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The Night Whisper: Even those loyal to the Empire have over plans...
Grima: Oh he will.
Chapter 14: The Art of War
Arimar came to a stop in her quarters, sitting upon the bed, she glanced down at the datapad in her hand. The message that came with it from the commanding officer of the Fourth Fleet. She remembered him well, his teachings and lessons had sharpened her mind to what they were today. She was taught to look for weakness in all people, to study them, observe and wait, be ready for anything unexpected.
The philosophy of her mentor was one that many couldn't understand. He was after all, an alien from the Unknown Regions. He was mentored by some of the greatest figures in history, many of them were Sith Lords.
"War is an art. There are people who work to perfect it, others who work to understand its complexity. But then, there are those rare few who seek to dominate it. It is an art of strategy and tactics, of observation and analysis." A man in a white uniform said, walking forward as his jet back hair was cut short. His entire eye was blue, a slit watched her closely as he came to a stop.
"But there is another side to war. For there are those who believe it to be a game of cards. In that sense, it is how you play your cards that enables victory." He went on, coming to a stop before the holoprojector. "War has evolved through the ages, from a time it was simply pointing and firing a gun or waving a sword. Now, it is a game of wits, a battle between minds, leadership pitted against leadership, massive armies and fleets."
"War requires capable leaders who know what to do in the most dire of circumstances." He paused, his gaze coming to a rest, a deadly glimmer within them. "Those who failure or can't comprehend the position of a leader, must be replaced."
"History will often tell you of the victories of great warlords, of emperors and empresses who won due to the lack of power held by their foes, but it will also tell you of their downfalls, of the overconfidence they held in their power." He lifted his hand into the air and rolled it into a fist. "Those are the fools who never truly understood this unique art. But the people history fails to mention are the ones who did understand this art." He walked to the side.
"But on a rare occasion, those who are mentioned by their victories do understand the art, and have thus, evolved with it. The understanding of war, is the understanding of life." He finished explaining, coming to a stop. "That Cadet Arimar, is the art of war."
Arimar smiled as she stood tall. Leaving the room as she made her towards the bridge of The Trident. She had a mission to complete, and she wasn't one to fail a mission. She was one of the few who truly understood what her former mentor was capable off, and it scared her far more then Viren ever did.
Callum narrowed his eyes as he drew his blaster. "So this is how you manage to get me." He hissed, backing away from Nyx as she stood with a hand upon her hip.
"And this is how you repay me for saving your sorry ass from the Empire who placed that bounty on you in the first place!" She spat back. "You're welcome." She added sarcastically.
Callum's gaze never moved from her. He spared no chance to look away from her. "So why come and save us? So that you could get paid for the bounty on my head?"
Nyx shook her head. "Uh, yeah, that would've been case had I not heard from your mentor what was going on, and that you were training to be a Jedi, which mind you is a dream I can never achieve." She replied.
Callum didn't believe her for a second. "And what makes you think I believe a single word that comes from your mouth?" He questioned.
Nyx rubbed her forehead. "You are so stubborn, you know that right?" She said, turning around. "I could care less about what the Empire wants now, not after learning what they're doing to Xadia."
Callum sighed and lowered his blaster. "So, why did you have a change of heart?"
Nyx came to a stop and sat down upon a chair. "You know, before I became a bounty hunter. I had my own dreams, I wanted to be Jedi like you and your master, like our king." She sighed heavily. "But I didn't have that strong of a connection to the Arcanum."
"So, I found another path, and a mentor. His name was Ibis, we would explore the galaxy, discover new things and learn all we could about the Arcanum and how it worked. Turned out he was a former Jedi who left the order a few years before the Clone Wars started, wanted to explore the galaxy and live his life how he wanted to."
"But during one of expeditions, the Empire discovered his secret. Despite his please that that life was behind him, he was cut down by some guy in a black suit. Seemed to have a nasty breathing issue as well, I think it was a life support suit or something like that. Anyway, the troopers thought I was his padawan till the guy confirmed I wasn't even able to be a Jedi and left me alone with his body."
Nyx lifted her eyes to rest upon Rayla. "Several years later, I was a bounty hunter, collecting bounties and went after yours, turns out I was so cut off from Xadia that I didn't even know the Empire had taken over and pretty much forced their iron fist onto the place. I want to free my home from the Empire."
