Have no fear, Grubkiller is here.

Hey folks, here's part 2 of the story, which is a flashback chapter.

Hope you enjoy.

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Senatorial convocational chamber, Senate Building, Coruscant, two months before Operation Leveler.

The Senators of the Galactic congress were ... once again ... bickering about something.

But that's when a red light began to flash and beep on the terminal in front of Chancellor Palpatine.

"Members of the Senate," Chancellor Palpatine said, his voice echoing through the speakers all around the convocational chamber. "We are receiving an incoming transmission from..." he looked closer and saw that the caller wasn't identified. "...an unknown location".

When he finished saying that, everyone began to chatter amongst themselves.

When Palpatine pressed the button, a massive hologram of a human, who was wearing a militaristic uniform, materialized inside of the chamber. His hologram stood taller than the Chancellor's. Everyone sat in awe as they saw the imposing figure stand over them.

The man looked very serious, and had a gaze that could kill. He wore a militaristic gray uniform with medal over the left breast. He had white hair that was balding, and broad shoulders.

Everyone began to question what was going on. That's when the holographic man finally spoke, his voice echoing across the chamber.

"Members of the Galactic Congress... my name is Tomas Dalyell. I'm the chairman of the Coalition of Ordered Governments from the planet Sera. For hundreds of years, since the wars between the Republic and the Sith, we've been isolated from the rest of the galaxy. But since then our planet has endured numerous hardships coming in the form of disease, famine, energy crises, and bloodshed. Though we are now prospering, we are in the middle of a bloody civil war that has gone on for nearly 80 years. And now, it seems, our undisturbed isolation has been threatened. Now, the side that you are fighting against in your war has discovered us. They tried to make an alliance with us, which we refused. But then, our enemies, the Union of Independent Republics, reached out to the CIS. They entered into an alliance, which is threatening to bring us to our knees. They are developing a Weapons platform that they wish to test against us. And once they defeat us, they plan to use it to ensure technological and military dominance over the Republic. On behalf of the people of the COG and all of its member states, I ask that you please send help immediately. An alliance between our two peoples may be the only hope of either one of our civilizations surviving," said the holographic figure.

When the hologram disappeared, the entire senate began to buzz with commotion.

This war just got a whole lot more interesting.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Landing platform, Coruscant, eight weeks before Operation Leveler.

The sun had just risen over the horizon, casting orange and pink rays of light across the Coruscanti morning sky. Sky speeders zipped back and forth, carrying their passengers to and from wherever they needed to be. Elsewhere, Republic transports lifted off from the ground, carrying their clone trooper passengers to the front lines of the Clone Wars, as was usually the case.

But for once, this galaxy spanning conflict wasn't what was on everybody's minds. Instead, it was the fact that a new star system had made itself none, and was deep in its own civil war, much like the rest of the galaxy.

Just as the Separatist made it their business to throw their weight behind one side, the Republic was going to do the same. Which was why the Republic was sending one of their most seasoned politicians, and one of their most powerful Jedi across the galaxy in order to forge an alliance between itself and the Coalition of Ordered Governments.

Padme Amidala, Senator of Naboo, was walking across the platform, which jutted out from the side of a building and hung high above the streets below. She was walking towards the T-6 shuttle that was docked to the platform, followed by six of her handmaidens. The senator wore a maroon outfit with yellow trims, a skirt that flowed to her ankles, and had her hair tied back.

As she walked closer, she saw a man walking down the ramp, out of the shuttle and onto the platform to meet her. She smiled when she saw that it was her secret husband, Anakin Skywalker. They both walked closer to each other until they met at the platform's halfway point.

"General Skywalker, good to see you again," she said, swooning over him ever so slightly. But then she perked up. "Thank you for joining me on this mission," she said, trying to sound more professional in front of her maidens, so as to not arouse suspicion.

Anakin bowed his head and closed his eyes. "It is my honor, Padme," he said before he stepped aside and extended his arm towards the docked shuttle. Padme smiled and carried on, with her long, loose sleeves concealing her clasped hands.

The handmaidens, sensing that their services were no longer required, turned around and walked back into the building. When they were out of ear shot, Anakin ran back towards the shuttle after Padme.

When he was right next to her, he leaned in and whispered. "You have no idea what I had to go through to get this mission".

"It'll be worth it to finally spend some time alone together," Padme said in her usual soft tone. They both smiled, looking forward to spending time together, which was rare given the paths they've taken.

"Master!" A female voice called out from behind them.

They both froze.

Anakin sighed. "Oh, no." He groaned out.

They both turned around to see a teenage togrutan running towards the shuttle, waving towards them with a smile on her face. She stopped and stood up straight, with her hands clasped behind her back. "Sorry, I'm late," Ahsoka Tano said.

"Uh, Ahsoka..." Anakin said before he chuckled nervously. "What are you doing here?"

Ahsoka stood up taller by briefly standing on the balls of her feet. "Master Obi-Wan said I should help with the mission". Ahsoka said, before standing back on her feet again, still smiling.

Padme and Anakin both looked at Ahsoka. Anakin's lips were compressed in a tight line. But then he raised his hand, with his finger pointed at the sky, before he began to speak. "Uhh..."

Padme jolted forward and pushed Anakin's hand down. "We're glad to have you, Ahsoka". She said before she gently pushed Anakin back and allowed Ahsoka to step forward onto the shuttle first. Padme followed with her hand on her shoulder.

Anakin stayed behind. He rolled his eyes and groaned before he stepped onto the shuttle with his head down in frustration.

A few seconds later, the ramp retracted into the ship and its hatch closed, before its engines began to hum. The shuttle then pulled away from the building and flew up into the atmosphere. The ship then flew in the direction of the Seran system before shooting off into hyperspace.

T-6 shuttle, in hyperspace, en route to Sera.

The T-6 shuttle carrying Padme, Anakin, and Ahsoka continued to travel through the blue vortex of hyperspace, which was an alternate state of existence used by starships to achieve faster-than-light travel.

As they continued flying, the three passengers sat in relative silence for most of the trip. Padme sat in the co-pilot seat, Anakin flew, and Ahsoka sat behind Anakin.

"So..." Ahsoka said, attempting to break the ice. "...we're on our way to a planet that's been at civil war for almost eighty years? That's insane".

"I know. And now both sides are expanding this terrible conflict, and trying to use these Serans to gain an advantage over the other," Padme said, before she inhaled in contemplation. "...it's heart breaking."

"Well, we'll hopefully be able to end both wars with this alliance," Anakin said, somewhat over optimistically.

