Chapter eighteen

The Only Puzzle Worth Worth Solving

While Hagrid's tale of his trip over the summer was an interesting one to say the least.  It, however, did not explain the massive amount of injuries he had sustained.  But Hermione had to put all of that aside for the time being as tonight was their first D.A. meeting since the Quidditch match.

 It had been almost eight weeks since they all had entered into the room of requirement and they still had another twelve weeks of training before they were done.  But she didn't have long to think before her thoughts were interrupted by the shouting of the Drill Sergeant.

'Spirit of the Bayonet?'

Hermione yelled in response along with the rest of her platoon, 'KILL!'

Again the Drill Sergeant yelled, 'Spirit of the Bayonet?'

'KILL!' said Hermione. 'RED, REB BLOOD MAKES THE GRASS GROW GREEN, DRILL SERGEANT!'

Hermione always enjoyed reciting the spirit of the bayonet.  Except when she had heard it the first time, she thought it was barbaric.  But as they practiced more and more with pugil sticks and doing bayonet drills she found herself taking a small bit of enjoyment from reciting the words.  And today they were going to have another pugil match with their buddy.  Hermione's buddy was Angelina Johnson.

Angelina was taller, and stronger than Hermione.  Was.  During the second week Hermione lost to Angelina in Unarmed Combat, but not by default as many had thought.  And through the many weeks of training Hermione found in herself the aggressiveness that resided inside her undetected until the first day of doing bayonet-fighting techniques.  And Hermione lost by only one point in their first pugil match, and in their second match Hermione won.  Today was their third pugil match and Hermione was looking forward to winning again.

Standing around the sandpit Hermione listened to the Drill Sergeant as he spoke, 'You're going to get back to back with your buddy.  You're going to be dressed up and you're going to get back to back and you're going to walk five paces and then turn around.  Then you're going to walk slowly up to each other and you're going to commence to kickin' each other's tail.  Hooah!'

'Hooah!'

'If you're not fighting, if you don't want to fight your buddy, we'll pair you up with someone twice your size that wants to murder you.  So you'd better come out here be aggressive and fight your buddy.  You're only going to learn from each other.

'You start at the whistle.  You stop at the whistle, just like unarmed combat.  Jordan, Corner you're up first.'

Hermione and Angelina stepped back from the perimeter of the sandpit and sat down across from each other.  For the first couple of seconds they watched as Lee Jordan and Michael Corner fought back and forth.  Hermione watched just enough of the fight to get a small adrenaline rush going.  She turned and faced Angelina.  The two sat in silence staring at each other.  Hermione could feel the burning sensation coursing through her veins as she stared into Angelina's eyes.

'Granger, Johnson you're up!'

With that Hermione and Angelina stood up gave each other a small handshake and then walked into the sandpit.  Hermione checked to make sure that all the padding was secured tightly on her shoulders and chest.  Taking the white American Football helmet she pulled it over her head and put in a plastic mouthpiece.  Two other soldiers pulled the massive padded gloves onto her hands.  When she was done she walked to the center of the sandpit.  When she reached the center she turned around and stood with her back to Angelina's back.  The Drill Sergeant put his hands on each of their helmets and then pulled his hands together so that Hermione and Angelina's helmets would connect.  And with that the first match began.

Hermione walked the five paces and turned back to face Angelina.  Hermione bared her teeth as she slowly walked towards Angelina her adrenaline flowing full force.

'Violence of Action.  Violence of action is used to gain, or regain the element of surprise.  It is both mental and physical.  Mental, tell yourself that you are the man.  That nothing can touch you.

'Physical part, be aggressive.  Remember that your ultimate goal in any kind of situation is to ultimately kill your opponent, so all your attacks and movements are working to achieve the goal of killing the opposition with extreme prejudice.'

Angelina thrust her pugil stick down low, Hermione parried to the right and then thrust forward so that her pugil stick made contact with Angelina's helmet. 

The whistle sounded and the Drill Sergeant said, 'Point.'

This time when Angelina and Hermione turned from the five paces away from each other Angelina was much more aggressive.  Hermione had little time to do anything but react.  She parried left, thrust right, deflected by Angelina.  Bringing her pugil stick back just in time to knock Angelina's pugil stick of its current course that was towards Hermione's head.

Hermione thrust forward and attempted to knock Angelina's pugil stick out of the way, but the two locked together their faces scant inches away from each others.  Pulling back Angelina swung to Hermione's left and withdrew as Hermione went to parry.  Hermione sidestepped and then thrust making contact with Angelina's shoulder.

'Point.'

