Answers to reviews:
Guest02957: Loved it.
Gentry2 0: Never watched Black Clover or Seven Deadly Sins.
coldblue2015: Hmm interesting...
Yubel578: If you know about Revan, you'd know he used to be a Jedi then became a Sith, then became a Jedi again. His wife was a Jedi, and their descendant, Satele, became Grandmaster of the Jedi Order during her time. As for Jayden and Ahsoka, oh things will start getting interesting soon.
Guest: I will.
DuckBoi: I'll do it once this story is completed, as well as my other stories.
3bodyjaa: Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I only own the OC Jayden Shan/Darth Khan.
Anakin Skywalker would not be stopped.
Loading up his personal cruiser, Resolute, with as much men and equipment as he could in what little turnaround time they had, he had raced to the Devaron System in hot pursuit of Master Bolla Ropal and the bounty hunter that was tracking him. Given the approximate location given by the Jedi Council, the planet of Devaron was Anakin's primary destination.
Sure enough, a small fleet of six Separatist cruisers were in orbit around Devaron. Not only did this confirm his suspicions, but was also proof that the Separatists were behind the Temple heist and were the ones after the kyber memory crystal, hiring a bounty hunter to collect for them.
On orders from Anakin, Resolute engaged the enemy ships. Heedless of the danger that came with being outnumbered, the Venator stormed the Munificents with a hail of turbolaser fire, matching the Knight's ironclad determination. Shredding Separatist vessels left and right, their enemies burned and broke before them, the Resolute proving to be distinctly unstoppable as it sliced through the enemy forces like a hot knife through butter.
As he raced to what he hoped would be a speedy rescue, Anakin's thoughts were subverted by sudden news from Admiral Yularen. "General, we're receiving an urgent transmission from the surface." He quickly moved to the communications array, where a single holocom from a trooper on the ground flickered erratically before him. Blasterfire echoed in the background, the trooper himself firing at enemies unseen. Clearly the droids had made landfall.
"General Skywalker! Our base has been overrun!" The Clone cried out between shots. "There's no possibility of evacuation-ARGH!" An explosion cut him off, smoke and sparks rushing past the image as the trooper shielded himself, flinching reflexively. "They've taken General Ropal and the holocron memory crystal-NGH!" A battle droid charged in, grappling with the trooper before the Clone managed to shove him off and shoot it point-blank in the chest.
"Do you know where they've taken him?" Anakin asked, hoping he was heard over the din.
"Sorry, sir… we tried to stop them, but they left the outpost-" The Clone managed to respond before other droids pounced on him, clawing at his head and blaster. "YEAGH!" His dying shriek filled the small space before his head violently twisted and the communication cut out.
"Wait a sec, there's too much interference…" The comms officer quickly attempted to raise the base again, negative pings coming from the transponder systems. "Blast…" He sighed, turning around. "Transmitter's been destroyed at the source, sir." Anakin grimaced.
They've been here long enough to launch a full-scale assault. I'm too late.
"We have to find out what ship Master Ropal is on." He ordered the crew.
Meanwhile…
In a specially designated cell on one of the Separatist cruisers, Jayden, now masked and wearing Revan's (Now his) robes, stood with his arms crossed as the weakened form of Bolla Ropal was suspended in a stasis field for interrogation. The fight with the Jedi had been quite a fight, and Jayden would've killed him had he been aiming to kill, not subdue. Once the Jedi was secured in the field, Jayden looked to one of the MagnaGuards, usually seen at Grievous' side, and the droid stepped forward with it's electro-staff, jamming it into the Rodian Jedi's chest.
The sudden surge of electrical energy violently jolted the Jedi awake, sputtering and jittering as high-voltage energy coursed through him. The IG retreated and the resident B1 officer approached, gripping the Rodian's snout in a firm metallic grip. Jayden watched as Bolla winced. The droids not knowing just how pliant and sensitive organic flesh was.
"You will remain conscious, Master Jedi. The bounty hunter has some questions for you." The B1 stated. It then turned to the crew. "Attach mind-limiters, pain-pulsers, and a full dose of XC-Three-Three." It ordered. Such devices were necessary for combination torture/interrogation sessions. Many organics often required some 'incentive' to spill their secrets, Jedi chief among them. Most Jedi had an indomitable wills and sharply-trained minds that could withstand both persuasion and coercion.
But, even Jedi could break as history has revealed before.
Meanwhile, on the bridge, Cad Bane sat in the commander's chair as he observed the battle statistics pouring in from across the cruiser. He had been given command of this fleet on order from his benefactor, Darth Sidious. It was an odd feeling for the bounty hunter, being in charge of so many military assets as part of a heist job.
Something I can add to the 'been there done that' list. Not necessarily looking for more of this. I don't like being tied down to so many subordinates.
"Uh, sir? The Republic ship has destroyed our escorts and is blocking our escape." One of the bridge crew droids reported from its station. Cad leaned back in his chair and studied the approaching cruiser, turrets blazing, intently.
"Hmm… the Resolute, you say? Whoever is commanding that cruiser is a bold one." He muttered, pondering his own moves. "Move us out of the battle zone and prepare to jump to hyperspace… I have a small favour to ask our Jedi guest." He ordered after a moment.
Aboard Resolute…
The last of the Munificents fell away in a burning wreck, paving a very clear path for Anakin to advance. Devaron was just about in the clear, and he had every intention of-
"General! A Separatist command ship is fleeing the battle." Yularen suddenly reported from the navcon. Anakin hurried over, Ahsoka in tow, and together they watched as a single surviving Munificent broke off from the battle.
"You think they have Master Ropal on board as a prisoner?" Ahsoka asked.
"I'm sure of it." Anakin answered concretely. "Admiral, intercept them before they can jump to hyperspace. I'll ready the troops for boarding." He ordered. Yularen did a double-take.
"Boarding?" He repeated, bewildered. "We have no boarding craft. We were to land on the planet, not to board another ship! You can't be serious." He exclaimed.
"I am, Admiral. Thank you for your opinion." Anakin retorted with a huff. "Now target their hyperdrive, we don't want them getting away!" Ever the military man, Yularen set aside his incredulity and passed orders down. Not without a fair amount of internal disgruntlement, however.
