Summary: A Series of Episodic stories continuing where "Eve of Shadows" leaves off. Pseudo-sequel to Eve of Shadows. Individual Summaries for each "Episode" inside.
Disclaimer: I only own a few characters in this, the majority belong to Mr. Lucas…and now Disney.
Author's Advice: If you're new to this series, I'd recommend that you stop, go to my profile page, and read the following stories in order, "Marek's Rebellion," and "Eve of Shadows." Those two stories will lay the groundwork for this "series" so you're not wondering "What the heck is this?"
A/N: I got the idea near the end of "Eve of Shadows" to write the closest thing to a "TV series" on Fanfiction that I could get and I wanted it to be similar to "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" so I figured…heck, why not. As such, each chapter will approximate to one episode (and be numbered as such). I'm going to try and keep the number of "episodes" down to 20 or 22 so as to imitate a single "Season" which will include a mid-season finale, giving me time to work on the latter half of the season and begin work on the next. Story ideas are more than welcome in your reviews.
I'm also trying to give you the feel of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" complete with the opening narrative by Tom Kane (You have to kind of imagine that part.) I decided against adding the Jedi Fortune Cookie since I'm not trying to put in a takeaway for the stories. In other words, I'm writing these for fun.
Alternate Universe Reminder: This is Fanfiction, as such we butcher the established canon of the various series represented on this site on a regular basis, so please don't try and correct me when it comes to events or characters that are out of place when compared to established canon. However I welcome corrections on punctuation or spelling of various characters/objects/locations/etc. names as well as the correct syntax for Mando'a, the Mandalorian language, of which there will definitely be some.
That said…enjoy…
Episode 1 – Shades of Grey.
The Republic, under siege! Striking from the shadows with a massive Sith army of unknown origins and ending the decades of peace, the Sith Empire has returned to the Galaxy. Led by the evil Darth Akul and her apprentices, the Sith seek to exact revenge over the death of Emperor Palpatine! As the Republic scrambles into action, Jedi Knight Jaina Solo is dispatched to Corellia to rendezvous with Commander Wedge Antilles for a very important assignment!
Corellia…
Jaina's XJ3 type X-Wing dropped out of hyperspace over the crowded skies of Corellia, her destination, the Mon Calamari MC80 Home One type cruiser: "Protector." As her X-Wing approached the starboard landing bay, Wedge Antilles was already present and waiting for her, watching as her fighter landed. Shortly after emerging from the fighter, she started to approach Wedge, her pilot's helmet under her arm.
"Commander Antilles." She greeted with a smile and a salute. Wedge simply smiled and saluted back.
"I think I'm the one who should be saluting you, General. But we can discuss protocol another time. I imagine you're anxious to get to work." Wedge said as Jaina nodded.
"You could say that." She said.
"Then I won't waste your time. During the attack on Coruscant, your mother issued Emergency Code: Sierra Iota Tango Hotel. You know what that means?" Wedge asked, earning a blank look from Jaina.
"Not really, sir." Jaina replied.
"It's basically the emergency code to begin emergency wartime preparations. One of those preparations involves assembling fighter squadrons. However, now that we have a clear chain of command and we're receiving regular orders, Grand General Marek has given us the details of our assignment. He wants at least five elite squadrons formed that can be dispatched across the galaxy. You were handpicked by the General to lead one of these squadrons. That's why you're here." Wedge explained, earning a surprised look from Jaina.
"I'm to lead an elite squadron?" She asked, surprised. Wedge, amused by her expression, nodded with a smile.
"Yes you are. General Horn has assumed command of Saber Squadron, General Durron has Kyp's Dozen as usual, I have Rogue Squadron, and Commander Eclipse, naturally, has Eclipse Squadron. That leaves Grey Squadron." Wedge said as Jaina bobbed her head slightly in thought.
"Named after the late Jedi Master, Falon Grey. I've heard about them. They're pretty good both on the ground and in the sky. But isn't Master X2 in charge of the Squadron?" Jaina asked.
"General X2 was the one who recommended you for the position. He wanted a Jedi that was both a master of the force, and a master of the starfighter. He thought of you." Wedge replied.
"Remind me to thank him, but why isn't he leading the Squadron himself?" Jaina asked.
"You'll have to ask him yourself, I'm afraid. I don't know why. Of course he hasn't had much to do with the squadron since his wife passed away almost four years ago." Wedge said as Jaina sighed.
