Star Wars
The Clone Wars
Knightfall FINALE: Pt. 2
The unfolding plot against the Jedi was too vast to thoroughly comprehend in the moment. The major new the Clone Wars had eroded much of what remained of the republic’s will power, but was this Jedi insurrection that… or was another usurper hard at work?
“Vallen..” murmured the adolescent Nelvaan; the two left the room in preparation for the gunship’s arrival. Kohanna reached down into a sleeve of his satchel. A slight jingle sounded from the hilt collection gathered of fallen Jedi weapons, “This will help.” Vallen had not studied the Nelvaan physiology during his time at Corulag Academy, but he could tell the youth was resilient in nature, yet also clearly burdened. Too much was at stake for a survivor’s mind to be privy to the chaos ripping apart the force.
The hilt weighed heavily in his hand, but was perfectly balanced. With a subtle, effortless push of the ignition, a vibrant blade crackled out. Flickering green glows were cast over Vallen’s clone trooper armor while he admired the weapon.
“From where does your craft approach Major?” Kohanna questioned. Vallen took a moment to think. Remembering the flight path to the temple he pointed to the left, “It should be the Northern sector.”
“Then that is where we will be. It is best to go with your initial instinct. Head down the hall and make a cut! It will take time with these thick walls.” Turning, the young knight made his way back to the pack of younglings. A hint of confusion lingered in Vallen’s voice, “…but you’re far more experienced. This process will go a lot quicker with your skills.” Tranquilly Kohanna returned raising his hand to the officer’s shoulder. Placing claw on war-torn pauldron, “After all that has unfolded; they need to see a Jedi they trust. Your reputation precedes you, but the little ones are enduring so much…”
Deliberately Vallen solemnly nodded. Their eyes met; both understood what remained at stake. The pair were fraught with tense emotion immediately beneath a composed demeanor. Kohonna, again, briskly made way down the hallway. Slowly turning towards the task at hand, without warning, a small tear pushed its way from the cusp of Vallen’s blue eye. A trail grew across his cheek; chilled by the night air until his soft glove caught the sparkle. He lifted the humming blade and bore it into the wall. The stone heated up from within, glowing. Steadily he gradually cut up the surface.
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A hot bead of sweat raced down Vader’s forehead. The dense cloak stifled his body, restraining movement, but FURY and PANICK did not allow the Sith to notice the minor difference. The immolation of his fear burned with too much heat. Nothing besieged his WRATH!
“How long did it take for whispers of darkness to encroach and take hold?!” Shakkra Kien challenged. Truly dismayed that such a valuable member of the Order had succumb to the darkside of the force.
“Stop your clamoring!” Vader unsympathetically voiced, eyes large and fiery. The turmoil enveloping him was tangible. Nothing the Chagrian said provided the smallest insight to take hold. Not training or talent could bring the reprieve Kien sought. Defeating the momentum of the Clone Wars was futile; routing the dark warrior needed doing!
Vader continued fending off Kien’s trio of blades over and over again, goading when possible. “Do you feel the force around you Master Guardian Kien? They dwindle! Slipping into oblivion.” Kien focused on his opponent so intently, he hadn’t taken note of so many knights splayed across the floor, against pillars, even wrapped in clone troopers. Vader observed as dark reverberations of death encroached the Master Guardian. Striking hastily, the Sith seized the advantage!
The plasmic blade severed a horn of Kien’s in half then slashed across his upper arm in a single motion. Parrying prohibited Vader’s blade from diving too deep. Using a sly tactic used by Dooku on Geonosis, Vader slid his blade close to Kien’s hilt, forcing a rapid retreat by the guardian exposing his leg to another immediate strike. Exhausting the offensive, the Sith exposed the ploy in motion, striking Kien through his leg! The horned knight collapsed to the floor, gravely wounded. The chasms were far quieter than before.
