Yoda felt slightly anxious as they approached the arena, recently he'd been feeling the force go through changes. Like gears rearranging, subtle modifications nearly unnoticeable to most. It felt like it was making room for something... new.
Looking behind the LAAT's he could see the ship that had followed them planetside. The size of at least ten LAAT's, it shadowed them patiently. Bringing his attention back to the front he saw they were about to arrive at their destination.
Flying over the crest of the cliffs surrounding the arena they saw the fighting had stalled for some reason. Making their way down they opened fire on the forces sieging the friendly battle line.
''Enforce their perimeter you will.'' He ordered the troopers. While they circled down, Yoda locked eyes with a white-robed individual standing in the arena. When he tried to discern anything through the force he felt a slight jolt as the force around the man came alive, trying to shield him from his efforts to sense him.
It's protective of him? Coda seemed to notice the reaction as he just willed it to chill out. Seeing the man placate the force easily before speeding towards the center of their little enclosure, Yoda had to admit he was intrigued and more than a little apprehensive.
As the transports touched ground Coda spoke to one of the RG's. ''Find and make sure to load up 3PO and R2, they're around here somewhere. They can't exactly be left here this time around.'' Surveying the engagement for the last time he continued. ''Start executing bug out protocols. Try to minimize losses.''
A chorus sounded out from all of the RG's onsite. ''Yes! My lord!'' They then proceeded to start moving damaged units and rig the pods with explosives as the LAAT's were being loaded. Circling above, the Dauntless, too large to follow in after the transports. It generously applied covering fire to facilitate their escape.
As the evacuation was coming to a close Coda took one last look before boarding the same LAAT as Obi-Wan and Anakin. Turning to look he saw Plo Koon jump into the transport Yoda and Windu were in.
Coda saw Yoda had been staring at him for a while now. Bringing his hand up, he removed his mask to show his mouth. Smiling he mouthed towards him 'We'll talk later.' before donning it again. Seeing Yoda nod and turn his attention to Windo and Plo Koon he just shrugged before turning around himself.
Taking off from the arena, Coda addressed the people inside as soon as they cleared the cliffside. Speaking with flair, he stretched his arms out to his sides. ''And then God said, Let there be light!''
As soon as he dropped his words, five explosions could be heard from the arena as a wave of fire and debris shot up. With surprise in his tone, Obi-Wan spoke up. ''Why did you do that? We're already clear.''
''Can't have my tech fall into the Sep's hands. There was nothing living down there anymore, the arena was empty as far as I can tell.'' Coda explained patiently. ''On that note, did Jango enter the battle at any point?''
Obi-Wan thought a little. ''No I don't believe he did, why do you ask?'' He responded only to hear the man click his tongue.
At this point, Anakin couldn't wait any longer. ''I saw you. In a dream... Who are you?'' He'd observed him for a while now, seen a glimpse of what he was capable of and he was almost sure he had something to do with why he stopped having nightmares.
''You can call me Coda kid. I'm sure you've got more questions, but they can wait. Just know that I took care of it.'' He said with a wink. ''Recently it seems I've been making it a habit of rescuing people.''
Picking up on the implication Anakin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Padmé asked. ''Master Coda, are you a Jedi?''
''Please, just call me Coda. This master business creeps me out, and no I'm not a Jedi.'' He answered with a slight scoff. ''Not a Sith either. I guess the closest approximation would be a Gray Knight, but that isn't exactly it either.''
Shrugging he added. ''I'm just me.''
Padmé was understandably confused. ''What's a Gray Knight?''
Giving a slight sigh. ''It's what I call the Grey Jedi. If the Jedi represent the Light Side and the Sith the Dark side. Gray Jedi or Grey Knights represent harmony between the two. Balance.''
Seeing her give a slight nod in understanding he just smiled. ''It seems the Jedi are still keeping knowledge close to their chest. Guess some things never change.'' Coda quipped.
Speaking up by his side an RG unit reported. ''Lord Coda. We'll be closing in on the frontline soon, Lady Beatrix asks if she should retrieve you and the RG's before we land.''
Tapping his mask with his finger. ''Yes, do it. Did you procure what we need?''
''Yes my lord.'' Nodding towards the unit, he turned his head to look out of the transport. Seeing the Dauntless pick up speed and fly under the transports as RG's simply stepped out and entered a short free fall unto the ship carrying both the incapacitated and junked RG's with them.
Speaking up Code looked over his shoulder. ''See you soon!'' Before jumping out while waving his hand.
Landing on top of the Dauntless, the ship started slowing back down again and swerving off, picking up speed again as it broke off from the rest of the transports. Looking towards the transports as they sped off he could see explosions and laser fire start flying everywhere. The armies clashing all over the horizon.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Two ramps opened up on top on either side of the middle of the ship as he and the RG's made their way inside.
Back on the LAAT Anakin spoke up. ''He's at least as powerful as Yoda. Where do you think he came from Master?''
Looking at the admiration in his padawan's eyes he responded. ''I don't know, I felt it too. Be careful my young padawan, that man feels extremely dangerous.''
''Yes Master Kenobi, I understand.'' He nodded, seeing the serious look on his master's face.
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Dauntless, War Room.
