Chapter 39
The Warlord's Song
LOTHAL
Black Wolf Moon
Commander Dray limped into the hangar of the Black Wolf Moon, leaning on his cane he saw Captain Fairfax standing in front of twelve simulation pods, outside on holographic screens they could see the twelve pilots inside them flying the simulated ships. The Militia's version of the TIE fighter the Hawk-Wings, modified Vulture/Rogue-Class starfighter hybrids. Fairax had his arms crossed as Dray approached him with the human Jetstream and harch Vandal seeing him approach the lead Dragoon. "Captain, how are the flying lessons?"
"Simulations aren't the same as real experience, but we've almost got what looks like a Squadron, and a few who could make good Dragoons, but I'd have a clearer picture if we could let them go on a real mission." Fairfax told him.
Dray turned to him and smiled under is gray beret, "Indeed I may, walk with me." Dray walked to the exit, and Fairfax whistled at his black and silver Astro droid to follow.
Fairfax followed Dray out of the hangar, they made their way all the way back to the Levithan Chamber guarded by two heavily armored Militia who saluted them both as they came in, the doors closed behind the mand Levithans green holographic monitoring system came alive. The large whale-like song emitting from its processor to great them "So this is the Dragon himself, Leviathan." Fairfax said
The super computer moaned out something in binary and a green hologram of Reik and Naqia materialized, "Chief, Captain."
"Captain Fairfax, how are the pilots coming along?" Reik asked him quickly.
"Well enough, what's going on Chief?" Fairfax asked.
Dray tapped his cane, "The Empire is preparing to ship off a large batch of prisoners, the Chief is intent on liberating them before they can be sent to any prisons or labor camps."
"Fighters?" Fairfax asked.
"Civilians, the Empire is just grabbing people left and right to make examples, entire families." Naqia told them.
Captain Fairfax smiled "The Empire's done this before, on worlds they occupy, and they have thousands of prison planets. What do you need?"
"Levithan." Reik spoke up and the droid responded, "Do you have anyway to scan for large populations outside of the cities and villages, it'd be remote, nowhere anyone could see."
Leviathan paused before a green hologram of Lothal appeared showing the south western hemisphere, in the middle of seemingly nowhere, a few holographic images popped up and the hologram zoomed in, to show a large plane of stalagmite rocks and and imperial compound built between them hiding them from view. A large number of organics was there, it had large metal walls with fences inside and open space so large a ship could fit "Another concentration camp." Reik said with disgust.
A holographic Imperial ship neared the facility and set down, they saw a few blips come out then triple that number heading to the other blips.
Leviathan spoke out, "They keep bringing more here? This has to be the spot." Reik said.
"It won't be easy, this facility has more defenses, anti aircraft turrets on the walls, trench around the perimeter, they'll have patrols too."
"We've been keeping them busy." Naqia said holding her helmet under her arm "Let's make them sweat, I want your Dragoons with us, we need to get those people out there and to the Moon, what kind of transport ships do we have?" Reik asked aloud.
Leviathan replied and a hologram appeared of an unusual ship it resembled the Separatist Troop Transports of the Clone Wars, it resembled a C-9979 landing craft, also known as the Trade Federation landing ship or the Separatist landing craft, was a large landing craft built by Haor Chall Engineering for the Trade Federation's military forces, and later for the Confederacy of Independent Systems. When the Trade Federation began planning to create its military forces, Haor Chall Engineering produced a design for a landing craft that would carry troops and ground vehicles from warships down to planets. Only the wings were shorter, the body longer and more angular shaped at the front, Commander Dray took note of the design and the schematics holographically projected around it "C-9980, a prototype the Separatists never got to make.
"How come?" Naqia asked.
"We'll worry about that later, how many do you have Levithan?" Reik asked as the droid began to tell him, Commander Dray looked at the holographic image of the camp, scratching his chin he shut his eyes and sighed.
"It's a trap."
Reik stopped Levithan from explaining how many of the landing ships they had, "What?" Reik asked.
"This is a trap." Commander Dray said looking back at them, nonchalantly "How can you tell?" Naqia asked him.
Reik took an interest too, "Look at the defenses, and the recordings from Leviathans, the Empire isn't even trying to hide where they are or what they're doing?" Dray said.
"Why would they, they own the planet?" Captain Fairfax asked.
Dray smiled "Exactly, they want to goad you into a fight with us and we're going to give it to them."
"Excuse me sir, but don't most traps want to be avoided?" Naqia asked him.
"Not when we know it's a trap, now it becomes our trap, the Empire is using the lothalian population as bait, perfect recruits for the Militia. We attack and their reinforcements will surround us like they did with the Black Sun." Dray said.
Reik followed him, to look at the hologram "So whats the plan?" Reik asked him.
"Plan, I'm not in charge here." Dray replied, looking at Reik.
Reik felt himself go pale before he regained his composure, "Right I uh… Captain Naqia alert any outposts we have in that hemisphere, Captain Fairfax time for the squadron's first mission, I'll address both forces soon with the plan." Both Naqia and Fairfax pressed their visits over their chests in the Militia salute before departing both in hologram and the room, leaving both Reik and Dray alone again.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that." Dray said head bowed.
"I'm still getting use to commanding people who have way more experience then me, Naqia and Fairfax are trained soldiers I'm-" "Just a farmer, not anymore Reik, in fact it's time you stop being a Chief either." Dray said, tapping his cane a few times as he leaned on it.
Puzzled, Reik looked at the Commander who was stone faced "The Militia has learned much from the Empire, they know that they are ruled not by the Emperor but by the Moffs, the Emperor pits them against one another along with regional governors for his favor. It's a brilliant strategy, one officer climbing over another for power and position. But it is effective for controlling uncountable populations." Dray said explaining the politics "We have selected our own title for such leaders, the time of Mountain Chiefs is over, it is time Lothal had its Warlord declared."
"Warlord? I'm not a Warlord, I don't want to control Lothal like the Empire through fear and occupation." Reik replied.
"It is a title, a rank doing this is important for Lothals future, once the Militia makes its move it will be the only way to maintain your independence." Dray said leaning in close to him "There are forces in the Militia who have their own agenda, as do I."
Reik thought on it, he was silent for a long time before he sighed and said "I trust you Dray, more than friend, what do I have to do to become Warlord?"
"Easy, you sing." Dray said.
