What?! Two updates in one week!
This what happens when I get a punch of free time and stay off the video games. I plant myself down in my chair and start typing. Its also easier to write stuff from cannon as many people before me have written out these events. Going off of them for helping me put down the emotions people express rather then "He Said She said."
Also For Ruby x FliskOC pair. Getting a good amount positive feed back from that. I'm going to put down a tally on yes or no's for that starting next chapter. But we won't see any of that in three to four chapters from now as we still got more story to tell before then.
Plus, I'm thinking up an idea of a chapter of what's been going on back on Remnant with the others in teams RWBY and JNPR.
So here it is. The next chapter, Some errors ahead. Viewer discretion advised.
Anakin decided to stay onboard Ruby's ship and message Yularen about the mission. He headed over to the holo table and brought up the distress call only to see that it was Aayla herself speaking.
"Skywalker," Aayla spoke in a relieved tone though her ship's sounds were bombarded and were heard from the other line. "Glad to see someone got my message. Huntress Rose and Master Kota? It's been too long."
"Good to see as well, Aayla." Master Kota greeted. "What's the status of your fleet?"
"We're getting hammered on all sides. The Separatist fleet is planning to pincer our movements and pushing us towards the planet." Aayla replied, looking slightly worried about the battle around her.
"We'll be there. Promise!" Ruby stated.
"I'll hold you to it, young one," Aayla said with a small smile before the transmission.
Anakin turned to Ruby. "You ready for this?"
"Always ready. I'll get my ship ready."
Ruby walks over to the center of her bridge. "Sensors, when we exit Hyperspace, I want a full scan of the area. I want the locations of allies and enemies within our range."
"Yes, Ma'am," the crewman responded.
"Tactical. Status of our weapons?"
"Point defense grid operational, ma'am. Heavy and medium turbo lasers crews are waiting at their stations."
"Where's Jefferson at with our fighters?"
"He reports that his pilots preparing the Z95's for deployment, Captain."
"We still don't know how many we're dealing with. When we get there, I want our fighters to hang back under the protection of the ship's defenses and defend the ship from incoming fighters."
"Yes, Captain."
Ruby keyed in her comm. "Veena, how're our men doing?"
"Doing well, Captain. What's the play?" The Tholothian asked over her Comm.
We'll be evacuating the Jedi's ship. Have yourself and a team on standby by the Jedi's drop ship for the mission. While we go out, the rest of the teams will hang back to defend the ship. incase the Separates turn their attention to us."
Anakin glanced at Ruby while she gave out orders and felt proud of how she's directing her crew. Going back to it, the Jedi were still at the Holo table, contacting Yularen again and Captain Rex.
"Judging by the level of damage General Secura's fleet had sustained, it will be only a matter of time before they deploy boarding parties to sweep up the rest of the Republic forces." Yularen pointed out.
"They are also close to the planet. Close enough that if the engines of any ship get destroyed, they'll plummet down into the world below," Rahm noted.
"Giving us time to send out some Gunships and fighters to back up Aayla's fleet," Anakin said. "Her ships have taken considerable damage. We'll need to evacuate their crews.
Anakin turned behind him to see Rex awaiting orders.
"Prep the gunships, Rex," Anakin instructed. "We'll need so jet troopers for this one."
"Right away, sir." Rex's image disappeared.
"It's going be close. We'll need to work fast," Rahm said. "Let's get it."
"Flisk, you have the ship, don't get it destroyed on the first day," Ruby warned the Wolven.
Flisk chuckled. "Just come back to us, Captain. I'm just starting to like you."
Ruby tried to ignore that last bit by putting on her old clone helmet, colored red with a single black stripe over the top with her emblem on the side and focused on the mission. Ruby, Anakin, and Rahm entered the Hanger and went towards the Gunship the Jedi flew in. There she met up with Denali, the Special Forces Sargeant had four teams with her, which Ruby recognized as some of the men from the same unit as Veena. All wearing medium body armor and armed with blaster rifles and grenades. They boarded the gunship.
Soon enough, the Venator and Hammerhead entered the planet's atmosphere, quickly engaging the enemy.
Then gunships, fighters, and bombers launched out of the hangers, shooting down any Vulture Droids that got in front of them.
