Naruto: Maelstrom Part II

Battle for Renatasia

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Star Wars

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Here is Chapter 3 (originally Chapter 25). Enjoy!

{ } Signifies an alien language

…

Last time:

"Let's go met up with General Roche then." said Naruto. "I'm sure we have much to talk about."

The lilac haired young man nodded eagerly. "Follow me!" Cordo led the three Jedi through the halls of the resistance base until he reached a command room and he knocked.

The door opened and two armed guards bade them enter. An older man said in a gravelly voice, "Welcome back Lieutenant Roche. Are these the agents from the Republic?"

Cordo smiled and said, "They are Jedi Knights."

The older man brightened up and said, "That changes things considerably. I'm Colonel Miles Mazus. Welcome to Renastasia III."

Naruto recognized the man not only as who had spoken to them in orbit but the space traffic controller who helped direct Blackbird Squadron when he was flying with them. Naruto lowered his hood and said, "It's been a long time Mazus. I guess it's only natural that you moved up through the ranks."

Miles looked totally shocked and said, "Pilot Uzumaki, is that you? By the gods! We all thought you were dead!"

The blonde shook his head. "No, I rejoined the Jedi Order after the first invasion. Things have come full circle it seems. We want to scout out the situation and see what needs to be done before calling in the Republic Navy and Army…"

…

Chapter 3

Year 15 BBY

Outer Rim Territories, Centrality Sector, Planet Renatasia III, Renatasian Resistance Base

General Grissa Roche was standing and looking at a map of Mathilde City where Lott Dod ruled from. She was glaring at a holographic image of the Neimoidian politician and his mysterious Besalisk*① bodyguard whose name she did not know.

"Ever since that Besalisk showed up a couple of months ago it seems like Lott Dod's security has become tough as beskar*② steel." Grissa grumbled as she glared at the hologram. "I'd like to know who he is and how he can anticipate our moves. Dod's too inept to be that good at strategy. If he didn't have masses of droids, we could have taken him out long ago. Hopefully these agents sent from the Republic will help tip the scales back in our favor."

Colonel Mazus walked in with Cordo Roche and the three Jedi. "General, I bring good news!" he said in his gravelly voice. "Pilot Naruto Uzumaki has returned after all these years. He is now a Jedi!"

Grissa's brown eyes became big as saucers, and she whipped around and saw a much taller Naruto than she remembered standing there next to her son Cordo. Grissa's eyes became glassy, and she said, "Naruto…"

The blonde smiled weakly though she saw it didn't reach his eyes. He lowered his hood and said, "Hello General Roche, it's been a long time…"

'What do I do? What can I say? What do I tell him?!' she thought.

"Allow me to present my fellow Jedi Ahsoka Tano and my Padawan learner Natasi Roche."

Natasi lowered her hood showing what a beautiful young woman she was becoming and said awkwardly, "Hello Mother…"

Cordo nearly fell over in shock and Grissa fell to her knees and embraced Natasi while sobbing, "My little girl, you have your Father's eyes, I…"

Natasi whispered, "I know who my Father is." She subtly motioned towards Naruto. "You did the right thing giving me to Master Shaak Ti. She explained everything. Thank you for protecting me."

Grissa said with tears streaming down her face, "I didn't want to send you away. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do." She ran her fingers over her daughter's cheek and said with a watery smile, "You still have his whisker marks too. You are beautiful Natasi."

Cordo looked at Naruto and then at Natasi. He was an intelligent young man and put two and two together quickly. Seeing his Mother hugging his sister, he blurted out, "Natasi, I'm your-"

Natasi gave a toothy smile to him and said, "You are my brother. I hope we can get to know each other and be friends after we liberate Renetasia III."

Having brought her emotions under control after a few minutes, Grissa cleared her throat and said, "There is a lot to talk about, but liberating Renetasia comes first." Turning to her son she said, "Cordo, I'm very proud of both of you, never forget that."

The young man nodded and wondered exactly what happened in the past between his Mother and biological Father…

That's when Naruto noticed the holographic image of the Besalisk and frowned. "What is this image of former General Pong Krell*③ doing here? He was supposed to have been executed for treason at the end of the Umbara Campaign*④ during the Clone Wars."

Ahsoka gasped. "You're sure it's him?'