Once again the two walked towards each other and when they got within two feet Hermione swung towards Angelina's stomach, and when Angelina went to parry she brought the pugil stick up and thrust with all her might towards Angelina's head.  Angelina attempted to lean back to avoid the hit, but in doing so exposed her chin and Hermione's pugil stick hit Angelina squarely in the unguarded portion of Angelina's chin.  Angelina dropped.

The Drill Sergeant blew his whistle and then pointed at Hermione and said, 'Winner!'

Hermione raised her pugil stick above her head in triumph.

'Potter, Longbottom.'

Hermione wiped the sweat from her forehead as she handed Harry her helmet.  She sat down on the edge of the sandpit and watched as Harry and Neville began their fight.

'Alright listen up, you are about to begin Victory Forge.  Victory Forge is the culmination of everything you have learned in the past eight weeks.  It is a three day, two night training event in which you will put to use all of the skills you have learned in the past few weeks.  Are we motivated?'

'Yes, Dill Sergeant!'

'Good, you've got an hour to get geared up.'

'Gas, gas, gas!'

Hermione reached into the hip bag that contained her gas mask and put it on.  Pulling the gas hood back over her head she put her helmet back on and then cleared and sealed her mask.  Several canisters were emitting smoke.  Hermione assumed that they were also emitting tear gas. 

Something landed at her feet.  She looked down.

A flash of light.

Darkness.

Hermione's entire body was filled with a dull ache.  There was an annoying ringing in her ears, and she could just make out the sounds of voices.  Everything was pitch black, but Hermione wasn't sure if that was because her eyes were closed, or if it was just dark outside. 

'Where'd they come from?'

'I don't know, one minute the scanners were showing clear and the next… well, I think you can tell.'

'You don't think they're Rebels do you?'

'I doubt it.'

'Have you notified anyone?'

'Yes.'

'Good, how many are there?'

'We counted close to a hundred, but I heard something about another patrol ran across the same thing we have here.'

'Great… who'd you notify?'

'Captain Pellaeon, he's sending four assault shuttles, three for all of them and the fourth'll have a stormtrooper platoon for guarding them.'

'A platoon of stormtroopers?'

'Yeah, I guess Captain Pellaeon, or the Admiral doesn't want to take any chances.'

'Apparently not.'

Hermione had no idea what the two voices were talking about, but she wasn't sure if she liked the sound of it.  But she didn't have long to think on it as she drifted into unconsciousness.

'Do either of you two have any idea of how to pronounce this one's first name?'

'Here, let me see those,' footsteps moved closer to Hermione then stopped and she heard the soft clinking of metal.  'Wow, um let's see here.  Hermi-on?  No, I don't think that's it.  Let's try this again Her—'

'—mio-NEE,' said Hermione weakly.

'Kriff, she's awake.  Quick, notify the Captain.'

Hermione opened her eyes, and was forced to shut them again as the lights that hung over her head were blindingly bright.

'Dim the lights a little; we don't want to blind her.'

A little late thought Hermione as she opened her eyes again, slower this time.  Once her eyes were adjusted she looked around the room.  She couldn't tell how large the room was since she was laying down on something.  But the walls were a flat gray; the ceiling was the same color except for the lights.  Apparently she was in some kind of medical facility, or recovery room because to her left lay Kit and to her right was Ginny.  In addition to the unconscious forms of Kit and Ginny were two men each looked to be in their early twenties.  One wore an olive drab uniform, and the other wore a black uniform.  Standing next to the man in the black uniform was what Hermione assumed to be a man covered from head to toe in white armor with some kind of rifle held across his chest.  When the white armored man turned to look at Hermione she had to repress a shudder.

Somewhere a door opened and she heard several people approaching.  Three figures came into view on her right side, the one in the middle was a middle aged man with graying hair.  He wore an olive-gray uniform.  The other two wore the same white armor.

'Is she the only one who has awoken?' asked the middle-aged man to one of the other men.

'Yes, captain.'

'Name?'

'Private First Class Hermione Granger, seven twenty-fifth "Black Jackals", Bravo Company, first platoon, Dumbledore's Army,' said Hermione.

'Well it is obvious that you are from an unknown military organization, who is your commanding officer?'

'That would be me,' said Kit.

'And… you are?'

'Major General Kitoriav Lightningstrider, commanding officer seven twenty-fifth "Black Jackals", Dumbledore's Army, Second Battalion,' said Kit, 'and you are?'

'Captain Pellaeon, Imperial Navy, commanding officer of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera.'

'Pleasure, under normal circumstances I would usually shake your hand, but it would seem that my hands are either unresponsive or have been strapped to this bed, so you'll have to excuse me if I don't extend the courtesy,' said Kit.

