Chapter 20

Aboard the Strife

Quinlan Vos was not looking forward to this, it was completely without a doubt one of the most suicidal missions he was about to pull off. Standing behind the HK Units Fenrir created Quinlan Vos, was starring at the three republic cruisers hovering right over Dantooine. Reaper and his breather in are currently gearing up next to the former Jedi completely focused on performing their mission.

"There is no way the Strife can compete with three cruisers without aide, we will be noticed and shot down immediately on sight." Voss spoke aloud as Dirge, and Harbinger turned their heads to look at the organic.

"Fleshies are such disappointing allies." Dirge announced as his brother, Harbinger, continued. "Indeed the organic blaster fodder always tend to be….inadequate."

"Except for the Master, all Organics seem to be utterly useless, one shot to the chassis and their bodies can most likely shut down. Like those inferior battle droids used by the Separatists." Dirge went on causing Vos to get irritated. "You better be as good as Fenrir says, otherwise I will scrap all of you before I die." There was a pause of silence before harbinger spoke.

"As a droid I can't comprehend your attempt at humor, according to the simulations the chance of you eliminating one of us is only at 32.595% Of succession, add into the equation the rest of us your chances are none existent blaster fodder."

"Damn droids," Voss said, and before he could say something back, Reaper spoke up interrupting any further banter. "The chances of success in this mission have been decreased at the arrival of 2 more cruisers."

"Damn so it is suicidal," Voss raised a hand to cover his face.

"On the contrary Meat bag, or chances only dropped by 4% we still have an estimated 85% chance of success. In fact should another cruiser arrive are chances would then drop by 6-10 percent, depending if you can keep up." Reaper said as the other droids exited the room heading towards the storage. Meanwhile Vos slowly followed after his teeth gritting and hands clenching. Muttering something along the lines of, overpriced scrap metal.

Roblio Darté's ship.

"We have managed to apprehend Fenrir and an associate of his on Dantooine, we are unsure as to why Fenrir was there. We are about to start the interrogation process for Fenrir, as his accomplice is still unconscious. From what we are able to tell these two were only a diversion as someone else was sensed but escaped." Roblio informed the Jedi council.

"Very important, it must be. Unnerving it is. Possible rescue attempt is imminent. Careful you must be Master Darté." Yoda's hologram said towards the general of the ship. As the holo-call ended General Fair entered the bridge. "I finished informing the council, they believe there will be a rescue attempt."

"Fenrir surrendered too easily, if he had wanted he could have cost even more casualties, it seems that companion of his is important to him. Otherwise he would without a doubt sacrifice their life in order to attempt an escape."

"Speaking of casualties, how fares Commander Fenn?"

"She has reached a stabilized state luckily none of the cuts where life threatening although she lost a lot of blood. She is awake, but I told her to get some rest so she won't be getting up and about anytime soon."

"Talented she must be to have survived this encounter; many have fallen against that bounty hunter Fenrir works with."

"Indeed she is strong in the force, I worry I might fail in instructing her." Zack says as Roblio pauses before bursting out in a deep chuckle. "Ha the great General Fair worried about training a Padwan. Relax a little old Friend all masters feel that way with their first student. You'll make a great teacher, better than Master Windu." Zack smile at his friends antics. Taking in the human's appearance. They haven't seen each other since they celebrated Zack's Knighthood a few years before the war. Now the human male has aged well still looking youthful, with his platinum blonde hair highlighted with grey giving away signs of ageing and stress. Zack frowned when he saw that his friend has obvious signs of stress. "This war has already taken so many lives. We must end it."

Roblio smiled a small grin before speaking up, "Which is why the capture of Fenrir is important, I have already alerted the ships to maximum security protocol. If an rescue attempt comes we will be ready. Now then let's go see what information the assassin can give us. Skywalker should be interrogating him now."

Holding cells.

