While the fighting in the arena was ongoing an Acclamator assault cruiser was breaking into the atmosphere high above. Carrying a small army along with one Grand Master Yoda as they were preparing to take off and rescue the trapped Jedi.
Sitting on the bridge commanding the ship was a clone commander, giving out orders and keeping track of everything he could when the tactical officer spoke up.
''Commander, we're picking up a ship approaching in on us from above, closing fast!'' Turning his head to him he asked in return. ''Separatists?''
''No sir. The ship doesn't match any known design. Should we powe... Sir, It's hailing us. It's using the identification of one Jedi master Plo Koon.'' Before he could respond they heard Yoda speak over the comms. ''Answer it, I will.''
Already standing inside a LAAT at this point Yoda answered the hail. The hologram activated showing a woman donning a mask. ''Greetings Master Yoda. I am Beatrix, second in command aboard the Dauntless.''
''Droid, are you?'' Answering simply she said. ''Something like that. We have been contracted by Master Plo Koon as mercenaries to assist you in your efforts.'' He's just good as Lord Coda said he'd be.
''Aboard Plo Koon is not?'' Seeing her shake her head. ''No, he along with Lord Coda have already been sent down via orbital drop pods to aid in the rescue of Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Senator Padmé as well as protect the Jedi you sent to save them.''
She continued. ''We have actionable intel that they've walked into an ambush and need immediate evac.''
''To that end, please allow our ship to follow your LAAT's planetside so we can offer help and medical assistance.'' She asked while bowing lightly.
Coda? He thought back to the message Plo Koon sent about the starship above Tatooine. ''I understand.'' Cupping his chin with his left hand. ''Over, after this is. This Coda can I meet?''
''I believe he'd want nothing more Master Yoda.'' Nodding at her answer a clone next to Yoda spoke up. ''General Yoda, we're ready to take off.'' Glancing at him before looking back at the hologram. ''Follow us, you will.''
Receiving an 'Understood' from Beatrix, she terminated the broadcast. ''Watch them closely, you will.'' Yoda said thoughtfully.
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Dozens of miles away, Inside a Separatist listening post.
Scattered across the floor were bodies of Geonosians and junked droids as RG units were attempting to hack into their systems. -(''RG9, Give me an estimate on the search.'')-
Standing next to a console RG9 was using his nanites to interface with the Separatist systems.
-(''Unkown, firewalls and encryption are vastly different from what we use. Not to mention the massive amount of data streaming through their system.'')-
-(''Acknowledged, expedite as you can. We need to evacuate before they send more troops.'')- RG10, the leader of strike group Princess ordered. Observing other members of the strike group hacking and downloading schematics of the droids from their bodies as well as any information as they could get their hands on from their computers.
-(''Got it, 'Peach' has been located. Marking her comm signature now, we're good to go.'')-
As soon as he finished his report the other units immediately stopped what they were doing and stood up. RG10 alongside fifteen other units were all that survived entry as they'd lost two pods before they touched ground.
Shortly afterward they were running through the desert away from the listening post as droids sent to investigate were breaching the command room. Immediately after they tried entering a massive explosion engulfed the entire facility as they'd left one of three appropriated Rev-7 batteries they took from a downed pod.
Completely ignoring the explosion behind them RG10 sent an encrypted status update towards the Dauntless that it was now in range.
Target 'Peach' has been located.
Remaining forces: 16 units.
Mission Viability still sound, moving towards anticipated intercept point alpha.
Estimated chance of success 87%.
Ending data stream.
Having reported to Beatrix, the unit's skin started turning into the color of sand as they disappeared into the desert.
At the same time, far away a blue-skinned woman felt a strange foreboding through the force for a few moments. What was that? Before returning to the job at hand.
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Geonosis, Arena.
As the dust settled down Coda spotted Obi-Wan standing outside the battle line staring at him, more importantly at his right lightsaber. Winking at him Coda spoke up. ''Let's go.''
Bending his knees he turned the hilts in his hands so they faced backward. The RG's picked up the plasma rifles from their sides and bent their knees at the same time. The next second they all kicked off the ground towards the makeshift defensive position that had been set up.
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Plo Koon wasn't quite ready as he lagged for a second before using the force to help him catch up. Seeing them approach, Obi-Wan made his way to join the runners as he came up next to Plo Koon.
''Master Plo, who are they?'' He asked as the white-robed man savagely ripped and tore through the unfortunate droids that found themselves in his way while the droids on his side laid down cover fire.
Thinking back to what Coda asked him before they came here he became conflicted for a second before answering. ''I'll explain later, just know that they're here to help us. Now focus on holding the line.'' He turned his head towards him. ''Help is coming.''
Arriving at the line the droids split up to plug any glaring holes in the defense they'd noticed as Coda took stock. Looking around he saw that someone had used a fallen pillar as cover for the injured people the units had recovered while three of them were using their black matter to do emergency first aid on the seriously injured.
They'd managed to empty the center of droids so they could focus on the outer ring, the line was holding. For now. This isn't looking good... What can I do? Looking around quickly he spotted the other two pillars. That's it!
