Chapter 14. Conquering Independence
Nala's father was a retired black ops officer for GAI and a close friend to Kyle Katarn's. Naldine always supplied weapons to Kyle during his mercenary days with Jan Ors who was now his wife. He arrived at the Jedi Temple in his personal air speeder. He walked up the steps where he was greeted by Kyle's apprentice, Catharian male named Jodarr. Kyle Katarn was in his private meditation room talking with his Morgan Katarn who was visiting him.
"Come in!" Kyle yelled, Nal-You old space pirate! How are ya'?"
"Fine-but I need to speak with you in private."
"Okay-You remember my son Morgan."
They shook hands, "Last time I saw you boy you knee high."
"I am growing up sir-something my father and mother refuse to acknowledge!" Morgan said the last part staring defiantly at his father.
Kyle cleared his throat, "We will discuss this later." Kyle ran a hand through his hair as Morgan left the room.
"He has his mother's face."
"And her knack for looking for trouble."
"Well in that department he would get it from his father and mother."
"So what can I do for you?"
Naldine sat down, "Have you heard about the Star Fire?" Kyle nodded, "And is the Jedi's position on that matter."
"Officially we accept it as an accident-Unofficially we have felt many disturbances in the force-Don't repeat this but war is coming."
"Are we being recorded?" Naldine asked suspiciously. When Kyle answered no he continued to say, "When I heard what happened-I-I couldn't believe-After some heavy drinking and mourning over my daughter I made some contacts in the GAI-Then I went a little further and sliced into the GAI mainframe-They have an open file on the Arquillion Empire. Many top specialists and theorists believe that the Star Fire was attacked-I also spoke with a friend who was on a covert investigation team that discovered several feint ion trails in the area near the wreckage of the Star Fire. If the Arquillions are getting ready to invade they would want intel and probably has taken the command crew alive-I think my daughter and my new son-in-law are still alive and I would like you to investigate my friend."
Kyle took a few minutes to think before responding, "The Jedi Council already has the Arquillions in its sights and we have decided to wait and see. At the moment we can't touch Donovan because of the Alliance's treaty of non-aggression."
"So the Jedi is the arm of the Alliance and they protect the people and its citizens-The Jedi aren't bound by the same laws as the Alliance."
Kyle sat back and sighed, "You have a point-I will look into this my friend, but I can make no promises-The Jedi order is stretched thin with Daala, Gavar Kai and his friends, this Darth Khaun and now the Arquillions-But if your daughter and the command crew are still alive I will find them and bring them back."
While Kyle Katarn made preparations to travel to the Unknown Regions the Arquillions were getting ready to target their first independent star system. The planet Belbringi was independent system and was on the boarder of the Imperial Remnant Systems, which had just joined the alliance. Kindo had been given command of his own fleet division and he would lead the first attack in the plot to overthrow the Alliance.
"All ships report in!" Kindo demanded standing by the COM. "Kom and Sathar squadrons attack all shield relay station." He ordered after the ship reports were done, "All blockade runners full attack-All battle cruisers take up flanking positions."
The people of Belbringi were completely caught off guard by the attack. They fight back but not for long. After two days of fighting the planet surrendered.
Coruscant
A special session of the senate has been called to discuss the devious acts of the Arquillion Empire. Many members of the Empire were demanding that Chief of State Lando Calrissian sanction the Arquillion Empire, while bolder Senators wanted the Alliance to give the Independent Systems weapons to defend themselves.
After all arguments were made Luke Skywalker addressed the senate. "The Jedi order stands for peace and justice for everyone of the Alliance and those outside the Alliance. It is apparent that the Arquillion government meant to invade the core systems all along by tricking the Alliance into a treaty of non-aggression. That being said the Alliance must keep to the law-If the Arquillions break the agreement and they will then we shall respond in kind not before-In the meantime I recommend that the Fleet be assembled and placed on yellow alert. I will assign two Jedi to each fleet division and the rest of the order will aid the independent systems against the Arquillion Empire." Luke's speech was taken with a grain of salt but many in the Alliance wanted to do more.
The Independent world of Isard-Outer-Rim
Within one month's time the Arquillions had taken over 13 independent systems. They were getting ready to invade the Isard system, but Kyp was leading the military forces of that system and he had a band of ten Jedi Knights. Donovan had decided to lead this battle personally with Kindo and Jaddock at his side. During the first three hours of battle the Arquillions were winning. Then Kyp lead a team of five Jedi and twenty commandos to board the flagship Will of Donovan.
"Milord we are being boarded!" The science officer yelled.
Donovan had been using his battle meditation to influence the battle. "Jaddock! Kindo! Come with me!"
"My old master! Have you come to join me?"
"No-I have come to bring you to justice at the hands of the Jedi."
Jaina was with Kyp as well, "Where is my brother-traitor!"
"He will join the war when I am ready for him to do so."
Jaina screamed and leapt at Donovan, but Kindo blocked her path, "You couldn't beat me the last time boy!" Jaina proved her point by disarming him and would have finished him off if not for Jaddock. Meanwhile Kyp and the remaining Jedi had Donovan surrounded, but Peter Voles who was enslaved to Donovan unleashed a force wave the threw everyone to the ground. Peter Voles then wounded one of the Jedi severely. He was about to attack Kyp who was still recovering when Nowen Steel saved his master.
