Author's Note
Sorry for the delay; I wanted to make sure of my involvement in the early days of the war. I wanted to do things in chronological order as much as I could. Unfortunately, the episodes of the "Clones Wars" were anything but that. Therefore, I'm not going to be able to cover all of them, but I will do some of my favorites though. In this chapter, I will include when Anakin became a Jedi Knight.
Chapter 3: The Clones Wars Chaos
Due to the Battle of Geonosis, we lost many fellow Jedi. Including a few that were on the Jedi High Council. Those of us that were left had to decide on suitable replacements. We all discussed and concluded Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto were the best options. Obi-Wan was greatly honored as there had not been a Jedi of his age chosen to be on the council since I first took my seat. Anakin received a robotic prosthetic arm to replace the one he lost to Count Dooku. I knew that he and Padmé had gotten married on Naboo. They gave R2 and C-3PO to each other as wedding gifts. I stayed quiet about it as I was still preparing my arguments for the Council that attachments didn't necessarily lead to the Dark Side of the Force. Also, I had more important business to deal with; the Republic had managed to achieve some more quick victories after the Battle of Geonosis. However, the Separatists managed to convince more systems to join them. They also set their sights on systems loyal to the Republic. It seemed for every system we liberated or took. The Separatists managed to conquer others. It was a tug of war with the several star systems in the galaxy. While the droid armies did outnumber our clones, my Aspirants of the Force certainly helped even the odds. My Jedi were battle-trained and could each handle more than 1,000 battle droids on their own. Some systems had remained neutral in the conflict. Though if the Separatists had their way, no system would remain neutral for long.
The Republic was more than happy to let those systems remain neutral. The more people we could keep out of this war. The better we liked it. I continued my hunt for Darth Sidious during my spare time. I knew that if I could eliminate him, it would go a long way to ending this war. I could sense how frustrated my Jedi and I were making him. Along with the fighting ability of my Jedi, I improved our cruisers and our fighters. It came to be that my Jedi Cruisers reviled the Venator-class cruisers the Republic had produced. I had special bomber ships built for my Jedi to fly. They had heavier weapons than our normal Jedi Starfighters. They had proton torpedoes and bombs to deal serious damage. They were small and fast enough however to avoid enemy fire. They could get in and out before the droids knew what hit them. Little did I know at the time that years later, these ships would be the last hope for the galaxy. Though that's a story for later, much later.
The Banking Clans had been divided in two. The clans on Scipio claimed to be loyal to the Republic and funded our war effort. The clans on Muunilinst were in league with the Separatists and funded them in the war. We recently discovered that the Banking Clan had built several large factories on Muunilinst. They were making massive droid armies and warships. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Master Yoda, and I met with Chancellor Palpatine to discuss the matter. "We must act quickly," Obi-Wan said. "I agree," said the Chancellor. "The question is who to send, Master Windu still fights on Dantooine" "Yes with Master John trying to keep the Separatists from destroying my main Jedi Academy" I added. "Lead the assault Master Obi-Wan will," Master Yoda said. "His army is well-rested and ready to fight," I added. "My army is ready Chancellor," said Obi-Wan. "We can leave immediately" "And young Skywalker, I suggest that we give him special command of your space forces." Said the Chancellor. "His skills will prove to be valuable." "With respect Chancellor," Obi-Wan said. "I don't think Padawan Anakin is ready for such responsibility." "He'll be going with you anyway Obi-Wan and he has exceptional skills with flying," I said. "I say it's about time we make better use of them." "True with his master a padawan's place is," Master Yoda agreed. "Quite strong he has become, agree with Master Jones on this I do. Given special command of the fighters, he will be" "Then it's decided" Palpatine said with an air of satisfaction. "Off you go boys," I said. Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed and left us.