"General Secura, do you read me?" Anakin spoke through his wrist comm. "Reinforcements have arrived."
"Not a moment too soon, Skywalker." Aayla's voice chimed in from the other side. "Our shields are gone, and life support systems have been damaged."
"Begin evacuation of your troops," Anakin instructed. "I've got Gunships coming in to assist in evat your men."
"Appreciated, Skywalker, but you're going to have a problem. Super Battle Droids are boarding my ships and making their way through the decks."
"Flying robots incoming!" Ruby shouted as she saw Super Battle Droids with jet packs fly at them.
The gunships responded by firing everything they had at them. Missiles and blaster canons took many out of the sky.
One snuck around and landed on top of the gunships intended to bring it down by shooting the pilot. Only to meet a bullet when it stood over the Cockpit. The Clone pilot looked over to where the shot come from to see that Ruby aiming her smoking gun in his direction.
As they neared closer to the doomed Venator, their Gunships was rocking around much more violently as some of the Supers and Vulture droids were doing everything they can, hoping to prevent them from getting close and rescuing the crew of the ship.
Looking ahead, Skywalker saw multiple droids entering Secura's Venator through a large gaping hole.
Being the impulsive Jedi that he was, Anakin leaped out from his gunship and landed on a Super.
Using his own weight to move it in his direction, he spun it around several times to shoot out several Super Droids out of the sky before letting go and falling straight into the breach on Aayla's Venator.
Padawan Ahsoka saw this from her spot in a nearby drop ship and sigh at the reckless stunt.
"Of course he'd do that," Ahsoka murmured to herself.
Ruby on the other hand...
"That was so cool! I wanna try that." The Huntress flew out of the dropship in a burst of rose petals, surprising Kota and Ruby's men.
Nearing a super battle droid, Ruby pulls out her scythe and jams it into its face. It immediately began to fly about erratically until Ruby plants her legs into the Droids armpits to steady herself before forcefully sending it down in the direction of the hull breach where Anakin had just jumped into.
"What in the nine Correllian hells!" One of Ruby's men murmured beside his shocked teammates.
Veena looked at what her Captain did in awe. She thought when she first met the teen who may be some snot-nose brat. Only for her opinion turn a one-eighty when the crew vouched for her and her actions. She just saw her Captain do something like what a Jedi would do and stick the landing. Maybe being here wouldn't be so bad.
Kota blinked in both surprise and fascination at the ability the girl demonstrated. Then showed off her skills and improvising for a landing strategy. Something no normal being other than one that uses the Force would be able to perform. Indeed, this will be an interesting experience.
Back down with Anakin, he landed in a corridor teeming with battle droids. Activating his lightsaber, he sliced through several Supers in quick succession and used the Force to pull a few to him for destruction.
Feeling a familiar presence behind him, Anakin whirled round to see Ruby land behind him, her weapon in rifle mode aiming in his direction. The girl shot her gun multiple times in rapid succession bringing many Droids without wasting a shot.
Giving the Huntress a grin of approval, Anakin and Ruby stood side by side as the remaining Super Battle Droids turned their attention on them.
Ruby faced the Droids down one hallway while Anakin faced the other and charged.
Outside, a pair of Gunships drew closer to the damaged Venator, with Ahsoka and Rex in one ship and Rahm and Veena's squad in the other jumping down into the hole after their allies.
Meanwhile, Flisk set the Hammerhead Cruiser position between the two Venators creating an improvised flight lane for the dropships.
"Hold this position and defend those transports," Flisk ordered the Helmsman before turning to his sister. "Have the heavy gun batteries focus fire on the nearest starship. Target their engines. The planet's gravity will do the rest for us and plummet straight into the ground."
The Wolven watched as another wing of V-19's intercept a wave of Vulture Droids and diverted them away from the Cruiser. The Hammerhead's green lasers pound away at one of the Munificent frigate's shields. Moments later, their shields fail and receive a steady stream of explosions across the hull, resulting in destroying many of its guns.
This action marked the Beacon as a threat to the C.I.S ships as one ship broke off their attack on the Jedis damaged ship to engage them.
The Beacon's crew felt lasers hit against their shields. "Status on those evacs!" Flisk said.
