Meanwhile, Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano were struggling desperately to contain the deadly assassin Asajj Ventress, who had infiltrated the ship's secure areas with murderous intent.
All the young Jedi could do was maintain their defensive positions while listening helplessly to the clone troopers' cries for assistance and agonized screams as Durge rampaged through the ship's corridors, systematically slaughtering Republic personnel. Ahsoka was visibly distressed because every instinct demanded she abandon her post to assist the clone defenders, but Barriss repeatedly restrained her and reminded her of their critical duties protecting the prisoner.
Ventress had swiftly neutralized several Senate Commandos along with Captain Argyus, while the remaining security personnel fought desperately alongside the two young Jedi against overwhelming odds.
However, containing Ventress proved exceptionally challenging, as she exploited the narrow confines of the corridor to her tactical advantage, easily capable of holding off multiple opponents simultaneously with her superior combat experience.
Ahsoka and Barriss engaged in fierce lightsaber combat with Ventress, but the Dark Side assassin's skill with her twin red blades allowed her to dominate both Jedi apprentices. She laughed with contemptuous mockery while taunting: "When I finish killing you both, perhaps I'll present your severed heads to your Masters as trophies."
Ahsoka responded with characteristic defiance: "Everyone can talk big, you bald witch. I'm genuinely surprised that Dooku still keeps you around after all your spectacular failures."
This personal insult struck home and made Ventress absolutely furious. She gritted her teeth and prepared to unleash a more devastating assault. However, before she could act, she noticed a substantial number of clone reinforcements emerging from the elevator, all with their weapons trained directly on her position.
Ventress quickly calculated whether she could continue fighting against such overwhelming numbers, and after rapid tactical assessment, she used her considerable Force abilities to hurl both Jedi apprentices and the entire squad of clone soldiers away from her, then escaped in the resulting chaos and confusion.
Ahsoka attempted pursuit, but Barriss quickly grabbed her arm: "No, Ahsoka, we cannot chase after her. This could easily be a trap designed to draw us away from our primary objective." Barriss pulled her companion back toward their defensive position.
"But we could actually capture her this time," Ahsoka argued with frustration.
"This entire ship is currently under coordinated Separatist assault, and they will exploit any opportunity to achieve their ultimate goal of rescuing Nute Gunray," Barriss's calm tactical analysis gave Ahsoka pause for consideration.
After reflecting on the situation, Ahsoka realized that Barriss was absolutely correct in her assessment.
Both young Jedi suddenly became tense when they observed the elevator beginning to move again, fearing that Ventress had returned to finish them off, or that additional Separatist operatives were arriving. When the elevator doors opened, Luminara emerged.
The two Padawans breathed simultaneous sighs of relief, and Barriss greeted her Master with obvious happiness.
"Barriss, Ahsoka." Luminara felt tremendous relief seeing both apprentices standing unharmed at the elevator entrance.
Ahsoka immediately asked with concern: "Where is Colonel Rhodes?"
Luminara's expression flickered with obvious worry as she replied: "He is currently engaged in single combat with Ventress's partner."
Ahsoka's eyes widened in horror: "You mean he's facing that psychotic enemy—the Durge who has killed so many of our soldiers—completely alone?!"
Luminara nodded gravely: "He was more concerned about both of your safety than his own survival, so when he learned that Durge mentioned another infiltrator aboard the ship, he insisted that I come here to protect you."
Ahsoka moved past Luminara as she spoke with determination: "I'm going to assist him immediately."
But Luminara stopped her by placing firm hands on her shoulders: "Ahsoka, you absolutely cannot go. This bounty hunter called Durge is more powerful and dangerous than any enemy you have ever encountered in your life. I could sense this clearly when Colonel Rhodes and I were fighting him together. If you attempt to help, you will not be assisting Colonel Rhodes—you will be endangering him."
Ahsoka protested vehemently: "We cannot abandon him to fight alone!"
Luminara looked at the passionate young Jedi apprentice with solemn authority: "We will not abandon him to solitary combat. I am deeply relieved to confirm that you are both safe and unharmed. Now I must return to assist Colonel Rhodes in this battle."
"Are you going alone, Master?" This time it was Barriss who expressed nervousness about her Master apparently preparing to enter what seemed like a death trap.