"Now if you will excuse Master," I said as soon as Anakin and Obi-Wan were gone. "I'm scheduled to lead the attack on Minntooine." "Good luck in your mission my old apprentice" Master Yoda. The Quarren allies of the Separatists had been building terrible warships there on Minntooine. We believed they were planning an attack on Mon Calamari. It was a system loyal to the Republic and an important one at that. My Jedi, the 346th legion, and I needed to shut them down before they could launch their attack. Taking a shuttle, I was flown up to my ship the Stability in orbit over Coruscant. It was accompanied by a fleet of Venotar-class Cruisers and more of my Jedi Starships. I traveled up to the bridge and sat down in my commander's chair. "Alex, set course for Minntooine," I said. "You got it, brother," Alex said. Before I knew it, we were jumping to light speed. "Alex did we receive a scout report on defenses on Minntooine," I asked. "Yes Ammon," he said handing me a datapad. "It seems the Separatists didn't count on us mounting an attack. Only a few Providence-class dreadnoughts, Munificent-class frigates, and Lucrehulk battleships are guarding the space around the planet." "There's also a weak garrison on the planet's surface as well" I added. "This may be a blue milk run if ever I saw one, but we need to keep our guard up. We don't know what the Separatist may have in store for us" We soon dropped out of lightspeed at Minntooine. There was a total of 2 Providence-class dreadnoughts and 3 Munificent frigates with 3 Lucrehulk battleships. My fleet had 5 Venator-class Cruisers with 5 of my Jedi Starships. They are similar to the Venotar-class Cruisers but had only one bridge tower like the Acclamator-class ships. "Launch all the fighters and concentrate our fire on their command ship," I said. "Yes brother," Alex said.
The shields on my Jedi Cruisers were designed to be almost impenetrable. They absorb the power from enemy fire and recycle it to strengthen themselves. The Stability fired its proton cannons at the Separatist command ship. We disabled it fairly quickly. The Venotar Cruisers had ion cannons that disabled the Lucrehulk battleships as the ARC-170 fighters finished them off. The last Separatist dreadnought was blown up with the combined efforts of the Y-Wing of the Republic and my Jedi Bombers. Munificent frigates aren't that tough and soon were on the run. That's when we focused our attack on the station where they built the warships. However, they were also building other war machines on the planet itself. The main aqua droid factories were located down there. Aqua droids were the Separatists' underwater units. They are built to swim through the water using propellers on their feet. On their right arms, they have a retractable blaster cannon. Though they are waterproof and used mostly for underwater combat. They can walk and fight on land if they have to. Though they aren't as agile or as quick as land droids. I knew we'd be faced with quite a few of them. I had Alex stay on the Stability to secure the space around Minntooine. Meanwhile, I got on my diving equipment along with many of my Jedi. The Clones were also outfitted with diving equipment. Though I did have some Jedi who were aquatic by nature and could breathe underwater. We assembled in our transports and were prepared to land on the planet itself. Though most of the population of Minntooine lived underwater. There were still some islands that rose above the waters. I knew we could establish a beachhead and landing zone on one of them. We found the largest one and prepared our forces. The Clone Commander was CC-1010 or as he was named Commander Fox. He walked up to me. "General, my men are ready for your orders," he said. "Very good Commander," I said. "Have our water vehicles been deployed?" "Yes, General" Fox said. "Good," I said. "Have your men move out, we make our first assault against the droid stronghold in the city of Valletta. Don't expect a warm welcome from the native Quarren either. They are aligned with the Separatists and Count Dooku." "Which means we can use any force necessary right General?" Fox asked. "Correct Commander," I said. "This will be easy then," Fox said. "Not entirely Fox. We may still face heavy resistance and it won't be nice either," I said. "Plus underwater combat is not the same as a battle on land."
