Chapter 4: The Round Lost

Republic on the brink! A devious and unlawful attack from the world of Geonosis has faced the might and determination of the Geonosian people and their Separatist allies. Having forced the Republic Navy to flee in flames, the dangerous and fiery Kallen Stadtfeld slays the Jedi general Ki-Adi-Mund, thus leaving Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, in a desperate race to race Obi-Wan Kenobi before he's slain by the plans of Lelouch vi Britannia.

“Admiral Yularen, this is an unexpected call. How does the Geonosis operation work?” The Admiral was a seasoned soldier who had faced briefings with less-than-stellar reports in the past. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had shamed the Chancellor and Republic, as their leader seemed hopeful for a report that would not be.

“Poorly, General Windu. The Separatists had lured us into a trap; they had dozens of vulture droids ready and heavy anti-air cannons. We sustained considerable losses, including the loss of 4 ships. I had to give the order to pull back from the system before the entire fleet was destroyed." Yularen reported, detailing other losses of their starfighters and gunships in the surprise counterattack.

“And of our ground forces?” Windu asked, as they had been forced to flee, which left them open for those same Vulture and Hynena Droids to strike at them just like Ryloth and Christophsis.

Yularen’s well-groomed mustache twitched. "I…do not know, Chancellor. When we were in contact, we could confirm only General Kenobi had made it to the landing zone. Still, he and the rest had taken considerable losses, while General Skywalker's tanks were all shot down." There was also a report that General Kenobi was wounded in the crash landing, but he couldn't confirm it. But if true, it would mean he wasn't in an optimal shape to hold out.

His response was not welcomed, as the council members on the call, Windu and Yoda, along with the Chancellor, all shared worried glances. This assault was an important one. They needed to shut those factories down and retake the planet; they were already stretched thin across other fronts.

“Most troubling, this news is. Reports of Separatist strength, false it seems.” Yoda stated that they had believed the planet would be lightly guarded. Still, it would seem it was another of Dooku's deceptions. But the issue was why and when? Why station an ambush force on a planet that Dooku couldn't have known would be attacked? And if he had known, for how long? Who had he chosen to command the Separatist forces?

“And the other elements of the invasion?” Windu asked, as unexpected as this was—it was a planetary invasion.

“They were met with similar resistance, but those forces under General Unduli seemed to have struck a weak point. With the situation when we pulled back, those aren't gains she can sustain for long." The Admiral wished his good news didn't come with that asterisk, but alas, he couldn't change it, nor would he hide it.

“Without your fleet’s presence, the entire invasion force is sure to be wiped out," Windu stated, not scolding the Admiral. He understood the reasoning behind his actions and thought he made the best choice, but that didn't change the fact that they were in a horrible situation now.

“Yes, but should they return as they are, would they not be destroyed along with them?” the Chancellor asked, turning to the Admiral, his eyes those of a kind and wise grandfather. You said that the Separatists had Vulture droids, yes? Those are their primary starfighters?”

"Correct, though we did detect at least one unknown model during the assault, it led the attack on our ships directly," Yularen replied, showing a short report of the enemy droid fighter in question. The intelligence on it was incomplete on account of its short duration of presence and its troops being busy fighting for their lives.

“What you need, then, is starfighters to bolster your forces and regain air superiority — and fast." Palpatine suggested, seeming confident that they'd smash the enemy and regain the initiative.

Windu thought about the Chancellor's suggestion, aware they were bleeding men as they spoke. “Starfighters are needed, but perhaps it would be best if they led an evacuation. If the enemy lines are as strong as the Admiral's report claims, attempting to capture Poggle and destroy those new factories with our forces would be near impossible.”

Palpatine frowned, clearly upset about this, but he didn't argue with the generals, those who had seen the realities of combat firsthand. Added to that was the fact that this was part of his previous concerns, and if they were to lose more Jedi and hundreds, if not thousands, of clones during this campaign…

“That is…a good assessment, master Jedi. Very well, I shall do what I can to draw in whatever starfighters can be gathered on such short notice.” Palpatine relented, since he could use his position and the favors he'd gained with other Republic commanders to try to convince them to spare some starfighters.

“We shall do the same, Admiral. Can we count on you to be ready to depart when the order is given?” Windu asked Yuleran, who stood at attention.

