Aegis POV
With Jabba's son kidnapped, my friends and I offered to help the Republic. Jabba may be a criminal, but no father deserves to have his son kidnapped. On our way to Teth, I got in contact with my dad to let him know that Christophsis is safe and to tell him of our next Job.
“I hope you know what your doing, Aegis. There’s a lot that could go wrong here.” Dad warned me on the hologram. He has brown eyes and brown hair, wearing a Militia military uniform.
“I know, Dad. But I can’t just ignore someone in danger.” I told him.
My dad just sighed. “Be that as it may, this whole thing feels wrong. Sure the Hutts have a lot of enemies. But kidnapping Jabba’s son is daring, even for them. And there’s something else, according to Frontier Intelligence, the kidnappers have made no ransom attempts with Jabba or any of the Hutt council.” Dad told me.
That doesn’t make sense. Kidnappers would normally negotiate to get what they want. “Could there be another reason for this kidnapping?” I asked.
“Possibly, but I can’t tell what. The only other suspect that could be involved are the CIS, though we don’t have any evidence to support that at the moment. Just be careful out there, Aegis.” Dad told me.
“Thanks, Dad. Talk to you later.” I said before turning the comms off. I exited the briefing room.
If the CIS were behind this, what are they after? They could be trying to broker a treaty with the Hutts so they can move their droid army into Republic Space. Though kidnapping Jabba’s son wouldn’t help them with that. So this whole thing could serve another purpose. I shook my head and decided to think on it later, heading to the cockpit. We’ve just arrived on Teth and are waiting for Republic forces to join us. With me in the cockpit were Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack.
“So, Rarity. Why did it take ya, Anakin, and Ahsoka so long to destroy that shield generator?” Applejack asked. Truth be told, I've wondering that as well.
“Well, after we snuck through the droid army by using a couple of large boxes. We bumped into a droideka, where it forced us to abandon our cover. We managed to deal with it and made it to the generator. Unfortunately, Ahsoka ran ahead and tripped a couple of antennas, which turned out to have been buried retail droids. Anakin and I attacked the droids as Ahsoka planted the explosives. Though it only got worse when Ahsoka sliced a retail’s droid head off and force pushed it. That only activated more retail droids. And before we were overwhelmed Ahsoka brought down a wall with a hole in the middle, destroying the droids around that. Though she did nearly crush us.” Rarity explained to us.
“Sounds like she need’s lessons on looking before leaping.” Rainbow Dash commented. Funny how Rainbow Dash says that even though she was quite reckless when she discovered her affinity with Force Speed. Let's just say pulled a lot of stunts with her new Force ability.
Applejack chuckled a bit. “Now ain’t that calling the kettle black.” Rarity and I chuckle as well, knowing how Rainbow Dash is at time. I raised an eyebrow wonder what kettle she was talking about. It took me a second to understand she meant that Rainbow Dash can be rash.
Rainbow Dash pouted in annoyance and rotated her pilot seat towards us. “Hey! I admit I can be reckless a few times.” We gave her a blank stare.” Alright fine, most of the time. But at least I’m aware of the risks I take.” Rainbow Dash told us.
Rarity was about to respond to that before Oracle spoke. “Aegis, I’m detecting a Republic ship about to exit hyperspace.” She told us.
“Thank’s Oracle. Go ahead and contact them.” I said as I walked over to the communication console to the side of the cockpit. A few minutes later. Anakin’s hologram came showed up.
“Hey, Anakin. Ready to rescue the Hutt?” I said smiling.
Anakin returned the smile. “Just about, we have a couple of clone scouts on the planet. Once they come back and report what they’ve found, I’ll call you again.” He said.
“Understood. We’ll need to know exactly where and what the kidnappers defenses before we move in.” I said. Anakin nodded before hanging up.
As we was waiting for Anakin to respond again, the doors opened up to reveal Twilight coming through. We all noticed her shoulder was bandaged up where she took that blaster hit. “Howdy, Twilight. How are ya feeling?” Applejack asked in concern.
“Alright I guess. Fluttershy said it’ll be a day before my shoulder is completely healed.” Twilight replied.
“Well, we’re glad that your alright, dear.” Rarity said smiling. Just then, the comm started beeping. Meaning that Anakin was calling back. I pressed the button before Anakin’s hologram appeared again.
“Hey Anakin. Did your scouts return?” I asked him.
Anakin nodded. “Yes, they said the kidnappers are at a monastery.” He said before a holographic image of the monastery appeared next to him. “There are two droid battalions, and it’s too fortified for us to land. We’re gonna have to scale up the cliff in order to reach the monastery.” He explained the plan. I kinda looked at him as if he was crazy.
“Um… Anakin, you maybe able to climb that cliff while under blaster fire with no cover. But it’ll be absolute hell for the troopers.” I told him. Seriously, tactics like that are just too careless.
“Well, I don’t see any other way of getting into the monastery. According to the scouts, there are spider droids on the landing pad that can take out our transport. As well as some on the cliff.” Anakin replied. Spider droids? Those types of droids are mainly used by the CIS. Either kidnappers bought droids from the CIS, or was it the CIS who kidnapped Jabba’s son?
I pushed these thoughts aside for now and focused on how we're getting on the monastery. Looking at the holographic monastery and thought of what we have to work with. An acclamator ship filled with Republic troopers, gunships and tanks. Along with the Friendship. Even if we can perform an airstrike, our ship can’t scan for life, so we may hit the Hutt. After considering all that all that, I looked at Anakin’s hologram.
“Your right, a vertical assault is the best approach, but it could be improved a bit.” I told Anakin, which caused him to raise a eyebrow. “If you land the troopers at the base of the cliff, that’ll draw the droids attentions towards you all. That way, a couple of my friends and I will drop in from right above them, and slow our decent with the Force. When we reach the landing pad, we could Force Push all the droids off in a surprise attack. That way you'll have a whole lot less droids shooting at you and your men.” I explained to him.
Anakin only looked at me impressed. “That… is actually a more feasible than what I had in mind. But you sure you and your friends can handle all those droids on the landing pad?” He asked.
I only smirked. “Don’t worry, Anakin. If my friends and I work together, we can face any obstacle.” I said confidently.
Anakin thought about it. “Very well, Aegis. We’ll go with your plan. I’ll send you the coordinates.” He said before hanging up.
I turned around toward Rainbow Dash. “You got the coordinates, Dash?” I asked as Rainbow Dash rotated her chair back.
“Yep, flying us there now.” Rainbow Dash said before taking us to the planet's atmosphere.
“So, who do you want to take with you Aegis?” Rarity asked me.
We still don’t know what else is down there, so it’s risky to bring everyone with me. If it’s mainly just droids protecting the monetary then I should bring someone who knows how to hack into a droids memory bank to find out who exactly is responsible for Jabba’s son. Normally, Twilight would be the go to pony for such things, but with her shoulder still healing, I don’t want to put her in harms way. That leaves only one other pony. “I believe Sunset should come along. She can hack into a droid’s memory banks and find out who the kidnappers are. Also, since we don’t know the Hutt’s condition, we should bring Fluttershy as well.” I told them.
I can tell, Twilight wanted to go since she’s the best with machines out of all of us, but understood why I picked Sunset and Fluttershy. “Alright, Aegis. The rest of us will wait in case you need us.” Twilight told me.
I nodded in response and tapped on the ship’s intercom. “Sunset and Fluttershy, please come to the hanger as soon as possible. We're about to go save the Hutt. Sunset, bring any equipment you need to hack a droid's memory bank. Fluttershy, bring your medical kit since we don't know the Hutt's condition.” I asked.
“Sure, Aegis. Give me a second.” I heard Sunset reply.
“I’ll be right down, Aegis.” Fluttershy responded.
“I’ll keep the Friendship relatively close until you need a pick up.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Be careful out there, Aegis.” Twilight said.
“Of course. We’ll see you all later.” I told them as I left the cockpit. Proceeding to the elevator, I still wondered who the kidnappers were, and what their motives are. I tapped the elevator’s buttons and the descended toward the hanger. As the elevator reached deck 3, the doors opened up to reveal Fluttershy.
“Oh, hello Aegis.” Fluttershy pleasantly greeted me.
“Hey, Fluttershy. Thanks for coming with us. I know you don’t like fighting.” I said as the elevator doors closed. Out of all of us, Fluttershy preferred to sort things out peacefully than resort to violence.
“It’s alright, Aegis. Someone needs help and I’m just glad we can offer it.” Fluttershy replied with a gentle smile. I swear, Fluttershy has the purist heart out of anyone I've met.
When arrived in the hanger, Sunset was already waiting for us. “Hey Fluttershy and Aegis. We heading down to save the Hutt?” Sunset asked.
