Alright, let's keep the show rolling cause I am in no mood to slow down. The past chapter me and Jebest completed was done after we finished the overall outline of season 3 with seasons 4 and 5's outlines all being halfway done to completion.
We have so much in store for all of you guys with everything that's happening in Season 2 and when season 3 kicks off, all I could really say it's a literal nonstop ride to the very end to Infinity War and beyond.
Clone Wars Season 7 episode 2 was also real fun and while I do hate that they removed the bit involving Padme as Nose Art on the Bad Batch's ship and Anakin's reaction to it, seeing Rex cover for Anakin was just as good if not more due to showing the level of trust and respect the two have for one another. Good stuff.
I've also started my own DeviantArt account under the same name though it's rough to say the least. It's gonna be covers of Arcs and Seasons and it's mostly done with copy and paste crap so I really wanna try in finding someone who could draw out certain scenarios and interactions. But other than that, let's move on shall we?
Bane has got the Holocron and now it's a mad dash to retrieve it so let's get right to it.
Rate Read and Review and As Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 27: Cargo of Doom
Cad Bane was a man of simple principles.
Whenever commissioned a job, complete it to the letter as he had a reputation to uphold on top of his twisted sense of moral ambiguity.
But this twisted morality did nothing to hinder his intelligence. On top of Bane being one of the most lethal and effective Bounty Hunters in the Galaxy, he was also one of the most intelligent.
So when stating that he was headed off to capture Jedi Master Bolla Ropal, he made it very obvious to his Sith Lord client that he'd need more than just himself if he were to catch his next target. Thankfully, it appeared that the Dark Lord was very understanding and provided him with a sizeable fleet in attacking the planet Devaron; which had a system named after it since it was the core world of this area.
There were nearly half a dozen cruisers that had accompanied him, giving him a sizable force to say the least.
But while the droid fleet provided quite the added firepower, Bane always made sure to keep a personal ace in the hole.
Right now however, he needed to storm the base and get the Jedi.
The attack was swift and precise, taking out targeted areas that would hinder their push into the base.
His "Ace" made short work of many of the clones with extreme prejudice, taking an unhealthy pleasure in their slaughter.
Not that he minded. Everyone needed their means of venting. It was unhealthy to keep things pent up inside.
It didn't take long for Bane in capturing the Jedi Master Ropal, quickly dragging his ragged form onto a shuttle and returning to the main Separatist ship.
Upon returning to his new ship, it didn't take long for a Republic Venator to appear out of Hyperspace and immediately engage in the droid fleet.
"Well they came scampering towards here faster than I thought." Bane mused. "Prep all the forces, make sure none of them get through."
On the Venator that arrived to face Bane's makeshift fleet, Anakin Skywalker stood upon the bridge as his flagship the Resolute engaged the enemies.
He was vastly outnumbered though not for long.
Anakin had gotten word from the troopers stationed on Devaron before they were swarmed that there were at least eight Separatist ships orbiting over the planet. Now Anakin was confident enough that he'd be more than capable of taking on all of these ships as none were being led by a Separatist leader. Cad Bane was a Bounty Hunter first and foremost meaning these ships were all just means to an end.
That didn't mean he was going to be taking this lightly.
Off to the right flank, two more Venators appeared from Hyperspace with the ships firing up their weapons.
"Nice timing Master Luminara." Anakin said through the holo-link which displayed Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, her Padawan Barriss Offee and Commander Gree.
"Well I figured one with your sense for the dramatic that this would fit well within your expectations." Luminara said with a sly tone.
"Much appreciated Master." Anakin remarked. "You know me so well."
"General Skywalker."
Anakin turned to Admiral Yularen who was standing beside a terminal with Captain Rex.
"Admiral?"
"Urgent message coming from the planet."
Anakin walked over to see a holo-transmission of a Clone Trooper that appeared to be desperately fighting to stay alive.
"General Skywalker!" The Trooper said in a frantic tone. "We're holding the base but not for much longer. The clankers are swarming the place and they've captured General Ropal."
"Do you know where he was taken?" Anakin asked.
"I don't know sir." The Clone Trooper said, swatting a B1 droid away with his carbine. "All I know is he wasn't taken by any ordinary Seppies. It looked like some kind of Bounty Hunter really."
"Bounty Hunter? Describe him quick, just the essentials."
"Duros, brown coat and weird round hat."
"Cad Bane." Anakin deduced straight away. What in the name of the Force was he doing all this for? So he was the one who stole the Holocron. Question is, why?
"Sit tight trooper and hold on, reinforcements are on the way."
He looked back to the still connected Mirialan Jedi pair. "Master Luminara-"
"We've begun sending support down, Skywalker." Luminara assured.
"Good to hear." Anakin said. "Admiral let's get to work on those cruisers. Disable only, Bolla Ropal is on one of those ships and we need to get him out of there."
Yularen only nodded, moving to give out orders with the Clones going about their assigned duties.
"Rex?"
"Yes General?"
"Where's Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka currently watched Peter Parker swinging around the Hangar Bay of the Resolute with glee and awe.
"Oh my God! Look at all these spaceships! I've gotta fly one of these!"
The New York native was putting on quite the spectacle for the men of the 501st, the troopers all looking up at the web-head that swung around with grace and ease chatting excitedly.
Down below were two faces that Ahsoka was unsure of how they came along on the mission but appreciated the help regardless.
"How long has he been doing that?" Hevy asked in slight astonishment at how Spider-man landed atop an LAAT Gunship before leaping over to a Y-wing.
"Bout the entire time we've traveled." Colonel James Rhodes replied, suited up and ready for a fight.
"Does he ever get tired?" Echo inquired.
"I don't." Pietro remarked. "And since most enhanced we've met are pretty durable, he won't drop for a while. I know I didn't."
"He's a lot like Stark." Rhodey mused, a small fond smile on his lips. "Though with way more humility."
