Rogue For The Sith

Chapter 3

Ando Stance stood facing Siskeen's desert.

Anera is not dead; I sense a connection, Ando thought to himself, Dooku has lied.

He held up his comlink.

"Shock, send out another search party. I think this time luck will be on our side. Perhaps we shall find Master Noli after all." he ordered scowling.

"Right away Sir."

"Oh... and Commander, one more thing,"

"General?"

"When you find Anera... kill her."

"Affirmative."

* * *

Commander Shock yelled at his men, "Let's go! We have to locate that Jedi soon!"

The surrounding clone troopers nodded in response. Someone walked up behind him.

"What's the problem Hunter?" Shock asked partially annoyed.

"When we find this Jedi, what are we going to do?" Hunter inquired.

"Slay them all." he sneered.

"Sir?"

"The Jedi picked up some clones along the way... and we can't have any witnesses."

Hunter remained silent.

"Is that a problem Sergeant?"

"N-no Sir..."

Shock leapt down from his perch and ran to the front of the group.

"Boxer, Hunter, Viper, on me!" he called out.

Three clone troopers fell in beside him almost mechanically.

"Keep your eyes open," Shock ordered, "that Jedi could be anywhere."

* * *

Count Dooku stood in front of a holoprojecter.

He waited until an image of Ando Stance appeared before him.

"Ando, for what matter of urgency do you contact me?"

Ando glared at the Sith as if his hatred could be transported through his eyes.

"You lied! Anera is not dead!"

"Never did I state that Master Noli was killed. Only that my droids were successful in attacking."

Ando clenched his fist.

"You'll pay for this Dooku!"

"Yes..." he responded as if bored.

"I'll finish Anera. Then, I'm coming for you!"

The image disappeared and Count Dooku grinned widely.

I will be waiting...

* * *

Ando looked at the ground, furious.

"How could he do this to me? I followed his every instruction, carried out every mission! Does he thank me? No! He betrays me!"

He slammed his fist down on the holoprojecter causing sparks to fly everywhere. He activated his comlink.

"Shock!"

"General. We've located Master Noli, and are awaiting orders."

"Change of plans. Bring Anera to me, alive. I have something special planned for her."

"What about the clones?"

"They are no use to us. Kill them."

"Yes Sir!"

Ando grinned evilly.

"We'll see just how much you can take, Master."

* * *

Anera and the five clone troopers trudged through the unending sand.

"Wait." Anera said stopping, "There's something out there. I can sense it."

"Is it dangerous?" Asher asked holding up his weapon.

"I'm not sure; but it's heading this way, and fast."

Asher turned to the other four.

"Possible threat, stand guard."

Three clone-ridden speeders swept across the sand towards the company and started shooting.

"Hold your fire!" Asher yelled over the noise, "We're with the Republic!"

Anera swung her lightsaber as a shield, keeping the bolts away from the clones.

"It's no use! What's wrong with them?" she shouted.

"Course of action General?" Asher asked ducking away from the fire.

"Disarm the clones. Do not kill them."

"I wouldn't dream of it." he interjected, "You heard her men! Take out their weapons."

Scorch opened fire on one of the clones' speeders. The vehicle burst into flames and exploded, sending its rider flying like a bird through the air. He ran to the clone and held up his gun.

"Don't move." Scorch said.

The clone suddenly pulled out his blaster and shot at his defeater before the other had time to react. Scorch fell to the sand.

"Scorch!" Asher yelled as the trooper was hit.

He launched himself towards the rogue clone and tackled him to the ground. Patch was behind him and rushed to Scorch's aid. Anera quickly took out the other speeders. She looked towards where the clones had come from and observed a regiment of clone troopers marching towards them. Chaser and Trap followed her gaze.

"This battle may not yet be over." she mumbled.

The two troopers who were on the speeders stirred and Chaser and Trap were on them in a matter of seconds. Asher looked up, still holding his captive to the ground.

"Well someone wants us dead."

Anera looked at him.

"The question is, who?" she responded.

Asher nodded in agreement.

"And why they're using clones to do it."

* * *

Shock stood in the first line of troopers along with Hunter, Boxer, and Viper.

"Destroy the clones, leave the Jedi to me." he said, loading his blaster.

"Yes Sir." the three replied in unison.

The regiment kept advancing until they were upon their enemies.

"Take them out!"

Bolts flew in every direction but Shock kept running towards the green blur of Anera's lightsaber. He fired at the Jedi countless times, but the bolts only came back at him. Shock advanced further, still firing at Anera. He quickly ducked behind a rock, as if it would stop the infuriated Jedi, and held a grenade in his hand.

"Let's see how you handle this, Jedi."