I don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars or its characters, but I only own Nadia Aomori, her family and other OCs.
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Threads of Destiny
Chapter 41: Escape from Kadavo
A people enslaved!
To locate the abducted colonists of a peace-loving world, the Jedi infiltrated the slaver planet of Zygerria only to be captured by its ambitious queen, who plots to rebuild her empire of oppression.
Now even Obi-Wan Kenobi must come to terms with a life in chains.
In the Kadavo System...
Forced to slave away in the mines alongside Rex and the Togrutan colonists of Kiros, and taunted by the facility's cruel warden Agruss and the guards, Obi-Wan was having a hard time scrounging up any spark of hope for himself or the unfortunate prisoners, since every time he does so, one of the Togrutans was punished in his place in order to heighten his despair.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, once a Jedi master, now a Jedi slave."Keeper Agruss laughed evilly."Pitiful."
Agruss went off in his floating chair as Obi-Wan send him a glare.
"Everything about this place is designed to shatter the will."Obi-Wan commented. "It has already begun to affect these poor people."
A Zygerrian Guard then electrified the Jedi Master on his collar.
"Speech is forbidden!"the Zygerrian Guard snarled.
"I'm sorry."Obi-Wan replied."It won't happen again."
"There will be punishment!"the Zygerrian Guard scowled.
The Zygerrian Guard started electrifying Governor Roshti, who cried out in pain and was becoming weaker.
"No, stop, it's my mistake!"Obi-Wan protested."Leave him alone!"
"Now a slave gives me commands?"the Zygerrian Guard questioned and electrified him."Beg! Beg me before this one dies because of you!"
"Please, forgive me, Master."Obi-Wan admitted while bowing down.
The guard laughed as he went away as Obi-Wan checked on Governor Roshti.
"Keep away from me."Roshti pleaded in fear."Jedi only make things worse."
Obi-Wan shook his head in sadness.
In Space...
Count Dooku was heading to Zygerria in his Olar Sailer.
Inside Count Dook's Olar Sailer...
Count Dooku spoke to Darth Sidious via hologram.
"Long have Sith empires been built upon the backs of slaves."Darth Sidious stated."To carry on this tradition, we will require millions."
"I assure you, the Queen's defiance will not sour your plans, Master."Count Dooku replied.
"If she fails to see the error of her ways, end her rule."Darth Sidious ordered cruely.
Meanwhile in Zygerria...
Queen Miraj walked with Anakin within the Royal Palace of Zygerria while two Zygerrian Guards accompanied them from behind while holding their blasters.
The Zygerrian Queen still tried to turn the Jedi Knight over to her side though he expressed his reluctance to serve her.
"Have you considered my offer, Skywalker?"Queen Miraj asked."If you vow loyalty to me, I will free your friends."
"It's not an easy decision."Anakin stated.
"Hmm, curious."Queen Miraj said with a small frown."I thought the Jedi were selfless, placing the needs of others before their own."
A freed Nadia secretly watched Queen Miraj and Anakin from above with Artoo and RG-G1 accompanying her.
"Artoo, G-G, thanks by the way."Nadia whispered softly.
Artoo and RG-G1 let out quiet beeps.
Nadia ducked down as Atai walked up to Queen Miraj and Anakin.
"My Queen, I bring word."Atai reported."Count Dooku is on his way here."
"Ah, sooner than anticipated."Queen Miraj commented."Make preparations for his arrival."
Atai nodded and went off to make preparations for Count Dooku's arrival.
Anakin smirked at Queen Miraj.
"So even you have a master."Anakin admitted.
"Dooku is not my master!"Queen Miraj replied angrily and then smiled at the Jedi Knight."Perhaps you should not attend this meeting, can I trust you not to run away?"
"I don't run away from anything, Your Highness."Anakin said coldly while pointing his deactivated lightsaber on her neck.
Queen Miraj chuckled as she took Anakin's lightsaber and walked away from Anakin as the two Zygerrian Guards pointed their guns at him
Suddenly, Artoo arrived and went up to the Zygerrian guards.