Vader stepped back; deactivating his saber. Allowing.. Even encouraging emotion to swell over the Master. Mesmerized, they both watched what remained of the knights under Kien’s charge.
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The final band of guardians had been choraled together by the 501st. Each familiar with one another. At one time they had been the most promising youngling pack. Each selected for the role of guardian; all electing to accept the path of anonymity. Silent tension drew across the air. Fighting was drawn to a standstill.
Surrounding the pack of six, the 501 swarmed near! Forming a large oval, all of the troops remaining at least eight meters of distance to avoid the golden blades that proved so costly. Clone ranks coagulated; thickening with troops knelling and stacking up densely. Their armor clattered while they stood shoulder to shoulder; some resting rifle on the trooper before him.
Blades continued to hum, ignited. Ahead of the knights, the dense sea of troopers parted. The last of the guardian pack was ushered to the semi- circle. Lightsaberless, he walked across the gap. Without a word the knights greeted one another. Even when masked, Jedi identified one another through their fingerprint in force. Some nodded, others briefly placed hand against arm. More a goodbye than greeting.
Hotsh broke from formation taking two steps out. Abruptly dropping to his knee, the aim of his rifle never shifted. Commander Bow followed, standing behind him, only identifiable by the stark black kama he wore. Bow looked to his lord, Vader – who proceeded to raise his hand. Kien barked in pain, “This isn’t a fight!..ahg..it’s an EXECUTION!!” Turning his hood, the betrayer snidely remarked, “Hm..you’re right. Of Order 66.”
At the apex of Vader’s raising hand, Bow tossed a saber hilt which skidded across the floor. The lone guardsman stepped into the arc of Jedi. Recalling the saber; it spiraled when meeting his hand, “We served together, it’s fitting we embrace this moment.. together.” From another faceless knight came a simple phrase, “Balance..be that as it may!”
Jedi were renowned for their reflexes. This instance was no different. Time seemed to slow. Shakkra Kien’s muscles were saturated with emotion of the event as if it had already unfolded. His knights gave a subtle salute to their mentor; Vader’s hand dropping in the process. Kien clamored to his feet: igniting his blades, “NOOO!!”
“FIRE!!” Bow’s voice broke the silence over Kien’s hissing blades. The white and blue clone troopers cut loose a rapidly fired volley of death. Each Jedi used a different form of saber combat, some forms prevented several guardians from strongly defending against the fatal salvo. Each Jedi was struck over and over, endlessly, until their bodies lay level. One such guardian was dealt four blazing chest wounds, another to her thigh- forcing her to kneel. She continued being shot even as her hilt broke apart from a direct hit.
NONE withstood the barrage long. Those few moments signified an end to the Jedi dominion of their temple. The final protectors descended into the sea of dead.
Clone troopers of the 501st turned their attention toward their master, intently engaged in combat. Alone, the Chagrian fought on, unable to pierce Vader’s vale. No upper hand attained. The wounds received, burned beyond the nerve. Vader parried before boldly lashing out, slamming his fist into Shakkra Kien’s chest! Reeling through the air, Kien lost grip of his single bladed saber. The Dark Lord pursued relentlessly with unparalleled offense!
Leaping, Vader’s blade was high in the air; primed to fall against Kien’s neck. Propelling himself across the floor, the wounded knight postponed the intended killing blow! Rising, he winced in pain. Golden blades bounced from one side to the other! In one quick strike Vader halved his stroke, sending his saber down the center of the guardian’s hilt. Bounding back, Vader’s sword was mere inches from Kien’s breath!
High pitched metallic clatters chimed off the floor. Vader looked down, following the trail of integral pieces of saber. In a brash move, his gloved hand reached through the force grappling the ruined halves. With fingertips flexing, shattered pieces of metal fell like water through the Chagrian’s strong, blue hands. Only a pair of Kyber crystals remained in his palms!