Several Clones stood nearby on guard duty while Commander Skywalker was in the holding cell left alone with the assassin. Unknown to the several soldiers, Anakin was regretting trying to interrogate Fenrir alone. The Jedi was stumped by the assassin's silence. Said Assassin was currently bound by binders that were ready to send an electric pulse through his body should he try to use the force. Anger starting to rise up in his mind Anakin did his best to calm down, but knowing who Fenrir really was, the padwan couldn't help but ask.

"Why, why did you betray the Jedi?" Fenrir remained unmoved but somehow starring into the masks, eyes where making Anakin even more uncomfortable. "I know who you are….. When I was a youngling I admired all kinds of Jedi you and Obi-wan specifically." Fenrir moved his head in the slightest making it look like he was now glaring, one would assume, at Anakin. Then for the first time, he spoke.

"I…. Never wanted this war. I wanted to become strong, to gain every one's approval. To prove my worth and to help my master. I was being held back, they fear me, as they fear you."

Anakin was shocked by what he said and immediately tried to push those thoughts of doubt out of his head. But it was true, in a way. The Jedi consol has always held him back, even when Anakin proved he was more than ready to be a Jedi Knight. Having survived encounters with Dooku and Fenrir, besting and defeating Ventress, even winning major battles. After all, it only took Obi-wan to defeat a sith to become a Jedi knight. So why does it take so much more from Anakin.

"If you didn't want this war then why do you fight? Why kill those who used to call you friend and those who grew up admiring you? Why try to kill your brother, your family?" Anakin said his voice showing frustration.

"If there is no emotion, what does it matter who you hold at the end of a light saber? If there is no ignorance, why restrain one from learning about the dark side with hands on experience. If there is no passion why do we even care about those around us? If there is no Chaos then why do we fight? If there is no death, why do people die?"

The 1st thing to pop up in Anakin's mind was his mother, not even a year has passed and her death is still fresh in his memories especially what happened after. Anakin still felt no guilt for the death of the Sand people, although he still felt he should have saved his mother.

"Why did you join the separatist? The dark side."

"To learn, I found family in Dooku, knowledge and power from sources outside of a notepad. A World much larger than the world of the Jedi, I want to be the most powerful I can become, to protect those I love, and destroy those who threaten them. The Jedi would rather let everyone die if it meant peace, but I refuse to let the people I love die, so I will fight and kill if I must….. If you care for anyone's life on this ship you should release me and my ally immediately, otherwise lives will be lost."

"We are in republic space with three cruisers escorting you to Coruscant; The Separatist won't spend that many resources to save one man." Anakin said. "And even if you get free, you would have to get through two Jedi and your brother… I won't tell anyone about who you are Cloud, I can't imagine what would happen if they found out now. No it's best that they find out later for your identity will come to light during your trial." Anakin made to exit only to stop when he heard Cloud's laugh.

"You protect my identity for you know it will cause major problems amongst the Jedi. Even Obi-wan knows to hold the truth, how many Padwan's and younglings have I mentored, have I helped in their training. Even you hesitate every time we cross blades. I know you Skywalker; I helped you develop your skills."

Anakin starred back at the man he used to admire, "And it's because of that I know you hesitate as well, no matter how hard you try to hide it, I know. After all out of all the Jedi, you were who I wanted to be like most ever since I became a youngling." With that said Anakin walked out the room, telling the guards to notify him immediately should anything happen.

Coruscant several years ago…

Anakin stood beside several younglings and padwan's as they all paid attention to the blonde individual teaching them all about dueling. The individual was none other than the padwan of the Greatest light saber duelist and Jedi Battle master, Cloud Fair. Normally you would find Cloud training nonstop with his master or in the dueling arena with any other Jedi. But today the veteran padwan was teaching the next generation on how to improve their light saber skills, while his master dealt with official order business. Anakin watched with young Sparkling eyes as he watched his favorite teacher. Cloud was going through the basic stances of the Shein/Djem So. Anakin stood enthralled as Cloud showed the most basic forms or stances for the fifth stance in light saber techniques.