The Resolute chased after the Munificent cruiser, closing to firing distance quite quickly as the gunners targeted the aft section. Multiple cannon rounds slammed into the Munificent's engine-array in quick succession, turbolaser rounds chewing through armorless plating and shredding several of the engines, reducing them to smoldering husks of burnt metal.
Tromping through the detention block of his cruiser, Cad Bane was seemingly ignorant of the battle droid crying out for him from behind. Only a sudden shudder and the dull thud of a distant explosion brought him pause, just long enough for the droid to catch up on ungainly legs.
"Sir! Captain! Sir! They've hit our power converters so we can't go into hyperspace!" Bane's eyes narrowed.
"I wonder what the Jedi are planning…" He asked himself. "Initiate repairs, keep me posted." He ordered the droid before stepping aside and entering a cell. Within, Bolla Ropal and his interrogators were waiting. Bane looked to Jayden who stood off to one side, arms crossed. "Is he awake?"
"Yes, but weak from the interrogation." Jayden said.
"Long as he's awake." Bane reached into his trench coat and withdrew the holocron he'd stolen from the Temple vault. With hazy eyes, the bound Ropal looked down upon it as well as the bounty hunter holding it. "Now, Jedi, you're going to do me one little favor and then we're square."
"I… will do nothing… for you…" Bolla rasped. The Duros scoffed.
"Figured you'd say that." He nodded to a droid off to the side, manning a control panel. Adjusting a few dials, electric shocks coursed through the Rodian Jedi, causing him to seize up and jolt spastically against his bonds. The devices attached to him as well as the compounds injected into his bloodstream ensured his agony was fivefold the normal amount of pain he would have experienced. As such, Bolla was merciful when the shocking ceased. He sagged against his bonds as Bane drew closer, holding the holocron tantalizingly close as Ropal sucked in ragged shallow breaths. "Now… let's try this again…"
Clone troopers were busy with assault preparations by the time Anakin and Ahsoka arrived. Captain Rex was already waiting for them, alongside troopers Denal, Coric and Oz. "I've rounded up three companies, sir." The Captain reported. "Where are we going?"
"We're going to board a Separatist frigate, rescue Master Ropal and recover an archive holocron." Anakin stated in a matter-of-fact tone as if that was exactly how today would go. With his helmet on, the blank expression it provided masked Rex's confusion.
"We… have no assault craft, sir. Only fighters and the Twilight." He slowly replied. Anakin quirked a brow, shooting a questioning look at Rex as if his hesitation was up for review. "Um… waiting for orders, sir." The Captain quickly said, stiffening his posture.
"And the plan is?" Ahsoka wondered and Anakin show her the same look. "Just curious!" She quickly excused. Anakin rolled his eyes.
Doubts doubts doubts. Why does no one think we can do this? He started looking around the hangar. So much tech and equipment lying around. Surely there was something they could use. Ahsoka's right, how ARE we going to do this…? Transport from hangar to hangar wasn't an option, the enemy would be sealed up tight to ferry off Master Ropal. That left an external assault. If only we could blow open a hole…
Suddenly, he spied three vehicles at the far end of the hangar. A grin arose as he recalled the technical manuals he'd taken so much time to read and memorize during his downtime as a Padawan, driven by a fascination with their inner-workings. That knowledge sprung up anew and a plan quickly formed in his mind.
"I came down to see if I could be of any help, General Skywalker." Yularen said, announcing his presence as he joined the group.
"Actually, you can." Anakin answered, still grinning. "Activate those walkers, Admiral." He tasked, pointing at the three AT-TE units he'd found. Yularen deadpanned.
"You are not thinking of using those to transport the Clones to that frigate."
"Well… they are pressurized…" Ahsoka realized, slowly recognizing the potential as well as her Master's plan.
"And they're equipped with magnetic feet… hmm, good call." Rex agreed as he caught on.
"Master, you're a genius." Ahsoka remarked. Anakin appreciated the praise.
"Those walkers are designed for terrain, not space!" Yularen spluttered. Anakin ignored him.
"Rex, load 'em up." He ordered. "Let's go, Snips!" The two Jedi bolted for the walkers as Rex turned around to face the companies awaiting orders.
"Execute Battalion take AT-TE three-hundred! Carnivore Battalion, walker seven-seven-three! Let's go!" He barked and men scrambled to obey. It was a flurry of activity that rushed past that grimacing Yularen who could only turn to the hangar control centre to aid Anakin in carrying out his, in Yularen's opinion, insane strategy.
"Blasted crazy Jedi…" He muttered, grumbling under his breath.
The droid controlling the shock generator adjusted the output dial yet again, delivering another painful shock that ripped through Bolla Ropal's body. Countless had been wrought upon his tiring form by now and no matter how bad the torture or how sweet the coercion, the Rodian Jedi refused to give in to Cad Bane.
Jayden stood by, watching, his arms crossed. He had to admit, it felt good to wear his ancestor's robes. He had been surprised to find them carefully preserved and in okay condition when he journeyed to Yavin 4 as part of his training, and also found the mask and Revan's Lightsabers. He knew he wasn't Revan, but he felt like he was keeping his memory and legacy alive by donning his attire and mask, wielding a red and purple Lightsaber like he did once.
He turned his attention back to the interrogating in front of him, watching coldly but warily. If Ropal died because Bane went too far, they would have nothing unless they acquire another Jedi.
"Simply open this little box of yours so I can get the information from this crystal and your suffering will come to an end." Bane proffered as the voltage ceased and Ropal hung forward against his bonds. A few moments of labored breathing followed, the Rodian struggling to stay coherent amidst the pain.
"You will… never get me… to unlock the holocron…" He gradually replied between panting gasps.
"Unfortunately I don't have time to discuss this with you." Bane snarled. "Hit him again! Full power!" He ordered the droid. It complied immediately, dialing up the voltage yet again as the barely-recovered Ropal screeched and rasped as his body went rigid, twitching spasmatically.