'Yes, well we both must admit that the circumstances of your arrival are… shall we say, unusual,' said Pellaeon, 'Tell me, this Dumbledore's Army who does it support?  The Empire or the Rebellion?'

'That all depends on who's in command of the Empire,' said Kit.

'What reason have you given me to trust you with the knowledge of our commander's name?' countered Pellaeon.

'Okay then, how about this, how long ago was the Battle of Endor?' asked Kit.

Pellaeon's eyes narrowed and then said, 'Five years.'

'The Empire,' said Kit.

Hermione had no idea what Kit or Captain Pellaeon were talking about. 

'Tell me, General; would it have made any difference in my answer, even if I had said that the Battle of Endor had not yet taken place?' asked Pellaeon.

'No, not really,' said Kit.

'Then why did you ask?'

'No real reason, just wanted to know,' said Kit and before Pellaeon could make a response Kit began again, 'And I do not wish to see ungrateful, because I'm truly glad that we were discovered by y'all instead of the Rebels, but I have to say that these binders are marginally uncomfortable.  And since you now know that we support the Empire I don't think there is any reason to keep us bound any longer.'

Hermione didn't hear Pellaeon's answer but from the loosening of pressure on her wrists and ankles she assumed it was a yes answer.

Kit sat up on the bed and rubbed his wrists and ankles.  Looking up at Pellaeon he said, 'Thank you Captain, is there any space left on board of which I could secure for my troops?  If all four companies were picked up there'd be about four hundred and thirty troops.'

'I do believe that space can be found,' said Pellaeon.

'And I will also need a place in which I can address all of my troops at one time to explain the situation.  And I must also inform you that my troops are not yet fully trained, when this happened we were beginning the last event of their basic training.  So I would also like to put in a requisition for Stormtrooper training for all of my men,' Kit paused and looked at Hermione, 'and women.  And I request to be able to speak with Grand Admiral Thrawn at his convenience.'

Pellaeon's eye's narrowed at the mention of Thrawn, 'How did you—'

'Captain, trust me I know a lot more than what you think I do.  And that is why I must speak with the Grand Admiral as soon as possible,' said Kit, with a hint of urgency in his voice.

'Very well, if you will excuse me I will speak to the Grand Admiral about your requests and shall be back soon,' said Pellaeon, bowing slightly as he turned and walked out of the room.

Once the doors closed behind Pellaeon Hermione quickly asked Kit, 'Where are we?'

Kit smiled stood up and walked over to Hermione's bed and sat down beside her.  'Well, I can't tell you exactly where we are.  Though under normal circumstances I would say something like "well, we're about five feet away from that bed right there", but since these are not normal circumstances by any means I won't.  But I can tell you that we are no longer in the room of requirement and we are instead on board an Imperial Star Destroyer.  Ever seen Star Wars?  No?  Well, we'll have to fix that when we get back even if I have to show up at your house during the holiday.'

'What makes you think we'll be getting out of here in time for the holidays?'

'Don't you remember what I told everyone about what I had Dumbledore do to the room of requirement?  No matter what happens while we're inside the room, that magic will continue to work until the last person leaves the room of requirement.  So even if we're here for two years when we get back and the last person walks into the hallway everyone will return to what they looked like, age wise, before they stepped into the room.  However you're muscles, and your memory will be the same,' said Kit.

'Who are the men in the white armor?' asked Hermione.

'Stormtroopers.'

'They're quite intimidating to say the least,' said Hermione repressing a shudder.

Kit let out a small laugh, and put his left arm around Hermione in a sort of one armed hug and before speaking. 'Private Granger, I bet you miss the perks of being a Captain.'

'I never knew what the perks of being a Captain were so it didn't do me much good now did it?'

'Point,' conceded Kit, 'and if it makes you feel better Stormtroopers have always been a source of intimidation.  Which is one of the many reasons of which I have asked the good Captain Pellaeon to have us trained as Stormtroopers.  That and with the Emperor no longer in control candidates for Stormtrooper clone hosts are no longer done for political reasons the Stormtroopers are no longer the laughing stock of the Empire.  So the Stormtroopers can always use the extra help to regain their long lost status of being the elite shock troops, and excellent marksmen.  Speaking of marksmanship how did you do on qualifications with your M16?'

'Thirty-six out of forty,' said Hermione with a small measure of pride.

'Very nice,' said Kit.

'Kit, how did we end up here do you know?'

'I wish I did, but I have a few ideas.  One could be that somehow Dumbledore's magic went awry and it sent us off here, or Dumbledore intentionally sent us here.  However, I thoroughly doubt that.  The other reason could be is that we've been sent here for some purpose, and when we complete that mission is when we will be taken back home.'

