Hello everyone! Long time no speak. Well, I am finally doing it. I am tackling the plot bunny that has been nibbling at me for a while. It finally decided to viciously attack me, so I am writing this story.
Warning: This is set in the new star wars canon, and in Halo CE. Events, characters and ships will be presented accordingly. That said, as always, I would love to know what you all think. Do you want to see more? Should I scrap the idea? what's your thoughts.
On a related note, I decided to clean house. I took down the stories that I am no longer working on. If it was one you were enjoying, I'm sorry. If not, well then I doubt it will hurt your feelings. :) Among the survivors are "Rise of the Darkness (Take 2)" and "Dance With the Devil" (Trust me, I did not go through 25 chapters of writing hell just to delete it.).
Anyways, I think that was all I had to say. So without further ado, I give you chapter 1...
The ship was cold. The Lieutenant shivered as his breath trailed out into the blackened corridor. The sound of boots thumping against the durasteel floor was the only sound heard as he lead the troopers down the passage. Work lights illuminated blood painted walls as the squad stepped over and around the mutilated bodies.
"That's not blaster scoring," mumbled one of the men as he examined a blackened spot on the wall.
"That would work with the aliens we've found," agreed the Lieutenant.
At that moment, their lights revealed the twisted remains of the door leading into the bridge. Everyone ducked under the door and fanned out with raised blasters. The squad had just established that the bridge was empty when the lights clicked on. The young officer blinked away the spots in his eyes as he examined the mess.
"This is Unit 1 to Command, bridge is secure and lights are back up," the Lieutenant reported.
"Roger, what do you see?" the Captain quizzed.
"Signs of an extended firefight. We've got bodies trailing from the hanger all the way up. Still waiting to hear from Unit 2," the Lieutenant answered as he paced from station to station.
Right as he finished, one of the other Naval Troopers approached him.
"Unit 2 called in. The backup Generator is shotty. They figure there's about five minutes of power left. Life support is effectively gone. The oxygen isn't recycling and temperature control is failing," the man reported.
"Command, life support is shot. I suggest we get this into a yard for further investigation…" the Lieutenant let out a sigh as he kicked the short, stumpy creature at his feet, "ISB will hand our heads to the Emperor if they don't see this."
There was a moment of silence as the Commanders on the other end seemed to consider his suggestion. Finally, a different voice answered… One he didn't hear too often.
"Understood. Pull back to the Chimerea. I'll call in for an Interdictor," the Admiral ordered.
"Yes sir."
(Mandalore Docking station: 24 hours later)
"They were Mandalorian this time. One way or another, there's going to be blood," Gar Saxon declared through a clenched jaw.
Next to him, Admiral Thrawn simply nodded as he watched Stormtroopers escort the bodies off of the freighter. One by one, the hover stretchers glided through the doorway. On top of them were sheets that attempted to provide some dignity for the dead.
"You're right, but it will be on our timing- not yours," Thrawn finally answered as he continued to watch the stretchers glide by.
The stone faced governor went to answer, but was interrupted as an Imperial agent appeared in the doorway. The towering human waved them in as the last stretcher exited in front of him. In response, the two men followed him inside. Although Gar's white and red armor kept him warm, Thrawn and the agent had no such luxury. While they had been able to cycle in oxygen, work lights powered off the station had to be used, and the temperature remained below freezing.
"So, Agent Kallus, what can you tell us?" Thrawn quizzed as he stepped through the airlock.
"Same freaks. Same MO. They breached the hanger, and swept deck by deck. Gouging in the outer armor suggests that concentrated plasma bursts were used to shut down the core reactor," Kallus began as he rubbed his arms.
"No survivors," added Gar as his eyes drifted from blood splatter to blood splatter.
"No," The ISB Agent confirmed, "From the look of things, whomever this is, totally gutted engineering. However, taking the ship cost them."
"I'd expect nothing less," the Mandalorian declared.
"How many were killed?" Thrawn quizzed.
"Fifteen… mostly on the push to the bridge," Kallus explained as he stroked his sideburns.
"Given that this is a crew of thirty two, you should be proud of your people," Admiral Thrawn complimented as he turned to the Governor.
