Earth Date - April 7, 1916
Space Force Launch Site Delta, Location Classified
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 35
"Launch in 3...2...1...Lift off." Phil said as they launched back into space with more explosives and a new radio station to contact the Earth. Robert haven't been able to get a telegraph from his family in time due to the hastiness and immediate danger from the threat of the Empire, but he hopes they are doing well.
Earth Date - April 7, 1916
French-German Boarder
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 35
Liam has been at war with Germany for over a month fighting for peace and with everyday he lose some hope that it'll be possible for peace with the Germans or that after all he had fought for will be for nothing. A doubt he have had since the Attack those many years ago.
Earth Date - April 7, 1916
Space Force Launch Site Alpha, Location Classified
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 35
"This is crazy." Aici said to Nuzlu who was working on his transport. "Ever since we meet Jackson and his team you've lost focus. Placing the need of potential imps before the need of the many billions who are fighting for survival."
"You've seen their ships, weapons, and many more reasons of why we should help them. And if we have a train jedi, he could bring in millions to the rebellion. It's a win win." Nuzlu replied.
"And what'll happen if you get yourself killed?" Aici asked. Nuzlu stopped and looked at his future wife.
"I won't." he said as he hugged her. "I'll always come back to you."
"I know." she said as they continued to hug each other.
"Are we ready to go?" Johnny asked and the two mandalorians let go of each other.
"We're ready. Are you?" Nuslu asked getting on his ship.
"Ian's at the car saying his goodbyes." Johnny replied grabbing the warrior's arm. "You will keep him safe right?"
"You have my word."
"Thank you." Johnny said as Ian ran towards him. "Are you ready Ian?"
"Yeah. Who's that?" Ian replied pointing at Nuzlu.
"This is Nuzlu. He's a rebel fighting the Empire." Johnny replied.
"Cool." the child said walking onto the ship with his father behind him.
Nuzlu turned to Aici and said, "I love you."
"I love you too." she replied as Nuzlu raise the ramp.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
The Devastator
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
Vader was meditating when he received a vision. He saw a crystal cave and the boy walking alone in the dark. The boy stopped and pick up a lone light source before the darkness engulfed the boy. "Ilum." Vader said in hate.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
Ilum
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
"Entering Ilum space in one minute." Korbone said. Johnny just watched as the stars streaked past them. He looked at his sleeping son. When the streaks slowed down a white planet appeared in front of them.
"So that's Ilum. I thought there would be Star Destroyers." Johnny remarked.
"Probably don't want the galaxy to know about this planet or what's on it. In fact it took my father thirty years to find it. Never had the chance to use it though." Nuzlu said.
"So there's no imperials down there?"
"Doubt it. We'll still have to fight some bucketheads. Korbone get us to a landing pad." Nuzlu ordered the pilot.
"Yes sir." the pilot replied. Soon they were flying in the planet's atmosphere. "I found a landing pad but a storm is coming in."
"How many troopers are there?" Nuzlu asked.
"Don't know. One squad minimal, thirty men max."
"Odds are against them." Nuzlu said as the landing pad entered their view. The pad was surrounded by walls of ice. When they got to the pad the ship landed smoothly and the ramp lowered. "I'll go on a head. Stay here till I take them out." Nuzlu said as he exited the ramp.
When Nuzlu exited the ship he saw two squad of ten stormtroopers, blasters raised at him. "Freeze or we will open fire!"
"Good evening gentlemen! I'm lost can you help me to find Naboo?" Nuzlu said trying to act stupid.
"This is a restricted planet! You are under arrest!" a trooper yelled.
"Sorry but I'm on a mission looking for Naboo." Nuzlu said lowering his hand toward his blaster.
"Raise your hands or we will shoot!" another trooper ordered.
"You outnumbered! Twenty to one!" the first trooper yelled.
"I like those odds." Nuzlu said as he drew his blaster pistols and shot half a dozen stormtooper before they opened fire and he had to launch into the air with his jetpack. He shot another dozen of soldiers leaving seven left who are hidden behind crates. Nuzlu threw a signal jammer in the middle of the the pad. He flu to the top of the ice wall and shot the last of the enemy soldiers. The mandalorian jumped down from the wall with help from his pack. "Landing Pad is cleared." Johnny came out first with a tired Ian, followed by his squad of mandalorians. "Broth, Ja, you're with me, Johnny, and Ian. Everyone else secure this pad!"
