Authors Note: Owens hair has changed yet again, it will grow longer as the Clone Wars advance, for now just picture his hair somewhat like Dominic Monaghan's in the tv show Lost and as always substituting it with Owens bright blond hair.
The Story of forgotten Jedi Owen Sun
Chapter 31: Return to Thule
The mighty Clone War had come to the galaxy as the Republic fought desperately to defend against the Separatists with their new clone army. On the battlefield Jedi took on the role of Generals and Commanders as they led the clone troops into battle, but even with the clone army the CIS were still very much a threat as the opening battles of the Clone Wars had begun.
After the Battle of Geonosis the Republic eventually seized the planet with great help from Master Windu, but the Separatist would strike back with a surprise attack on Rhen Var destroying all resistance and taking control of the world.
A month after the Battle of Geonosis and shortly after the siege of Rhen Var the fighting started up again as the war raged across Raxus Prime, Alaris Prime, and once again on Rhen Var. During this entire period it was believed that Count Dooku or now known Sith Lord "Darth Tyranus" and his forces were looking for something, something believed to be a possible weapon. Only until recently after the battle on Rhen Var was the true nature of Dooku's plans discovered, he was looking for an ancient Sith artifact called the "Dark Reaper". Little was known about the artifact except it was purely of the dark side, but the Republic was able to discover that the Dark Reaper itself was on the dark planet of Thule.
The Jedi Council would decide the next move as they debated on this pressing issue.
Meanwhile in the Jedi Council chamber.
"What have you discovered about this Sith artifact?" asked Rancisis.
"From searching the Jedi archives I've found very little on this 'Dark Reaper' but from what we've seen it appears to be some type of weapon, the destroyed forests on Alaris Prime confirms this" replied Windu.
"Umm instrument of the dark side it is, destroyed it must be" stated Yoda.
"Is their anything else?" asked Mundi.
"Yes, we have also discovered that this Dark Reaper has the ability to turn Jedi to the dark side drawing them in and sucking the force right out of them feeding the device" informed Windu.
"Such a device would certainly bode ill for the Jedi" stated Tiin.
"Yes, it could destroy us" added Poof.
"I believe that's exactly what Dooku intends, but I'm afraid it may have other uses, uses that could be far more deadly, it must be destroyed" stated Windu.
"Then it is agreed we shall formulate a plan to strike the planet and destroy it" replied Koon.
"It won't be easy, Thule is heavily defended and Dooku has many of his armies on the planet, in fact one of our clone Commanders has discovered that the planet itself is protected by a planetary shield preventing us from hitting it directly with a strike force" informed Windu.
"However the clone Commander has also noticed a weakness in their defenses, the Thule moon houses the generator for the planetary shield, if we destroy the shield generator then the shield will fall allowing our forces to strike the planet" informed Gallia.
"Then prepare we shall" replied Yoda.
With that the council with help from a few clone Commanders devised a plan to strike the planet.
Many hours later in the hanger bay of the Jedi Temple.
The plan was set as the massive Republic fleet prepared for departure, there would be three strike force teams, two led by Jedi Knights Kenobi and Skywalker, and one by Master Windu. Everything seemed in order except to Owen, he felt he should go along with them, it would be Master Windu's decision however.
In the Temple hanger bay Windu prepared to depart in his Jedi Starfighter, Owen then approached eager to get his approval.
"Master, could you spare a moment?" asked Owen.
Mace jumped down off the wing of his Starfighter. "What is it Owen?" he replied.
"Well Master I…" Owen was cut off.
"You want to come with us" interrupted Windu.
"How did you…" Owen was cut off again.
"I could sense it as soon as you came into the hanger" answered Windu.
"Well, I do wish very much to join you and the others in the attack" stated Owen.
"Owen get yourself back to the Temple, you're a wise Jedi now and the order will need your gift especially in this unpredictable time of war" stated Windu.
"Master my first hand knowledge of the planet may prove useful, it is my duty to assist you" replied Owen.
"Ah yes, your altercation on Thule five years ago with the Sith Darth Drakus" pointed out Windu.
"Owen this is a different situation, we are fighting the CIS droid army not Sith, I, Obi-Wan, and Anakin will be fine alone" stated Windu.
Windu then climbed into his cockpit. "Master I stayed out of events on Raxus Prime, the Kashyyyk moon, and recent events on Rhen Var out of respect for the order, but I do not wish to hide from battle anymore" stated Owen.
"I want to help Master, please, let me accompany you to Thule to fight this battle" pleaded Owen.
Windu looked discouraged thinking Owens request over.
"(Sigh) Very well, are you ready to go?" asked Windu.
With new found joy in his speech Owen responded. "Yes Master I am"
"Then get into your ship, we're leaving" ordered Windu.
Enthusiastically Owen hopped into his Jedi Starfighter and followed Master Windu in his ship to the assembly area.
Meanwhile on the dark planet of Thule.
Count Dooku lingered in his chair as he relayed the news to his Master via holovid.
"The Republic has discovered the location of the artifact Master, the Jedi are leading a fleet to the planet to destroy it" informed Dooku.
"They will not succeed, double your defenses and put all droids on maximum alert" ordered Darth Sidious over the holovid.
"They must not destroy the device Tyranus, remember our plans" stated Sidious sternly.
"Yes Skywalker, I remember" confirmed Dooku.
"He will make an interesting test subject, do as I command Tyranus, is that understood?" asked Sidious with his evil manipulative voice.
Dooku bowed. "Yes Master"
"Good, everything so far is going to plan, see that you do not disappoint me" stated Sidious.