Naruto nodded. "Oh, it's him alright. I'd know his arrogant face anywhere. He was one of the Jedi Masters that sided with that scum Ezzo Mirin that I brought to trial. He was the only Jedi General whose troops ever mutinied due to his actions. Pong Krell was a traitor to the Repulbic of the highest order that immersed himself in the Dark Side."

Ahsoka thought hard for a moment and said, "Master Skywalker and I returned to the 501st Legion after that disaster but General Krell's body was never recovered."

"Then Pong Krell's been alive and in hiding all this time." replied Naruto grimly.

General Roche asked, "Then Lott Dod's so-called bodyguard is a Jedi?"

"Former Jedi." corrected Naruto. "I'm sure he knows only the Dark Side of the Force now. He is intelligent and cunning. We will have to be cautious with this one."

…

Mathilde City

Lott Dod was conversing with Pong Krell. The Neimoidian asked, "What's bothering you General? You seem on edge."

Krell growled, "I sense a single Jedi Knight has landed here on Renatasia but I'm not sure who it is or where they are. We need to be careful. This Force is strong with him or her."

"Surely a single Jedi is no match for someone of your caliber Krell." said Dodd confidently.

"Even one Jedi could cause tremendous damage to these feeble droids you have guarding you. They are as mindless as the clones are." replied the Besalisk. "But I sense there is more to it…something elusive that I can't quite see yet…"

…

Core Worlds Region, Corusca Sector, Victory II Class Star Destroyer Vanguard

The Republic Star Destroyer Vanguard was the current home of the 501st Legion under Clone General Rex who was surprised by an incoming transmission from his old friend, Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano. He smiled at the hologram of the young Togruta woman and said, "Ahsoka Tano, look at how you've grown!"

She smiled and said, "We all have to grow up sometime Rex. How are you? I understand you are the full General of the 501st Legion now, congratulations!"

"Ah, you heard about that did you?" replied Rex with a grin. "The Grand Army of the Republic is no longer just clones though we still are the bulk of the forces. It was tough at first but about 40% of the 501st are now regular citizens of the Republic that have enlisted, and a lot of clone troopers have retired to civilian lives since the war is over. But enough about me. I'm sure you wouldn't be calling on a military channel if it wasn't Jedi business. How can I help Commander Ahsoka?"

Ahsoka's smile dropped from her face, and she said grimly, "The traitor General Pong Krell is still alive Rex. I need military intel on him so I thought I would ask you first. I never met him personally, but he was reported as executed. His body was never recovered by the Jedi or the Republic. Do you have any idea what could have happened?"

Rex looked surprised. "One of my troopers, Dogma, shot General Krell in the back execution style before I could do it personally. It was a sad affair I don't like to think about. Anyway, our medics confirmed Krell was dead, and I reported it to General Kenobi. After the dust settled on Planet Umbara, General Krell's body went missing. Some of the native Umbarans considered him a hero and stole the body for burial from what I heard but it was never proven. Do you think they revived him somehow?"

Ahsoka shook her head. "More than likely, Krell threw himself into a false death state and woke up in Umbaran hands. He was a skilled Jedi Master before he fell to the Dark Side. Some Jedi use that skill to heal their bodies while they appear to be dead. It would have fooled anyone who wasn't familiar with the technique. I certainly wouldn't have been able to tell at the time."

General Rex frowned. "It still burns me up that the traitor is still alive. He murdered a lot of good men."

"I remember the carnage. It was horrible." said Ahsoka sadly. "Can you send me the military data on Krell?"

"Consider it yours." replied Rex. "But be careful Ahsoka. I know you are a full Jedi now, but Krell is a monster."

…

Centrality Sector, Planet Renatasia III, Renatasian Resistance Base

Naruto was looking over the Jedi data on Pong Krell before he turned to the Dark Side of the Force. The Jedi Master frowned. "So, he was Ezzo Mirin's Jedi Master. No wonder Mirin was such an arrogant ass. The were cut from the same cloth only Krell is much more formidable and competent."

The blonde said, "According to this, Pong Krell is a powerful Force-user. His Besalisk anatomy allows him to wield two double bladed light sabers at the same time. Krell's weapons are unique as well because they can fold in the middle. It makes them easier to carry. He wields his lightsabers with deadly precision, spinning them like buzz saws to a devastating effect, and he can kill many opponents with ease. He can also deflect an innumerable amount of blaster bolts with similar aplomb. He uses all four arms to Force push others in all directions."

