I don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars and its characters
I only own Nadia Aomori and my other OCs
Enjoy!
Threads of Destiny
Chapter 16: Weapons Factory
The final surge!
Having learned of warlord Poggle the Lesser's plot to rebuild a separatist droid foundry on Geonosis, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan Ahsoka Tano along with Obi-Wan's Padawan Nadia Aomori prepare to assault this heavily-fortified installation.
Their mission: destroy the factory at all cost.
Anticipating stiff resistance, Republic commanders send Jedi Master Luminara Unduli and her Padawan Barriss Offee to reinforce the attack.
But time runs short for our intrepid heroes as the dreaded droid mill nears completion.
The Grand Army of the Republic was pushing forward towards the massive droid foundry after destroying the main shield generator.
Master Luminara's squadron of gunships was forced to land south of Anakin's position.
"Captain, the only safe landing zone is south of General Skywalker's position."Master Luminara commented and looked at her Padawan."Barriss, I assume you've made the necessary preparations?"
"Precisely as you instructed, Master."Barriss responded.
The Clone Troopers looked at Commander Gree.
"Buckle your belts and check your cells, soldiers."Commander Gree ordered firmly."We're going in."
Meanwhile...
Anakin, Ahsoka and Nadia were getting their squad of Clone Troopers together as they waited for Master Unduli and her reinforcements.
Nadia brought up a hologram for her and the group to see.
"This bridge is our first waypoint."Ahsoka exclaimed."Focus your fire on the gun emplacements here and here..."
"Because it's only after we neutralize the guns that we can push for the factory."Anakin interrupted.
"I was..."Ahsoka started and then continued."We can push for the factory. Now, expect stiff resistance from
"And don't forget to top off your energy cells and ration packs."Anakin added."Once we leave, there will be no resupply, anything else, Ahsoka?"
"I think you've pretty much covered everything in my briefing."Ahsoka commented.
"Very well."Anakin responded."Squad dismissed."
Then the group of Clone Troopers walked away while Nadia took the holopad and put it off.
"Okay."Anakin responded."What's next?"
"Master."Ahsoka spoke up."My briefings might go better if you didn't interrupt me every time I try to..."
"I wasn't."Anakin interrupted."I was trying to help you."
"See?"Nadia murmured firmly and folding her arms."You've done it again."
"Which I would appreciate if you didn't interrupt me to do it."Ahsoka argued."I just think maybe you don't trust me to give the briefing."
"It's not about trust."Anakin commented."It's about getting the job done right."
"So you don't trust me to get the job done right, I knew it."Ahsoka scowled angrily.
"Snips, I never said..."Anakin started.
"No, it's okay."Ahsoka retorted in a bitter tone."I understand. I'm the Padawan. You're the Master."
Ahsoka walked away as Nadia glanced at Anakin with a frown on her face.
"Well done, pretty boy."Nadia muttered.
Nadia then followed after Ahsoka.
A Few Minutes Later...
Master Luminara and Barriss' Gunship landed in the area while Ahsoka and Anakin started arguing again.
Nadia was trying for the second time, still trying to break their arguing up.
"Guys!"Nadia hissed in a soft yet strict tone."Master Luminara is here!"
Anakin and Ahsoka continued to ignored Nadia.
"Maybe if you'd listen to me!"Anakin accused.
"Well if you don't trust me!"Ahsoka shot back."Then maybe you should send me back!"
"Don't tempt me, Snips."Anakin warned.
Nadia covered her face in annoyance.
"This has gone on long enough."Nadia retorted.
Nadia then came forward and slapped both Anakin and Ahsoka in the back of the heads.
"OW!"Anakin and Ahsoka snapped in unison.
Anakin and Ahsoka held the back of their heads and looked at Nadia before she gestured forward.
There Anakin, Ahsoka and Nadia saw Master Luminara and Barriss approaching them.
"If you're both finished with your little discussion, we do have a factory to destroy."Master Luminara stated and looked at her Padawan."Well, Barriss, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
Barriss gives Ahsoka and Nadia a bow.
"Padawan learner Barriss Offee at your service."Barriss responded.
"The pleasure is all mine."Nadia remarked and bowed in return."I'm Nadia Aomori. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi's Padawan. He asked me to lead his and Master Mundi's forces for the destruction of the weapons factory."
Anakin smirked at Ahsoka causing her to raise an eyebrow at him.
