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Battle of New Jamnin Part Two
By Commander Crazyfoot
Chapter 6
Attack on Separatist Headquarters
Thom walked slowly against the walls of the pitch black corridor for about fifteen minutes. He suddenly stopped when he heard movement around him. It was like a metallic clink. The same kind of sound of metal hitting metal. He now realized that at least a hand full of droids surrounded him. Lights suddenly flipped on leaving Thom momentarily blind. When his eyes came back in to focus he saw a dozen or so battle droids surrounding him. There was no way in hell that Thom would walk away from this one, but he would take as many as those bastards as he could with him. Suddenly, blue blaster bolts rained down from the ceiling destroying every one of the droids. Thom looked up and saw sixteen Clone Commandos and three ARCs repel down from the ceiling. They all hit the ground at the same time. The Red ARC which his color indicated he was a Sargent turned to his troops and gave them several hand signals. All the Clones except the ARCs ran to several different positions, but were mainly near the entrance and exit of the large room. Finally, the Red ARC turned to Thom and removed his helmet. Thom immediately recognized the clone from several scars on his face, that it was the ARC that accompanied the Jedi strike force to the planet, it was the ARC named Strike. Strike said,
"Sir, were is your troops and Master Plo Koon?"
"All of my troops are dead and master Plo Koon has been wounded, so its just us." replied Thom cooly. Strike frowned and nodded.
"We should move out" said Thom"
"Right" Replied Strike. He put his helmet back on. Thom could not stop himself from looking into that deep black eye slit in the ARC helmet. He knew that their was a face in there but could not bring himself to believe it entirely. Suddenly the antenna came down over the right side of his helmet. Strike gave a few more hand signals out into the air and the clones moved out. Thom and the ARCs stayed near the back and two Clones Commandos stayed about ten feet from the main group, on point. Thom thanked the force that this corridor was actually lit with lights.
They continued to walk on a downward plain for about Ten minutes until Thom suddenly saw the two Clone Commandos on point stop abruptly and at the same time held their hands up in a fist. The Two parallel columns of clones stopped. Then the Clones on point made a motion with their hands to get down, all the Clones knelt down on one knee, except Strike, who ran foward to see what was up. They whispered back and fourth, and finally Strike made his way back to were Thom and the rest of the ARCs were. Strike knelt down next to Thom.
"Sir, looks like the main command room up ahead." said Strike
"How can you be certain?" Asked Thom.
"There’s a lot of commotion up there plus were getting surges of electricity which usually comes with either a power generator or a very high tech command installation." replied Strike. Thom nodded and said to Strike
"Alright" Strike stood back up and gave more hand signals. Many clones nodded, and then stood up and ran foward, The rest as well ran foward but noticed that the first group were setting explosive charges on the walls while the main group that consisted of Thom the ARCs and several Clone Commandos ran toward a large and heavy durasteel door. Thom noticed that more Clones were setting up more charges on the door. Thom finally realized Strike’s plan. He would blow the door first diverting all the attention to the main entrance and exit. Then the other squad of Clones would blow a hole in the wall on the other side of the room, flanking the enemy. The ranking Clone Commando that was setting the charges gave an order to stand back. Clones ran in all different directions to seek cover. Suddenly the door exploded inward.
Thom heard Strike yell
"GO GO GO!" Thom saw a hand full of Clones run into the dust filled area, firing into the dust. Several red blaster bolts came out as they ran in. He saw a carbon scored Clone Commando helmet roll out. This immediately reminded Thom of Peat. Rage boiled through Thom’s entire body. He gripped the lightsabor and turned it on. Thom suddenly ran at full speed deflecting several blaster bolts. There was no turning back for he was at the dark side of the force. He realized this but still embraced it with passion. He would use it to defeat the evil being that killed his defenseless padawan, and after that he didn’t know what would happen to him but at that moment he didn’t care, all he wanted was revenge for his padawan. He didn’t know exactly what was behind that curtain of dust and blaster bolts but, he was about to find out.
Thom walked down the halls of the Jedi Temple. He was on his way to choose his Padawan. This would be the first time Thom would visit such an event and this would also be the first time that he would choose a Padawan even though he had been a Jedi Knight for over 17 years. Thom had never wanted to take on a Padawan of his own because he never wanted to take the responsibility. Plus, he preferred to work alone. The only reason why he was here now was that Master Yoda convinced him a week earlier to take on a Padawan. He had a few picked out already but he never saw the possible padawans face to face. Today he would meet them all and choose which kid he would teach the ways of the Jedi. Thom finally entered the Great Jedi Hall. He saw that already many Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters had arrived even though it was early. As he walked closer he noticed a few hundred children standing in three separate lines starring out into the crowd of Jedis. Then as he looked around the room he noticed all the Jedi Council sat in the corner, eyeing the padawans and the other Jedis. Thom caught Master Yoda’s eyes and Thom nodded to him from across the room. Master Yoda nodded in return and made a gesture with his hand to come to him. Thom walked to Master Yoda and bowed to him once again.
"Master Thom came you, I see" said Yoda.
