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A Republic at War 06: The Deep Wound . . (Republic Cruiser Valor in orbit over Manaan three days after the events of Chapter 5)
Commodore Revees- Good work lieutenant, make sure those supplies get loaded as fast as possible, our armies are in bad need of that kolto. Dismissed.
Boris- Everything running smoothly Commodore?
Revees- Affirmative sir, we should be ready to depart in approximately 12 hours.
Boris- Very well, I will contact Master Shele'kor and tell him the good news.
(On the surface of Manaan at Ahto City, the Selkath Jedi Master Shele'kor busily checking the supply crates)
Shele'kor- Three crates of kolto, yes, yes. One pack of engine parts.
Boris- You never stop working do you Shele'kor?
Shele'kor- Ah! Master Boris you mustn't just appear like that! I'm busy for the Force's sake!
Boris- Good to hear you've still got your sense of humor. How's being home treating you, is it as superior as you always tell me?
Shele'kor- Please Boris, I can hear that mocking tone even from here. But truth be told my people are more... arrogant than I remembered. They almost treat me like I'm an outsider! I suppose that's what I get for-
(Shele'kor suddenly stops as a large explosion rips through the supply crates)
Shele'kor- By the Force!
(Onboard the Valor Shele'kor's transmission turns to static before fading away)
Boris- Shele'kor? Shele'kor! Commodore what's going on down there?
Revees- Sir we just picked up a Separatist battle formation coming out of hyperspace. They've already launched landing shuttles and are invading Ahto City!
Boris- Blast! Our armies need those supplies! Round up any troops you can find. I'm going to see if I can contact Shele'kor.
Boris- Come on you work!
(Boris kicks the holopad as before a weak signal comes in)
Boris- Shele'kor can you hear me over?
Shele'kor- *cough* Master Boris *static* -we've come under attack *static* -explosion *static* supplies damaged...Need reinforcements.
(The weak signal cuts off as the Commodore and a Clone commander rush in)
Revees- Sir this is Captain Jag, he commands our escort force not already engaged in space defense against the enemy.
Boris- Very well, Captain how many troops do you have, and how soon can they be ready?
Jag- We're at roughly brigade size sir and we can leave immediately.
Boris- Very good, Shele'kor has an ARC trooper company defending the supplies, we are to provide relief for his forces and to drive the Separatists off Manaan.
(Ahto City, Master Shele'kor rushes into the battle scene quickly meeting enemy fire)
Shele'kor- Commander what's our situation here!
ARC Trooper- Boy am I glad to see you sir! We're pinned down near our supply crates under heavy enemy fire!
ARC Trooper- It also looks like the Seps are using some sort of new aqua-droid!
Shele'kor- Then let's push these droids back into the sea! Charge!
(Shele'kor takes the lead engaging the aqua-droids as the ARC troops provide covering fire)
(Shele'kor force-pushes the first aqua-droid while deflecting a blast from the second)
(Shele'kor finishes off the droid as the ARC Troopers mop up the rest of the droid resistance)
(As Shele'kor looks across the walkway a mysterious figure eyes him and nods to his right with a sinister grin)
(Shele'kor barely has time to react as a green lightsaber cuts through an aqua-droid standing right next to him)
Boris- I thought you might need some help.
Shele'kor- Save it Boris, we were doing quite fine without you.
Boris- You're welcome. Who's that?
Anton Rogun- You wouldn't happen to mean me Jedi? I am Anton Rogun apprentice to Count Dooku and I am your doom Jedi.
Boris- Aren't you a little young to be tangling with professionals like Shele'kor and I? Maybe you should just run back to Dooku, this invasion is over.
Anton- You have no idea who you are dealing with, Jedi! If you are so confident come and get me!
Boris- You go over I go around?
Shele'kor- Of course. Let's go.
(Boris quickly sprints around the pool engaging Anton as Shele'kor jumps over lunging at the Dark Jedi)
Boris- You have much fury young one, but your form is sloppy and unrefined, perhaps Dooku should train you better.
Anton- Grrr! You have no idea what I am capable of! The Dark Side has empowered me, and I will destroy you both!
(Anton shoves Boris back as he spins around slashing Shele'kor across the chest)
Anton- Come get me Jedi! Manaan will burn yet!
Boris- Medic! Shele'kor... I'm... Are you-
Shele'kor- Just get the boy! I'm fine! Go!
(Boris nods and runs after Anton)
(Boris arrives in a large pumping station, with Anton holding a small device in his hands)
Boris- It's over boy, your invasion force is destroyed. Our supplies are still there. You've failed.
Anton- Have I? There's more than one way to sink a city! And right in my hand I have the activator for bombs located in the pumping stations which keep Manaan afloat! You're forces-
(Before Anton even stops speaking Boris reaches out and snatches the activator out of Anton's hand)
Anton- Blast! No!
Boris- Oh, you'll have to be quicker than that if you want to beat an old man like me.
Anton- You...! I'll sink this city yet!
(Suddenly Anton turns around and slices through the pumping equipment setting off alarm klaxons across the city)
Boris- Stop that you'll sink Ahto Ctiy!
(Anton then turns around and force pushes Boris back into the equipment)
Anton- Wasn't that the point? See if you can save your supplies now! You've lost!
Anton- You may have won this battle, but let's see if you can win the war when your armies are dying and there's nothing to heal them with! This is the deep wound that will destroy the Republic, and there's nothing you can do to stop it! Ha! Ha! Ha!
(The bridge of the Valor several hours after that Battle of Manaan)
Boris- How bad is it?
Shele'kor- Which one mine or to Ahto City?
Boris- Both.
Shele'kor- Well I for one am completely fine, I much prefer kolto to bacta anyways. Ahto City however is half underwater but I've been told it is repairable but not to bring anymore outsiders to Manaan any time soon.
Revees- As for our supplies, we managed to salvage about half of what we were supposed to take on. Our armies will survive, for a time but we'll have to resupply later.
Shele'kor- Oh and I almost forgot, we also salvaged the remains of one of those aqua-droids and...well I think Republic Intelligence will be most interested to see what it contains...
(Later deep in Separatist Space)
Anton- …And your precitous aqua-droids were completely useless! These “experimental droids” are a failed experiment as far as I am concerned!
Kalv Shakoa- Impossible! Our droids were made with the most advanced technology available! After the operations on Tatooine and and the XV-9a Prison camp we should have had all the necessary data to defeat even a Jedi!
Anton- That Jedi cut through your droids just as easily as any old battle droid!
Dooku- Calm yourself apprentice. This program is of vital importance to the war effort. Inform Dr. Rastem of these... setbacks and-
Dr. Rastem- There will be no need.
Kalv- Doctor! But I thought you were on-
Rastem- I was, however with this latest setback, I believe it is time we moved to Stage 2.
Kalv- But sir, those droids haven't been tested-
Anton- And what exactly is Stage 2?
Dooku- Nothing less than the utter destruction of the Republic and of the Jedi is all that you need to know. And I have the perfect target in mind. I think it is time we contacted our "friend" within the Jedi Temple for his next assignment...
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