Chapter 3: Destroy Malevolence
Grievous in retreat. Before the battleship Malevolence could destroy an Outer Rim clone medical base, a Republic strike force under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker crippled the warship, disabling its dreaded ion cannon. Now, the Jedi relentlessly pursue the Malevolence.
Master Kenobi, Master Plo & Admiral Yularen watch from the bridge of their cruiser as their fleet relentlessly engage the now retreating Malevolence.
"Commander, what is the damage level to the enemy ship?" Master Kenobi questions.
"She's lost her primary shields and stabilizers, but the ship is so massive, it can take all the fire our cannons can give it."
"We must summon reinforcements." Master Plo Suggests.
"That's why l'm here, Master Plo." Anakin interrupts being accompanied by Ahsoka and Anubis
"Anakin. Were you able to contact Master Luminara?"
"Yes, Master. She's busy with a fleet of Separatist reinforcements nearby. She won't be able to give us support until she's turned them away."
"Then we'll have to make do with what we have."
As the assault on the Malevolence continues General Grievous receives word from Count Dooku that a republic senator is traveling to their location unbeknownst under false pretenses. He orders the General to capture the senator as a hostage and the fleet will call off their attack. Unbeknownst to the Jedi the senator is Padme Amidala and Unbeknownst to all Anakin's wife.
*Senator Amidala's Ship*
"My lady, are you sure the information from Chancellor Palpatine is reliable?" The senator's protocol droid C-3PO asks
"Yes. It was secretly given to him by the supreme executive of the Banking Clan himself. If they leave the Separatist alliance, it will go a long way to shortening this war."
"We're approaching the system now."
As Padme comes out of hyperspace, she's greeted to the sight of the Malevolence heading right for her.
"My goodness!
"This isn't right! That's a droid warship! We're in the middle of a battle!"
She immediately maneuvers out of the way of the oncoming Battleship.
"Master, l'm picking up a signal near the enemy vessel." Ahsoka calls out. "Something just came out of hyperspace."
"Enemy reinforcements?" Anakin Questions.
"No. lt looks like a Naboo ship."
"Gunners! Stand down! Obi-Wan orders. "What in blazes are they doing out here?"
"Ahsoka, contact that ship!"
"Naboo cruiser Identify yourself "
"This is Senator Amidala."
Anubis Immediately took notice as the senator was a dear friend of his mother. He himself has only met her only a few times growing up. She was one of the first to reach out after Sirius Fell.
"Padme!? What are you doing out here?" Anakin exclaimed.
"l was sent on a special mission. The Senate was told the Banking Clan wanted to negotiate a treaty."
"Get out of there as fast as you can!"
Just then The Malevolence fires a tractor beam at the senator's cruiser and is bringing them in.
"Padme, what's happening?"
"l'm being pulled inside the droid cruiser by a tractor beam. I will not be made a Separatist bargaining chip. Continue your attack! You must destroy this monstrous ship!" Padme pleads.
"Admiral, order our ships to stop firing." Anakin Orders
Anakin turns and heads toward his ship
"Where do you think you going?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Somebody has to save her skin."
"I thought you might say that." Obi-Wan starts to follow
Meanwhile aboard the Malevolence Padme manages to escape capture by overloading her ship's power systems causing it to self-destruct and in the chaos she and C-3PO manage to slip away undetected.
Back at The Resolute Anakin prepares his ship the Twilight when Obi-Wan joins him in the cockpit.
"l trust you've already formulated a brilliant plan to rescue the Senator?"
"As a matter of fact, l have."
"But do we have a plan B? Every operation needs a backup, Anakin."
"l don't have a backup. Yet."
Just as he says this Anubis suddenly walks in
"What are you doing here?"
"Coming with you, Senator Amidala was a close friend of my mother, and I wasn't going to sit by lose another friend to Grievous."
"Very Well, anyway what exactly is our plan to get on that ship?"
"The enemy's sensors are obviously damaged, so we'll sneak in behind them and dock at the emergency airlock."
"That's your plan? Just fly there, land, hope they don't spot us, and walk in the door?"
"Basically."
"Oh! Brilliant. Let's get going."
The Twilight takes off Meanwhile aboard the Malevolence Padme and C-3PO continue to sneak around evading capture while trying to contact the Resolute she overhears the ships hyperdrive is nearly repaired.
*Back aboard the Twilight*
"lf they spot us, we'll be pulverized."
"They're too busy repairing the ship. They don't have time to notice us."
"Subtlety has never been one of your strong points, Anakin."
"Everything l know l learned from you, Master."
"Oh, if only that were true"
Anakin by some miracle manages to dock the Twilight at one of the emergency airlocks without being spotted and the Trio board the Malevolence.
Anakin you're crazy spinning is not flying
But it's a good trick
We don't want to be spotted
Just as Obi-Wan says that the door opens revealing two battle droids on the other side. Anakin and Obi-Wan cut the droids down before they could alert the Ship to their presence. As the trio make their way through the ship Anakin receives a transmission from Ahsoka. Padme has successfully contacted the Resolute and is patched through.