“Yup, I’ll explain the plan.” I said as I brought up a hologram of the monastery with my wrist device. “Jabba’s son is being help captive in a monastery on top of a tall cliff. According to the clone scouts, there are mainly CIS droid protecting it. Because of the fortifications, Anakin’s transport can’t land on the monastery, and will have to climb the cliffs. With the droids attention focused on them, we’ll jump down from right above the droids defenses, slow our descent with the Force before landing and Force Push them over the edge. Then we’ll hold the platform until Anakin arrives with his men. If need be, I can create a Force Barrier to protect us from blaster bolts.” I told them. Sunset and Fluttershy thought of the plan and agreed with it. We waited next to the hanger doors for Rainbow Dash to give us the all clear.
“Aegis, we’re right above the monastery.” We heard Rainbow Dash’s voice on the ship’s intercom.
“Thank’s Rainbow Dash. I’ll go ahead and call Anakin.” I replied before calling Anakin.
“Anakin, we’re above the monastery. Let us know when to spring the ambush.” I said.
“Copy that, Aegis. We’re on our way in transports. Once we land, I’ll signal you.” We heard Anakin replied.
“Copy that.” I said before I pushed a button on the side of the hanger door. The doors slowly opened up. In front of my friends and I was a open blue sky with large clouds. Sunset and I noticed Fluttershy was feeling a bit anxious.
“You alright, Fluttershy?” Sunset asked.
Fluttershy looked at us. “I’m fine Sunset. It’s just scary what we’ll face down there. All those droids with just the three of us.” She said nervously. I walked over to my scared friend.
“I know what you mean, Fluttershy. To be honest, I’m scared too.” I genuinely told her.
Fluttershy and Sunset looked at me in surprise. “Really?” She asked surprised.
“Of course. I’m scared of you all getting hurt. Of not protecting those who need it. Or going to Frontier Militia bootcamp again.” I said, all of us feeling the sense of dread from what we went through. Specifically from a certain drill sergeant. “But being brave is facing your fears. So I think your the braves one out of all of us.”
Fluttershy couldn't help but blush a little. Her anxiety calmed down a bit and smiled. “Thank you, Aegis.” She said, feeling a bit a ease.
Sunset looked at us and gave me a smirk. “What?” I asked.
Sunset shrugged her shoulders. “Just thinking you can be a real lady killer.” She said.
I looked at her in complete shocked. “How can you you say that! I don’t kill ladies!” I told her.
Fluttershy and Sunset looked at one another before laughing together. It took me a minute to realize she didn’t mean that literally. I sighed as they laugh, disliking how my mental disability acts up sometimes.
Right when I was about to say something, mywrist comm started beeping green.
“Aegis, we’re on the ground. Spring your ambush.” We heard Anakin’s voice.
“Copy that, Anakin.” I replied before looking at my friends. “You both ready?”
Sunset and Fluttershy looked at me with a determined look. “Always.” Sunset said confidently as Fluttershy nodded with her.
All three of us jumped out of the Friendship descending down from the sky. With the wind rushing in our faces, we proceeded down toward the monastery. On the landing pad below us, we could see a group of B1s, super battle droids and spider droids opening fire Anakin’s men at the base of the cliff. We continued falling as we could hear the sound of blaster fire screaming through the air. Once we were close enough, we slowed our decent with the Force and landed without the droids noticing us, with only a smirk growing on my face.
“Hey there.” I said playfully. All the droids stopped firing, wondering who said that. They slowly turned around to see three strangers right behind them.
“What the!” A battle droid with yellow marks said surprised. I recognized the droid to be a commander. Meaning he might know who the kidnappers are.
Using Force Pull, I quickly brought the commander droid towards me and sliced it in two. “Now!” I yelled before deactivating my lightsaber. Together, Sunset, Fluttershy and I sent a massive Force Push, shoving all the battle and spider droids off the edge of the landing pad. “Anakin, heads up. You got droids falling above you.” I said with my wrist comm.
“Copy, Aegis. We’re hugging the wall now.” Anakin responded as we were hearing the droids screaming before crashing on the ground from the comm. “Aegis, we’re climbing now. We'll be up there in a bit.”
“Copy, Anakin. We’ll hold the landing pad until you get here.” I replied. Just then, a handful of super battle droids started marching toward us from the courtyard. They have already pointed their rapid fire wrist blasters at me and my friends. Thinking fast, I casted a Force Barrier. “Get behind me.”
Fluttershy and Sunset took cover behind my Force Barrier. “Fluttershy, I’ll force pull them toward us. You slice them with your qinata.” Sunset told her. Fluttershy nodded and ignited her yellow qinata. Sunset Force Pulled a super battle droid and Fluttershy reached out her qinata, slicing it in two. With her lightsaber long staff, she was able to destroy it without leaving the cover of my Force Barrier. We repeated the process until the last of the super battle droids were dealt with.
“Anakin, what’s your status?” I asked on the comm after I dropped my Force Barrier.
“We’re still on our way up, but there are still some spider droid on the cliff. Hang on.” Anakin said before hanging up. With the landing pad all cleared, we walked to the edge and looked over the it to see how Anakin, Ahsoka and the clones were doing. Below us, we saw the clones engaging a few spider droids on the cliff. To our horror, one of the AT-TE’s was about to fall off the cliff, with Ahsoka on it. To make matters worse, single trooper aerial platforms, STAPs, were flying at the walkers. The STAPS acted as speeder turrets operated by B1 droids. We were about to fly down there until we saw Anakin run down the cliff, jump off the AT-TE, sliced the droids before taking control one of the STAPs. The Jedi used the speeder turret to shoot down the spider droids on the cliff wall before reaching the landing pad and landed in the middle of it.
“Do you usually like to show off.” Sunset said to Anakin.
My Jedi friend just smirked. “Well, I do like to make an entrance.” Anakin replied.
Just as we thought we took care of all the droids, four droidekas rolled up toward us. They unfolded and activated their energy shields. Before they could open fire, I casted a Force Barrier again, surrounding my three friends. The droidekas continued to rapidly blast my barrier with out letting up.
“Blast it, Ahsoka. I told you to stay close to me.” Anakin said, only for a laser from a blaster cannon to destroy them. I dropped my Force Barrier and we turned around to see Ahsoka standing next to the cannon on top of the AT-TE.
“I can’t get much closer, Skyguy.” Ahsoka said.
“I knew you’d get her, Snips, eventually.” Anakin replied with some humor.
After a short while, the rest of the clone soldiers reached the landing platform, along with the other AT-TE. They have begun securing the area as Captain Rex walked up to his Jedi General. “We’re all clear here, General.” Captain Rex reported.
“Good work, Rex. Have some men look after the wounded.” Anakin told the Captain before looking at the droids. “There are too many droids for them to be renegades. I sense Count Dooku’s hand in this. Let’s find Jabba’s son and get outta here.” He ordered.
“No problem. The hard part’s over.” Ahsoka commented, as if trying to jinx us. Just then, I felt something in the Force, as if someone was looking at us. I looked at the balcony above the main gate entrance. There was a opening in the wall, but I couldn't tell if anyone was there.
“I wish you wouldn’t have said said that.” Anakin told her as he noticed.
Sunset noticed I was feeling a bit uneasy. “You alright, Aegis.” She asked, getting the attention of everyone else.
Suddenly, the feeling disappeared and I looked at my friend. “I’m not sure. I thought I sensed someone watching us, but I don’t see anyone.” I told them. Anakin looked at the monastery, but he didn’t sense anything.
“Even if there is someone inside, we still have to get Jabba’s son. Everyone, be on your guard.” Anakin said before he, Ahsoka, Rex and a handful of clones walked toward the entrance of the Monastery.
I looked at Sunset and Fluttershy. “Sunset, go ahead and hack into the droids memory banks. They can confirm wether or not Dooku is behind this. Fluttershy help any of the wounded clones. I’ll go help find Jabba’s son.” I said.
“Got it, Aegis. Be safe in there.” Fluttershy replied before getting out her medical kit and headed for the nearest wounded soldier. Sunset took out her gear and walked over to what's left of the commander I cut down earlier.
Joining Anakin’s group, I couldn't help but wonder what my feeling earlier was about. As we proceeded toward the entrance, there were tall pillars spread out in the courtyard around us. Once we reached the metal door, one of the clones activated the console next to it. The door raised slowly, showing us a large hallway with medium lighting on the walls. Rex and his men turned on their helmet flashlights.
“I don’t like this place. It gives me the creeps.” Rex commented. He wasn't kidding. I wasn't sure, but something was off.
“This looked like one of those B’omarr monk monasteries that I read about in my studies at the temple.” Ahsoka said as we walked through the hallway.
“Smugglers take these monasteries over, turn them into their own personal retreats.” Anakin said in disdain.
“And the monks just let them?” Ahsoka asked.
“Smugglers usually get what they want one way or another.” Anakin answered just as we heard some sort of rubbling in the dark.
