A/N: Part II of the Mon Cala arc.
Chapter 10: The Liberation of Mon Cala
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
A coup d'état!
Sent back to Coruscant to restore herself, Leia Organa was assigned by Grand Master Yoda to protect her mother, Senator Padmé Amidala. On a mission from the Delegation of 2000, a group of senators opposing the increase of the Supreme Chancellor's powers, both Leia and Amidala headed to the aquatic world of Mon Cala to gain alliance from young King Lee-Char and Senator Meena Tills.
Once on the planet, the two are immediately enthralled into a conspiracy of Separatist-backed Mon Calamari and Quarren. With Senator Amidala and the planetary government captured, young Leia is now on a desperate mission to rescue the hostages while the forces of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker approach Mon Cala…
Coral City on Mon Cala. 19 BBY.
Hiding behind some reefs, Leia observed the city, while a SCUBA trooper viewed using his binoculars. The whole city was filled with dead silence, as if it was abandoned or haunted. Leia and the clones, however, knew that it was far from that. From what the girl understood, curfews were established in the city by the usurpers.
"I'm catching a couple of local soldiers, both Mon Calamari and Quarren, two of them commanding a company of aqua droids," the clone SCUBA trooper reported. Leia took the binoculars and was about to use them, only to remember that she was wearing a glass helmet and it would prevent her from seeing through the device. Sighing, she returned the binoculars to the clone. At that moment, the Separatists were suddenly attacked by a squad of Mon Calamari riding the furious and swift keelkana, and Quarren riding OMS Devilfish subs.
"What's going on? Who are they?" Leia asked in shock.
"From the uniform they're wearing, it may seem that these the soldiers of the planetary forces, still loyal to King Lee-Char," the clone SCUBA trooper answered.
"Well, I see, we've got some allies." Leia said as she took out her lightsaber. "We must join them!"
"Commander Luce, wait…" the clone wanted to protest, but Leia swam out of her hiding place. Igniting her lightsaber, she swam towards the foes, charging at them. By the time the clones joined her, Leia had already destroyed six aqua droids.
"The Republic and the Jedi come to our aid!" a Quarren yelled, and the loyalists cheered, obviously proud of seeing Leia and the clones. "Master Jedi," the Quarren continued. "We are the remaining planetary forces loyal to his majesty, but I'm afraid there aren't much of us left."
"Master Skywalker is leading a landing assault of the planet." Leia told them. "Do you have a way to contact his fleet?"
"We do," a Mon Calamari answered.
"Good, lead me," Leia ordered.
"Very good, Lena. Now, we have more forces to deal with the Separatists." Anakin Skywalker's hologram spoke as he stood before Leia and two Mon Calamari commanders, Kai Niathal and Thaneespi. "The plan remains the same, Lena," he continued. "You will lead a small team to rescue the hostages, while me and Commander Niathal will distract the enemy's main forces. Me and the 501st will attack the orbit above. Commander Niathal will attack from the ocean depths below."
"Yes, master," Leia agreed, despite having the urge not to, but she knew that this Anakin was right. Once the meeting was over, Leia swam towards a captive Quarren commander.
"Where is Tikkes keeping the hostages?" Leia asked him. "Answer me."
"I'll never talk, Jedi."
"Listen, right now, you have a chance to help us in ending this useless conflict on Mon Cala," Leia pleaded. "Tell us."
"This conflict is not useless!" the Quarren prisoner snarled. "Tikkes and Sorrel are fighting for the freedom of the galaxy from the rotten grips of the Republic. And with the aid of the Confederacy, where corporations do not rule, Mon Cala shall prosper once again!"
"But what about the civilians?!" Leia asked.
"They're just casualties of war," the Quarren simply stated. "A necessary sacrifice."
Knowing that the Quarren would not answer, Leia felt rage boiling inside her, and the desire to hurt the prisoner. Barely keeping herself calm, Leia at first tried to use the mind trick on the prisoner, but it did not work. Thinking of another choice, Leia recalled Anakin force-choking a Geonosian. No, Leia did not want to do this. However, she remembered that she once kneecapped an Imperial officer during the Galactic Civil War. Regretting this already, Leia turned back to the Quarren and raised her hand. The Quarren desperately grabbed for his neck as Leia choked him.
