The Clone Artist
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(6/10/05 8:07 pm) Reply
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter1 "The General’s New Assignment"
The sun was setting over the mountains of the planet Kalee, making the sky above look red, yellow and orange. What little light remained made the ruined houses of a village cast elongated shadows on the grassy floor. But there was one shadow that wasn’t coming from any building, it was coming from a cloaked figure. He was tall, wearing a white cloak that covered his entire body, except for the head. His face was completely masked by a menacing skull-like mask. The only organic trace visible of him were two yellow eyes with narrowed slits. This was the Supreme Commander of the Separatist Armies, General Grievous.
Grievous was walking along the ruins scanning everything with his eyes, which came to rest on a group of tombstones. He approached them and stopped just in front of them. Looking down he saw the writing the stone had in it. Grievous closed his eyes and straighten himself up. Under this tombstones, General Grievous´s family was buried. Kalee was his home world, a planet that was engulfed by a bloody conflict years before. The Kaleesh were fighting their planetary neighbors, the Huk. Being the great warrior he was, Grievous was able to defeat many of the Huk´s armies. But when the Jedi entered the conflict, the Kaleesh´s doom was sealed. Grievous witnessed how his people died by the thousands every day, until help came when they required it most...
"General?"
Grievous opened his eyes and looked behind him. One of his IG-100 MagnaGuard Droids was standing there, his staff glowing on the darkness that was beginning to fall.
"Yes, Vode. What is it?"
"Vode" was the name Grievous gave to his "favorite" bodyguard. It was an ancient Mandalorian word that meant "brother" in Basic. To separate him from the masses, Vode´s cloak was lined with magenta.
"Lord Sidious wants to speak with you, sir."
"Well, let’s not make him wait, shall we?"
Vode led Grievous towards the shuttle that the general used to land on Kalee. Inside the shuttle, over the hologram projector, was a blue, high-resolution image of the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.
Grievous made a little bow, and then said: “What is your bidding, Master?" "General Grievous, an urgent matter has arisen. Scout ships detected strange activities and got visual identification of eerie life forms on Dantooine." Sidious said.
Grievous was somewhat surprised. "Have you taken a look at those images? If so, do you have any idea about ... uh, what it may be?" "I have looked at the images. Unfortunately, we can only guess about it. It is strange that I did not sense anything disturbing on Dantooine at the moment."
"Let me guess. You want me to go to Dantooine, and then go search the surface for anything odd, yes?" "That’s correct, General. Be mindful that we do not know the nature of what you’ll be dealing with, so I advise you to take caution."
"I will, Master." "I would also suggest that you only take your flagship, since we don’t want you to attract unwanted attention, least from the Republic itself. Do you understand, General?"
"Yes, Master, I understand and will carry your instructions by the letter." "Good, good." Sidious smiled slightly. "I expect you to depart immediately for Dantooine. Send a transmission if you find anything interesting."
"I will not fail, Master." "I know you won´t, General."
And with those words, the image of Sidious disappeared.
Grievous stood silently for a moment, then exited the shuttle.
"What happened, General?" Vode asked Grievous.
"After several weeks, we’ve finally got ourselves a new assignment. We are departing for Dantooine today. Get inside the shuttle so we can get the Invisible Hand ready."
"Yes, sir!"
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 2 "Landing on Dantooine"
Asajj Ventress was walking through a polished deserted corridor aboard the Invisible Hand, that she knew led into Grievous´s quarters. She was a pale near human, dressed in equally pale clothes. From her belt hung a pair of curved lightsaber hilts. After some minutes she arrived before an elegant door. She opened the door by pressing a switch, and entered the room. There was a large, round table, in the middle, with about a dozen seats, Asajj knew were reserved for the Council of Separatists. The room seemed to be empty, so Asajj walked inside, and began searching for Grievous. No sooner had she reached the table, that a voice said from behind: "You shouldn’t be here, Asajj Ventress."
Asajj turned back, igniting her crimson lightsaber, only to find out that the one who had spoken was, in fact, a MagnaGuard Droid. He’s white cloak was lined with magenta. It was Vode.
"Who are you to deny me entrance?" Asajj asked Vode.
"The General gave me orders not to allow anyone enter, unless it was an emergency." Vode said.
"Well, I want to speak with him, that’s all." Asajj spat back. "Where is he, anyway?"
"General Grievous is currently in stasis." Vode answered.
"Oh, then I’ll wait for him."
Only his bodyguards were allowed in the room where Grievous endured brief periods of stasis, instead of sleeping. It was said that Grievous still remembered his previous life while in stasis, but he never spoke about that.
After, several minutes of waiting, in which neither Asajj nor Vode said anything, the doors of the stasis chamber opened, and General Grievous walked outside without his cloak. He was reaching for his preferred white cloak, when he saw Asajj.
For a moment both looked at each other, then Asajj said: "So, General, were are we going?"
For the look in Grievous´s face it seemed to Vode that was a very iodinating question, for Grievous was looking at Asajj with a rather naughty look in his eyes. He merely said:
"We are going to Dantooine."
"At last! Why are we going there?" Asajj asked.
"I have much to do at the moment. I will answer your questions when we get there."
"Very well, then. Why did you stop at Kalee?"
With a terminating tone he said:
"Because I wanted to visit my old home. Now if you’re done asking ridiculous questions, I will depart for the bridge."
How could he have forgotten that Asajj Ventress was onboard the Invisible Hand? Exactly when and how did she got herself inside the ship, he didn’t remember. Anyway, he thought, she might be useful.
As Grievous entered the bridge, Vode, who was walking behind him said: "We are coming close to Dantooine, General."
"Excellent." Grievous said. He came closer to the viewports and observed the whirling blue and white colors of hyperspace, until it made him feel a little dizzy.
He turned back and saw Asajj entering the bridge. Apparently she was not going to leave Grievous alone until he told him what was the mission, appointed to him by Darth Sidious, all about.
"So, are you going to tell me, or what?" she said with a faint grin.
"Very well, I will tell you." Grievous said in a tired voice.
But before Grievous could start, a battle droid called him:
"We have arrived on Dantooine, General."
Grievous looked back and beheld the yellow and green planet of Dantooine.
"Vode, get a shuttle ready! We are going down to the surface."
"Yes, General." Vode said.
"And, Asajj." Grievous turned to her. "You will be coming with us. Then, you willl know what is going on."
A few minutes later, Grievous, Asajj, Vode and a battalion of battle droids were descending on the planet inside a shuttle covered by a wing of Vulture-droid fighters. Edited by: Dark Trooper Delta at: 12/4/05 11:50 am
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 3 "The Ruins of Dantooine"
The shuttle that had launched from the Invisible Hand was touching down on the grassy plains of Dantooine, while the Vulture droid fighters accompanying it were already changing into "walk mode". The boarding ramp opened and Grievous was first to come out, followed by Vode, Asajj, and a group of battle droids and super battle droids. Laid out before them was a huge plain as far as the eye could see, with light grey clouds over them, a gentle breeze that made Grievous´s cloak flow and the distant sound of thunder.
"A storm is coming." Asajj said.
"Indeed." Grievous replied. He could also see, far away, a dark curtain of rain falling.
"This means that we should get started right now with our quarters, before the thunderstorm makes it impossible for our supply freighters to land." He added.
"First, we need to find a safe location for the base. Or are you planning to make a command base in the middle of this plains?" Asajj asked Grievous.
"Absolutely not. But I agree with you, we must search for a reliable location."
"I can do that." Vode suddenly said.
Both Grievous and Asajj turned to look at him.
"Are you sure, Vode?" Grievous asked.
"Yes, General. I will search for a safe spot in which to put our base."
"Very, well, then. Take a STAP and go look for anything that you might find interesting. If by nightfall, you don’t find anything, return here. Understood?"
"Yes, General."
"Bring a STAP here." Grievous ordered at some droids.
Vode mounted on the STAP and launched immediately, quickly leaving the landing site behind.
During the next few hours, Vode never stopped the vehicle searching with his photoreceptors and sensors built inside the STAP. Something that surprised Vode, was the absence any kind of living beings. Normally, Dantooine´s plains were filled with herds of animals grazing on the pasture, or some farms and scattered villages. But this time, there was nothing there, except Vode and his STAP.
The sun was starting to hide behind a range of mountains, and Vode had still not found anything. He was about to turn back, when he found something interesting. At the foot of the mountains, stood an ancient temple made of rock. As Vode drew closer, he saw the imposing stone walls, of an ancient temple, a temple that could only had belonged to the Jedi Knights some four thousand years before the outbreak of the Clone Wars.
As Vode stopped the STAP and jumped out of it, he beheld the huge gates that barred entry. He expected the doors to be locked, but he found that the great doors were, in fact, open. He hastened inside. Inside the temple was a wide lobby, with a great fountain in the middle. Pots with flowers were at its base, and statues of ancient Jedi heroes acted as pillars to hold the roof. Everything was so detailed, that Vode found himself gazing at all of this, when he remembered he had a job to do.
Circling the fountain he came across a flight of stairs that he climbed with haste, leading him to the second floor. It was mostly a ring with a hole at the center that allowed Vode to see the lower level. Nothing else was there. Climbing more stairs, Vode entered another circular room. It was completely obscured given the fact that it was a cloudy night. Vode activated the electromagnetic staff he wielded, and in doing so, created a blue light that did not lighten up the entire room, but was enough just to let Vode know where he was walking.
After some inspection, Vode found a console, that looked as if it were several years old, but still functioning. After pressing several buttons, he came across the a switch that ignited all lights inside the temple, to Vode´s relief.
In the next level, Vode found something that resembled an altar. While walking towards it, Vode heard some faint, but still audible sounds, near him. He looked up, left and right, but when he looked down, he saw some very odd-looking insects. He didn’t know what they were and he so continued moving towards the altar, not before realizing that the entire room was filled with them.
Looking form a window opening nearby, Vode gazed at the dark sky. He could hear the thunders, form the distance, which meant the storm was coming closer to the landing site, so he decided to leave and tell General Grievous exactly what he had found. When Vode reached the first level, he heard something, something that sounded very much like someone was....whispering....
Vode stopped and searched all around the lobby, he found nothing, so he continued his way out. Just as he was pushing the doors, Vode heard a voice:
"We know you are here...."
In a lightning-fast move, Vode turned around and activate his staff.
"Who is there?" he asked, staff held tightly in his alloy hands.
This time Vode saw something, or rather someone.
It was a tall figure, covered with a dark blue cloak that hid its entire body. He held a long dark staff that looked like a serpent coiled around a stick.
Vode held his staff in a ready position, to launch an attack or defend himself. The figure raised his own staff, and Vode watched in amazement that it turned from a normal walking stick, to a spear with a razor-sharp blade. How the staff made that amazing transformation, Vode did not know. What he only knew was that he had to get himself out of the temple and tell General Grievous about this...
He was slowly walking backwards towards the entrance, when the cloaked figure jumped forward and forced Vode to stop and block the sudden attack. Then the fight began. Both combatants were very skilled in melee attack, and kept blocking and attacking their opponent most of the time. Vode´s staff produced sparks each time it collided with the warrior’s own spear. The fight had gone for long enough, until the mysterious fighter knocked Vode to the ground by hitting him in the legs. His staff rolling away, Vode was defenseless against the cloaked warrior, who was about to skewer him with the edge of his spear. Acting fast Vode reached for his staff and, with the edge of it, he thrust it towards the cloak figure’s face. Vode heard a very eerie yell of pain as the unknown warrior fell this time to the floor. As the spear fell from the warrior’s hands, it quickly became a normal staff again. Vode gave the wounded fighter yet another blow with his staff in the chest, when he decided to use the warrior’s staff, against him. Grabbing it form the floor, it quickly became a pointed spear. Vode approached the cloaked figure, who was starting to stand up, raised the spear, and pierced his upper body with it.
Vode could hear the warrior’s breath give out as he died on the floor. It was over Vode was about pull back the dead warrior’s cloak in order to be able to see his face, when he remembered, he had to return to the landing site.
Exiting the temple, Vode hopped on the STAP and raced towards the point where the shuttle had landed, eager to tell Grievous exactly what had happened.
