Whew, some late night writing yields real results as the third act essentially reaches its climax. Its largely cooldown epilogue stuff after this, and I can’t say with any certainty if I’ll get it knocked out in one update or two. Glad to finally finish this huge portion and as always appreciate the feedback you guys have given. Enjoy.
Cool eyes ahead, he stares forward and calmly commands the clones to stand down, still keeping his lightsaber in hand. Nellith is bewildered by this turn as is Phakerem who initially laughs at what appears to be an absurd tactic. Both their moods change as they seen the effect on the clone Jedi, who begin demonstrating the same internal struggle as Obi-Wan clone while the real Kenobi continues the mind trick, telling them the battle is over.
Still not believing what she’s seeing, the general angrily orders her forces to attack, however only a few can even get a few steps forward before they stop; looking almost sick with indecision about what to do. Korusya looks at Ben, her expression revealing a gradual realization and quiet acknowledgment about his strategy. Their gazes meet ever so briefly and she immediately senses what to do, closing her eyes and silently mouthing “the trick” herself.
The effect is soon seen all across the battle as Jedi battling clones pick up the phrase one by one and put it into action. Mandalorian soldiers are thrown off as they see their support suddenly paralyzed into inaction, allowing their foes to start breaking the stalemate. In a wide shot from above the shift in the battle is considerable, with Coalition forces moving back, Jedi moving forward, and the clones haphazardly staying in place, assisting neither side as they continue to break down. Phakerem tells her shocktroopers and clones to stay their ground, with few heeding her words.
On the roof, Carima runs through the wreckage and again Crayde fires a shot. This one counts and with a loud crash the debris falls over and pins her down, with her body covered from the waist down. She struggles to push the weight off and pull herself free, and almost succeeds, but it proves too heavy and she’s trapped. She sees her blaster is still close and she desperately reaches out for it, fingers grasping the handle when her arm is shot, making her scream out in pain. We see Draezin stroll over to her, weapon trained; “A noble effort, would you care to try it again?”
The sounds gets Anakin to look away from the battle on the surface only to find the Obi-Wan clone has somehow gotten himself close, both of their positions parallel to the the edge of the building. Nik starts to raise his hand again for another command, but the other man points lightsaber close to cut off the attempt. The created Kenobi’s eyes, now fully desperate and growing more unhinged by the moment, briefly flicker to the deactivated lightsaber in Skywalker’s hand. Its a given the latter likely won’t be able to get it on in time and for a second the clone is determined again.
That disappears as the madness returns, with his sword hand shaking in anxious terror, and his eyes darting back and forth between his prey and the streets far below. Nik’s face is a mix of subtle horror and concern as he watches this copy of his friend and mentor fall to pieces before him. The clone begins to violently shake his head and almost speaks. Anakin quietly reaches out to him, hand extended in friendship not command: “Ben…” and watches in shock as the clone closes his eyes, and throws himself off the building.
Skywalker watches him go down and then quickly turns his head away, not wanting to see end of it. He sits down, breathing hard and almost in tears before he remembers Carima and heads off to help her.
Cut to Bail Organa’s squadrons and regiments forcing the Coalition forces into widescale withdrawal all over the planet. Phakerem is informed of this on her radio and has little reaction, in disbelief at the sight of her clone project going up in flames as the various replicated Jedi succumb to insanity, a few even rendered catatonic by their condition. One of her lieutenants yells they have to get to one of the few retreating freighters that’s close and the general is uncharacteristically silent, quietly following his lead to the direction of the ship.
The agony continues for Carima as Crayde sadistically kicks her blaster away and puts his foot on her hand, further exposing the deep wound on her arm. “As brave as you are stupid. Tell me, does it feel worth it right now?” Nivir gives him the most hate filled glare we’ve ever seen from her, with Draezin just grins at. “I have to say, Skywalker didn’t prove to be very engaging,” he aims the blaster at her other arm, already anticipating the pain to come “but who knows, perhaps you will.”
That question is never answered as a lightsaber blade cuts the blaster in half and a hard punch to his face knocks him to the ground.
Carima watches in surprise as she sees Anakin standing tall his face enraged and jaw clenched. She yells “Nik!” out to him, however his attention is all on Crayde and be begins delivering a hard series of kicks, making him pitifully roll away a bit with each blow. A few more hard blows and even a few strong stomps have Draezin gasping in pain and for air, resorting to a slow crawl away on all fours as he tries to recover.
Eventually managing to get himself awkwardly sitting, he notices Skywalker; the latter with his lightsaber ready, clearly waiting for the man to give him a reason to use it. Crayde gets a brief glance at the battle going on around them, finally seeing that the Republic is indeed winning the battle. He looks up at Anakin and can say only one thing. “I surrender.”
There’s a beat as Anakin briefly takes that statement in, before giving his own reply of lifting the ex-Senator up by the neck and growling for Crayde to repeat what he just said. Struggling to breath a bit, Draezin reiterates that as Chancellor of the Coalition, he is formerly surrendering as a prisoner of war to be taken into their custody. He adds that it is Skywalker’s duty to escort him to his superior officers to be handed over to Republic officials.
The young Jedi can’t believe it and asks if really expects to be a prisoner after everything he’s done; even asking why he doesn’t think the Republic won’t immediately execute him for his crimes. His typical confidence comes back as Draezin points out he’s far too valuable to get rid of. He knows the Mandalorians in and out, has knowledge of Phakerem’s war plans, has the keys to helping the Republic win the war and save countless lives in the process.
Anakin’s face gets more downcast as the reality of the man’s words become clear. Crayde continues, summing up the situation. “You know I’m right, don’t you? It doesn’t matter what I’ve done, a man like me is the best chance your side has to win. That imperfect little Republic of yours that you want to save, well here’s your chance. So just be the good soldier you’ve always been and do what has to be done.” The young Jedi has a thousand yard stare as all the recent events that brought him to this choice run through his mind.
Still trapped, Carima calls out to Nik again and upon hearing her voice, Skywalker’s face now becomes one of cold conclusion. He deactivates his lightsaber and just as quickly picks the other man up with both hands and walks over to the edge of the roof. A horrified Crayde screams in despair, begging for mercy. “Stop! You’re a Jedi, you have to do what’s best for the Republic!”
“As you wish.” Anakin throws him over the edge, and watches the man plummet to his death.