Ahsoka turned her attention to Barriss.
"Glad to meet you."Ahsoka remarked and letting out her hand to Barriss."I'm Ahsoka."
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia smiled at each other.
"It's good to see both of you again."Anakin declared.
"I wish it was under more peaceful circumstances."Master Luminara replied.
Afterwards...
Master Luminara, Anakin, Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia were then analysing the tactical data on the droid factory.
"A frontal assault is risky."Master Luminara exclaimed."Our losses will be high."
"But not as high as they'll be if that factory comes online."Anakin stated.
"Indeed, but there is an alternative."Master Luminara admitted."Every Geonosian building has a series of catacombs beneath it that run deep underground."
"Some of the tunnels are close enough to this cliff wall, so that you could cut a hole and make an entry point."Barriss commented.
"Once inside, we could find the main reactor, plant the explosives, and blow the factory inside out."Master Luminara declared.
"Looks like a good way to get lost, if you ask me."Anakin admitted.
"For the unprepared perhaps, but I have instructed Barriss to memorise the labyrinth, all 200 junctions."Master Luminara added.
"You always were thorough."Anakin chuckled.
"It pays for one to be prepared."Master Luminara commented and looked at her Padawan."Right, Barriss?"
"Especially, when other people's lives depend on your success."Barriss replied.
Ahsoka and Nadia looked at Anakin.
"How do we keep the Geonosians occupied while someone else is setting the bombs?"Ahsoka questioned.
"Yeah, otherwise they'll take us out."Nadia declared.
"Good point, Snips and Kitty."Anakin agreed."If whoever's going in there is going to be successful, we'll need to create a diversion."
"Precisely."Master Luminara said."That task will be carried out by you and I under your command since mine is still suspended, Master Skywalker, while the destruction of the factory falls to the Padawans."
"Now, hold on."Anakin interrupted."Who decided that? Walking into that factory could be suicide."
"Not if you and I are successful holding Poggle's attention at the bridge."Master Luminara admitted.
"Master, Nadia and I can do this."Ahsoka assured."We've had riskier assignments. Besides, I think Obi-Wan would agree with us."
"But unlike Barriss, you two aren't prepared for this mission."Anakin declared.
Nadia frowned. "We aren't?"
"Not to worry."Master Luminara spoke up."My Padawan is reliable, she can lead them both."
"We'll be in and out, Master Skywalker."Barriss responded.
Ahsoka and Nadia glanced at Anakin with smug expressions on their faces.
"See?"Nadia sneered."Dependable Barriss will get us through."
"Don't worry, Master."Ahsoka said with a sly smile."As you well know, I can follow orders."
"It's decided then."Master Luminara stated.
Master Luminara handed a backpack to Ahsoka.
"I guess it is."Anakin retorted.
"We'll monitor your progress on these chronometers."Master Luminara declared.
Master Luminara handed Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia each a chronometer.
Nadia placed her chronometer on her wristband.
"Three, two, one, mark."Master Luminara counted.
Then all the chronometers beeped in a green colour.
"Let's get going."Nadia insisted.
"After Barriss, Dia."Ahsoka reminded.
"Right."Nadia chuckled.
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia started running towards the bridge to go infiltrate the factory.
While Anakin, Master Luminara and the Clone Troopers made a diversion against the Separatists, the three girls were climbing down the cliff.
Once nearing the bottom, the trio jumped down and ran over the other cliff wall.
Barriss felt something around for a second before igniting her saber and cutting a big rectangle in it then used the Force to pull the rock out and drop it on the ground.
"Nice work."Nadia remarked.
"Here goes nothing."Ahsoka reminded.
Ahsoka and Nadia were about to go in, but Barriss stopped them from doing so.
"I should go in first."Barriss informed."I know the way."
"Very well then."Nadia said simply.
"Be my guest."Ahsoka insisted.
Barriss stepped in followed by Ahsoka and then Nadia.
After a few minutes of jogging through the dark caves, the three Padawans stopped and pressed their backs against the walls as they noticed two Geonosians up ahead.
The Geonosians looked in their direction for a couple of seconds before walking off.
"Disgusting creatures."Nadia thought in disgust.
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia stopped when they saw lots of Geonosians sleeping.
"They're sleeping."Nadia whispered."We have to find another way."
"We don't have time."Barriss commented."This direction is the fastest."
"Maybe you're wrong."Ahsoka declared.
"Trust me."Barriss insisted.