"Where are the hostages?" Leia asked once again.
"They are held at the Royal Prison," the enemy soldier answered. "Where they were held during the previous Battle of Mon Cala."
Leia finally released him, swimming back to the Mon Calamari commanders for information about the prison.
'Not much longer,' Leia thought. She was swimming down a cave tunnel with her batch of clone SCUBA troopers and a few Quarren guides. They were swimming for a long time, Leia even had doubts that they were on the right direction, but from the holomap giving to her, the rescue party was almost there. It was confirmed when one of the Quarren raised their hand, signaling for the others to be quiet and stay vigilant. Leia peeked and saw it. The prison.
She saw King Lee-Char, Captain Gial Ackbar, Senator Meena Tills and Padmé held in chains, each of them were surrounded by Mon Calamari eels while they were being guarded by aqua droids. Leia also noticed a few armed Mon Calamari and Quarren present.
"Why bring the war to Mon Cala, Commander?" Padmé asked. "The Republic have just sent a massive force to the planet. Do you expect Dooku to sent reinforcements. He will immediately toss you aside for losing the planet."
"Maybe," Sorrel answered back. "But this uprising will inspire the many other true followers of democracy and freedom in the Republic worlds that despite Palpatine's Clone Army winning on the front lines, there is still hope for those who suffer under the corrupt regime on Coruscant."
"And what are you going to do with us, Sorrel?" Ackbar asked. "Execute us the same way like Tamson wanted?"
"Do not compare me to this low mercenary!" Sorrel told him, slightly offended. "I'll give you a quick and merciful death. A shot in the head shall be enough. You have my word."
"How generous of you!" Padmé sarcastically said, causing the Mon Calamari to swim closer to her while avoiding the eels.
"Believe me, Senator Amidala, your death would have been far more worse if it wasn't I who captured you." Sorrel told her. "Viceroy Gunray desired to give you a slow death full of agony and pain, and have it live streamed not only on Separatist worlds, but Republic also."
"That sick bastard." Padmé muttered.
"I agree." Commander Sorrel nodded when his com device was activated. "Please excuse me," he spoke in a mild tone. "I have military affairs to tend to."
He and the Quarren soldiers swam away, leaving only one Mon Calamari trooper commanding the aqua droids. Leia sat, trying to think of a plan. Remembering some of the lessons she had with Yoda before departing for Geonosis, Leia remembered reaching out to other living beings through the Force. Not only sentient beings, but animals too. She turned to a Quarren trooper who was a sniper.
"Here's the plan," she began. "I'll have the eels attack the droids. Once I'll give you the signal, take down the commander before he can escape."
"Got it." The Quarren answered and took aim, ready to fire. Leia reached her hand out, she began reaching out to the eels through the Force. It was hard, but she did not give up. One more time, and again. And again. Finally, she reached out.
"Fire!" she whispered, while mentally ordering the eels to attack the droids. The enemies were caught off by surprise. The Separatist commander was shot in the head while the eels destroyed the droids. Their fangs inserted deep into their systems, breaking through the metal surfaces. Leia then managed to dry the eels away. Once the coast was clear, Leia, the clones and the Quarren swam out of their hiding spot, freeing Padmé and the Mon Calamari leadership.
"I owe you all," King Lee-Char told them once he was set free.
"Your majesty, we must evacuate you," one of the Quarren told him.
"No!" King Lee-Char objected. "I must stop this violence. We must arrest Sorrel and Tikkes and order their men to drop their arms and surrender."
Just as he said that, one of the SCUBA troopers turned to Leia. "Commander Luce, the Republic forces and Commander Niathal began storming Coral City."
"Then we must hurry!" Leia said and they all headed for the royal palace.
Entering the atmosphere, the cruiser lowered its altitude above the surface, releasing a squadron of LAAT/i gunships. Anakin Skywalker was in the leading vessel, wearing his scuba gear, standing alongside Commander Appo, who was already wearing his clone SCUBA trooper armour with blue markings.