"Remember Form V, also called, the way of the Krayt Dragon, is developed out of the third form of combat Soresu, using the precise defensive motions to create a more offensive Fighting style. It basically requires using ones natural strength to overwhelm an opponent. The first variation, Shein, focuses on redirecting blaster fire right back at the opponent. Whereas the second variation focuses more on counter attacks in a light saber duel after you successfully block your opponents attack. Form V is a hard form to master and is very useful to use in any situation, but without a proper instructor to teach you the advance stances, your pretty much stuck long hours of practice and self teaching in order to be considered an adept of the form, many years to be considered a master. Alright then, I want two younglings to pair up with some of the other padwans around you so we can all practice the forms." Cloud looked around and saw his fellow padwans Qulin Vos, Siri Tachi, Tiplee, and Tiplar. "You are to correct them as best as you can, I will be walking amongst them and helping out whenever I could. And after an hour we will let them practice deflecting shots from the training drones."

Roblio Darté's ship

Anakin smiled fondly of that memory, back when things were simple and the threat of war wasn't known to many. So many current Jedi masters and Knights grew up training with one or both Gaian Protégés, Most of the older Jedi were closer to Zack, although Many of the Younger ones, and even padwans now still remember and admire and strive to be like the younger Brother, Cloud. 'What have you become?' Anakin thought to himself. Anakin was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even realize the fact he walked into the med bay until Master Fair called out to him.

"You alright there, Anakin?" Zack noticed the pondering face of the younger man, sparking mild curiosity. Not a lot of times do we see Obi-wan's student get lost in deep thought. "I assume the interrogation proved a challenge?

Anakin took his time to answer as he noticed Zack was sitting next to an unconscious Ann Fenn. "It certainly was a challenge to speak with C… The assassin." Anakin moved to take a seat at the other side of the bed. "How is she master?"

Zack looked at the peaceful expression on Fenn's face "Most of her wounds where easily patched up as they where only light cuts, the major problem was the blood lost so all she really needs to do is rest." There was a moment of silence until Zack spoke up.

"It's him isn't it?" Anakin had a quick look of shock on his face but then frowned as he saw the look of pain in Zack's eyes. Anakin couldn't stand to see the look of despair in one of the most cheerful and powerful Jedi he ever knew. Anakin just couldn't find the words to break it to him, who would want to confirm the most deadly assassin with the most confirmed Jedi Kills in the war was his own brother who they thought was dead. But the silence made the answer clear.

"We shouldn't have given up on him so soon. We should have kept searching for him, but we stopped the chase once we located the ship he stole and his arm. We took it as proof he died confronting his master Dooku. We never wanted to assume he was still alive for it meant he has fallen to the dark side. You know the reason we became Jedi was because how strong my brother was in the force, younger than I was yet was able to have visions and even learned how reach out with the force before me. So since he was a better force user In return I focused more on my saber skills. That's why when it came to duels I always won, but if it were serious like it was on Dantooine. I don't think I will have the ability to stop him without trying to kill him."

"He got serious? You mean he tried to kill you?" Anakin asked in surprise.

"No, Cloud didn't try to kill me. It was Fenrir. There was a moment in the fight when my brother disappeared and I faced something truly sinister. IT was like a black hole in the force, consuming all energy and life nearby, leaving nothing but the cold feeling of death. Standing in that presence I felt myself slowly getting pulled in. It wasn't Cloud; it was….Hunger, evil." Zack then looked into Anakin's eyes, "It was death."

Anakin was so nervous all he was able to do was repeat part of the Jedi code, "There is no Death,"

"There is the force. Yet when I faced him, for the briefest of moments it was like the force was dying." Zack finished.

Anakin remained silent until he realized, "You said for a brief moment, what happened to stop that."