"Yeah, but how do you end an eighty year..." Ahsoka started to say when she saw her master flipping some switches on the console in front of him. She heard a series of beeps and whines before she leaned over Anakin's shoulder and saw that a readout on the terminal changed. "...Wait, you changed the flight path?"

"Yeah," Anakin said, catching Padme's attention as well. "Suddenly, I'm in a hurry".

"But we can't go this way," Ahsoka said. "Intel says that the Separatist fleet has been spotted in the sector of the Seran system that this new coarse'll take us through."

But Anakin just tuned out Ahsoka's concern and continued flying. That's when an alarm started to blare on the console in front of Anakin. Everyone leaned in to look at what the display was saying. It flashed a warning.

It read: path blocked, collision imminent.

Anakin quickly dropped the ship out of hyperspace, bringing the ship to a sudden halt. But then they saw what was in front of them.

A large Separatist Armada, comprised of Providence-class dreadnoughts, Munificent-class star frigates, Recusant-class destroyers, and DH-Omni Supply Vessels, was parked right outside their front window. They were gathered above one of Sera's two moons, which was under UIR control.

Behind the Separatist armada, dozens of other warships of various types, painted olive green with red lights (UIR) and dark gray with blue lights (COG), were hammering away at each other all across the system. It was at this point that they could see the scale of the war being waged across the system.

Everyone looked up at the Separatist warships that hung above the shuttle in horror.

"We're in trouble," Anakin said.

"Like I said," Ahsoka quipped.

"Ahsoka, you're on guns with me," Padme instructed. "Anakin, fly!" She ordered before she shot up from her seat and rushed towards one of the turrets on the side of the ship.

Ahsoka watched her run. She then turned back to Anakin. "I like her," she said before she followed her.

"Yeah, me too," Anakin said under his breath.

That's when he accelerated the ship and flew right between the Separatist warships. As he did this, the closest Sep frigate caught wind of this and began to open fire on the oncoming shuttle. But Anakin was, by far, a better pilot than the separatists were gunners. He zigged and zagged through the enemy fire, letting all of the red plasma rounds fly right past his ship.

As Anakin expertly piloted the ship through the Separatist fleet, Ahsoka and Padme were manning the port and starboard side turrets. They began to fire back at the Separatist warships, targeting cannons and critical systems. As they fired back at the two ships on either side of them, explosions began to dot the their hulls, showing that Ahsoka and Padme were doing some damage. One frigate actually started to pull away after sustaining too much damage.

Anakin continued dying the ship.

"Almost through..." he said.

But as Anakin flew deeper into the armada, the Separatist firepower only became more and more intense. He noticed that one laser bolt from one of the frigates were heading straight for Padme's turret.

Padme looked up and saw the bolt coming. As it grazed the hull, she jumped up from her seat. But an explosion went off right in front of her. She raised her arms in front of her face and shouted before smoke began to form around her.

Ahsoka looked back in fear as she saw that smoke began to fill the ship. She looked back to try and see if Padme was okay. But when the smoke started to clear, she noticed that not only was Padme okay, but she was being held tightly inside the protective embrace of her own master. Padme squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her head into Anakin's shoulders.

Ahsoka was stunned. But then she noticed that no one was at the ship's control. She looked at Padme and Anakin for a few more seconds and then rushed to the front of the ship.

"I've got you," Anakin said before he loosened his grip on Padme and looked down at her.

Padme smiled and looked up into her husband's eyes lovingly. "Thanks," she said. Then her eyes shot open. "Who's flying the ship?"

"I'm on it," someone called out. Anakin and Padme looked over to the cockpit to see Ahsoka looking at them from the pilot seat. Ahsoka then looked back at the situation in front of her and began to fly the ship. She flew passed the last Separatist warship and flew towards the ... war-torn planet below.

Later, after making it through the mess in orbit, Ahsoka flew the shuttle down to the city of Ephyra. She docked the ship near a large circular landing platform that hung above the spaceport on the outskirts of town.

They were greeted by a dozens of COG soldiers, who wore heavy armor and were armed with large rifles with fixed bayonets. They all stood at attention as they were about to greet their military attache. But before they stepped off of the shuttle, Anakin turned back to Ahsoka and Padme.

"Ahsoka..." Anakin said as he looked out of the city. He turned back to face her. "...I'm really glad you came."

Ahsoka smiled.

Then, Anakin walked forward to personally greet their attache, who was a muscular man with a hateful look on his face, wearing a gray military uniform that barely seemed to fit him. He looked to be in his fifties, and sported a gray cap with the COG emblem on the front.

Ahsoka and Padme watched them shake hands and converse amongst themselves. That's when Padme turned to Ahsoka.

"You know, you and Anakin make a good team," Padme said.

Ahsoka smiled. "Thanks".

That's when Padme began to walk down the ramp and step onto the platform.

"I could say the same about the two of you," Ahsoka said.

Padme froze. Then she turned back to face Ahsoka with a worried look on her face. But then she smiled. "Thank you, Ahsoka."

They both smiled and walked down the ramp to meet up with Anakin.

The Coalition officer, that was speaking to Anakin, saw them coming. He gave them a slight bow but maintained his stoic expression.

"Greetings Senator Amidala. I am Major Victor Hoffman, your temporary military attache," he said. "Welcome to Ephyra".

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House of Sovereigns, COG capital of Ephrya, Republic of Tyrus, Sera.

The Senator and the two Jedi were being driven through the streets of Ephyra with a passenger truck. Being driven with a land vehicle on a paved street was so foreign to them, being more used to sky speeders that carried them across the sky-lanes.

As they drove through the streets, they passed by many houses, shops, bakeries, and large financial buildings. They even passed by a few barracks, filled with COG soldiers. Many buildings in this city, and many others across Tyrus, were of a fine masonry and wooded architecture dating back to an era called the Silver Age.

Ahsoka looked out the window and smiled at all the kids running around playing with a brown ball of some kind. Anakin was looking at a magazine that he found in the car. It had different advertisements for cars, workout equipment, weapons, and an ad for a type of cereal. A large, dark-skinned man wearing a sports outfit, with an 83 sprawled on it in large bold digits, was holding up the cereal. A quote underneath him said, "Cole Train runs on whole grain baby, WHOO!"

So far, Anakin and Ahsoka seemed impressed by the atmosphere around them.

But Padme was looking at something else. She saw posters.

Propaganda posters. Everywhere.

She saw one poster with a menacing silhouette with red eyes. It read, "stop this mad brute, or he will never stop".

Another poster had a smiling child on it. He wore pajamas and a COG helmet, and was holding a Lancer, which was almost as tall as him. It read, "He's doing his part, how about you".

