Chapter 114: Water War
When destiny calls, the chosen have no choice.
Recap: Water wars! Tensions run high on the ocean world of Mon Calamari, where two separate peoples, the aggressive squidlike Quarren and their peaceful neighbor, the Mon Calamari, struggle to maintain a fragile coexistence. Adding to this strife, the King of the Mon Calamari has been found mysteriously murdered, leaving his young son, prince Lee-Char, to guide his people alone. But the Quarren race will not accept the new ruler as their King. Senator Amidala and her Jedi bodyguards have arrived to help resolve the matter and to avoid plunging the planet into civil war.
Down below the water, a meeting was being held. The assembly was in full effect as both parties, the Mon Calamari and the squidlike Quarren, were voicing their opinions. Sitting in on this meeting were Anakin, Storm, and Padmè as they were dressed in scuba gear.
"The world prospered under our rule."
"It's time for a change!"
"The prince's rule has been preordained."
"Down with this monarchy!"
"We'll defend our right for a Mon Cala King."
"We want a Quarren King. Down with the Mon Cala. Power to the Quarren!"
All the different responses shouted by the audience were heard as the Jedi and Senator sitting looked at each other with worried looks. With the polarization of the two sides, there wouldn't be a compromise.
"I am dedicated to serving the Quarren as well as my own people, the Mon Calamari," said the young Prince Lee Char as he spoke up.
"Silence! You haven't earned the right to speak at this gathering," said an ambassador who was a male Karkarodon named Riff Tamson, getting in the face of the prince.
"You have no say in the matter, Ambassador. You are only here as an observer for the Separatists," said a Mon Calamari named Captain Gial Ackbar, who served as the military commander. He was shown defending the prince from the ambassador.
"Do not forget I am here at the request of the Quarren because you, captain, demanded the presence of the Republic," said ambassador Tamson as he got in the face of Ackbar and shoved him away as he swam.
"Such a disgrace! I'll give you a lesson in manners," said Ackbar, as he didn't like being disrespected and would have engaged Tamson had Anakin, seated close by, put his hand on the Mon Calamari to calm him down.
"Prince Lee-Char will bring the planet to ruin. The boy has neither the experience nor the knowledge to lead," said the Quarren leader.
"Please. You're here to find a compromise. What can the Republic do to help keep the peace?" asked Padmè as she swam from her perch to the Quarren.
"This is a matter between the Quarren and the Mon Cala," replied the Quarren.
"Yeah, who asked you?" shouted another audience member.
"The Republic has no place here."
"Down with the Republic! Down with the Republic!"
Soon another angry shout was heard throughout the meeting as both sides were yelling over the other. Padmè and the Jedi saw how much each side was on opposite ends of the spectrum, as it seemed like not even they could help.
"We refuse to support the coronation of another Mon Cala King. I'm sorry," said the Quarren to Padmè before addressing Tamson, "Ambassador?"
"It is my opinion the Quarren have no further business here," the ambassador stated as the Quarren agreed.
With that, the Quarren and the ambassador began to leave as the meeting seemed to end. Prince Lee-Char sat on one of the benches as he sighed.
"Come on, Captain Ackbar. We have to contact Master Yoda," said Anakin to the Mon Calamari as he, Padmè, and Storm had to head back to the surface.
Prince Lee-Char was still sad when he was approached by the Quarren, who led the others, who was named Nossor Ri.
"Your father was my trusted friend. I am sorry for your loss," said Nossor Ri, as despite not agreeing with the prince, he at least wanted to show proper respect to the son of the late great king before swimming away.
Speaking of swimming, the Jedi and Captain Ackbar had made it to the surface, where a ship was hovering above the water, waiting for the trio. The door began to open as soon all four were inside the ship, standing before Master Yoda, Windu, and Luna.
"This civil war, is it inevitable?" asked the small Jedi to the group.
"Sadly so, Master Yoda," answered Captain Ackbar.
"The Separatist ambassador came here to stir up the Quarren, and that's exactly what he did," replied Anakin.
"It's only a matter of time before the Quarren withdraw from the Republic," said Padmè.
"I suspect behind this, Count Dooku is," said the Grand Jedi Master.
"The Mon Calamari system is still part of the Republic. This planet must not fall into Separatist hands," said Luna to the group.
"I'll dispatch Master Fisto, Ms. Sparkle, and your Padawan Tano, along with a company of clones. They'll be at your side by day's end," said Master Windu.
"In the meantime, Captain, assemble the Mon Cala troops and prepare for and prepare for a Quarren assault," said Luna as they could sense a war coming.
