{Greetings from beyond the screen my fellow readers and writers, Slifer Draconus Rapturous here with a new chapter with a few things:
1st; This is part three.
Now onto the chapter.}
Chapter 5: Assault within the Malevolence
Shan(POV)
After a successful bombing run by Master Skywalker, Master Plo, Emira and Ahsoka along with Shadow Squadron, the cruiser has been severely crippled and is on the run from our cruisers.
My master and I stand on the bridge as our ships move ahead full speed and every single one of the turbolasers that has a view range of the Malevolence open fire across all three of our cruisers. The secret medical facility we had in this sector is already well out of range from the retreating worship so all we need to focus on right now is annihilating that monstrosity, and hopefully the droid General along with it.
"After how many defenseless ships General Grievous has destroyed, it's nice to see him and that ship defenseless and on the run for a change," I comment as our guns continue to not let up.
"That may be so but we still have to destroy it. Commander, what is the damage level to the enemy ship?" My master asks the clone commander a lower level below us.
"She's lost a primary shield and stabilizers. But the ship is so massive, it can take all the fire our cannons can give it," The clone commander of the ship informs us.
The thing is massive compared to ours so it's going to take a little while to properly take it down but without its Ion cannon, the ship is basically done for essentially.
"We may need some backup to finish it off," I comment
"That's why we're here."
At the new but familiar voice, we turn around to see the Jedi members of the strike force coming up to us. At their sight BD begins to bounce happily on my shoulder, while beeping excitedly.
"Anakin, good to see you back in one piece," My Master says.
"Always Master," Master Skywalker replies to my master as I walk up to Ahsoka and Master Plo.
"Khotoyah, Master Plo, Emira, Ahsoka," I greet the three of them in the Kel Dor's language. 'I'm glad Ahsoka's been teaching me some of the language.'
BD greets happily: Ahsoka it's good to see you again.
"Khotoyah, Shan. I see you're getting better in learning my people's language," Master Plo replies and compliments me.
"It's good to see you too BD," Ahsoka greets just as happily.
"So this is the infamous BD unit you've been hanging around with," Emira says with a quizzical eye.
I smile at that before gesturing them forward, "Some here and there. The greeting I've gotten down on point but I still have a long way to go before I can even think of holding a conversation."
"Don't worry, I'll get you there eventually," Ahsoka says as she places a hand on my shoulder.
Emira then walks past me, "Trust me Shan practice does make perfect and you'll get it eventually."
"Thanks," I reply as we all are now at the window.
"Anakin, were you able to contact Master Luminara?" My master asks him.
"Yes, Master. She's busy with a fleet of separatist reinforcements nearby. She won't be able to give us support until she's turned them away."
"Then we'll have to make due with what we have," With that sentiment from my master, all the ships in our fleet continue to rain laser shots on that behemoth. "Admiral, status report."
"They're not attempting to jump to hyperspace," Admiral Yularen, which I think is cool that he's not a clone, informs us. "Their hyperdrive must be damaged," He surmises.
"This is our chance. All ships, target the bridge, maximum firepower," My master orders and everyone does so.
Ahsoka, Emira and I move forward to examine the control readings we have of the entire battle asway for us to do at least something useful while we stand here. I continue to have a grinning smile in slight satisfaction as this monstrosity that has been hounding the Republic is completely defenseless and at our mercy.
"We're almost there. Just a little more," I comment until I hear something from Ahsoka's side of the console.
"Huh? What the- Shan, Emira, check this out," Ahsoka calls me over in confusion. "What does this look like to you?"
Leaning in close to the screen, I see what's got her confused, a new signal suddenly popped up near the enemy ship, "Is that a ship signal?"
"It is. Master, we're picking up a signal vessel. A single vessel is coming out of hyperspace," Emira informs everyone out loud.
"Enemy reinforcements?" Master Skywalker guesses but it's wrong as a closer look I see what exactly the signal is.
"No. It looks like…" Ahsoka trails off as she looks at me.
'This… can't be right.' I shake my head in disbelief before looking back at everyone, "The ship… it's got a Naboo transponder."
"Gunners, stand down. What in blazes are they doing out here?"
"You three, contact that ship," Master Skywalker orders us to do it and we do it.
I key in the comm while Ahsoka speaks to whoever is piloting said ship.
"Naboo cruiser, identify yourself."
"This is senator Amidala."
"Padme? What are you doing out here?" Master Skywalker quickly and worriedly asks the senator.
"I was sent on a special mission. The senate was told the banking clan wanted to negotiate a treaty," She tells us as her form comes in the way of the holotransmitter.
"Get out of there as fast as you can!" Before she can even think to do what Master Skywalker requests, the senator's transmission form begins to cut out as something happens, "Padme, what's happening?"