"Get off, you miserable tin can!"One of the Zygerrian Guards growled.
Then Nadia showed up and used her Force Judgement to throw the two Zygerrian Guards down to the market below.
"Nice work, Dia."Anakin praised with a smile.
Nadia smirked. "I've been practicing."
"Did you find Ahsoka?"Anakin asked.
Artoo beeped a response.
"Well, Artoo seem to know where she is."Nadia replied.
Artoo took off to the top causing Anakin, Nadia and RG-G1 to follow him.
In the Throne Room of the Zygerrian Royal Palace...
Count Dooku came into the throne room while Queen Miraj sat in her throne chair and Atai stood nearby.
"I wasn't expecting you, Count."Queen Miraj said with a smile."Not without an invitation."
"But I was invited, by your faithful advisor."Count Dooku responded.
Atai growled at his response, making the Zygerrian Queen glare at him.
"He's concerned over how attached you've become to Skywalker."Count Dooku informed.
Queen Miraj stood up her throne seat.
"Skywalker is a symbol of my-our power to enslave even Jedi."Queen Miraj declared.
"Your power over him is an illusion."Count Dooku responded."You forget, I was once a Jedi myself."
"You have little in common with Anakin."Queen Miraj reminded as she walked down from her throne and took a drink from a blue skinned Twi'lek slave girl."Please, hear my plans for the Jedi, then decide. Right now, at my facility in the Kadavo system, Obi-Wan Kenobi is in despair."
"I'm listening."Count Dooku stated as he took a sip of his drink.
Queen Miraj began explaining her ambitious plan to the count.
"Kenobi's coming to realise for the first time in his life that his efforts to help others will only injure them."Queen Miraj explained and chuckled."As plans for escape and hope of rescue fade, the gnawing fear that he'll never be able to take action will grow in Kenobi's heart to ease the burden of his fellow slaves. Defiance will become compliance. When Kenobi realises he cannot help those around him, his spirit will break and he'll be mine just like Anakin and their apprentices."
Count Dooku looked at his beverage as he listened to the Zygerrian Queen's declaration.
"If such Jedi as Skywalker, Kenobi and their apprentices can fall, how many others will follow?"Queen Miraj sneered and chuckled in amusement."Hmm? Imagine an army of Jedi in our service, Zygerria will be invincible again!"
"A most ambitious plan, Your Highness."Count Dooku admitted."Only my goal isn't the enslavement of the Jedi Order, but its extermination."
Queen Miraj frowned in dismay at Count Dooku's response, upset that he wanted to destroy the Jedi Order than have them as slaves.
"I have come to supervise their execution."Count Dooku declared sternly."Perform it if necessary. Now summon Skywalker."
In Another Side of the Zygerrian Royal Palace...
Anakin, Nadia, Artoo and RG-G1 found Ahsoka dangling in a cage like Nadia used to be.
"Well, hello, Master and Dia."Ahsoka greeted."Took you guys long enough."
"Well, we knew you had a nice view."Anakin commented.
Anakin and Nadia used the Force to lift the cage up and safely to the ground.
Then Nadia used her aqua lightsaber to break the cage, setting her best friend free.
"Are you okay, Soka?"Nadia questioned.
Ahsoka stood up as she broke her electric collar.
"I'm much better now."Ahsoka answered."However I sense a disturbance in the Force."
"It's Count Dooku. I need you two to get our ship."Anakin stated and handed the two girls each a comlink."Here, take these comlinks."
Nadia frowned as she and Ahsoka noticed Anakin beginning to walk away from them.
"Where are you going?"Nadia asked while folding her arms.
"Queen Miraj knows where Obi-Wan and Captain Rex are."Anakin replied."Hold on to those comlinks and wait for my signal."
Anakin then used the Force to head up to the throne room of the royal palace.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes while Nadia simply shrugged in response.
"Come on, Artoo and G-G."Ahsoka insisted.
"I can't believe he still thinks we're not ready to help him fight a Sith Lord."Nadia mumbled.
Artoo and RG-G1 beeped as they followed Ahsoka and Nadia to their destination.
