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Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 06/24
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Ghangy
Registered:
May '06
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 2:19pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 11/18
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LostSkywalker posted:
With the ETA-1 angled toward the launch way, Anakin switched on the SLAAM overdrive and pushed the throttle controls to full, now sent roaring through the hanger and bursting out into space. Qui-Gon and Padme were going to have quite a few things to say if he survived this, but it was too late now to turn back.
i am afraid it'll be only in his dreams that they have a few things to say after this 
i almost feel sorry for him 
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Star_Angel
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Jan '06
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Date Posted:
6/8/07 3:24pm
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RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 11/18
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It’s just like Anakin to jump head first into a combat but then again, he wouldn’t be Anakin if he didn’t. Amazing update and thanks for the pm.
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“It’s not our abilities that shows us what we truly are, it is our choices”
– Albus Dumbledor (CoS)
<- fanfics/fanart + a funny video in bio
SWEDEN HOCKEY forever
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LostSkywalker
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
5/28 11:43am
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 11/18
- Date Edited:
5/28 11:54am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LostSkywalker
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I Do SO apologize for the near year long time it took for an update of any kind. Life got hectic, I was moving around almost every few weeks, it feels like, and I had a serious case of burnout/writer's block like you wouldn't believe. However, finally I've gotten back to work on Book 1 of the Rebirth series, and chapter 17 will FINALLY be coming, as will the last few chapters of the book. Again, I am so sorry, and to those who were reading this, it will be coming once more.
However, in the meantime, it's about time I FINALLY gave you chapter 15 and 16, after a VERY long delay. @_@
The Lost Skywalker
******************
Chapter 15: Shadows Unveiled
There was panic and chaos around them, but Qui-Gon and Padme managed to keep their own calm as they ran through the corridors of the [i]Qel-Droma[/i]. They had not been able to reach Anakin for the last ten minutes since the launch alert had been called. Ensign Dreis had hurried off as soon as the alert had been called, and Qui-Gon was starting to worry where his young charge now was. The last anyone had seen Anakin, he was heading to the flight deck.
"Master Jinn," came the voice of General Dodonna over the Jedi's comlink. "Please come to the bridge, I need to speak with you at once."
The Master sighed as he clicked the com-switch. "My apologies, General, but we're a bit busy trying to find young Skywalker, he's disappeared."
"That's what I need to tell you," came the troubled reply. "Master Jinn, I have word that one of your students was sent out into the fight in one of the ETA-1 fighters. The deck officer didn't think anything of it until now."
Padme suddenly came to a halt, turning to stare out the viewport at the raging battle. Anakin was out there, in the middle of a war zone. "By the Force," she whispered, snapping her eyes back to her master. "We have to get him-"
There was a nod, but Qui-Gon knew it was too late to try and recall the boy back to the Qel-Droma. Battle zone communications would be too chaotic to bring him back in now. And there was another problem he could already sense from the planet below. There was a dark being there, waiting for them. No doubt, it was the Sith Lord he had faced back on Tatooine.
"We can do nothing for the moment," he finally stated as he clicked off the comlink and changed his path toward the main lift. "The Force will protect him, Padme. Have faith."
*****
A squealing warble went off in Anakin's headset, telling him how panicked the Arfour unit was becoming. He hadn't even reached the bulk of the Federation armada, and already Vulture Droid fighters were swarming the Republic forces. "Re-adjust the engine output and double front shields!" he orders just as he banked hard and avoided a missile that had been coming right for him. Another line of translation went across the interface screen, this time very determined in its message.
"Look, I've got three years of G-racing behind me, dome-head! I think I know a thing or two about surviving this kind of stuff!" Now he really wished that he had Artoo with him instead of this standard program Arfour unit, who was permanently mounted to the fighter no less. He'd have a lot less arguments from a droid that probably as yet had no experience at all in any kind of dangerous situation. "Recalibrate the pulse guns for point five on the alpha line and one point seven on the output. That should punch through their shields if they're still standard Vultures."
A beep of disagreement, but the droid finally listened to orders and carried out the weapon setting modifications. One burst later, a Vulture droid exploded on the first shot, very much confirming Anakin's suspicions. "Alright!" the boy cried out, twisting the controls to go into a sharp and angled spin that took him out of the path of an oncoming droid fighter. "Open up the engine drives to full, and lets see what this baby can do!"
With another ignition of the SLAAM drive, Anakin sent the ETA-1 screaming through space toward the Lucrehulks. Several blast rounds from the Vultures bounced off his shields, one even punching a small hole in the field grid, but several high turn maneuvers gave the grid time to regenerate the fields. It was clear that the droid fighters could not keep up with Anakin's ability to know exactly where and when they were going to make an attack on him.
"Bring it back to normal drive," Anakin ordered as he made his own recalibrations to the weapon systems. The droid fighters were changing the energy frequency of their shielding grids, making it a bit more difficult to punch through now. A testing shot proved the right calibrations, allowing Anakin to get back to the work of carving a path toward the largest of the Lucrehulks. No doubt, that was the control ship for all the droid forces here, considering how many fighters were swarmed around it in defensive positions. "Adjust shields to point seven five on the gamma line, that should give them a harder time getting through the grid."
A whistle signaled Arfour's confusion in the matter, but he carried out the order. It seemed the little droid mount had quickly learned Anakin knew exactly what he was doing. "We're going after the control ship," the boy clarified in response to a questioning scroll of text on the interface screen. "We take that fraker out, their whole fighter force is out of the picture."
A pair of Vulture droids went screaming by, laser rounds bouncing of the deflector grid. Anakin growled as a shot managed to hit the hull armor, cut the thrust, then spun his ship around and used the existing inertia to continue on track toward the Lucrehulk while bringing the two offending Vultures into his targeting range and firing. Two brilliant explosions blossomed into space as he gave a smile and rotated the ETA-1 back around and re-engaged the main engine drives to resume course. "That makes six," the boy muttered. "Four more, and they might just give me an ace ribbon for this."
*****
As the fleet moved in toward the Federation ships, fire began to erupt between the hulking vessels, bolts of lights tearing their way across space in attempt to strike the enemy. One of the Republic Consolars took a bad hit to its engines, causing a chain reaction that tore the ship apart. That was returned with an assault from one of the Dreadnaughts cruisers, ripping into a Lucrehulk and causing the battleship to explode, raining the remains toward the planet.
On the Qel-Droma, General Dodonna was barking orders as the massive ship came around to bring its own turbolasers to bear against the Federation armada. "I want that command ship brought down!" he roared as the shields absorbed another barrage from one of the smaller Lucrehulks. "Get those bugs out of our way!"
From her position by the viewport, Amidala found her heart wretching at the events playing out before her. That wreckage was going to come crashing down on her world, devastating wherever it came down upon, and the fleet didn't seem to be bothering itself with that dilemma. By the end of this battle, her world would be scarred, no matter what.
"Another Federation ship down, General!"
"Get a path cleared to that command ship! I want her out of this fight, now!"
Amidala looked back toward the command station before returning her gave to Naboo. Was this the price they had to pay for peace? The devastation of their planet?
*****
The reports from space were already being given as Maul sat in the throne chair, glaring at the Neimoidians. They were panicking at the size of the Republic fleet alone. How easily the Federation forces were being torn to shreds only made things worse for them. Truly, his original assessment of their kind had been right on; cowards and spineless to the end.
"Viceroy," he stated, now rising from the throne and descending the steps. "I want you to order the command ship that its defense fighters are to engage the main fighter force. Position the lesser of your battleships between the command ship and the Republic's fleet. That should hold them off and protect the command vessel enough."
