SWtCW: Battlefield Christophsis pt. 2

Aboard Republic Assault Ship Jelial, Crystal City, Planet Christophsis

Kahan picked his head up and looked around the bridge of the assault ship with a frown.
“Is everyone alright?”
“We're fine General.”
Kahan looked to the clone officer. “Are there any casualties?”
“Still checking sir.”
“Find those in need of medical attention and assess the damage to the ship as best as you are able. Begin deploying our forces, we have a battle to fight.”
“Yes sir.”
Kahan's comlink chimed. “This is Master Kahan.”
“Master Kahan, are you unharmed?” came Master Kenobi's voice.
“So it would seem, I am awaiting further assessment from the crew on the ship's status.”
“I may be able to save you the trouble. Your forward strut is crushed, the prow of the assault ship is imbedded into the ferrocrete.”
Kahan nodded his understanding. “Thank you Master Kenobi, then at least our egress ramps are free of obstruction. We will begin debarkation immediately.”
“I look forward to meeting you face to face Master Kahan.”

Obi-Wan waited at the base of the ramp as the first clones and their equipment began offloading. At their head walked a man in the robes of a Jedi, and there were two slighter figures in his company. Obi-Wan could feel their force sensitivity but wondered at what it could mean.
“Greetings Generals.” Master Kahan said as he reached the bottom of the ramp.
Obi-Wan noted the ironic tone that the other master used in addressing them and had to agree with it. The title of 'general' was pretty ridiculous. However circumstances were what they were. There was no use in wishing for quieter times.
“And to you Master Kahan.”
“That was pretty impressive.” Anakin said quietly.
“You mean the ship?”
Anakin nodded and Kahan chuckled, spreading his arms out to either side.
“You and Master Obi-Wan provided the real power behind it. My strength has never been with telekinesis.”
“How many troops have you brought?” Obi-Wan asked, realizing how much he sounded like a military leader. It unsetlled him, even after the events following Geonosis against Dooku's death machine.
“Two legions with supporting armor and gunship support.” Master Kahan replied. “Though as you see, my ship is somewhat damaged.”
“Yes we saw.” Obi-Wan said, looking towards the prow of the ship where it lay imbedded in the ferrocrete. “How significant is the damage?”
“The damage is superficial, however those were high yield ion cannons that hit us. The vessel's systems are fried according to my technicians.”
“Separatist HWPs.” Anakin said in annoyance.
“HWPs?” Master Kahan inquired.
“Heavy Weapon Platforms.” Obi-Wan provided. “They're mobile weapon batteries designed to shoot down assault ships.” there are several positioned around the city.
“I see.” Master Kahan said thoughtfully. “We'll have to deal with them if Admiral Yularen and Msater Yoda are to bring a relief force.”
“So there is a relief force.” Anakin said with obvious relief. “I'd begun to think we were completely on our own.”
“Hardly.” Master Kahan replied. “I have half my 13th corps here and they're very capable. They'll reinforce the elements of your 7th Sky Corps. I believe you are short of armor yes?”
“We have almost none to speak of.” Obi-Wan provided. “Just a handful of walkers and some artillery.”
“We have tanks artillery and walkers in addition to our gunships.” Master Kahan provided. “I'll attach them to your Commander and allow him to position them as he deems fit.” he stepped aside and gestured towards the two hooded figures. “I believe you will both want to meet your new Padawans.”

