Chapter 81 - Conflagration [1/2] (1/2)
Part 1
General Plo Koon's quarters
Republic cruiser Gallant
Corellia
A shrill keening noise tore Master Koon away from his meditation. He bolted up from the floor where he sat and went for his comm.
”This is general Koon, report.” The Jedi wheezed through his breath mask.
The captain's face – that of an ordinary looking Clone appeared in front of Koon's face.
”Our long range scanners detected massive disturbance six light years away. The Separatists are coming. There's too much interference and sensor ghosts to be sure of total numbers, however there's a lot of them.” The Clone reported. ”Rough estimates are two to three times our worst case scenario.”
”I see.” The Jedi said. ”I trust you've called the fleets to battle stations?” Koon asked though the still roaring alarm was a dead giveaway.
”Yes, sir.”
”I'm coming to the Flag Bridge. Get me a conference call between Kenobi, Coburn and Yularen.” The Jedi ordered before switching off the comm and marching towards the ship's nerve center.
On his way there, Koon mussed that it was a good thing High Command had kriffed up their deployment orders and hadn't sent Yularen to reinforce the Outer Rim as he was supposed to do. The man had been surprised when he had been called for a status report and asked about the situation on Naboo when he was in fact here at Corellia overseeing the final repairs of the forces that fought at Geonosis.
That administrative fiasco meant that Kenobi could remain back on Coruscant doing his job – running the whole war, while Yularen was free to command one of the reserve fleets in the Core. That was vital, considering that Wullf was one of the few flag officers to actually command forces of the scale being deployed at Kuat, Corellia and in the reserves. Yularen's expertise and experience had been invaluable in setting up the training for Koon's fleet.
Now it only remained to be seen how well all that effort could be put in practice.
=RK=
Plo Koon entered the Flag Bridge and nodded in approval when he found it a hive of activity. His staff were busy updating the holotank with the status of the defense fleets. One after another they were lighting up in green denouncing full combat readiness.
The Jedi got in just in time, because the images of the people he needed to talk with appeared one after another next to the main tactical plot after he entered the compartment.
”Yes. It has began. Our intelligence appears to be wrong.” The Jedi Master confirmed.
Kenobi looked away from the comm unit and nodded. ”I see. I'll talk with the relevant people. They obviously dropped the ball in a bad way. Any sign of activity on your end, Coburn?”
”It's juts a matter of time. As you know, last night the Separatists secured Balmora after Ningo forced our remaining forces there to retreat. He's close enough to make it in one direct jump if he has done his homework properly.”
”Such a jump is quite risky.” Yularen noted.
”Yes. It can also bring a whole fleet on my doorstep with little to no warning.” Coburn grumbled.
”Thoughts? Is the main blow coming at Corellia?” Obi-Wan asked.
”If it isn't I hate to think what they have in store for Coburn.” Koon pointed out.
”It's good thing we were overly paranoid in reinforcing you both.” Kenobi muttered.
”We've got enough forces in place to crush what we expected to hit us.” Coburn frowned. ”When combined with the system defense navies anyway.
Things were not so lopsided at Corellia with only five of their six Corellian cruisers in system. They were still a formidable force able to give Koon's own command a run for its money.
When combined with the rest of Corellia's system defense navy, those ships made for a big and powerful force on their own.
Plo Koon was going to need every one of them plus some heavy reinforcements.
”Kenobi, we've got a situation!” Valentra's characteristic voice snapped off screen.
”What?” If Obi-Wan was annoyed, it didn't show in his voice.
The former Jedi looked away when suddenly his image twisted and distorted. Kenobi was saying something, however his voice came in as a garbled mess. The familiar whɨnė produced by jamming came over the comm and Obi-Wan's image was gone.
”Comms I want a status report! Raise GAR HQ on Coruscant now!” Koon ordered. The mere fact that both Coburn and Yularen were still present in a holographic form meant that the problem wasn't on Plo's end.
”We're trying… Sir, we can't raise HQ. I'm attempting to call… The kriff? General, I can't raise anyone at Coruscant!” The comm officer exclaimed.
”The Separatists couldn't have bypassed us!” Coburn exclaimed. ”We've got listening posts and battle groups stationed all over the Core!”
”Gentlemen, we've got a problem. Yularen's people might very well be needed back on Coruscant in case I'm mistaken.” Coburn grunted.
The three of them looked at each other.
