Greetings, my friends. Say, how are you doing on such a fine day? I am a little mad, as I saw Free State of Jones on June 25th, and it was very moving in so many ways that I can't go into without getting angry. I encourage you to go see the movie for yourself if you haven't seen it yet, and it is well worth the time and money to see it. And, I am well over halfway done with Knight Errant. Anyway, with the side notes out of the way, are you ready for action, danger, and death on a scale that I've never written before, because I know that I am? If you are, then it will pick up soon, so in the meantime, enjoy, and please, please review my story, as I value your feedback.
Day 47 of the Shadow Alliance's Formation
2235 Hours
In Orbit Above Mandalore
Onboard the Nossor Ri
Commodore Kral Nevil was on edge right now, which was normal for him, so his crew didn't attempt to interfere with his work. As an experienced warrior, it was decided that he, Galactic Alliance Admiral Gavin Darklighter, and Goran Beviin, Boba Fett's second-in-command, would command the fleet that protected Mandalore from invasion by Natasi Daala, her Neo Death Watch forces, her Jedi hunters, or her Sith masters if they decided to play their hand.
Over the course of the last seven hours, he was busy clearing the codes of any Mandalorians, Mandallians, mercenaries, late Imperial reinforcements, or former followers of the late Xasha Xizor that wanted to aid the Shadow Alliance, a coalition that was formed by Jedi Knight Edaan Palpatine before he was captured in a mission to subvert Daala's forces from the inside by recruiting Mirta Gev and anyone else who was willing to join his cause. Personally, Kral thought that it was a suicide mission, but, then again, he always thought that a Jedi's thought process worked differently than most people, but, since they were often more effective than most of the galaxy, he decided to put a little faith in Edaan and his personal quest.
He was deep in thought about his late son when the sensor-officer of the command bridge of the Nossor Ri shouted, "Commodore! We have incoming ships coming in from Sector Twelve!"
"Are they friendly?" Kral said, hoping for a "yes", but prepared for a "no" as the sensor-officer shook his head.
"I don't believe so, sir. According to the sensors, they're one Venerator-class Star Destroyer, one Acclamator-class assault ship, five Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers, two Invincible-class Dreadnaught Heavy Cruisers, three Keldabe-Class battleships, four Assault Frigates class Mark II, the four Republic-class cruisers, an Assassin-class Corvette, a wing of bes'uliiks, and two Lictor-class Dungeon Ships."
"They must be the first wave of Daala's invasion fleet. Alert all ships. Battle Stations! Prepare for assault!" Kral ordered as he stood to attention.
In Hyperspace, Just Outside of the Mandalore System
Onboard the Raptor
Mirta Gev was nervous, which was expected from a deserter. She had just led a small but deadly army of over six thousand Mandalorians to desert Natasi Daala's mad crusade against her enemies in order to support her new friends, Edaan Palpatine and Armand Vorn, and her grandfather, Boba Fett. So, of course, she was anxious of seeing Boba again, who was also Mand'alor, along with her grandmother, Sintas Vel, and Ghes Orade, Mirta's husband that she hadn't seen in over eight years. Even after thinking for over six hours, she was still at a loss at what she was going to say to them.
I guess I'll just wing it. Mirta thought as she ordered her small fleet to exit hyperspace.
As her ships disembarked from hyperspace, they found themselves facing a massive fleet of various ships orbiting the planet Mandalore, such as Star Destroyers of various eras and designs, Mon Calamari capital ships, Mandalorian ships of various designs, many ships of various eras, and a sizeable fleet of Hapan ships.
Ten seconds later, the communications officer said, "Commander, we're being hailed by the… Nossor Ri, the Viscount-Class Star Defender that is leading the fleet. What do you want to do, Ma'am?"
"Stay calm, everyone. Let me handle this. First, send a message to the Gorgon's Revenge, and tell them to get Edaan Palpatine on the line. After that, we'll speak to commander of the fleet." Mirta calmly said to the communications officer.
"Roger." the officer said as she began typing away at the keyboard in front of her. After the message was sent to the Lictus-class Dungeon Ship beside them, she opened a channel to the Nossor Ri. A few seconds later, a hologram of a Quarren male who was wearing a Galactic Federation of Free Alliance Commodore uniform.
"This is Commodore Kral Nevil of the Nossor Ri. To whom am I speaking to, and are you friend or foe?" the Quarren asked.
"This is Commander Mirta Gev of the Raptor. This ship and every other here have deserted Natasi Daala and her Neo Death Watch forces, and are willing to serve under the true Mand'alor, Boba Fett."
"You'll forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical of your claims. Do you have any proof of your intentions?" Kral questioned as he folded his arms around his chest.
"Will my word suffice?" said a voice came from the Gorgon's Revenge as it opened a channel, and a hologram quickly came online to reveal a brown-haired and blue-eyed man with Jedi Combat Armor and a lightsaber around his belt.
"Ah. Am I to assume that you are Edaan Palpatine?" Kral said, some of the skepticism leaving his tone as he unfolded his arms.
