The Mandalorian Rebel
Chapter 7
Guten Tag my friends, and I'd like to thank you and all you awesome reviewers out there! The fact that you stick with me through thick and thin, is proof that you have faith that I will continue, and I reward good faith. I'd also like to recommend that you read these stories: The Admiral's Foley by Chillingchild, and Fly Now by Awesome Bill from Dawsonville. Both follow the trend Sabine x OC and need your support as well.
Constructive criticism is appreciated, I'm always looking for ways to improve. However I'd only like advice for future chapters, I'm not changing the ones I've already written.
Disclaimer: Star Wars is property of Disney, all I own are my OCs Major Viron, the cadets and Leonidas Akaan.
The Ghost still had an hour of traveling through hyperspace to go before they reached Lothal. The crew was all gearing up and doing some last minute training. Leonidas was sparring with Sabine until a thought crossed his mind, Leonidas signaled Sabine for a timeout.
"Sabine, may I ask a favor of you?" Leonidas asked the female Mando. Sabine nodded.
"My armor will surely be recognized by an imperial soldier on Lothal." Leonidas told Sabine.
"What makes you say that?" Sabine asked curiously.
"Let's just say your crew wasn't the only one who had to steal from the Empire to survive." Leonidas explained with a grin, "So I was wondering if you could repaint it."
"You came to the right person," Sabine exclaimed excitedly, "What type of color design do you have in mind?"
Leonidas shrugged, "Surprise me."
Leonidas changed into his camouflaged jeans and undershirt before handing Sabine his armor. Sabine took it to her room and got out her spray paint. "What color to paint his armor?" Sabine mused to herself. She always found that the color scheme of one's armor should match their personality. Leonidas was stealthy, calm, and unpredictable, just like the darkness of shadows. Sabine shook up her spray-paint and got to work. Painting over another color wasn't an easy task, you had to have just the right blend to get the color you want, and given the fact that the armor belonged to her boyfriend made her put extra care and effort into her work.
"So you got Sabine to repaint your armor?" Ezra asked Leonidas. The two were playing holochess with Leonidas winning. Leonidas nodded and moved his Gundark to intercept and annihilate Ezra's K'lorr slug.
"Darn it", Ezra shouted, "How are you so good?"
"Back with my clan, holochess was the only form of entertainment we had during our short breaks from our regimes" Leonidas explained, "And are you going to accept my offer?"
"I'm still thinking about it." Ezra told the warlord.
Before the game could continue Sabine came into the room and exclaimed, "Its ready, Leonidas!" Leonidas got up and followed Sabine to their room. Once the Mando laid his eyes on his freshly painted armor he said, "Beautiful job Sabine, simply amazing!" Sabine blushed bashfully from the compliment.
"Hey, Leonidas and Sabine, Kanan is beginning to assemble the crew get to the rec room ASAP." Hera intruded.
"We'll be there in a minute Hera!" Sabine told the Twi'lek.
"You go tell them I'm changing into my armor, I'll be there in a few minutes." Leonidas told Sabine. Sabine gave Leonidas a peck on the cheek before going to the rec room.
After a few minutes Leonidas arrived at the rec room in his newly painted armor, the crew was impressed with Sabine's work. Leonidas's armor was a light shade of black, his helmet was painted to resemble a wolf's head. His shoulder pads and kneepads were painted with the Mandalorian symbol with a red background. The outline of his helmet's visor was red as well and a red stripe went over the top of his helmet.
"Wow, you look even more dangerous kid!" Zeb complimented.
"All the credit should go to Sabine, she painted this armor." Leonidas told the Lasat.
Once everyone was all geared up and ready to roll Kanan gave assignments to the rest of the crew, "Ezra, Zeb, and I will hide among the market district and keep our eyes open for any imperial activity, HK-51 will stay with Hera and Chopper to protect the Ghost, Leonidas and Sabine will contact us when they discover any noteworthy information, understood?" Kanan ordered. "Yes sir!" the crew shouted in tandem.
On Lothal Leonidas and Sabine boarded a rocket tram to the academy. Leonidas and Sabine looked around to see that the other passengers looked like young and energetic soldiers who have just been welcomed to this world, they definitely lacked training and discipline. "Look around Sabine, these might be who we will be training." Leonidas whispered to Sabine.