"The first wave has entered the Hanger and will make the return trip momentarily, Sir." A crewman reported.
"Keep our point defense read on protecting those as they pass us. The Captain wouldn't forgive us if we did a half-ass job."
Inside the ship, Rose and Skywalker were cutting a swath right through the Droid troops until blaster fire came from behind, taking down several droids in front of them. Looking behind them, they saw Master Kota, Rex, Veena's team, and Ahsoka running to catch up to them.
"Bout time you guys got here." Anakin jokingly said. "You're missing out on all the fun."
"Apologies, sir." Rex wryly stated. "Some of us didn't pack our jetpacks and soul powers with us today."
The assembled group pressed on through the Droid-infested Venator until they saw Aayla Secura fighting off droids with Commander Bly and several other clones by her side.
"Nice of you to join us, Skywalker, Master Kota, Ahsoka." Aayla greeted. She blocked a few bolts, reflecting them back at their attackers.
"I hope you didn't come in rushing without a plan, Skywalker," Aayla said with a knowing tone sent the Jedi Knights way.
"There's a corvette coming up for us in the lower hangar. I also got dropships on approach to the Hanger to pick up anyone there," Anakin quickly said, the large group of Jedi, Huntress, and soldiers all running down the corridor while taking out droids along the way.
"Commander Bly, contact anyone still alive in the lower decks to make way for the lower Hanger. Tell everyone else to head for the main one," Aayla ordered.
"On it, ma'am!" The clone commander said as he relayed the orders.
Anakin's Corvette was currently floating up to the docking bay, cautiously making sure to align itself correctly with the ship as the larger Venator was beginning to fall through the planet's atmosphere.
The clone pilots were soon leveled with the lower hangar bay.
"Activate Docking port." The primary pilot instructed.
The republic forces and their allies made their way to the lower hangar bay, picking up several more clone teams with them.
"It's just up ahead, everyone," Aayla said aloud, leading the group.
Several seconds of running later, they saw the doorway out of the ship.
"We made it." Ahsoka declared happily, despite the ship violently shuddering just now.
"Move, move! Get in there now!" Ruby shouted to her team and the clones.
However, while everyone ran forward to the bay door that Ahsoka opened, Anakin looked back in dread as a raging inferno of explosions was coming right for them.
"It's too late!" Anakin let out a powerful force push that sent his comrades hurtling into the Corvette waiting for them.
"MASTER!" Ahsoka cried out in fear as the door closed.
"No!" Ruby slammed her fists against the blast door. She turned to Ahsoka. "Open the door, hurry!"
On the other side, Anakin had closed another door in front of him to hold back the fire. The metal groaned and creaked until it gave in.
The pressure build exploded violently, flinging Anakin back making him slam down to the floor hard. Rendering the Knight unconscious.
"Don't move the ship," Ahsoka ordered the pilots before getting the door open at last and saw her down and out Master on the ground.
"Master."
"I got him, Padawan." Master Kota was already beside his fellow Jedi, quickly lifting him up and carrying him into the Corvette.
"Get us out of here, pilots," Aayla ordered quickly.
Getting out from underneath the lower hangar bay, the Corvette flew upwards towards the Resolute though they immediately encountered resistance.
"Flisk, we're on the corvette, need covering fire," Ruby said through her commlink.
"Trying, Captain," Flisk grunted as the Cruiser shook. "These Droids are giving us a hell of a time."
"you cannot risk docking in the middle of this battle, General Secura." Admiral Yularen chimed in.
"We have no choice, Admiral," Aayla said firmly. "Skywalker received critical injuries during the Evac of my ship."
"Are all Jedi so reckless?" Yularen inquired half-joking, half-frustrated.
"Only the good ones." Aayla quipped with a mischievous smirk.
The Corvette was flown at Anakin's main Venator, with it positioning itself beneath the lower hangar. Then, several stray vulture droids flew by while firing at the ship, damaging it. The Corvette's main controls sparked chaotically in the face of one of the pilots that knocked him out. Falling forward, his helmet smacked against the controls with a red, green, and yellow panel glowing repeatedly.
"The Hyperdrive's been activated!" Bly said in alarm.
"Shut it down!" Aayla said frantically.
"I can't!"