Vader grimaced. Kien recalled his lost lightsaber, activating it from beneath ranks of clone troopers. Its hiss flared while slicing through rows of troopers along its path! Leg, waist, torso, and neck glowed. Shouts amidst the tumbling bodies echoed.
Still warm from recently being held, the familiar grip glided to place within Kien’s hand. His arm twisted quickly to deviate another powerful attack by Vader, flinching in agony. Their blades speedily skimmed again! The dark Sith seized another opening. Shakkra Kien was finally weakened; fatigued by pain and the sorrowful weight of the galaxy!
*slash* Slash* *SLAM!*
Sith strength prevailed! Vader’s heaving blows forced Kien’s beleaguered hand to release the hilt of his light sword. Instantaneously he jutted out his arm blasting the one horned Chagrian several meters back; robes furling from the discharge’s strength! Jostling on impact, Kien blinked rapidly doing his utmost to clear his dazed sight. Before focus completely returned a bright blue blade spiraled his direction, finding its mark! Searing through his chest the blade turned the wall behind him to molten rock. The grip was his own…
Pressured breath mixed with blood burst from Kien’s lips with a cough. “I still…ugk..I still don’t…” Vader knelt in front of the dying Jedi. Staring mutely; he watched the pain spread. “Only those who dare, thrust the galaxy forward to peace..” Kien’s countenance wrinkled from such a flawed ideal. Vader continued to speak under hushed tones, “You don’t understand? All Jedi are the same…” He dove his lightsaber with careful intent prolonging Kien’s fade from life.
Troopers looked on while the Chagrian’s eyes relaxed. For merely a moment, the Master Guardian found peace in that the living force was not entirely empty. A glimpse of Kashyyk passed through his mind. The last of the Jedi Guardians faded into the force, with a partial smile upon his lips.
Vader deactivated his saber; Kien’s clattered to the floor. Pausing, the Sith had intended final insult, but instead remained severely perplexed by this small smirk. It continued to replay in his mind.
Commander Bow approached from behind the crouched man, “Sir, how are they; all Jedi the same?”
“All are the same in death Commander.” Lord Vader turned from the expired Jedi, looking over his troops. The wounded voices called out.
Hotsh turned his attention toward those recently cloven during the fall of the horned knight. Legs and arms rustled about; wounded clones struggled among the field of the slain. Seeing a familiar harness with an additional unique grenade attached, Hotsh hushly exclaimed, “..Oh no..” He ran to the small pile of toppled clone troopers; pulling the dead to the side. “Medic…MEDIC!! Kix..Smack..Wraith!? MEDIC!!” The squad leader proceeded to tug the harness of clone trooper Shine. Charred black, still freshly smoking, Shine was barely coherent when Wraith arrived. The mechanic, turned medic, tenderly pulled his helmet aside.
Hotsh with the addition of Wraith leant a bent knee to support their brother whose shoulder and chest were lethally carved. Looking to Wraith with eyes of hope, none could be offered when a small shake was given in reply.
Hotsh’s hand patted the bonded chest plate, “You’re valiant brother.” Coughing, each breath shallower, harder to take than the last. Smoke: hewn bodies: inescapable. “It’s fitting…uhg…ehg..” His squad leader’s brow raised with curiosity, “What do you mean Shine?” “Ack*..walking up all those stairs… I didn’t think…” The trooper’s sentence broke apart, short of air. The dark lord passed by without taking note of any fallen 501st. Shine’s eyes followed the figure, “I.. after tonight…I wouldn’t have wanted….to live ..our purpose…….” His gaze dwindled, looking to the deceased beneath his feet shortly before falling void.
Vader’s pace quickened, “Scour these vaults and every last corner of the temple! Find the under-gateways!” Sharply Commander Bow gave a nod, “Your will be done General.” His brown cloak waved as the betrayer adjusted the hood over his head. “Also, prep my ship Commander. I will secure the High Council Chambers before leaving.” Unaware of Commander Appo’s updated status within the temple, Bow offered further assistance, “Should my squad accompany you sir?”