“Without a moment’s delay.”

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“Next time, just tell me to jump.” Rex tiredly begged as Anakin helped him up. Why he would was simple: They had managed to luck their way into fighting an enemy fortress and to destroy it, the General and his Padawan had scaled the side of the valley and attacked it, which he followed at a slower rate.

And once they had planted explosives in the fortress, they had thrown him off before jumping off the exploding fortress, catching him and the debris, which would have crushed them all with the force.

As he expected, Anakin was unapologetic. "Now, where's the fun in that? Now come on, we must link up with the others and stay alive long enough for reinforcements to arrive." He ordered as he turned and ran for Obi-Wan’s last known position, Rex repeating the order as their men charged ahead.

After handling the fortress, the resistance they encountered along the way wasn't nearly as challenging as it could have been, but it was still a slow march through the ever-expanding valley until they chanced upon a familiar and welcomed sight.

"Look, aren't those our tanks?" Ahsoka called out as they spotted some tanks up ahead. With them were some Clones.

"They aren't ours, but they're sure to be friendly," Anakin called out. They had lost their tanks in the crash landings, but he'd accept any at this point. It seemed that the clones' sense of relief was shared, as when they saw them approaching, they waved and called out in relief.

“General, it’s good to see you.” The commander of the small force called out, jumping off the tank to speak with them.

“Believe me, I wouldn’t mind seeing more clones right about now. If I’m not mistaken, you’re with master Mundi's forces. Where is he?" Anakin asked, as he would have thought he would see the old Jedi.

As soon as he asked, he, Ahsoka, and the rest of the 501st could immediately sense that things were somehow worse than they had believed.

“Sir…he’s gone.” The clone, who was not Jet, replied as he glanced to the side, having only a fraction of their surviving force.

“What, but-but how? I thought he survived the crash landings and was making his way to master Kenobi’s position.” Ahsoka reminded them.

“He did, Commander Tano, but he wished to find a passage through those caves. His forces were ambushed, we…we only found 3 survivors and this." The clone explained before he gestured to one of his men, who approached and presented Mundi's lightsaber, the only thing they could salvage from the horrible, burnt corpse.

Ahsoka gasped at the sight of the weapon of the fallen council member. Anakin was just as shocked by the sight of the weapon. Mundi had been one of the longest-serving members on the council, he wouldn't have been bested so easily. Was it Ventress? Some trap?

Either way, the sight of the ownerless lightsaber reminded him of another. So he accepted the weapon, making a vow to ensure it got back to the Jedi Temple.

“And the survivors?” Anakin asked, as the sooner they got information on this unseen fighter, the better.

"Pretty banged up, they're being cared for in one of the tanks, but one should be awake." The clone reported as he gestured towards one of the tanks, to which Anakin's face hardened as he got sick of the bad news.

"We'll speak with them on the go. Right now, we need to make it to Obi-Wan's position. Ahsoka, you're with me. We'll handle anything that slows down our tanks," Anakin ordered.

"Yes, you got it," Ahsoka confirmed. Still, as the rest moved to follow Anakin's orders, he placed a comforting hand on his Padawan's shoulder.

“We’ll mourn him later, right now we need to focus on ensuring that he’s the only Jedi we lose today.” Anakin reminded her, as Obi-Wan was shot down as well and surrounded. If they didn't get to him, they'll never see him alive again.

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“Focus on those tanks, they get close and we’re finished!”

“They’re circling us.”

“Take it down, take it down!”

“Man that turret, lay down suppressive fire on those speeders!”

“We lost another tank!”

As Kenobi's forces were being hammered, such concerns weren't without merit. They had long since formed into a circle, using their gunships and tanks as walls to fire from, but the enemy was relentless. They might not have dealt with any more vultures since they crashed, but with the Geonosian and their Separatist backers coming from all sides, they didn't need to attack from the air either.

Kenobi, wounded when his gunship had gone down, had been leaving command to Cody, who could fight with the rest, but seeing another of their tanks go down from enemy tank fire, he moved to get up, even with how much it hurt and drained him of the stamina he had slowly recovered.

“General, you shouldn’t be up.” The medic tending to him warned, but he waved the man off.