Ahsoka read Pong Krell's military dossier aloud to the others. "With his reputation as a successful General, Pong Krell was supremely confident in his command style, tolerating neither failure nor disobedience in the clones who served under him. As a battlefield commander, he secured many critical victories for the Republic. This was because of his singular focus on achieving results no matter the cost. He cared only for success in battle and was willing to sacrifice his men for strategic or tactical purposes."

"In short, he has little to no respect for living things. How disgusting. I wonder how he became a Jedi Master." pondered Natasi. "At least we know he's overconfident."

"Overconfident or not, he is a powerful threat Natasi." stated Naruto. "We will need to tread carefully. He has a very unique saber style thanks to his bodily structure."

…

Mathilde City

"Well, whoever it is, they aren't making any overt moves yet." said Krell. "I can sense them so I'll have to assume they can sense me as well. Prepare the droids to sortie. We won't be taking any chances with a Jedi."

Lott Dod panicked. "But I need those droids in the city garrison to protect me!"

The Besalisk towered over the cowardly Neimoidian and spoke. "An unused weapon is a useless weapon!" He turned to the command droid and said, "Captain! Get your droids ready to move out!"

"Roger, roger." answered the droid captain.

"At least I don't have to worry about droids mutinying…" grumbled the former Republic General.

The Lott Dod simply quivered at the idea of being left defenseless…

…

Renatasian Resistance Base

Grissa brought up a holographic map of Mathilde City. "This is the main droid garrison in the center of the city. The outer walls are guarded heavily as well. Our agents used to be able to slip in and out of Mathilde City fairly easily but since Krell took over coordinating the droid defenses things have gotten much more difficult."

"What do we know about their numbers?" asked Naruto.

Mazus replied, "In round numbers, we know there are around 500 droids and 25 Armored Assault Tanks with 4 droids each. 90% of the droids are B1 type Battle Droids and the remainder are B2 type Super Battle Droids."

Ahsoka asked, "Are there any Destroyer Droids? Their shielding makes the more problematical."

Cordo said, "There were a few but we took them all out using improvised landmines over the last couple of years. They were too dangerous to be left rolling around."

"Good." said Naruto. "That's one less problem. Do they ever leave the city?"

Grissa shook her head. "No. They maintain a defensive posture. Lott Dod is a coward and keeps them close to him."

Naruto said, "Ahsoka, I want you and Natasi to help defend here in case things go south. I'm going to slip into Mathilde city and do some reconnaissance. I'm familiar with the city so I should be able to do it discreetly."

Ahsoka frowned slightly and Natasi looked worried. "Just be careful." said the Togruta.

…

Cordo Roche flagged Naruto down. "I know you're leaving on a dangerous mission sir, but I need to talk to you. I must know, what happened between you and my Mom?"

Naruto sighed. 'He has a right to know.' "I was eighteen, she was twenty-six and… to me Grissa was the amazing and beautiful woman I knew. She was my Squadron Commander and I lusted after her. I had no idea that she was married or had a son, Cordo. I wouldn't have touched her if I'd known…"

"So how did it happen?" asked Cordo. "I can accept you didn't know about my Father but-"

"Our airfield was overrun by droid tanks that were bombarding the place." explained the blonde. "The two of us were hiding in an underground shelter, all alone. We thought we were going to die that night and turned to each other for comfort. I was shocked to wake up the next morning alive."

The lilac haired Lieutenant said, "Did she say anything to you afterwards?"

Naruto looked pained. "When the invasion was over, she told me she had a husband and asked me to keep quiet about the whole affair. Then Grissa left. I was heartbroken and thought I'd never see her again. I had no idea about Natasi and I'm sure Grissa didn't either. Then I left the planet to rejoin the Jedi order and never looked back. It's ironic that I'm here now."

Then the Jedi Master added, "You can hate me if you want Cordo Roche, but please don't hate your Mother. I can tell you two are close."

The lilac haired young man said, "I don't hate you Master Uzumaki. I just wanted to know the truth. Dad went bad after Natasi was born and I was too young to understand why. I was only nine when Natasi vanished and always thought my Father was behind it somehow. Mom never said anything about it, but Dad hated Natasi with a passion and now I know why. Thank you for putting my mind at ease."

