Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Emergence [The Red Sith, Part One]

Chapter 1- Invasion Plans

Anakin Skywalker always preferred to be in the cockpit of a star fighter rather than on a bridge of a Star Destroyer. Dodging laser blasts and enemy fighters in his Delta-7B Aethersprite Interceptor was one of the more exciting things about combat and where he felt he could change the course of the battle. However, the Jedi Order had been losing far too many Jedi over the course of the war and clone pilots were some of the finest in the galaxy, so Anakin was stuck on the bridge of the Dauntless with his own padawan Ahsoka Tano.

The Dauntless, along with the Firebird and the Adamant, were three of the cruisers in the Bothan operation. Their mission was to destroy or at least occupy the attention of the Separatist fleet so the rest of the Republic fleet, led by general Obi-Wan Kenobi, could retake the shipyards. They would rejoin the fleet soon after that battle started to aid them. General Luminara Unduli would land after the space battle with the ground force to combat the Separatist forces down on the planet. Anakin recalled that the Bothans eventually decided to ally with the Republic after the attempted Separatist invasion led by General Grievous. That invasion was foiled by an ingenious plan led by himself involving AT-TE walkers deployed on the asteroids surrounding the gas giant Golm to ambush the Confederate ships as they entered range.

After that battle, the Bothans saw that neutrality was not a sustainable goal for them and voted to end their neutrality over the personal preference of their senator, Polo Se’lab. They had also constructed their own shipyards to aid the Republic, although they requested that the shipyards only have Bothan personal. But now that time had passed and they were under Separatist control. Now Anakin has returned to protect the Bothans once again.

 Anakin was broken out of his thoughts by the sound of his padawan’s voice, “We’re coming up on the Bothan system.”

“Then let’s get ready.” He turned from the viewport and looked at Ahsoka. “Tell the fighters to prep for launch, and also tell Odd Ball he’ll have to manage without me this time.”

“I’m sure he’ll do just fine without you.” Ahsoka responded. “I’ll patch you in to Master Kenobi so you can update him on our status.”

Anakin nodded and Ahsoka tapped some controls. Soon, a near life size hologram of Obi-Wan was in front of Anakin. With his trademark business bluntness Obi-wan said “Report.”

“We’re inbound to Bothawui and should be arriving momentarily Master.” Anakin always added “Master” not just because Obi-Wan was a member of the Jedi council, but also of the age-old habit of when he was an apprentice.

 “Good, my fleet is also inbound and should arrive shortly after yours to give the Separatists a chance to intercept your force before we strike.”

“Let’s hope they like the bait we offer them.” Anakin said jokingly.

“Yes,” Obi-wan mused, “ the CIS should be rather keen on keeping these shipyards. Even smaller ones like this one can tip the war in either side’s favor.”

“Well, lets do some tipping in our favor, Master.” Ahsoka chimed in, walking to face the holo. 

Obi-Wan’s projection smirked, “Quite right Ahsoka. Anakin, keep comm channels open in case any situations arise.”

“Of course Master.” Anakin replied.

“Oh, and do try to keep your ships in one piece this time will you?”

“What do you mean ‘this time’?” Anakin said with a hint of feigned ignorance.

Ahsoka glanced at her screen and interrupted “One minute till we drop out of hyperspace.”

“Very well. I’ll leave you two at it. Kenobi out.” And with that, the hologram disappeared back into the table as the projectors died down.

Anakin walked around the table and, crossing his arms, stared out of the viewport into hyperspace. The final moments ticked away before reentry into normal space. The clone crew was making last minute adjustments to their stations and giving orders to other clones. Anakin was in the center of it, giving off a firm aura of calm and determination. “The Hero with No Fear” as the holonet was fond of calling Skywalker. He had risked his life countless times to save the people under his command and defied the odds so often many considered it to be second nature. Now he was out to crush another Separatist force and bring this ever-growing war another victory closer to ending.

Ahsoka, from her position in the comm area had a clear view of Anakin. She never grew tired of how he could appear to be so calm yet always be ready to burst into action at a second’s notice. Over the years that she has been his apprentice, she had grown to realize that Skywalker was a man of action. And that action usually resulted in a sizeable pile of scrap metal during battles. But she always had the feeling that Anakin was holding something back, and on the rare occasion it did slip. But those instances were very few and far apart. She understood and had figured it was just the individual Jedi’s personality. Some Jedi, like Kit Fisto and Aayla Secura sometimes let their emotions out while others like the stoic Mace Windu kept them on a tight leash. Obi-wan Kenobi, Ahsoka had figured, was in the middle of the two ranges, neither completely detached nor emotionally involved. The right balance, she thought. However, being around Skywalker for so long has had an influence on her and now she leans more to the emotional side. She didn’t mind however, she liked it that way. She glanced at the chronometer on the screen, showing ten seconds left before reentry. “Ten seconds left.” She announced. Time to get to work.