Anakin's eyes widened in alarm. Padawans? What in the name of the Force were Padawans doing here? It was a warzone! Who's idea had it been to allow them here? They'd be nothing but a burden. The pair removed their hoods. One was obviously human with short brown hair and dark brown hair. The other was obviously not, her skin a bluish purple, she had black hair from which protruded a pair of small horns.
“Master Kenobi, this is Lana N'ahrr.” Master Kahan said, introducing the human girl who smiled at Obi-Wan confidently.
“Hey 'Master', pleased to meet ya.”
Obi-Wan blinked, but smiled, bowing graciously. “The pleasure is mine Padawan.”
“Knight Skywalker, this is your Padawan, Hanabi Iyoto.”
The girl's cheeks tinged slightly as she blushed, bowing respectfully.
“I hope I can perform up to your standards Master.”
Anakin looked at the girl for a moment, before looking to Kahan.
“I don't want a Padawan.”
“Anakin.” chastised Obi-Wan. “It is a great honor to be entrusted with a Padawan, you should be grateful to have been granted this chance to train the next generation.”
“We're at war Obi-Wan, this is no place for apprentices.”
Kahan smirked and held out a small holopad.
“I believe Master Yoda has the answers you're looking for.”
He depressed the button and a blue glowing miniature of the already diminuitive Jedi Master appeared before them.
“Greetings Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker, questions you have, yes. Master Kahan, bringing you reinforcements he is, but also your Padawans too, yes. Realize the Council does that an ideal place for apprentices this is not. But train them you must, the future they are, yes. Admiral Yularen's ships ready will be soon, join you then I will. With you may the Force be.”
The holorecording died and Kahan slipped it back into his robes. “So there it is, will you accept your charges Generals?”
Obi-Wan nodded. “Of course, I accept Lana N'ahrr as my apprentice.”
Anakin looked at Hanabi for a moment before nodding in turn. “I guess I don't have much of a choice.”
Hanabi's expression flickered but Anakin ignored it as he motioned for her to follow him.
“Come on, I'll introduce you to Rex and the troops.”

As the pair walked off, Obi-Wan sighed. Anakin wasn't off to the best start, he could do better, that much was certain.
“Are you sure he's ready for this?”
Master Kahan chuckled and shrugged. “I couldn't say, remember the Council didn't want to give me an apprentice either.”
Obi-Wan nodded, yes, he remembered hearing something like that, still Kahan's apprentice had fought at Geonosis and survived which was more than several Knights and a few Masters could say. Obviously giving him a Padawan had been much deserved.
“Master Kenobi, come in Master Kenobi, you have clearance to land.”
Obi-Wan scowled and looked at his own new apprentice. Another attitude, hadn't he suffered enough while teaching Anakin? But then again, he supposed that Master Yoda had given him another problem Padawan because he'd been able to train Anakin despite all the unique challenges he had posed for Obi-Wan. Compared to that, Lana couldn't be so bad.
“General, glad to see you made it.”
Obi-Wan turned and felt his eyes widen in shock. Why was a woman here? And why was she in Mandalorian armor?

Aira-ty ignored the look of surprise from the Jedi, walking right up to General Kahan.
“Casualties sir?”
“Unknown, currently tallying. We're offloading troops and equipment now.”
“Status of the ship?”
“She's not going to fly again, even if we can repair it, there are anti-ship batteries in the city ready to shoot us down again.”
Aira-ty nodded. “Request permission to lead a strike team to destroy them.”
The General looked at her for a long moment before nodding. “Very well.”
Aira-ty smiled, she was going to enjoy this.
“Take Anakin and Hanabi with you.” General Kenobi said. “He loves this sort of operation.”
And just like that, all the fun went out of the mission. How was she supposed to get her job doen with some goody-goody Jedi following her around?
“General Kenobi, meet Commander Aira-ty.” General Kahan said belatedly.

