The Battle of Cato Neimoidia

Epilogue

In Nute Gunray's citadel, many Clones moved around the supply rooms, moving crates around, as two Clone Enginers were working on Nute Gunray's Mechno-Chair, with R2 having plugged into the Chair as well. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Rex, and Cody all walked over to R2 and the Clones, with Obi-Wan asking, "How's it going?"

One of the Clones replied, "The Chair is heavily encrypted sir and some of the files have been deleted. However, we should at least be able to find out where the Chair was made, so we might find more information there."

The other Clone stated, "Also, R2 has been a big help and we found this."

R2 twisted his plug, causing the top of the Mechno-Chair to project a holographic recording of a cloaked figure(Darth Sidious). The hologram said, "Vicroy, you are to meet the others at the rondevu, immediately!"

As the hologram disappeared, Cody asked, "Who was that?"

Obi-Wan answered, while rubbing his chin, "If I had to guess, I'd say that is Dooku's master. The second secret Sith Lord. Darth Sidious."

Anakin turned to him and said, "The one Dooku told you about on Geonosis?"

Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes. The one who orchestrated the Clone Wars and played both sides. Presumably with some kind of plan for the Separatists to win so the Sith can rule the galaxy."

Rex stated, "Then we have to stop him."

Anakin told him, "The Jedi Council has been trying to find him to do just that, but he's very elusive. Even when Master Vos teamed up with Dooku's former apprentice, Ventress, during the Battle of Boz Pity they still couldn't find him. But this Chair is a big clue that could finally unravel this mystery." He pulled out an Information Retrieval Device and said into it, "I need you to identify a hologram." He scanned the hologram with the Device. A few moments later the Information Retrieval Device began to spark and exploded, causing Anakin to drop the Device, "What!?"

Obi-Wan pointed out, "It would seem the Mechno-Chair is even more encrypted than we first thought. It even managed to disable the Information Retrieval Device." 

Just then, Obi-Wan and Anakin's comlinks on their arms, both started beeping. They both answered and on Obi-Wan's Jan's voice came in saying, "General Kenobi, the Jedi Council wants a briefing on how things are going."

On Anakin's com Yularen's voice was heard, "And the Chancellor also would like a briefing."

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and said, "I'll inform the Council. You tell the Chancellor."

Anakin smirked, "As always." Obi-Wan and Cody left the room, while R2 unplugged from the Mechno-Chair and rolled over to Anakin and Rex, before displaying a hologram of Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin and Rex bowed their heads, with the former greeting, "Your excellency."

Palpatine smiled and replied, "I hear congratulations are in order, my boy. You have taken back one of the last Separatist planets still in the Core Worlds."

Anakin told him, "Thank you, Chancellor. But the entire planet isn't ours just yet. There are still pockets of resistance in some hemispheres of the planet, being led by Sentepeth."

"I'm sure it won't be much longer until the entire planet is taken." Anakin then hung his head down with a little frown, "Is something troubling you, my boy?"

Raising his head, "It's nothing. It's just that during this siege, some Clone Commandos started burning the grub hatcheries and killing the babies and not even born Neimodians. I know the Neimodians are our enemies, but even they didn't deserve that.

Rex added, "And what's more concerning is that the order to do this came from some people in Republic High Command."

Palpatine nodded, "I understand why this would upset you. While I don't agree with leaving the Republic, I do understand that there is some corruption in it, like a few in a high position which can order such horrible acts as this one, which is why some joined the Separatists." He sighed, "Even with all my influence and good intentions, as well as that of others, I still don't have enough power to snuff out this terrible corruption completely."

Anakin grumbled, "We should have enough power to do this."

"Don't worry, my boy. I'm sure that once this war ends, will have an easier time finally stopping this corruption. And thanks to the efforts of you and the Jedi here on Cato Neimodia I'm sure the war is closer to ending."

Smiling, "Thank you, Chancellor."

"You're welcome." Mas Amada came into view of the hologram and whispered into Palpatine's ear, "I'm sorry, my boy, but something has come up that requires my immediate attention. I wish you and Master Kenobi luck in your next mission." R2 stopped displaying the hologram.

A few minutes later, Anakin and Rex joined Obi-Wan and Cody in the command room of the citadel. Anakin told them, upon entering, "Good news. R2 and the others managed to find out that the Chair comes from Charros IV and was made by the organization known as Xi Char. They may have some clues to help us track down Sidious. And we even managed to track where the last transmission from Sidious came from. Somewhere on Coruscant itself, but we can't pin down where on the plant, the files are too encrypted."

Obi-Wan nodded, "That's good news, Anakin." He pointed back at the table, "I just spoke with Master Windu, we are to continue our investigations into the origins of the Mechno-Chair, while Master Fisto and Commander Dodonna will take the Chair itself back to Coruscant. Mace has a friend in Republic intelligence, Dyne, who he thinks should be able to decrypt the Chair more and narrow down where Sidious is right now."

"So then who will be taking over securing the rest of Cato Neimodia?"

"Plo Koon and Ferroda will be arriving soon to take over mop-up operations here."

A little while later, in space, just above Cato Neimoidia, the two Venators stood still, until another three Venators came out of hyperspace. On the bridge of the lead Venator, that had just arrived, was Plo Koon, Commander Wolffe, and Admiral Coburn. The Jedi Master told the others of the comlinks, "We are here, my friends."

Obi-Wan replied, from the Venator he and Anakin were on, "Good timing, Master Plo."

Kit added, from the Venator he was on, "With you're piloting skills, what's left of the Separatists on Cato Neimoidia won't last long. May the Force be with you."

Plo said back, "And you all too."

After that, the Venator Obi-Wan and Anakin were on, and the Venator Kit and Jan were on, both jumped to Hyperspace in different directions.

In another part of space, a small Separatist fleet was flying around. Onboard the lead flag ship, a Separatist Dreadnuaght, Count Dooku sat in the command chair, as Battle Droids manned the ship. Eventually, a hologram of Darth Sidious appeared from the ground and said, "Lord Tyranus, report."

Dooku bowed, "My master. Everything is proceeding as you had hoped. Grievous, after he gets the Separatist Council to Utapau, will be heading to Kashyyyk to check on the operation there."

Sidious told him, "Good. Good. And what about the fleet gathering in the Yag'Dhul theater?"

"The resources there are being prepared for their special mission. Once they are ready you can have them deploy at any time."

"Good. Tell Grevious to be on standby for that operation. Because of the foolishness of Gunray, the Jedi have captured his Mechno-Chair, and with it, they could find clues that will eventually lead them to discover me. So we may have to commence the end game with the Battle of Courascant earlier than I wanted. But will wait until it proves the only option."

"Fear not, my master. We will complete the Sith Grand Plan and crush the Jedi."

He smirked, "Yes. We will." Sidious began to manically laugh.