LordDarthYoda- I mean you can put your own political bent on what kind of broadcast was being put on, but you're certainly in the ballpark. The problem with the Ubrorans is that without Nara and Sascha to gently guide them, all they have are these decent plans that are uh, very optimistic about things. They'll learn, but they'll fail at first. Loved the Monster's Inc reference too :).

SpeechBubbleMe- I'm not a big Harry Potter fan, but that is a great (and very self aware) quote. It's like a central theme in stories that the heroes make a big plan...and then it goes wrong about halfway through.

A/N - I have nothing to say!

Anyways, all reviews, follows, and favourites are deeply appreciated as always.

Please enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 34: Surrender

"To the commander of the invaders of Ubrora, this is Jedi Knight and General Aurine Brynar. I offer you a twenty-six hour ceasefire, in which we negotiate a cessation of hostilities on planet. Pick a time and meeting place and I will arrive unaccompanied. You have my word as a Jedi Knight that you will not be harmed."

Comlink message from Aurine Bynar received by Pravin Ecalt and maintained for posterity, fifteen days into the Invasion of Ubrora

Pravin Ecalt listened to the comlink message again, just to make sure he'd heard it correctly. He couldn't believe his good fortune. He had spent the entirety of his time on this planet having his army be harried and whittled down by the ambushes and traps that had been cleverly set up by the enemy commander, but finally he and his army were almost through the Napier Valley. Now with access to the two remaining cities of Ubrora that had not fallen, the Ubroran army had no chance but to offer battle. And it had apparently chosen not to. This war was going to be over, and though it had been more expensive in terms of materiel then he had wanted it to be, he was going to bring Admiral Varless the result that he wanted. That was all that really mattered at the end of the day.

Pravin had decided that after this was over, that he'd hand his resignation to Vash and he'd return home. His father had always said that there would be a place for him on Noonar in Ecalt Industries, and now more than ever, he thought it might be time to give up the military life and settle into something a little more…normal. Security maybe. Anything had to be better than this. His military life was beginning to chafe.

He'd had enough of being at the beck and call of a madman, but he wasn't sure if he could get out of his employment to Vash. Though, after he had delivered Ubrora to the Duros on a silver platter, he doubted that Vash would have any cause to complain if he left his merry band of pirates. Thus, receiving the Jedi Knight's offer of a ceasefire was more music to his ears, it was a method of escape. He had taken no pleasure in this assignment, no pleasure in inflicting casualties on his opposition. And he especially hated himself for designing that trap that had killed those two Jedi apprentices.

Killing soldiers he could rationalize, for he was a soldier too. Those Jedi apprentices had essentially been children, and he had a tough time rationalizing their deaths. Especially because if they had been allowed to live, they could have brought so much good to the galaxy. Yet, they were fair targets in a war …he just wished that there had been another way. Perhaps, it had been the death of the Padawans that had spurred this Aurine Brynar to surrender. Maybe in that way it been a noble sacrafice for the Jedi to save so many Ubroran lives.

"There you go rationalizing your again," muttered Pravin.

Pravin figured that it might be put on his formal dress clothes for the meeting. He retired to his tent, grateful that it was the one place on this planet where he could get a little privacy. He opened the box where he had stored his dress uniform. It had gotten slightly wrinkled, despite his best efforts to keep his clothes pristine. He smiled a little to himself. He had an army of hugely advanced droids at his command, yet he couldn't keep his clothes from feeling the effects of the weather.

Such was life, such was his life, Pravin corrected himself. He looked in the tiny mirror that he had brought with him from the Reprisal, his middle aged, bearded expression stared back at him. He grimaced, age was catching up to him. He could only hope that he would be allowed to do some good in the galaxy before he shuffled off this mortal coil.

Today, he was going to do good, he hoped. He believed that with a peace treaty between Admiral Varless and the Ubroran government, that he could perhaps forge a relationship that would go beyond merely the conqueror and conquered, but that both sides would see what the other could bring to the table. The problem, as always was Vash. He wasn't sure the Duros could even find the word 'compromise' in the dictionary. Nonetheless, he would do is best, as he always had.

Fully dressed in his full uniform, he exited his tent. It was a nice day on Ubrora, relatively speaking – it only was threatening to rain instead of actually raining. He shook his head and gestured to the two spindly beige battle droids that had been standing guard to follow him. He was within walking distance of where he had agreed to meet the Jedi, which was in a small clearing just north, in a forest that he'd been keeping on his flank as his army had moved from the valley and into the plains. Pravin had moved his encampment forward for the day, one could say that was a bold move that could have been taken advantage of, but he knew the word of a Jedi Knight could always be trusted. This wasn't going to be some sort of trap where he was going to be captured, no the Jedi were too honorable for that. The droids that he was walking with were mostly for show, he didn't think anything short of fifty battle droids would protect him from the Jedi Knight, if she chose to fight. Still, appearances had to be maintained.