"That is correct, Commodore Nevil. It's a pleasure to see you again. I'd ask you how your wife is doing, but we're on a timetable." Edaan said in a pleasant tone.
"That we are, Jedi Palpatine. That we are." Mirta said in a professional tone before continuing, saying, "Do we have clearance to send two shuttles down to Mandalore to speak with whoever's in charge?"
"Very well. I'll alert the war council to expect company. In the meantime, your fleet can move to sector J-9." Kral said.
"Actually, we'll need at least four shuttles, as Daala captured some valuable prisoners that we'll need to thaw out from carbonite as soon as possible, as their expertise in warfare could prove crucial in winning this civil war." Edaan countered.
"Who are these prisoners, Jedi Palpatine?" Kral asked.
"They're some of Caedus's political and military prisoners, such as Commodore Turk Brand, Admirals Kir Vantai and Firmus Nantz, General Etahn A'baht, the space marines loyal to them, and Senators Ponc Gavirsom, Releqy A'Kla, and Ta'laam Ranth." Edaan curtly said, causing Kral and Mirta's jaws to fall agape as the two of them, Mirta especially, realized the depths that Daala would go to in order to get to her enemies.
"By the Force, you found Caedus and Daala's secret prisoners?" Kral incredulously asked.
"Daala kept them onboard the Gorgon's Revenge and Sunspot's Legacy in order to make sure that they couldn't be liberated. But, thanks to Mirta and her followers, they can be thawed out and we can put their skills to good use, once they've recovered from their hibernation sickness, of course." Edaan explained to the two of them.
"Of- Of course, Jedi Palpatine. Commodore Nevil out." Kral stammered out as he closed the transmission in order to alert the war council of this development.
Twenty Minutes Later, At Kyrimorut, Mandalore
"Are you serious, Commodore?" Gavin Darklighter, the leader of the covert Galactic Alliance forces sent to Mandalore to assist Edaan in his quest, and a member of the official war council that commanded Mandalore's defenses, sputtered out as Kral Nevil relayed the news that Edaan Palpatine and Mirta Gev delivered to him.
"Very. The prison records sent over from the two dungeon ships confirms this: Daala had Caedus's political and military prisoners kept in carbonite all of this time in order to keep her hold on the Galactic Alliance." Kral confirmed this news.
"Then we must get them thawed out at once, and give them the best medical care that we have. It's fortunate that we have Jarael Chantique and ten of the best medics and their support staff here with us right now." Adari Thayn, Edaan's fiancé, as well as the leader of the allies sent from the planets that Edaan visited in his travels across the galaxy, said.
"Indeed, Adari. And this may have other applications as well. Perhaps this discovery, made by a Jedi and his allies, no less, could be used to bring the Galactic Alliance into the fray on our side." Azzim Anjilic Atirue, a Hutt crime lord and commander of the Hutt Grand Council forces sent to repay the debt that they owed Edaan for saving their criminal empire by aiding him as well.
"Perhaps." Boba Fett, the current Mand'alor, ruler of the Mandalorians, simply said before continuing, saying, "But let's not forget that a good majority of the Senate, as well as the natives of Coruscant, don't hold warm feelings towards Jedi and Mandalorians. It will take time for them to come to a decision, and we don't have much of it right now."
"What do you mean, Fett? According to the data sent over by Mirta Gev, her followers placed explosives on over twenty of Daala's ships, including the Chimeara. Her invasion should be delayed by at least a month." Corran Horn, Jedi Council Member, and member of the war council, said, wondering just how much the Mand'alor knew that he was withholding from his supposed allies.
"Jaing sliced into the Chimeara's communication logs, and, according to the files that he acquired, Daala's ordered all ships to be at combat readiness within a week. Any ship that isn't ready will be mothballed, and the crews will transfer onto another working ship." Boba explained to Corran, who despite their differences, had begun to develop a mutual respect of each other due to them being experienced warriors.
"Then we should debrief Mirta at once and see what kind of fleet that Daala is packing right now." Jaden Korr said.
"Agreed, Jedi Korr. I'll go myself to greet them myself." Boba said as he went to prepare for the four shuttle's arrivals.
Fifteen Minutes Later
Mirta was fortunate to have this Jedi on her side. Without him, there was little chance of her getting onto Mandalore without invading it, and, thanks to Edaan and Armand Vorn, and the latter was the son of Natasi Daala, that was the last thing that she wanted to do. That was why she had Armand, along with Dinua Jeban, with her in Tydyrium's Vengeance in order to prove to Boba Fett that she had defected to his side, and wanted to make amends for her betrayal of his trust.
Of course, she brought her two children, Ralo and Bria Orade, along in order to further prove her sincerity of wanting to rejoin her family. But, despite all of her preparations, she was still as nervous as the protocol droid C-3PO was at a battlefield. What would she say to her grandparents and estranged husband when she saw them? Well, it was too late to turn back now, so she prayed to the manda to provide her with guidance in this stressful situation.