Luminara nodded with firm resolve: "I have no choice in this matter. Colonel Rhodes volunteered to participate in this escort mission, but that does not mean it is his obligation to face a supremely powerful bounty hunter like Durge, who has survived for over two thousand years."
Barriss looked at her Master with frank concern: "Master, it is not tactically wise for you to confront such a formidable enemy alone."
Ahsoka also voiced her opposition: "Master Unduli, we cannot allow you and Colonel Rhodes to face that ancient monster without additional support."
However, Luminara would not be swayed from her decision and spoke with unwavering determination: "I need both of you to remain here guarding Gunray's detention cell. You must understand that the Separatists' primary objective in attacking us is rescuing Nute Gunray from Republic custody."
Just as she finished speaking, the spacecraft began shaking violently while numerous shrill alarms echoed throughout the corridors.
Commander Gree and Captain Argyus quickly checked their control panels and delivered a grim report: "Our main engines have sustained critical damage, and our life support systems, communications array, and sensor grid have also been compromised. We are currently operating on emergency power only."
Luminara immediately attempted to contact War Machine through her communicator, hoping desperately for a response. After multiple attempts, she finally heard Rhodes' voice and asked with evident relief: "What is your current status?"
"This creature is absolutely insane..." Rhodes didn't complete his statement as sounds of weapons fire and metal-on-metal impacts echoed through the communication. After several tense moments, his voice returned: "The entire ship just experienced what felt like an earthquake... or maybe a space quake. What the hell is happening over there?"
Luminara could hear the intense combat continuing in the background and said with growing anxiety: "It appears that Dooku has sent more than one operative aboard the Tranquility."
Rhodes gritted his teeth and replied: "Fantastic, as if one psychopath wasn't challenging enough. How are Ahsoka and Barriss?"
"They are both unharmed," Luminara had barely finished her response when another burst of weapons fire erupted, followed by Rhodes' muffled grunt of pain.
Both Luminara and Ahsoka called out anxiously: "Colonel Rhodes?!"
"I'm still functional," Rhodes responded loudly, "but the bastard managed to land a lucky hit on me."
"Hold your position, I'm coming to assist you immediately," Luminara declared, ordering Ahsoka and Barriss to maintain security around Nute Gunray before hurrying back to support War Machine.
Back in the barracks area, immediately after Rhodes concluded his communication, Durge slammed him with tremendous force into the metal bulkhead. The devastating impact caused the wall plating to bend and deform, creating a War Machine-shaped indentation that demonstrated the incredible power behind the attack.
Rhodes was momentarily dazed by the crushing blow and watched Durge charging directly toward him for what appeared to be a finishing strike.
Acting on pure instinct, he quickly grabbed a protruding support pipe from the damaged wall and wrenched it free, then swung the improvised weapon directly into Durge's face just as the bounty hunter came within striking distance.
Rhodes refused to give his opponent any opportunity to recover, immediately unleashing a concentrated barrage of armor-piercing rounds at Durge's exposed form.
Durge felt each projectile penetrate his body, which was now largely unprotected outside his damaged armor plating. He extended one leg and delivered a powerful kick that sent War Machine flying backward.
Rhodes struck the deck hard but quickly regained his footing, his combat determination actually increasing as the battle intensified. Seeing Durge beginning to retreat, he shouted: "Oh no, you don't get to run away now!" and launched himself in pursuit.
Luminara raced through the ship's corridors with her lightsaber ready for combat, completely unprepared when the bulkhead directly in front of her was suddenly breached, revealing Durge charging toward her at full speed.
She had no time to react properly and was seized by the onrushing bounty hunter, who slammed her against the corridor wall with bone-jarring force. Rhodes immediately tackled Durge away from Luminara, then helped her to her feet while shouting: "What are you doing here?!"
Luminara looked somewhat embarrassed by her vulnerable position, but still replied with firm determination: "I will not abandon you to face this monster alone."
Rhodes sighed with exasperation, looked around, and realized that Durge had vanished again: "Damn it, where did he disappear to this time?"
Luminara didn't respond verbally, instead closing her eyes and extending her consciousness through the Force to locate the bounty hunter. After several moments of concentration, she successfully detected his presence. Opening her eyes, she said with confidence: "Follow me."
She immediately began running down a specific corridor with Rhodes following close behind, both prepared for the next phase of their deadly pursuit.
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