(Naboo, Theed City)
(Mace PoV)
I slowly opened my eyes and starred at the metal decking above me. "That should be enough." I pulled myself up from my bed and looked at the soft purple glow that it was now giving off. That should do for my purposes.
I looked at my bed one more time before reaching my hand forwards. I reached out for the small box that sat above my head rest. It floated over slowly and came to rest in my hands as I popped the latches open.
I took my time as I looked at the 3 lightsabers that were before me, lightsabers that had accompanied me for many years. The two that I used on the outside, and my wife's sitting in the middle.
I couldn't help myself as my hand reached out to gentle caress the hilt in the middle, my mind thinking back to its wielder. It had almost become a ritual at this point to take them out in such a manner. Sometimes 'she' would comment on my actions, but sometimes, like now, 'she' would stay quiet and say nothing.
I wasn't sure which I liked more.
I pulled my hand back and placed the box next to my armour. For the next few minutes I took my time placing each piece of gear on, doing it in a certain order, a certain way that had been ingrained in my blood. Starring at the final piece of gear, my helmet, I held it up to my face as I looked into the visor.
My reflection starred back, my eyes turning a blood red as I flared my power internally. I looked into those red eyes for a while longer before placing it on. My vision darkened for a split second before widening as they adjusted to the new filtered light.
Turning back to the box to the side I reached for my lightsabers and clipped them to my hip. Both fit perfectly at my side, the familiar weight bringing peace of mind. Finally I reached out for my Wife's lightsaber and rotated the hilt in my hand once or twice.
'It is time.' I was lost in my thoughts as 'her' voice brought me back to reality. I stopped what I was doing and clipped the lightsaber to my right side, keeping it(her) with me, in arms reach. I started for the door and stopped to grab one of the cloaks at the side, draping it around my armour. It didn't help much with my concealment technique anymore, but I had found that its intimidation factor was quite high. I opened the door and walked out, greeted by the others in the main compartment.
Everyone else was gathered, Jaesa, Nadia, Blizz, Ashara, Vette, Xalek and even Vaylin in the main deck, armour and weapons ready to go. I said nothing to them as I walked to the landing ramp, them falling in step behind me. As the ramp began to lower my mind focused and I stepped out of the ship and surveyed the beautiful Naboo buildings around us.
I sucked in a small breath of air and felt the force around me. We had a deal, I could tell where it was tugging me to go, but I could also feel where conflict was erupting, the sense of death, anger, pain, it was impossible to miss.
"You all can do what you want, do try not to kill the Naboo citizens and focus on the Droid army. Also try not to be spotted when possible. Other than that…" I turned to look at everyone behind me. "…Cause Mayhem and destruction." A few maniacal smiles appeared on Xalek, Vaylin and Jaesa's lips, but everyone was more than ready to blow off some steam. My eyes turned to Nadia for a second. She wasn't showing an insane smile but her body was bursting to destroy something, red flickering in her irises.
Turning back, I let the force guide me to my destination, the others disappearing behind me. They were most likely going to have more fun than I was, hopefully the Jedi could put up a proper fight. I shook my head and focused again as I made my way into the central palace.
Fighting had erupted further away from the capital, I could feel it already. But there were small pockets of battle erupting in the city now; they were making their way closer to the palace. I could sense a dark presence inside, the beast.
It was easy enough to get inside, the droids being less efficient that I first thought, they didn't even employ any anti stealth technology. Truly a disappointment. It was a few minutes later when I finally reached my first target.
I could feel the Jedi getting closer; we were near some type of hanger bay and in a corridor that connected the hanger bay and palace. He was waiting for the Jedi to arrive as he paced back and forth before two large doors. His muscles were coiled for a fight, his anger rising, preparing to slaughter.
I was once like him, almost animalistic in my rage and aggression, not patient for my prey. It's funny what time can change. I watched him for a few more seconds covering my presence above, seeing if in the end there was anything special about this Zabrak.
Sadly enough, other than his rage and animalists tendencies there didn't seem to be much real training. I flexed my hand once before dropping my concealment technique. Even then it took him a few seconds to realize I was there.
I shook my head once again as he stopped pacing and looked around, almost snarling as he felt my presence. I dropped down from my position in a relaxed fashion as he turned to me. *Snap* *Hiss* It was in seconds that he had ignited his saber.
His eyes burned a bright red, but only one that was superficial in the dark side. Once one delved deep into its recesses and truly understood it would their eyes truly turn a blood red. His were more a golden orange. I tilted my head to the side as he released all his anger in my direction, barely noticeable.
