Chapter 14

Calm before the Storm

Well by massive popular vote, a SPARTAN we all know and love will be making an appearance in this story. Sorry but I may not be updating as frequently as usual my computer keeps locking up on me. Anyway enjoy this chapter.

The Glorious Victory was at slipspace heading towards the coordinates acquired from the Extremist frigate. But it was not alone, over a hundred Allied Species warships were in tight formation, heading for the same destination and expecting the worse. On these ships there was an army of troopers and all of the equipment they would need, guns, tanks, fighters, deployable firebases, you name it, they had it. Despite they return to Allied Species Space and the Milky Way Galaxy had taken several days, it would take a couple more until the fleet reached their destination, and the calm before the storm was eating away at nearly everyone's nerves.

"Keep pacing like that and you'll burn a hole in the plating," Ramore said, looking up from his holo-pad at Anakin who was pacing from wall to wall in the sparing room. Ramore had found calmness more easily than others, simply reading a comedy caused the tension in him to deflate like a balloon.

"I can't help it," said Anakin through grited teeth. "You saw what they did to Corusant, billions are dead because of them and the longer we take to eliminate them the longer they have to strike again."

"I understand your frustration," said Ramore "I grew up hearing horrible tales about the Extremists. Back when they were young they glassed entire planets, not just fractions of them. Then again Allied Species planets rarely exceed a population of 10 billion. Nonetheless, everyone was terrified that their home would be next, not knowing if they should stay or run. Most likely the Extremists today are at a fraction of their former strength. And although we are equipped for a final confrontation for them, we don't even know what will find, we just might find a small outpost they were planning to regroup at. Do yourself a favor and relax, it won't do you any good if you are exhausted when we arrive and there is a fight to be had."

"Easier said than done," said Anakin.

"What's going on?" asked Amber as she walked into the Cafeteria to find a small group huddled around a holographic projector.

"The Chancellor is speaking about the attack," said Aayla as Amber sat down just in time to listen to Palpatine begin his speech.

"Citizens of the Galactic Republic," said Palpatine. "Several days ago, a tragedy that will be remembered for years struck the galaxy. Six unidentified ships appeared in the skies above Corusant, and bombarded the planets surface with incredibly advanced weaponry. Billions were killed in the attack and approximant 10% of the planet is now inhabitable. The ships that bombarded Corusant resembled the design of warships from the Allied Species, a new faction in the war, originating from another galaxy known as the Milky Way. They claim the attack came not from them, but from a splinter organization known at the Jiralhanae Extremists. Many Senators and citizens, even members of the Jedi order and council, believe it to be a poor attempt at covering up an unprovoked attack from the Allied Species."

'I have a very bad feeling about this,' Amber thought.

"The public has been screaming for the last few days, demanding that the Allied Species pay for what they have done. People ask me if I believe this ridiculous story the Allied Species have presented us. Do I believe it?" Amber sighed and lowered her head. "Of course I do!" exclaimed Palpatine. Amber's head shot back up as Palpatine continued "If the Allied Species wished for our destruction they could have done it much more effectively by allying themselves with CIS. Yet they didn't and that only leaved on possible explanation, the attack on Corusant was carried out by Jiralhanae Extremists. As we speak Allied Species fleets are currently hunting throughout their territory, searching for the stronghold of the Extremists. I have urged the Jedi council to take action to assist them, but many of them remained convinced that it is a ruse. Thankfully, not all of the Jedi are so shortsighted, a handful of them were seen leaving Corusant on an Allied Species drop ship, most likely to assist them in their hunt of the Extremists. I hope that they are able to eliminate them quickly and with minimal casualties, may the Force be with them," and with that the hologram deactivated."

"Well," said Amber as silence enveloped the room "That went a lot better than I expected."

"True," said Kit Fisto "But there is something odd about Palpatine. How many other people would be so accepting of an organization they just met?"

"Kit has a point," said Aayla "Something isn't right here."

"You may be right," said Amber "But I'm a little relieved that we don't have to fight a war with you guys in addition to the CIS and the Extremists to see what it is. Whatever it is it probably it con probably wait until the Extremists are dealt with."