”I'll be able to hold Corellia without reinforcements. However in that case most of the industry away from the planet could be written off. That's a significant chunk of our new construction.”
”This might be a Separatist trick to paralyze our response.” Yularen suggested. ”Attempt to divert my forces so they can hit you without interference.”
”True.” Plo Koon nodded. ”I suggest you wait until a scout can reach Coruscant and confirm what's happening over there. I'll keep the channel open and inform you of what's really hitting Corellia.”
”I'll be doing the same when our uninvited guest arrive here too.” Coburn nodded.
”Sir, update on the enemy forces. They're entering hyperspace.”
Plo Koon looked at the holotank. The fleets were ready. All but a handful of the battle stations were good to go and all fighter and bomber wings were manned and needed just an order to launch.
”This is general Plo Koon to all Republic and Corellian forces in system. I'm ȧssuming direct tactical command of the fleets. The enemy comes daring to challenge the Republic, democracy itself. Our very freedom.” The Jedi Master spoke with conviction. ”Today we draw a line and say no more! Here we stand! Here we fight! Here we win! For the Republic!”
”That's a lot of red...” A staff lieutenant muttered.
”I should have kept my mouth shut...” Plo Koon ġrȯȧnėd.
The people in intelligence had kriffed up so much the Jedi Master had no words.
”Admiral Yularen, I'll need all the reinforcements you can get to me yesterday if I'm to keep any of the industry intact.” Koon turned to look at the image of the younger man.
Wullf nodded. There was no doubt he was looking at the raw data being streamed to his ship.
”I'll get the ball rolling. We'll be there in a few hours. Admiral Coburn, I'm putting the secondary echelon reserves at your disposal. Call them if you need them.” Yularen sighed. ”Let's just hope Coruscant isn't under attack too.”
Plo Koon turned his attention to the task at hand. He needed to buy time.
”All Arubesh elements, you're a go. Go in, maul them and pull back to your zones. Take as many of the escorts as possible. Koon out.” The Jedi Master ordered.
The five elongated triangles designating a Corellian cruiser each began moving along with their escorting broods. Letting the enemy dictate the terms of the engagement was going to be suicide given their apparent numbers – the Separatists still got ships arriving in system and they had already brought thousands of them.
=RK=
Part 2
Garage
Borealis
Coruscant
”Sir, I'll really appreciate if one of these days you begin keeping a lower profile.” Agent Bail Kyle grumbled.
He was the man unlucky enough to be in charge of director Yle's security detail, something that was hard on the nerves.
Bail was a middle aged human whose hair was already turning silver thanks to all the stress he had to deal with on a daily basis. His boss' various excursions all across Coruscant weren't helping.
”Nonsense. We've finally got the place more or less secured. Besides who's going to be aiming at me when there are so many more juicy targets on Coruscant?” Marik chuckled and held the air car door open for his wife who simply shook her head at their antics and got inside after giving Kyle an apologetic look.
”We got most of the bastards.” The director smiled.
”Most is most certainly not all, boss.” The agent pointed out.
”Fine, rain on my parade. What's the next stop?” Yle asked.
”Home. You might actually get a few hours of sleep before the next crisis this time.”
”That would be the day.” The director smiled and got into the air car.
Bail looked around, nodded to the rest of the security detail and went into one of the other cars of the small convoy. So far so good.
”Prism, Pillar Actual, we're leaving.” Kyle called the central. ”Anything of note? Over.”
”Pillar Actual, Prism. Negative. Everything looks fine. No new alerts and nothing out of the ordinary on the scanners. Have a nice trip, over.”
”We're a go folks. Let's try not to end the day by kriffing up, all right?” Kyle called the rest of the security detail, earning himself a few tired chuckles.
The convoy headed towards the exit when a bright flash of light blinded Bail. The following thunderclap was little more than an afterthought because he was too busy being tossed around when his car was picked up and sent skidding across the floor by a shock-wave.
When Kyle was coherent again, the first thing he noticed was sharp pain in his side, arm and back. Only then he began remembering that something went terribly wrong.
”Prism, Pillar Actual, three was an explosion...” Bail wheezed in his comm. ”We need…assistance...” The agent found that talking and breathing was getting harder.
Kyle looked around and even that little motion sent red hot pain running up his back. A distant part of his mind concluded that hurting was good – it meant he wasn't paralyzed.
