Chapter 2: The Militia

CORUSCANT

Jedi Temple,

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka stood before the Jedi High Council on the Republic capital world, Ahsoka had her arm in a sling with a patch over where the arrow had gone through. The Council stood in silence as a holographic recording showed recordings from clone trooper feed that showed the killing field on Aragon. The Council members all looked cautiously at it as the image changed to show the enemy commander and freeze right on him, out of all the jedi watching only Plo Koon looked away, squeezing his claw into a fist over his mask.

"The enemy drew us in like clockwork, the droid army was a rouse to draw our forces in and slaughter them." Anakin reported before they turned the hologram off.

The jedi murmured in hushed voices for a few moments "Can we confirm these soldiers are truly part of the Separatists?" Master Plo Koon asked.

"There weapons, the uniforms insignia and the ships they used to take nearly decimate us on our retreat would confirm it Masters." Obi-Wan said. "Our spies were unable to report the creation of such a force and the trap set for us could mean a significant amount of our operatives are compromised."

Anakin spoke next "The commander was far more skilled than any I faced, he new how to fight a jedi including whoever attacked my Padawan's men."

"The mans name is Jace Dallin, a former ally of the Jedi." Plo Koon said.

"You know him Master Plo?" Ahsoka asked surprised.

When all eyes turned on him "Jace Dallin was once a hero of the Republic during the Stark Hyperspace War, if he had joined the Separatist I fear for the future of this war."

"Master Skywalker, Master Kenobi after we received your transmission about these Separatist soldiers we intercepted wide spread communications behind Separatist lines declaring the creation of a Separatist Militia force calling themselves 'The Confederacy of Independent Systems Armed Forces' this is what they said." Windu said turning on a hologram to show Jace Dallin, he had his helmet under his arm and behind him stood two Separatist Soldiers, one of them was the same painted archer who had skewered Ahsoka, behind them were Geonisans, Trandoshans, Nemodians and many more Separaitist species.

Jace Dallin looked at the camera with his brown eyes, his hand reached up before he spoke brushing his scar "My name is Jace Dallin of Rendili, Colonel of the Separatist Volunteer Militia for years I was a loyal soldier to the Rendili Home Defense fleet and loyal soldier to the Grand Republic." He said, the man's voice seemed to be trembling as if he were afraid, outside the picture the jedi heard the sounds of chanting and hollering from other separatist soldiers in the background he started to pace left and right as he spoke.

"Today I broke with that loyalty by leading these brave men and women to a victory of the Republic forces on Aragon, we were victorious and drove the Republic back into the core worlds." He told the camera holding his helmet in one hand, before he took a pause to the resounding applause and cheers of his men "We will no longer tolerate the Republics disregard for our sovereignty, the plundering of our world's resources to fill their corporations coffers, nor the kidnapping and indoctrination of our young into their Jedi Order!" Ahsoka felt the venom in his words weren't just for them.

"For to long this war has been fought not with men but with imitations of it, droids, clones no longer, I call on all those within the Separatist Alliance and the dissidents of the Republic who would rather die on your feet than live on your knees to stand-with-us and Fight for Victory or Death!" he yelled holding up a fist and slamming it in the air, the roars grew louder in front of him, Dallins brown hair had grown out of place as he slightly sweating from the intense speech, he scanned the eyes of his followers as if scanning the room of Jedi "... Alliance Eternal."

"ALLIANCE ETERNAL!" The sudden all at once shout caught Ahsoka off guard along with Anakin and some of the other jedi before the transmission recording was cut.

An uneasy silence sounded throughout the chamber, "The Separatist Parliament are currently voting on a bill to ratify this Militia, it would shift the balance of power across the Confederacy." Windu said

"Do we believe Count Dooku would let that happen?" Anakin asked "Perhaps for now, rest and recover when this Dallin makes his next move you will fae him."

"Gladly." Anakin replied.

RAXUS PRIME

Confederacy of Independent Systems House of Parliament

Inside the great glass cathedral of the Separatist Alliance, the leaders of a thousand systems stood in the rectangular room with multiple levels around them. The holographic image of Count Dooku stood over them as the chairmen without any seats like the Senate of the Republic. At the center of the room stood the main speakers of the day's vote. Senators, Voe Atell, By Buss, Kerch Kush, Anita Fonti, and Punn Rimbaud. In front of them stood General Jace Dallin with two of his men, a masked soldier with his helmet painted with an eel decor and the archer without his bow. "General Dallin your forces were not sanctioned by this assembly yet you declare yourself the commander of a Separatist Army that represents this Parliament, how can we put our trust in you?" Voe Attell asked her green skin wrinkled up as she spoke to him.