"Alright, where can I find the squadron?" Jaina asked as Wedge handed her a datapad.
"They're stationed, appropriately, aboard the Falon Grey. It's one of the new, Endurance class carriers. Very advanced, and part of its own strike group, comprised solely of New-Class Program ships." Wedge explained.
"Ooh." Jaina grinned, clearly impressed by the Squadron's headquarters and escort. However, she wasn't expecting Wedge's next comment.
"The squadron on the other hand…"
On Corellia's surface…
"Lousy fighter jocks!" a cantina patron shouted over the chaos of a bar-room brawl with a hologram recording of the Max Rebo band playing "Jedi Rocks" in the background. The cantina was a sea of patrons, all brawling each other, although it was clear that it was a two sided fight. A number of off-duty CorSec officers were brawling with a number of men and women of various species in grey pilot jumpsuits, one of them wearing a dusty red jacket with sleeves that went less than halfway down his forearms. The rest of the patrons were caught in the middle, the bartenders having taken cover behind the bar or retreated into the backrooms the second the fight broke out.
"Heads up, X3!" one of the pilots, a heavy set man with a thick greying goatee, sideburns, and flattop haircut shouted to a white haired teenager, the one wearing the jacket, who quickly ducked under a fist that was flying towards him from one of the CorSec officers. The boy grinned as he grabbed the officer by the leg and hoisted him over his back, flipping the officer over as the boy slipped past him.
"Thanks Porky! Quad Guns, three up the middle!" the teen exclaimed as he picked up a bottle and smashed it over the head of one of the CorSec officers as it attempted to grab a Xexto pilot who leapt up onto a table and punched three other officers in the face simultaneously, giving the boy an opportunity to make for the door.
"GREYS! SCATTER!" the Boy, a grin on his face shouted as the Pilots, despite the chaos, managed to slip out of the cantina without the CorSec officers noticing until there was only two left in the cantina and those two were already making for the door.
"There they go!" One of the officers shouted as they froze for a second, realized what was happening, then ran out the door after them. The officers saw the pilots running towards a nearby landing bay and naturally gave chase. As the officers drew closer, they heard the sounds of a ship's engines firing up. By the time they entered the landing bay they saw a Lambda class shuttle lifting off into the air and disappearing into the night skies of Corellia, leaving a number of bruised and annoyed CorSec officers behind. Onboard the shuttle however, the Greys were laughing their fool heads off, the teenager sitting at the copilot seat and a female Wookiee sitting in the pilot's seat.
"Another heroic conquest by our glorious leader!" a young, thin, human man with short brown hair in a corporate cut, said with a laugh, slapping the teenager on the back.
"You're welcome, Cut Up." The teenager, X3, said.
"How did the fight even start anyway?" the Xexto, Quad Guns, asked in perfect basic, while straightening a pair of flight goggles over his eyes.
"I think it was when Party Girl tried to hit on the waitress." The heavyset man, Porky, said, turning and glaring with a smirk towards a beautiful buxom blue haired Zeltron woman in the back who had effectively turned her one-piece pilot's jumpsuit into a two-piece, her midriff exposed while allowing the white straps to remain. The Zeltron laughed while leaning against the wall.
"All I said was if she wanted to borrow a re-breather and join me for some heavy breathing. I don't know what the all fuss was about. I said her boyfriend could join in too." The Zeltron, Party Girl, said in an innocent tone, all of the pilots rolling their eyes simultaneously while shaking their heads.
"Damn, Blue, how do you manage during those times we're out on maneuvers?" Porky asked as Party Girl gave an implying smile.
"Easy, I go on maneuvers too." Party Girl said suggestively. The Wookiee then roared in argument, causing Party Girl to pout and cross her arms while the rest of the squadron burst out laughing.
"No fair, Shaggy! That's insider information! Roommates aren't supposed to fink on each other!" Party Girl pouted.
"Hormone suppressants and cold showers huh?" Cut Up asked with a sly grin.
"Shut up. Shaggy wasn't supposed to rat me out!" Party Girl groaned.
"Yeah but I could have sworn the fight started when Squid made another crack towards Trapper." X3 said, nearly the entire bunch turning in towards the back to see a Quarren man (Squid) and a Mon Calamari woman (Trapper) sitting on opposite ends of the shuttle, glaring at each other, the Mon Calamari with a challenging smirk on her face. It was assumed that the Quarren had one as well but no one could really tell.