A quick look at the readings shows her ship drifting dangerously close to the enemy.
"I'm being pulled inside the droid cruiser by a tractor beam. I will not be made a separatist bargaining chip. Continue your attack. You must destroy this monstrous ship!" She says and almost orders us with firm conviction, willing to sacrifice herself to make sure that thing is taken down before her transmission cuts off entirely.
'I'm not one who wants to sacrifice innocent lives to destroy the enemy, but if that thing gets away, way more lives are going to be taken,' Logically, sacrificing the senator's life to destroy that thing along with General Grievous is a fair price. What's right, it's not.
Thankfully I don't have to make the call as I look at Master Skywalker who seems to struggle really hard and mentally debating whether to continue or stop the assault, "Admiral, order our ships to stop firing."
While in the long run, it may not be logical, but it's a good thing to do. The Admiral signals for everyone of our ships to stop firing and after a few seconds of firing, eventually our cannons all halt but we continue to follow. As soon as we do, Master Skywalker turns around and begins leaving.
"Where do you think you're going?" My master asks a departing Skywalker.
"Somebody has to save her skin," Master Skywalker simply replies without stopping.
"I thought you might say that," My master tiredly says as he follows too, leaving the rest of us here on the bridge.
"There he goes again, craving adventure and excitement," Master Plo comments on the somewhat brash Jedi Master of Ahsoka's.
"You get used to it," Ahsoka simply says as we watch both of them go.
I let out a sigh before someone tapped my shoulder, "You better go with them."
"What, you think so?" I ask and look at Emira.
"Come on," Emira says, getting my attention. "We've already went on a dangerous bombing mission. Now it's time for you to go on a dangerous rescue mission," She tells me as she jabs a finger to my chest.
I stare at her for a second before I glance at Master Plo, who cups his chin in thought, before I smile back at Emira and Ahsoka.
Thankfully I don't have to make the call as I look at Master Skywalker who seems to struggle really hard and mentally debating whether to continue or stop the assault, "Admiral, order our ships to stop firing."
While in the long run, it may not be logical, but it's a good thing to do. The Admiral signals for everyone of our ships to stop firing and after a few seconds of firing, eventually our cannons all halt but we continue to follow. As soon as we do, Master Skywalker turns around and begins leaving.
"Where do you think you're going?" My master asks a departing Skywalker.
"Somebody has to save her skin," Master Skywalker simply replies without stopping.
"I thought you might say that," My master tiredly says as he follows too, leaving the rest of us here on the bridge.
"There he goes again, craving adventure and excitement," Master Plo comments on the somewhat brash Jedi Master of Ahsoka's.
"You get used to it," Ahsoka simply says as we watch both of them go.
I let out a sigh before someone tapped my shoulder, "You better go with them."
"What, you think so?" I ask and look at Emira.
"Come on," Emira says, getting my attention. "We've already went on a dangerous bombing mission. Now it's time for you to go on a dangerous rescue mission," She tells me as she jabs a finger to my chest.
I stare at her for a second before I glance at Master Plo, who cups his chin in thought, before I smile back at Emira and Ahsoka.
3rd(POV)
"Do you think it's wise for him to join them on this mission?" Plo-Koon asks Ahsoka and Emira once Shan is gone.
"He survived Ventress and an army of droids so I think a small rescue mission with both his and my Master he can make due," She explains before turning fully to the Master Jedi.
Master Plo says to himself, "Hmmm."
Emira smiles at her master, "I'm sure he'll be fine, Master."
Shan(POV)
I run out the elevator and immediately look around the hanger to try to find my Master and Skywalker. While I don't see them personally, I do see Master Skywalkers junker ship, the Twilight as he mentioned it's to be called, engines turn on. It's pretty much the only ship that we have on standby that can be used for this slight stealth mission so I book it to the ship. As soon as I run up the loading ramp, it closes behind me.
"Uh-oh. Better quickly ask him." I move through the ship until I find the door heading into the bridge, "Master!" I say just as the door opens and my Master looks back at me with wide-eyes, "Request permission to— Whoa!" Suddenly I am thrown to the ground behind me as the ship takes off and lurches forward, I groan as I get up from the ground and move into the doorway again. "To… join… the mission," I sheepishly ask.
"Shan, what are you doing here?!" My master asked in surprise at my presence.
"I believe he asked to join our mission, Master. Oh well, we're already out of the cruiser. Guess he's joining us," Master Skywalker says nonchalantly as he pilots us out the cruiser.
"Anakin, I did not agree to bring him along. What are you even doing here?" My master asks the question to me.
"I wanted to ask you if I could join you but I just barely caught you in this ship when the ramp closed behind me and lifted up," I say.
