Chapter 55 - The Malevolence Part IV

(Classes started so I took two days off of writing. Release time will be at 8PM EST from now on to fit my schedule better.)

The vast expanse of space is all encompassing. The empty void is home to all that is the universe. Near the Kaliida Nebula, a battle was raging. Space, which is normally black as night, was being lit up by laser fire from opposing fighters.

All of this commotion was caused by a weapon developed by the Separatists. The ion cannon they developed can obliterate an entire fleet in one shot, rendering the starships dead in space. Currently, this weapon was being turned on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Station.

A wall of vulture droids approached the Republic strike team led by Anakin Skywalker.

*Main Storyline Quest Triggered: Kaliida Shoals Defense*

*Rank: Legendary*

*Description: The CIS has launched an ȧssault on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Station. If this station falls, the GAR will be at a massive disadvantage in the Clone Wars. Defend the station and eliminate the ȧssailants. Rewards will vary based on completion rating. Maximum rewards are shown.*

*Rewards: 1 Billion Credits, 10k GAR Reputation, 5k Kamino Reputation, 5k Jedi Order Reputation.*

Tyler smirked upon seeing this. "Weapons free, boys."

The stakes were unbelievable now. Unfortunately, it is unknown what had to be done in order to achieve full rewards.

Space lit up as bolts of energy flew back and forth. In the first volley, the CIS had four unanswered casualties. Their vulture droids were no match for the clone and Jedi pilots.

Tyler pulled up and looped around to get behind the squad of vultures pursuing him. He pulled on the trigger and landed a series of shots on the wing of the left most vulture. Due to the damage, it lost control and crashed into another vulture droid. Now there were three left.

By this time, Tyler had locked on so he pressed a buŧŧon on his dashboard. Three missiles were ejected out of the front side of the fighter, speeding towards the droids.

With the missiles handling the rest, he pulled to the right to support the bombers. They, of course, were less capable in dogfights.

Anakin's voice came over comms. "Steady, come on. Hold it steady." He then turned to Ahsoka. "Get those fighters off of us."

Ahsoka scoffed. "Your fancy flying is making it difficult."

Suddenly, the vultures tailing them exploded in a spectacular fashion. They were in the clear.

Tyler laughed over the radio. "I got your back."

As he said this, he noticed a bright violet glow out of the corner of his eye. The ion cannon was about to fire again. Luckily, it was only in its charging sequence.

After a short few seconds, the ring of electricity stormed towards their position with extreme speed.

Ahsoka screamed. "Incoming!"

Anakin sighed. "Make towards the edge of the ray now!"

Tyler shook his head. "Micro jump, now! Activate your hyperdrive and immediately deactivate it!"

He pushed his lever forward. The stars around him turned to a blur as they streaked past at light speed. He immediately pulled the lever back and dropped out of hyperspace.

In unison, they all blinked and appeared a few hundred miles above the ring.

Anakin was breathing heavily. "Shadow Squadron, check in."

Ahsoka laughed. "Great thinking, Master Draco. We didn't lose anyone!"

Tyler chuckled. "Well we aren't out of the woods left. Let's dive and get past those guns."

The squadron started a nose dive, rapidly descending upon the Malevolence. The AA guns on the hull of the warship painted their path red with a hail of laser blasts. The munitions exploded as the squadron narrowly dodged the attacks.

Plo Koon encouraged the team. "Stay on course!"

Matchstick yelled. "This flak is heavy!"

Anakin then commanded. "All deflectors double front."

Ahsoka shook her head nervously. "Master, we need a new plan."

Anakin scoffed. "We can make it, Ahsoka. Hang in there."

Tyler then yelled over comms. "MAX THRUSTERS! DON'T LET THEM FIRE ON THE STATION!"

The squadron sped up, speeding towards the broadside of the warship. Due to their path, they quickly broke line of sight with the AA guns.

Anakin then commanded. "We are taking out the starboard ion cannon. Initiate bombing pass."

As they dropped into the gab, the weapon was mid charge. The moment that it would fire on the medical station was imminent.

Anakin yelled. "TORPEDOES AWAY!"

All of the bombers launched their torpedoes at various pylons. Each impact would result in a cascade of explosions that would spread around the base of the cannon. The entire ship shook violently due to the explosion.

A deafening noise stunned everyone in the area. Anyone close enough was not able to hear anything as if a stun grenade went off in their face. The piercing sound shook the squadron's ships.

Due to the misfire, both ion cannons exploded, rendering the Malevolence crippled.

Tyler smirked and opened his comm line with Commander Blaze. "Jump now."

Blaze replied. "Yes, sir."

Suddenly, 20 republic cruisers and an ȧssortment of frigates dropped out of hyperspace behind the medical station.

Obi Wan's voice came over comms. "Anakin, do you copy?"

Anakin replied. "I'm here."

Obi Wan continued. "Congratulations. It looks like your mission was a success."

Anakin sighed. "Partially, but Grievous is still alive. The battle was pretty rough on my men. We're heading for the medical station."

Obi Wan paused and then replied. "We'll take it from here. But don't worry, we'll call when we need you."