NAR SHADDAA
Grakkus's Palace
High above the scum and filth of the city, Admiral Greelanx was standing in front of Jabba The Hutt and a dozen lower Hutt's the slugs all sitting on cushions and lounging as Greelanx spoke to them in front of a hologram with Imperial markings over it. "Nar Shaddaa's infrastructure is a abhorrent, the city is a labyrinth of a hundred other cities making it near impossible to police, that is why a multitude of Imperial battalions are on their way to police the many levels of the city." Greelanx said to them.
The Hutt's all whispered among themselves and one leaned up to Jabba's translator droid asking, "Are we going to allow this my lord?"
Jabba said nothing but listened, "Along with so many of my own fleet, I will need a base of operations to conduct this peaceful transition of power, Jabba, Grakkus's palace will do. And as I see he is not here to object I will begin making preparations to house my troops."
"Where is Grakkus?" The translator droid translated into Jabba's ear, Jabba just gave one look to the Hutt questioning the end of their reign and gave a nod.
Deep below the palace level, even further down then the Ludus where the gladiators trained, there was the Dungeon of Grakkus the Hutt, many spacers and smugglers avoided jail, but a sentence to a Hutt Dungeon was a fate worse than death. Their the specter's and militia, minus two of their members were being held in chains, bolted to the walls like wild animals. "What the hell are you guys doing here?" Ahkilleon asked his friends.
Ezra looked aghast "What does it look like, rescuing you bro?"
Ahkilleon looked up at his shackles and at Ezra's, along with everyone else's "Good job." He said sarcastically.
"Enough of the sass, we need to figure a way out of here before Grakkus has any more plans for us." Kanan said trying to be a leader as a swamp rat scurried over Zebs leg and he punted it across the room to the Militia prisoners.
"Whats that, get caught by the Empire?" Sigma asked.
Kanan glowered at him "You are not helping."
"If I wasn't chained to this wall I'd come over there and shut you up." Zeb snapped.
Nemo rolled his eyes "Are all rebels this incompetent or just you?"
"Would you all shut up." Turok snapped at them all, "We aren't alone, you're going come out muscle head?" Turok asked the shadows outside their bars.
Scooting along on his metal legs, Grakkus emerged from the shadows a smug smirk on his big slug-like face, "Turok Skell, I never thought I'd see the day you'd come back to life, Immortal Dragon."
"Grakkus the Hutt, the only Hutt who isn't a sloth." Turok said back to him in his own banter.
Grakkus snickered, "I'm sure you're all wondering why you're still alive and why I'm talking to you?"
"You want to use us to help you stop Greelanx from taking over Nar Shaddaa and the Hutt Sector?" Sabine asked him, Grakkus started to "I want you to… yes, hmph, you're no fun Mandalorian." Grakkus grumbled as he took up most of the room of the cell and was an imposing figure to say the least even on the other side of prison bars.
The rebels all looked disgusted at the idea, "You think we'd help you?" Zeb asked, spitting on the ground.
"We'll help, but only if we get a good deal." Turok replied.
"Ah at last, someone who understands business." Grakkus said happily, bending over hands behind his back.
Turok sat up, even restrained, "Our freedom for starters."
"Of course, you should deliver?" Grakkus replied.
Turok looked over at the rebels, "And what are we delivering?"
Grakkus sat up pressing his fingers together, "The greatest show the system has ever seen, Greelanx wants Nar Shaddaa not for the Empire, but for himself."
"That's pretty much how Imperial Governors work." Sabine scoffed.
"Yes, but they do it quietly like Greelanx is doing, throwing their weight around, proclaiming it's in the Emperor's name, thats how you play the game, but the Hutts have existed long before the Empire and will after because we are very good at the game." Grakkus said.
Ezra looked puzzled. "Game?"
"He's talking about politics, Ezra, ignore it." Kanan whispered to him.
"It won't ignore you Jedi, like it or not you're players in a rigged game, so the only way we can win now is by cheating." Grakkus said, hearing them whisper.
Turok cleared his throat to get Grakkus's focus on him "You said a show, what kind of show?"
"Greelanx showed his hand at the party yesterday, he's overconfident now, and he's not working alone, I assume you all know who his coconspirator is?" Grakkus asked.
Ezra, Sabine and Ahkilleon all at the same time said "Xizor."
"Exactly, the Black Sun and the Hutt's have been the rival syndicates for centuries, with the Empires backing all, Xizor could take all our territory outside Hutt Space and we'd be powerless with an Imperial garrison living in our house. That cannot not stand." Grakkus said, hands behind his back.
"You still haven't told us what you want us to do sleemo?" Rex asked, insulting him.
Grakkus didn't look at him, "I want you to do what you all do best, to fight, fight for Nar Shaddaa, call your rebel fleet and the Hutt's will pay you a fortune."
"We aren't mercenaries." Kanan proclaimed "Least of all for the Hutt's, you've all grown fat uh-er with the Empire." Kanan corrected himself.
Taking umbridge with that Grakkus roared "DO YOU NOT SEE THESE GAINS!" Grakkus shouted flexing his shoulders, biceps, triceps forearms and chest like his skin was about to tear "I have had to claw my way up from the lower Hutt families, the same way I carved out this magnificent physique to this position and the Empire is about to wipe that all out in one day." Grakkus loosened from his posing and turned to Turok, "You, skell, surely you must have old allies somewhere, you could rally the smugglers here to form a defense force?"
"When word gets out the Empire is on their way, every smugglers and bounty hunter with a price on their head will go running." Turok told Grakkus.
"Put us in the games." Ahkilleon said aloud, the whole room went silent "What?" Ezra asked him.
Ahkilleon had a look in his eye, the look when he had an idea "Grakkus…. You heard how the people cheered for me, for the Jedi, all of Nar Shaddaa watches the games. Greelanx knows this, he knows the Hutt's are just the ones who control Nar Shaddaa but it's not Nal Hutta where they rule…" Ahkilleon started to say "Untwist your tongue, what do you mean?" Grakkus asked, looking like he was getting desperate.
"You said it yourself, Greelanx is playing the game, and we need to cheat. You have Jabba's ear. I saw it in the grand hall, Admiral Greelanx is an imperial commander he's overconfident that he's already won, so honor him, send us into the arena to reenact an Imperial victory from the past, show all the people on Nar Shaddaa the strength of the Empire against us rebels. You'll be in the Empire's favor for this. But…" Ahkilleon trailed off looking at his friends with a wicked smile "If we win, then the Empire looks weak, the people of Nar Shaddaa won't be afraid if the Hutt's show them they can be beaten, maybe not afraid enough to fight back."
