Primal . . .
Jakku
While the Autobots and Maximals aid the Republic in their campaign to free the planet of Ryloth, little do they know, Shatter has managed to deceive Captain Burns and Dr. Powell enough for them to bring her and her brother to a surveillance outpost on Jakku while Blackout, Bonecrusher and the Combaticons remain at the base on Agamar. After consulting their superiors, Powell convinced them that they could help with the war. However, the natives were unaware that the Decepticons had an ulterior motive.
Shatter and Dropkick were waiting for Powell to return and tell them what their superiors had decided on. Dropkick was studying the vehicles to try and find weaknesses and kinks in their designs. So far, he has found many of both. Shatter was scouring the holonet and Republic military database looking for anything that could provide useful advantages over the Republic, she has even hacked into secure files. Getting into them wasn't so hard given how primitive their tech was. After a few minutes, they are waiting for Powell. Shatter has her arms folded over her chest while leaning back against a LAAT Gunship with her left leg supporting her, Dropkick however was starting to get antsy as he was pacing.
"I'm bored. How long are we supposed to wait here?" He says impatiently.
"They can be useful." Shatter states. "Better to make them work for us."
Dropkick reluctantly had to agree with his older sister. These natives could prove beneficial, for now. "Fine, but then I'm killing them." He relents. He then sees a sheet covering something. He pulls it off to reveal several missile launchers. "Ooh." He says, intrigued.
Shatter resists the urge to roll her eyes at her brother's violence streak. "You're a child." She says.
Dropkick pays her no mind as he wonders how much mayhem he could cause with this. "Uh-huh." He said, not really focusing on what she said. "This one is very interesting." He brings out the blaster from his left bracer, he picks up a launcher and attaches it to his blaster. He retracts the blaster as his curiosity gets the better of him as he spots another device that could cause destruction. He picks up a long blaster-like device lying on a crate with his left hand.
Shatter saw him study the weapon and was somewhat intrigued by it herself. "That's terrifying, if you wanted to poke someone's eye out." She comments mundanely.
He then squeezed the trigger causing a flame to shoot out. The flame stretches for 10 feet, Dropkick smiles sadistically behind his faceplate, thinking about the catastrophic damage he could do with this. "Or melt them." He replies after he dampened the flame.
She smiled at him for his ingenuity. She then hears a door open and looks to see Powell come towards them.
"Good news!" He says. "My superiors would be happy to work together for a common cause." He happily states. "Please follow me." He ushers them eagerly. They both then follow him towards the main room.
Powell and Burns, who joined them, entered a room where there were many data terminals. There was a screen on the wall that showed which areas of the galaxy were either Republic, Separatist, or neutral.
Everyone in the room was showing either intrigued or nervous expressions to Shatter and Dropkick.
"Lady and gentleman." Powell says as they enter the room. "Welcome to one of the many Republic Research outposts."
"How kind of you to finally allow us in." Dropkick thanks him.
"We're very happy to have you here, as friends." He replies.
Shatter shows a heartfelt face to hide her amusement at how naive these natives were of their true intentions. Though Powell could provide useful information for the Decepticons, she might just let him stick around. "Thank you, friend Powell." She says.
"My superior has agreed to grant you limited access to our satellites." He says with an eager smile. "In addition, you're welcome to use all of our technology here. It's the largest super-array of Republic data and transmission receivers in the galaxy."
Shatter puts her hands together in appreciation. "We thank you for your hospitality. Tell me, those holographic communication devices you use, do they function galaxy-wide?" She innocently asks, pointing to a Pantoran woman listening in through a hologram.
Powell sees what she's talking about. "The comlinks? Yes, why?" He inquired.
She didn't reply, but Shatter smiles sinisterly as she had just figured out a way to find where Bumblebee was hiding.
Ryloth
After meeting up with the Maximals a day ago, Solar Flare was standing on the edge of a hill gazing to the horizon watching the sun rise. She and the Maximals were planning to meet up with General Cham Syndulla, leader of the Freedom Fighters. After allying with them, they have freed many Twi'lek villages from the Techno Union's control and the Maximals had more than enough recovery supplies to help them. Prior to their rendezvous with Solar Flare, Moonrider and Catra, they raised a Separatist supply ship that was carrying an adequate amount of food.
Right now, Solar had her sights set on the capital where the vile coward Tambor was. She and Skullcruncher came across a few MTT cargo transports carrying all kinds of riches. It infuriated her, he was stealing the treasure from the Twi'leks, she swore to recover and return them to where they rightfully belong.
"I hope you haven't been staring at the sun for too long." A voice behind her said. She chuckles at the remark.
Solar turns around to see Optimus Primal: her longtime friend and second lieutenant. He had a toned physique wearing a dark gray bodysuit under a royal blue chestplate with a certain design on the front of it along with the Maximal insignia in the center and broad iron gray shoulder pads, shinguards and medium-sized mechanical bracers. Along with bright red and white armor on his biceps and thighs. Fingerless gauntlets over space blue combat gloves on his hands. Space blue belt with a dark gray buckle and combat boots. He also has a jetpack attachment on his back. His helmet had a similar design to Optimus' only for the side crowns curving forward and face guards above his upper lip and on his chin connected to his helmet. Compared to a human he looks to be in his mid-thirties, his most notable features were his royal blue skin and scarlet red eyes.
"No Primal, I wasn't." She replied. "I don't plan on burning my retinas anytime soon." She added.
Primal smiled. He was happy that Solar Flare was able to make the most dire of situations seem far less dangerous. He then remembered why he came out to see her. "The Axalon received a message earlier from Moonrider." He says. Her expression changed to a more intrigued one. She nods for him to continue. "She says that Optimus, Bumblebee and Obi-Wan Kenobi have broken through their lines and Mace Windu is getting his troops ready for their assault on the capital." He states.
Solar Flare's expression turns to a serious one, deciding it was time to take action. "I think it's time we meet this 'Mace Windu' and pay a visit to Wat Tambor." She says.
Lessu
Meanwhile, at Ryloth's capital, Wat Tambor and a Tactical droid were listening in on Mace Windu and Commander Ponds from a probe droid. The Jedi General having defeated the droids that attacked them.