Gunray could hardly believe what he had just been told. They were to use all their droids for engaging the fighter craft and put the smaller Lucrehulks as defense for the command ship? That was inviting a defeat! "My lord," he said, trying to stay calm, but clealy not succeeding. "That will place us in a very bad defensive position. We need the droid fighters to act as-"
Maul whirled about, his eyes burning toward Gunray in anger. "Are you refusing my orders?!" the Sith Lord roared, reaching out and lifting Gunray through the Force. A simple demonstration of his power should be enough to convince this spineless grub that to defy him was not a good idea. "I am in command here, Viceroy. Do not forget that, or your place!"
The Neimoidian nodded nervously, and only then was he released from the invisible grip that Maul had extended. He looked toward Rune Haako, nodding his consent of Maul's orders. "Do as he says," he gasped as he tried to compose himself. "Lord Maul knows what is best."
*****
As they reached the bridge, Qui-Gon and Padme looked around too see the ordered composure of the command crew of the Qel-Droma. Even as Dodonna was barking out commands, they were being relayed and carried out with as much efficiency as possible.
With a sigh, the Jedi made their way across the bridge to where the General was standing. "General," Qui-Gon greeted, getting the man's attention. "Any word on the possibility of recalling our errant student?"
Dodonna only shook his head in reply. "We know where he is, but we can't recall him now," came the statement of fact answer. "He's barreling his way toward the command ship like a mynok out of Hell, Master Jinn, and he very much seems to know what he's doing."
A tap to a nearby display, and Dodonna showed the Jedi just how true that was. Already Anakin had been clearing a very obvious path toward the largest of the Lucrehulks, and despite the chaotic and reckless style of flying, it was blatantly obvious he knew exactly what he was doing.
"He's going to get inside their shields and do an attack from in the hanger bays," Qui-Gon realized as he looked at the screens, understanding now the boy's attack plan. "Lucrehulks mount their reactor regulation systems in the main bays. If he can knock that out..."
"This whole fight will be over in an instant!" Padme finished, as well realizing what Anakin had enacted. "If he manages to make it out of there before the command ship blows, he'll be a hero to the Naboo!"
A quick glare stopped any further comments along those lines from Padme, but Qui-Gon well knew that the girl had hit it on the spot. "We should begin readying a landing group," he said to Dodonna, tapping a sequence on the display screen. "We'll still have any droid units on the planet to deal with, not to mention the arrest of the Federation council to carry out."
Dodonna nodded in agreement. "As soon as we deal with the spaceborne battle," he replied, turning to one of his aides and giving the order. "I assume you'll wish to accompany the landing party, Master Jinn?"
There was not an immediate answer. Qui-Gon could sense something in the Force, a dark tremble from the planet. Their Sith foe knew they were here, or would very soon if he hadn't already sensed them. If they were to finish this battle, the Sith Lord would have to be dealth with, and only Jedi could contend with that kind of enemy. "We have matters of our own to resolved on the surface," he finally answered, almost cryptically. "Signal Skywalker once he is free from the combat zone to meet us on the surface."
*****
Explosions continued to rage around the ETA-1 as Anakin weaved his way about through the droids fighters. Over the comlines, screams and cries of death crackled as many of the Republic pilots were shot down. Several times, the boy had been tempted to pull off his course and help them, but he knew that he was too close to passing the shielding grid of the control ship to back out now.
"Get a shield calibration reading on their grid," he ordered. As soon as needed information came up, Anakin quickly recalibrated his own weapons to punch through, firing and destroying several defense turrets. Second later, he tore by just meters from the Lucrehulk's hull, weapons firing and tearing through armor plating.
A squeal alerted him to Arfour's panic as a defense turret came too close to hitting them dead on. With a grunt, Anakin twisted the controls, pulling away from the ship's surface just as a Vulture droid came about and ended up slamming into one of the turrets. "Get me a fix on their hanger entry," he stated as he readjusted the shields again. "I want a lock on the regulator generator as soon as we're inside their grids."
With a quick spin as the turrets began firing at him again, Anakin cut his engine drives, rotated about, and punched in full power to the drives again, rapidly changing his course for one of the open hanger bays at the split in the ring section of the ship. Another moment and the SLAAM ignited again, sending the ETA-1 screaming for the bay. Several shots bounced off his shields, as hoped, but a blast managed to pierce the shields of his craft and struck through the armor plating just as he was nearing the hanger. Alarms went off, alerting him to an overheat in the system. "Frak!" the boy swore, now sent into an uncontrolled spin as the fighter plunged through the shield curtain and continued into the hanger.
Finally managing to bring the ETA-1 out of its spin, Anakin fought to keep the fighter aloft, but eventually hit the deck and skidded along until it came to a halt at the back of the hanger. With a gasp, he shook his head and looked around to find a number of B-1 battle droids coming over to investigate. "Oh slag," the boy muttered, noticing that his fighter's systems were still overheated. "Not good..."
A series of beeps indicated Arfour's own worry at the situation, though there wasn't exactly much that worrying would do. "Try and get the coolant systems back up," Anakin stated as he frantically attempted to get the ETA-1 restarted. "We only have a few minutes at best, and this could be our only chance to take the command ship out!"
*****
The holo-projector winked out, and the robed figure known as Darth Sidious gave a sigh as he turned his chair about to face his companion. Things hadn't been going exactly according to plan, though there was still enough that they could salvage and make use of.
"You say that the Jedi have been contacted by Kenobi and Vos from Kamino?"
A nod. "The Supreme Chancellor has been informed of the situation as well, my lord," came Tyranus' reply. He paused for a moment, then continued. "The situation has become more serious than we thought, with Fett's survival and the Jedi discovering the clone army before we had planned for. If they defeat the Federation armada now, all may be lost."
Sidious was silent. It was true that the situation had become muddled by many unforeseen factors, which included the development surrounding events on Kamino. However, there was still a way to use this to their advantage.
"Signal the fleet," he ordered, raising his gaze to meet Tyranus' eyes. "Order that they are to engage the Republic forces as soon as they drop out of hyperspace. The Republic will be overwhelmed by the size of the Separatist army, leaving everything as planned for."
*****
Within the dim meditation chambers of the Jedi temple, the ancient little Master Yoda sat in contemplation, eyes closed while he breathed softly. There was something else behind the events surrounding Naboo and the Trade Federation's actions, but it was unclear even now what. The Sith were now obviously involved, but to what ends...that was the mystery.
And so, gathering his resolve, Yoda began to peer into the Force, seeking answers and clues to the dark enigma they faced. The fabric of the Force was swirling about in many different directions, becoming increasingly hard to read for the ancient Jedi Master. There seemed to be something causing these shifts, clouding the ability to see the future, to search out the truth within the Force itself. But what could possibly do this intentionally?
As the wizened little Master continued his meditation, he began to feel the source of this disruption. It was something he had never seen before, like a black shadow reaching into the weave of the cosmos. It was ancient, far older than even he was, yet it had such a sense of youth to it. Arrogance, yet behind that was the strength and power to back up that arrogance. What could this possibly be, Yoda wondered.
And then, he felt it. A shroud blanketing the Force, engulfing it and blotting out its light. A terrible being had taken hold of the Force itself, twisting it with shadow, slowly weakening its light and strengthening its darkness. But what being was capable of such a thing?
"I see you..."
Yoda suddenly was snapped out of his mediation, looking around as the voice continued to echo in his mind. Whatever was the cause of this shroud over the Force had become aware of his probing. Something terrible was about to happen, something that would change the galaxy forever.