Anakin, Ahsoka, Fluttershy, and I ignited our lightsabers as the clones pointed their weapons. I noticed Ahsoka’s lightsaber was green, and she was holding it in a reversed grip. The troopers shined their flashlights at some sort of caretaker droid, steadily walking towards us.
“Good guy or bad guy, Master?” Ahsoka asked Anakin.
“Who are you?” Anakin questioned the droid.
“Merely the humble caretaker, O mighty sir.” The droid responded. “You have liberated me from those dreadful battle bots. I am most thankful.”
“Where is the Hutt?” Anakin asked as we turned off our lightsabers.
“The battle bots kept their prisoners on the detention level. I must warn you. It is very dangerous down there, my friend. Not a place for a servant girl.” The droid answered, looking at ahsoka. Oh oh.
Ahsoka was ticked off at the droid for calling her a servant girl. “Do servant girls carry these?” She said as she reignited her green lightsaber and pointed it at the droid. “I’m a Jedi Knight.” She arrogantly told the droid. Ahsoka looked over her shoulder and noticed her master crossing his arms. “Or soon will be.”
“A thousand apologies, young one.” The droid said as Ahsoka walked past him.
“Captain, we’ll get the Hutt. Stay here and keep your eyes open.” Anakin told Rex.
“Copy that, sir.” Rex replied.
“I’ll go with you. We don’t know what’s guarding the Hutt.” I said.
Anakin smiled. “Alright. Let’s go before Ahsoka finds trouble.” Anakin said as we follow behind him.
We walk downstairs until we found what looked to have been the detention level. It was a dark hallway with multiple corridors and cells. Each one could be holding Jabba's son. Not to mention there multiple spots where we could be ambushed. Anakin took the lead as Ahsoka and I followed behind him.
“Master, you know your walking us into a trap?” Ahsoka said to her master. Both of us spotted some battle droids hiding in a dark room on our right.
“I know.” Anakin replied, clearly not concerned.
“We just passed two more droids.” Ahsoka said as I saw the droids on our left.
“I know.” Anakin replied again.
“Well, I don’t like this. Can I just take care of them?” Ahsoka said. I listened behind me, and could hear the battle droids walking toward us.
“Oh, well, if you feel so strongly about it, go ahead.” Anakin said as I heard the droids come out of hiding. This would be a good chance to see how skilled Ahsoka is with her lightsaber.
Anakin and I turned around to see three droids behind Ahsoka. Three? I counted four earlier. Ahsoka ignited her lightsaber and reflected the droid’s blaster bolt before slicing it’s weapon in two. She proceeded to cut it down before reflect another droid’s blaster bolt back at it. The young Jedi sliced off the head of the last remaining droid.
“Not bad. You remember to destroy their weapons first.” Anakin complemented.
Ahsoka turned off her lightsaber. “I’m improving your technique.” She said confidently.
Just then, I sensed something on my left and saw the missing battle droid in a dark hall pointed it's weapon next to Anakin. With quick action, I ignited my bronze lightsaber and sliced it's blaster apart before stabbing it through the chest. The droid yelped before falling down.
“Of course, you did miss that one.” Anakin pointed out before patting me on the shoulder. "Nice job Aegis." He complimented. I smiled in response as we continued down the dark hall.
“I did that on purpose.” Ahsoka excused before following us.
We eventually stopped at one of the prison cells. “I sense our captured kidnapped Hutt is in here.” Anakin said before we smell something revolting from the cell.
Ahsoka exclaimed in disgust. “I smell him, too.” She said. Anakin tapped on the pad and the cell door opened, revealing a Hutt that was actually a infant. I knew he was young, but I didn’t think he was that young.
“He’s a lot younger than I thought he’d be.” Anakin said surprised, thinking the same thing.
“Oh. he’s just a baby. This will make our job a lot easier.” Ahsoka said as she knelt down towards him. “Oh, he’s so cute.”
“Just wait until you see what he’ll grow into.” Anakin commented. I looked at Anakin a little worried as I sense his anger at Hutts in general.
“General Skywalker, the castle is secure, and it’s nearly midday.” We heard Captain Rex’s voice from Anakin’s comm wrist.
“Thanks, Rex. We’ve got Jabba’s son. Any sign of General Kenobi yet?” Anakin asked.
“No, sir.” Rex replied.
“Master, my Jedi training didn’t prepare me for this. What are we gonna do?” Ahsoka asked Anakin.
“Ahsoka, I’m pretty sure no amount of training can prepare anyone to handle a baby.” I commented.
“Well, since you think that smelly larva is cute, you’re gonna carry it.” Anakin told her, much to Ahsoka’s annoyance.
Ahsoka and I looked at the Huttlet as he started whining. “Want me to carry him?” I offered to Ahsoka.
Ahsoka thought about for a bit. “Thanks Aegis. But I can handle it.” She said before picking the Huttlet up and holding him in her arms. Huh, I guess she’s still trying to prove herself to Anakin somehow.
We followed Anakin up to the monastery entrance and back outside to the courtyard. “How do you like your little buddy now? Still cute?” Anakin teased as we entered the courtyard.
“You know, he’s reminding me of you more and more.” Ahsoka told him as she held him in front of her Master. “See? You’re two of a kind.” She joked.
“Maybe you should carry both of us then.” Anakin replied.
I gave him a raised eyebrow “How can she carry both of you, she’s half your size?” I asked. Ashoka and Anakin look at one another confused.
“Huh, Aegis. He was joking.” Ashoka said.
I quickly realized what she said and sighed in annoying. “Sorry about that. I have a problem taking somethings too literally.” I told them.
Before Ashoka could ask anything, the Huttlet whine and cough. “Master, I think this little guy is sick. He’s burning up with a fever.” She told her master.
I rested my hand on the little Hutt’s head and felt it burning. “She’s right, Anakin. The Huttlet’s head is incredibly warm. I’ll go get Fluttershy. Maybe she has something for him.” I said before running past Anakin toward landing pad. I found Fluttershy finished treating a clone’s arm as the landing pad's entrance. “Hey, Fluttershy. We found Jabba’s son in a dark prison cell. It turns out he's still an infant, but he has a fever.” I told her.
Fluttershy grew worried from what I told her. “Oh dear, I’ll check on him right away.” She said before hurrying toward the Huttlet.
As Fluttershy ran towards the monastery entrance, Sunset walked up to me. "Hey Aegis. I finished analyzing that droids memory. And I found something Anakin needs to know." She said. I wonder if it was the true identity of the culprit, but before she could say anything else we heard Fluttershy yell to the top of her voice.
“ANAKIN SKYWALKER! LET GO OF THAT HUTTLET RIGHT NOW!” We heard Fluttershy. Sunset's and my eyes widen as we rushed back toward the monastery entrance to see what made Fluttershy furious. We saw Anakin trying to shove the Huttlet into a clone trooper’s backpack on the ground. The Huttlet was whining from Anakin’s man handling. “How dare your make that little Hutt cry!” She scolded the Jedi Knight. Sunset and I were shocked. We have never seen Fluttershy like this.
“Fluttershy, this Huttlet is sick and needs to be put in this backpack. If he could stop whining it would be easier.” Anakin said, not too concerned with the Hutt’s condition.
Fluttershy just grew more irritated and marched up to Anakin. We all felt how angry Fluttershy was and felt a bit nervous around her. Even Anakin got up and slowly backed away from her as she continued to march up to the worried Jedi Knight. “That baby Huttlet was taken from his home, hasn't been cared for, thrown in a dungeon, and has a running fever. So I’ll repeat myself. Don’t you DARE MAKE THAT BABY CRY.” She yelled in Anakin’s face as his back hit one of the pillars. None of us needed to be force sensitive to see how scared Anakin was of Fluttershy right now.
Anakin only stared into Fluttershy's eyes, and couldn't help but comply. “Alright.” He said defeated.
The baby Hutt started crying again, still feeling awful from his fever. Fluttershy’s caring nature took over as she turned around and knelt down to the whining Huttlet. “Shh. It’s okay. No one’s going to hurt you.” She said in a gentle voice. The baby Huttlet looked into her eyes and started calming down a little. Fluttershy placed her hand to the Huttlet’s forehead and felt how much he burning up. “Ohh you poor baby, you must be feeling terrible right now. Don’t worry, I have something that’ll help.” Fluttershy reached into her bag and pulled out a cylinder, popping out a blue pill from it. “Here you go.” She tried to feed the pill to the Huttlet, but the baby was refusing it. “Ohh, won’t you please take it.” She said with a motherly voice. The Huttlet looked at her eye’s for a bit before he let Fluttershy feed him the pill. “Thank you so much, you cute baby.” Fluttershy said before the baby burped some green gas to which she had to cover her nose.