Along with it came the thirst for power, the killing intent in his gaze, it couldn't make me flinch. I finally let my thoughts know, it looked like he was waiting for me to say something. "You truly are an animal." It seems I might have hit a sore spot. His rage spiked once again as he dashed forwards, he was fast, but he wasn't wrapping the force around his legs or enhancing his body, I couldn't tell if he wasn't taking me seriously or just didn't know how to use such a simple technique as 'Speed' or even 'charge' which would have gotten him to me faster.
We were only separated by about 100 meters when he started to dash towards me. I looked at his form, looked at his determination, his hatred and I couldn't be bothered wasting my time with him. I could still feel the Jedi closing in. I wouldn't waste my time.
I reached out in the force as I gripped his entire body; he stopped in place as the force closed in around him. He looked bewildered for a second as I kept him in place. He tried to struggle free, but his master hadn't taught him any force related techniques.
He couldn't break free with just his physical body. I took my time as I walked past his body and took up his position in front of the two large doors. The Jedi were close now. No reason to keep him alive. I turned my head for a second and motioned with my fingers, dragging him towards me.
He could do nothing as I ripped the double bladed hilt from his hand. It floated to me and I looked down at the design and had to admit it wasn't bad, truly made for a Sith focusing on combat and physicality, but when met with a user strong in the force what could he do?
I was the worst match up he could possibly hope to face. Relying just on physical abilities and prowess was the sign of someone weak. You must use everything possible to make yourself stronger. Something my wife had truly shown me with her own arcane uses of the force over the years. Some I'm still perfecting today.
I looked at the dull red blade before my eyes for a while before looking into the hate filled eyes of the Zabrak before me. He claimed to be Sith, he had the anger that could make it possible, he had the drive. But he was taught by an incompetent or selfish master.
A master that had turned him into a tool a best or better yet, just an animal. He would be no use in the future. I made my decision there as I positioned his blade right over his heart. Though he tried to keep a strong outwards appearance, I could sense the dread and fear that started to swell up.
He tried to struggle more, but his time had come. *sizzle* The blade hummed quietly as I slowly moved his body forwards. I kept his mouth shut so I wouldn't have to hear his screams of agony as the lightsaber pierced his heart.
After a few seconds his body turned limp and I deactivated the blade. I looked at him one more time before letting his body drop off to the side. I thought about keeping the lightsaber for a few seconds, but I did not require anymore. There was no value in keeping it, it wasn't even worthy of being a trophy.
I turned back to look at the doors in front of me, letting the small whispers of the force enter my mind, telling me what it wanted me to do. I closed my eyes and listened to it as I waited for the Jedi to arrive.
**************
(Naboo, Theed City)
(3rd Person PoV)
Padme, Panaka and the rest got ready as they peered out from their hiding spot near the hanger. They were close to the Palace now and just had to get by the contingent of droids in front of them. Qui-Gon lowered himself as the others prepared to breach the palace, he was at eye level as he spoke to the boy. "Once we get inside, find a safe place to hide and stay there." Anakin nodded his head in excitement. "Sure". But the instant response and hyper attitude didn't assure the master. "Stay there." Anakin just nodded his head again as Jinn shook his head and got ready.
Both Vos and Aayla gazed at the scene and gave a little smirk. They were both prepared for the fight to come. Ayillh stood next to them as they watched their split forces gather on the other side of the square. Gathered in formation, the small hover tank fire the cannon mounted on its front, blowing up one of the tanks in the center near the fountain.
With the explosion all hell broke loose as the gathered droids all turned their attention to the group of men and started a deadly barrage of laser bolts. Staying behind cover they fired back and began to draw the forces guarding the entrance away, while the Queen's group waited for their chance.
They didn't wait long as they moved around the corner and began their entry. Ayillh could of easily made it in there herself, but she didn't want to show them too much of her tech and abilities. She made no use of her stealth tech and was sticking mainly to her incendiaries, knives, sniper rifle and blaster that she had on her.
*Snap* *Hiss*5 Lightsabers ignited at once as blue and green began to flash through the corridors. Any stray droid the encountered was mercilessly taken out in seconds as Panaka led the security forces to the hanger bay. Ayillh had looked over the battle plan before they left, they were going to enter the palace through the hanger bay where they would then decide on which route to take after ascertaining Nute Gunray's position.