"I was about to reengage in combat against him when suddenly it disappeared as I sensed concern in him, then he quickly got away from me to head back to the compound just in time to fight against you…. Of course it makes sense now."

"The reason he came back to the compound was to save the bounty hunters life." Anakin realized, "And he surrendered to guarantee her safety."

"He loves her." Zack confirmed with Anakin right before Ann started to stir. Both older Jedi immediately focused back on the younger Jedi as she slowly woke up. As the young woman opened her eyes she manage to recognized the smiling face of Anakin and the relieved look on her master's face.

"I knew you guys would win." She said barely as she noticed the grim looks on both their faces.

"True today marks a major victory in capturing Fenrir, but the losses where heavy and the republic will have to deal with explaining the major civilian casualties. Only to capture two people." Zack said.

`"We lost 86 clones and 67 civilians on the explosion of the compound, 17 more clones died in combat with the remaining 8 being severely injured. And all the civilians involved where adults and parents, leaving several children back in their homes orphaned." Anakin finished, as Ann had a look of horror, as reality sunk in. In just one short engagement with only 2 enemy combatants, almost everyone on their side died and children got orphaned, buildings were destroyed and much the needed supplies was gone.

"All this happened because of one man?" She said as she tried to control her emotions.

Zack shook his head, "That one man couldn't do this damage alone, no this happened because we are at war. Across the galaxy both sides of the war faces losses and bitter sweet victories such as this. Such is the nature of war Ann. That's why we fight to try to end this war quickly."

The Strife

"So you're telling me they won't see us coming." Vos questioned one last time, as the droids piled into the multipurpose escape pods. "These escape pods have been designed by our master to double as breaching units, they will attach to the surface of any ship an bypass their shields while cutting through the hull of the ship allowing for easy stealth missions."

"And the reason this technology is not easily spread in the republic or confederacy is because there too expensive?" Reaper nodded towards Quinlan's question.

"It seems the Meat bag has some processing power. Each pod is the price of a republic light frigate…. We have 12 on this ship. My brothers will infiltrate the other cruisers and disable them from the inside; you and I will head towards the cruiser with my master in it. You work on getting him free and I'll disable the ship."

"That explains all the explosives you pack inside…. Do we have to go for the life support systems, it will make extracting Fenrir a little more, inconvenient with us being Meat bags."

"Incorrect, you're a meat bag, a frail squishy bipedal life form with too much water. The master is the master and he is indestructible. Regardless once we set the explosives off once we extract and regroup on The Strife. The Damage from the explosives will by us some time and force them to focus on trying to survive versus trying to recapture. With the added benefit of killing them all if they don't receive help within the next 24 Galactic standard hours. Normally our plan would involve taking out their coms, and or the shield Generators as well. But with two extra cruisers, time is of the essence."

Voss just sighed as he entered the multipurpose pod, and simply waited as Reaper plotted out the course. Looking at the small screen that works like a window, The Former Jedi could now see the three cruisers. At the sight of the superior fire power of a republic cruiser, Voss was glad that The Strife was equipped with an invisibility cloak. 'Where did Fenrir find all the credits necessary to retro fit all this technology?' It took some minutes to make sure The Strife wasn't discovered and the pods where launched according to plan, leaving the cloaked ship piloted by an astromech droid. Voss felt his nerves calm down once the pod of his actually got passed the cruisers shields and found purchase just above side Hanger bay's entrance. Readying his light saber and feeling through the force the presence of Fenrir. Voss started to make his way to the holding cells once Reaper finally made his way inside.

