The Prometheus, Bridge.
RG2 waited until the scanners indicated the OAV Dauntless was confirmed to have entered hyperspace.
-(''Dauntless has exited the area. All units, second phase is active. Prepare to enter hyperspace. Navigation, report.'')-
-(''Path has been locked, suitable systems remain an unknown. Scans will be performed at each jump once outside monitored systems. Estimated travel time extended due to preferred usage of lower traffic routes.''
-(''Acknowledged. Tactical, report.'')-
-(''Jedi vessel has been dismantled, info recovered has little value. Reverse engineering may prove something useful, unable to verify before R&D has been established. Strike teams will be comms dark until the comm chain has been established. Estimate chance of successfully escaping notice as we leave monitored system to be almost zero. Recommend eliminating chances of following vessels once scans indicate we've exited high traffic zone.'')-
RG2 sifted through the info almost instantly.
Conclusion: Operation can commence, proceed within mission parameters.
-(''Acknowledged, commence operation.'')- Minutes later the Prometheus disappeared into hyperspace, alerting the various forces that were monitoring the strange ship.
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Dauntless, War Room.
''Let me get this straight. You want me to keep what I saw onboard your ship to myself, Trilla's existence and your droids capabilities as well?'' Plo Koon asked in disbelief. ''...And if I don't?''
''If you're expecting me to threaten or coerce you, you're going to end up disappointed. Besides, what you walked into back there wasn't planned. I made a mistake, things just got a little out of hand.'' Coda answered, tapping his chin.
Plo Koon and Coda locked eyes. ''And you slaughtering all those Tusken raiders, was that also a mistake? Did things just go out of control?''
Coda's whole demeanor suddenly became deadly serious. An invisible pressure emanating from him. ''How many months, how many years? Until the number of people they kill becomes higher than the number of those now buried in that cratered wasteland?''
''A hypothetical future doesn't give you t...'' *BANG* Coda's fist hit the table, leaving a visible dent.
''Let me make something absolutely fucking crystal clear. As far as I'm concerned, you and the sith are exactly the same. A self-righteous circus of hypocrites, your repeated warring has caused an untold amount of death.''
Standing up from his chair he continued. ''You have no moral high-ground to lecture me from Jedi! I'm well aware of the atrocities your so-called order of Peacekeepers has conducted in the past.''
Taking a deep breath, he started walking towards the doorway. ''If you all want to play cosmic cop's and robbers, that's fine. But leave the rest of us out of it.'' Coda stopped before exiting the room. ''Listen closely, I don't care who or what you are. Anyone who has the intention to infringe on innocent people's free will shall see a storm of death and fury follow closely. That includes those Tusken freaks.''
Coda's head turned to lock eyes with Plo Koon again as flashes of deep orange and bright silver flashed in his eyes. ''I don't mind you not agree with my methods, but don't you dare try and lecture me.
Trilla, Qui-Gon, and Plo Koon were left there as Coda stormed out. Shocked by his sudden outburst they each looked at each other as Qui-Gon spoke up. ''That was... Intense.''
Trilla nodded. ''Something you said upset him greatly. I don't think that was only about you.''
Plo Koon was reeling from what Coda had said. While he knew a lot about the order he didn't dare say he knew everything. I need to meditate on this. Also... The other two hadn't seen it, but for the briefest of moments, he saw a glimpse of the feelings that lay behind the unusual response.
A sea of bottled hatred... Also, I can swear I saw something was watching back at me.
Trilla stood up. ''I'll go see if he's alright, and Master Plo Koon. Try and give him the benefit of the doubt, he's not a bad person.'' Though I'm not sure he can be classified as a good one either. Leaving it at that she walked out to see if she could find Coda.
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After looking around Trilla came across Coda in a room with five RG units. He was using a tool to draw blood into little metal cylinders. ''Coda... Are you alright?'' She asked softly.
While he filled the fifth cylinder he just sighed. ''I am. I'm sorry about my outburst, that wasn't a very mature way of handling that. He just... Reminded me of somebody I used to know.''