Unconvinced Grakkus waved off the idea "It'll never work."
"You know it will." Turok said, "The crowd cheers for him, you're not foolish enough to not have spies report Jedi graffiti and if there's one thing the Empire can't stand it's a living jedi."
Grakkus stroked his large neck and chin thinking then he giggled, then he laughed "Hmmm to risky, I'd lose my champion, plus two more jedi for my collection."
"But you'd gain the Empire's favor, either way Grakkus, you win." Kanan said chiming in, Grakkus pressed his big fingers together thinking it over.
"What battle?" he finally asked.
Ahkilleon looked at Kanan who closed his eyes, "There's only one, and Kanan you're going to hate it."
LOTHAL
Beneath, Capital City
Reik sat inside a large room with a makeshift bed sitting on a cot bed, there was a desk in the room and a holodevice that Naqia and him used to contact the Black Wolf Moon, inside his quarters both Colin and Keiza were there. "Wait, Militia Warlords are chosen in a singing competition?" Keiza asked.
"That is absolutely not what he said." Colin said arms crossed at Keiza "Was it?" Colin asked Reik.
The young chieftain stood up, hands on his hips pacing between them saying "Apparently, a Warlord must have a song to lead his men into battle with, it has to represent not only himself, his men and his world."
"Are you freaking kidding me, now we have to a stupid song and dance?" Kieza snapped, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Oh stars tell me there isn't any dancing." Colin moaned.
Keiza glared down at the man, "This is our planet, and we keep following these outlanders rules, hell I don't care about the lowlanders in that camp, but if we're going to get rid of the Imps let's do it our way, the raider way."
"Because we have to do this right!" Reik snapped at her, silencing her, "You may not trust Dray or the other Outlanders, but I do, I trust them because they have given me, and you and you the power we needed to take back our world, none of us would be here without them. It was Dray who spotted the camp was a trap, and got your people out of the mountains, told us where Colins town was to save it, brought Fairfax to train our people how to fly, and the others how to fight."
"But how can we trust him, he's not from here." Keiza argued.
Reik stared at her aghast, he shook his head cupping his mouth in disbelief "What do you know about the jedi?"
"What?" Keiza asked.
"The Jedi, what do you know about them Keiza!?" Reik barked at her.
She looked at Colin who just looked back, scoffing Keiza said "They were warriors, General for the Outlanders?"
"The Jedi were peacekeeper, a religious order that kept balance in the Galaxy, Dray was raised by them, he fought in the Clone Wars, he fought for the Same Republic that became the Empire and used his Order, his people as cannon fodder to weaken the Outer Rim. No the war never came here, no the Jedi never fought here, he has no stake in this fight but he's still here. He didn't even want come to this planet, but he did, that's because he believes in the Militia, in that we can make something better than the small scraps we ever had. If you don't trust him trust me, and then we'll have what none of us ever had before…" Reik grabbed onto each of their shoulders "A country of our own."
Colin looked at Keiza and she at him, Colin put his arm on Reiks forearm in his agreement and Keiza did the same "I don't trust the Outlanders, but I do trust you."
"Good, now help me come up with a song." Reik said breaking the embrace before he headed to the desk, "Here's what I've got so far."
He handed them a holopad and the two of them looked at the aubresh writing before Colin scratched his chin and Kieza replied "Chief, I can't read?"
"You can't?" Colin asked amused hearing this and smirking "I learned to read when I was four?"
"I learned to skin rock snakes in the mountains when I was four, want a demonstration mechanic?" Keiza hissed at him.
Reik snickered, "Oh stop you two, Keiza it's fine, Colin read aloud what I have."
Colin looked at the holopad, "Um well sir, I'm not poet or musician but…" Colins sighed and started to read "March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory We're the Militia and proud of our name We're the Militia and proudly proclaim, uh then the verse.. First to fight for the right, And to build Lothal's might, And The Militia Goes Rolling Along Proud of all we have done, Fighting till the battle's won, And the Militia Goes Rolling Along…."
There was a long pause and Reik had his arms folded against his chest leaning on his desk "Well?"
"Uh… it's-." "Bad." Keiza said to him.
Reik groaned as he took the comment with a grain of salt, "Oh I know, I just copied it from an old army song from the Holonet and changed the words, I can't write a war song." Reik said.
"You can run through a hail of laser fire with a sword and club and break the enemy lines Chief, you can do this." Colin said reassuringly.
"Look, I don't know songs, but I know machines, when I was a pup my pa would tell me when you work on something, you need to know what for. So when we worked on tractors we new the farmer who was going to pay us was using that to feed his family, or the moisture vaporators for the aqua farmers would give us water and spare the land, it's the same for a fight and for singing right?" Colin asked aloud.
Keiza scratching her chin with her finger said "That… that actually makes sense."
"We're fighting so we can have our home again, so let's start with that, home." Colin said smiling.
Outside the Chief's quarters inside the Militia's new outpost under Capital City, Declan was with Jay who was working on some of the B1 battle droids, "So you're saying this will make me smarter?" the B1 asked Jay, beside Jay the super tactical battle droid Butch was helping him holding a bunch of tools.
Jay was on a step ladder as the droid sat on a stool, a line of his B1 brothers waiting "We'll be smarter?" one asked.
"I'm already smarter than all of you." the one behind the first asked.
"Then why are you alone?" the third asked.
The second replied, "So I'll be twice as smart, I'll be smarterer."
The droids quickly devolved into an argument over who would be the smartest and Declan watched behind his mask confused "They do this often?"
"More than you'd think, my dad would tell me about all the times he and Jedi he served with would outsmart the droids." Jay said as he kept working sparks flying past his goggles, "This processor update will help their problem solving and keep them a bit more focused, it's like a permanent caffeine." Jay said as he finished up.
Jay closed up the droids cranium "Alright, you're all fixed up B1- actually, I think I'll call you." the droid stood up and Jay took a look at the droid and noticed the sparks that had landed around the droids shoulders had left a few metal warts "Wart."
"Wart, I've never had a name before, thank you sir, I am Wart." The droid said walking off.
"See you Wart." Jay said as the other droids stumbled forward and sat down.
"Does that mean I get a name too?" The one in line now sitting asked excitedly.
Jay shrugged, "Sure."