"Lighten up, Master. This'll be the perfect chance for him to get some more experience in the field," Master Skywalker proposes but my master isn't as convinced.
"Master, I don't even need to fight Grievous, I can hang back with Master Skywalker and secure the Senator," I try to reason.
"He does have a point Master, I mean, remember back to Geonosis?" Master Skywalker says, causing my master to roll his eyes and lean back in his seat.
"Oh don't bring that up."
"Wait, wasn't that when you two plus the senator were captured and forced to fight in an arena?" I ask them, causing them to both turn and look at me with questioning looks, "I do my research on who my Master is going to be. Plus the whole thing was pretty well-known."
"Yes, well, that's true," My master replies before he gets a sly smile on his face and turns to his former student. "In fact, how is it that you had lost your lightsaber, Anakin?"~
Master Skywalker gets a nervous look on his face as he remembers something that I don't think he wants brought up, "O-oh… well I don't think your Padawan needs to know about—"
"He let it get cut in half on a conveyor belt."
"My arm was stuck!"
"And let's not forget before that when you dropped after landing on that assassin's speeder."
"W-well, yeah but I did manage to find her!"
'I feel like a third wheel here,' I can't help but think as they talk back and forth with each other.
My view switches between the two of them as they continue to speak and recount past events and trying to reason why they happened though. Looking forward, I get nervous as I watch us drifting dangerously close to the Malevolence.
"Uhh, Masters?" I say worriedly.
"Come now Anakin—"
"Master please don't—"
"Watch it!" I yell out and grab the controls over Master Skywalker's hands and jerk the ship to the side, away from the deadly ship we are trying to stealthily land on and not trying to let them know we are coming.
They immediately stop talking as the ship jerks to the side and Master Skywalker is able to regain control and focuses on flying again.
Both masters are gripping their seats a little tightly after the sudden jerking motion.
"Thank you Shan," Master Skywalker thanked me once he got the ship under control.
"No problem."
"Let's be careful from now on. If they spot us, we'll be pulverized," My master advises since we almost crashed into the behemoth.
"They're too busy repairing the ship. They don't have time to notice us," Master Skywalker is pretty confident in that ideal and while I like it, hopefully the enemy shares the same thoughts, or programming in some cases.
"Subtlety has never been one of your strong points, Anakin."
"Everything I know I learned from you, Master."
"Is that something I should expect in my training?"
"Yes."
"No." Master Skywalker agrees with my question but at the same time my master, my teacher, doesn't.
They both look at each other before shaking their heads and going back to getting us to that ship. Soon enough, thanks to Master Skywalker's focused flying, we eventually come to the emergency hatch of the ship and dock on it.
"Anakin, you're crazy. Spinning is not flying," My master comments about his flying as we ride the elevator up to the entrance into the ship.
"But it's a good trick."
"We do not want to be spotted," Just as my master says that, the door opens and there are two B1 droids there who are very surprised to see us.
"WOAH!" BD exclaimed with raised antennas.
"I knew it! It's them!"
"Ohhh, no."
ZEW ZEW
Both droids lose their heads as two blaster bolts take their heads off. Both Masters turn back to see me with my arm out and with my modified DC-17 blaster barrel pointed out.
I holster it soon after and nod forward, "We're clear."
"Nice one," Master Skywalker compliments me before we walk forward into the enemy ship. "You stay here, R2," He quickly commands the astromech droid to do while we continue on ahead, I keep my hand on my blaster in case we suddenly run into trouble in these hallways but we are forced to stop when Master Skywalker gets a call on his communicator. "Yes?"
"Master, we've found the senator. I'm patching her through," Ahsoka calls in before she gets cut off.
"Padme?" Master Skywalker asks before he is answered to his slight relief.
"Anakin!"
"Are you alright? Where are you?" He asks, concerned.
"On the lower levels. I'm fine, but I don't know for how long. Droids are everywhere."
"Obi-Wan, his Padawan and I are on board too."
"What?! What are you doing here?" She asks loudly and very surprised.
Supposedly I guess she was expecting the fleet to have continued opening fire on the Malevolence but we didn't, definitely not with her on-board.
"We came to get you off this ship. Ahsoka, how can we get to the senator?" Master Skywalker asks his Padawan.
"According to our scans, there seems to be a larger open area in the center of the ship. It should be halfway between the two of you."
"Open area? Wonder what that is," I ask as I look at my master, who shrugs in return.
"We're on our way. Did you hear that, Padme?"
"I'll be there," With the connection cut off, we know our destination and make our way to where we need to go.
A few twists and turns, running down long hallways but eventually we make it to what the open area is. Once we see it, my eyes widen and see just what it is.
"Oh Force, this thing has its own rail transit system!" I exclaim loudly in surprise.