"It wouldn't have been the first time. But they weren't even at the same table! It had to have been Party Girl." A Chadra-fan male squeaked.
"Whisker has spoken!" Cut Up declared, earning a look from Party Girl.
"Well excuse me for wanting to blow off a little steam. We are at war now so our chances for R&R are going to be a bit slim." Party Girl commented as the shuttle started its approach to the Falon Grey.
"Yeah. Say, X3, does that mean your old man's coming back to lead us?" Porky asked but X3 shook his head.
"No. My dad's going to be busier than ever with the war on. My sister tells me though that he's one of the prime candidates to fill one of two vacancies on the Jedi Council. Commander Antilles says our new commander's already been picked out. Dad never said who it was." X3 replied with a shrug as the shuttle touched down in the Falon Grey's hanger bay.
"Speaking of commanders." Cut up said, pointing outside towards where Commander Antilles and a woman in her late teens stood outside, the woman wearing a pilot's jumpsuit. X3 stared blankly out of the shuttle windows.
"Her? Of all the Jedi Aces in the order, he had to pick her?" X3 mumbled as the squadron pilots filed out of the shuttle and approached the Commander and the woman. The squad immediately formed a single row, stood at attention and saluted.
"Grey Squadron reporting as ordered, Commander Antilles, sir." X3 greeted, eyeing Jaina with a blank glare. He seemed annoyed by her presence.
"At ease, Grey Squadron. I'm sure you've all heard that General X2 will not be returning to lead Grey Squadron. He has instead appointed a successor, who I might add is as capable a leader as she is a pilot. I'd like you all to meet Jedi Knight and General Jaina Solo." Wedge introduced, motioning to Jaina who politely bowed to the squadron.
"General Solo, ma'am, I'm Cordin Trell, call sign Cut Up." Cut Up introduced with a suave grin, causing X3 to roll his eyes.
"Cut Up, dianoga pit." X3 mumbled, causing Cut Up to freeze with a confused face. Dianoga pit was apparently a code phrase amongst Grey Squadron but Jaina seemed to understand.
"Dianoga pit? Really Xavier?" Jaina asked, crossing her arms.
"Xavier? She knows you X3?" Quad Guns asked, surprised. Most of the Squadron was intrigued now.
"My dad's General X2, I was raised on Yavin IV for most of my life. Of course I know her. She's Supreme Chancellor Solo's daughter! She's practically Jedi royalty!" X3 explained in annoyance.
"I wouldn't go that far." Jaina said as X3 scowled at her.
"Says the Granddaughter of-." "Don't you dare go there!" Jaina warned. She knew he was going to invoke the name of Darth Vader, her grandfather's former identity. Wedge subtly inched away from her.
"Or what? You'll take my other hand away from me like you did this one?" X3 asked, raising his left hand up. It looked fine but the entire squadron, Jaina, and even Wedge knew it was a prosthetic covered in synthflesh. Jaina gave him a confused and hurt look.
"Take your other-…Is this about Cato Neimodia?" Jaina asked before X3 just waved her off and stormed away. Wedge was about to try and intercept but Jaina stopped him.
"Let him go. I'll talk to him later." Jaina said as she watched X3 leave.
"General, what just happened exactly?" Porky asked, confused. Jaina sighed heavily before turning to the Squadron.
"I'm sure you're aware that Captain Grey has a cybernetic left hand? Well, long story short, I'm the one who caused him to lose his hand in the first place." Jaina said as she turned back to where X3 had disappeared.
…
Later, the Falon Grey and its escorts were flying through Hyperspace while inside, the Grey Squadron members, sans X3 and Jaina were seated in a semi-circular briefing room, talking amongst each other.
"I don't like this. If the General's the one who caused the Captain to lose his hand, I don't think we should let her lead us." Squid gurgled in his native tongue. Shaggy then let out a series of grunts, causing Cut Up to nod in agreement.
"Shaggy's right, Squid. This is the military. We can't just roll up the ladder and say no Jedi allowed. We have to follow orders." Cut Up replied, earning a curious look from Porky.
"Says the one who ends up getting written up for insubordination at least once a day." Porky commented.
"But he's never disobeyed an order without good reason." Whisker squeaked.
"And usually it's justified." Trapper added.