"No, but we don't have the luxury right now. I'll feel it in the morning, assuming we can fight them off long enough for help to arrive." Kenobi stated that the sounds of blaster and cannon fire were ever-present, along with the blasts of explosions, which sometimes removed more of their ever-dwindling numbers.

Seeing Kenobi getting up, Cody didn't question his General's decision. He knew it wouldn't be worth it, so he jogged over, keeping his head down; otherwise, a lucky shot would take him out like it had done others. “What’s the play?”

Kenobi looked to their rear, where, breaking from the flat and open field they were in, he could make out more rock formations, hills, and what he was sure had been a valley when he had looked at the airship as it went down. "There was a ridgeline to the south. We break out of this formation and fight towards it; it’ll provide us better cover.”

“And our mission?” Cody asked, not a shred of surprise, anger, or judgment in his words.

Kenobi shook his head. "We can't achieve it with things as they are. It's best if we preserve as much of our fighting strength as possible rather than wasting men and machines." As if to affirm his words, one of the gunships went up in flames, bringing with it three clones and one of their heavy turrets.

"Understood! All forces, get ready to move. We are leaving this position. We're going to the ridgeline four clicks to our south!" Cody called out. The men, pushed against the wall and running out of options, were more than happy to obey as they started plans to rapidly pull out of their position.

“What about the Gunships?” Cody asked. They could fly, but they would prove easy targets.

“Reform them into our air support and rear shields. Get everything of worth off them.” Kenobi ordered, as hopefully they’ll serve as good distractions for the rest of them to pull out.

Having gotten up, Kenobi lit his lightsaber and moved to handle the more dangerous task. "Cody, I'll trust you to lead them. I'll remain at the rear and work to slow down the enemy. With any luck, we'll make it there with minimal losses."

“Yes, General Kenobi.”

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"Sir, it seems that the Republic forces at M8 are repositioning and are making for M-10." The tactical droid alerted Lelouch as he had been busy speaking with one of his other droids on the state of their other fronts.

Walking back to the table, Lelouch looked over the display of things, including the positions of Kallen and Catherine as they shadowed Anakin’s forces, but kept out of sight. “It’s only practical, out in the open, as they were, they'll be wiped out."

“Should we order our forces to pursue?” The tactical droid asked, as they far outnumbered the Republic as it stood, and even with a Jedi serving as rearguard, he could easily calculate how they would eliminate him as their forces had done during the Ryloth campaign.

Lelouch thought about it, as it would be a great propaganda victory and tactical one to eliminate Obi-Wan here and now. “…No, have them continue to fight, but don’t press them just yet.”

The Archduke seemed shocked by this and voiced his concerns.

“The Archduke requests an explanation for why you would issue such an order when we could eliminate them now.” His tactical droid translated for him, and Lelouch turned his attention to his host.

"Yes, eliminate this group. Kallen's already dealt with the one Jedi, but she couldn't find and neutralize the rest of his forces, which includes their tanks. We allow them to regroup, and then we can launch a renewed assault and take out their armor. After that, Jedi or not, they'll be finished." He explained that, while Kallen and Catherine had handled Mundi, they had ambushed him in a space where his troops were at a disadvantage.

Anakin's forces now had tanks and an open area, and propaganda or not, CIS intelligence spoke highly of the 501st. He couldn’t just throw the two at them with their Geonosian forces; they'll be lucky to hold them down long, and if Kallen and Anakin fought…he couldn't be sure she'd come out on top.

No, slow and steady, they'll let their enemies gather and then increase the pressure. Once Nunnally's fighters are back in the air, they can keep the pressure up until those clones are either dead, exhausted, or run out of blaster shots to throw back at them. In fact, that was an ideal situation, as slaying Jedi was a statement, but capturing those Jedi was even better. The fact that these two were rising stars makes the idea of arresting and charging them for their crimes all the more appealing.

He’ll figure out how he’ll keep Grievous from trying to kill his captives later.

“How’s Nunnally’s forces doing?” Lelouch asked, as Nunnally’s forces had returned to their staging grounds not too long ago.

“The Recharge for her fighters is reported to be moving smoothly. By my calculations, they'll be ready to fly in 11 minutes and 12 seconds, " the tactical droid replied.