After the meeting, Captain Ackbar was shown in the palace. He was swimming in the water tubes that the Mon Calamari used to travel to different places all over the city. He soon exited one of the tubes as he arrived at the palace entrance. The prince, some guards, and the Mon Calamari senator came out.
"The troops are being assembled, Senator," said Captain Ackbar.
"Let's hope we don't need them, Captain. I'm entrusting the safety of prince Lee-Char to your hands. You must remain at his side at all times as his personal bodyguard." said the senator.
"Senator, if the boy is-"
"We are on the verge of a civil war, Captain, and that boy is the supreme commander of Mon Cala's military. It's up to you to see that he remains safe and that he can handle the job," replied the senator as she cut off Ackbar.
"With due respect, Senator, the prince is not ready to lead an army. He needs training," said Ackbar to the senator as he felt this wasn't a wise decision.
"You have your orders, Captain," said the senator as she turned to back into the palace and swam.
"You are right, Captain. I am not trained to lead an army," said Prince Lee-Char as even he doubted his leadership skills.
"Come on, your highness. We have a war to win," said Captain Ackbar as he swam with the prince to prepare for the inevitable fight.
Speaking of fighting, several squid droids were shown as they dropped aqua droids into the water below. The droids came online as they swam and fell into position as squads were shown gathering outside of the hideout that Ambassador Tamson had. The ambassador himself was speaking with his superiors.
"The army has assembled Count Dooku."
"Well done, Tamson. What about the Quarren leader?" asked the Sith Lord.
"The Quarren leader is on board 100%. He will deliver the planet into your hands, just as you said he would," replied Tamson.
"Very good, Commander. In the end, control of this planet will be in your hands," stated Dooku as Sunset came into view.
"Proceed as planned," said the girl as she ordered the attack.
Back with the Mon Calamari, they had all gathered in the throne room of the water building as the prince and senator were shown sitting. A guard stepped forward to give a decree.
"In this time of crisis, our King has something to say," stated the guard as he let the troops know the prince had an announcement to make.
"I know many of you agree with the Quarren that I am too young to rule. But I assure you I will use all my strength and all my abilities to lead us through this challenge. We are a great people, and I will do all I can to negotiate peace without bloodshed. I do not believe the Quarren will attack."
The prince gave his speech, but just as he said that, Ambassador Tamson, the Quarren, and the aqua droids were shown swimming as they came upon the city. They soon let loose as blaster shots were firing upon the city. Everyone felt the attack as they rocked back and forth.
"It's an attack!" said Captain Ackbar as he swam to a nearby window and saw some Quarren riding some mini-subs swim by.
"Take cover!" said Anakin.
The Calamari troops had been gathered as they were all in a position aiming at the incoming enemy. The Jedi, Padmè, Captain Ackbar, and Prince Lee-Char himself appeared as they swam to where the action was happening.
"The prince. The prince is here! He's joining the battle." said one of the troops, as seeing the prince there gave them motivation and hope.
"What are your orders, your highness?" asked Captain Ackbar as he looked to the prince to give the troops a command.
The prince looked at the troops firing as he hesitated a bit.
"Stay where you are, and hold the line," said the prince, who wasn't fully confident in that order.
The troops merely followed orders as they buckled down and continued to fire at the incoming enemy, who was getting closer.
"If I may suggest, captain, we should take the prince to a safer place until the Republic reinforcements arrive," said Anakin, as he could see that Lee-Char wasn't confident leading the army.
"That's impossible. That is a decision only the prince can make. He is our leader." said Captain Ackbar as it all fell on Prince Lee-Char to give that command.
The prince heard that as he had more of an unsure expression. It was further solidified as a grunt was heard from one of the troops who was shot while holding the line and began to adrift.
"This is horrible," said Lee-Char at what he saw.
"Your highness, this is not a wise decision. And you know it," said Storm to the prince.
"Forget your tradition. This is war," said Anakin to Captain Ackbar.
"Majesty?" asked Captain Ackbar to see what the prince had to say.
"I have to stay here with my people. Press your attack, captain," sighed the prince as he had to lead his army.
Captain Ackbar nodded as he grabbed a nearby weapon and swam in front of the soldiers firing.
"Soldiers of Mon Calamari, this is your home. Do not let it fall!" shouted the Captain as he rallied the troops.
They all yelled as they got up from their position and swam forward to engage the incoming enemy as shots were still being fired.
"I need to get some troops behind those Separatist droids. Come on; I know a shortcut," said Prince Lee-Char to the Jedi and Padmè as they swam away.
The group was traveling among one of the water tubes as they headed to where they could attack the enemy from behind.