Anakin put on his helmet just as the shafts opened. "Appo, send a command to dive!" he ordered.
"Yes, general!" the clone commander answered as he transmitted the message to the other clones. In an instant, the SCUBA troopers of the 501st dived into the ocean. Once underwater, Anakin grabbed an OMS Devilfish sub and began heading towards Coral City, with Appo and the clone SCUBA troopers following him. A Quarren Separatist armed with a trident spotted them and pointed at them for the aqua droid. The aqua droids immediately began firing at the Republic forces, while a couple of Quarren and Mon Calamari activated the defense guns. The clones fired back with their DC-12U beam rifles, while Anakin charged, cutting numerous aqua droids in half.
At the same time, the Separatists launched Manta droid subfighters to take down the Republic cruiser providing Skywalker with troops. However, the aquatic droid fighter crafts were already spotted on the Republic radars.
"Admiral, we've got two squadrons of Mantas heading towards the surface!" one of the clone deck officers reported.
"Send in the fighters!" Yularen ordered as he stood alongside Captain Rex. In a couple of minutes, V-wing and ARC-170 fighters launched from the Star Destroyer when the Manta subfighters emerged from the water, flying towards the Venator. In a minute, a dogfight between the crafts began.
Barely avoiding the guards, Leia, Padmé, Lee-Char, Tills, Ackbar, and their forces finally reached the royal palace. The young king led them to a secret entrance that only a few knew of. They all swam quickly through the tunnels until they arrived to the king's private chambers. From there, they swam down the corridor until they bumped into two Mon Calamari and an aqua droid.
"Blast!" Leia cursed as they engaged in combat with the enemy, quickly defeating them before the droid reported to the other droids of the intruders. She then grabbed one of the Mon Calamari and knocked him against the wall.
"Where's Sorrel! Tell me!" she demanded.
"I won't tell you." the Mon Calamari spat, causing the girl to punch him in the snout multiple times until Padmé stopped her.
"He would be at the throne room, observing the battlefield from there." Meena Tills suggested. Knocking the enemy trooper out, the team continued. Indeed, Commander Sorrel and Tikkes were within the throne room, observing the hologram of the battlefield, with Republic forces being displayed in blue, while the Separatist forces in red.
"The Republic and the insurgents have breached our defence lines!" Tikkes cried, panicking. "Do something, Sorrel!"
"Chieftain," the Mon Calamari spoke, trying to remain calm, for the corrupt Quarren has been irritating him, trying to give the impression as if he's the one in charge. "May I remind you that I command the Separatist forces on Mon Cala, and I am doing what I can."
"Well, it appears to be not enough!"
"Also, I may remind you, that if someone is doing nothing, then it is you, Chieftain Tikkes." Sorrel continued. "Count Dooku has entrusted me with leading our forces, not you, for among us, I am the soldier here, and you have no authority to make decision."
"This is outrageous," the deeply offended Quarren gasped. "You will suffer for this, Sorrel."
"Spare your threats, Tikkes." Sorrel simply told him. "We are building a new galaxy, without filth like you."
Tikkes was about to rage when the doors opened and Leia attacked with her lightsaber, while Padmé, Meena, Lee-Char, Ackbar, SCUBA troopers and Republic fighters fired at the aqua droids. Whimpering in fear, the cowardly Quarren immediately swam away, towards his personal Trident-class assault ship. Commander Sorrel, meanwhile, drew out his blaster pistol and fired back. Soon, he was outnumbered and alone as his guards were immediately defeated.
"It's over, Sorrel." Lee-Char told him before demanding. "Call off your forces!"
"I am not surrendering, your majesty." Sorrel answered, still holding his pistol.
"Call off your forces!" the young king demanded again. "We must stop this war! Peace must be brought to Mon Cala!"
"Peace?" Sorrel incredulously asked. "There will never be peace when the rotten system of the Republic, corruption and oppression exist. Senator Mina Bonteri thought that we could reach to an agreement with the government on Coruscant, but when our senate vote to initiate peace negotiations, the Republic launched an attack, and killed Bonteri! Just like you killed Merai, a man of honour!"