"The honorable Voe Atell is right to worry, an army unchecked who answers to no assembly cannot exist." Dallin said up to the Parliament as everyone listened.

"I thank this delegation for electing to act quickly with the trade federation, techno union and more to give us the time and droids to defend our sovereign systems but the time for droids is over it is now time for the free to stand for themselves." He added gestures to his soldiers.

It was By Bliss who spoke next "The matter is not for you to decide 'General'."

"Then let us decide it, here and now." Kush said the man glared over at Atell and Bliss who glanced up at Count Dooku "The matter is to be put to a vote, all in favor."

Atell, Bliss and others on their side were quiet as Kush, Fonti, Rimbaud and others shouted a in favor of the proclamation. "Those against."

"Nay." Atell said loudly "Nay." Bliss added.

As the voters began to come in, Dooku waited as the votes were tallied in a holographic board in front of them. The nays and yay's rose steadily till they slowed with the nays as the minority.

"The Is have it, the resolution will pass General Dallin will receive funding and full support of this body by the will of the people of the Confederacy." Count Dooku's hologram said hands above, the senators in favor rose to applaud the motion as Dallin nodded with his archer putting his arm on the man's shoulder shaking it in unity. Dooku and Dallin locked eyes before Count Dooku disappeared from his hologram. Dallin was unable to see the swarm of Parliament members who swarmed over him to shake his hand and pat him on the back. His men could only keep them back so much as they started to leave.

They were bombarded like the jedi on Aragon but instead of mortars it was promises and invitations "My people will support you general."

"My sons are with you General."

"Come to a Gala tonight as my personal guest."

Dallin grabbed onto the archer "Get me out of here."

"Roger, roger." He said starting to carve a path pushing the senators away "The General doesn't have time for any of you we have war a fight." He said pushing threw the parliament members up the steps and into the hallway out of the senate.

Later they found their way into a separate room inside the Parliament House, it had a desk in the back with a stained glass window. There were two chairs in front of it that the archer took a seat in kicking up his feet on the desk. Jace walked up to the window looking out at the city, overhead Rogue-class starfighters popped fireworks in celebration of the bills passing down below in front of the Parliament he could see Separatist citizens running up to rows of the Separatist soldiers who were in front of desks taking signatures and markers directing them over ot groups next to confederate drop ships.

"Congratulations General." The other soldier said behind his helmet, with the eel on it.

The other one with his feet propped up reached up and took his helmet off, it pulled off most of the ghillie suit hood off to reveal a young man, sixteen or seventeen. He had blonde, his hair was buzzed on the sides with the top short and messy like General Dallins, but not combed on his head with tan skin and hazel eyes, he had a diamond shaped face with cleft chin "I thought the speech was a bit long and dramatic but yeah, good job sir."

"Thank you Helix, Marshal, but the real work starts now." Jace said walking over to the chair and putting his helmet down.

"I'm signaling our fleet to move to Antar 4 to train our new recruits, go there now while I secure things here." Jace said sitting at the desk across from them.

Helix's eyes got wide "Why?" He asked

"Because he said so." Marshal told him "I mean why do I have to train the new grunts?"

"Because you're our best fighter Helix, now go I've got my own party to deal with." Jace said to both men, Helix got up from his seat grabbing his helmet "Roger roger and all that bother." Helix said walking to the door he put his arm around Marshal "Come on you slippery eel let's go make some soldiers."

"Not you Starstorm, you stay." Helix and Marshal stopped before looking at one another "You heard the man." Helix said taking his arm off Marshal and walking back to General Dallins desk and sat down "So what do I do while you play politician?" Helix asked him.

General Dallin started to pull up a few files on hid desk "If by politician you mean making sure the Count's goons turn the Parliament against us, you're going to take the Vanguard and its force to start fighting this war the right way."

Helix's face went pale "You're giving me the Vanguard?"

Dallin nodded as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of blade wings forming a V and handed them to him "As our army grows I'll need officers I can trust to see our objectives through, as right now you are a Commander I want you start hitting the Republic supply lines and raze their outposts.

