Earth Date - May 19, 1916

The Defender

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 77


Commander Razri was standing on her bridge monitoring the hyperspace lane for any incoming ships when alarms blared and dozens of blimps appeared on the scanners. She bolted from her chair. "Status report." she commanded.

"Several Capitol size ships approaching the Gravity Wells." a Petty Officer reported. "Appears to be old Republic, CIS ships, and an ancient ship."

"How ancient?" Razri asked.

"Unknown, perhaps thousands of years." the officer said as the enemy ships exited hyperspace.

"Attention rebel ships, retreat or be destroyed. This is your final warning." Razri commanded.

"Transmission coming in from the rebels." an officer reported. Razri nodded her head and the enemy image appeared. The commander noticed they were Mandalorians.

"Let us through or we'll open fire. Final warning." the enemy ordered and the Imperial commander was furious.

"I have my orders to redirect all ships by the Emperor himself and I won't fail him."

"Why would he order you to blockade this hyperspace lane, Imperial?"

"Because it's unsafe and will lead to your destruction."

"Earth actually." the Mando replied. "But if you're right then we'll die, and if we don't go we'll still die. As far as I can see its a win-win for you."

Razri stood in silence thinking of the outcome. Open fire and we'll lose ships. Let them through; they die and the Emperor will have to worry about one less rebellion. "Let them through."

"But the Emperor ordered us to destroy incoming ships. Let them through will be disobeying his orders." an Ensign replied.

"The rebels will die either way. It'll save us the trouble. I'll handle the Emperor." Razri commanded before turning to the holo image. "You may proceed scum."

"Thank you." the enemy replied as the ships jumped into hyperspace again to their deaths.

"A dead rebel is a good rebel." the commander said with a smirk.


Earth Date - May 20, 1916

The U.S.S.S New York

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 78


Vice Admiral Andrew Holms floated in the ship's interior bridge. After examing the enemy capital ships they realized their enemy placed the bridge in exposed areas, so when the scientist designed their own ships they had the bridge inside of the ship. The idea for it was, lose the ship, lose the bridge harder. Lose the bridge, lose the ship easy. Holms thought it was genius when he was assigned to command the fleet in space but after the last battle, he doubted if they could resist another attack. The fighters were gone, half of their Lunar bases were destroyed, and the Stellar ships would be defenseless against the enemy turbolasers. Whenever Holms was on the bridge, he remembered the Earth War. Back then he was an Ensign on the U.S.S Arkansas and he had to abandon the ship as it sunk to the sea. He lost some of his friends that day.

When the alarms blared of an incoming fleet, Holms focused on a coming battle. "Status report."

"Enemy fleet past the belt sir." Ensign Alisa Corpse reported.

"Prep for battle." Holms said calmly as the computer screens turned on showing the outside of the ship except for the forward one which showed the Earth fleet and the exiting enemy fleet.

"Incoming transmission." Ensign Snart Elder reported.

"Bring it up." the admiral ordered and the battle map showed a person in a mask. A Mandolorian mask. "Imperial?"

"No. I'm Khisai Nuzlu. Head of Clan Nuzlu and general of the Mandolorian Sword. Voj Nuzlu sent us here to assist." the rebel replied.

"Wait where you are while I get my orders." Holms said before turning to Corpse. "Send a message to Earth explaining the situation."

"Yes sir." she replied. After waiting for ten minutes Admiral Reed sent orders and Corpse handed Holms newly printed paper.

Have Khisai come to Launch Site Alpha.

Have the ALien fleet stationed in front of the moon.

- Admiral Andrew Holms

"Attention General. I'm sending you coordinates to land yourself on transport. Have your fleet hid in front of our moon. Understood." Holms said.

"Understood." Khisai said before her image faded.


Earth Date - May 20, 1916

Berlin, Germany

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 78


After the Earth War Roman Schöll opened a bar for the returning heroic soldiers to forget the horrors from the droids. Now he watched young boys return from the Great War gloomy from defeat and the vain bloodshed. After an hour of watching the dread-filled home, Roman asked one of his bartenders to handle the closing for the night and he headed home to his family. A year after the war he got married to a beautiful wife and a year after that his daughter was born. The daughter who has an amazing gift that seems like magic and he is trying to hide it. For her sake and for the sake of those he cares for.


Earth Date - May 20, 1916

The Wheel

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 78


Nuzlu guided his ship into one of the station's hangers as an employee waited for him. For this mission, he was using a fake name for him and his ship. His name to the station's crew would be Ben Jiin, a bounty hunter searching for his prey. When the employee asked for payment for the hanger, Nuzlu handed him the credits before he went towards the Lower ring Podraces. When he reached the races he headed for the Betting boxes. "Bet please." the droid said.

