Belief is not a matter of choice, but of conviction.
Recap: The Clone Starfleet is under siege. Dozens of Republic warships have been destroyed in merciless surprise attacks that leave no survivors. Rumors spread of a terrible new Separatist weapon. In the face of growing fear, the Jedi Council sends Master Plo Koon to hunt down the Menace before it strikes again.
Out in the middle of space, there were tons of Republic cruisers as they were all heading towards a certain target. In the distance, there was a Separatist ship as they were heading towards it. Leading the charge was none other than Jedi Master Plo Koon as he was tasked with stopping the ship.
He was looking out of the windows on the main deck as one of the crewmen approached him.
"The enemy ship has reduced its speed, general."
"They must have realized we are tracking them." stated the Jedi Master keeping an eye on the ship.
In the Separatist ship, it wasn't just the typically droids operating it. This was a special ship, and not just because currently on the ship were both Count Dooku and General Grievous.
"We're tracking three Republic cruisers. What should we do?" asked one of the droids to the two.
"Jam their transmissions," ordered Dooku.
"The fleet is holding its position, sir." said Commander Wolffe.
"I think it wise to report our position before we attack," stated Plo Koon as he kept on looking at the ship. He then turned around as he was making his way to the communication table.
"Skywalker's fleet is nearby in the Bith system." stated the crewmen.
"Good. Perhaps he can reinforce us." said the Jedi Master.
"From what I hear, Skywalker is always ready for a fight." said the commander.
"So I've heard." stated the Jedi Master.
He now began to contact the Jedi Knight as the hologram images came up, as there was Anakin with his student, as well as, Storm and Twilight.
"Koh-to-ya, Master Plo." said Ahsoka.
"Koh-to-ya, little 'soka." said the Jedi Master returning the greeting.
"What the hell did you just say, Ahsoka?" asked Storm.
"It's Kel Dor, a native language from where Master Plo Koon comes from," explained Twilight as she too said the saying to the Jedi Master as he returned it as well. "Didn't you read the book I gave you on linguistics?"
"No, cause I leave the boring shit for you, Sparky. That way, you can satisfy your nerdy side."
"Don't call me that!" shouted Twilight as she hated it when her partner used that word to describe her.
"Anyways," said Anakin trying to reel in things, "how's the hunt for the mystery weapon going?"
"We've tracked it to the Abregado system. We need reinforcements," said Plo Koon.
"We'll have to ask the council, Master Plo," said Anakin. "We were given strict orders to protect our staging area."
At that moment, the transmission was cutting in and out. The crewmen tried to see what was wrong.
"Master Plo, what's happen--?" said Ahsoka as the images now cut off.
"What is wrong with the transmission?" asked Master Plo.
"There's too much interference, sir. We've lost 'em." said the commander.
"You've heard Master Plo. He needs our support. We have to go after him." stated Ahsoka.
"We can't just drop what we're doing, Ahsoka. We have orders." stated Storm.
"Besides, we have to see what the Council decides first," said Anakin. "This is an important meeting, Ahsoka. Remember, be mindful and speak only when spoken to."
"Don't I always." said the girl.
"We're serious!" shouted Storm as even he too knew the importance of what Anakin said.
"That's the first time, I've seen you like that," said Twilight to her partner at how he was behaving before any sort of meeting.
The four now made it to the communication table as the several Jedi were already talking. Obi-wan, Windu, Yoda, Celestia, and Luna, were being joined by the Chancellor.
"This mystery weapon has struck in a dozen systems and disappeared without a trace," said Master Windu.
"We cannot afford to lose any more ships, my friends." said the Chancellor to the Jedi. "Ah, Master Skywalker and Storm." greeted the man as he saw the boys.
"How does the Chancellor know you?" asked Twilight in a whisper.
"I'm not really close to him per se, Anakin is more to it than I am," said Storm. "He's been there for Anakin since he was but a child. As for me, I just got introduced to him when I was still Luna's Padawan. He told her that I was going to be a strong Jedi and powerful warrior." whispered the boy to his partner.
"Well, he was right about one thing."
"What do you mean only right about one?!" stated the boy looking at the girl with a face as she stuck her tongue to which he did the same.
They both quickly looked back at the holograms as they could see their masters glaring at both of them. Both then quit their antics as they tried to be professional during the meeting.
"Have you had any success in finding General Grievous' secret weapon?" asked the Chancellor.
"Master Plo was here in the Abregado system when we lost contact," said Anakin as he showed the planet and star system.
At that moment, the Separatist ship that Master Plo had tracked down was now beginning to move.
"The enemy ship is closing." said one of the clones.