"We're going to need help to take the city." Mace states.
"The Republic and their rumored to be new allies are advancing faster than I expected." Tambor says.
"I calculate they will reach the main gates by morning." The Tactical droid speaks up. "I recommend we prepare our retreat."
"I will not retreat." He replies firmly. "That Jedi does not have the troops to take this city." Tambor says. "Bring our units inside the walls and secure the bridge." He ordered.
With Mace Windu, he and the rest of his forces are making their way to the capital.
Inside one of the tanks he was communicating with Skywalker, Admiral Yularen, Yoda, Senator Orn Free Taa, and the Chancellor via hologram.
"What's your progress, Skywalker?" The Chancellor asked.
"My fighters have secured the space around Ryloth. We have the Separatist cruisers on the run." The Knight replied.
"Very good, General Skywalker." He congratulates him.
His hologram disappears and is replaced by a hologram of Ryloth.
Mace Windu gestures to certain parts of the planet. "Master Kenobi has taken the Jixuan desert, so the southern hemisphere is ours." He states.
"Then it's almost over." Taa says with relief.
"Not yet." Windu pipes up. "The key position is the capital of Lessu. Our spies are certain the Separatist leader Wat Tambor has his command center there."
"When taken the city we have, capture Tambor we must." Yoda says.
"It's not going to be easy, Master." Windu admits. "Tambor has chosen his stronghold well. This plasma bridge is our only way in or out." He gestures to the bridge.
"I'm afraid a siege could drag on indefinitely." Palpatine states.
"My people have suffered so much already." Taa argues.
Yoda looks at Windu. "A plan you have to take the bridge, Master Windu? Mmm?" He asks.
"With our forces stretched so thinly, and even with the Autobots' help, I'm going to enlist the help of the Freedom Fighters, led by Cham Syndulla." He says, bringing up the file on him. "His fight against the droids has made him a symbol of freedom for the people. And after allying with co-leader Solar Flare and the Maximals, they have liberated several villages from Separatist control." He adds.
"Cham Syndulla was a radical before the war." The Chancellor states uneasily. "He is very unpredictable."
"He can't be trusted. I know Syndulla seeks to gain power." Taa argues. "We were political rivals." He adds.
"I'll leave the politics to you, Senator." Windu replies. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help these people." He says.
"Perhaps we could send you Republic reinforcements instead." Palpatine offers.
"There are no reinforcements available, Chancellor." Yularen speaks up.
"We can't win without Syndulla and Solar Flare's help." Windu argues.
They then reach their destination as they find an old battlefield that has several craters and a few destroyed Separatist ships and tanks. On the top of the ridge, there were tombstones.
Mace Windu dismounts his walker and looks out to the old battlefield.
"What makes you think the rebels are this way, General?" The ARF trooper asks.
He looks at the ground, kneels and inspects something.
"What is it, sir?" He inquired.
The thing Windu was inspecting appeared to be a footprint. "The resistance fighters ride creatures native to the region." He replies. "And these tracks… are fresh." He then notices another footprint a few feet away. The only difference it had from the other footprint was that it was much, much bigger, but another thing stood out to him. It was also fresh, meaning whatever made it… was not far.
The ARF trooper dismounted the walker and looked out to the valley. "Which means they and possibly Solar Flare and the Maximals can't be that far." The clone surmised.
The other trooper comes towards the tombstones. "Isn't this the spot where they were massacred?" He wondered.
"Looks like it was a heck of a fight." The first trooper says.
"Hmm." The second trooper hummed in agreement. "Wonder who put up these gravestones." Before anyone could reply, a loud distant animal call echoed across the landscape.
"Is that them?" The first ARF trooper asked.
Mace holds his hand up to signal them to be quiet. He then does a hand signal for them to move out. They get back on the walkers and make their way to the old battlefield.
Lessu
Back at the capital, Wat Tambor and his tactical droid were in the control room talking with Count Dooku via hologram.
The count had his arms crossed and a look of disapproval on his face towards Tambor. "Your tactical droid has informed me of the pitiful job you have done protecting our investment on Ryloth." Dooku frowns.
Wat Tambor sends a glare towards the droid before looking back at the count. "That droid exaggerates." He lies, wanting to shield his pride. "I have not lost yet." He states.
"You are no match for Master Windu." He chides timidly. "And from what I've heard of the rumors about the Republic's new allies, their weaponry is formidable as it is powerful." The Sith states. "Do not become greedy, Emir Tambor." The count says. "Take what valuables you can and destroy everything else." He orders.
"Everything?" Tambor repeats.
"We can put this defeat to political use." Dooku starts. "The charred ruins of Ryloth will demonstrate to the galaxy the cost of a Republic victory." He states with an evil tone.
"As you wish." Emir replies.
Back at the old battlefield, a squad of droids was scouting the area.
"Keep on the lookout for that lost patrol." The super battle droid says.
They were, however, oblivious to Mace Windu and the two ARF troopers looking at them from behind a taken down MTT, one of the ARF troopers accidentally steps on an old droid head, uttering a 'crunch' sound. The sound was heard by one of the droids.
"Did you hear that?" He asks. They all stop and look around.
Windu ducks back behind the ATT, the clones ready for a confrontation but Mace stops them.
"I don't see anything." One droid observed.
The first droid picks up a droid head. "Look. It's RB-551." He says. "No wonder he got blasted." Another droid speaks up. "He's one of those older models programmed by a central computer." He stated as the first droid lightly shook his head. "Not us. We're independent thinkers." The first droid replied before they all replied the same answer.
The squad then continued on, while the clones and Windu let them go. "Why didn't we take 'em out, sir?" One clone wondered. "I have a feeling… someone else will do it for us." He replied.
As if on cue, they hear a loud roar and blaster fire. "Look out! It's an ambush! What is that thing?! Help! It's the resistance!" They hear along with the sound of metal being sliced through. Windu nods to the clones before igniting his purple lightsaber. They make their way to join the battle, but once they reach the top of the crater, all they see are either shot, seemingly crushed and dismembered droids. Windu deactivated his lightsaber. He then sees footprints that looked the same as the one he saw on the ridge. Then, the Freedom Fighters come out of hiding, pointing their blasters at them.