"I'm looking for someone." Nuzlu replied.

"I'm afraid I can't help you, sir."

"Either you help me or your boss is going to lose a lot of credits and business." Nuzlu said and the droid was silent. Within moments the droid replied.

"Who are you looking for sir?"

"Names Award or CT-3425."

"He's made a bet of five hundred credits on Podrace Rassix Brisud."

"Where is he?"

"He's in Section Four, Colum Three, Row Two, Seat Two."

"Thanks." Nuzlu said before he headed for the informant. His mother gave him a map and instructions for him to find a Jedi. When he entered the section he saw his target with an empty seat next to him. Nuzlu sat next to him as several podracers raced by. "Whispering Wasp."

"So Khisai trust you. Why are you searching for Pude?" the clone said and Nuzlu recognized the name as a Togruta female name.

"She's needed."

"How do I know you aren't a spy wanting to kill her?"

"If I was an enemy I would have tortured you for the answer and then find her. Does that answer your question?" Nuzlu asked before the clone handed him a data chip.

"It'll take you straight to her. Good luck." Award said before he got up to leave.

"Where you're going?"

"I paid my debt and I hope Pude will be alive. Goodbye Mando." the clone said one last time. Nuzlu waited five minutes before he headed back to his ship and find the Jedi.


Earth Date - May 21, 1916

Felucia

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 79


Pude Awoza was meditating in the jungle five miles away from the village she been staying since the Great Jedi Purge. She lost all of her friends that dark day. She was given the title of Knight a week before the order fell apart. Pude traveled around the galaxy for a year before Clan Nuzlu helped her and hid her on this world after stating she didn't want to fight in any more wars. Now she has been living peacefully in a kind village. Her lightsaber was still in her home where it has never left since she arrived here. Today she felt rippers in the force. Rippers that are challenging the Dark side. Pude knew that another war was coming, only this one will be different. How she had no idea. Then she heard the each of a ship landing at the village. She stayed in the Jungle to meditate and had faith that the village will survive.


When Nuzlu lowered the ramp he remembered what brought him here all those years ago and the death that followed. An overdue payment to Death Watch brought him here and his father ruthlessness changed his life forever. He remembered the feared looks the natives had when he left them, alone to defend themselves from his clan and could only imagine the horrors of his clan destruction of the village. As he walked through the village he noticed the natives watching him. "It's him." some of them said. Nuzlu was on edge now. If they were able to recognize him from some kind of Imperial report then he could be in trouble. One native walked towards him.

"Hello stranger. I'm Gam. May I ask why you are here?" the native asked and the name sounded familiar to the Mando.

"I'm looking for a Togruta female name Pude."

"She is off in the Jungle and won't be back till later."

"I'll wait here." Nuzlu said as he sat on a rock eyeing more gathering natives. "Don't get a lot of strangers here, do you?"

"No. A cargo ship comes here to collect the harvest. Other than that not really."

"Is that why the village is keeping their eyes on me."

"No. It's because you're Voj Nuzlu. The man who saved us years ago." the native answered and now he knew why his name sounded familiar.

"Your father discussed the payment with Death Watch. Why did you move to a new village?"

"A few days after you killed your father, Clan Nuzlu came to claim his body. We told them the truth and they extended the payment due date by a month. We left before then and built a new village here."

"I see. How did my family found you here?"

"By luck I guess. They brought Pude here to keep her safe. From what we were told she served in the war and is tired of fighting. So I doubt she will join you."

"What do you mean?" Nuzlu asked knowing the answer.

"You're a warrior and a soldier. They are trained for war. Pude won't fight another war."

"I don't want her to fight. I need her to train someone."

"And will that someone fight?"

"Most likely."

"Then she won't. The war is over and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron grip."

"Not the whole Galaxy."

"You're talking about Earth." Gam said confused.

"Yes. I've been there. My Clan is there. I hope to bring Pude there."

"If your clan is there why have Pude train one person? Surely your clan can train an army."

"Pude is a Jedi."

"I thought so. Why would a non-human fight in the war if they weren't a Jedi."

"I will remain here."

"Of course." Gam said walking away. "The younger ones might come to you in admiration while you wait. Some were only babies when you came here all those years ago."

"Thanks for the warning." Nuzlu replied as he waited.