"Fair enough," said Aayla.

Vadmare 'Katar sat in his gravity chair on the bridge reading a ball book in his hand. The book he was reading was The Art of War by Sun Tzu. For the past few days, he had done nothing but train, study every last record of combat during the War on Salvation, studding other military textbooks, eaten and slept, although he had been neglecting the last two slightly.

Merely muttering the word salvation in his presence nowadays would cause him to shake in anger. Salvation, the one who had caused the deaths of so many, who had destroyed Vadmare's first ship and entire crew, who had taken his son away from him. Vadmare shook his head, for nearly three decades he had tried to not think about his son, for it caused him to nearly drown in sorrow. Instead he tried to focus on his work, plan for the next battle, kill the next opponent, get as many people as he could home safely, but the return of Salvation, rage had began to course through him, and he felt that if it grew out of control, it would be like the same anger that possessed him the day his son died. On that day, rage had moved his body, controlled his mind, driven him to kill half a thousand Jiralhanae. He was capable of keeping it in check, but should something happen, something that impacted him as greatly as his son's death had, he would descend into a berserker rage again.

The bridge was empty except for him, the rest of the crew were currently resting. He turned around as he heard the door open and Obi-Wan stepped in. "Um, hello," said Obi-Wan. Vadmare spared him a glance before turning back to his book. "Look I don't mean to be a bother, but do you have any idea what we're getting into?"

"None," answered Vadmare. "We could stumble upon a small rundown outpost, or we may be heading into Salvation's base of operations. The council gave us an entire fleet because they didn't feel like taking chances. One things for sure, we will eliminate any Extremist forces we encounter and salvage any data that will lead us to further outposts. Salvation is a threat to all of existence, as persistent as Regret, as brutal as Mercy, and as cunning as Truth."

"Um," said Obi-Wan looking confused "Who are you talking about?"

"I apologize," said Vadmare, not dropping his cold voice "Regret, Mercy and Truth, the three prophets that led the Covenant during the time of it's downfall. Salvation seems to have mirrored himself after them, taking the best of their traits and abandoned the rest. He wished to see his goals come to past with every fiber of his being, just like Regret, only he is patient able to remain calm. Regret could not, and he paid for it with his life. This is the same person that was the terror of the Milky Way 29 years ago, and the fact that he has survived this long means he his even smarter than we thought. I know your code goes against killing the unarmed, but in this case you must make an exception should the opportunity present itself. Salvation can not be allowed to live, too many people have died by his actions, and countless more will die if he escapes."

"There may be another way," said Obi-Wan "There's always another way."

Vadmare gave a hollow laugh. "You are like Secura, very stubborn unwilling to let go of your beliefs. I will humor you, find a way I can not kill Salvation and unsure the safety of every last living thing and I will consider it. Until then," he said turning away from Obi-Wan "I must prepare for whatever lies ahead."

"Um Jen right?" said Padmé as she walked by the SPARTAN in the Glorious Victory's gymnasium. The SPARTAN was wearing her workout clothes and was performing pull-ups single handily was showing any signs of effort.

"Padmé," said Jen happily as she flipped herself over the bar, landing gracefully on her feet. "How can I help you?"

"You know Ahsoka Tano right?" asked Padmé. Jen nodded. "I couldn't help but notice the poor girl seems a bit depressed of late. I think she may like something but be afraid to show it because of the Jedi code. I was wondering if you knew who she was interested in." Padmé looked at Jen a little desperately, but Jen was grinning.

"Trust me," said Jen her face still split in a smile "I don't think you have anything to worry about. Let's just say she talked with someone and I think they'll be just fine." Jen stopped rather abruptly staring directly at Padmé. She looked like she was forcing herself to stay quite but after a few seconds she whispered "Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes of course," said Padmé curiously "I've had some practice keeping secrets." An image of Anakin flew through her head.

"Ok," said Jen eagerly "But remember, you can't tell anyone, or Ahsoka will cut my head off with my own katana. You remember how Aaron seemed rather distant after what happened on Corusant?" Padmé nodded. Nearly everyone ad noticed Aaron's aloofness, but they were rather surprised when it had mysteriously disappeared overnight. "Yeah, well Amber walked into his quarters to make sure that he was ok and she him kissing Ahsoka."

