Hey guys, here is the next update of this fanfiction.

Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kadara

Aedan Cousland was starting to feel a headache. This entire week had been a headache inducing mess. Under orders from his Warden-Commander, he had traveled to his home planet of Highever for the recruitment into the Warden troops. He had expected it to be a routine mission, an operation that he had done many times before.

However, what he found was his planet under attack by the Batarians and his people being taken as slaves. Just the thought of it caused his blood to boil in anger at the Batarians who had dared to come to Highever. The Wardens had answered the call with extreme prejudice and no Batarian ships had managed to escape the planet. They had lost some men in the attacks, no combat ever gone without someone dying but they had managed to stop the Batarian.

And that would have been the end of the story, until he got contacted by Warden-Commander Duncan with a direct order from the King of all people. It would seem that his regiment who had first contact combat with the slavers had been chosen to work with the Jedi to root out the slavers at the source.

He didn't know what to make of the Jedi to be honest. From what he heard and know, they are peacekeepers sent out on numerous missions across the galaxy, and yet, he heard that the Jedi had also been at the center of many galaxy changing conflicts.

Ferelden had been at the center of such conflicts in the past before with the ones that wielded red blades and Force users had left a bag stigma on the system and even in Denerim. Thought some of the stigma had lessened when they heard that a Jedi had been responsible for King Alistair to rise on the Throne of Ferelden.

The Hero of Ferelden, Solana Amell.

"Captain Cousland," a voice spoke over his com, "We have the Commander's ship approaching."

"I'll go and meet them," he spoke out.

With his helmet under his arm, the man made his way toward the hangar which was filled with ships and fighters that were around him. The Commander's ship was already landing as he was approaching, coming to land at the designed spot he was given and he stood there waiting for the Commander to step out.

Warden Commander Duncan looked the same he always did, ever since he was first recruited over ten years ago now. A bearded man, muscular in shape with graying temples. He had a noble bearing upon him, an air that was approachable and kind. It was one of the reasons he was the Warden Commander.

Following him was a woman dressed in white and gold robes. Her form was lithe, shorter than Duncan by a head with long ears and dark long hair falling upon her shoulders. Her eyes were a shade of purple which shone with wisdom and calm within it and Cousland knew by just looking at the elvhen woman she was a Jedi.

The two of them walked together toward where he was standing and Duncan met his gaze steadily and Cousland couldn't help but stand a little bit straighter under his gaze.

"Captain Cousland," Duncan greeted him, with a light nod.

"Warden-Commander," he saluted, "We managed to prepare much of the regiment. We're just waiting on you sir for the information you will have on this new mission."

Duncan gives a light smile.

"I knew I could count on you Captain," he said, introducing them, "This is Jedi Master Mahariel. Master Mahariel, this captain Aedan Cousland, he is in charge of this company."

The Jedi, Master Mahariel looked at him, violet eyes filled with a knowing look and Cousland feel like she could see right through him. The elvhen woman give him a light smile.

"A pleasure to meet you Captain," she spoke, her voice as calm as her appearance seemed to be, "We are waiting for a few new arrivals before we begin our mission. Some Jedi aid will be needed if we are to pulled this off and save those who were taken."

The captain nodded.

"Right, then I'll tell the bridge to get ready for them then," he spoke out.

The Jedi smiled at him with a light nod as both her and the Commander walked out of the hangar. He can see the others around looking at the Jedi as she walked past toward the exit, some of them not even hiding the amazement and shock that were on their faces.

He couldn't blame them. It wasn't every day that they worked with Jedi either.

Ellana was dressed in her mission attire. A protective leather outfit that was thrown over her normal robes. Given the mission that she was going to participate in. There was a high chance she will get to use her lightsaber and entering a combat situation. Finishing with her vambraces, she returned toward the cockpit where Solana was seating.

"We are reaching our destination now," she said.

The light of hyperspace disappeared transforming into a large dreadnought that hung there in space. It was a large T shaped vessel with the front in a sideway T. It was a Heavyhead battle cruiser. The ship was purely Ferelden with the heavy armor it carries and armored with many turbo laser to give any other ships a workout in a ship to ship battle. Commonly called the Ferelden T-Beams, they were a common vessel used by the Wardens during their patrols of Ferelden space.

"This is the help King Alistair gave us?" Ellana asked as they approached the ship.

"Yes," Solana answered, "We are going against slavers and pirates. This ship will need to be armored if we managed to get into a battle."

Then a voice came over the radio.

"Approaching craft, identify yourself?" a female voice spoke out.

"This is the Mabari," Solana spoke out her voice clear, "We are expected to arrive at your coordinates. We are sent by the Jedi Order, sending our codes now."

"Code's been verified," the female voice spoke out, "You have been expected. Welcome aboard the Griffin's Wing, Master Jedi."

"Acknowledged and out."

