Flashback: 4 Years Ago
Location: Kalevala
Aurora's Age: 16 Years Old
Third Person's POV
"I can't believe she is breaking royal protocol." One of the new handmaidens, Rehana, murmured as Aurora walked through the town.
Unknowingly to her mother, Aurora decided to walk through town and go speak with the citizens, since she was rarely able to go out of the palace. She was also not allowed to walk through the capital city, without any sort of bodyguards like she was currently doing. She currently was walking up and down the alleyways with two of her handmaidens; Zara, who was Aurora's most trusted and closest friend, and her new trainee, Rhaena, who became rather close to Zara due to her always learning about Aurora's habits.
"Have you met Aurora Kryze?" Zara sarcastically replied with humor as Aurora continued to walk through an alley.
Rehana rolled her eyes before walking quickly towards Aurora.
"Your highness." She instructed. "We should have guards Your Highness."
Aurora turned her head around to glance back at Rehana.
"Why?" She questioned in confusion.
As she turned her head around, she was met with a rather large man standing in front of her. He looked down upon her, as even though she was the Princess, she still was out of place compared to the citizens.
Aurora smiled. "Pardon me."
Aurora walked past him and headed toward her destination, which was the orphanage. She continued down the alleyway, which became muddier because a rainstorm occurred the night before. Just as she was about to enter the orphanage, a huge mud puddle stood in her way.
"Stop Your Highness." Rehana pleaded. "You'll ruin your dress."
Aurora glanced down at her light blue gown, before turning to Zara with a smirk. Zara rolled her eyes in response as she knew that look all too well. It was the look that Aurora gave her when she was going to disobey someone or something…in other words, Zara got that look from Aurora every single day.
Aurora turned towards Rehana with the same smirk. "I have others."
She then continued into the orphanage.
"She is so unorthodox." Rehana pleaded as Zara picked up her skirt and walked through the mud.
"You get used to it after a while." Zara said with a head shake as she followed her friend.
Once speaking with the head of the orphanage, Aurora was led to see the children. Most of them were sick due to a virus sweeping though the town, and due to many of their parents were dying from the illness, they were without homes. When Aurora walked into a large room, her heart sank seeing children disease and bed-ridden with almost no hope of getting better.
"Most of their parents are dead, some are so sick they cannot take care of them." The woman in charge explained.
"What about Foundling culture?" Aurora questioned. "Certainly, that could take precedence."
The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid not Your Highness. Since your mother abolished war-like Mandalorian culture, that also included Foundlings."
Aurora nodded. "I see, how are funds doing? Do you have enough to give them shelter and food?"
A sad look came across the woman's face. "No, your highness. We accept donations…but it can only go so far."
Aurora sighed as she walked toward a sick child laying down in bed. The child was sleeping, but Aurora placed her hand on top of the child's head. "Verd ori'shya beskar'gam." She murmured.
The woman gasped in shock. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Aurora smiled. "That goes for all the children here as well. They have earned their titles. To me, they are not sick, they are warriors fighting their own battle."
"What did she say?" Rehana quietly questioned in confusion.
Zara smiled. "A warrior is more than his armor."
As Aurora, Zara, and Rehana walked out of the orphanage Aurora stopped in her tracks.
Aurora turned towards the woman. "Come to me whatever you need to feed them, clothe them, or house them."
The woman nodded in shock.
Aurora put her hand on the woman's shoulder. "Directly to me."
The woman nodded once again, before she curtseyed in gratitude. Aurora smiled in response before she turned to Zara and Rehana, who both nodded in response, which indicated to head back towards the palace.
"Don't worry Rehana," Zara began. "This is nothing, you've never seen her really be rebellious…this is nothing."
Present Day
Aurora's POV
"So how much did Skywalker pay you to come all the way from Coruscant to serve under me?" I asked Fox as we and a few members of the 252nd occupied one of the gunships as we flew into the Geonosian atmosphere. It was difficult to stand up straight due to the Geonosian forces attacking the Republic's forces. In other words, explosions were happening left and right. "I mean, it must've been quite a lot since you're all members of the Coruscant guard."
"Negative sir." I trooper behind me answered. The trooper's name was Horror…why…I really didn't want to know. "The 252nd was occupied under General Rand, he led the Red Company, before we named ourselves 'The Fox Pack'."
"We were all a part of the first attack on Geonosis." Another trooper answered. His name was Redeye. "General Skywalker and General Kenobi requested the best of the best for you Your Highness."
I gave him a small smile. "Glad to know I'm in safe hands then."
"And we are honored to say the same." Fox responded. "Skywalker told us what happened on Mustafar…thank you for serving the Republic."