Aboard the Last Call on approach to Separatist HQ on Christophsis

Ventress brought her ship in low over the Separatist encampment, looking over the massed droids and weapons platforms. It was remarkable she thought, that such a superior force could be held off by the meagre forces the Republic had managed to get on planet. Even with the assault ship, they only had a fraction of the military force that the Separatist Droid Army could bring against them. Add to that the fact that they had a full planetary blockade in place and they were eventually going to be starved out. Nothing could get past the Invincible. She smiled, at least that had been the theory. This assault ship, or more specifically the Jedi aboard it, had gotten through somehow, and Ventress wanted to know how he'd done it, and then she wanted to kill him for invading her mind.
“Last Call, you are authorized to land.”
Ventress said nothing as she descended and landed upon the designated platform for her fighter. She had no need to acknowledge droids. She was here to deal with the leader of the Droid Army on Christophsis. She shut her ship's engines down and walked out into the sunlight, wincing slightly at the harsh light.
“Commander Ventress, General Loathsome is waiting for you.” a service droid intoned at the foot of the landing ramp.
“Very well, take me to him.”
The droid led Ventress through the extensive base and to a lavish building that looked as if it might have luxury hotel at one point in its existence before General Loathsome had taken it over. From what Ventress knew of the kerkoidian general he had something of an ego and loved the finer things in life. In short, he was a fool. However he was a capable fool and so Count Dooku suffered him. At least that was how Ventress saw things.
The droid led her through the main doors and grand hall of the HQ, coming to a large double doored room whereupon the droid turned to her.
“I must ask you to relinquish your weapons.”
Ventress glared at the servitor droid. “If you touch my weapons I will take your head.”
“Err...yes madam.” the droid said awkwardly. “General Loathsome will see you now.”
Ventress smiled icily at the droid as she pushed the doors open and walked inside to find Loathsome leaning over maps of the city.
“General.” Ventress said quietly.
“Yes, yes.” Loathsome said absently. “You are Count Dooku's agent, I have no time for that now.”
“I came to inform you that an assault ship, likely fully stocked, has landed within the Republic camp.”
“So I saw, this will never do. We can't have them getting reinforced if we're to defeat them.”
Ventress raised an eyebrow. “You could always allow Admiral Trench to bomb them into oblivion.”
“No!” Loathsome said instantly, glaring at Ventress down his long snout. “I will defeat General Kenobi myself without the assistance of that insect! Besides he can't even keep his blockade in order, you expect him to defeat such a worthy opponent?”
“Enough.” Ventress snapped, drawing a glare from the  kerkoidian general. “I am not here for your petty infighting. I want to meet with the Republic informant.”
“That is not possible, it is too risky.”
“Risky for whom?” Ventress asked darkly.
“If we lose the spy, our ability to predict the Republic's movements will be greatly reduced.” General Loathsome said.
“You're a general.” Ventress replied. “So stop making excuses.”
Loathsome continued to glare at her. “What is so important that you would risk my trump card?”
“There are now three Jedi on the planet, I intend to kill them all.” Ventress said with a wicked smile. “Once they're dead, you'll have an easy time rolling over the clones.”
Loathsome scowled, snorting in annoyance. “I want Kenobi for myself.”
“You do not have that luxury.” Ventress replied tersely, her annoyance growing. “What do you need to press your attack home?”
“Their artillery would have to fall...though I imagine this assault ship has brought with it further complications.”
“Then I will contact our spy and tell him to destroy the guns and you can march at the head of your army and win a glorious victory over Kenobi's forces. Meanwhile I will eliminate the Jedi and capture Senator Organa.”
“What good is capturing the Senator?”
“That is none of your concern General, win this battle and I will do the rest.”

Crystal City, Planet Christophsis

Hanabi followed her new master through the battle scarred city, gawking at the battle damage that had occurred in what had only been a handful of days worth of combat. She'd never experienced war before, and had barely any knowledge of what her duties as a commander were. She looked around her at the two companies of clone troopers moving through the debris strewn street with her. They all seemed so calm, when she touched them with her mind she could feel their calm stoicism and ease with which they traversed the battlefield. Many of them had the same singular thought: this is what I was made for.
That thought troubled Hanabi who had been taught and always believed that all life was sacred but many of the clones she touched seemed to think that they were expendable...it wasn't that they weren't each unique, though they felt similar to one another in the Force, no...it was just that...they seemed to accept their lot in life. As if it was just the way things were. She would have to ask her master about that...it confused her. She looked ahead of her to where her master and the Mandalorian were walking together in silence. Her master seemed almost eager to start a fight, while the woman in the red armor was calm, composed, almost as serene as the clones around them. It was all so very strange to Hanabi.