The holo-projector came to life, displaying the image of Dooku before the tiny Master. "I think you should join the rest of us at once, Master Yoda," the human Master stated. His voice was filled with concern, and a trace of worry. "We have a communication from Kenobi and Vos, and the news they bring is very urgent."
Yoda frowned as he nodded and keyed off the projector. Something terrible indeed was build up to the bursting point, and it had to do with Naboo. But what exactly was behind all this, and for what reason?
"Your time is over..."
The voice echoed through the room again, causing Yoda to look about, eyes narrowed. He had touched their true enemy now. They had seen each other, and coming now was the time when they would face. But for now, there were other matters to attend.
*****
The battle droids were still closing in. With Arfour frantically trying to reroute power to the coolant systems, Anakin was starting to get quite a bit worried about the situation. "Any time now would be good," he muttered just before the systems flashing red suddenly switched to green. Power had been restored, and as the respulsors kicked back in, lifting the ETA-1 off the deck, Anakin quickly initiate the shields. A brief shimmer went over the hull of the fighter, just in time as the B-1s opened fire.
"Alright!" the boy exclaimed, now powering the weapons and pulling the triggers. It was then he noticed something; a vent-shaft that, if his feelings were right, would lead right to the reactors. "Arfour, bring up the proton launcher!" he barked even as he readied to engage the engine drives. As soon as he got a confirmation of the needed weapons system being online, Anakin pushed the throttle forward and engaged the SLAAM overdrive, now racing away at an incredible speed.
No computer targeting system could ever make the shot, not that small a target at this speed, and he knew it. But something whispered to Anakin, giving him faith that he could. "Don't think about it," he whispered to himself, closing his eyes and repeating what Padme had told him back at the race. "Trust your instincts...and let fly..."
He wasn't even looking with his eyes, but Anakin could feel exactly what he needed to see. Seconds before he would have shot by, Anakin killed the thrust drives, relying on momentum and inertia alone to carry him. Rotating his fighter, he pulled the launcher trigger, firing a proton torpedo at the ventilation shaft. Without even a slight deviation off center, the warhead tore through the air and entered the shaft perfectly, flying down the course of the shaft and slammed into the reactor, causing a chain reaction that began to tear the ship apart from the inside.
Just as smoothly, Anakin opened his eyes, brought the ETA-1 about and re-engaged the engine drives, igniting the SLAAM to send his fighter roaring through the hanger bay. Explosions erupted behind him as the Lucrehulk began tearing itself apart, flames jetting about even as he weave about and dodged the various weapons fire being flung at him.
"Hold on!" he said as Arfour gave a squeal of panic. "Race of my life, and I don't even have an audience watching it!"
A fireball blossomed right in front of him. With a grunt, Anakin swerved about, avoiding the explosion and firing a torpedo into one of the large turret mounts in the hangers. Another split-second, and he was tearing down the hanger bay at full speed again, madly racing for the exit. Some of the remaining Vultures tried to launch and chase after him, but a timed shot from the launcher sent them flying into pieces just before the destruction of the ship incinerated the remains.
Now frantically weaving about to dodge the explosions, Anakin saw his exit just ahead. "All spare power to the engines!" he barked to the droid. "We're getting out of here alive and in one piece!"
Flames erupting all around, threatening to overtake him, Anakin twisted the fighter into a sharp spin and came roaring out of the Lucrehulk's hanger, now tearing away from the ship while it continued to rip itself apart. With a cry of victory as the control ship gave one last brilliant explosion that tore the vessel into pieces, Anakin spun the ETA about, hurrying to rejoin the Republic forces.
*****
A cheer went up from the crew of the Qel-Droma as the droid command ship detonated before them, torn apart for the explosions and even now drifting about in loose orbit. Already, the Federation blockade had been decimated by the Republic fleet, with few losses to the Republics Consolars, and not even a loss to the Dreadnaughts.
"Well done!" Dodonna said in congratulations while his crew continued to cheer. "Prepare for a landing team, Gunray's not going to get out of this one!"
There was quiet from Amidala, standing next to the Jedi as she could only shake her head at what she saw. The Federation blockade had been broken, yes, but the fallout was already devistating her home. The debris from several of the destroyed Lucrehulks had already made its way into the planet's atmosphere. Communications had indicated most of the falling debris had struck uninhabited areas, but the damage was done.
"The worst is over, Neimri," Padme said as she stepped over to stand beside the regent. As Amidala looked over to the young Padawan, she could not help but nod. Padme managed to give a faint smile in return. "Naboo will recover, as we did before."
Again, a solemn nod from the regent. "I envy you, Padme," she said in a quiet voice. "You became a Jedi, following a path of order and serenity." A pause as she sighed. "You managed to be spared of the politics, of the bureaucracy and the burden of governing a world."
There was a nod, but it wasn't totally true, and both Padme and Neimri knew it. "It's not any easier, Neimri. Being a Jedi means just as much sacrifice, and sometimes its even more thankless." She tilted her head to face Amidala, revealing that the girl was still smiling. "But then I remember why I continue this path, and those I care about who I can help. Like my crazy cousin who became ruler of a world at barely twenty."
After along silent moment, Neimri Amidala finally smiled. Despite what their world had endured, it was over. They would recover and become stronger from it. And the worst was over, that much was for sure.
*****
Nothing was said as the destruction of the control ship was displayed before them. The Neimoidians were shuddering in fear, knowing that they had lost and it was over. Maul hadn't said a word. He remained seated in the throne, quiet and still. For several long minutes as they watched the control ship detonate into debris, he did nothing, merely sit in silence.
At last, Maul rose to his feet and descended the steps. He moved back Gunray, saying nothing as he stopped just in front of the monitor. There, he was still once again, saying not a word, making no indication as to his thoughts or mood.
It was Gunray who finally broke the silence. "We never should have listened to you Sith!" he roared angrily. "This is all your fault! Telling us to send all our defenses to attack the Republic's fighters, leaving our command ship wide open, and this is the result of your-"
There was a sudden snap-hiss in the air. Gunray was suddenly dead quiet as he realized that Maul was no longer just standing before the monitor screens. A ragged hum vibrated in the air, and as he looked down, he saw the blood red energy blade of Maul's lightsaber jutting right through his chest.
"You are a coward to the end, Viceroy," the Zabrak said, now breaking his own silence. He turned his head back to reveal the insidious grin on his face. "Even when it is clear you have been given a lesson to learn, you throw blame around to everyone but yourself." Those firey red and yellow eyes narrowed as the Sith Lord shifted his posture. His grip on the saber, however, remained unchanged. "That, thankfully, is no longer a problem."
Before Gunray could even object, the red blade in his chest retracted, only for a second blade to erupt out and swing around to cleave his head off. There was a stench of burnt flesh in the air, Gunray's decapitated body still standing up for a few seconds before falling over to the ground. Maul looked down at the headless corpse before him, then, looking up to the remaining Neimoidians, gave a smile while his saber's blade dissipated. "Would anyone else like to argue with my methods?"
No one dared to speak up. With a self-satisfied chuckle, Maul hooked the long hilt to his belt again and turned to depart the throne room. Soon enough, the real army of their forces would arrive, and the Jedi would be coming here to face him. It was something he looked forward to greatly; finish what he started on Tatooine, and kill the Jedi.
And then, he felt it again. A tremor in the Force that had no compare, yet he knew he had felt it before. Was it with the Jedi? If he was right, then the source of this vergence would unfortunately have to be eliminated. But why did it feel so familiar to him?
"If that is fate," he whispered as he turned to leave, "then so be it."