"You're right." Padmé suddenly interfered. "The Republic has become corrupt, but we can make it better together rather than killing each other. One of the reasons of the corruption is the power and influence of the Trade Federation and the Commerce Guild. Right now, their pockets are being filled as this war rages on. Stop the violence on your home planet, and together, we can find a solution to make the galaxy a better place."
Once she heard that, Leia looked up at Padmé with full admiration. She was proud of Senator Amidala. Sorrel stood as he continued to hold them at gunpoint.
"You won't get me alive" he said and before everyone could react, Sorrel aimed the blaster at his chin and pulled the trigger. Both Padmé and Leia gasped as the blaster shot into his head. The lifeless body of Commander Sorrel floated with a whole in his chin. Returning to his senses, Lee-Char swam towards the communications device.
"Attention! Attention!" he announced. "This is King Lee-Char of Mon Cala! I report that Sorrel is dead! I repeat, Sorrel is dead! To those who fought for him, your cause is lost! Surrender! Put down your weapons, and you will be pardoned! Together, we can bring peace and prosperity to Mon Cala!"
Unknowingly to everyone in the throne room, many of the local natives who fought for her Separatists, hesitated before turning against the aqua droids, attacking them. The Republic forces eagerly helped them. Both Leia and Padmé sighed in relief that the fighting in Mon Cala was coming to an end.
Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
"With the remaining aqua droids being pursued and destroyed, peace and order will be soon restored on Mon Cala once again." the hologram of Anakin Skywalker spoke as he reported to the Jedi High Council.
"Known Merai for a long time, I have." Yoda spoke. "Well-respected across the galaxy, he was, both within the Republic and Confederacy. Followers, no wonder he had."
"However, both Skywalker and Luce have failed to capture Tikkes." Windu noted. The Jedi Masters continued to discuss the incident on Mon Cala until Yoda noticed that Anakin was still present via hologram. The Grand-Master of the Jedi Order felt frustration coming from him.
"Something more to discuss, Skywalker, you have?" Yoda asked.
"Yes." Anakin nodded. "You have sent Lena Luce, my padawan, on a mission without acknowledging me."
"Padawan Luce is a member of the Jedi Order and was sent on a mission given to her by the Council." Windu answered sternly, not pleased with the Jedi Knight's complaints.
"Luce is my padawan, and is my responsibility, Master Windu." Anakin gritted his teeth, barely holding his anger. "I was supposed to be informed that she would go to Mon Cala with Senator Amidala."
"The affairs of the Jedi High Council must not concern you, Skywalker." Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke via hologram as he was on Mygeeto.
"Anakin, I understand your concern for Young Luce," Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke, trying to calm his former apprentice down. "But according to the code, the Council can send your padawan on a separate mission, even if it has nothing to do with you."
"Was it the same thing with Tano?" Anakin almost snarled at Kenobi. When the Jedi Master did not answer, the hologram of Anakin disappeared, leaving the Council alone.
"He has formed an attachment to his new padawan, just like with Tano." Mace stated. Some of the Council members agreed with home, but others, such as Shaak Ti and Plo Koon, disagreed. Yoda, meanwhile, sat to himself, deep in thought.
500 Republica.
"Make yourself comfortable." Ellé, the aide of Senator Amidala, told Leia. The girl genuinely thanked her. Once Ellé left, Leia also left her room and began exploring Padmé apartment within the 500 Republica, the home of many senators, politicians, and members of the government. Shortly after the rescue on Mon Cala, Padmé invited both Anakin and Leia to stay at her place for the night. Walking, Leia was repeating the name Tano to herself. She heard it when Anakin was reporting to the Jedi High Council, but she did not know who this Tano was.
Absentmindedly, Leia suddenly bumped into something golden and heard a mechanical voice. Standing up, Leia gasped as she saw a very familiar protocol droid in gold.
"Threepio?!" Leia incredulously asked, shocked to see the droid here. He was supposed to be with House Organa, no?
"Oh, pardon me, miss. I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations" the droid began introducing himself, but Leia already knew who he was. At that time, Padmé appeared, smiling.
"I see you have met C-3PO?" she asked.