“What can you tell me about her?”
Jesp considered for a moment before he spoke, wondering what knowledge he could give to Captain Rex that the senior captain wouldn't already know.
“She's kept to herself for the most part. The other girl is far more engaging.”
“Can she lead in a firefight?” Rex pressed.
Jesp shrugged, the only external indication of the private conversation they were having through their helmet coms.
“She's a Jedi.”
“That doesn't mean much.” Rex replied. “Skywalker is a Jedi and I would never say he's a true military leader.”
“Bu—“ Jesp began.
“Listen, the Jedi are not infallible, Skywalker and Kenobi are doing the best they can but both are only now learning what we have been taught since birth.”
Jesp considered this for a long moment before he finally spoke again.
“Then I would say she's not a good combat leader...not yet.”
Rex's helmet bobbed in a nod. “I will keep that in mind when dealing with her.”
“What about General Skywalker?”
“He's brave, and takes the initiative even when things are hopeless, but he's rash and doesn't think things through before acting. General Kenobi is far more analytical.”
“So would you say General Kenobi is the better commander?” Jesp asked, trying to get a feel for his new brother in arms' opinion of their leaders.
“No, I wouldn't say that. I would simply say their leadership styles are different. Kenobi thinks more on the larger picture, Skywalker focuses on the here and now. They compliment one another very well...when they're not arguing at any rate.”
Jesp fell silent as they continued forwards, he kept his head on a swivel, examining all the building facades around them, Rex had mentioned a possible spy in their camp and after hearing about the dozens of ambushes Jesp was inclined to agree with him. There was a traitor somewhere, but who was it?

Anakin was not happy. He felt like he was babysitting. Not only did he have a mercenary but also a wet behind the ears apprentice. He hadn't even petitioned the Council for a Padawan! He'd known that Obi-Wan had done so after Anakin had been made a Knight and he'd told Obi-Wan what he thought about having an apprentice during a war then as well. It was stupid. How was a Knight supposed to concentrate on the war if they were constantly trying to teach an apprentice? Or the other way around, how were they supposed to teach their apprentice if they were constantly fighting? It made no sense...and there was a far more private matter as well...Padme...how could he keep sneaking visits to Padme if he had a Padawan hounding his every step?
He would speak with Master Yoda when next they met and sort this out, he couldn't have a Padawan, not right now, not in the midst of a war and not with a secret like Padme to hide from her.
He glanced over at Commander Nokta. Who was she? Why did Master Kahan have her acting as one of his commanders instead of a clone? And what was with that armor? It reminded him of the bounty hunter Jango Fett, the one who had almost killed Padme. It unnerved him to have her walking besides him...especially since he couldn't see her face behind the helmet. She hadn't removed it at all as far as he'd seen.
“What can you tell me about the enemy?” she said suddenly, jerking Anakin out of his thoughts violently.
“They're droids.” Anakin replied, feeling foolish even as he spoke. “And there are a lot of them.”
“So I noticed.” Aira-ty replied dryly. “Look love, I need to know what we're up against, you going to help or not?”
“Sorry.” Anakin replied, his dislike for the woman growing. “It's mostly standard battle droids but you have heavy battle droids and destroyer droids supporting them in addition to their armor. The biggest things are the spider droids and gun platforms.”
“Like the ones we're hunting.” she said.
“Yeah. Like those.”
“Tell me something General Skywalker, why don't the Separatists just come in and wipe you out from the air?”
Anakin shrugged. “I honestly don't know. We have some air defenses set up but nothing that could stop a planetary bombardment.”
Aira-ty's helmet bobbed and Anakin tried reaching out to her through the Force to discern what she was thinking. She instantly stiffened and turned on him, her voice as cold as ice.
“Stay out of my head Jedi.”
Anakin took a step back from her in surprise, he hadn't expected her to notice such a minor intrusion let alone such a violent reaction.
“I'm sorry, I was just wondering what you were thinking.”
“Then ask me.” she hissed venomously.