Both of them rose and Helix's eyes were wide with surprise but also intrigue he looked up at General Dallin and saluted him "Thank you sir, I won't let you down."

"I know Helix, but don't forget winning this war is important but it's how we win it that will matter." General Dallin said to him. Helix looked down at the blades.

"Now go, you have your orders." Dallin said sitting back down turning off the hologram of the ship, but Helix didn't leave just yet.

Dallin noticed this and looked up "What is it?"

"General if I'm going to war, there are few crazy sons of bitches I'd like to take with me, sir." He said making sure he added the respect that was due to his commanding officer.

General Dallin sighed "Make the transfers I'll approve whatever you need son."

JEDI TEMPLE

Ahsoka was standing in one of the temple war rooms with Anakin and other masters watching the public hold feeds on Raxus. "The amount of people here gathered outside the House of Parliament are staggering as thousands of Confederacy Citizens gather to enlist in the newly created Armed Forces." a voice said as the jedi all monitored the situation. Walking down the steps Ahsoka saw Helix by his helmet tucked under his arm speaking with other Separatist soldiers who took his arm and shook it before giving a salute.

Anakin noticed it "Is that the guy who winged you?"

"Yeah, can't wait to pay him back." she said as Starstorm started to speak.

The jedi turned off the communications and started to speak amongst each other, "Starstorm hmmm, well we know two of them know." Anakin said looking at her arm, he squeezed his gloves tight into fists at her wound.

"Don't worry about me Master, I'm fine." Ahsoka said.

"Let the healers decide that, in fact it's time you go see them." he said Ahsoka looked at her arm and all the jedi talking about what to do next "But Master I-" "No buts now go." Ahsoka left the war room and headed out toward the medics remembering the arrow as it was run through her arm. It was different then fighting droids when she reached up to her wound she heard his scream 'DIE JEDI'. She stopped looking around hearing it through the force before she walked on. Later she walked into the medical wing of the temple and the Jedi healer looked to see her come in.

The doctor walked over to her "Greetings Padawan Tano, please." She said gesturing for her to sit on a bed.

She sat down across the jedi healer who's started to undo her bandages, she removed the sling and pressed her hands on her shoulder. "It's been a long time since I healed an arrow wound, who were you fighting?"

"Someone I intend not to let get the best of me again." Ahsoka said as she felt the force flow into her shoulder, the wound sealed itself and healed with the healers power coursing through the force.

"Aaaaand done." The healer said taking her hands away.

"You may need to teach me that trick sometime?" Ahsoka said rubbing her shoulder, the wound was gone and only a faded scar remained.

The healer scoffed "It takes many years to become a jedi healer, someone who tried it without the proper training would need to be indeed a powerful jedi." She said as she went over to the sink and washed her hands.

Just then Plo Koon walked into the room "Master Plo how may I be of assistance." The healer asked as Ahsoka got up and bowed alongside her.

"If you could give us the room Doctor, I would speak to lil'Soka alone." He insisted, the doctor nodded before she left the chambers for another one letting Ahsoka and the Jedi who brought her to the order speak. Plo Koon took his hand onto her shoulder where the wound was, no longer he saw.

"What did you make of your first encounter with Dallins men?" He asked her.

"It was… different from fighting droids, I could sense so much anger and hatred when they attacked it was almost overwhelming." She said.

Plo Koon nodded "Walk with me." He urged.

Ahsoka followed him out into the temple hallways "The last time jedi faced a large military force it was during the Stark Hyperspace War, the Militia General, Jace Dallin was part of that war."

"On the opposing side?" She asked "The opposite, he fought alongside the Jedi with the Home Defense Fleets assembled to fight the Stark Commercial Combine a cartel of criminals raiding shipping lanes." Plo Koon said beside her "He saved my life in the war and many called him a hero for his courage close to Masters Kenobi and Vos when they were younger than you."

"Then why betray the Republic?" Ahsoka asked him.

Plo Koon nodded as they passed "An answer I would very much like to know to lil'Soka."

As they walked Ahsoka remembered the sting of the arrow in her shoulder "Do you know another soldier the one who did- this?" She asked, pointing to her scar.

"The archer, I do not but I sense your paths will cross again very soon." Master Plo Koon said "This war is just beginning."