It was a good plan in Ayillh's eyes, but the hanger was such an obvious entry point, they would surly have contingencies to stop intruders from entering. 'Well if they were smart enough that is.' Ayillh had brought this up in the meeting, but it had been waved off by the Jedi.
Everyone else, plus the Jedi agreed that 4 Jedi were enough to deal with anything they could have in place. Ayillh could only shrug her shoulders at the arrogance of their tone. Sure she knew it well, having killed many Jedi in the past that didn't think they would need help.
It was almost maddening for her. Ayillh shot another droid down as she stuck close to Padme as they entered the hanger.
**********
(Naboo, Palace Hanger)
(3rd Person PoV)
Blaster fire rained down on the entering group as they forced their way in. The droids that guarded the area shot back with accuracy as Jinn, Obi-wan, Vos and Secura all deflected the incoming fire. 2 green blades and 3 blue blades flashed repetitively as they protected Padme, Panaka and the rest of their forces who were directly behind them. Seeing that they would come under even more fire Qui-Gon turned to Anakin quickly and motioned towards the side, deflecting a bolt with his back turned.
"Ani, find cover, quick!"
Anakin didn't have to be told twice as he dashed off to the side. Ayillh dropped her personal cover and pulled out her sniper rifle as she picked off droid after droid. Padme looked down at the red cover for a second and couldn't help but comment as she dodged behind one of the many pillars holding up the hanger. "I've got to get me one of those."
Ayillh smirked behind her mask as she took down the command droid. "Sorry special product line, only badass Bounty Hunters can grab them these days." Padme stopped for a second at the joke, before smiling and continuing to fire.
Seeing that the droids were dwindling she shouted to the pilots behind her. "Quick to your ships!" They covered the pilots as they scrambled to get inside their fighters, dodging all the blaster bolts they could. Being strapped for time and essentials, half the pilots didn't have weapons as they huddled behind any cover they could find trying to get to their ships.
A few fell to the ground dead as the droids numbers started to dwindle, 2 ships had already taken to the air and left the hanger as only a handful were left. With the help of the 4 Jedi, many were saved from quick deaths as they made their way.
Padme was no slouch as she stood shoulder to shoulder with Ayillh, now also standing behind the cover she had dropped. Ayillh continued to methodically switch from target to target taking down droids faster and faster as she warmed up.
Padme took a second to admire her handy work as all the droids she shot died instantly, taking only a mere second or two to switch to a different target. *Bang* But she was snapped out of it as a blaster bolt struck relatively close to her head. She sent a glare at the offending droids before raising her own pistol and finishing it off.
The battle continued for a few minutes, a few people on the Queen's side falling to the ground from stray blaster bolts. With the 4 Jedi they made quick work of the droids that littered the hanger bay and reduced the casualty rate tremendously.
Finally the last droid fell to the ground, scrapped, as the last pilot left the hanger. All those left in the group formed up on Padme, who had moved around the battle field and was standing next to both Qui-Gon and Ayillh. As Panaka walked closer to her she turned to look at him.
"My guess is the viceroys in the throne room." Panaka nodded his head as his mind though of every entrance point to the throne room and the layout of the palace. He didn't waste a second as he swept his hand towards the right. "Red group, Blue group, everybody this way."
"Hey what about me?" From his hiding spot in a Naboo star fighter, Anakin shouted out to the group that was about to leave. Everyone looked at him for a second as they followed Panaka, while Qui-Gon just shook his head.
After seeing the dead bodies and loss of life that accompanied them, he couldn't in good heart put the boy, who he believed was the chosen one, in anymore danger. He Looked up to him with a no nonsense stance. "Anakin, stay where you are! You'll be safe there." Anakin looked bummed at the words; he was getting so much excitement out of the experience.
"But…" Qui-Gon was not messing around though. "Stay in that cockpit!" Anakin slumped in defeat as Qui-Gon trailed with the other Jedi at the back. They were keeping the rear guard safe, while they could easily move to the front if required.
Which they were most definitely about to.
Aayla felt a cold presence ahead, something she hadn't felt since Tatooine, something that left her with a sense of dread, but it was different than last time. Before she could say anything the doors in front of Panaka slowly opened.
Everyone stopped dead in their tracks as they took in the imposing form of the man before them. His body was covered with a pitch black cloak that just showed the mask underneath. The terrifying visage and feeling that it radiated sent shivers down all their spines as some even took a step back in fear.