Coda just chuckled darkly before he kept talking. ''I guess I'm suffering from side effects from our little song and dance. I haven't had to deal with getting angry for a fairly long time before I came here. It's quite nostalgic.''
Nostalgic huh? ''I'm sorry, I didn't wa...'' Waving his hand in front of his face. ''No, never apologize for that. I did it because I wanted to, and I don't regret it. The other two don't understand, but you know who he is don't you?'' He said meeting her gaze. ''Who?''
''Sidious.'' Trilla's eyes narrowed as she nodded. ''I do. Why do you ask?''
''I'm going to fuck him up, but I can't do it alone. You know as well as I do that he is a splinter not so easily dislodged. I can't just out him and expect everyone to go along with it, even if it worked I can't anticipate all of the contingencies he has in place.'' Trilla nodded. ''Agreed. Some of the things I've seen is the stuff of nightmares, he needs to die.'' She said in a voice that dripped venom.
Cracking a smile. ''Atta' girl.'' Coda said as his smile turned wicked. ''So what's our plan?'' She asked.
Our's? Great! ''For now, we wait. I've already put things into motion, we need to focus on the coming battle. Did you ever read anything about the Battle of Geonosis?'' Getting a nod in return. ''Good, then you know the massive shit show we're about to walk into. I'll explain the plan once we meet up with the boy scouts again.'' Trilla tilted her head. Boy scouts?
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Shaking her head slightly. ''Then, what are you up right now?'' Seeing him give a little giggle in response she cocked her eyebrows. ''Oh, you know... Advanced space wizardry 101. Observe.''
Closing his eyes he focused on the cylinders in his hand. Trilla noticed he was condensing the force into them. Curious, she walked up to him. The objects in his hands started to give off a strange feeling. Is this some kind of sith alchemy?
After a short while, Coda opened his eyes. ''Now let's see if this worked, it should be fine... In theory at least.'' He walked up to the RG units and gave each one a cylinder. ''Put these inside you somewhere safe.''
They all nodded. ''Yes, My lord!'' Watching the objects being absorbed into the nanites Trilla thought to herself, that's it? Coda then put his hand on each of them in order, as he finished the first one Trilla was no closer to knowing what he was up to.
Using the force to sense the first unit it hit her. Her eyes widened. They feel...Alive? I can't tell they're droids without focusing intently. ''Amazing...''
''I know right?'' He said happily. ''Now it won't hold up to close scrutiny as you can probably tell, but it's good enough for now.'' Coda nodded at a job well done.
''What are you planning with these droids?'' She asked as she was marveling at the ingenuity. ''These boys are going to be joining the army you see, they grow up so fast.'' He said with a mock sadness in his voice.
Laughing slightly at his antics they both heard the comms come alive. ''We are fifteen minutes out from Genosis, please proceed to the deployment hangar.''
Smiling, Coda spoke up. ''It's showtime, let's go.'' Nodding, Trilla followed by his side.
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Being led into a long room at the bottom of the ship. Qui-Gon and Plo Koon entered seeing Coda suiting up in a black and white armor before donning a white robe with black accents. Trilla was standing close to him in a similar getup except she had a white mask with a single thick black line running down the middle.
Noticing Beatrix walk up to him with an identical mask he asked. She presented one to him as well, taking it he looked up at Coda. ''I don't wear a mask.''
''I know, but I don't think it's a good idea for a dead Jedi to show up in the middle of a battlefield. You might cause distractions and get people killed... People you might know.'' Coda rebutted. ''You make a good point, but this mask reminds me of ancient sith masks.'' Just receiving a scoff in return. ''It's just a mask.''
''What about you, will you be wearing one?'' Coda just unclipped something from under his robe and threw it over. Catching it Qui-Gon looked the object over to see it was a half mask to protect the lower part of the face. White with black detailing like the rest of his armor/robe.
Shrugging he just threw it back at him before clipping his own mask to his waist. ''So Coda, care to explain what we're doing here?'' Attaching the mask to his face Coda nodded. ''Of course, but first.'' He moved his eyes to Plo Koon. ''I apologize for my previous outburst, you dredged up some... unpleasant memories. You didn't deserve that.''