Jayden watched with a frown under his mask. He wasn't feely sympathy of any kind for the Jedi, only concern that they would lose their only link to their objective because Bane kept the torture up. "Enough Bane, he'll die if you continue at this rate."
"He'll be fine, he's a Jedi." Bane waved off with a dismissive look. Bane knew not to try and insult someone who can easily kill him without even touching him, although the urge to do so was there. "More power."
"Sir, Lord Khan is right." The droid commander spoke up. "I'm not sure how much more of this he can take.
"Are you a medical droid?" Bane snapped, giving the droid a glare.
"No sir."
"Then step back and shut up. More power!" Bane ordered the droid. The voltage was cranked up to maximum. Bolla's body nearly went stiff from the amount of electricity coursing through him.
"You'll kill him at this rate, Bane." Jayden growled. But Bane did not listen.
All of a sudden, the Rodian's body went limp. Jayden didn't need to look at any of the instruments to check for the Jedi's life-signs, he had fhe Force to tell him what he already knew. Bane had killed Bolla Ropal.
"We've lost all his vital signs." The droid manning the console confirmed as much.
"Check." Bane ordered. The IG unit stepped forward and delivered a shock with his electrostaff. Bolla did not react.
"He is no longer functioning." The droid stated.
"Drop him." The B1 one did as told and Bolla's body fell as the containment field was lowered, slamming to the floor without a single motion from the Rodian. Bane nudged his body with a boot. Sure enough, Bolla Ropal was dead.
"Now we need to find another Jedi to open the holocron." Jayden said, turning his head to shoot Bane an annoyed look. "Had you restrained yourself, he would've cracked eventually."
"In case you haven't felt the ship getting blown apart piece by piece, we don't have time." Bane retorted.
"Then it is your impatience that has cost us." Jayden surmised derisively. Bane grumbled, adjusting the brim of his hat. "Lord Sidious has tasked us with this mission, it would be wise to NOT fail him... unless you want to be a dead man rather than a paid one."
Bane scoffed quietly to himself and turned away from him. "Suppose you're right, we'll have to find another Jedi to open this holocron. Next time, I'll try a different method." He decided, making to leave. "Come. We've got a cruiser to deal with yet."
Resolute moved into position over the crippled Munificent, hovering in place as its ventral docking bay slid open. One by one the three AT-TE's manned by Anakin's boarding party were dropped onto the hull of the cruiser, magnetic footpads clamping tightly to the metallic hull as their mass driver cannons opened fire on the cruiser's dorsal turbolaser batteries and the small detachment of battle droids working on the hall. A full firefight soon erupted across the cruiser, the droids fighting back as Vulture starfighters arrived on the scene, converting to biped mode and offering their repeater cannons as a form of heavy infantry unit.
Anakin knew they had to be taken down. Too much sustained fire would be detrimental for the walkers. Together, he and Ahsoka summoned the Force to propell themselves forward, crossing the distance between them and the Vultures with a single leap.
So happy the Force works in a vacuum. Can move just as fast and just as fluidly as I can in atmosphere.
Master and Apprentice were clad in Jedi Order-issued EVA suits. Anakin's was somewhat bulky, tailored to match the color of his robes and fit over them to boot. Ahsoka's was much more form-fitting and all-encompassing, designed to allow her to remain agile and flexible while keeping her safe. As such, both could still move and fight like Jedi, as proven when they cut away the legs of the Vultures with effortless ease. Anakin moved in front, twirling his saber around to deflect incoming shots while Ahsoka destroyed the final Vulture by cleaving it in two.
With their helmets pressurized and sealed, the Clones poured out of the walkers to attack the droids as Captain Rex led the charge.
"Nax! Del! Flank them around the right side, use the antenna as a vantage point! Zeer! Attie! Take Fives and Echo and see if you can skirt their left flank, destroy their cover if you can! Coric, Koho, Denal, you're with me! Let's go get these rust-buckets!" He barked, opening fire with his twin pistols as the droids retaliated in force. Anakin and Ahsoka led the way but the Clones were not about to count themselves out yet. They charged valiantly behind their Commander and General, pushing up hard as crimson bolts streaked past them. Chatter filled Rex's helmet from all sides, received every feed from each trooper as they advanced.
"Droid popper going out!"
"I'm hit! I'm down!"
"Detonator lightin' 'em up!"
"Watch that sniper!"
"Get to that Vulture wreck! We'll use it for cover!"
Like a well-oiled machine, the Clones moved as one. A wave of blue and white crashing into the droids defenders and across the hull of the ship as they put their enemy through a scrap-grinder of pure manpower. Anakin and Ahsoka reached their rendezvous point first; a hatch that would allow them access to the frigate's interior. "Artoo! Pop the lock!" Anakin ordered. Flying in via his leg-mounted thrusters, the astromech warbled an affirmation before landing before the access panel. His probic arm emerged from his chassis, fitting into the socket and quickly found the activation code as easily as picking the lock. Once the hatch was open, the Jedi slipped in as the Clones decimated the last of the droids, not far behind…
Aboard the bridge of the Munificent, Cad Bane and Jayden observed the progress of the Republic via the bridge monitors. The vessel trembled with each impact from the mass driver cannons that were employed and Bane was doing his best to coordinate some resistance to their boarding efforts. His work, however, was being hampered by a communication from Nute Gunray, leader of the Trade Federation.
"When Darth Sidious asked me to loan you the federation fleet, he didn't say you were going to war!" The Neimodian babbled. "Bane! You have already lost four of my ships! I hope you can pay for all of them!" He churlishly exclaimed. Bane casually tossed the holocron up and down in his hand,
"One authentic Jedi holocron and the memory crystal I was after." He said, showing them off. "When my benefactor gets this, he will compensate you for your puny fleet." He promised. The bridge shook again, causing Bane to stumble as other droids jolted suddenly. Jayden remained unmoved. "Sounds like the Jedi want it back…" The Duros mused, glancing at the monitor. A B1 approached him.
"Sir, the Jedi are overwhelming our vulture droids! Should we send reinforcements?" It asked.
"No." Bane decided after a moment.
"What are you doing?" Nute demanded.
