Answers to reviews:
EmaCnDf: I am thinking of him losing his crossguard Lightsaber during this arc, hving it crushed or something and he starts using a standard single blade like other Sith and Jedi do. I blame playing The Forc Unleashed 2 for this, because I went for a red and purple Lightsaber colour throughout the game.
Guest02957: He's already using a red Lightsaber, he's just added a purple one to his arsenal. But I am thinking of having him use a standard hilt for the red Lightsaber rather than a crossguard.
DuckBoi: What happened between Jayden and Ventress will be left to people's imaginations, and as for how he'll feel about having to let her go when Sidious orders her death... well, you'll have to wait and see how he reacts to that.
SpringTrapLordYT: Wait, really?
Yubel578: Yep, he's got Revan, Bastila and Satele in his bloodline, and they were powerful Jedi in their time, especially Revan considering he walked the path as both Jedi and Sith, more of a user of both the Light and the Dark Side rather than just sticking to one side.
Guest: Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I only own the OC Jayden Shan/Darth Khan.
Serenno...
Entering Dooku's main and huge office, Jayden found his Master at his desk, looking over datapads and reports of something when the Sith Lord glanced up, having sensed his Apprentice's arrival and gave a small smile.
"Welcome back, Jayden. I trust your time on Rattatak was memorable?" Dooku inquired, putting a datapad down.
"Yes... memorable is one word I'd use." Jayden said, memories of his time there coming back but he pushed them to the back of his mind. He stood before the desk, hands clasped behind his back and stood at attention. "It helped ease my mind after my episode, and I am ready to return to work."
"Good, I like your determination." Dooku nodded, pleased. He stood, grabbing a datapad and gestured for Jayden to join him as he walked out onto the balcony, the Master and Apprentice looking out at the lush forest in front of them, stretching far and wide towards the distant hills and mountains. "I had a task ready for you, ne I believe will help in getting rid of any rust you have for not being in the war for a while."
"Where are you sending me?" Jayden asked curiously. Dooku wordlessly handed him the datapad, which Jayden took and began reading the information on it. A Senator working for the Separatists, Clovis his name is, foolishly brought Senator Padme Amidala to the place he was meeting the Banking Clan at, and she got wind of the operations on Geonosis. Jayden didn't need to continue reading to know what was coming. "The planet where it all began..."
"Indeed." Dooku said, taking the datapad back. "And thanks to Clovis' weakness and stupidity, the Republic will be intending to destroy the droid factory there and capture Poggle the Lesser. Jayden, you will go to Geonosis and ensure it does not fall into Republic hands. That droid factory is very key to us."
"When am I to leave?" Jayden asked, wasting no time in questioning his assignment. He had never been to Geonosis, nor was he there during the first battle that began the Clone Wars. he had been here, on Serenno, training with Ventress while his Master handled business there.
"As soon as you are able." was Dooku's simple response, getting a nod before Jayden turned and left.
Geonosis, referred to as Geonosia by some natives, was the desert home planet of the Geonosians. Situated in the Geonosis system of the Arkanis sector in the Outer Rim Territories, the planet of Geonosis was 43,000 light years from the Galactic Core, and less than a parsec away from the neighboring Outer Rim planet of Tatooine. It had a breathable atmosphere, but a hot and arid climate. Its irradiated surface was covered in harsh, rocky deserts, marked by mesas and buttes.
Both its rocks and sky were tinted in shades of red. Surface water was scarce, amounting to only 5% of the entire total planetary surface. However, Geonosis had frequent flash floods. From space, it could be seen that Geonosis had awe-inspiring rocky rings. The planet was orbited by fifteen moons, four of which were major and including the icy moon of Bahryn.
From what Jayden knew of the planet's history, , a comet crashed in one of the planet's many moons. The collision debris not only formed the famous rings of Geonosis, but also formed a field of small asteroids which would sometimes rain down on the planet's surface. It sounded... ridiculous to Jayden, but he just went with what he read and kept silent on his opinion. He doubted the natives would like any insult at their planet's history.