RAXUS

Far from the Jedi, Helix was riding in a separatist transport flying across Raxus he was looking at his helmet rubbing his thumb over the teeth as the ghillie hood dangled From the helmet, before it set down somewhere else on the planet. Helix took deep breath and rose as the ramp lowered, walking out the sun hit his face as he saw his new command before him. It stood there against the sun casting a long shadow, designed by the Quarren Free Dac Volunteers Engineering Corps, the rounded, pseudo-organic aesthetic capital ships, influenced by the planet Dac, the ships were operated originally by six hundred to nine hundred droids but now walking up its main loading ramp weren't just droids but Militia soldiers marching in parade formation up with rows of three tanks, into the Providence-class dreadnought. But this variation was different, not only one was it massive, cylindrical 1,088-meter-long warships with a pointed nose that tapered towards the superstructure this one was wedged like an axe's face primed fora battering ram into ships, some Providence-class vessels were longer, measuring 2,177.35 meters this one reached up to 2,500. These ships were said to be some of the biggest in the Separatist fleet and were capable of holding a planetary blockade almost by themselves. This enlarged model was billed as the "Separatist Dreadnought". Rising from the stern portion of the vessel, was an elongated main communications and sensor pod. The ships, like all Mon Calamari and Quarren designs, were designed to be capable of landing on water in case of emergencies. Modular compartments. Providence-class ships featured modular compartments which made the vessels very easy to modify. This made it possible to easily upgrade the propulsion systems or weaponry of a given ship, as well as making it possible to convert the ships into starfighter carriers, or other variations like this one. It's modified ports were given extra storage for the Rogue Class fighters he walked by pilots in bright yellow flight suits were walking by them on loading ships.

The Invisible Hand, flagship of General Grievous was one example of a heavily modified Providence-class ship. Offensive and defensive systems, the surface of Providence-class ships were covered with numerous heavy weapons emplacements. Modified vessels such as the Invisible Hand included a number of turret-mounted quad turbolasers, thirty-four dual laser cannons, two capital-scale ion cannons, twelve point-defense ion cannons, and 102 proton torpedo batteries. The Vanguard had twice as many of those around the fighter holds. The reactors on-board each vessel produced so much power that even their point-defense ion cannons were each capable of delivering enough heat per shot to rival a 4.8 megaton bomb. This weaponry and armor made them capable of taking on Victory and Venator-class Star Destroyers. Along with thick and extensive hull plating unusual for most small-and medium-sized CIS warships, and a network of heavy combat shield generators, the ships relied on three Creveld-4 radial ion drive units for sublight propulsion and featured an advanced Class hyperdrive. Standard vessels had their sterns filled with reactors and thrusters, while some ships were modified to allow for bigger hangar space. The thrusters could be arranged to provide different emergency settings, the main one using blast shields to redirect the ion particles exiting the thrusters, and provide a breaking thrust which slowed the ship's movement during an atmospheric descent. A similar setting utilized emergency booster engines to slow the ship. In addition to thrusters, a Providence-class ship could utilize airbrake panels that lined the ship to slow descent in an atmosphere. The Vanguard had two elongated wings at its rear with ten extra engines on the back making it a true monster. He walked up the ramp and passed by Militia soldiers who saluted and welcomed him as he passed through the halls, being filled with supplies meant for war before he walked into an elevator rising to the bridge.

The Providence-class command center was located at the front of the vessel, in a forward facing tower similar to the Recusant-class destroyer this setup made the Providence-class slightly more maneuverable than its Republic counterparts particularly in atmospheres. The elevator doors opened and Helix was greeted by the rising of the crews officers to their feet "Commander on the bridge!" a quarrel wearing the blue uniform of a separatist officer said, his uniform was complemented by white shoulder pads with the separatist insignia on his arms, his black belt had a RG-4D at his hip but he held a trident in his right hand that he stomped seeing Starstorm.

Helix smiled walking up to the quarren "Captain Nemo, its time."

"The Vanguard is your Commander and so am I." the quarren said as Helix walked up to the other bridge officers. They were all wearing the same uniform as Nemo, with a blue coat and white pants sporting two blue stripes into boots.

Starstorm crossed his arms "Take us out." the crew all got to there stations and powered up the Vanguard, its engines roared to life and started to rise. The trees and planes of Raxus blew behind them as it started to fly over the planet. Rogue class starfighters took to the skies with it, Helix watched the blue skyu around them fade and the stars of the galaxy appear in front of him.

"So Commander, whats our target?" Captain Nemo asked Commander Starstorm.

Helix turned to him "Everywhere."