"Prepare for battle," instructed Master Plo to the crew.
"General Grievous, this will be a suitable test for our new weapon. You may fire when ready," said Dooku.
"Yes, my lord." said the General.
The droids at the control panel now began to do what was ordered. They pushed some dials as the weapon sticking out the side of their ship was now charging up.
"We're picking up a large energy reading from the target, sir." said the commander.
"Open fire," stated Master Plo.
"We're not in range yet, sir." responded the clone.
"Fire!" shouted Grievous.
The weapon was now fully charged as in the reactor room, electricity-powered up and formed together. It then shot out a circle that was now traveling at high speeds towards Master Plo and his entire fleet.
"Brace for impact!" shouted Master Plo as he saw the huge ring coming at them.
The ring then passed over the entire fleet as it affected the ships.
"We're losing all our power." said the commander as all around them sparks were sent flying. "That energy field has left us defenseless!"
"Their shields are down."
"All cannons, fire!" shouted Grievous.
The Separatist ship was now firing a spread of lasers as they were shooting at the defenseless Republic ships. The ships were now being destroyed as explosions went off.
"They're tearing us apart one by one." said the crewmen.
"Quickly, into the pods!" shouted Master Plo after seeing his other ships be ripped in half and float about in space.
Everybody heard the Jedi Master's command as they all rushed to separate pods.
"We don't have much time. Get inside. Hurry!" shouted the Jedi as the last bit of the entire crew got into their pods as four of them were launched into space as their ship was now fully gone. One of the pods hit a destroyed piece of their ship as the entire capsule resulted in an explosion.
"Another successful test, wouldn't you say, count?" asked Grievous with a devious smile.
"We must keep our position secret. Send out the hunters," stated Dooku. "I want all those lifepods destroyed."
Both Grievous and all the droids chuckled as a small ship dispatched and was now traveling through the debris of the destroyed ships making sure to take out any survivors.
"And we have had no further contact with General Plo Koon," said Storm to the Jedi and the Chancellor.
"The absence of distress beacons indicate that his fleet was..." Anakin then stopped himself as he looked at Ahsoka who was scared at what her teacher was about to say, "That his fleet was destroyed, like the others."
"We're about to prepare a rescue mission," stated Storm.
"Hasn't Clone Intelligence reported this weapon never leaves any survivors?" stated the Chancellor as that got Ahsoka to have more worry and fear on her face.
"The Separatists are being unusually tidy," stated Obi-wan.
"They don't want any witnesses," said Luna.
"Tragic are these loses, but prevent more we must," said Yoda.
Back with Master Plo, he was inside one of the escape pods as inside were two clones and the crewmen he had been working with. They were floating around the debris as they had nowhere else to go.
"The power grid is burned out. We've no engine, communications, or... or life support." said the crewmen.
"So we'll just sit here and hold our breath." said one of the clones on board.
"Someone will come looking for us, right?" asked the other clone.
"Let's get the power restored so we are here to be found," stated Master Plo.
With our heroes, they were still talking with the Jedi Council.
"All our battle groups will be reassigned to guard our supply conveys, including yours, Skywalker," stated Master Windu. "I'm afraid we can't risk any more ships with a rescue mission."
"Wait!" stated Ahsoka as she got the attention of everybody. "Just because there haven't been any survivors before doesn't mean there won't be any this time."
Seems all the Jedi Masters were now looking at each other with a look at was stated by the young girl.
"Boldly spoken for one so young." said the Chancellor.
"She is learning from Anakin," stated Obi-wan.
"Excuse my Padawan," said Anakin with a disapproving look as well as Storm. "We will deploy as instructed, master."
"See to it that you do," said Celestia in a stern tone. She then looked at Storm and Twilight.
"And Storm, don't even think about it!" said Luna also having a scowl on her face.
"Yes, master." bowed the boy as the transmission cut off.
With the meeting now over, Ahsoka began to walk but not before she was called out.
"Ahsoka!!" yelled Anakin.
"If anyone could survive, Master Plo could." stated the girl. "I don't understand why--"
"What you don't understand is Jedi protocol or your place, young Padawan," said Anakin with a stern expression as he crossed his arms.
"Not to mention embarrassing your master," stated Storm at how Ahsoka's answer and attitude made Anakin look in front of the Jedi Masters.
At that moment, the doors opened up.
"Admiral," said Anakin clearing his throat, "We'll split up our ships to maximize our defense area. We'll scout ahead for any enemy activity."
"Isn't that risky, with the mystery weapon out there?" asked the Admiral.
"It might be, but I know you won't argue with my orders," said Anakin making sure to look at Ahsoka when he said that. "Storm, Twilight, get ready." said the Jedi Knight as he started to walk. "Come on, Snips."