Leonidas and Sabine were going to wipe the cadets clean of any ignorance or overconfidence. The two Mandos knew the mission, but they went over how they would train the cadets in case the mission became long term. Leonidas decided to not use an alias on this mission as his clan's genocide was unknown to all except those who took part in it. Once they arrived they observed the academy.
It was huge, you could see a few squadrons of cadets running behind the drill sergeant. TIE fighters came and went, AA-guns watched the skies attentively, and blaster fire could be heard from the shooting range in the distance.
"Ah, Sabine and Leonidas", a voice said," It's truly great that you've come to train the future armies of our noble empire!"
The two Mandos turned to see that the voice belonged to Major Jarvis Viron. The Mandalorian couple saluted him and stood at attention. The Major returned the salute and reassured them, "No need to treat me like that, you're just here as instructors not as students."
"We only see it fit to treat a Major with respect, sir!" Sabine told Viron. Leonidas had trained her in the art of infiltration and undercover acting, she was just as good if not better then himself.
"I'd say that all those mercenaries out there could learn a thing from you two", Viron complimented, "Now follow me." The two Mandos complied and followed the Major through the Academy's perimeter. They walked past the checkpoint and saw that the inside was full of doorways to training rooms and offices, supply officer's carried crates to the supply locker, and cadets were following their instructors to their next training session, just like a school.
"Why hire mercenaries to train your cadets?" Leonidas asked with fake curiosity, knowing full well why.
"A commonly asked question Leonidas", the Major chuckled, "You see, I find that mercenaries possess a certain… what's the word for it, ah yes finesse, that Imperial instructors lack."
"What kind of finesse?" Sabine asked with the same fake curiosity that Leonidas used.
"The ability to adapt." Viron answered, "If all of our cadets were raised underneath the same principles, techniques, and training, then they would all share the same weakness and would all be pulverized once that weakness is exploited. Our troops on the streets of Lothal are unable to adapt to the situation and are easily killed by those Lothal rebels."
"Interesting theory, Viron." Leonidas stated. Viron nodded in appreciation.
"Now for your job details" the Major announced, "The payout is five grand a day, and the squad you will be training is known as Quasar Company."
"I must warn you Major, Sabine and I have a pretty strict training course, and chances are some of the cadets may quit the academy." Leonidas told the Instructor.
"That's why I hired you", Viron answered, "At this time we need quality not quantity, your rigorous training exercises will weed out the wimps unworthy of the title Imperial."
"Understood Major!" The two Mandos shouted in unison with a salute. Viron returned it and said, "Your room will be room 12-3K, your training of Quasar Company begins in an hour, don't go easy on them just because they're fifteen."
The Mandos moved into their room, it was rather basic, a bunk for each of them and a holochess table. Leonidas didn't bring much with him, only his pistols and armor, same deal with Sabine. The two indulged in a friendly game of holochess, and Leonidas once again won the game. The two continued on until it was time to train the cadets. The Mandalorians moved into another wing of the Academy: The Training Facility. The room was dull at first glance, but if you looked closely you'd see that there were hidden obstacles and training materials that could appear with just the push of a button. There was a line of cadets wearing trainee armor that had the colors of orange and green, which made them look like Felucian warriors.
"Ah, the Mandalorian duo is here." Viron announced to the cadets. The two Mandos removed their helmets and introduced themselves.
"I'm Leonidas Akaan, and this is my girlfriend Sabine." Leonidas introduced. A few cadets looked disappointed that Sabine already had a boyfriend.
"As Leonidas here said, I'm Sabine Wren, we look forward to training you to be the finest soldiers this Academy has ever trained." Sabine said to the newbies.
"You cadets are to treat these two with respect, I'll be going now." Viron ordered.
Leonidas walked down the line of cadets, they did their best to stay calm and focused, but it was hard with the intimidating look Leonidas was giving them.
"Cadets, do you know why the Empire hired Sabine and I to train you?" Leonidas asked the trainees. One cadet raised his hand. "And you are?" Leonidas asked.
"Private First Class Avery Marvak, squad leader." Marvak introduced.
"That remains to be seen Marvak, but why do you think that the Empire hired us?" Leonidas asked sternly.
"Because they need variety in their training so no squad is the same." Marvak answered.
"That is correct Marvak." Leonidas stated.
"Why should we listen to the likes of you mercenary scum?" One voice asked in disgust.
Leonidas walked up to the voice's owner, the voice's owner, a young by with a cocky air about him.