Holding cells

Cloud sat Meditating, and barely flinched when the shock collar went off when his restraints felt him reaching out in the force. Oh the pain was still there but Cloud was more focused on trying to find Yuffie. Luckily it didn't take too long to find her in one of the Medical bays on the ship; he was able to tell she was now just resting with no immediate threat to her life. Satisfied of her condition, Cloud stopped using the force and finally started to react to the burning and mind numbing sensation of a shock collar. 'Probably less than hour or so till I am freed.' The assassin thought as he recalled not that long ago when Roblio Darté came to interrogate him. The middle aged Jedi, got frustrated when encountered by only silence, even tried to reach into Cloud's mind with the force, but stopped when he realized the attempt was futile. The Self proclaimed sith was starting to get a little impatient as a few more minutes passed, but then he heard a quick struggle outside a few blaster shots and thuds until his doors opened to reveal his fellow acolyte.

The cocky man came in with a small smirk on his face, as he tossed both of Fenrir's Light sabers toward him, keeping a bag full of other equipment over his shoulder. "The big bad wolf, caught in a cage." Voss laughed as he cut Fenrir free from his restraints. "You missed me ya bastard."

Fenrir responded only by tearing the shock collar of his neck with the force before reclaiming his weapons. "Took you long enough."

"Let's just say you did." Voss smiled causing Fenrir to smile under his mask. "Come on let's find your bounty hunter friend we only got a certain amount of time before they find out I busted you out." Understanding immediately both Dark Jedi ran out of the room and saw a small group of clones walk around the corner, needless to say those clones didn't even get to pull out their weapons in time to deal with Fenrir, as Voss watched the deadliest acolyte move in action. With five more dead clones littering the hall way Fenrir knew it was only a matter of ti…. There was a large explosion and then the alarms started to blare as several doors started to lock down.

"Great they know we are here." Fenrir said.

"Well at least we still have our master key," Voss said while igniting his light saber, Fenrir mirroring his actions as the two cut their way through any opening. Cutting a deadly path to the med bay.

Med bay

Zack left his padwan in the care of Anakin as soon as the alarms went off; Trusting that the younger male would make sure that the still recovering Ann Fenn would stay resting. So imagine Anakin's sudden dilemma when a mere 10 minutes later in come two dark Jedi. Anakin quickly reached for his light saber but was tossed to the other side of the room courtesy of a massive force push from Fenrir. Ann Immediately sat up a used the force to get her light saber but before she could grasp the weapon she reached for her throat as she was ripped from her bed now floating mere inches from the former captive. Anakin quickly recovered and tried to rush the Masked sith before having to cross blades with a certain Former Jedi. Frustration and desperation flew through Anakin as he watched his younger friend get the life choked out of her.

"Where is she!" Fenrir shouted only getting a few gasps in return before tossing the red Twi'lek aside and igniting his light saber. Stalking his weakened pray he asked again, "Where is she…" Ann was only able to look up in fear as she saw the red blade reach the peak of its ascent right before the blade came down. But just as she expected to get killed his light saber was blocked by a blue one that Anakin threw before it came back to him as he continued to engage Vos, allowing her the chance to push the dark Jedi away with the force buying her time to activate her light saber once she finally reached it.

Vos had to hold back his admiration as The young Jedi before him managed to push him back with a burst of aggression he didn't expect to see and was forced to roll away when the Jedi threw his light saber in his direction, only to realized that the blade wasn't meant for him but was meant to save his fellow padwan. "Incredible battle awareness…" Vos said out loud in awe before finding himself once again on the defensive for he doesn't want to kill anyone. Ducking under the blue blade Voss tried to speak with the younger man, "Whoa, just relax for a second, just tell us where the bounty hunter is and we will get out of here quick." Side stepping the Padwan Vos proceeded to trip up young Skywalker making the Jedi tuck and roll in order to bounce back onto his feet. "I don't want to have to hurt you sky walker I'm not your enemy." Vos said in a whisper. As he locked blades with the young Jedi.

"Yeah right why would I believe you," Anakin shouted, causing Vos to flinch as he noticed that Fenrir and Ann were too focused in their own duel to notice the outburst.