Solana guided the ship into the open hanger which was protected by a shielded wall against the vacuum of space which they entered and landed in the hanger bay. She powered the ship and lowered the ramp before standing up from her seat. Giving her a slight nod, the two of them walked out together.

They were Wardens around them working with the many of them were working and walking around. One of the Warden was waiting at the end of the ramp. He was quite handsome one with his dark hair thrown backward. His skin was bronzed and his eyes were a lighter brown color, looking almost golden as he looked up at them.

"Master Jedi," he greeted, "I'm Captain Cousland. I am here to be your guide to the bridge."

"Then lead on Captain," Solana spoke out, "And thank you."

Cousland gave a curt nod before turning around and walking toward doorway waiting for them. They were led straight toward a stairway which took them to a level above the hangar and into an elevator. Cousland pinged a button at the corner and the elevator moved upward.

It wasn't long before the door opened and they had a short walk before reaching the bridge. It was a circular room where a group of people awaited them. Ellana instantly recognized the Jedi that were present within the room. Master Mahariel was a welcome sight as she stood in front of the holotable. Standing beside her was Jedi Master Illuzen, a dwarf. He had light brown hair and a light beard upon his features, his eyes were kind and blue from where he was seating a light smirk upon his lips.

There standing beside his master was Scott Ryder. The young Jedi padawan gave her a light smile of greeting, something she returned it. She hadn't known he would be part of the mission but she was glad for it. He was dressed similarly to herself in his mission garbs, his cross-guard hilt at his waist.

"Knight Solana," Master Mahariel greeted, "We've been waiting your arrival."

"Masters," Solana said with a bow, "I have information about the location of our enemy as well as where they would have taken their captured slaves."

She raised a hand toward her Omni-tool and sent the information into the holotable. A planet appeared upon it.

"Kadara is a planet in the Govorkam system," Solana continued, "From what we've managed to pull from the Archives, it was only of note because of strange alien ruins were found upon it."

"Strange alien ruins?" one of the Warden spoke out a light frown upon his features, "Protheans?"

Solana shook her head.

"No, it didn't match any known Protheans sites," she said, "However we never managed to find anything more for the Rachni Wars pulled the Jedi attention away from it…and since then, we've never returned."

A soft silence settled within the room. Everyone knew the war that came quickly after the Rachni Wars ended.

"There is a Port within the planet," Solana continued, "But we have to assume that it's under the Red Skulls control and it could be where they've taken the slaves they've abducted."

Master Illuzen let out a soft hum.

"Then this is rescue mission," he said rubbing his jaws lightly.

"It will be when we reach Kadara," Solana answered him.

Master Mahariel let out a soft hum.

"Commander Duncan," she spoke out, glancing toward the older Warden in the room, "It's time we head on our mission."

The older man nodded and walked out of the room. Master Mahariel turned toward the group in front of her.

"You best rest up," she said, "Until our arrival at Kadara at least."

Ellana glanced toward Scott and the young man grinned at her, making his way toward her. Noticing that her Master was going to speak with the other two Jedi Masters, she followed him out of the briefing room, giving him a hug, which Scott returned.

"It's been a while," she said.

"It's been forever," Scott answered her with amusement in his blue eyes, "I must say…the new addition on your face is kind of cool."

Ellana raised a hand toward her vallaslin, a light smile upon her lips.

"I told you it would happen," she told him.

Scott gave her a grin, "Yeah, I know but seeing it in person it's quite different, but I must say, it suits you well."

"I didn't know you will be the ones backing us up," Ellana told him as they walked together.

"I didn't know it would be you either," Scott told her, "I heard about the abductions happening but I didn't expect it to be connected to something like this."

Ellana nodded.

"How is training under Master Illuzen?" she asked.

"He is tough," Scott answered her, "that's the best way to describe him. His saber skills are nothing to scoff at either. Despite how many times we trained together, I still can't keep up with him at all…but he still pushes me to be better than I was yesterday. There is no greater teacher you know."

Ellana smiled, thinking of her training with Solana. She feels the same about her own master and teacher.

"Hey have you talked to Sara recently?" she asked.

"Yeah, we talked yesterday," Scott told her, "She was working with an archeologist group. I didn't know what but she seemed to be excited about it."

A soft chuckle escaped Ellana's lips. Sara always gets too invested whenever they talk about ancient civilizations and cultures. Whenever she couldn't find her friend in her rooms, she was always in the Archives reading up on some obscures lore that were stored within it.

"Yeah, that seems like her," she murmured, "I still can't wrap my head around on how different you twins are."

Scott let out another laugh.

"At least, we'll be on a mission together since we were at the Temple," he told her.

"Yeah…we are," Ellana said, "I'm looking forward to it."

From space, Kadara was covered into a rusty color that matched the landscape that was visible from space. Warden Commander Duncan stood on the bridge of the Griffin's Wings with both of his hands behind his back as he observed the world in front of him. Even from where he was standing, Duncan knew that being on the surface will be less than pleasant.

