Anakin still had trouble believing the report he got returning to the Resolute, watching the troopers both able and injured disembark off the dropships. Unlike them when he had to board using one the auxiliary hangars thanks to two breach pods lodged into the main hangar bay, through the heavy fire from the Separatist and Republic ships. After landing relatively safe he met up with some of the clones, directing him to the boarding droids taking the few left in little time.
He cast a glance over at the group of troopers by the pile of droids next to the walker prototype being fussed over by the scientists, checking over for any damage from the skirmish. Searching through the ship for stragglers he contacted the other squad, reporting in that the Sith assassin was down in the brig. It was odd since he didn't recall them having any prisoners aboard, let alone one that would be of interest to the Separatists.
What he hadn't expected to find was the clones literally sense that she was in fact locked up in one of the holding cells, cuffed and out cold. All from a split second plan made by the Forceless soldier who was so adamant to not get involved in the conflict. The small crowd of troopers were talking to Corporal Matthews and vice versa exchanging their tales. Anakin couldn't hear exactly what they were saying but he took a good guess in knowing they were getting the details over the fighting aboard the cruiser.
"So, that is the Earth soldier everyone has been talking about?" Aayla asked walking up behind him with Ahsoka in tow.
"Yes he is"
"Didn't do too bad for a rookie to the war, hey Master?"
"I wouldn't call him a rookie Ahsoka. But yeah for someone who's never gone up against a Sith before he did good" A glint from the hangar bay lights reflecting off something on the floor drew his eyes to a metal object lying a few feet away. Pulling it over to him with the assistance of the force Anakin caught it in his hand, inspecting the small gold coloured piece of metal.
Upon seeing it properly he found it to be a shell casing from the Earther's archaic projectile gun, only the pointed tip was missing. Dozens more littered the place with some of the clones handling the spend kinetic ammo, looking down the empty cartridges or examining them curiously. The Jedi Knight had seen many of the piled up droids had holes caused by the Corporal's slugthrower including one of the B2s which was riddled with slug holes.
The weapon may of been considered old and low tech compared to the standards of the advancements to the rest of the galaxy, but Anakin had to give it credit. He would never of thought the gun would do much damage against the enemies he, the Jedi and the GAR went up against on a near daily basis.
"I hear he has no connection to the force, is this true?" The Twi'lek Jedi inquired. Anakin sense the a trace of disturbance coming from her as she glanced over at the soldier.
"No one knows why as of yet how it's possible"
"To him it's strange that people have our kind of capabilities, he says it the sort of thing that comes out of a 'television series' or 'video game'" He raised a brow at his apprentice over the odd words who only shrugged in response.
"Do we know yet how he got here?"
"No. He has yet to disclose that information" After questioning him both bluntly and discreetly in an attempt to get him to slip up on how he came to be here, the man still kept quiet and evasive of the issue.
"Perhaps he genuinely doesn't remember"
"Oh he knows Ahsoka, he just choosing to keep it to himself" Truth be told it raised his ire every time Matthews stuck to his story. He may not be of the Force but Anakin didn't need to use it to know the soldier or marine, whatever he called himself was lying.
Whilst examining the strange energy readings before leaving Bakura, Obi Wan suggested of hand that it could've been a way of transportation. It was a crazy suggestion for more than one reason, one being that how could a civilisation that used primitive technology could be in possession of something so highly advanced. As far as he knew no one in the Republic, Confederacy or anywhere in the galaxy had the ability to create such a device.
His musing was interrupted as he saw Rex walk over holding his helmet to his hip, saluting as he came within a few from them.
"Sir I've received word the prisoner has awoken"
"This will be an interesting conversation. Shall we report first or question the assailant?" Aayla suggested taking her eyes off the foreign soldier.
"Interrogate her first then report to the Council. Snips you wind down for now, I'll contact you when we're finished"
"Just like always" She rolled her eyes at him, going over to the troopers standing by Matthews as he went with Aayla to the turbolift. Next stop was to find out why this Dathomiri had come with a boarding party.