"Listen if you can play along just a sec we can prevent anyone else from dying, the explosion early was awfully close to the life support, think about it." Once again crossing weapons in a heated and lethal dance the was another lock up in weapons as Vos continued. "I can't explain everything now but you can ask Zack later, just let us find the Bounty hunter and we will leave and prevent any further damage."

"Lies, you turned your back on the Jedi you're a traitor." Anakin went for the attack causing Vos to finally stop going on the defensive, watching as Skywalker over reached Vos went under his guard and landed a force aided blow using the hilt of his light saber right on Anakin's diaphragm. Making the young Jedi Fall over Gasping for breath right before Vos placed a devastating kick to the Jedi's head managing to put him to sleep. Voss looked over to see that Fenrir had finished up his fight as well, letting out a slight sigh of relief once he realized she was still alive, and knocked unconscious.

"She's not dead?" Vos questioned his ally,

"I got what I needed from her; Yuffie is just a few more rooms down the corridor."

"Well it seems your getting soft." Voss said following the masked Acolyte out the room.

"Still tough enough to put you in your place, now let's go we don't have time." Fenrir said running causing Vos to smirk maybe if things were different Fenrir would have been a fine addition to the Jedi order. The force knows the order could use another Maverick to through the council off their seats.

It didn't take long for the two Dark Acolytes to find their third companion, the female bounty hunter still unconscious, Vos made sure that any potential hostiles are no where nearby as he gave a subtle look over to his partner who took the female bounty hunter in his arms with the most care he ever seen from his companion. Vos raised a brow at this for he already knew the two were a couple but he never expected to see Fenrir ever show any form of affection so clearly. If Voss was any other Acolyte he would take note so to try and take advantage of Fenrir's attachment to the women just to see if Dooku would lose favor in the masked Dark Jedi. "Let's move quickly while we still can, it won't be long before the Jedi Masters return and find out the padwans are unconscious."

Cradling the young woman in his arms like the most fragile of princesses, Fenrir simply walked passed his male companion and back into the corridor leaving Voss stunned. Reaching out with the Force the Kiffar can sense all the emotions running through his companion. 'It's almost as if he is a young adolescent unable to control his hormones. While relief at the stable condition of his mate, it's obvious that he is mentally a child….Gaians' Voss though with a imaginary sigh in his head before pinging Reaper on the coms.

"Droid, your master is secure and we are ready for extraction what your status is?"

"I'm surprised you managed to perform better than calculated, Meat bag. The explosives are set and I'm currently done cleaning up the excess waste."

"Waste, what waste?" Vos asked puzzled. What he didn't know was that in one corridor a certain Assassination Droid stood almost innocently in the center of a darkened hallway that is littered with several Clones bodies lie still and even a few droids that were turned to scrap metal. The Lights have been destroyed in the previous battle only allowing the emergency lights provide any means of visibility, or as much as they can with the dead bodies covering most of the lights.

"Just a couple of freebies if you will, to get the circuits flowing. Now enough of your pallid Questions Meat bag, we will meet back at the pod." Suddenly the sound of a light saber turning on was heard from the other side. "Seems I need to eliminate more incompetent organic waste." With that said the coms were cut and Voss looked ahead at Fenrir who managed to gain some distance. 'Damn he walks faster than I thought.'

Another Corridor.

Roblio Darté ignited his Light saber both blades brightening the room casting Ghostly shadows from the corpses that decorated the hallway. His Eyes narrowing in great caution as he faced a single droid of unregistered design.

"Seems I need to eliminate more incompetent organic waste." The droid said out loud as it raised its blaster rifle. Not going to allow the Droid a chance the Jedi master charged forward his speed enhanced by the force as he tried to destroy the droid. Only to be caught off guard as the surprisingly agile droid jumped and twisted in a masterful roll as it flung out a foot that caught the Jedi Squared in the jaw. With the Grace only the finest programming could provide, the droid landed on its feet crouched and ready to blast the Jedi, sending several accurate bolts his way.