Ahsoka then began to follow the three Jedi Knights as they were preparing to listen to the orders given to them by their individual Jedi Masters.
"The air in here is getting a bit stale." said the crewmen as he addressed Master Plo.
"Don't look at me. It's Boost, sir." said the clone at the computer named Sinker as he directed that statement to his teammate standing next to him. "He only takes a bath when he's on leave."
"Save it. Just keep working on the pod. Not on your jokes." said the clone.
"Do you think we've got a chance, general?" asked Wolffe.
"I don't believe in chance, commander. I know that if we work together, we will stay alive, and someone will find us," said Master Plo.
"With all due respect, general, strategically, it doesn't make any sense for someone to come looking for us," said Sinker. "If I was in command, I'd be hunting that weapon down."
"I value your life more than finding that weapon," stated Master Plo as he showed that he cared for his troops.
"Sir, there's another pod out there," said Boost as he pointed to the window.
"If we only had power, we could contact them." said the commander.
"Well, how about we just wave 'hello' when the viewport comes around?" suggested Boost.
Master Plo then waved his hand in front of him. He used the Force to turn the pod in front of them around a bit as it slowly turned. However, once the viewport was in their sights, it was a rather unpleasant surprise. The pod's viewport had been cut in due to the smashed windows and draping over the broken window was the body of a clone. As well as inside, there were a few more dead clone bodies.
"They're dead," said Sinker.
"Someone busted that pod wide open." said the commander.
"We are not alone out here," said Master Plo with a dreadful and scary tone as he looked out into space.
Our heroes were now exiting the Republic cruiser as they went on their scouting mission.
"Set those new coordinates, R2?" asked Anakin as the blue droid gave a beep.
"Master, I should tell you why I spoke up before," said Ahsoka to Skywalker.
"You don't have to explain anything." stated the Jedi Knight.
Anakin then pushed the button as the four Jedi and small droid entered hyperspace.
In another section of space, there were tons of Republic cruisers.
"Our ship's in defensive formation, sir," said Cody.
"All right, commander. I'll check on Anakin and Storm's progress," stated Obi-wan. He then turned around to the screen as it came on as the image of the Admiral with both Rex and Sark behind him.
"Admiral, how goes the escort?" asked Kenobi.
"Oh. Conveys are proceeding on schedule, general. No sign of enemy activity."
"And where's Skywalker and Storm?" asked the Jedi Master as he was curious where his pals were.
"Uh, the generals felt a redeployment of this fleet would increase our defensive perimeter." stated the Admiral.
"I see. Thank you, Admiral," stated Obi-wan as the transmission cut off and the Jedi Master began to stroke his beard.
"Problem, sir?" asked Cody.
"Anakin has just redeployed himself... again. And Storm seems to be accompanying him," stated Obi-wan. "Perhaps, Luna and Celestia would like to know about this news."
The ship now exited out of hyperspace as they were now in the section of space. They were heading towards some space debris as all four Jedi were at their consoles.
"R2 set up the scanner," said Ahsoka. "Modulate for incoming... mystery weapons."
"Ignore that order, R2," said Storm as it got Ahsoka to be offended by what her friend said.
"R2 instead tune the scanners for life-forms, highest sensitivity," said Anakin.
"What?" said Twilight as she was confused by what Anakin said.
"Twilight's right. Why would we scan for life forms to spot an enemy weapon probably just filled with... battle... droids..." Ahsoka now looked at where they were as she was shocked along with Twilight.
"The Abregado system," said Twilight looking out in shock.
"Did you really think we were going scouting, Sparky?" stated Storm with a smile.
"Huh. So it's okay when you two don't follow what the Council says," said Ahsoka calling out the boys.
"For the record, I just tag along when I can't convince Anakin anymore," stated Storm.
"Doing what the Jedi Council says, that's one thing. How we go about it, that's another," stated Skywalker. "That's what I'm trying to teach you, my young Padawan."
"So you both always meant to come out here for survivors?" stated Twilight.
"Lives are in danger, girls. We can't just turn our back on them." said the boy.
"That's what I said back in the briefing room," stated Ahsoka to her teacher.
"We know, but the way you said it was wrong," stated Storm as he gave the girl a stern look. "Part of being a Jedi is to know how to say things without letting your personal feelings get involved in what you mean."
"Storm's right. Hurry up and switch on the illuminator," said Skywalker.
"We haven't got much time before the fleet misses us," stated Ahsoka.
All four were now at their stations as they began to locate Master Plo and his crew. And speaking of them, they were still floating in space as they were trying to get the power back on.