A third poster had a civilian male looking out a window at a street, which was filled with marching soldiers. It read, "What side of the window are you on?"

Everywhere else she looked, she saw soldiers and other uniformed men everywhere. And every time a military vehicle drove down the road, she noticed that all of the other cars, driven by civilians, had to pull off to the side of the road to let them passed. It was at this moment that she realized how different this place was from anywhere in the Republic.

It worried her.

'How can a society be this used to war?' She thought to herself.

But then the car pulled up in front of a building. It was like a castle, its stones roof held up by stone columns, which lined up the face of the building. It also had several domed structures that dotted the roof. Their was a semi-circular courtyard in front of the building, with a fountain in the middle.

Black armored soldiers stood guard almost everywhere. They stood as still as statues and carried large Lancer rifles across their chests, with their bayonets fixed.

Padme couldn't help but feel like she was in a police state.

"Alright, here we are," Hoffman said. "Welcome to the House of Sovereigns".

The House of Sovereigns contained many important historical pieces for the Coalition of Ordered Governments. Scattered throughout the building were display cases housing various medals and old weapons. Most of the medals and weapons had some of Alexiy Desipich's eight principles engraved on them. The building also contained many portraits that hung on the walls. These portraits were of important individuals to the COG like; Allfathers, Chairmen, high-ranking officers, distinguished soldiers and honoured individuals.

After being taken to their rooms, Ahsoka, Anakin, and Padme walked through the stone hallways, while being escorted by more Gears, from the COG Army's elite Onyx Guard. They were eventually taken to a banquet hall, where they were scheduled to meet with the Coalition Chairman, and several other prominent government officials.

Padme, despite the professional facade she donned over her face, was secretly in a state of culture shock. Coruscant was militarized, but it seemed like every block in every city on this planet was militarized.

They each took a seat next to each other.

There were several other COG officials seated already. They were mostly political officials and military leaders. More Onyx Guardsmen lined up against the wall that went around the perimeter of the room.

Padme whispered towards Anakin. "Ani, we're about to meet with the top leaders of this government, so I want you to be on your best behavior," she said.

"Don't worry milady. I promise That I won't cause a disturbance," Anakin said.

"ATTEN-HUT!" Someone shouted.

The Onyx Guardsmen all tapped their boots, which echoed through the floor. Then they placed their rifle stocks on the floor and held the barrel with one hand, before using their free hands to snap a brisk salute. They all looked in the direction of a opening door.

Every sat up from their seats and looked in the direction of the door.

This prompted Anakin, Ahsoka, and Padme, to all copy the people in the room, and look at the opening door.

The Onyx Guard gear who shouted earlier turned around and shouted to the people in the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen," the soldier said, his voiced raised, and booming across the room. "It is with great honor, and distinct privilege, that I present to you the right honorable gentlemen, Deputy Chairman Richard Prescott, and the right honorable gentlemen, Tomas Dalyell, Chairman of the Coalition of Ordered Government."

The soldier stepped aside, allowing two men to enter the banquet hall. Everyone began to clap as they entered. They both returned the salute of the assembled soldiers. Before they took their seats, Chairman Dalyell looked out over the room from the head of the table.

The soldier from earlier shouted out again.

"PRESENT ARMS!"

The Onyx Guardsmen picked their rifles up and held them across their chests.

The chairman raised a glass. "Before we start dinner, I would like to propose a toast. To the men and women who keep the COG safe, and to the honorable representatives of the Republic. May this alliance between us ensure freedom, prosperity, and dignity, to both ourselves and out future generations".

"Here here!" Everyone chanted before they raised their glasses and took a sip. That's when everyone sat down.

They had dinner, while listening to a orchestra playing classical music of some kind.

That's when the assembled politicians and military leaders began to address Padme and her Jedi protectors.

"So, did you enjoy your ride through the city, Senator?" one army officer asked.

"Oh, I liked it well enough. It's a beautiful city to be sure," she said, somewhat flustered.

"But, is there something wrong?" Another officer asked.

"Well, it's just ... it seems like everywhere we went ... there were soldiers. Soldiers everywhere. And every time a military convoy passed, civilians had to squeeze against the side of the streets to let them through. And it seems like there were patrols in every part of the city. Even the school children had army officers teaching them," Padme said.

The officer seemed dumbfounded. "Well madam senator, I would remind you that we are at war, and this is the military district of Ephyra. We Tyrans take great pride in our military. It's apart of our culture and society," he said, trying to explain the way things are. "But, since you brought it up, I'll have you know that Ephyra is also home to some of the most prestigious museums, gardens, zoos, and art galleries, which boast some of the greatest forms of art and Literature in all of Tyrus".

"Well, it just seems like the only forms of art and literature I've seen so far come in the form of propaganda posters," she said.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared off in her general direction. The orchestra, made up of military personnel, had stopped playing. Even the soldiers the lined the walls around her stared at her. The Chairman looked at her with a noticeable scowl on his face.

She looked around and started to blush. Her outburst not only just embarrassed herself, but it also embarrassed the Republic. What's more, it insulted her hosts. She looked down at her dish to try and hide her flustered face.

Ahsoka placed her elbow on the table, and rested her face on her fist as she looked away.

Anakin leaned closer to Padme. "What was that you said about being on your best behavior?" He asked.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

RSV Resolute, in orbit above the planet Sera, a couple days later. Seven weeks before Operation Leveler.

Ahsoka was on the bridge of the RSV Resolute, staring out the viewport at the sight in front of her.

She was initially impressed by the amount of space structures in orbit around Sera, and the extent at which every planet, moon, and even larger asteroids, had been terraformed, developed, and built upon. She was even fascinated by the flashes far off in the distance that marked the location of a space battle in a different part of the system.

But she was now intensely bored. She leaned across the control console and stared at the planet below.

"Are we bored snips?" Someone asked behind her.

Ahsoka turned around and saw her master approaching.

"Yes," she answered when he was right next to her.

"Can't say I blame you," Anakin said. He was actually disappointed. He wanted to spend time with his secret wife down on the surface with his secret wife, who was at the negotiations.

Ever since Padme embarrassed herself in front of the COG's most important officials, he made it his duty to comfort her as a husband, lovingly, tenderly ... and even pleasurably. But he couldn't do that from up here. He and his padawan had to be in command of the fleet, which arrived yesterday.

Ahsoka turned to face her master. "So, why are we up here, just staring at a distant space battle. Everyone knows that we're at our best on the frontline, so why don't we just get on with it?"