"Maybe we can talk more after we defeat Lott Dod the Separatists." said Naruto. "You seem like a smart, honest young man. At least you and Natasi can bond a bit."

Cordo smiled. "I'd like that sir."

…

Mathilde City

Naruto slipped into the city under the cover of darkness and saw all the droids were in the process of mobilizing. 'I have a bad feeling about this…' he thought. 'I wonder where Krell is… His dossier said he tended to send his armies in first and stayed behind to access the situation. I don't sense him in the city at all though…'

The blonde looked towards the spire that marked the government building Lott Dod and Pong Krell were supposed to be living in. "Perhaps I should drop in and pay that Neimoidian worm a visit. It might draw Krell out." Naruto thought aloud. "Krell is suppressing his Force signature. Where in the hell is he…?"

Heading towards Lott Dod's residence, Naruto stealthily avoided the droids by chakra hopping in silence from rooftop to rooftop…

…

Resistance Base Outskirts

Pong Krell knew the droid forces he had would be no match for a Jedi Knight so he locked on to the only Force user he could detect, Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano. He sensed something else was amiss but Naruto and Natasi were like wraiths in the Force to him. Having totally immersed himself in the Dark Side, the former Jedi Master considered himself more than a match for any single Jedi Knight, even one as strong in the Force as he sensed Ahsoka to be.

The Besalisk soon located Ahsoka who was waiting for him in the forest along with padawan Natasi Roche. "Remember the plan Natasi." whispered the Togruta. "We must protect the resistance fighters here. Be careful."

Natasi nodded. "We'll drive him off." she whispered back.

Krell suddenly activated his two double ended red lightsabers and said, "Come face me Jedi." to Ahsoka.

The young Togruta woman wasted no time igniting her white twin light sabers and charged him from the right using Jedi speed. He was not prepared for her aggressiveness or Ahsoka's mastery of Jar'Kai*⑤ and Djem So*⑥ which pushed him back initially.

Just as Krell was regaining his equilibrium from Ahsoka's ferocious assault, Natasi's orange light saber struck from his left side using the Kyuubi form she'd been learning from her Father. The pincered Krell quickly found himself in a quandary. On his right Ahsoka was driving hard against his defenses and battering them while on his left he was being attacked by the weaker, but totally chaotic Natasi that he thought was using the Juyo form.

Every time Krell lashed out at one of them the other would nearly eviscerate him. Using a massive force push, the Besalisk knocked both of his opponents back and charged the weaker Natasi to finish her off.

The lilac haired padawan used a force jump and then stuck to a tree branch with chakra upside down and started dueling Krell in an opposite stance from him. Krell had the advantage but was shocked that this slip of a girl was defying gravity.

Krell paused for a split second and said, "What the devil?!"

That cost him. It was in that moment's hesitation that Ahsoka lashed out from behind the distracted Besalisk and cut his right saber arm off at the shoulder. Bellowing in pain, the Dark Force user was distracted and Natasi cut the other lighter saber he carried in half leaving him with a single red saber blade in his upper left hand. Feeling true fear for his life the fallen Jedi Master Force jumped away howling in agony…

Natasi deactivated her orange light saber and fell to the forest floor on her hands and knees panting and dripping with sweat from sheer exertion. Ahsoka was in much better shape and stood over Natasi guarding her protectively. "Should we (pant) pursue him (pant)?" asked the lilac haired padawan.

Ahsoka shook her head. "Krell is defeated for now. Besides, you're too exhausted to be pursuing anybody… Just rest and recover your strength. You did incredibly well Natasi."

Natasi slumped back into a sitting position before saying, "Thank you Master Ahsoka."

The Togruta chuckled as she deactivated her light sabers. "Master Ahsoka…I like the sound of that…"

…

Mathilde City

In the meantime, the blonde Jedi Master felt Krell's agony of losing his arm through the Force and reached out to sense Natasi and Ahsoka. Perceiving they were both alright, he was immensely relieved. 'Now to deal with Lott Dod.' thought Naruto with a fanged smile.

The Neimoidian politician was pacing back and forth wondering where General Krell had disappeared to. That's when his Command Droid said, "General Pong Krell's ship is taking off. He appears to be leaving the atmosphere."

"Signal him!" ordered Dod. "Find out what he's doing!"

Roger, roger." acknowledged the droid.