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 4 "Secrets of the Past"
Rain was pouring heavily on the Sheathipede shuttle’s landing area. The sky was completely dark, as was the surface. All around the shuttle, Super Battle Droids, standard Battle Droids, IG- 100 MagnaGuard Droids and Vulture Droid Starfighters in "walk mode" were patroling the surrounding areas, while General Grievous was questioning Vode inside the shuttle. Vode had told him everything, from the look of the Jedi temple, to the encounter with the mysterious cloaked fighter.
After nearly a standard hour of questions and answers. Grievous stood up and headed out of the shuttle. Vode made to follow him.
Once outside, Asajj hurried towards Grievous and said:
"Your bodyguard says the truth." We have located the temple with our sensors, its pretty far, but I think we can reach it."
"Excellent. Congratulations, Vode, you have found us a new base." Grievous said in what seemed like a happy voice.
Even through the thick clouds, the rising silouhette of the sun could still be seen when the shuttle landed, this time, in front of the temple´s gates. As the ramp opened, Battle Droids swarmed out of it, and moved into defensive positions. Given the fact that the temple seemed occupied by other beings, everyone was prepared. Grievous had his blasters, Vode had already ignited his staff, and Asajj had ignited her dual lightsabers as well.
The droids opened the doors, and others swarmed inside ready for violence. But there was nothing or no one there, not even the dead body of the warrior Vode had killed hours before.
"You told me you left the carcass there, in front of the fountain, Vode."
"It was true, General!" Vode answered. "I left the body there!"
Asajj bent on the spot where the warrior had died, and said:
"A body was here, but was removed later. There are some blood marks on the floor." She pointed at them. Clearly on the ground were some dark blood spots.
"Then, what does that mean?" Vode asked.
"Isn´t it obvious? Grievous said in an almost sarcastic tone. "We are not alone in this temple. Besides us, there are some here, that I think don´t want us here."
"Typical." Asajj said.
"Well, let´s get started in here. We have to build our command center as soon as possible." Grievous ordered at some droids. "Vode, you will lead us to where you saw that altar."
"Yes, General."
Vode led Grievous, Asajj and a grouo of droids up to the fourth level, where he found the altar the previous night. After wandering through the circular rooms, some filled with old consoles, and equipment, the group finally reached the fourth level. Vode opened the door, and led the rest through the wide, circular room. There , at the end, stood two pillars like guards, on either side of what seemed to be a very old, but elegant chest.
Grievous approached the chest, and examined it, before touching it.
"This doesn´t feel right." he said after some minutes.
"Well, there is no way we will fins out what´s inside if we don´t open it." Vode said.
Before anyone could stop him, Vode opened the chest. Nothing happened. Vode looked inside, and said:
"General, I think you should take a look at this."
"Grievous approached the chest and looked inside.
"Its a Jedi Holocron!" he said. "I wonder what does it store inside."
After opening it, a hologram transmission fell to Grievous´s hands. He looked at it and said:
"This might give us a clue...."
Grievous activated the recording and everyone in the room beheld it. An image of a female Jedi Knight in robes appeared standing there. She said:
"We have been trapped inside the temple by unknown invaders. Many have fallen under their cruelty and now they seek to destroy us all. We have resisted them, taking out a few of them in the process, but we are outnumbered and the Republic´s troops are not enough to withstand them." The Jedi stopped and ignited her lightsaber.
"They are coming! We don´t have much time! I hope this message is listened by someone else who finds this temple.
And remember they may still be some of them in the galaxy, after thousands of years." The messgae suddenly broke up, and ended. The room was entirely quiet.....
"You were right, General." Vode finally said. "We are not alone here."
Grievous was analyzing every part of the transmission he just watched. There was something in that temple that slayed the Jedi years ago, judging by the ragged look of the recorder. Something that was as unknown to them as it was to Grievous. The only question was: where where they now? And, more importantly, who were they?
"I think we´ve found more than we bargained for." Asajj said.
Looking back, Grievous saw not one, but four of those cloaked warriors. All four of them, withdrew staffs, that became, spears, with razor-sharp blades.
At the same time, Grievous ignited his blue and green lightsabers, Asajj ignited her crimson ones, Vode activated his own staff, and the battle droids were aiming blasters.
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 5 "The Executor"
All warriors in that room stood rooted to the ground, apparently waiting for the other group to make the fist move. When nobody did, Grievous took a step forward facing the cloaked warriors, making them point their spears at him.
"Before we start fighting each other, I will ask you this: who are you?" he said.
"We will not tell you. the warrior closest to him said. "We are supposed to keep our operations a secret while on this planet."
"Then, I´m afraid you have failed." Grievous said. "We already know about you."
"Then, we have no option but to kill you. The secrets you´ve uncovered will die with you!" The warrior said.
"Not if we take you out first! Asajj yelled at them.
Then the fight began. Grievous engaged the warrior with whom he was speaking too. Asajj was against two at the same time, and Vode was fighting the last one. The fighting was so inttense, sparks were flying all around the place. Asajj was able to take out one warrior, but the one that was fighting Grievous was so good, he was forcing Grievous always to defend himself.
The fighting had gone long enough. Grievous was now attacking his opponent without mercy, forcing him to back off. At last, the fighting stopped when Grievous knocked the cloaked warrior to the ground. Grievous pointed his lightsabers at him.
"Enough of this charade. Time for you to reveal yourself." He said.
"I will reveal myself, don´t worry.......when we have you captives!"
With those words, several more cloaked warriors entered the room., pointing their staffs at Grievous and the others. Grievous recognized defeat and turned off his lightsabers, so did Asajj.
"Lead them towards the meeting room." The leader said to the others. "I will be visiting them soon."
The other warriors led Grievous, Vode, Asajj, and a group of battle droids out of the altar, into the fitfh level. In the fifth level there was a door that led to to a wide chamber with a large, round table with several seats in the middle. Grievous entered first, and said in a sarcastic tone:
"Well, at least they´ve got seats!"
"Why are they keeping us alive?" Vode asked.
"I have no idea, Vode." Grievous said as he seated on one of the chairs available. "Well, these seats are not like the ones at the Invisible Hand, but at least they are comfortable."
Asajj gave him an angry look.
"Stop thinking if this is comfortable or not! We have to get out of here!"
"Not until we find out who are these aliens!" Grievous yelled at her. "That’s our mission, to find the identity of this creatures!"
The door to the chamber opened, and a cloaked figure entered. Grievous knew he was the one with whom he had fought before.
"All right, so you wanted to know who I am? He said.
"Yes, we do!" Grievous said impatiently.
"Very well, then."
He took off his cloak, revealing a creature Grievous had never seen before. He looked like a human, but with a thicker build, and no hair. His body was covered by an odd looking kind of armor that looked as if it were made out of pieces of animals, and Grievous had the disturbing thought that his armor was made out of pieces of creatures. His face was covered with scars and tattoos. Standing in front of them, was a being different from all others in the galaxy, a being that looked like he had come from another galaxy.....
"I am Nom Anor. Leader of the Yuuzhan Vong forces in this planet
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 6 "The Break Out and the Battle of Dantooine"
It has been three days since General Grievous and his group were imprisoned at the Jedi Temple by the Yuuzhan Vong. He had no leads on their origins, or their motives, but he knew they couldn´t be up to something good. The Yuuzhan Vong had managed to destroy the shuttle that had brought them to the surface, leaving them with no way of returning to the Invisible Hand which was still in orbit around Dantooine. But Grievous had spent those days scheming a plan to get themselves out. It was risky, though, but they´re only chance of getting out.
"We will get out of here today." he said.
"What, General, makes you think we can escape this temple? Even if we get out of this chamber, the Yuuzhan Vong will catch us quickly." Vode said to him.
"We only have to distract them, Vode. Something big that might alert all the Yuuzhan Vong inside this temple."
"How will we do that?" Asajj asked him.
"Leave it to me." Grievous said.
He activated the comlink in his left forearm, and said to it:
"This is General Grievous to the CISD Invisible Hand. Do you copy?"
A few minutes passed, then a voice said through the comlink:
"We hear you, General."
"Good, lock onto my signal immediately."
"Affirmative General." Some more minute passed then the voice said again: We have you locked, General."
"Order the gunners to aim the turbolasers, at my position. Prepare to fire when I give the order."
"General, firing at your position may result in your killing." the droid voice said.
"You will not be firing at me! You will be firing at a structure that’s trapping us." He yelled at the comlink.
"Affirmative, General."
"Fire now!"
Above the planet, the Invisible Hand aimed its cannons and fired at the temple below, releasing a barrage of turbolasers. Inside the temple, Grievous simply told the others:
"Brace yourselfves. This is going to be rough."
Before Grievous had finished the sentence, a massive bolt struck the temple, shaking everything inside the chamber. Outside, Grievous could hear screams of the Yuuzhan Vong all running while every five seconds another bolt struck the temple.
"Grievous, its now or never." Asajj said to him.
"Grievous stood up, and igniting his lightsabers, he was able to cut through the door, leading the way outside, followed closely by Vode, Asajj, and a group of Battle Droids.
The armor of the Yuuzhan Vong, I´ve noticed, is resistant to lightsaber blows, but not immune. If you keep striking them, you´ll be able to break it. Also, their necks are unprotected. Hit them there.
As the company moved downstairs toward the exit, they encountered several groups of Yuuzhan Vong. The plan was working well, Grievous thought.The Yuuzhan Vong were caught off guard by the sudden attack, they seemed to have forgetten about their prisioners. Some groups were easy to deal with, while others were more difficult. Finally, they reached the lobby of the temple, while powerful bolts were still strucking the temple, now punching holes through the walls. Just when, Grievous was about to open the gates, a familiar voice said from behind:
"You´re not getting away that easy."
Everyone looked back and saw Nom Anor standing before the fountain, cloak away, and staff ready. Grievous turned and walked toward Nom Anor.
"Who are you to denies us exit?" he asked.
Before Grievous had finished saying those words, Anor jumped forward, almost hitting Grievous with his staff, but he was ready this time. Parrying the blow with his lightsabers crossed in front of him, Grievous made Nom fall by kicking him in the legs. He stood up quickly and began attacking the general without mercy, forcing him to block all the time. All around them, the temple was being torn asunder by the Invisible Hand´s cannons.
After several minutes of relentless fighting, in which neither warrior had the upper hand, Grievous decided that it was time to escape the temple. Punching Nom hard on the face, and then kicking him to the ground, he followed the rest of the group out of the temple, there, another Sheathipede shuttle was waiting for them. The quickly boarded, the shuttle, not before taking a quick look at the temple which was still being pounded by laser fire.
While flying towards the Invisible Hand, Grievous said through the comlink:
"Gunners, cease fire."
"Affirmative, General." And the fire stopped.
As the shuttle entered the hangar bay, a droid was approaching Grievous.
"General’s, we have detected enemy signals approaching the destroyer from the planets surface. Grievous was stunned.
"Is it Republic ships?"
"No, General.Its something unknown."
"Deploy Iota, Kappa, and Sigma Wings immediately! Have reinforcements standing by, and ready my ship!"
"Yes, General."
Soon afterwards, Droid Tri-fighters, Vulture Droid fighters and Grievous´s personal starfighter were swarming out of the Invisible Hand´s main bay.
"Gunners, ready the turbolasers, pinpoint and fire at enemy ships threatening the destroyer."
"Yes, General." Answered, Vode´s voice.
Then, the groups of fighters clashed. The Yuuzhan Vong coralskippers were mighty ships, but the CIS fighters were worthy oponents. Grievous himself was able to take down several enmy ships, although he too lost some craft to the Yuuzhan Vong. More than once he was being chased by enmy ships but he outmaneuvered them with ease. Then, another ship entered the fray. A Geonosian Fanblade Starfighter. It was Asajj!
"Asajj! What are you doing?!" Grievous yelled at her through the comnlink.
"I´m here to help you, General! Vode is handling the guns, so I decided to come here and fight with you." She said.
"As you wish then. Help keep those fighters away from the ship!"
"I´m on my way!"