Onboard the Venator, the alarms were blaring, greatly worrying the Admiral. "General Secura, what's going on?" He asked.
"Our ship has sustained damage!" Aayla said rapidly. "The damage inadvertently triggered the Hyperdrive. You need to detach, now!"
"Captain, "Flisk called out to her. "Our instruments are telling us your ship's Hyperdrive is activated. Going somewhere your not telling us?"
"About to go on an unexpected ride," Ruby said uneasily. "Stay with the Resolute till I get back!"
"Captain!" Flisk and the other protests but fell on deaf ears.
The Venator moved away from the Corvette just in time as it zipped away far into the recesses of Hyperspace.
"Plot every trajectory their ship had," Yularen ordered the Troops. "Once we finish this battle, we need to find them."
"No..." Lisa covered her mouth at possibly the sudden loss of their Captain.
"They'll be fine," Flisk reassured his sister. "If the Captain is as tough as you say, she'll be back with us in no time."
"But first..." Flisk glared at the C.I.S ships. "Transfer power from secondary systems to the forward guns. All forward battery fire on those ships! First, we finish this battle, then we find our Captain."
A lone republic Corvette sailed through the black and blue tunnel of Hyperspace with one critically wounded Jedi on board and several other individuals in a bind.
"Well, this is just great," one of Ruby's men commented. "What now?"
"Stand firm, soldier," Kota calmly stated, helping Ahsoka move Anakin into a more comfortable position in the med-bay. "We've not been undone yet, and I don't plan on it either."
Ahsoka meanwhile looked down upon her Master with a grieved frown, placing a hand over his chest. His heartbeat was steady, but his overall health was not.
She was shaken from her internal strife by a gentle hand upon her shoulder.
"Ahsoka," Ruby said softly. "He's gonna be fine. You've got nothing to be worried about."
"How can you be so sure, Ruby?" Ahsoka said, hands clenching tightly. "I've never seen Master banged up like this."
"Because he reminds me of my sister," Ruby replied. "Whatever she got beaten down, she always right back up. Anakin is hardhead and kind to a fault. A head injury like this isn't going to bring him down forever. He's too stubborn for that." Ruby told her as she gave the Padawan a one-arm hug.
Ahsoka gave a shaky laugh. "Isn't that the truth."
"Now, if he's really like my sister, then he would just get up and burst into flames and start complaining about his hair getting ruined."
Now Ahsoka couldn't help but laugh at the image Ruby planted her Master as. The idea was funny, just as it was stupid.
Kota looked at the two girls with a small smile at the interaction between the two. Then his smile disappeared when he saw the Force bond developing between the two. Coming late into the order, the Jedi Master was repeatedly reminded of how the Jedi forbid attachments. Also, the dangers of forming such attachments. He would have a word with Skywalker about his Padawan in private later, for such topics were dangerous to talk about with the council.
The Medbay door that had just opened up to see Aayla Secura stepping in.
"Is everything alright down here?" Aayla asked, glancing at Anakin.
"We are fine," Rahm answered. "How are things with the men and what of the ship's course?"
"The troopers are fine," Aayla promised. "Though the ship's trajectory is a bit difficult to pinpoint considering it was punched in via explosion. Ahsoka, head up to the Cockpit and assist Bly for the time being. I'm pretty sure Anakin has taught some of his flying skills, no?"
"He has, Master Secura, but I'd rather stay down here and watch over my Master," Ahsoka said firmly. "He needs my help."
"You can help your master by getting us to safety, Ahsoka," Aayla said understandingly. "And you don't need to worry about your Master. Master Kota and Miss Rose's men are here, and they can watch over him for the time being."
"We'll watch closely over him, ma'am," one of Ruby's soldiers said.
Biting her lower lip, Ahsoka wanted to argue, but she knew that she really couldn't say much against Aayla's reasoning.
However, Tano wouldn't get a chance to say anything by the sudden arrival of Commander Bly.
"General Secura, we've got a serious problem," Bly said grimly.
"What is it, Commander?" Asked the twi'lek Jedi.
Bly walked over to a terminal showing their current trajectory. "In our haste to escape, the Navi-computers coordinate were inputted incorrectly. Outside our control. And now we're headed right for a star."
"That's not good..." Ruby stated the obvious.