Hanabi watched as the Mandalorian stormed off ahead of her Master and wondered what had passed between them to make her so angry. She stopped for a moment then as a nagging sensation ate at the back of her mind. What was that? Her eyes widened then as a trio of STAPs came swinging around the street corner ahead of them.
“Droids!” she cried, her lightsaber igniting and swinging up as the STAPs came around for another pass.
She deflected the first several bolts, and then the middle STAP launched a missile. Her eyes widened in alarm but then the missile reversed course and slammed into the STAP that had fired it. The repulsorcraft burst into bits as the troopers opened fire on the remaining STAPs, shredding the fragile craft in a withering blaster barrage.
Hanabi looked at Master Skywalker, he was watching her with a faint smile.
“Good reflexes kid.”
She bristled. “I'm not a kid...Master.”
He didn't say anything more as they continued forwards.
“Nice job with that saber.” one of the troopers said as he walked past her.
That brought a smile to Hanabi's face, maybe she could fit in amongst these soldiers after all...she just had to show them, and herself, that she could hold her own. It couldn't be too hard, the clones did it every day and they didn't have the Force to help them.

Crystal City, Planet Christophsis

Ventress waited impatiently in the abandoned restaurant, her fingers tapping against the durasteel table. Where was the contact? He was supposed to be here already and yet there was no sign of him, she was growing annoyed, and that wasn't healthy.
A noise caught her attention and she turned to find a single clone trooper standing in the door leading to what had been the kitchen before a grenade had blown it to pieces.
“I've been waiting clone.” she snapped.
“I had to wait for a moment to slip away.” he said simply. “Who are you?”
“It doesn't matter.” she said darkly. “What matters is that I have a mission  for you.”
“It had better be important.” he said dubiously. “Every moment I'm here talking to you is less intelligence getting to General Loathsome.”
Ventress hissed in annoyance and with a powerful push with the Force slammed the clone into the wall.
“You will show proper respect or I'll crush you.”
“Y—yes ma'am.” the clone gagged.
“That's better.” she growled as she let him drop to the ground. “Now, your mission; I want you to destroy the artillery cannons and their ammunition.”
He stiffened and she felt his ill ease through the Force.
“That's too hot, I'll ruin my cover.”
“And if you do not do it, the assault ship's reinforcements will deploy and with the artillery support of those heavy cannons we won't be able to push on them and wipe them out before a relief fleet arrives.” Ventress said. “In which case your usefullness will expire, and so will you.”
The clone considered for a moment before nodding. “It will be done.”
“Good, set your charges and wait for the proper time for your attack to commence.”
“How will I know?”
“You'll know, believe me, you won't be able to miss it.” Ventress said with a cruel smile. “Now, tell me everything you know about this new Jedi and the forces under his command.”