"Did you say 'no'?" The droid repeated. Bane merely growled, tired of being questioned. "Uh… roger roger…" The droid meekly replied as it returned to its post.
"The Jedi will board this ship and get the holocron back! Transmit the information and close the deal immediately!" Nute pressed.
"I can't, only a Jedi can access the device." Bane replied. Then he caught a glimpse of Anakin and Ahsoka destroying the Vulture squadron, Lightsabers flashing colourfully about. "Fortunately there are two Jedi on their way to help me. One more than we need for our purposes." He added.
"You'd better live through this. I want my money Bane!" Nute exclaimed.
"You can count on it." Bane promised, flicking off the holocall.
"Skywalker and his Padawan never disappoint." Jayden chuckled as he watched Anakin and Ahsoka in battle. His gaze then turned to something he didn't expect. "They are using walkers? Of course, Skywalker is known for his strange plans."
"Yeah. Fortunately those things can't fit in here." Bane remarked, turning to him. "I need you to move to the lower gun deck, set up a 'welcoming committee' for when the Jedi arrive." He ordered.
"You plan to lure them into a trap." Jayden surmised. Bane smirked.
"Yeah. Something like that." As Jayden walked away to go to the lower gun deck, Bane started giving orders. "Wipe all the frigate's memory banks and destroy every record of our mission. Initiate the self-destruct sequence." He snapped to the droids at the helm. "You! Transfer all ship functions to my wrist-con. I want control of doors, gravity generators, everything!" He ordered the resident droid commander.
"Roger roger." It stated in simple reply, moving to do exactly as told.
"The rest of you stay here and defend the bridge." Cad tasked as he moved over to one of the ventilation hatches built into the multi-tiered bridge arrangement. Popping the lid, he slid down the shaft as the cover flipped back into place leaving no trace of his presence. The droids were left alone to let his final command sink in.
"We're defending the bridge alone?" One realized in dismay.
"Against the Jedi?" Another added. "I hate this job…"
"We have navigator programming not combat programming! What was he thinking?" A third exclaimed.
Their bemoaning was cut short by a rush of smoke and a loud BANG from the bridge access door. Breaching charges had dealt with the security measures and the door flew open as Republic forces rushed in. The droids were dispatched in short order, Anakin and Ahsoka cutting through those nearest to the door while Captain Rex and his men destroyed the rest with quick and precise blasts.
"Artoo, see if you can find Master Ropal." Anakin ordered as his astromech plugged into the central command terminal. A few moments of bypassing security and accessing whatever files were left on the terminal resulted in a hologram recording, which Artoo downloaded and then replayed via his built-in transmitter. Cad Bane's image appeared before the Jedi, taken form his conversation with Nute Gunray.
"…One authentic Jedi holocron and the memory crystal I was after…"
"Oh no! He has both pieces now!" Ahsoka cried in dismay.
"Rex, send a squad to the lower decks. Lock down the hangar bay and destroy all the escape pods. No one gets off this ship." Anakin swiftly ordered.
"Yes sir!" Rex broke off to obey.
"Artooie! You have to find Master Ropal, and hurry!" Ahsoka insisted and the astromech tootled in understanding. Before he could dig much further, the entire ship shuddered quite violently and the lights in the bridge flickered.
"What was that…?" Rex wondered aloud. As if to answer, Anakin's commlink chirped.
"General Skywalker! One of the engines on that frigate has exploded! I caution you to avoid the aft section." Admiral Yularen alerted him.
"How much damage is there?" Anakin asked.
"Enough that I would suggest immediate evacuation." Anakin shook his head.
"Not until we get what we came for."
Elsewhere…
Cad Bane reunited with Jayden on the frigate's gunnery deck where a company of mixed B1 and B2 battle droids were armed and ready for the arrival of the Jedi. Jayden had his arms crossed before he looked at the approaching bounty hunter. "The Jedi are coming."
"Good, that'll make things easier." Bane noted. "We need a Jedi cooperation to open the holocron, and we have two for the picking. I've got a plan in mind, all I need is a little helping hand from you. Just do as I say and we'll pull this off slicker than a Rodian schutta's lips."
"Vulgar." Jayden snorted.
Bane chuckled. "You wouldn't say that if you knew what you'd be getting into in regards to that. What, you more of a Twi'lek guy?"
"Shut up." Jayden shook his head, getting another chuckle from the bounty hunter.
Bane turned back to the droids. "The rest of you, spread out! While you deal with the Clones I will separate the Jedi and lead one of them away. Under no circumstances are you to break off engaging the Clones. Understood?" His command was greeted with a chorus of 'roger roger' from them all.
Artoo's data dive had pulled up some significant evidence the Jedi made to follow-up on. According to the surviving databanks, one of the cells in the cellblock had been retrofitted for prisoner containment. It seemed very likely that was where Bolla Ropal was being held and Anakin organized a search party and rendezvoused with Rex after his sabotage mission was complete.
Upon arrival they began checking every cell in the block, working their way from end to end as each one of them fanned out to investigate a cell. So far they had turned up nothing. Until…
"Master! I found him!" Ahsoka exclaimed in a broken voice from further down the line. Anakin and his men rushed over, stopping by the entrance and laying eyes on the corpse of Bolla Ropal. He paused, a dead weight sinking his soul deeper into today's mire. I'm too late.
"Rex, have some men take his body back to the Reolute." He ordered quietly. The two Jedi stepped back as the Clones performed the grisly detail, Ahsoka hanging her head in disappointment and sorrow as the dead Rodian was carried past them.
"We… We might not be able to find the holocron in time, Master. But… if it's destroyed with the ship, Nute Gunray won't get it either." She suggested after a moment.
"Maybe. But I'd rather return it to the Archives personally." Anakin replied. The lights flickered abruptly, shorting out as the cellblock was plunged into darkness. A distant boom suggested power of the power couplings had been destroyed by the slowly-destructing frigate.
"Come on, Artooie. Let's track that holocron." Ahsoka insisted. Artoo beeped in agreement and triggered his scanning array while also turning on the spotlight attached to his dome. He warbled a report, leading a way out of the cellblock.
