"Chapter 18:" "Zillo beast Checked for tusSeries and subXpacio" "Desperate times call for desperate measures." "In one of the longest and fiercest battles of the war," "Separatist forces are on the verge of claiming the planet Malastare." "If the Republic loses this planet, it will cost them vital fuel resources necessary for maintaining their armies." "In a final effort to turn the tide of this battle," "Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has authorised the use of the Republic's newest weapon, the electro-proton bomb." "Now at the imperial palace of Doge Urus, the leader of the Dugs, the Jedi count down the minutes until the detonation of their doomsday device." "That's a lot of clankers." "I won't allow my people to become Separatist slaves!" "I assure you, Doge Urus, that will not happen." "Dr. Boll has stated that only droids will be affected by the bomb's electron field." "Yes, the clones and your people will be quite safe." "We have accounted for every probable outcome." "It's the improbable that concerns me, Doctor." "There must be other options." "I'm afraid not." "This bomb is our only hope of victory now." "The droids are on the move." "Go." "Go." "We just need to hold them back until the bomb drops." "Blast them!" "Hold the line!" "We've got spiders inbound!" "Tell the bombers to take off." "Approaching drop zone." "Everyone stay tight." "Remember, you've only got one shot at this." "Bombs away." "Here it comes!" "I'm losing my transm..." "Well, Doc, looks like it worked." "The ground is sinking!" "Run for it!" "The droid army was completely neutralised by the bomb." "But the blast created a sinkhole which engulfed many of our troops." "We have search parties looking for them now." "And the Dugs?" "Have they signed the treaty?" "No, Chancellor." "The treaty must be passed by the Council." "We need that treaty signed so we can gain access to the fuel reserves here in Malastare." "Without it our armies shall be vulnerable." "I will do my best." "Sir, we have a report from the front." "They've lost contact with the rescue team." "One problem always seems to replace another." "I hope your bomb has not upset the delicate balance of our planet." "You deal with the treaty and Doge Urus, I'll help the rescue team in the crater." "Split up." "If you see anything contact me." "General Windu, we've found them!" " We've got what we want." " We're on a tight timeline here." "How long do you think it'll take to get the treaty ratified?" "We are waiting for two more members of the Council to arrive." "They will sign the treaty." "We appreciate your cooperation." "Without your fuel, our offensive will grind to a halt." "This is the beginning of a great alliance." "What happened down here, trooper?" "General, there's something down here with us." " And it's not Seppies." " Calm yourself, soldier." "We'll check it out." "Trapper, Parns, Hawkeye, come with me." "Skywalker, something strange is going on." "I think you should come down here." "I'm on my way." "Artoo, start up my fighter." "If you'll excuse me." "Sir, there's nothing around here but rocks and debris." "I have a bad feeling about this." " Skywalker?" " I'm here, what the" "We need your help!" "Artoo, I can't see." "Turn on your beacon." "Never mind." "What the heck is that thing?" "Now's our chance, let's go!" "I've never seen anything like it." "Artoo, get out of here." "What?" "!" "We're going to need some heavy artillery." "Don't worry about me." "I'm all right." "Where's your star fighter?" " That thing ate it." " That "thing", it is a Zillo beast." "They once roamed Malastare, devouring our ancestors." "When the Dugs first started harvesting the fuel in the planet's core, they were killed off." "They are supposed to be extinct." "Apparently they're not." "His weakness..." "What's going on out there?" "It is an internal matter." "None of your concern." "Your men are killing a unique life form." "It is a dangerous, bloodthirsty, monster!" "Did you forget that it tried to kill you?" "!" "It was under attack." "It had lived peacefully below the surface all these years." "Until you unleashed it with your bomb." "We dropped that bomb to save your planet." "At your request." "To save our fuel for you to buy." "If you want us to sign your treaty, then you must help us destroy the beast." "What purpose would it serve to kill it, if it really is the last of its kind?" "It is our duty!" "Our ancestors warned us that one would return someday... and destroy our entire civilisation." "Will you help us or not?" "I respect your traditions and your ancestors, but we can not allow the destruction of an innocent life form." "Then there will be no treaty." "Master Windu, are you certain this argument is worth it?" "After all, it's just one creature." "Remember what the Chancellor said." "It isn't the creature, it's the principle." "Allowing the Dugs to kill it violates what we stand for as Jedi." "But if we choose to defend the creature, we lose all hope of securing a treaty with the Dugs." "We'll handle this our way." "No matter what these Jedi think." "How remarkable." "I have never seen anything quite like it." "I recommend that we transport it off the planet as soon as possible." "We can find a place for it to live undisturbed in the Outer Rim." "And what do the Dugs have to say of this matter?" "They want us to help them destroy it." "Then by all means help them." "This creature is of no importance to us." "We can not be alienating the Dugs at this crucial time." "It is not the Jedi way to take an innocent life." "Especially if it is the last of its kind." "Chancellor Palpatine, I think it would be in our best interest to study this creature." "It's outer scales are virtually impenetrable." "None of our weapons could harm it." "Even my lightsaber couldn't cut it." "If we could somehow duplicate that for our ships..." "An impenetrable armour." "What if we let the Dugs think we killed it?" "Then we could have the treaty and the creature." "Yes, Anakin, go on." "When I was climbing on the creature," "I noticed small gaps between the armour and its scales." "Maybe a stun cannon or a pulse could penetrate through the skin... and short circuit its nervous system, like putting it into a deep sleep." "He's right." "It would appear to be dead." "We could transport it to a secure location before it wakes up." "The Dugs would never know the difference." "That may be the only way we shall get this treaty signed." "And rest Master Windu's conscience." "I'm glad you finally decided to see things our way, Jedi." "But you're a fool if you think your weapons will even scratch Zillo beast." "These are no ordinary weapons." "Your Zillo beast will be no match for them." "Maybe true, but our way is already proven." " Your way?" " Open the valve!" "Our fuel is deadly to the beast." "It killed them in the past, it will kill this one now." "You're only going to provoke it." "You'll drive it out and it'll be harder to deal with." "We'll handle it, Jedi." "Order them to stop." "What?" "What do you mean, stop?" " I said order them to stop." " Or what?" "We are innocent life forms too, are we not?" "Charge up the rays." "Fire." "Back up!" "Back up!" "This isn't working." "Whose bright idea was this anyway?" "!" "Keep the beam on him, he's getting tired." "Hey, it worked!" " Are you sure?" " Yes, I'm sure." "You go first." "Now, we just have to get him out of here." "Welcome to the Republic, Doge Urus." "I'm sure this business arrangement will be mutually beneficial." "The beast has been loaded onto the transport." "Have you selected a planet for relocation?" "There has been a slight change of plans." "The scientific community has reviewed the data on this rather... unique creature." "They believe it should be further studied... in a more controlled environment before it is released into the wild." "And where is this controlled environment?" "On Coruscant." "Master Windu, you and General Skywalker shall safely bring the beast here." "Well, you made the right choice." "We get our fuel, you saved your creature, and now he'll be safe." "Let's hope we can say the same about Coruscant."