Before Hermione could respond the doors opened again revealing Captain Pellaeon, and another officer.  They walked in, bowed slightly and then said, 'The Admiral wishes to speak with you.  Lieutenant Tschel will show you the way.'

Kit stood up from where he was leaning on the bed and said to Hermione, 'I will be back shortly.'

Hermione watched the doors close behind Lieutenant Tschel and Kit.  Pellaeon shook his head slightly and muttered, 'So young.'

'I beg your pardon,' said Hermione.

'In the height of the Empire men Lieutenant Tschel's age would not be bridge officers.  And I have noticed that many of the soldiers in which are under your General Lightningstrider are quite young, yourself included.  Why is that?' said Captain Pellaeon.

'You might want to sit down, it's a long story…' said Hermione before launching into a thoroughly detailed explanation of the wizarding world, Voldemort, Harry, Hogwarts, Dumbledore's Army and all that she knew of Kit and his story.

Once Hermione had finished telling all that there was to tell Pellaeon recounted some of his more memorable memories of the Empire, battles, and eventually the conversation turned to Grand Admiral Thrawn.

'—and now we're in the middle of solving, as the Grand Admiral said to me once "The only puzzle worth solving" and that is the complete, total, and utter destruction of the Rebellion.'

The doors opened and Kit walked in followed by Lieutenant Tschel, and two men holding on to opposite ends of a rather large gray bag.  Pellaeon's eyes narrowed when he saw the bag, 'Who died?'

Kit answered, 'Rukh, the Grand Admiral saw fit to relieve him of his duties.'

'Why?'

'The Grand Admiral will explain it all; I'm just here to collect my troopers and move them first to the hangar bay and address them.  And after that take them to their new barracks on board.  Oh, and the Grand Admiral wishes to speak with you at once Captain,' said Kit.

'Very well, I trust you will be able to find everything on your own,' said Pellaeon.

'The Admiral has provided us with escorts for the time being,' said Kit.

Pellaeon walked out of the room and Kit turned to Hermione, 'Well Hermione… we've just taken our first step into a larger world.  Help me wake up everyone else and we'll get down to the main hangar bay and I'll address everyone there.'

Thirty minutes later the main hangar bay was filled, not only were there the four companies of Dumbledore's Army but also filling in were Imperial troops.  At the end of the hangar was a makeshift platform where Kit, Pellaeon and a man with black hair, pale blue skin, and glowing red eyes wearing a white uniform.  Hermione assumed that this man was Grand Admiral Thrawn. 

'Attennn-shun!'

Hermione snapped the heels her feet together, stood straight and curled her hands and placed her arms straight against the seam of her pants and stared straight ahead.

'Men and women of both the Empire and Dumbledore's Army.  For those of you who do not know me I am Major General Kitoriav Lightningstrider commander of the Seven Twenty-fifth "Black Jackals" Regiment, Second Battalion in Dumbledore's Army.  At fourteen twenty-two the Seven Twenty-fifth set out to being Victory Forge which is the culminating event of Basic Combat Training.  Two hours and four miles later a gas attack was simulated using smoke grenades.  And the next thing that any of us know is we're lying bound to medical beds inside the Imperial Star Destroy Chimaera.

'How or why we are here I can not answer, but I do believe that us being sent here was not an accident and we are here to serve some purpose.

'Now to my soldiers.  Most of you have no clue as to the nature of your surroundings.  You do not have to understand all that goes on around you just yet, all of that will be explained by someone when it is needed.  But we have fallen into the hands of one of the most professional, and possibly the best military organization on this side of the galaxy which is not our own.  While your training was incomplete back at Hogwarts I have had special arrangements made for all of us to undergo the best training program that the Empire has to offer.  And even though everything around you is different from what you have known back at Hogwarts your training still applies.  Remember the Seven Army Core Values.  The men and women of the Imperial Navy, and Army are now also your comrades in arms.  Respect them as you have respected each other. 

'For now we are all united for a common purpose, that purpose is to completely and utterly destroy the Rebellion.  We must improvise and overcome the differences that currently separate our military forces in order to achieve victory, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will all do your best in the coming days. 

'Remember the motto:  "No Matter, What, When, or Where it's our house!"  Jackals!  Are we motivated?'

An immediate chorus rose up through the ranks all saying the same thing, 'MOTIVATED, MOTIVATED HELL YEAH I'M MOTIVATED!  YOU CHECK US OUT, YOU CHECK US OUT!  YOU CHECK US OUT, YOU CHECK US OUT!  OUR HOUSE!'

Kit walked down from the platform and stood at the divide between Bravo and Charlie Company.