"Besides, if we rebelled against General Solo, we'd be rebelling against the daughter of the Supreme Chancellor, the niece of Luke Skywalker, the granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker, and the goddaughter of Grand General Galen Marek himself. We'd be in deep bantha poodoo if we tried shunning her." Cut Up said.
"Plus, the Captain would have our heads." Quad Guns said, nodding in agreement. They suddenly fell silent when the doors into the briefing room opened and X3 and Jaina walked in, the pilots quickly standing at attention.
"At ease Grey Squadron." Jaina said as the pilots relaxed, sitting down as Jaina stepped up towards a holoprojector in the center of the room, while X3 stood just over her left shoulder, silent.
"We have our first mission and this one comes from Grand General Marek himself so this is a priority assignment." Jaina said as a series of holographic images depicting the devastation the Sith wrought on Coruscant.
"During the Sith surprise attack on Coruscant, the entire delegations of numerous systems were wiped out, including Muunilinst. To say that the Intergalactic Banking Clan was outraged is an understatement. They're fully committed to the war effort and they've committed a generous amount of funding for the Republic, among which is this." Jaina said as she pressed a button on the projector, causing it to switch to a hologram of a non-descript super-freighter.
"This freighter, the San Hill, is carrying enough Aurodium to pay for a Death Star and still have enough left over to build three Super Star Destroyers. I am exaggerating of course but not by much." Jaina said as the Grey Squadron's eyes all glazed over, each of them dumbfounded by the information.
"As you can imagine, if word ever got out about this shipment, every pirate fleet in the galaxy would be fighting over it. More likely is that the Sith would come for it. Fortunately, we've been careful and all prior meetings have been discreet. We've been tasked with escorting the shipment." Jaina explained.
"That doesn't seem like much. The Falon Grey and three corvettes aren't going to do much if we get attacked by a Sith fleet." Porky said but X3 smirked slightly.
"Oh you haven't heard the best part yet." X3 commented as ten holographic X-Wings appeared on either side of the freighter, five on each side.
"We're the only escort they're getting. The Falon Grey is just delivering us to a position near Muunilinst, dropping us off, then moving on to Yavin IV to aid in re-securing the system." Jaina explained as the pilots looked at her in disbelief.
"General Marek believes that a fleet escort would draw too much attention and could potentially leave other systems and strategic targets vulnerable due to a lack of support. He also believes no visible escort would make it appear that it's unimportant." Jaina said, earning curious looks from some of the pilots.
"No visible escort?" Quad Guns asked curiously.
"We'll be using XJ3s that have been modified with equipment similar to the ones used on the Jedi Order's StealthX fighters. Short range communication will be permitted but could easily be mistaken for the comlink channels used by the freighter's crew members. The freighter's flight path however, will be taking it close to three Republic controlled systems that have been subtly reinforced in expectation of the shipment. They'll serve as unofficial checkpoints. The point of the operation is to avoid drawing attention without compromising security." Jaina explained, the pilots looking at each other curiously.
"Ten fighters against…whatever, in defense of a shipment of precious metal that could decide the outcome of the war…what are we waiting for?" Trapper asked nonchalantly as the Grey Squadron stood up.
A while later…
Grey Squadron was flying towards the super freighter as it slowly left the Muunilinst system.
"Grey Squadron Leader to San Hill, we're here to provide escort as promised." Jaina said over the comlinks as the squadron took up formation around the freighter.
"Well it's about time you got here! We were about to cancel our flight if you hadn't shown up!" a nasally voice replied.
"Well we're here now so you're in the clear. Here is the first set of coordinates. I advise we coordinate the jump so we don't leave anyone behind." Jaina said.
"Coordinates received Grey Leader, initiating hyperspace jump as soon as we reach the edge of the system." The San Hill's captain replied.
"Acknowledged San Hill, Grey Leader out." Jaina said, closing out the comms channel with the freighter.
"Private channel, General?" X3 asked almost instantly but on a different channel.
"Go ahead." Jaina replied.
"So what did my old man tell you when he made you our C.O. instead of me?" X3 asked in annoyance.
"Nothing. I got my orders from Commander Antilles, I never even saw Master X2 before being assigned to Grey Squadron." Jaina replied.
"Another one of your Jedi secrets is it?" X3 asked back as Jaina shook her head while rolling her eyes.
"Do we have to have this conversation now?" Jaina asked.
