STAR WARS TALES
Episode 2: Jedi Droids
On a dark volcanic moon on the outer reaches of the galaxy, a large Separatist fortress stood silhouetted against the night sky. Inside this fortress, in the main command room, Lord Sidious paced slowly back in front of Count Dooku who was on bended knee.
"It's time, Dooku, to respond to the latest Republic pestilence", Sidious said in a low, cold voice. Dooku said nothing. "I have called you here to show you something that will aid our cause. Something I know you will like." With his cloaked arm, Sidious directed toward the door of the command room. On cue the door slid open and in stepped what looked like an ordinary assassin droid, but with one major difference. It was holding the handle of a lightsabre! Dooku stood and looked at the droid which stopped after a couple of paces and stood motionless. "Behold", said Sidious with a voice of triumph, "the first prototype of the droid whose manufacture templates you delivered to Geonosis on your last mission". The droid still stood in one place, not moving a joint. "Dooku", said Sidious slowly, "defeat MK-666. If you can."
Dooku looked at the droid, then at Sidious, then back at the droid. Then he withdrew his lightsabre and ignited it. Almost at once the assassin droid leaped into action. Before Dooku could direct a swing, the droid ignited it's lightsabre and attacked with a blindingly quick attack. Dooku swirved and used Force lightning from his free hand. It hit the droid, but it hit an invisible shield! Dooku was shocked, and it unnerved him. Before he could think, the droid leaped onto Dooku, knocking him flat. The droid's lightsabre was at the Sith lord's throat in a split second.
"Like it?" asked Sidious.
"A jedi droid with a shield?" asked Dooku in wonder as the droid pulled back and allowed the Sith lord to get back to his feet and put his lightsabre away.
"Exactly" said Sidious. "The Republic will not know what hit them when we unleash these droids on them".
"And I gave the factory on Geonosis the templates to manufacture these things?" said Dooku. "They're stronger than us! What if they turned against us?"
"No chance" Sidious replied. "I have ordered a whole army of these droids which I want as soon as possible. You will collect the first batch and keep me informed of the manufacturing progress. In the meantime, take this droid with you. When the mighty Skywalker meets you again, give him a taste of this guy. It's time for the Republic to feel the full power of the Dark Side."
"Yes, my lord."
6 weeks later…
The Jedi cruiser sped through hyper space toward Geonosis. On board were Jedi Master Kara Maroe and Anakin's padawan Ahsoka Tano. They had been told to investigate the increase of Separatist activity in the area, just like Anakin and Obi Wan had done when they met Dooku a few weeks previous. Suddenly, the radar in the bridge began to beep loudly.
"General Maroe" one of the pilots said "a Separatist ship incoming".
"Exit hyperspace" ordered Maroe.
The Jedi cruiser exited hyperspace with the Sith ship clearly in sight ahead.
"Looks like we have a battle ahead" said Ahsoka. However the Separatist ship appeared to not have any interest in the Republic cruiser but kept to its course without firing a shot! "What was that about" she asked Maroe.
"Don't know" Maroe replied. "But it's heading straight toward Coruscant. We have to warn the Senate." However, the Separatist ship turned course and returned toward the Jedi cruiser.
"Yep. It definitely wants a fight" said Ahsoka, her hand moving to her lightsabre handle.
Inside the Sith ship was MK-666 and Count Dooku. The Count rubbed his hands in anticipation."Let's see what you are capable of, droid", said Dooku. "Overrun this ship and claim it as our own".
Location: The Senate Building, Coruscant.
The Chancellor's main office room
The main hologram in the room beeped loudly. Anakin pressed the reply button and the hologram image of Ahsoka Tano appeared. She looked panic-stricken.
"Ahsoka!" Anakin exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"Master! We are under attack by a ship full of indestructible assassin droids with lightsabers and blasters! We are being massacred!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" said Mace Windu with sudden tension in his voice.
"It's just as I told you" Ahsoka said in a frightened voice.
"Where's Master Maroe?" demanded Windu.
The hologram began to flicker and suddenly Ahsoka ignited her lightsabre just as the hologram vanished, leaving everyone in the command room of the senate building in a state of shock.
"We have to send a ship out there to investigate" said Anakin.
"Right away" agreed Windu. "This is nothing like I've ever heard before".
When Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Mace Windu arrived (with a fleet of 5 jedi cruisers) at the location of the battle where Ahsoka and Maroe met the invincible droids, they were shocked to find the floating wreckage of a jedi cruiser and no escape pods in sight.
"Dank Ferrick" exclaimed Kenobi under his breath as he surveyed the wreckage. "There's nothing left. They were destroyed."
"Where are the escape pods?" asked Anakin.
The desperation to find survivors of the battle mounted as time went on and there was no contact with either Maroe or Ahsoka. Finally, one Republic escape pod was located amongst the wreckage. No time was wasted in bringing in the pod via retractor beam into the jedi cruiser containing Anakin and the other jedies. Once the escape pod was safely in in the hangar bay, several clones wrenched off the sealed door and hauled out the limp bodies of Maroe and Ahsoka.
"Maroe is dead" said one of the troopers. "Fatal lightsaber wound to the chest. Ahsoka is wounded and unconscious."
"Get Ahsoka to the hospital wing immediately", ordered Anakin.
"Any more survivors?" asked Windu who had just joined the scene.
"Looks like Ahsoka is the only one who got out of that mess alive" said Obi-Wan. "We have to get out of here and regroup. It appears the Sith have got a new weapon…and it's lethal".
"Well, droid, you and your droids did a fine job with that cruiser" said Dooku as the Separatist ship sped back to Sidious' secret base on the volcanic moon on the outer rim of the galaxy.
"Yes sir" replied the droid.
"Sidious will be pleased at our success. Pity we couldn't have taken that ship in one piece as a prize of war, though."
"But there were no survivors" said MK-666.
"None that we know of" Dooku murmured. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if that Jedi scum Ahsoka survived. She is like her Master, she refuses to die."
Suddenly the main hologram beeped and the image of Sidious appeared.
"Well, did you meet any Republic yet?" the Sith lord asked.
"Yes" Dooku answered. "They were powerless against those droids. We completely destroyed one of their cruisers containing Ahsoka Tano and Kara Maroe. We believe Maroe died in the attack."
"Good. Good" said Sidious. "Return to base and we will discuss our next move. I am happy with your success Dooku". With that, the hologram vanished. Dooku's ship entered hyperspace and leaped away into the outer reaches of the galaxy, mission accomplished, threat unleashed.
THE END
Written by Nathan O'Toole on 21/05/2024
Copyright 2024
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