Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Shadows of the Force. Enjoy the 5500-word chapter. I don't own RWBY and Star Wars. Monty Oum, Lucas Films, and Rooster Teeth do.
(Unknown Island, Remnant 7:50 AM November 14th.)
"A Jedi and their little pet." Came the voice both Lerek and Blake were greeted by.
Before either could respond, there was a snap crackle of lightsabers as Blake turned just in time. She brought up Gambol Shroud which blocked the pair of blood-red lightsabers. Blake watched as the bald woman snarled before Lerek sent her flying with a push from the force, sending her flying into the far wall and a computer console.
The Sith Assassin leaped forward as Lerek snapped up his blue-bladed saber and blocked her strike before leaping back and away from her. She surged forward as he parried another strike and knocked her to the side. She continued to slash at him, her blades cutting through the air as he tried his best to outmaneuver her. She had been too eager to kill him.
"Says Dooku's personal Akk Dog," Lerek stated as he locked blades with her. "You came here just to take over Remnant? The rest of the galaxy wasn't enough?" Lerek questioned, his eyebrow raised.
Ventress advanced on both of them, using the force to rip stone from the back of the room as she turned to Blake. She sent them flying, spinning like knives as they screamed towards Blake who was forced to somersault back away from that.
Blake watched as Ventress and Lerek slammed their weapons into each other once more. Sparks flew from their weapons, passing over everything and every little piece of the room as it happened. There was just no stopping it, no stopping it at all. There was something that made her curious, focused upon what he could have done to stop this.
Their weapons lit up the small and meek room as Ventress broke off the clash, slashing her sabers at him and cutting grooves into the floor. There was a sigh as he slowly started to question how to stop her or even slow her down enough for him to form a plan of attack. There was very little if at all. There were no real weaknesses to Ventress besides her ego and even that couldn't help forever when it came to stopping her.
Still? He hadn't the time to worry about that, he had to stop her when it was all over with if anything. Too much was on the line in general.
Ventress spun her sabers as if daring them to follow and attack, daring them to strike her and see her fall. It was a challenge too easily handled, too easily beaten by their antics and she knew there was so much wrong with their attack that could be easily rectified with their attacks.
Lerek blinked first as he strode forward, his weapon lighting up the air as he questioned how this fight would have gone with all of it being said and done.
He was countered by her throwing the next stone behind her which forced him to twist around Blake launched a kick at her as she leaned backward only for Lerek to launch her with the force, throwing the Dathomirian woman into the wall.
"Jedi trash…" Ventress hissed as Lerek glared at her, too unsure of what she'd do.
He slashed at her before he slowly started to probe her defenses, unsure of what he questioned before now? There was a lot more to do if he was to stop her anyway.
She attacked both of them as she slammed her weapons into theirs, sparks flying from their weapons as both of them were forced backward slightly. Blake vanished as a shadow clone took her place and she kicked Ventress in the back of the head, sending her back.
"What…?" Ventress questioned as Lerek looked at Blake.
"Right, forgot about that." Lerek stated before he turned to Ventress with a smirk "Between me and her? I think you'd rather fight me, she's a lot tougher than she looks at the end of the day, you know… A lot stronger and she might just beat you…" Lerek said before he locked blades with Ventress again.
There was a moment when he knew she was capable of losing. Ventress knew this as well. She was terrified more and more of losing… But Lerek also knew Ventress wasn't a pushover, nor was she hard to push past her rage and into a rage. If anything? She was a rattlesnake cornered and she hated the idea of being cornered, to begin with.
He struck fast and hard, shattering her defenses with a sweep of his saber as she backpedaled and kicked him. He was oh so prepared for whatever she tossed at him as he slid back, clutching at his chest as he gazed at her, his eyes brimming with anger as he pursued her.
(Above the Island)
General Ironwood watched from his flagship. He could see Lerek's fleet had chased the enemy forces above the ocean where they had more room to press the advantage… The cruisers also seemed to be a well-met mix between battlecruiser and carrier which showed him why the design was widespread among the Republic fleet.
