It was just a distant sound at first, but then it began to grow louder with each passing second. The sound of the elite Clone Troopers of the 501st , being lead by Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, but what none of the Jedi in the temple knew, was that their chosen one had turned to the Dark Side. He no longer was calling himself Anakin, but Darth Vader, and right now, he was on a mission to not only destroy the Jedi, but to reclaim the Holocron which had been discovered by Aleah not to long ago on Akiva.
As Darth Vader passed some padawans, he stopped and looked at them. The young Jedi padawans could since the presence of the dark side around them, but they didn't know where it was coming from. With a cold stare, Vader asked, "Where is the Nelvannian, Aleah?"
One of the padawans stepped forward. "She's in the mediation chambers with her master, Daesha Eyan." he said, but before he could react, Vader drew is lightsaber and struck him down.
"Thank you," he said to the dead padawan, the other was too shocked to move, and was quickly slain by the Sith Lord. Turning to the Clone Troopers behind him, Vader nodded his head.
A Clone commander pulled out his comlink. "Begin the attack." he said.
Meanwhile, in the mediation chambers, Jedi Master Daesha Eyan sat across from her padawan, Aleah. As they meditated, Daesha suddenly let out a gasp of horror. The Twi'lek's eyes went wide as her body began to shake as if all the warmth had been taken from her. Aleah looked at her master.
"Master Eyan, what is wrong?" she asked in her native language, the words being translated in English by her communicator around her neck.
Daesha looked up at her. "A great, but evil presence in the force. We must leave now and get off world!" she said grabbing the holocron. Aleah still didn't understand why her master was so afraid, but she dared not question her. Quickly getting to their feet, the Nelvannian put on her translator collar, Daesha put the holocorn in a satchel, then both Jedi ran for the door but were shocked to see Clone killing the other Jedi around them!
The very sight of all the Jedi dying by the Clones' assault almost made Aleah freeze completely, but her master snapped her out of it. Igniting their lightsabers, Aleah and Daesha made their way to the hanger, maybe, just maybe, they could find some working Jedi Starfighters. The Twi'lek master and the Nelvannian padawan cut down many clones that were in their way, but there just seemed to be no end to them. For every Clone killed, five more just seemed to take his place. Neither master or padawan knew why the Clones were attacking, but that answer would soon be answered.
But out in the Outer Rim Territories, Jedi David Creed now no longer a padawan, but Jedi Knight was with his master, Shinji Yoshimitsu were on route to Bespin. As the Republic freighter exited hyperspace, "Master Yoshimitsu, we're making our final approach to Bespin," David said.
"Very good, David," Shinji said. With a wave of his hand, he gestured for David to follow him. They walked through the halls of their cruiser, stopping only to either get a report from certain Clone soldiers or to inspect the officers on duty.
"General Yoshimitsu," one of the Clone troopers said. "Your ship is ready to go for you and your apprentice to go to the cloud city."
The Cathar master bowed in thanks. "We will be back, Commander," Shinji said.
Suddenly, David sensed a disturbance in Force and instantly knew something was terribly wrong. The Clone commander pulled out his hologram communicator to see it was Emperor Palpatine. "Execute Order 66," he said with a sinister smile.
"It will be done my lord," the Clone trooper said as he and his fellow troopers aimed their guns at Shinji.
"Master, look out!" David screamed.
Shinji turned around to see what was happening and activated his lightsaber. The Clone troopers opened fire at Shinji and David, but they deflected the blaster bolts and quickly struck down the nearest Clones. This gave them an opening as they ran for their ship.
The Clones gave chase, trying to kill the two Jedi before they could reach their ship. David was able to activate the controls to the ship, but as Shinji was about to get on board, he was shot in the back by a non-Clone officer. "Master Shinji!" David yelled as he set the ship to autopilot and ran towards his fallen master. The officer who shot his master was quickly dealt with. "Shinji, look at me you're going to be okay. Alright? You're going to be okay."
"David, please listen to me. I need you to be strong. You are needed the most now against the enemy. I've always been and will be proud of you," Shinji gasped his last words as he died in David's arms.
"No!" David cried as he held Shinji's lifeless body in his arms. "Master Shinji, come back! Come back!"
More Clones arrived, but by the time they got their weapons up, David had already taken his master's body and fled in their ship.
