
"Uh, excuse me, I believe it was my suggestion to change the plan." Ahsoka interrupts.
"That's kind of true, Snips." Anakin says
"From a certain point of view." Master Plo adds as they walk away
Later Anubis stands alone looking out into space lost in his thoughts when Master Plo arrives
"You should be commended Kruger you're your actions out there saved many lives today"
"Yeah, but the General still lives" Anubis says with a sigh
"General Grievous will answer for all his crimes in due time. I know it was a hard call to make but when faced with the choice of saving lives or pursuing your vengeance you did what was ultimately right. By doing this you will honor your parents and your people and what they stood for, and I hope you never lose sight of that. Justice is about making those answer for the pain of others, Revenge is about making them answer for yours." Master Plo reassuring Anubis.
Anubis considers what Master Plo tells him he hasn't been the same since the fall of Sirius carrying all this hate in his heart is not what his father would want, he always believed Anubis was destined to be a better King than even he was both him and his mother.
"So, what happens now?"
"General Kenobi's fleet is currently pursuing the Malevolence as we speak it's only a matter of time before he calls for assistance, we must be ready." Master Plo tells Anubis who nods in agreement.
Grievous is on the Run and the Republic is in hot pursuit after a successful mission to destroy the Separatist weapon our heroes look to finally capture the Ruthless General but Grievous has one last trick up his sleeve..stay tuned.