"Padme!"
"Anakin!"
"Are you all right? Where are you?"
"On the lower levels. l'm fine, but l don't know for how long. Droids are everywhere."
"Obi-Wan, Anubis and l are onboard, too."
"What? What are you doing here?"
"We came to get you off this ship. Ahsoka, how can we get to the Senator?"
"According to our scans, there seems to be a large open area in the center of the ship. lt should be halfway between the two of you."
"We're on our way. Did you hear that, Padme?"
"l'll be there."
The trio make their way to the center while Padme does the same. When they arrive, they come upon the ship's massive center a series of rail transports going to various location throughout the ship.
"l don't see her, Anakin." Obi-Wan says looking around.
"She's here, Master. l sense it."
Padme and 3PO reach the center of the ship but still no sign of their rescue party
"This is where We're supposed to meet them. He's probably late again."
"But we do have company of another sort."
Suddenly a squad of battle droids arrive and open fire with Padme returning fire. Hearing the commotion on the other side Anakin spots Padme
There!
The Trio jumps from one Rail Jet to another trying to get to Padme. While the Jedi can do so with ease, Anubis who is not force sensitive does so with help of Sirian designed gravity boots. These boots allow the wearer to jump long distances or incredible heights. As they're making their way over, they are spotted by battle droids
"Look! Jedi!"
"Fire!"
"No! Wait!"
Two of the droids' fire but Anakin and Obi-Wan easily deflect the blast right back at them destroying the two
"l knew that was a bad idea."
"Jump!" Padme tells 3PO who are teetering on the edge of a platform with nowhere to go
"Who? Me?" 3PO asks before being pushed on to a passing Rail Jet with Padme joing moments later.
Padme!
Anakin!
Anakin Jumps to another Rail Jet running alongside Padme's
There they are! Fire!
A super battle droid fires a proton torpedo taking out the Rail ahead that Padme is on
"The bridge is out!"
"Jump to me! l'll use the Force. You have to trust me!"
Padme jumps and Anakin catches her using the force and brings on to his Rail Jet
"l've got you!"
"Nice catch! l'll fetch the droid!"
As the Rail Jet enters a tunnel Padme and Anakin have a rare moment of privacy
"Oh, the things you do to get me alone."
"Stop talking." Padme says going in for a kiss
Meanwhile Obi-Wan uses the force to retrieve 3PO but as he is doing so, he is hit by another passing Rail Jet going in the opposite direction.
Blast! That's not good.
Anakin, l got separated from your droid.
3PO!
"l'll take care of it. We'll meet you back at The Twilight."
"No! We can't leave yet. l overheard Grievous their hyperdrive is almost repaired."
"We're already headed in that direction. So, we'll make certain that
the hyperdrive stays offline."
Little did they know Grievous had been monitoring all communications and knew they were coming.
"l'm getting you out of here."
"Artoo? l need you to help me find 3PO. He's on the rail jet."
(R2-D2 BEEPING)
"l know. l know. He does. Look, just find him for me,
and l'll be there soon."
R2 plugs in to the nearby terminal and manages to stop the Rail Jet that 3PO was on. Meanwhile Obi-wan and Anubis make their way to the hyperdrive room. When they arrive in the darkened room, they see two battle droids working on the drive. As they approach the lights suddenly come on and their flanked on all sides by squads of battle droids and droidekas all pointing blaster at them. Grievous watching from a nearby platform jumps down to confront them.
"Hello, there. General Kenobi, did you really think l would leave the hyperdrive unguarded?"
"Anything is possible. You haven't exactly impressed me today."
"Kill Them."
Anubis and Obi-Wan share a look and at the same time jump right behind the droidekas using their shields as cover as the droids open fire. Obi-Wan uses the force and rolls the droidekas down each platform running over their own battle droids on the process and clearing a path to retreat.
"Guard the hyperdrive! l will deal with this Jedi myself." Grievous says with a snarl
Meanwhile Anakin and Padme are busy fending off a squad of super battle droids while in route back to the Twilight.
"Obi-Wan! Come in, Obi-Wan!"
"Anakin! I'm afraid Grievous is on to us!"
"Yeah, we noticed."
"We'll rendezvous back at The Twilight. The fleet must engage"... Suddenly the communicators cut off
"Obi-Wan? Come in! Obi-Wan!"
"What's wrong?"
"They're jamming us!"
Anakin cuts down the droids one by one until finally there are no more.
"That might buy us some time."
"l suppose you have a plan."
"Follow me."
In the meantime C-3PO is wandering aimlessly in the halls of the Malevolence when he is found by R2 and they make their way back to the ship.
*Meanwhile on the Malevolence Bridge*
"The General is demanding a status report. ls the hyperdrive repaired yet?"