Gar Saxon simply nodded as he continued taking in the mess they were walking through. For the next hour and a half, the trio continued to survey the interior of the transport. To say that the ship had seen action was an understatement. Black scoring, dented walls, and various colors of blood made it clear that the crew had fought for every bulkhead, hatch, and maintenance corridor in the ship. However, it did little to provide clues about the attackers. Much of what they had currently was speculation. Kallus speculated that they weren't using a conventional type of blaster. Kallus speculated that they had underestimated the crew they were up against, and he speculated that the attacks were building up to a dangerous end game- a conclusion that Thrawn and Gar Saxon both shared.
Once they were done, Thrawn made his way back to the Chimera with a side trip to the medical bay. A quick talk with the doctors made it clear that he had wasted a trip and thus retired to his quarters with orders to bring samples of the foreign armor to him as soon as possible.
It was three hours later when his comm link chimed. Within ten minutes of that, he was in a conference room again. The room was a large space dominated by grey walls and a solid wood table. Though it was sufficient to hold the Chimerea's entire command staff, at this time it was only occupied by three humans and one blue skinned Admiral.
As he took his seat at the front of the table, Grand Admiral Thrawn studied the three men sitting to the sides. The one closest to him on his left was Commander Jade Corso. At 6'2" with weathered features and salt and pepper hair, Jade definitely looked the part of a Stormtrooper Commander.
Next to him was the younger, though equally imposing, Agent Kallus. The man was young compared to the others, but he had earned his stripes. Hence, why he was the lead investigator in this matter.
Across from them was Gar Saxon, the Mandalorian that ran this sector. Whatever happened next was going to have to go through him and his band of marauders
"Gentlemen, welcome. I have a meeting to update the Emperor soon. For everyone's sake, I trust that this meeting is productive," Thrawn began, "First let's start with Agent Kallus. Perhaps you would like to review the situation for the Commander and I."
"Certainly. Four weeks ago, an Aquience-Class light cruiser left the Yaga Minor shipyards. She was leaving for a border region patrol. She reported in once at Ord Mantell, and one at the Alpha 1 listening post. Two and a half weeks ago, she failed to report in. Four days later, Viper probes found her wreckage-" the Agent produced a holomap with various red dots, "She had been boarded and all hands were lost. In that four day span, we lost another light cruiser, two Dreadnought-Class ships, and one Freighter. Three days later, we lost another cruiser. This one disappeared near Yavin 4. At the same time, our missing freighter turned up near Mygeeto, while one of the Dreadnaughts turned up near Muunilinst," Agent Kallus explained.
Thrawn nodded in understanding as he connected the pieces.
"And when the Mandalorian transport disappeared, you called me," he concluded.
"Yes, Admiral. I'm sure you know the rest."
"I do. We're still missing two other transports plus the ones from before I was called," Admiral Thrawn confirmed before moving on, "Now that I am up to speed, let us continue. Governor Saxon, I'm sure that your people will want vengeance. However, I must warn you that having clans arm up without authorization will not end well."
Fire raged in the man's eyes as he answered, "Those clans will want blood, and there's not enough Commandos to hold them back… Frankly, I doubt they will even try. I know of at least one Commando who's directly affected."
"I understand. However, we must ensure that we are not undermining the Empire's authority in the process of seeking retribution," Thrawn conceded.
Gar Saxon shook his head. It was clear that Admiral Thrawn wasn't giving him a satisfactory answer.
"Then what do you want me to do," he quizzed.
" Pull the clans together. Work out the politics, and be ready to move," Thrawn ordered, "When the time comes, I need to know I can rely on your people."
"That will be easier said than done," Saxon retorted as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I don't need the whole population, just a handful of determined troops," the Admiral countered, "Now, Commander Corso, I understand that you have something to report."
"Yes, sir. I just arrived from the medical bay," Commander Corso answered as he passed over a datapad, "They have finished a preliminary overview of the the bodies. There were two different races-"
"I know them," Thrawn cut in as he examined the images, "I had really hoped this day wouldn't come."
"You do?" Agent Kallus quizzed with narrowed eyes.
