Chapter 14: Shady Infiltration

The first day of the war turned out to be one of the easiest as more and more battles followed. Kathar. Jabiim. Rodia. Naboo. Azure. Those were only a handful of the planets that Shadow Brigade had taken over besides Coruscant.

Altogether, nearly a hundred systems fell to the regime change.

A regime change that was met with equal force as it displayed.

It had three days since the battle on Aarok and the Republic forces were spread thin, but fought with power. The shipyards over Jabiim and Rhen Var were still operational and the ships that were in construction went under heavy advancement before being rushed out.

All in three days.

After the fight with Wrath and liberating Aarok, I had fought in a total of seven more battles. All of them won, except one: The Battle of Kathar. Kathar was a barren wasteland of a planet with no resources whatsoever and very little wildlife. To a civilization, it was their worst nightmare. To an army that needed a barren planet to set up a massive base and armory as well as an Anti-Turret Defense System.

The battle went horribly. At first, it seemed like we brought a large enough strike force, including the Jedi team, which included me, Ziv, Lyra, and a Padawan named Tirin, but it was soon obvious we had to go once the ground fight started.

And the first casualty was Padawan Tirin.

The Anti-Turret Defense System was one of a kind and had firepower that was far over a Stardestroyer's capabilities. Within seconds of engaging ground forces, the system fired on us, wiping out most of the tanks in a single swoop. Then, the system fired upon the four cruisers we brought. The Destiny was shot out of the sky with a single blast through the underbelly up to the bridge. I had no idea such a weapon was integrated into the warzone yet.

I immediately called off the attack and we left the system.

The first loss of the war.

But, as the other battles after happened, I learned more and more about my enemy. The Shadow Brigade had hidden from plain sight for years, not just in the nearly six year peace but also before that. In the Clone Wars. But, even with knowing that information, it didn't make the identity of Cultrous or Wrath any less complicated.

As the thoughts of defeat and victory ran through my head, I walked to the glass overlooking Carida from the station, Valor. Though Carida wasn't a typically nice planet, it was home to one of the best training facilities that I had ever had the pleasure to be in. The Caridians were a vital part of unorthodox training for more active clone troopers like commandos.

I felt a click in the Force and I turned around, offering a smile as Admiral Chechik, a fifty-three year old war veteran whose body bled for the Republic, "Hello, Admiral."

"Greetings, General Marko." Chechik said, coming up to stand next to me as he ran a hand through his graying black hair. "General Unduli wanted me inform you that the training of Batile Squad and Rumanova Squad is going quite well and they will be battle ready in a day."

I nodded, "Good. That's good."

He cleared his throat, "There's also something else."

"There always is." I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "What's the problem, Admiral?"

"We tracked a ship entering the space and heading for Carida. We detained it. See for yourself, sir." He pulled a holo-pad from his side and pushed a button, an image coming to life in a three dimensional, transparent model. It was an image of a ship. A smuggler's ship. Not only was it a very bleak freighter, but the identification on the inside had been filed away, as the report said.

I read the rest and nodded, "Any reason we are holding this person?" I asked, still searching for the name.

Chechik straightened, his posture impeccable, "She was giving off an encrypted signal that didn't seem to be intentional."

"She?" I raised an eyebrow, looking up.

Chechik smirked, "Don't go getting any ideas general."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips as I tried to glare at the man, "Very funny, Admiral." His words sunk in, "Wait. A signal?"

Chechik nodded and swiped the datapad, coming to another section of the information and gesturing for me to look. I did so and saw exactly what he was talking about. Not only was it encrypted, but I was also a very advanced algorithm that had a loop-runner program going through the code to re-write it if necessary.

"That's weird." I mumbled to myself, taking the datapad and looking closer at the report. "Anybody asked her about what she was doing?"

"I haven't sent anybody down to her cell." Chechik replied.

"Her cell?" I stared at the older man, "Why did you put her in a cell?"

"Protocol, sir." Chechik didn't miss a beat, "It states that any craft entering military space without identification is to be apprehended and the craft is to be held under watch and the individual in possession of the craft is to be detained until said individual is questioned."

I shook my head, "You Admirals and your regulations and protocol."

"I'm guessing you don't follow those regulations, sir?" Chechik asked sarcastically.

"I do on some occasions, but I make my own rules as time goes on." I said, handing him the datapad back and putting my hands inside the pockets of my light gray combat pants and sighed, "I'll go do the 'questioning' of the pilot." I held my fingers up for air-quotes.