"I don't see why not." X3 replied.
"Would it hurt you to trust me a little?" Jaina asked back.
"The last time I trusted you, I lost my hand to your lightsaber! Do you know how painful it is to have this thing suddenly jam on you?" X3 asked.
"I have a pretty good idea. My uncle has a cybernetic hand too you know." Jaina said as X3 scoffed.
"Oh yes, here we go with the name dropping again." X3 argued Jaina sighed as she shook her head.
"X3, we only have to work together for this one mission. After that I can contact Commander Antilles and ask for a new assignment. Then you won't have to work with me again. How's that suit you?" Jaina asked. She was getting a definite cold shoulder from both X3 and the rest of the squadron and it was paying off in their favor.
"Well…" X3 said but Jaina cut him off as she received a message from the freighter that they were nearing the edge of the system.
"You can thumb your nose at me when we get to Coruscant, but for now we have to work together. We're nearing the edge of the system. From here on out, maintain comms silence unless absolutely necessary." Jaina said as the freighter and the fighters made the jump to lightspeed.
Meanwhile…
Drifting at the edge of a small nebula sat a Sith Destroyer. On the bridge of this Destroyer stood a woman cloaked in a black formfitting outfit with a black cape and broad shoulders. Her yellow tainted eyes were the only exposed section of skin visible on her. She stood at the front of the bridge, staring out into space until one of the bridge officers approached her, dropping to one knee.
"My Lady, we have received word from our spy on Muunilinst that the shipment has just left the system and has begun its approach to the Dathomir system. The ship has only its own defenses and a single squadron of fighters escorting it." The officer said as the woman turned towards the officer.
"Then we shall prepare to welcome it. Engage the gravity well generator and begin communications disruption procedures." The Sith woman ordered as the officer bowed his head fearfully.
"Y-Yes Lady Lumiya." The officer replied before turning and walking away. Darth Lumiya turned back towards the bridge windows, putting her hands behind her back in expectation as a Sith Interdictor cruiser flew into position.
An hour later…
The San Hill and its escorts were passing through the Dathomir system. There was a small fleet of Republic vessels on station near Dathomir itself under the pretense of being on patrol.
"So can we talk now? I can't stand all this silence." Party Girl whined.
"Cut the chatter, Party Girl. Stay in formation." Jaina ordered.
"Wow, someone's snippy." Cut Up remarked.
"Well you won't have to deal with my snippiness for much longer. I've already told X3 that he'll be Grey Leader again after this mission." Jaina said.
"What? Why?" Squid asked, genuinely surprised. Before Jaina could reply, her astromech started beeping.
"Hold that thought." Jaina said as she switched comms channels, a hologram of a Bith Republic Officer appearing from her forward display.
"Go ahead, Admiral." Jaina said to the hologram.
"General we've just intercepted a distress signal from a freighter elsewhere in the system. We've confirmed that they're being attacked by pirates. Your squadron and the shipment need to leave immediately." The Bith Admiral said in his native tongue.
"Understood Admiral. Thanks for the warning." Jaina said as the hologram disappeared and switched comms channels again.
"San Hill, we have a situation. Transmitting the next set of hyperspace coordinates now. I advise making the jump as soon as possible. Grey Squadron, stay frosty. We might have company." Jaina instructed.
"Problem?" X3 asked.
"You could say that. X3, private channel." Jaina ordered.
"I have a bad feeling about this." X3 said as Jaina started staring out into the space around them.
"Something's not right. I can feel it. A pirate attack just as we're passing through the system is just a little too coincidental for my taste." Jaina said, suspicious.
"I'm going to come right out and admit it. I feel the same thing you do." X3 replied.
"So you do still remember some of your training." Jaina remarked.
"How do you think I got promoted to Captain? It sure as heck wasn't nepotism." X3 said before the squadron and freighter jumped to lightspeed, but the jump was short lived as mere seconds after making the jump, they found themselves dropping out prematurely near a nebula.
"San Hill to Grey Leader! What's going on! Our hyperdrive just disengaged!" the San Hill's captain yelled over the comms but Jaina's eyes widened.
"Here's your answer! Greys! Lock S-foils in attack position! Sith Fighters incoming!" Jaina exclaimed, the Greys flying into action as several squadrons of Sith Fighters came swarming in.