Callum closed his eyes. "I was there when the Empire invaded, I was at the centre of it all, with my step-brother, the Prince of Katolis. I managed to escape with his astromech, but I wasn't sure if he managed to escape or not. But the man behind the invasion, it was my stepfathers' good friend, the Dark Jedi Viren." He said, pausing as he opened his eyes once more.
Nyx nodded. "We've all lost something to the Empire. But I should get you guys back to your friends before they start to worry."
Arimar took a deep breath as she stood before the holoprojector. Her breathing was heavy. "Grand Admiral." She paused, glancing down. "I regret to inform that Prince Callum and the Mandalorian escaped Tempestas with the aid of the bounty hunter."
Viren narrowed his eyes as he gazed into hers. "These excuses won't save you for ever Admiral Arimar." He said, turning his back to her. "Sooner or later, you will be replaced. TW-855 has proven to be far superior in his work here. If you fail again, I will have you expelled from the navy." He threatened.
Arimar narrowed her eyes as she rolled a fist. "You think they would expel me?" She asked, stepping forward.
Viren nodded. "Why, there would be no one to save you from them." He replied.
She smirked cunningly. The lessons she learned from her mentor replayed through her mind. "I think another Grand Admiral will have to disagree with you."
Viren turned fast to face her. "What other Grand Admiral would save you from Imperial High Command?" He demanded.
Arimar grinned as she backed away. "So, you never did learn where I went while you and your children remained on Coruscant. If it helps, I was sent by Lord Vader to learn under the Grand Admiral in charge of the Fourth Fleet." She replied.
Viren frowned. "The fleet that remains stationed at Byss unless ordered otherwise by the Emperor himself." He muttered, realisation showing in his eyes as they widened.
Arimar. "You should now know why it would be foolish to waste me."
Viren ended the call, turning around to face Aaravos who smirked with amusement. "Oh Viren, she never did tell you his name."
Viren narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Aaravos floated through the air, coming to a stop as he leaned against the wall. "Doom, his name is Doom."
Callum watched Nyx closely as she eased her way next to The Golden Knight. "Can I ask a favour of you." He said.
Nyx turned to face Callum. "Go on."
Callum sighed. "With everything happening with my Cell, I haven't had the time to find my brother. I need to know if he's ok, and I find out if any Elves made it away from Xadia as well."
Nyx blinked. "You want me to find those who escaped during the invasion and gather together to take back Xadia." She replied, raising an eyebrow.
Callum nodded. "Yeah, with hope, we might be able to defeat Viren and liberate Xadia from the Empire."
Nyx nodded. "I'll do my best, but I can't make any promises."
Callum nodded in response, heading off to join the others on The Golden Knight.
Claudia frowned as she walked forward. Arimar, she hated her so much. They were so close to capturing Janai and whoever else was onboard The Golden Knight, but she insisted that they head to Tempestas to capture Callum.
And were did this get them, back to square one. It didn't help her that Arimar said that they would succeed next time. That didn't please her at all. And topping things off, she could feel doubt in Soren. Doubt about the Empire, about their father. How he could even have doubt about their father was beyond her understanding.
Rayla relaxed against the wall. She wasn't sure how much had changed, but she knew that something was going on, something larger than them was happening. She had a gut feeling that things were about to become difficult.
But then, there was the issue of her feelings, she was a warrior, taught to fight battles in war, not with feelings. Her growing affection for Callum had grown to be a concern, something she wasn't quite so sure about, or how to handle it.
But after the events on Tempestas, she was beginning to hope she could keep her affection contained long enough for them to free Xadia so that she could move on. Glancing up, she wondered where her parents had gone, why they left her. She wanted to know why.
All the way across the galaxy, looking out the window of their quarters aboard The Cascade, were Tiadrin and Lain, both hoping that one day, they might see their daughter again, and perhaps learn if Count Fell had succeed in raising their daughter.
An appearance and large amount of words from my Star Wars OC, this is about the only time he will appear and be named. But Doom isn't his full name, oh no, that would be Droom God.
Tiadrin and Lain appear, The Cascade is the personal warship of the Royal Dragon Family, a Sunfire Class Star Destroyer that has featured earlier in this story.
I'm evil, I know, killing Ibis like that.
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