-----signature-----
"I know you, boy. But how and where?" "You don't remember? I do, Sith-scum...you killed my father...now prepare to die!" Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker Episode 1: The Coming Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22902352/p1
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LostSkywalker
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
5/28 12:58pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
- Date Edited:
6/6 11:11am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LostSkywalker
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And yes, a double post, but I'm trying to catch up here. @_@
**************************
Chapter 16: Fleet Actions
The celebration cries still continued even as a ground force was assembled. Overseeing the deployment, General Dodonna watched as the Jedi made their own preparations to return to the planet surface. "Shouldn't be long now until this is all over once and for all," the general remarked as Amidala and her entourage stepped onto the hanger deck. He gave her a curt bow. "Milady, if you're ready?"
There was a silent nod as Amidala walked over to the shuttle. "I thank you for all that you and the fleet have done, General," she replied, though her face betrayed her sorrow. "I only wish the cost hadn't been so high."
A chirp came from Dodonna's comlink. After a moment to excuse himself, he pulled the device from his belt and tripped the switch. "This is Dodonna."
"Sir, we're picking up a massive hyperspace exit flux from the other side of the planet." There was panic and worry in the voice from the comlink. "We still don't have a clear reading on how many ships yet, but so far we've calculated at last three dozen, and more are still coming. All attempts to hail them have been ignored."
His brow furled as he clicked off the device and latched it back on his belt. With a frowned, Dodonna turn toward the regent and the Jedi, unsure what was going on. "Milady, I may have bad news. Sensors have picked up a large scale fleet emerging from hyperspace, and they refuse to acknowledge communications."
"The Separatists?" Qui-Gon asked, remembering part of the briefing from Coruscant. "If it's their fleet, we may have more to worry about than arresting the Viceroy."
The general shook his head. "I don't know yet. You all head down to the surface. I'll stay here and make sure of what's going on." He nodded toward the shuttle. "You best hurry, just in case. I'll contact your other Jedi and let him know to meet you down at the palace."
With that, the general headed for the main left while Amidala looked toward Padme, shock and fear in her eyes. It wasn't over yet, they all knew it, and they had to get back to the surface as soon as possible. "Captain," the regent said as she glanced to Typho.
"We're ready for whatever needs to be done, regent," he replied. With a nod to Qui-Gon, the dark-skinned Naboo entered the shuttle along with his detachment behind him. If there was ever a time they were to be tested, it seemed that now was it.
*****
As the lift reached the bridge, Dodonna stepped out to find his crew in a panic. "Keep it together!" he ordered, now walking over to the main command station. "Captain, what's the situation?"
"We've got at least five dozen ships coming about from the other side of Naboo, general," came the report. The officer standing there speaking did not look enthusiastic about the inevitably coming battle. "They're refusing all attempts at communication, but they're obviously not friendly." He hesitated, revealing just how much this entire new development frightened him. "We're outnumbered, sir, and they still have yet to launch fighters."
A nod. Dodonna could understand the captain's worries, but they had to keep it together. Already the landing shuttle with groupd troops, the Jedi, and the Regent, with her own security team, was on its way to the planet surface. "What are our losses from the blockade?"
"We lost a few of the Consolars, and maybe fifty of our fighters, sir, but we're going to be outgunned and outnumbered no matter what we do. Reinforcements won't be able to make it for hours."
A nod, but Dodonna wasn't so sure they would have a chance even then. "Right into the rings of Hell," he muttered as he saw the enemy fleet coming around from the far side of the planet. From what he could see, there were several vessels of new design that he had never seen before, including a very large and long ship that apparently was acting as the head of this Separatist armada. "How did they amass a fleet of that size?"
"Sir!" came the cry from the communications station. "We receiving an incoming transmission! They're identifying as the...Invisible Hand."
A holo-image projected down from the ceiling mounted port. Now standing before Dodonna was a life-sized hologram of a tall Kaleesh dressed in robes and wrappings. The figure didn't even bother to bow or acknowledge General Dodonna. "Republic forces!" the Kaleesh stated in a condescending tone of voice. "I am Qymaen jai Sheelal of the Separatist Coalition. You are outnumbered in every way possible. If you value anything of your pitiful lives, you will leave at once and concede Naboo to the Coalition." There was a grin now on the Kaleesh's face. "If you do not comply with this directive...then you will be destroyed."
With that, the image fizzled out, leaving Dodonna very much unsure about the outcome of this battle. They were outnumbered, out-gunned, and save for their newest ship models, possibly outclassed. The tides had been turned completely around, but they could not just hand Naboo over to the Separatists.
"Sir," came the hesitant words from the captain. "Orders?"
Dodonna frowned as he looked up at the viewport. Already they could see the coming enemy fleet, which indeed vastly dwarfed their own. The initial estimates had been horrendously off; it wasn't four dozen ships, it was over seventy vessels. Destroyers, cruisers, frigates, the command ship, and none of that counted just how many fighters they would have.
"Orders, general?"
They were still awaiting his decision, he realized. It wasn't easy, but they had little choice, being that retreat was not an option. "Signal the fleet," he stated while looking out at the coming Separatist armada. "Ready to engage the enemy. I want a full ground unit sent down to help the regent and the Jedi." A sigh of resignation, but it was all they could now do. "If those back-stabbers want a war...then they're going to get one."
*****
As he came around from the debris of the droid control ship, Anakin sighed with relief, now heading toward Naboo. Arfour had relayed the order that he was to meet Qui-Gon and Padme on the surface. For once, it seemed, things would go as hoped.
Something was coming about from the far side of the planet. Anakin key on the sensors, unsure as to what was going on. "Reinforcements?" he pondered. The question was, for who. "Arfour, can you get any kind of ID reading on those new ships?"
A series of beeps indicated a negative. Whoever this new fleet was, they were not advertising whose side they were on. That did not bode well at all at this point. They weren't from the Republic, the design was too dissimilar. That only left...
"Republic forces! I am Qymaen jai Sheelal of the Separatist Coalition. You are outnumbered in every way possible. If you value anything of your pitiful lives, you will leave at once and concede Naboo to the Coalition. If you do not comply with this directive...then you will be destroyed."
Well, that answered that. Even as the communication broadcast ended, Anakin was already tracking a landing shuttle heading toward the planet from the Qel-Droma. "Rejoin the fleet," he mused while looking at his screens, "or keep on to Naboo..."
A low whistle indicated Arfour's opinion to follow orders. Predictable from a standard-issue droid, but probably the best idea. And there was something else he could feel from the surface. Something calling him to follow it. Looking back toward the Republic fleet, Anakin bit his lip and began making the calcuations for entry to Naboo. "Full power to shields," he stated as he brought the engines up to full. "Ready for atmospheric entry." He took a deep breath as his fighter began the descent toward the planet. Already he could see the heat flares around his shields from re-entry. At this point, Anakin could only hope he reached the other Jedi in time to be of any good.
*****
Streaking down through the clouds, the landing shuttle weaved about while ground stationed gun emplacements fired in attempt to down the craft. Jostled about from the explosions of near misses, the shuttle raced away toward the palace, firing a pair of concussion missiles at a nearby emplacement. As the turret erupted, the shuttle made it's way to the hanger, locking down and completely the landing cycle.
Inside, donning their robes, Qui-Gon and Padme awaited departure while the landing force readied for any resistance that might be waiting. "Keep calm, Padawan," the Jedi Master said to his student as he stood by the hatch. "Anakin is fine."
A nod, but Padme was clearly still troubled. "I can feel him," she whispered, looking over to her master. "But something terrible is going to happen here...I can't stop feeling that."