"Sith! I knew it!" X3 grunted from the cockpit of his X-Wing, each of the Greys leading at least five Sith fighters or more in a chase while the rest of the Sith fighters focused on the San Hill.
"Something's not right! These fighters aren't equipped to take on capital ships!" Jaina said as she came around only to nearly collide with an Interdictor Cruiser emerging from within the nebula on an intercept course with the freighter, its guns trained on the San Hill's engines but not firing.
"There's the cause for our hyperdrive shutting off!" Squid exclaimed.
"It's a trap!" Trapper added, nearly getting shot down as she strafed the cruiser's sides.
"That ship's too small to have brought these fighters in! There has to be a bigger ship somewhere!" Jaina said, taking down a few of the fighters pursuing Shaggy.
"Found it!" Whisker squeaked as the Sith Destroyer started emerging from the nebula.
"We can't let this shipment fall into the Sith's hands!" X3 exclaimed.
"I think the Sith already have it with that Interdictor keeping us here!" Party Girl said as Jaina's eyes lit up in realization.
"Hands! That's it! Grey Squadron focus your attention on the fighters attacking the San Hill! Try and get them to focus on us instead!" Jaina ordered.
"The fighters?! The fighters are the least of the San Hill's worries right now!" Quad Guns argued.
"I'm kinda with them on this one, Sticks!" X3 added.
"I have an idea, but you've got to trust me!" Jaina said as the Greys started heading towards the San Hill. Onboard the Sith Destroyer, Darth Lumiya watched the battle with silent curiosity.
"The Force is strong with two of those pilots…I wonder…" Lumiya said as she pondered for a moment.
"My Lady?" the bridge officer asked as Lumiya started for the turbolift but got no reply. Back outside, the Greys had successfully distracted the Sith Fighters.
"Alright, now what?" X3 asked.
"Lead them towards the Interdictor! We're going to show them how you feel X3!" Jaina said with a grin.
"What's that supposed to mean?" X3 asked.
"You'll see. San Hill, direct any and all fire that you can towards that Interdictor, and be ready to make the jump to lightspeed! We're going to cut off the hand holding us here!" Jaina explained, X3 finally understanding what she had in mind, a grin forming on his face.
"Grey Squadron, follow Grey Leader's order! We're about to get out of here!" X3 said.
"What do you mean?! The shields on that Interdictor are too strong!" Porky argued.
"Look, she and I may have a history but I trust her where it counts! She didn't become a General for her looks or her heritage, so we're following her lead!" X3 said as the squadron turned and started leading the swarms of Sith fighters towards the Interdictor. The San Hill's few weapons immediately changed targets from the fighters to the Interdictor, pounding the ship's shields.
"That's doing nothing!" Cut Up complained.
"Trust me, this will work! Now fly in as close as you can to that Interdictor and engage its surface guns at point blank range!" Jaina ordered.
"Wait, are you suggesting a trench run defense?!" Quad Guns asked.
"Exactly, and the gaps between those gravity wells are our trench! Focus on the port generators first!" Jaina replied as the Greys quickly swooped in towards the Interdictor, flying low over its hull weaving in between the large spherical gravity well generators where the gap between the generators was smallest. Each of the Greys would fly through, in almost single file but most of the Sith fighters smashed into the generators, piercing the hull but not disabling the generators themselves.
"Alright, there's our opening! One torpedo and-WOAH!" Jaina yelped as suddenly came under fire from another Sith fighter but this one was noticeably different. It was designed similarly to the Empire's old Shadow Droid fighters only slightly larger and with a transparasteel bubble-like cockpit. Inside, sitting at the controls was a certain Sith Lord.
"The Force is strong with this one." Darth Lumiya hissed as she tried to shoot Jaina down, unaware of who her foe was.
"Grey Leader you've got one on your tail! Watch yourself!" Quad Guns exclaimed.
"I don't think this is your garden variety Sith Fighter she's dealing with! Hold on, Grey Leader I'm on my way!" X3 said as he tried to intercept Lumiya's fighter.
"Negative, X3! Complete the mission! Get the San Hill out of here!" Jaina ordered back, X3 cringing in frustration.
"Quad Guns, Porky, Trapper, Squid, Whisker, Shaggy! Take care of the fighters! Party Girl, Cut Up, you're with me! I have a plan!" X3 ordered as two X-Wings formed up alongside his own, the three X-Wings flying towards the Interdictor, leading a small swarm of fighters towards it.
