Chapter 106: 106. Chapter

On the surface of Coruscant, at a heavily reinforced position near the Senate building. A lot of different armed and armored brigades were moving to engage with the increasing droid presence on the surface. Many clone equipments were still used in the current republic army, obviously not all of those were stolen by the rebelling clones. However, this time, those weapons were managed by none clone military personals.

Two companies of regular soldiers and another company of elite Senate guards were entrusted with the defense of the symbolically valuable Senate building. The leaders of the defensive forces were none other than Grandmaster Yoda.

Master Windu was also here, but left with the intention of succeeding in a preemptive attack against one of the major spaceship's landing platforms, which the enemy had recently taken, and they were clearly intending to use it as an operation base to launch organized attacks against high priority targets. Just like the Senate, the Jedi temple and the already damaged energy districts of the city sector.

The battle was readying itself to step into the next phase of intensity.

Yoda was standing at the top of the staircase leading into the Senate building, looking over the unfolding events with a tired but intense gaze.

Above him, the battle was raging without an end. The fighter ships and droid troop transporters were locked in an unending loop of trying to dodge the constant anti-aircraft fire. While also forced to dodge the occasional republic fighter ships, which brazenly flew into their allies anti air fire just to take out a few more transport ships, their actions were downright suicidal, yet for the trained eye, it was also weirdly organized. Like bees flying around their harassed nest.

Yoda has sensed the powerful force presence stretching over the planet and beyond. He also knew what it was, but seeing its efficiency in such a large scale battle was still shocking to him.

-We have indeed forgotten much, too much from our ancestors’ legacy… If we had just a few masters who knew battle meditation on a much lesser scale, then we could have put this war behind us a long time ago. Sparing countless lives in the process…

Yoda glanced up once again at the sky, then sighed. His focus now turned towards the man standing by his side, just a few steps behind.

-Clone Commandar Gree, are you sure that you are ready for duty? Is your head injury properly healed yet?

-Affirmative General, it is good to be back. We are really grateful to you for putting in a word for us. We won’t let you down, not this time, or ever again.

There was a flicker of emotion leaking into the battle hardened Clone Commander’s voice. It was rare for such shows of emotion to happen with clone troopers. Especially the more rigorously trained commander units.

However, Yoda wasn’t surprised by this. Clones or not, they were still human. He knew that more than most people in the Republic did. He also understood that the clones didn’t have any choice, they were forced to follow the order through the behavioral modification biochip. They have removed the biochip from as many captured clones as they could, but they also needed time to recover from the operations, before they could be returned to service.

Yoda was silent for a while, as the constant explosions occurred around the massive shield generator placed in a way that its energy field surrounded the entire Senate building.

Then he eventually said it with strained words.

-I have been living for a long time, commander. Maybe a longer time than I should have. It seems that the force willed it for me to be in charge of the Jedi Order in such crucial moments. In moments, when I find myself failing my duties, more often than not. I have made my fair share of mistakes, Gree. I am not going to commit another, and send a loyal soldier away, for actions done beyond his control.

There was a short, but peaceful silence engulfing the two people. Then Gree gave a nod and added.

-General, if I might be as bold to say.

-Go ahead.

The man gave off a quick salute and stated loudly.

-It has been an honor to fight by your side, General. And I believe that when I say that, I speak in my brother's place as well.

Yoda was surprised and felt speechless by this statement. Therefore, the only thing he did was nod. Then he turned back to look at the aerial battle still happening over their heads.

 

 

In the deep underground sector of the capital city, which was even more fortified than the Senate and the Jedi Temple together. Master Kenobi and Master Secura jedi masters and a handful of more jedi knights were leading the defending troopers around the secret military energy facility. That was basically empowering most of the military facilities around this part of the planet.

It was a key point in all manner of defensive tactics, and therefore, it was heavily guarded. Concentrating a high number of jedi and military personals to be placed around it.

Unfortunately, the location of the energy facility was not that hidden anymore, since the chancellor naturally knew of its existence before he turned out to be a traitor and a Sith lord. Because of this, it needed to be fortified as much as possible and guarded in a similar manner.

Luckily, the enemy units didn’t arrive to this level yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Near one of the main landing platforms of the capital, two companies of the second army, led by General Windu, equipped with heavily armored walkers known as AT-TE’s were advancing towards the airfield.