"General, ground forces have already been dispatched, enemy forces seem to be floundering around drop zones." Ironwood heard as he nodded.
"Where is the admiral in charge of the republic forces here?" General Ironwood asked as he raised an eyebrow, looking over the rest of the fleet with interest.
There was a trace of interest in his tone as he did so. The republic could be the ally he needed to put the war with Salem in their favor. If anything? All this did was provide a better window to see how well they would have operated.
He believed Parmar was the Republic naval commander, yes. That was them if she remembered clearly. There was something else on her mind. She hadn't yet before he seemed as of this moment
There was a sigh before he questioned what to do next before now. He hadn't seemed to question before he seemed as of now before this moment was over. There was a lot more as of the time being.
He didn't entirely know for now when it was all over before he questioned what to do. This battle would tell him a lot more about the military tactics of their enemy and more about their technology.
(Yesterday, 10:30 PM)
If one was able to look upon both Blake and Lerek? They would have noticed the Arkanian and Faunus were both tangled up in a ball of limbs and hair. The Huntress in training and Jedi Knight were both cuddled up, Blake's legs wrapped with his, his arms wrapped around her waist as they slept. It wasn't particularly out of romantic interest, but if one of them were present and not yet bothered as of now? Well, they would have been able to relax if nothing else. There was a moment before he hummed to himself and drifted off deeper into sleep.
He was too tired to care, there was a moment of weakness if nothing else. He yawned, preparing for now. This had been an enriching moment for her if nobody else.
There was a snore from the Arkanian's throat as he pulled Blake to him more and she snuggled into his chest. Maybe one of them might deny their attraction to the other, but it persisted if nothing else. Their feelings went beyond the platonic if the universe wasn't wrong. Yet? If the will of the force was pulling them the way it seemed to be? They were designed to spin in circles, tugging each other one way or another for years before now.
It was maddening, yet? They'd have each other. Their destinies had been set in stone one alongside the other, there was no stronger pull in the galaxy than what they had and what they'd gain from all of the pain and madness. All the insanity circling them at the end of the day. This hadn't yet found them, but it would, they would be destined for more than what they had on their plates, a lot more than anything else.
Blake kicked her foot over the edge, yawning as she looked around for a moment, too hazy to think of anything. There was a moment of silence from her as sleep once again took her for now.
She yawned, curling around as she did so. She leaned on her partner before she tilted her head, her Faunus ears flicking against his skin as he did so. He snored, resting his head atop hers as they slumbered. She questioned what to do next when they awoke now at the time. She snuggled her head, unsure of what to do next. There was a lot more to focus on before now. Neither noticed their comlink blink as someone tried to contact them. It was a small call, one which was just from someone in the staff section as he sighed, questioning what the general may need.
There was a noise that caused both the Arkanian and Faunus's ears to wiggle as they turned their heads slightly to see the ringing datapad which shone with all of the power. There was a moment of both of them slowly started to think as their brains struggled to question what to do next before now.
They both yawned before they were slowly pulled back into the wall before she seemed to question what to do next. There was a yawn as both the Faunus and Arkanian were dragged back into exhaustion before she sighed. She hadn't yet seemed to question before now as of thee now. There was something that hadn't yet seemed to question at the time. They both were dragged into the splendor of sleep before they tilted their head, she questioned what to do next before she tilted her head.
There was a lot more on the focus as of now this second. She yawned to herself and curled more and more into a ball, questioning what to do next before this was over.
His comlink seemed to beep a few seconds later. There was a silence before now. She hadn't yet questioned for now what to do next. There was a moment of silence as they were slowly dragged back into the idea of sleep. There was silence on their features before this ended.
There was a lot more on their minds, blinding their heads. Well? If anything? This had just started to drag itself forward, pulling them closer and closer to their destiny. It had yet to be something else, there was a lot more to look forward to. She had a lot more to question.
When they awoke? They would have a lot more questions to answer, but this wasn't going to be over before now. She had yet as of now before now.
She had yet to say before she seemed to question what to do next. She had fully fallen silent before now. There was something before now at the second. She yawned and looked around before pulling both of her feet back to her side, she yawned, pulling both of her arms around Lerek as she nuzzled deeply into his chest. If driven instinctively? He replicated placing his arms around her chest and pulling her deeper into his embrace as she did so.
