Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Shadows of the Force. Enjoy the 1600-word chapter. I don't own RWBY and Star Wars. Monty Oum, Lucas Films, and Rooster Teeth do.
(LAAT gunship, Vale Embassy, Remnant 7:10 PM November 12th.)
Bail and Ozpin shared a glance at each other, both nodding silently.
"I'm surprised a warrior such as yourself has such a wide assortment of peaceful ideas, headmaster." Bail said to which Ozpin chuckled in response.
"Just because I'm a warrior doesn't mean I only think of battle, senator," Ozpin stated before brushing off his suit. "I believe it's similar to the Jedi themselves," Ozpin added before the gunship opened, letting Lerek off a moment later.
"General, I've heard about the encroaching droid army. It is simply deplorable." Bail said as the Arkanian approached. "We must take steps to ensure the safety of both Vale and our galaxy are safe. I've heard dozens of clones had been deployed to Vale." Bail added as Lerek crossed his arms.
"What troubles me more is Vale believing it's being occupied by entire armies," Lerek said, shaking his head and humming. "These meetings are almost as impossible to juggle as dealing with the droid army. I'm guessing Master Kenobi filled you in on our progress so far?" Lerek questioned, raising an eyebrow as he did so.
"At least battle droids require a few blaster shots and a good leader to dispatch, General." Bail joked as Lerek chuckled. "And indeed, he has. He's been slowly filling me into what's been going on. I've been speaking to General Ironwood as well, this situation is far more complicated than it appears, quite a few variables are involved besides just us and the battle droids." Bail added as he paused to think about the next move.
"Well, I'm happy to just have to mainly focus on the military aspect of things, senator," Lerek stated as he shook his head. "Anyway? I'm focusing on tracking down Ventress. If there was a way for Republic reinforcements to arrive on Remnant? Then I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before Dooku organizes a full-scale invasion of Remnant." Lerek added, rubbing at his temples.
"Speaking of focus?" Ozpin asked, gently tapping his cane on the floor as he did so. "How have you and Ms. Belladonna have been getting along? I'm imagining you've both been enjoying the other's company at the moment." Ozpin added as he thought about how the duo had been during the last few days.
"She's currently resting after planning on her way to deal with Roman Torchwick," Lerek stated, shaking his head with a sigh. "I suppose they have some sort of history I'm not privy to?" Lerek added to which Ozpin nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Torchwick and Team RWBY have been in a few skirmishes as of late," Ozpin said, turning to Bail. "You will have to excuse us, General. We've been busy dealing with quite a bit of work as of late. James and I have been at odds how best to deal with Roman and his associates, something that has become quite annoying as of currently." Ozpin added, brushing off his suit.
"Yes, the White Fang, I assume?" Lerek questioned, gaining a nod in response. "I've just met, they've been busy, and my fighters confirmed they shot down Roman's transport. I had them do several checks as well. He's escaped custody, however. I'm not sending clones to attempt to arrest them. I'm aware just how dangerous they can be." Lerek stated as he shook his head.
"Yes, your find many members of this planet are just as dangerous as the Jedi maybe." Ozpin pointed out as Lerek nodded, leaning on the wall as well. "But I'm sure that they will be overcome with time. I do worry about Ms. Belladonna, however, between her people causing a massive string of crimes, and this upcoming dance? I'm saddened to think Ms. Belladonna is focusing too much on things that don't exactly concern her." Ozpin added while Lerek turned to Bail a moment later.
Lerek nodded, closing his eyes. He leaned on the stone white walls of the embassy. Everywhere he turned there was always another incident ready to crop up.
"Senator Organa, I'm worried about these threats native to Remnant," Lerek said, crossing his arms over his chest as he laid his head against the chipped stone. "The White Fang have acquired Atlesian military technology. If their powerful enough to steal from Remnant's armies? I don't even want to imagine what they could do with our weapons. I'm looking into Mr. Torchwick who seems to have been behind this." Lerek added, watching Bail and Ozpin share a look.