"No, that's not it," said Sinker looking at the cables. "This one goes there. That one goes there."
"Are you sure?" asked Boost. "We don't want to make things worse."
"How are we going to make things worse?" asked Sinker with a glare at his clone brother.
"When you ask for trouble, you should not be surprised when it finds you," said Master Plo as he overheard the conversation with his clones.
"I think trouble already found us, sir," stated Sinker.
"What if we connect these two wires right here?" asked Boost as he put the two of them together as electricity began to flow through. The ship made a whirring noise as the power was now back on slowly.
"I'm getting something," stated the commander. He was listening to the radio as it was faint for a bit.
"We are under attack. Is anyone out there?" said the voice over the transmission.
"It's one of our other pods," informed Wolffe to the crew.
"I repeat, we are under attack. Is anyone out there?!" shouted the men inside of the pod.
"That signal is weak. They must be close by." said the Jedi Master.
At that moment, the hunter ship sent by the Separatists made its presence known. It had already taken out the pod previously seen by the crew as they had managed to find the pod where the distress signal had been sent. The ship then attached to it as it locked the escape pod in its tight grip.
"They've locked onto our ship! They've locked onto our ship!" shouted the other pod through the radio.
"Go get 'em, boys." said the droid in charge as he was at the top of the ship. He pushed a button as the inside of the ship opened up as several B1 droids with jetpacks were now floating towards the pod's window.
"Our position is mark 12 at 0.26," said the other pod to the ones that the group was in.
"Let's cut this can open." said one of the droids as he pulled out a blowtorch as they saw the men inside of the pod.
"I have visual contact." said the commander as he pointed to their window as everybody was seeing what happened before their very eyes.
"Pod 1-9-7-7, do you copy?" asked Master Plo.
"The droids are hunting for survivors. They're cutting through!"
At that moment, the droid had managed to break open the window as all the men inside were sucked out. They let out a scream as they floated in space, but soon it was replaced with silence as they continued to float.
"There they go." chuckled one of the droids as they saw the bodies floating away.
"Things just got a lot worse," said Sinker as he saw what just happened.
Back with our main cast, they were still floating about the debris as they continued their search for Master Plo and his crew.
"I got nothing in Section 4," said Storm as he looked at his scanner and map.
"Same thing in Section 17," said Twilight as she pushed some more dials to widen her search, but their scanners were coming up empty.
"The scanners are practically useless. Got anything on the emergency channel, R2?" asked Ahsoka as the droid let out a beep as he went to go check.
"Now, Ahsoka, we might find something you don't want to find," said Anakin as he was preparing his student for the worst-case scenario.
"I know, master. But I have to believe."
"I've been meaning to ask this, Ahsoka. But how do you know Master Plo, anyways?" said Storm.
"He's one of my oldest friends," said the girl to her pals, "It was Master Plo Koon who found me and brought me to the temple where I belonged. Now he's lost, so I thought maybe I could find him."
At that moment, R2 let out a beep as he was receiving something.
"Incoming transmission, master," said Ahsoka. "I think someone noticed we left." smiled the girl as the image of Obi-wan now appeared for all to see.
"Oh shit," said Storm.
"Anakin, Storm, where are you two?" asked Kenobi.
"Oh, hello, master," chuckled Anakin sheepishly. "Uh, we made a quick stop in the Abregado system."
"A rescue mission, I suppose. You had other orders." said the Jedi Master to his two close buddies.
"It was my idea, Master Obi-wan," said Ahsoka trying to take the blame for her friends.
"Oh, I'm sure. Well, have you found any survivors?"
"No, you were right," said Storm to Obi-wan. "The Separatists don't want any witnesses."
"All the more reason for you both to rejoin the defensive escorts," stated Kenobi with a stern voice. "We need you both. You're going to miss the rendezvous with the fleet if you don't hurry."
"I know, master. We're on our way."
"Good," said Kenobi as he addressed his student. "And Storm and Twilight, expect a call from your masters." stated the Jedi Master as the transmission cut off.
"I'm sorry, Ahsoka," said Skywalker as he turned the ship around.
"He told Celestia and Luna?" said Twilight as she was now freaking out. She was scared at what Celestia might say to her for disobeying her orders for the first time in her life.
"Calm down, Sparky. Obi-wan is just saying that to get us scared." Just then, Storm's transmitter was going off as he was receiving a call. He looked at the contact as it was indeed Luna trying to contact him.
"Storm. Storm, pick up! Pick up!" shouted Luna as all around her, her space crew was trying to avoid the nighttime girl. "You're in big trouble young man! I expect this kind of action from you, especially since you hang out with Anakin. But I gave you a strict order not to engage!! Pick up!!!"
