Chapter 16
Sleeping Giants
GAREL
Ghost,
It was early in the morning, Hera, Kanan, Ahsoka, Turok and Rex were gathered in the cockpit looking at a small hologram of Commander Sato. They were all catching up on the recent news from Lothal, "This is disturbing news from Lothal, we've had no contact of a new rebel cell being formed, least of all one with such brutal methods." Commander Sato said to them.
"As much as I want to see the Empire loose, I'm glad to know none of our people are responsible for this." Hera said.
"Even so the rebellion will be blamed, unless these terrorists make some sort of a statment?" Ahsoka said.
Rex grunted "I think cutting off an entire outpost worth of heads and painting a TIE fighter in blood is statement enough." he said.
"That's what I'm worried about?" Turok said, getting their attention, "You have a theory?" Kanan asked him.
"Hera, Sabine said she used to tag the Outpost, that she sabotaged it and blew up a few TIE's?" the old lizard asked.
She nodded "Yes, we hit a lot of places."
"But did the Empire, did the people on Lothal know it was the Spectre's?" He asked.
Hera started to get what he was saying, "Sabine said a few people saw her, and the Empire did post a bounty on her afterwards?" Hera told them.
"Hmm, the Spectre's sabotaged the outpost, a few blown up TIE's the empire won't bat an eye, but these new players thats there message, they're more extreme meaning they want the people of Lothal to forget about the rebellion and think of them instead, classic power vacuum tactics, bigger, badder meaner." Turok explained.
"This could be an chance, we could sneak back onto Lothal while the Empire is looking for these terrorists, find them first?" Kanan suggested.
Commander Sato cleared his throat, "I'm afraid that is out of the question Kanan Jarrus, I have received new orders for us to go nowhere near Lothal, Moff Tarkin has mobilized the Imperial Garrison in that system, all rebel activity is being diverted away from this sector."
"Does that include us Commander?" Hera asked him.
"Yes, but relayed your plan to contact Admiral Trench, our superiors are interested in locating him." Sato said.
Turok cleared his throat, "Are we really sure about this, contacting a former Separatist commander, one of their deadliest Naval commanders?" Kanan asked.
"For once I agree with ponytail, this is a bad idea, the Admiral is… not who use to be." Turok agreed.
"How would he even know about them?" Kanan asked.
Rex spoke up then "In the early years of the Empire, there were plenty of systems who wanted nothing to do with them. They fought, they lost, I'm guessing some of them are part of this rebellion now and maybe these are the rest?" Rex said, Turok glanced at him but kept his composure.
"Makes sense, Mon Cala, Onderon, Atravis and… Rhen Var." Hera said, looking over at Turok who folded his arms bringing it up.
A pause followed, Sato broke it with an order "Find Admiral Trench see if he knows anything about these new insurgents."
"Yes Commander." Hera said before they cut the transmission.
"So where is the old spider?" Kanan asked.
Ahsoka looked at Turok who said nothing. He stood up and was obviously upset, and walked out "When I was still early in the rebellion, there were some places I couldn't take Ahkilleon and when Turok wasn't available or any of my other associates, I would… leave him in the Trench."
Kanan's eyes almost bugged out "I'm sorry, I thought I heard you left a youngling with a homicidal spider cyborg?"
"He wasn't homicidal, but the planet was on was a perfect place to hide." Ahsoka said as she walked up to the nav computer and put in the coordinates of an outer rim world, "Rishi, that's a planet for pirates, smugglers and criminals?" Rex said, seeing it.
"I repeat, you left a youngling there?" Kanan asked.
Ahsoka gave a half-cocked smile, "Ahkilleon never complained, in fact it was hard telling him he couldn't back sometimes."
"It won't be easy, with the whole sector on high alert we'll need to be fast to slip between the lines far easier than the Ghost, Turok can your Burj contacts help." Hera pointed out.
Turok nodded "In exchange for finding their sacred oasis, I'm sure they'll have something." Turok said before walking out, Rex and Ahsoka followed him and it left Kanan and Hera together alone. Kanan folded his arms close to his chest and looked down, unable to hide it from Hera who knew Kanan longer than anyone aboard the ship she shook her head "What is it, I know that look?" She asked.
Kanan looked at her "Do I really need to say it?"
"I don't like the idea of asking a Separatist for help either, what they did to Ryloth was unforgivable, they sacked my planet, stole sacred relics, killed thousands of my people I… I'm not finding this any easier than you." Hera said, struggling to get it out of her system.
"Then why are we going along with this?" Kanan asked her.
Hera turned around and sat down "Because the rebellion is bigger than any of us." She confessed cupping her face in disappointment, before he could ask her anything else the comlink started to blink "Who is it?" Kanan asked.
Looking at the dashboard she recognized the code "Commander Sato, again on my personal channel?"
She answered it and he reappeared, "Captain Syndulla good, are you alone?"
"Just me and Kanan?" She asked.
"Hmm, perhaps he can be of assistance, there is a secondary objective I have for you and your crew, one of a sensitive nature." He said morbidly
Elsewhere in the ship, Turok walked out of the ship to see Ezra and Ahkilleon sparing against Proxy, the combat droid was using both lightsabers to hold them off as they two boys flipped and somersaulted around the droid's legs and arms. Ahsoka walked with him "Can't you contact the Burj from the Ghost?"
"The Burj are wary of technology they don't control, there's a cafe not far from here owned by a Burj, want to come, I'm sure they'll want to thank you in person?" He asked her.
Ahsoka shook her head watching Ahkilleon and Ezra train, "No, I should prep Ahkilleon and Ezra." She said,
"Suit yourself, be back asap, just don't leave without me." Turok said walking to the exit.
As he did, Ahsoka and Rex watched Ahkilleon and Ezra duel Proxy like they were training in the jedi temple, Ahsoka smiled "Looks like you and Leo at that age are training against General Skywalker." Rex said beside her, the comment meant to be a heartwarming reminder of simpler days. But as Ahsoka watched them train the sounds of Ezra and Ahkilleon laughing and hollering started to fade, as did her smile. Even as she heard the sound of the blue lightsaber and orange lightsaber bounce of Proxy's two yellow training blades she could hear it. It was the past roaring back to her, the sounds of lightsabers cutting into battle droids, shouting clones ordering the rest forward as others died all around them, cannon fire that shook entire planets, the screams of men getting sucked out of holes in cruisers. The smell of burning flesh and decaying bodies, all the way from Christophsis to Mandalore she heard them repeating itself all over again and this time it was her son it be- "Commander?"
Rex had his hand on her shoulder, "R-Rex I-" "It's okay Commander, I get them to." Rex said softly, squeezing her bare shoulder.
"Gotcha-" Ezra had rolled out behind Proxy knocking out his feet for Ahkilleon to jump up and stab the droid in the chest, a killing blow.
When Proxy fell down his yellow lights went red to signify he'd been beaten, Ahkilleon helped him up "That's what I'm talking about bro, I'd like to see an inquisitor get the drop on us now." Ezra said.
Ahkilleon flung his arm around him and held his hand out "I can see it now General Bridger, you the rebellion at its darkest hour all hope seems lost, then we draw our lightsabers and charge the Imperial lines." Ahkilleon said walking his lightsaber forward, Ezra laughed at how over the top Ahkilleon "You look ridiculous."
"No, I look good." Ahkilleon said back posing with his lightsaber.
"That's enough for you too, Commander Sato has approved the mission." Ahsoka said.
Ahkilleon spun around "What, really, we're going to see Grandpa Trench?"