"Come on, you want to dance? Let's dance." Jaina mumbled to herself as she led Lumiya on a long chase around the Interdictor, Jaina deliberately taking down various surface guns as she weaved in and out. Meanwhile X3 and his two wing mates were flying close to the hull of the Interdictor as well, its surface guns firing at them as they flew but their skill allowed them to nimbly dodge the laser fire.
"X3, they've reinforced the shields around the breach in the gravity well!" Party Girl exclaimed.
"Cover me!" X3 said as he lined up his X-Wing so it flew in a circle around the Interdictor's bridge, switching to auto-pilot before taking a calming breath.
"Let's hope I can still pull it off." X3 said softly before stretching his hand towards, closing his eyes. At that moment, the bridge deflector shield generator on the bridge tower started to give off sparks near the base. Parts of its armor plating starting to buckle inward as if it were being crushed, the shields around the bridge were starting to flicker.
"What's going on?! Their shields are going down!" Cut Up exclaimed. At that same moment, Lumiya was still chasing Jaina when she suddenly sensed another disturbance in the Force.
"No!" She said as she broke off from Jaina and started heading back around for the Interdictor. Jaina had turned around and was now chasing Lumiya when she heard a voice in the Force.
"Now's our chance." X3's voice said as Jaina took a deep breath, just as the bridge shields on the Interdictor collapsed.
"Grey Squadron, it's now or never! Target the Interdictor's bridge and let fly!" Jaina ordered as she continued to chase Lumiya. Instantly all the Greys, except for X3 had turned and were now flying straight towards the Interdictor.
"Target locked!" Party Girl exclaimed as she looked through the targeting computer. Hers and Grey Squadron's target: the Interdictor's bridge. Suddenly all eight X-Wings fired a volley of Proton Torpedoes at the Interdictor before quickly breaking off. Lumiya however smirked beneath her mask.
"I think not." Lumiya said as she raised her hand and was about to use the force to make the torpedoes detonate prematurely when her fighter suddenly shook from a barrage of laser fire from both Jaina and X3.
"I have you now!" Jaina said as she got a target lock, firing a torpedo of her own. Inside her fighter, Lumiya let out an angered yell as she quickly used the force to shield her fighter just as the torpedo exploded, sending her into an out of control spin away from the battle as the torpedoes smashed into the bridge of the Interdictor, causing the Interdictor to start listing hard to one side, flying directly into the path of the Sith Destroyer.
"GREYS! SCATTER!" X3 ordered as the ten fighters and the San Hill quickly turned away from the Destroyer and the out of control Interdictor. Suddenly the gravity wells on the Interdictor exploded.
"Gravity fields' gone! JUMP NOW!" Jaina ordered as the Greys and the San Hill quickly made the jump to lightspeed just as the Interdictor collided with the Destroyer, causing both ships to explode in a ball of fire.
Later…
In orbit over Coruscant, the San Hill safely docked with a Republic Space Station while Grey Squadron touched down onboard the Super Star Destroyer, Lusankya. Jaina had climbed down from her X-Wing and watched as the Greys all congratulated each other on their success. Jaina watched with a smile as she leaned against the fuselage of her X-Wing, taking a minute to relax from the stress of the mission. She suddenly felt a presence in the force approaching her.
"I understand congratulations are in order on a job well done, General Solo."
"Master X2." Jaina said, greeting the Jedi Master with a bow.
"I imagine you have questions for me, Jaina." X2 said as Jaina sighed and nodded.
"Why me, sir? Why pick me to lead Grey Squadron when Xavier is already better suited for the position?" Jaina asked, X2 giving a small smile as he looked towards his son and his squadron.
"You already know the answer to that, Jaina. You were there on Cato Neimodia when he succumbed to the Dark Side. When you sliced off his hand, he realized what he had become and he hated himself for it, only he transmitted that hatred onto you. He might no longer be a member of the order, but he'll always remember that moment. If there's anyone that can keep him on the straight and narrow, it's you." X2 explained as Jaina smiled towards X3, who was helping Quad Guns paint some Sith Fighters on the fuselage of his X-Wing. Jaina's smile then turned to a sad frown as she turned towards the Jedi Master.
"I only wish that were so." Jaina said as she lowered her head.
"Oh?" X2 asked, curiously.