Easily this thing is bigger than any other ship in the entire Republic fleet but I had no idea that it had to employ a literal transit train system to all sections of the ship as each train carries supplies and materials to no doubt keep this thing in working order. In several places and sections of the open train area I see many rails destroyed and broken with a few trains destroyed here and there. The trains are working overtime to keep this thing functioning considering its been hit pretty hard thanks to Master Skywalker and Shadow Squadrons crippling attack on the Ion cannon. This whole thing is a feat of engineering, from the Ion weapon capable of disabling any cruiser ship in one hit, to the size, train system, and to top it all off the hundreds upon hundreds of turbolasers that can put down more firepower than any other ship is something to behold, and fear. As much as I would love to examine it, check it out and so on, I'm feeling much more satisfaction for this monstrosity to be nothing more than a lifeless floating husk of its former self from all the clone lives it took since it first sprung up.
"Wow. Never seen this before on a ship," Master Skywalker comments as well on the engineering.
If I remember correctly, I believe he was regarded by pretty much everyone as being one of the best pilots in the Republic Army and Jedi Order so I shouldn't be surprised he has a fascination with ships as well.
"Yes, though impressive, we're still going to destroy it once we get the senator off of it. Speaking of, I don't see her, Anakin," My master states, focusing on the matter at hand.
'Fawn over the weapons later, save the hostage now.'
"She's here, master. I sense it," Without any indication to find the senator, we are forced to simply wait and watch for any signs of her. "There!"
Not even a minute passes before we spot and hear several blaster bolts go off from a level below our own. We see the senator and her protocol droid run from the droids while she fires back.
"Let's go, Shan," My master says as we ignite our lightsabers and jump forward.
I too jump and run just behind them until we all land on a moving cargo train heading for the senator.
While we rode the cargo train to our objective, a trio of B1 droids came to the open area on patrol and immediately spotted us riding the train that's passing their position.
"Look, Jedi," One droid says as they spot the three of us moving on the train.
"Fire!" The second one orders.
"No, wait," The third tries to stop them but it's too late.
Its friends could only fire once and it's enough for my Masters to deflect the shots right back at the droids.
"I knew that was a bad idea," The surviving droid moans after seeing the others taken down so quickly and easily by their own shots.
When it turns back to the Jedi on the train, he spots the younger Jedi aiming his arm mounted blaster at him and just as he expects to be taken offline but he lowers the weapon and turns around as they leave well out of range.
The droid has no idea how lucky he was.
"Why didn't you shoot?" Master Skywalker asks.
"He was just one droid. Not much reason for me to shoot him you know," I answer.
"Quite right," My master agrees.
"Besides, we have bigger things to worry about," My master says as he points to the senator and her droid down below.
They both jump off and land on another cargo train but the gold droid bounces off it and lands on another one further down.
"Padme!" Master Skywalker yells and jumps far onto a lower moving train to get to the senator.
Next what happens further complicates things as a B2 battle droid launches a plasma blast further down the tracks the senator is on, destroying the rail tracks completely.
"That's not good," I mutter and get ready to go down to help but my master grabs my shoulder to stop me.
"Patience, young one. You'll see Anakin is versed in… adapting to certain situations," My master comments and informs me. With his arm still on me, we watch as the senator jumps to Master Skywalker but before she can fall to her death, he uses the force to carry her to him safely, "See."
"Oh, nice. You were right, Master."
"He may be bold but he is resourceful," He comments about his old student before calling out to them. "Nice catch! I'll fetch the droid!" He yells to them before turning to me, "Go with them."
"Are you sure Master?" I ask curiously.
"The Senator was the main reason for us being here. Couldn't hurt to give them some backup while I grab the droid."
'I can't really fault the idea,' I nod at the reasoning. "You got it Master. I'll see you back at the ship!" I say to him just as I jump off the train and bounce to the lower levels.
"Be careful!" My master calls out as I descend.
I jump off of lower rails and other trains until just before the train Master Skywalker and the senator are passing through a tunnel, I land on the last car and roll into a crouch. BD jumped off of my back and with his lighter weight he fell slower. As I stand BD lands back on my back with the help of his thrusters.
"Oof! Gotta work on the landing," I mutter and begin making my way to the other passengers.
"Anakin, I got separated from your droid," My master's voice comes on over our communicators as I continue to carefully jump up and over many boxes and between cars.
Seeing as how the train is going at high speed, the wind resistance is kind of against me so I have to be careful, lest I be thrown off or hit something.
"Ugh, I'll take care of it."
"I've sent Shan down to help you get the Senator out of here."
"What?! C'mon, Master! I don't need any help."
"Sorry, Master Skywalker!" I shout as I jump off a car and land on the one he and the senator are on, in which they are really close together for some reason, gonna chalk it up to her being grateful. They look at me as I walk up to them, "Kind of too late for me to go back now."