The battle continued with each side losing fighters, but only the CIS replacing the lost fighters. The Yuuzhan Vong, by contrast, did not replace any fighters they lost. This gave the CIS the upper hand.
"Asajj! The Yuuzhan Vong ships are attacking the destroyer! Help the gunners!" Grievous said as he steered his own ship to the Invisible Hand.
"They are not going away this time!" Asajj said, while chasing a pair of coralskippers, destroying them after shooting a pair of missiles at them.
"General Grievous, the Invisible Hand is under attack by the unknown fighters!" Vode said through the comlink.
"Raise the ship’s shields!" Grievous said. "Do not let anything go in!"
With only a handful of enemy ships left, the Invisible Hand did not seem under any real threat, but the Yuuzhan Vong were still attempting to penetrate the ship’s shields with their weapons. This made them easy targets for the gunners, Grievous, Asajj, and the droid fighters.
At last, all the Yuuzhan Vong ships were destroyed, but Grievous saw through the cockpit that a fighter was fleeing away from them. Before Grievous could chase the ship, it fled away from them very fast.
"This is General Grievous to the CISD Invisible Hand."
"Yes, General?" Vode answered.
"Calculate that ship´s destination by its last know trajectory!"
"At once, General."
"All fighters, enter the hangar."
With those words, all CIS fighters entered the bay, including Asajj and Grievous. Once inside, Grievous and Asajj hurried toward the bridge, where Vode was waiting for them.
"General, we have traced that ship to the planet Malastare. The ship’s signal disappeared when it entered the system, so we are not entirely sure."
"Looks like we are heading for Malastare, then." Grievous said. "I have a feeling that was Nom Anor." He paused and then said:
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 7 "Jungle Trek"
The CISD Invisible Hand dropped out of hyperspace a safe distance form the the planet Malastare. Since this was a Republic world, they could not afford to get the destroyer too close to the planet, not only for their safety, but also to help keep a low profile.
Grievous was watching the greenish planet form the ship´s bridge, thinking about that Yuuzhan Vong ship the fled the battle in Dantooine. Surely, he thought, that ship did not fled to Malastare by coincidence. There must be something there, valuable to Nom Anor, who Grievous suspected, was the pilot of the fleeing starfighter.
"General Grievous, the freighter carrying Sekhmet Battlegroup is ready for deployment. They are just waiting for you, sir." a droid said behind him.
"Very well. What kind of droids is Sekhmet Battlgroup composed of? Grievous asked the droid.
"Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, Destroyer Droids, and the IG-100 series, plus Asajj Ventress."
"That’s excellent. If the Yuuzhan Vong are down there, we’ll need all the troops we have at our disposal."
Boarding the freighter, Grievous turned to his best bodyguard, Vode.
"Are we set to go?"
"Yes, General. We have one hundred and fifty droids on board the freighter, and plenty of supplies should we ever find ourselves in a real jam."
"Then let’s get going. We still have a job to do."
"At once, General."
Seating in the pilot’s seat was Asajj, already starting up the engines. Vode sat besides her and began closing the boarding ramp. The freighter exited the bay and headed towards Malastare, while Grievous was watching a hologram of the planet inside the cockpit.
"According to this map, the safest place for us to land would be the jungles. We cannot land anywhere near the capital or we will be detected easily by the Gran."
"What about the canyons near the jungles?" Asajj asked.
"Well, this map tells me that there is some kind of compound in the canyons, not far from the jungles. We can’t land there either."
"The jungles, it is then." Vode said. "We´re heading towards them now."
As the freighter landed on the humid soil of the jungles, Grievous could see through the viewport no sign of life whatsoever.
Exiting the freighter, Sekhmet Battlegroup began taking defensive positions, while Grievous began inspecting the landscape. He was mistaken by assuming there was no life. Tiny creatures, roamed the ground and winged animals were soaring low above them. The tall trees blocked the cloudy sky with their canopys making the grounds below them look incredibly dark. It almost seemed like night. There was also heavy rain falling with the occasional sound of thunders and flashes of lightning.
"Our journey in these jungles will not be easy, I think." Grievous said. "Its very dark here."
"We’ll have to move anyway, General." Asajj said.
"You’re right. We must not waste time. Sekhmet Battlegroup, let´s get moving! he barked at the droids.
The group started moving through the dark, and sometimes, uneven ground of the jungle. There was no other sound besides those made by the cratures living there. After two standard hours of walking, with minimal breaks, Grievous was beginning to feel they were being watched. Night had fallen, meaning that it was completely dark in the surface. The company was forced to use flashlights they had brought from the Invisible Hand, if they wanted to continue moving.
Rain was pouring heavily on them. The sound of creatures was somewhat muffled by the constant patter of rain on the ground and leaves. How far they had traveled, they did not know, all they knew was the fact that they were getting close to the nearby compound with every step.
Suddenly, Grievous raised his hand, a sign that told the battlegroup to stop.
"What is it, Grievous?" Asajj asked.
"I heard something, something that sounded like footsteps."
"I can tell you if I see anything."
Asajj took a step forward, and, using the Force, she began to scan the area for anything odd. After some minutes, she screamed:
"Seek cover!"
For a moment, everyone stood rooted to the ground, apparently stunned by the sudden command, but all the droids, Grievous and Asajj found cover behind rocks and trees.
Seconds later, a missile struck the ground, causing a huge explosion.
"What was that?!" Grievous shouted even before the explosion had cleared.
"Where under attack!" Vode said
Even before Vode had finished the lasts words, the jungle filled with blaster bolts coming from the group’s left. Still behind the rocks and trees, Sekhmet Battlegroup was safe, but the relentless firing made it impossible to move from their positions.
"We will never continue if we can’t stop them!" Grievous shouted as he fired his own blasters at the place where the bolts came from, not knowing exactly what was he shooting at. "Anti Armor droids! Lock and load!
He pointed at a group of Battle Droids with rocket launchers, who were already loading their weapons with seeker missiles.
"Fire away when you are ready. The enemy is exactly in front of us."
With those words, the droids fired a flurry of missiles at their enemies positioned in front of them, creating huge explosions wherever they struck. After the missiles, the firing stopped.
"What do you see, Asajj?" Grievous asked her.
"Nothing. Whatever they were, they’re eliminated."
"Good, we can continue our way, then."
"General, our sensors pick up something near. Multiple objects in constant motion, some are disappearing form the radar, though."
"There is yet another battle near." Grievous said silently.
"I’ll go and check what it is." Vode said.
Before anyone could stop him, Vode was running at the source of the commotion, with the rest of Sekhmet Battlegroup following him.
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 9 "Infiltrating Sebolto´s Compound"
Night vision goggles pressed to his photoreceptors, Vode was scanning the last outpost guarding Sebolto´s compound. It was well defended by nothing more than Yuuzhan Vong warriors. There were two ways inside this outpost, so Sekhmet Battlegroup had to divide itself to cover both entrances. Grievous and Vode were positioned outside the main entrance, while Asajj and the pale-skinned Gran, Mawz Dakko, were positioned outside the right hand side entrance.
"About twenty Yuuzhan Vong stationed in that outpost, General. Some are manning turrets." Vode said, lowering his goggles, then raising them again.
"That’ll complicate things." Grievous said. "We’ll have to flank them."
Activating the comlink, Grievous said:
"General Grievous to Group 2, do you copy?"
"Yes, General. What is it?" came the voice of Mawz.
"The outpost is heavily guarded. One group will have to attack first, then the other will enter."
"We are ready General. We can attack first."
"Carry on then. Strike swiftly. Don’t give them a chance. We’ll enter the battle shortly after you. Proceed when I give the signal. Over."
"What is the signal, General?" Vode asked, still not lowering the googles.
"A rocket coming from us. It’ll catch the Yuuzhan Vong off guard."
The general signaled at a droid behind him.
"Aim your missile at the Yuuzhan Vong manning the turrets. Fire when ready."
Grievous had barely finished his sentence, when the droid fired his missile.
"Reload, quickly!"
The droid followed the order as fast as it could. By the time the first missile had struck, a second one was already in the air, and so on. Soon the Yuuzhan Vong outpost was being bombarded by a barrage of missiles, that sent many Yuuzhan Vong hurling into the air, then landing hard on the muddy ground.
"Group 1 to Group 2, now’s your chance! Go!" Grievous said through the comlink.
"At once, General" answered the voice of Mawz.
"Anti Armor Droid, cease fire." Grievous ordered the missile launching droid, who obeyed at once.
Grievous turned and saw the outpost bustling. Droids, and Yuuzhan Vong were running from here to there, blasting at their enemies. Mawz and Asajj had withdrawn their axes and lightsabers, and began slicing at the Yuuzhan Vong.
"They must drive the Yuuzhan Vong to the main entrance, then we will strike." Grievous said, his reptilian eyes scanning the battle raging out before him.
But the ambush was not going exactly as he had planned. Using their staffs, the Yuuzhan Vong were quickly cutting several droids into pieces. The ones who were actually doing the job were Mawz and Asajj.
"General, the droids are being chopped down. Mawz and Asajj are being surrounded!" Vode said.
"I think is time we enter the fray, Vode." Grievous said.
Withdrawing one lightsaber from his hand, he activated it, and signaled at the droids behind him to charge forward. Grievous entered first, striking at the Yuuzhan Vong closest to him. Unlike previous encounters, Grievous was using one blade this time, but he was fighting using an elegant style of combat that Count Dooku had taught him. Soon, many enemy warriors fell to the fast, light, but powerful strikes of his blue blade. Behind him, his bodyguards well doing well against five Yuuzhan Vong, while Mawz and Asajj were fighting three at the same time. The battle raged through the outpost. Two of Grievous´ bodyguards fell to the Yuuzhan Vong´s bladed staffs, but the rest were able to take them out quickly, with repeated strikes in different parts of the body. Soon, the battle ended, with the last Yuuzhan Vong speared by the general´s blade.
Rain was falling above their heads, the outpost was burning due to the inicial barrage of missiles, and on the ground laid the corpses of twenty Yuuzhan Vong, and almost fifty battle droids. Deactivating his lightsaber Grievous looked down at the carnage.
"We are going to need reinforcements. I´m sure things will get worse inside the compound." he said.
"They will get worse." Mawz said. The outpost has about a thousand guards positioned all over the canyon. The approach will not be easy."
After those words, Grievous activated the comlink.
"General Grievous to the CISD Invisible Hand, do you copy?"
"We copy, General." a control droid answered back.
"Ready Thoth Battlegroup, at once. Load it with a hundred Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Destroyer Droids this time. Deploy the freighter when its ready to our current position at that time."
"At once, General. It won’t take long."
Grievous severed the transmission, and gazed at the entrance to the compound. Sebolto´s palace was on the far side, he thought. They would have to cross steep cliffs, chasms, and other hazards in order to get to their quarry.
"We have to get going, now. A long road lies before us. I doubt we reach the palace before dawn."
Generel Grievous, Vode, Asajj, Mawz, and about fifty remaining droids crossed the gates that led them into the canyons. The rain was pouring heavily on them, when the road divided. Both roads would lead them inside caves.
"Obvious, isn’t it?" Grievous said "We’ll have to divide the group. We can’t afford to miss anything so we have to investigate every nook and cranny of the compound. Mawz, you´ll come with me, Vode and Asajj can go the other way. I´ll take two dozen droids with me, and you can take the rest, understood?"
They all nodded.
"Good. Lets go, then."
Grievous and Mawz took the left, while Vode and Asajj took the right.
"All right, Mawz, its time you demonstrate me your knowledge of this compund. You lead the way. We´ll keep you covered."
"You´l have too watch your own backs too." the Gran said "Sebolto´s Dug thugs are adept snipers, and I´m sure there are Yuuzhan Vong in great numbers here."
"Oh, don´t worry!" Grievous said "I happen to enjoy going against many enemies at once."
Mawz turned back and gave Grievous a wide smile. If the general had had any mouth, he would have smiled to him also.
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 10 "Nom Anor´s Plans"
"I have a bad feeling about this." Asajj said
They were crossing the bridges, that allowed passage through the canyon. The only sound now came from the bridge cracking below the many pairs of alloy feet, and the whistling of the wind. Vode was ahead of the Battlegroup, looking left, right, up, and down, with his staff always in a ready position. They reached what was now the tenth connecting platform, when Vode raised his hand again.