Back at the Jedi Temple, Master Eyan opened the doors to the hanger, there, waiting for them was Darth Vader. "By order of the Supreme Chancellor, you two are to surrender the holocron you have, or..." Vader paused and locked eyes on Aleah who was now hiding behind her master. It brought back memories of when he was Ahsoka Tano's teacher, but he couldn't let nothing stand in his way of completing his mission.
"… Be destroyed." Vader finished.
Now it all made since. Anakin had turned to the Dark Side and the Clones were under his command. With all her bravery, Master Eyan took a battle stance and got ready for the duel of her life.
"You want the holocron? Come and take it then!" she said challenging Vader.
Darth Vader sighed. "Very well, then," he said. Channeling the force through him, Vader shot forward with blinding speed. Daesha, surprised by Vader's speed and ferocity, barely blocked the with her own weapon, the blades sliding apart with a harsh rasp. The Sith quickly pulled back went in for another strike, this time grazing the master's arm. Daesha shot her hand forward, hitting Vader with a powerful force push. The Sith went flying back, but manged to land on his feet. Vader grinded his teeth in anger, he should have been able to avoid that attack.
Sensing the Dark Side growing stronger within Vader, Master Daesha turned to her padawan. "Go to level 4, section 192. Look for a place called: The Voyagers Lounge. Go to the bartender and tell him you need to speak to Jens Aldan; he'll point you in the right direction."
"I'm not leaving you master!" Aleah argued in protest. "We fight together!"
Knowing that Aleah was not ready to take on a fully trained Sith Lord, Deasha force pushed her padawan into an elevator. Aleah looked up and tried to stop the door from closing, but her master was too strong in the force.
"I said go!" she shouted, then threw the holocron into the elevator before the door closed. Deasha turned back toward Vader. Once again taking a battle stance. Vader did the same. Both warriors got ready for the other's next attack.
Deasha gave one more smile to the Sith she once called friend. "A good death is its own reward." she said.
"And I will reward you with a quick death, Master Eyan," Vader replied, then went in for the kill.
As the elevator descended, padawan Aleah suddenly felt her world fall apart. Pain ripped into her very body and mind as she heard her master scream through the force. She was dead! As tears run down her cheeks, Aleah looked down at the holocron by her feet. It was because this damned thing. If only she had listened to her master and had stayed close instead of going off on her own. Master Deasha was dead because she didn't obey, but there was no way she was going to let the Clones or Vader get the holocron. Being very careful, Aleah picked it up and placed it in the pouch on her belt.
As the elevator came to a stop, three Clone troopers turned to see Aleah. Before they could even raise their weapon, the Nelvannian shot her hand out, lifting all three Clones off the ground. She felt all her anger and rage trying to come out and she let it. The Clones suddenly went limp as their necks were snapped in mid-air; their lifeless bodies dropped to the ground with a loud thud.
Seeing that these were the only Clones, Aleah ran off, not even looking back the burning Jedi Temple.
Back in the Jedi Temple, the 501st were now mopping up the last pockets of resistance. The Jedi were being killed all over the galaxy, reports were coming in on all Clone frequencies. It was a major victory, but not for Vader. He stood before a hologram of his master Darth Sidious.
"...It is of no concern that the padawan has escaped the temple, Lord Vader," Sidious smiled assuring his apprentice. "I have already sent word to other Clone units to be on the lookout for the female Nelvannian. But I have another job for you, one that requires your attention on Mustafar."
Vader cocked his head. "Mustafar, master?" he asked.
"Yes, there you will end the war for good. The Separatist leaders are there. Do what must be done! Do not hesitate, show no mercy… Kill them all." with those final words, the hologram faded.
By the afternoon the next day Jedi Masters Obi-Wan and Yoda walked through the halls of the once great Jedi Temple. Bodies of Clones and Jedis laid sprawled out on the floor. As the two turned a corner, eight dead Clones who bore red markings of the Corusaunt guard were found with fresh lightsaber wounds. Obi-Wan looked at the bodies, confusion written on his face.
"Who killed these Clones?" he asked.
Yoda shook his head. "I do not know. Clearly, the work of a truly skilled Jedi this was." However, he and Obi-Wan pressed on, not noticing another cloaked figure watching them through the shadows.
