A/N: Obviously this battle will be slightly different from the ROTS battle above Coruscant. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. And yes the story is coming to a close, I estimate three or four more chapters and it'll be done.

Chapter 18

Battle of Coruscant

Captain Tallasa was in her ready room on the U.S.S. Dominion when the alert sounded.

'Red Alert! All Hands to battle stations! Enemy forces have just dropped out of hyperspace above Coruscant.'

She quickly walked out to the bridge. "Report."

"Ma'am, several hundred enemy ships have just dropped out of hyperspace. We've already lost twenty ships. They attacked without warning." replied her tactical officer

"Helm, get us moving, I don't want to be caught flat-footed. Rally the fleet Mr. Columbus. Let's take it to them." she said

"Captain, Coruscant control is reporting several dozen enemy dropships heading to the surface." reported the helm.

"An invasion?"

"Their targets seem to be the Jedi Temple and Senate building, along with military targets of opportunity...they're also firing on civilians." reported Columbus

"COWARDS! Find me the flagship now!" she yelled

The sensor officer ran a communications sweep. "Most of the commands to the CIS fleet appear to be coming from this ship." he said

"On screen."

The viewscreen activated, showing a Providence-class cruiser with several more weapons than the standard of the class. It was also crawling with Vulture droids. Great.

"Focus on the closest enemy ship and fire all weapons. We need to clear a path to the flagship." she said.

As she gave the orders several hundred Federation ships came alive and began to return fire along with hundreds of Venator-class star destroyers and Acclamator assault ships. The battle raged for hours with both sides taking heavy losses. Captain Tallasa managed to beam a large contingent of MACOs to the Jedi Temple and Senate building to help defend those places. Then the call came. "Captain, I have Admiral Nechayev on priority channel." said Columbus

"On screen."

Nechayev appeared on the screen. The command area where she was helping direct the battle had taken some hits but she appeared to be alright. "Captain, the Chancellor has been kidnapped by the CIS. Do not fire on the transport we've tagged. It looks like it's heading for the flagship."

"A hostage?" she asked

"Most likely. Generals Kenobi, Skywalker and Yoda are on their way here they should arrive-"

"Ma'am additional contacts! They're friendly...confirmed General Kenobi, General Skywalker, Captain Keller, General Yoda and Captain Picard have arrived." said a voice behind her.

"Inform them of the situation and request that they retrieve the Chancellor." said Nechayev.

"Admiral, I've been carving a path to the flagship since the battle began. If we get there first..." Tallasa started to say

"Then by all means Captain try to rescue him." replied the Admiral

With that the channel closed. "All right, you heard the Admiral, let's find the Chancellor."

"Captain, message from Generals Kenobi and Skywalker and Captain Keller." said Columbus

"On screen." she replied

The screen split in three, showing two Jedi in star fighter cockpits and Keller on the bridge of his ship, the Agamemnon. Captain Tallasa quickly brought them up to speed. "General Grievous is in charge of the attack." said Skywalker

"How do you know?" asked Tallasa

"You said they were massacring civilians right? Typical Grievous tactics. He'll kill the civilian population to prevent them from interfering in a battle." he replied

"I've located the command ship. It's the one crawling with Vulture droids." she replied

"I see it, oh this is going to be easy." said Kenobi sarcastically.

"My fleet has been trying to get to that ship since the battle began. We're almost there." said Tallasa

"We'll be there shortly Skywalker out."

Two Jedi Starfighters, one Galaxy-class and two Excelsior-class starships roared into battle. Peregrine fighters from the Federation also joined the formation. The two fighters wove their way through the battle avoiding ships, debris and weapons fire. A pair of enemy Tri-fighters tried to shoot down the two Jedi but the nearby Federation ships and their point defense arrays quickly vaporized them. Sooner than they thought they would be, the General's Command ships was directly ahead.

"Master, Grievous' command ship is directly ahead...the one crawling with Vulture droids." said Skywalker

"I see it. Oh this is going to be easy...Captain Picard, Captain Keller do you read me?" asked Kenobi.

"Loud and clear General." they both replied

"Mark my position form your fighters up behind me."

"Acknowledged, be advised we've launched boarding craft to help rescue the Chancellor." said Picard

"We appreciate the help Enterprise." said Kenobi

"Vulture droids incoming!" said Skywalker.

"Standby General we'll clear the way for you." said Keller of the Agamemnon.

The two escorting Excelsiors fired a barrage of tricobalt torpedoes into the enemy formation. Four of the devices exploded completely clearing the way for Kenobi and Skywalker.

"I think we forgot something..." said Kenobi

"What?" asked Skywalker

"The SHIELDS!" he said

"Standby General." said another voice who Kenobi quickly identified as Captain Tallasa.

The Galaxy-class U.S.S. Dominion flew in front of the group intent on boarding the command ship. A long phaser strike hit the shield generator, then several shorter ones finished it off. An emergency door began to close as the air in the hangar bay was evacuated.