Mace Windu felt the ground shake as something stomped its foot down behind them they turned around and were completely shocked at what they saw.
They saw a massive mechanical creature. It has a bulky 17 foot long head, 35 feet from his neck to his hind legs, along with a 25 foot tail making him 77 feet long and standing at 12 feet tall on all fours. Its body was very robust. At the base of his neck, he widened at 13 feet narrowing down to the tip of his snout which stood at 4 feet wide. Back shoulder to his hind legs, he stretches at 35 feet long. It had sturdy legs with 4 slightly curved claws on each foot. It has 32 teeth on the top jaw and 26 teeth on the bottom jaw, totalling in 58 razor sharp teeth.
It shared the resemblance of an Earth alligator with metallic essex green armor plating on its head, back, underbelly, shoulders, hips, thighs and the underside of the tail. Its bottom jaw was ruby red along with its forearms and the overside its tail and where its hind legs connect to the waist. Its back was covered with rugged plates that went from the back of its head to its waist and two rows of plates going from its hips to the end of its tail. What made it look menacing was its glowing red eyes. It growls threateningly at them.
They turn back around to see orange Twi'lek show himself from atop an MTT with his arms crossed.
A woman walks up beside him. She had a toned physique and was wearing an iron gray bodysuit under dark orange and red-orange battle armor. She had a dark orange helmet and chestplate with red-orange outlines, as well as armor over her abdomen and the Autobot insignia above her chest, medium sized shoulder pads and large mechanical bracers with red outlines. She also has iron gray combat gloves over her hands under dark orange fingerless gauntlets. An ash gray utility belt with a brass colored buckle. Silver knee pads and dark orange shin guards with outlines. Finally, shadow gray combat boots with small pieces of dark silver armor over them. Compared to a human, She looks to be in her late thirties with fair skin, cyan blue eyes and golden blonde hair with blood red tips. What Windu was surprised by was the fact that she was 7 feet and 5 inches tall.
"It seems your hunch was correct, Solar Flare." He complimented her. She nodded in response. Earlier, Solar Flare had a hunch that the Republic might need help taking the capital. "I was wondering when you'd find us, Master Jedi." He says knowingly to the Jedi and clones.
"General Syndulla, Solar Flare," the Jedi greets. "…I've come for your help." He states.
"What makes you think you'll get it?" The Twi'lek queried.
Lessu
Emir Tambor comes out to the balcony, with his hands behind his back, and rolls up to the tactical droid.
"Emir Tambor, our bombers are nearly ready for launch." He gestured to the Hyena-class bombers in the courtyard being loaded up. "And now I will ready your ship for evacuation." He stated.
"No." He protests. "I am not yet ready to leave."
"In any case, we have a schedule to keep." The droid says. "The ship will be ready." He firmly stated.
Jakku
Back at the surveillance outpost, Shatter and Dropkick have taken full advantage of the limited access to the satellites. Small bits of energy travel through the many wires on the floor. Powell was wearing a comlink headset as he was telling Burns and his general what was going on. The general was a dark skinned man.
"It's incredible!" Powell said in awe. "They're combining our technology seamlessly. Satellites, comlinks,-"
"-computers." They listen to him over a comlink as Shatter and Dropkick had wires plugged into their armor and were checking the diagnostics on holograms in front of them. The screens in the room were flickering with all kinds of information flowing through. "They're creating an interconnected web of information." He states.
"Volumes of data at their fingertips." He emphasizes in awe. "It's revolutionary." He added.
"He's a weird guy." Burns speaks up. "You ever notice that about Powell?" He asks. The general slightly bobs his head in unsurity. 'Hmm, not really.' He answered mentally.
"They're tracking-"
"-fluctuations in Energon levels. It's like a heat signature specific to their species." He explains.
"It's astonishing. It's beautiful. It's…" He says with passion in his voice before the general turns off his comlink, getting a bit annoyed.
Powell realized the comm went dead. "Hello? Hello?" He asks, wondering if his headset is working.
"You've given them our satellites, our comms, Force knows what else." Burns speaks his mind.
"Yet…" the general started. "...in the space of a day they've given us a way to not only hunt down Bumblebee, but all of them." He says. Burns turns to his superior in confusion, wondering where he was going with this. He chuckles softly as he figures it out. "Let them finish what they're doing. Let them find Bumblebee." He says. "And then I'll give you permission to destroy them all." He states, thinking that these beings might pose a threat to the Republic that should be eradicated. "Use their armor for spare parts." He finished.
"Sir, yes, sir." Burns replies. 'I would like nothing better.' He thought.
Freedom Fighter Camp
At the Freedom Fighter's camp, Optimus Primal, and the rest of the Maximals were all waiting for Solar Flare and Cham to return as he went out to deal with a few patrols coming their way. They had arrived a few hours ago and they had brought some supplies to the camp to share with the Twi'leks.
Including Optimus Primal, there were five Maximals, one of which was handing out food to the children and some of the adults. The first one was wearing a dark azure blue bodysuit under golden yellow armor. His helmet was golden yellow and had two crown-like horns on the forehead of the helmet with the Maximal insignia between them. His chestplate has the resemblance of an Earth cheetah with black spots and two curved stripes. There was also a reddish orange eye design on it as well. He has two armor attachments criss-crossing across his back and has no shoulder pads, but has golden yellow armor and bracers with some additional armor on the forearms that have black spots on them, as well as golden yellow combat gloves over his hands. He has a dark metallic azure blue belt that had a feline-like design on the buckle. He had golden yellow armor over his thighs that had black spots on them and dark azure blue knee pads and shin guards with three small gold spikes below the knee pads and above the ankle guards. Finally, he has gold colored athletic fit combat boots. Compared to a human he looks to be in his late teens and has a limestone skin tone with a blue hue. His most notable features were his black cheetah-like markings on his face and yellow eyes.
He hands a jogan fruit to a young, bright green Twi'lek. "Here you go, Hera." He says to her.
"Thanks, Cheetor." She replies, taking the fruit. "I hear Solar Flare has a plan to free the capital." Hera says, remembering when she overheard Solar Flare, Primal and her father talking.
