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.
Author's Note: 1000-word edition!
Part 23
Meanwhile…
"Well, Master Fisto, I am here," Adept Saotome said with a bow. He, Fisto and Fisto's contingent of Clone Troopers had just arrived at the water world known as Mon Calamari (aka "Dac") was the home of several sentient, aquatic species, including the lobster-like Mon Calamari, and the squid-like Quarren. Unfortunately, the Quarren were convinced the Mon Calamari was too dominating, culminating in their disdain for having their shared world named after their rivals. Now, thanks to the Separatists, led by Count Dooku, the Quarren, after forming the "Quarren Isolation League", have been able to supplant the planetary council. Unfortunately, this also meant that the Separatists now controlled a major construction ship yard, one that could tip the balance in this "Clone War"…
"What's next?"
"Help the Mon Calamari, you two must," Master Yoda said, via holographic projection. "Super weapon, the Separatist might have."
"Huh?"
"The intelligence report has indicated the Separatists have authorized the creation of a prototype mobile gun platform called a 'Crab Cannon'," Fisto said. "That's why we're here. Other than that, we shut down the Quarren's capabilities to wage on, and force them to the negotiation table."
"Sounds like a plan…"
"Nevertheless, wish you two well, I do," Yoda said. "May the Force be you."
BLIP!
Fisto turns towards Ranma and the assembled Clone SCUBA Troops.
"Try, to keep up," Fisto said with a grin, as he took a dive into the water, while using the Force to retrieve his lightsaber…
"Whatever," Ranma said, as he places the underwater breathing apparatus over his face. Bad enough he had to work with a guy whose name brought up all kinds in connotations...
Ranma, once properly strapped, then turns the troops.
"Keep it nice and tight," Ranma said. "We air-breathers are going into their world. Alright!"
"YES, COMMANDER!" came the reply.
"Let's move!" Ranma said, as he dived after Fisto. He hated the fact that Fisto, coming from another aquatic species, as evident by his black eyes and tentacle "hair", had an advantage over him. Then again, his "handicap" simply made his impending victory that much sweeter…
And, with that, Ranma went into the drink…
SPLOOSH!
As he was enveloped by the water, his Jusenkyo curse activates.
'Damn,' Ranma-onna thought with annoyance. 'The sooner I'm done, the better…"
SNAP! Hzzzz…
The Jedi weapon of choice, the Lightsaber, can be utilized in any environment, including an underwater environment.
'Now, to get to work…'
Meanwhile, above, Sith Acolyte Usagi Tsukino arrives above Mon Calamari.
"Ah, there you are, my friend," Usagi said, as she read the incoming data. "Awww. And you are helping the seamen…"
CHIRP!
A holographic image of Count Dooku appears.
"Report," Dooku asked.
"I've arrived at the location of my target, but the Jedi in question is presently occupied with our forces on the ground," Usagi said. "Or, should I say, that be in the water?"
"Very well," Dooku said. "There is a slight change of plans, my dear."
"Oh?"
"While the Jedi are occupied, I want you to assassinate the Mon Calamari Council. Those fools will know that they have chosen the wrong side in this war."
"What about my original target?"
"After what you will have done, your target will come after you," Dooku said. "Once that happens, his slide into the Dark Side will begin."
"I see," Usagi said, as she scrolled the data that was pertinent to her target. "It seems that the planetary forces are concentrated on taking down the Quarren forward base south from Coral City, the planetary capital."
"Just be sure to leave someone alive to 'tell the tale'."
"Yes, Master."
And, with that, Usagi goes down to the planet surface to initiate her deadly intent.
Meanwhile, the battle to take down the forward base continues.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
Ranma-onna blocked an attack from the last droid (who rode an underwater cycle called a 'stingray'), before she sliced the vehicle—and the droid—in half.
SLICE-BOOM!
At this point in the battle, Fisto and Ranma-onna separated, so that Fisto and some Mon Calamari warriors, who were riding on giant eels, like knights, could take down the prototype weapon. Meanwhile, based upon a tip, Ranma-onna was confronting the 'generals' of the Quarren: the Moappa. By themselves, they were harmless invertebrates similar to Earth's 'jellyfish'. Collectively, the Moappa were one big hive mind that was quite intelligent.
'Man, I hope that these 'Moappa' are pushovers,' Ranma-onna thought.
As she swims over to the next ridge, she came across a mass of pink jelly fish.
'Odd,' Ranma-onna said, as she slows down. She then turns towards one of the troopers.
"I thought the intel indicated that Moappa are here?" Ranma-onna said, as she smoke through the microphone in her mask.
"Sir, those creatures ARE the Moappa," said the trooper, just as the pink jellyfish swarmed into a single mass, resembling a big brain.
Suddenly, Ranma-onna felt a stabbing pain in her head. In fact, so were the troops
"Arrrrrghhhh-!" Ranma-onna screamed, nearly dropping her weapon in the process.
"WE ARE THE MOAPPA!" said the mass. "WE FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT TO BE HEARD!"
And then, tentacles—made up of Moappa—lanced outward, grabbing and subduing Ranma-onna and her contingent of troops.
GRAB!
"Hey!" Ranma-onna said. Now, having dropped her Lightsaber for sure, it appears as if the Jedi adept was at the mercy of the amorphous aquatic creature.
Meanwhile, in Coral City…
A cloaked figure steps to the checkpoint. With an active battlefield taking place, the Mon Calamari was not taking any chances as to who might have access to the planetary council.
"State your business," said the guard.
"I am here to see some people," said the figure.
"Okay, have you anything on your person, such as a weapon?"
The figure slowly presents a metal cylinder that was slightly curved.
"Is that a-"
SNAP! Hzzzzz-
SPLOCH!
The figure activates the Lightsaber. As the blade extends, it does so into the belly of the guard.
"Arrrrrgghhh-!"
Immediately, the checkpoint guards begin to act, albeit too late, as the figure extends HER free hand, points, and releases a Force bolt.
ZAAAAAAPPPPPP!
"Arrrgh-!"
The guards' supervisor steps out…
"What's going on here-?"
SLICE!
"And then promptly loses his head.
People who were waiting to get into the city, backed up in fear, as the figure uses her free hand to place a finger on her lips to shush them. And then…
"Be very, very quiet," Usagi said. "I'm going to assassinate the members of your council. HOHOHOHOHHOHOHO-!"
And, with that, the Sith Acolyte glides into, intent on continuing her deadly mission.
Tbc.