Lott Dod saw the fallen Jedi Master in a hologram and noted the Besalisk looked like hell. "What are you doing General?" asked the Neimoidian. "Where are you going?!"

"I'm abandoning this Force forsaken system!" shouted Krell. "I'm not about to take a spineless crook like you along. You aren't worth it!" then the Besalisk cut him off.

"WAIT!" squealed Dod. "We had a deal!"

That's when the Neimoidian heard a male voice behind him. "It seems that Pong Krell has reneged on his end of the deal, Lott Dod."

Lott spun around to face the voice and saw Naruto standing there and his four guard droids cut into pieces. "A Jedi, here?!" screeched the Neimoidian. "I surrender! Don't hurt me!"

'He really is spineless…' thought the blonde. "Use your command codes and shut down your droid army." said Naruto. "We don't want any accidents to happen to you, do we?" asked the Jedi Master.

"N-no! Of course not!" said the cowardly Dod.

Naruto smiled and replied, "Somehow I just knew you'd say that."

Within twenty minutes every last battle droid was shut down and the mobilizing droid army stopped dead in their tracks.

The Separatist occupation of Renatasia III was over and Lott Dod was arrested…

…

It took several days before the Republic relief ships arrived. The rightful Renatasian government was restored to its proper place and order was achieved. For the first time in a decade the people of Renatasia were free…

…

Renatasian Resistance Base

Cordo Roche was sitting with his sister Natasi outside the base. "So, what is the Galaxy like?" asked the older of the two.

The Force strong younger sister said, "There is a lot of darkness but there is so much light in the stars and planets. They are like jewels in the sky. I've only seen a few, but I can't wait to see them all."

That was when Colonel Miles Mazuz walked up to the pair and said, "Lieutenant Roche, your Father has been found."

Cordo jerked back in shock. "I thought he was dead…"

The Colonel looked sympathetic towards the younger man. "Apparently, he was thrown in with the political prisoners a long time ago after he betrayed us to the Separatists. He asked to see you, Cordo. He's very ill from being imprisoned. To be honest he doesn't have much time left…"

Cordo looked up at Mazuz who said, "Maybe you should go see him. At least it would give you some closure."

…

Mathilde City Hospital

Cordo was shown in to see his Father, Chez Roche. Chez didn't look anything like the man Cordo remembered. The older man looked more dead than alive, with white skin. His eyes sunken in and he looked malnourished beyond comprehension. Cordo didn't want to look it was so horrible. The lilac haired young man said, "Dad…?"

Chez turned his head to face Cordo and rasped out, "My son… I wanted you to know the truth before I passed on."

"Why did you sell us out to the Separatists?" asked the Lieutenant. "Why did you betray us?"

Chez croaked, "Your Mother betrayed me first. She gave birth to that freakish abomination! (cough, cough). I knew Grissa was a patriot and wanted her to feel the pain for what she'd done. I planned to leave Renatasia and take you with me, but I was betrayed by the Separatists, and they locked me away. I'm sorry you had to suffer Cordo."

Cordo shook his head, "Renatasia is free of the Separatists. The war is finally over."

Then the older man smiled weakly and closed his eyes forever…

…

Renatasian Resistance Base

Later that night, Cordo was hugging Grissa and said, "…And then he died. I think in his own way he thought what he did was right. I didn't have the heart to tell him how wrong he was."

Grissa embraced her son. "You did the right thing letting him go peacefully. I wouldn't have been so kind. I'm proud of the man you are becoming Cordo."

…

Dispersal Landing Field M-22

Grissa saw Naruto standing out on the field looking up at the stars. She walked over and asked, "What's going to happen to Lott Dod now that you've arrested him?"

Naruto shook his head. "He'll be taken to Coruscant, tried, found guilty and be summarily executed by firing squad for treason against the Republic and the citizens of Renatasia III. The Senate has been baying for his blood for years. I'm surprised he managed to stay hidden and in power this long."

"You never told me you were a Jedi knight all those years ago." said the lilac haired woman.

"I wasn't one at the time." replied the Jedi Master. "I was trained as a Jedi and then terribly wounded. It took years to recover and that's what I was doing here when the war started. After we…parted ways I was found by one of my old Masters, Mace Windu, and he brought me back into the Jedi Order."

"You and Natasi would be welcome to stay here with Cordo and I." said Grissa.