"What is it?"
Vode didn’t answer immediately. He seemed rooted to the ground, then he turned back, swinging his staff, and in doing so, deflected a laser bolt. The bolt traveled directly back at the Dug who had fired it.
"How did you know?" Asajj asked.
"In this silence, I can hear even the cocking of a blaster, Commander."
They continued their way. Each time thugs were spotted, the Sniper Droids made quick work of them, allowing Sekhmet Battlegroup to pass.
"Commander! Look!" Vode said to Asajj.
Asajj looked up and saw, standing before them, another tall and, majestic, but rusty cylindrical building.
"I think this is Sebolto´s throne room." Asajj said.
"Yes, it is." Vode said, pressing macrobinoculars to his photoreceptors.
"There’s two Yuuzhan Vong guarding the entrance. the droid said.
"I’ll take care of them." Asajj said.
Crossing the bridge, Asajj walked towards the entrance. When she was close enough to them, she waved her hand in front of them.
"You will open this door for me now."
The Yuuzhan Vong stared at her for a few seconds, then raised their weapons.
Asajj was surprised. Her mind trick did not work. Obviously, the Yuuzhan Vong were not weak-minded. She had to take them out. She called on the Force to choke them, but nothing happened. She was stunned now. This aliens seemed immune to Force powers! There was only one option know...
She called her lightsabers to her hand and the duel began.
"I knew that was going to happen." Vode said to himself as he watched the duel.
Asajj already had experience fighting Yuuzhan Vong, but this two were very skilled, forcing her to back away all the time. She was about to fall off the ledge, when Vode entered. Using his staff he knocked out a Yuuzhan Vong with a strike behind the neck. The other fell to the ground when Vode stroke his face.
"It was a good thing they were concentrated on throwing you off the cliff, Commander, or else the battle would have been longer."
"I guess I should be thankful." Asajj said.
They stood before the great door that allowed passage into Sebolto´s throne room.
"Its time we get inside." she said grabbing her lightsabers.
"We’ll get inside just like the general likes." Vode said.
"And how does Grievous like to enter?, Vode?"
"In style, Commander."
The MagnaGuard approached a control panel besides the door. Pulling a lever, the doors, began to slowly open.
When the doors were completely opened, Vode threw a grenade inside, then ordered two Anti Armor Droids to come forward.
"Fire." he simply said.
Immediately after the grenade exploded, the Battle Droids fired a pair of rockets towards the inside of the throne room. From the inside, Asajj could catch the scent of smoke and burned furniture.
"Attack!" she said.
"No, Commander! That’s not the..."
But Asajj had already charged inside, along with the twenty remaining droids, leaving Vode alone besides the entrance.
"I’m going to regret this." he said quietly, before he entered the throne.
Had it not been for the fighting and the flames, and the ruined materials, the throne room would have been a beautiful place. Banners were hanging from the walls, once beautiful fountains were now, merely shattered pieces. Several tables were turned upside down, some in fire, others completely destroyed. But at the far end of the hall, an elegant chair lied. And seated in it was a Dug, He wore elegant clothes and jewelry, like any King. It could only be Sebolto. Their quarry.
Vode was determined to seize him. Walking down the hall, pushing anyone on his way, he was before the throne, when a voice shouted from behind.
"Down, Vode!"
The droid crouched just in time. A blade had almost sent his head flying.
Turning back, he saw a cloaked figure, all features hidden, except for his eyes, visible, even under the hood, and in his hands, a long spear, with a razor sharp blade. Nom Anor.
The duel started. Nom Anor was was skilled as General Grievous, but he was not as fast, or cunning as the cyborg general. Vode was able to evade or block all of his moves, and Nom received always as penalty several strikes from Vode´s EMP staff. His armor was strong, but not impenetrable. Still, Nom had a few tricks under his sleeve.
In a quick move, that Vode failed to anticipate, the Executor, damaged Vode´s left alloy leg, then pushed him to the ground.
Pointing his spear directly at his expressionless face, Nom gave a small laugh.
"You are the droid who bears magenta lines on the cloak."
Vode said nothing.
"Then you must be General Grievous´best bodyguard. I have heard a lot of you lately, Vode. Yes, you and your general have scored some victorys against us. But no more."
Looking behind Nom, Vode was stunned to see that all twenty Battle Droids had been eliminated, and that Asajj was fighting against so many at the time.
"What do you want?" Vode asked Nom.
"We the Yuuzhan Vong, have come to this galaxy to turn it into our new homeworld, as dictated by our gods."
Vode was perplexed. Their gods?
"In order to do that, we must purge this galaxy of all infidels. We will only spare those who accept to aid us."
"Why infidels?" Vode asked.
"Infidels because your beliefs are against ours. Especially beings like yourself. Everything in our civilization, from our weapons to our ships, are living entities. And now, we must continue with our mandate, for it is the will of the gods!" Nom said.
He was about to separate Vode´s head from his torso again, when another voice spoke behind Vode.
"That’s a very interesting story, Nom Anor, but I’m afraid we can’t let you carry out the will of the gods."
Everyone in the room turned back to gaze at the entrance. There, standing, with two lightsabers ignite was General Grievous. The Gran Mawz Dakko had withdrawn his two Cortosis blades, and was ready too. Behind them, Thoth Battlegroup, and the remainder of Sekhmet Battlegroup were aiming their blasters and EMP staffs at Nom Anor.
"You will not stop us from doing the will of the gods, Grievous!" Nom said pointing his staff at Grievous now.
"The will of the gods my cloak. You chose to carry out your plans just when we are busy fighting a war? Most unwise."
"Well, we’ll see about that! Come down here and fight me!"
"As you wish." Grievous said while running at him.
"The throne room erupted into a fray again. This time, Thoth and Sekhmet Battlegroups, which consisted of Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, Destroyer Droids, and MagnaGuards were enough to overwhelm the Yuuzhan Vong, Gran and Dugs. Mawz was assisting Asajj against the Gran who wielded force pikes, while Vode pitted himself against the Yuuzhan Vong warriors. But the most movement came from Grievous and Nom´s duel.
Grievous was far better than Nom. He attacked swiftly, and elegantly, slashing at his opponent’s armor, forcing him to back off, whereas Nom preferred powerful strikes.
"It seems you’ve improved since our last duel on Dantooine."
"Last time we were forced to flee. Now we can continue this to the end!"
"I don’t think so. My ship is being crippled above the planet, because of you, so I have to finish quickly."
Then, unexpectedly, Nom turned back and began running towards Sebolt´s throne . Pushing the Dug and throne aside, the Yuuzhan Vong entered a tunnel.
"Run, coward!" Grievous shouted at him.
Following without hesitation, Grievous entered the tunnel, running to catch with Nom. After some minutes of running, Grievous entered a wide area that resembled a landing pad. It was a landing pad. On the far side, a sleek odd looking fighter was waiting on the humid pad. Hurrying towards it was Nom Anor.
"I have you know." Grievous said quietly.
Grievous aimed then threw hid lightsaber directly at Nom Anor´s back. It missed for a few centimeters, but instead, the blade had landed on Nom´s ship. A slight shriek was audible after that. Grievous was running towards the ship. Nom Anor was already sitting in the cockpitwhen the ship lifted. Making a long jump, Grievous was able to sink his claws on the ship´s hull. It felt very strange, as if it were alive. Grabbing the lightsaber he had thrown, Grievous placed this time a homing beacon under the ship, then he let go. Falling several meters he landed on his feet, and glared at the fleeing ship.
"You are not getting away that easy."
Turning back, he started to make his way back towards the temple.
When he arrived at the throne room,Thoth and Sekhmet Battlegroups were arranged in a circle all blasters and staffs pointing directly at the Dug King Sebolto. Making his way through the hundred droids , Grievous stood in front of him, towering over the Dug.
"We´ve traveled through dense jungles, perilous canyons, blasted our way through your palace, and now the time has come. Tell us, what were you doing messed up with a scum like the Yuuzhan Vong.
Sebolto replied in Huttese. Vode made the translation.
"He says he allied himself with the Yuzhan Vong, because they had offered him protection against the authorities of Malasatare."
"Typical. Do you know, where was Nom Anor headed?"
"He says he was heading for the planet Rhen Var, where the primary Yuuzhan Vong base of operation is located." Vode said.
"The Rhen Var is our next destination. Thoth and Sekhmet Battlegroups, return to your shuttles! We must return quickly to the Invisible Hand."
"General, what about Sebolto?" Vode asked.
Grievous stopped, then turned back to look at Vode.
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 11 "New Assignments"
Vode grabbed Sebolto by the arms, then dragged him behind the throne. For a few seconds nothing happened, but then horrible screams began to fill the hall. From behind the throne, walked Vode, his staff an cloak splattered with blood.
"What was that?" Mawz asked him.
"I silenced him, just as General Grievous told me." the droid answered.
"I don’t want to imagine what you did to him." Mawz said
"I actually stroked him repeatedly until he began to bleed. Then, I gave the final blow on his stomach."
Mawz gulped.
"Are you programmed to be so cruel?"
Vode turned back thrusting his staff at Mawz´s face.
"Stop asking."
The freighters were waiting for them outside the throne room. Sekhmet and Thoth Battlegroups boarded their respective shuttled.
"Get us straight into the Invisible Hand´s docking bays!" Grievous barked at the pilot.
"Yes, General." the droid replied.
Engines fired up, the freighters began their flight towards their capital ship. It would not be easy.
"General, enemy ships are coming at us."
"General Grievous to the CISD Invisible Hand. Order four wings of fighters to cover us! Over." Grievous said at the comlink.
"Their already on their way, General."
The freighters were being pinned down by laser fire coming form the Republic fighters.
"Pilot! Try to outmaneuver those fighters!"
"I can’t, General. Their closing in around us." the droid pilot said.
"Give me those!" Grievous said angrily.
Pushing the droid from the seat, Grievous took the controls of the freighter.
"Brace yourselves!" he told Vode and the rest of the droids. Mawz and Asajj were on the other freighter.
Steering the craft, Grievous was able to get past the group of fighters that were closing in on them. But, now, they were on their tails.
"General, where are the fighters?!" Asajj´s voice said through the comlink.
"That’s what I’m wondering." Grievous said through the comlink.
Although Grievous was sometimes referred to as an "unstoppable cyborg", he too could get exhausted, and that was how he was feeling now. He needed to be inside the stasis chamber every two standard days at least. The last time he had been inside it was before arriving on Dantooine, and that had been five standard days ago.
"General, the droid tri-fighters are here!" Vode yelled at the general.
Grievous looked up to see the new red eyed droid fighters approaching, firing at the Republic fighters.
"Asajj, we are about to enter the Invisible Hand. Keep close." Grievous said through the comlink again.
At such close distance, Grievous could see the damage that had been done the Province class destroyer. Many of its turbolasers had been destroyed. Its hull was crippled, and thee was fire and columns of steam everywhere. He knew it could no longer hold against the two Republic Destroyers.
"Invisible Hand, order all the fighter and bomber wings to enter the bays, we are coming in."
"Yes, General." a droid replied.
The Vulture droid fighters, and the droid tri-fighters entered the docking bays, with the Republic fighters chasing them. The two freighters landed when the last fighter entered, but just when the droids had exited both freighters, a missile struck one of them, which blew into pieces, sending metal parts, and droids flying trough the bay.
"Close the bay doors, now!" Grievous shouted, while the hangar burned all around him. One of the flaming metal pieces has landed on his cloak, burning it. He took it off, and ran towards the cruiser’s bridge.
Alarms were blaring in all corridors, and when Grievous entered the bridge, he found a chaos. Droids were running from here to there, stopping before control panels, then running to another. Grievous seized the control droid by the shoulders.
"Report on the ship’s status!" he barked.
"The Invisible Hand suffered catastrophic hull failure, and our deflector shields are completely down. We’ve lost half of our turbolaser batteries, and our engines are damaged too."
"What is the destroyer’s hull integrity at the moment?" Grievous asked as another hit shook the bridge.