There was very little either could do to control their instructs, their ability to be drawn to one another grew each second, they were around one another and neither knew it. if anything? They were simply bonding more and more, not connected at the hip, not romantically involved as she expected him to have been.
It was odd, sure, but they were both teenagers, they didn't know any better, didn't know anything else. There was an odd little niche to which they couldn't contain themselves, couldn't control what they were or were turning into. He would have snorted at the idea, but he knew more than her just what was going to happen if he stuck around here for a while.
He still would have been damned if he allowed the sweet taste of sleep to evade him for even a second for now. This just made him snort inside as he questioned his next move when she and her awakened.
Neither noticed the spirit from before appearing in front of them, pulling the cover over the two as he watched Blake kick her foot back. He lowered his hand which had moved to blanket with the force.
"Two souls intertwined within twists and turns before now. There will be a clash, between both good and spurred darkness. Yes, Vale will burn, but heroes will rise… And I see a fallen angel, a light turned to darkness." The spirit stated before frowning.
"Yet? I don't assume you know, Jedi Knight. You and the Faunus are destined to be together, separated only by destiny. There was a lot more to this… Isn't there? Well, I'll leave you to it. you've both got a lot of bonding to do. A lot, there's a lot more I don't believe you've noticed yet." The spirit stated before vanishing.
Lerek yawned, Blake, nuzzling her head back and forth in his chest as she did so. There was a snort as he seemed to question what to do next. There was more to their predicament than fate, but neither of them would have noticed for a while. There was something else on their minds, but if anything? Well? This wasn't going to be over with anytime soon.
Blake hummed, tilting her head further into her dreams. One couldn't exactly question what their problems would be, but there was something else on the horizon.
"General? This is Admiral Parmar. I need to speak to you at your possible time. Commander Drifter has heard something else." Lerek heard as he looked around before he sighed and slowly started to climb slowly up.
Lerek slowly started to groan, questioning what to do next as he yawned, looking at Blake before slowly sitting up, unsure of what to do as he sighed, tilting his head. He hadn't properly focused on such an issue. There was something else here.
He sighed, questioning what to do next. There was something else before he sighed, questioning what to do next. There was something else on this planet that seemed to be drawing them in.
Lerek rubbed at his eyes as sleep still surged in his body. He looked at Blake through dozy eyes, looking at her as she clawed at him, hooking her arms and legs around him. Lerek reached an arm towards the comlink only to be tugged downwards to the bed and forced to look at Blake who simply nuzzled into his chest. It only made him question what this woman was.
He sighed as he tried to reach out his arm only for it to be violently gripped and returned to around her waist. Was Blake this willing to keep his company? He decided it wasn't worth fighting her and dealing with the… More interesting questions that came with it for now. He slowly yet surely lied back down, giving up the ghost and allowing his body the natural release of sleep. It wasn't like he had any reason to deny sleep, for now, deny the idea that he could use it either. He wanted to sleep and any excuse to get back to sleep.
He surrendered himself back to the embrace of sleep for now. There was a lot more to talk about when he woke up before now. He could only roll his eyes at this for now
(Bridge of Trailblazer)
Parmar seemed to be too focused on the tactics if nothing else. The republic had slowly gained a foothold on Remnant which meant they now had another planet to look for now when it seemed to be over.
There was a lot more on the Admiral's mind, however. There had been dozens of soldiers deployed if all of them had been deployed before now. There was a lot more on the brain to point to.
He sighed before there were a few more hindrances as to their problem. If anything? The idea that they had more on their plate was something else. He knew more than they what would happen if they hadn't the ability to properly focused upon such a thing. There was a lot more to handle as of now.
"Sir… Oh, Admiral." He heard as he turned to see his commander was absent. "I can call back if you need. I didn't think the General wasn't present." Parmar stated to which he hummed for now.
