Sud and I exited outside. He led me to a small shed, where he had an old landspeeder stashed. While he fired it up, I dropped off my new equipment in my basilisk, and picked up my M.A.R. Equipping what I needed, I sealed the ship up and joined Sud at the speeder, which he finally started up. I hopped in the passenger seat, and we were off. The trip took roughly two hours (Sud of course activated the craft's onboard auto-pilot), as we exited the jungle lowlands to the more temperate grassland climates further north. After a while, a multitude of bright lights glimmered atop a plateau. There it was. The Academy of Carida, in all its "glorious" splendor. As Sud took us in further, I could better make out the location. The Academy itself was protected by defensive walls, constructed atop the cliffs of the plateau it rested on. A man-made ramp, winding back and forth along the plateau cliffs, allowed foot traffic to enter inside. Sud parked the speeder in a patch of trees a safe distance away from the academy. We exited the craft, and while Sud began pulling out fireworks, I studied the academy at range with binocs. Guards everywhere, along the walls, in watch towers. Everywhere.
"I knew there was a reason you brought those fireworks, Sud." I said. Sud was still readying the fireworks. "I hate to say it old timer, but I'm feeling overwhelmed here." I admitted casually. Sud grunted as he set the fireworks down on the ground.
"That's funny, I thought most Mandalorians would relish a challenge like this." Sud replied. I scoffed.
"It's one thing to besiege a place like this with an army at your side, but-"
"Yah, I get your point. What do you want to do?" Sud asked. The question hit me like a brick. I didn't have any clear objective. I wanted to thrash every single one of the Ailon mercs, and kill anyone that got in my way. But that was foolhardy rage. Tairek would have advised me the same way Sud had. I missed my old mentor. This was the sort of Op he and I would be sent on, infiltrating some heavily fortified base, planting charges, and bolting just before the place was blown sky high. For a second I felt my eyes begin to well up, but I shook the thoughts aside. Suck it up.
"I didn't think of that. Maybe get their commander. How many Ailon do you think there are?" I asked. Sud scratched his chin as he walked over to a nearby tree, feeling his way forward before sitting and resting.
"A few hundred. This is just a small contingent of the Guard anyway. You're not going to find an Ailon High Marshal here." Sud replied.
"How much do you know of the Ailon, Sud?" I asked, now curious. Sud shrugged.
"Plenty. The G.R.A. taught us a lot about other military organizations."
"You think they'd post a bounty of their own on me after this?"
"Only if you don't cover your tracks, I'd say." Sud replied. I nodded and returned my focus to the fortress before me.
"Ok. KISS method. I'm just going to find their commander and kill him. Any ideas?" I asked. Sud pulled out a ration pack from his vest and began eating.
"I distract them. You find a way in. Simple enough?"
"Simple enough. Got a comm I can contact you on?" I asked. Sud retrieved a small comm. device from his belt and told me his frequency. "Good. I'm going to get going now, find a back door and go from there. You keep them occupied."
"Sure thing." Sud replied, as he finished eating. I turned and began walking, but stopped and turned back.
"You still haven't told me why you're helping me, old timer."
"Heh, guess I didn't."
"Stop toying with me Sud, evading a question isn't making you any younger."
"Eh, what can I say? I'm having a blast. How many retired soldiers living out in a jungle meet wandering Mandalorian commandos? I've led a good, long life. I'm loyal to friends and comrades, not governments." Sud replied. I grinned behind my helmet, and began walking off.
I kept my distance, as I circled around the plateau. Naturally, guards were stationed along the entire perimeter. The duracrete walls and guard towers were brightly lit, and any light fixture that suddenly stopped functioning would draw attention. If this were the war, Tairek would be teaching me everything he knew about getting inside a structure like this. Stop it. He's dead. They're all dead. Suck it up. I shook my head and continued scanning the walls. The guards themselves were not Ailon. While the Ailon Nova Guard were guests, the guards were the Academy's own soldiers – Republic troops. The thought crossed my mind that the headmaster of the Academy might possibly have Elite Republic Commandos stationed here. It was a small concern in the back of my mind, but a concern nonetheless. I've fought and killed them before, and I'd do it again. Just without friendly help this time.