After walking, enjoying the brief sunshine that shone through the angry gray clouds, he entered a clearing, where he saw that Aurine Brynar was already waiting for him. The Jedi Knight was slight facing away from him, standing with her arms folded across her chest. She was short and powerfully built, looking like someone that was competing in one of those Teräs Käsi fighting matches. She did not look like someone you wanted to get into a fight with. Still, Pravin couldn't help but find her appealing, appreciating her non-traditional beauty. She was wearing a slightly tattered beige Jedi robe, her emerald eyes were keen and seemed to be evaluating him as he closed the distance between them.

He indicated that his two droid bodyguards should stay back, and he walked towards the Jedi Knight, extending his hand in greeting, "Aurine Brynar, I presume."

The Jedi Knight shook his hand firmly, "Yes, thank you for agreeing to meet with me, General Ecalt. May I enquire if you are related to the same Ecalt family that runs Ecalt Industries?"

He nodded, "My father is Lawson Ecalt, head of Ecalt Industries." He shook his head in confusion, "Why do you ask?"

"In happier times, my Master and I once helped your father evacuate one of his processing plants after a chemical spill."

"It seems that it is a small galaxy sometimes," he said with a half-smile. The Jedi Knight did not smile back. To cover his discomfort he made a sweeping gesture with his hand, "We may as well get right to business. I assume that you have full authority to negotiate for President Mollek?"

"I do."

Pravin held his hands up, "I cannot say I have the same authority, but I believe that I can make Admiral Varless take an offer, as long as it is fair." The Jedi Knight paced, and looked unhappy with that response. "I can't promise anything beyond that, Master Jedi. I've conducted this campaign honorably, I will conduct the peace negotiations the same way."

Aurine Brynar stared at him for a brief second, and he imagined her looking into the Force, trying to figure out of he was deceiving her. He wasn't of course, but in her position, he'd likely be equally wary of him. "Very well," she said, "It's become clear that the Ubroan army cannot win this war. We are outmatched, outgunned and your forces are too strong. If I engage your army with mine in a fight, the casualties on my side would be enormous, and as a Jedi Knight I cannot let that happen."

The blonde haired Jedi Knight looked tired for a brief moment, and then recovered her composure, "My proposal is this: The Ubroran army surrenders. I will round up all the weapons we have and put them in a warehouse for you or anyone you appoint to inspect. You can take them if you wish. The Ubroran army will disband, everyone else goes home and Admiral Varless controls the planet, but the war ends."

Not a bad first offer thought Pravin. "You won't give us President Mollek? Just the weapons?"

"The Ubroran army is already short of weapons, taking away what they have will make them toothless. They will be no threat. And no, you will not get President Mollek. You can appoint another leader for Ubrora if you wish, but Mollek is not to be harmed. I could not possibly consent to that as a Jedi Knight."

"So all the soldiers go free?"

"Yes. That is non-negotiable."

"Vash will hate that."

The Jedi Knight gestured angrily, almost making him take a step backwards, "I don't care what Vash thinks. If he does not accept this offer of surrender, I will continue to fight using everything in my power to make this occupation a living hell for every non-Ubroran on the planet. Even if I have to do it by myself."

"I can relay him that sentiment," he said contritely, more than a little put off by the idea of a Jedi swearing vengeance against him and his army. It was already bad enough going up against them as it was – the two Jedi had probably accounted for half of the droids that had been destroyed over the past two weeks. Or maybe it just felt that way.

"There is more," said Aurine. "Once the peace deal is settled, I want transport for myself, Master Tiplee and our two apprentices off this planet and to a Republic world."

"Your apprentices survived the explosion?" he blurted, interrupting the Jedi Knight. While his heart leapt with the possibility that he actually hadn't killed the two apprentices, he had been completely confident that the explosion had killed them. Hadn't the Armored Assault Tank hit the building with a shot from it's main turret? Hadn't the Jedi apprentices been inside? A more uncomfortable question came to mind - was it even possible to kill a Jedi?

"How did you know they were hurt in an explosion?" asked the Jedi Knight, her eyes narrowing and her hand reaching subtly towards her lightsaber.

Gulping, he took a couple of steps back and placed his hands up defensively, "I created the trap, Master Jedi," he said in a quavering voice. He half expected the Jedi Knight to ignite her lightsaber and take his head off in one fell swoop. He fell to his knees, "They are legitimate targets of war," he protested. He looked up at the Jedi Knight. Her eyes shone with anger, like a pair of heated emeralds and she took one half-step towards him.