''I just hope you can reserve your decision about what I asked until after we're done down there. Is that acceptable to you?'' Seconds passed as their eyes were locked. Finally, Plo Koon just nodded. ''I understand. I can do that.''
''Excellent. Now, as to what's about to go down. Here's where we stand.'' Coda looked over all of them in order before continuing. ''Senator Padmé, Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan have been captured by Count Dooku.'' Noting Qui-Gon's shock as he explained. Qui-Gon was about to speak as Coda held his hand up.
''Let me finish. Dooku is a full-blown sith-lord at this point in time, he's an apprentice to the same person that sent the 'sith' after you and Obi-Wan on Naboo.'' Qui-Gon's mind at this point was in chaos. ''How do you... Are you...''
''Focus! I need you to pay attention.'' Taking a deep breath and trying to center himself Qui-Gon nodded solemnly. Seeing him having calmed down a little Coda continued. ''Yoda has already sent a strike team of 200 some Jedi give or take to rescue them.''
''Of those sent on that half-baked rescue attempt... Less than fifty will walk away.'' The two Jedi reeled at this information. Plo Koon had been using the force to try and ascertain if he was telling the truth and to his dismay. He was, as far as he could tell at least. How does he know?
''Our objectives are two-fold. Me and Plo Koon will be deploying in drop pods planetside. I need you to join me to make sure we avoid friendly fire once we make contact on the ground seeing as I employ the usage of droids myself.'' Plo Koon nodded to show his understanding. ''The first objective will be trying to minimize the loss of Jedi. We get in, hold the line until Master Yoda arrives to extract us. With me so far?''
Receiving three nods he continued. ''Secondly, we coordinate with the republic forces and go from there.''
''PK, give Qui-Gon your identification codes so the Dauntless can join up with the republic fleet once it gets here. I'd rather not lose this ship due to trigger happy clones.'' Turning to Beatrix he continued. ''Beatrix, you and Trilla will be in charge of the Dauntless and the troops once you touch down. Set up a FOB and try and save as many lives as you can as you work with the troops on the ground.''
Trilla and Beatrix nodded. ''Understood/Yes, My lord.''
''Well be operating as mercenaries recruited by PK to avoid confusion, everyone got all that?'' He asked.
Everyone gave Coda a nod. ''Great, PK, strap into the pod behind me, I'll join you shortly.'' Watching him disappear into the pod behind him he turned to Trilla and Qui-Gon. ''You two know concealment techniques right?''
Both answering with a yes Coda continued. ''Ok, get to the bridge and try to keep us hidden. The vessel is designed to be hard to pick up on scans but I'm not willing to risk it anymore then I have to.'' Qui-Gon gave him a long look. Trying to make sense of the thoughts swirling in his head before relenting with a nod and walking out of the room.
Trilla stayed back as his attention turned to her. ''Yes?''
''Why are you going out of your way to save so many of them?'' She asked him.
In his deep voice, Coda just chuckled darkly. ''Saving? No, I'm investing. Having dozens of Jedi owe me their lives as well as putting more pieces on the board in between us and that old freak can only be a good thing.''
''Same goes for the clones, sowing good intentions into the military should eventually pay dividends down the road.'' He explained matter of factly. ''Now get going, Qui-Gon could probably use some company.''
Giving him a curt nod she walked over to the doorway. ''Be safe Coda.'' He heard her say as she turned the corner.
Smiling under his mask he just shook his head as he walked down the corridor to enter the drop pod.
Once inside he noticed that Plo Koon was already strapped in alongside 6 RG units.
Sitting down and strapping himself in, he started tapping on the pad strapped to the inside of his left arm.
Plo Koon was watching him for a couple of seconds. ''What exactly are you doing?'' He asked as he noticed Coda was quite focused on whatever it was he was doing.
Without looking up he responded absentmindedly. ''Trying to find the right track for the occasion.''
What?! Plo Koon took a little while to register what he said before he asked with slight irritation.
''Can't you take this seriously?!''
Hearing Plo Koons inflection he looked up with a blank expression. ''Well, this is serious to me?''
Plo Koon just gave an exasperated sigh as he facepalmed.