Bail saw that his car was more or less upright, though the people inside were at least as bad hurt as he was. He appeared to be the only one conscious at the time. Kyle carefully turned his head and looked around. There was a smoking pile of debris in the middle of the garage. If he didn't know better he would have thought they were all that was left from the director's car…
Oh, wait…
Kyle blinked and swore quietly. That was Yle's car…
=RK=
Jedi Master Piell's quarters
Jedi Temple
Coruscant
”Why did you call us all here?” Tiin whispered.
”We just got a data file from our friends. You need to see it now.” The small Jedi grumbled.
He waved his co-conspirators to get inside and close the door, before plugging a data chip in a holo-projector built into his dining table. Piell proceeded go fast forward the piece of Separatist propaganda until the announcement that Dooku had been handed to the Jedi.
”We've got hours at best before this become public knowledge here on Coruscant. Less before the Chancellor sees this and begins wondering what his apprentice has been telling us. Do I need to go on?” Piell spat.
”We're out of time.” Kota nodded. ”I'll go pick up our friend. Who is coming with us to talk with the Chancellor about this recording? This is information he simply needs to see.” Rahm smiled thinly.
”I agree.” Master Drallig said. ”I'll get everything moving here. How long do you need before we can go loud?”
”I'll talk with Yoda. He'll be seeing our other problem student. Then I'm off to our waylaid friend.” Tiin smiled sadly.
”It's decided then?” Master Yaddle sighed. ”All right. Cin, I'll collect your Padawan and we'll go check up on the younglings. They can use a walk to stretch their legs.”
”I'll go talk with the Chancellor too then.” Piell looked around. ”Any second thoughts?”
”We're already too deep for those.” Kota snorted. ”We're already committed and our hands are dirty. The only thing left is to see if we can neutralize the Sith or not.”
”May the Force be with us all.” Tiin gave the ȧssembled Jedi a deep bow and left the room, with Piell and Kota following behind.
”I certainly hope so. Otherwise all this is going to be for nothing.” Yaddle muttered.
”We'll make sure that the Order doesn't end today. That's all we can do.” Drallig told her. ”The rest is up to the Force.”
”I trust the Force not to kriff up. I can't necessary say the same for the Jedi who let things get so bad without noticing.” Yaddle chuckled sadly.
”That includes us two, you know.” Cin quipped.
”Most certainly. We aren't blameless. We should have acted when Yoda told us about the Sith all those months ago. We were blind, complacent and now its time to pay the price.” The tiny woman frowned. ”I regret that we won't be the only one affected by the fallout.”
”No matter what things are going to get worse before they can get better. Come on, we have some youngsters to pick up.”
=RK=
SIB Safe House
Coruscant
”Can you feel it, Mace?” Dooku asked. The Count was sitting next to his one time friend, who was his jailor nowadays and sharing a cup of tea with the man. ”Change is in the air.”
”I can.” Windu nodded. ”The Force is trembling in anticipation.” The former Jedi Master put down his cup. ”Its going to be today. Soon.”
”Have you decided what to do with me?” Dooku asked. He didn't appear to care one way or another.
”We might still go with Ivon's plan.”
”That idea has potential… unless Sidious decides to simply play along as the tired old man.” Dooku frowned. ”He has that routine down to perfection.”
”We'll do what we have to...” Mace paused and looked at the front door. They weren't expecting visitors today, however he could sense two familiar Force signatures ready to enter. ”It's time.” Windu said and stood up.
The door opened to reveal Kota and Piell, who looked suitably grim.
”We're out of time. Palpatine will know very soon that we have him.” The short Jedi pointed at Dooku.
”Ah. The game is up indeed.” The Count smiled. ”What is going to be?”
”You're coming with us, Dooku. The Chancellor will want to know if we have you.” Windu smiled. ”We're going to give him what he wants.” Mace turned towards the other Jedi. ”Have you called our allies?”
”They're moving as we speak. The timing might have been better, however we have most pieces in place.” Kota noted. ”My people are in position, the same goes for Sylvaris'.”
”Let's go then. Time is running out. I can feel it.” Windu told them.
=RK=
Hangars
CIS battleship Warrior Spirit
High Orbit over Kamino
”Its done. The enemy air-force is suppressed. We've got a secure beachhead at the capital. You're clear to deploy, general.” Admiral Kirst announced.
Lok Durd beamed at the news.
”Splendid! I've got my new weapons ready to deploy and all those grim folks just waiting to exploit my success!” The Neimoidian waved at the power-armored men getting into ȧssault transports all around the hangar.