"Forty-eight percent, and decreasing with every shot." the droid replied.
"Set course for the planet Mygeeto. We have to get out now!"
"Coordinates are set, sir." the droid said after a few minutes.
"Now!"
Nothing happened, just a sound the resembled a cough.
Grievous turned back to look at the bridge. All of a sudden, every droid was still.
"General, our hyperdrive motivator is not working." the control droid said.
Grievous closed his eyes, then activated his comlink.
"Vode! Go and check what’s wrong with our hyperdrive now!"
He deactivated the comlink.
At the engines room, Vode was trying his best to find out what was wrong with the hyperdrive. Asajj was helping him.
"We’ll have to open this and work form the inside." Vode said
"That’s going to take hours, Vode. We don´t have that much time!"
Vode was staring at the hyperdrive, apparently lost in though. Then he raised his staff, and looked at Asajj.
"Step back, Commander. I’m going to try something; sometimes it works, sometimes it does not work."
Before Asajj could ask, Vode thrust his staff at the hyperdrive, hitting it three times. Then, a sound came from it.
"You did it!" Asajj shouted through all the noise.
Back at the bridge, Grievous was already alerted to this.
"Punch it, now!" Grievous yelled.
The droids did as told immediately. Turning back at the viewports, the general saw ,with great relief, that they were finally leaving. Turning back, he left the bridge, and walked towards the stasis chamber.
At the entrance, he found Vode.
"General, our hyperdrive is working, but not at optimal capacity. We´ll need to get the ship repaired."
"The Invisible Hand will get repaired. Vode, please stay here, and don´t allow anyone to pass this door, until we reach Mygeeto."
"Which will be in the next seven standard hours."
"Then don’t let anyone pass this door for the next seven hours. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
************
The planet Mygeeto was an ice covered planet. On the surface, stood ruins of ancient cities, which were now Separatist strongholds. On orbit above the planet was the Invisible Hand. It had been severely damaged since the battle above Malastare, and was now being repaired. The droids estimated that it would take about three days for the ship to be completely repaired. When the freighter exploded inside the hangar bay, some pieces had struck Mawz, who was now at the medical area of the base. Grievous, Asajj, and Vode were at a meeting room, where Count Dooku of Serenno had been waiting for them.
"So, General, it seems you’ve had quite busy days lately." Dooku said.
"Indeed, Lord Tyranus. This has become much more than an ordinary reconnaissance mission." the general replied.
"Tell me, General, exactly what has happened since you arrived at Dantooine."
It took Grievous half a standard hour to tell Dooku the events of the previous days, from the arrival at Dantooine, to the fight inside Sebolto´s throne room.
"Very interesting. My Master would like to hear it too."
He pressed a button, which activated the table’s holoprojector.
"Master, General Grievous is here."
A small blue image of Darth Sidious appeared at the center of the table.
"Just in time General. What new do you have?" Sidious said.
Grievous bowed before Sidious´ image, then proceeded to tell the Sith Lord everything he had just said to Dooku.
"We’ve discovered the existence of a new sentient species, Master. They call themselves, the Yuuzhan Vong. Their leader is the Executor Nom Anor, who we’ve been chasing from Dantooine to Malastare. He said they are here to carry out the will of their gods, which is to rid this galaxy of infidels, and transform it into the new Yuuzhan Vong world. I’ve noticed that their technology is bizarre. Their weapons, armor, and even ships are living entities."
"This sounds like a potential threat to our plans." Sidious said after a while. "Strange I did not feel this."
"Asajj told me that they were immune to her Force attacks." Grievous said. "Their armor and weapons are resistant to lightsaber blows too."
"I think, Master, the only possible explanation would be that they are not part of the Force." Dooku said. "We would have felt them."
"This must be dealt with." Asajj said.
"I agree with you, but you must be cautious now that the Republic is monitoring you. General, do you know this Nom Anor´s last known trajectory?"
"Yes, my Master. According to our information, he was heading for Rhen Var where, supposedly, the main Yuuzhan Vong base of operation is located."
"Very well, then. You are to leave when the Invisible Hand is repaired. I also see it fit to tell you, that your assignments have changed."
"What is your bidding, Master?" Grievous asked.
"Eliminate this silent threat." Sidious said. Edited by: Dark Trooper Delta at: 6/24/05 2:47 pm
The planet Rhen Var was completely covered with snow and ice, consequence of a catastrophic change in climate which occurred a millennium ago. The weather on the planet has become harsh, inhospitable at times.
And yet, the Army of the Republic had established a base of operations there.
Abandoned by the Clone troopers, when the Confederacy had launched an attack on the planet, it was now nothing more than a lonely wreck.
Or that was what the Yuuzhan Vong and a group of traitorous Republic officers wanted the rest of the galaxy to believe.
Approaching the planet inside his coralskipper, Nom Anor was reflecting on last day’s events. His plans on Dantooine and Malastare had been thwarted by General Grievous and his allies. He had underestimated him. He thought Grievous was just another "infidel", like the ones he’d encountered when he first arrived on this galaxy. Now Nom knew he had been mistaken. General Grievous was now the main threat to the Yuuzhan Vong´s plans. He was also aware the Grievous was tracking him. He would have to destroy the homing beacon attached to his ship´s hull as soon as he landed.
As he landed on one of the base’s platforms, Nom caught sight of a human dressed in the uniform of the Republic’s naval commanders. As he exited the ship, the officer made a little bow with his head.
"Executor Nom Anor, welcome back."
"Commander, McCarthy." Nom greeted back.
"Everything is going as you planned, sir." McCarthy said. "No one knows this base has been reoccupied."
"No more, Commander. The Confederacy of Independent Systems knows we are here. That General Grievous has been tracking me from Malastare."
"What happened to Sebolto?" McCarthy asked.
"He’s probably dead now. It doesn’t matter. We must prepare ourselves. I’m sure Grievous will come here soon.
"Our shield is nearly impervious, sir. We are well defended."
"You don’t know General Grievous as I do. I’m sure he’ll find a way to penetrate the shield."
"Should we evacuate, Executor?" McCarthy asked cautiously.
"No. We will fight them. Contact our secondary outpost in Korriban Tell them to send part of their forces here, as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir." McCarthy paused. "Executor, should Grievous penetrate the shield, what should we do with him?"
"I will fight Grievous, Commander. I’ll fight him and eliminate him."
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 13 “Preparing the Attack”
"General, the scanners have detected Republic entities on the planet´s north pole."
"Surely, its the Yuuzhan Vong. The planet was abandoned by the Republic Army months ago."
"The freighters are ready, sir. We can deploy them..."
"No." Grievous cut the droid. "Send a lone Vulture droid fighter down there. I want it to capture images of the Republic base, then send them back here."
"At once, General."
"In the meantime, put the Holo-Net on."
Grievous sat on a seat at the back of the bridge, when a large, flat screen and two speakers, lowered before him. The main reason he was doing this was because he had nothing else to do at the moment.
He was watching Supreme Chancellor Palpatine addressing the Senate, when Mawz´s head popped from behind the screen.
"Watching the Holo-Net, General?" he said.
"Oh, well. I just wanted to tell you that the Vulture is already on its way."
"Excellent." Grievous said, still without taking his eyes from the screen.
"Is there anything interesting?"
"Not really. Only Palpatine addressing the Senate."
"You should’ve watched it before we left Mygeeto. Mawz said. "They mentioned you."
"They mentioned me?" Grievous asked, this time facing Mawz.
"Oh, yeah. It was a half a standard hour report on the events which occurred on Malastare. To be more exact, the battle between the Invisible Hand, and the Republic Destroyers. In the end, the woman documenting everything said Clone Commandos were dispatched to the jungles, canyons, and Sebolto´s palace. They probably are searching even as we speak.
"The GRI wants to know everything, I deem." Grievous said turning back to the screen.
"Speaking of the GRI, there was this report about a missing Intelligence officer too. Lieutenant Isanne McCarthy, of the third fleet, is lost and presumed dead. Republic Intelligence is still searching for him all over the galaxy."
"He must be an important person."
"Yes, he is. He’s a weapons scientist."
"Mawz, we are not going to search for him. We have to find Nom Anor!"
"General, but there was something in that report that I was sure would interest.."
"I´m not interested at all about this officer." Grievous replied harshly.
Mawz gave a deep sigh.
"What if I told you that his last known location is exactly the very same planet you just sent a fighter into?"
"You mean, Rhen Var?"
"Yes."
"Now I’m interested. Chances are he might be working with the Yuuzhan Vong." Grievous said, rising from the chair.
"We’ll have to wait for the Vulture´s images to come in." Mawz said, apparently delighted that Grievous now wanted to talk.
Grievous narrowed his reptilian eyes, and leaned forward a little bit.
"Mawz, you better be right about this."
Mawz´s smile faded a little.
"I’m sure, General."
"General, images from the Vulture are coming in." the control droid called.
"Good. Display them."
The image of Palpatine was replaced with a high resolution image showing a snowy landscape. The next image showed a large outpost. Close ups showed its defenses. Turrets, large walls, and Republic AT-TE´s , which Grievous suspected, were being controlled by Yuuzhan Vong. Protecting the base was a deflector shield. Another image showed a large cannon, which was pointing at the sky. Seconds later, it fired.
"Oh, no." Grievous thought.
Ten seconds later, a massive jolt struck the flank of the Invisible Hand.
"No damage, General, but continued fire can damage the ship."
"They know we are here. Target that cannon with our own cannons."
"Target acquired." a droid said.
"Firing now." another said.
Grievous turned to the screen. After a few seconds, the bolts from the Invisible Hand struck not the cannon, but a shield surrounding it."
The general was frustrated. Both the base and outpost were protected by deflector shields. But, Grievous thought, there had to be a shield generator near the base and outpost.
"Does the Vulture have any new images?"
"Yes, General." the control droid said as another bolt struck the ship.
The next images showed a large complex with two radar dishes, each pointing at opposite directions.
"That’s it. The shield generator." Grievous said, relieved. "We have to get moving. Mawz, wake Asajj up, then go to the hangar and help the droids ready Sekhmet, Thoth, Epsilon, and Theta Battlegroups. Since Sekhmet Battlegroup has been reduced to just twenty droids, you might want to add some more droids. We will leave as soon as the freighters are ready."
"Yes, sir." the Gran said, then departed the bridge.
"Commander, turn the ship to minimize our profile. Deploy three wings of droid tri-fighters in case Yuuzhan Vong fighters approach. Also, order the Vulture to remain where it is Then, lock onto its signal."
"Doing it now, General."
"Excellent."
Walking around the bridge, Grievous activated the comlink.
"Mawz, I want the freighters carrying Theta and Epsilon Battlegroups to be loaded with GATs, AATs, Anti-infantry walkers, speeder tanks, Mobile Assault Cannons, Mortar Tanks, Hailfire Droids, Homing Spider Droids, and my personal wheel bike." "Huh, General, all those droids and vehicles, will not fit inside Theta and Epsilon’s freighters. We’d need two more freighters."
"Then use the freighters for Rho, and Sigma Battlegroups, as quickly as you can!" Grievous shouted at the comlink. "Yes, General. As you wish." Ma
"Is everything going as planned, General?"
Grievous turned back to find a hologram of Darth Sidious.
"My Master." Grievous said, making a bow with his head. "Yes, we are preparing the Battlegroups for the attack." "Good, very good." Sidious´ face contorted in an evil grin. "You remember your orders?"
"Lay waste to all the Yuuzhan Vong presence on the planet, but capture Nom Anor alive." Grievous recited. "I’m sure you will."
"Master, I’ve been told about a certain traitorous Republic officer who might hold important information." "Oh, you mean, Isanne McCarthy?"
"Yes, Master." "I heard of him when I was watching the Holo-Net. He might provide valuable information." he paused. "General, locate this Isanne McCarthy, and bring him in, along with Nom Anor if a all possible."
"As you command, Master."
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 14 “The Attack Begins”
Inside the hangar bay of the Invisible Hand, General Grievous was giving a briefing to four hundred druids, Mawz Dakko, and Asajj Ventress.
