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Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12
Chapter LVII: The Soft War.
Struggles Often Begin And End With The Truth.
The rebels elect a new leader! With their training complete, Obi-Wan, Naruto, and Anakin have left Ahsoka and Zule on Onderon to monitor and advise the rebels as they continue to strike Separatists targets under the command of Steela Gerrera. Facing an escalation of rebel attacks, the Separatists have sent reinforcements to strengthen their hold on the city of Iziz, as the battle for the planet unfolds….
Iziz.
The rebels were placing devices around the city before Saw looked up to see another tank and more droids. "Looks like more reinforcements. A small droid convoy leading a multi-troop transport. An AAT bringing up the rear." He said to a communicator before seeing his sister and another group start to fire from the roofs.
"Ah! It's an ambush!"
"We need reinforcements."
The tank then blew up before Steela spoke up as holograms of herself came up throughout the city. "Do not be afraid, brothers and sisters. We mean you no harm. People of Onderon, the time has come to take back our freedom. We have all been deceived. King Rash is a traitor who has sold Onderon to the Separatists for the crown. But Onderon is ours. We need your strength to reclaim our planet and restore our sovereignty under our true king, King Dendup."
Palace.
In the palace, Rash was talking to the Tactical droid Kalani. "The terrorists are no longer a nuisance but a threat to Onderon."
"It is only a matter of time before they are all eliminated," Kalani said in a deep electronic voice.
"How much longer before they plunge us into chaos?"
"It seems they're only targeting the droid army." A middle-aged guard said. "If you allow the royal Onderon militia to assume control of security, the terrorists may stop and discuss terms."
"You will assume nothing, General Tandin," Kalani said to Tandin as he raised a hand. "With their coordinated attacks and weapons, it is possible they're finding sympathy within your ranks.
"The threat is external, and your reinforcements have done little to stop them."
"We will not negotiate with terrorists," Rash said from his seat, dropping a fruit down in a bowl. "They fear diplomacy. They embrace mayhem. What do we know about them?" He asked as an astromech droid came in and had a hologram of Steela appear.
"We've identified Steela Gerrera as the woman in the hologram. Her brother, Saw, is also part of the group as well as the fugitive criminal Lux Bonteri." Tandin explained having a picture of Lux come up.
"The late senator Mina Bonteri's son?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Why was I not told of this?" Kalani asked Tandin who turned to face the droid.
"You just were."
"Enough." Rash spoke, interrupting the two. "It's clear that Dendup is behind this. We mustn't allow his followers any momentum. Justice must come swiftly, without mercy. Bring him in."
The guards then group Dendup in at that. "What now?" He asked as he stopped by them.
"Your supporters have begun to publicly decry my reign. Am I still to believe you are not behind their attacks?"
"You must order them to surrender," Kalani said turning to Dendup
"Impossible. I have been isolated and alone without visitors, confined to my prison. Again, the will of the people is theirs, not mine." Dendup replied, hands behind his back.
"Well, then we shall see what the will of the people is made of," Rash said leaning back on the throne.
Rebels.
"Okay, guys, put it in the back with the rest."
Steela said to two men carrying a box as the rain started falling.
"Steela."
She turned to see a woman walk up to her and the Padawans were beside her. "They're executing King Dendup tomorrow in Yolahn Square."
"Where did you hear this?"
"Malgan Market. The merchants. The Separatists are saying he's behind our attacks."
"More lies. They're making him an example to humiliate us." Steela sighed before walking back into the base.
"Maybe, but their efforts could work against them," Ahsoka said before Zule spoke up after.
"Executing him would only make him a martyr."
"We can't let him die," Saw said walking up from the back of them. "We have to break him out somehow."
"No, we should wait until he's in public, at the execution." Steels said as Saw sighed.
"That's where they'd expect it."
"I know, but this is our moment. We'll save him for all of Iziz to witness."
"We don't have much time. They're counting on us to show up." Saw turned to walk out at that.
"Where are you going?"
"Trust me."
"Stop," Steela ordered, having Saw stop just outside the door.
"Let me take care of this."
"This isn't about you," Steela said before Lux walked up.
"We can't afford a reckless move right now."
"Yeah? Go write a speech about it."
