The Side War

"I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell." -William Tecumseh Sherman

Disclaimer: All rights to the name "Star Wars" belongs solely to Disney and George Lucas. Likewise, all rights to the name "Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri" belongs to Takumi Yanai. Anything else of a copyrighted nature belongs to their respective owners. I do not profit from writing this story whatsoever.

The Clone Wars continue! Republic and Separatist armies continue to clash in the Outer Rim. However, a stalemate now hangs over hundreds of contested worlds. Both sides hold their breath at who will make the next bold move to break the deadlock. Unbeknownst to the Republic however, an unknown Empire is about to move first...

On Coruscant, the Uscru district was the entertainment hub of the planet. The upper parts were home to the more classical and elegant styles of the elite and wealthy in entertainment while the lower levels has countless bars, gambling sites and sleeping accommodations for discreet encounters for others. Ultimately, it would be the wealthy and elite that would be attacked by an unknown enemy. While random citizens enjoyed the nightlife in the Uscru district, many had not noticed the translucent veil of a Gate forming on one of the major streets. Once the Gate solidified into an ornate marble structure, the civilians close by continued in their conversations believing it to either be a prop being set up by an entertainment group or someone messing with a holoprojector.

The only people to take notice were the Coruscant Guard clone shock troopers on patrol in the area. Three troopers approached the Gate.

"Uhh, inform Command that there's some strange structure in the Uscru district." The commanding clone said.

"Yes, sir. Relaying to Command, now. Could be a hologram, sir." The second clone said as he pulled out a scanner and directed it at the Gate.

"Could be..." The third clone said as he approached the Gate. The clone walked onto the marble floor at the entrance and tapped his foot on the floor. He then moved to the side of the Gate and touched the marble wall with his hand. "No way that's a hologram." He said to the others as he looked into the blackened interior of the Gate.

"Hang on; I'm detecting some noise and movement." The second clone said as the scanner began to beep continually.

"What?" The commanding clone said.

A loud boom from a horn sounded from the Gate.

"Hey, get away from there!" The second clone quickly shouted to the third.

Suddenly, a stampede of horses ran over the three clones and any nearby civilians. With the horses came dragons, trolls, and various fantasy creatures flying out the Gate. The new invaders charged at the crowds and began killing and grabbing anyone who stood in their way. One of the human commanders' on horseback then called out,

"Inhabitants of this new land! You are now the property of our great Empire! Submit or you shall be destroyed!"

Jedi Knight Eila Deova sat in a LAAT having returned from Scipio. She was relieved to be back on Coruscant after four months of watching over the Banking Clan. Talk about percentages and rates from the bankers since the beginning of the occupation on Scipio was nauseatingly dull.

'Wherever Skywalker finishes a fight it's always boring afterwards.' She thought. Although, she did feel some relief that because of Skywalker, Scipio was at peace in a galaxy at war.

She had asked the pilot earlier to bring her to the Uscru district since leaving the shipyards. She was one of a few Jedi, along with her friend, Vania Solon, who liked indulging in entertainment such as watching an opera at the Galaxies Opera House. Vania herself had likewise spent a few months in the Outer Rim protecting supply lines and had returned to Coruscant a few weeks before. Vania sent a message to Eila days before to meet at the Uscru district as soon as she came back from Scipio.

Although, Eila and her friend both kept their 'hobby' a secret since the Jedi Order usually saw these things as distractions from learning the broader nature of the galaxy or of the Force. Still, she and her friend didn't mind meditating in the Force or studying the galaxy, they just both felt it was necessary to break the monotony of a Jedi's life with something else. It also felt good to mingle with random people at times. The Order's insistence on detachment made it look like that the Jedi were disconnected from the tribulations of the common people so Eila usually liked surprising people when she would mention she is a Jedi enjoying her 'hobby' time.

"How much longer." She called to the clone pilot

"A few minutes more, General."

"Good." She replied. 'I wonder if Vania is already there. She mentioned she wanted to see Squid Lake.' She thought.

After a few moments of silence and watching the city landscape rush by, the pilot called to her, "General,"

"Yes?"

"Urgent transmission from the Jedi Temple."

"Put it through." Eila said as she pulled out a hand held holoprojector and Master Yoda appeared on the hologram.

"To any Jedi near the Uscru district. Assist the Coruscant Guard, you must. An unknown force attacking civilians. Defend the people, you must." Yoda declares before cutting the transmission.

Eila was alarmed. She immediately called back to the pilot. "What's going on at the Urscu district? What's the unknown force?"