The three Padawans moved slowly, while making sure not to touch any outstretched limbs when a hand suddenly landed on Barriss' head.
However, Nadia used the Force to slowly lift it off her.
Barriss moved out of the way and Nadia dropped it, letting it hang over the side.
She gives Nadia a thankful smile before the three of them quietly left the cave.
When the three girls were out of sight, one of the Geonosians' eyes opened.
Meanwhile...
Master Luminara, Anakin and the Clone Troopers were taking down the Separatist droids and the Geonosians.
"They should have entered the catacombs by now."Master Luminara assumed.
"I sure hope they're not lost down there."Anakin stated.
Back in the Caves...
"Left at the next junction."Barriss declared.
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia walked forward before turning to the left side of the cave, but it was a dead end.
"Dead end."Ahsoka scoffed."If we make a wrong turn, we may never find our way out."
Nadia looked at Barriss.
"You do remember the way, don't you?"Nadia questioned.
"Of course I do."Barriss replied. "It's not left. It's up. It's this way."
The three girls looked at the tunnel at the top and they then used the Force to lift themselves up.
However, neither of them were aware that one of the Geonosians were following them.
At the Top...
Rex helped Master Luminara and Anakin take out the Droidekas.
The group then focused taking down the other Separatist droids,
Then one of the tunnels of the cave opened, revealing the Separatist secret weapons.
"Looks like the Separatists have a new toy."Master Luminara declared.
Master Luminara deactivated her lightsaber.
"Rex, pick your targets."Anakin ordered.
"Yes, sir."Rex replied and glanced at the other Clone Troopers."Elevation four-two-seven."
The Clone Troopers got their cannons ready.
In the Caves...
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia grabbed onto the sides and started climbing up.
A few minutes later, the three Padawans reached the top and climbed out just underneath the factory before looking through a hole above them.
"Whoa."Ahsoka murmured.
"That's a lot of droids."Nadia retorted with a hint of nervousness.
"Come on."Barriss encouraged."The main control room is this way."
The three girls quietly walked away from the area.
At the Top...
"Steady."Rex instructed."Steady, Fire!"
The Clone Troopers fired their cannons, but the Separatist's super tanks weren't getting damaged.
"Sir, nothing could withstand that."Rex reported.
"They must be ray-shielded."Anakin assumed.
Meanwhile...
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia climbed up through a metal tube.
"This is it."Barriss remarked."We're here."
The three girls opened the hatch and hopped out of it.
They came into a giant circular room with the reactor in the middle.
The Padawans had made it to the factory's main reactor.
"This is it."Nadia sneered."The main reactor."
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia then ran to the main reactor and started placing explosives around it.
Once Ahsoka placed the last one she pressed a button on her chronometer and slipped her pack back on.
"And now we make ourselves scarce."Ahsoka chuckled.
The three Padawans prepare to make their escape.
However, a front door opened up which revealed Poggle with his droid commander, six Geonosians and a tank accompanying him.
Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia activated their lightsabers and stood in their fighting stances.
At the Top...
Anakin got Ahsoka's signal.
"Green bombs are active."Anakin informed.
"The Padawans did it."Master Luminara commented.
"And just in time."Anakin added.
Then the Separatists fired their attacks using their super tanks' mortar cannons, alarming Anakin.
"Fire!"Anakin shouted."Get down!"
Anakin and Master Luminara moved out of the way from being hit.
The super tanks' mortar cannons destroyed the cannons of the Clone Troopers.
Some of the Clone Troopers got killed in the assault.
Meanwhile...
Barriss, Nadia and Ahsoka dodged the blasts from the Geonosians.
Poggle pointed and clicked something in his native tongue.
"You heard, His Highness."the Droid Commander informed."Collect their pathetic little bombs, then we will kill them."
Poggle floated to a door and said something else.
The tank's guns started firing to hit Ahsoka and Nadia.
The three girls were forced to back from the blasts while the Geonosians started removing the bombs.
Ahsoka put her lightsaber away and took her pack off before grabbing a bomb from her pack.
"See if your stupid tank can take this."Ahsoka retorted.
Barriss and Nadia continued dodging the blasts with their lightsabers.
The droid commander laughed at Ahsoka's threat.
"Fools!"the Droid Commander cackled."The super tank is impervious to all weapons!"
However, the bomb exploded and the droid commander got destroyed.