"Sort of. There were stories of ships that would disappear. Those that were found, were gutted like this. If bodies were found, they looked like these. Supposedly, there was one man who made it back, but no one could understand his mad ravings. Up until now, these were considered old spacer's tails... not to be believed. It was even rumored that the Navy planted the story to keep people from exploring the far edges of the Unknown Region. However, this, proves them as fact," Thrawn explained before moving on, "Now, Commander, what do you have?"
Despite the worried looks being traded across the room, Corso began explaining, "Stumpy, there, had your standard level of body armor, with a methane tank on back, hence the pointed silhouette. The bird-like ones had lighter body armor, but kind of module clutched in their hands. Again, techs are trying to find more details, but most of the internal pieces were fried in the battle. They don't think anything of use can be found."
As Commander Corso finished, the room fell into a moment of silence. All four people just sat there considering what they had heard. The information was enlightening, but woefully incomplete. Of this, everyone was convinced. On top of this, Thrawn was already crafting his recommendations for the Emperor, and they weren't pretty.
"Your conclusions, Commander?" Gar Saxon finally asked.
"I don't know exactly. The plating isn't your standard plasteel. It's lighter, but it looks like it handled blasters all the same. These people are going to be lighter on their feet. Also, they weren't using lasers. The medical team determined that the damage was from concentrated plasma. The weapons were missing so, we don't know more than that. However, judging off known weapons with similar ammunition, these should have a shorter range but higher kinetic energy," the Commander answered.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that they won't have the effective range of a standard blaster. However, if you get hit, you aren't getting back up," the Commander summarized.
By this point, Thrawn had mentally drafted his orders and deftly cut into the conversation.
Keep me informed of what they find," Admiral Thrawn ordered, "Agent Kallus, start dispersing deep space probes. I want the hyperspace lanes swept clean. If we don't get ahead of these raids, they're going to get worse. As we get the resources, I'll begin deploying a dragnet. In the meantime, start mining the hyperspace lanes. Have the ships pull out at random points along the lanes and deploy these mines. The ships in question will be large. Don't be sparing on the number of mines."
"Admiral, this is going to take a lot of ships, more than we have in these sectors," Agent Kallus warned.
"I'm sure I can find ships to help in this," Saxon offered in response.
Agent Kallus accepted the offer with a nodd, as Thrawn added in, "I will get you your ships. For now, work with what you have."
"Yes sir."
Content with what they had discussed, Admiral Thrawn stood up and dismissed the group as he smoothed out his bleach white uniform.
"Kallus. Saxon," he called as the two went to exit behind Corso.
The two gave Admiral Thrawn curious looks as he waved them over.
"Gentlemen, these ships are quite large. Cruisers and Dreadnaughts will not be able to face them. If you come across an unidentified ship. Do not attempt contact. Do not attempt to engage. All ships are to find the first clear vector and jump clear," Admiral Thrawn ordered.
"So, our battle plan is to run?" Gar Saxon baulked.
"Hardly. The Captains' are to report sightings to Fleet Command. We'll take it from there," Thrawn answered.
The knowing line made by his lips wasn't a smile but it did promise an answer to the incursions. Gar and Kallus both nodded in understanding. After dismissing the Mandalorian governor, Thrawn addressed the ISB agent.
"Agent Kallus, you are being reassigned to the Chimerea," Thrawn declared, "I need someone smart who knows this case. Will that be a problem?"
"No, sir."
"Good. Dismissed," he concluded.
Over the next few days things began to move rapidly. Thrawn made his recommendations two hours after the meeting. Soon after, that side of the galaxy flooded with Imperial warships of all classes. All but the most crucial hyperspace lanes were closed as battle groups began flooding the space with Viper probe droids and deep space mines.
(Phoenix staging area: 1 week later)
Commander Sato felt himself age more and more as he stared at the numbers on the datapad. Through one correction point in one day, the Ghost had tracked twelve Imperial-Class warships, twenty Aquience-Class cruisers, six Interdictors, three of the old Venature-Class warships, and at least thirty supply ships of varying tonnage… And that was just one breakout point.
Sato shook his head as he walked over to refill his mug of caf. As he swiped over to the next checkpoint's numbers, he started mentally drafting his briefing for later.
How do you explain that the Imperials are reshuffling their entire military our direction? He asked himself as he continued reading.