"Master, with respect, I'm afraid I must ask-." "Oh hey dad! Debriefing our new squadron leader?" X3 asked as he put his arm around Jaina with a smirk. Jaina was giving him a curious look.
"No, just stopping by to check on you actually. I understand you were ambushed by the Sith a while ago." X2 said as X3 scoffed.
"Yeah, but it wasn't anything Grey Squadron couldn't handle. And good call putting Sticks here on the squadron. We couldn't have pulled it off without her." X3 said, earning a suspicious look from Jaina. She was surprised by X3's sudden change in behavior. More surprising was that she could sense sincerity in him.
"Glad to hear it. Now you were about to ask me something, Jaina." X2 said but Jaina smiled at X3 before turning back to X2.
"I was going to ask if you'd like to join us all for drinks. I know a great place in the Uscru district on Coruscant." Jaina said but X2 smiled with a chuckle.
"I'll have to take a rain check on that one General. I've got to meet with General Marek on the bridge, but thanks for the offer though." X2 said as he turned to leave.
"May the Force be with you, Master X2!" Jaina called as the Jedi Master walked away, giving a slight wave goodbye into the air as he continued on. As soon as he had left, Jaina turned towards X3.
"You didn't have to do that, you know." Jaina said as X3 shrugged.
"Look, we might have our differences, but when it gets right down to the wire we're better off trusting each other. I honestly don't think we could've handled ourselves out there without you." X3 said as Jaina shrugged.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your hand." Jaina said but X3 gave her a dismissive wave.
"Look what happened, happened. Nothing either of us can do about it and it was technically my own damn fault it happened in the first place. Let's just drop it." X3 said as Jaina nodded.
"Agreed, but you know, I could show you a trick or two my brother taught me that might keep your hand from jamming as often…you'd just have to trust me." Jaina said as X3 chuckled with a smile, extending his left hand to her.
"Easier done than said." X3 said as Jaina shook his hand, only to hear something snap, causing Jaina and X3 to both suddenly cringe in pain.
"OW! Xavier! Your hand!" Jaina yelped.
"SORRY!" Xavier exclaimed as he fumbled to open up the hand's control circuits, neither of them noticing as the Greys stood off to the side watching in amusement.
"Looks like she's here to stay." Cut Up said as the others nodded.
"Good. I like her." Party Girl said with a questionable smile, earning blank stares from the rest of the squadron.
Meanwhile…
Lumiya's fighter had been picked up by another Sith Destroyer and the Dark Lady was scowling angrily as she knelt before a hologram of her Master, Darth Akul.
"The Republic's holding onto the shipment was not unforeseen. But I am not pleased with your report that the granddaughter of Skywalker still lives." Darth Akul hissed.
"Had I known who she was, I would not have been as easily distracted, Master." Lumiya said, her head bowed to the hologram.
"We shall have to ignore Skywalker's family for now. We must now turn our attention towards those who made our failures at Coruscant and Yavin possible by their interference…I trust you can handle this assignment, Lumiya?" Akul asked as her hologram switched to that of a man wearing a suit of familiar and distinct armor. Lumiya looked at the hologram and bowed her head again.
"It shall be done, my Master." Lumiya said as she looked back up at the hologram…
…a hologram of Boba Fett.
End Episode 1.
I own X3, Cut Up, Porky, Party Girl, Quad Guns, Shaggy, Whisker, Trapper, and Squid.
I'd like to point out that, yes I am aware that Lumiya never inherited the title of Darth or never used the title herself but in this little continuity that I have going, she has inherited the title and uses it.
Also, please no comments or flames about how the current Star Wars Expanded Universe is likely to get tossed out and labeled as non-canon by Lucasfilm. We'll still have the existing stuff and it gives us a wealth of stuff we can use regardless. Frankly, I didn't like some of the things they did with the EU anyway, like killing off Chewbacca, turning Jacen into a Sith Lord, killing off Anakin Solo and Mara Jade…and that whole Vong invasion…yeah, I'm not fond of those choices. I did kinda like the whole Cade Skywalker series though. So as I see it, while much of the stuff they've created post ROTJ is gonna get thrown out, it gives us a chance to see a new direction. I'm remaining optimistic and open minded, so let's just keep all comments about the subject to ourselves and keep comments and reviews related only to the story, shall we?
One more thing, I'd like to remind everyone that this series is episodic in nature. One chapter may not necessarily relate directly to the next. Think of this like a TV series.