"I'm unsure General. Some of the transmissions I just got from the Coruscant Guard say that an army came charging through a gate and are now killing anybody they see."

"An army? Is it the Separatists?"

"I don't believe so, ma'am. There are references that the attackers consist of humans and non-humans. No droids."

"Drop me off as soon as you can, then contact Commander Wrench to assist me at my position. Inform the Guard I'm coming." She ordered to the pilot as she also hoped that her friend would be okay. The LAAT's engines made a louder whine as the craft sped to the scene.

Meanwhile, Commander Fox had to deal with flying arrows and a deluge of civilians running away. His men were stretched thin trying to cover the whole district and getting it back under control.

"Please remain calm! Please exit the district in an orderly fashion!" Fox called out to passing civilians. An arrow then flew by his head. Fox aimed and fired his DC-17 hand blasters at the attacker who then fell with a bunch a blaster holes in him. "Blast! Someone take down those primitives!" He called to his men. "Where's the reinforcements we were promised?"

"Gunship headed towards us, sir. There's a Jedi on board." A clone informed Fox.

"Just a Jedi?" Fox seemed unimpressed as the gunship came behind him and hovered.

The gunship's doors opened and Eila jumped out. Once she jumped out, the gunship closed its doors and left.

"Hey, wait!" Fox called to the gunship.

"Commander, that gunship is unarmed. But I've called for reinforcements. What's the situation?"

"Some medieval army came through that Gate approximately thirty minutes ago." Fox directed her attention to the structure some distance away from them. "They broke through our sectors pretty quickly. We haven't had much time to establish a defensive line."

"Medieval? So no advanced weaponry?"

"Yes, sir. The enemy is about as primitive as they get. But an arrow or a sword can still kill if it hits the wrong place and those, big ugly whatever they are," Fox pointed out a group of large trolls lumbering around the street, "They can still hit hard with their giant clubs."

"Alright, continue to focus on the civilian evacuation. Once their clear, we can establish that defensive line and when reinforcements arrive, we'll strike back."

Fox nodded back. Suddenly, a clone shouted out 'incoming' as a volley of arrows flew at Eila and Fox. Eila reached out with her hand and stopped all the arrows with the Force. All of them come to a halt and stayed suspended in the air. She rotated her hand and pushed her palm at the direction of the enemy. At the same time, all the arrows rotated and flew back at the archers. The archers were surprised to be killed by a hail of their own arrows. While the enemy stood dumbfounded at what just happened, Eila drew and ignited her blue lightsaber.

"What an ominous place." Count Formal muttered as he trotted along on his horse observing the landscape and flanked by three nobles of the Imperial Army. He adjusted his decorated helmet to observe the height of the skyscrapers that seemed to just go on forever to him.

"What's wrong, Count? Can't you see the enemy flees in our wake?" Mudra, one of the nobles, said.

"Yes, Count! Can't you see that these are weak and fragile beings?" Kurasta, another noble, said.

"The enemies you speak of are from what I've seen are mere commoners. Some are very strange looking commoners mind you but I have yet to see the army this land bears. Are you not the slightest bit concerned about this land? Look at these towers around us or those flying machines."

"Mere sorcery, Count! Simple sorcery! We'll simply take this land's sorcerers for ourselves and learn all their secrets." Helm, the final noble of the trio, said.

Count Formal sighed at the three behind him. They were still young in Formal's opinion. They haven't had the experience of many years of warfare. Formal has always felt unnerved by sudden conquests by the Empire before. A few years ago, he also felt uncertain about the Empire wanting to conquer the warrior bunnies knowing that the warrior bunnies' culture thrived on fighting. He was right to an extent as the warrior bunnies inflicted horrific casualties on the Imperial Army but the bunnies were soon overwhelmed with sheer numbers. He also sometimes felt that the warrior bunnies taken as slaves by the Empire's elite, particularly elitists who were cruel with slaves, were likely to be assassinated while they slept. He had yet to see such an incident happen, probably as a result of how the warrior queen was 'exposed' by the Empire as a traitor to her people, but he did feel better when he took in some refugee bunnies who were desperate to find a place to belong to.

Interrupting his thoughts, a courier came running towards the Count, "Count Formal!"

"Yes. Speak."

"Count! Our forces at the front are requesting reinforcements. The enemy is advancing and they…well, they are very strange."

"Strange? How so?"

"Faceless white armored men with sticks that release blue lightning. There is also this woman with a blade of blue light who is cutting down our men with ease and is practicing some sort of devilry that allows her to move things without touching them."

The Count was alarmed by the report and wondered if magic was used more freely in this land than back home but the nobles next to him laughed it off.