"Yes Master Yoda I have finally come to the decision to take on a Padawan."replied Thom. "Good, Good. There are many promising padawans here. I hope you find one that suits your desire." retorted Yoda.
"The ceremony is beginning Master, I must go find my place." said Thom. Yoda nodded and Thom spun around and went to his seat. The ceremony began with Master Yoda Hovering over on a small one seat hover pad, and started the ceremony with the knowledge portion. That took several hours to get through which made Thom bored.
Thom thought back to when he wasn’t even a padawan and was standing up on that very stage. He actually fell asleep on stage in front of hundreds of Jedi which almost made him get picked last of all the Padawans in his class. That made him feel terrible. But what made it worst was that his Master was forced by the Jedi council to take him under his wing. Thom knew that his Master had never really liked him. He would always ignore him and it made Thom a very depressed padawan. Being so depressed almost got him sent to the Agriculture Corps. But one day changed all that. Out on a mission when Thom was 16 years of age. His Master was wounded in combat against a band of vicious pirates. Thom was able to single handily get his unconscious Master into a safe storage area of the pirates ship while Thom single handily captured every pirate on the ship including the Captain without any of the pirates or himself being injured. After that he called for help and a strike force of Jedis came to their rescue to help heal Thom’s Master and to get the prisoners into custody. Thom was awarded by graduating to Jedi Knight without having to take the Jedi trials plus, he became the youngest Jedi Knight since the Sith Wars. Many Jedis thought this was unorthodox, who ever heard of a Sixteen year old Jedi Knight? For the first time since before he was chosen as his master’s padawan he was happy, this also included his Master for he got a seat on the Jedi council which sadly didn’t last long for he was killed by a Mandalorian bounty hunter named Jango Fett.
Finally, the knowledge portion of the ceremony ended and Yoda left the stage. A young Mace Windu stood up and walked up the stage and looked out into the mass of Jedis.
"The physical force session will now commence." Said Master Windu. The first Padawan that was called up was named Peat Faust. He was a short and very skinny young boy. But Thom sensed in him something. He would have to keep an eye on this young one. Peat turned to Master Windu and bowed. He spun around as two stun bolts came streaking toward him. Peat turned on his lightsabor and deflected the stun bolts back to were they came from. Thom was impressed. A padawan usually couldn’t deflect the two bolts at the same time, usually at least one of the stun bolts would hit the padawan. Peat went back to were he was supposed to stand. This continued like this for hours except that the rest of the padawans were at least struck once by the stun bolts. Thom also found it amusing when a few padawans were struck by a stun bolt or two and broke down in tears. Finally after a few more hours the ceremony ended, and dusk began to fall. All the Jedis started back to their apartments located throughout the Jedi temple facility, and meditate on who to choose. On his way back to his apartment Thom stopped at the Jedi archives. To Gleam in the face of his Master who’s face was now immortalized in stone. He stood starring for many minutes just thinking to himself, until finally the Jedi in charge of the archives a Jedi named Jocasta Nu came over and tapped on his shoulder. "Do you need assistance?" asked Jedi Nu, Thom now broke from his gaze looked over and simply replied "No" and Thom turned and walked back toward his apartment.
The next day Thom woke up early and headed off to go choose his new padawan. He strode back into the Gigantic Jedi Hall. He was the first Jedi there other then a few Jedi Masters and Master Mace Windu that were lining up the padawans. Thom saw that all of them were tired but excited. Mace turned to greet Thom.
"Ah, Thom so nice to see you on this fine morning."
"Thank you Master" replied Thom
"Well," said Mace "since you are the first one here you get first pick." Thom looked up and eyed all the Padawans that were now all wide awake, standing up straight and all were eyeing Thom. Thom finally yelled out
"Peat Faust" The whole group of padawans started to turn looking for the first chosen padawan. Finally, Thom saw the crowd of children started to part as one short and skinny boy walk briskly down the bleachers and stepped onto the floor and continued the pace over to were Thom and Mace stood. When the boy reached the two Jedi he bowed.
"Ah you have picked a fine padawan, Master Thom." Said Mace. Peat fixed his gaze upon Thom’s Lightsabor. Thom grabbed Peat’s chin and pulled it up to look at Peat’s face. Peat looked up into Thom’s eyes. Thom had seen Master’s do this to their Padawans before and he could always see a bit of fear in the Padawans. But peat was different. Peat looked back with calmness. Thom knew from that moment that Peat would be a tough Padawan to teach. Thom turned to Mace
"See you when we return" Mace nodded. Then turned back to Peat,
"Come padawan," said Thom "We have training to do". They both walked out of the Jedi Chamber with his new padawan as other Jedis walked in to choose their own Padawan. Thom felt proud that he would teach this Peat Faust.
Suddenly, Thom ducked and avoided a red blast. Then cut a droid in two. Thom still couldn’t see from all the dust. Another battle droid came out of the dust and Thom cut off its head. Thom suddenly felt something forcefully hit him in the back of the head. He hit the floor hard, spun around onto his back and looked up at a super battle droid who was aiming down at Thom. Thom quickly rolled over again onto his stomach, just missed being shot in the head. Molten metal floor hit Thom in his face, scolding the left side of his face. Thom kicked the droids leg, ripping it off. Then as it fell to the floor, Thom leaped up onto his feet and cut the droid’s head as it fell. Thom spun and a green lightsabor blade fell upon his lightsabor preventing him from moving any more. Was this the monster that killed his padawan, or was it Asajj Ventress, or could it be the leader of the separatist, Count Dooku?