It was night when Pude arrived at the lantern filled village. She saw some children playing out battles from the war and the adults were discussing about a stranger. The stranger was the latest talk for them. A warrior who saved them, a soldier who protects, a brave man who'll fight for justice some said before they spotted Pude and stopped talking. She realized the man was Voj from the stories she was told. A Death Watch Mandalorian who fight and killed his father to protect them from his wrath. Pude wondered what he was doing back on Felucia. As she walked by the village entrance she saw the armored man sitting on a rock waiting for her. He noticed her as she walked towards him. "Pude. I'm Voj Nuzlu."

"So I've heard. What brings you back here?"

"I need your help."

"No. I gave a fighting someone else's war. Find someone else." Pude said bitterly before walking past him.

"I don't want you to fight, I want you to train someone to be a Jedi." Voj said and Pude stopped and turned to the Mando.

"You found a child strong with the force?"

"Yes and the Empire is going to be after him after what his people did." Voj said before chuckling. "Even the Emperor is making it personal to him."

"Tell me more."

"He's from Earth and his people can withstand hundreds of Imperial destroyers. Vader has taken an interest in the boy."

"Will he fight the Empire?"

"Most likely."

"Then I can not." Pude said and the soldier did not move. "War destroyed the Jedi and I won't let it happen again."

"So you're going to let a boy remain untrained when he faces the Empire and Vader."

"I won't build a new order just to let it fall apart again. I've lost too many friends from the Purge."

"I've lost people too! Good people who died so I can be here and get you to train Ian!" Voj said angerly.

"I am sorry for your loss, but I can't help you." Pude said as she continued to her home leaving the soldier behind.


Nuzlu hand was clutched together. He came all this way for her to just walk off. He was out of options now. He walked to his ship to try to communicate with Earth and see how their process has been. As he waited for them to answer he thought about Aici. There wasn't a day where he could forget her. He loved her and she was brutally killed by Vader. He almost didn't notice Reed's image appeared on the projector. "Hello Mando Serpent. How's your progress?"

"One word. Kark."

"That bad?"

"Yeah. I found the Jedi but she won't fight or train anyone for war."

"Why?"

"She lost everyone she cared about during the Clone Wars and was betrayed by the rest. What do you think?"

"Good point. Oh, by the way, thanks for sending that fleet our way."

"Your welcome. That's an end to my report."

"Thank you for trying Nuzlu." Reed said before the image faded. Nuzlu took his helmet off as he grabbed some rations for his dinner. As he was finishing, he heard the roars of Speeder bikes coming from the village. He put his helmet on as he marched towards the village to find pirates talking with Gam.

"Where's is my crop Gam? I told you what would happen if I don't have it." a Weequay with a blue coat said.

"The harvest has been hard this year. We can't give you the harvest and survive." Gam explained.

"I don't care. Boys burn it down!" the pirate ordered and five pirates carrying flamethrowers jogged to the homes and crops.

"No! Please, we'll die without these crops!"

"Then you should have gotten me my crop." the captain said as flames erupted from the weapons. Nuzlu raised his blaster and shot each flamethrower wielding pirates gaining the attention of the rest. "Who is this Gam? A bounty hunter you hired to save your pathetic village?"

"Voj go. You can't help us." Gam pleaded.

"Leave this village pirate or lose your lives." Nuzlu commanded and the captain laughed.

"It's twenty to one Mando."

"Sounds bad for you."

"Kill him." the Weequay ordered and Nuzlu threw two thermal detonators before they fired. The blast wiped out half of the gang while the Mandalorian shot and killed the rest, except the Weequay.

"Leave now or I kill you next."

"You will regret this Mando." the pirate promised before getting on a speeder bike and racing off in the distance.

"You should not have done that Voj." Gam said.

"Had to. He was going to kill you."

"We could have survived and rebuild. It won't be the first time it happened."

"I don't take chances."

"You took a chance when you let him go. Now we'll have to face his whole gang."

"What is he armed with?"

"Speeders, Z-90s, tanks, and his army."

"Where's Pude's house?"


Pude was eating her dinner when Voj entered her home. "I told you no Voj and I'm not changing my mind."

"It's Nuzlu and why have you let pirates bully these poor people?" Nuzlu shouted.

"I told you. My war past is behind me. I don't fight anymore."

"I can't believe. The first Jedi I met is a coward."

"Then I'm a coward. Now leave me be."

"They're coming back. I killed twenty pirates and let their captain go free."

"So you let Nom go free to take revenge. Smart and tactical." she replied mockingly.

"Honorable actually."

"And now we'll all be hunted down. Good job."

"So I don't expect you to help in the battle."

"Correct."

"I came here to find a Jedi and here I stand seeing no Jedi." the Mandalorian said as he marched out. Dread covered the Jedi's heart. He was correct, she was no Jedi.