"Oh I have a bad feeling about this." Kenobi said, cringing as his and Skywalker's fighters along with three Federation boarding craft landed in the hangar bay. The Jedi fighters skidded across the bay, two Jedi leaping out and immediately defending themselves from the droids in the hangar. The three boarding craft dropped their ramps and three dozen Federation troops stomped out. The bay was secured in seconds. "R2, locate the Chancellor." said Kenobi.

Skywalker approached the Federation troops. One of them stepped forward and snapped a salute. "Sir! Lt. Larry Davis, we're at your disposal sir." he said

Skywalker nodded "Keep a squad of men here to protect the shuttles we'll need them to get off the ship. The rest of you come with me." he said

"Third squad, hold position." said Davis

"Anakin, R2 has located the Chancellor. The observation platform at the top of that spire." said Kenobi

"I sense Count Dooku." said Anakin

"I sense a trap." replied Kenobi

"Next move?" asked Skywalker

"Spring the trap." Lt. Davis and Kenobi said at the same time with a grin on both faces.

Two squads of Federation MACOs and two Jedi started down a corridor but were soon met by CIS forces. Although the Jedi could've handled the droids alone they welcomed the help. The group found a turbolift and called it. Just before it arrived two destroyer droids rolled up behind them, repeating blasters and shields blazing. Phaser rifles responded while the Jedi reflected the blaster bolts. The Jedi and Lt. Davis backed into one turbolift and the MACOs in another.

"Drop your weapons...I said drop them."

"Roger...Roger...Roger...Roger..." said the other droids. Skywalker and Kenobi looked at each other then three quick strokes of their lightsabers and they were alone in the elevator. "Lt. take your men and disable the hyperdrive. That will buy us some time."

"Aye sir. SSGT. Mola, take 2nd squad and disable the hyperdrive. 1st squad, find another elevator car and follow us to the spire."

"Acknowledged."

A few minutes into the elevator ride it stopped suddenly. "Did you press the stop button?" asked Kenobi

"No, did you?" Skywalker replied

"No."

"Well, there's more than one way out of here." said Skywalker as he ignited his lightsaber and began cutting into the ceiling.

"We don't need to get out, we need to get moving, R2, activate elevator 31174. Come in R2." said Kenobi

"Davis to third squad, report." he said tapping his combadge.

"This is Sgt. Zhan, they came at us with two super battle droids. We've destroyed them. R2, get on that elevator."

A rude sounding squirt sounded through the comlink...aaaaaaaaand the elevator dropped. With Skywalker on the outside. He jumped and held onto a ledge to the next floor. "Hands up Jedi." said a battle droid.

"R2, R2 stop we need to be going up not down." said Kenobi

The elevator car lurched to a stop, then shot upwards. "Now, that's better." he said

"I think he's got a few loose wires somewhere General." said Davis.

"More than one I think." replied Kenobi

Skywalker looked down and saw the car coming at him. The droids saw it too. "Uh oh..." said a droid. Skywalker lept to the other side and onto the car as it passed the deck with the battle droids leaning out, slicing their heads off.

While Kenobi, Skywalker and the MACOs were on the CIS flagship, Invisible Hand, several squads of MACOs had been beamed to various areas of Coruscant to help defend it. One full company of MACOs and Clones had been deployed to the Jedi Temple. They along with the Jedi already there managed to keep the droids from getting inside, but just barely. The timely arrival of three separate task forces cleared a large area in orbit, allowing gunships and shuttles filled with troops to go down to the surface. More were transported directly to specific areas. Mace Windu was directing the troops at the Temple, a MACO ran up to him. "Sir, the droids are withdrawing." he said

"Rally your troops and counter attack." said Windu

As the droids began withdrawing and the MACOs, clones and Jedi began attacking, more clones arrived from behind the droids. "We've got them in a pincer! Take'em down!" yelled the MACO commander. Soon after reinforcements arrived the droids were destroyed. Then a call for help sounded over the comm.

"This is Aalya Secura, droids have breached the Senate building and have taken several Senators hostage. Requesting assistance."

"Secura, this is Windu, we're on our way." said Windu

He nodded to the MACOs and clones who piled into their gunships and shuttles and took off for the Senate building. They landed behind the main droid force outside and wipe them out quickly. Then moved inside the Senate building. The MACOs, clones and Jedi made short work of what few droids were inside the Senate building. When they started using the Senators as human shields, the clones backed off, afraid to kill a Senator instead of their intended target. However, several of the MACOs possesed phaser sniper rifles and were able to free the Senate hostages with no casualties.

Skywalker, Kenobi and Davis met with 1st squad on the top deck of the observation platform. Skywalker gave subtle hand signals telling the MACOs to stay in the shadows. The MACOs melted into the shadows, under catwalks, behind pillars and bulkheads. The two Jedi walked up to newly elected Chancellor Organa of Alderaan. "Are you alright Chancellor?" asked Kenobi

"I am fine General Kenobi." he replied. Then he flicked his head behind the two Jedi. "Count Dooku."