"Uhh, fine." He mutters before keying in his comm again, "We'll meet you back at the Twilight then."
"No, we can't leave yet," The senator suddenly speaks up. "I overheard Grievous. Their hyperdrive is almost repaired," She gives us some grave news.
Overtime we can whittle the ship until it's destroyed but if the hyperdrive is repaired, then the Malevolence can escape, get repaired and eventually terrorize Republic space again.
"I'm already headed in that direction, so I'll make certain that the hyperdrive stays offline," My master informs us on our comlinks.
"Roger that, Master. We're getting you out of here," He tells the senator before calling someone else. "R2, I need you to help me find 3PO. He's on the rail jet," He calls and informs R2. "I know. I know. He does. Look, just find him for me, and I'll be there soon," He turns back to us. "Alright, the train should be stopping soon. When we stop, we get off and should be able to work our way to 3P0," Master Skywalker says and once he finishes talking, the trains do come to a stop. "Alright, let's get going."
"Right behind you," The senator and I follow Master Skywalker as we hopefully try to find the droid.
3rd(POV)
On the bridge of the Negotiator, Obi-wan Kenobi's prime Jedi cruiser in the Republic army, follows the Malevolence at a steady pace and while they could easily fire upon it, not while their fellow Jedi and allies are still aboard the vessel.
Jedi Master Plo Koon continues to monitor the ship with Admiral Yularen nearby and Padawans Emira Tang and Ahsoka Tano impatiently waiting, the latter of which is tapping her fingers on the console is anything to go by, while the former nervously twirls of her hair around her finger.
Master Plo sees the younglings' impatience for waiting from the tapping, fiddling and the scowls on their faces, "Patience, young ones they will return soon enough."
Emira finally notices her finger and hair before coughing into the same hair and apologizing to her master, "I apologize Master."
"Sorry, Master Plo," She apologizes and straightens up and crosses her arms. "I just don't like standing here doing nothing. If the senator wasn't captured, it'd at least be a nice show to see that thing finally be destroyed but instead, we can only stand here and hope that everyone makes it out okay," She voices her concern on the whole matter.
"Unfortunately I have to agree, with Master Skywalker's unpredictable alongside Shan's, I fear they'll do something even crazier," Emira confesses her worries.
While before they were alright with the idea that their friend Shan would join the masters in a rescue mission on that giant ship, now that he's already on the enemy flaming warship do they feel concern for their safety.
"Yes, while it may be infuriating to be here and not able to do anything to help out our comrades, you must have patience and trust that they will be able to accomplish the mission and return to us safely and without harm," The Kel Dor Jedi advises what they have to do.
It may not be the most glamorous of things to do but it's the best they can do right now.
Ahsoka and Emira look to each other and then their master and/or old friend for a little while before sighing and staring back at the Malevolence, "I hope your right Master Plo."
"Even though General Skywalker may sometimes be a bit… brash in his actions. He almost always comes out on top of the situation," Admiral Yularen adds his own opinion on the matter, gaining the Jedi's attention. "And with General Kenobi and General Vizsla there to lend aid, we should expect them back no worse for wear. When they'll be back though… depends on how big of an escape Skywalker wants to make."
The three Jedi don't really fault the thinking as they turn back to the view windows, all the while, Emira has a small smile on her face, 'Shan's resourceful too. I'm sure he'll be fine.'
Shan(POV)
"MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! I'll cover you!" I yell loudly before I lay down covering firing for Master Skywalker and the senator as we run from the squad of droids that found us.
As soon as both of them run past me, Master Skywalker and I deflect blaster shots back at the droids, the senator stops at the corner and fires a few shots at our enemies, allowing me to move and shoot across the hallway to my friends. As soon as we turn the corner and move down another hallway, Master Skywalker and the senator move behind some cover on the right side of the hallway while I take the opposite side of them.
The senator and I pop out of our covers every so often to take down as many of the droids as we can while Master Skywalker calls my master.
I still use both my arm blasters while the senator uses her Naboo blaster pistol, "Obi-Wan? Come in, Obi-Wan."
"Anakin, I'm afraid Grievous is onto us," My master replies.
"Yeah, we noticed," He states the obvious.
"Kind of busy here Master!" I too yell into the commlink quickly before I pop out and nail a B1's head off before blocking another blaster bolt before finally going back in.
"We'll rendezvous back at the Twilight. The fleet must engage the-ZZt!" Before my master can't finish talking, his voice cuts off.
"Master? Master!" I tried to call him but the transmission was indeed cut.
BD tries to reconnect but no luck.
"Obi-Wan? Come in. Obi-Wan!"
"What's wrong?!" The senator asks.