"lt's almost done."
"l'll give him the good news. Uh...
Before the droid can finish Anakin and Padme arrive on the bridge and Anakin immediately cuts them down.
"Ever since l've known you, you've been playing with droids."
"l used to put them together. Now l only take them apart."
"So, where do we start?"
"First, we need to get rid of these droids so they won't know we were here."
"l'm going to hot-wire the ship, give Grievous a little surprise."
"l guess l'll clean up the droids, then."
Meanwhile Obi-Wan and Anubis are still retreating with the General in hot pursuit. They jump on to a Rail Jet, but the General is closing in on them lightsabers drawn. Obi-Wan holds off Grievous while Anubis looks for a way out, he spots another Rail Jet below them going in the opposite direction.
"Down There"
Anubis jumps down, But Obi-Wan is still dealing with Grevious as the general goes to attack again Obi-Wan dives down to the Rail Jet below successfully evading Grievous for now. Back on the bridge Anakin finishes reprograming the hyperdrive.
"That ought to do it. How's the housecleaning going?"
"Done! Let's get out of here."
Anakin and Padme make their way out just as more droids arrive on the bridge.
"l guess repairs are finished."
"Prepare to charge up the hyperdrive."
"Roger, roger."
"Artoo, are you quite certain the ship is in this direction?"
(R2-D2 BEEPlNG)
"This way looks potentially dangerous."
(R2-D2 BEEPlNG )
"l know the whole place is dangerous!"
"l suggest we stay here and let Master Anakin find us."
Just as he says that the elevator door opens with Anakin and Padme inside.
Threepio! What are you doing? Don't just stand there! Let's get back to the ship!
"Power up the engines, Artoo."
"Hold the ship!" Obi-Wan shouts as he and Anubis are being chased by more Battle droids. Anubis with his modified Wester-35 Blasters returns fire while running. Anakin uses the force to move several crates in front of the droids blocking their path and allowing the pair to escape. Back aboard the Twilight they all get strapped in and prepare to leave.
"l'll contact the fleet."
"Artoo, release the docking clamp."
The Twilight detaches and retreats toward the republic cruisers, But Grievous in his personal fighter gives chase along with several fighters who immediately open fire on the Twilight.
"Time for some clever tricks Anakin,"
"That's what I was thinking"
"You know we have guns you can shoot back at any time!" Anakin shouts as the Twilight is rocked again by blaster fire.
"I was just about to..."
"I got it" Padme cuts in Maning the guns.
"She seems to know her way around"
"General, the hyperdrive has been completely repaired. Should we retreat to friendly space?"
"Engage the hyperdrive! l'll meet you at our secret base in Sector 4."
"You heard the General. Prepare to make the jump to hyperspace."
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile as the Twilight evades the fighters in pursuit Padme continues laying down cover fire destroying one fighter after another.
"Nice shot, Senator." Anubis complements
"Beginner's luck."
(R2-D2 BEEPlNG)
"Pardon me, sir, but Artoo's scan of the enemy's ship indicates their hyperdrive is activating."
"Don't worry about it." Anakin says confidently
"What?" looking at Anakin in confusion
"Coordinates are locked. Hyperdrive is engaging."
Suddenly the Malevolence begins to turn rapidly towards the nearby moon.
"Uh... l think we have a problem."
"General, there's something wrong with the hyperdrive."
"l thought the hyperdrive was fixed!"
"The navicomputer is heading us right into the moon!"
"Fools! Reset the navicomputer!"
"Quick! Reset the navicomputer!" The droids scramble to reset.
"General, we await the Malevolence at the rendezvous point. Have you made your escape yet?" Count Dooku contacts Grievous
No! Reset it! Retreat!
General?
General!
Grievous cuts the transmission without saying a word.
"We're gonna die!"
"Abandon ship!"
The Malevolence plunges full speed towards the moon's surface and crashes into a fiery explosion
"l imagine you had something to do with that."
"All part of the plan, Master."
Padme turns to Anubis
"Of all the faces I expected to see yours wasn't one of them. How have you been? What were you even doing out here?"
"It's a long story but, I came for Grievous I couldn't just sit on Alderaan and let what he did go unanswered for. I need to bring that monster to Justice otherwise I don't think I'll ever truly begin to heal. Besides you are one of the only friends I have left."
"Well, you seemed to have gained new ones too" and don't worry we'll get him soon enough" Padme reassures him/
"She's right and you won't have to do it alone" Anakin chimes in
"If you're willing to stick around I'm sure we can work something out." Obi-Wan adds
Anubis nods with a smile and for the first time in a while he seems hopeful.
The Twilight returns to the Republic cruisers with another successful mission under their belt. The Malevolence is destroyed but Grievous once again evades capture. Today was a huge win for the Republic but the war rages on.
Anubis has gained new Allies in his Hunt for Grievous. What will this mean for the future? Stay Tuned