With that said the holovid flickered out and Dooku rose turning to his personal battle droids. "Ready the device" ordered Dooku.
Meanwhile in hyperspace.
Owen rode side by side next to Windu in his Jedi Starfighter as the entire Republic strike force speeded through hyperspace.
Owen flicked on his comm. "Master I believe I understand now" he stated.
"Understand what?" Windu questioned flicking on his comm.
"What Jedi Knight Arress sensed five years ago on Thule" explained Owen.
"You mean the Dark Reaper" replied Windu.
"Yes, even though she didn't know it I believe Anna felt the distinct presence of the ancient Sith artifact" said Owen.
"Dooku must have sent Drakus there to eliminate Anna so his secret wouldn't be discovered" stated Owen.
"Hmm yes I see it now, Dooku did not have the forces he does now, he wanted to keep it hidden until he had enough power to unleash it upon the galaxy or perhaps until he understood the ancient Sith device" implied Windu.
Windu's comm. was suddenly interrupted. "Commander Windu we're coming up on it" reported the clone Commander.
"Very well, ready your forces and remember the plan, standby" ordered Windu flicking off his comm.
With a sudden jolt the entire Republic fleet exited hyperspace, Anakin and his strike force would hit the Thule moon first knock out the shield generator then the massive strike force teams could attack the planet itself.
As Owen overlooked the massive shield protecting the purple world suddenly part of it opened and a large Separatist fleet became visible coming out of the shield. "We've got company" warned Windu over the comm. to all Republic forces.
Immediately the CIS capital ships opened fire triggering the space battle above Thule. "Anakin take you forces and strike that moon, we'll cover your advance" ordered Windu over the comm.
Anakin did just that as the droid starfighters and tri-fighters led the attack firing wildly at his strike force, Windu then ordered the entire Republic fleet to cover Anakin and his forces as they descended towards the Thule moon, everyone expect for Obi-Wan and Owen that is. "Obi-Wan, Owen, we'll cover Anakin you two go take out those tri-fighters on our flank" ordered Windu over the comm.
"What about those capital ships?" questioned Owen.
"You let me worry about them, you two just make sure none of those fighters get through" assured Windu.
"Alright Obi-Wan let's do this" stated Owen.
"Right" replied Obi-Wan.
Owen and Obi-Wan then separated themselves from the huge space battle blasting away towards the advancing squadron of tri-fighters, the fighters then became visible as Obi-Wan and Owen advanced. "Keep it tight Owen" cautioned Obi-Wan.
"Gotcha" replied Owen.
The entire squadron of tri-fighters then opened up forcing Owen and Obi-Wan to dodge their intense blaster fire, dodging the last bit of the heavy fire Owen brought his Starfighter back around. "Alright, my turn" stated Owen.
Owen then fired his twin-barrel laser cannons blowing four droid tri-fighters into space dust, Obi-Wan in turn did the same destroying the four in front of him. "Not bad for two Jedi" said Owen over the comm.
Obi-Wan smirked but then looked up. "There coming back around" he warned.
The six tri-fighters worked together firing frantically nicking their ships with random shots. "Ughhh" Obi-Wan struggled as his ship was hit again.
"Hold on Obi-Wan I'm coming" assured Owen over the comm.
He came up behind the six triangular shaped fighters waiting for his shot to line up. "Come on, come on, almost there" said Owen.
The tri-fighters kept on firing as Obi-Wan lost his R4 droid. "Whhhhhaaaaaooooo!" shrieked the droid as the shot grazed the hull.
Owen then opened up blowing the squadron of tri-fighters apart. "Obi-Wan, are you alright?" asked Owen.
"Yes, but I've lost my R4 droid" replied Obi-Wan.
"We should head ba…" Owen was cut off but the sight before him. "Oh great" he complained.
"What is it?" wondered Obi-Wan.
"Droid starfighters, on your left" pointed out Owen.
As they zoomed by Obi-Wan moved his head around frantically in his cockpit trying to spot the fast ships. "How many are there?" asked Obi-Wan in a panic.
Owen took a good look and counted as he flew right above Obi-Wan. "Ten…there's ten" he informed.
"We should head back to the fleet we can't take them one on one there's too many" suggested Obi-Wan.
Owen then quickly thought of a plan. "Wait, we can use their speed against them"
"What?" questioned Obi-Wan.
"We can draw them out of their ranks and send them into one another, they'll be going too fast to slow down" stated Owen.
"You think you can do it?" asked Owen.
Obi-Wan hesitated considering the odds which weren't good. "Alright, but I've got a bad feeling about this"
With that they speeded forward dodging the heavy fire from the ships, Owen and Obi-Wan then split up causing the droid starfighters to break their ranks, five followed Owen while the other five followed Obi-Wan. "I'll meet you in the middle" said Owen over the comm.
They twisted and turned avoiding the harsh fire from the droid starfighters, their ships were hit a few times but they were still on their feet. "Blast it, I lost my stabilizer" cursed Obi-Wan as his Starfighter was hit again.
"There he is" said Obi-Wan to himself.
With that he made a sharp turn getting back to the center, as did Owen. "Steady Obi-Wan, steady" cautioned Owen not wanting to give away their plan.
"Now!" Owen yelled over the comm.
Hitting their thrusters Obi-Wan and Owen zoomed towards each other at an incredible speed, the following droid starfighters did the same as they increased their speed to maximum. Just 20 yards from each other they both pulled down their thruster and plunged their ships downwards as the droid starfighters couldn't slow down in time and collided finishing off the battle group.
They both sat back into their cockpit seats and collected themselves. "(Sigh), good job" congratulated Obi-Wan.