Galactic colonizers were attracted to Geonosis when the Tatoo system was discovered due to its close proximity to Tatooine. When the Galactic Republic made first contact with the Geonosians, it was successful and beneficial to both groups. Due to this, the Geonosians became interested with Republic technology and became skilled in adapting and improving advanced technology. As such, Geonosians exported droids and other technology to the rest of the galaxy, although this didn't last long. Once Tatooine was almost abandoned by the first wave of colonizers, Geonosis suffered from its distance from the Core Worlds as visitors to the planet grew smaller and smaller until visitors stopped traveling to Geonosis altogether. Geonosian exports were more easily met by other manufacturers closer to the Core.
Geonosians became split over the idea of working with offworlders, and with the planet's economy in ruins, wars erupted throughout the planet for millennia, while the rest of the galaxy largely forgot the planet and left it to its endless wars. A few hundred years ago, the world was rediscovered by the Galactic Republic and manufacturing deals were made to sell and distribute their advanced technology and droids.
Geonosis became a major base of operations for the Confederacy of Independent Systems, an alliance of separatists that spread across the galaxy. The enormous Geonosian droid factories began to manufacture of tens of thousands of different types of battle droids, thus maintaining their own Geonosian droid army. During that time, Geonosis built droid armies for large corporations such as the Trade Federation.
And then, a year ago, on this very planet, the Clone Wars began with the first battle of Geonosis. Now, the war had come back.
Entering the planet's atmosphere, Jayden locked onto what appeared to be ruins, but he knew it was really part of a city. Spotting a landing pad, Jayden flew the Rogue Shadow towards it and landed, shutting down the ship's engines soon after before lowering the ramp. To meet him at the bottom was Poggle the Lesser, along with a protocol droid serving as a translator, and a couple of B1 battle droids as guard.
Poggle chittered and chirped, speaking in Geonosian. The protocol droid translated. "'Lord Khan, I am honoured by your arrival here. I have heard much about you throughout this war and from Count Dooku.'"
"I imagine so, Poggle." Jayden said with a nod of greeting. "I assume my Master contacted you to inform you of my reason for being here?"
Poggle replied, and the droid translated. "'He did. My forces are prepared for an invasion, but the droid factory must be protected. If that is destroyed, then it would greatly result in a decline of droid production here on Geonosis.'"
"Then we cannot allow the Republic to destroy it, or even gain control of this world." Jayden said as they entered the base.
The Republic was en-route to Geonosis, with this operation being led by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, his Padawan Ahsoka Tano, Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ki-Adi Mundi. Obi-Wan and Mundi stood on the bridge of the Resolute, looking out the viewport as the fleet approached Geonosis. It was a planet both Jedi had hoped they would never have to come back to again, nor did they ever think they would return to it.
"I cannot believe we are back here again." Obi-Wan said with a quiet sight as he stared at the planet, memories of the last time he was here coming to mind.
"It is unfortunate. The resistance from the native Geonosians was stronger than we anticipated." Mundi agreed.
Obi-Wan nodded. "The same can be said for their loyalty to Count Dooku."
"A fact that was overlooked." Mundi said.
The sound of the bridge doors opening caused the two Jedi to turn and see Anakin and Ahsoka enter, walking towards them. "You're late." Obi-Wan remarked with slight annoyance but mostly exasperation since he was used to this, especially from Anakin.
Anakin had a apologetic grin on his face. "Sorry Master. Ahsoka and I were busy rerouting Seppies near Dorin."
"My squadron along had 55 kills," Ahsoka said proudly and smugly, crossing her arms.
Anakin turned to her. "Yeah, but mine had 76."
"Show off," Ahsoka said, shaking her head.
"Well I'm glad you two are enjoying yourselves." Obi-Wan remarked sassily as he shot the two a look.
Anakin shrugged. "Hey, it's just a little friendly competition, Master." He said in defence of himself and Ahsoka. "Nothing to worry about."
What I worry about is the way this war seems to be drawing out." Obi-Wan said with a frown, cupping his bearded chin. It was already a year into the war and there was no end in sight, nothing that drew the war closer to an end. Time and time again they had hoped to capture the likes of Dooku and Grievous, to be one stop closer to ending the war... but they always escape from them.
"Which is why it is crucial our invasion of Geonosis meets with success." Mundi said with a nod.