"You have to weigh the risk," Zule said to the group [ before Saw pulled his hood up.
"That's why I'm going alone." He said before leaving.
"Follow him," Steela said to the woman who nodded.
Later that night, Steela was looking at a pad before Lux walked up. "Steela. Saw is strong. He'll be fine."
"He's always been brash. Never think. He doesn't realize, by leaving us, he's hurting us. We need a plan." She explained bringing a map up before continuing. "They'd bring King Dendup through the east entrance of Yolahn Square. Security will be tight. And rescuing him will… Will not be easy. Lux, please don't look at me like that." She said noticing Lux was staring.
"Forgive me. I'm sorry. I…"
"Listen. I just need to be alone right now. Gather everyone to go over the plan." Steela said having Lux nod and leave.
"Of course."
In another room, the Padawans were talking to the three Jedi via a small hologram. "I sense fear in you, Ahsoka."
"The rebels are divided. If they try to rescue the king now, I'm afraid we might lose them."
"We cannot control their fate," Obi-Wan said, hands behind his back as Zule sighed and looked at them.
"It's just, they're risking their lives to save just one."
"Do not underestimate the king's power. He represents hope and he's critical to their success."
"I feel responsible for them." Ahsoka sighed before Anakin crossed his arms.
"I know you do, Snips, but remember in this instance, the purpose must come before feelings."
"I know, Master."
"Step in only if you must, but remember, if this experiment is to become an effective strategy, they must learn to survive on their own."
"Yes, Master Kenobi. We understand." Zule said before turning the comm off.
By the palace, Saw grappled up to the wall and jumped down on a droid.
He turned to see Dendup before walking over and knelt. "My lord."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Saw Gerrera."
"What do you want?" Dendup asked Saw who looked up.
"You freedom, sire. You're to be executed tomorrow, but I'm getting you out of here. The people of Onderon need your help."
"Stand up," Dendup said walking away. "Are you one of the meddlers creating disorder, interfering in the affairs of the throne?"
"Only to restore your kingship as the rightful ruler," Saw replied, looking at him.
"I see. This was all my doing. I opened the door. That's why the Separatists are here. I was faced with a difficult choice: To join the Republic or the Confederacy. Both are corrupt, but I had to pick a side before one was chosen for me, except I chose neither."
"Now is the time to take back Onderon. Our movement is gaining momentum. It has the backing of the Jedi." Saw explained as he walked over to the elderly former king.
"Jedi?"
"Yes, sire."
"I've been waiting a long time for this."
"Follow me, sire. Onderon awaits." Saw said, grabbing Dendup and shooting his grapple.
Only for it to hit a red shield as an alarm went off. "One-way shield."
Rebels.
"Do any of you have questions?"
Steela asked after explaining their plan before Lux looked up. "It's a risky plan, but it's our best shot. Zule, Ahsoka, will you join us?"
"We can't," Ahsoka replied after shaking her head. "We've already been more involved than the Council wanted. I'm afraid we've been instructed to sit this one out."
"They have Saw."
The woman from earlier yelled as she ran in. "He's alive, but I watched them take him away."
"We have to save him." Lux stood up at that before Steela sighed.
"No. We have to save King Dendup. We don't have time or the bodies to do both."
"He's your brother."
"That's what Saw would want, what he would expect. And I expect the same from everyone in this room." She replied, looking around at the rebels.
"I know it's a hard choice, but I agree," Ahsoka said walking up. "Purpose must come before feelings."
Palace.
"AAH!"
In a room, Saw was shocked before Kalani stopped for a moment. "Where are the other terrorists?"
"Onderon is our system, not yours." Saw a bit back before being shocked again "AAH!"
"Enough," Tandin said, having the other droid turn off the current. Before he looked at Kalani. " We have to keep him alive. He is a direct link to the terrorists."
"You pity him."
"I pity your ignorance. You can control the people of Onderon, but you won't sustain it against their will. What you're doing guarantees others will take his place." Tandin said, walking behind Saw as Kalani looked at him.
"They, too, will suffer."
"Then the war is lost. You have strong tactics, but, unfortunately, you cannot calculate a different approach."
Morning.
"Here, drink."
Tandin dropped a cup at Saw's head as Saw was sitting at a table before leaning back up. "It will give you strength. The Separatists have very little compassion or patience for things that stand in their way."