Walking inside Coda saw Beatrix, Trilla, and Qui-Gon waiting. Following him an RG unit made it's way towards Trilla, before putting his hand inside its stomach and retrieving a lightsaber hilt. Taking it, the RG unit gave a slight bow before exiting the room again.
While Coda removed his mask Beatrix spoke up. ''Plo Koon has inquired as to where we're going, my Lord.''
Clipping his mask to his waist he nodded. ''Just tell him the truth, we're going to pick up units from pods that went off course. Ask him to have a location forwarded to us where we can set up a FOB and triage.''
Continuing. ''We won't be long anyway. I take it they're fine?''
Giving him a nod she replied. ''Yes my Lord.''
Coda turned his eyes over to Trilla as she turned on the lightsaber, revealing a green-colored blade and gave it a couple of practice swings. ''I hope that's good enough for now. None of the Jedi use a double-sided blade.''
''It's fine.'' She replied succinctly before attaching it to her belt.
''I see. That's good then. Now, do you girls mind if I and Qui-Gon have a little talk?''
They both gave small nods before exiting the room. ''What is it Coda?''
Taking a seat, he started tapping his finger on the table as a couple of seconds passed. ''As you've probably inferred, I know things.'' Seeing him nod, Coda continued. ''Now, I can't tell you how or why yet. What I can tell you is why I brought you back.''
Qui-Gon stood still for a couple of seconds before removing his mask and taking a seat. ''I've been wondering that myself. It's just been quite busy since I woke up. Please go on.''
''What I said before about me thinking you and Trilla deserved better. That still stands, though that's not all there is to it.'' Sighing lightly, he leaned back in his seat and turned his eyes up towards the ceiling. ''Let me preface this by making it known to you that you are under no obligation to help me, or even stay here. You are free to do whatever it is you want.''
Looking back down Coda continued. ''I chose you and Trilla because you and she aren't blind to the fact that the world doesn't operate on some perceived black and white playing field.'' A solemn look finding its way onto his face. ''The Jedi order has become arrogant, and blind. To be perfectly honest, there is no love lost between me and it. They simply aren't able to do what needs doing.''
Narrowing his eyes Qui-Gon rebutted. ''And you think you are? What you're saying sounds dangerously similar to what the Sith ideology represents.''
Shaking his head he had a distant look on his face. ''Not at all. I am just one man, regardless of my power I dare not presume I can just fix everything. Hence the two of you. One who's been marred in the dark, and one who might as well be the manifestation of selflessness.''
Locking eyes with Qui-Gon. ''I wanted... No, hoped that I could have both of you by my side. To keep me in check, I know better than anyone that I'm far from perfect. I ask you to consider it at least.''
Looking into his eyes he could tell that he was being sincere, he could also see sadness, hurt and loss. Thinking to himself for a short while he asked the question he felt he needed to know the most. ''Why do all this? Why go through all this trouble?''
Seeing a sad smile on his face, Coda answered. ''Where I came from I didn't have a lot of power, be it status, wealth or even the force. A lot of messed up things happened to me, and most people really... I ended up losing... Everything.'' With a solemn tone, he continued. ''But it did teach me a single fact, a fact I clung on too. Free will above all else.''
Determination replaced his sad look. ''There are no lengths I will not go too, No cost too great. Regardless of who it is, that seeks to interfere with this basic right. I will see them destroyed.''
Qui-Gon could feel it... Trilla could feel it... All living things on the planet felt it. A ripple in the force, a decree spoken. That promised madness if not upheld.
That promised destruction unheard off to those ignorant enough to break it.
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Strike group Princess, Unnamed valley.
They'd been waiting in position for a while. Fighting had come and gone by, and they were finally ready.
Standing face to face was a Blue-skinned woman and a Jedi padawan. The Padawan was sweating as he thought that he was in trouble. He saw the condescending smirk on her face, she was sure of her victory.
Just as they were about to engage a voice made itself known. ''Miss Tann. I'm going to have to ask you to put down your weapon, please.'' Who?! Her head swiveled towards the sound as an RG unit walked steadily towards them. It's fake skin slowly coming back as a sandy color faded from it.
''What are you supposed to be? Surrender my weapon, that's not going to happen.'' She said snidely.
''I'm afraid that isn't good enough. You've already entered a fail state, I'm simply advising you to comply so that we can minimize injuries.'' He explained with neutral patience. -(''On my mark.'')-
''You think you can injure me? That's optimistic of you. Destroying the like's of you is qui...'' She and the Padawan both looked in shock at the same time as a ripple in the force came crashing over the area. Moving nothing physical but could be felt all the same. -(''MARK!'')-
The force screamed warnings towards her but it was too late as black tendrils shot up and grabbed her feet, followed by sand shooting up as hidden RG's flew out of the ground around her. Managing to strike one down before tendrils of black matter restrained her from every direction.
''Unhand me!'' She screamed in rage right before they injected her with a sleeping agent.
The Padawan stood there shocked stupid by what just happened before RG10 addressed him. ''You can lower your weapon Jedi. We're on your side. Now if you'll excuse us.'' Turning, he picked up the two halves of the dropped unit before spinning his arm to signal the rest to move out. -(''This is RG10, Peach has been secured.'')-
-(''Solid copy. Proceed to evac point delta, we're 3 minutes out.'')- Sending a ping to acknowledge the units sprinted off, hauling their quarry towards the rendezvous.