"Yes we are-" "YAHOOOO, we're going to Risha!" Turok said turning back to Ezra and high high fiving him, "Whats a Risha?" Ezra asked him.
Ahkilleon giggled, "Only the best place to grow up as a kid are pirates, gunfights, smugglers and the coolest spider ever. When do we go?" Ahkilleon asked as they headed toward the Ghost.
LOTHAL
Okami Village
It was the of night on Lothal, the Militia forces had been victorious against the outpost and the Okami warriors were sorting out the loot among themselves. Imperial weapons, crates of credits, stolen armor and more. The Last Laugh was parked in the open field and Dray was speaking to Caliban and the hologram blurred General. "Your message proved quite effectful, you have a star destroyer heading straight for the mountains." Caliban said to Dray.
Dray gritted his teeth, "I expected a response, but Tarkin himself this could be an opportunity?" He suggested.
"Opportunity?" The hidden General asked.
Dray nodded "You know exactly where Tarkin is, a single star destroyer you could launch-" "No." the General said.
"No, if we take out the Empire's most senior military official that would-" "Elevate a higher threat." Caliban said.
Dray paused, "The Grand Admiral…" he whispered.
"Precisely." The General said.
SIlent Caliban continued, "Unlike us, the Empires racial preference for humans over aliens will be undoing, but the Emperor isn't fool to not use one of his most deadliest servants, evacuate your location while you still can, or this will be the end of the Lothal Militia."
Dray conceded to their orders "Understood, Militia Invictus."
"Militia Invictus." The other two said.
Dray exited the ship and walked down the ramp and headed straight for the long house, he burst into the sight of a victory party. There was drinking, feasting, and music. There was a large beast on a spike being roasted over a fire. Dray gritted his teeth when he saw San drinking from a stormtrooper helmet before he walked up to the roasted animal and kicked it over, Reik who was enjoying a drink saw him and suddenly got up to walk over to him. Before he could say anything, Dray rubbed a blaster and fired in the air and it went deathly silent "Now that I have your attention."
"There's a Star Destroyer heading our way, Chief San you must evacuate." He said plainly.
"Let them come." She said as her warriors cheered "We defeated an outpost we can defeat one ship."
Dray shook his head "I applaud your courage, but this ship isn't a TIE or freighter it's called a Destroyer for a reason, it'll level this whole town if we don't leave now."
"My people have lived in this valley for generations, we won't abandon it." San said defiantly.
Approaching her "Homes can be rebuilt, fields resowed, but the people wiped out are gone forever and Moff Tarkin the man leading this attack, is very good at it." Dray said to her.
"But you were so eager to attack the Empire, now you want to run?" San asked.
Still not getting through he tried again "Running and retreating are two different things, live today to fight another Chief San." Dray said.
Reik saw another argument coming, "Dray is right, we need to leave the town." Some of the other Okami started to murmur among themselves. San looked over at the Okami Shawoman who nodded at her, "Hrr, alright listen up everyone we packed yesterday, we make for the mountains to Kiels pass."
"There's no time to pack, you can only take what you need to survive, nothing else." Dray said.
"I won't let my people leave the settlement without food or provisions, the mountains are scarce enough as is." She said adamantly, everyone started to get up and move out of the longhouse. Reik took Dray aside "It's a start."
"We'll all be dead by the time everyone's ready." Dray warned him.
GAREL
Ghost,
The Rebels were all gathered in the cockpit of the Ghost, Rex was the only one not with them, Turok was on the coms, "We ready Turok?" Hera asked.
"Ready for what?" Kanan asked.
Hera glanced at him "Turok's Burj contacts are going to create a distraction, a way of saying things for returning their sacred oasis location to them."
"You told the Burj about that, what if the Empire finds out?" Kanan asked him.
Turok glanced back "It's their world, we don't have any right to keep that place hidden from them… now." Turok said.
The Ghost took off from the landing pad and ascended into Garel's purple sky, as it got higher "Time to see if those contacts paid off." Kanan said, as they flew up Sabine spotted some TIE fighters flying nearby before taking a hard U turn in the opposite direction of their ship. The Empire's not following us, "Punching it." Hera said, hitting the ships thrusters and making them fly into space.
"Hyperspace coordinates are ready." Sabine said.
"Making the jump in 3, 2, 1." Hera said before they were off flying through the spiraling blue vortex of hyperspace.
Everyone relaxed a bit "What did those Burj end up doing?" Ezra asked Turok.
"They blew up a rail system in the desert, and the Empire uses it to transport mining equipment." Turok said relaxing.
RISHI
Rishi was a planet located in the Abrion sector of the Outer Rim Territories, along the Manda Merchant Route. It was also the endpoint of the only well-traveled hyperlane into the Rishi Maze, the Zareca String. Rishi is orbited by its moon. Rishi was the homeworld of the Rishii, a winged species, who lived in nests on the mountains of Rishi. In addition to the lush tropical terrain, Rishi's surface featured mountains, valleys, and swamps. Human and alien colonists lived in the deep valleys, while the Rishii natives lived in the high mountains. The planet was known for its rich fossil fuel resources, especially exonium. Rishi was a planet located in the Abrion sector of the Outer Rim Territories, along the Manda Merchant Route. It was also the endpoint of the only well-traveled hyperlane into the Rishi Maze, the Zareca String. Rishi is orbited by its moon. Rishi was the homeworld of the Rishii, a winged species, who lived in nests on the mountains of Rishi. In addition to the lush tropical terrain, Rishi's surface featured mountains, valleys, and swamps. Human and alien colonists lived in the deep valleys, while the Rishii lived in the high mountains. The planet was known for its rich fossil fuel resources, especially exonium.
The Ghost dropped out of hyperspace, descending to the surface flying over the surface over mountains, valleys, and swamps. They flew down over some swamps and mountains "Turok, Ahsoka where do we land?"
"Head two more clicks east, you'll see a mountain range with thick jungle around it."
The rebel ship flew toward a lone mountain rising from a swamp, it had thick jungle vegetation around it and when they got close Hera spotted an opening big enough for a ship. Hera landed the ship and the ramp lowered as they came out. Ahkilleon pushed past everyone and ran out "GRANDPA!" Ahkilleon shouted into the jungle tree line and the birds flew and squawked away. "What is he doing?" Kanan asked. The rest of them came out, Zeb had a bag on his shoulder holding something in it.
Turok smirked "The lad and the old man went way back, this was a second home to him." Ahkilleon ran towards the jungle taking out his lightsaber he sliced some vines and the rebels saw a set of stone steps carved into the mountain. Following them the rebels hiked to what seemed like the top of the mountain and on top of it they saw a strange looking house. It was made of metal, certain types of metal made together as Kanan got a better look he gasped "Is that a ship?"
"It was." Ahsoka said the rebels were looking at a long grounded C-9979, missing both its right wings buried under what seemed like a rockslide long ago. The rest was covered in vines, with birds nesting it in it. Underneath the left wings were crates and abandoned equipment, the opening that droids would pour out of was open with a curtain in front of it. The C-9979 landing craft, also known as the Trade Federation landing ship or the Separatist landing craft, was a large landing craft built by Haor Chall Engineering for the Trade Federation's military forces, and later for the Confederacy of Independent Systems. When the Trade Federation began planning to create its military forces, Haor Chall Engineering produced a design for a landing craft that would carry troops and ground vehicles from warships down to C-9979 landing craft, also known as the Trade Federation landing ship or the Separatist landing craft, was a large landing craft built by Haor Chall Engineering for the Trade Federation's military forces, and later for the Confederacy of Independent Systems. When the Trade Federation began planning to create its military forces, Haor Chall Engineering produced a design for a landing craft that would carry troops and ground vehicles from warships down to planets.