'With the events of this day I believe that it is important for many of you to understand several things.  First many of you knew of Rukh.  I was informed today that the Noghri, with the aid of Leia Organa Solo, have left the service of the Empire to serve the Rebellion.  Rukh was involved in a plot to assassinate me in the midst of a crucial battle, in hopes that not only I, but the entire Imperial fleet would be destroyed.  With the help of General Lightningstrider that plot was foiled by the death of Rukh.

'The events of the past can not be undone, but with the aid of General Lightninstrider's Army we will achieve higher standards of troop training on basic fundamentals and shall triumph once and for all over the Rebellion. 

'That is all,' said Grand Admiral Thrawn walking off of the platform.

Kit did an about face and said, 'Jackals, follow your assigned escort to your billets.  Inside your rooms you will find your new dress uniforms of which are to be worn at all times unless you are in your combat gear.  That will be issued to you at a later time.  Dismissed!'

'Johnson, Granger this is you two's room…' said the officer pointing to the door on his left as he continued to walk backwards calling names out and assigning them a room.

Hermione walked into the room followed closely by Angelina.  The room was small most of the space was taken up by two beds, and two desks.  The walls and ceiling were a light gray; the floor was a glossy black.  Towards the back of the room there was a small room.  Looking inside Hermione discovered it was a bathroom.  Walking out of the bathroom and saw the stack of black uniforms on her bed.

'Kinda brings back memories doesn't it?' said Angelina.

'Yep, guess we should change into the new uniforms,' replied Hermione holding the black uniform tunic in the air in front of her.

'I guess so, but I'm going to take a shower first,' said Angelina walking into the bathroom.

'Yeah, that's probably a good idea.  I'll take one after you,' said Hermione.

'Hermione, there's two showers in here you know,' yelled Angelina from the bathroom.

'Oh, that's good.  Don't steal all the hot water,' said Hermione walking into the bathroom.

Two hours later Hermione and Angelina walked out of their room dressed in their new uniforms.  They had been walking for about five minutes when Hermione asked, 'Do you have any idea where the mess hall is?'

'No,' said Angelina.

'Come on, let's go back and see if any of the guys know where it is.  I'm sure Ron and Harry have been there several times,' said Hermione as they turned and headed back to their rooms.

As they were walking they heard loud voices come from up the hallway.  The two picked up their pace to see what the commotion was and when they turned the corner they saw Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Neville, all dressed in the black uniforms, starting to walk in the opposite direction talking loudly.

'Harry, Ron wait!' called Hermione.

Harry and Ron turned around.

'What's up 'mione?' asked Harry.

'Where's the mess hall?' asked Hermione.

'Follow us that's where we're heading,' said Ron.

Together the seven of them walked to the mess hall.  When they got there they each grabbed what looked to be the best tasting food from the line and then sat down at an empty table.

'You know, this stuff isn't bad.  What about you Ron, how's your food taste?' asked Harry, his mouth partially full.

'It's better than some of those MRE's we've ate in the past.  Chicken ala King, that was possibly the grossest thing I have ever eaten in my life,' said Ron.

'Come on now Ron, it's not that bad.  Though when you mixed the chicken with salsa and the Mexican rice, and then you put the cheese and jalapenos on top of it, that was disgusting,' said Fred.

'Best one was when Neville made that cherry cheese cake out of crackers, the "cherry beverage powder", and cheese spread.  Definitely didn't look good, but it sure did taste good,' said Harry.

Hermione shook her head as she ate her food, listening to the boys banter back and forth about MRE recipes.  The food didn't taste much different than regular food.  She wasn't sure about the other drinks so she settled for milk, expecting white milk instead she got this blue milk that tasted like vanilla ice cream mixed in with regular milk.

Looking around the hall there were only a few tables that had people eating.  At one table she saw several Stormtroopers eating, each had their helmet off.  Each one looked the exact same; she had to keep herself from dropping her fork back onto the tray.  Kit had told her that a lot of the Stormtroopers were clones, but the full idea didn't quite click until she saw them all eating and talking to each other like there was nothing abnormal about it at all.

They maybe clones, but clones are still people Hermione reminded herself.  The boys had moved on from MRE recipes and were talking about something else; Hermione didn't feel like trying to figure it out.

'Attention all Seven Twenty-fifth Bravo Company personnel, you are to report at once back to your barracks ready-room immediately.  Repeat:  All Seven Twenty-fifth Bravo Company personnel you are to report at once back to your barracks ready-room immediately,' announced a loudspeaker.

Hermione, Angelina, and Fred all stood up from the table said a quick good bye, and then walked out of the mess hall heading back towards their barracks.