"I assume you have a plan Nuzlu." Johnny said moving Ian to avoid the bodies.
"Yes and no. Mostly no." Nuzlu said and Johnny stared at him. "My knowledge of Ilum and Jedi crystal goes to what we all ready know. Unless the kid knows where to go we're have to follow the pathways and tunnel till we find a crystal."
"How long will it take?"
"No idea, hopefully not long." Nuzlu replied as the small group began their journey to a crystal.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
The Devastator
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
"Set course for Ilum immediately captain." Vader ordered as he walked onto the bridge. The officer looked at him questioning.
"We aren't schedule to Ilum till the planet's next cycle and they haven't sent a distress signal to the fleet." the captain replied.
"Do not second guess me captain." Vader commanded glaring at the captain.
"Yes sir." the officer replied. "Set course for Ilum ensign." The ensign did as order and they were in hyperspace.
"I want to the planet by the day captain." Vader order.
"But sir the destroyer can't go fast."
"Then send more power into the engines. A threat is rising on Ilum and I want it to be destroyed." Vader said turning and walking off the bridge with the captain follow the orders.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
Ilum
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
The small team have walking for hours on end to find a crystal only taking small breaks to eat, drink, or shoot stormtroopers. At their latest break Johnny walked towards Nuzlu. "We need a plan. We've been walking for hours and haven't found a crystal."
"Our instruments detect several hundred crystals all around us, but since none of us can see them, my guess is that only Jedi can see their crystals." Nuzlu replied.
"Great. So his crystal could be on the other side of this planet?"
"Yep. Hopefully not, but we can't be sure." Nuzlu said as Johnny put his palm on his face.
"We have to hurry, someone is bound to notice some dead stormtroopers."
"I know. But what choice do we have." Nuzlu said as they begun their journey again. After ten minutes of walking they heard loud drills and yelling.
"What is it?" Johnny asked.
"Don't know. Ja scout ahead." Nuzlu ordered and the female Night Owl jogged towards the sound blasters raised. For several minutes they waiting with suspense filling the air.
"Serpent do you copy?" Ja asked over the comm.
"I copy Owl Bird. Report." Nuzlu replied.
"Large mining op is here. Ten drills and maybe eighty troopers and two uniforms. Unknown amount on the inside." she reported.
"Can you see a signal transmitter or something?"
"Yes."
"Place some detonators and get clear. Don't detonate till I give the order."
"Got it." she replied and Nuzlu turned to the remaining team motioning them to follow. He raised his blaster pistols ready for trouble. When they reached a pile of crates the group hid while Nuzlu looked at the situation. Just like Ja said, eighty bucketheads.
"Owl Bird, are the explosives ready?" Nuzlu asked over the comm.
"Yes sir. Ready to detonate on you command." Ja replied.
"Broth ready?"
"Yes sir." Broth said raising his blaster rifle.
"Owl Bird, now." Nuzlu said followed by an explosion and transmitter collapsed to the ground. The stormtroopers directed their attention to the destroyed transmitter allow the mandalorians to attack from behind. Withing second Nuzlu and Broth took down two squads worth of troopers down before launching themselves into the air taking out another three squads while Ja shot the remaining troopers and officers. The three mandalorians landed at the entrance of the cave waiting for reinforcements to march out. When some stormtroopers came into view the rebels cut them down. After several more long minutes the mandalorians waited for more trooper to com out but none came. "Clear!"
When the gun fire started, Johnny drew his pistol ready to defend Ian. When the gun fire ceased he looked at his son who appeared scare. Johnny holstered his weapon and gave his son a hug. "Clear!" Nuzlu yelled.
"I'm so sorry Ian. If I knew that would happen I would never made you to come here." Johnny said.
"What's going on?" Ian asked.
"You know your gift?"
"Yes."