“The anti-orbital cannons and command base are protected by deflector shields. This are our first objectives. Mawz and Asajj will lead Sekhmet and Rho Battlegroups to take out the shield generator. Once the shield is down, Vode and I will take Thoth and Epsilon Battlegroups to take out the anti-orbital cannon threatening the Invisible Hand. After we’re done with the cannon, Asajj will commence an aerial attack against the base, eliminating its defenses. She will take Arjuna and Krishna Wings. When the base’s defenses are weakened, I will position all six Battlegroups around the base, then we will besiege it. The tanks will breach the base’s walls, allowing the Battle Droids to swarm in. I will l then lead Sigma Battlegroup inside the main building inside the base, where Nom Anor supposedly lies. In case the Yuuzhan Vong launch their coralskippers against the destroyer, Arjuna and Krishna Wings will aid Loki, Kryos, and Valkyrie Wings, which are already protecting the ship.” He paused. “And I remind you, failure is not an option here. Board your respective freighters!”
In a matter of minutes, Sekhmet, Thoth, Epsilon, Rho, Theta, and Sigma Battlegroups were ready for departure. When the six freighters took off, eight Vulture droid starfighters accompanied them.
“Pilot, land near the Vulture´s location.” Grievous told the droid pilot.
“Yes, sir.”
The taskforce landed near the Vulture, now in walk mode, and watching the freighters as they landed. When the freighter carrying Sekhmet Battlegroups lowered its ramp, Grievous was the first to exit, followed by his Magna Guards. He walked towards the Vulture. The general looked behind the droid, he saw the shield generator complex. Looking back he saw, in the distance the anti-orbital cannon firing again. Looking above he saw the most beautiful thing. The night sky of Rhen Var´s north pole was filled with what some called the “Northern Lights”. They seemed like dancing rainbows to him. A beautiful spectacle, he thought.
But as beautiful as it was, he still had a job to do.
“We must start now. Mawz, Asajj take Sekhmet and Rho Battlegroups. Infiltrate the complex, and deactivate the shields. Just go past the Vulture.
“As you wish, General.” The Gran said.
He and Asajj boarded their freighters, which activated their repulsorlifts and began their way towards the complex.
“Vode, you and I, will take Thoth and Epsilon Battlegroups to the anti orbital-cannon. We´ll position ourselves around it. After Mawz and Asajj deactivate the shield, we will strike swiftly.
“Yes, General, I will start the freighters now.”
Grievous turned to a Battle Droid Commander.
“Theta, and Sigma Battlegroups will stay here for now. Create a perimeter, and contact me if anything happens.
“Yes, General.”
“In case we need assistance, I will call you.”
Grievous and Vode boarded separate freighters, then activated the repulsorlifts, and began to move for the cannon.
**************
“The complex is heavily defended. Mainly by Republic AT-Ts, and AT-XTs. And I’m sure there are lots of traitorous Republic officers and Yuuzhan Vong inside. This isn’t going to be easy.”
The shield generator complex consisted of a large domed building, and two even larger radar dishes, pointing out in opposite directions.
“We will strike them fast. Position the AATs and Mortar Tanks before the complex’s doors. Fire, when I raise my axe.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tanks, ready, Commander. “
“Pointing at the complex’s doors.”
Mawz raised his axe.
“Open fire.” The droid commander ordered at the tanks.
The tanks opened fire. Their mortars and heavy laser bolts stroked the complex’s doors, which blew up after some hits.
“All units, attack!”
And so Sekhmet and Rho Battlegroups swarmed in. Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Destroyer Droids blasted their way through, while Mawz and Asajj cut their way through. The entire complex was one big circular room, with the great shield generator at the middle. The fighting continued. Droids officers, and Yuuzhan Vong were continuously falling to the ground. Mawz and Asajj´s blades were always in constant movement. Parrying or attacking. Many Yuuzhan Vong feel under the blades of these skilled warriors.
After eliminating two officers, Asajj caught sight of a console just in front of the shield generator. She pushed an officer out of the way, then ran towards it. She pressed buttons, and pulled switches. Nothing happened.
“Mawz here’s the main console, but its encoded!” she yelled amidst all the noise.
“The officers might be the ones who know how to use it!” he yelled while fighting a Yuuzhan Vong.
“Capture one!” Asajj shouted as she renewed the fighting.
“Oh, that’s going to be so easy!” Mawz thought.
After twenty standard minutes of fighting, all the Yuuzhan Vong were defeated, and only one officer remained alive. Asajj raised her hand to stop the droids from shooting him.
“We’ve spared you just for one reason. We want you to deactivate the shield generator.”
“I’d rather die than carry out your will.” The officer said.
“You will, whether or not you do as we tell you.”
“I won’t.”
“You…” Asajj began.
“Let me. Mawz interrupted. “You will deactivate the shield generator for us now!”
This time, the officer had been intimidated, and for obvious reasons. Mawz was much taller and had a thicker build than the officer, who was short and slim. In fact, the officer’s head stood just a little higher than Mawz´s shoulders. Part of that intimidation came from the pair of cruel, but elegant axes, Mawz was holding. Plus, his face had a very upset look.
“Very well, I will do it.” the officer said at last.
Exhausted from the battle, Mawz nodded, breathing hard.
Followed closely by Asajj, and Mawz, the officer walked towards the console. Using a code only officers knew he shut down the generator.
“Are the shields down?” Mawz asked threateningly.
“Yes, they are.” The officer said grumpily.
“General Grievous, this is Mawz. The shields are down.”
“Yes, I know that. We are closing in on the cannon. Over.” Grievous said.
“We have to go now. Mawz said.
But just when he turned back, the officer grabbed a blaster which was lying on the floor, and fired. Turning back quickly, Mawz deflected the bolt with his axe, at the same time a droid fired at the officer. His lifeless body fell to the ground.
“Plant thermal charges.” Mawz ordered at some droids. “Just in case someone comes in and decides to reactivate the shields.”
Re: Star Wars: The Silent Threat
Chapter 15 “The Siege of Rhen Var”
General Grievous was walking away from the burning wreck that was once the anti-orbital cannon. Taking it out was not very difficult. There were only sixty guards, and three six-legged AT-TE´s defending it. Grievous and the droids took care of the guards while the Homing Spider Droids and Hailfire Droids took care of the vehicles.
He activated the comlink on his right forearm.
“General Grievous to Asajj. Phase Two is complete. You may proceed with the assault. Arjuna and Krishna Wings will join you shortly, but we have no time to waste. Your objective is to destroy the base´s defenses. Turrets, and the like. Mawz should arrive with the Battlegroups by the time you are done. Do not take all night destroying the defenses. If Mawz arrives and you have not finished, pull back so he can commence the siege. Land and join him when that happens. Vode and are about to get going, but we are far from the base, so we will take longer than expected. Sigma and Theta Battlegroups should be arriving shortly after or before the siege starts. Before you go, remember to apply the strategy we talked about earlier. It should make your work easier. Those are your orders. Over.”
“I understand, General. I’m about to take off.” Asajj voice came through the comlink.
“Vode! Are we ready?” Grievous yelled.
“Almost, General.” The MagnaGuard straightened up. “I am placing the vehicles in the correct formation.”
“How many vehicles do we have?”
“One hundred STAPs, One hundred Speeder Tanks, thirty Hailfire Droids, thirty-five Homing Spider Droids, fifteen AATs, and fifty GATs.”
Grievous rolled his eyes.
“We destroyed the cannon a standard hour and a half ago. You haven’t been able to arrange two hundred and thirty vehicles in that time?”
“I’m arranging the craft so the faster vehicles are in front, and the lower vehicles on the back.”
“I’m sure by the time we arrive at the base, we will find a complete mayhem. The slower vehicles happen to be the ones with greater firepower and the ones who can withstand heavy punishment. Craft like the Ground Armored Tanks, are faster, but not as powerful.” He paused. “Arrange all the craft in such a way that the lighter vehicles can escort the heavier vehicles.
“General, that will take more time.”
Grievous leaned forward, then spoke to Vode in a low voice
“Then, the sooner you start, the better.”
He turned and walked towards a group of eight Vulture droid starfighters, all in walk mode, and looking down at the general.
“Arjuna and Krishna Wings, you are the best droid starfighters of the fleet.
Therefore you will join Asajj. You will attack the enemy base, in an attempt to weaken its defenses. Air-to-air turrets, air-to-ground turrets, AT-TE´s , and everything that is a threat to our Battlegroups. Should enemy fighters attack you, stop attacking turrets, and concentrate on the fighters. Only when you have taken the fighters down, can you resume firing at the defenses. I will now give you the coordinates.”
Grievous withdrew a kind of comlink from inside his cloak. He then clicked some buttons, before putting the device inside his cloak again.
“I’ve input the coordinates into your central processors. You are now ready to go.”
The droid fighters turned into flight mode, then began to head south. The device Grievous used allowed him to communicate with Vulture and droid tri-fighters when they were not near. It had proven useful on several occasions.
“General, we are ready to go.” Vode called.
“Excellent. Bring my wheel bike.”
General Grievous´ wheel bike was basically a spiked wheel, with extendable legs that allowed the general to climb vertical surfaces easily, and for travel in uneven ground. It also had a pair of concussion missile launchers.
Grievous climbed on the seat placed on one side of the vehicle, then activated the vehicle.
“Vode, get on a Speeder Tank so we can start moving.” Grievous said, looking down at the droid.
“Yes, General.”
“At last.” Grievous thought. “The end has come. Time to bring the Yuuzhan Vong before my Master.”
Since the snow did not allow the wheel bike to move, the general instead extended the four legs, and started the vehicle. They started moving towards the base.
Asajj´s Geonosian fanblade starfighter was flying above the Republic base, avoiding fire from the turrets, then returning it. Not only was she targeting the turrets but also, the Republic AT-TEs, and AT-XTs on the ground, whom, Asajj was sure, were being controlled by Yuuzhan Vong. Buildings were also her targets. She was flying fast steering the ship left and right, making somersaults or making anti air missiles hit other turrets or buildings, rather than her ship.
A few red bolts destroyed two turrets in front of Asajj. That could only mean one thing, she thought.
Arjuna and Krishna Wings had arrived.
She smiled to herself. It was time to give the traitorous Republic officers, and the Yuuzhan Vong some real trouble.
Asajj´s connection with the Dark Side of the Force, allowed her to execute exceptional maneuvers, no ordinary pilot could do.
But these Vultures were not the best droid fighters in the whole Confederacy fleet for nothing.
These eight fighters had been hand-picked by Grievous himself. They had undergone special programming, that made then far more intelligent than ordinary Vultures, or even the new droid-tri fighters. This also allowed them to perform impressive maneuvers, not even a Clone Pilot could do. Their hulls were much stronger, as were their shields. Their laser cannons, were more powerful, and could be loaded not only with proton torpedoes, but with the new EMP Pulse missile, which easily destroyed mechanical devices. These eight fighters were equipped with EMP missiles right now, and their missiles proved effective against turrets, vehicles, and buildings.
Areas of the base were burning, and smoke was rising. Asajj, and the Vultures had stopped firing at their enemies, in order to use their strategy. They began flying in a special manner, dodging enemy fire and missiles, but not only that.
They were flying in such a way that the enemy misfire actually hit other turrets or buildings. That was the strategy.
Let the enemy weaken itself, then strike without mercy.
And they were doing a good job. Soon, half the base’s turrets were wiped out, two buildings had been razed to the snowy ground completely, and a dozen walkers had been destroyed. Now was the time to really strike them. But strike them hard. Arjuna and Krishna Wings launched a barrage of EMP missiles to no target in particular. But that was deliberate. The Vultures had targeted a cluster of buildings, and had released several missiles to strike them all. Which they did, and with catastrophic consequences.
At least for the Yuuzhan Vong.
The shockwaves created by the missiles, destroyed three small buildings, which fell on five AT-XTs, destroying them as well.
Asajj and the Vultures continued firing at the turrets, when Asajj´s comlink came to life.
“Asajj, this is Mawz. Sekhmet, Rho, Sigma, and Theta Battlegroups have arrived. We are waiting for you to descend s we can start.”