"That looks like fun!" A Clone trooper remarked with a wild grin at a particular swing in between the infrastructure of the Hangar.
"You would find it fun, Hardcase." Another Clone trooper said with a roll of his eyes. This Clone stood out with both his face and helmet being tattooed with the symbol of the Republic Grand Army.
"Aw come on, Jesse." Hardcase argued with a gleam in his eyes. "Flying around like that while blasting clankers would be too good an opportunity to pass."
"Battlefields are hectic enough as is, thank you." Echo remarked.
Rhodey hummed in agreement, looking up at Peter who was examining a V-19 by dangling upside down. Glancing over to Domino Squad, the colonel had not noticed the strange patterns on their shoulder plates. Something he now saw other Clones had.
"Hey Fives." Rhodey spoke up, getting the Clones' attention. "What's with all those symbols on your shoulder pauldron? They kinda look like Caps Star from his shield and Sam's wings."
"Oh… uh, er… ya see…" Fives rubbed the back of his head in a slightly bashful manner.
"It's something that's spreading between the clone legions and battalions." Hevy chimed in for his Clone brother. "Since you Avengers have been all over the galaxy helping out the Republic, some of the Clones have their own way showing appreciation."
Off to the side, Ahsoka had overheard this and looked over to Domino squad.
"That's what they are?" Ahsoka spoke up. "I've been seeing them from the rest of the boys."
"Yeah, each one represents one of the Avengers we have fought alongside." Fives said shifting his shoulder forward. "This one here is obvious, Captain Rogers." Fives points to the star that was obviously the star from Cap's shield. "These wings are Lieutenant Wilsons. The turret is colonel Rhodes, these lightning bolts are Mr. Maximoff. This hourglass… that's Ms. Romanoff's symbol right? I saw it on her belt."
"Yeah that's hers." Pietro confirmed for him.
"And these Ant antenna and insect wings must be Scott and Hope." Rhodey added with Fives and Echo nodding.
"How many of the Clones have these marks?" Pietro inquired with intrigue.
"Those who have survived the past few months and ones who were directly with the marked Avengers depending on the battle." Cutup elaborated. "Boomer there has Ant-man's and Captain Rogers with Lieutenant Wilson though not the other members of your team."
"So the more of you Clones fight with the rest of the team, the more symbols you'll get." Rhodey surmised.
"Pretty much, yeah." Hevy said with a shrug. "They're pretty cool though, right?"
"I'll withhold my opinion on that for the time being." Rhodey remarked with a slight smirk.
Their conversation came to an end with Peter landing in front of them, grinning madly from ear to ear.
"This. Is. AWESOME!" Peter declared aloud making Ahsoka and several other clones chuckle at the teens over exuberant nature. "This is like a nerd's dream come true! You gotta show me how they all work."
"You'll have to save that enthusiasm for later, kid."
Everyone turned to see Anakin, Rex and Yularen approaching the assembled group.
"What's the word, Skyguy?" Pietro asked making several Clones hold back snickers with the aforementioned glaring lightly at the grinning speedster.
"Well, we're gonna board a Separatist Frigate, rescue Master Ropal and recover an Archive Holocron." Anakin listed off.
"Seems simple enough." Rhodey said with a shrug.
"One small snag however." Yularen spoke up with a withering stare to Skywalker. "We have no means of boarding the Separatist ship. We were brought here expecting a ground battle not a raiding party."
"I'm fully aware of that, Admiral." Anakin said conversationally.
"So what's the plan then?" Ahsoka inquired, getting a look out of her master. "Just curious is all."
Anakin glanced around the hangar bay before his eyes landed upon their means of transportation.
Roguish grin in place, he turned to Yularen, plan in mind now.
"Admiral, if you would kindly activate those walkers." Anakin said, pointing to three ATTE's stationed on the far end of the hangar.
Yularen however balked in disbelief. "You are not seriously thinking of using those to transport the Troopers to that frigate."
Ahsoka hummed aloud. "Well, they are pressurized."
"And they're equipped with magnetic feet." Rex said approvingly. "Hmm, good call General."
"Master, you're a genius." Ahsoka praised.
"Those walkers are designed for Terrain, not space." Yularen argued, still not on board with the idea.
"Wait, what's happening?" Peter asked the Clones and two Avengers.
"Well, since you wanted to help out, here's your first chance." Rhodey said, placing a hand on the teens shoulder. "That suit of yours, is it pressurized?"
"Oh… Uh…" Peter looked down at his spider suit, patting himself down. "I… I think it is. Maybe, I don't know."
Rhodey stared up at the ceiling, looking to the Clone Troopers a moment later. "Got any air masks the kid could use?"
Anakin all the while ran ahead with Ahsoka to one of the walkers with Rex ordering Execute, Carnivore and Torrent company to load up on the ATTEs.
"Hope you're ready for this kid." Pietro said with a pat on the kid's shoulder, helmet under his arm.
"Stay sharp and watch those blasters." Rhodey said. "This is a snatch and grab mission, no need for theatrics like Tony."
"Ok." Peter said in a low voice when a thought occurred in his mind. "Wait, you guys aren't gonna stop me? Like at all?"
Rhodey and Pietro looked at one another with the latter shrugging and the former speaking for the two.
"Listen Peter, I'll be quick and upfront with you. You're a kid who's only 15 and rushing into a battle that he's had no training for." Rhodey bluntly stated. "Then again, how many people do have training in these situations? You're an Avenger now. If Tony recruited you then it was for a good reason. Besides, you don't look like the kind of person who'd sit on the sidelines while everyone else does all the work. That's not what the Avengers are about and you've already volunteered. So… are you ready?"
Peter stared at the air force colonel before scrunching his face up in a determined manner and quickly slipping on his mask. "Let's do this."
While the Republic forces and their allies rallied for the raid on the Separatist Cruiser Bane occupied, the Duros Bounty Hunter conducted his own business in interrogating the Jedi Master Bolla Ropal.