Once they were out of sight, the cloaked figure headed for the temple's hanger. Once there, he saw the body of Master Daesha, her lightsaber laying next her.
"Be at peace, my old friend," the cloaked figure said sadly and picked up the fallen master's lightsaber. Looking at it, the cloaked figure turned to leave, determine to return to their crew.
One day later…
Aleah was very tired and very worried. Her face was on wanted posters now. Every time she stopped to rest; someone would start shouting for the Clones to come. It was damn near impossible for her to hide, because she was the only one of her kind on Coruscant. After avoiding another Clone patrol, Aleah finally made it to the Voyagers Lounge. From the outside, it looked to be just another hangout for gamblers or down on their luck pilots. However, she had no idea that a passing Coruscant Guard patrol spotted her going inside the said establishment.
As the Nelvannian padawan entered the main room, she was amazed at what she saw. Humans, aliens, and droids were taking bets, sharing stories or testing each other's strength. Passing a table, Aleah took notice that each occupant had a different emblem or tattoo identifying their rank and what ship they were part of. As the blue female moved through the crowds, she spotted the bartender. He was an old man, who had clearly seen some action in his youth. His eyes fell upon her as she stepped up to the bar. "What do you want?" he asked her, wiping down a spot on the bar.
Aleah looked around. "I need to see one, Jens Aldan." she said loud enough for him to hear her over the all the noise.
His old eyes went wide. Looking around to see if there was anybody looking, the old bartender gestured with his head toward the door marked: VIP only.
Aleah thanked him and hurried through the door, unaware that she was about to go on the biggest adventure in her life. As Aleah made her way towards the entryway that led to the Lucky Star's VIP section, she couldn't help but freeze when she felt a crippling sense of fear and dread fill her, almost as if she was being ripped apart from the inside out, her eyes wincing from the pain and her head feeling as if it was being split in two.
And then she heard it…
The cold, cruel voice sounding through the establishment, either from holograms or the viewing screens that covered the walls.
"And the Jedi rebellion has been foiled."
Aleah turned to the nearest video screen, her blood instantly running cold as she laid on eyes a man she had never seen before. But, as she looked at the report beneath the speaker, her eyes widened in shock and horror upon realizing that this sickly-looking man, his wrinkled pale skin just barely visible beneath his hod robe, was Chancellor Palpatine himself…elaborating on a plot by the Jedi to kill him and overthrow the senate.
"The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated."
And much to Aleah's surprise, and absolute fear, the patrons in the bar began to cheer. This did little to ease her worry as she began to make her out of the main room, the sentiment be displayed a clear sign that she must distance herself as much as possible, should the crowd begin to take a keen interest in her. But as she made her way into the VIP section, her eyes brimmed with tears as she continued to listen to the cruel lies being relayed throughout the Republic.
"The attempt on my life…had left me scared and deformed…"
And the hate, the anger radiating through the force only seemed to grow worse as Aleah finally entered the VIP section, which was just a large, circular space, a large, round seating area located in the middle, surrounding a large holo-table, which displayed the man whose hatred and anger seemed to pierce into her the most.
"But I can assure, my resolve has NEVER BEEN STRONGER!"
But as the holographic man was speaking, Aleah soon found herself taking note of the sole occupants of the room seated around the holo-table, each with a pensive, almost disappointed look on their faces. Though at that moment, Aleah let out a silent sigh of relief as she felt that this disappointment, didn't seem to be toward the Jedi.
The most noticeable of the group was a huge, hulking mass of reddish-brown fur, which could only be a Wookie, his golden eyes looking at the hologram with contempt as what appeared to be a DC leaned by his side. Beside the Wookie a young mirialin male, green skin given an azure hue as he leaned in intently to watch the speech, his yellow eyes wide in shock as the Wookie placed what Aleah could only describe as a comforting arm around him.
Sitting just across from the duo, was a species Aleah was surprised to see a Coruscant, the feline features of the white-furred, violet -eyed female alien blankly watching Palpatine a clear sign that she was a zygerrian. And by her side, tightly gripping her hand in her own as her blue eyes watched in sadness was a dark grey-furred shistavanen, the lupine female, her tall ears pinned back against her skull, wiping away a few tears that threatened to fall.