Chechik nodded, "You do that." But, even if he tried to make that sound like it was a closing statement, I felt he had something more to say.

"And?" I pushed.

Chechik crossed his arms, "Your brother is requesting to see you."

It had almost escaped my mind that my brother had come with me for this trip. It wasn't a strike force because I was just checking the stations overview and also watching over the training from the outer atmosphere. And, since my brother was with me on this mission, Ahsoka was off at another location, leading a fight against another planet. I knew she could handle it, but being away from her was something new since we had been together for nearly every day for six years.

But, it was war.

I gave a nod, "I'm guessing you informed him of the ship as well, right?"

Chechik nodded, "Protocol." He smirked gently. "No." He fixed when I sent him a small glare. "Commander Marko is actually the one who spotted the ship and escorted the pilot to her cell, though the pilot put up some resistance."

"Well, I know I would if I was being detained." I muttered, crossing my arms, "Wonder why my brother didn't tell me."

"No idea, General." Chechik said, "But, I am obligated to inform you so I did."

I nodded, "Thank you, Admiral." I didn't move, "I have a request for you though, Admiral."

Chechik gave me his full attention, "Yes, sir?"

"Alert me of any communications from Master Unduli." I said, tapping my comlink earpiece in my ear.

Chechik gave a salute, "Yes, sir."

I gave one last look to the planet below and then I turned on my heel and walked away through the bridge and to the lifts.

It wasn't hard to find out which cell the pilot had been taken too. I simply had asked the warden at the security office near the lift that led to the cells and he gave me the information.

It was good to be the Jedi.

I walked down the small hallway leading to her cell and found a clone guard team there, my own team: Wingman and Tick.

I blinked my eyes, "Wingman? Tick?"

Wingman turned his helmeted his to me first, "Hello, sir."

"Hey, sir." Tick said with more enthusiasm.

I smiled and crossed my arms across my chest, "Hey, guys. That the pilot from the smuggler ship?" I asked, taking a look inside the ray shielded cell. The pilot had her head down on the table, so I couldn't see what she looked like.

Wingman nodded at me, "Yes, sir. Her personal effects are with Bronston."

"Wait. Why are you guys handling this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, looking in between both of them.

"I don't follow, sir." Tick said.

"Me neither." Wingman said next.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I just thought that you two would be doing something more active, considering the other half of the squad is with Ahsoka on whatever planet she's attacking."

Wingman groaned gently, "Thanks for reminding me, sir."

I laughed, "You'll be back in the action soon, it's only been a few days since this war started and I doubt you'll miss much of it."

Tick hit Wingman's shoulder with the butt of his DC-15, "Yeah, stop whining, Wingman."

I chuckled at the brotherly display, "Ok. Now, what was on her when you took her in?" I asked.

Wingman turned to me, "A blaster, manufacturer unknown, a few homemade grenades, a satchel, a small switch-bladed knife, also custom made, and a few ration bars."

I blinked, "That's it?"

Wingman nodded, "Yes, sir. That's it."

Tick chuckled, "Strange, I know right, sir?"

Nodding, I put a hand to my chin, "And, her ship's cargo?"

Tick spoke up, "We haven't sent a crew to check the ship."

"So, it could be loaded with explosives for all we know?" I asked, rhetorically. "Will you boys go take a team to go check it out while I handle this?"

"Leave our posts?" Both clones said at once.

"You act like that's the first time I've asked you to do that." I laughed.

Wingman returned the laugh gently, "That's true, sir."

"You sure, sir?" Tick asked, taking a small step forward.

I nodded, "Yes, and that's an order."

Both clones straightened and nodded, clipping their weapons to their belts and walking off in sync. After they were gone, I hit the control switch on the side and the ray shields deactivated. The room was lit fairly well and I could still see that she had her head down.

Suddenly, the Force sparked a warning in my mind and I was alert of everything. Especially the breathing of the people in the room: me and her. However, her breathing, from what it sounded like, was coming from above me. I quickly flipped my body backwards, blocking off the entrance as a foot came crashing down where I was.

"Damn it!" The girl shouted, standing back up and placing her hands on her hips, "So close too."

She was a moderately tall girl with curly brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Her outfit comprised of navy blue, skin tight pants and a brown utility belt to match her boots and a white tank top that revealed her mid-drift. She was an incredibly attractive girl who looked like she was used to situations that she needed to get her hands dirty but preferred the work to be done for her.

I frowned, "Trying to use excessive force to escape?"

