Chapter 76 - Interlude: The unknown enemy I (1/2)
Safe house
Coruscant
A human male who appeared to be middle aged sat behind a desk in a small comfortable apartment he had been calling a home for the last decade. He had spent most of that time acting as an information broker providing the movers and shakers on Coruscant with all the dirt and juicy rumors they craved. His work and all the contacts he made while doing it was in fact very close to his real one.
The man who was know as Alin Gray was a spy – one who worked for a power unknown in this galaxy.
The agent put aside the data pad he was examining and put it next to a stack of pads, then pulled out a data chip from his pocket and inserted it into the terminal built into his desk. He typed his password, waited for a biometric scan and began writing his impressions on the topic that had his attention at this time.
The war wasn't going as expected, which wasn't exactly a bad thing. The more the locals tore themselves apart, the easier his people's task would be once they arrived in force. However, there were some wild elements that needed to be studied and accounted for in the report to the Fleet Masters and the Shapers.
Gray was busy studying the actions of one such anomaly. Even after pressing all his contacts for more information, he knew less than he needed about the man. The spy frowned as what he knew began taking shape on the monitor. First he concentrated on the man's major actions and achievements to date with more to be added as it became available. Once that was done, Gray was going to open another file where he would be adding his conclusions and theories based on the facts he had.
Rodia – Bodyguard duty:
Veil is hired to act as Senator Amidala's bodyguard; When she is betrayed by her long time friend, the Rodian Senator Ferr, Delkatar engages CIS droid contingent on the ground and dispatches it. After securing the site, Veil persuaded Ferr to aid him in setting up an ambush for Separatist reinforcements who are en-route to pick up Amidala. The ambush is succeessful and Delkatar eliminates the CIS contingent including two Dark Jedi twins – Karoc and Vinroc trained by Dooku. He also captures Nute Gunray who was eager to get his hands on Amidala.
Reinforcements led by Jedi Master Shaak Ti and Padalan Ahsoka Tano arrive at that time. A delay follows while the powers that be on Coruscant decide how to transport Gunray to the capital. Veil insist to accompany his captive in order to ensure he is safely delivered. Thanks to the delay, the Separatist have enough time to mount a rescue and ȧssault the Republic cruiser Tranquility with Gunray, Veil, Shaak Ti and Ahsoka Tano on board.
During the ensuring battle, Ti and Tano engage Ventress while Veil is dealing with another of Dooku's Dark Acolytes and various droid units. The result is a dead Dark Jedi, multiple Clone casualties. Gunray and a traitor in the Senate Guard who was supposed to deliver the captive for interrogation are killed by Veil while attempting to escape. At that point, Grievous arrives along with CIS reinforcements to make sure that Gunray is either rescued or silenced.
Veil launches in a Torrent fighter along with all survinving pilots in an attempt to slow down the enmy until reinforcements could arrive. Meanwhile back on Rodia an ensign who has the bridge watch on the Acclamator Dauntless gives the order to immediately launch. The Assault Ship is the first to arrive to aid the Tranquility and turns the tide of the battle. Veil aks for and receives infantry support from Piett, then leads a raid to capure Grievous along with Jedi Shaak Ti and Ahsoka Tano.
Veil engages Asajjii Ventress and captures her. At the same time Shaak Ti and a platoon of Clone Troopers run into Grievous and manage to subdue him.
The consequences are profound. With Grievous captured, the CIS war effort staggers giving the Republic forces across the galaxy a sorely needed reprieve, no matter how brief. As a consequence of his success – after all it was Veil's idea to go after Grievous, the Sith is offered a commission in the GAR by Chancellor Palpatine, which he accepts.
A tactical droid is taken out by local forces. Slicing into its systems leads to the discovery of a CIS research facility in the swamps. The Queen and Senator Amidala requests Jedi support. Veil is dispatched to resolve the situation with a promise for Jedi support once it becomes available.
By the time the general arrives, Senator Amidala had gone ahead to investigate and had been captured. Veil along with a Clone unit under his command ȧssaults the Research facility hich turns out to be a bio-weapon creation lab ran by doctor Vindi. During the ȧssault, unknown agents release the weapon in the river passing through Theed City. Before containment could be enacted, a huge portion of the water networ on Naboo is contaminated and the planet has to be placed under quarantine.
Veil interrogates Vindi and finds out what he needs to produce a cure.
A Republic task force goes to the World of Thousand Moons where a cirtical component for curing Blue Shadow could be found. There Veil meets Jaybo – a local orphan who he takes as his first apprentice. The neccessary substance is retrieved and production of Blue Shadow cure begins immediately. However it remains necessary for Naboo to be under quarantine until the bio-weapon on the surface could be eradicated. The Republic navy is forced to station quite a powerful fleet to enforce it.
As a consequence of the casualties who die before sufficient amount of the cure could be produced, a radical shift in Naboo society's begin. Within months the majority of the population loses their pacifistic ideals and begin the creation of proper army and navy. They request technical ȧssistance from the GAR forces maintaining the blokade and receive it.
Another consequence is the effect the bio-weapon attack has on the Confederacy's immage. Their credibility take a major hit and many who were supportive of their stated agenda begin to have second thoughts. All Confederate declarations of innocence are considered mere propaganda.
The Raid on Coruscant:
Shortly after Veil returns from Naboo, CIS forces and mercenaries hired by the Separatist execute a darring raid on the Republic capital. Using infiltrators, sleeper agents and a freighter loadev with orbit to surface weapons, Confederate forces attack Coruscant.
GAR High Command is struck by bombs built into various maintaince droids, including some containing Blue Shadow. In one fell swoop, the Republic military's staff is decapitated. At the same time, the Freighter Tranquility executes a series of orbital strikes at the GAR bases nearest to the Senate. Again, Blue Shadow is used in order to slow down any response. Further,
After contacting commodore Pellaeon in orbit, General Veil is updated on the situation and ȧssumes command of the GAR forces on Coruscant. He intercepts Senator Taff, who is carrying the orders to relese the cyborg and Grievous remain in Republic custody.
While Coruscant is gripped by chaos, a CIS strike force attacks the Jedi Temple. It is comprised by an unexpectedly large number of Dark Jedi who manage soon get the upper hand thanks to the element of surprise, droid back up and the fact that most Jedi are spread all over the galaxy.
General Veil, who was on his way back to the Senate, diverts and moves to reinforce the Jedi along with what forces he has managed to gather.
In the chaos, one of Dooku's Acolytes – Kadrian Say enacts a resque. While they make their way out of the Temple, Mace Windu intercepts them. At roughtly the same time, Ventress is freed too and she goes to join the battle.
In the Jedi Temple's great hall Ahsoka Tano, Bariss Offee and Nahdar Vebb are among the Jedi fending off the ȧssault. Offee is critically wounded. Tano is injured and stunned. When Ventress attempts to execute the Togruta Padawan, Nahdar intervenes and takes the blow, dying to save his comrade.