"We're getting a lot of communication chatters up here," one of his officers said, "However it doesn't seem that they are aware of us yet."

"Scans shows that there isn't even a fleet," another spoke out looking at the console in front of her.

Duncan let out a soft hum at the information he was given. There was a chance that they had caught the slavers unaware. At least so far, things seem to be going well for them. The hissing of a door sliding open and close drew his attention away from the planet on the other side of the glass toward the three Jedi that entered the room.

"We've made good time Duncan," Master Mahariel spoke to him, her purple gaze looking out toward the planet.

Solana Amell, the Jedi that is hailed as the Hero of Ferelden had both of her arms crossed as she was staring at the planet as well. She was a beautiful woman, Duncan noticed, skin lightly bronzed, soft blond hair falling upon her shoulders. A light frown was upon her features almost like she was disturbed by something.

"Do you sense this, Masters?" she spoke out, her voice not hiding her confusion.

The dwarf let out a small hum.

"Now that's something," he murmured, "What do you think Mahariel?"

The elvhen Jedi put a hand under her chin, as if thinking deeply about something that Duncan couldn't figure out.

"We can't decide without seeing the path in front of us," she said.

"Something you want to share Master Jedi?" Duncan asked.

Master Mahariel glanced at him, as if coming out of deep thought. Her violet eyes were darkened by whatever she had just become aware of.

"I don't believe that the Red Skulls have decided on this venture all on their own," she said, "There is someone with a darker intent in this…but it's hard to decipher who it could be?"

Duncan frowned.

"Are they on planet?" he asked.

If whoever did this was there, then they could catch the bastard and put him away for good. The woman shook her head.

"Difficult to say," she said, "We have to plan out this rescue now…bring up the scans of the planet."

At Duncan's nod, one of the officers did as he was asked and upon the holotable, Kadara appeared upon. The officer approached toward them with a tablet and started to mark point of interest upon it. Duncan frowned at the sight of the heavily fortified place that appeared in front of them from the scan.

"The Port is heavily defended," he said, "Taking it won't be easy."

"A full-frontal assault might cause damage to the Port," Mahariel added, "And we still don't know where the taken slaves are."

"If you can excuse me Master Jedi," the officer spoke out drawing their attention, "During our scan, we found that this area is drawing quite a bit of power. Far more than a port that size needs."

"That place is vulnerable as well," Solana said, "An attack from the air will cause civilian casualties."

"What about the alien structure?" the dwarf Jedi asked.

The officer pressed some buttons on the tadapad, shifting the map toward the structure itself. It was quite a way away from the Port and doesn't seem to have anyone nearby at least, as far as the scan showed.

"We can land our ships around here," the dwarf continued, "It's far enough from the Port that they won't notice our arrival at all. However, a two-prong attack will be needed. We can use our numbers to draw their attention toward us while we sent a small team to infiltrate them from the other side."

He glanced at Solana's direction.

"Our padawans should be enough for the infiltration team," he continued.

Duncan tilted his head lightly at the words. They must be talking about the other two Jedi. They were young…as young as the recruits they gain for the Wardens most of the time. However, from what he could gather, Jedi were trained since they were very young, and if those Masters believe that those kids could do the job, then he would have to trust them.

"Then it seems we have a plan," he said, before turning toward the officer beside them, "Send words to Cousland, have them prep the gunships. We're going down on the surface."

"Yes Commander," the officer said before turning around to do this work.

"Solana, Illuzen," Mahariel continued looking at the other Jedi, "The two of you will lead on the ground and coordinate there. I will stay up here with Duncan and sent you info you'll need."

Solana glanced at her.

"Are you certain?" she asked.

Mahariel nodded at her.

"If the presence we sense is down there," she said, "Then I will come. However, I don't feel that whoever is responsible is present…more like his influence is felt here."

Solana gave a light nod of acceptance at her words. Duncan refocused upon the sight of the planet in front of him once more from where he stood. The bad feeling in his chest seems to worsen even more at those words from the Jedi.

The hangar of the Griffin's Wing was in full swing when Ellana stepped through the door. She noticed that the Wardens were starting to prepare the shuttles that they will need. Her eyes searched the many bodies that were moving about until they landed upon her Master's back who was standing there with Master Illuzen.

She and Scott made their way forward together as they approached their Masters. Solana turned toward them with a slight nod of her head.

"Are we going to the surface?" Scott asked, "I heard we arrived at Kadara."

"We are," Solana spoke out, "However, you are going to have a different mission than us."

Ellana tilted her head.

"A different mission?" she repeated.

"Yes," Master Illuzen spoke out, "We will tell you more about it when we're on the ground."

Ellana exchanged glances with Scott before following after the Master and into the gunship. The door closed shortly behind them and then they were taken off following a string of gunships as they were leaving the Griffin's Wing behind and heading toward the planet in the distance.

Kadara.

Arrival at Kadara...

Next Time: Slaves of Kadara

Jacques0 out.

R&R