Off Course
Chapter One:
"In war misinformation flies just as much as ordnance, and produces nearly as much casualties; the media is, by some fluke of reality, altogether blind to the dangers of the former in reporting the depravations of the latter."
—Master Windu, lecture at the University of Coruscant, circa 34 GrS.
In the midst of a galaxy-wide conflict, a single system going dark might not have seemed as a subject over which to wake the Jedi Council. HoloNet relays were often hit by both sides, frequently leaving entire sectors without communication with the outside galaxy. When it came to Manda'yaim though, few risks were taken.
Known in Basic as Mandalore, the planet was the cultural – and often adopted – home of the Grand Army of the Republic. While there were clones who – by Kaminoan engineering or personal choice – forsook their roots, the vast majority of the GAR had taken the opportunity presented to them by their training sergeants and Jedi Generals to experience more of their culture, much to the consternation of the brass and the frustration of the press, who were climbing over themselves to run stories on a slave army.
It was thus that alerted by Naval Intelligence, who operated outside the scope of the Republic Intelligence Office proper, the masters of the Council assembled to hear the report.
"My boys got to Manda'yaim about ten hours after it went dark," Kal Skirata began, "We're still pulling the TIV's sensor data to verify what, exactly, was in the system, but Niner says it's 'mostly uglies, freighters and some honcho's big yacht.'"
"Pirates?" Plo Koon hypothesized, "A Separatist invasion would have had at least one Lucrehulk to offload the droids and fighters."
Kal Skirata shook his head. "I doubt simple pirates could have managed this…" he muttered, inserting a datacard into a nearby reader. The projector whirred to life, displaying a scruffy-looking contingent of riffraff storming the Sundari Palace. At their head charged an Iradonian, a red saberstaff scything through the defending guardsmen.
To an observer not familiar with many members of the Order, it would have been rather startling and perversely satisfying to see Obi-Wan Kenobi take a step back from the situation table and mutter some imprecations as to the fairness of the universe, Maul's indecency to not "stay well dead" and matters of parentage.
Having vented, Obi-Wan requested the recording to be rewound, asserting that: "If cutting him in half did not kill him outright, the thermal detonator I tossed after him should have finished Maul off."
On closer examination, that statement was proven true. While the Iradonian did have similar tattoos and, from the shading, red skin – though through the monochrome blue of a hologram it was tough to say precisely – his features and horns differed vastly from the original Maul; the pretender was also a good fifty centimetres taller and built more solidly, looking remarkably well for someone who was supposedly dead for nigh on twelve years.
The questions were then raised courtesy of Master Windu, who was the imposter, what was his game, and what was to be done?
The first could only be ascertained by sending a team to investigate, which tied into the third. Should a Jedi Shadow Unit be dispatched to eliminate the threat? Should a wholesale invasion be scheduled? Should it be a mixed taskforce on a commando raid? The third, peculiarly, depended on the second; if the marauder was intent on subjugation a larger response would be required than if he was merely raiding the planet and moving on.
The Coruscant morning saw many yawning masters assembled once again in the situation room. Holographic strings of data whizzed above the gathered heads as Master Windu wrapped up his presentation. "In short, it is safe to say that Mandalore has been occupied by a coalition of Black Sun, Death Watch and various other insignificant underworld riffraff. Whoever is in charge – though we know it's not our Iradonian – did a thorough job of securing the planet. A full-scale invasion will be costly to our troops, while a covert operation to liberate the planet will require a great deal of time, planning and resources. All of which we are running out of, if the other information Naval Intelligence provided pans out."
"I say Centax will pan out." Obi-Wan announced grimly. "The separatists can outlast us in a war of attrition at our current respective strengths, and reinforcements from Kamino will only come in eight years…."
"Vich in itself is a farce," Even Piell snorted. "The var vould be over by now if the Chancellor authorized the Sieges three months ago."
"True," Obi-Wan agreed, "But it also means that the Sith is not yet in a position to move against the Jedi Order. He still needs a war to keep us occupied while he does—erm, whatever Sith do."
Yoda was the only one to not laugh at the joke. He stood stooped, gazing at a wall monitor, a troubled air about him. "Master Obi-Wan," he interrupted gruffly. "Prepared, is everything for Project Esk?"
The mood sobered abruptly. "It is." Obi-Wan responded in concern. "What is it that you sense?"
"Trouble." was the curt answer. "When liberated Mandalore is, activate Project Esk we must. Grave danger I foresee in the coming future. Stepping up his game, the Sith Lord is."
A shrill wail of warning rushed through the Force, staggering many more deeply attuned to its current. Then, a peal of thunder sounded, and the floor quivered. Glowpanels went out, replaced by emergency chemical lighting, claxons began to blare and a recorded voice rolled over the Jedi Temple's internal speakers, "Security alert! Security alert! Explosion in hanger 2249-West, emergency crews notified. All younglings and non-combatants, proceed to shelters. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill"
A new voice came over the speakers. "This is Cin Drallig to all Jedi; the Temple Guard has command. All available teams, report to perimeter defence…"
As further orders were issued, Master Windu turned to Yoda and spoke, "Looks like your timetable got moved up. We're taking the first excuse we get."
And here starts the story proper. I'm currenty trying out a new style of writing, if it gets clunky, please excuse in advance, and feel free to notify me of such.
On the subject of notifying, thank you all so much for noticing this story, leaving your reviews and doing all the other things that made me grin delightedly after opening my inbox. This was a very warm welcome back guys!
Now, pertenant notes: Centax, short for Centax II is a moon of Coruscant, converted into a military outpost during the Clone Wars. Per the Republic Commando books, Palpatine was developing Spaarti clones on the planet in the third year of the war to supplement the GAR. Spaarti clones usaully mature in a year, (unless you use Ysalamiri to prevent Force-driven madness, in which case you can grow them in less than a month), which is much more effecient than the Kaminoan method. Also, Spaarti clones are easier to "program", especially with things like Order 66.
A TIV is a Traffic Interdiction Vessel; imagine a Star Wars SWAT van.
Navies usually have their own intelligence service, and it is usally apart from the Country's/Organization's primary intelligence department, and the two are often at odds, which will play into the plot further down the line.
Coming up next: Palpatine, evilness, and Ahsoka.
For now though, thank you for reading, and may the Fiction be With you!
Clean word count: 1,021 | Published: 4/11/14 0415 GMT