Declan shook his head, "Droids, got to love them, they're loyal, hard working, and don't ever complain."
"I like this sentient." The one Jay started to work on said.
Declan patted the droid on the shoulder "I like you too, so Jay, you thought of what I said?"
"That if there's a Dragon's Horde, there's also a Jedi King, yeah could be." Jay said as he kept working on the the droid.
Declan paced around him rubbing his wrist, "No, he is, I… we met him."
Stopping his work, Jay looked up from his goggles pulling them down "Wait, we have?"
Declan took off his helmet and stuffed it under his arm, "Chief?"
Everyone looked up to the room that Reik and his Lt's were in before he came out grabbing his cloak, he was heading to the exit when Naqia stopped him, "Where are you going sir?" She asked.
"I… I need some air, preferably non sewer smelling." Reik said.
"Fang, Gaser, have an escort go with him." Naqia said.
"No." Reik ordered, "I need to go alone, clear my head, alone." Reik said.
Naqia ran up to him and got between him and the exit "You are the most wanted man on Lothal right now Reik, I can't let you go alone."
"Fine, Declan, Jay, come on the boys will be less suspicious." Reik said they waited on Naqia's command and she nodded.
Later, Reik and the boys went topside out of a sewer hole in an alley. It was mid day in Capital City the Empire was everywhere even as Jay and Declan came out in their poncho's. They walked to the outer alley. The streets were near empty except for Imperial patrols moving through the street; a few Lothalian civilians moved through the streets but were being stopped, searched and detained by any stormtrooper who they got to close to.
"We stay in the alleyways." Reik said.
Jay and Declan followed in silence moving from alley to alley, avoiding the patrols "Um Chief Bloodwolf, where are we going?" Jay asked.
"To see our labors." Reik replied as they came out of the final alley, across the street was the same apartment building the Empire had raided the night before, the building was boarded up and covered in Imperial markings showing it was condemned. "This is where the raid happened?" Jay asked.
Reik said nothing and headed toward it, walking through the broken down door, the boys followed him in, the place had been ransacked. Blaster marks on the walls furniture and clothes littering the hallway. Doors blasted in and windows shattered, Declan looked in one room to see blood stains on the floor, Jay passed another seeing lothcats eating a torn off arm, covering his mouth they heard a crash.
Both boys came running to the second floor to see Reik, looking down at a woman holding a knife, "Stand down." Reik told them.
"Just take what you want and go." The woman hissed, she was dressed in dirty clothes and looked like she hadn't slept.
"We aren't here to take anything, did you live here?" Reik asked her.
The woman nodded, "I did, I was out working when the Empire raided the building and took everyone, my sons." She hissed, holding a small hat in her other hand.
"I'm sorry." Reik said about to pull his hood off, the shadow from his cowl hiding his face "It's all the damn militia's fault." She snapped.
He stopped and gestured to the boys to stay in the shadows, "Why do you say that?"
"The rebels never caused trouble like this, sure the Empire would make new curfews or some stupid rule, but the Militia they're killing the Empire and the Empire are taking the anger out on us normal people."
Jay couldn't hold it, "The Militia are fighting for Lothal, they're your people too."
She glared at him, "Doesn't matter, they can't win, no one can win against the Empire." she said already given up.
NAR SHADDAA
Lower City
Down in the under-city docks, Ahsoka and Hera were waiting inside the ship looking at the monitor with a clock on it, "They've been gone too long." Hera said as she got up pacing the cockpit, Ahsoka was sitting, arms crossed, meditating.
"They've been captured, I can sense it." Ahsoka said morbidly.
"And you're telling me this now." Hera snapped.
Ahsoka shook her head, "No, it's because of the Magna Guards walking toward our ship." Ahsoka said pointing outside.
Two Magna Guards barring the symbol of the Hutt's entered their dock and were walking toward them, moments later both women came out of the ship and the droids approached them. Both held their ground ready for a fight but the Magna Guard to the left held out it's arm and was holding something, two tickets to the Great Arena. They turned and left the women with the tickets.
Far across the city in said arena, Hera and Ahsoka walked in, the crowd was full of Nar Shaddaa citizens, ships overhead like usual watching but there was something different. There was a massive hole curtain blocking the view of the arena in a green thick dome. "Why did those droid give us tickets?" Ahsoka looked at them and turned them over seeing the letters VIP written on the back, she looked up at Grakkus's box and saw the Hutt symbol on it and the tickets, "We're about to find out."
The ceremonial fireworks went off and the crowd roared with anticipation as a hologram of Grakkus came forward smiling "CITIZENS AND ROGUES OF NAR SHADDAA THE GREAT HUTT COUNCIL HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YOU!" the crowds cheers died down "TODAY WE ARE HONORED BY THE PRESENCE OF IMPERIAL GOVERNOR ADMIRAL GREELANX!" A hologram of the man appeared, both Ahsoka and Hera shared a worried glance but to their ears a song of boos and chorus of insults to the Governor.
"That's unexpected." Ahsoka said.
"I think it'll be uglier soon." Hera said.
"PEACE NAR SHADDAA PEACE, TODAY WE HONOR HIM AND THE IMPERIAL GARRISON THAT WILL SOON JOIN US HERE ON NAR SHADDAA TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EMPIRE." Grakkus declared, the crowd hushed and the boos went silent hearing that, an imperial garrison "TO COMMEMORATE THIS DAY, I GRAKKUS WITH THE SUPPORT OF HUTT COUNCIL GIVE TO YOU A SPECIAL MATCH, THE FIRST GREAT VICTORY OF THE EMPIRE THE SIEGE OF THE JEDI TEMPLE!"
Ahsoka ran to the railing on the level and the holo curtain evaporated and before the entire planet was a makeshift model of the jedi temple on Coruscant, now the Imperial Palace, the arena was filled with a large four sided flat pyramid with five towers four on a the corners and one large one in the center, steps on each side of the arena gates and chained to each tower were the Spectre's and the Militia, "BEHOLD THE TREACHEROUS JEDI!" Grakkus said, pressing a button releasing the chains of the gladiators.