"Ha! This man is hysterical, Count! Send the ogres, they'll deal with what this man fears." Helm said.

"Send in the cavalry also, Count. They'll flank and crush the opposition!" Mudra said.

The Count grimaced at the recklessness of the nobles and decided to give new orders, "No, have our heavy units cover the retreat of our forces through the Gate."

"But, Count!" Kurasta protested.

"We are leaving! We've accomplished the Emperor's objectives in this land. We have some slaves the Emperor wants. Maybe even some of those sorcerers you mentioned. We also have some extra trinkets he might enjoy as well. We've also put the fear of the Empire in these people. That is what you three want, is it not?" The Count turned his horse and began making his way to the Gate. The nobles scoffed at the Count's reluctance to fight but they ultimately obeyed.

"Sound the horn." Helm said, "We are leaving."

As Eila cut down another Imperial soldier, several LAATs and AT-TEs landed behind her and her own corps of clone troopers began filling the streets.

Her commander called to her, "General, here are the reinforcements you requested! What are your orders?"

"Pursue the enemy, Wrench! One of the Coruscant Guard spotted what looked like their commanders. We need to blast through their lines and capture those commanders." Eila ordered.

"Yes, ma'am. Forward!" Wrench called as he, his men, and the recently deployed AT-TEs began trundling forward and began laying heavy fire at the enemy.

The invaders began fleeing in terror, as what they thought would be an easy battle was turning into a lopsided slaughter. Blaster shots easily melted through shields and armor and even some of the larger beasts that could shrug off small arms fire, couldn't take a mass driver shot from an AT-TE or a rocket launcher and remain in one piece. In the air, the dragon riders who had accompanied the ground troops were likewise being shot down by LAATs with missiles that simply blew up the dragon and rider to bits to rain down blood and guts on the troops below or be cut in half by the composite laser turrets. Still, many of the invaders were already escaping through the Gate on the orders of their superior.

Seeing an opportunity amidst the chaos, Eila sprinted forward and jumped over the mob to try to get the commanders responsible for this mess. Any Imperial that noticed her trying to get past them and putting up a fight quickly learned that a metal sword was no good against a lightsaber. Nearing the Gate, Eila saw a small entourage of men on horseback waiting by the Gate, seemingly wanting to see their men escape first before they did. A noble gesture, but it seemed as though three of the four men looked more agitated by this choice, she thought. Their helmets and armor were fancier than the regular grunts she had been dispatching but only one had an even fancier look among them. Suspecting this was the definitive leader, Eila jumped in front of the group to stop them from escaping.

With her lightsaber drawn and pointed at the group, she called for them to surrender. The entourage at first seemed confused by her actions and her language but one man in less fancier armor eventually drew his sword and charged at Eila on horseback. The man became confused that his horse suddenly fell to the side at the same time Eila moved her hands having used the Force against him. The man picked himself up, immediately tried to have a sword fight, and quickly learned that a metal sword is still useless against a lightsaber. Again, Eila makes the demand for them to surrender while holding her lightsaber close to the neck of the now disarmed noble. Having realized something, the fancier armored man dismounted from his horse, removed his helmet, and raised both his hands. The three other men seemed to object to this but the fancier man yelled at them and eventually, the three other men reluctantly raised their hands as well.

Troopers began to encircle the Gate and the little group she caught. Eila deactivated her lightsaber as her men proceeded to arrest the commanders and could only think that this battle was finally over as more reinforcements from the clone army and Jedi Order arrived. Unfortunately, in the opinion of the Republic, too many of the invaders escaped justice.

The Galactic Senate was immediately called to an emergency session mere minutes once the attack on the Uscru district ended. Numerous Senators were aghast at how Coruscant was easily attacked by an army of primitives.

"How could this have happened?" Was a common outcry from Senators that would be countered by other Senators saying, "How could we predict this would happen?"

It was true though, an attack by the Separatists could at least be predicted by Republic Intelligence but a medieval army striking at the heart of the Galactic Republic was indeed unpredictable.

Many Senators began calling on Chancellor Palpatine to take action and invade the other side of the Gate. Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda who had attended the emergency session in the Galactic Senate, shifted uncomfortably as they watched more and more Senators calling for a retaliatory strike. Revenge after all, wasn't the Jedi way.

"Senators, please," Senator Padme Amidala called out, "Let us not give into hatred. We should instead negotiate the release of our captured citizens and seek monetary restitution with this Empire from the other side."