In the Throne Room of the Zygerrian Royal Palace...
Queen Miraj refused to give up Anakin despite Count Dooku's order to have him killed.
"I have no desire to end Skywalker's life."Queen Miraj admitted with a smile."He has become a valuable asset to me and my throne."
"Your compliance is not optional."Count Dooku stated strictly."I command you to kill Skywalker."
Queen Miraj turned around to glare at Count Dooku.
"I will not be ordered about in my own palace, Count!"Queen Miraj replied angrily.
"If you won't do my bidding, perhaps your prime minister will."Count Dooku stated bitterly.
Queen Miraj glanced at Atai.
"Atai, what does he mean?"Queen Miraj questioned.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the Count is right."Atai replied."The Jedi should die, you're not fit to be queen any longer."
Queen Miraj became outraged by Atai's betrayal.
"Atai, you traitor!"Queen Miraj growled and threw her glass on the floor as she took out her electric-whip."I'll make you both pay for this treachery!"
Count Dooku then used the Force to choke Queen Miraj.
"Punishment for a slave who disobeys her master."Count Dooku retortef coldly.
Anakin then rushed into the throne room.
"That's enough, Dooku!"Anakin demanded.
Then Count Dooku dropped Queen Miraj to the floor, now on the verge of death.
"Skywalker."Queen Miraj whispered weakly.
"I see the Queen has given you a long leash."Count Dooku stated as he turned to face the Jedi Knight."One more step and I will end her life."
"Why would you think I care about this slaver scum?"Anakin questioned with a frown.
"Indeed."Count Dooku replied.
Count Dooku then activated his red lightsaber while Anakin used the Queen's electric-whip to fight the Count of Serenno.
However, Count Dooku easily made the electric-whip out of Anakin's hand and then used his Force Lightning to hurt Anakin as Atai watched the sight with an evil smirk.
Then three Zygerrian Guards came into the room and were shocked to see Queen Miraj dying on the floor.
"Queen Miraj!"
"She was murdered by Skywalker."Count Dooku lied.
The three Zygerrian Guards aimed their blasters at Anakin, ready to shoot him down.
Inside the Tecora...
Ahsoka and Nadia sat in the cockpit as they got Anakin's signal.
"That's our signal."Ahsoka stated.
"Well, let's get going."Nadia replied.
Nadia and Ahsoka pressed a few buttons to power up the Tecora to fly in time to rescue Anakin.
In the Throne Room of the Zygerrian Royal Palace...
"Take your vengeance!"Count Dooku ordered.
The three Zygerrian Guards fired at Anakin with their blasters.
Finding himself outnumbered and outgunned without his lightsaber, Anakin picked up the dying Zygerrian Queen and crushed out of the top window then landing in the ramp of the Tecora before it closed.
In Space...
The Tecora flew off away from Zygerria.
Inside the Tecora…
"Your Highness."Anakin said.
"No escape for any of us."Queen Miraj replied weakly.
"Where are Obi-Wan and Captain Rex?"Anakin asked."Tell me."
"Kadavo system."Queen Miraj answered as she struggled to breath."You were right, Skywalker. I am a slave just as you are."
Queen Miraj then closed her eyes and died in Anakin's arms.
In the Kadavo System...
In the Kadavo prison facility, Obi-Wan and Rex were brought into the warden's command center, where Count Dooku conversed with the Jedi through a holo comlink, announcing their impending execution.
"Someone wishes to speak with you."Keeper Agruss stated.
Then a hologram of Count Dooku appeared.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi in chains once again, I see."Count Dooku sneered.
"Count Dooku."Obi-Wan said bitterly."Still afraid to get your hands dirty?"
"I would gladly make an exception in your case, my friend."Count Dooku admitted."I wanted to say a proper farewell before Keeper Agruss puts you to death."
Obi-Wan and Rex glared at Count Dooku with angry looks.
Meanwhile...
The Tecora arrived outside Kadavo's prison facility.
Once it landed, Anakin, Ahsoka and Nadia came out of the Tecora's ramp, wearing their usual clothes again while Artoo and RG-G1 followed them from behind.