Ahkilleon ran up the steps to it and stopped "Hey old man!" Ahkilleon said.
They heard the sound of metal clanking, and Kanan reached for his lightsaber but Ahsoka stopped him, walking out from under the curtain was harch, with whitening gray fur, he had red eyes and his entire left side was made of rusty droid parts and his left mandible was metallic with exposed wires, the metal eyes on his left side were mostly off except for one cracked lens.
With physiology derived from arachnid ancestors that made intricate webs, the sentient Harch species were genetic cousins of the Aqualish. Shorter and stockier than the average human, Harch weighed about the same due to a tough exoskeleton that was coated in hair ranging from brown to pale gray. Members of the species had eight limbs: six fully functional arms and two legs. The arms ended in furless, three-fingered, dark pink hands, and the legs ended in furred two-toed feet. With physiology derived from arachnid ancestors that made intricate webs, the sentient Harch species were genetic cousins of the Aqualish. Shorter and stockier than the average human, Harch weighed about the same due to a tough exoskeleton that was coated in hair ranging from brown to pale gray. Members of the species had eight limbs: six fully functional arms and two legs. The arms ended in furless, three-fingered, dark pink hands, and the legs ended in furred two-toed feet
He held a metal staff made of scavenged metal bound with vines and hemp, "Is that you my boy click-click-click."
"Grandpa!" Ahkilleon shouted, running at him as he came down the ramp, laughing. Trench held out his six arms and Ahkilleon jumped into them in a hug.
The rebels looked on, Kanan was silent and unhappy at the sight of the former Separatist Admiral, Hera smiled seeing the boy so happy as did Ahsoka, Turok looked around the jungle, and the kids looked at one another "I expected more." Ezra said.
"It has been fifteen years since he was seen in galactic space, but rumors are harch can live for thousands of years." Sabine said to him.
Trench looked up "And you have brought friends click-click-click." Trench said as he saw the specters, Turok and Ahsoka.
"Lady Tano, Sir Skell click-click-click welcome-zzt." Trench's cybernetic sparked a second and he stepped back grabbing his forehead "Blasted click-click-click implants." the cyborg moaned as he turned."Igloo! We have guests."
Ahkilleon smiled "Igloo is here?" Ahkilleon asked him.
The sound of metal footsteps echoing from the brush walking out of the jungle holding an ax and a bundle of logs under their metal arm was an IG-100 model battle droid, more commonly known as magna guards. It made a droid noise and approached "Shall I put the kettle on sir."
"Please click-click-click." Trench asked.
Kanan frowned "Any more droids lurking around here?" he asked.
Trench looked at him "Click-click-click, there were, but Igloo is the last one functioning, click-click-click, do not worry click-click-click I removed his combat programing, he is little more than a protocol droid." Trench said as he looked at Ahkilleon.
Gasping Trench looked down to see Ahkilleons lightsaber "By the webs of cryss, click-click-click."
Holding it up as if Ahkilleon was showing off a science project that won first place, "A fine blade my boy click-click-click, your father would be proud click-click."
Trench patted him on the back "Come, click-click-click come in, company is a rarity for these old exobones"
The rebels followed Trench into the large downed ship, when they were inside it was surprisingly cosy, the inner haul used to carry droids, tanks and ships was instead filled with pots of plants, furniture and different items. Kanan glared at a Separatist Flag draped on the wall in a place of honor, Sabine noticed a Cortosis helmet on the mantle of a Sun Guard, there was a row of old weapons, from vibroswords, blaster rifles and even a wrapped up long pole with a wide head. Zeb looked at a strange jar holding some sort of swimming fish in it. Ezra walked up to a deactivated B2 battle droid that was missing many of its parts, little better than a statue. The magna guard Igloo was in a makeshift kitchen preparing tea and setting up food. Trench went to an old looking arm chair and Ahkilleon helped him in it, next to the armchair was another seat between them a small square holo table "I left the board exactly as we left it click-click-click-zzt." Trench said as he turned it on, there were two sets of holographic ships, with small triangles to represent fighters.
Ahkilleon sat down, "Yeah, King Gambit."
Taking her helmet off, Sabine walked up to it "Is that Fleets & Fighters?" she asked.
"Fleets and fwhats?" Zeb asked.
Sabine's lips curled into a smile "Fleets & Fighters, it's a strategy game used to teach naval warfare at military academies, very expensive, and illegal. The computer uses past naval battles to analyze how actual fleets would fight in mock scenarios, you can play past battles or set up your own."
"If it's just a game, why is it illegal?" Ezra asked.
Sabine leaned over looking at the holographic fleets, one was a Republic fleet in red, the other a Separatist fleet in blue, "Because then someone could learn to outsmart a fleet, how did you get one out here?"
Turok cleared his throat and gave her a wink to let her know it was him. "Shall we resume click-click-click?" Before they could play Ahsoka cleared her throat.
"Admiral, we have a problem." she said.
The old man sat up, "Ah… click-click-click so this is not a social visit click-click?" Trench said sadly, gripping his staff.
"I'm afraid it's not, old friend." Turok said as Ezra poked at the battle droid.
Ahkilleon frowned wanting to start the game, and as Ezra started to fiddle with the droid it began to fall "Admiral, have you heard anything about other rebel-"
CLANK
The battle droid came slamming into the ground making everyone jump and Trenches cybernetics sparked, jumping to his feet Trench raised his flesh arms shouting "RAISE DEFLECTOR SHIELDS Click-click-click!" Trench shouted.
"Whoa-" Zeb snapped as Trench swung his staff like he was holding a scepter "Fire all cannons, click-click-click and move the ship to port 34 degrees and dive, dive, dive, click-click-click it's coming right for me." Trench shouted as if he were aboard a bridge and Turok ran up to him "Admiral, Admiral calm down." Turok shouted at him.
The cyborg froze and looked around, panting, breathing hard and clicking his mandibles, "Where… where click-click-click where am I click-click?"
"Your safe Admiral, your safe." Ahkilleon said as he was helped back into his chair
Trench sat back down moaning "Oh click-click-click it happened again my boy." Trench said pressing his hands to his forehead rubbing the cybernetics "My memory core is damaged sometimes it click-click-click jumps me back to the war click-click-click."
"The war is over Admiral, but another is on its way I'm afraid." Trench said.
"Maybe we should give him a moment." Hera said compassionately.
Ahsoka looked at Kanan who wanted answers now "I agree." She said Kanan looked like he was about to object but Hera shook her head and then Kanan nodded as softly as possible not to be noticed but Turok did. He grabbed a blanket and took it over to Trench "Make sure he's comfortable." Turok said to Ahkilleon.
He nodded at the lizard who headed to the exit, "I'm going to scout the perimeter to make sure we weren't followed by any probe droids like on Seelos." He said.
"Good idea." Hera said.
Turok walked out into the jungle and waited to make sure he wasn't being followed, taking out his comlink he pressed it, "We have a problem, the Admiral is compromised, I need to know if this is a clean up or extraction, and I need it now." Turok said as he made his way back into the Ghost, he walked all the way back to the engines and opened it up, reaching in to tear out some wires and sabotage it.
LOTHAL
Okami Village
The village was in full swing evacuation, people were emptying their homes into carts and carrying large packs, Dray was walking through it as Reik was helping an old woman out of her house. As Dray walked to her Captain Naqia ran up to him "Commander, we have a code black."
Snapping his head around, "I know the Empire is on our way."
"Not the Empire, it's the Admiral sir." she said following him.