Anakin nods in agreement. "Agreed. Ahsoka, contact the Outer Rim command. We're ready for our briefing."
"They're already waiting Master." She said.
They walk over to the table in the inner part of the bridge where the holograms of Masters Yoda, Windu, Luminara and Chancellor Palpatine are shown with the layout of the soon-to-be Geonosis battleground in front of them. Wasting no time, Obi-Wan began informing them of the battle strategies. "Our ships are in position, and we are ready to begin our campaign against the Geonosians."
"And what about Poggle, any report on his location?" Windu asked.
Obi-Wan pressed a button and a hologram of the main droid factory came up. "It seems he's holed up at the primary droid foundry here." He said, pointing at it as it flashed briefly before continuing. "The factory is protected by a shield generator." A small area lit up behind the shield showing a Geonosian factory. "Anakin, Ki-Adi and I shall attempt a three-pronged attack through their defence lines to a staging area just short of the shield. Once we've landed, we shall knock out the shield generator. That is our primary target."
Four arrows pointed towards a single spot before a line moved from there to the generator and one going over straight into the enemy fire.
"Isn't it risky committing three generals to one area of the attack? If something went wrong we could be dealt a serious blow." The Chancellor said, sounding worried.
"To ensure that rise again Geonosis does not capture Poggle we must." Yoda said to him.
"Of course. As always I shall leave the strategy to you, Master Jedi." Palpatine said with a trusting smile.
"Our thanks, Chancellor." Obi-Wan nodded.
"May the Force be with you." Master Windu says. The holograms of everyone except Luminara disappear, leaving the battlefield for Geonosis. The doors opened to reveal Commander Cody and Captain Rex entered the room, approaching the holotable.
"Good, Cody. These are the coordinates for the rendezvous." Master Kenobi said. Cody nods.
"Yes sir. When we hit the ground, we'll create a perimeter. Getting past their defences here will be the trick," He said, pointing to a heavily fortified area. "General Mundi will come across the defensive lines from the north. We'll make our assault through the middle. General Skywalker will make his attack on the defensive lines from the South, and we will meet at rendezvous point at 0700 exactly."
Mundi nodded. "If we meet with strong resistance and are forced down away from the landing zone, hold out until we join our forces before attacking the shield generator." He said.
"Their front lines are heavily fortified." Ahsoka says worriedly. She points to something on the map. "Look at that giant wall with a the gun emplacements."
"Don't worry Snips, we aren't going anywhere near that." Anakin reassures.
"Come now. What happened to all that enthusiasm I saw earlier?" Obi-Wan asks with a slight grin.
"Don't worry about us," Anakin said with a grin, putting a hand on his Master's shoulder. "You just make sure you get yourself to that landing zone in one piece."
With you, I always have to worry. Obi-Wan thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes as he knew Anakin well enough to worry about him in the battlefield. "Yes, and we shall be waiting for you when we finally arrive." He retorted, putting emphasis on 'finally'.
"Gentlemen, If you are quite finished. We have a battle to begin." Luminara reminded them all.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Quite right. Cody, prep the gunships. We'll meet you in the hanger."
Cody nods with a salute. "Yes sir." He then heads off to begin prepping the 212th, with Rex following him.
Later, everyone was gearing up for the invasiuion, Clones boarding the gunships, with Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and Mundi going to their designated gunships as part of their battle strategy and plan. Obi-Wan walked towards the gunship with Cody beside him, and the Jedi General had something on his mind. "Cody, tell me, were you part of the first assault on Geonosis?"
"No sir." Cody shook his head.
"Well you didn't miss much. Last time I was chained to a pole and attacked by several humongous monsters." Obi-Wan said with a chuckle at the memory. "Anakin even went so far as to tame one of them with the Force and ride it."
"That sounds..." Cody struggled to find a word to describe what he thought right now, so went with an easier option. "Entertaining."
"It was... for the Geonosians." Obi-Wan said, entering the gunship and the side doors slid shut as the ships prepared for takeoff.
The Republic was met with resistance by the Geonosian forces and their droid army, with Republic gunships carrying either Clone troops or AT-TEs being shot down and exploding before they could crash into the ground. In the air, Anakin and Ahsoka's gunship shook quite a bit and fell from outside, suddenly they were hit hard and the gunship started to go down. The gunship hit the ground a moment later and started to skid along the ground before coming to a stop.