"And sending to voicemail," said Storm so casually as he ignored the call.
"Did you just ignore your master's call?" asked Ahsoka.
"Yup, no regrets." said Storm as Anakin just smiled at his buddy.
At that moment, Twilight's transmitter was going off. She looked at it as her entire face dropped.
"It's Master Celestia!" shouted the girl as she was trying to contact her student. "What should I do?"
"Don't answer it. That's obvious," said Storm nonchalantly.
"I can't do that! You don't hang up on someone like Celestia!" shouted Twilight as the transmitter was still going.
"Why not? I just did with Luna."
"That's you. Celestia gonna be furious if I don't pick up." Twilight was now hyperventilating as she took quick breaths in and out. Her hair was now becoming a mess. "Okay, okay, Twilight. Calm down, get it together. Just answer the call and tell her that... I'm on a scouting mission. Yes, that's it. And it's for research purposes, how many parsecs does it take to reach using a small transport ship? Yes, that's the reason."
"Sparky, you need to work on your poker face and lying skills," said Storm as he watched his partner embarrass herself even more trying to come up with a justification.
Twilight shot a look at the boy as her communicator was still going off. Anakin and Ahsoka were watching Twilight, seeing what she was going to do. She couldn't control herself as she began to lift her finger as she was looking to answer her master's call. Moreso is that Twilight didn't want to look like a bad student in front of her teacher. Just as she was about to press the button, her transmitter was swiped out of her hand.
"There we go," said Storm as he declined the call.
"You?! You hung up, on Master Celestia?!!!" shouted Twilight. "Why?!"
"She ain't my master, so I don't give a shit on what she says. Besides, you were having a tough time, so I took it upon myself to reject her call for you. Now you have a clear conscience." said Storm as he tossed back the communicator back to Twilight who fumbled it a bit before grabbing it.
"But she's gonna be angry with me. I'm gonna be sent back to Padawan training for disobeying her," said Twilight as she flopped her head down onto her control panel.
"You're welcome, Sparky." smiled Storm as he and the others all went back to searching.
"Celestia is gonna be mad," said Twilight as she was still face-planted on the desk.
"That's the first time, Twilight has ever rejected my call," said Celestia as she looked at her transmitter with a genuinely surprised look. "Then again, she has Storm with her." Celestia then directed her space crew to keep moving their ship forward as she now made another call.
"Yes, Tia?"
"Lulu, did you call Storm?"
"Yes, and he's going to get an earful for ignoring my calls and disobeying our orders!" shouted Luna to her big sister.
"I see, well, carry on. I'm sure Twilight will enjoy her time with him." smiled Celestia smugly.
"I'm regretting ever letting the two of them pair up. This is all your fault, sister," said Luna.
"Luna?" said Celestia in an over-the-top voice. "Why would you say something like that, it's not like I'm the big sister and therefore makes me the boss of you, hmm?" The woman now began to raise her eyebrows with a smug smile as Luna's hologram image just had the younger sibling crossing her arms and putting a pouting face at her sister.
As our heroes were preparing to leave, R2 managed to get something as he let out a beep.
"What is it, R2?" asked Storm.
"R2 thinks he's got something on the emergency channel," said Twilight.
"Can he trace it?" asked Anakin as he got a more exciting beep from the blue astromech droid.
"Let's get going," stated Ahsoka.
"I think they see us," said Boost as the droids now turned their attention to their pods.
"Corporal, there's another pod over there." said one of the droids.
They dispatched from the pod they were on. The ship was now heading towards where Master Plo and his crew were. One of the droids was humming The Imperial March song as his buddies now released their hold of the ship and used their jetpacks to hover over to the pod.
"It is time to go," stated Master Plo as the ship was about to attach itself to the pod.
"Go? Where are you going, sir?" asked the commander.
"Outside, to destroy the enemy. I can withstand the pressure for a brief time," said Master Plo. "Put your helmets on."
"If you say so, sir," said Sinker.
"This is a difficult situation, but there remains a possibility that we survive here." said the Jedi.
"That's good enough for me. Come on, let's go," said Boost as he grabbed his weapon.
"Wolffe, keep the communications signal alive," instructed Master Plo to the commander. "It is our only chance someone will find us."
"Let's just hope someone's looking for us," said Wolffe.
R2 now got the info he was searching for as he projected the space system they were in.
"Are we still picking up that signal?" asked Anakin.
"Yes, but why aren't we finding anybody?"
"I don't know, Ahsoka. I don't know." said the boy.
"Sparky, trying rerouting the power. See if you can pick up any type of signal."