"So just asking this, but how're we gonna get on that ship?" Peter pointed out.
"Simply put, we're gonna get dropped in the vacuum of space inside the walkers and then enter through other means." Rhodey surmised. "Probably a hatch or something."
Peter's lenses owlishly blinked.
"It's not the craziest thing we've done." The Clone known as Fives said with a shrug.
"Then, uh… what is?"
Several of the Clones and the two Avengers glanced at one another.
"You know, I never really figured that one." Echo stated. "It all just kind of blurs together."
"Just trust your instincts Peter." Rhodey said, patting the teen on the back. "You chose to be a hero before Tony ever met you, right? Go with your gut."
Peter only nodded, silently breathing to himself as the Venator flew above the Separatist cruiser.
With everyone situated inside of the walkers, the doors opened up and dropped everyone down to the Separatist ship below them.
The AT-TE's floated idly down, Anakin and Ahsoka hanging off their walker whilst Rhodey flew down and shot down two fleeing droids.
With the magnetic feet situated onto the ship's hull, they soon progressed onward.
Vulture droids were immediately deployed and opened fired upon their opposition.
The Jedi soon got out of the walkers and ignited their lightsabers. They swung their weapons in the effort of knocking the blaster fire away from them. It wasn't long before they leaped towards the present droids, using the magnetic latches on their boots to help move along the hull.
Cad Bane in the meantime had returned to the bridge of the ship after getting a distress message from the droid's operation the cruiser.
"What is it?" Bane griped aloud.
"Sir, it's Nute Gunray." A yellow tinted droid said holding up a transponder. "He wishes to speak with you."
"Put him through."
The small visage of the irate Neimoidian Separatist greeted the Duros bounty hunter.
"Bane." Gunray barked aloud. "What is the meaning of this?! When Darth Sidious contacted me in loaning you out the Separatist fleet, I did not know it was to go to war! You've already lost most of my ships with only three left."
"One." Bane said casually. "The other two have been taken out by that other Republic fleet."
Gunray gritted his… his teeth? Yeah his teeth. "I hope you will be able to pay for all this?"
Bane held out a blue cube with gold tinted patterns on it. "One authentic Jedi Holocron as promised with translation crystal as well. When my benefactor gets this, he will compensate you for your puny fleet."
That's when the ship shuddered violently, making Cad grin. "Sounds like the Jedi want it back."
Outside the ship, Anakin, Ahsoka, the troopers and War Machine fought through the oncoming Vulture Droids with the Jedi and Avenger going forward as the main offensive.
Both Anakin and Ahsoka sliced through a Vulture droid whilst Rhodey simply flew straight at one at full speed and clotheslined its head straight off.
Back inside, Bane watched the attack with an analytical expression.
"The Republic forces are overwhelming our vulture droids. Should we send out reinforcements?"
All Bane had to say was 'No'.
"Bane, what are you doing?" Gunray said in outrage.
"Did you say no?"
Bane hummed in confirmation.
"Roger, roger."
"The Jedi will board this ship and get the Holocron back." Gunray fretted. "Just transmit the data and close the deal, immediately."
"I can't." Bane said, slightly exasperated. "This Holocron could only be opened by a Jedi and the one I have inside is dead. Luckily…"
Bane eyed Ahsoka and Anakin that were fighting through the Vulture droids outside.
"I have two more on the way. More than one needed."
"You better live through this. I want my money, Bane."
"You can count on that." The bounty hunter then turned towards the droids and gave out his demands. "Wipe out the frigate's memory banks and destroy every record of our mission. Initiate the self-destruct sequence." He then pushed the yellow highlighted droid to the side. "You. Transfer all ship functions to my wrist-com. I want door controls, gravity generators. Everything."
"Roger, roger."
"Rest of you, stay here and defend the bridge."
Bane glanced over to his partner that he had recruited for the mission that was staring at the live feed of the Jedi and their additional allies that were fighting the droids.
"You'll get your chance." Bane stated. "Stick to the plan and they're all yours."
The large brute chuckled darkly.
Back outside, the Republic forces had finished mopping up the Separatist resistance reaching an entry hatch.
"R2" Anakin called out to his trusted Astromech droid that flew towards him in an instant. The droid connected itself to the cruisers control and opened the hatch for the others to get in.
All the while, Cad had left the bridge with his partner in tow.
"Why are we defending the bridge against the Jedi?" A droid asked.
"Because he told us to."
"Alone? I hate this job."
No sooner had the droid said that, the doors to the bridge burst open. War Machine, Anakin, Ahsoka and Spider-man ran right through with the clones right behind them.
It was a quick sweep, the B1 battle droids being taken out in an instant with only two remaining.
"Don't shoot." The yellow tinted droid pleaded. "I'm not the commander, he's the commander."
The droid beside it was shot down.
"Well… I guess I'm the commander now."
Then it was shot.
Area secured, R2 rolled forward.
"R2, see if you can find Master Ropal." Anakin requested, which the Astromech immediately went to work.
Plugging himself into the servers, the droid soon pulled up something for all Republic forces on the bridge to see.
"-One authentic Jedi holocron," Spoke Cad Bane's holo-recording, "and the memory crystal I was after."
Upon seeing both items in the bounty hunter's hands, Ahsoka groaned. "Oh, no. He has both pieces now."
Anakin didn't like this at all. Turning to the clone commander, he gave the order. "Rex, send a squad. Lock down the hangar bay and destroy all escape pods. No one leaves this ship."
"Yes sir." Rex said before running off with an assemble of clones following right behind him.
"We have to find Ropal, fast."
"No need." Pietro's voice said through the comms, tone grim. "I found him."
With Pietro, the speedster had split from the main force and ran through the ship and to the detention center. The Sokovian had found the Jedi dead and abandoned on the ground.
"And?"
"He's gone, guys." Pietro said apologetically. "That blue skinned freak killed him."