Padmé's eyes widened. "Get out," she mouthed. She had thought that Ahsoka had fallen for someone, but she wouldn't have expected Aaron. They had seemed more like siblings than lovers.

"I'm not kidding," said Jen happily. This was why she loved matchmaking. In addition to bringing people endless joy, she would talk about it with other women and feel like she was back in high school. "I guess what? From what I heard from Amber they both might have mentioned that they loved each other."

"Oh my," said Padmé a little weakly. "I thought it was just a crush, I didn't think it went that far."

"Trust me Padmé," said Jen. "Provided the Jedi don't find out about this, those two have long-term relationship written all over them."

"Aaron what are we doing here?" Ahsoka asked as she sat in the armory.

"Just grabbing some stuff sore when we have to deploy just so I have it now in case I forget," he said as he pulled an anti-gravity lift from the wall and placed it in his backpack. "Oh by the way," he said with the tone of someone who has just remembered something. "I want you to take this with you." Aaron held out his hand, revealing a magnum pistol and several magazines.

"No," said Ahsoka almost immediately. "No Aaron, I don't do guns."

"Ahsoka," said Aaron "Just listen to me. The only weapon you have is your light saber and if you lose that you're defenseless. I'm not asking you to use it, just hang on to it just in case. Better to not need it and have it than to need it and not have it. Also," he said a blush creeping up his neck "It'll ease my conscious to know that you're properly prepared."

Ahsoka gave a shy smiled as she stood up, and took the magnum and magazines. "All right," she said "But I don't plan on using it. My light saber and the Force rarely fail me."

"Fair enough," said Aaron "Like I said it's just an insurance policy."

"Well you did have my best interest had heart," said Ahsoka slyly, "So here's little non-verbal thank you." as she finished her sentence, she leaned in to kiss Aaron, who happily responded.

Countless of light-years away a Jiralhanae Extremist ship was entering slipspace, carrying a package they had just acquired. "We found it drifting in space. It appears to be some sort of stasis pod apparently forerunner design." said a Jiralhanae Minor as we walked along side a Chieftain. "We were able to salvage this message from it." The Minor handed the Chieftain a holo-pad. As he read the message.

THIS IS THE LAST MESSAGE OF 05-032 MENDICANT BIAS. THIS RECLAIMER WAS DRIFTING IN THE WRECKAGE IN OF INSTILLATION 00. I SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGED FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF INSTILLATION 00 BUT MANAGED TO OVERRIDE A FEW SURVIVING SENTINALS TO TRANSPORT THE RECLAIMER TO A SURVIVNG STATIS POD. WHILE IN THE POD THE RECLAIMER WILL BE REVIVED, ANY INJURIES NO MATTER HOW SEVERVE WILL BE COMPLETELY HEALED. THE MEDICAL CAPABILITES OF THIS POD IS CAPABLE OF RESUECTING THE DEAD. THE POD IS CAPABLE OP SUSTAINED THE RECLAIMER FOR MILLIENIA. WHILE MY ACTIONS MAY HAVE SAVED THIS RECLAIMERS LIFE, SAVING ONE LIFE DOES NOT COMPENSTATE FOR THE MURDER OF MILLIONS. STILL PERHAPDS IT WILL EASE MY CONCIOUS BEFORE I DIE, IF ONLY A LITTLE.

LAST MESSAGE OF 05-032 MENDICANT BIAS.

The Chieftain gave an ugly smiled as he read the pad. "There is a Human in that pod, we may be able to use it." he said "Send a message, tell him what we found here."

"But sir," said the Minor "Salvation already has a Human, we captured one long ago do you not remember?"

"It was stored in a cryo stasis built by humans," said the Chieftain "It may have died because of the flawed technology. Besides," he said lifting his arms up. "This is clearly a gift from the Gods. It would be an insult not to use it."

Well the Extremists have picked up something interesting. I thought I'd give Bias a little bit of redemption. Now what do you think is in that pod? Please review.