"They're jamming us," He tells us what they're most likely doing.
I go to shoot again but the remaining B2 droids are getting really close now and I'm forced to start slicing and dicing.
I deactivated my lightsaber as Master Skywalker says, "That was great Shan, that should buy us some time."
"I suppose you have a plan," The senator surmises as we walk out of cover.
"Follow me," Without any indication of giving us any details, we simply follow him.
When we go back the way we were going the way before, I can't help but keep glancing my way to the senator. More specifically, the blaster she's been using.
"Anakin, the Padawan keeps staring at me," As soon as she says that, I realize I was staring at her much longer than I intended.
"Shan, quit checking out the senator," My eyes widened and I blanked at the insinuation before shaking my head no as well as my hands.
"N-no! No no no no! That's not what I was staring at it was—" I stop my yelling before I take a deep breath before staring directly at the senator and pointing at her hand, "Senator, is that an ELG-3A Naboo blaster pistol?"
"Oh, yeah. I should have known," I hear Master Skywalker but I ignore him in favor of hearing the senators answer.
She actually looks at me a little surprised before holding up the weapon for a clearer.
"Actually yes, it is. How did you know?" She asks curiously.
"Out of all the Padawans Obi-wan could have gotten, he got the one that has a passion for weapons," Master Skywalker proceeds to comment about me first.
"Oh, I guess that explains why he has a blaster on his arm."
"Hmm," I chuckle at how I made them.
"Just me that's by choice Pad- Uh Senator."
"… Oh," The senator seems to somewhat get what Master Skywalker means, before she stops talking.
Once I bring myself out of my funk after a few seconds do I turn to her again, "Senator, could I see your weapon for a second?"
"Now?" She asks in a little surprise, no doubt because we are in the middle of an enemy battleship so she doesn't want to be defenseless when we run into more enemies.
"Don't worry, we're clear for now. Besides, he won't stop looking at your weapon until he has a chance to look at it with his own two hands," Thankfully Master Skywalker backs me somewhat.
She looked hesitant at the weapon before handing it towards me with the handle. I holster my lightsaber and take the weapon in both hands, carefully examining it. BD also takes the liberty to scan the blaster.
"Thank you so much," I get a feel for the weapon as I feel its grip with one hand and rolling it around. "Wow. So small yet powerful. The barrel itself looks like it could easily snap off but it won't. Light too," I begin to comment about the weapon for the first time I've held one.
"I've never seen a Jedi so amazed by blasters before."
"Join the club. Even the clones are surprised."
"The clones? Why would they be—"
"Intruders! Bla—"
PEW PEW PEW
As soon as we pass into an intersection, we come across a small patrol of four B1 droids. Before they can start blasting us, or even finish the sentence, I fire three precise shots in rapid succession right at them, nailing three of them in the head before they fall over on the fourth one behind them. Master Skywalker didn't even have a chance to turn on his lightsaber before the droids fell to the ground offline.
Both he and the senator stare at me in surprise at my accuracy and quick response to the enemy patrol that almost got the jump on us, "That's the thing you two. Most people, especially the Jedi, see blasters as being clumsy, easy to use where anyone can use them with barely any training. I don't see it as that." I casually begin to say as I slowly walk up to the droids on the floor, "While there is some truth to that, it takes skill and finesse to truly be the deadliest person with a blaster against all kinds of opponents."
I stop in front of the fourth droid covered by one of its friends. It tries to move the bodies but I slowly move the senator's blaster over its head and fire.
PEW
Just like its friends, it falls offline without any other problem, "In fact, I believe the bounty hunter Jango Fett was able to kill some Jedi with his blasters." I mention that little bit as I walk back over to the senator.
That was something that got my interest when I was looking up the various blaster weapons, vehicles and artillery. The Jedi, or any force wielder with a lightsaber really, have been known far and wide for their ability to be quick enough to deflect blaster bolts but it's pretty much the first time I've heard of a non-force user capable of shooting a Jedi dead.
"That goes to show that even the famed blaster deflecting lightsaber wielders can be killed with a blaster, one-on-one."
'Droids don't count, or multiple people taking on one Jedi,' I think as I aim the blaster at the senator for a second before I twirl her blaster in my hand until the grip is facing her.
She stares at me with wide eyes before taking her weapon back. I turn to Master Skywalker and see him staring at me with a smirk and crossed arms.
I nod and pull out my lightsaber, "Let's keep moving. This ship isn't going to destroy itself."
"On that you are right," He agrees and goes back to leading us to where we need to go.
Several minutes pass as we continue to move in silence to where we're going until we eventually find ourselves in an elevator. The elevator is a little cramped but we manage nonetheless. Master Skywalker still hasn't told us where we're going but as soon as the door opens, find out.