"Likewise, (whew)" replied Owen.
"We better get back to the fleet" said Obi-Wan.
"Lead the way" replied Owen.
Meanwhile back above Thule in the chaotic space battle.
"Commander Windu, were defending well and making progress but those capital ships are causing a problem" reported the clone Commander.
"Their heavy firepower are destroying our assault ships" added the clone Commander.
"I'm on it Commander, you just worry about our defenses" replied Windu.
Another massive assault ship then slowly broke apart as it had been destroyed. "Blast, we need those ships" thought Windu as he kept trying to break through the droid defenses to get to the capital ships.
Suddenly Obi-Wan and Owens Jedi Starfighters shot past Windu as they returned to the battle, he flicked on his comm. "How'd you make out?" asked Windu.
"They've all been destroyed Master Windu" answered Obi-Wan.
"Good, now maybe you both can lend us a hand" insisted Windu.
"Where's Anakin?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Still on the moon, were trying to keep him covered but were taking heavy losses" replied Windu.
"The capital ships" implied Owen.
"Yes, they pack quite a wallop" stated Windu.
"Alright then, let's take them out" stated Obi-Wan.
"Okay, I'll tell the fleet to give us cover" replied Windu.
Master Windu transmitted the orders and the Republic fleet opened up on the one direct area forming a massive explosion, with that the three Jedi rocketed forward into the breach.
Getting past the outer defenses they came upon the huge CIS capital ships.
"We'll hit them one by one until they fall, use your missiles" ordered Windu.
With that said they unleashed their Starfighters cluster missiles onto the unsuspecting capital ship blowing nearly all of it up, they circled round again hitting it once more with their heavy weapons, the first capital ship then exploded as it had been destroyed. But then out of the three other capital ships came a mass of droid tri-fighters and starfighters. "Pull up!" shouted Windu.
Obi-Wan and Owen quickly pulled up and avoided the collision. "Don't worry about their fighters stick to the capital ships" ordered Windu.
Owen fired a cluster missile directly into the capital ships bridge throwing the whole ship into disarray, following up behind him Obi-Wan and Windu fired several missiles of their own into key positions on the massive ship, it then slowly exploded all over and fell out of the battle. "Two more" informed Windu over the comm.
But the mass of droid fighters then turned their attention to the three of them and opened fire, being above the three ships the heavy laser fire was like rain being poured on them. They twisted and turned their fighters every which way avoiding the laser fire but Windu was eventually hit as his Starfighter spun out of control. Master Windu then pressed the switch to shut down the rear thruster before his ship exploded. "I'm hit, there's no way for me to continue on with you, I'll have to get back to the fleet" informed Windu as he bugged out.
"Looks like it's just you and me old friend" said Owen.
"Let's teach these Separatists a lesson" replied Obi-Wan.
Avoiding the heavy fire from above they thrusted underneath one of the remaining capital ships, Owen and Obi-Wan then unleashed four to five missiles into the belly of the massive ship. Coming around from underneath Owen performed a loop turning his ship upside down, as Obi-Wan pounded the rear engine Owen still upside down released several cluster missiles point blank into the center of the ship. The capital ship then started to explode from the inside as their relentless hammering of the vessel had paid off, it then split in two blowing itself apart. "Nice trick" complemented Obi-Wan.
"Surprised she held together" replied Owen.
Knocking several tri-fighters out of the action they made their way to the final capital ship. "I'm running out of missiles Owen" informed Obi-Wan.
"Me too, we'll have to play this one smart" replied Owen.
"Concentrate all your fire on the rear engines, that should bring it down" stated Owen.
Turning their ships inside and out they continued to dodge the heavy fire of the droid fighters chasing them, finally after getting close enough at the same time they unleashed the rest of their missiles into the rear engines of the remaining capital ship. It caused a huge explosion and the engines were nearly down but the ship was still operational as it continued to fire at the Republic fleet in the distance. Owen knew that their Starfighters laser cannons wouldn't be enough, it then clicked in his mind. "I'll have to destroy it from the inside" stated Owen.
"What, you can't be serious?" questioned Obi-Wan.
"We have no choice Obi-Wan, we have to take that capital ship out or were not getting to Thule" replied Owen.
Owen turned to Obi-Wan in his cockpit. "Cover me"
He then nose dived toward the capital ship as it fired on him with its heavy turrets, Owen plunged his Starfighter into the ships hanger bay. Skidding to a stop he leaped out of his cockpit and looked around the see where the engines might be located, he then noticed a large red sign that said 'Engines' with arrows pointing through a doorway. Owen ran for the doorway as several battle droids trampled towards him, getting inside he saw a group of super battle droids guarding the area, Owen also noticed the large glowing engines of the capital ship to the right. "This must be it" he thought.
He sprang out igniting his yellow saber gutting the first super battle droid in his way, then tossing the second with authority into the wall shattering it to pieces, he then dispatched the remaining three sawing them in half. Owen reached into his belt and pulled out several detpacks. "This outta do it" he said tossing them into the ships engines.
He immediately ran back into the hanger to his Starfighter as the massive explosions began behind him.
Meanwhile back outside the capital ship.
Continuing to avoid the droid fighters Obi-Wan looked concerned as he noticed the explosions starting up all around the capital ship. "I hope he's alright" said Obi-Wan.
Back inside the capital ship.
The hanger was exploding all over as Owen climbed into his Starfighter, suddenly he was struck in the back with a blaster shot as several pesky battle droids ran towards him. Using the force Owen stretched out his hand and formed a fist crushing the many battle droids impeding his escape, he then hopped back into his Starfighter and thrusted out of the bay just as the last capital ship exploded.