A smirk appeared on his face. "Were you eavesdropping on Solar, Primal and your father?" He points at her with a knowing smirk.
She glanced to the side with a sheepish smile, visually answering his question. Cheetor chuckles at her mischievous antics and nods for confirmation. "Yeah, once we put our plan in motion, it'll put a major fade on the Techno Union's control of Ryloth." He replies with some enthusiasm.
She smiles happily at the thought of a free Ryloth that her father dreams of. And with the Autobots and Maximals help, that dream will become a reality.
"I wouldn't keep your hopes up." A voice says with a Brooklyn accent. They look up to see a man wearing a silver gray bodysuit under bronze colored armor. His ash gray chestplate has the resemblance of an Earth rat. His bronze helmet had a silver honeycomb pattern on the part covering the cranium. Bronze shoulder pads, as well as armor over his biceps, medium sized silver and bronze mechanical bracers that had the Maximal insignia on the silver parts along with bronze combat gloves. A brass colored belt with a silver buckle, brass colored armor over his thighs, silver knee pads and shin guards, brass colored armor over his calves on his legs and silver gray, three-toed combat boots. Compared to a human, he looks to be in his late twenties with an amber skin tone and bright red eyes. His most notable feature was his rat-like buck teeth.
"We still have to retake the capital, remember?" He snarks, putting his right hand on his hip.
Cheetor rolled his eyes at Rattrap, ever the pessimistic. While his remarks were somewhat annoying, that was part of his charm. But that doesn't mean he has to be a jerk about it. "Oh, yeah?" He steps up to Rattrap. "How about I cut meeces to pieces?" He challenges him.
"Ease back, Cheetor." A voice says from behind him.
He turns around and sees a man with a robust physique wearing a charcoal gray bodysuit under light brown and lime green armor. He had a lime green helmet that had a golden ridge going down the middle and a golden rim over his brow with two revolution green Maximal insignias on the upper sides of the helmet. He had a light brown collar guard and a light brown chestplate with the front of it being gold along with light brown armor on his back that had some additional mechanics as well. The U-shaped part of his chest plate has small pieces of metal that were shaped like teeth. He had lime green shoulder guards with light brown shoulder pads and bicep armor. Along with large, lime green mechanical bracers with additional light brown armor with three fisticuffs above the knuckles of the lime green gauntlets over his large hands. He has a black belt with a golden buckle, light brown hip guards above the lime green armor over his thighs. Light brown armor over his shins and ankles with light brown three-toed combat boots. The middle toe being black. Compared to a human, he looks to be in his mid-thirties with an umber skin tone with a lime green hue and bright red eyes.
"We need to focus on freeing this world, not beating each other to scrap." He lectures.
"Yeah! An' just consider yourself lucky I didn't get rough on ya's." Rattrap teases.
Optimus Primal walks up to them. "Moderate your attitudes, Maximals…" He firmly says to them, breaking up the argument. "Remember, like Rhinox said, we need to focus on freeing Ryloth from the Techno Union's control." He stated.
Rhinox grunted in agreement. "He's right. But the one problem we still have is to find a way over that plasma bridge." The Maximal Scientist stated.
"Yes." Primal concurs. "And considering how many droids there are at the capital against the Freedom Fighters, Mace Windu's forces, us and even Skullcruncher, we're still outnumbered." He replies. "But with Solar Flare's plan to infiltrate the capital, their numbers won't mean a thing." He says, remembering his conversation with Solar Flare and Cham. His comlink beeps. "Primal, you there?" Solar Flare's voice says from his comlink. He pressed his fingers to it. "Primal here." He replies. "Cham and I have found Windu. We're coming back to the hideout. And make sure Rattrap is on his best behavior." She says. They all look at Rattrap with knowing looks, he crosses his arms in annoyance, Primal could only guess that Solar had a smirk on her face. "I don't want him insulting our guests." She adds. "Roger that." He says before turning off his comm. "Rattrap…" he looks at the Maximal. "I know. I know." He waved it off.
Outside, Solar Flare, with her scythe sheathed on her back, Cham and Mace walk into a downed droid transport that leads to the hideout while Skullcruncher stands guard. They walked through an underground hallway with soldiers on the sides checking their blasters.
"Some hideout you have here." Windu complimented them.
"It has advantages." Cham replied.
"It keeps us hidden from droid patrols." Solar backs him up. They then come across the Blurrg pens.
"We saw the graves of many of your people in that battlefield as well." The Jedi Master spoke up. Solar noticed the look on Syndulla's face as it was a touchy subject for him. "Together, we can prevent that from happening again." He states.
Cham stops walking and decides to speak. "Do you know why we were massacred, Master Jedi?" He asks with a slight edge in his voice. "When the droids swept over Ryloth, the Republic was unable to help us. We were forced to surrender. And we came here unarmed." He stated. "The Separatists brought tanks to exterminate us. It wasn't until Solar Flare and the Maximals came to our rescue and helped turn the tide." He added, gesturing to the gladiator.
They overhear one of the clones, 'Trak' was his name if Solar Flare remembered correctly, was trying to appear friendly to one of the blurrgs while some of the riders stand next to him. "Come here, boy. Come on. Don't be afraid." He says to the animal. "See, there's nothing to be afraid of here." He moved his hand closer to pet it only to quickly recoil away as the creature lunges at him and tries to bite his hand off. The two riders laugh at this. "Jigh-sen moof deng-ka." The purple Twi'lek says.
Solar chuckles amusedly as well. Cham moves his right hand to his mouth to speak louder. "He says his blurrg may be ill-tempered, but she is much faster than your riding machines." He says with a smirk.
"I don't know about that." Trak says skeptically.
The three then enter the main room. Hera was talking with Cheetor, when she noticed her father entered the room, she ran to him with a happy smile on her face. He picks her up and holds her in the air before holding her on his arm. Solar Flare rubs the young Twi'lek on the top of her head. A blue Twi'lek comes out of the shadows holding his arm.
"What is this, a scratch?" Cham asks amusedly. The Twi'lek rubs his arm. "Gobi, get better." He puts his free hand on his shoulder. "I need you." He states.