When I had reached the back of the plateau, I decided to stop circling and make my way up. The jetpack was too loud and cantankerous – the hard way was longer but much less overt. Using my gauntlet's whipcord to double as a grappling hook, I fired the wrist cable up. The hook fired just past the plateau, and caught onto a section of wall. I tugged on the cable. Firm. Second test – reliability. I set my feet against the plateau cliff, and began pulling myself up, one step at a time. I commed Sud.
"I'm making my way up."
"Almost ready."
Rock climbing was relatively new to me. Infiltrating various Republic worlds during the war, I had heard about rock climbing as a sport. My natural, instinctual thought was rock climbing? Who the fuck climbs rocks?. As it turned out, it's quite an enjoyable activity. Not as high up there as hunting your prey in the Dxun jungles on a stormy day, but enjoyable regardless. After a little while I had beat the plateau, making my way to a small foothold just before the duracrete wall. I undid my grappling hook from the wall, and held on. The wall was barely half a foot away from the edge of the cliff, leaving me little breathing room. Using one hand to hold on, I used my other to fire my whipcord up again. The grappling hook caught between two crenellations. I tugged, and found it was safe. As I began climbing up, I commed Sud.
"Now."
"Hope they enjoy the show." Came the reply. A few moments later I heard a distant whirring sound, more an eeeeeeeeeeeeeee sound than anything else, followed by a loud crack as though something exploded. The sky above me turned a bright red, as I continued climbing up. Over the next few minutes, the sky turned from green, to blue, to red, to light yellow as Sud shot off his fireworks. Reaching the top of the wall, I used my helmet sensors to detect nearby targets. Just one. I did a quick peek over the wall, and found my 'friend' was facing in the direction of the fireworks. Perfect. I carried myself up further, and found that a completely silent approach would be impossible. Do it like ripping off bandages from a bleeding blaster wound. Quick and painful. Working up some momentum, I hopped over the wall, landing with a light thud behind the guard.
"What the?" The guard said, surprised as he turned around to face me. In a quick motion, I stood tall, ejecting my gauntlet's vibroshiv, grabbing my friend by the neck and jamming the blade into his stomach. He dropped his blaster rifle and collapsed onto me. I held onto him as he died silently and slowly. I knelt down to let his body fall to the floor, and did a quick scan of the nearby area. Undetected. I equipped my slug-thrower, screwed a suppressor onto the end of the barrel, and surveyed the academy from my vantage point.
Rows of barracks for the recruits were situated in one pocket, next to rows of training fields. In fact, these pockets were spotted everywhere, all surrounding a large parade ground. The gate in and out of the main academy grounds was opposite me, directly at the front of the compound, which was then facing out to Sud's fireworks. And opposite the gate, on my side, was the main Academy, a large, wide building that rose five stories, higher than the wall. Still within the fortress' walls were several housing units, separated from the barracks with a makeshift wall and guard patrols.
Troops patrolling the wall seemed mixed. The poor gent I took down seemed green. Any pro would be ignoring such an obvious ploy, either by common sense or via orders from his superior officers. Speaking of which, where were the real soldiers? Did they have the night off? The parade grounds seemed to be ablaze with activity, in fact. Using my binocs, I scanned the parade grounds. No doubt about it, the Ailon Nova Guard were celebrating their "victory," still. I could make out a large number of Republic troops with them, ignoring the fireworks…or under the impression the fireworks were part of the show. Still kneeling, I removed the soldier's helmet and listened in on the comm chatter.
"What the hell is going on over there? Report!"
"Sir, somebody is setting off fireworks to the south. An alien from the looks of him."
