Chapter 3: Infiltration
A/N: Well here I am with chapter 3 =) Finally -.- Yeah I wanted this out days ago… and a lot longer actually… but real life has kept me from doing so; which is why I chose to cut it off even though the battle isn't completely done. It won't screw with the flow or anything, chapter 4 will have plenty to write about for this battle still.
We'll also visit Anakin and Padmé next chapter because I don't want to brush them off to chapter 5… when I was originally going to make chapter 4 all for them.
Anyhow, I hope everyone enjoys the chapter =)
The alarm eerily blasted out of nowhere, startling many sleeping clones abruptly in their quarters spread out around the Republic base. "Attention! Attention all troops! Base is under attack! This is not a drill! Repeat! Base is under attack!"
"Shit!" Commander Cody groaned, shoving the covers aside and jumping out of bed. He suited up quickly as he could into his white and orange armor, slumping his back against the wall as he ducked for cover inside his own closet hearing his door open suddenly. He grabbed a blaster pistol slowly bringing it up, expecting for battle droids to find him at any moment. "Commander?..."
Cody sighed with relief. "Over here," he revealed. He stepped out to find a trio of clones armed with blaster rifles, two of them were pure white armor and the third one was identical with the exception of an orange star painted on his right shoulder pad. The orange-star trooper was Sergeant Wade, Cody knew.
"Wade, sitrep." Cody demanded.
"Battle droids have infiltrated and began overrunning the base. They re-purposed their 'boarding-craft' to break through our lines effectively and burst through the walls in various key locations. They took control of command rather quickly and somehow prevented the alarm from being sounded immediately. Communications have been jammed… which means any clone that isn't close enough to be awoken by the noise of the 'boarding craft's' entrance… could quite possibly still been asleep." Cody mentally inferred that was what happened to him.
"General Kenobi sent me to find you; he was going to lead the men we gathered to recapture the command room."
"It would appear he's managed that," Cody stated, indicating the alarm. "We need to get to command immediately." He decided. "How much resistance can we expect?"
"Like I said sir, they're overrunning the base!" Wade restated.
"Sir…" One of the other two clones spoke up. "We'd be taking a risk of exposure to the battle going on outside which could lead to a starfighter crashing into us or something… but we could try the roof… Might be easier than navigating the halls and watching each other's backs for droids constantly," He suggested.
Cody considered things a moment and nodded. It's unlikely that the seps' are going to fire any cannon shells or other heavy weapons at the base… they wouldn't have used boarding craft in this manner had they intended to simply blow it to hell. No, they wish to capture this base… which makes the roof less hazardous than it could be.
"Worth a shot," He agreed. "Take point, Wade."
"Yes sir!" The sergeant obeyed.
"All clear," he called as the other three clones joined him in the hallway. They followed Wade towards the closest elevator.
Obi-Wan scratched his beard, gazing out the window as AATs pushed the republic line of defense back and up above explosions could be seen as lights flickered between clone frigates and Banking-Clan frigates.
"Sergeant," Obi-wan called.
"Sir?"
"Have we heard back from Wade yet?"
"Negative sir. I strongly suggest we comb the base for droids before-"
"I'm afraid the base is already lost sergeant," the general responded, watching the AATs continue to inch their way closer and closer.
"I was hoping to give them a chance to gather all of the sleeping troops," the sergeant stated.
"As was I- But we need to order a retreat immediately." Obi-Wan decided. "Relay the order out to the commanding officers; tell them to put fourth an effort to regroup at the capital."
"Yes sir," he complied.
Before the trooper left to obey the order however… he, Obi-Wan and several clones in the room looked around confusingly upon hearing a strange banging noise. Several grabbed a gun if they hadn't one in their hands prior, and Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, expecting droids to burst out of one of the walls at any given moment. A small square of the ceiling popped out and dropped to the ground. The clones took aim but held fire at the voice of Cody.
"Hold your fire!" He demanded, having anticipated this sort of reaction from the other troops. "We're coming down!" He announced, gesturing for the three accompanying him to dive in and following.
"Good to see you're all right, sir." The sergeant to Obi-Wan's side greeted with relief.