"Hmm. We have a duty to protect what's ours, General, a duty once entrusted to you." Saw said looking over.
"I thought you depleted your arrogance with Kalani."
"It replenishes every hour," Saw smirked at that as Tandin stood.
"King Rash is the crowned head of Onderon. What's yours is his, and he will do with it as he pleases."
"Dendup is the true king." Saw bit back, leaning back in his seat.
"Are you following his orders?"
"We take orders from no one," Saw replied as Tandin stood in front of the table.
"Aligning yourself with the past does not bode well for your future."
"We share the same future. We can sit here as free men or servants of the Separatists." Saw explained having Tandin slam his fist on the table.
"I am free, while you have chosen to become a terrorist."
"I'm not a terrorist. I'm a patriot. And resistance is not terrorism. King Dendup chose his people instead of taking a side in the intergalactic war. Separatists have taken over Onderon because we let them."
Morning Courtyard.
Rash brought Saw and Dendup to the bottom of the steps, putting Dendup as a device that has a red shield between it.
"As your king, I present to you Ramsis Dendup not as a former king but as a criminal sponsoring terrorist acts against the people of Onderon. But fear not, good citizens. As your leader and protector, I will see that you are safe from such villainy. He has betrayed you, and today he will pay for those treasonous deeds with his life."
He dropped a fruit between the poles and had it get stuck in the middle before the Magnaguards on each side hit the poles with their staffs having the fruit burnt in half. "Your people will see you into the next world. May you find forgiveness there. Time to die." Rash said to Dendup before placing his head in the middle.
"Now!"
Steela jumped up on the two Padawans as Lux tossed her gun up to shoot the Magnaguards. "Come on. Go, go, go!"
"Blast 'em!"
Lux threw smoke grenades as the rebels grabbed both Dendup and Saw before one rebel was shot, having them surrounded as Kalani walked up. "Surrender now or die."
"It's over. Do as they say." Dendup said to Steela who followed before Tandin and the militia ran up to point their weapons at the droids and Rash.
"Stop."
"What?"
"The only snake I see, sire, is you," Tandin said, holding his weapon at Rash's throat.
"Traitor."
"I was. Not anymore." Tandin said to Rash as Saw smiled before holding Rash hostage.
"What are you doing, General?" Rash asked as the people cheered before Tandin looked at the rebels.
"Go."
"Let them through."
"Make way."
"Everyone, go with them," Tandin ordered his men who looked at him
"But, sir..."
"Go."
"Huh. What now, General? As soon as you release me, you'll be shot dead." Rash said as the men ran before a cloaked Ahsoka and Zule jumped over and Forced pushed the droids.
"Jedi?"
"General, follow us."
Tandin pushed Rash away before running with the Padawans.
"After them. Kill them. Kill them!" Rash yelled out before hearing the people.
"Dendup is the true king!"
"We want the Separatists gone."
"Save Dendup!"
Rebels.
Tandin walked into the main room where Dendup was sitting and looked at the General. "Why now?"
"It was time for a new approach, my lord."
"Do I have your loyalty?" Dendup asked Tandin who nodded.
"And that of the army."
"You also have ours. With your rule, our numbers will grow." Steela said to Dendup who nodded.
"Thanks, child." Dendup then turned to Lux and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother would be proud."
"Thank you, my lord."
"We must first win the will of the people. That is the only way. The Separatists will assemble their forces. Count Dooku will want me dead more than ever." Dendup explained as he stood before Saw spoke.
"Then we'll have to teach them another lesson. Together."
Later, the Padawans were reporting to their Masters and Obi-Wan. "The Separatists know we're backing the rebels."
"Then prepare yourself. The real fight is about to begin." Naruto spoke up as BD stood on his shoulder.
"Will you be able to send some help?" Ahsoka asked before Anakin looked at his Padawan.
"That's up to the Council, Ahsoka."
To Be Continued.
A/N: Thanks for reading and Let me know of any mistakes.
Beta: Chaos-PSD. Contributor: KuronoDono12
Remember to vote if you haven't!
Next to be updated will be Maelstrom Huntsman
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Talk To You Later,
Lone Wolf Out.🐺