"Yes," Leia asked, still trying to understand why C-3PO was with Padmé Amidala, not with Bail Organa. "How did you get him?" she tried to carefully ask, as if it was pure curiosity.
"You're interested in droids too?" Padmé asked, causing Leia to look at her incredulously. "Anakin is not only a Jedi, but he is also a talented pilot, and a talented mechanic. I got the droid from him."
"From him?"
"Yes, Anakin built Threepio himself. When he was only a child." Padmé added with pride, causing Leia to almost gap in shock and disbelief. Anakin built Threepio?! When he was still so young?!
As Leia stood, frozen in thought, she heard Padmé wishing her goodnight as she was retiring to her chambers. Leia wished her goodnight but found herself not exhausted and decided to walk around the apartment. As Leia continued to stroll around the apartment, she suddenly heard the sound of kisses and moans. The girl immediately guessed that it came from Padmé's chambers. With caution, Leia approached the door, which was partly closed and managed to peek. What she saw shocked her; both Anakin and Padmé were standing at the window of the chambers and were making out.
"I've missed you so much, Padmé." the young Jedi Knight whispered.
"Same, husband." Padmé answered. Leia almost yelled incredulously. Husband?! The girl then sneaked away, reaching the balcony of the apartment, breathing rapidly, her head spinning. Anakin Skywalker, future Darth Vader, and Padmé Amidala, the senator she looked up to who would have been against the Empire, were together, despite the Jedi Code! And not just together, apparently they were married! Then suddenly, a flashback appeared in her mind.
"Leia, what do you know of your mother?" Luke asked her back then on Endor before the battle.
"She was very beautiful, and kind… but sad."
Leia gasped, feeling that she could possibly faint soon. "Padmé…" she muttered. "Padmé Amidala is my…"
"Your mother, yes."
Leia almost jumped when she heard the familiar voice and saw the glowing woman with green hair standing. Leia groaned in frustration.
"You again." she grumbled.
"Yes," the woman answered in a mild tone. "I see you have made another discovery about the past. As you can see, Bail Organa, a senator of Alderaan, may have raised you to become one, but it was your mother's skills you have inherited."
Leia did not say a word but nodded. She had to admit that she was shocked, but also quite proud that her mother was none than Padmé Amidala herself. Leia met her, and what Bail told about her was true; Padmé was genuine, kind, selfless and brave. However, Leia still felt disturbed that Padmé would fall for Anakin, who to Leia was still a monster and nothing more.
"I see the love they have for each other troubles you." the woman stated. Leia glared at her, shocked while also annoyed that she was reading her mind.
"Yes, it does!" Leia almost yelled. "I mean, what did she saw in him? I know that they met when he was only a kid, but now?"
The woman only chuckled in response. "You'll know soon enough."
Leia only rolled her eyes in annoyance. She was already losing patience of being in the body of her 14-year-old self, stuck with the person who was her father, whom she hated the most, all thanks to this woman. Who was she anyway?
"I am the Daughter," the woman suddenly told her. "One of the Ones."
"Who?" Leia asked but she saw the there was no one around anymore. Leia cursed. She had so many questions, like who are the Ones, who was Tano, how did Padmé fall for Anakin, but there were not so many answers.
Legends Lore Notes
The Two Mon Calamari officers
In this fanfiction, Leia is assisted by two Mon Calamari commanders, Kai Niathal and Thaneespi. Thaneespi was a Mon Calamari female, who, after the invasion of her homeworld by the Empire, became a leader of refugees from her planet. She then went on to serve as an officer in the Rebel Alliance, participating in the Battle of Endor as one of the deck officers on the Star Cruiser Home One, which led the Alliance Fleet.
Thaneespi first appeared in the 1983 Return of the Jedi. Her helmet was originally intended to be worn by Admiral Ackbar, but it was given to her instead seeing as Ackbar's articulated head did not allow the helmet to be used.
Kai Niathal is an original character. However, he is the father of Legends character, Cha Niathal, a female Mon Calamari who would become a senior Admiral of the Galactic Alliance Defence Force (Galactic Alliance become the successor of the New Republic).