I nodded in response, as I didn't really know how to respond. Just then the trooper who was Fox's second in command, his name was Shock, came over the coms.
"Your Royal Highness, General Skywalker, Kenobi, and Mundi are down…shall we continue to push further?" Shock asked with urgency.
I glanced up to look at Fox, who's facial expression I couldn't see, as him and all the other troopers had their helmets on, but even though I couldn't see his face…I knew both of us were thinking the same thing.
"Negative," I began. "Land somewhere and as soon as you can…we'll continue the assault on foot and regroup when we can."
"Sir yes sir!" Shock replied in the same tone.
I turned off the coms to Shock before I glanced up at Fox again.
"Prepare for ground assault." I said in a demanding tone.
"Yes sir!" They all replied, and it was a short period of time before the LAAT landed safety.
Thankfully both of my ships landed in a safe area, where we were not facing Geonosian attacks at all. I was grateful that everyone in my fleet was still alive, along with the two walkers we had with us were still intact and landed safely. As soon as we landed, the troopers began to unload supplies, while in the meantime, Fox and I spoke to Shock.
"Did anyone successfully make it through?" I questioned.
"That is unknown." Shock explained. "We think Kenobi's forces made it past the flak and into the landing zone, but we received word from Admiral Yularen that they got hit hard. General Mundi's forces are down as well, he got hit worse than Kenobi."
"What about Skywalker?" Fox questioned.
"They're without tanks. Captain Rex said they're in the middle of a firefight, and they are trying to contact Kenobi's forces for support, but with or without support, they are continuing to push on to the rendezvous." Shock continued.
I sighed. Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex, were three of the dumbest smartest people I knew. Yes, they got on my nerves, but I did consider them my friends. In other words, I didn't want them to get killed, especially by a bunch of bugs operating some heavy weaponry.
I turned to Fox. "Shock is your second in command, yes?"
Fox nodded. "Yes, of course."
I started to smile. "And he knows all of your battle strategies, and know what to do if you are absent, yes?"
Fox slowly nodded this time. "What are you saying Princess?"
I turned to Shock. "Shock, you, and half of the squadron push on towards the rendezvous point, take the tanks with you for extra firepower. Fox and I will take the other half and go to Skywalker's forces."
"With no support from the tanks?" Shock questioned.
I shrugged it off as I walked back towards the LAAT I landed in. "We don't need it."
As I stepped back on to the Gunship, Fox soon followed in after me, with very few men. Alongside him were Horror, Redeye, and 4 other troopers. Their names were Spyder, Clue, Glaive, and Gott. After the doors closed, I felt the ship take off once more.
"Prepare landing gear in case we're going to have a crash landing." Fox explained to all of them.
"Yes sir!" They all responded.
"You're only bringing six troopers with you?" I questioned.
"Shock is going to need all of the men he can get…I however, brought the best of the best to aid Skywalker." Fox explained.
I tilted my head to the side. "Shouldn't they be going with Shock then…for support?"
Fox shook his head. "Shock is completely capable of getting them to do what they must. If Skywalker is in that much need of support, it is only necessary to bring in the heavy hitters."
I nodded. "Of course."
It was a few moments before we heard gunfire, indicating that we were above Skywalker's forces.
"We're approaching Skywalker's position." Fox instructed. "Shall we begin aerial defense?"
I nodded. "Begin the air strike."
Fox nodded before activating his coms.
"Begin the strike." He said into his wrist.
"Should we land?" I questioned.
"No sir, not until Skywalker has the fortress cleared." Fox explained.
"Or we could clear it for him." Horror suggested. "It's not our first battle."
"Agreed." Glaive reminded. "We are more than prepared."
"It is the Princess's job to…" Fox began.
I put my right hand up and Fox became silent.
"No, I agree." I nodded. "Send them down, Skywalker needs ground support…not just aerial support."
"Sir yes sir." Fox replied before opening the side door to the LAAT.
"Try to get low enough, none of you are wearing jetpacks…but then again, for one of the first times, neither am I." I thought aloud.
Apparently, the pilot either heard me say what I said, or was just thinking the same thing I was, as the LAAT flew rather low, so the clones, aside from Fox and myself, jumped out and began the ground assault. The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the air, as I felt the gunship take off once again. We were in the air for a few moments before Fox explained that it was clear for the two of us to land. Within a matter of moments, we landed and as soon as I got out of the gunship, I ran quickly towards Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex.
"Are you both alright?" I asked in concern.
"I'm glad you're alive." Anakin said putting a hand on my shoulder.
"That makes two of us." I said with a slight nod. "Half of my squadron is here; the other half is with Lieutenant Shock; they are continuing their attack from the South on my orders."