"Thanks but I don't think any of us are all right at the moment," Cody declared.
"Quite right. We've got a job to do here now go relay those orders sergeant," he reminded the other clone before addressing Cody.
"Glad you could make it Cody. You're just in time for us to retreat," Obi-Wan stated sarcastically.
"Can't say I'm too surprised… We saw the tanks closing in," Cody responded. "Do you have an escape plan, sir?" He then asked.
Obi-Wan scratched his beard once more. "Yes actually. It seems low-risk high-reward to me but we can't do it without oxygen tanks."
"Sir?" Cody stated to show confusion.
"We're going to escape through the water. It should get us off their tracks long enough to get far away from here and work our way to the capital and meet up with the rest of our forces; we'll be able to get there relatively unscathed… its thankfully in the opposite direction of the tanks and other droid forces," Kenobi explained. "If we don't have oxygen tanks… then we'll have to try something more dangerous I suppose."
Cody nodded in understanding. "Wade, go retrieve as many oxygen tanks as you can possibly find…"
Things had went to plan, about thirty clone troopers were underwater, flashlight attachments turned on as they slowly half-walked, half-swam at the bottom of the ocean relying on a computerized map outline to help judge when to make turns. The clones were still at alert, for the possibility of the droids finding them in spite of Obi-Wan's seemingly brilliant plan. It wasn't twenty minutes of walking when one of the clones sent ahead was spotted "running" back to the rest of the group freaking out. "Turn off your flashlights! Turn off your flashlights! All of you! NOW!"
"You heard him! Off!" Cody helped him.
The clones' helmets enabled them to still speak. Obi-Wan was using the same A99 aquata-breather that he'd been using since he became a padawan and he had no choice but to sit tight and listen.
Eventually all of the clones had their lights off, and then began the interrogation. "What the hell did you see, trooper?"
"Trade Federation subs, several of them. I counted at least six, there could be more in a separate group or perhaps even scouts… if they find us we're-"
The clone was interrupted and everyone turned as several laser shots sprayed the area of the nearest and now visible sub. Those were starfighter shots… Looks like we've received some unexpected backup. Kenobi thought. Perhaps we don't have to continue this course of action then. He ventured, becoming consumed by some ideas and possibilities popping in his head.
"Sir, what are your orders?" One of the clones asked Cody, well aware Obi-Wan was unable to speak up.
Cody hesitated with a reply, and looked to his General despite knowing he wouldn't get an answer. Which was the very reason why he was so stunned to hear Obi-Wan's voice. You and your men stay here… I'll come back for you later. Don't leave unless your oxygen supply runs low… which would mean something went terribly wrong for me to take so long.
Cody was about to reply but didn't get the chance. Don't bother saying anything I'm speaking to you with my mind… no one else can hear me you'll just confuse everyone. Remember what I said, and may the force be with all of you.
A stunned Cody and his men were left behind as General Kenobi began swimming in the direction of one of the TF subs. Some clones were about to follow but Cody raised his hand up in a closed fist. "Hold position. And stay alert," he ordered and sat down up against a rock with his weapon ready if needed.
They're stopping… Obi-Wan realized. All of the subs halted in a specific formation and after a brief moment of seeming to be doing absolutely nothing, rose to the surface and began launching rockets presumably towards either the Republic's base or ground based vehicles that may have shown up along with the starfighters that he and the clones hadn't expected to show up. Well, that will make this less difficult. Obi-Wan mused, staring at the conveniently stationary subs and swam up before he wasted the opportunity. Kenobi pulled out his lightsaber and ignited it before jamming it into the sub. This is so reckless! He scolded himself. This is something I'd expect from Anakin not myself! He inwardly ranted as he began to cleave a circle into the side of the TF sub.
As the circle became complete, he pushed hard on the thick armored circle but couldn't seem to bust thorough it. The water… he considered. The water only makes this more difficult than it already is; its creating extra friction. He closed his eyes and focused on the living force instead. If he couldn't break in on his own, then perhaps the force would allow him passage. He thrust his arms forward, fighting the resistance of the water that slowed him and then manipulated it. The force blasted through the circular outline his lightsaber had provided him and water consequently flooded into the sub causing an alarm to sound. The flood carried Obi-Wan inside with it -as he had planned- Obi-Wan looked back to the hole which effectively locked itself up with an emergency patch reminiscent to blast doors. It was quite similar to that of what patches up a starship if one were to shatter a window.