Meanwhile back outside.
To Obi-Wan's relief he saw Owens Jedi Starfighter rocket out of the exploding capital ship. "Thank the force" he said to himself.
"Just in time" said Owen reporting in.
"Are you alright?" asked Obi-Wan.
"A bit singed but I'll live" replied Owen.
Suddenly their comms. came to life. "All Republic forces report to the main fleet where being overwhelmed" stated Windu.
Without a seconds hesitation they hit their thrusters heading back to the main fleet.
Windu and the clone pilots were doing the best they could to protect the main Republic fleet but the recently deployed CIS strike bombers kept pouring from the planet nailing the massive assault ships with their heavy payload. Master Windu then noticed Owen and Obi-Wan's Starfighters return to the fleet, knowing he was losing more and more ships by the minute Mace didn't hesitate. "Owen, Obi-Wan, take out those bombers!" ordered Windu.
Owen speeded right by the squadron of H shaped v-wings and fired his twin-barrel laser cannons as fast as he could nailing several strike bombers, he knocked only a few out of action however due to the bulky armor of the bomber. "Green squadron reinforce the Jedi's position" ordered the clone Commander.
"Cancel that order Commander, tell your v-wings to protect those assault ships, there's already some Republic starfighters in the air to cover us" ordered Obi-Wan.
"Yes General Kenobi" replied the clone Commander.
The three Jedi along with the few Republic starfighters were able to take out the remaining strike bombers around the assault ships but more kept coming as another battle group approached. Noticing that Owen and Obi-Wan had no missiles and he had very few left Windu gave some smart commanding orders. "Forget about hitting them head on, their armors too strong for that, we'll provide a distraction while the Republic starfighters hit them from behind with their rockets" commanded Windu.
"Yes Sir" replied the clone pilots.
"Very well" replied Obi-Wan.
And finally. "Of coarse Master" replied Owen.
"Alright, let's get it done" stated Windu.
Owen, Windu, and Obi-Wan blasted through the strike bomber battle group firing wildly at as many bombers as they could providing the distraction the Republic starfighters needed. It was working as most of the battle group left their target and fired on the three annoying Jedi Starfighters, getting themselves behind the battle group the clone pilots opened fire with their homing rockets sending the strike bombers up in flames. "Excellent work everyone, we'll take care of the stragglers" stated Windu over the comm. to the entire fleet.
Taking care of the few remaining bombers the three Jedi Commanders rejoined the fleet, just then the shield protecting the planet suddenly fell and shortly after Anakin with his strike force came from the moon. "The shield generator has been destroyed Master, the droid army on the moon is in shambles" informed Anakin.
"Very good Anakin" complimented Windu.
"Alright we all know the plan we'll take what's left of the Republic fleet and split it up into three main strike force teams, Obi-Wan with his team will destroy the specific strategic locations across the planet as indicated, I and Anakin with our teams will attack Kessia City from two sides and take the Sith Temple, and Owen with what's left of our forces will take out the remaining droid units around the city and cover us from the CIS reinforcements" informed Windu.
"We'll stay in constant contact just incase anyone locates the Dark Reaper" added Windu.
"You have your orders and know what to do, let's move out" stated Windu.
With that said the clone army led by the three Jedi Commanders descended towards the planet in their assault ships, the invasion of Thule had begun.
Obi-Wan and his strike force team would soften up the planets defenses first before Windu, Anakin, and Owen could hit the surface with their teams.
Several minutes passed until finally Obi-Wan contacted the Republic fleet in the planet's atmosphere. "The planets defenses are down, bring them in" reported Obi-Wan.
With that the several hundred LAAT's or Republic gunships left the assault ships with the clone army on board ready to fight. Master Windu, Anakin Skywalker, and Owen Sun descended in their Jedi Starfighters towards Kessia City with the clone army right behind them. Owen then caught sight of the city as it was certainly eerie to behold at night, getting closer and closer to the city Owen remembered the last time he was on Thule and his memories came flooding back to him. When Anna was killed before him and Arca, the imposing Sith Darth Drakus, so many things changed after Thule that Owen was starting to wonder if coming along was a mistake, but he quickly stuffed those feelings away and remembered what was counting on this, the Dark Reaper had to be destroyed and he would help in any way possible. "We're coming in, here we go" stated Windu getting Owen focused again.
Anakin and Windu went east with their forces while Owen went west with his. "Remember Owen, seize those entrances and do not let them fall, keep us covered and don't let any of their reinforcements into the city" reminded Windu over the comm.
"Master what about air support, their bound to have fighters still in the air" pointed out Owen.
"Don't worry Obi-Wan and his forces will keep us covered by air" assured Windu.
There was a short pause as Owen prepared to land. "And Owen…May the Force be with you" stated Windu.
Owen took what was left over from the strike teams and landed right outside the city of Kessia, he jumped out of his Starfighter as the LAAT's dropped off troops, tanks, walkers, and many other military vehicles that they would need to seize Thule. "Commander, rally your men and sweep around the city" ordered Owen.
"Yes Sir General Sun" replied the clone Commander.
After sweeping around the city they met little resistance and had taken control of the outskirts around Kessia, but Owen knew better Dooku's droid army would surely have reinforcements and it was his job to stop them before they could enter the city. "Set up heavy defenses on all entrances to the city, no CIS forces get in or out" ordered Owen to his clone Commander.
"Also put a perimeter on the outskirts so we know if any CIS reinforcements are coming" added Owen.
"Right away General" replied the clone Commander.