Inside Kadavo Prison Facility...
A Zygerrian Guard reported Keeper Agruss of the Tecora's arrival.
"Keeper, the slave ship Tecora is making an unscheduled landing on platform two-four."the Zygerrian Guard reported.
A glare appeared on Count Dooku's face.
"Skywalker."Count Dooku muttered.
Outside the Prison Facility...
A bunch of missiles fired the Tecora and destroyed it, making a big explosion.
The three Jedi and the two droids headed to the close door of the prison facility.
"So much for our ride home."Anakin scoffed.
"And I was actually beginning to like this ship."Nadia retorted.
Ahsoka glanced at Anakin.
"What now?"Ahsoka asked.
"We get through the old fashioned way."Anakin replied.
Anakin activated his lightsaber to make a hole on the closed door.
Inside the Prison Facility…
Count Dooku glared at Obi-Wan.
"Kenobi, tell your young friend, Skywalker, if he does not surrender, the slaves will be terminated in his name."Count Dooku warned.
Outside...
"Anakin!"Obi-Wan called out on the speaker."I'm glad to see you, but I'm afraid our host feels otherwise."
A small smile grew on Nadia's feeling relieved that her master was still alive.
"You can't make everyone happy, Master."Anakin reminded.
"They're threatening to kill the slaves unless you surrender."Obi-Wan warned.
"What?!"Nadia snarled in annoyance.
"It's good to see you're always ready to negotiate."Anakin replied."But I've had enough bargaining with slave drivers."
"Anakin, you must realize this is a fight you cannot win alone."Obi-Wan commented.
Anakin smirked at Obi-Wan's respond.
"Who said I was alone?"Anakin asked with a smile.
In Space...
Reinforcements in the form of a Republic cruiser and a Wolfpack under the command of Plo Koon was heading to the slave system.
Inside the Prison Facility…
A Zygerrian Guard reported Keeper Agruss of the Jedi's reinforcements approaching Kadavo's prison facility.
"Keeper, a fleet of warships has dropped out of hyperspace in sector six."A Zygerrian Guard reported.
"Jedi reinforcements!"Keeper Agruss replied in annoyance.
Outside the Prison Facility...
"I hope you told Master Plo not to destroy this facility before we get off of it."Ahsoka informed.
"Yeah, all of us and the slaves."Anakin replied.
"We'll need a bigger ship."Nadia admitted.
The three Jedi went and activated their lightsabers to block the lasers of the Zygerrian guards' blasters.
Anakin took the Zygerrian Guards down with his lightsaber.
Inside the Prison Facility…
Out of spite, Keeper Agruss activated the deathtrap set for the slaves in order to plunge them to their doom and then smashes the controls, rendering immediate rescue impossible.
"No!"Obi-Wan shouted in shock.
Obi-Wan then went up to the controllers as he contacted Plo Koon.
"The controls are destroyed, Master Plo."Obi-Wan stated in his comlink."There's nothing we can do from here!"
"I cannot move the cruiser in for the rescue operation until those enemy canons are destroyed."Plo Koon replied.
Outside the Prison Facility…
"We'll take care of those canons."Anakin replied."Just make sure that cruiser gets down here, we're running out of time!"
"I'm going to go help my people, I'll see if I can buy us some time!"Ahsoka replied.
"And I'll go help Ahsoka on this one!"Nadia volunteered.
"Good luck to you both!"Anakin admitted.
The two girls nodded at the Jedi Knight and ran to their destination.
Ahsoka and Nadia stopped at a closed door and looked around for a way to open it.
Nadia found the screen and pressed it a few times before the door opened.
The Togrutan colonists of Kiros were on the other side while the floor they were standing on was moving back.
Ahsoka and Nadia then quickly jumped across and looked around for a way to stop the floor from moving.
Anakin brings down the prison facility's defence turrets while using one of them.
"You're all clear, Master Plo."Anakin assured."Bring the cruiser down to the landing pad."
Ahsoka and Nadia contacted Anakin.