"This will never work." Kanan said begrudgingly at Ahkilleon, "This isn't Coruscant Kanan, this time we get to choose how this battle ends." Ahkilleon said turning on his green lightsaber, Kanan and Ezra turned on theirs and so did everyone else. All of the 'gladiators' were holding lightsabers. Sabine had been given a green one like Ahkilleon, Zeb was holding a hing double bladed lightsaber the closest thing to a bostaff he could get, Rex had a blue one but it felt awkward in his hands. Turok was holding a blue and green one, Sigma a blue one, Doc and Nemo each holding green. The crowd cheered at such a sight and Hera looked at Ahsoka in disbelief, Ahsoka gripped the railing with a mix of emotions running through her. She looked up at the Box and saw Grakkus speaking again but behind him was Jabba the Hutt.
"What are we going to do?" Hera asked.
"Settle a debt." Ahsoka said.
She headed for the Box and Grakkus continued, "REBELLION TOOK THE JEDI BY STORM, THEY DARED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE SENATE AND IT WAS THE DUTY OF THE BRAVE CLONE SOLDIERS OF THE NOBLE 501ST TO PUT DOWN THIS INSURRECTION!" the gates to the arena opened and Rex held his breath along with Sigma marching out were men and mercenaries all dressed in white armor painted with blue stripes on their forearms, legs and faces. The armor wasn't clone but it was painted to look like it and their weapons crude melee weapons with a few holding blasters one of them was holding a blood red Imperial Flag. "AND TO LEAD THESE BRAVE CLONES, BUT NONE OTHER THAN LORD VADER HIMSELF!" A hush went over the crowd walking out in a ragged black cape dressed in dark black and gray armor with a crude mask made of scrap to look like Darth Vader was a mystery gladiator wielding a red lightsaber. The only difference to the Fake Vader from the real one was the spiked shoulder pads. The helmet didn't even look like Vaders, save for it's black paint a bulbous helmet with narrow slits for eyes and a V shaped face guard, there was a part of the helmet that had a plume holder but it looked like it had been welded off to make it look like Vader.
The crowd cheered knowing they were in for a spectacle of epic proportions, up in the Box Grakkus basked in the cheers, and turned to Admiral Greelanx who had the seat of honor in the center of the box beside Xizor and Jabba. "I hope the games are to your liking Governor, we await your nod to begin." Grakkus said back.
Standing up Greelanx walked over to the ledge looking down at the arena, "Crude but appreciated, tell me how did you find so many to play the clones?" Greelanx asked.
"There is no shortage of Gladiators on Nar Shaddaa your eminence." Grakkus said.
"A historic and noble day when the Jedi were wiped from the Imperial Capital." Admiral Greelanx held up his arm and swung it down signaling a commencement to the match.
LOTHAL
Outside Imperial Internment Camp
The Militia forces looked out over the hills across from the camp, they saw another Imperial dropship come in and lower itself behind the high walls, it was dark and the stars were overheard "We'll attack as soon as the sun rises, use the glare to cover our approach." Reik said next to Naqia and Keiza.
"Colin, how's it going up there?" Reik asked.
Up above in the Moons hidden base, Colin was getting into a Hawk-class fighter with Captain Fairfax, Jetstream and Vandal getting in their own, a few other pilots had also joined the mission and were by the large C-8890 landing craft "We're prepping the transport now, time to sing Chief."
Reik grumbled, hearing it embarrassed as they slid down the hill back to the main force, a hundred Militia regulars gathered in the low valley behind the hill, there were no fires lit, and each one got up as they approached. Declan was with his Master Tai Uzuma speaking with Jay, "So he said the Jedi King was already alive?"
"In theory, half of the Order think he's more a myth than the other think he's real." Tai said.
They got up when they saw Reik approaching, "How is everyone Master Jedi?" Reik asked.
"Little on edge, being so close, could use some words of encouragement." Tai said using her Jedi senses to let him know the mood. Reik nodded at her and walked into the crowd of his soldiers; some stood at his approach out of respect but he waved them down.
"Easy men, we'll attack first light, get our people out for now… center yourselves." He said sitting down on a rock in the center of the crowd of soldiers. There was a long silence as everyone settled in while the sun had just started to turn the sky from a deep black to a soft navy blue.
Reik took a breath and summoned up his courage before he scooped up a piece of dirt in his hand and left it trickle out before opening his mouth and sang.
"When there's nothing left, but the fire in my chest
And the air that fills my lungs
I'll hold my tears, and trade my years for a glimpse at Kingdom Come
On the other side of misery, there's a world we long to see
The strife we share will take us there, to relief and sovereignty."
The Militia regulars' heads began to turn, the last thing they thought they'd hear this far in the wild was music, especially from their leader. Reik let the dirt fall out of his hand and continued in a slow low monotone.
"Oh by stars we'll have our home again, by stars we'll have our home
By blood or sweat, we'll get there yet, by stars we'll have our home"
The Militia veterans known as Hyena Squad were listening, Gaser who was polishing his rotary blaster cannon behind Onua his droid armor turned on his coms for Fang to hear, Fang was up on a farther hill on overwatch "Is that what I think it is?" Fang whispered and Gaser, smiling under his beard said "Oh yeah."
Reik stood up and walked among his men who were all silent as the grass.
"In our own towns, we're foreigners now, our names are spat and cursed
The headlines smack of another attack, not the last and not the worst
Oh my fathers they look down on me, I wonder what they feel
To see their noble sons driven down, beneath a coward's heel!"
He looked at each of their faces hidden behind a helmet or not, his voice rising in tone but staying at the same level. The sky was turning a mix of purple and blue slivers of orange sunlight rising.
"The road is dark, the way is lost, my eyes they strain to see
I struggle forth to find a friend to light the way for me
Oh brothers, can you hear my voice? Or am I all alone?
If there's no fire to guide my way, then I will start my own"
Reik grabbed onto one of the soldiers who was close by as he said the word 'brothers' then let go continuing on. The sun was turning the sky orange now the dawn started to roll in, thick clouds of morning mist covering the land.
"Oh by stars we'll have our home again, by stars we'll have our home
By blood or sweat, we'll get there yet, by stars we'll have our home
Oh by stars we'll have our home again, by stars we'll have our home
By blood or sweat, we'll get there yet, by stars we'll have our home"
Silence, everyone was silent after hearing the song and the sun rose above the grassy planes casting a light down into the valley, Reik drew his sword "Captain Naqia, call the Hawks."