Instead of ending his life, the Jedi pivoted smartly on her heel, turned her back to him and went deathly still. It took a moment for Pravin to realize that he wasn't going to have his life ended by the Jedi Knight, so he picked himself off the muddy ground and tried to find what remained of his dignity. "I took no pleasure in it, Master Jedi, and I'm relieved to hear they are alive. If they need any medical help, I'll personally guarantee their safety."

Aurine let out a long breath, "The offer is appreciated, but I believe that their health is in good hands now."

"I am glad to hear that," he said wholeheartedly.

The Jedi Knight turned back around to face him and snorted, "You offer help now, but you ordered a trap that almost killed them. Doesn't that seem a little strange, General Ecalt?"

"Such are the ironies of war, Master Jedi. A soldier will fire at another soldier when there is a battle, but he wishes no ill will towards his opponent, he is only doing his duty. However a soldier will not fire on a medic, even though he knows that the medic may be patching up someone that may eventually end his life. Is it ironic? Of course! But it is war. It's cruelty is only matched by its irony."

The Jedi nodded solemnly, "I appreciate your honesty. Can you tell me one thing, Pravin? Why are you fighting for Admiral Varless? You have the honor of a true, loyal soldier, but I don't think he does. Well, I actually know that he doesn't, because honorable people don't invade peaceful planets."

"You mean to ask why I don't go over to your side?" The Jedi Knight nodded. "Master Jedi, if I leave this army, they'll simply appoint someone worse, someone who isn't willing to fight by the rules of civilized warfare. I have conducted this campaign honorably and I will continue to conduct it honorably until which time my commanding officer no longer needs my services. I am a soldier, I can do no less."

"Some would say that the honorable thing to do would be to inflict as much damage as you can on your invading army and join the defenders," the Jedi said pointedly.

"I wish I could Master Jedi. I'm afraid then you must know my other secret Master Jedi." He took a deep breath, "I am a coward. Joining you would be an act of bravery that is simply beyond me. Plus, there is the small fact that I would have been joining the losing side."

The Jedi Knight looked down, "No one can question your honesty General Ecalt. But you are braver than I think you know."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Master Jedi, but I believe that I know myself better than you know me after a ten minute conversation." The blonde haired Jedi Knight smiled at him, suggesting to Pravin's mind, that she knew better than he did. Truly unnerved by the Jedi Knight, he coughed, "Turning back to the reason we are all here…"

"Of course. My offer is simple, you get the weapons, the army disbands, and you arrange transport for us back to any Republic world. Peace comes to Ubrora, and we avoid the inevitable bloodshed that would come if our two armies ever met. It seems fair to me. Can you sell it to Admiral Varless?"

He thought about it for a moment, Vash certainly wouldn't like letting the Jedi go back to Republic space, because he would think that they would just come back with a Jedi task force. He foresaw that being something of a dealbreaker. "You will of course, pledge that you will not take any action against Admiral Varless after you leave Ubrora. And you will also inform the Jedi Council of the same thing, that this was a legal transition of power."

Aurine guffawed, "Is the word of a Jedi Knight not enough for Admiral Varless? It's not like the Jedi have interest in dealing with planets outside of the borders of the Republic. We have enough trouble with Republic worlds as is."

"It would suffice for me, but it might not suffice for Admiral Varless," he said apologetically.

"Fine, yes, I'll make a pledge on holo, or I'll sign some flimsy with my blood. Whatever would please Vash Varless," the Jedi said dismissively.

"And you'll disarm the Ubroran army?"

"Immediately after the offer is accepted. The weapons will be cataloged, and placed in a warehouse where you can inspect them. Then it will be yours to do what you want with them."

"What about the resistance forces in the cities? Can you control them, tell them to stop blowing up my droids?"

There might have been a tiny smirk on the Jedi's face, it was hard for Pravin to tell, "I'll release a statement to tell them to stand down. However considering you just about killed my apprentices, who I had put in charge of commanding the resistances, I don't have much control over the resistance forces anymore. Tell Admiral Varless that myself and Master Tiplee are willing to speak to the resistance leaders in person and make them see why ending their resistance to you is for the best. Beyond that…I don't know what I can offer."

Pravin wracked his mind, trying to think of any objections. To his mind, they were getting a good deal. Yes, his army could make short work of the Ubroran army, but even if he won a massive battle, the remnants of the army would scatter and be long-term annoyances for the occupying army. If the Ubroran army surrendered its arms, it would cease being much of a threat. The resistance forces in the city were very annoying, but without an army to oppose his, he could detail a larger proportion of his force to subdue them.