He stopped, looking back, he took her in between two huts and waited for her to explain "The rebels have found him on Rishi, Wraith sent a message to command, we have orders to kill or extract Trench, but we're the only ship in range to get to Rishi the fastest." Naqia said.
Dray looked out at the people, "Damn, go now before anyone can stop you, take the Last Laugh" Dray said.
"I'm sorry sir, but-" "Did I ask for an apology Captain go." Dray ordered.
Naqia said before she signaled each of the members of Hyena Squad to head to the ship. As they all ran in the sudden sight of the ship taking off started to raise many shouts and voices of concern amongst the Okami. Within a few minutes Dray saw Chief San running up to him "Where the hell are your people going?" she asked.
"There's more than a problem for us today, but if we can abandon the village before the Empire gets here we should be fine." Dray said.
"Fine, your men just abandoned you, abandoned us." San snapped at him.
Dray glared at her "They have their orders, as do we know if you want to see your people slaughtered by all means keep shouting and insulting me." Dray snapped, having none of it.
Suddenly one of the Okami started shouting pointing to the sky, everyone looked up to see a squad of four TIE fighters heading right for them, "Scouting party, get to the rocket launchers." Dray shouted as the TIE's dive bombed them. Green blaster fire began to tear apart the village buildings and people began to panic running in every direction.
"Get to the mountain passes, go, go go." Chief San shouted.
They were too late, the Empire had come for revenge.
RISHI
Trench's hideout
The rebels were on Rishi waiting for the right time to talk to Trench, the magna guard named Igloo was walking around holding a kettle and setting it on a tray with cups. Walking around the droid poured two cups for Ahkilleon and Trench who were playing holochess. Turok sat in the corner and gave up. The droid then walked out to see Ahsoka meditating and then spied Zeb and Sabine taking turns shooting at fruit up in a tree knocking it down. Ezra was wandering around the grounds looking for something to do, while Kanan and Hera spoke in hushed voices.
"We should just do it now." Kanan said.
"This is a delicate situation Kanan, you heard Commander Sato's orders." Hera told him.
Kanan knew she was right, as usual "And you heard him in there, that separatist is out of his mind Hera."
"Kanan, I don't know if it's cybernetics or ptsd but we have to do this right." She said,
Glancing around, he saw Ezra take a cup of tea from the droid and sniffed it. He took a sip and said "Wow, that's great." Ezra said.
"You are welcome young man." Igio said before heading over to Sabine and Zeb.
Hera looked over at him "What are you thinking?"
"Should we tell the others, tell Ahsoka at least?" Kanan asked.
Hera thought about it for a long time. "No, Ahkilleon is close with Trench if we tell her or Ezra it'll seem like a betrayal, this stays between us, see if we can get him to come with us willingly."
"But what about Zeb and Sabine?" Kanan asked.
"Let me think about it, on your sixth." Hera said as Igloo came up with the tea and cups, "Tea?" the droid asked.
Kanan turned around "No." Kanan grunted.
"I'll have some, Iago was it?" she asked.
"Igloo madam." The droid said.
Kanan sneered, "Wouldn't expect a separatist to name a droid?" Kanan said.
"Master Trench did not name his droids, it was Master Ahkilleon." the magna guard droid said, pouring Hera's tea. Kanan looked up into the ship to see Trench and Ahkilleon still playing Fleets & Fighters, the line was stagnate as their fighters dog fought. One of Ahkilleons frigates went out into the enemy line but Trench's fleet broke apart and began to encircle the Republic fleet, blasting them into holographic shards.
Throwing his hands in the air "Aahh I thought I Had you." Ahkilleon moaned.
"Haha click-click-click, you are getting better click-click-click." Trench said as he reset the board.
Ahkilleon smiled "I missed coming here Admiral, the hideout looks like it's seen better days, what happened to all your droids?"
"Hmm click-click-click, sold or broken click-click-click, outlived their usefulness much like myself click-click-click." Trench said as the board set up a new fleet.
Ahkilleon looked down to see a new set of ships, "Your not useless Admiral, is this… The Battle of Bothawui, Great Galactic War?" he asked.
"Click-click-click keeping up with history, good click-click-click." Trench said as Ahkilleon had the Old Republic fleet in full force, Trench's Sith Empire fleet only had a single cruiser and two frigates.
The hatch nodded and let the game begin, "Shall we?"
"Your fleet's funeral old man." Ahkilleon sent the Republic fleet into attack mode, the five cruisers advanced on Trenches one making a reverse vector formation to engulf the Sith fleet, Ahkilleon gave the order to fire and suddenly the Sith warship turned hard to ninety degree angle and the broadside cannons opened fire, taking out the furthest ship. Trench pressed a button and the ship turned hard left and on its side sliding past the Old Republic ships. Firing at their flanks "What the." Ahkilleon tried to counter making the four remaining cruisers try to form lines around the ship but Trench's cruiser was moving out of the way to form firing, which led to crossfire making Ahkilleon lose one more. Meanwhile the smaller sith frigates had gone underneath his remaining three blasting at their underbellies. Two more went down "How are you, ah." Ahkilleon raised his last ship's shields and he watched Trench's Sith cruiser ram right into the last Old Republic ship and win the game.
Sighing in defeat, "How?"
"Simple click-click-click, a superior tactician can always outmaneuver a superior force, if he knows his enemies' click-click-click weakness."
Ahkilleon shrugged, "And what was my weakness, I had you outnumbered, outgunned, you taught me how to use this maneuver, what… oh you sneak old spider."
"You were click-click-click overconfident, relied on old tactics and you relied on your strength and not your weakness click-click-click." Trench said to him.
Ahkilleon leaned back in his chair "Why should I look at my weakness?"
"Because the enemy will click-click-click, the Sith fleet of the Great Galactic War in the early start of the conflict click-click-click were better equipped, trained, and so on click-click-click. This made them confident like you click-click-click, the Republic fleet of this battle had size, but that cost them speed click-click-click." Trench said as he gestured to the hologram, Ahkilleon leaned in "You out maneuvered me by deactivating your shields, you sent all power to the thrusters, I was never going to hit you?"
Trench shook his head, and gave whatever passed for a hatch cyborg smile suddenly his Trench's cyberware sparked and he yelped, "Igloo!" Ahkilleon shouted.
Moments later the droid came bounding in and Ahkilleon was over Trench as Trench waved him off, "I'm fine, I'm fine click-click-click, just an old wire click-click-click." Trench said as the rest of the rebels followed.
Turok came in last, as Trench was panting holding onto Ahkilleons hand tightly, "Lady Tano I… click-click-click, I am afraid I am not what I once was, click-click-click but if I can help you, click-click it would be an honor, for my dwindling life." Trench said.
The rest of the rebels waited on Ahsoka's words, "Show him." Kanan said to Zeb.
Zeb opened up the bag he'd been carrying and pulled out the Militia E7 blaster rifle, Trench looked at it and held out his many arms to take it, "Fascinating design click-click-click, look here my boy." Trench said pointing to the energy cell "These filters will allow this weapon to not overheat click-click-click but also no water can get in, click-click-click."
"Do you recognize it?" Hera asked.
Trench looked up at her and nodded "I do click-click-click."
This made everyone feel a bit relieved, "Where?" Ahsoka asked, kneeling in front of him.
Giving the rifle to Ahkilleon, "From the clone wars click-click-click, the droid army was made up of thousands of variations of droids, click-click-click, and weapons." Trench rubbed his metal forearms "The blaster is a variation of the E series prototype click-click-click, the seventh specifically click-click-click." The rest of the rebels listened, Turok leaned his hand on his belt watching Trench.