"Artoo says we're close. Stay sharp." Anakin stated as he ignited his lightsaber for extra illumination. Ahsoka could see just fine on her own and did do copy him, walking side by side with Anakin and deftly ducking low and around protruding pipes and hull plating that she could pick out of the dark with her excellent vision.
Rex wasn't having such luck and his head struck a pipe with a resounding clang. "Yow!" He growled, shaking his head as he brushed off the impact. "Switch to nightvision." He ordered his men, lowering the rangefinder attached to his helmet while the rest of the troops lowered electroscopes to improve their visual acuity. They started moving in sequence, tightly bunched together as they swept the darkened corridors.
All of a sudden, the barest hint of a shadow crossed the end of the hall, just faintly catching on the edge of Artoo's spotlight.
"There!" Anakin cried, all danger forgotten as he broke into a run. Everyone else was hot on his tail, following him in a steady chase after the shadow. They ran until they entered a dark hanger bay, and the bulkhead doors shut behind them.
Suddenly, the lights began to switch on, bright white overtaking the dark and momentarily blinding the Republic as the lower gunnery deck was revealed to them. The power had not failed due to an explosion, but it had been timed and planned to lure them here. The Jedi let their eyes adjust as the Clones removed their nightvision enhancers, discovering a deadly surprise awaiting them.
A company of mixed battle droid units, enough to outnumber them two to one. a masked Darth Khan stood with them, Lightsaber in hand but not activated. Leading them all was a Duros bounty hunter, the one responsible for executing this mess the Jedi were cleaning up.
"Welcome, Jedi. We've been expecting you." Cad Bane greeted nonchalantly, as he drew his own sidearm. "Kill them!"
The Separatists opened fire immediately and the Clones returned fire. Anakin and Ahsoka began deflecting incoming rounds as quickly as they could, thankful they had a heavy trooper with a Z-6 rotary cannon on their side. Cad Bane strode forward, leading the droids. The Jedi broke rank, surging ahead and closing in for the kill.
"Let's make this a bit more interesting." Bane mused, toggling a few switches on his gauntlet. First, magnetizers in his boots activated, clamping him to the ground. "Lock it down!" He cried, his second step to switch off the gravity generators in the area. The Jedi, R2 and the Clones began to float in Zero-G, as did Jayden much to the young Sith's surprise and consternation.
Kriffing bastard could've warned me! Jayden thought with a scowl under his mask before activating his Lightsaber, deflecting shots from the Clones before spotting Ahsoka cutting her way through the droids and smirked before he boosted himself forward to meet her in another duel.
Ahsoka sensed danger and turned in time to block her opponent's Lightsaber. "Thought I'd run into you." She scowled at him.
"You just can't get enough of me, can you?" Jayden asked with a smirk. Due to Zero-G, it was hard for them to fight as they normally do when in normal gravity, but they swung their Lightsabers to clash as best as they can. As they fought, jayden's gaze briefly went to Ahsoka's EVA suit, how it clung to her and looked very form-fitting...
W-What? Jayden shook his head, clearing such thoughts away. Why did I think that? She's just wearing a suit! A suit that looks... nice on her... stop it! get your head together-Woah! he quickly raised his saber to block Ahsoka's before she somersaulted over him, and he watched her, feeling his eyes unwillingly pass over her body and how that suit clung to her, showing off the developing curves- WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!
"Artoo! Turn the gravity generators back on!" Ahsoka ordered, using her low-gravity surroundings to swoop and twirl like a swimmer while avoiding Jayden's Lightsaber swings.
The astromech twittered in affirmation, using his rocket jets to maneuver around the Zero-G environment.
Cad began picking off the Clones one by one, the bounty hunter busy dodging Anakin's attempted swings as droids fell apart beneath his blue saber. The heavy trooper raked his weapon across the droid forces, rapid-fire shells sending bits and pieces of droid exploding in every direction. One of which caught the feeder belt for the deck artillery, rupturing the durasteel housing and sending several plasma shells floating into the battle.
"Check your fire! Hit one of those shells and this fight is over for all of us!" Rex barked in warning. The Clones let up as the shells floated past, allowing Cad and Wraith to kill several more.
The Jedi had turned to using the droids for leverage, bouncing off each unit they killed as they hopped their way to a clean sweep of the enemy company. Anakin advanced on Cad, landing a flying kick that knocked the bounty hunter head over heels… and sending the holocron flying from within his coat. It was almost in reach. Anakin's eyes widened and stretched out a hand to grasp it…
Suddenly it flew from it's position and into Jayden's hand. The Sith chuckled and waved it tauntingly at Anakin. "Better luck next time, Skywalker."
"Give that back!" Anakin growled and leaped, Lightsaber swinging for the kill, but Jayden ducked underneath him, whirled around and sent him flying with a Force push.
"Khan! Let's scram!" Bane shouted, getting the Sith's attention before he nodded and the two ran off while some of the troopers still magnetized to the ceiling opened fire on them, prompting Cad to return fire and destroy their footing. They fell, victims of gravity, saved only by Anakin's quick thinking and use of the Force.
"I'll get him!" Ahsoka cried, breaking into a Force-enhanced sprint as she barrelled past Anakin and made for Khan and Bane. Anakin watched with widened eyes.
"Ahsoka, wait!" He cried out, lowering the troopers as quickly but as gingerly as he could. "It's a trap!" She did not listen, the Togruta teen booking it after their fleeing adversaries. Anakin made to catch up. "Ahsoka! We'll take them together!" His cry was cut off as the door sealed shut, affirming his worries that this was the enemy's plan all along. Anakin quickly began cutting through the door, sheathing his Lightsaber within durasteel as he began to split the locking mechanism keeping the two panels together even as the sound of battle erupted behind him. Clones and droids were firing on one another again… until a stray round struck one of the free-rolling plasma shells and detonated with terrific force.
The unstable area succumbed to the effects of the blast. Clones and droids were thrown off their feet as bits and pieces of ceiling debris rained down, massive chunks of durasteel crushing the droids and threatening to entomb the Republic survivors…
Bolting to the end of the corridor, Cad and Jayden held their position as Ahsoka primed herself for a fight. "You thought you could get away?" She called out as the two faced her.