"Says the man in charge of the clones that took me here." She put up her hands, her voice like ice, "Now, move out of my way and let me leave."

I let my hands fall to my sides, "I will do that after you answer my questions." I cast a glance to the table and, after another glance, I realized it was just her jacket propped up over the chair's front and the arms were crossed.

Her fist came flying at me a second later, causing me to go into a defensive stance. My right hand came up, palm out and caught her fist dead on before it hit my face. Shock was evident on her face as she struggled to retract her hand from my vice grip.

"Please don't do that." I shoved her arm backwards, making her stumble a bit before she ended up sitting on the table behind her.

I crossed my arms and reactivated the ray shields with the Force, "Now, I believe I have some questions for you."

"To which I'm going to say one thing." The girl crossed her arms defiantly, "No."

I shrugged, "Ok." I turned on my heel, smirking but hiding it from her, "I'll just let you stay here till you feel you want to talk, but I can tell that's gonna be a long time. I'll have you transported to a shuttle under heavy guard and take you to one of the intergalactic prisons. It's no big deal, miss." I took one step before I heard her again.

"Ok! Wait! Please!"

I turned back around, "Yes?"

The girl walked around to the chair and sat down, putting her jacket on, "Ok, fine. I'll answer your dumb questions, Mr. Good Looking." She finished with a laugh.

I laughed back and walked to the front of the table and laid my hands on them, leaning forward with my eyes leading my assault, "Good." I cleared my throat, "My name is Blaze Marko. What's your name?"

The girl visibly swallowed, "T-Talia."

"Just Talia?" I pressed forward.

A bead of sweat ran down the side of her head and I felt her heart quicken. The vibrations through her hands through the table gave me all I needed to make sure she was telling the truth. Every time her heart sped up or slowed down, I could feel it and judge what was true and what was not.

Little something I picked up on other missions. I thought to myself as I waited for an answer.

Talia nodded, "Yes. Just Talia."

I gave her an understanding nod and stood straight, "Now, I want you to answer this one with absolute honesty and I will know if you are lying." I tightened my eyes at her, watching her own eyes twitch gently.

"Ok." She muttered, crossing one leg over the other.

"What were you doing in military space?" I asked nicely.

Talia's face was unreadable and her heart rate stayed normal, "I'm transporting equipment to a small village outside of Hatopu."

Satisfied with her answer, I gave a small smile, "Ok. Now, what is the equipment?"

"Supplies, some small medical patches and the regenerators for them, and some power cells for their generators." Talia said.

Sounds like she's reading a list. I hummed to myself, "That what the manifest said to you?"

Talia's resolve cracked just a bit, "Yeah. It also said don't touch because it said that messing with it could harm the equipment inside."

I hit the earpiece in my ear, "Wingman, you copy?"

"I'm here, Blaze. What's up?" The clone responded casually.

"I want you to run a scan on the ship before you go into it and do a manual search." I said.

"Yes, sir. Any reason why?" He asked.

I closed my eyes and reopened them, "Just a feeling. Thanks. Marko out." I hit the earpiece again and the line died out. I looked back into Talia's eyes, "Who's your benefactor?"

Talia stared at me, her cerulean eyes shining bright with curiosity but also a strange fear, "Something wrong?"

I shook my head, "We'll see. Now, answer please."

Talia's eyes tightened as if she was trying to figure something out, but she answered all the same, "A man name Jacan Rur. He lives in the small town and he said he'd pay me upfront once I brought him the goods."

"Upfront?" I cocked my head to the side a bit, taking notice of the badge on her shoulder. It was self-made, obviously, but it was very well done. It was a symbol of a bright yellow flower fully bloomed over a morning sky with rays of sunshine coming down from the sky over a name: Crystal Bloom.

I opened my mouth to say something when the ray shield behind me suddenly shut down and I looked back in a flash, my darksaber coming into my left hand, the black blade extending with a flash of white electricity over the emitter of the lightsaber.

I lowered my weapon when I realized why it had gone down.

My brother took a step in and saw my blade up in the air towards him, "What the hell?"

I closed off the weapon and hooked it to my waist once again, "You really should watch your language." I wanted to laugh at myself. Hypocrite.

He just looked at me with a smirk, "No thanks, I'm good." Then he turned his head to the side, peering around me.

I cast a look to the side, "You ordered her to be taken here so I was kinda disappointed when you weren't here, Jake." I crossed my arms disapprovingly, "Anyway, I'm running a scan over the ship now."