"People with your gift are often called Jedi and the Empire fear them. So we brought you here to get a tool to defend yourself from the imperials." Johnny said tears rolling down his cheeks. "I knew this was a bad idea, but I didn't listen to myself."
"We are they scared of the Jedi?" Ian asked.
"They are afraid of your gift and what you can do with it. Jedi can inspire hope to people and hope will destroy the Empire."
"Will I have to fight?"
"Hopefully you won't."
"Are you two alright?" Nuzlu asked as the father and son let go of each other.
"Do you want to continue? I can have us back on Earth just as quickly." Johnny asked his son.
"I want to continue. If the Empire will be after me I want to be ready." Ian replied and Johnny gave his son one last hug before they walked to the bloodied battlefield.
"I was starting to worry you two got killed some how?" Nuzlu said as he came to their view. "The cave might have the crystals we need for the kid."
"Good. The faster we get the crystal the faster we get out of here." Johnny said as they entered the cave.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
The Devastator
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
When the destroyer exit hyperspace Vader made it clear they were low on time even though the reason was unclear to the crew, but Vader knew that the threat could bring an end to the Empire and the Sith. His shuttle was finishing fueling when Vader march toward the pilots. "Take me to Ilum's command center when the shuttle is fueled."
"Yes sir." the pilots replied as the Sith marched onto the shuttle.
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
Ilum
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
Chuut waited by the mandalorian shuttle when the Star Destroyer appeared in the sky. With Nuzlu gone, Chuut was next in command. "Mandalorians! Ready for an imp counter attack!"
"Yes sir." they replied.
"This is Saber Blade contacting Serpent over." Chuut said over the comm. After several moments of silence Chuut said the same thing again three times with no response. He looked at the dagger shaped ship as a shuttle flu towards Nuzlu's path. "Kark."
The group have been walking for not even an hour when the cave tunnel ended with a small opening in the war. "Dead end." Johnny said.
"For us yes, for the kid no." Ja said and Johhny looked at her.
"Are you crazy? I am not letting my son go in an ice wall alone and if you think-"
"Dad. I'll be safe. The Empire is coming for us and we'll running out of time. I can do this." Ian interrupted his father. Johnny looked at his son and nodded his head.
"Please be careful." Johnny asked.
"I will." Ian replied as he walked into the opening.
"That's one brave you got." Broth said.
"Agreed." Nuzlu said. "I known kids who wouldn't have went in alone.
"Thanks." Johnny replied.
Ian walked through the opening for nearly five minutes before he reach a large cold cavern with only a faint light in the distance to illuminate. He got closer to it till he notice he was on the edge of a large cliff. Ian backed away a few feet and looked around to see the cliff stretching from part of the cavern to the next. He sat down wondering what to do.
"Trust in the force." a strange voice said and Ian jumped up started.
"Who are you?" Ian asked.
"A Jedi master I was before our fall. Sad day it was." the voice said.
"What's your name?"
"Yoda I am."
"You need work on grammar Yoda." Ian noted.
"I don't. But help you need." Yoda said.
"With what?"
"Great power I sense in you."
"How are we talking to each other?"
"Force, very strange it is."
What is the force?" Ian asked curiously.
"Life. Everything it is."
"How can it be everything?"
"Force flows through us it does and binds living things together."
"So why trust in it?"
"Jedi can use the force. Concentrate, follow your instincts." Yoda replied and Ian closed his eyes. He backed up some and ran toward the cliff and as he got to the edge, he jumped high than he ever did. When he landed on the other side, he opened his eyes and walked toward the light. The light illuminated from a small crystal. When Ian picked the crystal up the cave darkened and he closed his eyes and ran toward the cliff, jumping at the edge. He landed on the other side and ran toward the opening to reach his father.
Vader was standing in the ship when he felt a disturbance. Vader marched into the cockpit and force the pilot out of his seat. "Lord Vader? What's going on?" the copilot asked. Vader was silent as he flu the shuttle towards one of the Kyber mines.
When Ian exited the opening Johnny gave his son a hug. While Nuzlu and his mandalorians watched the tunnel. "I got a crystal!" Ian yelled in excitement.