There was a lot more to handle before it came down to it. He was about to question it for now. Still? there was a lot more to handle for the time being. If anything? The Admiral was far more amused, a lot more thrown off, but still amused to the best of his ability. There was still something else on his mind, but he was tired before now as of this moment.
They had bigger fish to fry anyway and he could relate to it. He sighed as he processed the idea, there was a lot more to handle before he seemed to speak.
"Are you going to be, ok?" Drifter stated before he hummed while he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
"Yes, Commander. I'm fine, what did you wish to tell the general? He's sleeping for now." Parmar stated to which he hummed, rubbing at his temples.
"We've located a droid presence, at least 4 frigates or more have managed to get to this island. We think they're setting up a base for an attack on Vale or the surrounding area, sir." Drifter said before said coordinates popped up on the table.
"I'll send a copy to the general's room and scramble a few fighters to confirm, Commander. I'd advise you to get your men ready then for a counter-attack." Parmar stated as he frowned and looked over the data he had gotten.
There was a lot to unpack and this was moving a lot faster than he had expected. Still? If anything? He hadn't the possible idea of this, plus he knew better than to interfere in this.
(Present times)
Lerek was forced back with a single swipe before backpedaling and then forced to leap to the side as he looked around. There was a far odder look of rage upon Ventress's face as the Dathomirian seemed to retreat while he and Blake chased after him. he could only roll his eyes as he dares her to attack, to strike at them as capable and as strongly as possible. If nothing else? She had all the power she could want, but it wouldn't have been enough. It wouldn't have stopped her nor would it have convinced her to back down.
There was a second of silence as he tried to think of what to do. She had been dangerous and cornered which told him exactly how scary she could be if he weren't to be careful. She also knew what was to happen if nothing else. He was too focused on how to stop her, how to back her down, how to make her relent. She was hiding something, yet for the life of the Jedi? He couldn't exactly stop himself if nothing else.
If nothing else? She was far more capable of this than anything else. There was oh so much to unpack upstairs when all of this was over.
He yawned, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability if nothing else. She'd take the bait. He hadn't the proper bait to stop her, but he did have the ability to trick her and stop her from doing anything if he managed to rile her up. It was just a matter of tricking her into the proper fights.
If anything? He was going to win this one way or another… And it just depended on what he did next.
Lerek eyed Blake but for a moment as the two exchanged a nod and charged her from two different angles. Ventress went to intercept them as Lerek slid under her, parrying one of her strikes and allowing Blake to spin into the air, bringing Gambol Shroud down upon her and vaulting over her shoulder as Lerek sent her skidding with a force push.
"Hmm… Is that all you can do? Push me around with the force?" Ventress questioned before Lerek shrugged.
"Seems to be working a lot better. You are not exactly as dangerous as Grievous or Dooku. Your one of his assassins, not his top Aku Hound, yet you're acting like you're going to take over Remnant for Dooku? Is Dooku so desperate for resources that he'd attack an innocent planet?" Lerek questioned before he rubbed at his eyes.
"No wait, I'm sorry, I forgot the Sith can't fight anyone who hits back," Lerek stated as Ventress snorted.
"This planet means more to you than it does to us… There are resources we need here, things that seem to be unique to Remnant." Ventress stated to which Lerek rolled his eyes. "But tell me the Republic isn't just as interested? They came here to add Remnant to their little government, didn't they?" Ventress questioned as Lerek hummed.
"Maybe, but that's not what I was brought here for. You're only here because that thing dragged you here as it did me, yeah? Then your desperate to prove yourself as something other than Dooku's errand girl." Lerek said as Ventress charged only to be blocked by his saber. "Well, that admitted it. You've hurt a lot of people, but Dooku isn't exactly the one who cares, is he? You're not his apprentice, you're just the little assassin he throws at whatever." Lerek stated as he surged forwards.
Ventress did not take the barb well. He was well aware of her powers and the fact she'd feed off the dark side. If anything? He wanted her mad, enraged enough to strike at her. There was a lot more to do, a lot more he could have done to stop her. It didn't slow him down, but it did stop him from moving forwards.