"The Empire uses the E series, 11s, very easy to mass produce." Sabine said.
Trench nodded, reaching for his staff thinking "They were to be the next produced model click-click-click should the war have lasted longer click-click-click."
"So why not these?" Hera asked.
Trench met her gaze "The E-7 can easily be modified, it's durable click-click-click it was designed to be able to use in any environment click-click-click, but was deemed too costly for a droid army to be reprogrammed to use another weapon."
"So how did these mercenaries get them?" Kanan asked the big question, "More importantly who are they?"
Trench sighed, clicking his mandibles "Click-click-click, there were many weapon depots, bases left abandoned when the droid arm was deactivated click-click-click any number scavengers could have found them, raided them and so on click-click, even rebels." Trench said.
"We never came across anything like this, it had to have been a former Separatist commander?" Ahsoka asked him.
Trench nodded, "Most likely click-click-click, but to few of us there are now click-click-click, those who did not join the empire were killed click-click-click." "Or forced into hiding." Trench said behind everyone.
"Indeed- zzzt." Trench grabbed his forehead and Sabine noticed something in his cybernetic implants, specifically on the back of his head. She got a bit closer and looked at it.
"Do you have any idea who would raid old separatist bases, anyone who would be able to evade the Empire?" Hera asked aloud, Ahsoka shook her head and Trench replied "I… I cannot remember click-click-click I'm… I'm sorry I'm of no use click-click-click." he said, dismayed as Sabine examined his head.
Clearing her throat, "I'm no doctor, but I do know machines, your cybernetics are based on droid designs by the looks of it."
"Zzt rrrr yes my dear you are click-click-click correct." The old admiral said.
"Sabine, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Hera asked.
Sabine turned to her "I think I can fix it." "Do it." Ahkilleon said.
Being totally silent for the most part, Turok couldn't hold his tongue "We don't know if that'll work, these cybernetics are implanted into his brian, one miss wire, one wrong screw… that's it." Turok said sternly.
"It is a risk I am willing to take, if it helps your cause." Trench said.
LOTHAL
Okami Village
The TIE fighters dove and swooped over the village, the Okami militia ran through the stone houses as they were getting blasted by people scattering into the mountain exits out of the village or seeking cover. Dray had a rocket launcher on his shoulder and lined up and started to lead his target, the TIE banked right and he fired, the rocket flew taking out its inner wing and sending it spiraling into the mountainside. "Nice shot." Reik said behind him, handing him another rocket "We're not out of the fire yet, look." Dray said pointing to the horizon descending down from the clouds like a metal cloud of death and darkness was an Imperial Star Destroyer. The TIE's continued their bombardment as rockets flew and took out the first wave but more came from the mothership.
Dray looked around to see the death and destruction from the blasts then he noticed the shawoman trying to help get some people out from under cover to run, when a blast sent her flying into a collapsing house "No." Dray snapped, running to the rocks and digging, Reik ran up with him and they started to yank and pull the rocks away. As the bombardment obliterated houses, Dray pulled the shawoman out of the rubbed face covered in dirt and ash as she coughed, she looked as if she was about to speak but her eyes glazed over and she was gone. Dray bowed his head and looked up at the star destroyer that had suddenly ceased the attack, the TIEs retreating.
Tarkin looked down from his perch on the bridge, Governor Pryce behind her "Shall we deploy ground forces?"
"No, they believe this mountain range is their stronghold, it will be their tomb." Tarkkin said as he looked back "Focus all fire power on the surrounding mountains, we'll bury these terrorists."
The star destroyer blasted the mountain side and the green cannon fire tore apart the rock and the boulders broke apart some as big as the last laugh others ten times as big. The avalanche began to tear down toward the Okami. The Militia forces trying to fight under San saw the boulder coming right for them, people screamed and began to panic running in terror. Dray stood up as boulders and rock slides closed in around them "Commander, commander what do we do?" Erik came up running and shouting at him.
"Get the people out of the village, I'll try to buy you as much time as I can." Dray said.
"Doing what?" Reik asked.
Dray slowly raised his arms and focused, hands outstretched to each side of the valley, the rockslide continued to tear down the mountain walls toward them but then they started to slow, the ones that had flung off their mother and into the air like meteors had come to a floating halt. Dray's arms were above his head and eyes closed he cracked them open for Reik to see a pair of red eyes with red rings around them "You should be running." Dray growled in a voice not his own.
"RUN, RUN NOW!" Reik screamed at everyone "FALL BACK FALL BACK!" Chief San shouted along with them when she saw Reik holding up the avalanche with nothing but the force.
Up in the star destroyer Tarkin and Pryce watched a cloud of dust from the mountains clear, expecting to see the Okami village buried under their own mountain rocks instead they saw the entire avalanche had taken to the sky and the boulders heading straight for the Star Destroyer. "Shields up!" Tarkin barked as the Star Destroyer tried to get out of the way. The shields were bombarded by the boulders shaking the entire ship from stern to engines, Tarkin and Pryce were nearly knocked over as the boulders rained down on them. "How is that even possible, we detected no shields, no energy cells large enough for gravity weapons?" Pryce asked.
"No Governor, this is the work of a jedi."
RISHI
Trench's hideout,
Sabine was working outside the ship, she had her splicer in hand and her helmet on using her magnifying lens to work on what looked like a computer chip and a small device attached to it. "Here's the parts you asked for, in the box just like you said it would be." Zeb said, holding a crate of parts and setting them down.
"How come Zeb gets to go in your room and we don't?" Ezra asked next to Ahkilleon.
Sabine looked up "Because Zeb isn't the same species." she said.
Going back to work everyone watched her work, "Do you think this will work?" Ahsoka asked Hera.
"Sabine is brilliant with machines, if anyone can do it it's her."
Back in the hideout, Turok was making a fresh batch of tea and set it on the stove to sinner, walking over to Trench, "Admiral." he said.
Trench looked up from the floor "Turok click-click-click I know what you'll say click-click-click, you have your orders, my orders click-click-click."
"It's almost time Admiral, we weren't able to follow your plan to the letter, this rebel activity has moved things up." the lizard said to the spider.
Gripping his staff, Trench sighed "To be expected click-click-click, how do the troops look click-click-click?"
"I have a squad not far from here, for extraction or… elimination." Turok said somberly as he knelt next to him.
"Good, click-click-click good, I do wish I could have click-click led men into battle, one last time click-click." the cyborg said, watching them look, "Do what click-click you must my old friend click-click-click." Trench nodded and stood up holding a small, he walked over to the tea kettle and poured out some white powder and let it mix with the tea. Walking out he watched everyone gathered around Sabine with their best chance to help Trench, he spotted Kanan a distance away looking out over the mountains and jungles of Rishi. Walking over he lit his pipe and the trandoshan blew it as he stood next to him.
"I don't get it." Turok said, starting a conversation.
"What?" Kanan asked by the ledge.
Turok sucked on his pipe, "Why you all are fighting for this rebellion, sure you all have your reasons, the Empire has to be stopped but then what?" Turok asked.
"What do you mean?" Kanan asked.
"We're all so busy in the here and now, we're not looking at then, say the Empire was defeated tomorrow, say the Sith were destroyed, what happens to the Galaxy when they're gone?" Turok asked him.
Kanan thought about it for a long time, "We will rebuild a new Republic hopefully?"
"Right, and what's to stop it from becoming like the old one, none of your crew owe anything to the old Republic. Why support a new one?" Turok asked him.
Kanan met his gaze, "Because there's always been one, because the Republic stood for a thousand years that has to count for something."