"Stay with Skywalker soldiers," Master Kota instructed Ruby's men, leaving the Medbay with everyone else and rushing off to the pilot's cabin.
On the way, they saw Veena, Rex, with other clones all working on repairing the damages done to the ship, with Rex and Veena joining them on the way.
Entering the Cockpit, Bly and Ahsoka seated themselves with Aayla, Rex, Ruby, Kota, and Veena looking on.
Both Jedi and Clone frantically pushed buttons, flicked switches, and attempted to override the Navi-computers until Bly slammed his fist into the controls.
"It's no use." He said irritably. "The Navigation computers are completely fried."
"Shut down all the power circuits to reset the coordinates." Aayla quickly ordered.
"But that will cut off Anakin's life support," Ahsoka said.
"I don't like it any more than you do, but it's a risk we have to take," Aayla responded.
"He'll survive," Kota said. "Like Miss Rose said, he's stubborn."
Ahsoka bit her tongue, gripping the steering tightly. "Switching off primary power units."
"Cutting it close, Commander," Rex said, looking at the ship's distance from the incoming star.
"Ready to shut off Auxiliary power," Aayla said, both hers and Steve's hands gripping their levers at the ready.
"On three," Ahsoka said. "1… 2… 3!"
Ahsoka shut down all power, and the recoil of exiting Hyperspace was strong, with Rex, Ruby, Kota, Veena, and Aayla now dangling in the air while holding on for dear life. The blazing star was dead ahead, and they were approaching it fast.
"We're out of Hyperspace," Bly yelled out. "Resume all power, now."
Rex's handhold broke then and backed into Aayla, making her lose hold of the controls and slamming the two to the back wall.
Without power, the ship spun out of control through space. Its course still heading for the sun.
"Switch the power on! What are you waiting for!?" Bly yelled out as he looked away from the approaching sun.
Veena saw the switch and lunged for it and grabbing and pushing the switch upwards. Ahsoka instantly fired up the engines.
Narrowly skimming the star's upper atmosphere, everyone could feel the star's momentary intense heat until Ahsoka flew out of its range.
Red lights flashed on the control board came with the warning systems of damaged thrusters.
"Well, we're not crashing into any star, but we are gonna hit that planet." Ahsoka miserably announced.
Rex went over to a speaker for the ship and spoke into it. "All hands, brace for impact."
The ship shook heavily as it entered the new planet's atmosphere, the Corvette momentarily ablaze, which only served to further damage the engines that were now breaking apart.
Ahsoka and Bly pulled up as hard as they could, the ship jolting up a sharp angle.
Eventually, after several seconds of falling, the back half of the ship struck the ground first, with the rest coming down hard.
Rex, Aayla, Veena, Kota, and Ruby flew up into the air and landed on the ground sprawled out.
Grunting, Rex hefted himself back up to his feet, going over to help Master Kota up a second later. Kota turned to see Aayla still down though she was sitting up massaging her temple.
"You alright, Aayla?" Rahm asked respectfully.
"Yes, Master." Aayla nodded. "A bit disoriented from the landing is all."
Offering her a hand, she graciously accepted, easily being lifted back up to stand.
"Thank you."
Over by Ruby, she helped her Sargent back on her feet. "You ok, Veena?"
The Sargent had a small cut along her forehead. "Not the softest landing I've been in."
"Great job on getting the power back. You saved us all right there." Veena smiled at the small praise of her actions. Ruby took one of her arms over her shoulder and led her off the ship.
One by one, they exited the Cockpit and began to evaluate the ship. Rex started to organizing his clones and the clones from the 327th corps to leave the Corvette.
Rex motions them. "Came on, Troopers. Gather what you can and get off the ship."
Meanwhile, Aayla, Ahsoka, Kota, and Ruby carefully took Anakin out from the Medbay onto the crash-landed planets' surface.
"We made it," Aayla said, somewhat alleviated from this whole mess. "And Master Skywalker is still alive."
"I'm just glad he wasn't awake for that landing." Ahsoka quipped.
"You would have made him proud," Aayla said sincerely.
Ruby went over to her men and checked on them. The five made it through the crash with two injuries, one with a broken leg and the other a dislocated shoulder. The Huntress got some cloth and sticks to fashion a splint and sling for them, much to their graduate.