"Remember Ahsoka, we may be fighting to protect the Republic, but we must always strive for peace as well. This Alliance will give us access to great resources, and a new ally with whom to defeat the Separatists."

Ahsoka sighed and turned back to the viewport.

"Besides, knowing Grievous and Dooku, we might still have a chance to slug it out with some clankers later," he said with a smile.

"Sure hope so Skyguy, because masters Obi-Wan and Windu's fleets are here too, so they might get a crack at Grievous first." she said, going back to being bored.

Anakin smiled. He loved how she mirrored him in so many ways.

"So, other than gaining a new ally, what will we get out of this Alliance?" Ahsoka asked.

"The COG have control over vast osmium mines that cover the surface. They also have access to a plentiful fuel called imulsion. We can use them for starship armor. And we might be able to convert some of the Imulsion into a potential fuel source, so that we don't have to wrestle every tibanna gas cloud in the galaxy away from the Seps. And I'm sure you remember that the UIR is helping the Separatists build a weapon. We're here to help the COG deny them that power. So this a very critical system," Anakin explained.

"So if all goes according to plan, the Tinnies don't get a new toy, and we get metal for our ships and fuel for our people?" She asked.

"Yup," Anakin confirmed.

Ahsoka nodded her head in understanding. "Makes sense".

But in a different part of the system, there were those who were plotting to break this alliance apart.

General Grievous sat in the command seat on the bridge of his flagship, a providence class Dreadnought, the Invisible Hand. "Attack formation: Echo 3!" He called out to his tactical droid. He stood up from his command chair and paced around the bridge before walking over to the viewport.

"Status." The tactical droid called out.

"Deflection shields raised," one droid called out.

"Destroyers in position," another called out.

"Forwards cannons ready".

"Landing craft prepared."

Grievous stopped in front of the viewport to watch his fleet. The CIS armada was above one of Sera's two moons. The one the UIR controlled. They looked at the Republic fleet, which was in orbit above the COG controlled portion of Sera.

"All ship are in position," the tactical droid said to Grievous.

"Commence attack!" He barked out.

The CIS armada headed for COG territory.

The UIR and the CIS were in the middle of launching something called the great Reap offensive, hoping to draw the attention of the Republic and COG's military forces towards the front to contain the offensive. Then, Asajj Ventress, and a team of commando droids managed to take out some of the COG's early warning systems. This allowed Grievous' fleet to pass through the COG's outer defenses with ease.

Back on the Resolute, Ahsoka stood up and looked off into space. She felt a disturbance in the force. She looked at her master, who was also looking off into space.

"I sense it too," he said.

When CIS fleet was in range, they began to blast away at several Coalition orbital defense platforms. These platforms had Anti-ship missiles and fighter-bomber squadrons. They were meant to slow fleets down and buy time for the COG Navy to react. But because the early warning systems were knocked out, the CIS passed through with ease, blasting the small stations apart with absolute ease.

When they blasted through the COG's outer defenses, they headed straight for the Republic fleet in orbit. They opened fire, catching General Skywalker's ships by surprise, and destroying several with their shields down.

"Brace for impact!" Anakin called out before several concussion missiles and turbo laser fire slammed into the Resolute from stem to stern. The ship rocked and creaked violently as an unsettling boom rumbled through the hull.

"What are they doing here?" Ahsoka asked.

"They must be here to disrupt the negotiations," Rex said.

"Then we won't give them the pleasure," Anakin said before he turned to Admiral Yularen. "Admiral, get our guns and shields online, and every pilot mobilized for a counter attack. We'll send those clankers back to the scrap heap where they belong. And then contact Master Kenobi and Windu for support".

The Admiral nodded.

Anakin gestured towards Ahsoka, who followed him down to the hanger.

"Battle stations!" Admiral Yularen called out. "Scramble fighters. Raise the shields and prepare to return fire".

Down in the main hanger, Anakin and Ahsoka were getting their fighter squadrons ready to fly.

That's when the large door on the ship's upper hull began to open up. This allowed Anakin to view the carnage outside. The Confederates managed to destroy several Republic ships with their shields down. Bodies and debris floated out across the endless, crushing void of space. he shook his head, as he tried to rid his mind of the lives that he couldn't save.

That's when his fighter flew out of the cruiser, followed by several squadrons of fighters.

"Alright, Red squadron, stay back and defend the cruisers. Everyone, check in," Anakin said.

"Gold squadron is ready for action sir. Just give the word and we'll be right there with you," Gold 2 said.

"Good to hear. Snips, report in," he said.

"Blue squadron is ready also Skyguy," Ahsoka replied over the comm.

"Good. Broadside, you ready for action?" Anakin asked.

"Yes Sir. Shadow squadron is itching to get back into the fight," Broadside said.

Anakin smiled at his padawan's and trooper's devotion and fighting spirit. That's when Anakin's droid, R2-D2, let out several beeps. "I see them," Anakin said as he checked his sensors. "Alright boys, let's give our old friends a warm welcome. Tighten up formation. As soon s you're in range, up fire and carve a path straight towards the enemy fleet".

"Sir yes sir," one of the clone pilots said over the comm.

Anakin and Ahsoka's Delta light interceptors led the two squadrons of V-19 Torrent star-fighters straight into the fray. Swarms of enemy Vulture droids flew towards them at lightning fast speed. The Republic fighters opened fire on the oncoming droid fighters, blasting many of them in slag. After a few seconds, they managed to punch their way through the swarm of vultures, clearing a path for Shadow Squadron.

The Y-wing bombers headed for the CIS fleet. Their gunners fired on the attacking vulture droids. When they were close enough to the Sep fleet, they released their payload. Proton bombs were dropped on the Sep warships, destroying a pair of Munificent-class star frigates before turning back to the fleet to refit and refuel. Meanwhile, Ahsoka and Anakin's squadrons focused on the fighters, or on the small anti-fighter frigates.

Suddenly, several dozen pods were blasted out of the Separatist warships, along with dozens of fighters and bombers. They were heading straight for the planet below.

"Master, the Separatists just launched an assault wave towards the planet below." Ahsoka called out over the comm.

"I see 'em Ahsoka." Anakin said.

Then he heard Artoo beep and whistle several times. The droid was trying to tell him something. He had just calculated their trajectory. Anakin read it, and was horrified by what Artoo just told him.

"Oh, no. They're heading for Ephyra."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

National Museum of Ephyra.

Padme was in one of the most prestigious museums in all of Tyrus.

It boasted the greatest collections of art and rare collections any museum had to offer. She stood atop granite flooring and looked up at the stone and bronze statues all around her. They were of kings, priests, and warriors. There were also paintings of different locations on Sera, and even across the system.