"Go see Rhinox, he'll get you patched up." Solar advised with an encouraging smile.
"Rahn fanyo, Syndulla. Solar." He thanked them before going to see Rhinox.
"With the supplies Solar Flare and the Maximals gave us, we have a substantial amount of food and drink, but it is in our tradition to share what we do have with our guests." Cham says.
Solar Flare walks up to Primal. "How is everything? Is Rattrap behaving himself?" She teases the Maximal much to his annoyance. She then notices someone's missing. "Where's Dinobot?" She asks, putting her hands on her hips.
"He went out on scout patrol to the capital to see if there were any complications we might face." Optimus simply replied.
Lessu
Back at the capital, the Hyena-bombers were loaded and ready. All seven of them then launch into the air and fold their wings before flying away.
"Target every Twi'lek village in range," Emir ordered. "…the inhabited ones first." He emphasized.
"Of course." The tactical droid replied.
Night has fallen over Ryloth as Moonrider and Catra are flying through the skies in their ship, the Eclipse. Miharu was in the large cargo attachment as he was too big to fit in the ship.
Catra was looking over the scanners while Moonrider was piloting the ship. So far, there wasn't anything on radar. 'It's all quiet. Too quiet.' Catra thought. Then, the scanner picks up several signals. 'Whoops. Spoke too soon.' She coordinates where they're heading and her eyes widen in shock at the destination.
"Mom!" She says, getting her attention.
"What is it, Catra?" Moonrider asks.
"There's a squadron of Hyena-bombers heading towards a village." She states.
Moonrider was shocked before a serious expression appeared on her face. "Get on the guns." She ordered. "We're gonna blast them out of the sky." She says with conviction.
As she flies to intercept the bombers, Catra jumps into the gunner's seat. She primes the blasters and the targeting system for the missiles. They then ambush the bombers from above and Catra fires the cannons while Moonrider fires 8 missiles. Before they could react, Catra shoots one down while three missiles take down two others leaving 5 bombers left. The bombers break formation to avoid getting hit but are chased by the missiles. Moonrider chases after one of the bombers, firing at it. It serpentines to avoid getting shot down or flying into another bomber. Catra then shoots the bomber's left wing, it starts to fly uneasily before getting hit by two missiles, causing it to spiral out of control before crashing into the ground, exploding. Catra pumps her right arm in success. She then notices on the scope that there's two bombers on their tail. "Mom, on our six!" She says. Moonrider looks at the scope. "I see 'em." The hybrid replies. She maneuvered the ship to evade the bombers' attempts at shooting at her, some blasts do hit her but they don't penetrate the shields. She notices one bomber trying to outrun two missiles. She smiles as she has an idea. She flies towards that bomber with the other following after her, Moonrider flies directly towards the bomber, engaging in a game of "Chicken". A worried look appears on Catra's face. "Mom?" She asks, wondering what she was doing. "Settle down, Catra. I've got this." Moonrider assured her with a smirk on her face. As the ship got closer and closer, at the last second, Moonrider steered the ship out of the way and two of the bombers collided with each other and the second one was blown up by the missiles. The last bomber gets blown up by both the final missile and Catra. The two cheer victoriously at their success.
"Hope the Separatists kept the warranty for those droids, because they have terrible quality." Catra quipped.
Moonrider chuckles at her daughter's joke. Her smile fell then realized this battle pointed something out to her; the Separatists were willing to kill innocent people just because they were losing. Then it hit her, the Separatists leaders were nothing but sore losers. She needed to tell her sister about this.
Back at the camp, the Twi'leks were doing a tribal dance. Solar Flare was using a rock to sharpen her scythe when her comlink beeps. She presses her fingers to it. "Solar, this is Moonrider. Catra and I have something you need to know." Her sister's voice says. "What is it?"
Meanwhile, Mace and Cham were watching the spectacle. "I hope you don't mind… this." Cham says. "A little distraction goes far to ease the burden of the war on my men." He explained. "You have provided well for your men." Mace replies. "All your people." He emphasized. "So why won't you and Solar Flare help me free them from this occupation?" He innocently asks. "I don't trust Senator Taa,…" He answers bluntly. "…his plans for our world after the war." He adds. "The Republic will help you rebuild." Windu says. "We won't abandon you." He states. "Your troops will stay for security?" He questions. "For a while, to keep the peace." "Another armed occupation is not a free Ryloth." He protests. "How long before I am fighting you, Master Jedi?" He inquired.
"As entertaining as it would be to see you two thrash each other, we have a situation." Solar Flare says, walking up to their tent. "What is it?" Windu asks. "The droids tried to launch a firebombing campaign." A few soft shocked gasps were heard throughout the cave. "Thankfully, before they could even start, Moonrider and Catra intercepted them and took them out." She informs them. Sighs of relief were then heard. Everyone looks to Cham on what to do. He looks to Windu with a look of determination. "Make the arrangements. I will speak to Senator Taa." He says.
Lessu, Morning
Back at the capital, Tambor was taking his sweet time having the Twi'leks load their treasures and valuables onto his shuttle. Emir notices that there was not that much.
"Is this all of it?" He asks in disbelief.
"Many of the transports were ambushed before they could get here. We are still awaiting two transports from our southern base." The battle droid informed. "Should we depart without them?" He asks.
"No." He says. "I will have every valuable on this rock before I leave." He stated defiantly.
"Emir Tambor, why haven't you evacuated?" Count Dooku asks via hologram from the transceiver in the tactical droid's hand.
Emir thinks quickly to find a way to stall. "Our exit strategy is taking more time to implement." He lies.
"I want you out of the city before the Republic and their new allies arrive." The count states firmly. "Once Master Windu has invaded the capital,…" He turns to the tactical droid. "You will bomb it from afar." He ordered. "Am I understood?"
"Yes, Count Dooku." The droid says obediently.
After he turns the hologram off, Tambor steps up to the droid. "You will not do anything until I give the order." He says.
"We have our orders, Emir." The droid states, holding up the holo-transceiver.