Once I was sure we were ready, I gave the orders to move out. We walked into the water and began to swim toward Valletta. I gave specific orders not to shoot at any unarmed natives, especially women and children. While the Separatists had no trouble with that I knew we should be above that. If we were, then maybe the rest of the Galaxy would see how evil the Separatists and Count Dooku were. Valletta fell easier than I had expected. The aqua droids were not in as large numbers as I thought. The Quarren surrendered when the droids abandoned them. Before I knew it we had shut down the entire operation on Minntooine. With all the droid and warship foundations destroyed I gave the order to completely withdraw. We had no interest on Minntooine. This strike was purely about crippling part of the Separatist war efforts. When I returned to Coruscant for the Jedi Council meeting. I was able to give a good report. However, Master Kenobi reported that Anakin had been lured into a trap by Dooku's new dark assassin. My Jedi informants had informed me that her name was Asajj Ventress. She was once one of us, a Jedi Padawan under the tutelage of Jedi Master Ky Narec. That was until her master was killed by pirates and she left us in pain and anger. She hadn't been seen or heard from since until now. Now it seems Dooku had taken her in as his dark apprentice. Fortunately, Anakin was able to defeat her and return alive. However, Master Ki-Adi Mundi didn't have as good of a report. He and several other Jedi including Masters Aalya Secura and Shaak Ti were attacked on Hypori by General Grievous. He was the cyborg general of Count Dooku's droid armies. His arms were designed to be able to wield and use lightsabers. Of the Jedi that were part of that battle, only Masters Mundi, Secura, and Ti survived. "We may have been exhausted but when was the last time someone stood up to five Jedi and held his own" Master Mundi said. "This must be dealt with." "I agree," said Master Windu. "This General Grievous is changing the shape of the war." "Our numbers were dwindling before and now this," said Master Mundi. "Yes we need more knights," said Master Shaak Ti. "I know this will generate debate," Obi-Wan said. "But I suggest that in this time of war. We forego the Trials and promote my padawan Anakin to Jedi Knight." "This is impossible" objected Master Oppo Rancisis. "We can't set aside one of our most hallowed traditions." "In this time of need, why do we hold back the Chosen One?" Master Mundi asked. "Whether or not he is the Chosen One is still to be determined," Master Windu answered. "Perhaps it's more the fact that some of us can't accept that Anakin is the Chosen One and not one of us," I said. "Are you implying that I'm jealous of young Skywalker Master Jones?" asked Master Windu. "I said no such thing Master," I replied. "I merely said that perhaps some of us for reasons of their own can't accept that Anakin is the Chosen One." "Palpatine has been requesting this for months now," said Master Even Piell. "Politicians have no voice in Jedi matters," said Master Windu. "Palpatine has a habit of sticking his nose where it doesn't belong Master, just ignore him," I said. "Can we proceed with the original topic of discussion please, young Skywalker?" "Well he is a cunning warrior and our best pilot," said Master Kit Fisto. "But he's reckless with his gifts," put in Master Adi Gallia. "Sometimes in the past yes," Obi-Wan admitted. "But regardless, Anakin has been through things more difficult than the Trials. Surely he passed a Trial of Skill when he defeat that dark assassin on the fourth moon of Yavin. And he endured an atrocious Trial of the Flesh at the hands of Count Dooku. And he continued to pass every test of Courage this war has dealt him" "It would seem he would have but one trial left to face," said Master Eeth Koth. "Testing the Spirit," said Master Shaak Ti. "Facing the Mirror," added Master Piell. "And that is what concerns me," said Master Rancisis. "To walk the path of the Jedi, one's spirit must be strong. That requires discipline and he has often disobeyed you, has he not Master Kenobi"
"Though did we, not all disobey our masters at his age," I said. "It's just a sign that he's right to move out on his own." "Correct Master Jones is," added Master Yoda. "Did you not disobey me from time to time in your youth Master Rancisis? A just debate this is but in these days of war need all the knights we can." "The more knights we have, the more padawans we can train" I added. "Unorthodox young Skywalker's career has been," Master Yoda said "So too shall be his trials. A knight he shall be" "Obi-Wan summon him here" I said. As Obi-Wan summoned Anakin we all prepared for the ceremony to dub him a Jedi Knight. It took a while, probably because Anakin was meeting with Padmé, but he made it. Obi-Wan talked with Anakin about how it was time for them to leave their roles as master and student. The time had come for him to become a brother. They walked into a dark room with the rest of us waiting for him. We all had our hoods up except Master Yoda. We activated our lightsabers to light up the Council Room. Anakin immediately understood what was going on. "Step forward Padawan," Master Yoda said. Anakin did so and knelt before Master Yoda. "Anakin Skywalker," said Master Yoda as he moved his lightsaber from one side of Anakin's shoulder to the other. "By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, dub thee I do Jedi Knight of the Republic" With those last words, Master Yoda carefully cut off Anakin's Padawan braid and it fell to the floor. That was when Anakin became a Jedi Knight in the Old Jedi Order.
Author's note: Next Chapter I will outline when Anakin battled with Admiral Trench at Christophsis and when he received Ashoka Tano as his apprentice. This will also include the kidnapping of Jabba's son and when we made a critical alliance with him.
