Chapter 48 - Ambush Part I

(First, espresso depresso time. I only have like 300 views on my new novel, Aetheria, after like 3 days and only one person followed it. Feels bad man. I'll give it a week before I give up on it.)

(Second, welcome to Clone Wars canon with a twist. Enjoy! Sorry it's kinda short. I didn't want to end the chapter at an awkward spot so I had to stop where it did.)

With the increased scale of the war, every inch of available forces was dedicated to raging battles across the front lines. Despite the insane amount of resources that Limitless possessed in regards to their armed forces, they were stretched thin nonetheless.

The Republic was still in the midst of their defensive strategy. They focused the majority of their forces on the front lines and patrolling Republic space. While the various guilds and clone commandos focused on a disruption and espionage campaign, high command focused on bolstering their forces. Aside from ramping up production of critical resources and hardware, the foremost priority was gaining the support of neutral worlds.

In theory, the process of recruiting these worlds should be quite simple. One just needed to convince them of the treachery of the Sith and how their people would be treated as slaves if they were not deemed valuable by the CIS.

The CIS ambassadors would approach these neutral worlds with promise of security and riches. However, what happened to the peoples of those worlds after accepting the aid of the Separatists would be the complete opposite. They would be sold into slavery and slaughtered by the droid armies. Unfortunately, the neutral worlds that the CIS would repeatedly approach were not privy to this information.

Tyler was walking back to his penthouse. He was exhausted after not getting a good night's sleep for days. It was about 8 in the morning at this point and he just wanted to get some sleep before his next deployment. It was only a matter of time after all.

His communicator started blinking. He glanced down at it, rolled his eyes, and then ignored it. Hopefully they would think he is sleeping. He opened the door to his penthouse and dragged his feet over to the couch. He couldn't even make it to his bed.

Walking up to the armrest, he pressed his legs against it and then just face planted onto the couch. "Ughhhhhhhhhhhh." A long groan escaped his mouth as he got comfortable in this weird position.

As Tyler was drifting off to sleep, there was a knock at his door. He ignored it. The knock came again. He still remained silent.

Suddenly, the door slid open. "Master Draco?"

Tyler coughed in frustration. "GUHHHHHH, GO AWAY!"

Kai sighed. "Draco, Master Yoda and I have just arrived in your hangar. We need to depart immediately."

Tyler shook his head aggressively. He grabbed the blanket hanging over the edge of the couch and then wrapped himself up before throwing his head onto the pillow laying on the couch.

Kai shrugged. "Fine. Have it your way." He lifted his hand casually and raised Tyler, who was still wrapped in the blanket, and the pillow. He then walked out of the room as Tyler floated behind him sleeping soundly.

When Kai reached the hangar with Tyler in tow, Yoda just looked at them blankly. He then smiled and shook his head. "Youth, a wonderful thing it is." He then turned around and boarded the Prototype L-35 with a squad of clones. Kai followed him with Tyler before gently setting him down in the middle of the lounge area.

Yoda looked around. "Quite comfortable, this ship is. It is fast, you say?"

Kai nodded. "I believe that it is currently the starship in the galaxy. At least it is officially. And this is only a prototype."

-GE-

Tyler awoke by the ship dropping out of hyperspace. He looked around and noticed Yoda and Kai quietly conversing in the lounge.

Kai looked over. "Master, you're finally awake."

Tyler looked at the two little green Jedi and raised his brow. "Where are we?"

Yoda chuckled. "Headed to Toydaria, we are. Meet the King, we must."

*Main Storyline Quest Triggered: Ambush*

*Rank: Legendary*

*Description: Assist Master Yoda in his diplomatic mission to meet King Katuunko of Toydaria. Convince him to allow the construction of a Republic base in the system.*

*Rewards: +6000 Toydaria Reputation, +2000 GAR Reputation, +1000 Jedi Order Reputation*

Tyler inwardly sighed. These were definitely the most lackluster rewards he had ever seen from a legendary quest. On the other hand, he would get a total of 9000 reputation for quite the short and seemingly easy mission. Unfortunately, he knew that it wasn't so simple.

Tyler grimaced. "This spells trouble."

Yoda ċȯċked his head in curiosity. "Trouble, you say?"

Tyler nodded. "We are walking into a trap. Why didn't we come with a fleet?"

Yoda shook his head. "A secret meeting this is. Attract attention we must not."

Tyler shook his head and laughed. "I recently received intelligence that the CIS are lying in wait for us to approach neutral worlds so they cen intervene. Don't expect a warm welcome from those scrap haulers."

A clone lieutenant rushed into the cabin. "Generals, two CIS frigates are entering the system."

Tyler gestured at the clone in frustration. "See? Lieutenant, prepare to jump to hyperspace. I'll be taking the wheel."

The clone nodded. "Yes, sir."

Tyler reached up into a long stretch as he stood up. "I'll be back." He then walked into the ċȯċkpit and noticed the seat already open for him. He quickly sat down and familiarized himself with the controls.

The copilot looked at him with concern. "Have you ever piloted this ship before, General?"

Tyler chuckled and looked back at the clone pilot. "Have you?"