"-The good news- uhh…" Whatever the droid was going to say, it peters off as he spots us.
Master Skywalker runs in, lightsaber on as he begins cutting down the pilot droids here on the bridge. What he doesn't see is the two B2 droids moving in from behind him.
"Anakin!"
"Master watch out!" As soon as the senator and I call out, one of the droids turns to us.
I quickly aim my arm blaster and fire, however they begin to stumble and short circuit. I then rush forward and begin to disassemble them. The droids go down hard, dead.
"Ever since I've known you, you've been playing with droids," The senator comments to the older Jedi.
"I used to put them together. Now I only take them apart."
"Nothing wrong with that," I comment as well.
"So where do we start?" The senator asks once we see that we have cleared the bridge of the enemy
"First we need to get rid of these droids so they won't know we were here. I'm gonna hotwire the ship, give Grievous a little surprise," He quickly gives us a summary of what he has planned as he sits down on one of the pilot seats and begins fiddling with it.
"I guess I'll clean up the droids then," The senator figures out that she has to do the menial task of clearing the droid bodies.
"Ehhh, don't worry senator. I got you," I offer my help to her since that's really all the only other thing I can do right now. "BD help out Master Skywalker."
BD beeps happily before running over to the console and plugs in.
"Thanks… Shan, was it?" She asks my name and I nod.
"Yes, correct. Padme, right?"
"That's right."
"Nice to meet you ma'am."
"Likewise," We exchange handshakes and pleasantries while we have the chance before we start working gathering the scrap metal.
Thankfully there are about a half dozen droid bodies here for us to gather so the B1's are light enough for us to move individually but we need to work together to move the B2's without much effort. Soon enough that's what we're doing as we both lean down to pick up one of the big droids.
"So senator, you and Master Skywalker seem close. Do you two have a bit of history with each other?" I ask, wanting to strike up conversation and solve my own curiosity.
SLAM
"Ow!" I wish I didn't because what the senator was doing was picking up the B2 droid and when I was going to assist, I asked my question and I'm not sure if it was the right time because I now have the dead droid slammed onto my foot.
"Oh! Sorry!"
"What's going on back there?"
"Nothing, Anakin! M-My hand just slipped," The senator quickly dissuades Master Skywalker from taking an interest in just what happened. Once I've stopped hoping on my foot does she come up to me to apologize, "I am soooo sorry. I didn't mean to drop it on you. I'm sorry."
"Ahhh… alright. I get it. Sorry for asking the question," I grumble, still a little ticked off at having gotten hurt like that.
"No no it's not that I just…" She sighs before pulling me a little distance away so we can speak without Master Skywalker hearing us, "Alright, you just… surprised me is all with the question."
"Why? You two seem pretty… friendly with each other and I figured you knew each other more than just simple acquaintances."
"What makes you think that?" She asks.
"Well, for you both refer to each other on a first name basis. My master and Master Skywalker do that too but that's because they were former master and apprentice. I don't know about you two so I was just curious. If you don't want to talk, fine then so we can get back to cleaning," I offer for her and I'm about to go but she stops me.
"No no, it's fine. Just wasn't expecting it," She sheepishly says and gestures for me to move back to her and I do. "You're right we do know each other. We're… close friends for a long time. Since before he even became a Jedi," I look at her surprised at the info.
'Before he was a Jedi? Wow, that was long ago.'
"Before I even became a senator, I was the Queen of Naboo for a time and during when the Confederacy was starting to become a threat, I met Anakin on his home planet Tatooine when our ship was damaged and after winning a pod race, he joined us when Master Qui-Gon Jinn was able to arrange his freedom when he found out he was force sensitive," We glance at the working Jedi before looking back at each other. "Since he was nine-years-old, he was always nice and supportive of me during my reign as queen, charming too if you can believe it, and he helped me when I needed it, mostly guard duty for some assignments but we're… longtime friends," She finishes saying with a smile. I continue to stare at her for a few more seconds before looking at him again who's still typing away.
I smile before nodding to the senator and say, "Thank you, Senator. It's nice to have some context at least and for you to tell me that."
"No problem."
"Now, let's go ahead and finish cleaning up the mess. As soon as Master Skywalker and BD finish doing whatever he's doing, we're outta' here."
"Right," She agrees with me and we go back to cleaning up the mess.
While we're working though, I can't help but get the feeling she wasn't telling me exactly everything that was the truth about their relationship with each other but this was all mostly for my curiosity so I guess I shouldn't really get into it.
A few minutes later, we're down to the last droid and Master Skywalker is finished, "That ought to do it. How's the housecleaning going?" He asks.
"Nnnnn! Gah!" I shove the B2 into the door with the rest and close it before nodding to the senator.
"Done. Let's get out of here," She says.