Padme was with Major Hoffman. He looked around at the art as well. But then he looked back at her.

"So, is this art good enough for you, or do you still feel like insulting our culture?" Hoffman asked, with a snarky attitude.

The Senator from Naboo looked down.

"Major, I'm very sorry about my outburst the other day. It's just ... this is such a culture shock to me. I've never seen a society so revolved around the military," she said.

"I understand, but as a Republic representative, aren't you supposed to put those negative thoughts aside, so that you avoid insulting your hosts, and having the alliance fall apart?" He asked.

Padme lowered her head in shame.

Hoffman continued.

"You know what I can't stand about you anti-war people? All you talk about is how bad war is, but odds are, you've never been in a war in your life." He said.

"That's not true." She snapped. "I've been through so much in this war. I've seen it up close, and the horrors it brings to all of those involved".

"Well then, you should know then, what some people, like my men, go through to make sure your roof doesn't cave over your head at night," he said.

Padme lowered her head in shame, but also frustration.

Hoffman continued. "And another thing, people like you act as if peace is the easiest thing in the world to achieve. Well, let me tell you something. Peace isn't smiles and handshakes. It's bodies and bullets and the will to withstand both. We've been at war with the UIR for 77 years. And I'm sure you know how ruthless the CIS have proven to be. Do you honestly think it's all gonna go away with a small handshake? No, you're wrong". He said, looking down at her. But she didn't meet his glare.

"Major," said a new voice. They both turned to see a young blond woman with a gray uniform with a skirt, leggings, and high-heels. It was Lt. Anya Stroud. "The Chairman has requested that the Senator return to the House of Sovereigns. The Republic Delegation is here to sign the treaty".

"Alright, that's our queue. Let's go," Hoffman said.

Padme followed him out of the museum and into a COG army truck, which was a apart of a convoy. They drove down sovereign boulevard to get back to the House of Sovereigns.

Ever since the negotiations began, the Republic sent more politicians to Sera to speak with the Coalition government. And because of the Republic delegation's presence, so close to a war zone and during a major UIR offensive, a massive Republic armada was sent to bolster the COG security and keep the negotiations safe.

As they drove through the streets of Ephyra, Padme looked outside her window. She noticed that all traffic, across the government and military districts of the city, was shut down due to the negotiations. Every city street and intersection in those sections were barricaded by military checkpoints, which were manned by COG Gears, and off limits to civilians.

Their convoy came up on one of those checkpoints. All of the vehicles came to a complete halt, and soldiers went by to check on the passengers. One soldier, with the name Carmine sprawled on his chest plate, walked up to the vehicle Padme, Hoffman, and Stroud were all in.

The driver rolled down the window and allowed Hoffman to present his ID card to the soldier.

The Gear looked at the card to make sure that it checked out.

"Your ID checks out sir. Enjoy the rest of your-" The soldier said before a series of loud buzzing sounds caught his attention. Everyone who manned the checkpoint looked up to see where the loud noises were coming from.

That's when they all saw a swarm of Droid star-fighters and Droch-class landing craft filling the sky. They flew all across the city. Hyena bombers began to drop their payload across the city, blasting several buildings apart.

"Awh Shiiiit!" One Gear said. "Get that checkpoint open".

The checkpoint gateway opened slowly. But as it did, a Separatist landing craft slammed into the ground behind the convoy. For a moment they did nothing. Then the spear like section opened up into several spears, and allowed several Super Battle Droids to jump down. A Vulture droid even touched down and began to walk towards the checkpoint.

The droids began to fire on the Gears at the checkpoint.

"We've got clankers! Return Fire!" One gear ordered.

A hailstorm of Lancer fire rained down on the droids and began to shred many of them apart. But the droids began to fire on gears. The SBDs fired their wrist rockets at the checkpoint guard post, blowing it apart, and killing the gear that was inside.

The gears began to focus fire on the Vulture droid, which blasted the rear vehichle apart. The blast forced Carmine to the ground. Then the vulture drove it's pointed leg down through his torso, and dragged the gurgling, dying gear across the road. It caused a trail of blood to smear across the pavement, before the vulture tossed the body away and continued to blast the convoy apart.

Padme watched the whole gruesome scene with her very own, petrified eyes.

"Driver, step on it!" Hoffman ordered. The gear that was driving began to lay on the horn as her drove around the vehicles in front of him, and smashed through the gateway. Two other vehicles followed.

The checkpoint and several vehicles were covered in flames.

But this was just the start of it all.

Droids were landing all across the city, reeking havoc wherever their metal feet clanked. Droid fighter and bombers continued to bomb key government and military targets across Ephyra. In response, the city's garrison of gears mobilized to fight back. Centaur tanks and APCs began to drive towards the city, locking it down before moving in to battle the CIS assault force. Gears held their positions as best as they could, trying to keep the droids from linking up to cause serious damage. Petrel fighter jets were scrambled to shoot the enemy star-fighters out of the air. COG AA batteries assisted the Petrels in regaining control of the skies above Ephyra.

The COG wasn't going to allow their capital to fall without a serious fight.

Side alley, close to the House of Sovereigns.

A trio of gears, PVT. Germez, PVT. Piros, and PVT. Balgan, rushed through a side alley, as the sounds of battle began to echo cross the city. They linked up with a forth Gear, who was bald and was speaking into his earpiece.

"Uh, control, be advised: Divert the Major's convoy," Corporal Minh Young Kim said, trying to speak over the distant explosions and rapid taps of automatic weapons fire. One explosion close by ripped open the pavement and sent debris everywhere. The Gears grunted and recoiled as cement fragments bounced off of their armor.

"Sorry Corporal, we're almost there," Lt. Stroud said over the comm.

Kim reacted quickly. "Negative, negative control. The House of Sovereigns is a red zone!" He tried to explain.

"Corporal Kim, this whole city's a red zone," she said back.

Kim looked down, defeated. "Understood control," he said before taking his finger away from his ear piece. Then he looked at his 3 man squad. "Come on Gears. Major Hoffman's convoy is going to need protection".

The other gears nodded and got up, preparing to move out.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Invisible Hand, Seran atmosphere.

Grievous looked down at the planet below, and the battle around him. Skywalker's fleet was being swarmed, and the Coalition capital was being pounded.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! This is too easy," Grievous said with confidence.

"Don't let your overconfidence cloud your judgement General," said a voice behind Grievous. he turned around and saw a tactical droid carrying a holo-projector, which was showing the holograms of Count Dooku, and the UIR representative to the Confederate Senate. "Your mission is to distract the Republic, while Ventress mounts an attack on the COG's capital".