"Got it," said Twilight as she began to use her knowledge of technical things as she wanted to not disappoint Ahsoka in finding her friend.
"Well, this looks like the last one. Let's finish the job," said one of the droids.
"Hey, what's a Jedi doing here?" asked another droid as he got the others to look up. On top of the pod, Master Plo then ignited his lightsaber as both clones also appeared with their guns.
The droids now began to fire their blasters at the Jedi and clones. Being in space, meant that gravity worked differently as the shots from each side were a bit delayed. Not to mention that moving about was very slow. Master Plo blocked the shots aimed at his face as he now floated down and slashed at the droid directly below him as he landed on one of the ship's attachments. The clones got on a knee on top of the pod as they provided cover fire for their general.
"Take cover!" shouted the droid at the top of the ship.
Master Plo deflected another blaster shot as he then thrust his hand out using the Force to push a droid as he was sent sailing.
"Is there anyone out there? This is Ahsoka Tano. Can anyone hear me?" said the girl through the pod's radio.
The clones and the Jedi were still fighting at the droids as they tried to blast them. Master Plo was simply staying in one spot as he deflected the shots.
"I can't get a clear shot!" stated Sinker.
"Time to put the squeeze on them." said the clone operating the ship as he had the claws of the ship now pressing down on the pod.
The metal was creaking as it felt the weight of the claws crushing the pod as Wolffe was inside as he was worried. The clones and the Jedi were still trying to fight back as some part of the pod was now letting some air out.
"Is anyone out there? Come in. This is Ahsoka Tano. Is there anyone out there? Come in."
"It's Ahsoka. She must be close," said Wolffe as he was at the control panel and heard the radio as he informed the Jedi Master.
"Keep that signal alive, commander," stated Master Plo.
"R2, see if you can boost the reception," asked Twilight as she was still having trouble trying to find the Jedi Master. The small droid just gave a beep.
"Ugh!" said Ahsoka as she slumped in her seat.
"Patience. We're trying to boost the power. Hold on." said Anakin.
"We're losing the signal. The pod can't take much more damage," said Wolffe to his comrades.
"Sinker, your turn," said Master Plo.
"I'm on it, boss. Whoa!" said the clone as the Jedi Master used the Force to pick him up and threw him towards the enemy as he soared through space.
"What the...?" said the droid operating the ship as he ducked his head as Sinker was sent sailing over him.
Master Plo then stopped the clone in his grip as he now had a clear shot.
"Eat laser, clankers." stated Sinker as he hovered in position. He aimed his blaster at the last three droids as he took them out.
Master Plo then used his lightsaber as he cut the claws attached to the ship. He then put out his hand as the ship was now floating away. He then grabbed Sinker with the Force as he pulled him back to the pod.
"Uh-oh." said the droid operating the ship as it collided into a piece of metal and exploded. The blast radius pushed the escape pod a bit as it drifted in the opposite direction.
"Sir, we have lost contact with the pod hunter." said one of the droids on the Separatist ship.
"Perhaps some survivors are putting up a fight," stated General Grievous.
"That is something we cannot allow," stated Dooku.
On Coruscant, the Chancellor was talking with the five Jedi Masters from earlier.
"We must find a way to destroy this mystery weapon," said Master Windu.
"In this way, a step ahead of us Dooku always seems," said Master Yoda.
"Tell me, has there been any word from Master Plo Koon or his fleet?" asked the Chancellor.
"No, we fear the worst," stated Celestia.
"Actually, I just received word that Anakin and Storm have found the remains of Master Plo's fleet and is searching the debris for survivors," stated Obi-wan as it got Windu and Yoda to be surprised.
"On whose authority have they done this?" asked the Chancellor.
"Their own, I'm afraid," said Luna as she wasn't happy with her student disobeying her orders and choosing to go along with his mischievous friend.
"With their fleet out of position, we are left vulnerable," said Windu.
"Oh, their fleet is right where it should be. They only took a small ship and the girls," informed Obi-wan.
"Twice the trouble they both have become," said Yoda. "A reckless decision Skywalker and Storm have made."
"Let us hope it's not a costly one," said Palpatine.
"Well, general, this is another fine mess we've gotten into," said Sinker.
"Your sense of humor is improving," stated Master Plo.
"I don't mean to say I told you so, but I never believed anyone would come looking for us."
With our heroes, they were still flying through the debris. They soon got a message as it was none other than the Chancellor.
"Anakin and Storm, the Council is furious. Why have you left your post?" asked the Chancellor.
"We decided we couldn't just give up on Master Plo Koon."
"A noble gesture, Anakin. But the Council feels your daring may put the others in danger." said the Chancellor. "Please listen to me, Anakin. Return at once."