Chapter 7
Traitor
Thom felt an unseen force lift him up, and hurl him across the room. As he hit the far wall he felt one of his ribs snap. Thom slowly lifted himself off the dust covered ground, clutching his side, and tasted blood. Everything seemed still and quiet even though Thom could still see red and blue flashes zig zagging around the room. Once again a green blur of a lightsaber shown through the thick dust. It slowly levitated toward him. Thom switched on his lightsaber and started to walk toward the floating green blur. The green blur suddenly sped up to an impossibly fast speed. Thom braced for the attack. The green lightsaber clashed with Thom’s blue lightsabor. Pain surged through Thom’s side, almost making him pass out. The speed of the attack pushed all the dust away from them and for the first time Thom got a look at the attacker. He was momentarily shocked from what his eyes had shown him. There standing in front of him was his second in command for this mission. It was Jaw Geris.
"But...But, you’re dead and I felt you go into the Force...how?" Asked Thom confusingly. Geris looked into Thom’s eyes and smiled. Geris pulled his lightsaber back and made several aggressive attacks, which Thom blocked and dodged to avoid being hit. Their lightsabers became entangled again. Geris started to talk
"I was with Dooku even before Geonosis. The council is a bunch of stupid fools, to not notice. This was the best decision I have ever made." Thom felt passion flow through and could help but take a few quick strikes at Geris, which Geris easily blocked and then again they got their lightsabors tangled.
"I have seen hundreds of worlds destroyed from this war, and its arrogant Jedi and creatures like yourself who got this war started and killed billions of innocents for your own personal gains." said Thom. Geris burst out in a short fit of laughter and then look deep into Thom’s eyes. Thom looked back and saw rage building inside of Geris. This was something new to Thom. He had never seen a Dark Jedi or Sith in person before and as Thom watched he could sense Geris grow in power and felt Geris become one hundred times more powerful then he was.
Geris swiftly head butted Thom. Thom stumbled back and shook off the pain. Geris charged at Thom. Thom could sense his mind was clouded. As Geris closed in Thom ducked and Geris soared over his head. Thom spun around to meet Geris but instead met Geris’s fist into his face. Thom stumbled onto the floor out of breath. Geris recollected himself and started a run at Thom. Thom tried to flick on his lightsabor but, there was only one problem his lightsabor was missing. Thom felt his life flash through him. His first memory was himself being picked as his Master’s Padawan. Then, he saw himself being awarded the rank of Jedi Knight after the battle with the pirates. Then he saw himself choosing Peat. Peat’s face stayed with him with what seemed to be a millennium. Thom opened his eyes and looked upon Geris’s Face as he charged lightsabor raised above his head and an terrible expression upon his face. Thom knew he was ready to go into the force.
Suddenly, a blue blast went through Geris’s chest. Geris stumbled a few more inches and collapsed dead on the floor. Thom spun his head around. There stood Strike, blaster rifle raised. Thom eyed Strike with disbelief as Strike slowly lowered his weapon. Thom jumped up onto his feet. The dust began to settle and the intense shooting stopped. Thom walked over to Strike
"Have your troops hold the entrances, I don’t want another firefight in such close quarters."
"Roger" replied the clone. Strike gave several hand signals and all the clones moved into position. By now the dust was completely settled.
Thom looked around and saw destroyed droids, Dead aliens, humanoids, Clones, and one dead lost Jedi named Jaw Geris. Debris, blaster craters, and carbon scoring was all over the place. Strike walked back up to Thom
"Sir, we need to plant the charges and call for evac now!"
"Go ahead captain." replied Thom. Like always Strike turned to his troops and gave more hand signals and the selected clones fell out, pulled out demolition charges and started to set them up through out the control room. While another clone commando named RC-543 or Static pulled out the radio and hooked it into his helmet and Strike’s helmet. Then set up a small transmitter. Gave the Thumbs up signs and Strike began to talk.
"This is Fire Team Papa, Mission Complete request immediate evac. Do you copy Bantha Herder?" Suddenly Thom heard static coming from Strike’s helmet. Chhhhhhh
"This is Bantha Herder we copy chhhhh We cannot get any Gunships to your position for evac chhhhhh The enemy seems to have activated some kind of anti-air weapons around your position chhhh We have already tried and have lost several Gunships. Chhhhhh You will have to walk back" Chhhhh
"That’s over 60 miles back to HQ it’ll take days with all this fighting going around to get back." One of the Commando’s complained. Strike Clicked back on the radio
"Are you sure theirs no way to get a few gunships over here, cause that’s one hell of a walk?"