"You know I can't do that." answered Naruto sadly. "I'm very happily married, and my wife and I have twins. She loves Natasi as her own daughter as well…I think you already knew all that though."

Grissa looked down in sorrow. "Natasi told me about her Mama and how much she loved her. I just wish that could have been me."

"You're still young Grissa, you could start a new family and give Cordo some younger siblings." said the blonde. "You are a beautiful woman after all."

She smiled weakly, "Flatterer. But I'll take the compliment."

Then she walked back to the base alone…

…

Renatasian Resistance Base

The next morning Naruto was meditating when he sensed a powerful presence in the Force. Natasi and Ahsoka sensed it also and the blonde said, "I'm going to borrow a speeder, I sense it's west of here."

Natasi piped up and stated, "I'm coming too!"

Getting a flat look on her face, Ahsoka said, "Sure, go have fun! I'll just stay here and guard Lott Dod."

Dod said from within his prison cell, "If you help me escape, I can reward you with lots of money!"

The Togruta sighed. "Do shut up you spineless worm."

…

Naruto was riding doubles on a borrowed resistance speeder bike with Natasi when they came upon a small pastoral village called Schell that had been a hiding place for the resistance. Naruto knew about it from his nerf-herding days. It was here that they found the source of the presence they felt.

The people of Schell were looking a bit confused when Naruto and Natasi came roaring into town. The whisker faced pair found a particular house that seemed to be the center of the village's distress and saw several people saying things like, "She's doing it again!" and "What are we going to do with her?"

The two Jedi saw an adorable little toddler with red-gold hair, fair skin and emerald green eyes. She was laughing and playing near a spring levitating and manipulating the water. "Ah, this little one! She's so cute!" said Natasi as she hopped off the speeder. "-And so strong in the Force!"

Naruto climbed off also was talking to the locals while his daughter played with the laughing baby girl.

"Her Father died in Mathilde City last year spying on Lott Dod's forces." said the child's caregiver. "She was born here in Schell but her Mother died of complications shortly after giving birth a year ago. The little girl is sweet as can be, but she has powers we don't understand."

They saw Natasi levitate water droplets and gently sprinkle the child making her laugh even more. "That girl can do it too!" said another villager.

Naruto said, "That baby girl is showing Jedi traits. Does she have any living family?" Seeing the locals shake their heads 'no' sadly, the blonde asked, "What is her name?"

The caregiver said, "The name her late Mother gave the child is Mara Jade*⑦…"

…

POSTSCRIPT:

*①: Besalisk - A tall, humanoid sentient species from the planet Ojom with four arms. The superior arms dominate over the inferior ones. They average in height between 2 and 2.5 meters and have green, orange, or brown colored skin. Their large hands and feet both end in four digits and large brown nails. They are thick-set and could have bloated stomachs. Besalisks also possess a bony, three-pronged headcrest and an inflatable wattle. See Wookieepedia for images.

*②: beskar- Otherwise known as Mandalorian iron.

*③: Pong Krell- During the Clone Wars, he was a Jedi Master known for his reputation as a successful General and for having among the highest casualty rates of Clone Troopers under his command. He foresaw the possible demise of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic. Krell immersed himself in the Dark Side in order to survive so he could become the Sith Apprentice to Count Dooku.

*④: Umbara Campaign- Was a battle that took place during the Clone Wars on the planet Umbara. It was also the event during which the treason of Jedi Master Pong Krell was revealed, whose ultimate goal was recognition by Count Dooku to become his new apprentice. After tremendous casualties it was a Republic Victory. See Clone Wars season 4 and Wookieepedia.

*⑤: Jar'Kai- is a method of utilizing two weapons in combat. Jar'Kai can be employed with two light sabers: a regular standard light saber in addition to a shorter shoto blade, or even two double bladed light sabers.

*⑥: Djem So- is based on defending with solid blocks and parries, then immediately countering with strong counterattacks and ripostes. Although it is a form geared toward and created for lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, it is nonetheless reasonably useful for blaster deflection.

*⑦: Mara Jade- See Wookieepedia

…And done! I wanted to incorporate parts of the Battle of Umbara back during the Clone Wars because Pong Krell is such a nasty piece of work, but I couldn't figure out how to incorporate him. Don't worry, he'll reappear later. I also hope that the appearance of Mara Jade is a surprise. That's a character I would love to see come over to the canon universe. See you next time. Blue out. 1/20/24