Unfortunately, the tank wasn't even scratched and it opened fire again with the three Padawans starting to deflect its attacks again with their lightsabers.
Outside...
Many of the Clone Troopers were getting taken down by the tanks while Anakin and Master Luminara quickly went for cover.
"Rex, tell the men to fall back."Anakin ordered.
"But, sir, you can't be asking us to turn tail and run?"Rex asked.
"I'm not asking you to run, Rex."Anakin stated as he took out a bomber from the backpack."I want to draw those tanks out onto the bridge."
"I see what you have in mind."Master Luminara stated.
"Like your Padawan, I'm always prepared, Master Unduli."Anakin remarked."Let's go!"
Meanwhile...
Barriss, Nadia and Ahsoka continued dodging the blasts with their lightsabers.
"The bombs!"Ahsoka gasped.
The three Padawans managed to move towards the Geonosians and get them away from the reactor.
Ahsoka deactivated her lightsaber and grabbed one of them by the legs.
The female Torguta yelled out in surprise as they flew higher.
"Stupid green bugger!"Ahsoka scowled.
The Geonosian finally managed to shake Ahsoka off by knocking her against the top of the reactor.
Ahsoka then rolled and fell on the ground.
"Ahsoka!"Nadia yelled out.
Nadia deactivated her lightsaber and placed in her belt before going to protect her best friend.
"Nadia, what are you doing?"Barriss demanded.
Barriss blocked the blasts from the enemies' with her lightsaber.
Nadia stood in front of Ahsoka as she glared at the Geonosians.
Then thrusting both hands with her fingers outstretched, Nadia shot out orange Force lightning out managing to kill a few of the Geonosians.
This caused the other Geonosians to panic and flew the same area the three Padawans entered from.
Barriss went over to Nadia.
"How did you do that?"Barriss asked in surprise.
"It's a gift."Nadia replied with a small smile.
The two girls notice the tank was still on and Ahsoka was still unconscious.
Outside...
The Clone Troopers were running away from the Separatists' super tanks.
"Fall back!"A Clone Trooper yelled out."Fall back!"
Anakin and Master Luminara were planting bombs underneath the bridge, where the tanks were going through.
Once they finished, the two Jedi went back at the top and were behind the tanks.
Anakin pressed a button and the bombs exploded causing the bridge to fall and the tanks along with it.
Then the duo turned their attention to the factory.
"Where are they? Those bombs are going to go off any second now."Anakin commented and contacted Rex."Rex. Any sign of Ahsoka, Nadia and Barriss on your side?"
"No, sir, but this place is getting ready to blow."Rex replied."The evacuation ships are arriving, I suggest you get on one."
"Not without Ahsoka and Nadia."Anakin stated.
"My Padawan will not fail."Master Luminara informed.
Then the door to the factor opened, revealing the battle droids causing Anakin and Master Luminara to their lightsabers.
Meanwhile...
Nadia activated her cyan blueblightsaber as she jumped onto the tank and then cut a hole in the top.
The raven haired girl jumped in before cutting the battle droids and stopping the tank.
Nadia opened up the top hatch, so that Barriss and Ahsoka can jump in.
"The bugs took the bombs."Barriss reminded.
"What are we going to do now?"Ahsoka asked.
"I don't know what to do without the bombs."Nadia admitted.
"This tank could destroy the power generator and probably us along with it."Ahsoka said quietly.
"I guess that's our only choice."Barriss declared.
Nadia paled. "You mean…"
Ahsoka then contacted Anakin.
"Master, can you hear me?"Ahsoka asked.
"Set off the bombs!"Anakin ordered."We're trapped!"
"I'm sorry, Master."Ahsoka apologised sadly."We can't make it out."
"Can't make it out?"Anakin asked. "Ahsoka, wait!"
"Go ahead, Dia."Ahsoka declared quietly.
Nadia pressed the button.
The tank's cannon then shot the reactor and everything exploded.
Outside...
Anakin and Master Luminara watched as the factory exploded.
"Ahsoka, Nadia, can you two hear me?"Anakin demanded."Come in."
The Jedi Knight got no reply as Master Luminara fell to her knees.
"Master Luminara, don't worry."Anakin assured.
"Be at ease, Skywalker."Master Luminara declared.
"At ease?"Anakin questioned."We need to act now. Ahsoka, Nadia and Barriss may still be alive down there."
"There's not enough time."Master Luminara admitted."I sense them drifting away."