“Great job, Fluttershy.” Sunset congratulated. I nodded my head in agreement. Back home, Fluttershy has a cottage near the woods, where the animals would often time visit her. She would always treat them like a mother would treat her child. Seeing the Huttlet listen to Fluttershy, Anakin, Ahsoka, and the clones couldn't help but be surprise how easy she got the baby to listen.
Just then, a Jedi starfighter flew down to the courtyard, with R2-D2 piloting it. R2-D2 beeped a couple times saying something.
"He said Obi-Wan is trying to contact us. Go ahead and patch him through, R2." Anakin said as he walked up to his starfighter. Ahsoka picked up the backpack with the Huttlet in it. After a moment, R2-D2 projected Obi-Wan's hologram.
“Anakin, did you locate Jabba’s son?” Obi-Wan asked.
“We have him, but it looks like the Separatists are behind his abduction. This smells like Count Dooku to me.” Anakin surmised.
“I think it’s little Stinky you smell.” Ahsoka commented.
“I’ll bet Dooku is using us to get Jabba to join the Separatists.” Obi-Wan concluded.
“Master Kenobi, you should also know this Huttlet is sick. Luckily, Fluttershy, gave him some medicine, and his fever is starting to go down a little.” Ahsoka said, still holding the backpack with the Huttlet inside.
Obi-Wan smiled and looked at Fluttershy next to Ahsoka. “Thank you, Fluttershy. It’s fortunate that Anakin asked for your all help.” He said to us.
“Of course, Master Kenobi. I’m just glad the baby Hutt is alright." Fluttershy said smiling.
"I'm happy we can help. But what I don’t understand is how Count Dooku plans to get Jabba to join the CIS if they were the ones who kidnapped him in the first place.” I said.
“About that." Sunset pipped up. "Earlier, I hacked into one of the droids memory banks, and it was under orders by a female wearing a cloak. She mention that someone from Coruscant helped with the kidnapping. Maybe this person has a grudge against Jabba.” Sunset told us. It didn’t surprise me that Jabba had enemies, but for them to kidnap his son is just crazy.
Obi-wan stroked his beard in thought. “Good find, Sunset. I’ll contact the Jedi Temple and see if anyone can look into it.” He said.
Just then, my wrist comm went off. “Aegis, you read?! Please come in!” I heard Twilight’s voice in distress.
I tapped on my wrist comm. “Twilight, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“A CIS Munificent frigate just came out of hyperspace. It opened fire on the Republic Acclimator and forced it to retreat. Their sending landing craft down towards you.” Twilight told me. It was that moment that I realized. This whole thing was a set up. Dooku probably told Jabba that the Republic kidnapped his son. Now the CIS are here to take him back.
“Thanks for the heads up, Twilight. Tell Rainbow Dash to get the ship to safety.” I told her before hearing something from the sky.
“Master, we’ve got trouble!” Ahsoka said as we looked up to see two droid transports coming our way. Along side them was a handful of Vulture droid starfighters zooming towards us.
“Defensive position!” Rex ordered his troopers.
“Anakin?” Obi-wan asked, wondering what was happening.
“I’ll have to call you back, Master. We’re under attack. We could use a little help if you have the time.” Anakin told his master.
“I’ll get there as soon as I can. Protect the Hutt, Anakin.” Obi-wan ordered before hanging up.
Four of the vulture droids swooped down towards us and opened fire. Anakin ignited his lightsaber, reflecting some of the lasers that would have hit Ahsoka and the Huttlet. Rex and the clone troopers returned fire, trying to shoot down the vulture droids. One of the AT-TE managed to destroy one of the Vultures, only for said vulture to crash into the tank. A CIS transports arrived on the landing pads, sending out spider and super battle droids.
“We’ve got spiders inbound!” One the clones yelled as he and his brother opened fire on the droids.
My friends and I went forward, reflecting the droids lasers back at them. R2 ejected out of Anakin’s Jedi starfighter right before it was destroyed be the vulture droids. No matter how many droids we take down, more kept marching towards us. Just then, a couple of droidekas rolled in and activated their ray shield. Gunning down some clones. The last AT-TE opened fire on the approaching droid column.
“Get inside.” Anakin told his Padawan. Ahsoka understood she had to keep the Huttlet safe and ran for the monastery with R2 following behind her.
The Spider droids opened fire on the AT-TE’s cockpit, destroying it. “Fall back.” Anakin ordered the men, seeing that we couldn’t defeat all the droids without the tanks. We ran back inside the monastery, with some of the clone troopers getting shot by the droids. The large metal door started sliding down as we made it back into the monastery, with Anakin sliding underneath it right before it closed.
We relax a little for the time being. Though this wasn't an ideal situation. “Captain, we’ll stay here until General Kenobi arrives with reinforcements.” Anakin told Rex. The Jedi knight noticed his padawan giving him a look. “What?” He asked, not seeing the problem.
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“Master, do you honestly think we can hold them off? We’ve got to find a way out of here.” Ahsoka asked her master.
“Our mandate is to protect this Hutt. That’s what we’re going to do, Ahsoka.” Anakin told her.
“Anakin, with all due respect. The mission is to get the Huttlet back to Tatooine. His fever may have broken, but all it takes is one stray plasma bolt to end his life. He can't stay here.” I told him.
Anakin thought of this and relented. “Then I suppose you all have a plan.” Anakin asked. With R2 beeping gives Ahsoka an idea.
“Yes, or I think so. R2 willing.” She said, looking at the astromech.
“All right, Snips. I’ll trust you on this one. Captain, hold them here for as long as you can.” Anakin ordered Rex.
“Yes, sir. You heard the General! Get ready to turn those clankers into the scrap metal!” Rex ordered his men.
“Sunset and I will stay here and help. Fluttershy, maybe you should go with them in case the Huttlet’s fever changes.” I Said.
“Alright, Aegis. You two be careful.” Fluttershy told us.
“You too, Shy.” Sunset responded as our friend left with the two Jedi and baby Hutt.
Rex and the clones began taking cover along side the entrance walls.
It’s only a matter of time before the droids open the door. With the amount of droids, open space, and lack of cover, we won’t be able to hold them off. I looked around and saw a couple hallways beside the one Anakin, Ahsoka, and Fluttershy took. “I may have an idea to buy Anakin more time.” I said out loud.
"What do you mean?" Captain Rex asked, wondering what I had in mind.
“If we can lure the droids through the narrow hallways, it’ll take away their numbers advantage. We can say out loud that we have to defend the Huttlet as we fall back, making them think that the Huttlet is through that hallway and not towards where he’s actually at.”
Captain Rex thought about my plan. It’s definitely better than fighting them in an open space like this. “Good plan, Aegis. You six, hold here if the droid open the door. The rest of us will scout for a better defendable position.” He ordered them. The clones nodded and we moved toward the hallway leading away from the Huttlet. Sunset and I move through the hall and came across a intersection.
“If we position troopers down these two hallways, we can catch the droids in a cross fire.” I said.
“We could also set some charges along the hallways if they become too much.” Sunset added.
“Alright then.” Rex replied before turning toward his troopers. "You two, start planting detonators along the wall." He ordered his men. The two clones nodded and begun setting the explosive charges on the wall.
“They’ve cut the lock.” We heard one of the clone troopers yell causing us to rush back to the entrance. As we returned to the entrance, the large metal door started to rise slowly with sunlight shining through the opening.
“Here they come!” Rex yelled as Sunset and I ignited my lightsaber. First it was the stander B1 battle droids marching towards us. Sunset and I easily deflected the blaster bolts back at them as the clones fired their blaster.
“Hold the line!” Rex ordered as more droids came pouring through.
“Second wave! Second wave!” One of the clones yelled as spider droids follow behind the super battle droids.
“Watch your left!” Rex yelled as his brothers started to get overwhelmed. Some of the troopers started falling one after another as the droids kept marching towards us.
“Captain Rex, we have to fall back!” I yelled as I created a force barrier, blocking the blaster bolts flying at me.
Captain Rex nodded, seeing that we can’t hold off the droids for much longer here.
“Fall back! We have to protect the Hutt!” He yelled out loud. The remaining clones started to run for the hallway where we would lure them in. Once all the clones withdrew, I dropped my force barrier ran for the hallway, all while deflecting plasma bolts with my shield.
Sprinting down the dark hallway, I spotted the grenades attached next to the walls. At least we managed to set them up in time. I continued running until I crossed the hallway where the clones will spring the ambush, with Sunset and Captain Rex down the hall. I stopped next to a pair a clone troopers, pointing their DC-15 blasters. Super battle droids followed behind me and opened fire. I deflected their blaster bolts as the clones returned fire. Even though we were destroying the super battle droids one at a time, they continued to walked towards us. While I could easily cut down a super battle droid with relative ease, they can take on a multitude of blaster fire before going down. Once the droids reached the intersection, Captain Rex and the clone troopers opened fire from down the hall, taking out two super battle droids in the process. The following droids tried turning down the hallway, only for the clones alongside me to shoot them down.
