War of Love

Chapter 9

Annalise's cruiser is being attack by separatists. Captain Zix says, "Our shields are gone." Annalise whispers, "Hurry, Ani. We need you." Annalise looks at Commander Gree and says, "Commander, get out there and stop those droids." Commander Gree says, "I'm on it." Captain Zix says, "General, Skywalker's here." Annalise says "And none too soon. We're entering the atmosphere." Later, Annalise is fighting off droids in the hallway with Commander Gree when she spots Anakin and Ashoka. Annalise smirks at Anakin and says, "Nice entrance, Skywalker. How do you plan to get us out of this mess?" As they fight their way through the battle droids, Anakin says, "Well, I have a ship docking in the lower hanger as we speak." As they make it to the docking hanger a droid point it's gun at them and says, "Hold it." More droids appear behind it and they all run in a different direction to the docking bay. Ashoka smiles and says, "We made it." Ashoka opens the doors. As they all go to board the ship, Anakin sees a massive heatwave heading towards them and he says, "It's too late." Anakin uses the force and pushes them all into the air lock as the doors closing, Annalise worriedly says, "Anakin!" They hear an explosion and Ashoka speaks on her comms and says, "Don't move the ship." The captain says, "Are you guys all right down there?" Annalise opens the door a little bit and sees Anakin hurt. Annalise uses her lightsaber to carve a hole out of the door and drags Anakin through and gets him onto the ship. While Ashoka and Rex take Anakin to the med bay, Annalise goes to the bridge and speaks with the Admiral. Admiral says, "You'll never be able to dock with our ship in the middle of this battle." Annalise says, "We have no choice, Admiral. General Skywalker's condition may be critical. We must get him on board The Resolute." Admiral says, "Are all Jedi so reckless?" Annalise smiles and says, "Just the good ones." Then their hit by the separatist and Commander Gree says, "The hyperdrive's been activated." Annalise says, "Shut it down." Commander Gree says, "I can't!" Admiral says, "General Organa, what's going on?" Annalise says, "We're going into hyperspace. Detach! Detach!" They then go into hyperspace. Annalise leaves the cockpit and goes to see Ashoka. Annalise sees Anakin hooked up on the medical bed and she prays he'll be okay. Annalise diverts her attention to Ashoka and says, "I need you with Commander Gree up on the bridge right now." Ashoka says, "I should stay. Commander Gree doesn't need my help. Anakin does." Annalise softly smiles and says, "You can help Anakin by getting this ship to safety." The doors open and Commander Gree says, "General, we have a problem." Annalise sighs and says, "What is it, Commander?" Commander Gree says, "In our haste to escape, the navicomputer's coordinates were inputted incorrectly. And, well, we're headed right for a star." Everyone leaves the room heading to the bridge. Ashoka gets into the pilot's chair to try and land the ship. Commander Gree slams his fist and says, "It's no use. The navigation computer's completely fried." Annalise says, "Shut down all power circuits to reset the coordinates." Ashoka looks at Annalise and says, "That will cut off Anakin's life support." Annalise says, "I don't like it any more than you do, but it's a risk we're going to have to take." Ashoka says, "We're switching off primary power units." Rex says, "Cutting it awfully close." Annalise says, "Ready to shut off auxiliary power." Ashoka says, "On three. One, two, three." Annalise shuts off the power. They get out of hyperspace and Commander Gree says, "We're out of hyperspace. Resume all power." Rex loses his balance and flies right into Annalise and she grunts. Commander Gree says, "Switch the power back on. What are you waiting for?" Annalise uses the force and switches the power back on and Annalise and Rex crash to the ground. Ashoka flies them around the star towards a planet. Ashoka says, "Well, we're not going to crash into the star, but we're definitely going to hit that planet." The ship is overheating and falling apart as it crash lands onto the ground. Rex bursts open the door and he says, "Everyone out!" Annalise and Ashoka grab ahold of Anakin and help him out of the ship with everyone else following. The ship explodes. Annalise and Ashoka lay Anakin on the ground and Annalise says, "Well, we made it. And Anakin is still alive." Ashoka sighs and says, "I'm just glad he wasn't awake to see that landing." Annalise softly smiles and says, "He would have been proud." Ashoka says, "I've certainly perfected the art of demolishing ships and almost getting my Master killed." Later, they go to set up camp away from the ship. They made a little tent for Anakin to rest up in. Annalise took off her cloak and puts it over Anakin to keep him warm. Annalise caresses Anakin's cheek and quickly removes it when she senses a presence. Annalise glances up at Ashoka and says, "Anakin doesn't have much time. We have to find help tonight." Ashoka says, "Okay, you and Gree go south. Rex and I will stay here with Anakin." Annalise says, "No, Ahsoka. In order to get help quickly, we must work together." Ashoka says, "I can't leave him. Annalise, I know if I was hurt, he'd never leave me behind." Annalise says, "I understand, Ashoka, but Anakin has to stay behind, and we have to go now. There is nothing more we can do for him. We must do all we can to get off this planet. As a Jedi, it is your duty to do what is best for the group." Ashoka turns away with a sigh. Commander Gree says, "General Organa, come look at