It was quiet for a while but as massive explosions started to take place inside the city it was only a matter of time before droid reinforcements would arrive. And sure enough the clone scouts on the outskirts reported in. "Commander we've picked up several Separatists forces advancing toward our position on radar" informed the clone scout.
"Standby" replied the clone Commander as he turned to Owen.
"Tell them to hold position, I'm on my way" ordered Owen.
Owen then hopped on the barc speeder as the Commander relayed the orders, he zoomed across the savannas of Thule until he reached the clone scouts. Owen approached and the scout gave him the optics. "Over there General, 120 yards out" informed the clone scout.
Owen glanced through the optics seeing the massive CIS ground forces. "What are your orders General?" asked one of the scouts.
Without responding Owen grabbed his communicator. "Commander"
"Yes General" replied the clone Commander.
"Send up a battalion of fighter tanks and two walkers up the rear" ordered Owen.
The clone Commander followed his orders and sent them to his position, arriving he put them in key locations for a surprise attack, Owen stood by waiting for the droid army to get close enough holding his communicator to his mouth ready to give the order. Suddenly right next to Owen a clone scout was picked off by a droid sniper, he didn't hesitate. "Walkers open fire!" shouted Owen.
The giant AT-TE walkers fired from their positions turning the frontal CIS droid forces to scrap, Owen then ordered the fighter tanks into battle as they rolled forward to take the fight to the Separatists. Getting through the tanks the droid infantry then ran towards Owens position firing frantically at the Jedi Knight. "Turrets open fire!" ordered Owen.
The clone scouts jumped on the turrets shooting down the advancing droid infantry, the few that got through Owen dispatched easily enough with his lightsaber. After losing only a few TX-130 fighter tanks the tank group destroyed the last remaining hailfire droid putting an end to the first wave of droid reinforcements. "Stay ready" cautioned Owen over his communicator to his forces.
Just then a mass of spider droids in the distance became visible, Owen whipped out the optics and his breath was taken away by how many there were. "My God, we don't stand a chance" thought Owen.
Putting his personal thoughts to rest Owen had a job to lead these men and win or lose that's exactly what he was going to do. "Fighter tanks open fire!" shouted Owen into his communicator.
Even with all the fire power directed at them not one of the spider droids fell, they were stubborn as their armor refused to give way. Owen then ordered the walkers to open fire on the advancing spider droids, they brought down a few but there was still so many and now they were within shooting range. With their beam cannons the spider droids then opened up destroying several TX-130 fighter tanks, all forces on both sides were now engaged as Owen with his clone forces tried desperately to hold off the advancing droid army.
Owen continued to defend on the outskirts as he sawed through the stap speeder bike trying to zoom past him, cutting down more and more droid infantry his defenses were falling apart as only a few fighter tanks remained. Suddenly one of the huge walkers burst into flames as from behind the advancing spider droids came a mass of AAT's, the other walker moved to defend but the CIS were too many as they focused their fire and destroyed the last walker.
With the walkers destroyed it was only a matter of time before his outskirt defenses fell, Owen and the clone scouts did the best they could to cover the remaining fighter tanks with the turrets but now with armored assault tanks the Separatists easily destroyed the last bit of resistance. Owen left the turret and ran for his speeder. "We have to fall back, come on!" shouted Owen.
As the clone scouts prepared to depart the unending droid infantry overwhelmed them and tore them all apart, as the last scout ran towards Owen he was cut down by a super battle droid from behind. "AHHHHH!" cried the clone scout.
Owen hit the thruster as the outskirt defense of Kessia City had fallen, he speeded back to his main force group and informed the clone Commander of the situation. "Hold the entrances Commander, or Master Windu and Anakin won't stand a chance" stated Owen wrapping up his orders.
"I'll need a tank" informed Owen.
"Right, I'll give you one of the few IFT-X hover tanks, there new and are much better than our normal fighter tanks" replied the clone Commander.
As Owen hopped in the tank to prepare for battle his communicator rang. "Yes" answered Owen.
"How are things going?" asked Windu over the battle in the back round.
"Troubling Master, I'm not sure we can hold off their reinforcements" replied Owen.
"You have your orders Owen, don't let them into the city" reminded Windu.
"Were closing in on the Sith Temple, I'll be in touch" informed Windu as he ended their conversation.
Suddenly out of nowhere. BOOM!
The large explosion destroying almost half of the battle group on the left was the cue for the advancing droid army as they appeared in the distance firing on all cylinders, Owen slid into the tank and took control of it. He then rallied the fighter tanks around him forming a wall of resistance as the battle started up again on both sides. BOOM! another heavy explosion that destroyed a walker.
Owen couldn't waste a moment more. "On my mark...MARK!" shouted Owen.
With the order given the line of fighter tanks opened fire turning the advancing reinforcements into a wall of flames. They had destroyed an entire wave of reinforcements but it was a small victory nothing more as the next wave barreled through the flames, a squad of deadly armored assault tanks led the next attack nailing their defenses hard. BOOM!
The advancing assault tanks turned the line of TX-130's into dust, Owens own tank had taken quite a hit as he contacted the group of walkers. "Walkers, reinforce our position" ordered Owen.
The AT-TE's did just that moving forward destroying several of the assault tanks but the walkers lacked in mobility as the spider droids reinforced the Separatists tanks. Eventually the walkers were overwhelmed as the spider droids and dwarf spiders blew up the AT-TE's, the ground troops then came into play as the droid infantry units advanced trying to get through the entrance and into the city of Kessia.
The battle hardened clone troops stood their ground though and fended off the first wave of droid infantry, after destroying a few spider droids Owen looked to his radar and was astonished to say the least. Thousands of red dots covered his radar representing advancing droid units, they were all around the city slowly closing in to surround them. Strategically speaking the Republic didn't stand a chance but Owen was not about to lie down and give up. "Commander, deploy your reserve forces to the city entrances now" he ordered.