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"Troopers" Jake heard Ahsoka call over to them, interrupting another story on Hardcase supposedly single handedly wiping out a platoon's worth of robots all by himself. The two clones in front of him parted letting the alien youngster join the group.
"Commander" They all echoed her rank.
"Good to see your alive and well kid" He nodded and smiled to her, switching the handle grip from his left hand to the right.
"You too. I heard you got into a predicament up here"
"Just a bit of scrap, no biggy" The marine shrugged, drawing quizzical looks from all the clone soldiers.
"Seriously?!, you captured an assassin and helped save most of the garrison aboard. How exactly is that not a big deal?" The cloned human he recognised as Jesse asked in disbelief.
"Been in worst fire fights, although admittedly they didn't have some crazy woman swinging a red laser sword backed up by robotic troops" He watched as she smiled with humour at his remark. Since the battle's ending and showing Skywalker the capture of this Sith assassin the returning troops had been coming up to him asking if the report was true, admiration and a new found respect filled their copied eyes.
Personally he didn't see what the big fuss was about it was only a threat eliminated. Apparently it was uncommon for someone other than a Jedi to defeat another user of the same Force powers these people possessed. Still it would make a good story to tell if he ever returned home.
"Besides I wasn't the only one"
"I know, Sergeant Nash was telling me how things were up here. Says you used yourself as bait to draw her in. You're very lucky to still have a heartbeat for provoking a Sith acolyte without Jedi support, a Dathomiri witch to boot"
"Have you encountered her like before then?" He asked finding it a tad funny he was being chastised by the girl, who was not that much older than his brother.
"Unfortunately. She was called Ventress and was Count Dooku's apprentice not long ago but is somewhere on the run from both authorities. Master Skywalker and Secura are going down to interrogate the assassin"
"Is that the blue bird he was just walking off with?" He inclined his head toward the busy lifts, dropping and picking up personnel.
"She's not a bird, she's a Twi'lek" Jake realised this was another example of slang lost on them and was going to explain when Splicer popped up with a question.
"So Commander, what's to happen now?"
"We're returning to Coruscant and Master Secura is going to leave a detachment of the 327th on Nubia until they're relieved by another unit"
"Sabacc anyone?" The medic Coric offered around the gathered group.
"Why not, better than standing around here like a lost herd of eopies"
"Wanna join us Jake?" Hardcase asked, the clones all waiting for his answer.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind checking on the prisoner"
"I don't think you can do that" Ahsoka said with uncertainty "She's a Sith so she falls under Jedi authority"
"Is that so?" The marine raised a brow at her, folding his arms at her "With all due respect Commander Tano but I'm here as an observer, remember. So seeing the treatment of prisoners of war also falls under observation status. I'm not going to interfere I just want to see how you do things" He continued trying to persuade the Jedi youngster.
"Alright come with me, see you boys later" She finally agreed, not sounding at all convinced she made the right decision. Splitting away from the clone soldiers who went off in a different direction, Jake walked alongside Ahsoka to the lifts swerving passed a number of floating stretchers carrying wounded troops to wherever the ship's medical bay was located.
"According to Hardcase it was a tough battle down there. He says you kick some 'tinnies' hide down there too" He saw a smirk tug at her face.
"It was no different to a usual battle with the Separatists' droid armies, only this time we had to fight through light smog" She waved off the compliment, remaining humble much like the way when everyone made a big thing about the fight aboard the ship.
"Never fought in smog before"
"Oh by the way, who's Satan?" She quizzed him as they waited for the lift door to open.
"Aye?"
"Nash mentioned you threatening the assassin she would be meeting someone called Satan if she didn't cooperate" The marine frowned for a sec then the memory came to mind.
"Oh right" He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment when he fully remembered "Satan is the name my people give the Devil, you know the ruler of Hell?"
"Kind of. We have our own version of hell but we call it the Chaos" She said as the lift finally arrived, both of stepping in and going off down to the brig.
"Well you see it was a phrase used a lot by Sergeant Frank Campbell, the toughest if not scariest man I ever met in my life but he's a hell of marine. Trust me when I say I'd rather be chased by severely pissed pack of lions foaming at the mouth than face him on a bad day" On more than one occasion on his training to be a Royal Marine he had witness the wrath of Campbell, when he got something wrong or didn't complete a circuit in the right fashion or time.