Ahsoka's shoulders sagged in sorrow and disappointment with Anakin clenching his fists tightly.
"Rex." Anakin contacted his Captain. "Have some men get down to the detention center and retrieve master Ropals body. He'll get a proper burial back at the temple."
Soon the ship started to violently shake, causing many to steady themselves out.
"What was that?"
Their answer was soon given with their comms receiving a message from their ship.
"General Skywalker, this is Admiral Yularen. One of the engines on that frigate has exploded. I caution you to avoid the aft section."
Anakin pressed onto his wrist-com and responded back. "How much damage are we talking?"
"I suggest immediate evacuation."
"Not until we get what we came here for."
Ending the transmission, Skywalker looked towards his allies.
"So what do we do now?" Peter asked aloud.
"We need to find Cad Bane and get back the Holocron." Anakin declared.
"We might not be able to get back the Holocron in time, Master." Ahsoka argued. "But if it's destroyed with the ship, Nute Gunray won't be able to get it either."
"It's not as simple as that, Ahsoka." Anakin said. "Remember what Windu said, that Holocron contains the name of every known Force-Sensitive in the galaxy. That's not something that can be replaced so easily. And I'd rather return that to the Jedi Archives personally."
With his mind made up, Ahsoka knew there was no point in trying to argue with her master.
With some of the troopers breaking back off to retrieve Master Ropals body, the remainder of the squad began walking through the now darkened corridors of the Separatist cruiser.
"What's with all the lights?" Fives asked. "Or lack thereof."
"Stay sharp." Anakin ordered; lightsaber ignited. "This could be a trap."
"It probably is." Rhodey said. "And we're walking right into it, right?"
"Ah come on Rhodey." Anakin remarked. "Where's your sense of excitement?"
"Shut up, Skyguy. Just… shut up."
The crew continued to walk through the halls when they saw someone run by them, R2 whistling and beeping about.
Running after the figure, the group ran into one of the cannon rooms of the Droid ship and were greeted with the sight of Cad Bane standing before an entire legion of droids.
"Ah, Skywalker, so good to see you again." Bane said condescendingly. "We've been expecting you."
Both Jedi, the clones and two Avengers raised up arms against the bounty hunter with the droids at the Duros' back doing the same.
"It's over, Bane." Rhodey said, aiming his repulsors at the bounty hunter. "Hand over the Holocron and we won't hurt you… much."
"Oh, I would, believe me." Bane mocked. "But first, I have a job to do and I need the Jedi to do it for me. And besides, why the rush? There's someone I know who has been dying to see you again."
"Who?"
A chuckle echoed throughout the hangar, sending shivers down many clone troopers.
"That would be me…"
A gigantic form dropped down from its hiding place in the hangar bays rafters and landed with an echoing thud, leaving a dented crater in his wake.
"Hello, War Machine." Durge, the Gen'Dai bounty hunter growled with malicious glee.
"Oh shit!" Rhodey said, eyes widening alongside many others.
"HIM?!" Ahsoka yelled out in alarm.
"Stay back!" War Machine shouted to the Clones specifically, throwing his arm up. "I know it's a waste, but right now, fuck it."
A compartment opened up from above his wrist.
"Tank missile."
Rhodey fired his killing missile yet the Gen'Dai was more than ready for it.
Throwing out and extending his own arm, Durge ensnared the missile with his muscles and tissue before detaching his arm and flinging it away.
The arm landed between several Vulture droids before blowing up in a violent manner.
"Well that's just perfect." Rhodes griped aloud..
Bane smirked, activating this thrusters and flying back. "Have fun, Durge!"
"You can count on it!"
Durge's entire form began bulging about and expanded greatly while the other droids began to open fire on them.
"Spread out." Rex ordered with the troops running towards anything they could find for cover.
"Oh crap." Peter said, firing a web line to pull himself up to the ceiling.
"Huh, that guy again." Bane muttered under his breath, recognizing Spider-man.
The Clones fired on the droids while War Machine, Anakin and Ahsoka moved to engage Durge.
Durge laughed aloud with manic glee, swinging his elongated limbs without a care in the world as he fought against the Jedi and Avenger.
Rhodey had his shoulder mounted gun constantly firing upon the massive opponent with Anakin and Ahsoka slicing through the nerves and tissues.
Yet for every damage they inflicted on the bounty hunter he either healed, regrew or reattached what was damaged.
It was rather frustrating.
The rest of the clones were on the offensive though they made sure to keep their distance from the literal crazy fight a few feet in front of them. The droids weren't as lucky but they still outnumbered them.
"This… this is too much for me." Cutup muttered, occasionally looking over to Durge fighting the colonel, general and commander.
"Are you kidding me?! This is too awesome." Hardcase yelled aloud, mowing down droids with his Z-6 rotary blaster cannon.
"Save some for me, Hardcase." Hevy said, walking up beside him sporting his own rotary cannon.
Anakin slid on his knees to duck under a swing of Durges arm and righted himself in time to see Bane leveling his pistol at him.
He deflected several shots when he felt something grab him from behind.
"Gotcha, Jedi." Durge snarled, tightening his hold on Skywalker.
"Master!"
"I got him!"
Anakin suddenly found himself back with the Clones.
"Sir?" Echo said in bewilderment.
"You alright there, Skyguy?" Said a familiar accented voice.
"Yeah." Anakin suddenly got vertigo. "No."
He fell to his knees, heaving up air.
"Er… sorry about that." Quicksilver said sheepishly.
"It's ok." Anakin waved off, getting back to his feet with Echo helping stay standing. "It was either that or death. But debating on that right now."
"Right. So~ who is that?" Pietro said thumbing over to Durge who was now trying swat at Spider-man that was swinging around him while trying to immobilize him.
"That's Durge."
"That bounty hunter freak Rhodey told me about?"
"The very same." Anakin said, reigniting his lightsaber.
Narrowing his eyes, Pietro cracked his neck and dashed forward.