The Militia all got to their feet and made their way up the hill to the ridge, "Bloodwolf, this is Dragoon Leader we are coming in for our attack run, danger close." Fairfax said, up above in the clouds the Hawk-class interceptors descended down from the sky the pink lined clouds in a vector formation. On one of the walls the first stormtrooper spotted them, pointing and shouting. Alarms followed and the guns began to open fire on the fighters the fighters broke off in their attack run and opened fire one of the towers went up in flames before exploding. "ATTACK!" Reik shouted from the ground, his soldiers rushing out from over the hill and to the wall.
Gaser inside his Droid Armor went charging down ahead of them, it went into a full stampede and covered it's shoulders and head with it's massive forearms turning itself into a running battering ram crashing into the metal wall and through it. The Militia forces rushed in and the Imperial garrison inside turned tail and ran before they realized what had happened. Inside the open yard of the camp were dozens of cages filled with people "Get these people out of here, Jay what's our status?" Reik asked.
Reik who was over with Fang on a small mobile computer, "I've jammed any imperial transmissions, but it won't be long before a TIE patrol sees the fires."
"Roger, roger. How long till the landing craft gets here?" Reik asked on the com channel, "Eta is ten minutes to arrival, this ship wasn't built for speed." Colin said as the transport was on its way out of the black wolf moon.
Down on the surface Reik cut a lock off a gate letting people out, "Who are you people?" one person asked.
"We're the Lothal Militia." Keiza said as she helped them out.
"Chief, Captain!" One Regular shouted, Reik and Keiza came forward and followed the man to a small building to the side built into the south wall, walking out hands above their heads were a squad of stormtroopers.
Reik looked at the stormtroopers, "These men want to surrender." the regular said.
"We give up, we give up." the lead stormtroopers said under his helmet, the Regular and his men were five regulars blasters pointed at them, "Surrender? No." Reik said walking away "Wait wait-" the blaster fire from the regulars E-7s drowned out the Stormtroopers protests for mercy before they were gunned down.
NAR SHADDAA
Great Arean
The crowd roared for blood across the seats, inside the arena sands the makeshift Jedi Temple guarded by the 'jedi' gladiators was being assaulted on all sides by the 'clone' gladiators of the 501st. "Everyone hold the stairs they're our only chokepoint!" Kanan shouted he, Ezra and Ahkilleon took the front stairs, Turok and Sigma took the south side, Sabine and Zeb the west side, with Doc and Rex were on the east as the swarm of enemy fighters ran up the stairs. The main group of stormtroopers ran at the front stairs with the real Jedi, and the others ran around to the sides and back. But the one dressed as Vader was pacing himself toward them, playing true to his character.
"Kanan, these men are gladiators they don't have a choice." Ahkilleon said up to him.
"He's right Kanan, this isn't right." Ezra said in agreement.
Kanan held his lightsaber up, "I know, but it's them or us, and I choose us." Like a sea of white armor, swords and axes the enemy gladiators attacked the jedi with overwhelming numbers. Kanan, Ezra and Ahkilleon swung their lightsabers cutting the blades and clubs in half before taking a few limbs. Kanan used a force push to send a avalanche of men back down the stairs. On the backside Turok and Sigma held their own ground.
"Time to see if you remember those fencing lessons." Turok growled holding up the two lightsabers.
"Let's just get this over with." Sigma said with the two not waiting for the white armored gladiators to strike.
Up in the box, the syndicate heads who were still there watched and toasted to the soon to be dead Jedi, all of whom were being served by two droids, Proxy and Chopper with restraining bolts on their metal bodies. Governor Greelanx walked from his throne fingers pressed together, Xizor fiddled with his many rings on his fingers watching Sabine fighting with her green lightsaber next to the lasat Zeb, "She was mine Governor." Xizor grumbled to Greelanx.
"Be quiet, I'll get you a new toy Xizor." Greelanx whispered to him.
Jabba gave them both a side eye but kept his tongue pretending he hadn't heard anything, just then a protocol droid approached Jabba and whispered something into his ear, Jabba waved over to Grakkus and the large Hutt nodded, before slithering to the box exit, overhearing a conversation at the entrance "Let us in or I'll take those axes somewhere you won't like." Ahsoka said to two Gamorean Guards who were blocking the entrance.
Grakkus saw Ahsoka and Hera, ready to tear apart the Gamoreans "Let them pass." the droid said to the gamorreans who looked back, obeying Grakkus they backed off and Ahsoka walked in with Hera behind her.
"Welcome my ladies, I see you received my invitation." Grakkus said, giving a auspicious bow.
Hera and Ahsoka didn't look at all pleased, "Give me one reason not to end you?" Ahsoka asked.
Grakkus snapped his fingers and as if from thin air a dozen Magna guards appeared their shock staff activated, Hera drew her blaster "You'll need more." Ahsoka said reaching for her lightsabers.
"Only if you don't listen." Grakkus said over her, "By your lightsabers and the markings on you togrutan, I can deduce you are either Master to my Champion or… no, now I see it, you are his mother." Grakkus said "The same fire in those eyes of his his, yours may be blue but it's the same." Grakkus said before he turned around "Come, we don't want to miss the finale."
LOTHAL
Internment Camp
The Militia forces were securing their people by getting them out of the cages, "This is too easy." Naqia said suspicious holding her rifle close, Reik was wrapping a blanket around a few children, "The Empire should have been here by now?" Naqia said.
"Jay, any sign of the Empire?" Naqia asked.
Tai looked around sensing something was amiss, she closed her eyes and focused before she looked up "Jay, Jay come in?" Naqia asked.
"I'm not seeing anything on the radar Captain-"
Suddenly Jay heard a the laser whistle of a blaster bolt fly right overhis head "GYAH!" Fang was hit right in his shoulder and rolled over grabbing Jay pulling him along with his sniper rifle, "Contact, contact sniper!" Fang shouted into his comlink, more shots rang out hitting the Militia forces on the walls and at the hole in the wall that Gaser had made.
"Positions!" Reik shouted to his men, "Get to cover!" he shouted over the screams of the civilians. Everyone got behind the safety of the camps metal walls, Naqia ran to the edge of the wall and looked over before an Imperial sniper shot at her, she dodged the bolt barely before another one flew over the wall. "Multiple snipers, around the perimeter they must have surrounded us, we're trapped."
"Not for long, Colin eta to the landing?" Reik asked in his comlink.
Outside the stronghold, Fang dragged Jay behind the only cover they could find a small cluster of rocks, "We're pinned down." Fang said only armed with his pistol.
"Five minutes Chief." Colin replied to him far away inside the transport heading down to the surface.