After retrieving a few supplies from the ship, the Clones, Jedi, and Ruby's team started up a makeshift camp. A final headcount showed all of the Jedi and Ruby's men survived, along with Commander Bly and thirty-two clones from the 327th with Captain Rex with five clones from the 501st. It was only due to the last call to her men that saved so many. Sadly, a few clones didn't make it, and some were injured in the crash. Some soldiers tried to get the ship's communication systems up and running but turned into a dead end as it was too damaged from the impact. Several small fires were going while Rex and another clone made a tent of sorts to keep Anakin somewhat comfortable.
"We are constrained on supplies," Kota said to the others before eyeing the downed Jedi. "Nor do we have the amount needed to stabilize Skywalker for long.
"Skywalker will not last much longer if we simply sit about. We must find help tonight." Getting a nod of agreement from her fellow Jedi.
"How do we do that, Master Jedi?" Veena asked. "We don't know if this world even has inhabitants."
"We have the numbers. We'll split up to cover more ground." Rahm answered. "Some will stay here to look after the wounded while the rest go out."
"Master Kota is right," Aayla said. "Commander Bly, Flash, Lucky, Cameron. The four of you will accompany Ahsoka and me and Ahsoka to the south."
"What?" Ahsoka clearly was not expecting this. "I can't leave him. If it were me, Master Skywalker wouldn't abandon me either."
I know this is hard, Ahsoka, but Anakin needs to say behind, and we need to go now. There is nothing more we can do for him. The only way you can help your Master is by finding it. We must keep calm and rational heads right now. For all our sakes."
Rex stepped forward. "Don't worry, kid. I'll stay behind and watch out for the general."
"As will I," Master Kota said.
Ahsoka still didn't like it, but she obeyed the senior Jedi's orders.
As the sun slowly went down, the groups were preparing to leave. Ruby was going to take Veena and her two uninjured men and head north to search to help. The groups had gathered their supplies and weapons, ready for their trips.
"Hey, everyone!"
All heads turned by Clone Trooper's sudden call running up to them, holding a strange wooden plank. He held it up for all to see. "I don't think we're alone on this planet."
On the plank was a bipedal sapient being wielding a spear in the face of a quadrupedal beast of some kind.
"General Secura," Bly spoke up. "What exactly is the plan here for us?"
"To find the people who live on this planet," Aayla answered.
"With respect General, how are we going to find them? We have no idea where they are," Bly inquired.
Ahsoka took a moment to walk over to the clone, who was still analyzing the wooden plank.
"May I?" Ahsoka politely held out her hand with the clone handing the plank over to her.
Ahsoka agreed, hands grazing over the carvings with Ruby looking over her shoulder. "I think that the natives of this planet may live by large trees."
"Maybe living by them or in them?" Ruby commented.
"An astute observation, Padawan, Miss Rose." Aayla praised. "Come, we need to get moving while we still have light."
Ahsoka went over to Anakin, who remained unconscious, and kneeled down to him.
"I'll be back with help soon, Master," Ahsoka said assuredly. "Master Kota and Rex will watch over you."
"Don't worry, Commander," Rex said resolutely. "No harm will come to the General."
Aayla turned to Rex. "Captain, keep your locator on. We'll be back by daybreak with whatever we find to help."
"Yes, General," Rex said, placing a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder for a brief moment. "Good luck, kid."
"See you all later!" Ruby said as she led her men out into the tall grass.
Night fell quickly as they traveled. As they walked, Ruby got to know more about the two soldiers Veena brought with her. Along with the two injured men back at the crash and five more back on the Beacon, they all served under Veena in the same unit.
Rare and Hood were their names, and the Republic trained them no different than what an army was supposed to prepare them for. Both were natives of Coruscant and knew how things worked in the undercity. And when they learned their company was being disbanded, they followed their Sargent out. Voicing their agreement on not being put on some faraway planet and be forgotten by the galaxy.
The four continued onward through the night, making frequent stops for rest and small talk. One subject was Hood asking how Ruby performed her Semblance back on the dropship. Knowing it would be a repeated question wherever she would go, the redhead sigh and tried to explain it to the three about Aura and Semblances'. The soldiers under her paid attention to her exploration and story. To say the three were shocked was an understatement.