Freedom Fighter Camp
Back at the camp, Mace Windu, Solar Flare and Cham walk into a secluded cave. Mace activates the hologram revealing Senator Taa.
"Senator Taa, so glad you could join us from comfortable Coruscant." Cham says with distaste and a glare pointed at the senator. "Our people have survived with only me." He added.
"I knew you would try to turn this into a campaign to take power." He says back. "Need I remind you that it is I who leads our people in the Senate?"
Solar Flare mentally rolled her eyes at the senator. From when she was a politician trying to end the Caste system on Cybertron. She met a few other politicians trying to discourage her in an attempt to thwart her efforts. She could easily tell this senator was corrupt, greedy and more interested in power than improving the lives of the Twi'leks he represents and willing to overlook his many flaws.
"And it is I who leads our people here and now." Cham firmly shoots back.
"ENOUGH!" Solar Flare shouts angrily, surprising all of them. "You're acting like children! There will be nothing left to lead if you two refuse to put aside your differences and work together." She states frustratedly.
"Who are you to address a Galactic Senator and to side with this radical who seeks to gain power?" Taa lectures her. "You have no rig-!"
"I have every right!" She interrupts him with a furious expression. "Over the time that I've been fighting alongside Cham, I see that he is not the power hungry radical you make him out to be." She starts. "He is a noble and honorable man who is willing to do whatever it takes to see his home and his people free once again. While you are willing to do whatever it takes to overlook your many flaws and gain more power for yourself than improving the lives of the Twi'leks you represent." She finishes with conviction. She breathes heavily through her nose as she looks him in the eye with a glare and a furrow brow.
Taa was speechless as her words cut right through to his core like a lightsaber and he hated to admit it but,… she was right. He was more interested in getting more power for himself and tried to make it seem that he was the more trusting one while making Cham seem like the unreasonable one.
Mace's comlink beeped. "General Windu, do you copy?" Anakin's voice says.
"I hear you, Skywalker." Windu replies.
Anakin was flying his starfighter with Ahsoka alongside him in her starfighter. "The Separatists came and launched bombers that managed to get past us. My fighters are taking them out as fast as they can, Master Windu, but there are just too many." He informs as he tries to avoid getting hit.
"I doubt we can stop them all." The Knight states. "I suggest you get the people away from the cities." He suggests.
"You must destroy those bombers, Skywalker. Then meet me at the capital." Windu ordered.
"I'll do what I can." He replies before Windu turns his comlink.
Anakin and Ahsoka continue to engage the bombers. One fighter shooting a bomber down. Then, out of nowhere, three missiles come out of the clouds in front of them.
"Master, look out!" Ahsoka warns.
Then, to their surprise, the missiles fly around them and hit some of the bombers resulting in them exploding.
"What the…?" Anakin trails off before his eyes widened as he sees a ship of unknown make come out of the clouds and starts firing at the bombers.
"You guys need a hand?" An unfamiliar voice says over the comm.
"What can the Separatists hope to gain from burning our homes?" Senator Taa wondered solemnly.
"Nothing." Cham answered. "Wat Tambor spoils for others what he cannot possess." He states.
"Then we must act quickly." Taa agrees, now willing to trust Syndulla after what Solar Flare said.
"Senator,…" Windu addresses, "…your people are hesitant to join us because they're worried there will be another military occupation." He explains.
"The people have my promise that the clone army will leave once Ryloth is FREE of those droids." The senator says with conviction.
Cham narrowed his eyes at the senator if he was being serious.
"General,…" Windu addressed. "…what assurance can you give Senator Taa you will not try to assume power?" He asks.
"I only want to see my people free, Master Jedi." Cham replies. "I give my word." He swears. "I believe in democracy."
"Then we are together in this." Solar says.
Taa's hologram turns off before the three walk out. "Men of Ryloth, the time has come to FREE OURSELVES!" Cham declared. All of the Freedom Fighters, including the Maximals, cheer.
Later, the clones and Freedom Fighters were getting their blasters ready. Cham walks up to Solar. "For our victory to be assured, I believe it's time we enact your plan." He states. Solar smiles with determination.
Lessu
At the capital, a squad of droids were patrolling the bridge when a loud siren blared. One droid was quick to speak up. "They're deactivating the bridge." He says. "Double time it, let's move." He urges. "Get off the bridge!" His words unfortunately didn't reach the audio receptors of a droid ahead of the squad. Up in the control center, the droids there didn't see the droid on it. "Deactivate the bridge." The droid on the left says. "Roger, roger." The droid on the right complies before pulling the lever, turning off the bridge. The droid on the bridge hears it powering down. "What the-?" He says before screaming as he falls into the chasm.
"What about the city inhabitants?" The tactical droid asks.
"Drive them outside, but not too far." He orders. "The Jedi will reconsider an attack when he sees them in his line of fire." He added.
The droids then move the Twi'leks to the edge of the city, one male Twi'lek holds his side as he limps. He then collapses from exhaustion, a female blue Twi'lek helps him up. "Keep moving." A droid tells them.
Up on the other side of the chasm, Solar Flare, Skullcruncher, the tanks, Maximals and the Freedom Fighters riding their blurrgs make it to the top of the ridge overlooking the capital.
"Try and keep up, clone." A blurrg rider taunts. "Hyah!" He runs ahead on his blurrg. Trak merely chased after.
Mace runs up to meet with Cham and Solar Flare who were looking out at the capital from behind a few rocks.
"Tambor is still there." Windu states.
"How are we going to attack with my people so close?" Cham inquired while looking through the binocs.
"Your people will never be in danger if our walkers can cross the bridge into the city." Mace says. "Key is getting control of that bridge." He states.
"With my plan, we won't need to worry about them getting hurt." Solar Flare speaks up.
Windu looks at her confusedly. "I wasn't aware you had a plan." Mace says.
She looks at him with a sly grin. "My plan is already in motion." She replied. "Just look to your left." She gestures.
They look to their left and see two MTTs going on the road on the side of the cliff. Cham chuckles impressedly. "Well played, Solar Flare." He compliments her.
"What?" Mace inquired.