He wasn't the only one and throughout the entire induction into the marines he was sure some of the recruits were having murderous thoughts over the burly Scot. It was only after becoming a Royal Marine Commando and but having fought alongside him in Afghanistan and other places around the globe that hate softened, eventually turning into respect. They had all joked once in awhile nothing could kill Campbell, he could strike fear in the enemy just by glaring at them.
"Sounds like a hard man" Ahsoka said with her white eye markings frowning, like paint on eyebrows he kidded to himself.
"He is but then again you can't get an army to fight with soft, pandering luvvies in charge. My grandad says 'If your NCO frightens you, then he's doing his job right'"
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Anger was seeping into her veins like lava down a volcano. If her eyes were blasters Laika would of turned the two Jedi in front of her into a pair of charred corpses as soon as they stepped into her cell. The shackles on her wrists not only reminded her she was a prisoner, they suppressed her connection to the force leaving her completely defenceless.
"Staying quiet isn't going to help your case. We know it was Dooku who sent you here" The Dathomiri resisted the overwhelming urge to hiss at the man standing before her, Anakin Skywalker. The arrogance of the Jedi's poster boy only raise her fury. No wonder the Count wanted this man dead.
"Curious thing is assassin, why had you boarded this ship in the first place" The blue skinned Twi'lek spoke down to her too "We know the droids were planning to steal a special item in the cargo area but what is it that made you venture further into the ship?"
"I will tell you nothing, Jedi filth!" Laika growled at them both, glaring her dark yellow eyes toward the Jedi.
"We're you going after Doctor Telar and his team?" A laugh from her gained questionable stares from her captors.
"Your days are numbered Jedi. Not matter what you say or do, you'll never make me talk" She leaned back in her chair with an unnerving smile on her face "The sooner your kind is extinguished from the universe, the better the life of every lifeform in the galaxy will be without your tainted presences"
"She's clearly insane" The Twi'lek comment to Skywalker.
"You know once Dooku hears of your failure he will…" A sudden coldness brought her focus away from the interrogation, no longer listening to the pompous Jedi. Darkness was a trait that came with using the Dark Side of the Force, it possessed stronger influence and power compared to what the Jedi tuned themselves into.
This however was different, it felt unnatural and unwelcoming. Laika felt this presence earlier when she fought the clones defending the hangar area but even the cloned human creations of the Republic had a connection to the universal power that creates all life. No this devoid feeling came from that strangely clothed soldier she encounter with the clone troopers, firing at her with a weapon not used since the days of the Old Republic.
She sensed another presence by the force fielded door but where as she could sense one being, there were two standing by peering in. It was him again, staring at her with his grassy green coloured eyes with a look that showed no emotion. He held his helmet to his hip revealing his short brown hair muttering something to the Togruta child next to him, Skywalker's sidekick Ahsoka Tano.
"I'm not one for repeating myself, witch. Let me ask you one last time, who or what were you sent to retrieve?" The Jedi's voice returned to her ears but she paid no heed as she stared back at the human, trying to shake off the cold lifeless presence he was emitting.
Skywalker and the Twi'lek both saw her trail of vision, turning around to see what had caught the Dathomiri's attention.
"Alright then, I hope you have gotten used to looking at the plain dull walls of this cell because there's another waiting for you where we're going" He said parting ways, letting the other Jedi leave first before getting out himself.
"Enjoy your last days on this plain of existance for my Master will put an end to your precious Order" Laika shouted to them in defiance watching them depart and thankfully out of her sight for now.
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"What are you guys doing here?"
"Observing" Jake shrugged his shoulders at the Jedi, glancing past him at the prisoner.
"What did you find out Masters?" Ahsoka asked next to him.
"Nothing much I'm afraid. She just spouts venom of the Jedi's demise like a lunatic" The blue alien informed him and the kid. The marine raised a brow at her eerily French accented voice. Despite the fact she was an alien had two tentacle like growths coming from her head like Ahsoka, Jake had to admit she quite pretty.