Immediate disapproval met Senator Amidala, with many calling out how could the Republic negotiate with 'primitive savages', but Senator Amidala protested, "Senators, please! We should pursue negotiations. We should not forget that the Outer Rim Sieges continue unabated and the resulting refugee crisis is reaching a breaking point. We still have a galaxy of problems to deal with ourselves!"

Senators quickly changed their tone as they began mumbling among themselves since they saw that Senator Amidala was right. The Grand Army of the Republic was spread thinly in the Outer Rim so the Grand Army couldn't cover all the Republic aligned worlds in the Core Worlds, the Colonies, the Inner Rim, the Expansion Region, and the Mid Rim if they should be attacked by the Separatists. If such invasions happened as well, it would mean forces being pulled away from the Outer Rim to retake the invaded planets, which would simply prolong the war that at this point, has already lasted three long years.

"Perhaps a compromise." Chancellor Palpatine said to maintain his visage of a caring but firm leader, "Senator Amidala, you are indeed correct that we still have a terrible war to end ourselves. But we likewise cannot let this act of terrorism go unanswered!"

Senators from the aisles called out, "What do you propose, Chancellor!"

"I suggest we send a token force through the Gate. Possibly, around 10,000 troopers, one may say and through our strength in advanced weaponry and tactics, we shall force the Empire of the other side to the negotiating table."

More mumbling came from the Senators if this was the proper decision but Palpatine answered for them,

"This is the proper path, my friends. A token force will not divert too many troopers away from our frontlines and since it seems that our enemy has not even mastered something as old as a slugthrower, our token force should easily convince the Empire on the other side to negotiate." Palpatine then looked at the direction of Windu and Yoda, "I'll even let my Jedi friends decide whom they will send to lead the token force and act as our mediator. They have as much a stake in this situation as much as us since one of theirs is among those believed to be captured."

The mumbling continued but Palpatine's Vice Chancellor Mas Amedda then declared, "Let us put it to a vote then. A 'yes' or a 'no' to sending a token force through the Gate."

Prompted the sudden need to vote, Senators began voting in favor of Palpatine's compromise having been swayed by his reasoning. Even Senator Amidala, who wasn't in favor of sending the military to force the Empire on the other side to terms, at least wanted negotiations to occur so she likewise voted in favor of Palpatine's compromise.

Amedda then declared, "The issue hereby resolved. A token force of the Grand Army of the Republic shall be sent through the Gate as soon as possible to bring the Empire of the other side to negotiations."

Many senators began cheering at the result. Windu turned to Yoda as the session ended. "It is done then," Windu began, "Who should we send through the Gate?"

It had only been a day since the Jedi Council called Eila to the Council Chamber declaring her as the General of the small taskforce being sent through the Gate. Their reasoning being that since she has already fought the enemy from the other side of the Gate, it was only appropriate that she handle the campaign. Ultimately, Eila felt that they were only sending her because the Order's more experienced Generals like Secura, Mundi, Kenobi and Skywalker were all engaged in the Outer Rim. Still, she didn't mind it; she ultimately wanted to come through the Gate anyway and find her friend, Vania who went missing after the incident. Of course, she wouldn't directly tell the Jedi Council that was a reason for accepting the command.

In a short amount of time after crossing over to the other side and getting rid of lingering enemies by the Gate, her troopers had set themselves up on a hill near the Gate in the dark night. The Council had cut up her corps to be sent elsewhere in the Grand Army and left her a single division. 10,000 clone troopers filled makeshift trenches accompanied by twelve AT-TEs and six AV-7 artillery cannons. No air support was available at the moment since the LAATs wingspan were a meter too wide for the Gate. They would have to have their wings disassembled and sent through the Gate to be reassembled after. Rocket launchers would have to act as their anti-air for now. All of them waited patiently as the Imperial Army approached in the predawn.

Eila felt confident in her strategy to consolidate their positions on the hill rather than go after the enemy in a full charge as some other Jedi General may have done. Wrench also approved of her approach as ultimately, bitter lessons regarding full frontal charges at the enemy, like Geonosis, colored both of their decisions.

Eila looked through her Jedi issue macrobinoculars at the approaching army that seemed to outnumber them by ten times her own troops until she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Commander Wrench.

"General," he began, "the enemy has ignored our warning signs. Shall we commence firing?"

"Those warning signs,"

"Yes, General?"

"They were translated properly, right?"

"As best as our linguists could get it from the prisoners, ma'am."

Eila waited for a moment, feeling some hesitation at killing living beings rather than droids. But, also feeling an obligation to follow the consensus of the Republic, she gave the order, "Alright, Wrench. Let them have it."

"Yes, General!"