Jake shrugged, walking over to the table and looking at Talia, "Hello there Smuggler."

I walked over beside him just in time to see Talia go livid, standing up out of her chair and bashing her fist against the table, "You! It was you who pulled my ship out and got me into this shit!"

"You were in restricted space, lady!" Jake yelled back, frowning hard at her. "If anything, you got yourself in this shit!"

"I was doing my work!" Talia bit back.

"And what work was that again?" Jake put on a thoughtful expression that was obviously faked and then he turned right back, shout. "Illegal work!"

My earpiece started to buzz and I walked away from the two for a moment, "Marko here."

"It's Wingman, sir."

I smiled, "Did you run the scan?"

"Yes. And you are not going to believe this." He said.

"Give it to me." I said, looking back inside the cell to see that Jake had secluded himself to a wall and was leaning against it while Talia was sitting down, facing away from him.

That lasted all of ten seconds.

"The crates in her ship are filled with explosives wired to a timer but the timer is blocked out…" He spoke quickly, "…and it's running."

My instincts kicked in, "Get everybody out of that hangar now! Derail it! Throw it into space!"

"Right away, sir! Tick! Everybody! MOVE!"

I leaped back into the room, startling both my brother and Talia. I unclipped my darksaber and ignited the black blade, pointing it at the smuggler girl in front of me, "You have bombs in your crates! You think you could blow up this station!?"

Talia's eyes widened and she backed up, falling against the wall, "W-What?!" Her eyes went straight to my saber.

I frowned, "Your crates are full of explosives! Explain!"

Talia's eyes glossed over and her chest started rising and falling quickly, "I-I have no i-idea!"

Jake stepped forward, "I knew you were up to something!"

I shut off my saber and slammed my hands on the table just as my earpiece rang. I clicked the button on the side, "Marko here!"

A series of beeps and whistles from my astromech droid filled my ears. [Master! The ship has been launched out of the hangar!]

"Are you sure?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the smuggler in front of me but also on my brother, whose temper had begun to flare. Maybe getting angry in front of him wasn't the best idea.

[Yes, Master!]

The entire room suddenly shook as a huge explosion shook the station, causing me to fall flat on the floor, smacking my head against the metal flooring. Jake was flung up against the wall and slumped to the ground, holding his own head. I couldn't see, but I heard a third thump and I was sure that was Talia. The lights completely went out, covering the room in a thick blanket of darkness.

I got to my knees as the shaking lessened but still stayed present. That was the ship! I'm sure of that! Damn bombs.

The rumbling soon died down and my earpiece buzzed again. I hit the button, "R9?"

[Master! The ship exploded!] R9 whistled out.

I groaned, "No shit." I got to my feet, staring into the darkness. "Damage report!" I unclipped my own lightsaber and ignited the blue blade, swinging it around for light, seeing my brother getting up.

[The hangar caught debris, Master. There are fires near the front end. The clones are trying to put them out.] R9 replied.

I frowned, "Ok. Tell me if anything else happens." After a quick affirmative response from my droid, I cut out the signal, turning to the now rising Talia.

I held the blue blade out to her, "Wanna lie again?"

"I-I-I didn't lie! I promise!" She nearly screamed in fear.

I sighed and held the blade away, "You said there were supplies in your ship, but we found explosives! They were obviously set to go off when you docked with us."

"I was going to the planet!" Talia argued. Even from a few paces distance, I could feel her heartbeat through the metallic ground. "I thought there were s-s-supplies. Honest! Please don't kill me!"

She's not lying. She's more afraid than anything. I reached out through the Force as it pinged back to life in a flurry of something evil. Something dark.

The Dark Side.

And, after another moment of searching for answers, I found the center.

Cultrous.

I ran out of the room in a flash and to the nearest viewport as several Shadow Brigade Star Cruisers leaped out of hyperspace, TIE fighter replicas and A-Wings flying out of the ships and firing upon the station. The Stardestroyers that were in orbit around the station were in complete disarray for a few moments as plasma rained down on them. Then, they moved into attack position.

"Damn…" I ran back into the room and ran up to Talia, "Your benefactor set us up! I get it. You are innocent and you thought it was just a job so you were the perfect pansy to send to try to damage the station before they launched their attack."

"They are good." Jake muttered, unclipping his saber and holding it in his hand, "You know they are going to board this station, brother."