Luckily, at this time, most of the civilians had been evacuated to lower levels of the planet, but there were still a few stragglers running around predictively trying to do just that.

The relatively long military convoy made out of escorting troops and mostly AT-TE walkers was not that hard to spot from the sky, even as they passed between a forest of skyscrapers. They were relatively in cover, except if a ship passed by right above them. Which happens frequently.

Thanks to their luck or the sheer chaos unfolding above them, they weren’t attacked from the air just yet. However, that could change at any moment. The soldiers also knew this and were constantly glancing up towards the sky with worried gazes. The tension was already palpable and still growing.

Windu was walking in the forefront of the convoy, glaring into the dark streets ahead, and trying to pierce through every shadow hidden in the darkness. The sun had completely gone down by now. It was officially nighttime.

In front of Windu, a new face of Coruscant came to life now, one that he didn’t know before.

Thanks to the still flickering lights and unreliable public energy service, which was the result of the earlier attacks on the energy plant, and no doubt additional more recent attacks, Coruscant public levels of electricity had gone down once more. At least on this sector of the large planet, but other parts might also be in a similar case, based on the sheer magnitude of this confrontation.

It was the most basic strategy of war, to annihilate or at least slow down enemy infrastructure by taking out sources of energy, which in this case was electricity.

As the soldiers marched, they became aware of a series of blasts and shouts occurring somewhere in front of them. Windu immediately gave the order to stop the convoy.

-Scouts!

He shouted and two soldiers ran up to him, saluting almost simultaneously.

-Reporting for duty General!

-Good! Go ahead, figure out the situation and report to me what is going on, immediately.

-Yes sir! Right away, sir!

With that, the two soldiers leapt into action. Prancing forward into the dark forest of human made concrete buildings. In their movements, the only light source drawing out their silhouettes from time to time was the brief flicker of blowing up starships in the battles far above them.

Windu looked after the scouts for one last time, then turned his gaze towards the rest of the soldiers.

-Everyone else, prepare to engage!

The soldiers didn’t say much in response, but most of them started to look over their gear, checking if it functioned properly. While those who had more experience with similar battles seemed to be preparing themselves mentally, they must have checked their equipment already, probably multiple times.

Windu also decided to prepare for the inevitable, calling a variety of jedi stances and force abilities into the forefront of his mind. Going through those moves, if only in his mind, for the billionth of times, was still useful.

It was his life’s effort, the culmination of all that he stands for. It was not thanks to talent. Talent played the smallest role in it as back in his day, and even now, there are more talented students. There were people who were stronger in the force.

However, there were not many that could rival his sheer stubbornness, his willpower to reach the pinnacle of his abilities. Through repetition, practice, meditation repeating it endlessly, days in and days out. He has earned himself the place among the Jedi High Council even when he never wanted to be in such an annoying position.

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Bureaucratic jobs were not suitable for his character, but Yoda didn’t seem to understand this. He wanted to hone his abilities, and all the politics he was now entangled in were doing everything in their power to hinder those efforts.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for Master Yoda, he would long have left this cursed planet to live out his life in seclusion, somewhere on the fringes of the galaxy. There were so many miraculous places to make a self-supporting home, and train in peace, alone.

Things weren’t easy now that some of his old friends returned, telling him tales of a life that they fulfilled while he only dreamt of it. He was quite obviously jealous of them, but how could he leave now? When the jedi needed him more than ever before… To live such a life in the near future was nothing short of a daydream.

He sighed deeply.

His sorrowful thoughts were gently interrupted by the snarky words of one of those earlier mentioned old friends.

-I think I understand it now.

Windu already felt that this conversation wouldn't end in his particular favor, but couldn’t really help himself and asked the question of which the other presence was clearly waiting for.

-And what is that exactly?

The voice broke off towards a playful direction. The sound of every syllable spoken by this feminine voice was like an art, a music to the ears, a secret only those cherished who were able to comprehend and appreciate the small things in life.

Against all that was a common belief in the Jedi temple, he was someone who truly could appreciate such things. Unfortunately, behind the song, like wording, the actual contents spoken were not so endearing to his ego and mind.

-What else could it be, Mace? I am speaking about the reason why all your hair jumped off your head. It must be more reasonable for them to commit suicide instead of enduring your scowls any further.

Windu finally turned towards the source of the song like voice, with an even deeper scowl etched into his face.

His scowl soon fell apart and changed into a cheeky smile.

