Chapter 2 The Adventure Begins
The next morning Obi-Wan, Mace, Yoda, and Master Ki-Adi-Mundi accompanied Nate, Dan and Anakin to the loading dock.
"As you know your mission is to destroy the droid factory," said Mace.
"Also," began Mundi, "we wish you to complete your mission with some haste."
"May the Force be with you," said Yoda.
"And may the Force be with you," said Nate.
Nate, Dan, and Anakin then left to oversee the loading of the star cruisers, but the masters stuck around and watched the trio prepare to leave.
"You guys don't need to come," said Anakin talking to Dan, "You do know I can handle this on my own."
"Yes," replied Dan, "But the council has made its decision. And we will be going with you."
Anakin wasn't at all too happy with this statement but his dismay was deterred when he heard Nate yelling at the commander.
"What do you mean we won't be loading any star fighters!" said Nate, "The CIS will most likely have a blockade impeding any attack!"
"Sir," replied the clone, "our Intel says that there are no orbital defenses."
"Well, we'd better be safe than sorry," said Nate, "Do we have room to load any."
"Yes sir," replied the clone surprised at the general's stubbornness, "We have room to load five squadrons of fighters plus yours and General Skywalker's."
At this comment the two walking together turned around to see Nate storming toward them. Nate seemed as happy as he sounded.
"What was that all about?" asked Dan, "Wait don't tell me, you won't be able to fly your new fighter. Well boo hoo hoo I made sure there are no space fleets around the planet when I read the report."
"The report!" scoffed Anakin, "What, did you think that the report is going to be entirely accurate."
"No," replied Dan quietly.
"Reports are put together with Intel we gather from recon and other sources. These sources don't always have the most accurate data, obviously."
"Exactly, so always be safe and load some fighters especially mine and Nate's," Anakin added that last part reluctantly.
Back up on the platform, the masters had watched the whole scene. Most of the Masters still had stern looks on their faces, except Kenobi.
"You see," said Kenobi who was standing with Yoda, Mace, and Mundi on a platform overlooking the loading dock, "I knew Anakin would get along. Maybe those two will teach him some patience."
"Let's hope that they can teach Nate to control his temper," said Mace.
"And Dan not to always trust facts but to think about reality and to always be safe," said Yoda.
"And," said Ki-Adi-Mundi, "that they concentrate on the mission and not on being mad at each other."
The flight to Geonosis wasn't that long, only a few hours, but with the trio not getting along too well the trip felt like a few days.
"How long can this take," asked Anakin for the tenth time in five minuets.
The clone troopers weren't too delighted to hear the same question over and over again but as to their programming the captain replied. "Sir, it will only take one more hour."
After that Anakin stormed off the bridge. Nate and Dan figured they had better go after him and followed suit. When they had caught up to him Dan spoke first.
"Careful anger is the path to the Dark Side." he said, "We will be there soon. We need to work together to destroy the orbital defenses."
"Wait a sec," replied Anakin, "I thought you said that there where no droids in orbit of the planet."
"Yes, me too I do remember you saying that," chimed Nate.
"Yes, I did say that then I want over the report one more time and found out it said space forces could be present. So I sent a scout out and found out that there are about five battle ships and one hundred stray ships in orbit, not to mention the ships in the cruisers."
"I knew it, I knew it," said Nate, "See, you cant always be right. I knew the force was telling me something just I didn't know what so I went over everything and made sure.
"Okay, now that we know there are ships in space," thought Anakin out loud, "We should start planning how to mobilize the crew and the fighters for a sneak attack for an engagement."
"I agree." said Nate and Dan at the same time, trying to sound like Master Yoda. This attempt didn't work well so the trio started laughing for a good minuet. After which they left and proceeded to the war room.
After about one hour in the war room the trio had finally come up with a plan they all agreed to. The plan was simple, first Nate would sneak in and take out a cruiser hopefully sending the droids into a frenzy. Then the rest of the fleet would move in and engage at full force with the droids hopefully still in panic. The plan seemed simple enough but there was a catch, Nate would have no contact with the fleet for about thirty minuets.
"Okay I be the decoy and one in the immediate line of fire, but this is the last time, and I want you there almost immediately after I send the message that the cruiser has been destroyed." said Nate
"Fine we promise," replied Dan, "Now you should load into your fighter and prepare to leave."
The trio then headed to the hanger where two jedi star fighters were loaded and ready to take off. The first was Anakin's a yellow fighter, which had been upgraded. The other one was Nate's red and black with two unusual guns mounted to the underside of the fighter.
"What are those things on your fighter?" inquired Anakin.
"Those are twin ion and torpedo launchers, I mounted them myself about five days ago. That's why Nate was so mad when he found out, at first, that we weren't bringing any fighters, he's been wanting to try them," said Dan.
"I hope you know I am standing right here," said Nate
"Yes, we knew you were there now get in and prepare to take off, and may the force be with you." Anakin wasn't holding any meaning back he meant every word he said.