Just as Plo Koon caught up Coda shot off towards the pillars. Righting his lightsabers he deflected the odd blaster shots coming his way when he came across a downed carriage in his way. Focused and thinking nothing of it, he proceeded to fling himself over it.
Without warning a green lightsaber came flying at him from below as Anakin had instinctively swung at what he thought to be a droid jumping over the carriage. Using Apathy to parry his strike, Coda landed next to him.
Locking eyes with Coda, Anakin's eyes flashed with recognition. ''It's you...'' Looking over at Padmé then back to Anakin he responded. ''Yup, I am indeed me. Now follow, I need cover.'' Turning around Coda kept moving towards the pillars.
Padmé had to drag Anakin back into the pod as he'd just been standing there in shock. ''Do you know him Ani?'' Breaking out of his stupor he responded. ''He's the one from the dream, I think he's the reason the nightmares stopped...''
With surprise covering her face she turned to look at Coda's back watching him use his dark orange lightsaber to turn an SBD into slag. ''Then let's go! He said he needed our help!'' Anakin turned his head toward Padmé, before smiling and giving her a nod. ''Right.''
Almost there! Coda was almost close enough when he saw a Droideka roll up in front of him. Deploying its shield it aimed and started firing at him. Shit! A deluge of blaster fire came his way as he struggled to deflect them all. A second later two found their way through his guard hitting him in the chest and slagging a part of his armor.
Enduring the hits a spike of irritation flowed through the force around him. Faster! He felt the world around him starting to move slower as he barely kept up his defenses. Faster! Being forced to step back a calm stream seeped out of his left lightsaber as he became hyper-focused. FASTER! The world slowed down to a crawl around him as he took a step closer.
Running towards Coda from behind Anakin saw him start deflecting and then get hit before becoming visibly faster and faster. His movements now just a blur even to his senses, the scene made it look like a flower made out of laser fired bloomed around him as Coda started screaming.
''AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!'' Even with all the speed he could manage he was just barely holding on. I won't make it! That's when he spotted Anakin out of the corner of his eye, he came flying from the side of the destroyer droid and stabbed his lightsaber into its shield, cutting off one of its legs.
Anakin had just managed to take out one of its legs when the entire droid was cut into ribbons, spewing parts everywhere in a flash of orange and silver. Next, he noticed the man he'd helped fall on one knee panting heavily.
''Are you alright?'' He asked with worry as he moved to help him stand up. Breathing heavily Coda responded. ''I'm... Fine... Just give me... A minute...'' He tried to articulate between breaths.
Covering them, Padmé arrived dropping two droids. ''We have to move, it's not safe here.'' Anakin looked over at Padmé. ''You're right, can you move?'' He asked Coda.
Having caught his breath Coda lifted his head. ''Yeah, wait for a second though. I've gotta do something.'' Despite feeling tired he stretched both of his arms out as veins bulged out in his neck and arms.
Feeling tremors start to radiate around him Padmé and Anakin noticed rocks and sand particulates start floating up around Coda before two loud cracking sounds came from the pillars in front of him. The small blood vessels in his eyes started bursting as everyone in the arena saw the two pillars disconnect themselves from their base and started floating over the battlefield before dropping with loud thumps. Effectively adding extra cover to the improvised defensive line.
Nearly fainting from exertion Coda was about to keel over when Anakin and Padmé help keep him upright. Chuckling lightly Coda spoke up. ''That should... Help, Right?'' Padmé watched him with amazement in her eyes as Anakin spoke up. ''Help me get him back into the perimeter!'' She just nodded as they both held him up by slinging his arms over their shoulders.
Making their way back behind the line thanks to the timely assistance of Black matter clones sent as soon as the droids saw their Lord's predicament Coda leaned against one of the pods as the fighting continued. We've saved a lot of them, but none of this will make a lick of difference if we don't get out of here! Where the fuck are they...
The siege continued for a few more minutes and as they were about to be overrun a loud calm voice boomed over the arena. ''Enough!'' As the droids pulled back and the Rev-7's stopped firing, the pod turrets already turned to scrap, a tall man appeared over the edge of the balcony above.
''Now, it is finished.'' He started speaking in a composed manner. ''Surrender, and your lives will be spared.'' He explained with the rapt attention of most of the Jedi below.
Looking up at him Mace Windu responded. ''We will not be hostages to be bartered Dooku!'' He said defiantly. With a sad look on his face, Dooku replied. ''Then... I'm sorry old fri...''
Out of nowhere, a burst of loud laughter could be heard in the arena. Drawing attention to himself as he walked up, coming to a stop next to Windu. Coda's eyes met Dooku's. ''What manner of nonsense are you spewing old man? Didn't you know you should never monologue towards your enemies?''
Surprised by the blatantly worded comment he responded. ''Who might you be?'' Facepalming Coda just gave a slight chuckle before looking up again. ''You should have asked why, you'd have appreciated that answer a lot more.'' Bending his elbow Coda's hand rose to point up.
''Because our ride's here!'' He said with poorly concealed glee.