-Like you are one to talk, Mevu.

He looked at the form of the familiar bith woman standing nearby while scrutinizing the dept of his wrinkles; she was just as brazen as he remembered. Or even more so… where was the last time he saw her he wondered? Before he could figure it out, his question was already answered by the person in front of him.

-It was over thirty years now, I believe. And that is not something you should say to a lady. Even if I never had hair to begin with, the implication is just rude. Sigh… but I agree, time surely flies by. Look at us now, do you believe that I am considered old now? I swear to my flute-saber that I ain’t feeling older than thirty by a single day!

Mace shook his head lightly while pointing out the obvious.

-That is probably because of the force slowing down your natural aging…

-I wonder why it didn’t work out for you then?

Windu furrowed his eyebrows once more and added.

-Probably because of the different circumstances.

-Fine, I guess that’s a valid point.

-Yes, it is.

Somewhere too close for comfort, a loud explosion occurred. The tremors could be felt through the ground as further smaller explosions followed it.

The two jedi stayed silent until the explosions ended. They were focusing on their surroundings, sensing for any danger that could prove as a threat to the troops or themselves. After not finding anything, they pulled back their senses and continued their conversation.

Windu was the first who spoke this time.

-All things considered, it is good to see you again, “old friend”.

Said Mace teasingly, while carefully emphasizing the old part. Watching the naturally pale pink skin colored bith woman changing into a bit sharper shade of pink.

He was expecting a tirade but was surprised when Mevu, instead of shouting off his ears, stepped closer and hugged him lightly. Windu’s body turned rigid, and his brain froze for a moment. The warm and soft sensation and flowery scent managed to reach his nostrils momentarily overwhelming his thoughts.

His initial shock was immediately faded after he accidentally made eye-contact with one of the smirking soldiers pointing at him while exchanging less than courteous glances with some of the other soldiers, who were also watching the unfolding events with keen eyes. He immediately became self-aware and pushed the troublesome woman to an arm’s length distance.

Of course… these guys ain’t clones anymore, I can’t really expect the same discipline and discretion. In the case of the latter it was more like not expecting any to begin with.

Mevu, seeing the clearly flustered reaction of Mace, started to giggle while saying out loud.

-It seems I was worried for no reason. After all, you couldn’t really just turn into a stuck up prick so easily, or could you?

-For the Force’s sake, Mevu Rumi, control your words, we are not in a private conversation…

-Would that make things more interesting if we were?

Windu’s eyes widened at hearing the obscene implication, and he turned away with a fickle of annoyance.

-Over the years, it seems I have forgotten what a devious woman you really are. And now, it is too late to get rid of you.

With that, Mace saw the closing silhouettes of the previously sent out scouts, and robotically started to walk towards them.

While this happened, the pushed away and scolded bith jedi lady watched the clearly flustered Mace act like a fool and laughed heartily to herself.

-Oh, Mace it is good to see you too… it seems there are things that never change, even through the passing of time, by that I mean... You are still as cute as ever…

Mevu could swear that she heard Mace mumble to himself while walking away in hasty steps. He said something along the line like: and you are as shameless as ever. Which made the situation even more ridiculous from her perspective.

Some of the nearby soldiers also chuckled, witnessing the unexpected scene and the choking tension which engulfed the companies were relieved, if only a bit.

Mevu reached down to her belt, feeling the weight and form of her lightsaber. It was created in the form of a flute, which was not only esthetic but also functional. She remembered that she had to go quite the length to create it, as custom made designs like this were more than unusual she had to plan it from scratch. Even so, she succeeded, and now, so many years later, it was one of her most cherished memories. The day when all those efforts and work came to fruition.

Which was accidentally also the day when she became the friend of an unusually grumpy kid. Who really liked the tune of her newly created musical instrument and was kind enough to point out that she should place the plasma emitter on the other end of the flute-saber if she doesn’t want to end up accidentally pushing the wrong button and shortening herself with a halfhead as a result.

What a gruesome thought… she was so engrossed in the making of her flute-saber that she made such an obvious oversight in the last part of assembling it. Luckily, it was easily changed by turning a few parts into a different angle.

-Sigh… this tells something about bith and their musical instruments… I could never bond with my saber on the same level without making it become a tool for creating music itself. Well, to be honest, not all bith’s were musicians, but I surely was one.

-Anyway, let's see what these scouts have discovered.

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