We continued this for a while until a droideka rolled towards us and activated it’s energy shields. It rapidly fired at us through it’s shields, making it difficult for me to reflect. I resorted to using my beskar shield as well to block some of the shots. As I was deflecting the droideka’s blaster bolts, I spotted a hooded woman running towards another hallway, followed by more droidekas and a handful of super battle droids. It was the same hallway Fluttershy and the two Jedi took, which means they figured out our diversion. That’s when it hit me. It was faint, but I defiantly felt the Force with her. Unlike other force users I’ve met, the Force around her was cold, almost like when the Princesses were corrupted.
“Captain Rex, I just spotted the hooded woman running for the hallway Fluttershy, Anakin, and Ahsoka took. She’s also have some droideka” I told him on my wrist comm as I blocked a blaster bolt with my shield.
“Blast! I’ll warn the General.” Rex replied as the droideka came closer.
The droideka walked toward us with it’s three legs, followed be a group of B1 battle droids. With it’s shields up, we couldn’t destroy the other droids.
“Aegis, I tried warning the General, but something is jamming our long range comms.” Rex said on the comm. Now we can't warn them that the hooded woman was Force sensitive. Judging by that coldness I felt, I'm guessing she was a Sith.
“Captain, I know they can handle themselves.” I started to say before blocking more blaster bolts. “But I believe the hooded woman is a Sith. I sensed the dark side of the Force around her. Add that with the droids with her, I’m not sure the Jedi and Fluttershy can fight them and protect the Hutt at the same time.” I said as the droideka was moving near the intersection.
While Captain Rex had every faith in his general, he can see we can’t risk the Hutt’s capture, or worse. “Alright, Aegis. If I trigger the grenades, do you think you can catch up to them?” He asked.
I continued blocking the blaster bolts from the droideka. “Yes. Sunset, stay here and help them.”
“Got it, Aegis. We'll hold out until reinforcements arrive.” Sunset replied.
Just as the shielded droideka was about to reach the intersection, the grenades along the hallway exploded, tearing all the droids to pieces. Even the droideka’s energy shield couldn’t handle the explosion right next to it. With the pathway clear, I rushed through the black cover smoke, running over pieces of droids laying around the floor. As I came out of the smoke, a B1 was right in front of me. Thinking quick, I sliced it with my lightsaber, and made a break for the hallway. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed that there were only a handful of battle droids left. Not only that, it was dark outside, meaning the sun went down. The other droids tried to shoot me, but I already made it into the hallway as the opened fire.
I ran down the hallways in search of the hooded woman and droids. Quieting my mind, I reached out for the force. I could sense Fluttershy’s presence towards the stairs. Unfortunately, I could also feel the coldness in the Force, which belonged to the Sith. I ran down the stair case and eventually entered a large hall way as the sound of a heavy door close resounded through the wall. Toward my left were a group of super battle droid marching behind the hooded woman standing in front of a large metal door. The woman removed her hooded cloak, revealing a bald humanoid woman with bone white skin. She grabbed grabbed two curved lightsaber hilts from her waist and ignited them, revealing two red blades. The woman trusted her lightsabers into the metal door and started cutting a hole in it. That conform what I felt earlier. This woman was indeed a Sith.
With the rest of the super battle droids’ back turned to me, I ignited my bronze lightsaber and started slicing the droids one after another. This caught the attention the the Sith as she looked over her shoulder, seeing me destroy her droids one after another. I rolled in the middle of the droid group and spun around, destroying the remaining battle droids in a circular motion. “Don’t stand there, blast him.” She ordered the droidekas as she hasten cutting the door.
The two droidekas turned around, activated their energy shield, and opened fire. I attempted to deflect the blaster bolts, but they were firing too rapidly and I had to cast a Force barrier around me. The Sith finished cutting open the metal door and used the force to push it down, revealing Fluttershy, Ahsoka and R2-D2. As the Sith jumped through the hole, I dropped my force shield, running forward while deflecting and blocking with my lightsaber and beskar shield. I ran for the left so I could position one of the droideka's between me and the other. Once I had one droideka in front of the other one’s field of fire, I used the Force to jump up high over the two droideka’s. Immediately after I landed behind the droideka, I deactivated my lightsaber and reached out my arm though the droideka’s shields. Luckily, physical objects can move through a droideka’s energy shield, since they are designed to only deflect fast moving projectiles. I ignited my lightsaber inside the droideka’s shield, slicing it in two. The other Droideka rotated around, but before it could point it’s bolsters at me, I turned off my lightsaber, leaped over the sliced droideka, and reached through the energy shield, destroying the droid in the same manner.
“Tell me where Skywalker is.” I heard the Sith’s voice. I looked through the hole she carved to see Ahsoka and Fluttershy with the Sith pointing her red lightsabers at them. “If you do, I may your life, skittish one.” She insulted Fluttershy, sensing how afraid she is.
My yellow friend closed her eyes before speaking. “I maybe scared.” Fluttershy started before looking at the Sith with a fierce determined look. With a swift swing of her qinata, the metal absorbed the energy of Sith’s lightsabers much the her shock. Unlike other metals in the galaxy, the cortosis conductive properties in Fluttershy's qinata allows it to absorb any form of energy. Whenever a lightsaber would make contact with cortosis, it would short circuit it for a few moments. Fluttershy quickly force pushed the Sith away, got on her feet and reignited her yellow lightsaber. “But I won’t let you but a scratch on that defenseless baby!” She shouted at her.
I looked at a large piece of the droideka’s and lifted it up with the force. The Sith’s lightsaber reignited as the Sith was about to attack them again, but not before sensing something behind her. I threw the large piece of the droideka at the Sith and jumped though the hole. The Sith sensed this and quickly turned around, slicing the droideka piece in two. What she didn’t expect was me jumping behind the droideka I threw. Igniting my bronze lightsaber, I swung at the Sith, whom only blocked with one of her lightsabers at the last second.
“Aegis!” Fluttershy said, happy to see me. Ahsoka got up ready to attack the Sith.
The Sith grew frustrated and swung her other lightsaber at my face, only for me to block it with my beskar shield. “Saw this Sith and some droids heading towards you all. Thought you could use some help.” I said before kicking the Sith in the gut, pushing her away. “By the way, where’s Anakin?” I asked, seeing as he wasn't with them.
“Right here.” Anakin said as he showed up, riding what looked like a huge dragonfly. The dragonfly spun around, swatting the Sith away with it’s tail. Just then, the entire landing platform started shaking and started to give out. Something was blasting the landing platform from underneath it. “Hop on, you three.” Anakin said as he flew the dragonfly next the Ahsoka and Fluttershy. The two grabbed onto the the dragonfly’s legs. I ran for them and was about to jump as well, but lost my footing as the platform finally collapsed.
“Aegis!” Fluttershy yelled as I began falling. Just when I thought that was it, R2-D2 activated it’s thrusters from it's side as I grabbed onto it.
“You can fly?!” I said surprised, which R2-D2 beeped in response as we followed after the dragonfly through the night sky. In front of us was another landing platform on top of a mountain with a ship on it. From the looks of it, it’s an old spice freighter. Fluttershy, Anakin, and Ahsoka jumped off the dragonfly with R2 and I landing behind them. Fluttershy immediately ran over and gave me a huge hug.
“I’m so glad your alright!” Fluttershy said in joy. I smiled and hugged her back, feeling a little bad that I scared her.
“Sorry for scaring you, Fluttershy.” I apologized before my shy friend let go of me.
“Aegis, what are you doing here? Weren’t you and Sunset helping Rex?” Anakin asked.
“We managed to destroy most of the droids by luring them into a narrow hallway.
Unfortunately, that Sith caught on what we were doing and ran deeper inside the temple. Rex tried to warn you, but the droids were jamming us. So I came to help. Sunset is still with them so they should be able to handle the remaining droids.” I explained.
Anakin felt better knowing that his men were alright. “Alright then. Let’s get this Hutt out of here.”
“But we’re taking this junker? We’d be better off on that big bug.” Ahsoka said. Honestly, the ship has seen better days.
“It's our only way out of here. Get aboard and prime the engines. Assuming it has engines.” Anakin said as we head for the ship. Anakin knelt down and had R2-D2 carry the baby Hutt in the backpack. As we got closer, we spotted the caretaker droid from the monastery about to enter the ship’s ramp.
“Hey! You’re that caretaker droid. I wondered what happened to you.” Ahsoka said as the droid spun it’s head in surprise. I started wondering how it got over here in the first place. It's not like it can fly.
“Oh, young one. I mean, soon to be Jedi Knight. I had to get away from that terrible…” The caretaker droid started to say before a B1 battle droid walked down the ramp.
“Okay, everything’s loaded. Let’s get out of here.” The battle droid said before noticing us as two more B1 droids walked down the ramp.