Then Ruby stopped and got low to the ground and drew one of her blaster pistols, her team doing the same.
"What's wrong, Cap?" Veena asked. "Did you see something?"
Ruby places her pistol back in the holster, draws her Crescent Rose, and changes into its sniper mode before looking down its scope.
"Yep...bad guys." Veena bulls out her binoculars and looks in the direction Ruby did and slightly paled from what she saw.
"Sith spit, that's a whole droid Platoon," Veena confirmed. "We landed on a separatist-occupied world."
"This is a pretty backwater planet," Rare pointed out. "Why are the droids here?"
"Don't know, but we're not leaving till we find out," Ruby declared. "Can we contact the others?"
"Master Kota is in range, but the others are too far off."
"Call him now and tell him what we found," Ruby ordered.
"Are we really going to follow them, ma'am?" Hood asked.
"We can't face them head-on, and they probably don't know we're here." Ruby gave the former Republic solder and a sly grin that his under her helmet. "They could lead to a base. One with a ship that they wouldn't mind us borrowing."
"Great thinking, Captain." Rare praised.
"What if they don't have a ship, Captain?" Hood asked.
"Well...their bases got to have a radio, right?"
"Works for me," Veena said, and the four followed the Droid patrol.
With the remainder of his men and a few of the 327th, Captain Rex patrolled around the downed Corvette. Master Kota stood by the shelter's Anakin Skywalker lay and several other shelters built for the other wounded.
Stretching out his senses with the Force, he felt in the distance several animals nearing them. Their intentions clear through the Force of hunger and looking for an easy meal with the clones.
Raising his hand, he pushed through the Force into the predator's minds. Sending doubt and misdirecting them away. After a few minutes of this, the area around them was clear of predators.
It wasn't long ago that they received messages from Aayla and Ruby. Aayla reported that they found a colony of Lurmen and sent Ahsoka and her men back with their healer for Skywalker and the men. Ruby bought graver news that they may be on a Separatist-controlled planet. They were now following a patrol in the hope of finding their base for either a transport they could steal or a communication system they could contact the Republic.
If there is a base on this world, he would like nothing more than to call his man and rain fire on that base. But first, Ruby needed to find it and intel on what we're facing.
"Master! Rex!"
All heads turned to see the return of Ahsoka and the clones of the 327th, along with a strange rolling creature that soon jumped up and unfurled itself to reveal a young Lurmen.
Ahsoka brought the Lurmen over to Anakin's shack to find him awake.
"Good to see you, snips," Anakin said with a smile.
"Master, this is Wag Too." Ahsoka introduced the Lurmen. "He's a healer from his village who will help you get better."
"Don't you worry, I'll fix you and the others right up." Wag Too promised sincerely. "Get a stretcher prepped for him and others to come back to the village. The rest of my herbs and medicine is there."
The Padawan looked around and noticed someone missing. "Where's Ruby? Is her team not back yet?" Ahsoka asked.
"They're still out on recon," Kota said. "They found a Separatist patrol on this planet. They're following it back to their base to see what their purpose is here."
The Lurman heard this and was confused. "This is neutral space?"
"It won't be, so long as the Separatists have their way," Anakin said from his spot.
"We'll prepare for them when the time is right. Now we rest and await Ruby's return.
Taking what remaining supplies they could carry with them and making stretchers for Anakin and some of the wounded. Soon, everyone returned to the Lurmen village, where Aayla was awaiting their return.
The village did not like the sight of all the soldiers entering's his village. To compromise, Kota ordered the men to set up at the edge on the village's far side. Where they would be out of sight of the daily lives of the village.
Anakin and some of the worst-off soldiers were taken to Wag's personal hut, where the Lurmen administered the necessary procedures to helpfully heal Anakin them.
While they waited, the rest of the clones either went out on patrolled or helped out the natives in their errands. Some villagers offered them something to eat, which they graciously accepted.
Meanwhile, with the Huntress, she and her three members found where the patrol was heading for.
"That's not good..." Hood pointed out.
"Nope," Rare said.
"We need to report this," Veena told Ruby.
Ruby nodded wordlessly. Their situation just got complicated.