"We should come out right behind them," said Prince Lee-Char as they approached their destination.
"Good plan," said Anakin.
"Look out!" shouted Storm.
The group saw that the palace was being attacked as a piece of it fell off. It fell on the tube they were traveling in as the Jedi, Padmè, and Prince managed to get past it, but the guards swimming to accompany the prince weren't lucky as they began to sink.
"What do we do now?" asked Padmè.
"Well, we got to come up with another plan," said Anakin.
"Any ideas?" asked Storm as he looked at the ongoing battle.
"Our only choice now is to wait for the Jedi reinforcements," said the prince.
Speaking of reinforcements...
"Blue leader standing by," said Ahsoka as she was on a gunship.
"Red leader standing by," said a clone commander.
"Purple leader, standing by," said Twilight.
The girls and the reinforcements had arrived, as they were all on separate gunships. They were flying above the water as they were closing in on the drop zone where they would provide assistance for their allies. On a cruiser, Rex saw the formation as he contacted Master Fisto.
"All squadron are in position, general Fisto. You may deploy when ready," said the clone commander.
"Commencing deployment," said Master Fisto as all the gunships opened their hanger doors. "Three. Two. One. Mark."
The signal was given as the clones, in their scuba armor, dove out of the gunship and below the water. The girls, now in their scuba gear, also dived as they each had their own mini-sub and began to head with their forces toward the battle. The battle was gruesome as both sides met in the middle and began to spear the other with their guns as Tamson was swimming about and using his jaws to take out some of the Calamari troops. Padmè, Anakin, and Storm were also engaging as the Jedi deflected shots while the senator was shooting.
"Reinforcements. Finally!" said Anakin as they all looked to see Master Fisto, the girls, and the clones arrive, and they immediately fired on the enemy.
"Anakin, Storm, I'm going to look for senator Tills. Hopefully, she's still alive," said Padmè.
"Be careful," said Anakin to his wife as she swam away.
"Look out!" shouted Prince Lee-Char as two aqua droids snuck up behind the Jedi Knights.
Both knew the droids were behind them as Storm aimed his lightsaber backward without looking. Anakin turned and sliced down his foe in a second.
"Stay down, and don't move," ordered Anakin to the prince as he and Storm swam to help the others.
The Jedi swam as they began to slice at some Quarren who got in their way. Both sides suffered casualties as many troops and droids were defeated. Captain Ackbar saw the Jedi helping as he turned to swim toward the hiding prince.
"Hear that? They're cheering for you," said Captain Ackbar to the prince, who had listened to Anakin's orders to stay put.
"They're cheering for them," clarified the prince as he could see the Jedi and their allies that were giving the troops morale.
"Then make it for you," said Captain Ackbar as he had one of his weapons to the prince, "Come on. Lead."
Anakin took out a Quarren as another was coming at him. He turned to block their shot as one of them snuck up on him and put his hands over his helmet to cover his eyesight. Another Quarren looked to attack the vulnerable Jedi when Storm quickly popped in between them; he swung his lightsaber at the Quarren as the two began to fight. Anakin then rammed his lightsaber backward as he took out the Quarren holding his helmet as Storm sliced at the Quarren he was fighting.
The Quarren that Anakin killed slid his helmet off as the Jedi Knight immediately held his breath. The helmet was starting to sink lower as Anakin swam after it. The Jedi Knight reached out for his helmet as he could feel his air starting to run out. Some shots were fired as an incoming Quarron on a gunship swam toward him. The Jedi brought his lightsaber down as he cut the craft in half and sent the Quarren flying through the water. He saw his helmet about to disappear as he put a hand to his throat to signal his air was about up as droids fired at him.
Soon the droids were shot at and burst as Ahsoka was coming in on her own mini-sub and swam by the helmet of her teacher. She grabbed it and then made her way to Anakin.
"You called for backup?" asked Ahsoka smugly.
Anakin put the helmet on as he gasped and coughed, trying to get the airflow back into his lungs.
"I had it under... control, Snips," coughed the Jedi while addressing his padawan.
"Huh! I knew you'd say that." scoffed Ahsoka slyly as she swam away.
"Anakin, Storm, I need you both down here. It's Senator Tills. I need help getting her to safety. We're at the base of the palace. And hurry." said Padmè, with some guards as they were providing cover to an injured senator clutching her side.
"Ahsoka, Twilight, cover the prince!" said Storm over their comlink.
"We're going to the senators," relayed Anakin to the girls.
"Got it, Master," said Ashoka.
"Copy that," said Twilight.
Anakin and Storm swam in their respective direction as they were looking to meet up with Padmè. Storm was swimming when Twilight suddenly appeared and stopped in front of him.