"It does, it shows how even a great tree can rot from the inside, a jedi told me that once." Turok said in a proverbial sense. The jedi in front of him was silent, "The Jedi especially, should have no love for the Republic more than anyone, they sent your order to the front lines and when you came back to your Temple you were booed by your own people and then when they were done with you they hunted you like dogs, blamed the whole war on you-" "Stop it, you don't know what it was like." Kanan interrupted him.
Turok huffed his pipe and blew out smoke "Don't I?"
"Let's look at your pilot, Captain Syndulla's homeworld was a battlefield for years and when the Republic made promises, the Empire didn't need to keep them, why should a New Republic be any different?" Turok asked him.
Still, Kanan said nothing "Hmm okay, Zeb then, Lasan wasn't even in the Republic he's got nowhere else to go but here."
"Careful." Kanan growled.
"Okay, okay but the kids." Turok said locking eyes with Kanan, "What about them."
Turok rolled his eyes "Oh where do I start, the girls homeworld was attacked by the Republic in the last days of the War by a task force of Crusaders and Republic troops, Lothal was practically forgotten by the Republic and Ezra's parents are nowhere to be found because they supported it, and then Ahkilleon his own family was torn apart by it before it even had chance to begin."
"What are you saying, you're getting at something?" Kanan asked him.
"I'm saying, I'm afraid this rebellion won't change anything in the long run if you don't have a plan for what comes after, the planets like Risha, Garel, Lothal, Selucami, do you really think they'll forgot about the clone wars after the Empire is gone?" He asked Kanan.
A long silence answered him, Kanan looked into the fire. "I don't know, the Jedi taught me to focus on the here and now."
"A good way to tell you not to think for yourself."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kanan snapped.
Turok groaned "You know what I mean, you help people, selflessly that's the merit few men have Kanan." Turok said to him pointing the end of his pipe at him "You were reluctant to go along with this rebellion any smart person is, but you need to think bigger, look further than the next mission, the endgame." Turok explained.
"What endgame?" Kanan asked.
Pointing his pipe at him the one eyed trandoshan explained "Regimes like the Empire can never last, it's grown too big, too fast, the oppressed will have their day and after that day what then. Can you look me in the eye and tell me you believe a second Republic could be any better than the last. Stars more than half the people who supported the end of the Republic's into the Empire are still alive?" Turok said sternly to him.
Kanan looked back at the fire "I… I don't know, okay, I don't care about the politics, all that matters is stopping the Empire."
Turok gritted his teeth "You have to care, cause they care about you Jedi." Turok said pointing to his lightsaber, "Like or not a jedi is a symbol, good or bad, and as much as it pains me to admit it Kanan you're a good man to, we need good men leading not following."
"Leading, what do you think I've been doing?" Kanan asked him.
Shaking his head "Not a crew of runaways, orphans and misfits, I'm talking about taking your rightful place to the front of the line, you were a commander when you were a padawan, now you've learned how to be a spy, a smuggler, a warrior and a pilot, you're stronger, wiser. You know how the Empire fights from fighting alongside clones and fighting against stormtroopers, the mantle of General is rightfully yours."
"A General, that's not me, Jedi becoming Generals was a mistake." Kanan said.
Turok shook his head, and sighed "A shame, you could do a lot of good with an army behind you."
Kanan chuckled at the what if; "What, and you can give me an army?" Turok paused this time, the two of them looked at one another long and hard, Kanan tried to sense his intentions but couldn't tell what "Turok?"
"Got it, got GOT IT!" Sabine said as she held up the device in her gloved hands.
Turok headed back and Kanan followed warily, as she held it up "And you're sure this will fix him?" Ahkilleon asked.
"I… I'm not sure, but I-" "I trust you." Ahkilleon said, looking at her with hopeful green eyes.
Walking back into the hideout, Trench sat in his arm chair and saw the device taking a deep breath, "Igloo." Trench said and the droid walked up taking out his metal hand, the droid took the device and Trench tried to relax, laying back on the chair the droid opened up the metal part of his head, inside came a terrible smell that made everyone gag. Leaning on the wall next to the wrapped up pole, Turok watched as Trench closed his good eyes and relaxed. The Magna guard held out his metal hands and reached in taking out an old rusted and go covered device with loose wires. Then replaced it with Sabine's device, the sound of stuff turning on and a ping before Trench flinched, he jerked and his red eyes started to blink, his metal collar around his neck started to flash and then he went still. "Grandpa?" Ahkilleon asked a crack in his voice.
Everyone looked away, Sabine's shoulders dropped as Ahkilleon knelt at the old spider's knees hand on his. "Ahkillon, I'm sorry I-" "A magnificent young lady click-click-click." Trench said as he sat up, eyes open, his other cybernetic eyes came on and Trench stood up tossing away the staff, he took in a deep breath of air and breathed out "Admiral?" Trench said.
"Yes old friend, it is me, click-click-click the real me. I have never felt my mind so clear click-click." Trench said looking at the rebels, "My friends click-click-click my friends thank you." he said as he looked down on Ahkilleon and lifted him up "On your feet boy, this is a time for celebration click-click-click, Igloo bring the brandy click-click-click."
"Admiral." Hera said with her hand moving to her blaster "Yes Captain click-click-click?" Trench stopped when he saw her holding her blaster.
Ahkilleon jumped in front of Trench, "Hera what are you-" Kanan grabbed Ezra by his arm and pulled him away from Trench and took out his lightsaber, everyone even Ahsoka was shocked "Admiral Trench, in the name of the Rebellion and the old Republic I…" Hera sighed "I've been ordered by my commanding officer to place you under arrest, for crimes against the Galaxy."
"Here, what are you doing?" Ahsoka asked.
Hera gritted her teeth "I'm sorry Ahsoka, Commander Sato didn't want you involved in this but these orders come straight from the top to arrest Trench." "Arrest him, he's not our enemy." Sabine said.
"Not yet, Admiral Trench was the deadliest naval commander in the Separatists, his tactics were ruthless and so were his crimes." Kanan said pointing the lightsaber at Trench unfazed by the laser sword.
"Do you think click-click-click this is the first time a Jedi has threatened me click-click-click?" Trench asked, standing tall and pushing Ahkilleon out of the way staring down the lightsaber.
Kanan stepped forward with a lightsaber under his neck "You've never met a jedi like me." Trench clicked like making a smirk, "Haven't I, you're holding your lightsaber in a form seven grip click-click-click but from how you stand you do not know the other movements click-click-click, therefore training was never finished click-click-click. There were only four other Jedi in known history to master the form click-click-click." Trench said as all eyes were on them and not on Turok pressing a beacon on his belt and going for his blaster slowly "click-click-click One was killed by Ahkilleons late father, click-click-click who himself was a user, the other two were confirmed killed at the start of the Empire click-click-click, therefore you are an apprentice of the late users." Trench said.
"And what does this have to do with your arrest?" Kanan asked him.
"This is a click-click-click distraction." Trench said "IGLOO!" Turok shouted immediately the manga guard's body opened up and a smoke screen flushed out of it filling the room, there was shooting of stun rings and suddenly an electric net flew out somewhere and a scream As the dust cleared everyone looked around to see the three of them gone. "Mom!" Ahkilleon shouted seeing Ahsoka was pinned to the wall with the electric neck shocking her till she passed out, ripping the net off her Ahkilleon shook her "Mom." He panicked.
Kanan came up and felt her head, "She's alive, but out cold, where's Trench."
"Where's Turok?" Sabine asked.
Realization dawned on Hera's face, "Oh no."