"This is utterly humiliating!" A Senator called out.

"Agreed! How could our forces be swept aside so easily in only two battles?!"

"Could you even call them battles?! According to the soldiers there, they were complete slaughters!"Another called out.

Senator Casel El Tiberius took to the Imperial Senate floor and likewise questioned Emperor Molt Sol Augustus' judgment, "I agree with them, your Majesty. We have lost two-thirds of our military strength. How could you possibly justify sending the Imperial Army to Alnus when reports from the expeditionary force from the Gate should have convinced you otherwise? Who is responsible for this?"

Emperor Molt maintained his usual slouch on his throne thinking up of something clever to counter this growing defeatism in the Senate, "Senator Tiberius." He began, "I agree that our recent losses have cost us our military advantage over our rivals and even our vassal states. They might even think of attacking us in our weakened state..."

Senator Tiberius face softened at the Emperor's assumed agreement with him, only to be reduced to a frown when the Emperor continued.

"However, no war is won without loss! Thereby, no one is responsible for our recent losses! To think that there is a nation who dares challenge our great Empire, it's sickening! I trust that none of you will waste time to address this problem quickly."

Senator Tiberius scoffed, 'To simply ignore responsibility for this!?' He thought.

Another Senator stood up, "Your Majesty, how can we do this? After half of our expeditionary force returned, the Gate on Alnus Hill was seized by the enemy and the force we sent to attack was likewise destroyed by their magic! The enemy has now begun constructing their base on its holy foothills!"

"Then we fight!" Another Senator shouted, "We should call on our vassal states to provide troops and retake the Gate!"

The Senate then descended into a shouting match between Senators with half calling for a renewed attack on Alnus and the other half stating that the Empire should reconsider attacking the enemy at Alnus due to the 'magic' the enemy possesses.

Emperor Molt enjoyed watching the Senators bickering at each other. It kept them off balance and thereby, oblivious to any wrongdoing on his part. Still, he needed to stop them; he is an Emperor after all. He raised his hand to quiet the Senate and made his declaration,

"The Empire will not remain idle! Our only choice is to fight! Send word to our vassals to help us defend the continent from these invaders from another world! Muster the might of the Army of Unified Kingdoms and recapture Alnus Hill!"

The pro-war Senators began cheering but Senator Tiberius approached the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, do you intend to litter the ground of Alnus in corpses?"

Senator Tiberius could only look on in horror when a smile formed on the Emperor's face at his question.

Night continued on Coruscant and Chancellor Palpatine sat alone in his office with his tasks finished for the day. He felt through the Force that Count Dooku was about to contact him about the Uscru incident that had happened just a day ago. Preemptively donning his usual cloak that obscured most of his face, the holoprojector on his desk chimed that he had an incoming transmission. As he had foreseen, it was Count Dooku.

"Lord Sidious, I just received a report from the Trade Federation senator in the Republic Senate that Coruscant has been attacked by some primitives. What is to be done, my Master?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing, Master?"

"This incident with some primitives is inconsequential to our plans. It is useful though that it has drawn some of the Jedi's attention away from the war. Still, contact General Grievous, my apprentice. We shall begin our final operation. Inform General Grievous to be ready for his 'special' mission."

"It will be done, my Master."

Author's Note: I couldn't really find an appropriate place within the story to describe the characters I've created or the clones who will be around so I'll just list their features at the end here.

Eila Deova: Human Jedi Knight around her twenties of a light complexion with light brunette hair in a bun, hazel eyes, and is around 5'5 tall. Wears the typical Jedi garments with pieces of clone trooper armor as is regularly seen with Jedi Generals in the field. Made General of her troopers after the death of her master. Basically, a rank and file Jedi that would have been a background extra in the movies or shows.

Vania Solon: Near-human with pointed ears and is still youthful looking despite being around her seventies with darker skin color to Eila. Grey eyes and taller at 5'8 with short black bob-cut hair. Similar clothing style too and wields a blue lightsaber. Has mostly spent the war being on a ship protecting supply lines into the Outer Rim or protecting medical facilities so she doesn't really have a lot of combat experience that requires a lightsaber.

Commander Wrench: Well, he's a clone so his physical appearance is the same as his brothers except for his hair. Maintains the haircut that clone troopers have when they were 'Shinies' but is an older trooper having participated in the Battle of Geonosis which has given him grey strands. Wears the typical Phase II armor worn by clones at this point in the war with an additional kama and three white dashes on his left shoulder pad that distinguishes him from other clone commanders. Earned his moniker for being handy with tools and served Eila's master until his death.