this." Annalise walks over to Commander Gree with Ashoka behind her, and he has an object in his hands. Annalise grabs the object as Gree says, "We're not the only ones here on this planet. There has to be some kind of something here." They hear a loud noise and Commander Gree says, "If you don't mind me asking, General Organa, where exactly are we going?" Annalise says, "To go find the people who live on this planet." Commander Gree says, "Where are we going to find them? We have no idea where they are." Ashoka grabs the object and says, "It seems to me that the people we're looking for live near giant trees." Annalise smiles at Ashoka and says, "Very perceptive, Ashoka." Ashoka walks over to Anakin and kneels as she says, "Be strong, Master, just a little bit longer. Rex will watch over you." Annalise says, "It is time to go." Rex looks at Ashoka and says, "Don't worry, kid. I'll take good care of him." Ashoka nods. Annalise looks at Rex and says, "Captain Rex, keep your locator on. We should be back by daybreak with whoever or whatever lives on this planet." Rex says, "Got it, General Organa." Annalise walks away and says, "Come on, guys. Let's move out." Everyone follows after Annalise with Ashoka walking beside Annalise. Later, it's nightfall and they arrive at a tree. Commander Gree says, "I don't see any signs of life." Annalise hears something fall and she looks about to see a giant shell about to hit Gree, Annalise uses the force and pushes the shell away before it hurts Gree. More start falling down, and Annalise says, "Run!" They all start running and Ashoka says, "Now wonder it's deserted. It's a death trap. You'd have to be crazy to want to dodge those on a daily basis." Annalise says, "It looks like someone or something intelligent enough to figure out a use for the pods has dragged them away. All we have to do is follow the trail. Let's go." They all follow the trail. Later, they stop when they hear a noise. Something fast goes to attack them as Gree says, "Watch out!" Two beastly creatures come out and knock everyone down. Commander Gree shoots one of the creatures down as the other one runs away. Commander Gree says, "Cameron's dead. So, are Lucky and Flesh." Annalise sighs at the fallen clones and she says, "We have to keep moving." The three of them run away. Later, the sun's up and they arrive at a little village where the rest of the pods are. Ashoka smiles and says, "Pod central. We made it." They slide down the dirt road. As they approach the village, Ashoka politely waves and says, "Hello." One of the villagers walks forward and says, "What have you come here for?" Annalise says, "We are peacekeepers. We are Jedi from the Galactic Republic. Our ship crashed a few miles away, and one of us is very badly injured. We need your help." The villager says, "Violence breeds violence. Jedi are not peacekeepers." Ashoka says, "We're fighting for freedom." The villager says, "And freedom and peace require dear and death? We colonized this system to find solace from your wretched war. We came here to find peace. You must leave. You will only destroy what small amount of peace is left in the galaxy. You will only bring the destruction of us." Annalise walks forward and says, "Regardless of the Clone Wars and our part in them, we still need your help." The villager says, "I'm afraid I must do what's best for my people. We cannot help you." As the villager turns away, Ashoka says, "Please. Can you at least give us some medical supplies? My friend is dying." The villager calls on to one of his villagers and he says, "I can't ignore a plea for help. I will send my son Wag Too to help your friend. He is a healer. But only one Jedi may go with him. The other must stay as insurance. We wouldn't want a surprise attack on our village, or the kidnapping of our only healer." Annalise says, "Gree and I will stay. Ashoka, go and help Anakin." Ashoka nods. The villager says, "No, the clone and his blaster cannot stay. He with go with the youngling." Ashoka says, "I can handle it. I don't need help." Annalise says, "Ahsoka." Ashoka says, "Don't worry." Annalise says, "Just be mindful of your surroundings, Ashoka. Those creatures are still out there." Ashoka nods and says, "Got it. We won't be long." Ashoka, Gree, and Wag Too leave. Later, Annalise is in one of the pod's and the villager hands her a cup to drink and says, "Here. It will restore your energy." Annalise grabs the cup and says, "Thank you. I am sure you are aware that the Jedi did not initiate the Clone Wars. Our only intention is to end it and restore peace to our galaxy." The villager says, "What difference does it make who started the war and who only wants to end it? No side is free of fault. It takes two to fight." Annalise says, "But isn't liberty worth fighting for?" The villager says, "But is it worth killing for? Fighting for something doesn't necessarily mean you have to destroy everything in your path. Only when you lay your arms down and pursue a course of nonviolence can you made this claim to me that the Jedi are peacekeepers." Later, Ashoka's back with Anakin along with Wag Too. Later, Annalise and Ashoka sit up top of a hill. Ashoka looks over at Annalise and says, "You were right all along, Annalise." Annalise says, "About what?" Ashoka says, "If I stayed with Anakin, we probably wouldn't have found this village in time to save him. At least this whole ordeal is over now." Annalise says, "Not quite. We still have to find a way off this planet." Ashoka says, "Well, I'm sure Admiral Yularen and the Republic fleet are looking for us. It shouldn't take them too long to get here."