Confusion shone in Qui-Gon's eyes. He could sense no such impending misfortune. Perhaps Padme was simply focusing too much on the tribulations that her homeworld had endured, as well as the inevitable battle coming upon them. Certainly Naboo would have a long period of recovery in the aftermath of this campaign. Most likely that was the source of her anxiety. "Keep focused on our objective," he stated calmly. "The Sith Lord we encountered on Tatooine is here, I can sense his presence."
The girl visibly shuddered at the memory. She tried her best to suppress it, though with little success. What little she had heard about that encounter from Anakin and Kei had been enough. If they had to face that monster, however, she wasn't sure she would be able to handle it.
There was a hiss, and the hatch swung open. Within moments, the landing squad took position while their commander, Captain Jan Dodonna, stepped out behind them, making sure all was clear. Before he could give the word, blasts rang out, forcing him to take cover while his men returned fire on the B-1 battle droids.
"So much for this being easy," Dodonna muttered, glancing back toward the Jedi and the Regent. "The old man warned me this might be more than I expected."
Qui-Gon gave a nod, then stepped out and ignited his lightsaber. With a flourished spin of the weapon, he deflected several shots back at their senders, helping clear the field. Soon enough, the droids were destroyed, govong way for the regent and her security team to step out of the shuttle.
"The Viceroy and his staff will most likely be in the throne room," Captain Dodonna quickly stated as he brought out a hand-held projector and acivated it to display a holo-map of the Theed Palace. "We can take the back way corridors to the main hall and cut across through to the lift access."
"Once there, we can take the Federation's leaders by surprise and arrest the lot of them," Typho concluded, nodding his agreement with Dodonna's plan. It could all be over in a matter of hours at most.
With the command given, Dodonna's troops and the Regent's security team headed out, Qui-Gon and Padme keeping close to Amidala to insure her own safety during this final push to the end of the conflict. If all went well, they would have to deal with a few remaining droid teams, but after than, the Federation Viceroy would be in custody, and they could worry about the Sith Lord afterward.
It was when they reached the main floor that they began to encounter more battle droids. The battle went as predicted, with the small group of droids wiped out in minutes. Just as the group was about to continue on their way, the entire palace shuddered as a thunderous roar could be heard.
"What was that?" one of the troops in Dodonn'a landing team asked nervously. A second shudder signalled that this was not some distant quake from crashing debris of the earlier space battle. This was something else, something more deliberate.
Dodonna frowned and pulled his comlink from his belt. "Qel-Droma, this is Captain Dodonna. What's going on up there?"
"The Separatist Fleet has engaged us and is bombarding the planet!" came the panicked reply from the Republic flagship. A third rumble, this one more instense than the last, made it clear that this was not random fire hitting the planet now. "We're trying to get their attention away from Naboo, but they have over seventy ships!"
Now Dodonna was worried. They had been predicting, based on the known size of the Coalition forces, maybe two dozen capital ships in their fleet. Now there were seventy vessels, plus what forces the Federation had left. The Republic fleet was vastly outnumbered now, when it was supposed to have been the other way around. "We have a big problem," he muttered while clicking off the conlink and replacing it on his belt. A nervous gaze went to the Jedi. "The Coalition fleet just engaged our forces, and they outnumber our fleet over two to one."
*****
As the battle had renewed in space, panic was taking hold of the Republic fleet, while the Coalition armada began to tear into the fleet. Fighter after fighter exploded, droid fighters swarming about and ripping into a pair of the Consolars. Minutes later, the two smaller cruisers exploded, while one of the Dreadnaughts came under attack from several of the new class of battle frigates. Despite all it did to return fire, the Dreadnaught found its shields collapsing while turbolaser rounds tore through into the hull armor, opening sections of the ship to cold space.
Even as several Consolars and Dreadnaughts hurried to come to the ship's aid, it soon was filled by flame from the detonating reactor core as the damage became too great. Now leaving the once powerful battle cruiser an eaten out hulk, the attentions of the frigates turned to those vessels coming their way, four of the Coalition destroyers coming about to reinforce their numbers.
Squadrons of the Republic fighters made their way now towards the main cruiser force of the Coalition armada. Scores of droid fighter craft quickly intercepted them, tearing the Republic wings to shreds before they could even reach the first ship. The tide of the battle had taken a terrible turn for the worst as more of the Republic fleet was destroyed, overwhelmed by the Separatist ships and fighters.
Aboard the largest of the Coalition carriers, a tall white skinned humanoid, a Kaleesh, stepped across the bridge of his vessel, the Invisible Hand. He gave a low chuckle as he watched the sheer carnage that was occuring out there in space. "The fools," he muttered before turning to a Duro that was collared by a slave ring. "Order the fleet to sweep across their flank and destroy the Dreadnaughts before moving in for the kill on that new class of theirs."
A simple nod was the Duro's only reply. With a laugh, Qymaen jai Sheelal returned his attention toward the planet below. "Target the city of Theed!" he barked to several of the Trandoshans. "Make sure to spare the palace, but blast everything else to the ground!"
A nod as his orders were carried out. Moments later, bright green bursts of plasmoid energy shot down toward the surface, beginning the steady raid of bombardment on the continent below. Sheelal allowed himself another insidious grin before turning to continue giving orders to the Coalition forces. Outside, he could see the death of another of the Consolars from the Republic fleet, and gave a laugh as the main guns from the Invisible Hand pulverized another of the Dreadnaughts.
As the Republic Dreadnaught was pummeled by turbolasers, it suddenly began to detonate, exploding from the engine ports toward the stern before being consumed in its fiery death. One of the Consolars burst through the debris, trails of blasted away hull plates streaming behind it just before the ship slammed into of the the Separatist frigates. Both vessels were torn apart by the resulting explosion, sending a spray of debris in all directions.
*****
There was panic throughout his squadron, but Garven Dreis was not about to let his first combat command end in his death, nor was he going to let his squadron be torn apart. Not if he could help it.
"Red Six, on my wing!" he ordered, banking hard to dance around the weapons fire coming from the droid fighters. "Red Four, Red Seven, you take the frigate coming about after the Arc Light, we'll handle that destroyer!"
"What about those fighters?!" someone replied over the comlines.
"Leave that to the Ghost!"
One of the Z-95 Headhunters raced forward, breaking out of formation and tearing into the ranks of the Vultures and some kind of new type of droid fighter. Garven shook his head even as his wingman continued to stick by him, but he had to admit, Jagged Antilles was one who was effective in his execution, even though the methods were questionable.
"Red Two!" he called into the com system. "On my wing!"
"I'm a little busy at the moment!" was the snappy reply as Antilles was now engaged in a dogfight with about five different droid fighters. If there was thing to be said for the pilot who was known as "Ghost", it was that he was constantly in the position of literally becoming his callsign.
With a groan, Garven changed course, firing and destroying one of the Vulture droids as it tried to come about from behind Jagged's Z-95. There was a waggle of appreciation just before the Corellian got back to the task of taking on the remaining four fighters surrounding him. Sometimes, Dreis reflected, he wasn't sure if Antilles didn't actually have some kind of demented death wish.
*****
The panic that had previously held sway of the Neimoidians had lessened in the time since the Separatist fleet had arrived. Now, in light that their allies were tearing the Republic's forces to shreds, the Federation's leaders were much more uplifted and confident of impending victory.
Maul, however, was still not convinced. He could still sense that immense vergence approaching, as well as the Jedi who had managed to reach the surface. They and a strike team would be on their way to the throne room, there was no doubt about that fact. All of them would fall before him, regardless of their abilities. It was the vergence that bothered him though. He had felt it before, though when or where, he wasn't sure.