"Yes Sir" replied the clone Commander.
As the clones took their position throughout the entire fleet the red dots on the tanks radar got closer and closer until. BOOM! another explosion forming a crater where the AT-RT's were.
"All Republic forces prepare, here comes another wave" cautioned Owen over the comm.
Spotting the first group of hailfire droids Owen opened up with his tank's blaster cannon, the onslaught of droid reinforcements just kept coming as Owen dodged the heavy fire with his tank like a true soldier but after dispatching the first push made by the droid army more and more AAT's appeared. The droid army was desperate to get inside the city as they rained heavy fire onto the entrance destroying hundreds of armored vehicles and killing thousands of clone troops. Owen destroyed as many as he could refusing them entry into the city until finally the group of armored assault tanks started concentrating their fire onto his tank, he had to bail out as his tank was destroyed.
Owen jumped right back into the action however as he hopped up onto the assault tank and after sawing the gunner in half with his saber he opened the hatch and tossed several thermal detonators into the tank destroying it. The clone troops looked on astonished thinking he was crazy as Owen continued to do this tank by tank. The surviving walker finished off the remaining assault tanks as Owen and his forces had repelled the heaviest wave of Separatists reinforcements yet.
But Owen knew there were other entrances around the city that weren't fairing as well as this battle group and he had to protect each entrance so after giving the clone Commander his orders Owen hopped on the barc speeder and zoomed off to the other city entrances.
One by one he defended them all as the battle continued to rage on but the reinforcements kept coming trying to break through the Republic defenses. Owen speeded from one entrance to the next helping repel the Separatists any way he could but even with all he had done in defense of Kessia the droid army was gaining ground and slowly pushing their way toward the entrances. In the chaos of the battle as Owen cut down the group of droidekas his communicator rang out. "General Sun, we could use your help back here, the droid army is making a strong push and I don't know if we can hold out alone" pleaded the clone Commander.
"I'm on my way" replied Owen as he tossed his saber through the dwarf spider destroying it.
Getting back to the Commander Owen could see he wasn't kidding, with almost all of their armored vehicles destroyed and only two companies of clone troopers left it was only a matter of time before the CIS reinforcements would punch through. Not only that but the droid army had set up their HAG's to finish off the remaining clone resistance, as the heavy artillery guns continued to pound the withering Republic defenses Owen did the best he could as their General to defend the city entrance.
The entire TX-130 fighter tanks had been wiped out so Owen had to use the outdated AT-XT's to hold off the advance, the only real weapon he had left was the last remaining walker. He positioned the forces in a triangle defense with the massive walker in the center providing support, the droid army came pouring in again making another push confident of victory. The AAT's led the charge with the spider droids right behind them, the firing was merciless back and forth as the heavy fire shook the very surface of the planet, despite heavy losses the armored assault tanks broke through Owens triangular defense. The HAG's then concentrated their fire on the remaining walker as it exploded in a burst of flames, with a hole created in the Republic defenses the droid infantry led by several hailfire droids and staps marched through mowing down any clone troopers in their way. BOOM! another massive explosion behind Owen.
Owen looked behind and couldn't believe it as their command post had been destroyed, the clone Commanders fate was unknown. With nothing to lose and almost no forces left to speak of Owen led the clone ground troopers right into the advancing droid infantry. "Follow me…for the Republic!" shouted Owen over the deafening battle around him.
The hundreds of clone troops roared in unison as they charged right into the droid infantry. "AHHHHH!"
Owen plunged into the droid army sawing mechanical limbs and droid bodies apart everywhere, he ripped right through the droid infantry until not one was left standing, but it had come at quite a cost as less than a hundred clone troops remained. Owen tossed his plasma scorched rob off as in front of him a platoon of droidekas rolled in, got up, activated their shield emitters, and opened fire, almost every clone trooper was cut down by the wall of red blaster fire coming from the droidekas but Owen deflected each shot frantically with his yellow saber. With his mind distracted deflecting the heavy fire he couldn't sense that the assault tanks were preparing to fix their fire directly on him, suddenly in a massive explosion every AAT opened up on him. At the last second Owen jumped out of the way but was still caught in much of the explosion as he was thrown from the battle, as the smoke cleared Owens body lied on the charred ground motionless.
Eventually his hand started move and he slowly began to hear the sounds of the battle again as he brought his arms to his face, Owen shook off the shellshock and pulled himself up. Looking on he could see his clone forces diminishing as thousands of clone bodies lay strewn across the battle charred ground, as the heavy turrets fell next to the gate entrance into the city Owen knew he had failed, nothing would stop them now.
But then suddenly from above the Republic fleet appeared blocking out the sky, looking closer Owen noticed that it was Obi-Wan and his strike force team, they moved in hard and fast firing missile after missile into the unprepared droid army. "Thank you Obi-Wan" said Owen to himself.
Around the city the droid reinforcements were all destroyed as Obi-Wan blasted back into the sky, getting past all the wreckage Owen met up with the handful of remaining troops left. "Are you all that's made it?" asked Owen to the battered troops.
"Yes General Sun I believe so" replied the clone trooper.
Surprised the clone then spotted a small group of about thirty troops headed towards them. "Wait, look!" he cried.
The troops moved towards them looking like they had fought from one side of the galaxy to the other, Owen was relieved as in the center of them was the clone Commander. "Commander, I'm glad to see you made it" Owen greeted shaking his hand.