”Just try not to have friendly fire accidents. Our new allies won't appreciate it and they will be in position to do something about it.” Kirst glared at the general.
”Oh, pshh. There's nothing to worry about! I've tested my weapon against their nice armor.” Durd frowned. ”It keeps it all out.” Then he beamed again. ”However the Republic's suits aren't as good.”
”Go down there, secure the capital and get what we need so I can remove all the cloning facilities form orbit. I need the location of the shield generator complex, then I need our new friends to take it out. Meanwhile you're to secure those samples for the Techno Union and get them up to the fleet. Don't fail us, general.”
”Heh. No worries I say! Everything is going to be just fine!” Lok waved at the admiral, who glared back.
”Get your forces planet side now!” Kirst snapped.
=RK=
Outskirts
Tipoca City
Kamino
Using Tipoca's cameras, Rex was able to track their target's progress and deploy his men for what he hoped was a good ambush. He waited the Remnant or whatever they called to enter the large building which was the most direct way towards the center of the city and ordered the 501st to begin converging on their positions. Meanwhile, he kept tracking the enemy to ensure there wouldn't be any unpleasant surprises.
After seeing the Remnant in action, Rex dismissed any notions in bringing heavy troopers – the better armor and shields simply weren't enough to stand up to the firepower brought by the enemy. Instead he opted for medium and light armor, thus relying on mobility and stealth.
Still, he had his brothers grab the heaviest weapons they could – the firepower was going to be vital.
”They're getting near.” Shaak Ti whispered.
”My people are in position. Thirty seconds and all squads will be ready to strike.” Rex said after consulting the camera feeds.
The enemy was moving in a long column with Jedi leading the way and taking up the rear. There was none of those in the middle of their formation at this time, which was going to be a boon or so Rex hoped. He looked at the Jedi Master who simply nodded. Rex sent two clicks over the comm – that was the signal. Twenty seconds and the 501st was going to charge the enemy from the various side passages honeycombing the building.
Shaak Ti used the remaining time to stealthily move towards the corner end of the corridor where the enemy was coming from. She drew her lightsaber waved to the Clones behind her to follow.
Time was up.
”Ambush!” Someone shouted mere moments before the 501st struck.
Rex didn't need the cameras to know that the enemy were scattering and covering all the approaches. He cursed and sprinted after Shaak Ti who activated her lightsaber and vanished behind the corner.
=RK=
Part 3
Operations room
GAR HQ
Coruscant
”Give me a status report! What the kriff is happening?!” Valentra's voice snapped like a whip.
”We're being jammed. Land lines are out!” The young lieutenant overseeing the comms exclaimed.
”Put the base on alert. We're either under attack or soon will be.” Obi-Wan ordered.
”Another raid? The Separatist couldn't have gotten a proper fleet here without us noticing.” Tellar grumbled. ”This place was supposed to be secure after what happened with the last HQ.”
”Worry about that later. Let's make sure we won't end like the previous High Com staff.” Kenobi whispered. The Jedi's hand went for the handle of his blade and he turned around to face the door.
Alarms began roaring a moment after it opened revealing Tiin wearing a combat armor. He was followed by a squad of armored people – were those Cathar?
”I have the sneaking suspicion you've got something to do with this, Master Tiin.” Valentra narrowed his eyes at the newcomers.
”General Valentra, general Kenobi,” The horned Jedi nodded. ”It's good you're both here. You're under arrest for treason.”
The staff in the large room began looking between the newcomers and their commanders. The two Clones stationed at the door stood very still when Tiin entered revealing that they were kept at gunpoint by his men.
”What madness is this?!” Valentra snapped. ”You're getting too far Tiin! This is treason!”
”Treason? Says the man serving the Sith. The man serving the people who began the Clone Wars so they can ascend to power.” Tiin shot back. ”Why don't you tell him Kenobi? Or aren't you aware of it? Didn't your new friend tell you? It's Palpatine!” Tiin snarled. ”He's the Sith we've been searching for ever since your Master was murdered on Naboo. He's the Sith Lord behind the war!”
That accusation gave anyone pause, though it didn't do much to stop the rising anger of the officers in the Operations room.
”I can see you believe this…” Obi-Wan spoke carefully. ”Do you have any proof?”
”Stand down!” A Clone shouted from the corridor behind Tiin.