"No."Anakin denied."We'll get them out."
Then Rex and the Clone Troopers arrived on their gunship.
"The tank lifters are here to move the debris as ordered."Rex declared.
"Get to it, Rex."Anakin ordered.
Beneath the ground...
Nadia slowly opened her ruby red eyes and realised neither she, Ahsoka and Barriss weren't dead.
The raven haired girl noticed her companions activated their lightsabers to give some light to the area.
She let out a sigh of pure relief.
"Thank the Force, we're okay."Nadia thought.
Nadia then activated her lightsaber as well.
"How deep do you think we're buried?"Barriss asked.
"It's probably best not to think about it."Ahsoka commented."Hand me that power cell, would you?"
Barriss handed Ahsoka the power cell.
"Thanks."Ahsoka responded and looked at Nadia."Mind holding the light, Dia?"
"Sure."Nadia answered.
Nadia then grabbed her best friend's lightsaber with her free hand while her other hand held her own.
"Whatever you're doing, I hope it works."Barriss responded."Because I'd sure rather have died fighting up there than starve to death down here."
"Don't worry."Ahsoka assured."We'll run out of air long before we starve."
"That's a comforting thought."Nadia admitted with a small chuckle.
"Master Skywalker has taught me a trick or two."Ahsoka declared."I think I can get this communicator working."
At the Top of the Rubble...
The Clone Troopers were clearing up the place to find Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia.
"We cannot abandon our Padawans."Anakin declared.
"You misjudge me."Master Luminara replied."I, too care for my apprentice. But if their time has come..."
"I refuse to let Ahsoka and Nadia die."Anakin retorted with a hint of anger."They will find a way out."
"If my Padawan has perished, I will mourn her, but I will celebrate her as well through her memory."Master Luminara admitted.
"I still plan on celebrating this victory with my Padawan and Nadia in person."Anakin stated in a strict tone.
Beneath the Ground...
"What happens to us now doesn't matter."Barriss said."By destroying this factory, we've saved countless lives elsewhere."
Nadia glanced at Barriss with a look of disbelief on her face
"Doesn't matter?"Nadia questioned."Of course it matters! We all have a reason to live no matter what happens in life!"
"I'm about to save three more."Ahsoka added.
Ahsoka kept pressing the cell against the com, hoping it would work.
"I know you're out there and I know you're looking for me."Ahsoka said weakly.
Nadia held her friends' hands comfortingly as she and Barriss nodded to her in thanks.
"Wait...someone's digging."Nadia responded softly.
Ahsoka, Nadia and Barriss then heard something moving outside before light started to shine in from an opening.
Ahsoka coughed as she, Barriss and Nadia looked up in the sunlight.
Anakin and Master Luminara telekinetically had lifted the pile of debris off the tank, freeing the three Padawans.
"Barriss."Master Luminara said calmly.
"Ahsoka!"Anakin called out in relief."Nadia!"
Then a few Clone Troopers dropped down to help the three Padawans.
"I knew they were still alive."Anakin commented and glanced at Master Luminara."I told you not to give up on them."
"It's not that I gave up, Skywalker. But unlike you, when the time comes, I am prepared to let my student go."Master Luminara declared."Can you say the same?"
Anakin shook his head and didn't respond Master Luminara's question.
The Clone Troopers brought Barriss, Ahsoka and Nadia up from the rubble to bring them to Anakin and Master Luminara.
"I knew you'd come looking for me."Ahsoka remarked.
"I never doubted you for a second."Anakin stated and smirked at Nadia."And I'm glad you're alright too, Dia."
"Really?"Nadia asked, pretending to sound like she didn't believe him.
"Yeah, Obi-Wan would've killed me if something happened to you."Anakin replied.
"Of course he would."Nadia sneered while folding her arms and smirking as well."Or probably tear off your limps off."
Ahsoka snorted her laughter while Anakin rolled his eyes at Nadia's complement.
Anakin, Ahsoka and Nadia turned their attention to Barriss and Luminara.
"Padawan, you did well."Master Luminara praised.
"Thank you, Master."Barriss thanked before smiling at Ahsoka and Nadia."But if it weren't for Nadia and Ahsoka, we'd still be down there."
"Indeed."Master Luminara agreed."Your Master never lost faith in any of you."
Anakin, Ahsoka and Nadia share a smile with each other as a bunch of gunships arrived in the area.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
See you all in the next one!