As she sat in the backseat of the cockpit of the Lambada-class shuttle, the pilot said to her, "Heads up, Comander. We've got company. It's your old Ba'buir and some of those aruetiise medics."
Oh, great. Mirta thought as she nodded at the pilot. A few moments later, the four shuttles landed, and everyone quickly disembarked from their shuttles.
And, just like the pilot said, Mirta Gev's grandfather, Boba Fett, was standing twenty meters from the four shuttles, along with a Keshiri female that Mirta could only assume was Edaan's girlfriend, Adari Thayn, and four medics and eight of their assistants as well.
Realizing the need to move things along, Mirta slowly approached her leader and said, "Ba'buir. It's been a long time."
"That it has, Mirta. That it has." Boba stoically said. Noticing the two kids behind her, he said, "So, these are yours and Ghes's kids, huh?" After receiving a nod from Mirta and her children, he said, "If they're anything like you, they'll grow up to be great mandos."
"You're Boba Fett." Ralo said.
"Yes. What's your name?" Boba asked.
"Ralo. This is my sister, Bria." Ralo said, and Bria simply nodded at her name being mentioned.
"Strong names. Good, there's power in names." Boba said to his granddaughter.
"Do you have Edaan with you or not?" Adari quickly said, hoping to get the ball rolling and see her fiancé again.
"Edaan can speak for himself, thank you very much." said a smug voice from the far left Sentinel-class shuttle. Everyone turned to see a smiling Edaan Palpatine walk towards them, along with fifteen Mandalorians come out from each shuttle, along with thirty slabs of carbonite that Mirta assumed to contain the Galactic Alliance prisoners of Daala and Darth Caedus.
"Edaan!' Adari shouted as she ran towards Edaan and kissed him fiercely, a kiss that Edaan immediately reciprocated.
"Not that we're all glad to see that you're alright, Jedi Palpatine, but maybe we should move this along. After all, we have many prisoners to thaw out and help recover from hibernation sickness." One of the medics, an aging Bith who was a xenopsychiatrist by the name of Thalleus Tharn, who was made famous, or infamous, depending on a person's preference, by striking Jedi Knight Sothais Saar in the groin in order to prove to the former Chief of State Daala that all of the Jedi under the influence of the immensely powerful Force user known as Abeloth were cured of the Force psychosis that was afflicting various Jedi.
After taking a moment to end the kiss with Adari, Edaan nodded his head as he, Mirta, Armand, Reylo, and Bria followed Boba Fett to the command center, while Doctor Tharn escorted Dinua, as well as the men under her command to the med bay, where the prisoners would be treated by the rest of the doctors under Jareal's command.
As Mirta followed her grandfather into the city, she couldn't help but marvel at how technologically advanced the city was: buildings were made of Durasteel and Transparisteel, the latest landspeeders buzzed over the streets, while off-duty soldiers went to various bars and restaurants that existed around the city. To think that this place started as a redoubt for renegade clone troopers, Mandalorians, and civilians that were escaping Palpatine's rule. Mirta thought as she observed the city that was being built when she last stepped foot on Mandalore over eight years ago. After twenty minutes of walking, she came at the command center, a tall tower that, to Mirta's eyes and amazement, appeared to be made entirely made of beskar.
She quickly followed Boba and Edaan into the tower, where Venku Skirata, Goran Beviin, Sintas Vel, two Jedi that Mirta recognized as Barratk'l and Corran Horn, a young Hutt that she suspected was Azzim Anjilic Atirue, a crime lord that was legendary for his dealings with Edaan and the rest of the Jedi Order, Admiral Gavin Darklighter of the Galactic Alliance, the holograms of Commodore Kral Nevil, also of the Galactic Alliance, and Admiral Traest Kre'frey of the Confederation, and finally, Ghes Orade, Mirta's estranged husband, were meeting in order to discuss war operations and strategies.
It was Ghes that first noticed the new arrivals and his jaw immediately dropped agape as he saw Mirta come into the briefing room along with Boba, Edaan, Adari, Armand, and two children that Ghes could only assume to be his and Mirta's. He whispered "Mirta" in a tone that was so soft that Mirta had to read his lips in order to know what he was saying.
As Ghes stared at the new arrivals as they walked to the briefing table, the rest of the leaders turned to see the seven new people walk towards them.
Well, Azzim thought as the new arrivals came up to the briefing table, this should be interesting.
And, that concludes the first full chapter of Jedi Odyssey: Shadow War II: Armageddon. So, what did you think of this chapter? Tell me your honest opinion, as long as your criticism is constructive, of course. Anyway, I'm close to done with Knight Errant, and from there, I'll reread the Darth Bane Trilogy. Oh, and apparently, I got Ralo's name wrong when I called him "Reylo", and since it will take too long to change everything, I'm going to leave my third story alone. And, in case you were wondering, the action won't begin until a week has passed in the Star Wars universe. May the Force Be With You, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!