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I hope the Force is flowing for you all today.

Enjoy!

Chapter Five

"I'll scan the ship's computer for anything of note," Kyra said, sitting down at the 'Claws terminal.

Aedan nodded, accessed the datachip, and began skimming. He read the words, perceived their meaning, but couldn't believe their luck or Cradossk's stupidity.

"Well, shut me down," Aedan said.

"What?" Kyra asked.

He nodded towards the screen, "This is it. This is everything."

Kyra leaned over, and began reading. She gasped. "The whole operation is here. Craddosk put all of it in here, from Obredaan to Gromas to Onderon and…the Mon Calamari!" she nearly shouted. "We found them."

"It looks like they're being traded to the...Colicoids."

Kyra scrunched her face, "The Colicoids? Why involve the Colicoids?"

"Remember on Onderon when we read those files about the magnaguards not being up to Sa'kard's liking?"

"Well, yea."

"I think he's involving the Colicoids because they are master engineers. They're the ones that created the Droidekas. And so, he's going to make a trade with them, and they'll take over the design and construction of a new, upgraded line of magnaguards."

"Oh. Well, that's terrifying," Kyra said. "But why would the Colicoids want Mon Calamaris as slaves? It's not like they're particularly strong or durable, not to mention the constant need to supply them with water."

Aedan hesitated for a moment, leaned back in his chair. "I don't think they intend to keep them alive."

"What?" Kyra said in disbelief.

"In order for the Trade Federation to acquire a powerful enough force for the invasion of Naboo they needed Droidekas, and they purchased them from The Colicoid's Creation Nest. And since the Colicoids are voracious carnivores, the Federation traded fifty barge loads of exotic flesh for the droids. Sa'Kard is making the deadliest and most advanced droids in history, and so he needs to up the ante on his end of the bargain."

He watched her, could see the turbines churning in her head, and saw as realization hit her, following with distraught horror.

"They're going to eat the Mon Calamari," she exclaimed, unable to hide her disgust.

Aedan nodded curtly, "Apparently the Bugs have a ravenous affinity for aquatic species, Selkath, Nautolans, and, particularly, Mon Calamari."

"That...I...it's," she sputtered.

"I know. That's why we have to stop it. I just hope we're not too late."

Kyra scanned the data pads frantically. "It looks like they delivered the Mon Calamari only a few days ago, and this last shipment of Wookies was the final piece of the agreement, and it's scheduled for tomorrow."

Aedan nodded, "And Sa'kard will be there to get his droids."

"We have to get there," Kyra said, standing up quickly. "We have to go now."

Aedan raised a hand, "Hold on, we have to think about this."

"There's no time."

"Kyra," Aedan intoned gravely. "This is a Colicoid facility. Do you even know what a Colicoid looks like?"

"A bug?" she said quickly.

"Well, yes," he said, trying to hide his smile. "They are some of the most vicious creatures in the galaxy, and this facility will be well defended. We're going to need a strike team. Maybe even more. And we're definitely going to need a plan."

"We're with you," A voice said from behind them. They both turned to see Hoppie, and the three remaining members of Cobalt Squad. "We are always with you."

"Thanks, Guys," Kyra said, "Think any more troops can be spared?"

Hoppie tilted his head, "That's above my pay grade, however, there is a certain Master that just landed in Kachirho with far more than a battalion."

"Which Master?"

"The Master."

The two Jedi looked at each other, knowing that finally more than the Force was with them. "Guess we're headed to Kachirho to borrow some troops from a little green troll."

"What about the plan?" Kyra asked.

Aedan stared at the computer screens, the instructions for Craddosk and his delivery clearly visible. "Well, they're expecting Craddosk in the Kathhound's Claw. We can at least give them half of that."

Kyra grinned, "Infiltration and…"

"Destruction."

Aedan watched as Kyra explained to the Wookies what they were planning, and that they had to get moving. She reluctantly left Rokvokka, but knew he was in good hands with Greybok. Chewbacca insisted he come with them to Kachirho, as it turns out, he was a longtime friend of Master Yoda, as well as a close friend of Tarfful, the Chieftain of Kachirho.

Aedan raised an eyebrow, "Well, you sure do have powerful friends, Chewbacca."

The big brown Wookie murmured, a nonchalant grunt as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Kyra gave Rokvokka a big hug as they carried him away on a stretcher made of branches and vines. She felt sick at seeing her friend in such pain. And she felt despair in knowing his life would never be the same.

"Sa'kard will pay for this," she said through gritted teeth.

"I'll be right there with you," Aedan said, "But we need to get moving. Think you can fly this thing?" Aedan said, as he sat down in the navigator's chair.