"Send word to Leila. I trust that her majesty would be pleased to hear of our results thus far. As for me, I'll be heading out into battle. Are the Super-tanks ready for deployment?” Lelouch replied, though he did feel a little sympathy for Leila. The Geonosian queen had always given him bad vibes, like she was plotting to kill or eat him.

"The unit is still under construction and can't be deployed, " the tactical droid replied, to which Lelouch frowned.

"And how many of the units are ready for use?"

“2.” The droid amended, leading to Lelouch sighing, which wasn't ideal.

“Of course it’s just two,” Lelouch muttered before he stood to his full height. “Very well, I’ll take a regular tank into battle, but have those 2 super-tanks ready to deploy with me. And get Alice, she’s probably eager to get involved since I didn’t allow her to fight with Nunnally.”

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“Cody!” The clone commander turned to the side, spotting Anakin and Ahsoka running towards him.

His forces had taken a real beating, but their first units had managed to make it to the relative safety of the rocks and valley. Once they made it, their tanks turned around and started to fire on the Separatists, who, for some reason, weren't trying to chase them down and crush them as they had been doing before. No doubt their commander believed it foolish and was conserving their manpower.

It was also a path that allowed Anakin and the rest of Mundi's surviving troops to approach them and join their defense line.

“Commander, General!” Cody stepped down from where he had been barking orders to salute the two.

“Where’s Obi-Wan?” Anakin asked, as he didn’t see his master anywhere and was starting to worry.

“He’s guarding our rear. We retreated here from our positions near the landing zone.” Cody replied, as he had just seen the General, wounded but alive, as he and some others fought to keep the Seppies from trying to press them.

"Snips, you stay here, I'll go get Obi-Wan and the rest of them out of there." Anakin was gone before she could even respond. Leaping out from their cover, he rushed forward, passing by retreating troops, many aiding the wounded. His eyes on the figure to the rear, his lightsaber held as he deflected shot after shot, but he was slower than normal. Anakin had trained with him enough to see when his master wasn't at his best, and he seemed to be favoring one side over the other with some sloppy footwork.

Anakin told his master as much as he came to his side. “Well, it's quite hard to keep form when you shot out of the sky." Obi-Wan quipped as master and student fought side by side, covering for the other.

"Hey, I was shot down too, and I can keep proper form." Anakin was doing more cover for his wounded master, giving him the easier task to handle.

"Well, I lack your experience with such, but perhaps your bad luck has finally rubbed off on me," Obi-Wan replied.

"I thought you didn't believe in bad luck, " Anakin said. They kept their focus on the Seppies' tanks, but they used force to ensure that every shot missed its mark.

"Well, I am starting to come around," Obi-Wan called as he quickly used the force to snatch one rider off his speeder, allowing the now riderless vehicle to crash into another, slowing down the enemy assault. "Mundi?"

"He didn't make it; someone on the ground pulled him out," Anakin reported. Obi-Wan was caught off guard by this, but kept his focus; otherwise, he would have gained more injuries than the ones he was making worse by fighting like this.

"I doubt it was Ventress. She's skilled but not that skilled." She noted that Dooku's assassin seemed to be their go-to, but he couldn’t see her being capable of defeating his senior council member.

"Wasn't Grievous either, as I routed him before he could even show up, and two," Anakin deflected a shot right back to the shooter, the droid dropping. “They recovered his lightsaber.”

“From what Master Fisto confirmed, that wouldn’t be in our dear cyborg’s nature.” Obi-Wan was starting to feel bad about this, as the entire operation had been against them, and it didn't fit any known Separatist commander.

But there was one that might fit, one they had believed wasn't anywhere near the sector.

“That’s all of them, General!” Cody called out over the coms as the last of their forces made it into their new position. The only ones left were bodies.

“Well, that’s our clue, let’s get the heck outta here," Anakin called as he grabbed onto Obi-Wan and booked it.

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‘This took far too long.’ Lelouch frowned as he walked through their base, on his way to get his tank escort.

He had planned to leave 30 minutes ago, but his tactical droid neglected to consider that their new super-tanks would need to be fueled.

"I told you those things aren't good, " a voice called out as he entered the cavern, which was acting as their hangar for their newly built armored units.