“Why, you tin-plated traitor!” Ahsoka said before igniting her lightsaber.
“Blast her!” The caretaker droid ordered as it points its’ finger at us. The B1 droids aimed their blasters at us and opened fire.
Fluttershy and I ignited our lightsabers, deflecting the incoming blaster bolts as Ahsoka blocked them to a reverse grip. As the droids were firing on us, the caretaker droid attempted to enter the ship. Having enough, Ahsoka deflected a blaster bolts back at one of the droids before moving in.
“She’s at it again. Let’s go.” I heard Anakin said behind me.
Ahsoka moved forward and cutting down a B1 droid and reflected a blaster bolt back at the other. “Don’t you dare!” The caretaker droid told Ahsoka before she sliced off it’s head. “Don’t… you… dare.” Was the last thing the droid said as it’s head rolled down the ramp and landed at Anakin’s fee. With all the droids destroyed, we deactivated our lightsabers and entered the old freighter.
“Aegis, do you hear me?” We hear Sunset’s voice from my wrist comm.
“I hear you, Sunset. What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Master Kenobi’s Reinforcements arrived and we have the droids in a pincer attack. Wait… someone just appeared with a lightsaber on his wrist.” Sunset said. I grew extremely worried, was there another Sith.
“Alright, hold on. We’re on our way.” I told Sunset, before looking at everyone else.
“Let’s hurry.” I told them as we rushed inside. One Sith was one thing, but another could prove far too much for Sunset and the clones. Right now all I can do is help get this ship flying and rush back to Sunset and the clones.
We found the cockpit and Anakin sat on the pilot’s seat as Ahsoka sat down next to him with the Huttlet in her arms. “Now let’s get Stinky out of here.” Anakin said as he pressed the red button, only for the engine to stall out. “If we can.” Anakin continued to press the button, though the engine kept stalling.
This greatly annoyed Ahsoka and made the Huttlet cry. “Relax Snips. R2, see if you can spark the ignition couples. R2-D2 beeped in response and it rolled towards a computer socket and linked to it via scomp link. “No, that’s not it. Try opening the fuel lifters all the way.” Anakin said, R2-D2 did as told and everything was powered up. “Good work, buddy.” Anakin complemented as he pressed the button again. This time, the engines roared to life before the freighter took off.
As we were flying toward the monastery, we could see a battle over it. “There’s Master Kenobi’s force. Now we’ll see some real fireworks.” Ahsoka said.
“Excuse me? What do you call what I’ve been doing all day?” Anakin asked.
“I don’t know. The work ‘reckless’ comes to mind.” Ahsoka responded.
“Very funny, Snips. Back to work. The troops still need our help. Charge the main guns.” Anakin told her.
“How are we gonna help? We have to get Stinky to safety.” Ahsoka pointed out, guess we're calling the Huttlet Stinky.
“But we promised Rex and Sunset we’d help them.” Anakin told her as we got closure to the battle.
“And we will, open the back hanger. Fluttershy and I can jump down and help them. While you two get the Huttlet out of here.” I said as Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
“Thank’s, Aegis. I'll tell you when to jump.” Anakin said before Fluttershy and I headed toward the back of the ship. Fluttershy presses a button on the wall, getting the large hanger door to open up. We could here the multiple sounds of blaster fire flying through the air.
“Aegis, your clear to jump in three… two…one… now.” We heard Anakin’s voice on the intercom. Fluttershy and I jumped down from the sky.
Below us we can see Rex along side a handful of other clones fighting off more droids. We landed just behind them and ignited our lightsabers. Rex turned around, surprised to see me.
"Where'd you two come from?" Rex said as he took cover behind the leg of a fallen AT-TE.
"We found a ship and Anakin flew us over the monastery. He and Ahsoka are taking the Huttlet to safety." Fluttershy answered as she reflected a blaster bolt away from her. “Where’s Sunset?”
“She’s laying next to the AT-TE. We got attacked by some creature I’ve never seen before.” He answered as he continued blasting some droids. Fluttershy and I ran over to the side of the fallen AT-TE to find Sunset leaning against the walker underbelly. Fluttershy tended to our friends wound as I instinctively ducked from a large plasma bolt.
A spider droid walked over to the clone troops, blasting it's large cannon at us. “Cover me!” Rex ordered as he held a thermal detonator. The clone captain rushed toward the spider droid and rolled underneath it. He placed the thermal detonator on it before running away. Rex got away just in time before the thermal detonator completely destroy the spider droid in a fiery explosion.
“Where’s the Sith who attacked you all?” I asked Rex, not seeing him with us.
“After he threw Sunset against the walker, he went inside.” Rex replied before shooting down a B1 droid. I was a bit worried about him since the other Sith was still there, but Master Kenobi is a skill duelist. Even so, Sith are known for their trickery.
Fluttershy finished tending to Sunset’s wound and ignited her qinata. “Sunset will be alright. She just needs rest.” Fluttershy told me.
“AlrightFluttershy, stay here and help with the rest of the droids. I’ll help Master Kenobi. Even he can’t fight two Sith at once.” I told them.
Fluttershy blocked a blaster bolt with her Qinata. “You sure? I could help as well.”
“I need you here to help the clones deal with the droids. I’m sure Master Kenobi and I can handle the Sith. At the very least, we can hold them off until our friend arrive.” I told them.
Fluttershy Force pulled a Super battle droid before slicing it in two. “Alright, Aegis. But call us the moment you need help.”
I nodded in response and ran back inside the monastery. As I was running through the dark hallways, I could hear lightsabers clashing against each other. I continued running as the sounds gotten louder. Eventually, I found a large circular room with support pillars on the side holding up a hollowed stone circle. and moonlight shining through holes on the top of the walls. I looked around to see the Sith disarmed Master Kenobi and pointed her red lightsaber at his chest. I whistled out loud to draw the Sith’s attention away from Obi-Wan. As the Sith turned her attention toward me, Obi-Wan quickly Force Pushed her away from him. The Jedi Master reached out his hand, levitating his lightsaber back to his hand and ignited it’s blue blade.
“Aegis? What are you doing here?” Obi-Wan asked me.
I quickly ran next to Obi-Wan. “Fluttershy is helping Captain Rex clean up the remaining droids. Where’s the other Sith?” I told him as I ignited my lightsaber, pointing it at the female Sith. Just as I said that, my instincts screamed at me and I rolled forward, dodging a blazing purple lightsaber.
Quickly getting on my feet, I turned around to face my assailant, only to see something that haunted me. The one who ambushed me was a large yeti like creature that reminded me of a Jiralhanae from the Halo Universe, though not as tall. Almost as big as a wookie. He has dark grey short hair is and has dark amber eyes with a scar on the right side of his lower jaw. He was wearing black gunmetal armor. The most notable feature was is that his entire right arm was robotic with a large blazing purple lightsaber igniting from his wrist.
The large warrior started chuckling as he removed his lightsaber from the ground. “Well done boy. You’re more agile than I thought.” He said in a low growling voice.
I instantly ran over to Obi-Wan and instantly got in a combat stance. The Jedi Master next to me was surprised to see the “Who are you?” I asked him.
The warrior slowly walked towards us. “I am Deimos. Leader of the Risen mercenaries. I see you have already met Ventress.” Deimos said, looking over at the assassin.
The Sith looked at Tarn with narrow eyes. “Why are you here, Deimos? Dooku didn’t tell me you’ll be involved.”
“I heard from my associates that someone had the guts to kidnap Jabba's son. I merely thought I could secure some more funds for my mercenaries. Had Dooku told me of his little scheme, my mercenaries and I would have guaranteed it’s success.” He told Ventress.
The Sith narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't need your help." Ventress told the warrior.
“And yet, you lost the child.” Deimos countered, before looking at the Jedi and me. “That said, we can at least salvage this mission, such as removing a few annoyances.” He said, as both of them faced us. We can tell Ventress didn’t like him, but she wasn’t going to deny the help.
Obi-Wan looked at me. “Aegis, you need to leave.” He told me. We could both sense how strong Deimos is, and that he was Force Sensitive.
I only shook my head. “I doubt either of them are gonna let me go. Besides, we don’t need to win. We just need to stay alive long enough from my friends to finish with the droids outside for them to come help us.” I told him as I readied myself.
Both Ventress and Deimos charged at as. Obi-Wan and I blocked each of their lightsaber strikes. As Ventress attacked Obi-Wan with a flurry of her lightsabers, Deimos swung swung his lightsaber at me. Even though I blocked his strike with my lightsaber, his immense strength pushed me back. Deimos lunged at me again, and instead of trying to defend his lightsaber, I dodged out away and swung at his robotic arm. Despite his size, he was surprisingly quick. He blocked my lightsaber with his and Forced pushed my away.