"Don't worry Count. I am sure that I will make your assassin's job much easier," Grievous said, somewhat dismissively of the Sith acolyte.

"You must succeed here General. Drive the Republic out of the system, and remove the head of the Coalition snake from its fascist body," the UIR Senator said.

"I don't take orders from you," Grievous barked before turning his head to Count Dooku. "Only Count Dooku".

The hologram shut off, and Grievous turned back to the battle around him.

Several of his ships were crippled or destroyed. But the Republic was suffering even more greatly.

Another Republic cruiser was burning from stem to stern. Then, an explosion ripped right through the hull, causing chunks of the ship to float in several different directions. He noticed that two Jedi interceptors, belonging to Skywalker and his brat, were leading the fight against his fleet.

'Perhaps I will just remove their lightsabers from their frozen, lifeless corpses, before i add them to my collection.' He thought to himself.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

House of Sovereigns, Ephyra.

Corporal Kim and his gears ran through the side street and moved towards Sovereign boulevard.

"Corporal, we're coming in hot," Anya said over the comm, as Kim's squad saw several vulture droids fly overhead and blast the House of Sovereigns. Several windows that had tracer rounds raining down from them were blasted apart.

"Almost there control," Kim said as a vulture droid that was trailing smoke crashed into a large statue of a famous COG general.

The shockwave of the blast sent chunks of cement everywhere. This caused Kim's gears to stumble and cover their faces from the debris.

"Holy shit!" Pvt Piros exclaimed as she regained her footing.

As they exited the alleyway and went into the street, they saw a convoy screeching down the road with several vulture droids flying over it.

"That's the convoy!" Kim called out to his gears.

Several explosions blossomed across the street in the path of the three vehicles. One car was flipped end over end. A van crashed straight into the stairs off to the side in front of the building. The last vehicle, swerved and struggled to avoid the chaos.

"Look out. Look out!" Anya shouted over the comm as her vehicle crashed into a security office.

Kim's squad entered the street to see that it was being overrun by battle droids. The tan skeleton droids marched up the stairs and into the courtyard in front of the House of Sovereigns. Gears that were taking cover behind sandbags, despite their valiant efforts, were overrun and killed. Windows that had COG tracer fire pouring out of them exploded when droid's fired rockets into the building.

"More of those Goddamn things!" PVT. Balgan shouted as he began to take aim at the droid's unprotected flanks.

"What the Hell is even happening!" PVT Germez exclaimed as he took cover behind a fallen column.

"Come on, we've got this!" Balgan exclaimed as he and his fellow gears began to fire on the droids attacking the center of COG authority.

Droids were blasted to bits. They turned away from the building and tried to march down the street to face this new threat presented by Kim's squad. They laid down murderous blaster fire, but the COG's fire was more accurate. The heavy caliber Lancer rounds used by the COG ripped through the skinny metal limbs of the Droid army with ease. Droids were blasted to pieces and severely damaged.

"Let's do this!" PVT Piros shouted enthusiastically as she bolted around cover and charged down the streets. She vaulted over a concrete road barrier. There was a droid taking cover behind it. As she jumped over, she kicked the droid to the ground and fired several rounds into it's chest, killing it.

The squad continued to advance down the street, blasting several more droids to pieces.

PVT. Balgan stood over one droid that was trying to crawl away, wounded. But he drove his lancer bayonet into the droid's back. Sparks flew out of the droid's back before it slumped over and died.

PVT. Germez stood next to another droid, that was on it's knees. Germez swung his lancer back and swung it the other way, slicing his osmium bayonet through the droid's neck, decapitating it.

Further down the street, behind an overturned car, Major Hoffman, Senator Amidala, and Lt. Stroud were all fighting for their lives against the droid forces that were still in front of the House of Sovereigns.

"Move up!" Kim ordered. "Assist the Major".

The squad continued forward, and blasted several more droids to bits.

After a few more minutes, the street was clear. Kim's squad went up to check on the Major and the Senator. But that's when they felt the ground beneath them shake. Suddenly, a large droid, the size of a building with three jointed legs and a sphere for a head, crashed through a building, and towered over the street. Its footsteps smashed through several abandoned vehicles, before it began to fire on the House of Sovereigns, and any surviving gear within it sights.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Germez shouted out loud.

"OPEN FIRE! OPERN FIRE!" PVT Balgan shouted.

Everyone in the street began to fire on the towering droid. But their rounds merely pinged off of it's armor.

"I can't hurt it!" Germez shouted.

"Guns don't work for shit on that thing!" Hoffman pointed out.

"We need something bigger!" Kim deduced.

Anya looked over at one of the vehicles from the convoy. "Corporal, there's a target locator in that van," Anya said, pointing to a white van that had crashed into the staircase.

"Copy that!" He said before turning to Piros. "Private. Go get that target designator and call in an artillery strike".

She nodded. "On it".

PVT Piros. She inched her way over to the van, firing on the advancing droids as she did so. But then her rifle clicked. When she ejected the magazine box and went to reload, she realized that she was out of magazines.

"Shit!" She exclaimed before she threw her lancer to the ground and grabbed the lever action Gnasher shotgun from her back. She used to blast her way through several battle droids. "That all you got!" She mocked one of the droids.

"Get that designator in hand!" Hoffman ordered.

Piros went to the back of the van and grabbed the targeting laser. "I've got it".

"I've got the battery commander on the horn!" Anya called out.

"Then slag that ugly son of a bitch!" Hoffman ordered.

Piros did as she was ordered and used the targeting device to paint the octuptarra droid with a laser.

"Fire mission received, artillery inbound," someone said over the radio.

Artillery cannons that was on the outskirts of the city aimed at the spot that Piros targeted, and dropped a salvo of shells onto the general location of the towering droid. Several shells landed around the droid's feet, causing it to stagger.

"It's damaged. Nice work soldier," Kim said.

"More of those Goddamn clankers," Hoffman called out.

"WASTE 'EM" Balgan shouted out.

But then, despite a damaged leg, the octuptarra regained its footing and continued raining down Hell.

"Oh Shit! It's still firing on us again!" Germez shouted.

"Then pound it again!" Hoffman ordered.

Piros painted the droid with another laser and the battery commander answered.

"Co-ordinates confirmed, firing," the commander said over the radio.

Another salvo of shells screamed through the sky, arched over the buildings, and slammed into the droid. This time, they were direct hits. The head exploded from two hits, causing the droid to tumble over, hit the ground, and crush all of the droids around it before finally exploding again.