"Cancel that order, Master!"Ahsoka ordered in her comlink."There's no way to get the people out of the holding cell and up to the landing platform."
"But we have an idea."Nadia remarked."We need to have the cruiser move in underneath the facility, we can escape onto the ship if Admiral Coburn can get in close enough."
In the Republic Cruiser...
Admiral Coburn got Ahsoka and Nadia's responses.
"You heard Commander Tano and Commander Aomori, Commander Wolffe."Admiral Coburn declared, glancing at Commander Wolffe."I want you and the men topside with rocket packs and cable guns, move it!"
"Yes, sir!"Commander Wolffe replied.
Obi-Wan and Rex finished off the remaining Zygerrians.
The Jedi Master retrieved his lightsaber, seemingly with the intent to strike down the defenceless but loathsome Keeper Agruss.
"Come now, Master Kenobi, I know a Jedi won't kill an unarmed man."Keeper Agruss sneered smugly.
Unfortunately for the Keeper, he failed to take Captain Rex, who was not bound by such laws, into account.
Rex hurled a guard's electro staff with such force that it goes right through Keeper Agruss' corpulent body and out the back of his chair.
"I'm no Jedi."Rex commented coldly.
The floating chair goes out of control and splattered him against a console, killing Agruss.
Ahsoka and Nadia devised a plan to have the Republic Cruiser fly underneath the deathtrap and retrieve the prisoners by having them slide down cable lines.
Five Clone Troopers with jetpacks shot grappling hooks from their rifles that attached to the ceiling of the room.
"Okay, everyone, get ready!"Ahsoka addressed."We'll have to go by groups!"
"But slide down carefully!"Nadia instructed."We don't want any accidents happening!"
Each of the Togrutan colonists started going down the grappling hooks to join the Clone Troopers.
However, two Torgutas fell as the floor became almost retracted, but luckily they were caught by two Clone Troopers and landed safely.
Artoo and RG-G1 flew down to the cruiser below as well.
Soon, all the Togrutan colonists of Kiros were brought out safely by Ahsoka, Nadia and the Clone Troopers.
Commander Wolffe glanced at Ahsoka and Nadia.
"That's everyone!"Commander Wolffe reported."We have to go, the facility's breaking up!"
Ahsoka and Nadia nodded in agreement before the two of them and the rest of the group ran towards one of the top entrances of the Republic Cruiser.
Anakin met with Obi-Wan, Rex and a few Clone Troopers as they took off in a gunship.
"Okay, Master Plo, Admiral Coburn's clear!"Anakin stated in his comlink.
"All gunships, fire!"Plo Koon ordered.
The Wolfpack opened full fire on the prison facility of Kadavo, destroying it and killing any remaining Zygerrian slavers still inside.
Afterwards…
Inside the Republic Cruiser, the Jedi, Artoo and RG-G1 walked with Governor Roshti through the hanger.
"I thank you, the Jedi, and the Republic for saving our lives."Governor Roshti admitted.
"Ahsoka and Nadia are the real heroes."Anakin replied."Without their creativity, I don't think we would've gotten your people to safety."
Nadia blushed a little while Ahsoka had a shy smile on her face.
"Indeed."Plo Koon admitted in agreement.
Governor Roshti glanced at Ahsoka.
"Padawan Tano, might I have a word in private?"Governor Roshti asked.
"Of course."Ahsoka answered.
Anakin, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan and Nadia bowed their heads at Governor Roshti before walking away, leaving Ahsoka to speak with the Governor of Kiros.
"Ahsoka, you have done a great deed for your people today."Governor Roshti stated.
Ahsoka notice Governor Roshti looked sad despite him and the rest of the colonists being rescued.
"You're sad?"Ahsoka asked.
"Well, you and the Jedi have done your best, but I do not think our people will recover from this horror anytime soon."Governor Roshti exclaimed.
"I understand."Ahsoka answered."But in the end, surviving this will only strengthen the people."
"Perhaps the people of Kiros will also join the Republic."Governor Roshti suggested.
"I think that's a wise choice, Governor."Ahsoka agreed with a smile.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
See you all in the next one and have a good day:)