"Vice-Chair Haako," he stated as he rose from the throne. As Rune Haako looked over to him, the Sith Zabrak made his way toward the entry doors. "Continue operations and scramble all droid units in the palace to intercept the Republic's little strike force."
A nod, but the Neimoidian didn't quite understand. "May I ask, my lord, where you are going then?"
Maul paused before the doors. He didn't have to answer the spineless worm that had dared to question him. His actions needed no explanations or excuses. That Haako had the nerve to question his actions warranted another death to deliver yet one more lesson. But he didn't have the time, nor was Haako worth the effort.
"I have some unfinished business to conclude," was his only reply. With a snarl, Maul tapped the door controls and departed. His cloaks swirled about him, and as he continued through the halls to intercept the Jedi, Maul at last permitted himself a broad and sharp toothed grin.
It was time to end this little feud, and reveal the fury of the Sith once and for all.
*****
The battle in space continued to rage on. The Republic forces were not about to give up, even though so overwhelmed. Their own numbers had dwindled, with the burned out hulks of now dead Dreadnaughts floating through space, while another pair of Consolars made an attempt at ramming runs on one of the massive destroyers of the Coalition fleet.
"All hands, abandon ship! Repeat, all han-"
Another of the Dreadnaughts suddenly exploded, what escape pods that had managed to launch caught in the blast way and torn apart from such close proximity. Those few that had avoided such fate were suddenly gunned down by a swarm of droid fighters, giving only fractions of a second for those inside to scream before they were incinerated.
Hurrying to intercept, a squadron of Z-95s engaged the new class of Droid fighters, but it did little good as they were overwhelmed and ripped to shreds. A call went out from the squad leader, ordering his remaining fighters to retreat. It did no good as he was cut off by the death of himself and his fighter, leaving those left in his squadron to be picked off by the Coalition droids.
"Qel-Droma, this is the Dauntless! We're getting pulverized out here, we can't-"
Even as General Dodonna turned to look out at the battlefield, another of the Dreadnaught was torn apart as its reactors and engines detonated. None of the pods, he sadly reflected, had been able to launch. "All hands lost," he whispered. It was a sad moment, and all too clearly telling of how badly the tide of this conflict had turned against them.
Their fleet had been beaten down to less than half its original numbers, while they had managed to take down maybe a dozen of the Coalition's ships. The were horribly outnumbered, and if they did not get reinforcements soon, they were going to be beaten and destroyed.
They only one option left if any of them were to survive.
"Signal the strike teams on the planet," he said, still not moving from near the viewport. "They are to withdraw and return to the Qel-Droma."
"Sir?!"
He now whirled about. "You heard me!" Dodonna barked. "We can't win this battle, and we must insure Amidala's safety! I want her, the strike teams, and the Jedi off the planet and back on board so we can withdraw and gather a larger force!"
There was silence. No one dared to argue with the horrible yet undeniable truth. They had lost this fight the moment the Speraratist fleet had arrived, but none of them, Dodonna included, had wanted to admit to it.
"Sir!" came a second cry. "Enemy ships entering realspace behind us!"
Dodonna's eyes went wide. "Show me!" he said as he walked over to the navigation station. Onscreen was a massive group of almost fifty ships, all of which were definitely not Republic design. "By the fires of Mustafar," he whispered in horror. "The Khommites?"
They were cut off. The only escape they had, and the newly arrived Khommite fleet was moving to cut them off from any path of retreat. They were too close to the planet's gravity well to jump to hyperspace, there was no way to get out of there.
"We just lost the Endevour!"
It had just gone form bad to worse. The Khommites had thrown their hand in with the Separatists, giving the Coalition fleet an armada of over a hundred ships. There was no way they could ever survive with only fifteen ships left, and their own fighter wings being destroyed with every passing moment.
The holo-projection emmiter flared as the image of Sheelal appeared once more. "I trust you have realized that you cannot win here, General Dodonna," the Kaleesh commander hissed with a terrible grin on his face. "Your fleet is in ruins, your fighters dying, and unless you surrender, you and your ship will be detroyed!" Another laugh as Sheelal's image crackled out for a moment and restablized. "That's not yet considering the fate of your people on the planet below and of Regent Amidala..."
"Cut him off!" Dodonna yelled. A moment later, Sheelal's image broke up and disappeared. The last thing he needed was that arrogant Kaleesh goading him on. "Are there no other route of escape?" he asked to the navigation crew.
"None, general. We're still too far into Naboo's gravity well, and the Khommites have cut off the only route we had to get far enough out for a hyperspace jump."
Everything really had gone to hell. There was no way to withdraw, and they was no way in hell he was going to hand his ship and people over to the Coalition, where what they would suffer would probably be worse than dying here.
"The whole universe has turned upon us," he muttered in dismay.
Alarms went off again. "Sir! Another group of ships is coming in from hyperspace behind the Khommite fleet! Sensors are picking up over a hundred vessels and still counting!"
There was nothing left. The Qel-Droma was still coming about, and as the Khommite fleet came into view, Dodonna gasped in horror at the size of the one behind them. Even still were more ships appearing from hyperspace, continuing to increase the size of the newly arrived armada.
And then, the ships at the head of that fleet did something that amazed him. As they came up behind the Khommites, the lead vessel opened fire, tearing into a pair of Khommite destroyers and opening up a hole that was used to wedge the Khommite fleet in half.
"What in the name of..."
"We're recieving a hail from the lead ship," came the shock and disbelieving statement from communications. "They're identifying themselves as...the Mandalore."
A moment later, the holo-projector came to life again, this time displaying a group of humans that was a sight Dodonna was more than happy to see. Two of them were a tall man and a teenage boy in Mandalorian battle armor. The other two were men dressed in the attire of Jedi.
"Qel-Droma, this is Obi-Wan Kenobi aboard the Mandalore," came the statement from one of the Jedi. There was a smile on his face as he gave what looked like a gesture toward the Separatist fleets. "Looks like you could use some help, mind if we join in?"
The new armada, three hundred ships strong, was on their side, commanded by Jedi. The tide had just turned back in their favor.
-----signature-----
"I know you, boy. But how and where?" "You don't remember? I do, Sith-scum...you killed my father...now prepare to die!" Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker Episode 1: The Coming Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22902352/p1
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Danaan
Registered:
Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/28 9:01pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
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Although I haven't yet had a chance to read this story in depth, pls PM for me for updates - see I had a notion to do the same thing, and I'd just love to see what some one thinking along the same lines woulda come up with =D.
-----signature-----
Star Wars Episode 1: The Old Order - My first fan fic (In progress) : http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28903504/p1/?7 Forged in Steel - A Vampire: The Masquerade fan postal (In Progress): http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b108
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bianca
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
5/29 9:12am
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
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Good to see this story being updated again  Can't wait to read more. If you're doing pm's, add me to the list pretty please?
-----signature-----
"He's quite extraordinary with his moves and
spins. I think he was a baton girl in a past life"
-- Ewan, on his co-star Hayden Christensen
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jedi_princess18
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
6/5 3:57am
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
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Hey, thanks for the PM. So glad to see this updated! I haven't gotten a chance to read the update, I give my feedback once I can get some time to read....
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Would it help if I got out and pushed?
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Spyman290
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Jun '06
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Date Posted:
6/6 1:14pm
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RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
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Sorry for the short reply but I Really like how you are going with this and can i get on the PM list please?
Spyman
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jedi_princess18
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Jun '05
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Date Posted:
6/13 6:59pm
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RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 05/28
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Finally got a chance to read. Wow! What a battle. So glad Obi-Wan and Quinlan arrived in time. And how cool are the Mandalorians??  Let's hope they can turn the tide.