Durge slammed his fist into the spot that Peter had nimbly jumped away from when he felt himself jolt violently. Then again. And again. And again.
"What is this?!" Durge roared out.
"Ah what's the matter freakazoid, can't hurt what ya can't hit? Too fast for ya?" Pietro taunted.
"Too annoying!"
"Then let's even the playing field." Bane said, pushing a control on his wrist pad.
Immediately, things started floating around with the clones and droids wobbling about in the air.
"Whoa, Artificial gravity? That's awesome." Ahsoka gave him a stare. "I mean, not awesome. Real bad! Get the bad guys bad." Peter fired a web line at Pietro who was floating around in the air, pulling him to solid ground.
War Machine had little trouble in adjusting, flying straight at Durge brandishing his electrified hammer.
Anakin and Ahsoka were working in tandem together to pick off the floating droids while Rex got the men to activate gravity boots.
"Ok, for my first ever fight aside from that giant terrifying walking nervous system, this is too cool!" Spider-man said aloud, webbing up two droids together that were picked off by the clones.
"Kid!"
"Right, sorry Mister Rhodes." Spider-man jumped from his spot, easily gliding through the blaster fire and floating droid remains to fire off a quick series of large webs to temporarily ensnare Durge.
Durge struggled for a moment, already tearing through the webs but that distraction was all that Rhodey needed to unleash a built a torrent of flame.
What Rhodey did not expect was to have Durge screech in pain and then promptly get shoved hard into a wall. The jolt was so sudden, that Rhodey hit the back of his head with an emphatic thud.
"RHODES!" Spider-man cried out.
"COLONEL."
"Pietro." Skywalker flung the speedster his lightsaber who caught it and ran to the appendage that currently held his comrade and slice right through it.
Rhodey fell though only hovered as the gravity still remained off. Quicksilver quickly ran by up the wall and grabbed him, running back to the Clones.
"Try holding on to him." Pietro said to Echo and Fives that remained rooted to the ground via gravity boots.
"We've got him sir." Echo and Fives pulled the air force pilot down.
"Are you alright, Colonel?" Fives asked in concern.
"I've got a killer headache growing."
Skywalker, Pietro, Peter and Ashoka kept their focus on Durge.
The Gen'Dai had become more frantic and chaotic, attacking at random as he nearly got to Anakin and Ahsoka twice had it not been for Spider-man webbing them out of the way.
"Ok, seriously, did this guy just get pissed off? Like again? Or was he already angry before that?" Peter asked, propelling himself through the air as Durge nearly struck him.
"Well after what he did with Rhodey, I'm not too surprised." Anakin grunted, rapidly slashing at multiple tendrils Durge sent at him.
Bane had hung back the whole time, watching the pandemonium with a massive grin.
It was time to put his own plan into action.
Cad flew by the fighting Durge, Avengers and Jedi right towards his marked destination.
Seeing the Duros bounty hunter getting away, Peter did his best to give chase. Yet it proved a little difficult with the floating droids moving and blasting about.
"Hey, dome head, er… R2!" Spidey called out. "Mind doing us a solid and turn back on the gravity generators?"
The Astromech beeped, activating his thrusters and made his way towards the nearest port he could find.
As he waited for his request to be fulfilled, Peter fired off several web lines. Each latched onto a droid where he pulled and tugged them hard from their places. They crashed into others before being swung all about before they were nothing but scrap metal. And this continued on as he made his way towards the Duros bounty hunter.
Blaster fire went all over the turret room. One stray shot knocked one of the tank shells off the locked rack, causing it to float about.
Seeing this, Rex called out to his fellow troopers. "Check your fire! Hit one of those shells, and this fight is over for all of us!"
Hearing this, Spidey looked over to the stray, floating shell. He wanted to web the shell away from the fighting so his allies can be safe. When he spun around to avoid some more enemy fire, his eyes latched onto the form of Durge.
He remembered hearing about the insane bounty hunter's capabilities and impressive armor durability. It was currently being rained on by War Machine's arsenal, without making much of a dent and it needed something more powerful in order to pierce through it now.
Suddenly a lightbulb lit up in the Earth teen's head.
"Captain Rex! I got an idea!"
Rex looked to see Spider-man snag one of those floating tank shells and swung it right towards the Gen'Dai who had just tossed away General Skywalker.
Much as he loathed to go back on an order he had just issued, Rex could scarcely contain the grin beneath his helmet. This kid didn't seem that bad even if he was a bit inexperienced.
The tank shell sailed right at Durge who had grabbed it giving Rex the perfect shot.
The blaster bolt struck the tank shell, exploding in a fiery display that consumed the Gen'Dai with other pieces of it splattering all around the area.
Bane looked back and just in time to as Anakin was sailing right at him.
Just as the Jedi was about to reach him, the R2 turned the gravity back on.
Everyone fell to the ground, Bane included with the Holocron falling out from his form.
Anakin raised himself up to the ground in time to see Bane snatch the Holocron back, giving him a snide look.
Gritting his teeth, Anakin moved to pursue when something kept his legs rooted to the ground.
Looking back, Anakin's eyes widened at the familiar cluster of nerves that had wrapped around his legs.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Anakin muttered in disbelief and annoyance.
"Thank you for the save, Durge." Bane said with a tip of his hat.
"How is this guy not dead?!" Pietro yelled aloud in aggravation. "Just die already you freak!"
"Hey! Cowboy's getting away!" Peter pointed at the retreating Duros.
"I'll get him!" Ahsoka declared aloud, dashing right after Bane.
"No! Ahsoka WAAIYYAA!"
Anakin was flung up into the air.
"I got him!" Spider-man leapt upwards and caught the Jedi Knight, landing on t he ground away from the regenerating, rampaging Gen'Dai.
"Thanks Parker." Anakin said appreciatively, looking back towards Ahsoka in time to see the door close.
"No, she's walking into a trap." Anakin said. "Rex, pull back and regroup. Get as far away from Durge right now. Get a ship from the hangar and get out of here."