"Chhhh Positive Captain. We have been instructed by the Admiral not to send any other Gunships past, to or around that line Chhhhhhh Its just too risky chhhhhhh"
"Roger, Bantha Herder were walking back, out" Static pulled the radio hook up out of Strike’s Helmet and started to pack up the radio and the small Transmitter. Strike looked around the room at his troops and at Thom then said
"Pack it up, were walking" Then turned to another Clone and said
"Demo, set the Timer for five minutes." The Commando nodded and then ran to the timer control and set it. Strike yelled out
"Move it out" And the clones ran at a steady pace out of the building.
Outside of the building Thom looked down from the cliff side, he still saw some skirmishes in the distance. Black smoke rose in the distance and Thom could also see tiny white dots running across the battle scared ground with red beams zipping past them. He saw that the battle was still in doubt. But hopefully the destruction of the Separatist’s Headquarters would be a turning point for the Republic. Thom heard Strike voice call out from a distance
"General Thom, the building is about to blow, get the hell out of there!" Thom ran as fast as he could. Suddenly he felt a disturbance in the force and he through himself to the ground. A second later the building behind him exploded miraculously. He looked up and saw a red hot piece of durasteel fly over him and drove deep into the ground. Strike and a few clones ran over and helped him get up. Thom shook off some dirt covering his cloak
"Come on lets go" said Thom. Thom and the clones ran into the bushes and out of sight.
Inside the secondary Confederate base stood the monster separatist General that killed Thom’s Padawan. It stood in a dark and bizarre room. Alien Torture Devices hang on the ceiling, Strange repair Tools were laid out on the table in an orderly fashion, there was a holo table in the middle of the room, a glass case held dozens of Jedi lightsabers, and bloody Jedi robes hung on the walls. Suddenly a beep came from the holo table and a button began to blink red. Giving the room a more eerie a dark feeling. The General with its long robotic leg joints wining, walked up to the table and pressed the glowing button. There was a flash of blue light and the leader of the Separatist movement stood in the middle of the table.
"Count Dooku" said the General in a Robotic voice while bowing its metallic head.
"Ah, General Grevious how is the battle going?" Asks Dooku.
"Very well, just how we have planned."
"Your chest plate is damaged severely are you all right?"
"Fine, nothing a little repair job won’t fix."
"Excellent, How is Jaw Geris Fairing? Has the Jedi named Thom discovered he was on our side yet?
"Yes, Thom knows he is, was on our side, but Thom has also killed him."
"Good, just like my Master predicted."
"There is just one set back."
"Yes"
"The Jedi Thom and clones were able to destroy the main command center, We lost a lot of Ground because of that."
"Do not worry this planet is worthless to us anyway, the Republic has a surprise in store for them in a little bit, for now keep them from completely taking the planet. "
"Yes Count Dooku" Grevious bowed and Count Dooku disappeared.
Chapter 8
Attack on Sep. Depot
Thom looked through the Electrobinoculars and saw the Separatist Supply Depot. The sounds of war still echoed in the distance. Several Droids were standing around the perimeter, and he saw a Blue male Twi’lek directing several worker droids that were carrying crates from a landed Trade Federation Landing Ship. Thom could also see a Wookie along side of the Twi’lek. Both the Twi’lek and the Wookie both carried Vibroblades, which meant even Thom would have to be careful while fighting them. Thom turned to the Sixteen Clone Commandos and the Three ARCs.
"Alright, enemy strength is about thirty battle droids, fifty or so worker droids and two Wets. Ones a Wookie and the others a Twi’lek. They looked both look highly skilled in close combat and are probably also well trained in ranged fighting. So like always keep on your toes. Alright, remember are primary mission is to get back to Command. So first we have to capture that landing ship. If that goes well then we will neutralize all resistance then place charges to blow the place. Got it?"
"Roger" said all the clones at once.
"Alright, everyone get to were you got to be, and wait for my signal." Thom saw his troops disappear into the brush on his left and right side.
Thom walked 10 paces out of the woods and stopped. Thom eyed the Supply Depot for what felt like hours though only seconds. Then lit his lightsabor. The Wookie Chewhar smelled something in the air and looked over his right shoulder, and saw the Jedi standing on the tree line. Chewhar roared to get his friend’s attention. The Twi’lek named Par Dinuna looked over and said in a raspy voice
"What’s, wrong now Chewbar?" Chewbar roared and pointed to Thom in the distance. Par’s eye’s widened and screamed
"Battle Stations, NOW" Thom knew they saw him and raised his lightsabor toward Depot and started to run. All the clones soon jumped out of the tree line and joined Thom in the charge.
Par ran up to one of the observation decks as his droids opened up on the oncoming Republic Troops. Thom sensed the tingle of the incoming lazars and brought his lightsabor up to meet two of them. Thom felt one then two Clones get hit and go into the force. Thom ran by and cut a super battle droid in half. Then through a Thermal Detonator into and bunker sending bits of duracreat everywhere. The Clones finally meet Thom in the Depot and engaged into some ranged and some hand to hand combat. Thom felt more and more Clones perish as the battle continue. Thom knew that he couldn’t let all of his troops die like this.