He nodded. "Good, we'll continue through this canon, though many enemy forces are gone…thankfully."
"You're welcome." Fox replied crossing his arms.
"Agreed." I said in the same sarcastic cocky tone.
Within minutes, we were all treading through the Canyon, eventually we caught up with Mundi, and Shock, who had gotten through with ease surprisingly, though I don't know if I believe either of them. Upon exiting the canyon, we came across Obi-Wan and Cody's forces, who surprisingly to all of us, were still alive…sort of.
Anakin, Ahsoka, Mundi, and I all walked over to him as he was resting against a stack of crates.
"Are you alright Master Kenobi?" Ahsoka asked with concern.
"What happened to you?" Anakin teased.
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "I could ask you the same question."
He looked to me. "How are you still with an entire squadron?"
I smiled and glanced at Fox and Shock who stood behind me.
"Her Highness is a natural leader General." Fox explained. "She commanded our forces expertly."
"How fared are you?" Mundi asked.
"Compared to everyone else, I have my entire fleet." I explained as I crossed my arms.
"Good, because we're not done yet." Obi-Wan nodded as he brought up the holoprojector which contained a map of the factory. "Our combined forces should be enough to destroy the shield generator. Anakin, you'll need to take a small squad through the shield, as close as their gun emplacements. Once you get there, you will be able to jam their scanners, so they are unable to target the incoming tanks. Once the ranks knock out the shield, Master Mundi can bring the rest of the troops with the gunships."
"I will have my fleet aid aerial support…since I am the only person that has their entire fleet left." I said with a small eyeroll.
"Consider it done Master." Anakin confidently replied and we all went our separate ways to carry out the plan.
While Fox and the rest of my fleet boarded the gunships, while I stayed on the ground. Once all of us were positioned in our places around the shield, Mundi came over the coms.
"Skywalker, begin your attack."
I glanced to Anakin and activated my gauntlets, whereas Anakin and Ahsoka activated their lightsabers as we made our way toward the shield generator. Geonosians started to attack us, and we fought them off the best we could, at least with the remaining men that Skywalker had.
Within moments Anakin communicated over the coms. "Bring in the tanks."
Multiple walkers began to attack at the generator, which allowed for the generator to eventually explode with only a few attacks. The Geonosians however, did not give up that easily. I did my best to dodge their attacks with both my blasters and gauntlets, but it was rather difficult due to the sand blowing in the wind. Sure, enough I let myself fall open which in response let me get hit by a shot fired from one of their tanks in my upper left arm. As soon as I got hit, I let out a blood-curdling scream and fell to the ground.
"Aurora!" Anakin screamed before rushing to my side. "Are you alright."
I nodded as I glanced down at my arm to see my dark red blood oozing out of my arm.
I gestured to the fight. "I think you won."
Anakin turned around and saw that the Geonosians had surrendered indicating that the first round of our attacks to take back the planet were successful. Eventually, new clones were brought to the ground, which allowed for the wounded to be transported back to the star Republic Fleet to have their wounds treated. One of the medics that were on the ground wrapped my arm and requested that I return to the fleet as well, but I shrugged it off, as I have had much worse wounds before…plus it's my own fault for wearing a sleeveless suit…honestly, I think it's bad luck at this point.
As Anakin helped Obi-Wan toward one of the gunships, from my position where I was getting bandaged, I saw Ahsoka run up to him.
"So Master, what was your total?" She asked.
"Not now Ahsoka." He replied in annoyance.
"Come on," She urged. "Are you afraid you lost this time?"
He sighed. "Fine, 55 that's my count. And you?"
She smiled. "60, looks like I won."
Anakin turned around. "Yeah, but I called in the air strike. Tie."
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"I'll never understand how you can simplify these battles into some kind of game." Obi-Wan interjected.
I got up from my seat. "I can. It's the same way I am staying here rather than going back to the fleet…please say hello to my droid for me."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Of course."
"Take care of yourselves." Anakin explained. "I expect to see both of you back here by the time I've destroyed the main factory."
"We shall do our best." Obi-Wan replied.
"65, Skywalker." Mundi interjected.
Anakin tilted his head to the side. "I'm sorry?"
"My total." He explained. "65, so what do I win?"
Anakin smiled. "My everlasting respect Master Mundi."
Mundi frowned with disappointment. "Oh."
"That is a gift Anakin rarely bestows, I assure you." Obi-Wan explained with humor.
I nodded in agreement. "Believe me, I can attest to that."
The doors to the gunship then closed and took off. Fox came up to me along with Shock following closely behind him.
"Are you alright Your Highness?" Fox asked.
I nodded. "Never better…now the real work begins." I explained as I glanced towards the towering droid factory that graced the Geonosian skyline.