BD runs up to me and climbs up to my shoulders.
We go back into the cramped elevator and head down to the floor that has the emergency hatch we originally used. We ran back to the ship in relative silence and thankfully without any problems as either we took care of the patrols or they've been diverted elsewhere to look for us. Either way it's a clear way to go.
"Wait, what about 3PO?" The senator suddenly asks as we stop at a sliding.
"How are we going to find him?" She asks worried about him.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he'll turn up," As soon as Master Skywalker says that, he opens the door and we are met with two droids. "3PO, what are you doing? Don't just stand there," He tells the gold protocol droid along with R2 and starts running. "Let's get back to the ship," We continue to follow him this time with two new tagalongs.
We move at a brisk pace through more hallways and turns but not as fast as we were before because the droids are kind of slow, 3PO especially. Nonetheless things are still quiet until we turn one last corner to our ship.
"Alright, let's go," I say as we take off down the hallway to where the Twilight is docked.
Soon enough I hear the others following me. In just another turn we make it back to the elevator that leads to our ship.
"Power up the engines, R2," Master Skywalker tasks the astromech to do.
"Master, we made it to the ship. Where are you?" I called my master on the comm.
"Hold the ship!" Instead of on the comm, my master comes running around the corner with a barrage of blasters nipping at his heels.
Soon the droids come around and start firing at us too.
"Master, come on!" I yell as I open fire around him in an effort to take out the droids.
Unfortunately, the droids chasing him are of the Droideka models and their shields prevent my shots and blaster redirections from doing anything to them. Still that doesn't stop me from trying to cover him somewhat until Master Skywalker uses the force to carry some boxes in front of their firing range, preventing them from killing us and giving us the chance to descend back into the ship.
"I'll contact the fleet," My master says as he and Master Skywalker take the pilot seats.
"R2, release the docking clamp," The astromech goes ahead and does that and unlocks us from the ship before we begin traveling away from the Malevolence.
We don't get far though, for we are soon attacked by droid fighters on our tail.
"We got company," I say.
"Time for some clever tricks, Anakin," My master comments to his former student.
"That's what I was thinking," He replies and the senator and I have to hold on a bit as he swerves us around the incoming laser shots.
Thankfully, we have some slight cover as our cruisers begin to open fire on the enemy forces again now that we are not on the ship anymore. Still we are being hammered by the enemy fighters.
"You know, we have guns. You can shoot back any time," He points out an obvious truth that we should have realized before.
My master stares at his former student before turning to me with an encouraging smile, "Shan, care to try your hand?"
I smile at my master's words and pop my fingers in preparation. I reach up and grab the manual control view range for the guns on this ship.
"Gladly," I pull it down before I lean in and begin scanning all around until I manage to aim the gun behind us.
"You think your Padawan can do this?" I don't bother listening to Master Skywalker's question as I spot droid fighters gaining on us.
Smirking, I press the buttons and watch as the gun turret on the right wing of the Twilight opens fire on them. What I take note however as I fire is the lead starfighter that's chasing us. If I remember correctly, it's the General of the droid army that's flying the Belbullab-22 starfighter and hammering our ship. I think either way the pilot is good. It swerves out of the way of the barrage of shots but I shift the rest of my aim to vulture droids and begin taking them down one-by-one.
"I think he has this."
"Thank you, Master!" I lightly yell as I jerk to the side a little, taking down a vulture droid that was getting too close, and forcing the special ship to dodge yet again, making it miss its shots.
"Nice shot, my Padawan."
"Almost like shooting a blaster… but with a bigger gun," I comment as I continue to fire but at a steady careful pace.
Timing my shots as best I can.
"Pardon me, Sir, but R2's scan of the enemy's ship indicates their hyperdrive is activating," 3PO informs us of the situation.
'Guess my Master wasn't able to shut down the hyperdrive. Not surprised considering how many droids might have been waiting.'
"Don't worry about it."
"What?" My master questions surprised and slightly confused at his former students' words.
I continue to fire a bit more but suddenly the ships following us turn around and begin to retreat. Once they're out of range, I shift my view to the Malevolence and to my surprise it begins to turn directly to the nearby moon. Normally you'd turn away from crashing into the moon but whatever Master Skywalker did has made the warship fly straight and crash into the moon. I tear myself away from the view screen as the ship blows up in a massive bright light. Looking out the window, I can see the explosion better without the intensity of the controls I was using.
"Woah," I mutter as I stare at the explosion far off.
"I imagine you had something to do with that," My master comments to Skywalker, who offers a smile in return.
"All part of the plan, Master," He replies and from here on, it's smooth sailing back to the fleet without us being fired upon by the enemy.
{And that's the chapter let me know what you think and remember to Like, Follow and Favorite.}