"What about you sir?" Rex asked. "The ships gonna blow."
"I'm not leaving without my Padawan and I'm not leaving until you all get out of here."
"NONe Of YOU aRe LeAvING!"
Durge was reforming into a cluster rapidly with his face plate missing. What the team saw was an angry face with a lot of sharp teeth.
"Ok, that's not terrifying at all." Fives stated.
"Agreed." Hevy said.
"Urgh." Rhodey had his hand up to his plated head. "Anakin. Go after Ahsoka. We'll handle this son of a bitch."
"Sir, are you sure you can fight?" Echo asked.
"Never keep a soldier down Echo. You guys should know this better then anyone else."
Before the clones could respond, Durge howled aloud with his body reformed.
"Let's blow him up again!" Spider-man said.
"I second that idea." Hardcase said excitedly. "I like you kid, you're crazy."
"General, get the commander and that bounty hunter." Rex encouraged. "We'll take this guy down."
Anakin wanted to argue but seeing his men and the Avengers were encouraging him to go so he did.
Durge however, had other plans.
The insane Gen'Dai reached for one of the tank shells that were close by and flung it straight at Anakin before grabbing a discarded droid rifle and firing.
"Oh shit!" Pietro yelled out.
"General Skywalker!"
Anakin looked back in time to see the tank shell explode. Luckily, it was at a safe distance away where he wouldn't get caught up in the explosion. Unluckily, the force of the explosion still sent a powerful shockwave that sent Anakin flying back while the integral structure of the hangar began collapsing.
"Crap!" Pietro immediately dashed forward with Spider-man firing several web lines frantically to pull Clone Troopers away from the falling debris.
Meanwhile…
Rushing through the corridors, Ahsoka gave chase towards the retreating Duros bounty hunter. She pushed herself to the limit in order to catch up to him and it seemed it was paying off as he reached a dead end.
"You thought you could get away?"
Bane merely scoffed. "You're not much of a challenge, youngling." Turning around, he smirked. "I got you right where I want you."
He quickly pulled his blaster and fired off a round. Ahsoka swung her lightsaber and reflected the round back at him. It hit his arm before he rolled out of the way to avoid her incoming attack. Getting up from his recovery roll, he kicked her lightsaber out of her grasp before firing back in retaliation.
Ahsoka avoided the blast, ensnaring his arm and performing a judo throw which resulted in him landing on his back.
Standing over him, she spoke in a mocking tone. "I'm not impressed."
As she used the Force to get her lightsaber back in her grasp, she was too distracted to not notice him latching onto her leg. Feeling the sudden contact, she looked down to see Bane press a button on his wrist-com where an electric shock went through her system.
And it wasn't long before she was rendered unconscious.
Bane stood over her with a triumphant grin.
Back with Anakin, the Jedi came to after several moments realizing he was underneath quite a bit of rubble. Miraculously he wasn't as injured, feeling mostly bruising pain so clenching his fist he called upon the Force to get the rubble off of him.
Seeing a wall that separated Anakin from his men, he rushed over to it.
"Captain Rex? Fives? Echo? Rhodey? Anyone?"
"We're here General." Rex grunted, the sound of blaster fire on the other side. "Glad to hear you're alright."
"Anakin!" Pietro cried out, running up the wall to dodge the metal pipe thrown at him. "Hurry up and get that Smurf bastard and save your student. We need to get out of here already."
Pounding his fist against the debris wall, Anakin knew now wasn't the time for debate moving to try and get into contact with his Padawan.
Unfortunately, the ship violently shaking about prevented him from doing so.
"General Skywalker." Yularen spoke over the wrist-com. "There's a power surge heading towards the bridge. If you're there, get out immediately. You must abandon your mission."
Anakin responded back to the Republic admiral. "I don't have the Holocron memory and I seem to have misplaced my Padawan."
"The ship is tearing itself apart."
"Move off to a safe distance, Admiral, and await my signal for evacuation."
Anakin ran off in the direction where Ahsoka went.
On board the Resolute, Yularen did little in hiding his aggravation at the situation.
"Of all the Jedi, why did I have to end up with Skywalker."
Back on the Separatist Cruiser, Bane watched the young Togrutan Jedi come to and begin to pull on her bindings upon realizing where she was.
Ahsoka tugged on her electric cuffs, only to receive a massive shock through her body.
"Uh, uh, uh. I wouldn't do that if I were you." Bane stated to the bound Padawan. "Those binders have been specially designed for Jedi."
Ahsoka struggled in her cuffs, ignoring him as she tried to get out of them.
Getting tired of this, he grasped onto the piece of jewelry hanging off the back of her head and snapped it off.
This quickly got a response from her, angrily glaring at him on the act.
'He did not just yank that?'
The piece of jewelry in his grasp was a sign of her Padawan status. She was to never take it off, like other species who don't have hair in order to tie it into a certain braid. It was only taken off once she ascended into becoming a Jedi Knight.
What the bounty hunter did was considered a major insult to her.
"The more you struggle, the tighter they get." He smiled as she kept glaring at him. "Impressed?"
"Not really."
Echoes of explosion reached their position, which meant the ship was becoming less and less safe as time passes.
"Enjoy this while you can, sleemo. This burning boat is gonna get us both."
Cad Bane only hummed condescendingly. "Trust me child, we have time. The bond between a Jedi Master and his Apprentice is strong."
"Which means my master is coming for me as we speak."
Bane placed her Padawan braid on his belt while grinning with sinister intentions.
"Let's see if we can get him here any faster." Bane pushed a control on his wrist pad, electrocuting Ahsoka even more the Padawan screaming in pain.
Anakin ran down the corridor, stopping at one being guarded by three B1 battle droids.
"You said we'd be safe back here!" The left B1 said, running to the door behind them.
"Come on, there's three of us and only one of him." Center B1 stated.