"Yes, we were swarmed with droid infantry and had to fight our way out" informed the clone Commander.
There was a long pause as they surveyed the battlefield which was covered in wreckage. "So what no…" the clone Commander was cut off by three approaching clone scouts.
"General we've found something we think you should take a look at" reported the clone scout.
As the clone scouts guided them through the dark to whatever they had found Owen spoke up. "I see a few of you made it out alive" stated Owen referring to their defeat on the outskirts.
"Yes we got separated from the battle group and that's where we found this" replied the scout pointing to the large tunnel now before them.
There was a moment of silence as they surveyed the vast tunnel. "What is it for?" questioned the clone Commander.
"It's a tunnel, probably used to transfer droid units all over the planet secretly" answered Owen.
"It's certainly big enough for it" added one of the clone scouts.
Owen held out his hand and scanned the tunnel with his mind. "I don't sense anything" he thought.
Suddenly though as he got to the end of the tunnel a dark presence was felt throwing his concentration off, Owen opened his eyes and turned to the clone Commander.
"Commander take what's left of the men and scatter them around each entrance to the city, we don't know for sure if the Separatists have any more reinforcements" ordered Owen.
"What about you?" asked the clone Commander.
"Leave me six men and we'll search the tunnel, now go" ordered Owen.
With that the clone Commander followed his orders and left, Owen, three clone scouts, and three regular clone troopers made their way inside the dark tunnel.
After venturing deep into the tunnel they came to an impass to the left and right, Owen quickly gave his orders to the clone scouts. "Take one trooper each and search both ways" ordered Owen.
The clone scouts nodded and followed their orders as the one team went left and the other went right. Owen with a clone scout and a regular clone trooper continued on into the dimly lit tunnel.
They continued to walk through cautiously until suddenly Owen stopped them sensing something up ahead, he extended his hand and searched through the force coming to his conclusion. "Dooku" he said quietly to himself.
"Go" said Owen blatantly.
Not moving Owen turned around. "Get back to your units"
The clones hesitated looking to one another. "That's an order" stated Owen sternly.
So with that both clones turned around and headed back.
Owen walked forward carefully knowing the Sith Lord could be anywhere, then up ahead he noticed a red object slowly advancing towards him, Owen stopped dead in his tracks and waited for Dooku. Revealing himself he came out of the darkness with his lightsaber already lit. "Owen Sun, at last we meet again" stated Dooku.
"From your appearance I'd say you've fought quite a battle haven't you" implied Dooku referring to Owens tattered white Jedi garments.
There was a short pause as Owen surveyed the Sith Lord. "Count Dooku…or should I say Darth Tyranus"
Dooku smiled. "So Obi-Wan told you about my new identity"
"Call yourself whatever you want Dooku, you'll always be a shell of what you once were" stated Owen.
Dooku chuckled lightly. "Ha-ha-ha you have no idea the extent of my power boy"
"Where is the Dark Reaper Dooku?" asked Owen sternly.
"Ha-ha you really think I would tell you" replied Dooku.
Owen simply glared at Dooku in response. "So what is it you seek at this reunion, is it revenge, do you wish to kill me for striking down your love" implied Dooku.
"That would be the mindless bloody way of the Sith Dooku, I am a servant of the light and you will not escape this time" replied Owen.
"Ah yes, the continued righteous path of a Jedi, I walked it just as you are until my eyes were opened to the weak and foolish ways of the Jedi" stated Dooku.
"You could have joined me and freed your enslaved emotions but instead you hid from your anger and hate, engulfing yourself in the lies of the Jedi Order putting the Jedi female behind you" stated Dooku.
"But your feelings betray you, I can see the emptiness in your heart…you still care for her…you still love her, and love is forbidden among the Jedi" stated Dooku trying to twist Owen around his finger.
Owen clinched his jaw and lowered his head taking in Dooku's manipulative words. "You can try and hide your emotions but I see right through you……yes, the act has left its mark" stated Dooku probing Owens emotions.
"You are not a Jedi, not anymore, and those who are not Jedi are Sith, face it you have fallen" implied Dooku trying to break Owen.
Owen raised his head. "I know what I am Dooku…and I am not a Sith"
Dooku smiled and nodded his head as his attempt to break him had failed.
"You are weak and foolish, I offer you power and you spat it back in my face" stated Dooku.
"Enough words" stated Owen drawing his yellow lightsaber.
"You are a fool if you wish to challenge me again, my power has surpassed any mere Jedi" replied Dooku.
Dooku didn't get a response. "Very well"
Dooku lunged forward attacking the prepared Jedi Knight, each stab Dooku made Owen was right there to parry it, then as Dooku attempted his force push him Owen blocked it with his strong Jedi mind. Dooku raised his eyebrow in disbelief. "I am impressed with you Owen" he complimented.
"A Jedi can learn a lot in a year Dooku" stated Owen.
"Indeed" replied the Sith Lord.
Owen sprang up twisting in mid-air getting himself behind Dooku trying to throw Sith Lord off his game, he then took the fight to Dooku slashing and stabbing every which way. As he continued on the offensive Owen observed carefully for a possible weakness in Dooku's technique, finally he spotted a small opening. "There it is" he thought.
Dooku was more than surprised about Owen thinking he would take the Jedi down easily, that wasn't the case. "This one is strong, too strong" thought Dooku.
With Owen trying desperately to break through Dooku's defenses his mind wasn't as sharp and the Sith Lord threw him into the rocky tunnel wall. Owen was winded badly as a piece of rock connected directly with his spine, he focused his mind trying to melt the pain away. "Ready for more?" asked Dooku as he stepped forward.