Aboard the Republic Assault Cruiser Jelial, Crystal City, Planet Christophsis

“Is it wise to send them out beyond our lines?” Senator Organa asked, looking between the two Jedi Generals.
“Further forces cannot land safely if those heavy weapons aren't eliminated.” Master Kahan said simply. “You've seen what happened when my ship made its landing.”
“Yes, but surely the landing forces that will be coming will be too overwhelming in numbers to be stopped by a handful of heavy cannons.”
“Senator, I would prefer it if we did not have to run any risk whatsoever in bringing in additional ground forces.” Obi-Wan said. “Our soldiers may be clones, but their lives still have value.”
Senator Organa paled slightly. “I didn't mean to imply that their lives were meaningless...it's simply that we're in an extremely precarious situation.” he looked to Master Kahan. “You say that we still have three days before our reinforcements will arrive in earnest?”
Obi-Wan looked to the other Master as he nodded.
“Yes Senator, that was the timeline that Admiral Yularen gave when I left. However he said he might be able to launch before two days were up if things were rushed aboard the damaged vessels.”
The Senator nodded. “I am sorry to be of so little help here, I am not a warrior.”
“Not all of us can be such Senator, you may rest assured that we shall fight the war and protect yourself and the Republic in your stead.”
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement with Kahan's statement. “You and the other civilians should continue to remain within the government building Senator. We'll hold off the Separatists until Master Yoda and Admiral Yularen are able to relieve us.”
The Senator nodded. “May I make one request?”
Both Jedi nodded in turn and waited as Organa continued.
“If there are to be any negotiations, I would like to be involved, as a representative of the Republic.”
Kahan made a half bow. “Of course.”
“I see no problem with such a request so long as you are not placed in undue danger.” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Thank you generals, I will let you get back to your business.”
After they were once again alone, or alone as they could be with the assault cruiser's command crew around them.
Obi-Wan examined the holomap of Crystal City, with the assault cruiser and capital building at the center.
“I'd appreciate your thoughts Master Kahan.” he said.
Kahan shrugged as he held his chin thoughtfully. “We're boxed in, even with my gunships, the enemy air superiority is undeniable. I would not want to launch any air raids beyond our own airspace.”
“Will your armor be able to allow us to go on the offensive?” Obi-Wan asked, perhaps they could launch a raid against the enemy, throw them off balance.
“We could, but it wouldn't be advisable. We have some walkers and tanks, but not enough to go head to head with the bulk of the Separatist force.”
“The fighter tanks could be used in lightning raids.” Obi-Wan suggested.
Kahan nodded. “Yes, that could work, but we'll have to make sure they have a clear line of retreat with a solid defensive line to break any enemy pursuit...we can use some of our AT-TEs to establish such a line, I've already deployed my AT-PT and AT-XT units to patrol our perimeter.”
“I'll leave you to handle the organization of the defensive line, I'll compile what intelligence we have on the enemy emplacements for the fighter tank raids.”
“Hey Master, what do you want me to do?”
Obi-Wan looked up at Lana as she leaned against the bulkhead. “Would you like to join Cody on a tour of the perimeter?”
Lana's face lit up, though Cody, standing silently with his hands behind his back suddenly looked like he'd swallowed something sour.
“Sure! That would be awe—uh, I mean yes Master, I'd be delighted.”
Obi-Wan smiled indulgently. “Alright, Cody, take a squad with walker support and make sure our defenses are intact.”
“Yes sir, I'll report in regularly.” Cody looked at Lana who was grinning broadly. “Commander, if you'll come with me.”
As the pair left, Obi-Wan turned to Kahan. “There is something I meant to ask you.”
Kahan turned his icy gaze on Obi-Wan quietly, it was a serene and somewhat unnerving look to be meet but Obi-Wan had been under harsher scrutiny in his life and did not flinch from the older Master.
“I requested a new Padawan and I am grateful the Council granted my request, but why did they send Anakin a Padawan?”
“Do you have an issue with him having one?” Kahan inquired.
“No, not truly...I just wonder if he is ready for such a responsibility...it would seem more prudent for a more experienced Jedi,” Obi-Wan nodded towards Kahan. “Yourself for instance, to take Hanabi under their wing.”
Kahan chuckled and shrugged. “Come now Master Kenobi, you know my reputation.”
“I know that you took a traumatized girl and turned her into a Jedi Knight.” Obi-Wan replied. “Aside from Anakin, she's one of the only Padawans to survive Geonosis. That is nothing to brush off.”
“Xiaan was given to me because no one else could help her emotionally.” Kahan replied diffidently. “The Council allowed me to train her only grudgingly, and my promotion to Master was only bestowed because of the number of dead at Geonosis.” Kahan smiled as Obi-Wan opened his mouth to protest. “No, don't deny it, we both know that if there had been fewer Jedi casualties at Geonosis I never would have made Master.”
Obi-Wan didn't say anything in reply, preferring not to think of the Jedi—and friends—that had been lost during the opening battle of the war just two months prior. Out of two hundred and twelve Jedi, only thirty-three had survived. With the exception of Anakin who had made Knight later, all the surviving Padawans had been made Knights almost immediately after the battle and many of the Knights had been given the title of Jedi Master as well. Obi-Wan hoped he would never see so many Jedi slaughtered ever again.