Shadow of the Malevolence

Anakin and Ahsoka flew out to the wreckage of Plo's ship. At first they didn't see anything, then Ahsoka saw them and turned the ship around. They picked them up and flew as fast as they could. With the Malevolence on their tail, they jumped into the safety of Hyperspace. They made it back to the fleet, and came face to face with an angry hologram of one Mace Windu.

"Skywalker, where have you been?"

"Gathering information on the weapon. We also rescued Master Plo." Anakin replied using all of his willpower not to roll his eyes at the Korrun Master.

"I believe the council gave you a direct order to guard the supply lines." Mace scowled.

"No, the council said to have my men guard the supply lines, which they did. Whilst Ahsoka and I obtained important information on the weapon and rescued one of the most important assets to the order. Must you go on." Anakin scoffed. Mace realized Anakin was right, snarled, and shut his mouth. Anger rose in his chest he should be the one that the council favored; not this slave boy from Tatooine who had a blatant disregard for the no attachment rule. Mace shut the hologram off, and then stormed out of the control room. Anakin on the other hand was still with Ahsoka and Plo on their ship.

"Well that went well." He said, a look of weariness on his face. "When is he ever going to let this feud go? I haven't done anything to him except occasionally drive him crazy, but that's something I do to everyone. I just wish he would stop looking at me with such disgust and contempt in his eyes."

"You won't be able to please everyone, —" Ahsoka assured him.

"I know, but I wish I could."

"It's impossible, and we also don't expect that of you," Plo Koon said.

"I know you don't but the council does."

"Don't worry, nothing is ever good enough for Master Windu," Plo muttered.

"That doesn't sound very Jedi like." Ahsoka said.

"We're all imperfect," Plo said, "Even the perfectionists."

"Like Master Windu. I wonder what kind of skeletons are hiding in his closet." Anakin replied, trying to make light of the situation.

Plo Koon bobbed his head, betraying his hidden laughter. Ahsoka burst out laughing, not able to hide her amusement.

"Maybe we should get going before we die of laughter." Plo said.

"So, what's the plan, Skyguy?" Ahsoka asked.

"Find the Malevolence and destroy it." Anakin replied.

This startled both Ahsoka and Plo.

"This is a very ambitious plan, Anakin," Plo cautioned.

"It's either destroy a bunch of droids and save a lot of people, or don't destroy the Malevolence and all the droids and the people die. Which option sounds better to you?" Anakin asked.

"I guess we're destroying a giant ship then." Ahsoka replied.

The next report showed the situation to be even more dire. The Malevolence had destroyed another convoy, and was en route to the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center.

"Perhaps it is time for high ambitions," Plo mused.

"Now that that's settled let's get going." Anakin replied, then jumped the ship to hyperspace. Anakin was planning an attack that consisted mainly of y-wings. They were faster, smaller, and had more firepower than the bigger fighters. They emerged from hyperspace to a raging battle all around them. Anakin led the fighter to the main republic cruiser and went straight to the briefing room Plo and his Padawan trailing close behind him. They entered the room pulling the hologram of the medical center up.

As the squadron neared the medical center, the Malevolence exited hyperspace with a mighty flash. It wasted no time on immobilizing the evacuation transports, and swiveling its massive ion cannon towards the Shadow Squadron.

Anakin watched with dismay as Shadow Squadron fighters succumbed to enemy fire. Each death, represented by data on the screen, cut deeper than the last. This would never happen again; he would not allow his comrades to be utterly destroyed like this.

Anakin's previous anger paled in comparison to how he felt as the ion cannon swung towards the medical facility itself. There were still millions of life forms in that medical center. Anakin looked at the Malevolence grief filling his eyes.

If this was the amount of destruction one weapon could do then how much of a danger would he be if he ever lost control? He thought,

On Plo Koon's suggestion, Anakin gave the order to concentrate fire on the starboard ion cannon. If they could only damage it enough!

They all held their breaths as it charged up. Grievous would surely order them to fire any moment…

Boom! A great explosion rocked the ship, frying both ion cannons. Surely they would attempt retreat now! Still, the ship didn't enter hyperspace. Did the blast damage the hyperdrive too?

Anakin's speculation was interrupted as the Republic fleet flashed into view. The capital ships could continue the chase. For now, all he could think of was the toll the day had taken on his own squadron. He ordered his remaining fighters to land at the medical station.

Finally on solid ground, Anakin briefly and absentmindedly enjoyed Plo's commendations before preparing for the final battle.