"It doesn't matter." Right B1 said dejectedly.
Anakin ignited his lightsaber.
Within the room, Bane watched a panting Padawan fighting to stay conscious.
"Uh s-sir? There's a Jedi here." A B1 frantically said from the other side. "He looks very unhappy."
The droid was promptly silenced by a lightsaber swing.
Bane only nodded, activating a ray shield, separating him from Ahsoka.
"Your Master has gotten the message."
Ahsoka attempted in vain to run at Bane, but the ray shield knocked her back. As she fell to her knees, the door opened up to reveal a glaring Anakin.
"You've got nowhere left to run, Bane." Anakin said, eyeing Ahsoka to see if she was alright. Seeing her bound and behind a ray shield with clear signs of her being injured didn't exactly put a smile on the Jedi Knights face.
Bane, flanked by two B2 Supers, turned to face him.
"Let me worry about that, Jedi." The Duros said, raising his wrist pad to push a square button. "If I activate this control, the outside airlock will open and she will be sucked into oblivion. Do you honestly think you could kill me and then save her before she's pulled out into space? It's a horrible way to die."
Anakins form slackened with dread at the thought of losing his student. She looked to him before looking down in shame at realizing the position she put her master in due to her rushing off before.
"Besides, isn't negotiation the Jedi way?" Bane asked tauntingly, the two supers walking forward to accentuate his point.
Knowing he had no choice; Anakin deactivated his lightsaber. "What do you want?"
"This Holocron contains information that I've been hired to collect." Bane said, holding up said holocron. "I can't open it, but you can. The last Jedi who had it, wouldn't open it. I hope you don't make the same mistake."
Anakin looked to his Padawan who only gave him a pained expression.
"We don't have much time." Bane said more aggressively this time. "Hurry it up, Jedi! Or she dies."
His finger hovered over the button that would unlock the door to space.
Anakin only closed his eyes, accepting defeat.
"No Master, don't do it!" Ahsoka cried out.
"I cannot let you die, Ahsoka." Anakin said softly, tossing his lightsaber towards Bane. "We'll have to deal with the Holocron later."
"How touching." Bane mocked.
Back with the others, Rex and Rhodes instructed a retreating defensive as the ship began to shake about more signaling it being ever closer to finally blowing apart.
It proved difficult as the mad Gen'Dai bounty hunter was hellbent on chasing and killing them all.
"You know, I'm not one for those big types of curses." Pietro grunted, running up from the wall to the ceiling and back down again. "But Oh my fucking God! Can you PLEASE leave us alone already!"
"NoT UNtiL yOU ARe All deAD!"
"This guys had some serious issues." Spider-man said, jumping from wall to wall as he did his best to avoid the rampaging bounty hunter. Flipping in midair, Spidey fired off the remainder of the webbing in his cartridges to create a large web that completely blocked Durge's path.
"That'll work for now." Rhodey said.
"Keep moving!" Rex ordered. "The Hangar bay should be just up ahead."
They ran to see droids surrounding a Separatist shuttle.
"That's our way off this place." Fives declared.
"Clones!" A B1 yelled. "BlasHYACK!"
The droids were all disposed of in several seconds with Pietro throwing the last one into the wall which shattered upon impact.
"We really don't have time for this." Pietro said with an annoyed tone, dusting the metal dust off his hands.
"Nice work Pietro." Rhodey praised when the sound of a roaring Gen'Dai got their attention again.
"OH SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY!" Rhodey didn't care by this point.
Turning back to the direction from where they ran, Rhodey fired another of his tank missiles with several additional miniature missiles for insurance.
The following explosions followed by the silence and lack of Durge was music to the ears.
The Clones and Avengers sagged in relief, Rex contacting Anakin.
"Genera Skywalker. We have a transport ready and waiting. What is your position?"
Anakin currently sat on his knees, Holocron laid out before him. He heard Rex's transmission but made no effort in responding to him.
With the Force, the Holocron slowly rose up from the ground with the cubes interior glowing a vibrant blue. The corners of the Holocron were small pyramids that turned and detached themselves from the main Holocron body.
The main body now open, Bane placed the Memory Crystal he had obtained from Master Ropal within the center of the Holocron. The triangular corners returned to the Holocron though angled differently to give it a new octagonal shape.
The open Holocron floated down into the Banes awaiting hands with the Duros holding up the Force-object with satisfaction.
"My employers will be most pleased." Bane said, glad to see his mission was coming along swimmingly.
Anakin on the other hand has had enough of kneeling before this scumbag bounty hunter. With the Force, he called upon his and Ahsoka's lightsabers to come to his hands. In quick succession, Anakin ignited both Lightsabers and cut through the B2 supers.
Bane however opened the airlock with Ahsoka barely grasping at the structural sides of the wall and hanging on for dear life as the vacuum of space began to such the air out of the room.
Anakin quickly flung the upper body of a Super and unlocked the ray shield, getting sucked in as well yet holding on to the other side of the wall. Bane utilized his boot thrusters and made a swift escape whilst Ahsoka nearly got sucked out until her master reached out with his hand for her to grab on to.
Managing to press the lock button, the door behind them sealed shut with the two dropping to the ground. Getting the bindings off his apprentice and returning her lightsaber to her, the duo ran off as the ship continued to shudder more and more.
"Rex, I'm here." Anakin finally responded to his Captains hailing. "I hope you found us a ship off this floating dump."
"We're just waiting on you sir." Rex informed. "We've got a shuttle secured in the Hangar bay with some clankers trying to get to us."
"We're on our way, Rex. Hold tight." Ahsoka responded before Anakin could.
"Ahsoka, we need to get that Holocron back." Anakin argued.
"Master, we can't." Ahsoka objected. "We don't have the time for it right now otherwise everyone on board will die. Patience Master. Remember?"
Anakin stopped in his run, thinking on Ahsoka's word as well as her actions that had occurred in these few days. It wasn't hard in figuring out her want to correct these past few days of personal mistakes and hiccups. Something he was too familiar with.