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LostSkywalker
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
6/16 9:56pm
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RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 06/12
- Date Edited:
6/16 9:58pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LostSkywalker
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A bit later than I would have liked, but, part 1 of Chapter 17. Here's hoping I can get this done soon. ^_^
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Chapter 17: The Battle of Naboo
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Something had gone terribly wrong. Even as reports started to make any kind of sense, it was clear that the entire battle had just turned against them. But how? Where had that Mandalorian fleet come from? For that matter, that fleet of Dreadnaughts, bigger than those that the Republic fleet had arrived with, numbered two hundred, if not more. How could the Repulic have hidden that kind of armada?
Turning around to watch the chaos and panic now surrounding him, Qymaen jai Sheelal gave a resound growl. His eyes narrowed as he stormed over to the communications station, pushing the Duro manning it aside and bringing up the inter-ship frequency for the Khommites. "Deploy all ground troops and storm the planet!" he roared. "I want that planet in our control, or it will be turned into a cinder!"
"It will be difficult to land our troops," came the crackled reply. "The Republic fleet between us and-"
"We will handle the fleet!" Sheelal snapped in anger. He looked back at the holographic projection of the battlefield. The majority of their problems were actually coming from behind the Khommite fleet, which meant it would be easier for the ground troops to make their landing. "And make sure to bring your destroyers around to deal with that Mandalorian armada!"
With that last order, Sheelal punched off the communications link, now turning to resume command of his ship. "Full speed toward the Qel-Droma!" he barked as he stalked back to the command deck. "I want a full spread of missiles launched, all guns ready to fire into their flank!"
At this point, the Duro slaves weren't sure who they were more afraid of; the Republic fleet, or their Kaleesh master. Their fear of Sheelal won out as they complied and relayed his orders. As soon as was possible, the Invisible Hand came about and launched a volley of concussion missiles toward the Qel-Droma. Several of the warheads never even came close to hitting their target, intercepted by fighter pilots who put themselves between the Republic flagship and the weapons barrage. Those that managed to cross the distance came under assault form anti-missile fire, detonating several more.
Those that breached the defense fire slammed into the powerful particle shields of the Qel-Droma, leaving little to no damage to the ship itself. As the report return to Sheelal, his face creased with his anger at the situation. "Range?!"
"We'll be in range in two cycles," came the reply. "But judging from the ineffectiveness of our missiles, it is unlikely that-"
With a growl, Sheelal stormed over, grabbed the neck of the Duro, and twisted hard. A sharp and resoundingly loud crack could be heard as the Duro's neck snapped in half, killing him instantly. Grunting as he tossed the limp corpse aside, Sheelal turned to the rest of his crew, enslaved Duro and willing Trandoshans alike. "All speed toward the Qel-Droma!" he roared while returning to his place on the command deck. "Ready all turbolasers!"
*****
"We have incoming!" cried the navigations officer. On the tactical screens, over a dozen landing craft could be seen heading from the Khommite fleet toward the planet. It was clear what they were trying to do, and with the Qel-Droma's own fleet so heavily decimated, there wasn't much they could do now to stop it.
Another alert went off as the shields began to start collapsing under the assault. Dodonna growled as he spun around to see that the Invisible Hand was coming right for them. They weren't attempting a ramming run; it was a broadside. Dodonna recognized it in an instant, and quickly turned to the tactical stations. "Get those shields stabilized and ready the guns!" he ordered. "Prepare for attack!"
Even as his ship began readying for the attack, Dodonna noticed the communications holo-projector activate to display Obi-Wan over on the Mandalore. "I apologize, but right now is a bad time, Master Kenobi."
"We're launching a ground force to counter those landing shuttles," Kenobi reported instead of directly addressing Dodonna's own response. "Commodore Reillis is bringing the Katana fleet about to deal with the Coalition destroyers and to give you reinforcements."
Well, at least there was some good news. "I hope those new dreadnaughts are fast," Dodonn'a remarked as he returned his attention to the tactical displays. "The Invisible Hand is coming up fast on us to attack our port side, and I don't know how well we can take it."
With that, the projector flickered out, leaving Dodonna to return to barking commands as the Qel-Droma readied for a ship-to-ship battle. Already the Invisible Hand was coming into range, only moments away from attack. As he could only watch, Dodonna suddenly felt inspiration strike. "Brings us about hard to starboard!" he cried as he stepped away from the tactical displays. "All forward guns charged and ready!"
"Sir, they're coming toward our port side!"
A nod, but that was part of the surprise. "And they expect us to just take it," Dodonna replied as he walked over to navigation. "Bring us about and fire as soon as we have lock!"
*****
Even as the Invisible Hand continued to make its approach toward the Qel-Droma, Sheelal could not stop indulging his sadistic humor as he continued to laugh. "You should have taken surrender when you had the chance, fools."
A Trandoshan hesitantly stepped over to where Sheelal was positioned. "General," he said nervously. "There's something odd about the Qel-Droma's response actions."
The laughter stopped. Sheelal stood there, silent, then turned toward his aide. "What about their movements?" he inquired, eyes narrowed in frustration.
"Well...they're coming about to bring their bow toward us, general. From all projections, they-"
A hand went up. "They wouldn't dare," Sheelal whispered, now walking toward the main view port to see the Qel-Droma coming about to face them. The Republic ship, he noticed, was going toward them now, and at a very high speed. And then, he realized that his own tactics had been turned around to be used against him. "All hands!" he yelled out. "Ready main guns and prepare for broadside attack!"
It was seconds later that the first rumbling impacts shook the bridge as the Qel-Droma opened fire. For moments, fleeting moments, the shields held under fire, but the repeated assault was soon too much, and the hull itself began to take the full brunt of the attack. Alarms were going off on the bridge as systems began flashing red, indicating where the hull had been breached and the inner decks exposed to hard vacuum. Now, if they hadn't been overtly so before, the bridge was in a panic.
"Seal off all decks in that section!" Sheelal roared, but few were paying attention. Already, some fool had activated the evacuation alarm, and most of the crew were hurrying to the escape pods. The Kaleesh warlord snarled as he stalked over the main control panel, enacting his own orders as the exposed bulkheads were sealed. The Duro slaves, or what few remained, were pale with fear of their master, who had been abandoned by his willing crew. This was already going very badly now.
His eyes met those of one of the older slaves. "You!" he barked, pointing to the Duro. "Man the main navigations console, and don't even think about some noble sacrifice by ramming us into one of the Federation ships!" His gaze shifted again. "You, man the weapons stations, and hurry! I want that damnable thing to pay for this!"
His attention now returned to the view ports while his remaining slaves hurried to obey their orders. Eye almost burning with raging fire, Qymaen jai Sheelal gave a silent vow that the Republic would not end his campaign, not here. "Time to face the fire, humans."
*****
"The Invisible Hand is coming about, sir!" came the call as Dodonna narrowed his eyes, very well seeing the action being taken by the enemy ship. That's when he noticed something odd. Even as the cruiser was maneuvering for shi-to-ship battle, Dodonna could see that the escape pods were launching. Not a usual tactic except in the case of a possible ramming effort. But the Invisible Hand was going too slow to be trying that tactic. What was going on?
"Why in blazes is he launching his pods with crew on board?"
"Maybe they decided to abandon captain and ship," came a remark from his second officer. "This Sheelal isn't exactly what I'd call the most morale inspiring person."
A nod, though if the enemy captain had been abandoned, he would also be more desperate. "Get Red Squadron on the line and order Dreis to bring it around to do an attack run on that monster, I want his engines shot from here to Mustafar!"