Ventress looked at the two. She was used to fighting Jedi, yet the girl fought as if she was one or something entirely new. Ventress had prepared for a Jedi, but someone who was this fast and agile? She knew she could not defeat them, at least… Not without the Republic reinforcements surging inside and posing more of a problem to her and the fact they more than outnumbered anyone.
"My master will control this planet sooner or later, Jedi scum… This battle may be yours, but the war will not be so easily won." Ventress stated before Lerek lunged forward.
She swept low and then kicked him down, he stumbled as she sighed, preparing for now as he slowly started to fix up for now as he clicked his fingers against one another. There was a moment of silence as she leaped up to try and smash him under her weapons. There was a second of pain before she was thrown off by Blake who blocked her lightsabers before she wiped her blades towards her.
Ventress held up her hand before she threw Blake into the wall, watching as she slowly started to slide down the wall as she retreated, vanishing down a hatch as Lerek growled only to turn towards her, looking at her with concern as he slowly started to tend to her. She groaned as her aura crackled purple only for Lerek to snap her up a little.
He offered the woman his hands before he sighed before he questioned what to do next. They had won, but there was still too much to properly focus upon. If anything, else? Well, he hadn't focused before he questioned what to do next. There was something else on his mind as he sighed.
"You good?" Lerek questioned to which Blake nodded. "Well, that's Ventress. Count Dooku's personal Sith Assassin. She's pretty dangerous when she's cornered, but that's how she is. Anyway, there's not much left for her… Which means I guess we're finished here." Lerek said as he sighed and helped the Faunus up.
Lerek slowly looked around the room, considering his options as he did so. There was a moment of silence as he and Blake shared a look and then shrugged, too unconcerned at the moment to notice.
"Ok, guess we're all finished…" Lerek said before he brought his comlink up and to his face. "Drifter? It's Lerek, Ventress escaped and it seems like most of her forces are routed, how are things on your end? I'm going to see what they have on the computers, pull it for the techs, then come back up to mop up the rest of the droids. How're things on your end?" Lerek questioned as he slowly started to walk towards the console.
"Finishing the clankers up, general. They're pulling out what we haven't scrapped. General Ironwood just landed. He wanted to speak with you here than on the Trailblazer." Drifter reported to which Lerek nodded.
"Alright, tell him to meet me at the landing zones. Pull your men out, for now, check out what to do next before he seemed to be as of now." Lerek stated and sighed before he started to look over at the console.
He hadn't yet questioned what to do next before now. He seemed as if there was something on his mind.
"She didn't secure the data on here. Sloppy. Some of its encrypted, but some of it seems like rudimentary slicing could handle it." Lerek said before he rolled his eyes. "Try and outsmart an Arkanian, Dathomirian. See if it helps." Lerek stated while he typed on the computer.
"Slicing?" Blake questioned to which Lerek nodded and looked at her.
"Hacking. It's what most people call it." Lerek said before he turned back to his task before he failed, too unsure of what to have done.
"What about General Ironwood?" Blake questioned to which Lerek turned to her again.
"He came here for a reason. He knew the Republic were coming here under my leadership and he had units come here anyway." Lerek said before he frowned. "Either he wants to study the battle droids and Separatist technology, or he's after something else here…. And knowing him? I don't entirely know what to expect. He's been all over the Republic since we came to Remnant." Lerek stated as he sighed, rubbing at his temples as he did so.
Blake could only question if Lerek was aware of what the Atlesian military was like if anything else. There was more to their little game than anything else. They hadn't the proper honor of meeting what made the Atlesian military tick and she knew it. She knew more than he they didn't want anyone else on Remnant who could challenge them. They were powerful, sure, but they didn't control space… Which meant the republic could have easily turned the planet into a barren wasteland without ever having to waste a single soldier, something any military on the planet would have expended all they had to have gathered. Heck? If Atlas had even a single warship capable of that? They could have comfortably bombarded Remnant.
There was a moment of silence as to which Lerek finally sliced the computer and started to download it to the datapad. There was a moment later as he sighed and continued typing.
"If she's right? More droids are coming. Count Dooku won't just give up the dust and technology he can squeeze out of Remnant. This place is going to turn into a warzone a lot faster than I thought." Lerek said before he sighed and turned to leave.