"We better go. No telling how long till the imps investigate a silent mine." Nuzlu said and the group marched out of the cave. After nearly an hour of marching the group reach the cave's entrance where a dark figure stood in front of an imp shuttle. A figure the mandalorians knew as Vader and they drew their blaster, and aimed them at the Imperial.
"Kark." Broth said.
"Kid. When I give the word, run. I'll help protect you." Nuzlu said. "Johnny follow him."
"Who is it?" Ian asked.
"Vader." Johnny answered as they got closer. Vader breaths echoed across the battleground sending chills down their backs.
"Surrender rebels or die." Vader commanded igniting his lightsaber.
"RUN!" Nuzlu yelled as the mandalorians fired their blasters at the dark lord as Johnny and Ian run toward the pathway. "Vader Protocol Beta!" Nuzlu commanded and Ja went on Vader right flank while Broth went to the left and flames launched from their wrist toward Vader, which engulfed him. For a moment Nuzlu was glad, they killed Vader. But then the flames was pushed toward his soldiers burning them alive. Nuzlu launched into air and landed a few feet in front of Ian and Johnny.
"Where the other two?" Johnny asked.
"Dead, we have to go NOW!" Nuzlu said as they ran towards the ship.
"This is Saber Blade contacting Serpent over." Chuut said over the comm.
"When the hell did Vader arrived?" Nuzlu yelled back to Chuut.
"Sir, I've been trying to get contact with you for about two hours! Where have you been!" Chuut asked.
"Currently running for our lives from Vader!"
"Kark. What are you orders!"
"Vader Protocol Delta!"
"That bad, got it." Chuut said as they continued to run, but Johnny and Ian slowed down. Nuzlu too was slowing down.
"We need a small break for breath." Nuzlu said as they sllowly stopped. Their break lasted about two minutes before Vader landed ten yards behind them. Johnny pulled his pistol and fired five times at Vader who managed to block one shot but the other four hit Vader in the chest and the dark lord staggered backwards, much to Nuzlu's surprise.
"RUN!" Johnny yelled and Nuzlu grab Ian by the waist and launched into the sky while the Earth soldier stayed behind to face the Sith.
When Johnny heard Nuzlu fly off, he fired his gun again and again until the gun was out of bullets. Vader looked at Johnny in anger and hate. Before johnny could reload, Vader raised his arm and the gun left Johnny's hands and went into Vader who crushed it. "Congratulations. You are the first one to wound me. How I do not know, but I will make you bow." Vader said as he charged Johnny and cut his hands off and he fell backwards to the ground. "Bow."
"I will never bow to the Empire." Johnny said boldly.
"Then die!" Vader said raising his saber. Johnny closed his eyes as it dropped to him.
When Vader killed the rebel, he recognize him from the Discovery of Earth. "Johnny Lenard." Vader said in hate and anger. This was an Earth threat. He felt his torso where the firing projectiles hit him. They didn't breached the armor but they did harmed the dark lord. Vader jumped on top of the ice wall and continue to head for Landing Pad 21.
When Nuzlu landed on the pad and letting Ian down. Chuut jogged toward the mandalorian and child. "Are you all alright?"
"We've lost Broth and Ja. Johnny is fighting Vader back in the pathways." Nuzlu said and Chuut was shocked. "Get the transport ready. We got to make out of here. Is everyone hidden for the protocol?"
"Yes sir." Chuut replied as Vader landed fifteen yards beyond them. "Kark."
"Bring me the boy and I will allow you to live." Vader commanded. In a split second the hidden seven mandalorians launched into the air firing flames from wrist, wrist rockets, and regular blaster fire. Vader pushed the flames back the mandalorians burning them alive, pushed the rockets in different directions, and redirecting the blaster bolts back at the soldiers. Within seconds none were left standing except Chuut, Nuzlu, and Ian. At this time Korbone ran out of the transport to see the pad in smoke and blood. "Surrender the boy NOW!"
"Korbone get back on the ship and get the kid out of here, you too Chuut." Nuzlu ordered.
"What about you sir?" Korbone asked.
"I'll keep Vader here." Nuzlu replied as Vader began to walk towards them.
"Sorry sir." Chuut said as he and Korbone charged the Sith firing their blasters. Vader reached out his arm and the two mandos were lifted into the air gasping for air till they were dropped motionless.