"Need a lift?" asked Twilight with a smile.
"Oh, Sparky," chuckled Storm as he smiled at the princess.
He put his hand over the girl's as she thrust the handle, and the two took off. They sped by a fight as the boy turned on his lightsaber and slashed at some of the droids shooting at them. Soon they arrived as Twilight came to a stop.
"This is where I get off," said Storm looking at the girl.
"Be safe," smiled Twilight.
"Don't I always," the boy winked to his partner as he dove to where Padmè was. Twilight smiled before taking off with her lightsaber turned on as she slashed several droids she swam by.
Ahsoka was doing her job as she was swimming to where Prince Lee-Char was. He was standing on top of a roof while shooting at Amabassdor Tamson, who was coming at him with his jaws snapping. The prince stopped shooting and stood up as he held his weapon out to hopefully defend himself. The Karkardoon was about to take a bite out of the prince as Ahsoka turned on her lightsaber and swiped at Tamson, who backed off.
"Grab on!" said Ahsoka to the prince.
"Good idea," said Prince Lee-Char as he immediately did what the padawan said, grabbed one of the thrusters, and took off.
Tamson recovered as he began to swim after them.
"Get us out of here," said the prince to the girl as he could see Tamson gaining on them.
"Hang on!" shouted the girl.
"I am. I am," said the prince as Tamson was about to sink his jaws when Ahsoka made the craft do a barrel roll; it smacked the ambassador and made him fall.
Ahsoka and the prince entered a tube system as they were swimming quickly through it. Tamson had recovered as he caught up with them and was swimming out of the tube where he was bashing into it to get to his foes.
"I'm slipping," said the prince, losing his grip from Ahsoka's evasive maneuvers.
To make matters worst, some aqua droids entered through an opening from further ahead as they were looking to box in their foes.
"Look out! They're coming right at us," the prince pointed ahead.
Ahsoka gasped as she saw the droids swimming toward them and were seconds from colliding.
"I'm letting go," said Ahsoka as she did that, and her watercraft collided with the droids, taking them out.
The pair floated in place as they saw the droids be defeated.
"Look out! Behind you!" said Ahsoka to the prince.
Coming at them was Tamson as he rammed into the tube.
"As long as we're in the tube, we're safe," said the prince as the tube could hopefully withstand Tamson's hits. He looked down and saw the ambassador below him and swam up as he collided with the tube, sending another shockwave to the pair as they felt it inside.
"Look, the prince," said one of the troopers as a group of them.
Tamson had managed to break through the tube while snapping and trying to get at the prince. The troops fired at the ambassador as he pulled his head and out swam about, sinking his jaws into the Calamari troops as they were slain.
"Hurry," said the prince to Ahsoka as they swam through the tunnel.
At the palace, Master Fisto was with Captain Ackbar as they had managed to hold off the enemy. They were starting to retreat as Master Fisto looked through his binoculars.
"They are returning to their ships," said the Jedi Master.
"We are lucky to have survived the first assault," said Captain Ackbar.
At that moment, Storm and Anakin swam to them.
"They could have easily overrun us with their droids," said Anakin as he was surprised to see the enemy retreating.
"The droids are taking up position in the coral, probably amassing for another assault," said Master Fisto as he saw through the binoculars.
"Why would they hide in the coral?" said Storm as he found that suspicious.
The aqua droids resurfaced above the coral as their ships were flying overhead. They dropped some things into the sea below as they began to sink. The Quarren leader, Nossor Ri and Amabassdor Tamson, were swimming about and talking.
"Your aqua droids are no match for the Mon Calamari. What makes you think these secret weapons you've brought from your home world will fare any better?" asked Quarren Ri.
"They are half machine, half monster. We call them Hydroid Medusas. They are invincible." said Ambassador Tamson.
True to Tamson's word, the new weapons were gigantic cyborg jellyfish with electrified tentacles.
Back with our heroes, Twilight had met up with Ahsoka and the prince as they swam back to the palace as someone called out to them.
"Prince Lee-Char."
"Senator Tills. I'm glad to see you're safe," said the prince.
"You must prepare to dictate terms for a Quarren surrender," stated the senator to the royal heir.
"Surrender?" said the prince, baffled by what he heard.
"Not so fast, Senator," said Captain Ackbar as he turned to address the senator over what he heard.
"I know the Quarren. They won't surrender," stated the prince.
"We may have won the first battle, Your Highness, but it won't be the last," said Anakin to the prince.
"It's only a matter of time before they launch another assault," stated Captain Ackbar to Prince Lee-Char.