No longer sensing any other masters residing within the temple walls, the robed figure’s silhouette faded into the shadows. “That won’t be necessary.”
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Vallen stood beside a newly cut gateway to the city. The radiance of the metropolis illuminated the horizon. Stars seen on other planets had no mark in the Coruscant night sky, yet, in the distance a silver gleam showed brightly. A Venator class cruiser descended from it position above the atmosphere. Urgency was causing Vallen’s blood to race. The snare for Jedi all but closed!
*Bo- WEEP WEEP* *Bo- WEEP WEEP*
Surprised his comlink was able to respond again, Vallen jabbed the receive action. He took care to mask his trouble in neutral tones, “Vallen speaking.”
“A quick reply for such an early time of morning Major…” Calm and methodical was the voice; none other than that of Mas Amedda, left hand of Chancellor Palpatine. “Ha! What can I say?! I’m a light sleeper sir.” Doing his utmost to remain undiscovered, “That signal normally wakens me for the battle-line. So.. how can I be of service Vice Chancellor? It is a peculiar time to be calling.”
“There has been a coup against the Senate and Chancellery! The Jedi are responsible for a wide spread series of coordinated attacks…A failed endeavor nonetheless, thanks to our loyal clone troopers! As a result, Order 66 has been enacted to preserve the Republic. All planet-side officers are summoned to an emergency briefing by the Chancellor himself. Those details are encrypted and to follow.”
Red blinked rapidly from another button on his forearm communicator! Must be Valkier trying to reconnect ~ the officer sought at least a particle of clarification to how expansive this clash had become, “Encryption confirmed sir! I will be their directly. Were there any casualties within the Chancellor’s office?”
“Fortunately only the traitorous Jedi! General Skywalker foiled the plot. Be at the briefing Major..” Vallen quickly responded to the emphasis Amedda placed on the meeting, “Understood sir!” The message disconnected with a click. Red continued to blink on the comlink! Pressing down, the button popped, “Vallen speaking!”
A clone trooper’s voice came across the line, “Sir, this is Valkier on approach from the South East! Didn’t think comms worked anymore.” A more amicable voice then shouted, “Didn’t know if you still worked either! Heh.”
“FINALLY! We have a gap cut on the North face of the center spire! Please advise captain.”
Flak, Valkier’s poor humored co-pilot, sarcastically interrupted -- “That’ll be a NO GO Major! Not sure if you noticed, but there is a capital ship dropping in from orbit. Unless you know about some upgrades to this gunship that we don’t…well your position is far too exposed!” Valkier reclaimed the comm, “Apologies; the south side is advised for a quicker extract…but we have to go NOW!” “Kark! We’ll be there!” Vallen barked, dashing down the hall in a full sprint!!
The officer’s boots heavily thudded with each step! His armor was a blurr bolting past the high council chamber doors. Sors and his pack huddled behind the council member’s chairs in momentary refuge. “Sir…That soldier just ran back passed the door.” His little voice light, but yielded strength. “Thank you Sors.” Kohanna replied with a smile growing up his wolfly snout.
Serenely the blue furred Nelvaan rose to his feet, walking from the dimly lit room. The doors wished close behind him. Following a series of curved halls he found Vallen starting a fresh circular cut in the wall. Frivolously working, the soldier’s brow dripped with sweat. His body lit with green light mostly, then a soft hue of blue from a series of nearby holovids. “Spare a moment, Vallen..” The Nelvaan ignited his own saber, slicing where the soldier left off. Seizing the moment as suggested, Vallen’s eyes scanned the vids. They were security holograms. Each filled with troopers on patrol over Jedi corpses.
It seemed the entire 501st was recalled in secret for a mission of this magnitude.