"We're down! Repeat, down! Location five-!" Rex stopped when he realized they just lost contact with Mundi's team.
"Come on! Get up, we have to keep moving!" Anakin yelled over the explosions around them as he and Rex pushed the broken door off the gunship. The Jedi exited first then ignited their sabers and started deflecting blaster fire. A few clones climbed on top of the ruined gunship and started firing. Anakin rushed a few of the Geonosians as the clones and padawans remained behind for the time being.
"They're falling back! Come on!" Ahsoka yelled to the rest of them before they started to run forward.
The clones managed to take cover in a small trench while the Jedi deflect blaster fire after reaching a small canyon on their way to the rendezvous point. "Rex, what's the word? Can Kenobi send support or not?" Anakin asked over the battle before jumping into the trench next to Rex.
"I don't think so, sir, Cody says General Kenobi never reached the landing site. They think his gunship got shot down." the captain replied.
"Great. The one time I actually ask Obi-Wan for help, he's nowhere to be found." Anakin said, sounding irritated. Rex and Ahsoka dropped on the other side of Anakin before spewing with concern.
"Well what if something happened to General Kenobi He could be injured or-" Ahsoka started, concern and worry emitting from her voice and emotions, which Anakin could sense. He too was concerned, but he had known Obi-Wan long enough to know he should be fine until they link up with him.
"No time for that kind of talk." He told her before she could allow her emotions to cloud her judgement, then turned his attention back to Rex. "Rex, we need to mobilize, now! Get the men together. We're going to rush the guns."
"Yes sir!" Rex stood and ran to fulfil his orders.
Anakin turned to Ahsoka, who he could still sense was worried about Obi-Wan. "Ahsoka, you're with me. We need to give Rex cover when we attack.
"Got it, just give the word." Ahsoka nodded, but her eyes shifted.
"Hey." Anakin put a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her through their Master/Apprentice bond. "I'm worried about him, too. But you have to keep your mind in the here and now, otherwise we'll never be able to help Obi-Wan."
Rex soon came back with much of the 501st troopers. "All here, sir."
Anakin nodded and glanced over to see the battlefield, waiting for their opportunity. "Ready... now!"
They all started vaulting over the trench and rushing the turret. "Go! Go! Go!" Rex called out.
"Take 'em out! Take 'em out!" One of the Clones yelled out before he and one of his brothers both cried out as they were killed.
A while after rushing the gun they were now done fighting for the time being and soon came upon the giant wall Ahsoka pointed out to back on the ship and before they could keep moving at least 20 battle droids appeared at the top along with a few supers and started firing down on them.
"Careful, men. Careful!" Rex warned. Unfortunately two Clones were killed before the rest took cover behind some boulders. Rex and the three Jedi took cover behind a single huge boulder before deactivating their sabers.
"Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten us into." Ahsoka said sarcastically.
"What? Hey, it's not my fault! You were supposed to study the holomaps!" He accused, trying to place the blame on her.
"I did! Remember when I reminded you about the giant wall, and you said, 'Don't worry, Snips. We won't be anywhere near that.'" She recalled in irritation.
"I thought you thought this through?" He asked, feeling irritated as well. "Just get ready to climb!" He said, sounding annoyed and pointed to the cliff on their left.
The Jedi signalled three Clones with backpacks and they rushed over quickly as the other troopers covered them. Anakin helped them remove their packs before Rex spoke.
"So what's the plan, General?" Rex asked him.
"Just keep us covered, Rex." He replied before handing a pack to Ahsoka who slipped it on.
"There's too much laser fire for all of us to make the climb. Ahsoka and I will handle this." He checked one of the thermal detonators before putting it back into the pack then slipping it on. The Jedi started running towards the cliff as a few cannons on the wall shot at them while a few Clones were killed and the three of them dodged the blasts.
After reaching the cliff they shot their grappling hooks towards the top and tugged on them. Once they were certain that the hooks were stable, they used the Force to jump along the side of the cliff in order to move faster. As soon as they reached the top they headed towards the wall and started deflecting with their sabers when the droids noticed them and opened fire with more appearing soon after and while dividing their attention between the Jedi and clones.