As I landed on my feet, I noticed Obi-Wan’s and Ventress’s lightsabers clashed a couple of times, the Sith kicked Obi-Wan in the gut, pushing him against the wall. Before the Sith could cut Obi-Wan’s legs, he jumped on one of the pillars. The Jedi Master continued to wall jump between two pillars to the top. Following his lead, I jumped on a pillar, stabbed my lightsaber in it, using it was leverage to jump up higher. I landed next to Obi-Wan on the stone circle before Ventress and Deimos followed us up. The ground shook a little as Deimos landed.
“We know of Dooku’s plot to turn the Hutts against us. It will not succeed.” Obi-Wan told them.
“It will, when the truth dies with you.” The Sith responded as she held up her duel red lightsabers. She charged at us and spun around in the air, swirling her blades at us. Obi-Wan and I kept blocking and striking back at her. Deimos came to the side and attack Obi-Wan as Ventress focused her attacks on me. The Sith brought down both her lightsabers. I raised my lightsaber to block her attack. Despite her being taller than me, I’ve been training my body for years, and was able to push her back. The Sith decided to link her two lightsabers together into a double bladed lightsaber.
“Aegis, this way.” Obi-Wan told me before jumping through a hole on the top wall. I followed behind him with Ventress and Deimos in pursuit. We led them to a narrow stone bridge connecting the main monastery to another building. This way, neither of them could flank us from the sides. Before Ventress got in front, wanting to kill us herself, but before she could strike at us, Obi-Wan and I sensed a shift in the Force. They looked away from us, noticing it as well. Deimos narrowed his eyes, knowing what it meant.
“I sense it, too. Anakin is gone. You two have failed.” Obi-Wan told her.
This only angered Ventress before lashing out at us. She clashed her lightsabers against Obi-Wan’s. She pushed us back to the middle of the bridge. Obi-Wan sliced downward at her and cut her double bladed lightsaber.
“I see. You lured us here so neither of us can work in pairs.” Deimos said, analyzing the situation. “However.” He smirked before reaching out his left hand. Deimos lifted me up with the Force, levitating me over Obi-Wan and Ventress before bringing me directly in front of the large warrior. Now I’m between Ventress and Deimos. Thank’s the the narrow bridge, I can get help from Obi-Wan, as he was busy with Ventress. “Now then boy, since you can’t escape. How long do you think you’ll last?” He asked me. I can already tell in terms of combat, I can tell he was superiorly better than me. Even so, I was going to let him kill me.
“Let’s find out.” I responded. I remember what I learned when I trained with my big brother. When defending against an opponents that’s superiorly stronger than you, instead of blocking his attacks, parry them.
Deimos horizontally swung his lightsaber, and diverted his strike. He continued his onslaught until my instincts screamed at my from behind. Reacting quickly, I spun around, block a lightsaber strike from Ventress with my shield. The Sith Force Pushed Obi-Wan and focused her attacks on me. At the same time, Deimos went in for the kill. I was force to use a Force Barrier to protect myself. Both Ventress and Deimos were surprised by this, never seeing a Force ability like this.
Obi-Wan resumed his attack on Ventress, taking her attention off me. Deimos only grew annoyed as he struck my barrier repeatedly while chuckling. “Your just full of surprises aren’t you, boy. Though maybe I should strike to that Jedi.” Deimos said, as he continued to slice my barrier. I can tell he was just trying to get me to drop my barrier so he could strike me down.
I then remember another thing that my brother taught me. That if you can’t beat your opponent through strength, beat them through tactics. As Deimos brought down mid swing, I deactivated my Force Barrier. With my unexpected move, I quickly deflected Deimos lightsaber to the side, with his blade melting into the stone railing, following up by kicking his right knee. With his balance disrupted, Deimos dropped to a knee, lowing himself to my height. I took this opportunity to swing my lightsaber to cut his robotic arm off.
Right as I was about to bring my lightsaber on his robotic shoulder, Deimos did something unexpected. The large warrior deactivated his purple lightsaber and grabbed the blade of my lightsaber with his robotic hand. Normally, the lightsaber would have melted right through the metal, but instead, Deimos’s metal are didn’t melt when it seized the blade. There was only one material I could think of that could withstand the heat of a lightsaber blade.
“Beskar!” I said in shock, not knowing how he got his hands on it. The only source of beskar was from Mandalore or it's moon.
While I surprised, Deimos chuckled a bit. “Nice try, boy. However...” He told me before delivering a powerful uppercut to my stomach with his full might as I deactivated my lightsaber. Thanks to his immense size and strength, Deimos’s punch sent me flying over Obi-Wan and Ventress. Despite feeling like my insides were bruised, I used my shield protect my head from hitting the edge of the railing on the bridge. Though that didn't stop me from landing hard on the ground.
As I slowly got up, using the railing as support. I saw Obi-Wan sliced Ventress’s linked lightsabers in two. Even so, she ran at him with her two lightsabers. Obi-Wan blocked her attack, following up with knocking one of Ventress’s lightsaber over the edge and into the abyss below.
Deimos walked up behind Ventress. “Move aside, Ventress. I’ll finish this.” He told the Sith as he reignited his lightsaber. Obi-Wan grew more cautious of him. The Jedi Master could sense how stronger Deimos was compared to Ventress.
I got my second wind as I held up my lightsaber. “Where did you… get… that Beskar?” I demanded between breaths, hold onto my injured stomach.
Deimos raised his robotic arm. “This? I claimed this metal after crushing a Mandalorian’s neck with my bare hand." He answered, clinching his left hand. "Which nothing compared to what I’ll do to you two.”
“Not if we have anything to say about it!” We heard Twilight’s voice. Behind Deimos and Ventress, Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash jumped through the opening opening in the roof we went through earlier. All of the ignited their lightsabers.
“Oh great, more children.” Ventress said annoyed, raising her lightsaber. Deimos however, started to grow concerned. “Still, it doesn’t matter.” She added, smiling menacingly.
Deimos however, wasn’t so thrill about them being here. “We’re leaving.” Deimos told Ventress. The Sith assassin’s eye widened as she spun around.
“What! Why?” She exclaimed.
“If those three are here, then it means the battle is lost. And if we do fight them, more clone reinforcements will be here soon.” Deimos told her as he pressed a button on his wrist. Ventress didn’t like that the failed their mission, and that they have nothing to show for it, but knew their main priority it to escape.
Suddenly, we heard the screaming sound of a starship’s engine. I looked toward my left to see what looked like a huge flying duck boat flying toward us with dark smoke flying out it’s engines. The ship flew toward Deimos and Ventress and opened it’s doors.
“You think we’re just gonna let you get away.” Rainbow Dash yelled.
Right before Rainbow Dash was going to use her Force Speed to cut them off, Deimos pointed his robotic arm at them, and did some unexpected. His robotic hand split in two, and a large barrel slid forward. Realizing what Deimos was going to do, Rarity casted a large wall of ice in front of them. Deimos fired a blaster cannon, which exploded when it made contact with the ice. The shockwave alone push my friends back against the wall. Obi-Wan was about to go after them, but Deimos pointed his blaster cannon at him. Obi-Wan knew that he couldn’t stop them from leaving. Deimos and Ventress go on their ship and the mercenary turned to me. “Before I leave, I wish to know your name, boy.” He asked me.
“Aegis Sciritae.” I answered. Holding onto my stomach.
Deimos smiled. “I’ll remember that. It’s not often I meet an opponent that could last as long as you did.” He said as the ship’s hatch closed shut and they flew away.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard as Ventress and Deimos flew away. Never before has he come across someone like Deimos. I ran over to my friends who were getting back on their feet. “Are you girls alright?” I asked.
“We’ll be alright, dear. But who was that bald woman and brute?” Rarity asked.
“The Sith assassin was Ventress. And other one was Deimos, leader of a mercenary group called the Risen.” I answered.
“Risen? I can’t say I’ve heard about those mercenaries.” Twilight said.
“Well next time I see em. They’ll be the one’s knocked down on their backs.” Rainbow Dash added, looking for some payback.
Obi-Wan walked up to us. “Well, at least we’re all alive. I believe that’s the important part.” He told her
“Sorry they got away, Master Kenobi.” I apologized, figured I could have done more to stop them.
“Nonsense, Aegis. Ventress was alway’s good at escaping. And that Deimos was exceptionally strong. Had both of them attacked me, I doubt I could have survived.” Obi-Wan told us. “Now come on, let’s rejoin the other.” Obi-Wan said before walking back to the monastery. My friends and I nodded in agreement and followed him.
We eventually made it back to the monastery courtyard. There, Applejack and Pinkie Pie helped the clones defeat what was left of the droid army here. Fluttershy was tending to the wounded clones as Sunset was talking to Captain Rex. Sunset looked over the Captain's shoulder to see me us walking out of the monastery.