“Very well. Get the tanks in position while we touch down.”
Activating the same kind of comlink, Grievous had used before, Asajj ordered at the Vultures to land near the freighters, which they did immediately. Asajj landed her fighter, outside the base’s walls, then hurried towards Mawz.
A strong blizzard was blowing. The temperature was so low, Mawz was actually rattling his teeth, but was ready to give the signal with his cortosis axes. When Asajj stopped besides hime, the Gran chuckled.
“I see you and the Vultures almost wiped out the entire base.”
“We would, had you not interrupted.” Asajj said, smiling slightly.
Mawz turned to face her, his face serious all of sudden.
“That would not have been enough. No Yuuzhan Vong or Republic officer must survive the attack, except for Nom Anor, and Isanne McCarthy.”
“I´m sure they are in the large building, over there, in the center.” She pointed at a towering building, exactly in the middle of the base.”
“In order to get there we must breach the walls. Since you destroyed all of the turrets, on this side of the wall, it shouldn’t be that difficult.”
“That depends on how strong the walls are.”
“Let´s see then.” He raised his right arm, causing the AATs and Mortar Tanks to aim their long cannons at different sections of the walls.
He lowered his arm.
About forty AATs and Mortar Tanks, began firing a devastating barrage to the wall. However it would not give.
“Commanders, the wall is too strong. Our barrage can´t breach it.” A command droid said.
“What if we keep the barrage going on without interrupting it?” Asajj asked the droid.
“If we continue firing without stopping, I estimate the wall will be down in one standard day.”
Mawz sighed.
“We can´t wait a whole standard say.” He said to Asajj.
“There must be another way.”
Mawz thought about this while the AATs and Mortar Tanks continued firing at the wall. Suddenly he turned to look at the sky.
“What? Are you looking at the auroras?”
“No. I got an idea.”
“What is it?”
“Wait and see.”
He activated the comlink.
“Mawz Dakko to the Invisible Hand. Gunners, pinpoint the Republic base’s location.”
“Done, sir.” Answered the voice of a droid.
“Now target the base’s north side walls. Fire when you are ready.”
Acquiring targets. Firing now.”
“Stand back!” Mawz yelled.
He, Asajj, the droids, and all the vehicles, started to back away. Five standard seconds later, a red bolt was briefly visible, before a huge explosion occurred. More bolts came after that, causing more explosions.
Through the thick smoke, and flying debris, Mawz called the Invisible Hand.
“Invisible Hand, cease fire!”
“Yes, sir.”
Mawz opened his three eyes. He saw before him, the wall ruined. Debris was still flying, and thick smoke clouded their vision to some degree, and now instead of cold Mawz could feel the warmth of fire. It felt really hot.
Advancing slowly, he could hear screams of men, and of alien creatures from the other side of the wall. Clearly, the explosion had startled the Yuuzhan Vong and officers.
It was now or never.
Opening wide his eyes, and standing to his full height, Mawz signaled at Asajj to join him.
“The wall is breached! We must go now!”
“Then, what are we waiting for?” she said.
Igniting her dual crimson lightsabers, she ran towards the new opening, Mawz followed her, and following him, were about four hundred Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Destroyer Droids.
The Separatist forces swarmed in, overwhelming the officers and Yuuzhan Vong nearest to the breached wall. Soon, troops from both sides began to fall, but the Separatists were pushing their enemies back, with Mawz and Asajj leading them, cutting their way with their blades.
The siege had begun. Edited by: Dark Trooper Delta at: 6/24/05 3:07 pm
"General! Were are you?! We require assistance!" Asajj´s voice came through the the general´s comlink. Of course the need my help, Grievous thought as he led his Battlegroups through the snow.
The journey was slow. Because the snow would not allow the wheel bike to move properly, Grievous had instead relied on the four extendable legs for movement. Extremely boring for the general. He wanted to be in the battle. He wanted to infiltrate the main building, and seize Nom Anor. "General, you are moving off the track." Vode said through the comlink.
Grievous straightened up and steered the vehicle. His daydreming was distracting him.
"Vode, how long have we been like this?" "About two standard hours."
"I´m sick of this." Grievous said with frustation.
Almost without even thinking about it, he pressed the switch which retracted the four legs, and the wheel began to rotate.
"We must hurry now."
He knew the wheel might not work properly in the snow, but they had no time to waste. The battle at the base had gone for two long. Nom Anor could escape if he wanted. Grievous could not allow that.
Behind him, some two hundred odd vehicles racing at top speed towarsd the base. Grievous could see fire and smoke from the distance, and occasionally, some wide white shockwave. Obviously, Arjuna and Krishna Wings were still firing EMP missiles.
As the Battle groups drew closer, Grievous could distinguish the flaming breached section of the wall. That was there only way in. He activated the comlink.
"Asajj, we are almost there. Move your troops away from the breached wall. In a few moments, my ground vehicles will enter." "Its about time, General. Very well. I will do it."
Grievous pressed another switch.
"Vode stay close. We are about to come in."
He deactivated the comlink.
The flaming wall was just a few meters away. Grievous tightened his grip on the handlebars. The wall was so close...
What occured next caught the general completely off guard.
A projectile coming from a Republic AT-TE had caught the wheel bike on its left flank. The vehicle blew up, and the explosion sent Grievous flying several meters.
The general landed hard on the snowy ground, with debris falling on top of him. He quickly stood up, but was thrown again to the ground. Turning back he saw a Yuuzhan Vong warrior about to skewer him with his staff. Thinking quickly, Grievous grabbed his foe´s left leg with his foot, making him trip. Standing up again, the general withdrew two blaster pistols from his cloak. He aimed right between the eyes, but before he could pull the trigger, another explosion sent him flying. This is embarrasing, he thought as he stood up once more.
This time he really entered the fray. Grievous killed ten officers quickly with his blasters. When it came to the Yuuzhan Vong, he aimed at their unprotected necks or faces.
He was aiming at another human, when a MagnaGuard stood before him.
"What are you doing Vode!" he shouted.
Vode twirled his glowing electrostaff.
"General, the fighting has gone long enough. Nom Anor is trapped inside the main structure, but he might try to escape.
"How can he escape when all the entrances to that building are blocked by Vultures?" Grievous asked.
"I ran across Commander Dakko when I exited my Speeder Tank. He told me all the damage caused by the Vultures´EMP missiles apparently uncovered hidden entrances that lead to underground passages. No doubt there are some inside the main base of operations."
Grievous looked at the towring structure, which was some hundred meters away. He pictured Nom escaping through some hidden hatch. He looked at Vode again.
"Where is Sigma Battlegroup?"
"Just behind you, General."
Grievous turned back to see a hundred Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Destroyer Droids, all waiting for his command.
"Well, what...." the general began.
He turned to face Vode, but the bodyguard droid was not there.
"Vode!"
The MagnaGuard had gone to fight a Yuuzhan Vong warrior.
"Sigma Battlegroup, follow me!"
The General started to run firing his blasters at any enemy who crossed his path. His droid forces doing just the same.
After much running, Grievous came before a tall Vulture droid who turned its green photoreceptors. It was from Arjuna Wing.
"Let us in. We are going to get Nom Anor." the general ordered.
The Vulture did just as it was told. It moved and allowed Grievous access to the building.
Before entering, Grievous activated the comlink.
"Vode, listen wherever you are."
"I am right here General."
Grievous turned back and found Vode standing just a few centimeters from him."
"Stop doing that, Vode. It is not funny. Anyway, we are about to enter this building in an attempt to seize Anor. I want all this fray ended by the time we come out."
"As you wish, General." Vode said as he turned back and resumed the battle.
The interior of the building was very clean considering it had been pounded by EMP missiles. Everything seemed to be in order. He moved cautiosly, but swiftly, past many doors, and flight of stairs. The absence of Republic officers and Yuuzhan Vong warriors disturbed Grievous.
They reached the last level. It was a squared room, completely empty, except for a control panel just besides a door on the other end of the room.
"Get ready, droids."
Grievous had a droid open the door. When it opened, he entered quickly, blasters poised.
The only problem was that the room wad empty.
The droids lowered their weapons, but Grievous kept his two blasters ready.
"Don´t drop your guard. Close the door."
One of the battle droids proceeded to carry out the order.
"I know you lurk here, Nom." Grievous said moving carefully around the room.
Hi placed his blaster pistols inside his cloak, and withdrew a lightsaber from it. He extended the blue blade.
"Come out, coward!"
He kept walking around the large room, but there was nothing of interest in it. He could still hear the sounds of battle from outside.
He activated the comlink.
"General Grievous to any Vulture. Fire a standard missile at my position now!"
He signed off and ran towards the window. He saw two Vultures with yellow photoreceptors take aim. Then, they fired.
"Get down!" Grievous ordered at his droids.
Just as the general threw himself to the ground, a missile tresspassed the window and then hit the ceiling. Seconds later, another missile came. Together they packed enough force to bring the ceiling down.
Before Grievous became buried by several pounds of rubble, he distinguished a cloaked figure trying to escape the room, but it too was buried.
"General? Are you okay?"
Grievous opened his eyes. Crouched besides him, was Vode.
The general quickly stood up.
"Vode? What are you doing here?"
"After the explosion the entire ceiling came down. I immediately entered the building to investigate. When I entered the room, I found some of the battle droids that were not buried trying to help the others. When the ceiling came down, twenty droids were destroyed. Fortunately, the remaining droids are already out of the building."
Grievous looked up. The night sky filled with the northern lights.
"Wait! I saw a cloaked figure before I was buried."
"That was Nom Anor. One of the Super Battle Droids found him when we were clearing the rubble. He is unconsious now. Maybe a big chunk of permacrete fell on his head."
"Where is he now?"
"We took him outside. He is currently inside Sigma Battlegroup´s freighter."
"I almost forgot. Has the battle ended?"
"Yes, General, just as you wished. We left no survivors."
"Very good. But, what about Isanne McCarthy?"
"It seems he escaped. A Republic V-19 Torrent fighter escaped the planet. I quickly ordered the Invisible Hand to track its hyperspace wake."
"You did well, Vode. Now I think its time we left this planet. I am growing so sick of this snow."
"Our forces are almost ready to leave. Just two more freighters need to be loaded."
"That was a risky move, General. But it seems to have worked for you."
"I´ll do whatever it takes to bring you before my Master."
Grievous was sitting on his quarters aboard the Invisible Hand, which was still orbiting the planet Rhen Var. Before him was Nom Anor trapped by ray shields. They stared at each other without saying a word. It was Grievous who broke the almost absolute silence.
"One of my MagnaGuards informed that Commander Isanne McCarthy fled the battle. That only showed me that we are dealing with cowards. Always escaping from the battle." Grievous said.
"Sometimes I have little options but to flee to fight another day."
"Whatever. We will capture this traitorous Republic scum. I am not sure what useful information he might carry. I´d rather order my droids to search, then eliminate him, but they will capture. Just to be safe."
On the other end of the room, a door opened. It was Vode.
"Sir, your shuttle is ready. Fifty Super Battle Droids are waiting on the bay and Arjuna 1 and Arjuna 2 will escort you all the way to Coruscant."
"Excellent."
Grievous pressed a switch on his chair, then stood up. The ray shield was deactivated.
"Now, Executor, I will take you to the hangar bay. Please don´t try anything. For your own safety."
"General, I think it will safer if I bind his hands."
"Yes, sure, go ahead."
Vode quickly sprinted down the stairs and across the room. He grabbed Nom´s hands and swiftly binded them.
"Now let´s go."
Vode led the way to the elevator then down the corridor that led towards the great bay.
A large tri-winged shuttle was resting there. Standing on either side of the vehicle were two Vultures from Arjuna Wing.
"The fifty droids have already boarded the shuttle." Vode said.
"Good. Now Nom, after you."
Without even looking at Grievous, Nom began walking, but before he could enter the ship, Grievous grabbed one of his lightsabers, and smacked Nom hard behind his neck with the hilt. The alien fell to the ground unconscious.
"That has to hurt." Vode said casually.
Two Super Battle Droids came out of the shuttle.