All the Jedi stopped in shock for a second as they felt the force tremble in the presence of the figure before them. All of them had one thought in their mind as they stared in mute awe at the figure. "Sith!" *Pew* *Bang* The figure raised his hand at an astonishing speed as he deflected a blaster bolt to the side and into the ground.
The force seemed to tremble, in something the Jedi could just feel as amusement as everyone turned to the source of the pistol fire. Ayillh slowly lowered her blaster and looked at those starring at her. Mostly everyone had a look of complete utter shock and were looking at her as if she was an idiot. Though the Jedi did keep a straight face, the display of power, by blocking that blaster bolt showed them that the Sith was on par with masters, such as Yoda and Mace Windu.
Ayillh just shrugged her shoulders as she took all the looks in. "What? Everyone was just standing around gawking at the guy. Why not just take him out now?" No one had a reply for that, but the 4 Jedi did break out of their stupor and make their way to the front. "We'll take him."
Padme knew when not to argue, especially after seeing whoever that was deflect a blaster bolt to the face, as if it were nothing. "We'll take the long way around." Letting the Jedi handle the Sith they had just run into, they went to the side as a new threat appeared before them, Droidekas. As the blaster bolts started firing the Jedi paid no head to the battle, their full focus on the opponent before them.
A suffocating feeling started to rise from his body and envelop them, promising death should they step forwards.
**************
(Naboo, Theed City)
(3rd Person PoV)
"Fire" "Roger Roger" *Hahaha* Jaesa laughed as she threw her lightsaber out, it glinted a menacing purple as it spun out in a flash of death. It tore through a swath of droids as it took a long arc around the courtyard she was standing in.
While it was rotating around Jaesa sprinted to the nearest droid and began to dismantle it with her hands, cackling madly as she went to the next one, then the one after that, her hands deadly weapons. AS she was taking care of the droids an AAT rolled into the courtyard and prepared to fire upon her, but as it's cannon came into position a rocket flew in from above, landing smack bang on the top most hatch, blowing it to high heavens in one shot.
A few more ATT's looked to be coming towards the area, but more rockets came down from above to take them out. Jaesa stopped for a second as she caught her lightsaber and looked at Blizz perched on the building above, somehow getting his hands on a rocket launcher and pointing it at any enemy he saw. She starred at him for a few seconds before getting back to the slaughter, her laughter starting up once again.
*************
"There armour is rather light." Vette quipped as she stood behind Ashara and unloaded her blasters in the approaching droid forces. Ashara stood in front of her with both lightsabers out, flashes of light blue and pink swishing past as she deflecting all the incoming fire. "They are trying to overrun the enemy with their numbers…" She stopped for a second to pull a droid up and fling it through those behind it.
"Well it's not working." Vette moved behind cover to let her blasters cool down, reaching for one of the grenades on her belt, as Ashara flung one of her lightsabers out. It started to cut through a few droids hidden to the left while she continued to block those in the front. The two continued having a leisurely chat as the decimated the company of droids in their area.
*************
Red and orange flashed left and right, cutting through the ATT in front of them as Xalek and Nadia finished of the tanks attacking them. Littered behind them were 5 ATT's in different forms of destruction. One was crumpled like a ball; one was sliced down the middle, one with a twisted barrel on the top and one with the hatch leading inside open.
The droids standing around the tanks almost looked fearful as the two apprentices turned their attention towards them. Their blasters raised up as both let out ferocious smiles.
*************
*Clack* *Clack* *Clack* The steel heels clanked along the cobble stone as the droids retreated as fast as they could. *Bang* *Smash* A few of the Naboo citizens locked in their homes wanted to look outside to see what was happening, but the noises of rubble being destroyed and metal being distorted keep them inside.
Vaylin looked around with a bored expression as she starred at the retreated 5 droids. She didn't even raise her arms, she just focused on them for a second to grab them with the force. They could do nothing as they were thrown into the surrounding buildings, destroying their heads and armour.
A few that continued to run turned back to fire, but any blaster bolt that came close stopped in place as it reached 10 meters away from her. She just calmly walked past the blaster bolts, not sparring them a glance as she shot lightening at some of those that tried. After she moved past the area, the bolts would continue their trajectory until they hit a building or the ground.
A small smile appeared on her lips as she electrocuted the offending droids. As she reached the courtyard they were retreating to, the smile just got wider as 4 tanks appeared before her, with 3 company of droids behind them, all prepared to fire.
She chuckled as her metal heels continued to clank on the ground. *Clack* *Clack* *Clack*