Tyler smirked as he heard a beeping sound. "Damn, that was quick."

The copilot looked towards him. "What's that beeping, sir?"

Tyler laughed. "Press the blinking buŧŧon and find out."

The clone nodded and pressed the buŧŧon. Several large warheads shot out of the belly of the ship. "Sir, there's no way those warheads could break through their shields."

Tyler shook his head as he pushed the lever forwards to jump into hyperspace. He then immediately pulled the lever back and they dropped out of hyperspace. They had only traveled just past the planet.

On the scanners, the two frigates were still alive and well.

Tyler sighed. "Ahhhh, damnit. Guess the tech isn't there yet."

The lieutenant was confused. "What were those warheads supposed to do?"

Tyler sighed. "Well, they were supposed to be two staged weapons. The first stage would tear open a tiny hole in their shields. Then it would deposit the payload into the target before detonating it. I'm guessing the first stage failed."

The lieutenant had a hopeful look in his eyes. "If we could get a hold of that tech, we could put a quick end to this war."

Tyler shook his head as he stood up from the seat. "Each of those warheads costs a billion credits. The project will probably fall through after this demonstration."

The lieutenant sighed. "What are your orders, sir?"

Tyler nodded. "Land somewhere nearby the rendezvous. We can not approach direction unless we want to be shot down."

The clone nodded. "Yes, sir."

Tyler walked back into the cabin and sat back down before grabbing a drink.

Kai looked curiously at him. "So what now?"

Tyler shrugged. "Now we land, and take it from there."

Yoda nodded. "Rarely ever work, plans do."

A short ride later, they were within the atmosphere of Toydaria and were out of reach for the frigates. They sped across the surface at a speed that was difficult to follow with the nȧkėd eye.

Tyler walked into the ċȯċkpit and pointed to an area of dense forest. "Hover above those trees. We will clear an LZ."

The pilot nodded. "Yes, sir."

Tyler walked through the cabin. "Master Yoda, Kai, please come with me. I need help clearing an LZ."

The two little green Jedi got up and followed him.

They walked to the back of the ship and Tyler pressed a buŧŧon to open the door. "Enjoy the fall!"

He turned around, saluted, and fell straight backwards.

Kai rolled his eyes and followed suit, jumping off the ship.

Yoda shook. "Too old for this shit I am." He then jumped.

The three landed like superheroes in one of them fancy movies.

Not being able to resist the opportunity, Tyler giggled. "Avengers, ȧssemble."

Kai looked at him curiously. "What are you on about?"

Tyler laughed and shook his head. "Nevermind me. Cut down some trees and move them out of the way. I want to land right here."

Tyler ignited his lightsaber and then quickly undid it and put it away. "Oops, not that one."

Kai just stared at him and shook his head. "I swear, one of these days."

Tyler pulled another lightsaber off his hip but nearly dropped it. He then pointed at Yoda. "Don't look at me. They're the ones that granted me the rank of master."

Yoda chuckled as he ignited his lightsaber and started cutting down trees as close to the ground as possible. The other two Jedi followed suit.

Ten minutes passed and the ship was setting down in the improvised LZ. Three clones with red paint on their armor walked out of the ship. One of them was a clone officer. This was signified by the black sash on his shoulder and the tactical visor on his helmet.

They lined up in front of the generals and stood at attention. They were awaiting their orders.

Tyler smiled. "Designations please."

The clones sounded off. "CC-4477, Lieutenant Thyre." "CT-4590, Jek." "CT-4279, Rys."

Tyler nodded. "Thyre, Jek, Rys, looking forward to working with you. Thyre, establish contact with the King. We must inform him of our arrival."

The clones all responded in unison. "Yes, sir."

Within minutes, Thyre came back over to them and knelt down in front of Yoda.

Yoda smiled at the hologram of King Katuunko. "A pŀėȧsurė it is to hear your voice, Your Highness. Master Yoda of the Jedi Council this is."

Katuunko smiled and nodded. "Master Jedi, I thought perhaps Count Dooku had frightened you off."

Yoda shook his head. "Delayed have I been. But not too far away am I now. Unaware I was Count Dooku was invited to our meeting."

Katuunko scoffed and shook his head, turning away from Ventress. "The count invited himself. He ȧssures me that, in this time of war, his droids can offer my world greater security than your Jedi."

Yoda sighed. "Hmm. A matter of debate that is."

Ventress then cut in. "Your Majesty might prefer more than words."

Katuunko perked up at that. "What do you have in mind?"

Ventress smirked. "If Yoda is indeed the Jedi warrior you believe he is, let him prove it. Allow me to send my best troops to capture him. If he escapes, join the Republic. But should my droids defeat Yoda, consider an alliance with the Separatists."

Katuunko shook his head adamantly. "I did not request Yoda's presence here to test him in battle."

Tyler then decided it was his turn to cut in. He refused to be left out of something that was so much fun. "If I may, King Katuunko…"

Katuunko watched as Tyler joined Yoda on the hologram. "Lord Draco, what a surprise. Please, continue."

Tyler smiled and nodded. "I think Ventress has a wonderful idea. We accept your challenge and will see you within the day. Stay safe, Your Highness." He then cut off the hologram.