AN: Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a great Christmas yesterday or at least found a way to make them enjoyable given the lockdown and pandemic. Also, I'm sorry for taking so long for an update, I've been busy last week with my final exams and didn't work on chapter three until it was done. Then I had to make it which was a bit difficult but I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope you will be too. I also have a few announcements to make.
Announcement 1: I have a new poll set up for my Grimm threat story. This time it's about whether I should rewrite it so I can set up a connection between the Kombatants and Huntsman/Huntresses earlier before the Vytal Festival starts since the Breach is like a week away from the festival. If the majority do say yes, then I'll rewrite so they meet around the beginning of volume 2 on the RWBY side with there not being too many changes to the experiences the others have. Feel free to PM me with any questions you have about that. This poll will end on January 1st at midnight so make sure to vote before then.
Announcement 2: I am working on another RWBY crossover story that I plan to release when it's ready so I hope you all will look forward to that in the near future.
Announcement 3: Another thing is that we have recently lost yet another member of the Star Wars community. By this, I am of course referring to Jeremy Bulloch the man who played Boba Fett in the Original Trilogy. Jeremy, you played one of the most badass characters in Star Wars despite only having a few lines you managed to help create one of the most badass Star Wars cultures ever filled to the brim with awesome lore and characters.
The world won't be the same without you old friend. May the Force be with you always.
Disclaimer: I make no claim of ownership of either property. Star Wars is owned by Disney and RWBY by Roosterteeth.
Warning: This story will be rated M due to mentions of underage drinking, prostitution, slavery, drugs, crime syndicates, and such. Reader discretion is advised.
Speech Patterns:
"Regular speech and dialogue"
"Thoughts"
"(Alien speech)"
Cue the Star Wars title theme!
"Morality separates heroes from villains."- SWCW S5 E16: The Lawless
In Memory of Jeremy Bulloch...
STAR WARS: RWBY CHRONICLES
CHAPTER III: A Familiar Feeling
Descending on Zygerria!
After having experienced another vision of a dark woman and strange planet, Jedi survivor Jaune left the palace casino of Sangria the Hutt to complete another smuggling run, this time to the planet Zygerria. A planet known for enslaving other races.
As he meditated to pass the time and calm his mind yet another vision this time showing him his first meeting with both Jedi Master Quinlan Vos and Jedi Knight Aayla Secura who liberated him from slavery and brought him to the Jedi Order.
Now as he prepares to land on the planet, Jaune must now face Sangria's Zygerrian friend Fero D'Nar and get her cargo without causing any distress…
Zygerria was a sort of tropical rocky planet littered with plateaus, mesas, and plains. As the ship broke through the planet's atmosphere, Jaune was met by the shining glare of the planet's sun as he piloted the ship to the capital city Sclavos where the Royal Palace was seated on top of a large mesa.
The city was surrounded by a large wall as ships of varying sizes and models docking at the landing platforms or taking off with their business in the city concluded. The buildings were made to look as straight and rectangular as possible with many also having large slants comprise their infrastructure.
All built on the backs of slaves.
"Corellian transport ship Comet you are cleared for landing on platform 3-A where you are expected for delivery." A voice spoke out over the comms.
"Copy that Control Tower." He responded as he slowly began to make his descent.
Jaune looked upon the city with disdain seeing such a beautiful world be home to beings that enjoyed enslaving various races and wanted nothing more than to help free those who were enslaved and get back at the supposed "superior race".
He despised this planet's populace for using such an immoral practice and thinking it acceptable when other races across the stars have made it illegal.
Jaune had heard from his Togrutan friend Ahsoka about how the people were treated when they had to free her people that were enslaved by Count Dooku and he hated it.
All it did was remind him how much he loathed the Zygerrians and those who took advantage of others and felt relieved when he heard that she was able to free her people.
He spotted the nearby landing platform where a group of Zygerrians were located with a large YV-865 Aurore-class freighter located on a nearby landing platform. Surrounding them were various large crates.
Jaune slowly eased his ship toward the landing platform as his ship's landing gear emerged and with the help of the landing jets helped make sure he made a stable landing.
"Ugh…Let's get this over with." Jaune groaned as he got up from his chair along with Oum.
"Get your blaster ready in case they try to do something and watch the ramp...I don't trust them."
"Roger roger." Oum acknowledged as he opened a locker in the hallway and drew out his E-5 blaster.
Jaune let out a deep breath as he put on a charming roguish smile as the landing platform extended and began to disembark as a Zygerrian wearing a dark green collared shirt with gold trimming along the edges and had a gold earring in his ear approached him. Behind him were six other Zygerrian guards wearing armor and helmets wielding blaster rifles who eyed the Jaune carefully.
"Ah, you must be Jaune." The man said, extending a hand out which Jaune took and shook, "I am Fero D'Nar. I assume you have heard of me from our mutual friend?"
Jaune nodded while giving the Zygerrian his own roguish smile.
"I have. She says you're one of the best people she knows capable of acquiring certain products."
"Indeed I am." Fero boasted, "And from what I've heard you are slowly becoming one of her favorite smugglers despite being so young."
"What can I say, I hate to disappoint her."
"Indeed. Perhaps we can talk about business sometime between the two of us."
"Maybe but first let's wrap up the business we have here." Jaune smirked as Fero nodded giving him his own crooked smile.
"Very well. My men will begin loading the cargo now." he said as gestured to his men and a large pile of metal crates from red to blue.