“You forgot these with us! Remember, Master Chion said she didn’t want it to leave your side.” Standing in what little light remained in the hallways, Sors held the Republic satchel. His eyes filled with worriment at the sight of the disturbing images on the holovids. “Right your are. Those keen senses of yours.. Always surprising us! Thank you for making this errand.” Softly a fur hand took hold of the boy’s transfixed chin, turning it. Kohanna stooped to his level. Simultaneously the images quickly dissipated with a touch of the panel control board by Vallen. “Go back to the high council chamber. I will return shortly! Be brave. How about you and the others pick out which chairs are your favorites, hmm?”
The young boy turned away, his mind taken by the thousands of clone troopers marching inside the temple walls. A small soft pitter-patter of steps made their way back to the circular room of windows. Audibly the doors fluidly swooshed shut. Sors curled up next to his friends; troopers still in thought.
Vallen reactivated the security holovids to a very troubling sight! Anakin Skywalker with fingers spread, gained access to the center spire lift.
Kohanna pressed arduously against the dense wall. Vallen joined, throwing his body against the same wall. Heaving the stone from its severed position, it fell from the position it had held for thousands of years. Immediately the gap was filled with grey smoke from fires far below. Within their first cough the deep hum of a larty engine vibrated every surface. Smoke cleared the hall, sucked back to the dark by the enormous gunship’s engine intakes.
The Nelvaan’s demeanor seemed rejuvenated by the sight and sound! His raven mane blew in the gusting wind, tied back behind his head. Kohanna didn’t seem to pay credence to the heat of the freshly cut wall as he stood within its circle; looking down from soaring height. “I’ll return with the younglings in a moment!” The Jedi hollered above the constant droning engines. Vallen moved closer taking a solid stance to block the gap, “I’m sorry..”
“Vallen – I must go to them! Wha..?”
Turning from the gunship, Kohanna began climbing from the gap. In a sudden jolting burst, Vallen unexpectedly thrust himself from the wall! His body slammed harshly into the Nelvaan’s; disorienting him as the pair took to the air. Briefly the pair flew; falling into the open bay of the gunship. Their bodies crashed, knocking Kohanna’s head against the metal surface. Vallen jumped to his feet, striking a red button mounted on the wall with his fist! The thick flak door heaved shut, “Take flight now!”
Heavy clicks sounded, securing the door. Hauntingly the sound reached Kohanna’s acute ears, pulling him from the disorientation! Roaring, his blue, furred fists pounded the door!
*BANG**BOOM**THUD**THUD*
“PILOT TAKE US BACK!! THE YOUNGLINGS!!” Quickly he turned to the opposing ajar door and looked out! Too far to jump… too far for anything. “I’m sorry Kohanna. There can be more younglings, but they will need a teacher!”
Vallen attempted to validate his hasty course of action. “To what fate have we abandoned these little ones?!? They wait for me to return! They wait for a Jedi…” His momentary joy of before completely transformed to an indescribable loss. Vallen reached to Kohanna’s shoulder, “Have faith. What can happen? They are only children...”
Vallen turned to the cockpit, leaving the Nelvaan to his thoughts and dark sky. “Valkier, follow these coordinates. Counter to intuition, head to this location on Kamino after you drop me. Do NOT open any lines from Republic Military.”
--- Darker hours came before the light. No respite would ever emanate with the rise of Coruscant’s sun. Not for a dozen years ---
----- A dark soundless still set over each temple corridor. Anakin wandered the halls and familiar pathways taken dozens of times, both as a child and leader during the CLONE WAR. Darkness enveloped everything. A small light illuminated the high chamber room where he had sat hours prior. Upon entering the shadowy room, out from behind Kit Fisto’s vacated chair, sprung the leader of his youngling pack, little Sors. Several perplexed younglings followed close behind, their hero standing closer than ever! Sighs of relief followed while others rose to their feet with bated breath.
“Master Skywalker!” Sors exclaimed, reassured to see the most powerful Jedi arriving to join Kohanna.
“There are too many of them! What are we going to do?” -------
A glaring Vader ignited his lightsaber…