"Because I'm more experienced, boy." Leonidas answered coldly.
"Please, I could easily take you down." The boy said cockily.
"Let's but your theory to the test, but first I want to know the name who I'm about to send to the ER." Leonidas snapped.
"I'm Viktor Perov, son of the great General Anton Perov." The boy bragged.
Sabine rolled her eyes, that kid didn't know what he had just got himself into.
The two got into position and began to brawl. Victor recklessly tried to left hook Leonidas, but Leonidas grabbed his fist and twisted his arm. Leonidas punched Viktor's chin knocking him down. When Viktor was trying to stand up, Leonidas roundhouse kicked his face giving him a severely bloody nose. When Viktor attempted to low sweep Leonidas, Leonidas grabbed his leg and bent it back, causing Viktor to scream in agony. Leonidas grabbed the boy's armor by the collar and lifted him up with one hand, and with his free hand gave the cocky kid a black eye. He then tossed Viktor onto the floor.
"Let this be a warning to all of you who dare question your superior!" Leonidas shouted.
All of the cadets' risk of disobeying the Mandalorians, vanished. A few shuffled uneasily, and a few were happy that the brat got what he deserved.
Sabine activated her holocom and reported calmly, "This is Sabine, and we need a med team in training room QE-121 stat." The cadets and instructors waited for a few minutes before the med team arrived to help the maimed Viktor.
"What you saw back there, displayed the difference between the elite and the nimrods who patrol the streets of Lothal and are easily slaughtered by the rebels. The question is, will you be able to recognize an inferior or superior foe, that brat Viktor couldn't tell the difference and look were that got him, you all have much to learn before you get to Sabine and I's status."
"Permission to speak sir?" Marvak asked.
"Granted." Sabine answered this time.
"Although Viktor was a snob, he was the squad's second in command, now we need a new one." Marvak reported.
"That's why in the morning Leonidas and I will be having tryouts for the position of second in command, whoever shows the most character and effort will be Quasar Company's second in command." Sabine explained.
"In the meantime let's see how you fair in electrostaff combat, I need to know who is best in each field to make you the best team there is." Leonidas ordered. The cadets saluted and stood at attention. Leonidas walked through the line and inspected each one of them to determine who would fight who in the first round. Leonidas signaled Sabine to activate the training course, Sabine complied and pushed a button on a holopad. Walls began to emerge from the room's blank structure and a rack full of electrostaffs were also present.
"You two!" Leonidas ordered while pointing at two troopers.
The two stood at attention, "Yes sir, what are your orders sir?"
"I like your attitudes, but I'd like to know your names." Leonidas instructed.
One boy with buzz cut black hair and green eyes said, "My name is Lance McCoy sir!"
The other one was a girl with short red hair and blue eyes, she said, "Alena Trevon reporting for duty, sir!"
"At ease", Leonidas ordered and the cadets did as they were told, "I look at you two and I see two cadets with a bright future, but that bright future will be darkened by the challenges that will present themselves to you on your journey to the elite. I'm here to train all of you to overcome those challenges and be the best there is. Some amongst you will become your rivals and some your friends, or possibly much more then friends. You are Quasar Company, let the name resonate for years to come!"
"Hoo-ah!" the cadets shouted at once.
"That's what I like to here!" Leonidas complimented. "Sabine here will give you the training exercises details."
Sabine nodded and stepped forward, "This training course before you is like a maze, just like the streets of Lothal, you must make the hunter the prey. McCoy and Trevon will enter this maze at separate locations, the maze is rigged with mini-turrets and traps so you must avoid them and defeat your opponent to pass. Good luck!"
Leonidas gave both of the cadets electrostaffs and had them move to enter the maze at separate locations. McCoy was nervous, he knew that Mandalorians were famous for their warrior heritage and had high expectations, and after witnessing how Leonidas beat Viktor within an inch of his life made him all the more nervous. "Relax Lance, Viktor was only beaten because he defied his superior, you won't make the same mistake, and just give this maze the best you got."
Alena's moral was cut down to size after what Leonidas did to Viktor. "Relax Alena, you can do this."
Sabine and Leonidas had cameras surveying the area so they could watch the cadets' performance. Both had promise but the question was: Who would triumph?