Owen lifted his head. "Yes" he replied sternly.
He jumped up firing back on Dooku with a flurry of quick and relentless strikes, in a break in the action both of them canceled themselves out as they used their force push on each other at the same time. Owen then tossed his saber right at him, in turn Dooku did the same as their sabers collided proving nothing, they both brought their lightsabers back to them and leaped for one another as the frantic dueling had begun once again.
Neither man had any advantage as they continued to strike and block one another's advances, it was truly a wonder to behold as they dueled throughout the vast tunnel. Catching Owen off guard Dooku then kicked him in the gut sending him to the ground, he immediately followed up trying to behead Owen while stunned on the ground but Owen got his saber up in time blocking it as the loud hum of their lightsabers rang in his ear. He then kicked Dooku in the stomach and right after in the face knocking him to the ground.
Dooku got up collecting himself noticing blood running from his lip, he wiped off the blood then looked to Owen in disgust. Dooku then extended his hand and shook the ground underneath Owen causing him to fall and lose his lightsaber, wasting no time Dooku raised his saber over his head attempting to annihilate Owen on the ground. Using the force Owen pulled his saber back towards him and as Dooku's blade came down he blocked it just inches from his forehead, Dooku and Owen were now face to face. "Give in" stated Dooku.
"Ughh never" replied Owen.
Owen then kicked Dooku off of him, the Sith Lord landed well enough on his feet twisting his saber wildly in the air preparing for more. Owen attacked Dooku again ready to end their altercation, he pushed him back with his intense and fluid strikes, but then he got himself entangled with Dooku's blade. As their sabers went round and round in the entanglement the yellow and red glow of their lightsabers highlighted their faces in the dark tunnel, Dooku's face then bunched up as he sneered at him with contempt, Owen simply maintained his composure and got out of the entanglement, but once again he noticed Dooku's reckless off hand flaw in his technique. Surprisingly Owen then swatted his lightsaber away and nailed him in the mouth with the butt of his saber, Dooku fell to the ground crawling madly for his saber but as he reached it he turned around to see Owen standing right over him with his yellow lightsaber to his throat. Dooku grinned. "You have bested me" he stated.
With his saber to Dooku's throat Owen wanted so much to end it right then as he shook with rage, all the innocents he had killed, the war he had started, and the bitter memory of him killing Milla before his very eyes. So much could be ended with just a flick of the wrist…
"Go on, do it" egged on Dooku.
There was a long pause as he battled his inner most emotions, until finally Owen made his choice…he withdrew his lightsaber.
"In the name of the Republic and the Jedi Order I am placing you under arrest" stated Owen.
"You weak Jedi fool, you couldn't even do it" replied Dooku raising his hand.
Dooku then released a mass of lightning into Owens gut sending him flying into the tunnel wall.
Owen struggled to breathe as Dooku made his way over to him. "You really think I would let you strike me down" stated Dooku.
"You had me right where you wanted me and you couldn't bear to kill me, you pathetic Jedi fool!" cursed Dooku as he kicked Owen in the face.
Dooku paced around the fallen Owen Sun. "I will not spare you this time Owen, I'm afraid you must be destroyed" he stated.
Dooku's fingers began to crackle from the force lightening as Owen tried getting to his feet, then with an evil sinister look on his face Dooku raised both his hands and unleashed a flurry of force lightening on Owen. The lightening careened across his body as the unending wave of force lightening lit him up, the pain was unbearable as Owen cried out. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Ha-ha yes, feel the power of the dark side" stated Dooku as he reveled in Owen Suns pain.
Dooku was relentless with his force lightening as it was only a matter of time until Owen would die, it literally got to the point where you could see his skull and bones through the lightening as Dooku poured it on. Owen was at the crossroads of the point of no return as his mind began to slip and his searing pain turned numbingly cold, slowly he began to fall away as his body moved less and less more.
But just as he was ready to become one with the force a huge unexpected explosion knocked Dooku back as the tunnel wall had been blown right open by the clone army. Several clone troops poured through the hole and immediately fired at Dooku, but he simply pushed them all back with a wave of his hand. Dooku then retreated back into the depths of the tunnel as he sneered at Owen one last time. "You are lucky Jedi, the force has saved you again" thought Dooku.
The clone troops continued to pour into the tunnel as they secured the area, one clone trooper then approached Owen, his body seared and smoke billowed above his nearly dead body. "General Sun, are you alright?" asked the Lieutenant clone trooper who nearly burned his hand touching him.
Owen slowly began to move. "Where's Dooku?"
"He's gone" replied the blue striped Lieutenant.
Owen continued to struggle. "Ughhh…I……ughhhhh"
"Can you stand?" asked the Lieutenant.
As Owen brought his leg up his knee buckled under the weight of his body. "Medic, we need a medic in here!" shouted the Lieutenant.
The clone medic arrived examining Owens seared body. "He's badly burned, we need to get him back to the forward command post" informed the clone medic.
"Is he going to make it?" asked the Lieutenant clone trooper.
"I think so, but he's going to need lots of bacta to heal these wounds" answered the clone medic.
Owen passed out as the last words he heard were. "Alright, let's get him out of…"
Several hours later on Coruscant.
Owen awoke in the medical bay of the Jedi Temple sore, burned, and with a major headache. "Ughhhhh" Owen moaned as he attempted to move wrapped in bandages.
It would be a long haul for Owen, no Jedi healing practice or any amount bacta would heal his battered body completely, it would take time…
But the Dark Reaper had been destroyed and Thule was captured, the Galactic Republic had scored a major victory over Count Dooku and his Separatists forces.
But the Clone War was anything but over…