It was a good thing Obi-Wan wasn't claustrophobic; he'd go mad in the confined nature of a submarine. He could barely stand perfectly straight and he was almost certain he could touch the walls at both his sides if he stretched out his full arm-span. Left or right? He considered. Deciding which direction would lead him to the bridge; he turned right and started down the hallway. Obviously he was soaking wet, and the water which flooded inside was still up to his knees, although it was being drained quite slowly by the Trade Federation vehicle's design.
Kenobi had nearly forgotten about the alarm and was almost surprised to see the doors open before he got there to be greeted by battle droids that promptly stepped into the hallway single filed. It would seem the narrow halls were actually of use to Obi-Wan. With the thrust of a hand, the droids were force pushed into each other back through the doorway into what could literally be described as a 'droidpile.'
Using his Jedi powers to dash through the doorway in the blink of an eye, he ignited his weapon and stuck the blade through the chest of the nearest droid, penetrating and then piercing two more behind it. He pulled it back and performed too quick slashes to destroy the remaining three.
"Guess that makes it a scrap pile," he joked, but his slight smile and humor disappeared when realization came to him that no one was there to make a remark at his lame joke.
Sighing at the thought of his absent padawan he moved along. Come now Obi-Wan, you have a job to do. He lectured himself, which ironically had the opposite effect he intended for it to have. That sounds like something I'd be saying to Anakin right about now… Kenobi shook it off; he did have a job to do. Now was not the time to dive into his conflicting feelings about Anakin's exile.
He proceeded the task at hand, searching for the bridge. He was about to turn a corner but halted as he heard droid voices. He peeked his head around the wall and caught a glimpse of two battle droids and a super.
"Did you hear what the alarm was about?" One asked the others.
"Water leak; a squad was sent to investigate," the super replied.
"I wonder how that happened…" the third droid spoke.
"I may have a theory," Obi-Wan sarcastically offered, acquiring the attention.
They each tried to take aim at the Jedi general but he was already upon them swirling the lightsaber and taking them with ease. In just two swipes he literally disarmed each of them. He slashed through the super and one of the others cutting them down before spinning it and finishing the final one with a backwards stab. He glanced around. No one else is here. He decided and deactivated his lightsaber.
"Sir," a clone called approaching his commander.
"What is it?" Cody asked.
"I'm disturbed by our course of action sir."
Cody just stared in response so the clone went on.
"Obviously unexpected reinforcements have arrived… and yet, we're just sitting here doing absolutely nothing!" He seethed, nearly losing control of his composure at the end of the sentence.
"I commend your enthusiasm trooper… but we willfollow General Kenobi's orders and await his return," He responded. "Period." There was no room for discussion.
A pair of super battle droids were all that was between Kenobi and the bridge. This ought' to be amusing. He thought as an almost ridiculous plan formed in his mind.
Revealing his presence, he jumped out from his hiding place and pretended to be shocked. "Super battle droids!" He shouted in a mockingly fearful voice. "I surrender!" He exclaimed, tossing his lightsaber sending it skidding across the floor.
The super battle droids' aim was locked on Obi-Wan's head, and they exchanged a glance to each other. The Jedi's actions were most illogical.
"You're under arrest," One of them declared. The supers cautiously moved in on their Jedi prisoner. Kenobi kept his arms raised in the air where they could see him, trying to sell the surrender notion.
One of the droids gave him a shove and told him to start walking as the blast doors of the bridge opened. A Neimoidian laughed as he was brought into the room. The smirking fool ordered for the blast doors to be closed once more and told a droid to do a roll check around the sub to find out exactly how many droids Obi-Wan had destroyed.
"No match for the droid army you Jedi!" He chuckled in glee.
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes; he hadn't expected anything more than a droid commander with the usual yellow paint.
"So… Jedi. I trust that you will enjoy your stay. The general will be most pleased to hear he has a Jedi prisoner under his jurisdiction!"