"How many droids have you two shot down so far?" Anakin asked them.
"Twenty-five." Ahsoka said while she kept deflecting.
"You're falling behind." He said with a smirk. "Let's go!" He said as they jumped down onto the top of the wall and started moving forward while deflecting and slashing with the clones helping from below.
Once the droids on the wall were taken care of they deactivated their sabers. "Look for a hatch! We need to put the explosives inside the wall." Anakin said as they looked around.
"Found one!" Ahsoka said just as a droideka jumped out before landing and activated it's shield. The Jedi reignited their sabers and started deflecting it's blasts. A second one came out from where Anakin had been and rolled over to them, forcing the Jedi close together. Ahsoka focused on one while Anakin focused on the other. Rex suddenly came up from behind it and slipped through the shield before shooting it in the head. With that one destroyed the Jedi rallied around the opening vent when a droid came out.
"Hey, did you get them?" it asked looking in the opposite direction.
"Catch!" Anakin said, throwing his pack at the droid as it turned around.
"Huh?! Wha!" it exclaimed in surprise as it caught the pack before Anakin smirked and used the Force to push the droid down.
The droid yelled while Ahsoka threw theirs into the hole. "Come on, Rex!" Anakin said to the Captain.
"Up and away!" Ahsoka said as she used the Force to lift him and throw him off the edge before the three Jedi jumped off and started falling as the wall exploded. Rex yelled in fear as they kept falling, the Jedi used the Force to slow their descent as they reached the ground before landing, they then used the Force to slow Rex's before the wall continued to fall apart. Using the force they managed to keep the debris from hitting them. After it was over Ahsoka offered a hand to Rex and pulled him up.
"Next time, just tell me to jump." The Captain said to Anakin.
"Now where's the fun in that?" He asked with a smirk before gesturing to them to follow.
"Look! What's that?" Ahsoka called out while pointing to a cave on the side of a cliff with Geonosians flying out in what appeared to be terror. The Jedi activated their sabers as the group stopped. "It's Master Mundi!" Ahsoka said pointing, pointing to the humanoid figure that just appeared at the top. Anakin and Ahsoka knew well enough at this point not to doubt their friend anymore when it came to things like this.
"Master Mundi, do you read me?" Anakin asked him over his comlink.
Up in the catacombs Mundi heard him "We are here, Skywalker. We took a slight detour that put us out of communications for a bit." the Master replied.
"This has been a day for detours, Master." Anakin said as his voice took on a slight tired tone.
"Indeed, but now the road is clear. I can see the landing zone, It does not look good." Mundi said, his tone sounding worried before cutting off.
"Can you get me Admiral Yularen?" Anakin asked Rex.
The captain nodded before setting up a connection with the admiral using a holopad. Anakin placed his hands behind his back before addressing Yularen, "Admiral. We're at the breaking point, you've got to get some fighters down here." He said.
"You are in luck, General Skywalker. I have one squadron available." The admiral told him from up above.
Back at the designated landing zone, things were not looking so good. Obi-Wan and the Clones were fighting for their lives as droids and the Geonosians fired at them, gunning down many Clones. Although weak and hurt from the rough landing, Obi-Wan stood and activated his Lightsaber, determined to fight or die trying.
"Reinforcements! Reinforcements have arrived!" One of the Clones yelled with joy.
Obi-Wan looked over and saw a squadron of Y-Wing bombers flying past them, letting their presents to the Geonosians fly. Everything around them that wasn't Republic was instantly brought down, and the fire almost immediately stopped. The Clones all cheered in victory and relief, and Obi-Wan deactivated his Lightsaber, sitting back down once he realized he didn't have to join in.
Once the squadron arrived Anakin and Mundi's group met up and made their way to the rendezvous point just as the reinforcements finished clearing the area. The Jedi deactivated their sabers as the group ran up to Obi-Wan.
"Master Kenobi!" Ahsoka said kneeling beside him while looking over him with concern.
"Well, what happened to you?" Anakin asked with a smirk upon noticing the cut on his face and dirt covered armor.
"I could ask you the same thing." He retorted up to him, causing Anakin to chuckle.