"You're not much of a challenge, youngling." Bane retorted derisively. "I've got you right where I want you." With quick-draw skills honed over countless encounters, Bane drew his pistol and fired. Ahsoka deftly deflected the bolt back and struck him right in the arm. Bane growled in pain as his shattered wrist-con sizzled and sparked, a blackened hole in the middle of it.
Jayden stepped forward, a hand on Bane's shoulder moving him out of the way as he approached Ahsoka, handing Bane the holocron as well. Seeing the new challenger, Ahsoka made ready to move.
"It's time we finish this." Ahsoka remarked, moving to a inverted Form 6 position. Jayden rolled his shoulders as he activated his Lightsaber, then entered the basic Form V: Djem So, catching Ahsoka off guard as she recognized her Master's fighting style.
"I agree." Jayden replied. Ahsoka's pupils narrowed as she took stock of her enemies.
Bane shouldn't be too hard. Just have to get past Khan and get the holocron from him. I can double-back afterwards and meet with Skyguy. Easy!
Bolting ahead, she vaulted over Jayden's wide swing and used his arm to push off and land behind him, hoping to knock a little sense into the wounded Bane and take his holocron without much effort. Instead, she found Bane ready to fight. He landed a high kick that knocked her Lightsaber from her grip, rendering her weaponless as he pointed his Lightsaber at her. With enemies surrounding her, Ahsoka grasped for a solution.
With blinding speed, Ahsoka reached out and grabbed Bane's arm, driving a palm into the joint. The bounty hunter cried out, dropping his weapon. The air rushed from his lungs as Ahsoka drove her opposite elbow into his guts. Grabbing the outstretched arm, Ahsoka summoned the Force and threw Cad over her shoulder, knocking him to the ground and sending the air rushing from his lungs.
The bounty hunter lay groaning for a moment as Ahsoka laid her hands on her hips. "I'm not impressed." She remarked with a sniff.
Under his mask, Jayden quirked a brow. I am. Just how many Jedi know hand-to-hand skills? And here I thought all they used were Lightsabers…
Ahsoka recalled her weapon, flicking the blade on as she moved on Jayden who quickly resumed another battle stance. "Now… where were we-?" Ahsoka stopped, feeling a hand grab her leg. She looked down just in time to see Cad gripping her boot and toggling something on his wrist-con. The Togruta was suddenly flooded with pain as a powerful electroshock ripped through her body, crying out in agony as she blacked out mere second afterwards. She fell limp to the ground as Cad picked himself up, Jayden lowered his guard and deactivated his Lightsaber.
"Now we have one Jedi in our hands." Jayden remarked, looking at the unconscious Ahsoka. And again, against his will, he found himself studying every inch of her and noticing just how well her EVA suit clung to every curve. In her current position, it just so happened to define the gentle swell of her hips and butt nicely-
Oh no… not again! Knock it off, Jayden! Focus! Jayden berated himself.
Amid burning rubble, pieces of durasteel began to move. Summoning the Force, Anakin flung the pieces trapping him free and raised himself to full height. He shook dust from his hair as his blurry vision began to clear up. How long have I been out for…? Ugh, I can taste dust on my mouth. Raising a hand, Anakin wiped his brow and fown grey on the back of his glove. I must be a mess.
"General Skywalker!" He faintly heard Rex calling out for him. He looked around, tracing the sound as to coming from beyond the wall of rubble in front of him. "Can you hear me? Are you alright in there?"
"Yeah, I'm alright!" Anakin hollered back. "Get back to the hangar, find a transport and wait for us as long as you can!" He ordered, shouting loudly and hoping he was heard.
"We're on it sir!" Rex responded. Anakin breathed a sigh of relief.
That's one thing done. Now for the other.
"Ahsoka, do you copy?" He asked into his wrist comm. He got only feedback in response. She wasn't answering. She's alone with those two… Think happy thoughts, Anakin, she can handle herself in a scrape. Hopefully she can handle those two… A distant explosion jarred him as the ship shuddered beneath his feet. His commlink crackled and Anakin held out hope.
"General, there's a power surge heading towards a bridge. If you're there, get out immediately. You must abandon your mission!" Yularen reported. Heaving a sigh, Anakin made to respond.
"I… don't have the holocron memory crystal… and I, uh, seem to have misplaced my Padawan." He tentatively responded.
"The ship is tearing itself apart!" Yularen exclaimed.
"Then move off to a safe distance, Admiral, and await my signal for evacuation." Anakin ordered, terminating the connection. He needed to move, to break that door down. Time was running out and he still had a lot of work ahead of him.
I've been too late to do a lot of things today. Saving my Padawan will NOT be one of them.
Meanwhile…
Ahsoka wrestled with the cuffs around her wrists, attempting to free herself. Giving a tug to test their durability, she was met with a very rude electric shock and she yelped in sudden pain. "Oh I wouldn't do that, those binders have been especially designed for Jedi." Cad stated. He reached out to trail a hand down her lekku but Ahsoka jerked away with a snarl. In response, Cad grabbed her silky bead braid and yanked it off her headdress, slipping it onto his belt next to her lightsaber. "The more you struggle, the greater the shock and the tighter they get." He explained. "Impressed now, youngling?"
"Not really…!" Ahsoka growled.
"Enough." Jayden cut in, stepping forward. Ahsoka was beaten, nothing troubling for them so the treatment from Bane was unnecessary. "Skywalker will be on his way to rescue his precious Padawan."
"Enjoy this while you can, sleemo." Ahsoka retorted, curling her lip to flash her fangs. A distant explosion marked another portion of the frigate succumbing to the self-destruct protocol. "This burning boat's about to finish us all off." She remarked.
"Mm, we have time." Cad replied. "They say the bond between Master and Apprentice is strong."
"Meaning my Master will be coming for me any minute." Ahsoka confidently said. Bane reached for his wrist-con.
"Let's see if we can get him here any faster." He mused, toggling a switch. In response a powerful shock ripped into Ahsoka and her scream echoed throughout the room. Even Jayden flinched a little.