"A general?" Obi-Wan inquired curiously. Nice information to know…
"Yes. And thanks to you I am well due for a promotion to get closer up the ranks ladder myself," he gloated.
Obi-Wan had to suppress a laugh at the thought of this man being a general… it was bad enough he made it far up enough in the ranks to be ordering the droids around. For someone designated as a leader of any kind in a war… it was unfathomable that he could seriously think that a Jedi was going to be detained by two droids…
Had Obi-Wan wanted, he could have sliced the droids into pieces and force his way through the blast doors with a few moments of cutting with his lightsaber… it wouldn't have been the first time. What Obi-Wan really wanted was the element of surprise. If he had done it the other way he would've had to deal with every droid in the bridge shooting at him the second he made it through. In this scenario however, he was in the bridge… most of the droids were focused on control panels doing their jobs. Only security droids designated by red paint were paying Kenobi any mind. That is… along with the two supers and the foolish neimoidian.
The neimoidian confidently approached Obi-Wan with force inhibiting shackles. Well, at least I can tell he isn't capable of resisting the mind tricks. He thought knowingly before waving his hand at the fool. "You don't want to restrain me. You wish to negotiate like civilized people."
The neimoidian stopped in his tracks with a blank gaze. "I don't want to restrain you… we should negotiate."
"My thoughts precisely, shall we sit down?" Obi-Wan asked politely without using the mind trick.
"Of course," the neimoidian agreed, leading him to a table and shooing a couple droids away from it.
"Um… sir…" one of the droids attempted to intervene.
"What is it?"
"He should be restrained, he is too dangerous."
"Don't question my command! I know what I'm doing!" He barked at the droid. Obi-Wan had to summon all of his willpower not to laugh at that very sentence. Feeling the need to get his mind off the ridiculousness he was watching before his eyes, he changed the subject.
"What did you say your name was?" He asked, knowing full well the idiot before him never mentioned it.
"Thuk Darud,"
"Well Thuk, I believe I have some rather generous terms of surrender for you,"
Thuk nodded. "Please, go on,"
"You will order a retreat from this battle so you can bring me to your general as a prize. As you said already… he'll be most pleased. He will likely care about me far more than any of my men. The way I see it… you're getting what you and your general want… and I'm in a way getting what I want as my men are given the opportunity to escape."
Thuk shook his head. "No, absolutely not! I cannot simply allow a bunch of clones to escape."
"But I'm more valuable to you than the clones. Holding onto me for the duration of the battle means I might escape. I am a Jedi, you know. Surely you see how that would pose a problem? If you agree to these terms… I will not attempt to escape and you will be guaranteed to turn me into your general."
Thuk pondered what he had just said. "How do I know this you'll follow through with your side of the bargain?"
"Because deception is not the way of the Jedi, surely you know this," he replied despite the irony of it.
Thuk Darud turned to the commander droid across the room. "Issue a retreat immediately!"
"Sir?"
"Our prisoner is more important than a few worthless clones! Now stop questioning my orders!"
"Roger roger," it complied.
The separatists should really consider hiring more competent help… or perhaps stick to droids. So far the droids have actually been more fit to make decisions than Darud. Perhaps I'll have to look for a suggestion box when he takes me to the general. I wonder if the general is actually Dooku?
Obi-Wan frowned. If that were the case… it might've been a grave mistake allowing himself to be brought to him like this… even if he wasn't restrained. Well at least there's one bright side to this if it turns out to be Dooku.
Cody and the clones had just resurfaced at realization that the shots ceased fire up above. Seeing the subs turn around and retreat was what tipped them off who won. What Cody couldn't understand was why? It seemed that even with the reinforcements the seps' weren't necessarily losing the battle it had just developed into more of an actual battle as opposed to a beat down. Upon hearing Kenobi's whereabouts were unknown, he somehow knew that the general had something to do with this…
A/N: Hope that was an enjoyable read! I can tell you I had a lot of fun writing it
Btw the TF sub is not something I made up; I know it isn't commonly seen so a lot of you might not have known about them. Anyhow I had fun writing this just wish I had more time because part of chapter 4 would've been in this chapter instead lol. Nonetheless see yall next time and please review :)