"All hands abandon ship!" Someone from the bridge yelled over the COM.
Donovan grabbed all the Jedi in the force and threw them down the hall, but as Jaina was in flight she threw her lightsaber and injured Jaddock. Donovan would have rescued him but more commandos showed up.
Command ship Red Star
"Order the retreat!" Donovan said as he walked onto the bridge of the Res Star.
Jaddcok was interrogated as to Donovan's plans, the strength of the Arquillion fleet, what systems are in an alliance with the Arquillions, and how many Jedi were under Donovan's control. He got the information but Kyp used brutal interrogation techniques on the young man.
"You crossed the line-MASTER!" Jaina said in private to Kyp.
"If you don't like how I do things Jaina, then maybe you should go back to hunting Gavar Kai. I have a war to stop and a former student to bring down before he destroys the galaxy."
"I want to stop Donovan as well, but as Jedi there are certain things we should not do to get the job done-your a master think about Nowen-Are you setting a good example for him."
The younger Jedi left Kyp feeling guilty, but he wasn't about to apologize. However, Jaina had a point about Nowen. "You summoned me master?" Nowen asked entering Kyp's office.
"Yes-I want you to return to Coruscant."
"But why master?" Nowen asked in confusion.
"I already lost Ghyron fighting Donovan-I don't want to loose you as well."
"It is not my destiny to die in this war master."
Kyp smiled, "You are strong in the force to see your own future-but the future is always changing. Obey me and return to Coruscant-The Academy has been temporarily moved to Coruscant until the Donovan and the Arquillions are defeated-You will assist Master Tionne Solusar until I return."
Nowen tearfully hugged Kyp, "I obey you master."
The Arquillions lost a few battles because of the Jedi and the Arquillion government started pressuring the Alliance Government to ban them from interfering in affairs outside of the Alliance. When The arquillions invaded the Y'Tube sector the Hutts surrendered without a fight which shocked everyone in the galaxy. The transition of power was a peaceful one at first. When the Arquillion forces were in place the Mandelorians led by Boba Fett the new Mandelore turned the tables on the Arquillion invaders. Jaina and her parents fought in that battle as well along with Jedi Knights Jaden Korr, Rishan Moore, Jysella Horn, and Zekk. It was the second major battle the Arquillions lost trying to conquer the independent systems.
As things progressed Donovan became obsessed with defeating Kyp Durron in battle. At the 2nd battle of Geonosis Donovan led a well placed trap to capture his former master. Kyp's forces had been completely destroyed with the exception of a few survivors taken prisoner. Kyp was placed in repulsor cuffs and two Ysalamari were kept nearby as well.
"The great and powerful Kyp Durron-You will be my most prized servant."
"You can't control me Donovan-I will resist you."
Donovan smiled, "The Yuuzhan Vong Bigots will change your mind. Ryle Norg is on his way as we speak to perform the surgery."
"If you turn from your path right now-I will spare your life Donovan." The doors swooshed opened, "I said that I was not to be disturbed!"
"Forgive me milord but there is an urgent call from the Emporess."
There was no call because Nowen Steel snuck into the hive and mind tricked a soldier into reporting that to Donovan. Nown killed the guards at the door then he removed Kyp's shackles. "I thought I told you to return to Coruscant?"
"You did Master, but when you were captured I decided to come and rescue you."
They force-ran all the way to the hangers, "Why are we stopping?"
"Because our ride is faster than any of these ships!"
"Ah Nowen Steel!" Donovan said entering the hangar, "This base is on lock down-Surrender!"
Everyone dove to the ground as the Millennium Falcon blew a hole in the ceiling. As usual Han Solo was piloting the Falcon. The ramp was lowered and the two Jedi leapt thirty feet up and onto the ramp. All Donovan could do was watch as the ship took off.
The Unknown Regions-Planet Gunjar
"I should have been there master!" Tara Bess said speaking of the Star Fire's destruction.
"If you would have been you would be dead as well." Kyle Katarn replied.
"Do you really think the command crew will still be alive?"
"We are about to find out!"
It took three weeks but Kyle and Tara disguised themselves as bounty hunters of the Unknown Regions. Then they found the highest bounty posted by the Arquillion Empire. It took another three weeks to locate the target. Then they brought the alien which looked like a Wampa only brown and more intelligent. After collecting their bounty the two Jedi infiltrated the Arquillion systems, located the command crew of the Star Fire, and safely returned them to Coruscant.
"It is because of your incompetence and your personal vendetta against Jedi Master Kyp Durron that we are behind schedule on the invasion." These words were spoken by Arquillion Ambassador Syjel Umbrin.
"Be careful Ambassador you are addressing my husband!" Caseopeai said via hologram. She was on a three way conference with Donovan Leers and the Ambassador.
"I can salvage this give me more time." Donovan pleaded.
Caseopeai sighed, "I'm sorry my love, but there isn't more time-The fact is that Jedi Master Kyle Katarn rescued the command crew of the Star Fire and now the Alliance has all the evidence it needs against us. Contact our allies and tell them to attack now!"
Donovan sighed, "I will give command of the fleet to Darth Vader-That will change the tide of the battle. I will do as you ask my love, but I do not agree."