Master Darté quickly deflected the bolts that he could and avoided the ones he couldn't quickly using the force to push back the droid only for the Machine to move back about a foot before magnetizing it's feet. Feeling slightly dazed the Jedi was forced to back pedal as he blocked and avoided the blaster shots sent his way as he tried to ignore the stunning pain of his dislocated jaw. Letting the Force Guide his body to stay alive as the Droid marched closer. But that didn't last long as the Droid charged forward and Darté retaliated by engaging the droid by using the force to through the remains of an astromech at the droid only to stop the blaster fire for a fraction of a second long enough for the Jedi to strike back with excellent sword play. Surprisingly the skill he was displaying with his saber skills are not enough as the droid used its superior agility to duck under jump away and even kicking off the walls to avoid getting cut. All the while quickly countering by shooting the Jedi while it continued to avoid. The Master Jedi finding very little room for error as even with his caution to not over extend his strikes with his weapon, he found himself having to match the droids agility by pivoting or quickly moving his blade to divert any shots that would have punctured vital areas. Yet even with his extreme precautions there are obvious signs of burnt clothing and possibly burns on his person.

Darté couldn't believe how quickly the droid was moving, looking very similar to the agility displayed by the Grand Jedi master Yoda, The Middle aged Jedi started to slow down as the smell of slightly burned flesh became more prominent. Then by his surprise the droid dropped to the floor and swept his tired legs and while falling the Jedi Master blocked a few more bolts reflecting one that went and hit the droid right on it's chassis. The only burn mark on its polished frame. Needless to say The Jedi was surprised by the fact that that one bolt was the only damage he registered on the droid, and by the sudden outburst proclaimed by the droid.

Angered Reaper Shot the Light saber out of the Jedi's hand and placed a firm foot on his chest, pointing the blaster at the Jedi's head before stating, "Unacceptable! Too think a mere meat bag besides the master could possibly damage my frame. This engagement has wasted enough of my valuable time for my mission. Your immediate extermination is now a must. Prepare to suffer termination as I tear you apart limb from useless limb!"

Having very little time to be amazed at the droids anger, the doors opened to reveal several Clones as well as Jedi Master Zack Fair. Quickly raining its blaster the droid drilled two holes in the helmets of a few clones before being force pushed by the Jedi with such force the magnets took time to secure the droid.

Getting onto his feet Darté quickly retrieved his light saber and assumed a defensive stance. But just as the droid got ready it stopped "The odds of leaving this engagement without further damage have dropped severely. You will live this time Meat bag but know the next you will be eliminated; it then quickly through down a flash grenade before anyone else could react." Right before the grenade detonated, Darté and Zack Managed to shield their eyes as they quickly readied themselves for a fight but noticed the droid has already turned from where it came.

Darté quickly turned to the Clones, "alert every available combatant to not engage that droid alone, the rest of you hurry and find that droid we can't allow such a deadly unit to escape."

"Whoa now Friend, you are injured leave the droid to me you need to recover." Using the Wall to support himself as Darté finally felt the pain of a few burns and his dislocated jaw. The older Jedi looked at the younger and warned him.

"Go with haste Zack; don't let that droid fight you in a narrow space." The Younger Jedi Nodded grimly his usual cocky and cheery attitude gone realizing how dangerous this droid is and concerned with how many more could be on the ship.

Next to the infiltration Pod.

Cloud placed Yuffie inside the pod and secured the unconscious girl so she wouldn't fall out her seat. Quinlan Vos already placing the bag with the rest of their equipment away and punching in the commands to get the pod ready to detach and fly back to The Strife.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side again." Vos said as he laid witness to Fenrir's force prowess as any time Clones appeared on the way back they were easily executed by having their throats crushed or by the blunt trauma of hitting the walls with enough force to dent them. Anytime a clone Appeared and tried to slow them down, before Vos could ignite his light saber Fenrir dealt with them with extreme prejudice with the wave of a hand or the clenching of a fist. An impressive feet Vos could note, therefore realizing how hopeless the clones could be if they are caught off guard by and angry force user. Baring witness to the number one reason the Jedi Practice patience and controls of their emotions because of how easy it is to abuse the power of the force on the powerless.