I gave a firm nod, "Yeah, I know. Ready for a fight?" Damn, I wish Ahsoka was here. I love my brother to death, but his skills aren't on Ahsoka's level and if it really IS Cultrous out there, then he's gonna get on this station. If we fight I'm sure I can hold him off but I don't know if I can beat him. It hasn't been too long since he kicked my ass at the Temple…Damn it...I clenched my fist around my saber. But I'll sure as hell try.

I turned to Talia, "I'm sorry for everything but if you are feeling good, I need you to help me." Quickly, my head snapped to Jake, "Go get her stuff! Now!"

Jake nodded, "I understand what you're thinking!" He ran out of the cell, his steps echoing.

"Blaze." Talia's voice shook me from my stare. "I'll help, but I want an explanation."

I groaned loudly, feeling the darkness growing, "In short, the Sith are attacking the station and the most powerful one of all is about to be here."

Talia blinked, "Then, what are we supposed to do about it?!"

I gave her a glare, "Me and my brother will face the Sith when they board the station. Everyone else is going to fight. You are going to get to my ship and prep it for EVAC."

"I don't even know what your ship looks like." Talia frowned.

I grit my teeth just as Jake ran back in, literally throwing all of Talia's stuff back into her arms. As she was in complete disgruntlement at the sudden action, I pulled out a holo-disc from my waist and put it on the top of her stuff, "There. That's what my ship looks like."

The Dark Side hit me in full and I felt my stomach tighten, my fist following suit in that same action, "Damn. He's coming."

Jake frowned, "Are you sure? I don't feel something that evil."

I nodded, "That's him. I wouldn't ever forget that energy."

Talia threw her stuff down on the table beside her and placed her hands on her hips, "After I get the ship going, do you want me to just wait for you two?"

I shook my head, "It'll take you a few to figure out how to start it, but when you do I want you to go above us slowly and lower the ramp. If we can, we'll get on. If not, take the ship down to the base on the surface of the planet."

Jake crossed his arms, "James I don't know if we can trust her not to steal the ship."

Talia's face reddened, "How dare you? I'm a smuggler not a thief, asshole."

Jake opened him mouth to respond but I quickly covered it with my hand, "Come up with a comeback later. Now, we run."

Once we got to the main hangar, I took an overlook of the surroundings. The hangar hadn't been damaged. It occurred to me that the ship that the station confiscated was taken to a different hangar.

Good. Less destruction. I thought as the Dark Side hit my senses, my body twitching as I spun on my heel to see a large, bulky shuttle come through the shields of the hangar.

I frowned and turned my head to my brother, "Jake! Now!" I shouted.

He nodded and reared his hands back, "Oh, this is gonna hurt them."

I nodded and felt the Force swell into my hands, "That's the point, brother."

Jake smirked before he threw his hands forward in sync with my own. The accumulated energy we gathered shot out like a gust from a hurricane. It tore through the shuttle and blew the outer layer of its metal frame off. One of the engines completely separate from the back of the shuttle and soar downward towards the hangar floor. Once it made contact, it burst into flames, metal and shrapnel going everywhere within the radius. The shuttle, on the other hand, wobbled in the air and crashed downward in front of all three of us.

I cast a glance to Talia, "Go. We got this."

Talia gave a nervous laugh, "I'm sure you do. Good luck, guys." Footsteps in quick motions made it obvious she had fled.

I unclipped my lightsabers and ignited both blades, holding them downward, "I'm sensing more than one person on that shuttle."

Jake ignited his purple saber, "I was gonna say that. Can you even sense how many at all? I can't."

After a moment of searching, I found I was having the same problem, "I can't. That's weird. Keep your guard up. I don't wanna have to die because you didn't have my back."

"That hurts." Jake said, smirking gently, something I couldn't help but notice, "I've always got your back, brother." That part was genuine.

I smiled, "And I've always got yours."

The shuttle's front suddenly exploded in a flash of light, revealing darkness inside of the shuttle's body. Then, in an instant, lightsabers blazed to life in the dark. The dark suddenly became not so dark as crimson appeared.

"I count twenty." I muttered. "How many can you handle?"

"I can handle as many as they throw me. Once I go all out on them, there won't be anything left." Jake boasted, "I've been training really hard with Shaak Ti."

I looked at him, "I hope you're right, Jake." Because these guys are not going to show any mercy.

The enemy in front of us charged, growls and shouts of disdain echoing throughout the empty hangar bay. It was brothers against the Sith. And, suddenly, I wasn't so nervous about my brother. I had faith in him. I had faith in his abilities.

The fight was on.