Anakin sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry my Padawan. Let's get out of here."
They had run through the corridors, arriving to the hangar bay in time to see the Clones and Avengers clearing off the remainder of the droids.
Up on an elevated platform, Anakin and Ahsoka caught a surprising sight of the Clone Trooper Denal shooting down one Cad Bane, the bounty hunters form falling to the ground into a pile of crates.
"Come on, let's get the hell out of here already." Rhodey said, waving at the two Jedi to get into the shuttle.
Domino Squad with Captain Rex and Hardcase were on board with Quicksilver waiting inside with Spider-man. With the two jedi on board, the shuttle rose up to retrieve the last Clone Trooper that held his arm and barely managed to get onto the shuttle ramp.
"Are you alright, Denal?" Anakin asked. "Did you manage to get the Holocron?"
"I'm sorry sir." Denal replied with a heavy voice.
"I can go get it." Ahsoka said ready to leap out but Anakin put a stop to it.
"We don't have time, Ahsoka." Anakin said.
The Padawan only glanced down in defeat, entering the shuttle with the ship flying off in time as the Separatist cruiser finally began to blow apart.
Within the ship, Ahsoka noticed her master frowning in deep thought.
"Master?"
"You alright kid?"
Ahsoka and Anakin then looked over to Peter who had his mask off and was flinching slightly.
"I dunno." Peter tapped the side of his head repeatedly.
"You look like you've got a headache there." Echo noted.
"I… don't think it's a headache." Peter stated. "It's-it's something else."
What no one else noticed was the Trooper Denal edging a bit away from the rest of them.
The shuttle flew into the awaiting Resolute. Off to the side were the other two Venators of Luminara's fleet that had finished off the remainder of the Separatist fleet that Bane had left to their fate.
Flying into the Hangar bay, Anakin and Ahsoka walked out to greet an awaiting Admiral Yularen.
"So, did you manage to recover the Holocron?" Yularen asked. "Or Capture the bounty hunter?"
"Um, no and no." Anakin admitted sheepishly.
"I see." Yularen deadpanned. "So I take it your mission was your usual version of success, no?"
"If you mean I won, then, yes." Anakin declared proudly with Yularen walking away in a huff.
He turned to Rhodey and Ahsoka who were waiting on him.
"So now what?" Rhodey asked. "We didn't get what we were after."
"At least the bounty hunter didn't get the Holocron into the hands of the Separatists." Ahsoka said with a shrug. And at the mention of the aforementioned Bane, Ahsoka slumped in self disappointment.
"Master, I'm sorry I rushed off like that earlier and got myself caught." Ahsoka said dejectedly. "If it hadn't been for me-"
"Ahsoka, it wasn't your fault." Anakin said firmly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "This was my mission. And I lead it, so the fault was mine from start to finish. Learn from my mistakes to make sure they don't happen to you."
"If only." Rhodey said with a dry tone.
"Can't you let me have a moment with my Padawan?" Anakin said with an affronted tone though it was clear in his eyes he wasn't offended.
"Uh, Mister Skywalker sir." Peter walked out from the shuttle with a confused expression.
"Parker?" Anakin said.
"Do you know what that green stuff is?" Peter said, pointing back to the ships interior.
"What green stuff?" Anakin said, walking over to the ship.
"It…" Peter seemed a bit squeamish. "It kinda looks like blood."
"Green blood?" Rhodey said in confusion.
Walking into the shuttle they saw Fives, Pietro and Rex looking at a spot that had a few droplets of what Peter called Green blood.
"What have you got for us, Rex?" Anakin inquired.
"This is blood." Rex said firmly. "But it sure as hell ain't from one of ours."
Anakin's head snapped up, rushing out of the shuttle and looking around wildly before spotting Denal. Or what was someone else wearing Denal's armor.
"Stop that Clone!" Anakin shouted aloud to the hangar, pointing to "Denal" that began to run while tossing spheres up.
The hangar become embroiled in momentary pandemonium as the entire area became covered with smoke.
"Master?" Ahsoka rushed out.
"It's Bane!" Anakin stated, running right towards the smoke.
Pietro zoomed past him and went in a circle several times, blowing away the smoke to reveal the disguised Bane knocking away several Clones before one swiped at him, knocking the helmet off.
Without warning, Bane tossed more sphere out but these proved to be deadlier with explosions going off and several gunships getting caught up in the fiery storm.
Quicksilver rushed forward to get Clones out of harms way while War Machine and Anakin ran at Bane who was one of their ships.
Anakin couldn't make it in time as Bane had exited the hangar yet that did little in stopping Rhodey.
"Rhodes, he still has the Holocron." Anakin called out to him just as he exited the hangar.
Rhodey had his machine gun trailed on the bounty hunter but the Duros proved to be crafty as he reverted the thrusters, blowing past Rhodey to get behind him.
"Oh crap."
Two missiles were shot at the Avenger who flew off to gain distance to avoid them.
Back inside, Anakin contacted Yularen.
"Admiral, lockdown the Hyperspace rings now!" Anakin ordered. "It's Bane, he's got one of our ships and is escaping!"
Rhodey shot down his pursuing missiles in time to see Bane link up with a hyperspace ring and escape right before their eyes.
"Dammit." Rhodey said aloud in frustration.
With the others, the mood was shared amongst them all upon realizing they had failed.
"What do we do now?" Ahsoka asked her master.
Anakin could only let out a defeated sigh. "We inform the Council."
Alright, WOO another one done.
I'd like to thank my good friend Jebest for helping out so much on this chapter.
Not much needed to be said here as the arc goes on with the finale next chapter.
So yeah, really not much needed to be said here.
Go check out a Song of Fire, Ice and Hearts as I'm gonna promote that story non-stop. Real proud of what me and J are doing on it and I hope more readers come in time.
Alright then people. Until next time.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.