4 Emotion yet Peace; Peace is a Lie, There is only Passion 2 (1/2)
Part 2
The Negotiator, Obi-Wan Kenobi's Flagship
Ryndellian Sector, near Naboo Star System
From the bridge of the Venator class star destroyer, our target looked positively huge. The Malevolence dwarfed the three cruisers which were unleashing hell on the crippled dreadnought. Its stabilizers were destroyed yet that did not deter the Flagship of General Grievous from attempting to flee.
For the last few hours, the Negotiator, Resolute and their sister ship Dauntless were sending barge after a barrage of blue turbolaser bolts at the battlecruiser, yet the colossal energies bombarding the enemy had no apparent effect. The sheer bulk of its energy-dispersing armor was absorbing the onslaught without a scratch. It was meters thicker than any smaller ship could boast in its wildest dreams, then there was the sheer size of the ship itself which would be able to take a lot of punishment even after its armor was compromised. Frankly, finishing mission killing it would be much easier but the Republic lacked the firepower at hand for even that lesser feat.
The disheartening sight which could be seen from the command tower of the Negotiator was observed by four Jedi one Sith and a Republic admiral. We all knew that the best bet of dealing with this monstrosity was with the help of reinforcements. Unfortunately, the nearest fleet, which was under Jedi Master Luminara was engaging a Separatists force in a nearby system. No help was coming from that direction any time soon.
”They are not making a jump to hyperspace. Their hyperdrive is down.” declared Yularen.
”For how long?” I asked. ”The fleet could batter at that thing for a week. If nothing changes its crew will have more than enough time to repair their hyperdrive.”
”The enemy ship is losing speed.” reported one of the clones manning the bridge.
”Concentrate all fire on their command tower!” ordered Kenobi.
The fire from the three-star destroyer's slackened for a few seconds while the turrets acquired a new target. Then death rained all over the bridge of the Malevolence. We stared at the behemoth. The effect was underwhelming.
”At this rate, we'll be here for a long time,” I said with a hint of exasperation in my voice. We were unbelievably lucky that the attack run on the Ion Cannon disabled the rest of the dreadnought's weapons. Otherwise, that thing would have made a short work of the Venators. These carrier/battleship hybrids were clearly outclassed by such an adversary. ”You should redirect fire at the engines.”
”That might be prudent. With the engines crippled it will be much easier to outmaneuver and we might get another chance at it if it flees to hyperspace.” Yularen nodded and looked at Kenobi.
”Do so.” The Jedi sighed. ”We need more ships.” He muttered.
What happened next confirmed something I was suspecting – it's been too long since I've seen anything about this era otherwise I might have remembered an important detail of the current mess we were in. It all started innocently enough. Ahsoka, who was looking over the sensor feeds was the first to detect a small transport ship exiting from hyperspace on top of the Malevolence.
”Are those enemy reinforcements?” asked Anakin just as the Admiral opened his mouth to do so too.
”No...” the Padawan trailed off. ”It's just one small craft. It looks like a Naboo ship...” Tano grimaced.
”Cease fire!” exclaimed Kenobi. ”What in God's name is she doing here?”
Now I remember. It figures. Thanks, brain. I decided to play dumb because there shouldn't have been a way for me to know who arrived unless I wanted to play the card of the vague Force related visions from this era I was going to be using to cover any unexpected insights. It was better this way I think – no need to make myself stand out more than I had to for the time being.
”Is that a friend of yours?” I asked innocently. Or as innocently someone like me could.
”Ahsoka, contact that ship!” snapped Anakin, rudely ignoring me. I couldn't blame him really – if my wife had just jumped on top of an enemy ship in the middle of a battle, even one as weird as this one, I wouldn't have patience for a snarky Sith either.
”Naboo transport, identify yourself! You are in the middle of an active war zone!” The communications officer spoke urgently over the comm.
”This is Senator Amidala from Naboo!” a distorted female voice came over the comm system. ”I need assistance!”
A small hologram of hissed to life over the control station on which Ahsoka was working. To tell you the truth, the former queen looked better in real life than in either the Clone Wars or the movies. While her features were generally the same, they were softer and had few minuscule differences which made her look stunning. I could see why a nine years old Anakin thought that she was an angel.
”Padme! What are you doing here?!” Anakin exclaimed.
”I am on a diplomatic mission!” Amidala sounded peeved at her predicament. ”Which your battle interrupted!”
”Tell that to Grievous. I have the feeling he won't be impressed.” I snarked.
”Anakin, what is that bounty hunter doing on your ship?!” Amidala glared at me.
Skywalker winced. I wondered how he was going to explain who I was and why I was tolerated. I did not think that Padme would feel generous towards a Sith. Not after that mess on Naboo while she was still a queen.
”Later, just get out of there.” Anakin implored.
”You have bigger problems senator,” I added unhelpfully earning myself a glare from Skywalker. I couldn't help it – messing with the Jedi was turning out to be an unexpectedly fun pastime.
A moment later we could see her rocking in her seat. There were even more alarms blaring in the cockpit of her transport.
”It's a tractor beam.” I deadpanned. ”Our cyborg friend intends to use the senator as a hostage I reckon.”
”I won't be used by the likes of Grievous as a bait! Continue the attack! Destroy that monster!” Amidala's mood suddenly changed. Did it just register who caught her ship?
I could feel a rage awakening within Anakin. He gripped his right fist so hard that the metal of his prosthetic fingers groaned in protest. He fought with his anger and subdued it into a controllable, cold determination.
”Admiral, order all attacks stopped.” Skywalker sounded deadly calm.
That's one way to properly channel your anger – I approved.
”Grievous will use this opportunity to repair the hyperdrive,” I said.
”What would you have me do, Sith?! Destroy the cruiser while Padme is on it?” Anakin snapped at me. ”Oh, but we can't – we've been shooting at it for hours!”
”I propose that we go with plan 'B'.” I calmly ignored his sarcasm.
”And what is that?” asked Kenobi who looked relieved that I was not baiting Skywalker.
I pointed behind my back at the smoking Malevolence.
”We go over there, save your girlfriend and deal with Grievous the old fashioned way. We either capture or destroy that ship, whatever's practical.”
”Padme... She... She's not my girlfriend!” Anakin spluttered.
Then he headed towards the exit and I followed suit. It was time to see if Skywalker was all that he was hyped out to be.
”And where are you two going?” asked Kenobi.
I could sense a tiny bit of forlorn hope that Anakin was not about to do something dangerously stupid. That was promptly dashed.
”Someone has to save her,” Skywalker shouted over his shoulder.