"Bane..." Jayden said warningly. Bane lifted his finger off the button and Ahsoka heaved for air as she slumped over, almost falling to the floor.
"Testing a theory." Cad nonchalantly replied. "They say that Jedi Masters can sense everything goin' on with their apprentices, including how much pain they feel. I reckon the more pain this little schutta endures… well, it might prompt Skywalker to pick up the pace." He pressed the button again, grinning sickly as Ahsoka screamed in bitter torment. "Enjoy the show, my friend. Not every day you've got a Jedi at your whim like this." Cad called out over the Togruta's cries.
Jayden looked back and fourth between Bane and Ahsoka, then found himself looking at Ahsoka as she screamed in utter pain and agony from the shock, watching as her eyes watered despite being squeezed tightly shut. Blue bolts rippled across her body, her muscle spasming with each jolt. He turned his head away, trying to block it out.. Ahsoka's screams were setting something off inside him as his fists slowly clenched.
What is wrong with me?! I can't... I can't show concern for... for a Jedi! He scolded himself. And why Ahsoka? I've given other Jedi worse treatment than this before I ended their lives! I tortured some with Force lightning until they begged for their death, yet seeing Ahsoka like this... why am I feeling this way?!
Ahsoka continued to scream and Jayden shut his eyes.
"AAAAAH! MASTER! PLEASE!" She shrieked and Cad chuckled.
Jayden's eyes shot open as Ahsoka's screams brought back memories... ones he had hoped to have buried deep in his mind, to not distract him, to not torment him, even when he'd sleep he'd still have nightmares of those memories. He remembered, seeing himself, a small boy of four years old, watching as a man, his father... took on a hooded man in black, wielding a double-bladed red Lightsaber, while his mother tried to get him to safety.
"MOMMY!"
"Jayden! Run!"
"MOMMY! PLEASE!
"RUN!"
With a roar, Jayden threw his hand out and Bane found himself thrown into the wall by an invisible force, pinned there with an invisible grip around his throat, choking him tightly. Jayden's Force choke got tighter and tighter and Bane writhed in his grip. "What're… you… doing-hrk?!" He rasped through his ever-shrinking windpipe.
Jayden did not respond, lost in his memories. He inhaled deeply then exhaled as he forced himself to calm down, realizing what he had done. But he had to come up with an excuse for his actions and gave Bane a hard look. "Your torture is unwanted, Bane. I will not have a second Jedi die so you can sate whatever sick fetishes you have on torturing Jedi. let me remind you that we cannot fail the one who tasked us with this. If we do, then the torture done to the Jedi... will be nothing compared to what he will do to us if we fail. Got it?"
"C-Crystal..." Bane choked out and Jayden released his grip, allowing Bane to be free.
"Don't test me again, Bane. I will not hesitate to end your life and do this myself." Jayden warned blankly, then turned to leave. "I will handle Skywalker, do not make me come back and end your life."
"Guess you… shouldn't shock me… huh?" Ahsoka queried between heaving breaths. Bane rolled his eyes.
"Don't make me do it again." He threatened.
Anakin could indeed sense Ahsoka's pain and distress. While the Force did not reveal what exactly she was enduring, the knowledge that she was being tortured had sent Anakin to a dark and determined place. His brows knit, his lips pressed into a thin grim line, he ignited his blade and passed through the final door. Ahsoka was not far away now.
Hang in there, Snips. I'm almost there.
Khan was waiting for him, standing perfectly still between the last doorway and Anakin. The Jedi raised his Lightsaber and kept advancing. "Move. Or you won't like where I move you to." He growled. Jayden said nothing, remaining still. "What? Got nothing to say?"
"Keep talking, Skywalker..." Jayden said, activating his crossguard saber and assuming the basic Form II stance. "it'll just make this more fun."
"Doubt it." Anakin scoffed before they charged and their sabers clashed in a fury of red and blue. Jayden swung left and right, which Anakin blocked, jumped to avoid a low strikes aimed at his legs and went for a downward slash that Jayden blocked and threw Anakin over, but the Jedi General rolled and landed on his feet. However, Jayden was right on the attack as he forced Anakin to go on the defensive.
Ducking under one of Anakin's swings, Jayden backed off and twirled his saber.
"What, had enough already?" Anakin asked sarcastically.
Jayden smirked under his mask and held up a trigger. "No, just wanted to give you a shock." He pressed the button and Anakin yelled out in pain as his body was racked with volts of electricity, allowing Jayden to blast him into the wall with Force lightning. Anakin's head hit the wall and everything went black soon after for him.
When the door opened again, Jayden was dragging Anakin's limp body behind him and promptly left him in the middle of the floor. A pair of B2 battle droids turned priming their weapons just in case. "Not bad." Cad mused as he triggered a ray-shield that kept Ahsoka separated from the rest of them. Not to be deterred, Ahsoka picked herself up and rushed the shield. She drove her shoulder into it, only to be repulsed by its ionic properties and was flung back to the floor with a cry. "You're not a quick learner, are you?" Cad remarked. "Let's hope your Master is." He looked back to Jayden. "Wake him up."
"Why the ray-shield?" The Sith questioned.
"You'll see." Bane said simply. Jayden loosed another growl.
Did I mention I'm fed up with being kept in the dark?
Turning to Anakin, Jayden blasted him with Force lightning. The sudden jolt awoke the Jedi and Anakin sputtered and groaned as he came to, Jayden stopping his assault.
"We meet again, Jedi." Bane greeted casually as Anakin slowly picked himself up. It took a moment before he could move to a sitting position, but when he did Ahsoka was the first person he locked eyes on. "Let's cut to the chase; if I activate this control the airlock will open and she will be sucked into oblivion." Cad stated, gesturing to his wrist-con. "Do you think you can kill me and then save her before she's pulled out into space? It's a horrible way to die…" Ahsoka gulped nervously, looking to Anakin with pleading eyes. Despite being unable to physically use the Force with these cuffs on, she could still sense things. Emotions, sensations, presences, all were still quite real to her. She was worried because Cad Bane was being very clear and direct, and his presence informed her that he had every intention of fulfilling his threat if Anakin did not comply. Anakin was struggling, he was still cloudy from getting knocked out and the situation they were in was overwhelming him, becoming too much. Khan… well, he surprised her. He was a bundle of agitation and anger. Why? She didn't rightly know…
Jayden was very much agitated, and with good reason. He did not like Bane's plan, now that it had been revealed. He promised himself that the little contest unfolding between him and Ahsoka was a dedicated matter of deciding the better warrior between them. He wished to be the one to claim victory, to get the better of her. And now this bounty hunter was… was…
Toying with her life so recklessly…! After all our duels and fights, for her to be killed off so flippantly by this piece of back-planet scum… If he kills her, I swear by the Force, I'll do far worse than choke him!