"Fall Back to the Landing Ship" yelled Thom. The clones started to fall back to the TF Landing Ship. By the time Thom fought his way to the ship all the remaining clones had got there. There was five Clone Commandos and all three of the ARCs had made it except one was wounded. Strike yelled through the constant blast of the incoming and out going blaster fire.
"At least five Commandos have been captured and we can’t leave without them." Thom simply nodded. Thom risked a peak around the corner of the landing ramp. He saw the Twi’lek and the Wookie that he had seen through the Electrobinoculars before, now standing on a Catwalk forty feet up on some scaffolding. Thom turned to Strike and yelled
"Hold Here I’ll be back in a minute" Before Strike could say anything, Thom leaped over his only cover, and ran toward the scaffolding under heavy fire.
Thom leaped up onto the scaffolding and did several twists and flips from one pole to the other. Strike watched in awe. Not even a Galactic Gold Medal Gymnast winner could perform the flips, twists and turns that Thom was making. Thom grabbed onto a steel pole and swung himself up to the catwalk. Before Thom could recover Chewbar was already charging toward at him with his vibrosword over his head. Thom looked up and force pushed Chewbar off the side. Chewbar roared as he fell to his death. Par looked over the side as his partner and friend fell to his death.
"Surrender now and no harm will come to you" said Thom. Par look up from his dead friend’s body now laying in a puddle of blood at the base of the scaffolding. Par could only yell out
"DIE CURSED JEDI!" as he ran at Thom with vibrosword now in hand. Thom dodged the first swing then block the next with his lightsabor. Thom pulled away as he kicked Par’s face. Blood ran down from Par’s nose which only enraged him more. Thom ducked just as Par swung horizontally over his head. Thom took his lightsabor and shoved it up into Par’s gut.
Par dropped his vibrosword. Thom stood up and look at Par as he coughed up blood, stumbled foward, and pulled out a round metallic ball. Thom instantly recognized it as a Thermal Detonator. Par collapsed onto a square metal box and dropped the Thermal Detonator in. The Metal Box was labeled BAW E-60R Rocket Launcher Ammunition. Thom knew he had to get out of there now. Thom leaped forward and grabbed a metal cable that hung down. Thom started to drop toward the ground fast, just as the Thermal Detonator detonated creating the Rocket Launcher ammo to explode. The top half of the scaffolding was engulfed in flames as The metal cable snapped and Thom hit the ground hard. Thom looked up in time to see the top of the scaffolding fall toward him. Thom got up and dove out of the way as fifty tons of durasteel crashed into the ground aflame.
Thom got up and started to run back toward the TF Landing Ship. Red lasers streaked over his head as he ran. Thom sensed heat coming from the force and he stopped running. He looked up to see a Confederate Gunship flying right at him. Suddenly, flames shot from the Gunship’s underbelly. Thom back flipped just as hell erupted in front of him. Thom sensed more heat to the left of him and he leapt right. Then from behind him and finally to the right of him. Thom was surrounded. In about ten seconds he was to be cooked like a nerf at dinner. The Gunship was on approach for its final run on the Jedi. Thom saw flames bloom from underbelly of the Gunship.
Thom ran toward the oncoming gunship and ran up onto a piece of debris that was sticking out of the ground. Extended his hand and used the force to blow the fire around him. Flames swallowed Thom on all sides but didn’t come in contact with him. The air around Thom was over five thousands degrees. Sweat started to pore down Thom’s face. If this didn’t stop soon Thom would die. Suddenly, the wall of flames opened up to the mid morning blue sky. Thom looked around and saw the enemy gunship go in for an attack on the TF Landing Ship and the Clones position. Thom looked around, he needed to destroy the gunship to leave, he saw an anti-air cannon about fifty yards away. he quickly wiped the sweet off his forehead with his sleeve and jumped down to the scorched earth. Pockets of fire still covered parts of the ground.
As he ran toward the cannon the pockets of flame burnt his legs with first and second degree burns. Thom hardly felt the burns. The only thing he was focus on was destroying the Gunship. Thom jumped up onto the gunners seat and accessed the controls. Thom brought the cannon around to aim toward the Gunship. He almost had it in his sites when he sensed the main guns on the enemy gunship charge and prepare to fire. Thom had to other choice but to fire randomly. The blast streaked a crossed its bow. Even though it didn’t even damage the ship it still got the pilot’s attention. The Gunship turned in the direction of Thom. Now Thom had a perfect shot and he didn’t waste it either. Thom pulled the trigger to the cannon. The red beam blew out of the cannon and headed straight and true. The beam struck right into the pilot’s compartment. Thom didn’t even need to be force sensitive to know the two pilots in the gunship were dead.
By the time Thom made it back to the Trade Federation Landing Ship the five Commandos and the three ARCs had fought off two counter-attacks and noon had come. Thom ran into the giant four winged lander and sat down behind the curve of the hold for cover. Strike turned to him and he noticed that Strike had been wounded on the shoulder. Carbon scoring had turned the white shoulder armor black and Strike couldn’t move his arm.
"Sir, we have secured the lander and the only thing that is not allowing us to leave is the five Commandos that were captured."
"Ok" said Thom as he eyed all the clones inside the ship.
"All the wounded will stay here, the rest of you will come with me." The clones nodded.