A horn went off and the entrances opened and both cadets entered the mysterious maze. The maze was almost pitch black so McCoy switched to night vision. The maze had an eerie silence to accommodate its pitch darkness, McCoy listened for any noise and stood alert. McCoy kept his electrostaff deactivated his position wouldn't be too easily exposed to Alena.
Alena herself was on alert as well and used the same tactics as McCoy did, it was a pretty basic tactic. Suddenly a turret popped out of the wall and opened fire on Alena. Alena used her sharp reflexes to deflect the blaster fire with her electrostaff, she kept the electrostaff spinning and advanced on the turret. Once the female cadet was close enough she plunged her electrostaff into the turret's "head", effectively disabling it.
"Impressive, Alena shows much promise and skill for Quasar Company." Sabine complimented the young cadet's fighting skills.
"She's just like that special girl I met on Tatooine." Leonidas playfully referred to Sabine.
McCoy heard the blaster fire and surmised that it was Alena's location, he sprinted forward only to have triggered a turret trap! The turret popped out of the ground and opened fire on McCoy. McCoy barely blocked the turret fire in time, he began to agilely dodge each shot of the turret as opposed to using his electrostaff. McCoy jumped atop the turret and ripped out its wiring, disabling it.
"McCoy prefers to use his own natural abilities as opposed to his weapon." Leonidas mused.
"He reminds me of you." Sabine complimented.
Alena rounded the corner, only to run straight into McCoy! The two quickly activated their staffs and began to duel. Alena was clearly more skilled in the use of the electrostaff, but McCoy was clearly advanced with his own abilities, this would be interesting.
Alena was the first to strike, she swung her electrostaff at McCoy's ribcage but McCoy parried the blow with his own electrostaff. Alena tried to hit her opponent again by swinging it at McCoy's head. McCoy was painfully knocked down, but luckily he managed to roll out of the way in time before Alena could deliver the finishing blow. McCoy needed a diversion and fast, otherwise he would lose the fight. McCoy saw what appeared to be a pressure plate for a trap. McCoy swiftly moved past Alena and the pressure plate. McCoy began to coax Alena into coming after him. Alena took the bait and sprinted forward. Big mistake, the pressure plate activated a turret trap! The turret began to open fire on Alena, giving McCoy the distraction he needed to finish off Alena. McCoy plunged his electrostaff into Alena's back, knocking her out.
"Training exercise over, winner, McCoy." Leonidas's voice resonated from the intercom. The maze began to retreat back into the floor and the room's light greeted the two trainees. McCoy covered his eyes so they could adjust after being in a pitch black maze.
"Great job Alena, you almost had me." McCoy complimented Alena while offering her his hand. Alena took it and McCoy helped her get up.
"You aren't so bad yourself." Alena returned the compliment. Both cadets removed their helmets and stood at attention as Sabine and Leonidas approached them.
"Well done you to, although McCoy won, you both showed us where you excel and where you need improvement", Leonidas explained, "McCoy, your ability to use your own talents as opposed to your weapon is remarkable, but you need to work on honing your reflexes, you had a few close calls back there."
"Understood, Sir!" McCoy acknowledged with a salute.
"Alena, your skills with an electrostaff are top notch", Sabine explained to the female trainee, "But you need to work on your own natural talents, because if your electrostaff is taken away from you, you'll need to rely on your own talents."
"Yes ma'am!" Alena saluted Sabine.
"Everyone else, your testing begins tomorrow so get some shuteye, you'll need it." Leonidas ordered after realizing how much time had passed.
Everyone was making their way to their bunks, Leonidas and Sabine were doing the same until they ran into Major Viron.
"You two did an excellent job during your training session." Viron complimented, "And between you and me I'm glad that you maimed Viktor, that snob has been a thorn in this academies hind."
"We're just doing our job sir." Leonidas answered.
"You are too humble", Viron interjected, "But you have to give you and your girlfriend some credit."
"I'll do that, but we need some sleep, tomorrows a big day for those cadets."
And that's a rap.
You guys are so supportive, to be honest I never thought that my story would get past chapter one, thankfully I was wrong! You guys make it possible for me to continue, and I appreciate that. God Bless! Glory to Mandalore!
And to answer your question guest: What makes you think that the Shadow Leader on Saleucami was the Inquisitor?
And to be clear this isn't a crossover, some of you think Leonidas is the Leonidas from the movie 300, but it's just a name, not a crossover.
Read, Review, and Enjoy!