Back out behind the Rocks, Butch watched as Fang pulled Jay close shielding him from the laser bolts shooting at the rocks ,"Captain cover me." Butch ran out dropping his blaster rifle and made a break fro the rocks. One of the Imperial scout troopers saw the droid and took as hot, hitting butch in the shoulder the droid shrugged it off his thick armor "Butch!" Gaser ran out of the hole and unleashed cover fire on the snipers he spotted. But a barrage of rockets pelted the giant droid armor forcing the Onua back.
Gaser's systems were taking a beating but held his ground backing up slowly, "Butch get'em out of there!" Gaser snapped.
Sliding in behind the rocks, Butch took Jay "Come on let's get you two out of here."
"No, just him." Fang said, holding his bleeding side.
"I'm not leaving you, soldier." Butch said right into the barrel of Fang's revolver "GO!"
Butch's orange optics looked at Fang, the umbaran was pale, loss of blood making him appear bone white "I'll draw their fire… Militia Invictus."
"Militia Invictus." Butch said, picking up Jay and running back to the safety of the wall. Gaser saw Butch running carrying Jay close to his metal chest "Butch, where's Fang?" Gaser asked.
The other militant looked up to see Fang running out from cover in the opposite direction shooting at the snipers with his pistol in the open, "FANG!" Gaser shouted before a sniper round tore through Fang's head, sending him to the ground. "GRAAAAAHHHH!" Gaser flipped on Onua's mounted gatling lasers, the two hands turning into rotating barrels unleashing a barrage of laser fire on the hillsides sending up clouds of smoke.
"Gaser fall back, fall back." Naqia shouted at the droid armor, Gaser snapped out of his rage before he took one look at the clump in the distance that was Fang. "... Roger, roger." Gaser hissed before he returned to the wall.
Up above the Militia Transport ship flew down from the clouds escorted by the Hawks it made a rough but steady landing inside the camp and the ramp lowered, "Go, go, go!' Reik shouted at everyone, the civilians and militia forces boarding the vessel. Gaser was the last one to board inside his droid armor as it took off rockets and sniper fire, lighting it up as it fled into the sky, without Fang.
NAR SHADDAA
Great Arena
Zeb swung his golden double bladed lightsaber taking a gladiators head clean off, Sabine was swinging her blade at any who got close severing their weapons but their numbers seemed without end. "Kanan how do you swing these things?" Sabine snapped at him.
"Don't think of it as a blade, it's a part-." Kanan shouted as he and Ezra held the front with Ahkilleon, all around the great arena people cheered. "Oh just keep fighting!" Kanan shouted at them all.
On the other side Doc and Nemo were against their own wave of the stormtrooper gladiators, Doc kicked one down the stairs but another gladiator with a knife grabbed her saber arm, tackling her to the ground they drove the knife into her side "GYAAH!" She screamed before she felt another one bury an axe into her shoulder screaming, Ezra froze at her blood curling death cry "DOC!" Nemo shouted swinging his lightsaber like a mad man at the gladiators, "Go!' Turok shouted at Sigma who ran to reinforce Nemo.
"Come on you dogs, bring me a real fight!" Turok shouted down at the flank he was protecting.
Back at the front Ezra was frozen seeing Doc's eyes roll back behind her head feeling the life fade from her, "Ezra look out!" Ahkilleon grabbed him amd pulled Ezra out of the way of a flail before Ezra snapped back to the present "Ahkilleon she's- she's-" "Gone, come on stay with me brother."
Among the never ending sea of enemy gladiators, the Black armored Fake Vader was moving slowly toward them like a black shark amongst white piranhas, he walked up the steps in no hurry as the 'jedi' cut down his men. Kanan saw him coming and locked eyes with the red tinted lenses of the goggles. "Ezra, Ahkilleon stay back."
"Kanan wait-" Ahkilleon called after him before Kanan rushed down the stairs not waiting for Vader to desecrate the temple even if it was a fake one "Not again…". Kanan cut down a gladiator at his right, he shoulder pushed one so hard they fell from the steps "Not again…. His blue lightsaber became like death any who came toward him met their end. Ezra watched Kanan transform from the confident Jedi into something else, Kanan was a fury incarnate before he jumped from the steps at Vader "NOT AGAIN!"
Ezra watched Kanan and the fake Vader's lightsaber clash and the crowd cheered seeing the epic battle between Sith and Jedi reborn before their very eyes. Up in the box, Grakkus had Ahsoka and Hera beside him as guests of honor "The warrior in the black armor who is it?" Ahsoka asked Grakkus.
"A surprise." Grakkus said.
Down in the arena the fake Vader wasn't just for show, his red lightsaber crashed against Kanans with both hands and his bulky armor was thinner then it looked, he was all muscle. The first strike nearly knocked Kanan off the steps but he recovered, Kanan jumped up and struck back slashing up the Fake Vader's arm but the gladiators wasn't even fazed by the strike. He swung back his metal gauntlet hitting Kanan in the face, and when Kanan tried to counter he was blocked. Unlike the thralls of other Gladiators this one was trained in combat, more so he seemed to know how to use a lightsaber. Kanan swung from below and was blocked, then spun around to strike high, countered, parried and an elbow was thrown into his face. Kanan staggered back before shooting a force push at Fake Vader. An invisible cannon sent other stormtroopers flying before Fake Vader tumbled back battered but unbroken. Rising up, he headed back up the steps without a word moving as a black shadow toward Kanan.
Behind them Turok was swinging both lightsabers like a mad man, Sigma reinforced Nemo defending Doc's body from the stormtroopers, behind them, Zeb and Sabine were holding their own, Zeb took the high guard and Sabine the low together the two formed an impenetrable barrier. Up at the front, Ezra and Ahkilleon held their ground from the stormtroopers who rushed past Kanan who was holding back Fake Vader.
Ezra kicked one in the head and Ahkilleon ran another one through, Ezra watched Ahkilleon use the man's body as a shield from the spears of two stormtrooper before he kicked him off and took out another one not even thinking on the kills he was racking up. "Come on, together." Ezra and Ahkilleon went back to back and charged up their force "Kanan on your six!' Ezra shouted. Kanan felt what they were about to do and he back flipped into the air before the two boys unleashed a force push so strong it cleared the whole stairway knocking off Fake Vader. The crowd roared in approval "Go help the others." Kanan told them running back up.
"Ezra, Sabine and Zeb, Ahkilleon Turok." Kanan ordered them commands.