"Surrender the boy and I'll allow to live rebel." Vader commanded walking closer.
"Where's my dad?" Ian asked and Nuzlu knew that answer already.
"Johnny Lenard attempted to sabotage the Empire. I killed him mercilessly." Vader replied and the boy looked at the dark lord in shock, then anger.
"NO!" Ian yelled as he raised his hands and crates, metal sheets, rock, all different materials were thrown towards the imperial who was force back to a wall. When the objects stopped flying to Vader the boy lowered his hands and fell to his knees crying. Nuzlu picked the child up and took him into the shuttle raising the ramp. He placed Ian in a chair before going into the cockpit and flying away from the snow world.
Vader force pushed all the debris from him to see the Mandaloian ship flying away. "Vader to Devastator send all TIE fighters after the Mandalorian transport and destroy it." he said over the comm to the flagship.
"Yes my lord." an officer replied.
"You will not escape me young Jedi." Vader promised.
Alarms ranged warning Nuzlu that TIEs were on their way towards him. He quickly put in Earth's coordinates and prepare for a jump to hyperspace from the atmosphere. A bad idea for many ships. When the enemy fighters came into view, he made the jump and Ilum was behind them. Nuzlu put the ship on auto pilot and walked towards the crying boy. "Hey. Sorry about you father, he was braver than any Mandalorian I know."
"Thanks." Ian said sniffing. Nuzlu kneed down in front of the boy.
"You father did something that few had every down which is hurting Vader. He blocked blaster bolts with his saber but the weapon he used fired faster ammo than any blaster bolts I seen, too fast for Vader to block or deflect. I'm certain he proves that the Earth will be the strongest world in the entire Galaxy." Nuzlu said and Ian stopped sniffling.
"Thanks." Ian replied. "Will I learn to be a Jedi now?"
"Why now? Why not morn for your father?" Nuzlu asked.
"I want to being the down the Empire in my father's name." the boy said and the Mandalorian smiled.
"First we need to find someone to teach you then you're train."
Earth Date - April 8, 1916
The Devastator
Operation Thunder Strike - Day 36
"My master." Vader said bowing down to the hologram of Palpatine. "I have the boy from my visions."
"Is he dead?" the Emperor asked.
"No. A Mandalorian rebel group called the Serpent Mandos helped him escape. Only on out of eleven survived."
"Oh well. I suppose we'll have to hunt them down now."
"I know where they are." Vader said and the Emperor face was soon worried.
"Where?"
"Earth." Vader replied and the Sith master face turned to anger.
"Send the invasion fleet and burn the planet till you find all of the force users and destroy it military." Palpatine ordered.
"I will master." Vader said as the hologram faded. The Sith lord stood up and establish contact with Admiral Mih Drers. When the admiral imaged appeared Vader said, "A threat is rising from the Earth, is the fleet ready?"
"Yes my lord. We have little over a hundred Imperial Two Star Destroyers, fifty Light Frigates, and The Emperor Vengeance is nearly complete." Drers answered.
"Describe nearly complete." Vader ordered.
"There are a few system still needed to finished the ship so it can operate at one hundred percent."
"How long?"
"A month at least."
"You have a week."
"But my lord-" Drers said before Vader cut her off.
"Those are my orders. Follow them."
"Of course my lord." Drers said defeated.
"What of ground forces?" Vader asked.
"We have thousands of Imperial Troopers ready for combat and several AT-STs ready with AT-Haulers."
"Be prepare to Strike in a week Admiral." Vader said as her imaged faded. The dark lord began to establish communication with his Spy Cole Satiis. When the spy image appeared he was wearing Earth native clothes.
"My lord." Satiis said kneeling.
"Are you alone?"
"Yes. I rented an apartment in Washington D.C." Satiis replied. "Are you calling for my report?"
"No. I have an important mission for you. A Jedi is living on the Earth possibly in D.C. Find him and kill him if possible. If you fail in a week I will send an invasion force to find him."
"What is his name?"
"I don't know, but his last name is Lenard."
"I won't fail you."
"You better for your sake." Vader said as Satiis image faded.