A series of turbolasers slammed into the shields as they Invisible Hand grew closer, and as the distance between the two monstrous ships closed, beams of red and green criss-crossed between them, tearing at the shields and hull of the other. Despite the seeming invincibility of the massive Republic vessel, the Qel-Droma was starting to show signs of wear as blazing green plasmoid bolts began to tear through the shields and punch into the hull plates.
"We're losing atmosphere in deck fifteen!"
"Get everyone out of there and seal it off!" Dodonna cried just as what felt like a pair of heavy proton torpedoes slammed into the hull. He turned toward his second officer, noting the panic in his eyes. "Stay together, and get that monster out of space now!"
*****
Twirling and twisting his fighter around, Anakin turned his head to see a pair of extremely unfamiliar craft now chasing after him. They looked like they had been designed to resemble bugs, with a sort of carapace shell style to them. "Ar-four, reroute power to shields, double back." The reply on the translation screen did not go over well. "I don't care if that's not standard operating procedure! I need those shields double on the back, or we're gonn'a fry!"
The series of green bolts that flew by were more than enough to prove to the little astromech droid the severity of the issue, and it quickly carried out the ordered adjustements. Another blast managed to punch through the shields just as the droid was trying finish, blowing out its head-dome and sending scraps flying from the explosion. With a glance to the junction port, Anakin's expression was even less enthusiastic than it had been a few moments ago. "Bad feeling about this..." came the worried whisper as he pulled hard on the controls to send the lithe fighter into a roll in attempt to lose his pursuers.
The trick didn't work as the fighters managed to follow him closely. For someone who wasn't even part of the main fleet battle anymore, he sure was managing to get quite a bit of attention. "Damnit, where's some back up when you need it?!" the boy hissed, trying to avoid the lethal beams of green as his on-board computer alerted him to a shield failure. "I really wish I had you at my back now, Artoo."
Two more beams came perilously close just before one of the fighters exploded into a brillate flare of debris and flame. Turning for a moment, Anakin could see the trio of fighter craft that came tearing through the remains of the destroyed craft, each one resembling a blade in their design. The three fighters whipped about, coming back and blasting the other remaing pursuer to scrap before taking up flank to give the boy's ETA some cover.
"You alright?"
The voice wasn't familiar, but the feeling he got from it was once of assurence and friendship. "Yes, thanks to you. They managed to blow my astro-droid out, but I should be able to get down to the surface alright."
"We'll take you into to Naboo airspace and give you cover there," was the reply over the coms. "Stay with us."
A sigh as he began to recalibrate the computer and the shield outputs for entry to the planet's atmosphere. "No arguements from me..."
*****
Whipping about as fire came from the massive Separatist vessel and from the numerous fighters trying to protect said ship, the Z-95 Headhunter piloted by Jagged Antilles launched a pair of proton torpedoes right into the main hanger field generator, causing the pressure forcefield to collapse and expose the flight bay to cold vacuum. "Suck on that, backstabbing freaks!" He gave a smile as he jinxed hard, two droid fighters colliding with each other seconds after he'd pulled away.
"Red Two, fall back into formation!" That would be Dreis, as usual, killing his fun. "I don't want you trying to be the glory hog all over again!"
"Come on, Garvin, you know that coming in and out is what the Ghost is all about!" A narrow miss from a droid fighter forced him to weave downward, hugging to the hull while the slower responding computer controlled craft pulled up to late and slammed into the hull. "They don't see me coming until it's too late!"
Pulling up and away from the Invisible Hand, Jagged came about, shooting down another pair of droid fighters and heading to regroup with the squadron. He preferred doing things solo, but in this case, Dreis was probably right. It wouldn't do to go get killed before he could really shine today. "This is Red Two, on my way to regroup and rip some droids to shreds!"
"Red Leader to Red Two. No fancy heroics, Antilles. That pregnant wife of yours will have my hide if you die now."
A faint smirk was on Jagged's lips as he fell into formations with the rest of his squadron. "Ah, just have to put a wedge in my life, dont' you, Garvin."
"Red Leader, this is Red Six. Having trouble with my engines, somethings been knocked loose."
Before Dreis could reply over the coms, something came streaking from out of the dark-side of the Invisible Hand, firing emerald bolts of death and shattering the helpless headhunter into flames and scrap. The only sound heard from the pilot before his death was a horrified scream, and then the lithe bug-styled fighter whipped about for another strafing run against the squadron. That, naturally, did not sit well with Jagged "Ghost" Antilles.
"Where in the Nine Corellian Hells did that thing come from?!" Antilles hissed seconds before he broke formation again and went flying after the strange fighter. "Get back here, you scum suckin' fraker!"
"Ghost!" Dreis cried into comlines. "Antilles, get back in formation!" No reply or acceptance of orders. That was highly typical of Jagged Antilles. Red Leader gave a sigh as he keyed up the line ts the rest of his squadron. "Jinzler, take the rest of the squad and shoot down as many fighters as you can. I'm gonn'a make sure that Jagged comes out of theis alive so I can kill him myself later!"
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"I know you, boy. But how and where?" "You don't remember? I do, Sith-scum...you killed my father...now prepare to die!" Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker Episode 1: The Coming Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22902352/p1
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Danaan
Registered:
Apr '08
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Date Posted:
6/21 9:38pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 06/12
- Date Edited:
6/21 9:39pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Danaan
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Finally through the text!
Let me commend you on the tenacity and patience to take on such a large project - two years in the making and certainly a cut above the canon prequel!! 
At this point, I have one question that has really been nagging me since I started with this text: you said early on that it was an obvious and logical conclusion from ANH that Obi-Wan and Ben are brothers. I feel really dumb now, cuz I seem to have missed it and so must ask - how is it so? I must admit that the idea never occured to me.
And finally, thanks for bringning my attention to a number of interesting EU dimensions that I will need to ponder for myself  ...
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Star Wars Episode 1: The Old Order - My first fan fic (In progress) : http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28903504/p1/?7 Forged in Steel - A Vampire: The Masquerade fan postal (In Progress): http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b108
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LostSkywalker
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
6/22 9:21pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 06/12
- Date Edited:
6/22 9:22pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LostSkywalker
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You mean Obi-Wan and Owen. ^^
This is because in the original scripts, and in the RotJ novelization, Obi-Wan outright says "Your mother took Leia to Alderaan, and I took you to my brother Owen on Tatooine." It was also heavily implicated in the original Trilogy through how much Owen seemed to act like he know Ben Kenobi more than Luke though he did.
Also, Progress is coming slow on the rest of chapter 17, but I will get it finished before we hit September, I swear! Book 2 should be starting sometime soon after that. @_@ Writing the clone wars, gonn'a be nuts...
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"I know you, boy. But how and where?" "You don't remember? I do, Sith-scum...you killed my father...now prepare to die!" Darth Maul and Anakin Skywalker Episode 1: The Coming Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22902352/p1
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LostSkywalker
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
6/24 11:31pm
Subject:
RE: Episode 1: The Coming Darkness (AU Prequels, Padawan Padme, A/P, Obi/Siri) Updated 06/24
- Date Edited:
6/25 10:40pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
LostSkywalker
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Okay, not that big an update, but it finishes the chapter, and let's me get into the big final stretch of the book. As such, take what you can get. Up next is the big Jedi versus Sith battle Royale!
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Chapter 17 part 2
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The smell of smoke was already permeating the bridge as Qymaen jai Sheelal stared in horror at the main displays, alternating between those alerts and the forward viewport. Everything had come crumbling down around them. Their ad | |