When Gam saw Nuzlu march out of Pude's home, he knew that she will not help. He turned to his gathering people. "We must leave the village again. I do not know how long."

"I'll help. While you all ran away I'll keep the pirates away for as long as possible." Nuzlu told them.

"Thank you Voj. You may save us once again."

"Don't thank me. I'm just doing whats right."


Earth Date - May 22, 1916

Felucia

Operation Thunder Strike - Day 80


Nuzlu waited for the pirates to march across this path to the village. The natives left last night while he was preparing his arsenal. As the enemy tanks went past two tree-like plants, Nuzlu triggered two explosives cause the trees to collapse on top of twp tanks. Instantly several pirates walked to it to investigate the destruction. These pirates didn't appear to have the equipment necessary to move them so they began to march on foot. Nuzlu raised his pistols and fired at the enemy.


Pude was in her home when she heard the explosions and blaster fire from the jungle. War has arrived on Felucia. Ten minutes later the blaster fire ceased. Either the Mando will come back or the pirates will seek vengeance. When she saw the Mandalorian walked back into the village from her window, she was relieved he won the first battle. Several explosions echoed in the distance as Nuzlu turned on the fence, trapping the two in the village. Then he spotted Pude standing in her home. He ignored her and marched to his ship for more weapons.


Nom was sitting in a fancy chair, drinking some fancy wine that he plundered from some Old Republic bureaucrat, waiting for his tanks to destroy the farmers. He was a bit drunk when his human first mate walked towards him. "Please tell me the farm is gone Turso."

"The tanks haven't reported back and I sent some scout to find out why. Turns out that Mando has explosives and good aim." Turso reported.

"What do you expect? He's a Mandalorian. Weapons, explosives, and war is practically their religion."

"He also made it impossible to send any more tanks or speeders into the village. He blocked every pathway."

"Then we'll use the old fashion way. Our feet and blasters." Nom said before taking another big drink from the bottle. "Have a squadron of fighters open fire on them."

"Okay sir." Turso said before walking off and the captain drank some more.


Nuzlu had spent several minutes setting up auto-turrets around the perimeter. He had a few but using the landscape and some tools left from the farmers, he managed to set up a good enough fortress. When he heard the engines of fighter flowing towards the village he activated the air-turret and a dozen bright lights soared into the sky, followed by a dozen explosions. He smiled knowing that he was winning.


Nom was finished with his fourth bottle of wine when Turso walked toward the pirate. "The Mando destroyed Treasure Squadron."

"WHAT!" Nom yelled as he bolted up almost falling over. "How could he destroy a whole squadron?"

"Don't know sir. Most of our men are already marching to the village."

"Do we have another squadron?"

"No. We were dealing with farmers. We figured tanks and a squadron would scare them into paying us."

"Well, you were wrong. Forget the farm, I want the Mando killed." Nom said with bitter hate.


Pude watched Nuzlu as he sat on a rock while the blaster fire echoed from the fence. She walked to a draw and saw the cloth her saber was kept in. She remembered her vows as a Jedi to defend the innocent, but she remembered her vow to never fight again. Now war was on her doorstep. And if Nuzlu was telling the truth then millions of more lives will be lost. For the first time since the Purge, she wanted to act.


Nuzlu smiled as his enemy was getting wiped out. They were predictable and lack tactics. As the turrets cease, he knew he won another skirmish.


"I want everyone back here so we can prepare to make another charge." Nom ordered.

"Sir, this attack is costing us too much." Turso augured.

"I don't care! He is a pain and cost me a lot from this."

"Sir, you're drunk and mad. That's a bad combo."

"I don't care." Nom said as he grabbed his glass for another drink. "I want that fool dead." he said as he took a drink. Minutes later the captain fell to the ground asleep.

"Okay everyone. We'll leaving!" Turso ordered.


Nuzlu watched as his enemy pirate ship soar away in defeat. He started to gather up his turrets when about ten minutes into gathering them Pude walked up to him. For several minutes the two were silent. "Battles over. You can stay here as a coward again." he said as he walked off.

"I've been thinking about what you said." she replied and Nuzlu stopped in his tracks. "I let everyone down. I was lost. I will no longer fight in wars, but I will protect the innocent. Send the boy here and I will train him while I defend this village."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but I am a Jedi." Pude said proudly.


Author's Note

Hello everyone. I know it's been a while since I updated this story, but now I'm focusing my mind power on one story instead of multiple stories. The reason for it is personal but I am focusing my time on this story before I do anything else. I will also update the rest of my chapters because I got a new grammar help app on my computer and noticed so many errors. So it might be a few days before I work on the next chapter. I hope you all have a good day.