"My spies told me those transports carried treasure." Syndulla says. "It's not enough for the Separatists to enslave and murder us. They must rob us too. Thankfully, with Solar Flare and the Maximals help, we have stopped any and all of those transports from reaching the capitol." He adds.
"You think we can use them to get across the bridge?" Windu asked.
"The Maximals, Skullcruncher and I hijacked that convoy a couple days ago." Solar Flare says. "They were carrying every kind of stolen valuables from villages. We took out any treasure inside." Solar states. "We captured and reprogrammed the droids to do their original task: get the transports to the capital." She explains. "The Maximals are hidden in the second transport, they're just waiting for us to join them."
"This plan is risky." He admits. "They are usually scanned while crossing."
Inside the second MTT, the Maximals were readying their blasters. Primal was checking the double-barrel blaster he brought out on his left mechanical bracer. Cheetor checks his Quasar cannon before aiming it. Rhinox was checking his blaster, it was a 4-barreled gatler with two spiked balls and sharp, fin-shaped blades on the spinning, disk-shaped barrel. Rattrap had a bronze and iron gray colored blaster. The last Maximal didn't have a blaster, merely a sword that was made up of five sharp, arrowhead shaped blades stacked on top each other with a sharper and narrower blade on the tip of the blade. Along with an ash brown turbine with two long propellers.
This Maximal had a toned physique and was wearing a dark gray bodysuit under ash brown and gold armor. He has a golden helmet with two fin-shaped plates on the sides and a black rim over his brow that connects over the bridge of his nose along with side guards for the lower sides of his helmet. An ash brown chestplate over his chest, abdomen and back with stone beige metallic ribs that go over cobalt blue armor with some gold pieces from his back chestplate to his front chestplate. A stone beige collar guard and spinal link going from the top of his back chestplate to the back of his waist connecting to an ash brown armored belt with a metallic stone beige buckle. Golden shoulder pads with ash brown armor over his biceps and medium-sized armor bracers, along with fingertip-less, ash brown combat gloves over his clawed hands. He had three fingered hands with two thumbs pointing in opposite directions. He had golden hip guards attachments connected to ash brown armor over his thighs with a gold strip going from the guards down to just above the pointed stone beige knee pads that were connected to the golden armor over his shins that also have stone beige rib-shaped pieces over the backs of his shin guards with a stone beige strip of metal on the fronts of his shin guards. He also has ash brown combat boots with gold armor over the feet and heels. Compared to a human he looks to be in his mid-thirties with bright red eyes, his most notable features are his scaly, azure blue skin and sharp teeth.
"Dinobot." Optimus Primal addresses the Maximal, retracting his blaster.
"Mmhmm." The Maximal hums in response.
"What were you able to find when you scoped out the capital?" He asked, the others now paying attention.
"Yes." He replies, sheathing his sword onto the center of the turbine. The propellers close over the blade before he sheathed it onto his back before bringing out a device. He taps a few buttons to show a hologram of Lessu. "The controls for the bridge are located in this tower." He says. Pointing to the tower above the entrance to the city. "When we reach the top of the tower, we need to activate the bridge so the tanks can enter the city. Taking the tower will prove difficult, as there are many of them." He explains, turning off the hologram.
"Well, that's just prime." Primal says.
"So, uh, this yer first day on th' job or what?" Rattrap asks.
"Shut up, Rattrap."
"Oh, yes sir!" He stands at attention. "You know, I-I feel just heaps better knowing that our lives are in yer capable hands." He says with faux optimism. He takes a deep breath. "We're all gonna die." He says hopelessly.
They all then hear something land on top of the transport. "Well, it seems like backup has just arrived." Primal gladly says, opening the top hatch, letting Mace Windu and two ARF troopers in.
Cham sees them enter the transport through his binocs. "They're in. Let's go." He says.
Solar Flare climbs up onto Skullcruncher while a clone gets on a blurrg. She stifles her laughter as it tries to shake him off.
"Commander, I'll need you to create a diversion." Mace says.
"Get the rest of Lightning Squadron ready." He says to the clone.
"Yes, sir." He replies.
Cham and Solar walk up to him, both atop their respective animals. "My men are ready." Cham says.
"You ready, Skullcruncher?" Solar asks him. He growls in response.
They watched as the transports were nearing the bridge. Up in the command center, the tactical droid walks up to Tambor. "It is time to leave. The Republic walkers are holding at 1,200 meters." He states.
"Sir?" A battle droid gets their attention. "The last shipments of treasure are approaching." It states.
"Just in time." Emir says. Glad to get more things to fill his greed. "Activate the bridge and get them across immediately." He orders.
"Initiating plasma projector." A battle droid says, activating the bridge. Everyone on the ridge sees the transports move onto the bridge. Two droids stop them. "All right, hold it there." He ordered. "Let's go. The boss wants this done." He says. They then use scanners to check the transports. They finish the first one. "This one's all clear." The second droid says.
"Here they come." Mace says.
The droids start checking the second transport. The first droid's scanner beeps. "Wait. I'm picking up an anomaly in there." He gestures to the transport. "Stay alert."
Solar looks at them through her binocs. She sees the droids make their way to the rear hatch. She presses her comlink. "Primal, there at the hatch. Get ready to make a fast exit." She tells him.
"Open the cargo hatch." The first droid ordered.
The hatch opens to reveal the Mace Windu and the Maximal with their weapons out. "Special Delivery!" Cheetor says. Windu ignites his lightsaber.
"Oh, no!" The second droid holds his head in distress. "You're under arrest. You have the r-" the first droid was interrupted by Cheetor and Primal blasting them.
The Maximals, Windu and the clones exit the transport. The droids at the controls begin to turn off the bridge. "Deactivating the bridge." One droid says. "Oh, well. Too bad for them." Another pulls the lever to the bridge.
The siren blared. Windu decided to act swiftly. "Run for it!" He shouts. They're turning the bridge off." He uses the Force to lift them all up and Force-pushes them to the end of the bridge. The bridge turns off and Windu makes his way off a transport and to a droid flier. He has it decelerate its ZAP and crash into another flier. He lands in a crouch before he lifts everyone up and puts them safely to the ground.