“Everyone! Your alright. We were about to come in to help.” Sunset said, as she and Rex walked up to us. Applejack and Pinkie Pie came running over to us.
“I glad to see your doing better, Sunset. Looks like you all cleaned up the droids.” I said, looked at the destroyed droids scattered around the courtyard.
“They put up a fight, but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle.” Sunset smirked, having a confidence that rivaled Rainbow Dash.
“Captain, I understand General Skywalker escaped.” Obi-Wan said to the clone captain.
“Yes, sir. On some beat up old space freighter. I’ll be surprised if he even makes it to Tatooine in that junker.” Rex said. At least Anakin took them away from the battlefield.
“If anybody can fly a bucket of bolts through hyperspace, he can.” Obi-Wan replied.
“Well, at least it’s over now.” I said relaxing a bit before I realized something grave. “Oh no…”
“Something wrong?” Rex asked.
“If the CIS were behind the Huttlet’s kidnapping, they could also be on Tatooine in case we rescued him.” I pointed out.
Obi-Wan’s eyes widen in realization. “Anakin’s and Ahsoka are walking into a trap.” Obi-Wan said, seeing what I was saying before tapping on his wrist comm. “All ground troops return to the Venator immediately. Admiral Yularen as soon as we’re on board, plan a course to Tatooine.” Obi-Wan radioed. Just then, I saw the Friendship on the courtyard’s landing pad.
“Rainbow Dash, get the Friendship ready for take off.” I told her.
“On it.” Rainbow Dash replied as she used her Force Speed to get to our ship.
I looked at the Jedi Master. “Master Kenobi, maybe you should come with us. We can enter hyperspace much sooner before the troopers return to your ship.” I offered.
“Good thinking, Aegis. Captain Rex, we’ll need you and some of your men to come with us.” Obi-Wan ordered the clone Captain.
“Understood, General.” Rex replied before ordering at least eight of his men to board our ship.
“We’re inside, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said on her wrist comm as the last of Captain Rex's men entered the ship.
“Copy that, Twilight. Next stop, Tatooine.” We heard Rainbow Dash replied back as the ramp raised up the ship flew off.
We entered hyperspace and headed towards the planet of Tatooine. Rex and the rest of his men waited in the hanger as Pinkie Pie, and Applejack brought some food to them. Rarity was talking to some of the clones about adding some color to their armor, kinda like the blue markings on Rex’s armor. I took Obi-Wan to the comms room so he could get in contact with Coruscant, letting them know of the situation. Fluttershy took me to the infirmary to put some bacta pads on my bruised stomach. Now, I was in the Cockpit with Sunset, Twilight and Rainbow Dash.
"Do you think they're okay?" Twilight asked, referring to Anakin, Ahsoka, and the baby Huttlet.
"Don't worry, Twilight. Anakin is an extremely strong duelist. I'm sure he and Ahsoka can protect the Huttlet until we arrive." Sunset said when she noticedI was unusually quiet. “Everything alright Aegis?”
Before I could respond, the door opened up, revealing Obi-Wan Kenobi. “I contacted Master Yoda and the Chancellor of the situation. Master Yoda had one of the Jedi look into that lead you found Sunset and believes he found a suspect.” Obi-Wan told us. At least the one who help kidnapped the baby Hutt would be brought to justice. As I thought about what’s bothering me, I looked at the Jedi Master.
"Master Kenobi, can I talk to you about something?” I asked him.
"Of course." Obi-Wan replied, wondering what I have to ask.
I paused for a bit, not sure how to ask him. “It’s about Deimos, I believe he was holding back on me.” I told him Obi-Wan look at me with a questionable look as well as my friends.
Obi-Wan stoked his beard in thought. “You’re certain? From what I could tell, you put up a good fight against him.”
I only looked down in shame. “I’m certain, Master Kenobi. Deimos had multiple chances to kill me, either with the Force or choking me to death with his hand. If I face him on a one on one battle again. I don’t think I’ll walk away alive.” I said as I looked little depressed.
Obi-Wan didn't say anything at first until he walked over to me and rested his hand on my shoulder. "Aegis, it’s good that you notices these things, but instead of sulking about it, use it as a motivation to get better.” The Jedi Master told me.
"Master Kenobi's right. Besides, if Deimos could have killed you easily, you would have more wounds than a bruised stomach.” Sunset told me as Twilight nodded in agreement.
"So, what your saying is to accept what happened, and learn from it.” I said, trying to understand.
Rainbow Dash rotated her chair to look at me. "Yeah, your already awesome Aegis, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be even more awsome.” She encouraged me.
Seeing my friends cheer me up, a smile grew on my face. "Thanks everyone, I feel a lot better now." I told them.
Just then, Oracle spoke up through the cockpit's intercom. "Rainbow Dash, we will be exiting hyperspace soon." Oracle said, surprising Obi-Wan.
"Who was that?" He asked. Oh right, he wasn’t introduced to Oracle yet.
"That's Oracle. She's the ship's AI that helps manage the ship's systems." Twilight answered, with Obi-Wan visibly surprised we have such an AI.
We looked out of the window as we exited the swirling blue vortex around us. In front of the ship was the planet Tatooine. Anakin told me and my friends about grow up on Tatooine back when my friends and I were still at the Jedi Temple. It was a desert planet that serves as a safe haven for bounty hunters, smugglers, and scum of the galaxy. When we heard that from him years ago, I was surprise Anakin was the positive boy he was at the time, being raised on a planet like this. We entered Tatooine’s atmosphere and flew towards Jabba’s palace where we believe Anakin and Ahsoka are, hoping they were alright. It was nighttime as we flew in sky over the desert.
“Anakin, can you hear me?” Obi-Wan radioed on his wrist comm a bit concerned.
“We read you, Master. You just missed all the fun.” We heard Anakin’s voice reply. Judging by his voice, everything must be alright.
The Jedi Master relaxed a little hearing if former Padawan's voice. “Oh I’m sure. I assume you returned Jabba’s son to him.” Obi-Wan said.
“Yes, Master. Though not without running into Dooku.” Anakin said.
Obi-Wan’s eyes widen in shock. “Dooku was here!?” He asked.
“He was. But he got away.” Anakin told us. I sighed in relief. Anakin may be skilled with a lightsaber, but I heard how strong Dooku was with Makashi. A lightsaber style that focuses entirely on fighting other lightsaber duelists.
Obi-Wan sighed. “Well, we're glad you both are safe. Aegis and his friends gave us a ride on their ship and we’re touching down on Jabba’s Palace.”
“Alright. See you soon, Master.” Anakin said as we approached Jabba’s Palace. Obi-Wan, Twilight and I headed back to the hanger once we were about to land. When we reached the hanger, Rex's men held they're blasters just in case, with Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. As the ship touched the ground, Applejack went ahead and pressed on the console, lowing the ramp. The hanger ramp lowered, showing the entrance of Jabba's palace. Jabba was holding his son in his arm at the entrance, along side some of his bodyguards. Anakin and Ahsoka began walking up to us, both of them unscathed.
“I guess you two didn’t need help after all.” I said to them as we walked down the ramp, glad to see they both were alright.
“Well, it wasn’t easy. R2, Stinky and I had to take on some MagnaGuards.” Ahsoka said. My friends and I were impressed Ahsoka was able to handle some MagnaGuards, even with R2 and Stinky's help. We have some training droids in our ship that have a similar design to a MagnaGuard. At least Stinky is finally back with his father.
"Would you all want a lift?" Twilight offered. We might as well since there aren't any Republic ships here.
Obi-Wan smiled. "We'd appreciate that, Twilight. If you could take us to Coruscant, the Republic will pay you all for your services." He said as we headed back inside the Friendship. As Rainbow Dash flew the Friendship off planet, Pinkie Pie and Applejack wanted to make dinner for everyone. I went to my cabin and got out my journal.
As I was about to write down what I've learned, the door slid open to reveal Fluttershy. "Hey, Fluttershy. Need something?" I asked her, to which Fluttershy nodded.
"I was wondering if I could write what I've learned today in the journal." Fluttershy said.
"Of course, Fluttershy. How about we write it together." I offered as I sat on the couch. Fluttershy smiled and sat next to me.
"Dear Princess Celestia, today, my friends and I helped rescue Jabba's son from the CIS. I didn't want us to be too involved too much in the war, but we couldn't ignore someone in need of help, especially a child. This mission taught me that you can’t when every fight, and when you don’t, you can still learn from it. And I was not the only one who learned something today." I wrote down before handing the journal and stylus to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy grasped them and sat the journal on the desk. "Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that your friends can be an amazing source of strength, who are always by your side in the most scared and help you overcome it. Your's... Fluttershy and Aegis Spirit." She wrote down before putting the stylus down.
With that done, Fluttershy and I went to the elevator to help with making dinner for everyone. At the time, I thought this would be the only time my friends and I would be involved in the war. Little did I know, it was just the beginning.