Blake followed the Arkanian as he slowly gripped the datapad with the force. He could as of the second. He sighed to himself, tilting his head, looking around before he sighed, looking around as of now. There was a moment of focus as he turned to her.
"I'm guessing you're staying rather than heading to Beacon or the Trailblazer? There's going to be a long talk, I assume. A very long one." Lerek said as he proceeded up and out of the bunker.
Lerek proceeded through rows of clones who were busy securing the area, airlifting wounded and dead out, and checking everything. They nodded at the Jedi as he proceeds to where Drifter was talking to General Ironwood.
"As I told you, sir. The republic information would need to be discussed with the senator if not the chancellor. He's very busy with the other matters." Drifter stated before Lerek hummed.
"Drifter, are you and your men alright? I'm sorry, I was busy pulling what I could from their computers. I'll see about others who fell in battle in a moment." Lerek stated before he sighed as of now.
"I'd be happier if we could have coordinated, General Ironwood. My forces aren't used to unknown soldiers dropping into the battlefield." Lerek added to General Ironwood.
Lerek hummed and crossed his arm as the two military generals glanced at each other. Winter, Drifter, and Blake all stood to the side as they spoke.
"I wanted to see with my own eyes what the droid army was capable of," Ironwood stated before he frowned. "Atlas has a clear number of mechanical units. If they pose a threat to Atlas? I'd like to know if they can hack into our technology and make sure that there's a lot more, we can do to secure our borders. I hope that's not a problem, general." Ironwood said before he shrugged.
"Long as my men are alright and the senate approves? I don't care, General… But I would have appreciated the backup if you were bringing some considering my men were thrown into the grinder." Lerek said before he hummed. "Now? if you excuse me, I have to look over the wounded and assess what we lost and gained… If you wish to talk more? I'll be at the landing zone talking to my officers…" Lerek stated as he turned to leave.
"I hope we do not come to battle, general. I'd much rather see everyone as allies." Lerek said before walking away to talk to the rest of his soldiers.
Ironwood watched as Lerek walked away, unsure if he and the man would end up battling. He could tell the general was not this formal on the battlefield which told him he unlike the others was not good at politics… No matter, he'd return to finish talks with General Kenobi and Senator Organa. They had a lot more to have done anyway.
The better he talked with them? The easier his problem was to have been swept away. He was still on that path to gain more than he stood to lose.
"Master Zun, I've heard the Separatist fleets are in retreat, but one of the sentries guarding whatever portal brought them here might open again." Lerek heard as he frowned, raising an eyebrow as he slowly started to walk forward.
Still? if anything? There was a lot more to study, a lot more to try and understand. He hadn't the proper focus, there was something else to ask. He held up the holodisk which showed Master Kenobi. Obi-Wan hadn't yet seemed to be to question what to do next.
"Then more reinforcements for us and them are coming?" Lerek questioned which gained a nod. "Blast it… Master Kenobi? I've pulled what I could from their databanks. I don't know what they up to, but I do know they want something in Vale… Or they're trying to pull our attention off something else." Lerek said as Obi-Wan frowned as he hummed, tapping at his throat as he did so.
"Hmm, if they're focused on Vale? We might be able to operate a bit more… I'll finish up talks with General Ironwood and Professor Ozpin and head over." Obi-Wan said before Lerek hummed. "Lerek? Master Yoda said he wanted to speak to you and Blake. I'll send the transmission to your ship… But I do want to point out there's more to do." Obi-Wan stated before taking a breath.
"We can scrap as many droids as the Separatists send to Remnant, but that isn't going to solve why we were sent here or what is here they wanted," Obi-Wan stated to which Lerek sighed.
"It's what also called us here that bothers me, Master Kenobi. That force spirits? They still didn't explain things to me and I have a feeling that's going to stay the same for a longer time than I'm comfortable with." Lerek added with a sigh.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that next chapter. The next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will be in 900-6500 words before now. There will be showing more with both Lerek and Blake on the Trailblazer and set up the next arc and more for them. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!