"Take our friend here inside", he ordered to the droids. "Once he is inside, encase him in ray shields."
"Yes, General." One of the droids answered in monotone.
Grievous turned to Vode.
"Vode, I have a very important assignment for you."
"I am ready to do whatever you want, General."
"It will be very risky, though. This is a job for the Kaleesh Fist."
"The Kaleesh Fist? General, you mean I will have to work with him again?" Vode asked in frustation.
"Yes, you will. I know you don´t get along very well, but you are the best for this mission."
Grievous turned and began walking out of the bay. Vode followed him.
They walked again to the elevator which took them back to the General´s Quarters. Once inside, they walked down the stairs and opened a door just below them.
It was a dark circular room. There was nothing in it, apart from twenty cylindrical capsules.
"As you may remember, Vode, the Elite Battle Droids are inside those capsules. Waiting in stasis for the day in which I might need them again. Today is that day. Let me see, in which one of these is BD-17?"
"General, you know BD-17 acts a little crazy when awakened."
"It doesn´t matter now," he kept looking around the room. "Oh, here he is."
Grievous pressed a switch, and the capsule slowly opened. Grievous waited until it was fully open then grabbed the droid inside and placed it in front of him.
The droid was identical to the standard Battle Droids emplyed by the Trade Federation during the Battle of Naboo. Except this one was taller and thicker. Its whole body was covered with a bright chrome finish. Unlike the standard droids who had two black spots as their "eyes" this droid had a pair of round, yellow photoreceptors. One other thing that separated it from the masses was a skirt. Attached to its waist and falling all the way down to its alloy knees. It was composed of chrome plated durasteel lames. It was designed so the droid would not be hindered. Also, falling diagonally across its chest was a black armorweave cloak, bearing the same lines present on all of the MagnaGuards´cloaks.
"Its time to activate him. Where is the switch?"
"The switch is behind his neck."
"Oh, now I see it. And there you go."
Grievous pressed a switch behind the droid´s neck, and it immediately srpang to life. Its photoreceptors started glowing with a bright yellow light. It then moved its head from side to side. Then, he looked at Grievous.
"Greetings, Master. I am ready to do whatever you want." The droid spoke quickly and with a deep voice.
"Maybe I was mistaken. He is not acting as if he were crazy this time."
"Oh, its you, Vode. I see you´re still Master´s favorite."
"And what if he is? We don´t have time for this. I have an assignment for the both of you. For the Kaleesh Fist.
"I am ready, Master!" BD-17 said excitedly.
"Come with me to the briefing room, and I will tell you."
Once in the briefing room, Grievous turned to his combat droids. He began by telling BD exactly everything that had happened since they visited Dantooine.
"Very interesting, General. We are facing a species from another galaxy who wear living armor, fight with living weapons, fly with living ships, and are immune to Force powers. Good, now I will fight worthy enemies."
Vode rolled his head.
"You will find the Yuuzhan Vong are very worthy oponents, BD. Anyway, I am sending you to capture an ally of them while I present Nom Anor to Lord Sidious," he paused. "According to what Nom told me while he was held captive here, Commander Isanne McCarthy, formerly stationed aboard the GRD Intrepid defected to the Yuuzhan Vong out of his own greed. He was promised a priviledged position besides the Executor if he helped him conquer this galaxy. He has taken with him an unknown number of fighters and several personnel. Lord Sidious has ordered us to capture McCarthy alive. He escaped the siege of Rhen Var in a V-19 Torrent fighter. Fortunately, Vode ordered the droids here to track his hyperspace coordinates. Apparently, he fled to the Karthakk system. I assume that is some sort of rendezvous point. You will take the Invisible Hand there and and find out where McCarthy is stationed now. If a fight is necessary, do it, just don´t let the Invisible Hand receive as much damage as it did on Malastare. Repairs are very expensive."
BD gave a little laugh.
"It is time I left for Coruscant. BD, activate the other droids, and pass on this briefing. Vode you do the same with the MagnaGuards. You will, once again, form the Kaleesh Fist. The best of my Battlegroups."
The gargantuan cruiser The Invisible Hand reverted to realspace in, what some might call, the middle of nowhwere in space. The Karthakk system. Located in the Outer Rim.
From the bridge of the destroyer, only one planet could be seen.
Lok.
Its yellow and orange surface was a stark contrast with the system`s blue and black starscape.
The planet was controlled by the Feeorin named Nym, who had fought the Trade Federation before the start of the Clone Wars. Grievous had heard about him. However, he didn`t want the ship to be damaged by a needless firefight with the Feeorin. Before he left the nvisible Hand, the general had told Vode to ignore the planet. He expected the enemy in orbit around the planet.
And he was correct.
In orbit, high above the planet were two Republic Acclamator-class Assault Ships. The GRD Adamant and Bastion.
Nothing more.
"They may damage the ship severely if we take too long." BD-17 said.
"This will be short. Our orders are not to destroy the destroyers. We must board them."
"Both of them, Vode?"
"Well, only the one that carries Isanne McCarthy. The other we can destroy if we are able."
"Vode, you said this will be short."
"I did." the MagnaGuard replied.
"Well, I doubt it. Boarding an enemy destroyer, capturing a single officer who could be anywhere inside the ship, bringing him back and jumping away doesn`t sound like something that could be done in, for example, one standard hour."
"When I said short, I didn`t mean one hour or less. I know it will take time, but that does not mean we can spend all day long inside the ship."
"Oh, okay." BD said still not totally convinced.
"Are the two freighters ready?"
"Yes, they are."
"Now we just need to know which ship carries McCarthy."
Vode turned to look at the bridge, full of Neimoidians, and droids.
"Scan both destroyers. Find out where Isanne McCarthy is."
After several long minutes, a Neimoidian called out.
"Isanne McCarthy is located aboard the GRD Adamant. To be more exact, our scans show him standing in the bridge."
"Vode turned to looked at the cruisers`bridges set on spires. He wondered if the human Republic officer was doing the same. Looking at the Invisible Hand, preparing his ship for combat.
"Move the destroyer closer to the Republic cruisers. Alert Commander Ventress, and Dakko. They are on the gunnery decks." Vode said as he exited the bridge and started for the hangar bay.
Grievous` flagship began to move towards the two Acclamators, which maintained stationary orbits high above the planet, parallel to each other. Perhaps they were thinking the Invisible Hand would come through the middle. If that happened, both Republic ships would then be able to unleash deadly barrages at both sides of the Trade Federation cruiser.
But they were wrong.
Vode had ordered the ship to move close to Isanne`s ship, which, if seen from the Invisible Hand`s bridge, was the Acclamator on the right.
That would work to Vode and BD`s advantage. Inevitably the Invisible Hand would have to exchange fire with the Admant, but at least, that was better to exchange fire with one ship, rather then twp ships. The Bastion would then have to move around theAdamant if it wanted to fire at the Invisible Hand.
More than enough time for The Kaleesh Fist to board the Adamant.
In the hangar bay, two freighters were waiting for Vode and BD. Besides them were the Vultures of Krishna Wing.
"Okay, BD, board you shuttle and get it ready. We should be leaving soon."
A blast from the Adamant rocked the ship, which caused the Vultures to falter a little.
Inside the freighter KF-1, Vode sat at the controls. From the cockpit, he could see the glowing blue shield, which prevented anything inside the bay to be taken by the vacuum of space. The freighters would be able to pass through it without a problem.
"Let`s go now. The Adamant is in front of us." BD said through the freighter`s speakers.
With the engines hot and all systems checked, the freighters took off, followed, not only bu Krishna Wings, but also by, at least, a hundred other Vultures and droid tri-fighters.
When the freighters passed the shields, they found space to be a chaos already. The Invisible Hand and Adamant were already firing at each other powerful blasts. For one brief moment, Vode wondered what would Grievous say if he returned and found his precious ship turned into a smoking ruin.
"Vode! Your deviating from our course. You`re heading straight into the Adamant`s hull! "
Vode snapped back to reality, and found himself staring at a flat gray surface.
"Right."
The droid steered the ship, just when a blast coming from one of the Republic`s V-19 Torrent fighters shook the freighter. Vode quickly used the communications console to order Krishna Wing to target those ships threatening KF-1 and KF-2.
Which they began doing immediately.
On Rhen Var, these advanced fighters proved they were excellent at destroying things.
Here, on the Karthakk system, these advanced fighters were proving they were excellent at defending things.
Once they targeted a potential threat for the freighters, they would then proceed to take it down as fast as they could.
Of course, when the Yuuzhan Vong coralskippers entered the battle, things got a little more complicated for the Vultures. These alien ships were much more resistant to laser fire, and even the Vultures EMP missiles.
If Krishna Wing could not take down these new fighters, then they would, at least, try to slow them. The survival of freighters KF-1 and KF-2 was their priority.
But things got even more complicated because of the shield.
"There`s shields protecting the Admant`s lateral hangar bays. Just like those on the Invisible Hand. But unlike our capital ship, there is no generator visible on the surface." Vode said though his vessel`s conlink.
"Uh oh. Um...this is going to take longer than I thought. I told you, Vode!"
"We can discuss this later. BD-17. Oh no. We have coralskippers following us. Were is Krishna Wing!"
"Maybe they are busy fighting other fighters."
"Just when we need them. I have an idea. Just hang on. We`ll be inside that ship sooner than you expect. First keep the formation."
"As you wish."
Vode steered his freighter, through passing Vultures, tri-droid fighters, V-19 Torrent fighters, and coralskippers, until he could see the Adamant`s red shields properly. Each time he got too close, he would turn back, turn 180 degrees, and examine the shields again. He did this five times.
"Vode, is there a reason why we are just turning and turning and turning?" BD said grimly through the comlink.
"I know now a way to disable them. They should work the same way as personal shields. Ion cannons should disable them."
And before Vode could respond, the MagnaGuard contacted the Trade Federation cruiser.
"Invisible Hand, target the GRD Adamant`s shields with your ion cannons. Fire at them until they go down. I would suggest you make it quick, for the sake of all of us. I can see the Bastion moving in position in front of our destroyer. It is trying to cut any escape route."
"Yes, sir. " a droid responded.
"Now, BD, fall back. The Invisible Hand is going to fire plenty of ion blasts. We best stay out of the way."
Vode turned back while burst of blue energy filled space. Any ship unlucky enough to be caught in that barrage would tumble into space for a few moments. Except for the Yuuzhan Vong coralskippers, of course.
Just when the Admant`s bay shields began to flicker, a burst of ealspace reversion appeared above the Invisible Hand.
It was a Munificent-class Star Frigate belonging to the InterGalactic Banking Clan.
"Sensors show the CISD Plutocrat. However, I am not picking any Muuns or droids inside that ship. Invisible Hand, scan that frigate!" Vode said through his freighter`s comlink.
After a few moments a droid responded, "Sir. The scans show alien entities on the newly arrived CIS vessel. We believe they are Yuuzhan Vong, sir."
"Destroy that ship! Do not let it harm our destroyer!" Vode yellled.
"Engaging now, sir."
Before the droid had even finished that sentence, the Invisible Hand and Plutocrat became linked by barrage after barrage of red turbolaser blasts.
Things were starting to look bad for the Separatists. The Invisible Hand was now flanked by the Adamant and Bastion who were relentlessly firing at the CIS flagship. Droid tri fighters and Vultures were being destroyed every minute. Krishna Wing was doing most of the job now. V-19s, and coralskippers. All were falling under their powerful laser cannons, and missiles.
"Vode, this is BD. The Admant`s shields are down! Now`s our chance."
"Move in! I`m right behind you. Invisible Hand! he said, activating the comlink. Get the cruiser out of here! Don`t worry about us. We`ll be fine. Set course for the nearest Separatist stronghold. Do it now!"
"Setting course now. Be carful, sir.."
Vode turned his freighter towards the Admant`s hangar bay. He could see freighter KF-2 already inside the bay.
As fast as he could go, he moved for it. He hoped Invisible Hand had already gone from the system. That ship was too valuable to lose.
At last, the freighter made it, entering the hangar bay seconds before emergency shields sealed the bay again.
Edited by: Dark Trooper Delta at: 9/10/05 10:20 pm
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