Anakin replied. "I'll be waiting, Obi Wan."

Obi Wan smiled. "Alright, let's finish what Anakin started. Ahead full."

-GE-

After landing in the hangar of his cruiser, Tyler was standing in the bridge. A hologram of Obi Wan was in front of him.

Tyler raised his brow. "I was expecting my fleet but where did all the others come from?"

Obi Wan chuckled. "Republic guilds came in droves. We even have an Admiral with us."

Tyler was now really confused. "And which admiral was able to spare time for this?"

Another hologram popped up. It was a man in a military uniform and hat. He had a long scar running down the right side of his face, bȧrėly missing his eye.

The man smiled. "General, I'm here to help."

Tyler's face lit up. "Overlord! How's the guild?"

Overlord shook his head. "We can catch up later. Right now, we need to take down that ship."

Admiral Yularen, Plo Koon, Anakin, and Ahsoka all joined Obi Wan on the Hologram.

Obi Wan turned to someone off screen. "Commander, what is the damage level to the enemy ship."

The commander replied. "She's lost her primary shield and stabilizers, but the ship is so massive that it can take all the fire our cannons can give it."

Plo Koon sighed. "We must summon reinforcements."

Anakin chuckled. "That's why I'm here, Master Plo."

Obi Wan nodded. "Anakin, were you able to contact Master Luminara?"

Anakin nodded. "Yes, master. She's busy with a fleet of Separatist reinforcements nearby. She won't be able to give support until she's turned them away."

Obi Wan sighed. "Then we'll have to make do with what we have."

They continued their barrage of the Malevolence for several minutes but seemingly made no progress.

Obi Wan became frustrated. "Admiral, status report."

Yularen nodded. "They're not attempting to jump to hyperspace. Their hyperdrive must be damaged."

Obi Wan smirked. "This is our chance. All ships, target the bridge, maximum firepower.

Tyler sighed. "I doubt it'll be easy. If our guilds are helping, there will surely be enemy guilds as well. I also have a weird feeling that something unexpected will happen."

Ahsoka turned to Anakin. "Master, I'm picking up a signal near the enemy vessel. Something just came out of hyperspace."

Anakin sighed. "Enemy reinforcements?"

Ahsoka shook his head. "No, it looks like a Naboo ship."

Overlord was visibly confused. "What the hell are they doing here? Gunners, stand down."

Anakin was getting concerned. "Ahsoka, contact that ship."

Tyler sighed. "Anakin, calm yourself. You might not like who is on board."

Ahsoka cut in. "Naboo cruiser, identify yourself."

A feminine voice replied urgently. "This is Senator Amidala."

Anakin was panicking. "Padme, what are you doing out here?!"

Padme was freaking out but kept her composure like the senator she is. "I was sent on a special mission. The Senate was told the Banking Clan wanted to negotiate a treaty."

Anakin yelled at her. "Get out of there as fast as you can!"

Suddenly Padme staggered in her seat.

C3PO inquired. "Have we been hit?"

Padme shook her head. "I'm afraid it's much worse than that."

Anakin's anxiety soared. "Padme, what's happening?"

Padme was visibly panicking. "I'm being pulled inside the droid cruiser by a tractor beam. I will not be made a Separatist bargaining chip. Continue your attack! You must destroy this monstrous ship!"

Anakin was struggling with his decision. He was about to speak.

Tyler cut him off. "CEASE YOUR FIRE! Anakin, respectfully, you do not have the authority to call off this attack. However, I agree with what I believe you were about to say. Senator Amidala is too important to the Republic for us to allow her to be held prisoner."

Anakin turned and walked away from the call. Obi Wan turned to talk to him. "Where do you think you're going?"

Anakin scoffed and turned. "Somebody has to save her skin."

Obi Wan sighed. "I thought you might say that."

Plo Koon shook his head. "There he goes again. Craving adventure and excitement."

Ahsoka chuckled. "You get used to it."

Tyler laughed. "Do you expect him to not save his wife?"

Plo Koon nearly shit himself as he turned to look at the hologram. "They're married? And you knew about this?"

Tyler grimaced. "Oops. Don't worry. I've been personally ensuring that it doesn't interfere with his duty. Regardless, no one can reach their full potential unless they're fighting for something. Don't even think about telling the council. You'd be dead if it wasn't for that jackass."

Plo Koon sighed. "You are right. What will you do, Draco?"

Tyler sighed. "Admiral Yularen, take command of the fleet. Coordinate with Admiral Overlord to organize the guild forces. He will have an easier time commanding them than you will. A lot of them are his men after all. I'll be joining General's Kenobi and Skywalker. We must get that ship out of there immediately and they're gonna need help. Besides, I have a feeling that this won't be the only company we are getting today."

Almost as if they were waiting for his words, 30 CIS battleships dropped out of hyperspace. They varied between heavy cruisers and destroyers, and were also accompanied by an ȧssortment of frigates and smaller ships.

Tyler threw his hands in the air in frustration. "This day just keeps getting worse. Overlord, contact Admiral Mcree. See if he can provide support. Good luck, gentlemen."