"Sir, keep RC-193 here, he is the only one qualified to pilot."
"Right" said Thom "alright lets get to this." Thom ran out of the hold, followed by One ARC and Three Commandos.
The tiny squad made there way from cover to cover but really it was burning wreckage to burning wreckage. Once and awhile a droid or two would pop up they would get into a mini fire fight and destroy the opposition, taking no casualties. This is how the ARCs and Commandos were truly trained. In small squads that never took the enemy head on. But with the Jedi taking the title of Generals when the war started and with their lack of military experience. They would make foul ups like this, where a large squad of Commandos had to take on an over whelming force head on instead of their instinct of Guerilla tactics. After twenty minutes they made it to the suspected bunker were the Commandos were being held.
The squad knelt down behind some boxes of food and ammo.
"Alright were going to split up. Me and RC-132 will go through the main entrance and draw their fire. A-184 will lead you other two Commandos through the top of the bunker. There should be a trap door that you will be able to get through. Ok Go Go Go." Thom and RC-132 got to the door and Thom saw A-184 give the Thumbs up signal they were ready.
RC-132 place a small door charge on the door jam and stood back. Thom stood right next to the door ready to storm in. RC-132 touched the trigger and the door exploded in. Thom swooped in and cut off a battle droids head. Thom saw the five Commandos in the middle of the bunker out of the corner of his eye. Only regular battle droids were in the bunker. But Thom was deflecting every shot that came his way. RC-132 was already down. Thom was all alone in the bunker and might have to pull out if the ARC and the other Commandos didn’t show up soon. Finally he saw A-184 drop from the ceiling and land in a crouched position firing furiously. The Two other commandos dropped down behind A-184.
The Droids started to get confused to who was the greater threat. The ARC and The Commandos were inflicting more damage but they were always programmed that the Jedi were the greater threat. Thom used it to his advantage. Thom spun foward and chop a droid’s blaster in half. Then force pushed it and the remaining droids into the wall disabling them all.
Thom switched his lightsabor off and jogged to the captured Clones. They looked tortured and there armor was torn off. Thom told A-184 to help the injured Clones up. Then radioed to Strike.
"Strike we have rescued all five troopers and will be returning to your position immediately."
"Don’t bother" Thom heard over the radio attached to his wrist.
"We are coming to pick you up" As soon as that message end he head the roar of engines just outside the bunker. Thom looked out of the blasted doorway and watched the TF Landing Ship land and open its hatch to reveal Strike waving at him with his good arm.
Thom and the healthy Clones helped drag the wounded Clones into the ship. As soon as they were aboard the ship took off. Thom went up to the Deck and looked down at the flaming mess that used to be the main Confederate Supply Depot. Thom sat back in one of the only cushioned seats on the ship for the return to Republic HQ.
Chapter 9
Back to Headquarters
The planet of New Jamnin was falling to the Republic. 40% of the planet was blasted into almost nothing, and the Separatist forces continued to retreat. Both sides had taken heavy casualties. As Thom flew over the battlefields he saw the devastation. He could only hope this battle would end the war sooner, but he now knew that this was not true. The war would continue and not even Master Yoda could foresee the end. He hoped he would live long enough to see the end of it. Hundreds of Jedi have died since the beginning of the war at Geonosis. He remembered that day well.
Thom and his padawan were on a peacekeeping mission for the council on the desert planet called Tatooine. Tuskan Raider Clans had been taking over numerous settlements killing all settlers that they caught. The settlers wanted immediate retaliation, but Thom persuaded the settlers to try and negotiate. When Thom went to talked talk with the Tuskans he discovered that the Tuskans were only retaliating from an attack by Moisture Farmers. He continued his detective work and found that the moisture farmers were only retaliating when a moisture farmer’s wife was kidnaped, a man by the name of Lars. It was a continues cycle. Shortly getting back to Mos Espa, He got the holo from Master Windu recalling all available Jedi to coordinates, 73, Alpha, Yankee, 4, 6 or a planet called Geonosis.
It took Thom and Peat only half and hour to get to Geonosis, since Tatooine’s and Geonosis’s systems neighbor each other. But even at the quick pace they had received the holo too late and missed the battle by a day. Most of the Jedi and Troops had already left. Thom and Peat walked around the once great arena were many of their order had fallen the day before. The two marveled at the blaster craters, destroyed droids and the lightsabor scaring that littered the arena. Thom walked into the center of the arena and sat down Indian style. Thom began to meditate and he felt the presence of every Jedi that died in that arena the previous day.
Peat walked around and kick a droids head. Then stepped into a crashed Gunship. Partially dried blood stained the Deck, Peat wondered was it a Clones blood of was it a Jedi’s? Then something caught Peat’s eye. He looked over and saw a lightsabor in a crevice under the ammo compartment. He crouched down and picked up the lightsabor. Examining it for some kind of markings. Thom came up behind Peat and said harshly,
"Peat" Peat jumped up and dropped the lightsabor. It hit the deck, clicked on and sliced through the hold. Thom pushed Peat away. Peat stumbled back and fell on his butt. Thom grabbed the lightsabor and switched it off.