Primal looks up at the tower. "Rhinox, you and the others focus on holding off the droids! I'll reactivate the bridge!" He orders. Rhinox nods before he grabs his second gatler and fires at the droids. Primal then activates his jetpack and flies up to the tower.
Solar Flare brings out her faceplate which shares a similar design to Optimus Prime's. "Charge!" She shouts while raising her scythe as Skullcruncher roars. They all charge towards the capital. The tanks follow behind them.
The Maximals engage the droids alongside Windu and the clones. Dinobot utters a battle cry as he charges the droids, cutting and slicing any in his path. Windu blocks the shots coming their way with his lightsaber. Deflecting some shots back at the droids. Windu and Dinobot cut through the droids while Rhinox, Cheetor and Rattrap shoot any they missed.
Once Primal flies up to the tower, he sees the droids inside the window, he fires at them through the window before breaking through the glass. "Hey, you're not authorized." One droid says. He reaches behind his back with his right hand and pulls out a machete-like sword he slices through and blasts the droids. After finishing them he grabs the lever with his left hand and pushes the lever up, reactivating the bridge. "Solar Flare, the bridge is up." He says.
"Just in time." She smirked behind her faceplate. The Freedom Fighters, AT-RT walkers and Skullcruncher charge across the bridge.
Windu slams a droid into the floor while Dinobot rips another in half. More droids come in with a tank. He uses a powerful Force-push to blast them all back except for the tank. As the tank moves closer, he uses the Force to bring a massive door down on it.
"Not ba-had!" Rattrap admired impressedly, patting Windu on the back. "I guess you could say that tank had a nice fall, huh?" He joked. Windu remained indifferent, much to Rattrap's chagrin. "Oh, come on! Nothing?" He complained.
Outside, the Twi'leks cheer as the cavalry charges through. They join Mace Windu and the Maximals, Solar Flare leaps off of Skullcrucher and lands, rolling to a stop and twirling her scythe to block the shots. Cham rides up next to them. "Cham!" She gets his attention. "You and the Maximals take these droids, Mace and I'll go find Wat Tambor." She says before they both go off to find him. The blurrg riders easily charge through the droids while the walkers take down a tank. One blurrg bites down on a droid before shaking it like a chew toy.
Up in the control center, droids come in and start blasting at Optimus Primal. He fires back before cutting a few down. It was then commando droids came in, one threw a droid at Primal, knocking his sword out of his hand. He retracts his blaster before grabbing one droid by the neck as it lunges at him. He grabs its leg, then lifts it up before slamming its back down on his knee, snapping its back. Primal then throws the inactive droid body at the other one, he goes for his sword and he sees the droid lunge at him, he brings his sword up and impales the blade through its chest. The body falls limp over him, he sighs in relief.
"That… was too close." He says.
The tactical droid, now fed up with Tambor, heads to the evacuation shuttle without him. "Start my ship." He ordered. "That Tambor is a fool." He states. Tambor comes to board the shuttle, but the tactical droid has already boarded. "My ship!" He says in disbelief. The ship starts to take off, but Skullcrcher climbs on the wall surveying the courtyard. He sees the shuttle about to take off. Acting fast, he jumps into the air catching the shuttle in his jaws before it could get away. He lands on the ground before violently throwing the shuttle at the wall, permanently damaging the thrusters. He then sees Tambor. Emir is frozen with terror at this mechanical creature as it turns to him. Skullcruncher stalks toward him menacingly.
Not too far away, the bombers were given orders to bomb the capital. They redirect their course and head towards the capital.
The super battle droids fire at Skullcruncher, it was futile as the shots did nothing. Skullcruncher then scoops up the droids into his mouth and crushed them in his jaws as if they were nothing. Solar Flare and Mace Windu then enter the courtyard and make their way to them. Solar saw him opening his maw at Tambor, about to kill him. She was willing to let him suffer the consequences of his actions, but Mace Windu would say he has to face justice. And while she kinda wanted to see him suffer, it would not help with her image in the Autobots' alliance with the Republic. So she guessed she had to let him live.
"Skullcruncher!" She calls out to him. He closes his maw but doesn't take his eyes off Tambor. "Surrender." Windu says, pointing his lightsaber at him while Solar sheaths her scythe on her back. "General Windu, perhaps we can come to a compromise." Tambor offered, only to be met with a hiss from Skullcruncher. "Not when we hold all the cards." He replies metaphorically. "Especially with this ace." Solar added, gesturing to Skullcruncher. "It appears surrender is unnecessary." Tambor fixes his modulator. "We will all perish for the glory of the Separatist Alliance." He declared as they noticed four bombers heading their way.
Before they got even close, they were shot out of the sky by Anakin and Ahsoka, along with Moonrider and Catra aboard the Eclipse. "Whoa, that was close, Master." Ahsoka says. "Isn't it always, Snips?" He asks with a smug grin. Moonrider chuckles at them. "If you two are done, I think we should count this as a victory." Catra says with a smile.
Back on the ground, the Freedom Fighters and the Maximals surround Tambor. Solar retracts her faceplate before taking off her helmet and holding it under her left arm. She shakes her head to get her hair flowing. She looks at Emir with a smug expression. "You were saying?" She asks rhetorically. Windu deactivates his lightsaber.
"What are your terms for surrender?" Tambor asks, accepting defeat.
"They're unconditional." Cham replies.
"Agreed."
Cham looks at Solar Flare and Windu. "I thank you, Solar Flare and Master Jedi. Today all of Ryloth thanks the both of you." He says.
"You've earned your freedom, General." Primal says, looking at Cham while standing next to Solar Flare. He then looks to the rest of the Twi'leks. "All of you." He states with a glad smile.
They later hold a parade to celebrate Ryloth's freedom. There was a large crowd of Twi'leks cheering. The parade had Blurrgs in the front followed by Skullcruncher with Hera standing on his snout waving to the crowd. Cham Syndulla and Senator Taa smile at each other at their newfound trust and their homeworld free once again. Solar smiles at Primal who returns the gesture at their goal now completed. The blurrg riders, and the one clone on a blurrg, wave to the crowd. Cheetor smiles happily as he sees the joyful smile on Hera's face as she waves. Her dream… was now a reality.