"I have half the mind to go back out there and kill everything that moves myself." Cloud said, his anger rising at the fact the republic managed to hurt his lover. For a brief moment it made Cloud realize how close he has gotten to the Female. How it started with one Lust filled night where she serviced him and he quickly fell for her feminine charms. Spending all private times together to further their intimacy, Maybe Kreia was right about him getting obsessed with the woman, knowing that such attachment could be unhealthy But Cloud doesn't care. Cloud always had a passion for Power and learning, but now that passion is dwarfed by the burning raging emotions he feels every time he is with Yuffie. 'Yes Passion gives me strength; Yuffie is the source of my strength now.' Cloud thought as watched her angelic face rest.

"Alright settle down there Fenrir, She is safe now. No need to do anything stupid." Vos said a little unnerved. 'Yikes, I know Gaians tend to be severely attached to their mates but is this really normal. It might have been adorable from a kid but this is just creepy.' Vos Was ripped from his thought the moment a certain droid rushed into view dropping several clones while retreating to the pod. Once again Vos ignited his light saber to go and provide cover but he once again watched Fenrir turn towards the enemy like a serpent, and reach out his hands and started to choke the life out of the 6 clones remaining as the droid finally entered the pod.

"I am quite impressed master, not only have you crushed those meat bags weak frames but you even crushed their armor, if you applied more pressure you might even crush their skulls." The droid stated after Fenrir released the clones and sat beside his woman. The droid quickly hopped into the pilots seat as Vos sat down eyeing Fenrir calculating how to check up on his companion. The Pod detached and quickly started heading to the strife.

"Hey, you good Fenrir?" Vos saw the masked man raise his head.

"She needs medical attention."

"And she'll get it, you should get some rest when we get to your ship, the droids and I will handle things." With that said Fenrir nodded his head and for the first time sense the fighting started on Dantooine, Cloud felt the exhaustion of the previous battles and use of the force put him to rest.

Zack's position.

Zack watched with Frustration as he entered the room to late as the pod the droid hopped in detached, Sensing that three beings alive onboard, knowing the prisoners have escaped. Zack was about to notify the rest of the ships to send out fighters to intercept when suddenly the ship was rocked by three major explosions. Noticing that most of the power on the ship has gone out and the artificial gravity stopped working. Zack hailed the other cruisers only to find out they were all in the same situation. Engines, and life support systems have been destroyed and each capital ship now force to take emergency power and launch a distress signal to any nearby republic ship. Frustration starting to Build up inside the Young Jedi as the situation dawned on him. They lost, and this will go down as one of the most embarrassing losses the republic has faced. This war was nowhere near done; in fact Zack realized it is still at the beginning. Zack made his way to the medical bay where he found Anakin and Ann sitting down in defeat nursing their wounds the best that they can.

"They got away huh." Ann asked her master her voice silent. Zack nodded his head frustration clearly visible concerning his padwan.

"We were Careless, I will have to make a report of what happened and have to help organize a new captive protocol. The republic may have lost this battle, but we will make sure this will never happen again." Both Padwans looked into the General's eyes and saw burning determination, and despite the losses they felt hope arise in their chests. Today may be a dark day for the republic in the war, but this day marks what will be known as the Fair Protocol. The most successive protocol involving the capture of any future prisoners. A tactic that will be one of the biggest keys in capturing and removing all of Dooku's Acolytes in the next year. Leaving the only Fenrir, Ventress, Vos and Grievous as the remaining acolytes, but that has yet to happen. For now the Fair Protocol has begun its infancy phase, and a lot more war is left to be fought.