"Besides, isn't negotiation the Jedi way?" Bane continued. Anakin glanced around the room. His eyes flicked from Ahsoka to Bane, then to Jayden, then back to Ahsoka. He exhaled slowly. The trap had been masterfully planned and he was caught dead centre of it.
"What do you want?" He quietly asked.
"This holocron carries information I've been paid to collect." Bane stated, holding out his stolen prize. "I can't unlock it, but you can."
So that's what he wants. For me to do what Bolla Ropal did not. Anakin realized mentally.
"The last Jedi who had it wouldn't open it. I'm sure you've found his corpse by now… I hope you don't make the same mistake." Bane added. Anakin stayed silent. He knew his duty, he knew what needed to be done… that didn't mean it was what he wanted to be done. "We're running out of time. Hurry it up Jedi! The holocron or your Padawan?" Cad pressed.
It was times like this when Anakin wished being the Chosen One meant ensuring the stars aligned and everything went his way. He wished the Council had coached him through his power. Maybe he could kill Bane and save Ahsoka in one fell swoop, if only he'd been trained to do so. He could be powerful, he could save everyone, be the hero everyone claimed he was. The praise, the adoration he'd receive…
But that's not what a Jedi is. A Jedi sometimes means rolling over and showing your belly to the enemy… if it means the greater good is saved. What is the greater good? Do we really need the holocron? Can't we just make a new list of future younglings? Do I really have to sacrifice one in the name of many…
"No, Master! Don't do it!" Ahsoka insisted. Anakin closed his eyes and sighed. The Chosen One would do everything the Jedi expected him to do. Live and die by the Code, serve the Force his whole life… be something Anakin knew he could never be.
Because Anakin saved those closest to him. The Jedi failed his mother. Failed him. That failure stopped with him.
"I can't let you die, Ahsoka." He said.
"Master! No!" Ahsoka begged him.
"We'll deal with the holocron later." Anakin decided, moving to a kneeling position. Wraith watched silently, impressed by Anakin's choice. For the Jedi that always got the impossible mission completed, it seemed like he was taking a very different route this time.
It occurred to him just how much he was willing to put on the line for Ahsoka's sake.
"How touching." Bane scoffed. He set the holocron down in front of him. "Whatever you're gonna do, do it now." Closing his eyes, Anakin began to meditate. Opening a holocron was something only a Jedi could accomplish, requiring a combination of their presence in the Force commingling with the holocron's presence. Two became one, the holocron an extension of the Jedi's will and mind. Without the Force, it was just a box. With the Force, however, it was like a living entity.
The holocron levitated off the ground, parts and pieces turning and separating as the data display system within was revealed. It was like an empty data terminal, requiring a data card to function properly.
Cad stepped forward. "Now… I'll combine this holocron with the data memory crystal I took from your dead Jedi friend." He offered the small green shard to the holocron's core, watching it float into place within the device. Once it was comfortably nestled within, Anakin allowed it to close. It's shape had been reconfigured somewhat, taking the form of an active holocron with data ready to be accessed. Bane took hold of it again. "My employers will be most pleased…" He mused. Jayden looked on silently.
All this for that… What a day.
Suddenly, the Jedi's Lightsabers where whipped from their storage places by unseen hands, Anakin's use of the Force proving powerful as he did not even need to make a motion to summon them. Anakin caught both and snapped them on, blades glowing brightly as he attacked the nearest B2 droid. Cad wasted no time either, triggering the airlock release.
Jayden had drawn his Lightsaber to fight Anakin, only to stop suddenly as the ray-shield flickered and the airlock begin to open. He watched Ahsoka lunge for the nearest edge, something to hold on to to prevent from getting sucked out into space. Anakin threw a droid chassis into the controls, the ray-shield dropping entirely as the vacuum of space began to pull on them all. Jayden lost his footing, falling to the floor as he gripped a piece of the wall and hung on for dear life. Cad Bane, on the other hand, activated his jet boots and launched himself out the entry door, shutting it behind him.
Bastard! Jayden scowled, though he should've known better to trust a bounty hunter... a mistake he will not make again. Tapping a button on his right wrist device, he waited several seconds while continuing to hold on. Then when he got a received beep, he smirked and let go, allowing himself to be propelled out into space much to Anakin and Ahsoka's shock.
However, Jayden landed on the roof of the Rogue Shadow, quickly entering through the top hatch and closing it. The ships autopilot was already set to take him back to Dooku's location and report to him. He only hoped Bane got away with the holocron, the only good thing he supposed because he may end up killing that damn Duros the next time he sees him.
As he sat there, his mind went back to everything he experienced today... namely the emotions when watching Ahsoka be tortured, and then there was his... attention to her body. He didn't know where that came from, but he supposed it had to be a sign of puberty. He was turning fifteen soon, and he knew that was kind of the stage in a guy's life where girls are more... noticeable and pleasing to the male eyes.
And Ahsoka was quite pleasing to look at in that suit of hers-
Stop it! Jayden thought, shaking his head. Maybe I should request a temporary leave from the battlefield, start practising duel wielding Lightsabers. Maybe I'll visit Ventress and ask her for help.
Jayden made his way to the cockpit and sat n the pilot chair, exhaling and slumping as his ship shot into Hyperspace...
Ohhhh, looks like Jayden's hitting puberty! He's coming to that stage in life where boys start desiring girls. Just imagine how he'll feel when duelling with Ventress and his gaze wanders because of his teenage hormones.