Both were quite curious how this conflict would end, but they knew it rested with the ones waging this war.
"I'm sure you will capture him, master Jedi." Bail said before sighing, putting a hand to his throat. "As for the White Fang? This is quite concerning. I'll talk with General Ironwood, perhaps we could focus our efforts on protecting Vale." Bail said, casting a gaze at Ozpin.
"James is focused on protecting all of Remnant, but he's far more concerned with showing strength." Ozpin put in as he shook his head. "The White Fang have been at war with Atlas for quite some time. I'm afraid this will just push him into locking down Vale much harder than before, yes?" Ozpin questioned, gaining a hum from the duo.
"The last thing we need is turning Vale into a warzone, it's why I DIDN'T fully deploy the entire military," Lerek said, turning away from the duo as he cast a look up at the sky.
There was a crackle above as the clouds began to turn from pale grey into dark black. It slowly began to rain upon them, showering them with droplets of water as Lerek sighed.
"I have to return to the Trailblazer and debrief some of my men," Lerek said before beginning to head to the landing pads a second later. "If you have any questions, Headmaster? Please feel free to contact me. I have a lot on my mind to reflect on and someone has to inform the Jedi Council of what has transpired." Lerek added, pausing to wipe some of the rain off his robes.
Part of his mind focused upon the battles to come. There was plenty of fighting to be done before Vale was safe. Still? He wanted to rest, and he couldn't until it was dealt with, Lerek thought about whether to go see if Blake was up and about or simply still sleeping. Her commitment to protecting the innocent even if they were against her people was admirable. Lerek almost questioned how she would have been as a Jedi if she had been taken into the order.
'Aura and the force are so similar but so different. I wonder just how much of a bond they share; it would be a good question for Master Yoda at the very least.' Lerek thought before boarding the gunship.
Lerek felt the gunship ascend into the sky as he leaned against the silted door of the craft. He knew Obi-Wan could handle Vale, the man was nothing but sheer focus and wisdom. A FAR cry from the reckless and cocky Arkanian he was.
"That Oracle had me brought here for some reason, but he's not spoken to me since we've gotten here." Lerek mused to himself before a crack of lightning broke his focus. "There's something he's not telling us. I'm guessing Master Yoda might know something about him." Lerek said, crossing his arms as he shook his head.
Lerek could only hope that the Oracle didn't hurt Remnant or his home. He had various questions when it came to the man at the moment. The Arkanian pushed these thoughts to the side, there was bigger fish to fry at the time, other factors to put focus upon.
"Drifter?" Lerek asked as he pushed the button on his comlink. "How are things on your end?" Lerek questioned, raising his eyebrow.
"We're discussing battle strategy, sir," Drifter responded as Lerek hummed to himself. "The tactical droid has finished decrypting; I've already started making a pair of copies for both Generals Ironwood and Kenobi. It's a lot to process at the moment, I'm not sure where to start." Drifter put in as Lerek hummed, lowering his head towards the ground.
"Anything that looks like it could be a trick?" Lerek asked, drumming his fingers on his arms.
The gunship finally reached the cruiser. Lerek was curious as to HOW this war would go. If the droid army was to reach Vale? He knew there would be no stopping them without massive collateral damage, it left out air support since bombers could end up leveling the city by pure accident, which also left orbital bombardment out as thousands would die.
"Out of everything, they have me handle fighting the war," Lerek said as the gunship started to land. "Yeah, let the Arkanian who overthinks things run the entire war effort, that will go great." Lerek joked as he shook his head.
Lerek hummed and stepped out of the craft.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that the next episode is the dance. I want these chapters to be big, so I will be updating them in increments, so I don't burn myself out. The next chapter is in 2-10 months and will be 900-5500 words and will show the setup to the dance and Lerek talking to Drifter and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!