LOTHAL
Okami Village
Aboard his star destroyer, Tarkin watched the rocks fly and his men shoot them down the ones that got through hammered his ship, "Dispatch ground forces to deal with this sorcerer." he ordered.
Down on the ground, a large boulder had collapsed onto three houses, Dray shot his hand out to it and lifted the ship sized rock with both hands outstretched with the force, it rose slowly then with all his strength Dray flung the boulder across the sky and to the star destroyer.
The ship blasted it and was bombarded by the smaller rocks. Five drop ships of imperial troops flew down to the village and landed on the edge of the village. Dray saw them coming and reached under his belt drawing his green lightsaber.
The stormtroopers poured out and started to head toward him, "Target confirmed, open fire." One of them said and Dray ran into a hail of blaster fire, dodging and deflecting the incoming red fire. Dray ran over a large rock and jumped into the sea of stormtroopers, starting to hack limbs and stabbing the stormtroopers. "Watch out." One stormtrooper said before he used a force repulse to scatter the stormtroopers.
"How many people are left in the village?" Dray asked Reik who was already in the mountain pass.
"That should be everyone, get out of there." Reik called into his comlink.
Dray nodded and looked back at the star destroyer starting to cast a long shadow over him, "Get the people out of here." Dray snapped.
Reik looked down to see Dray looked up at it, "What about you Commander?"
Dray deflected more shots using the force he blasted three stormtroopers off the ledge, deflecting two more shots back into them as he ran through the village the stormtroopers landing in droves. Becoming a whirlwind of green energy and death, taking limbs and lives. "I'm going for the head." Dray said, looking up at the Star Destroyer. Dray ran to one of the drop ships and as it saw him coming it took off firing at him. Leaping with the force, dray broke into the gunship window and shattered the glass he grabbed the pilot and threw him out. Taking command of the ship he flew up higher and higher. "Ground team to, Executrix, the jedi has stolen a ship he's heading straight for you." One of the stormtroopers snapped.
"Fire at that ship." Tarkkin ordered.
Dray bobbed and weaved out of the enemy fire before the ship took a hit, with the glass cockpit open, Dray jumped out of the doomed ship and landed on the edge of the star destroyer. Tarkin saw the dark skinned man in the brown coat holding a green lightsaber pointing it right at him. Dray ran to the bridge, the force letting him kick his speed up "Launch fighters, lower shields we have border on the main bow."
"Moff Tarkin we are to fire on our ship?" Governor Pryce asked.
"We will if we want to make it out of this, a jedi is not a threat I take likely." Tarkkin said.
Dray was halfway to the star destroyer when two TIE fighters came around shooting behind him. The ship's main bow took the brunt of the blasts and the ship shook. Tarkkin watched Dray jump up and slice one of the TIE's wings off, then he grabbed the second with the force and jumped on top of it. Tarkin watched the TIE pull up toward the bridge before Dray stabbed his lightsaber into the top of the TIE, skewering the pilot's head making the tie lose control on a collision course with the bridge. "EVERYBODY DOWN!" Pryce screamed.
She grabbed Tarkin and pulled him out of the way as the TIE smashed into the bridge window shattering it, sending chunks of metal flying everywhere with thick shards of glass cutting the crew. Alarms went off and fires began to burn as Tarkin rolled over, their uniforms torn slightly and each sporting a set of bruises but otherwise unharmed. Coughing Tarkin got up and looked around before he saw a flash of green and a lightsaber wielding Dray standing in front of him. Tarkin stared at him and looked into Dray's eyes, yellow with rings of red around the iris "You are no jedi…" He whispered.
There he was, there was a man who had helped build the Empire, standing right in front of Dray. The Imperial Governor of the entire Outer Rim Territories, third only to the Emperor himself. The highest ranking Imperial official under Vader, Wilhuf Tarkin, despot, tyrant, brutal military leader who had led hundreds of campaigns in the Empire's name.
He was unarmed.
He was defenseless.
He was Drays.
Raising his lightsaber, Dray walked toward Tarkin ready to end him when a red blaster bolt flew past Tarkin's head and right into Dray's shoulder. Pryce was on the ground holding her blaster shooting at Dray who was so focused on Tarkin his other senses betrayed him he was shot again and fell back out of the window he barely had time to use the force to cushion his fall onto the ships haul before he slid off the side down down down until he fell into the clouds below.
RISHI
Jungle
Running through the thicket of trees and vines, Turok was leading the way with Admiral Trench on the back of his Magnaguard Igloo, "How far to the rendezvous click-click-click." the admiral asked.
"Not far, this is the escape route we planned, right?" Turok asked.
They came up to a large overturned tree that had formed a bridge across a gorge, "Yes, click-click-click." Trench said as they walked over.
"SKELL!" a thunderous voice shouted, the rebels looked back over to see Kanan and the specters minus Hera and Chopper running after them as they made it across. They ran down the other side with Kanan opening fire on them, Ahkilleon ran up and grabbed his arm "No!"
Kanan swatted him away "What are you doing."
"You were going to shoot him." Ahkilleon said.
Kanan glared at him "He attacked us-" "You were going to arrest the Admiral."
"They're getting away." Sabine said before they gave chase, running into the thicket of trees down a cleared path that had slowly started to overgrow with vines, but as Turok and Trench made their way into the thicket Turok held his fist up for them to halt. There was a thick rustling across the jungle and walking out from the brush was Captain Naqia, Fang, Gaser, Jay and Butch "Agent Wraith, Admiral Trench we're your extraction." Naqia said to them under her X visored helmet.
Trench looked at Turok who nodded, "They'll take you the rest of the way." Turok said.
Walking past him with Trench on his back Igloo asked "Are you not coming with us Sir Skell?" The droid asked. Suddenly bursting from the jungle trees and brush where the rebels' blasters raised, Turok stood between the Spectre's and Trench; the Hyenas were also surrounding him with their blasters raised "Stand down." Turok told them.
"But sir-" "I said stand down Captain!" Turok roared at Naqia.
When the rebels saw the 'mercenaries' behind Skell Kanan stepped forward "You were working with the mercs the whole time, you filthy traitor." Kanan snapped.
"There's more going on than you know Kanan, than any of you know." Turok said to them all, looking at Ahkilleon then he turned to Kanan "This is what I was talking about, you don't have to fight the Empire for just the rebellion, there is another cause."
"What caused a second Separatist movement?" Kanan asked the drawing his sword and raising the lightsaber, Ezra got his out too but Ahkilleon didn't, Zeb and Sabine were already holding their weapons ready for a fight but weren't pointing them at the lizard.
"It's complicated, I don't have time to explain but Admiral Trench is too valuable to let you take him to some rebel black sight." Turok tried to reason, Kanan's eyes went wide.
Turok glared at him through his good eye, "He's a war criminal, he needs-" "To survive, he's one of the most brilliant naval commanders in the galaxy and you know it, you just helped him come back from the brink Sabine, this gives us more than fighting chance."
"Chance, what chance for who?" She asked.
Ezra walked up "The Separatists were evil Turok, you fought against them?" Ezra asked.
"You can't possibly be that naive boy, your master isn't giving you the full truth, or the rest are lying to you if you think the Republic and jedi were any better." Turok said.
Kanan stepped forward "Enough, give us Trench or we'll take him."
Turok spread his feet and pulled his kimino back and held his ground "Don't do this Spectres' I don't want to fight you."
"Looks like you don't have a choice." Zeb said.