"Good job gears!" Kim should to his squamates as everyone ran back to the front entrance of the House of Sovereigns.

They walked passed several craters and dead gears, who died defending the very center of Coalition authority.

When they were all at the door, they stopped. "How the Hell did they get passed our defenses?" Anya asked.

"They must've had a double agent helping them," Padme suggested.

But Hoffman wasn't really interested in their conversation. Instead, he turned his attention to Kim and his squad. "War's your name Corporal?" Hoffman asked.

The corporal snapped to attention. "Kim, sir".

"The Senator and I need an escort. Congratulations. You're it," Hoffman said. Anya, who was on her ear piece, turned to the Major. "Uh, Major, we need to get inside, now".

"I've got the code for the door Major," Kim said before he walked up to the door's security interface and punched in an access code that opened the door. "Well good for you, son," Hoffman said.

The ornate bronze doors opened up with a creak. Kim held one open, allowing Hoffman, Anya, and Padme to walk through. Before Kim went inside, he turned back to his squad. "Hold these stairs with that target laser. "I'll be back," he said before disappearing behind the door.

The gears all nodded and turned to hold their position, as ordered.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seran atmosphere.

Anakin strafed from left to right in order to avoid the floating debris between the Republic and Separatist naval forces. He concentrated on the droid fighter that he was chasing. He focused, then he waited for the droid to enter his crosshairs. When the targeting computer beeped, he pressed down on the triggers and fired. The Vulture droid was struck right in its central control head, which caused it to explode.

"Ha! That makes eight kills for me, Snips," he said triumphantly.

Ahsoka flew her fighter alongside Anakin's.

"Try not to get too cocky Skyguy. I'm gaining up on you," she said. "It would be a shame if your precious ego was shot down like those droids".

"In your dreams Snips," he said. But then he looked down at the planet below with concern. His wife was down there, possibly in danger. For a moment, he thought about leaving the battle to go down there and look for her, make sure she was safe.

As if Ahsoka could sense his thoughts, she spoke to him. "Don't worry Master. She'll be okay," Ahsoka said over a private channel.

"I hope you're right," he said under his breath.

Suddenly, an alarm went off inside the ship. He looked at it. It was a proximity alarm.

"General Skywalker. Coalition and Republic reinforcements are arriving," Admiral Yularen said over the comm.

Suddenly, as if to confirm what the Admiral just said, a task force of Coalition Naval Vessels jumped out of hyperspace between the Republic and Separatist fleets, with their broadsides facing each fleet. The lead battleship plowed through the dorsal section in the center of one of the CIS star frigates, causing the ship to be cleaved in half before causing a powerful explosion.

"Whoa!" Ahsoka exclaimed.

Anakin smiled. "All fighters return. We'll let our new friends deal with Grievous". Then,, every single fighter under Anakin's command flew back to what was left of the Republic task force.

The COG warships trained their powerful turrets onto the Separatist fleet. When they were locked on target, their barrels exploded, sending deadly ordnance down range.

Invisible Hand.

Back on the CIS flagship, Grievous was infuriated.

"Open Fire! Blast Those Coalition Dogs OUT OF THE SKY!" He ordered.

"Roger roger," one of the droid gunners said before he and his fellow crew-mates turned back to their stations.

The Confederate warships moved towards the COG fleet at flank speed. As per the General's orders, they opened up with everything they had, once they were within range. Their turbo lasers struck the closest Coalition warships, and even managed the destroy, or severely damage, the smaller destroyers and frigates. However, their laser fire seemed to just dissipate on the outer hulls of the larger cruisers and dreadnoughts. The CIS kept firing. But, what the COG lacked in numbers, they more than made up for in armor and firepower. Amidst the heavy storm of Separatist laser fire, the barrels of the COG's heavy cannons began to glow yellow. Seconds later, the Coalition Navy cut loose with their ferocious broadsides, their heavy cannon blasts hammering into the forward shields of the Confederate fleet, which glowed from the impact before sputtering and dying out. With their hulls exposed, the COG showed its true power.

The horns at the front of the Separatist frigates were blown off. Exposed bridge towers were ripped open by fiery explosions, leaving the ships leaderless. Some ships were struck underneath, causing the Coalition cannon blasts to rip right through and come out through the ship's upper works, all but gutting them. Large chunks of debris from some of the destroyed Separatist warships cleaved right though some of the other ships. A Recusant-class heavy destroyer was sliced in half at the skinny spine that connected the three large engines to the main body of the ship.

Explosions rocked Grievous' flagship as he saw the forward echelons of his fleet being torn asunder.

"Damage report!" Grievous called out.

"Sir, six of our ships have been completely destroyed. several more are reporting heavy damage, or no shields. Our shields are down 60%" We can't take much more damage.

"Rally the fleet in a wedged formation. Keep the Lucrehulks behind the wedge. Rally all of our fighters and prepare to overwhelm their fleet. Let's see how their precious dreadnoughts fair against overwhelming airpower," Grievous ordered.

An alarm went off.

"Sir, we're picking up more warships entering the system." A droid called out.

Suddenly, three large warships came out of hyperspace behind the COG fleet, but with their bows facing Grievous' fleet. They were Coalition aircraft carriers. They were being escorted by cruisers and destroyers. They began to open their doors and launch dozens of Petrel class fight-bombers.

"Sir, we're receiving an incoming transmission from Count Dooku." Another droid said, before he put the transmission through.

The hologram of Count Dooku appeared in front of Grievous' command chair, and obscured his vision of the battle outside. "General. What is your status?"

Grievous looked passed Dooku's hologram, and saw that the COG was starting to launch dozens of fighters. And the Coalition warships would reload soon to fire another barrage.

"My Lord. Skywalker's fleet is burning. And Ephyra is in flames as we speak. But Coalition reinforcements have destroyed several of my ships, and are keeping the Republic fleet safe," Grievous informed. "But I may be able to break through them with reinforc-".

"No!" Dooku interrupted. Grievous was caught off guard. "You have already suffered enough casualties today. I've ordered your reserve forces to return."

"But my lord. I can break through their fleet right now. I can kill Skywalker and drive out the Republic fleet. And then I can pound their precious Ephyra into slag," Grievous reasoned.

"They will lose, in due time. But right now, a live commander is more valuable to me than a dead hero," Dooku said. "Now ... turn your fleet away, and return to base," Dooku ordered.

Grievous bowed. "Yes, my Lord," he said begrudgingly.