Both boys separated, Ezra ran over to help the rebels, Kanan even though he didn't like them reinforced the Militia, and Ahkilleon jumped up beside Turok slashing a halberd in half before it could strike Turok in his blindspot. "NICE ONE LEO!" Turok shouted laughing throwing one of the lightsabers at the nearest stormtrooper, the one holding the Imperial Flag like a spear. Thrusting the sharpened tip at Turok the Trandoshan dodged and with one great bite of his jaws tore off the man's head with a mighty snap. Sending the flag to the ground, Greelanx grimaced at such a sight not for the death of the Gladiator but the dishonor of the flag.
Ahkilleon smiled hearing that, the crowd watched the battle turn in the Jedi's favor and the chants began "JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI!"
Governor Greelanx watched in disgust and listened to the crowd, "Your history is a bit hazy Grakkus, the Empire wins this battle." Greelanx reminded him.
"Oh, indeed… but your champion is not done yet." Grakkus said pointing to the front stairs, while the majority of stormtroopers had been knocked back, Fake Vader climbed back up and made his way to the top of the Temple.
When Nemo saw him coming at them, he rushed the black armored warrior and the Fake Fader slashed his lightsaber with one swing "KARK-" Nemo shouted, falling back one of his quarren tentacles sliced off, "Nemo!" Sigma rushed to help him and Fake Vader was waiting.
"No, it's what he wants." Kanan shouted, unable to help them or else they'd be overwhelmed.
Sigma attacked the gladiator who struck down Nemo, but Fake Vader switched his grip and with one strike severed Sigma's right arm, Sigma didn't scream out even after getting kicked in the jaw by Fake Vader. He was knocked back and Fake Fader went for the kill swinging his lightsaber overhead and swung down. Ahkilleon appeared low sliding in at the last second to block Fake Vader's blade. Ahkilleon pushed off the ground and locked swords with Fake Vader, he broke it off and the two started to move in a circle their lightsabers bouncing off one another. The crowd enraptured by the blood sport, the champions of both sides facing off saber for saber.
Ahkilleon watched the Fake Vader's movements, he blocked, countered, countered again and blocked to a parry, Ahkilleon saw it then, an opening and seized it, rushing forward to duck a incoming strike he yelled and swung with all his might his green lightsaber slashed across the area where the stomach met the chest. The smell of melting metal and flesh burned in his nose and Fake Vader froze. Arms went limp first, then he dropped the red lightsaber and fell to his knees. The crowd roared as Ahkilleon looked back to hear something from Fake Vader, he was laughing.
Over the crowds roars of the crowd "JEDI, JEDI, JEDI!"
Walking around, Ahkilleon looked down to see the black armor melted away, red blood running out of dark ebony skin "Good move…" Fake Vader mumbled, dropping his lightsaber Ahkilleon caught the Fake Vader before he fell reaching up he removed the goggles and gasmask to reveal the Raider from the Ludus, he was coughing blood his white teeth stained red with a smile "What…. Why?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Grakkus… promised… my freedom…." the Raider said his dark eyes glazed over "But you gave me… a warrior's death… thank… you…" Ahkilleon watched the light fade from the Raiders eyes before going limp. Ahkilleon laid the man down his arms to weak to hold him, he looked at the blood on his hands, the only person in the Ludus to show him kindness and Ahkilleon had killed him.
As the other fighters sent the stormtrooper gladiators into a route, the crowd cheered for their victory, everyone was winded and exhausted by they didn't expect the scream of anguish from Ahkilleon he had grabbed the back of his head pulling at his hair screaming. "Uh oh… I think he's going berserk!" Ezra shouted.
"Be ready." Kanan snapped as they got ready to fight Ahkilleon, the boy grabbed the lightsaber and then picked up the fake Vaders, jumping into the air he stabbed both blades into the central tower and climbed like a spider. Stabbing both red and green blades into the metal he hoisted himself up to the top of the tower as the crowd cheered "JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI!" Reaching the top of the spire he took one look at the arena and raised each arms up looking at the Box, looking at Greelanx "I DENY YOU!"
"What's he doing?" Zeb asked.
Turok looked up "Yes." Turok said running over to the fallen Imperial flag, "I DENY THE EMPIRE IT'S VICTORY, I WILL NEVER SURRENDER TO IT!"
"LAD!" Turok lifted up the flag and flung it up to Ahkilleon who caught it, "He wouldn't dare." Greelanx stood to his feet and walked to the balcony, "I CURSE THE NAME OF THE EMPIRE AND ALL WHO SERVE IT!" Ahkilleon raised the flag pole in each hand and broke it down on his knee "I AM JEDI AND WE WILL NEVER DIE!" With one final action Ahkilleon tore the flag down the middle the Imperial insignia ripped to the crowds cheers "JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI, JEDI!"
Greelanx heard the cheers and his face turned red, "Grakkus… execute him, Grakkus?" Greelanx asked again when Grakkus hadn't moved.
"No." Grakkus replied softly.
Prince Xizor jumped to his feet snapping "You dare?"
"Oh shut up you sack sucking snake." Grakkus spat on the ground at Xizor, "Keep that forked tongue behind your teeth, the people have spoken, you hold no power here." Grakkus said rising to his full height in front of Greelanx.
The Governor's face was stern, "Jabba, you dare to defy the Empire, the Emperor himself, I speak for the greatest galactic nation in the history of time. Who are you all to defy us!"
Jabba stood up, and then walked in front of Grakkus speaking not in Huttese but in perfect Galactic Basic "We are Nar Shaddaa, now get the hell off my moon."
Admiral Greelanx's face was red as a sith lightsaber before he said "We will return, and burn this smugglers moon to ash."
"We'll be waiting." Grakkus said before the Admiral and Prince Xizor turned to leave, the holographic monitors captured Greelanx and Xizors departure to the cheers of the Great Arena.
When they were out of the box, Jabba turned to Grakkus he noticed Ahsoka and paused to look at her, his mouth opened but he said nothing to her but to all in attendance. Arms raised the crowd went silent for the Great Hutt himself, speaking now in Huttese his translator spoke for him "The Great Jabba has decided the Empire is not welcome on Nar Shaddaa." more cheers to the proclamation "But the Empire will not go so easily, the Great Jabba calls all ships and loyal Nar Shaddaaians to arms." Jabba held up both his arms and said something in Huttese with a thunderous vigor "To War!" The translator droid said.