The standoff was shattered when Kanan rushed Turok, and the rebels opened fire on Trench and the Hyenas, who shot back "Run!" Turok said as he threw something out of his vest at Kanan three pellet balls exploded into a cloud of gas making everyone but Sabine start to choke. Sabines helmet keeping her from breathing it in rushed Turok she shot at him before jumping and kicking, Turok dodged and flung something to the ground it was a small triangle shaped device that had a blue light on it suddenly Sabine lurched before she was pulled back and onto the device "A magnet?" She gasped trying to pull off.
The Hyenas moved with Trench and Igloo running into the jungle to the Last laugh, Jay was in the ship when he heard the fighting and started to get the ship ready for takeoff.
"That magnet is pulling you the planet's ore, you aren't going anywhere Sabine." Turok said.
"Well you're going to hell." Zeb said taking out his bo rifle into staff mode swinging the but end into Turok shocking him.
Turok lurched back and came around with his knife, to slice at Zeb who backed up, in that brief moment of dodging Turok flung out a small device at Zebs bo-rifle, the whole weapon short circuited and deactivated in a second "What the- fists then." Zeb said, dropping the weapon.
"No." Turok said pulling out his blaster pistol and shooting Zeb in both legs, the Lasat cried in agony falling back.
"ZEB!" Ezra screamed seeing Zeb go down hitting the ground writhing in pain before the two jedi finally got a chance to attack, Turok dropped his blasters and backed away dodging the jedi strikes and slices. Ahkilleon was frozen watching him fight his friends "Ahkilleon, help him- help Zeb." Sabine shouted.
Ezra and Kanan rushed Turok slashing and hacking, Kanan went low and Ezra went high and in a flash Turok unslung the wrapped up staff in front blocking both blue lightsabers. A loud ping echoed and Sabine snapped her head over to see the cloth burning away and before them a single sided beskar battle ax. Turok swung it and threw both Kanan and Ezra back, dropping his kimino he swung the ax around showing his skill and leaning it on his shoulder and standing sideways to become a smaller target. "Beskar-rrr." Sabine tried to get herself free but her own beskar armor was still clamped to the magnet and ground "- is for armor-rrrr." She groaned at the sacrilege of her people's most sacred metal.
Kanan came at him and wielding the ax quickly, Turok swung down with the back end of the head like a hammer, it slammed down into Kanan's defense, the trandoshans size and strength over powering Kanan sending him into the ground. Kanan held his lightsaber against it, the metal holding against the energy blade. Ezra leapt at Turok, dodging him the lizard spun with the head butt of the ax's pole smacking into the back of Ezra's head sending him to the ground out cold.
Everyone down except for Kanan and Ahkilleon still frozen in place, "Ezra!" Kanan shouted back on his feet, "I swear if you hurt him I'll destroy you." Kanan said, engaging him.
"Ahkilleon help us!" Sabine shouted at him as Kanan and Turok dueled, Kanan's lightsaber form started to find its mark on the defense, Turl kept the ax spinning and whirling keeping Kanan on guard. They locked weapons "All this time- you were a spy."
Turok gritted his fangs before he broke it off. "This is bigger than us Kanan, this all started before the Rebellion was even an idea." Turok said, stabbing the end of his ax into the ground. "We don't have to do this." Kanan hissed.
"You just let those mercenaries take Trench, you've been spying on us for them telling them everything about us haven't you." Kanan snapped.
Turok snarled "... Yes."
"Bastard!" Kanan attacked again and Turok started to back up blocking and parrying him, Hera ran up with Chopper blaster in hand when she saw everyone on the ground "He sabotaged the Ghost." she said next to a frozen Ahkilleon, she started to shoot at Turok who blocked it with his ax letting Kanan get close, almost taking his head off Turok dodged before drawing back his right fist and holding the ax with one arm, he slammed his large scaled fist into Kanan's gut and knocked the wind out of him.
Grabbing Kanan by the neck he lifted him up between him and Hera, "Kanan!" Hera yelled.
Turok squeezed the neck using him as a shield between him and Hera, she held her blaster up but he knew she wouldn't shoot. Then just above them the Last Laugh was flying overhead making a break for the sky "No." Hera whispered as Turok smiled seeing Trench and Hyena Squad had escaped "Now that's done maybe you all will listen-" The Lizard saw a flash of orange and Kanan fell back, the trandoshan's right arm still clenched around his neck. Turok staggered back grunting in pain before he saw Ahkilleon holding his lightsaber at his neck looking terrified.
"Ahkilleon I-" But Turok never finished his sentence before Hera blasted him with a stun ring, Turok's whole body was electrocuted but then he got shot again and again until he went down.
By then Sabine had her blaster pointed at the device keeping her to the ground she shot it and broke the connection, getting up she ran over to check on Ezra, Kanan got up pulling the arm away and Hera checked on Zeb he sat up holding onto his legs moaning at the pain from the shots, Sabine came up "They went right through, didn't hit the bone."
"Oh karabast, I'm only partially maimed-rrr." Zeb said as Ahkilleon stood over Turok, he dropped his lightsaber and backed up looking at the severed arm.
"What have I done?" Ahkilleon said, falling back onto a stump.
Kanan got up and rubbed his neck, "Helped us capture a traitor, tie him up and let's get off this rock."
CABAL ONE
Caliban's Stardeck
The crime syndicate leader and former jedi Caliban was standing at his window looking out at the stars as a hologram of the General in blurred form was behind him, "What will happen to him?" Caliban asked "Turok?"
"Agent Wraith knew the risks Caliban, any one of our spies does, he's on his own." The General said "What's the word from Lothal?"
Caliban turned around and walked up to the "After the Hyenas left, the Empire retaliated against Dray and the Okami, our intercepted reports indicate the village wiped out, and a jedi almost killed Tarkin but that's being kept under wraps, they reported the jedi was killed by Governor Pryce." Caliban said.
"He went against orders." the General said.
"No." Caliban said "This will be used a propaganda for the Empire to say they killed another jedi, and the rebellion will use it as another point for them wiping out a native population, culture desicration and all that."
The General's holographic blurred head looked at Caliban's golden mask, "Whats your point?" he asked, "Dray is many things, but he's not a fool, if anything he got close enough to scare Tarkin, but also put his mind at ease. How many times as Jedi tried to rally a native population to their cause only for the Empire to snuff it out, Tarkin practically wrote the book on it." Caliban said.
"So you believe he's still alive, and the Lothal Militia?" The General asked.
LOTHAL
Mountains
"Not only do I feel they're alive, General."
Back on Lothal, Reik was walking in thick mist-covered mountains. A baggage line of Okami people, warriors and so on were marching across a narrow trail. Some were wounded, some were dead, but none were being left behind. Among them being dragged on a cart, bloodied with broken bones was Dary, his lightsaber laid on his chest.
Dray opened his eyes, the yellow tent starting to fade, Reik walked with the cart and looked at him, Reik gave a nod and Dray returned trying to rest.
"I sense something has awakened in the Okami,
The Okami had continued to march when the line stopped, Reik walked to the head to see San standing at a waterfall pouring down into the mist, walking out of the waterfall was another Okami, they wore a wolf mask of a different design then the valley Okami, it was blue with flowing lines, and the two exchanged words before they were allowed to pass.
"and soon the Outer Rim."
Reik and Dray passed under the waterfall through a dark cave and out into a massive hollowed mountain, another Okami village built into the rocks with wolf statues on the wall and other Okami coming out to help the wounded.
"A sleeping giant soon to awake."
Helping him sit up, Reik pointed at something and Dray pointed at something one of the Okami huts in the hidden town had a chunk of metal lying up against their house as a door, it was cut in the shape of one, but painted on its outer haul was a Separatist insignia.
"Filled with terrible resolve."