"I sense the real battle is about to begin," said Storm to the royal heir.
At that moment, some rumbling was heard. The Jedi and their forces all took a position in front of the prince as they saw some glowing things starting to rise. It was the jellyfish hybrids that Tamson had ordered as they were upon our heroes.
"We have no defense against those," said the prince, as he had never seen these weapons or foes.
"This isn't gonna be easy," said Anakin.
"All troops, battle stations!" ordered Master Fisto to the Calamari troops and clone scuba troopers.
Everyone got their weapons cocked and loaded as they aimed at the hybrid monsters. Prince Lee-Char looked at his feet as he saw a weapon and grabbed it. While willing to fight, he looked at his men as an expression of doubt started to settle in.
"Do not fire until the prince gives the command," shouted Captain Ackbar.
The jellyfish got closer and closer as the Jedi turned on their lightsabers.
"Steady. Steady. Not yet." said Captain Ackbar as the troops kept ready; the prince saw the weapons and was a bit scared. "Now, your highness," whispered Captain Ackbar to the prince, covering for him.
"Attack!" shouted Prince Lee-Char after giving his military commander a nod.
Our heroes began to fire at the jellyfish, but their weapons did nothing. Tamson and his aqua droids were swimming up behind them as they were letting the hybrid monsters clear the way. The jellyfish's tentacles were electrified as they shocked some clones and Calamari. Soon the enemy appeared behind them and in front of them as the group split their attention and began to defend.
"Ahsoka, Twilight, find a way out of here!" ordered Storm as he sliced at a droid.
The girls nodded as they began to do their job and look for an opening.
"Prince, where's somewhere safe?" asked Ahsoka as she deflected some shots with her dual lightsabers.
"We can't retreat, not now. We've got to be brave," said the Prince, who didn't want to appear weak in front of his troops.
"There's a time to attack and a time to retreat, and now is not the time to be brave," said Captain Ackbar as he fired at a droid, the military commander knowing the prince wasn't thinking with his head at the moment.
"The safest place is in the caves," said Lee-Char.
"I agree, your highness. Follow me," said Captain Ackbar to the girls.
Padmè and a few of the other troops also began to follow suit. Anakin and Storm were still deflecting shots as Master Fisto rode by with his water gunship.
"Anakin, Storm, go. I'll hold them off!" said the Jedi Master to the knights so that they could keep the others safe.
The pair nodded as they swam after their friends. Captain Ackbar led the group to the caves as Master Fisto held off the foes.
"Come on. Keep going. Don't stop!" said Anakin as he waited for the last bit of troops to pass before whacking at a tentacle and swimming after them.
Our heroes escaped as Tamson was swimming about the floating dead soldiers. Quarren Ri then appeared with his men.
"Search the area for survivors. Secure the perimeter," said Quarren Ri as he gave the order to his men.
"What took your squids so long?" asked Ambassador Tamson as he got in the face of the Quarren leader.
"I didn't think you and your Separatist droids would need backup. Your reputation is a little exaggerated," said Quarren Ri.
"Exaggeration is a weapon of war. It's what helped deliver the enemy into your hands," stated Tamson with a glare.
"Then let's be thankful this is our day, a victorious day that-"
"Disobey a command from Count Dooku again, and I will kill you where you stand," said Tamson as he cut off the Quarren by grabbing his tentacles near his mouth and getting in his face. He then pushed him back as he swam away.
In the caves, Master Fisto met up with the rest of his allies. They were all hiding in the caves, waiting to see if their foes were out searching for them.
"Thank to you, Padawan Tano, Jedi Knight Sparkle, and to these brave soldiers. I wish I could have done more for my people. Maybe then we would have been spared all of this, the illusion that I could actually lead in my father's place." Prince Lee-Char said he felt like he wasn't being the leader he was supposed to be.
Twilight sympathized with the prince as he was in a similar situation that she was in. Having to take the throne from their parents, she knew the pressure on the prince's shoulder to not disappoint.
"Your father would be proud of you," said Captain Ackbar.
"Proud? We lost!" said the prince to his commander.
"Today, you learn the hardest lesson a commander can learn: How to live to fight another day," said Captain Ackbar to the young prince.
Giving one final piece that there was still hope for the ongoing battle, our heroes began to swim away as they needed to regroup their plan.
Author's Note: So we start off this arc with an underwater battle. Not to mention the debut of Captain Ackbar who eventually becomes Admiral Ackbar in Episode 6. And another emphasis that the Clone Wars enforces and that being child leaders. As shown by the Prince having to take over with the recent murder of his father. Which makes for the saying that: War makes for young leaders. As always leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.