Thom looked down at Peat with a distasteful look on his face.
"Give me your lightsabor" said Thom. Peat started to complain when Thom snatched the lightsabor off Peat’s belt.
"Stand up" Peat slowly stood up and Thom hit him back down to the ground.
"What was that for?"
"You have been my padawan for about 10 years now, right?" asked Thom
"Yes?" answered Peat puzzlingly.
"Well stand up then we have to go" Once again Peat slowly stood up and Thom pushed him back down.
"Come On!" yelled Peat.
"Have you no respect, I know I have taught you better."
"What are you talking about?" asks Peat
"Almost 200 hundred of your brothers and sisters died here yesterday and you have to parade around kick a droid and try and disturb the dead? I hope I trained you better. Were leaving." Thom started to walk toward the exit. Peat finally caught up to Thom
"Can I at least have my lightsabor back?"
"No you can not just have it back, you need to earn it back." Thom and Peat walked out and got into their starfighters and took off.
Thom came back into the Present to see Strike standing over him with all his armor off.
"Were being intercepted by Republic Fighter’s we’ve told them who we are and they need your authorization codes" Thom got out of his seat and walked to the cockpit. Thom was directed to the communications desk. Thom sat down. Pushed the talk button and said into it.
"This is Jedi Knight Thom Fasstu. We need clearance to land at Republic HQ." Thom looked out the cockpit windows and could see the V-19s flying cover around the TF Landing Ship. A Clone’s voice came over the receiver.
"Roger, General Fasstu ready to take clearance codes"
"Five, Zulu, Zulu, Niner, Zero."
"Roger" replied to Clone "You are green for landing, out." Thom got out of the seat and Commando Static took his place. RC-193 pulled the ship out of the clouds and Thom saw the large Republic Headquarters.
Four landed Assault Ships surrounded the perimeter. The center bristled with activity. Command Prefab shelters dotted the area, and med tents were lined up in rows. Gunships and cargo ships were constantly coming and going. Republic AT-TEs, AT-ATs, AT-PTs and other Assault Vehicles followed and led Hundreds of Clone Troopers away from the HQ toward battle.
Thom gazed outside the window, Then heard
"General Thom’s Captured Vessel to land at landing area 5-Hotel-Charlie." Over the radio. The ship landed with ease. Thom turned around and walked down through the ship and then walked out of the hatch.
Chapter 10
Regret
Thom looked around and caught Master Plo Koon running at him. He had a large Bacta Patch on his arm attached by a sling.
"I’m so glad you are alright" said Plo Koon.
"The majority of my troops are KIA and the rest are wounded except one or two"
"That’s fine the destruction of that command center and the supply station gave us major ground and turned the tide of the battle."
"Master, Jaw Geris was a traitor he fell deep into the dark side and without Strike I certainly would have failed the mission."
"What has happened to him?"
"Geris beat me to the ground and just before he made the final blow Strike shot him through the chest."
"Well as long as your safe. Did any of the ARCs die?"
"Negative, but they have been all wounded." Plo Koon nodded his head.
Humanoid and droid medics ran to Thom, the ARCs and Commandos and started to give them medical attention. They brought a stretcher over and laid Thom on top of it. They started by placing a Bacta Patch to his side were his rib had broken from the battle with Geris. Thom had used the force to repair the shattered rib, but there was still a big bruise on his side, then they applied more Bacta patches on his legs from the burns he had took from the fight with the enemy Gunship. The doctors checked his radiation levels and found them to be extremely high, this was a result of being exposed to so much blaster fire. They then injected Thom with a knock out serum while he was put in radiation.
When he awoke several hours later the sun was setting. He got out of the bed and stumbled out of the Medical Tent. Thom grabbed onto a metal pole for support. A doctor named Doz Narder came over.
"Master Thom, you shouldn’t be out of your bed."
"I’m fine" replied Thom groggily.
"No, your not you need your rest you are still suffering from the effects of radiation poisoning." The young doctor grabbed Thom’s arm and started to help him back into the tent, when Thom collapsed on the ground.
"I have failed" whispered Thom, tears streaming down his face.
"No you haven’t failed you have scored a major turning point in this battle and we will now win. This might actually end the war sooner then anyone could predict." Said Doz, trying to comfort Thom.
"NO, I failed my padawan. I should have been next to him to protect him. I shouldn’t even had taken on this mission, I should have let another Jedi take on the responsibility. It’s all my fault, DAMN IT!" Screamed Thom.
Doz became frightened. He had never seen a Jedi break down like this before. He had seen some regular men before break down. But not a Jedi, this was absurd. Jedi are always calm even when they face their own demise.
Both men finally found enough strength in each other to lift each other up. Doz help Thom stumble back into bed. Thom fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, his cheeks still wet from tears.
Doz Narder was born and raised literally in the shadow of the Jedi Temple. He had seen Hundreds of Jedi and had actually befriended many of them. Since childhood had been taught that Jedi would do anything to protect him and his friends and family. He trusted them with his and his love ones lives. But after seeing Thom that night, he had lost faith in all the Jedi. He felt that his whole life was worthless. That night everything he believed was destroyed in a single minute. He walked into his quarters located in one of the prefab shelters and pulled out his standard issue single shot blaster pistol that was given to all non-military personal working on the front lines of the Clone War. Stuck it to his head and wished he never had met a Jedi.