And just behind the latter two, his back leaned against the wall as own blue eyes stared at the hologram, was a human, his thick black hair running from the top of his head to a full bearded face, his arms and legs lazily crossed as he looked own, his face turning into a deep scowl at what was said next.
"In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire!"
Aleah stilled at this, her mind going hazy at the implication this could mean for any surviving Jedi.
"For a safe and secure society!"
"Shut it off."
The deep, gruff voice, laced with exhaustion had caught Aleah's attention. At first looking to the bearded man, Aleah found that he had not spoken a word. She then looked to the mirilain, but when he offered a "sure," in a light, airy voice, Aleah found her shocked expression turning…to the Wookie.
But, he has not collar.
"Can we help you?"
This voice, however, one that was lighter, but still gruff like the Wookie, belonged to the bearded man, said man now just standing five steps away from Aleah, who at this point shrank under his imposing height and hard stare, the slight wrinkles around his eyes and forehead, as well as the grey streaks in his hair a clear sign that he was reaching middle age.
"I…I am Aleah," the nervous nelvannian answered, thankful that her escapades over the past few days hadn't damaged her collar, "I am looking for Jens Aldan. I was sent by my master, Daesha Eyan."
"Is she alright?"
This inquiry came from the shistavanen, already to her feet upon hearing the name of Aleah's master.
"We've been trying to contact her since we heard about what happened at the temple." This was from the zygerrian, who tightly gripped her lupine companion's arm. But, to their surprise, the group saw Aleah's face contort in pain, fresh tears freely spilling from eyes and dampening the fur on her cheeks as she clenched her eyes tightly. At that moment, the group felt their hearts break upon realizing that the great jedi Master…was no more.
"No," the mirialin gasped, turning and burying his face into the furry chest of the Wookie behind, the mountainous beats pulling the smaller male closer to him with surprising care, all while keeping his eyes of the grieving padawan, who did little to resist the large embrace offered to her by her fellow lupine alien, who openly wept as her zygerrian companion rubbed soothing circles on her back.
But, as the others consoled each other, the human found his attention being pulled to the main area of the establishment, the sound comes and clacking armor filling him with great dread. And upon hearing a voice he had heard all too many times, that dread increased exponentially.
"Where is the Jedi who came in here?"
Peeking out into the main area, the human felt his breath hitch and his blood run cold as he made out the unmistakable red markings of the Corusaunt Guard. And one was presenting a hologram of Aleah to the bartender.
"No Jedi came in here," the bartender responded in a flawless lie, "We the Voyagers don't like their kind getting into our business."
The human let out a breath of relief as he turned to go back to the others, only to freeze when he heard…
"Don't lie old man," the leading Clone said stepping closer to the bartender. "One of our patrols spotted her coming in."
A beautiful Pantoran stepped up. "Look, there's no Jedi in here. So, don't go threatening the Voyagers mercenary guild." her words were as strong as her lie.
Taking her words as a threat, the Clone drew his blaster and pointed it at her. "This is your one chance!" he shouted, his words was loud enough for everyone to hear. "You either hand over the Jedi or-"
The bartender quickly pulled a RSKF-44 and fired! The Clone fell with a smoking hole in his chest plate. Just then another blast was heard and another trooper fell. The other Clones could see the smoking barrel of a DC-17, said weapon being discharged several times again as the aging human emerged from the VIP section, the other's watching in shock as he began firing at the Clones. Soon, all the other Voyagers began attacking the outnumbered Clones.
An albino Wookie took hold of one Clone as a Melitto drew a huge knife. The said Clone began to struggle, trying to free himself before it was to late. The Melitto rushed forward and stabbed the Clone right in the lower stomach!
"AHHH!" he cried out.
Two Clones tried to run for the entrance to get outside, but a female Volpai stopped them. She blasted them multiple times. The constant sound of fighting drew in some Clone gunships and upon seeing them, the bartender shouted, "All Voyagers evacuate now! Get to your ships!" he fired off some more rounds before making his exit.
Many Voyagers rushed out and took their chances out in the open, this took the Clones by surprise. As for the aging human, he hit the control to close the door to VIP area, immediately shooting the control once it was shut.
"Alright kid," he said with a gruff laugh, "looks like you're coming with us."