A few moments later, the Confederate fleet turned away from the battle that turned against them, and retreated to a different part of UIR territory, leaving the COG/GAR forces victorious.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

House of Sovereigns.

"Awh man, this is bad!" PVT germez said.

He and his two fellow gears were all that protected the front of the House of Sovereigns. Vulture droids continued to scream overhead, and dogfight with the Petrel fighter jets above. Explosions boomed from close by, rumbling through the ground beneath the Squad's feet.

"Alright, you head the Corporal," PVT Piros said, referring to Kim's previous orders. "Don't let 'em inside," she said before she took cover. Germez and Balgan both did the same.

More droids began to fill the streets and march up the stairs to the House of Sovereigns courtyard.

"They're coming right at us! Use the designator!" Balgan called out before he and Germez stated using their lancers to fire on the droids. Several droids fell where they stood, but the rest kept marching.

That's when Piros used the laser designator she acquired earlier and used it to march targets for the COG Artillery batteries on the outskirt of the city. High-explosive shells rained down and blasted several B1 formations to bits.

"Oh shit! LOOK OUT!" Germez called out.

Explosions ripped through the ground floors of several buildings. Through the smoke and fire, Super Battle Droids began to march out of the buildings and onto the streets.

"We need some Goddamn reinforcements!" Balgan shouted as he continued firing down on the advancing droids.

"Not gonna happen. KEEP FIGHTING!" Piros called out before she marked more targets for the artillery.

Every time marked targets, Artillery rained down and broke the CIS advance apart. But as the droids got closer and closer, so did the artillery barrage. Piros was forced to stop calling in artillery strikes.

"THIS IS INSANE" Germez shouted out.

"Do not let them near the door," Piros called out before she switched to her Gnasher and started hammering the droids that got too close.

The Super Battle Droids began using wrist rockets to blast the courtyard apart. Every piece of cover that was destroyed forced the Gears to fall back and seek new cover from which to fight the droids.

The three helmeted gears started throwing grenades down the stairs, where they landed at the feet of the advancing droids before they detonated and sent pieces of droids flying everywhere. That's when they vaulted over cover and charged at the remaining droids. Piros fired several shotgun blasts into an SBD, blowing chunks out of its armor. Balgan charged with his rifle bayonet forward. He ran a battle droid through and lifted it up above his shoulder to make sure the bayonet did its job. When the droid died over his shoulder he threw the droid away. Germez fired his lancer at the droids that began to retreat.

It seemed like they were winning.

That's when they all saw what looked to be a mechanical squid fly through the air and land on top of the building across the street.

"Oh Shit! What is that thing?" Germez shouted out, as it flew down and landed in the street.

"Who the Hell cares?! Fry it!" He exclaimed.

The gears fired everything they had at the Trident-class assault craft. That's when Piros marked the target, and artillery blasted the squid-like machine explode.

"Holy Shit, you got it!" Balgan called out. That's when he saw a second one land in the street. "Another one!"

Again, Piros marked the target, and artillery rained down on the machine, blowing it apart.

"HA! In yo' face!" Germez said with glee.

But then a third machine came in for a landing.

"Incoming!" Balgan called out.

The gears began to fire on the machine as it landed. When it did, Piros tried to paint the target with a laser. But nothing happened. Piros looked down at the device to see why it wouldn't function.

"Gears," Anya said over the comm. "I'm sorry but... your laser designator is offline".

Piros looked up at the squid-like machine in horror before it blasted at her, causing her body to explode into several pieces that flew everywhere. That's when a bald headed woman with gray skin jumped out of the machine and began to attack the two remaining gears. They tried to bring their weapons to bear on her, but she force dashed up close to Germez and sliced through him before he could run away.

Balgan fired on her, but she raised her hand and used the force to cause the bullets to reflect off of her hand. Then she pulled the rifle out of his hand. He was then lifted him up with the force and he began to choke to death. As he struggled to break free, he reached for his snub pistol and tried to use it on her. But then she slammed him into a column, which forced him to drop the pistol, and his helmet popped off of his head, revealing his dark-skinned face and buzzcut hair. She then activated a sword and pulled him towards her. he tried to scream through his collapsing neck, but he couldn't, and he was run through with a lightsaber blade. The witch leaned in and placed a kiss on the gear's cheek before she deactivated her lightsaber. Balgan then collapsed to his knees and slumped over... dead.

Asajj Ventress walked up to the door and was about to start cutting through it.

But then she noticed that the COG air traffic had increased significantly. Petrels screeched through the air, and began to dominate the skies and shoot down the remaining vultures.

King Raven helicopters began to fly ver the city, presumably to deploy more gears, tanks, and supplies to the battle, which was rapidly turning in the COG's favor. She had to move quickly if she wanted to carry out her master's orders.

That's when her com-link started to go off. She sighed before she answered it. A hologram of Count Dooku was projected from it.

"Master. I am just about to enter the House of Sovereigns," she informed.

"I'm afraid that the battle is lost. Grievous is falling back from orbit, and your ground forces are all but depleted. I am ordered you to return to base," he said.

Ventress was taken aback by this sudden order to retreat.

"But master, I can destroy the COG's leadership. I can kill the Republic Senators and keep the alliance from being formed. I'll show you".

"Fear not child. This battle is merely a small part of the greater picture. This defeat can be put to political use. The COG now know the price for challenging us, and they will realize that the Republic cannot protect them, and they will beg for peace. It's only a matter of time before this so-called alliance fails." Dooku said.

Ventures finally gave in and bowed. "As you wish, my master".

"And don't worry about this conflict overall. The UIR are merely a means to an end. Ever since the Republic became involved in this... Pendulum war, 18 Jedi and 9000 clones have been killed. My master wants this conflict wants this conflict to go on. Because the longer it does, the more Republic forces will fall to the UIR, who are merely pawns in our game. We will use them to inflict casualties on the Republic, while simultaneously using their technological advances to help build a weapon, with which we shall destroy planets that are important to the Republic, and bring more worlds to kneel before our power," Dooku said.

Ventress nodded, and cracked a subtle smile.

Her master was as wise as his plans were devious. A quality that all great lords of the Sith possess. She couldn't wait until she mastered what he knew.

She bowed her head. "As you wish my lord".

The hologram shut off as the transmission was cut. Then, she got into her Trident assault craft, and lifted off into the air, just as the COG regained control over the city.

'Enjoy this day while you can, Jedi. Because the rest of them are numbered.' she thought to herself as she flew off into orbit, and returned to base.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That was part 2 folks. In case you were confused, this was a flashback chapter.

I'll be working on part 3 soon.

Until next time, this is Grubkiller, over and out.