The next morning Thom woke up fully refreshed. Many of his wounds were healed by the combined efforts of the force and the Bacta Packs and other medical attention he was given. He stood up and tried to recall what had happened that night, but nothing came to mind. He walked out of the tent and walked toward the main command building.
Two clones standing guard at the door suddenly snapped to attention as he walked through the doorway. Thom walked into the briefing room were about thirty high ranking clones revolved around a holo table directing the Republic’s Clone forces. Thom saw Plo Koon talking to three Clone Commanders. He walked over to Plo Koon and tapped him on the shoulder. Plo Koon turned and gave Thom a big hug.
"It’s great to see that your alright" Thom smiled then asked
"Were do you need me?"
"Well my sources say you need a few days more rest."
"I’m fine, I’ll rest after this battle is over with."
"Have it your way" replied Plo Koon. "Sources say there’s another command bunker somewhere to the North. Captured Enemy Intel says the area is called Butcher Plains Intel also says that the Droid General that is responsible for the death of your padawan is also here, directing the battle. We have found that he goes by the Name of General Grevious. He has lead dozens of highly successful campaigns against the Republic and has killed approximately one hundred Jedi since we first heard of him."
"Well is he force sensitive?"
"We are not certain, he seems to have some force capacity but at the same time we have no idea how he has learned to control the force."
"So then what is my mission?"
"You are to lead two thousand infantry units, supported by a dozen AT-TEs, five AT-ATs, twenty AT-XTs, artillery support upon request and unlimited aerial support. As soon as you capture this base will we win the battle and be able to move the majority of the army to other battles. We must capture or kill this General Grevious. But he will not go without a fight and you will probably have to destroy him. If he escapes it will be disastrous. Any Questions?" Thom shook his head. A gunship will take you to were your forces are gathering. May the force be with you."
Thom turned and walked out the door. Found his way to the Gunship and took off. Thom looked down at the command building, feeling more and more thirsty for revenge.
Chapter 11
Recollections
For the third time today, Thom was flying over the battlefield. He looked down and saw remnants of war. Craters and debris littered the field. The battle had been fierce here, but the fighting had moved on. The fight had been brought to the enemy this day and with the luck of the force it had been won. He now headed to the final battle on this planet. This planet was very strategic in this war, because it harbored millions of enemy forces including a powerful enemy general.
His mission now was to win victory for the Republic and to destroy the enemy general. A mission for Thom was usually business, but now it was personal. He felt enraged by just the war, and almost lost control of himself when he thought about his Padawan being decapitated.
The Gunship touched down in front of hundreds of Cloned troops all lined up in columns. They all clicked thunderously to attention when Thom hopped off. He stood and looked into the vast white ocean.
"Today, you have fought valiantly for the Republic. We have defeated a very well defended enemy. We took many casualties, but we have gained a victory to the equivalent of THULE. Now WE have the privilege and the honor to end the battle with an assault on the enemy’s last strong hold. Plus, we get to destroy an evil being that has won many victories over the Republic and has killed many Jedi. We are not allowed to fail. Move out." said Thom to the crowd.
The crowd of cloned troopers about faced and started marching to their objective. Thom jumped onto a speeder that was driving by, to catch up to the front of the marching army. Thom jumped off and landed on his feet next to an AT-TE. It would be a long march to their objective.
Grand Admiral Oze Belont stood on the bridge of the Accumulator Class Assault ship the Kamino. He had serve for the Republic for over Thirty years. He had considered himself the best non-Jedi pilot in the galaxy. He had fought in the Stark Hyperspace War and had even fought in the battle of Naboo. Over the years he had risen through the ranks, and now he was one of the top Admirals in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) fighting in the greatest war since the Sith Wars, thousands of years ago. He was proud of his life’s accomplishments. All he wanted to do was win this war so he could retire and live out the rest of his life on his home planet of Corillia.
Belont stood gazing out the triangular shaped windows, reliving his days as a glorified fighter pilot. When a Clone Commander came up from behind and snapped to attention. Without turning around Belont asked
"What is it Commander?"
"Operation Overkill is a go sure. Troops are en route." Replied the clone.
"Excellent, notify me when the battle begins. I will be in my quarters." The clone bowed and turned away. Belont gazed out the window for a few more seconds and walked away. Belont got into the elevator and descended several decks until he got to his quarters.
He walked toward the durasteel door, which automatically opened to his presents. He walked straight through the room, and walked into his bathroom. He opened a medkit, took some Aspirins from the small metal box and downed them without water. His head had been killing him all damn day. He sat down on his couch, and looked out the large window. In the distance he could see the two other Republic Capital Ships that hovered over the planet. One was the Assault Ship the Preservation and the other was the newly commissioned Star Destroyer Class, Flag Ship the Palpatine. He knew the Commanders of both ships well. Belont put both feet up onto the couch closed his eyes and fell asleep.
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