"Please, I didn't learn to fly at the Drunken Mynock school of Instruction."

Aedan raised his hands, "Okay, okay. I know, I know, you're a great pilot. Take us out then, Ace."

The flight to Kachirho was short, and as Kyra began to set down the ship, they could see the clone and Wookie army gathering on the beachhead. In the distance they could also see the droid army preparing as well. "We need to make this quick," Aedan said, "Or we are going to get pulled into this battle."

"I sure do hope they have troops to spare," Kyra said as she landed the spacecraft in a small clearing not too far from the main beach. The clones stayed with the ship, prepping their gear.

"Let's find out," Aedan said as they jogged through the gorgeous beach side Wookie village. Though the wroshyr trees weren't as tall, the exotic location of the village seemed to give them more character.

They ran up to the main headquarters, an elevated, intricately built wooden structure that overlooked the beach head. Grand Master Yoda stood at the edge, overseeing the gathering forces. He turned, sensing their presence and strode toward them. Chewbacca lumbered forward and greeted the small master, who then acknowledge the Jedi. Aedan and Kyra bowed low.

"Successful, were you?"

"Yes, Master," Aedan said. "We were. We've uncovered everything, from Sa'kard's plans to where the hostages are. The Wookies and the Mon Calamarians are being held on Colla V, they're going to be traded to the Colicoids for a new type of droid."

Yoda grunted, "Like the droidekas."

"Exactly."

"Need assistance, do you?"

Aedan nodded, "They're at a Creation Nest Facility, so it's heavily defended. We need at least a few platoons."

"A major threat you believe these droids to be."

"Yes, we do. And the upgraded version that the Colicoids are planning to introduce pose a serious danger to the Jedi."

Yoda's three fingered hand went to his mouth, contemplating. "What is your plan?" he asked.

"Kyra, Hoppie, Cobalt squad and I will fly the Kathounds Claw into the facility, as they'll be expecting it. Just as we settle into the hangar, a platoon will commence an assault on the front of the building, drawing their forces away from us. We'll free the hostages and then we'll locate the droids and destroy them, and hopefully take out Sa'kard with them."

Yoda grunted in approval. "A good plan. And a fighting force I may have just for you."

"Really?" Kyra said, "You'll give us a platoon."

"No," Yoda said, causing Kyra's enthusiasm to deflate instantly. "I'm assigning a company to you. The 104th."

"The Wolfpack?" Aedan asked.

Yoda nodded, "Meet you in orbit they will. Go," he said, "A mission you have."

Aedan and Kyra looked at each other, shocked at their good fortune, and Yoda's generosity. "Thank you, Master," Aedan said with as much deference as he could intone. "We won't let you down."

"May the Force be with you," he said.

"And also with you, Master," Kyra said, and they both jogged back down to the beach level, where they ran into three familiar individuals.

"If it isn't the galaxy's best duelist and the blazing blue b—" Quinlan Vos began to say, but Master Unduli elbowed him in the side. "Delight. Blazing blue delight."

"They really call me that?" Kyra asked, cheeks turning bright red.

The tall, muscled, and tattooed Kiffar shrugged, "Some clones have heard it said about you, but trust me they mean it as high praise. Stories of you wiping out entire fields of tinnies."

A short, freckled, and brown haired woman stepped forward, and bowed to both Jedi. "Master Kahl, Knight Dawnstar, it's an honor."

Aedan stepped forward, "Etain Tur-Mukan, right?"

The young woman's eyes went wide, jaw dropping. "Why, y-yes, how did you know?"

Aedan nodded, "I knew Master Fullier. I'm sorry he died."

She bowed her head, "Thank you. Me too."

"And Master Unduli," Kyra said, "It's been so long."

The Mirialan bowed low, "Indeed it has."

"Are you two fighting with us?" Vos asked, a trace of hope perceptible in his voice. "Force knows we could use it."

Aedan shook his head, "No, our mission lies elsewhere. And believe me we'd rather be here with you."

Vos nodded, "Well then may the force be with you."

Aedan and Kyra bowed low, "And also with you," and then continued their run back to their newly acquired freighter, where Hoppie and the commandos were waiting.

"We're good to go," Aedan said.

Hoppie nodded, "We have reinforcements?"

"Yep, it looks like Captain Wolfe will be joining the assault."

Hoppie's eyebrows shot up at that. "You don't say."

"Well, let's get moving," Aedan said, "Plot a course for Colla V, and I'll get on the comm with the one oh forth."

"Roger that," Kyra said, unable to keep the smile from her face.

"Last chance to back out, Guys. This could get…buggy."

The four clones stood up behind Hoppie. "You forget, Jedi," he said with a smile. "Ever since Geonosis, bugs are our specialty."