"Yes, Excellency." stated the boy.
"Now, even you can't disobey the orders of the Supreme Chancellor," said Twilight as she looked at the boys.
The crew was now about to leave as Ahsoka put her head down. She soon began to feel something, like the Force was sending a message. At the same time, Master Plo was stroking his mask as he was thinking about if anyone was coming to find them. Soon the girl felt the familiar presence as it belonged to her friend.
"Time to go, Ahsoka."
"We have to stay." said the girl to her teacher.
"Ahsoka, I want to believe that Master Plo's alive, but I just--"
"I know he's alive!" interrupted the girl. "I can sense it!"
"What the hell!!" shouted Storm as he felt the ship being turned around as Ahsoka was now driving it.
"Ahsoka!" shouted Anakin as well as R2 let out his famous cry.
"Not again!" said Twilight as R2 was now coming at her as the droid looked to push her against the wall.
The blue astromech droid was almost about to crush her as Twilight then grabbed as she was pulled out of the way as the droid hit the wall. She opened her eyes to see that Storm had gotten a hold of her as he saved her from being crushed.
"Thanks,"
"Don't mention it, Sparky," said Storm as he got up from the floor and he helped the girl to her feet. They both pulled R2 from the wall as the droid gave them a happy beep as they went back to their seats.
"Sergeant, why are you so certain no one is coming?" asked Master Plo.
"We're just clones, sir. We're meant to be expendable," said Sinker.
"Not to me," said the Jedi.
Soon a bright light was shown. Master Plo turned around as he put his hand in front of his face to avoid being blind. That light was coming from the ship that belonged to our heroes as it appeared they found the Jedi Master and his crew.
"There they are!" stated Ahsoka as she pointed.
"Ready tow cable," said Anakin as he docked the ship near the pod.
"Cable loaded, master."
Anakin then fired the cable as it was sent sailing. It attached to the pod as it then started to reel the thing in. All the Jedi now appeared in the hangar as the pod had made it in and dropped onto the ground.
"Come on, hurry," said Ahsoka to her friends as they all ran over to Master Plo to check up on him and his crew. "Are you okay, Master Plo?"
"There's someone in the pod," said Twilight as she saw Wolffe.
Anakin used the Force to rip the window off as Storm was checking on Boost and Sinker with Twilight. Wolffe exited from the pod as he coughed and Anakin had the commander sling his arm over his shoulder. The doors opened as in came a medical droid.
"Will they be alright?" asked Anakin as he leaned Wolffe along the pod with the rest of his men.
"The pressure suits offer some protection, but they require a medical frigate for recovery. I will stabilize them, sir." said the medical droid.
"Your men are safe now," said Ahsoka to Master Plo.
"Tell me, were they any survivors?" asked the Jedi Master.
"We couldn't find anyone else," said Storm.
"The hunters must have destroyed the rest."
"I'm sorry, Master Plo," said Ahsoka as she hugged her friend.
"We tracked the mystery weapon to this system," said Master Plo as all the Jedi were now back in the front of the ship. "That was when we found out it was an ion cannon."
"An ion cannon?" asked Ahsoka.
"A weapon that neutralizes all power to our ships, leaving the targets defenseless." said the Jedi Master to everybody. Soon he noticed something on the scanners.
"There's a massive vessel approaching," said Anakin.
"Shut down the power systems before they detect us," said Master Plo as he began to power down everything.
The ship was now floating among the debris. R2 gave a beep as it got everybody's attention.
"The droid!" said Master Plo as R2 being turned on could give away their position.
"Sorry, little guy," said Ahsoka as she shut down R2.
The entire Jedi all now looked out of the window as they saw the huge ship now above them as it floated by.
"That is one big cruiser-crusher," said Twilight looking at the size of the ship.
"There's still no signal from the pod hunter," said one of the droids on the Separatist ship.
"Reduce speed and activate your scanners," said General Grievous. "We will find out who is responsible."
In the hangar, the medial droid was checking on the clones.
"Hey, what's with the lights?" asked Boost.
"Power has gone out. Maybe that ship has returned. We should get up to the bridge." stated Wolffe.
"You're too weak." said the medical droid as he caught Wolffe from falling. "Let me go see what is wrong."
The Jedi were still watching the massive ship as it seemed they were going to pass unnoticed. However, the Separatist ship noticed something.
"We're picking up a faint signal from a droid, not one of ours." said one of the B1 droids as the control panel. "They're right behind us."
"Move us into attack position," said General Grievous.
The ship was now turning around as our heroes noticed this.
"They're coming back," said Anakin.
"I thought they couldn't detect us!" shouted Storm.