Glancing to the side, he saw Alice leaning against one of the super-tanks. “Bold of you to assume to know what I’m thinking, Ms. Wonderland.” Lelouch joked, leading to the younger teen rolling her eyes as she zipped to his side, moving at speeds almost as fast as a blaster bolt.

Alice reached for his head, patting him like a dog, an act she knew he hated but wouldn't do anything about it, at least not yet. "I'm not coming after your crown on that front, but I guess you don't like the delay. Nunna's been having the time of her life, though."

“She’s already started the attack?” Lelouch didn't ask; he knew his sister and how much she enjoyed such things.

She reminded him of how his mother was when she wasn't training or piloting the Ganymede; she was always far too wild and free for the imperial palace, but chose it out of love for a man who had no heart.

“Well, you told her to fuel up and do that, so she’s been hammering them for a while now.” Alice shrugged.

“Well, it helps with the situation. As Kallen made her move yet?” Lelouch chuckled as he asked.

“Still waiting on orders from a certain someone.” Alice shook her head.

“Then-”

“General, I have news.” His tactical droid stepped into the cavern before he could give the order, get into his tank, and make the final move to secure their biggest war victory.

Lelouch had to take a breath, a long, deep breath, or else he broke something, likely the droid that was reigning on his parade, and interrupting his plans after the blasted thing made an error so easily spotted, he wondered who programmed it to be as foolish as a B-1!

But calm down he did, and he slowly turned to the machine. “I assume it’s important.”

“It’s directly from Count Dooku.” The tactical droid unknowingly saved itself from being shattered into a thousand pieces.

“Dooku?” Lelouch repeated, Alice being just as surprised to hear it. “Let it play.”

The tactical droid didn't play a recording but pulled out a projection communicator and let it play. “I’m not a recording, child.” Dooku's aged, calm, and regal voice came on as the hologram came on, showing the former Jedi master.

He didn't train Lelouch or any of them, but the former prince bowed to him like Alice did. How could they not when it was because of Dooku, who had seen the Republic's corruption and the Jedi's complicity and turned from it to try and start anew, even when that meant facing against the Jedi he had known his entire life.

“Sir, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. To what do I owe this call?” Lelouch asked, his head still bowed.

“It’s related to your current operations. I am quite pleased with your results thus far. The tactical droid has filled me and the Separatist council on the essentials.” Dooku stated that Lelouch and Lelouch raised their heads to look at the older force user.

“Has he?” Lelouch asked, with a glance at the droid, but nothing more. “Well, I hope he hadn’t glorified me too much. I would like my comrades and superiors to have a more accurate understanding of me.”

Dooku cracked a smile, as he had been quite impressed with the youths and their thinking. He had also stated how he appreciated how their existence proved that the Jedi didn't need a monopoly on force sensitives. That smile, slight as it was, faded from his face. “Which I assure you is what he reported. However, I must order you to withdraw from your final attack.”

Lelouch’s brow creased, as that didn’t make sense. "Pull back? But sir, we have then cornered. They won't last the cycle."

Dooku nodded. “It's because of your success that you must pull back. I have received word from a spy that the Republic is preparing a counterattack.”

Alice scoffed, finally raising her head as well. “They’ll never make it back in time.” He declared that they would ensure that the remains of the Republic forces in this area of the battlefield were left as corpses and wrecks. Hell, if need be, they'll slay the Jedi instead of capturing them.

Dooku did not contest that, as he had heard enough of the report to know they weren’t boasting without merit of the means to back it up. “Highly likely, but the spy reports that the assault would be a genocide campaign, one where they’ll burn the planet from orbit.”

That got to both whose reactions matched up to the news. “Genocide?! Are they insane?” Alice yelled, as she knew the Republic had fallen far from where it had once been, and that its present was apathy, special interests, and incompetence.

But genocide? On a planetary scale, it would mean billions killed, and for what? Because they managed to embarrass them in a single battle? A means to spread a message to the rest of the galaxy?

Dooku could see the shock, but most importantly, the anger in both of them, especially in Lelouch. “Remember how far the Republic has fallen, child. They'll do anything to ensure our struggle dies. However, should you pull back your forces and allow the Jedi and the survivors to escape, it might ensure such does not come to pass.”