"I want a squad sent down to apprehend this alien, NOW!" The man in charge yelled. I dropped the helmet and got moving. Time was of the essence. Where the hell would I find the Ailon commander? I crouched under the crenellations and continued along the wall, which for the moment was shrouded in shadow. The guard tower ahead had one guard and a bright light to illuminate that section of the wall. I hopped the wall, plateau side, and 'side-climbed' along the outside of the wall. I paused as the guard passed me, then continued on. This level of stealth was nothing new to me. Originally I hated sneaking around, it seemed to have no honour in it. However, after numerous Ops involving just me and Tairek against whole legions of Republic troops and Jedi, there was something alluring about it all. Overall skill and ability to avoid a fight against such overwhelming odds, or to even fight against such odds, satisfied my battle lust.
There is no honour in anything anymore. Your not even a Mandalorian anymore.
I shook the thoughts out of my head, let them plague me from afar. Couldn't think on that now. More important work at hand. I reached the next guard tower. Another Republic trooper was on patrol. I carried on. These gents were green, not the ones I wanted to have a chat with. Scurrying along the wall, I came within range of the Academy itself. It was about 30 feet from the wall. Looking both ways, I hopped the wall. Clear so far. With little shadow cover I had, I had to move fast. On the wall next to me was a large flagpole, connected partially to the Academy by a diagonal cable, used to help keep the pole and it's respective flag in place in case of high winds. I pulled on the cable. Sturdy enough. I looked to where it connected to the academy. Third floor, to a space just outside a large window. I grabbed on the cable, and ziplined down. I let go of the cable, landing on the duracrete windowsill. I checked. Still clear. The guards on the walls continued their rounds. The window was closed, locked even. I waited for the right distraction. Moments passed.
Come on Sud, you didn't get arrested did you?
To my luck, another firework went off. A few, all loud and obnoxious. I used the opportunity, smashing through the window with my elbow, and climbed inside. It was dark. I activated my visor's NV and scanned my surroundings. It was a restroom. My scanners picked up a target nearby. Light emanated from underneath the door leading inside. I hurried to behind the stalls, back flat against the stall wall as the door opened and a guard with a flashlight came in. Stepping further inside, I waited till he was near enough before grabbing him, holding him as a body shield, one arm around his neck and the other, my pistol to his head.
"Boo."
"What the – who the hell are you?"
"The Ghost of Christmas Past. Got a question for you. Where is the Ailon commander?"
"I'll say nothing!" The trooper stammered. Annoyed, I gripped my arm around his neck tighter.
"Your in no position to argue, bucko. You don't want to die in the little boys room, do you?"
"You're a sick sonofabitch. If I tell you, will you let me live?" He asked. I pondered this for a quick moment. Was there any reason to kill him? After all, he hadn't seen me. Didn't even know the kit I carry, unless he'd had multiple suppressors pressed into his skull. I had already killed one of his comrades out of necessity. Was my fight against the Republic? No. In a moment of clarity I replied.
"Yes."
"He's here in the Academy. Lieutenant Huag. Top floor, guest suite."
"Any more of your friends around?"
"No, its just me." He answered. Too willingly.
"You're lying."
"For fuck's sake, don't kill me!"
"How many?" I asked angrily.
"Ok ok, one on every floor!"
"Good. Whats the best way up?"
"A turbolift. Stairs too."
"Thanks. Lights out." I replied calmly. I conked the soldier in the back of the head, and let him drop to the floor, unconscious. I knelt down, switched off his flashlight, and picked the bathroom keycard off him. I headed for the door, scanned with my helmet again. Clear. Not even security cameras. I exited into the main hall, and locked the bathroom door behind me with its keycard. As I made my way forward, I tossed the keycard in a nearby trash bin.
The particular hall I was in was an 'academia' wing. Classrooms, seminar rooms, places where scholars would feel right at home. The carpet, with what little light shone in from outside via the windows, turned out to be red with gold designs. The walls were a dark green. The interior looked more like an Embassy, regal and upscale, although that's probably what the designers intended. As I made my way down the hall towards the stairs, I spotted something in the ceiling above me. I looked up and identified it. A ventilation shaft. I looked around for a better entry point. I continued on down the hallway, entering into what looked like a lounge area. Another ventilation shaft, this time on the wall. I walked over to it, removed the grating, and crawled inside. As I began inside, Sud commed me.