"Are all the systems shut down?" asked Master Plo.
"Is there a problem, sir?" asked the medical droid as he came to the bridge.
"We forgot to shut off the medical droid," said Ahsoka.
"Shit!!" stated Storm.
"We've got to get the power back on!" stated Anakin as all the Jedi were now scrambling at the different control panels trying to get the ship to turn on.
"Can I be of assistance?" asked the medical droid.
"No, thanks. Just get in the back and take care of the clones," instructed Storm.
"That is my programming, sir." said the medical droid as he left.
"Come on, we've got to get out of here," said Anakin.
"I know. I know," responded Ahsoka.
Eventually, the ship powered up as the engines came online. The ship was now making a run for it as they were hoping to escape. The Separatists noticed them escaping as their radar picked them up as a yellow dot on the map of debris.
"Sir, the enemy is attempting to flee through the debris field." said one of the droids.
"General, I don't want any witnesses," stated Dooku.
"Energize plasma rotors," ordered Grievous.
"R2, program the navi-computer. Be ready to get us out of here," said Anakin.
"You forgot. We turned him off," informed Ahsoka.
"Then what the hell are you doing sitting there looking pretty? Turn him on!" shouted Storm.
Master Plo made his way to the blue droid as he turned R2 back on and he let out a beep.
"Koh-to-ya, droid," greeted the Jedi Master.
"Target range almost locked, sir," said one of the droids.
"They're not going to make it," said General Grievous.
"R2, program the hyperdrive," stated Twilight.
"Anywhere. Hurry!" answered Ahsoka to the droid's questions as he began to hurriedly plot their course.
"Enemy ship targeted, general."
"Fire!" shouted Grievous.
The ship's ion cannon was now charged up as the electricity flowed through. It then shot out a circle as it was making its way through the debris as it was heading towards our heroes. Anakin was using his pilot skills as he was flying through all the pieces of debris as he squeezed through some tight spaces. All the while, the giant ring was now getting closer and closer.
"Master?" asked Ahsoka as she saw the scanner as the ring was about to be on top of them as everybody held on.
Our heroes were now reaching the tail end of the debris as the ring was closing in on them. R2 then let out a beep as he managed to find their destination. They now exited the debris field.
"We're clear," said Twilight as Anakin now pushed the hyperdrive as the ship now escaped.
"We made it."
"Sparky, let go of me!" shouted Storm as the girl had wrapped her arms around him when she was scared of them not escaping.
"Sorry," said Twilight as she let go of her embrace of the boy as she smiled sheepishly.
"Now the Republic will learn of our ion cannon," said Grievous as he let out a growl.
Count Dooku now looked at his comrade. The general and the droids looked at the Sith lord as saw his expression; they were waiting to see what he was going to say regarding what had occurred.
"Your failure is most unfortunate," said Dooku. "I will have to discuss this with my master." The Sith Lord was now leaving the bridge.
"Get back to work!" growled Grievous to the droids.
"Roger, roger."
Our heroes had managed to make it back to the fleet as their ship landed in the hangar bay.
"Thanks for getting us out of there in one piece, General Skywalker and Storm," said Commander Wolffe to the boys.
"You have my Padawan to thank for that," said Anakin as both boys looked at Ahsoka who was examining R2. "She always said you guys would pull through."
"General Plo said someone would come for us. We're glad he was right," said Wolffe.
"Skywalker, Storm, it is time to give our report to the Council," said Master Plo as he was walking down the ramp of the ship.
"Right, the Council report. Not to mention our masters are going to be pissed at us," said Storm as he looked at Anakin as both had a similar face as they prepared for a lecture.
"Celestia is going to be angry with me," said Twilight as she yanked her hair and began to nibble on it nervously.
All four Jedi were now walking side by side as they had a meeting to attend. Ahsoka watched the Jedi who were all a higher rank than her, as R2 let out a beep as she had a down expression.
"Come on Ahsoka," said Anakin as he encouraged his student to join their meeting.
"You want me there? I figured because of before--"
"Ahsoka... through it all, you never gave up. You did a great job," said Skywalker with a smile. "But if we're getting in trouble for all this, you gonna share some of the blame too." laughed the Jedi Knight. "So come on. Let's go."
"Right beside you, Skyguy."
R2 let out a beep as he began to follow the Jedi towards their meeting. Twilight was still nibbling her hair as Storm just rolled his eyes at how his partner was overreacting about what Celestia might say or do. He then felt Twilight dig her fingers into his arm as she wrapped her arms around his and she kept on nibbling her bangs. At this point, the boy didn't even try to push the girl off of him as he just let Twilight do her freak-out.