A few minutes later, the Jedi and surviving Clones were gathered around a large holopad in front of them and brought up the hologram of the area. Everyone in the attack force was standing except Obi-Wan who spoke while he remained sitting against the crate, "Our combined forces should be enough to destroy the shield generator. Anakin, you'll need to take a small squad through the shield, as close as you can get to their gun emplacements. From there, you'll be able to temporarily jam their scanners so they are unable to target the incoming tanks." He said as he gestured towards the generator as it flashed while two AT-TE's moved towards the area multiple times. "Once the tanks knock out the shield, Master Mundi can bring the rest of the troops in with the gunships."
Mundi stood up from his kneeled position and looked at Anakin. "Consider it done, Master." The Knight assured with a confident smirk.
A few minutes later, the Clones started moving some of the remaining tanks towards the shield while Anakin and Ahsoka along their own squads of clones waited patiently inside the shield for Mundi's squad to give them the signal.
"Begin the attack." Jet's voice came over one the clones.
The Jedi ignited their sabers before the group started running towards the generator while dodging, deflecting, slashing and shooting any Geonosians in their way. A minute later they reached the heavily defended structure and the Jedi took cover behind one of the boulders right below the generator while the Clones covered them.
"Let's jam their scanners! Droid poppers, ready!" Anakin said as he handed each of them one before they threw the EMP grenades onto the structure. The bombs fell between the droids feet, exploding with electrical bubbles deactivated every droid.
"Looks like it's working." Ahsoka pointed out as the cannons and scanners shut down.
"It won't last long." Anakin reminded before speaking through his com, "Bring up the tanks."
The tanks passed through the enemy shield and opened fire on the generators taking them out in a series of explosions, without their cover the Geonosians turned tail and ran as Mundi and his troops flew in on their gunships to reinforce the positions taken by the other Jedi. The Clones let out cheers of victory watching the bugs scatter like ants before them.
At last this nightmare of a battle was over.
A while later they returned back to the rendezvous point and while Anakin helped Obi-Wan to the gunship Mundi was on, Ahsoka ran up to them. "So, Master. What was your total?" she asked him.
"Not now, Ahsoka." Anakin replied.
"Come on. Are you afraid you lost this time?" She asked with a teasing smirk.
"Fine. 55. That's my count, and you?" He asked with a smirk of his own. Ahsoka stopped before replying, smirk still in place.
"60. Looks like I won." Anakin stopped and turned them around causing Obi-Wan to almost trip and bring all three of them to the dirt.
"Yeah, but I called in the air strike! Tie!" He said, a smirk still on his face.
"You're impossible." She said shaking her while continuing to smirk before she walked off.
Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head. "I'll never understand how you two can simplify these battles into some kind of game."
Anakin simply smirked before Mundi came and took his place in helping Obi-Wan onto the gunship. For the next part of the mission to take Geonosis, Obi-Wan and Mundi would be hanging back while Anakin and Luminara took charge.
"65 Skywalker." Mundi said suddenly, catching Anakin off guard as Obi-Wan raised a brow.
"Umm, sorry?" Anakin said in confusion.
"My total, 65. So what do I win?" Mundi asks. Anakin was speechless, gaping at the Jedi Master as Obi-Wan smirks at him in amusement.
"Master everlasting respect Master Mundi." Anakin said, breaking out of his stupefied state.
Mundi's face falls, seemingly disappointed. "Oh."
"That is a gift Anakin rarely bestows." Obi-Wan said in an attempt to assure his fellow Jedi Council member. "I assure you."
As the gunship took off, Ahsoka walked around, checking on the men that were staying behind to continue with the mission. However, she paused as she sensed something very familiar. A presence. One that was cold, dark, yet warm like a fire ready to explode and consume everything. Only one person had that kind of feeling, and it confirmed his presence on this planet.
"Khan..." Ahsoka said softly to herself, looking towards some ruins, getting the feeling he was there somewhere, watching.
She didn't know it, but she was right. Jayden was watching from a hidden position in the ruins that served as a city for the natives...
So, not much of Jayden in this chapter. I was thinking of having him take part in the assault, but decided not to. He'll have more of a presence in the next chapter, and have another encounter with Ahsoka.