Plus, he would avoid having to indirectly take the lives of thousands of beings. That was something he would be very pleased to take off his conscience.

"Jedi Brynar, I accept your terms. I'll communicate the terms to Admiral Varless, and as soon as I get his response I'll forward it to you." He proffered a hand, "To Ubrora's future," he said.

The Jedi took the offered hand and shook it firmly, "Thank you, General Ecalt. It has been…an experience going up against you in the field."

Pravin let himself a little magnanimous smile, "It will be a nice cap on my military career to say that I made a Jedi Knight surrender. Though I'll be sure not to spread the rumour too widely…people probably won't believe me."

The Jedi Knight smiled, but there was something about that smile that screamed 'superior' to his mind, which was an odd sort of thing from a surrendering General. Maybe it was just the typical Jedi arrogance. Or it was that she had thought she had pulled one over on him. That thought unsettled him. But how could she be taking advantage of him? She was surrendering! Clearly, he must have imagined it.

"Until we meet again, Jedi Brynar." The Jedi Knight snapped into a crisp salute, which he returned automatically. Negotiations done, he turned back towards the two droid escorts that had watched him patiently. Together he headed back to his camp where he was not exactly looking forward to the upcoming conversation with Vash Varless. But at least the war was over. That was something any man could be proud of achieving.

The next day all the preparations were ready for the Ubroran army to surrender and for the Invasion of Ubrora to be over. It had taken Pravin over an hour to convince Vash to accept the surrender, pointing out that they had nothing to lose to accept this offer. Vash was set in his ways though, and didn't like ideas that weren't his own. But here he was.

He took a detachment of droids, a couple of droideka's and an Amoured Assault Tank, which he rode in to the location where Jedi Brynar indicated where she had left the arms of the Ubroran Army. Vash wanted to take possession of them so that he could sell them on the black market for profit. Pravin didn't care. He was going to get off this world and out of this terrible assignment. That was all that mattered.

As they reached the non-descript warehouse that seemed to have been half buried in the ground, he sent a squad of droids to check it out. When they emerged a few minutes later, they flagged him down, speaking in their ludicrously pitched voices, "Sir…you're going to want to see this."

Frowning at what could possibly be the matter, he dismounted from his tank, "You checked the warehouse for traps?"

"Yes, sir!"

Rolling his eyes at his 'army' he made his way to the warehouse and opened the door. He looked inside. The warehouse was empty. Empty except for a sheet of flimsi that he cautiously wandered over to pick up. It was a letter, addressed to him, from General Aurine Brynar. His heart sinking, wondering what kind of trap he'd fallen for, he began to read.

I apologize for the deception, General Ecalt, and for using my status as a Jedi Knight to deceive you.

Pravin reacted physically, almost losing his breakfast, but he forced himself to read on.

However, I strongly feel that I must take every action within my power to keep Ubrora free from the oppression that you represent. Right now, Ubroran forces are in the process of liberating Gamudo. The battle that you had hoped would be the decisive one will not take place. We will hit and fade and harass your army until your droids are all destroyed. Do not look for us in Namya or Wingke, though you might find us in Gamudo. We think you'll have fun going back through the Napier Valley.

I can no longer afford to be Jedi Knight Aurine Brynar. I must be General Brynar. And General Brynar plays for keeps.

PS. If you ever want to switch sides, you will always be welcome here. You have my comm frequency. I think you are a good man, Pravin. If you ever want to prove that, let me know.

Signed, General Aurine Brynar.

Pravit crumpled the flimsy in his hand, launched it into the air and shot it into pieces with his sidearm.

It turns out, you couldn't even trust Jedi these days…

Far away from where Pravin Ecalt was learning a lesson the hard way, Aurine Brynar was watching a broadcast that showed Tiplee leading her troops into the newly liberated city of Gamudo. Namya and Wingke would fall, she was sure of it, but the droid army would find itself beset by strong resistances that Aurine had infused with actually army regulars. She had always known that she could never have defended those two cities, but she was going to make them hard to truly conquer.

She didn't envy Pravin at all. It was going to be a long road back through the Napier Valley for Pravin and his army. She was aware that all she was doing was delaying the inevitable. What she had told Pravin was the truth, the droid army was far too strong for the Ubroran army to ever fight. But maybe they'd stumble on a path to victory. That's all she could hope for right now.

Maybe rescue would come. Maybe Pravin would find his conscience. Maybe the Reprisal would crash into the sun.

Aurine Bynar would buy as much time as she could for Ubrora. She would buy it with her blood, her sweat and her tears. But it seemed to her that all she was doing was delaying the inevitable. And she knew that next time the enemy might not be so kind when she went to surrender.

But that was a bridge she would cross when she got there. If she got there.