TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, and the other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 20
Now armed with lightsabers, with both using a pair, Asajj and Usagi went back to back. Their opponents began to circle around them…
"Combat Technique #41," Asajj said.
"Awww," Usagi complained. "I wanted to do #44."
"Fine, whatever. Just do it on my mark…"
As soon as the first mercenary arrived at Asajj and Usagi's position…
"NOW," Asajj said, as she and Usagi used the force to twirl around each other like a single spinning top.
Whirl-FWOOSH!
Speaking up speed, the pair spun around before the two shot out from each other. Their bodies spun out of their spin like shooting stars. However, by manipulating their individual bodies, Asajj and Usagi could fly out of a tight spin in an arc that had devastating consequences for their opponents.
SLICE!
SLICE!
SLICE-!
In quick succession, all of their opponents were defeated.
Sliding into a stop, Usagi and Asajj both turn towards to the audience member worth their consideration, and bowed with lightsabers crossed.
"We thank you…" Usagi said.
"For this opportunity…" Asajj said.
"To demonstrate…"
"Our worthiness to cause…"
"Of the Sith, Lord Tyrannus…"
"Excellent," Dooku said, as he clapped his hands, as he rose from his seat. "You two did well. You even broke your last record."
"We aim to please," Usagi said.
"We are more than ready for your mission," Asajj said. "There is no power that can stop us, not even the Jedi."
"Yeah!" Usagi replied. "The Jedi Council should pay for making fun of me! I mean, really…"
Asajj and Dooku both turn to give a quizzical look at Usagi.
"…"
"Er…DOWN WITH THE JEDI!" Usagi said as she fist pumps the air. "Yeah!"
"Humph!" Asajj said.
"Nevertheless, there is but one test for you to overcome," Dooku said, as he floats down towards the arena's floor.
THUMP!
"All you have to do…is strike me down," Dooku said with a mischievous.
"Good," Asajj said, as she crouched, ready to rush the Separatist leader.
"Don't do it, Asa-chan," Usagi said, as she deactivates her lightsabers.
Hzzzz-SNAP!
"It's trap!"
"Please," Asajj said. "What can one old man do to stop me? And don't call me 'Asa-chan'!"
And with that, Asajj rushed Dooku's position…
Suddenly, at the last minute, Dooku turns around and uses Force Lightning on Asajj.
ZZZAAAAARRRRRKKKKKK-!
KLUMP!
"Toldja," Usagi said, as she goes over to the fallen Asajj. She then began to poke at Asajj's unconscious frame with one of her deactivated lightsabers.
Poke-poke!
"Asa-chan, are you okay…?"
"Uhhhhh…"
"She will live," Dooku said, as he turns around with his cape bellowing in a breezeless environment. "Come; there is still much preparation to be done before you are 'tested' unto the field of battle."
"Okay," Usagi said, as she used the Force to lift Asajj up in the air, and tow her body behind her. "Oh, can I get some heavy eyeliner and some Sith tattoos? I want to continue to evolve my 'evil' look."
"Fine, girl…you may," Dooku said tiredly. Trying to corrupt the former Jedi Padawan's mind was a tiring affair. Even when Usagi is facing an opponent in battle, it was always in the context of her background as some sort of "magical girl". Still, if his master, Darth Sidious, was correct, Usagi usefulness will advance his master plan…whatever that is…
"Yippie!"
Dooku could only shake his head in stunned disbelief over the ridiculous nature of his "project"…
Meanwhile, back on Coruscant…
"You know, we really shouldn't be doing this," said Naboo delegation member Lady Hoshi Sato, as she lay with her common-law husband Ranma, as they enjoyed their "afternoon delight" (i.e. mid-day "sexual procreation"). Normally, having "attachments" was frowned upon by the Jedi High Council. However, in light of the serious nature of the war, exceptions were made, as long as they were kept in strict confidence.
Ranma turns towards Hoshi and frowns.
"Why do you say that?" Ranma asked.
"Well, I just entered my third trimester," Hoshi said, as she felt her ever-bulging baby. "I don't want to go into premature labor because of our…activity."
"Okay…"
"And you have a mission to go on in thirty minutes."
"Dear, it's not every day that I can celebrate a promotion to full Jedi status with my woman," Ranma said, as he felt his shorn lock of hair, from where he had grown his Padawan braid. It was cut before the deliberations were made on new developments concerning Jango Fett's data on Usagi Tsukino's present condition. As it was customary, the severing of the braid, grown out from the side of the head, was symbolic of the proverbial umbilical cord being severed. Master Yoda felt that Ranma's recent actions on the field were sufficient enough to forgo the usual Jedi Trials, and thus warranted a promotion for his former padawan. However, Ranma was a tad suspicion as to the timing of the promotion, considering the fact that he and Master Kenobi has been pushing for a renewed effort in the search for Usagi Tsukino…
"Personally, though, I think the council promoted me just to get me off their backs about Usagi," Ranma said with a smirk.
"Ranma, you shouldn't be unfair," Hoshi said. "From what I know, there is still a need for Jedi Masters to fill the command structure of the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic, not to mention the fact that there is a need to increase the level of training for the Jedi Padawans."
"I suppose you are right," Ranma said. "Master Windu has requested that I take on Ami as a temporary padawan, while he supervises the restructuring of the Jedi training program for the padawans and the initiates."
Pause.
"Besides, we'll need her for her tactical analysis during the Muunilist campaign."
Pause.
"Hoshi," Ranma said, as he turns to caress his common-law wife's left facial cheek. "If…if I don't make it back-"
"Ranma, don't be silly," Hoshi said, as she took Ranma's hand. "We've been through this time and time again."
Pause.
"We'll get through this one as well."