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Somewhere in Separatist-controlled space, Dooku's fleet flew. In a private room, he addressed his youngest commanders via hologram communicator. “And Geonosis?”

“I have already instructed Grievous to prepare an orbital fleet to protect the planet. For now, you're to prepare to leave the planet. You're going to need time to prepare for your heroes' welcome back on Raxus Secundus," Dooku replied.

Despite his dislike of his other commander and the supreme commander of their forces, Lelouch didn't counter or argue with Dooku. The former Jedi turned Sith didn't suspect the boy would when he respected him so much. However, he looked displeased with leaving things unfinished and in Grievous's hands, but eventually, he relented.

“Very well, Count Dooku. But I ask that I be the one to inform the Archduke of this change.” Lelouch requested, to which Dooku offered him a small smile, one of sympathy for his hard work seemingly thrown aside.

“It would be appreciated.” Dooku finished the call. Once he did so, his face shifted as he turned it to another channel and knelt, head low, as another figure came on—one shrouded in a cloak but with wrinkles clear on the features that could be made out.

“Was it done?” His master and Sith Lord, Sidious, asked.

“Yes, my master. He will pull his forces from the planet.” Dooku replied, head low and subservient.

Sidious nodded but didn't seem pleased that the Geonosis invasion had been beaten so thoroughly. “I had no idea you had such a capable commander amongst your ranks, my apprentice.”

Dooku could hear the accusation without his master needing to say it. "I had no idea that he would prove himself, my master. He is young, arrogant, and eager to prove himself, yet I don't pick up the signs of a Jedi off him or his…associates. This deployment was meant to sideline him."

Dooku hadn't wished for such characters to be involved in major operations. While many Separatist commanders were skilled and dedicated to the cause for one reason or another, they were also more predictable, having proven track records.

But these children just appeared one day. They claimed to all be from Onderon, orphans, but he didn't believe that. How Lelouch and Nunnally carried themselves spoke of nobility. Still, not a single noble house could be found to be theirs.

The fact that they were force-sensitive and incredibly well trained for mere children only made him all the warier of them. 

Sidious considered this. “It was perhaps…unwise for me to inform you of Senator Clovis' failure…no. No, it would have been far more costly had you moved him off-world before the attack hit.” No, as much as he hated it, it was perhaps for the best that this happened. At least now, with the children known to the Republic and Jedi, they could more effectively counter them.

"What are your orders, my master?" Dooku requested.

“Keep an eye on him and his people. I wish to learn more about them. They might have undermined us now…but perhaps they can be brought in as useful pawns.” Sidious ordered, as he already had plans for Skywalker, but it never hurt to expand one's options. And this vi Britannia was already close to the Dark Side, he and his sister. He could feel it.

Dooku, the faithful servant, was quick to accept these orders. “As you wish, my master.”

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It is ridiculously hot again as I'm writing this, so much so that a quick gaming session had my laptop get crazy hot even with the windows open and the fan on full blast. Times like these make me wish I lived somewhere with colder weather, if for no other reason than I'd rather pay for heating than worry about my devices croaking from overheating from the ambient heat. Last week, I had some power issues, as we had a blackout that knocked me out of writing for Friday and most of Saturday. It didn't affect this story, but it did fuck with my schedule.

Now, I have power, I have a fan, and I have time, so we can see the end of the 2nd Battle for Geonosis, which saw the Republic invasion ships chased from the system, their bombers assaulted by sharks feasting on a school of fish, and one Jedi dead, which…I did not plan for it, but I just did because I felt it would help demonstrate Kallen's skills and talent with the force. Sith can keep the lighting; she's all things fire, which matches her personality all the more.

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We get the conclusion of the Geonosian battle, which is not what I first pictured, but one that makes sense. Palpatine controls both sides of this war, but he does not give Dooku all his orders or information. He lets the man act of his own accord to save time and keep his hands as hard to see as possible.

Besides, even if he forced it, there is no way they could get the back-up to the planet in time, so to protect his investment in Anakin and the Republic war effort, he thumbed the scale from the other end. As for the idea that the Republic would glass a planet, well, they are fighting the Republic because they believe they've fallen and would do some fucked up shit. So while shocking, it’s not impossible.