By the time Sato was onto the third report, he was so engrossed in the shear scale of what he was seeing, that he barely heard the war room doors snap open. Looking up, he was greeted with Sabine and her rainbow colored armor. He subtly let out a calming breath as he spotted the fire in her eyes. This was going to be an unpleasant conversation.
"What is it, Wren?" he questioned.
"I think I know why the Imperials are coming this way, and it isn't us," she answered as she inserted an item into the viewscreen along the right side wall.
Curious now, Sato simply raised his eyebrows as Agent Kallus materialized on screen. Commander Sato remained silent as the blonde haired ISB agent explained a series of raids that had been happening over the past few weeks. As Kallus described the attacks, he was replaced by images of wrecked ship hulls. What were once sleek, dagger shaped hulls, were now masses of twisted durasteel marked with black scoring and burned out holes.
"...Now, for many of you this is rightfully horrifying-" Agent Kallus visibly swallowed his temper before continuing, "For many others. This doesn't matter… but what I show next should matter. A lot. Eight days ago, the Winter's Eve was found adrift by the ISD Chimerea. This is what was rescue teams discovered…"
He was now replaced by pale lit images of bloodied walkways, and a bridge littered with bodies. Some were some against walls or sprawled out on the ground, while others were in pieces around the scorch marks of a grenade. Others had their armor dented as though they had been killed by a blunt object, though Sato couldn't imagine what. Although, many were aliens that neither Commander Sato or Sabine Wren recognized, the dead crew was distinctly Mandalorian.
As Agent Kallus gave the numbers for how many were killed, Commander Sato did the internal math.
"All hands," he muttered.
Sabine simply nodded as an identifying image of each dead Mandalorian replaced those from the scene. Her gauntlets strained under the pressure as she clenched her fists even tighter. Ignoring this, Commander Sato listened intently as Kallus spelled out what this all meant for Imperial citizens. To make a long explanation short, a third of Imperial space just got put under martial law or something just above. Of course, it had to be the third they were operating in. This was just sinking in when the conclusion caught his attention.
"... Make no mistake, a final solution is coming. These creatures-" Kallus scowled as though swallowing a bitter pill, "will answer for what they've done. As always, if you wish to be part of this change, I encourage you to speak with your nearest recruiter. The Imperial military is always looking for the brave and the willing. However, this time it comes with a note. If you are Mandalorian and watching, you have two options. For those wishing to fight: Speak with the leader of your clan, or speak with Viceroy Saxon. A special task force is being assembled. If you are not looking to fight, stay out. By special decree, penalties for trespassing and interference have changed. If caught in restricted areas without authorization. Security teams will shoot on sight. There will be no arrest or trial. You. Will. Die... "
As the message came to an end, Commander Sato turned to Sabine.
"'Special task force', what does that mean?" he asked.
The worry lines in his face grew more pronounced as he spoke. Sabine shook her head as she considered it.
"Saxon could be trying to unite the clans under him. An all Mandalorian crew killed by a third party would give him the excuse to make an attempt," she answered with a shrug.
Commander Sato took a gulp from his mug of caf, before following up.
"What would this mean for us?" he quizzed.
"Short term, nothing. A united Mandalore would be quite the risk for the Empire. Chances are, they would hold Saxon's feet to the fire on this. He will have to help them stop this issue," she explained, "Also, I recognized some of the faces. Unfortunately for Saxon and Kallus's efforts, some of these clans don't have much reason to like him. Any unification will be done grudgingly and temporarily."
"So, long term, that means nothing to us," he confirmed.
"For you and the fleet, no. For me, I don't know," Sabine clarified.
"Why?"
Sabine's voice lowered as she answered, "One of those men was a cousin."
With that declaration, Sato watched one single tear fall from her stoic face. Out of respect, he gave Sabine a moment before making his next request.
"Later at the briefing, I will need you to explain to them what you told me," the Commander stated.
There was a second of hesitation. The Commander was about to press the matter, when she answered.
"I can do it," she agreed with an uneasy nod.
"Good."
"Is there anything else," Sabine asked as she moved for the blast door.
"No, but I need to know where you stand by the end of this rotation," Sato concluded.
"Of course."
With that, Sabine disappeared into the corridor. This left Commander Sato alone with his exceedingly troubled thoughts.