"Time to report to the Council. Come let's leave her to wallow in her insane fantasies" Jake stood to the side letting the Jedi go first, giving one last glance at this Sith woman. His eyes met the yellow orbs of the assassin, the same shiver of coldness crept up his spine much like that of the Chancellor.
Shaking his head clearing his mind of such thoughts he followed the Jedi to lift once again. The trip as usual didn't take more than a couple seconds to the Bridge but on the way he saw the blue alien gazing at him.
"Is there a problem Miss?" He asked minus the snarkiness he had when he caught Ahsoka staring at him in the same way.
"No, my apologies Corporal. It just I've never felt anyone with no connection to the force before" She said with her cheeks turning into a more slightly darker shade of blue.
"No worries, I've been getting that a lot recently" He smirked at her, catching a smiles forming on the other two's faces. The lift door opened to the Bridge and they all disembarked out going over to the projector table where the Admiral was hovering around, watching them as they all came over.
"Generals I've contacted the Council as you have requested" He nodded to them then turned to the marine "I hear I have you to thank for saving my ship Corporal"
"And the clones sir, as I said before I was just lending a hand"
"Very well, all the same I thank you" He saluted him, giving one back as he did so. The Admiral then pressed a set of buttons loading up projections of the goblin alien Ahsoka told him was called Yoda and the dark skin, bald man she said was named Windu.
"Master Secura, Master Skywalker. How is the campaign on Nubia?"
"Well Master Windu. Nubia is firmly back in Republic hands" He heard the alien Secura say first bowing to the holo duo.
"Our forces have cleared up all stragglers and currently set to leave for Coruscant within the hour" Skywalker this time reported to the other Jedi. It was puzzling to Jake that only two of the Council members were present for the report rather than all of them unless they were on other duties.
"I shall be leaving behind a company sized unit to work the Nubian security forces until further orders"
"Good news, this is. Keeps the Separatist from venturing further deep into Republic territory, it will" The small alien said leaning on a wooden stick.
"That's not all Masters. We have captured an assassin" Both the jedi' eye perked up at the mention of their new prisoner.
"Where is this assassin now?" The projected human asked the others.
"Currently in the brig. We questioned her but got nothing than rabble about the end of the Jedi Order"
"Question her further upon arrival, we shall" The green alien switched his eyes over to the marine "Corporal Matthews, something to add to the report hmm?"
"No Mister Yoda, other than your troops fight incredibly well and you should be proud to have such well trained and disciplined men to have under your command" He reported his summary of what little observation, except for the battle on the ship, he had on how these people fought a war.
"That all, is it?"
"Yes sir"
"Return to Coruscant and we'll submit your report to the Chancellor"
"Thank you Master Windu" Secura thanked him, all bowing to each other then the projections disappeared "I'm going to head back to our command ship. See you on our return"
"Goodbye Aayla" Jake watched the trio of Jedi bid farewell to each other. She gave him a parting smile then left them walking over to the lifts exiting the Bridge. He watched as her leaving, hearing someone calling in his ear next to him.
"Corporal!" Ahsoka's voice took him out of his gazing.
"What's up?" He looked back at her, seeing an accusing glare from the teen.
"Navigation, plot a course for the capital"
"Yes sir!" One of the sailors called back. The crew went about their duties leaving the other three to watch the building of the blue swirl take up the view screen.
Jake thought over his first taste of the alien war he was stuck in. For definite it was an experience he would never of thought of getting into in his lifetime. Battling evil robots were usually the plot for some kids programme or sci fi drama, not an actually real life circumstance. By the sounds of this war he was surprised it was still raging by how simple the battles were raged, capturing a capital city and that was it. That would be an ideal result for any General back home but it seems his species of human were more stubborn than this race. A fallen capital city was a morale downer but not a definite means of capitulation.
"Hey, let's go join the others for a game a Sabacc"
"How do you know the rules of Sabacc, Snips?"
"From an overconfident example" She gave a grin to her teacher, inclining for Jake to follow her down to where the clones were playing this game which sound as if the kid was a little young to playing. Then again she was too young to fight a war and they let her do it.