Blasters spoke and the two men guarding the door were cut down there they stood while a firefight erupted outside. Tiin drew his lightsaber and Obi-Wan followed suit. The Jedi Master stepped further in the room and was followed by a squad of armored men while others were exchanging fire at what had to be a security detail.
That's when all hell broke loose. One of the officers drew a blaster and Tiin's people opened fire.
=RK=
R&D Complex
Location Classified
Coruscant
”Doctor Zash, you've got a visitor!” One of her ȧssistants called over the comm.
The Sith grumbled and looked up from her work. She had a lot of fun catching up on new discoveries and theories found while she was away. She knew something was going to happen today, even as clouded as the Force was lately, Zash still could feel its faint warning.
She turned away from the table where she was examining an ancient device with yet undetermined function and smiled at one of the cameras in her lab.
”By all means, send them in.”
The door hissed open and a small hunched figure hobbled in.
”Master Yoda, to what do I owe this pŀėȧsurė?” Zash's words were pure sarcasm.
”Surprised you're not.” The Jedi Master stated the obvious.
”I had a feeling my day work would be disturbed this afternoon.”
”Sidious?” Yoda asked.
”Never heard of that. Some kind of STD? It sounds like it.” Zash mocked.
Yoda's ears flattened along his skull.
”Dark the time is. Too powerful the Sith are. Stopped you must be.” Yoda's voice had a melancholy echoing with each word.
”So? It's not illegal by the Republic's own laws.” Zash chuckled in delight.
”Mistaken I was. Too late it is.” Yoda sighed. He left his cane to fall and called his lightsaber into his outstretched hand. ”Fight we will. The fate of the galaxy today decided will be.”
”If you insist. I can use a bit of work out.” Zash hummed happily. She raised a hand and her own saber jumped into her palm like an eager puppy.
=RK=
Secure room
Chancellor suite
Senate building
Coruscant
”I want an explanation now!” Palpatine glared at the captain in charge of his security detail. ”I don't appreciate being manhandled in my own office!”
”There are attacks under way, sir. As you know, earlier today director Yle was ȧssassinated.”
”I was told yes, and I should be getting a briefing on that situation right about now.” The Chancellor narrowed his eyes at the Clone.
”We just got unconfirmed reports about more attacks. Communications are down due to jamming. QRF should be rolling in soon. We believe its another Separatist raid meant to disrupt us while their offensive is underlay.” The soldier reported.
”Thanks to you its succeeding!” Palpatine snapped.
He closed his eyes and took a moment to get his temper under control. Since the last nigh the Force had been constantly shifting. There was a sense of foreboding in the air, yet Sidious had been unable to narrow down any details. Was it the Separatists pulling off some new stunt? The Jedi acting up? The Senate or even Veil or Zash pulling a fast one?
Sidious didn't know, which kept him constantly on edge. This was a critical moment. The enemy would be hitting Corellia today if they hadn't already and Kuat would follow. This was the worst possible moment for the Jedi to act up for example – calling Order 66 right now might spell a disaster. While Sidious had a contingency ready to explain why he might have to send the army against the Order, this wasn't the time for that, kriff it all!
”Confirm that!” The captain ordered as he listened to something over the comm built into his helmet. ”Good for them. We're at lock-down, the Primary can decide if he wants to see the prisoner when the situation becomes clear and we're secure.”
”What is happening, captain?” Palpatine put forth his patented exasperated old man persona.
”An attempted breach of the building. Two Jedi Masters coming to see you intercepted it and captured its leader – Count Dooku apparently. They asked to meet you anyway and to present you the prisoner.” The soldier shook his head.
”Ah. I see.” Palpatine smiled, while internally he became very still.
Dooku was supposed to be in Confederate custody, possibly dead even. Getting away and actually attempting an attack on the Senate or even just trying to meet with Sidious in this building? That was sheer madness – nothing like what Tyranus would do.
The Chancellor kept his smile on and looked at the security detail surrounding him. Six clones and three Jedi Knights, who looked on edge. Sidious didn't dare access the Force right now to make sure, though he was convinced he knew what was happening.
The Confederacy Council had indeed pulled a fast one. Covertly contacting the Jedi, handing Dooku after Palpatine made sure that all official attempts to do so fell through because he was convinced it was another Separatist trap…
Dooku had been in Jedi custody for some time. He had talked and the Jedi were moving to remove the Sith from power. That's what was happening. Dooku had been brought along so they could plausibly get a large group of Jedi close to him without enough warning.