Looking to the others, the man began to issue orders.
"Danny," he said to the mirialin, "you, Kenna and Feline (fAH-lEEn) get her to the ship. Faolahd and I will hold them off."
"Right Boss," the young man responded, the shistavanen immediately grabbing Aleah by the hand and leading her out through a back door, leaving the two other males alone, their blasters pointed at the door, which burst open in a shower of sparks and smoke, making way for the newly arrived shock troopers, each fire a barrage of blaster bolts at the two males, both taking cover behind the holo-table. And as the Wookie laid down some suppression fire, the human reached into a pouch on his belt, fishing out a commlink.
"SIV!"
"Go ahead boss," a voice sounded over the comm.
"YOU AND FANG GET THE SHIP READY! WE'VE WORN OUT OUR STAY!"
"Will do," came Siv's reply over the comm.
As Aleah was led through the back alleyway, the four of them could all hear the sound of approaching clones. Clearly someone had reported their location, but right now they had to move. A blaster bolt just missed the female Shistavanen, bringing her to a halt, but was quickly pushed forward by Feline. Turning down another alleyway, the group of aliens came face to face with over a dozen shock clone troopers of the 501st..
"Surrender or die!" a clone commander shouted.
All four aliens knew that there was nothing they could do to escape. Clones at their front and back, no way out, so with a frown, Danny dropped to his knees, with his hands raised. Aleah, Kenna, and Feline did the same. The clones rushed forward and placed them in restraints, but it was clear that they were going to be rougher with Aleah for being a jedi.
After being stripped of their weapons, another group of clones arrived with Faolahd and the other human, both were looking pretty roughed up. The clone commander removed his helmet, smiled and approached the human captive.
"Captain Jens Aldan, so nice to see you again," the commander said sarcastically.
"Good to see you, Fletcher." Jens replied, before spitting at the commander, who smiled as the spit landed short.
It was clear that the two had a rather bad past with one another. Fletcher pulled his blaster and pointed it to the head of Jens, his smile now turned dark as his finger moved around on the trigger, taunting the captain. Jens however never flinched even when Fletcher threatened to pull the trigger. Finally, after what felt like hours, the clone commander holstered his weapon.
"You never show any fear, even when facing certain death," Fletcher told Jens as he complimented him on his bravery. "But…" he scanned the area, looking at his prisoners, then asked Jens point-blank, "Where is the rest of your crew? And your junker of a ship?"
"They don't know," Feline whispered to Aleah. "That means we might make it out of here alive."
"Fletcher," Jens said reasonably, "talk to me. What's this all about?"
Fletcher' smile faded and changed into a frown and he began ranting. "Do you know what the penalties are for aiding traitors of the Republic?"
Danny mumbled to Faolahd, "The Repulic? Doesn't he mean the Galactic Empire?"
Jens looked at Fletcher with a scowl. "The Jedi are not traitors! They-" but he was stopped mid-sentence with a slap to the face. Fletcher had struck him.
"You have aided a Jedi who has in her possession, a holocron and as far as I'm concerned, you all die with her. Do you understand?"
Jens drew up straight, looking Fletcher right in the eyes. "I do." his eyes moved past Fletcher. "Dray?"
From out of nowhere, a powerful male Bothan rushed out of the shadows, he was wielding a lightsaber!
"Jedi!" One clone shouted, but before he could even raise his weapon, he was struck down by the Bothan. With blinding speed, Dray made quick work of the other clones using some very flashy saber skills, but as for Fletcher…
Jens kicked him over to Faolahd had manged to break free of his restraints. The mighty Wookie grabbed the clone commander by his arms and with a roar tore his arms off. Fletcher scream in agony as he crashed to floor.
"My arms!" he cried, but none of the others wished to help him. Fletcher looked at Jens. "You! You and your crew will die for this! I swear that-" but he never got to finish his threat as Jens kicked him in the face, knocking him out.
Turning to his now freed crew, Jens smiled. "Let's get out of here," he said.
Dray turned to face Aleah. "Here," he said handing her the lightsaber. The lovey Nelvannian suddenly felt happy to see her master's weapon again. "I found it in the hanger of the Jedi temple," he explained.
"Thank you, Dray," Aleah smiled, then took her master's lightsaber and followed the others back to their ship.