"Not to worry Chancellor, Sith Lords are our speciality." replied Kenobi

"Your swords please. We don't want to make a mess of things in front of the Chancellor."

"This time we will take him together..." whispered Kenobi to Skywalker

"I was about to say that." replied Skywalker

Before Dooku could say anything he spun and deflected half-a-dozen phaser bursts then turned around and blocked Kenobi and Skywalker. "Brought some help did you? That's ok I've brought some help of my own." said Dooku. As he engaged Skywalker and Kenobi dozens of battle droids arrived at on the deck. The MACOs responded professionally tossing photon grenades and ECD. While the MACOs fought the droids Dooku continued blocking Kenobi and Skywalker's blades. Suddenly, a third blade entered the fight. "Who are you?" asked Dooku

"My name is 1st Lieutenant Larry Davis, Fifth MACO Regiment, Special Operations Division, not to mention, master swordsmen."

Dooku growled annoyingly. "You cannot hope to defeat me."

"Not one on one. But then again you don't much care for a fair fight do you."

The three men swung again and Dooku blocked all three blades. It must be a Phrik sword he's using, a metal resistant to lightsabers. He thought to himself.

Meanwhile the battle between the droids was winding down and Dooku felt more and more weapons aim his way, waiting for a clear shot. Davis had instructed his men to take any clean shot against Dooku as it might open an opportunity for the Jedi to end the fight. The sword duel was getting faster, Davis was barely able to maintain his technique.

Suddenly everything stopped. Dooku looked down to see Davis' blade sticking out his stomach. He had turned to deflect a phaser bolt when Davis struck. Dooku fell to the ground without a sound. Davis wiped his forehead. "That was quite a workout." he said. Then tapped his combadge. "2nd squad, 3rd squad report in." he commanded.

"2nd Squad here we just disabled the hyperdrive. We're on our way back to the shuttle."

"3rd Squad, hangar bay is clear for now. But we have indications that the droids are massing outside the hatches."

"Understood. Hold position until 2nd squad arrives then take off. We'll find another way off."

"Acknowledged."

"Lt. Davis to any Starfleet vessel respond."

"This is the Enterprise. What's your situation LT?" asked Picard

"We've rescued the Chancellor. Count Dooku is dead. Requesting transport."

"Understood. Standby."

A moment later the MACOs, Jedi and the Chancellor disappeared from the observation platform, just as a dozen photon torpedoes ripped the spire from the ship. Then three Federation boarding craft left the hangar bay and landed in the shuttle bay of the Enterprise. The Chancellor had been taken to sickbay to check him over. Then the Enterprise warped out of the system to keep the Chancellor safe.

With Dooku dead, the CIS fleet began to withdraw. Dozens of ships on both sides took parting shots losing ships as the enemy departed. But the Republic and Federation had won. In the command area of the Starfleet Command Annex, Admiral Nechayev relaxed slightly. They had won but had taken heavy losses. She turned to a comm officer. "Send my compliments to the fleet Lt. And offer shore leave once the cleanup is complete." she said. The officer nodded and complied with her orders. Then she got up and went to the replicator. "Coffee. Black." she said. A second later she had a steaming cup of coffee in her hand when General Yoda came through the door. "General Yoda. You'll be pleased to hear that the Jedi Temple is intact and sustained only minor damage and there were only light Jedi casualties."

Yoda nodded. "My thanks you have, for defending the Temple. Glad I am that casualties were light. Grieve I will for those who did not survive."

"And we grieve with you General. On another note, Count Dooku has been taken care of. A MACO killed him after joining a lightsaber duel with Kenobi and Skywalker. He happened to be an expert swordsmen." she said

"Surprised I am to find the killer of Dooku a non-Jedi. My thanks you have and my compliments to him. Your casualties? How were they?" asked Yoda

"I'll pass along your compliments. We sustained damage across the fleet, nearly every ship here suffered damage of some kind. It would have been much worse had you, Kenobi and Skywalker not shown up." she replied

"Nearly over the war is."

"Yes, General Grievous is the only remaining military commander. When he falls, the star systems of the Confederacy should surrender. We suspect he will flee to either Ryloth, Felucia, Mustafar or Geonosis. We're preparing forces for each of those planets and I'm assigning several Jedi to each."

"Use the Jedi as you see fit Admiral. I must meditate. Good day."

"Good day General." she replied as he walked over to the transporter platform.

"Destination?" asked the operator.

"To the Jedi Temple take me." replied Yoda

"Standby."

Yoda disappeared from the Starfleet Annex only to reappear in the Council Chambers of the Jedi Temple, startling a few Jedi that were there. He grinned to himself. It was not often he got to surprise other Jedi.