"I hope you're right," Ranma said, as he leans back in his shared bed. "'Cuz, all it takes is one lucky shot."
"I know," Hoshi said, as she leans against her common-law husband. "I know…"
Soon, the mission to Muunilist gets underway. Master Kenobi, who was promoted to full master status shortly after the start of the so-called "Clone Wars" by the decree of the Jedi Council, assembled his command staff and fellow Jedi.
"Everyone, settle down," Kenobi said. "We will now hear a briefing as to what we are facing…"
Kenobi turns towards Ami, who had her "Mercury Computer" in hand. She will use it to help her give the presentation…
"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Ami replied. "Lights?"
CHIRP!
A virtual screen appears in front of the group. Kenobi will be leading a contingent of personnel of roughly 10,000 people, which should be enough to take down the Separatists on Muunilist…
"As you know, Muunilist was a neutral planet who both had supported the Galactic Republic while allowing the Separatists to conduct their affairs, mainly because of the presence of the Banking Guild. However, this has changed, first by the Guild tacit support of the Separatists, and now because of a droid manufacturing facility there…"
Ami punches up a data stream showing the layout of the map of the capital city.
"At the center of Harnidan, the Separatists are headquartered in the occupied building of the IGCB building. It has been since fortified into a fortress, where it is surrounded by a heavy droid presence. It will be there that the Banking Guild representatives will be sequestered-"
"Excuse me," Anakin asked.
"Yes, Anakin?" Ami asked.
"If we know where the Guild is located, why not do a planetary bombardment?"
"Good question," Kenobi said. "Primarily, the Muuns are the ones who tipped us as to what the Guild is up to, and, as a favor to them, we have ruled out a planetary bombardment. Also, we hope to capture the members of the Guild in order to facilitate the collection of intelligence of the Separatists. Whatever they might say during any interrogation session may not be enough to end the war right away, but it is a start."
"So, what is the breakdown in assignments?" Ranma asked.
"You and Anakin will lead an assault on the Separatists droid ships and fighters, located in orbit. Anakin will be your wingmate, while you will be the commander of the airgroup."
"Master, I wanted to be the one to lead this attack," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, Ranma is more experienced than you in this regard," Kenobi said. "You will have your own squadron to lead. DO you understand?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then it is settled," Kenobi said. "You all have your individual assignments. Furthermore, I would wish you all well in this campaign, but I know that praise is not warranted."
"But we like to be sweet-talked, Master Kenobi," Ranma said with a grin.
"And increase the level of your ego, Master Saotome?" Kenobi grinned back. "Perish the thought…"
As the assembled group chuckled at the good-natured barb, Anakin glares at Ranma.
'This was supposed to be MY moment!' Anakin thought. 'Why can't I be the Jedi I'm supposed to be…?'
Soon, Kenobi's fleet arrives near Muunilist. Upon getting into range of the droid fleet, the fleet's combat wing is launched.
FWOOSH!
"Okay, boys and girls," Ranma said, as he signaled his attack wing. "We know to provide cover for the troop landers. Once that is over, we take out the orbital platforms, support fighters and droid ships-"
"Master Saotome, with all due respect, we need to hit the droids hard and fast," Anakin said. "If we divide the group, I can take a squadron to the droids. It may not prevent all the droid fighters from attacking our troopers, but it might be more than enough."
Ranma mulls over Anakin words…
"Alright," Ranma replied. "I'm placing you responsible for making sure that those droid fighters do not reach our troopers. Understood?"
"Understood," Anakin said happily.
"Good. Attention, Beta Squadron: change of plans. Proceed to the secondary phase of our operation, while Alpha Squardron continues to the primary phase. Padawan Skywalker?"
"Yes?"
"May the Force be with you," Ranma said with a smile.
"Thanks," Anakin said, before he switches his com-signal. "Beta Squadron: follow me."
And, with that, Ranma and Anakin proceed with the main objective: provide cover for the descending troop landers...
FWOOM! POOM! FWAK-!
Taking a low, flying approach, the troop landers cross the field while hugging the ground. So far, the insertion operation was proving to be a success.
Satisfied, Kenobi presses a button on his wrist communicator.
CHIRP!
"Kenobi to Mizuno," Kenobi said.
"Yes, Master Kenobi?" Ami replied.
"Proceed with 'Plan B'."
"Yes, master."
"Good luck."
CHIRP!
Ami turns towards her assigned team: an advanced recon commando (ARC) team.
"Is your team ready to down the defenses of the Banking Guild, Captain Fordo?" Ami asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Fordo said, as he checked his guns. Fordo was a clone trooper who was specially trained by Jango Fett to be able to lead his ARC unit. As the commanding officer, Fordo's armor had red trim, denoting his rank as that of a "captain". In fact, color denoted rank, with the color yellow being for the rank of a commander, blue for the rank of lieutenant and green for the rank of sergeant. There has been talk of changing it, since it made it easy for the enemy to take down an officer within the Grand Army…
"We'll get you into the network; leave the rest up to us," Fordo replied.
"Thank you," Ami said, as she puts on the helmet of her Jedi Armor, with blue cape. It was custom-made to have blue trim, with the symbol for the planet/god "Mercury" etched on the breastplate. Generally, armor is shunned by the Jedi Order, due to its desire to have a non-militarized philosophy. That was somewhat compromised thanks to these Clone Wars. Furthermore, there seems to be a physical penalty somewhat of those Jedi who wear armor, due to the fact that the wearer is "cut off" from the Force, although Ranma's presence has enabled the Jedi to overcome these limitations somewhat.
"Let us hope that we can shut down the Banking Guild's defenses before the casualty rate increases exponentially," Ami replied, as her troop carrier enters the city from a non-defensive point.
Tbc.