Jaune let out a low whistle at the site.
"This'll be a nice payday. Mind if I check the contents. Nothing personal, just a little habit I have to check that they're what you say they are.
Fero nodded energetically.
"But of course." he replied as he gestured toward the cargo.
Jaune approached a set of large blue crates and with a push of a button lifted the lid off to find it filled with blasters of varying models from the DLT series blaster rifles to the EE series.
"Damn, what's with all the firepower?" Jaune asked as he took out one of the rifles and examined it.
"Sangria has been having trouble with pirates raiding her ships as well as distributing them to her other friends." Fero responded.
Jaune nodded as he set the blaster back in its case and opened a second blue crate, this time finding it loaded with detonators and other explosives.
"They must've really pissed her off if she has all these weapons." Jaune commented as he sealed the lid and checked another one which had military-grade shield generators.
"Indeed, they have. The Ohnaka Gang of pirates have been a thorn in her side for a long time and desires them wiped out."
"I can see that." Jaune responded, closing another crate filled with rotary Z-6 rotary cannons.
"Where did you even get this stuff?"
"It pays to have friends in high places."
"Guess so." Jaune replied as he opened up another container where he was met by an alarming sight.
He carefully closed the lid as he looked at Fero. His blue eyes meeting the Zygerrians gold ones.
"You do know what weapons these are right?" Jaune asked as the Zygerrian nodded with a devious smirk.
"Do you know that just being caught with them will most likely lead to a life sentence in some Imperial Labor Camp?" he continued as he sensed the maliciousness in Fero slowly rising as he asked him.
"Indeed I do. I have taken precautions with the cargo to help prevent the Empire from detecting these weapons."
Jaune looked back at the crate.
"I'll take your word for it. Guess she really wants the pirates dead." Jaune stressed as he proceeded to a series of red crates.
"What's in here?"
"Pure high-quality Sansanna Spice straight from the mines of Oba Diah." Fero responded.
Jaune nodded as he took out a small stick-like device and popped the lid off to check the quality. Almost immediately he was hit by a strong exotic and fragrant smell that made him recoil and put his hand over his mouth and nose to prevent him from inhaling it.
He extended his free arm over the container as the Spice checker extended a thin long antenna from the bottom that buried itself deep in the sand-like substance.
After a few seconds, the device finished checking the drug and retracted back, with the reading stating that Fero's claim was true from the type of Spice to the quality.
"Alright then guess that's it." Jaune said as he sealed the box up.
Upon sealing it he noticed a large rectangular black container nearby the red ones which made the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he felt the Force direct his attention to it.
He felt life coming from the black box and slowly began to feel a swell of different emotions emanate from it as well.
Fear…
Anger…
Sadness…
And most importantly…
Loss…
All of these emotions felt familiar to Jaune as he had felt them before in his youth.
"What's in the black crate?" he asked in a low voice as he stared at it as he sensed Fero slowly become nervous.
"Ah yes, that crate has some special cargo that Lady Sangria has requested." He said with a hint of nervousness leaking into his voice.
Jaune narrowed his eyes at the man before moving to unseal the box.
"W-What are you doing?"
"Checking to see what's inside." Jaune simply stated as the lid opened to reveal a horrid sight.
Within the crate were five human children wearing nothing but dirty rags.
Each wore a shock collar around their necks and had whip marks and bruises covering whatever skin they had exposed which appeared to be recent judging from the coloring of the dark purple bruises and reddish-pink stripes.
The box had an oxygen recycler implanted into the ceiling to ensure that the oxygen they used continued to flow so they didn't suffocate.
The children huddled close to each other with fear in their eyes as they stared back at him and Fero.
Jaune slowly felt his anger bubbling upward as he looked at them realizing just what Sangria meant by "special cargo" and wanted nothing more than to lash out at all nearby guards who slowly raised their weapons toward him.
"Sangria you kriffing deal-breaking slimeball!" he roared inside his head.
He stared into the eyes of a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes as if he was seeing a younger version of himself staring back at him.
"So this is what you've been hiding." he stated with anger seeping into his voice before turning to face Fero.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Fero rolled his eyes.
"Lady Sangria informed us that you would not be willing to make the run if you knew the contents saying it would contrast with your ethics." Fero replied, with a slight edge in his voice.
Jaune glared at the Zygerrian with hate as he debated on what to do. He could just ignore the fact he was smuggling slaves for Sangria and get paid handsomely. He would be able to better hide his identity, get better supplies and weapons, maybe even use the money to set up a hideout.
However, another part of Jaune spoke out against the idea. His Jedi morals pleaded with him to make the right choice and stop the slaver or else the children would be forced to do things no child should ever be forced to do at a young age.
He breathed in deeply and exhaled his doubts as he settled on a choice.
"Well, perhaps my morals need to be reevaluated." Jaune smirked as he slammed the lid back onto the crate.
"If all my morals are preventing me from getting paid big money I have no need for them anymore."
Fero eyed the man with caution.
"I...see. Tell me what brought about this change of heart?"
"Money and the chance to expand my business." Jaune responded, maintaining his criminal smile.
"I never wanted to ship slaves around mainly because the Empire would probably kill me and take them for their own use if they found out what I was doing. Hell even if I escaped they would put a large bounty on my head."
Fero nodded as Jaune felt the man slowly calm down and begin to smile at him.
"You are not entirely wrong the Empire for all its claims of abolishing slavery tends to use it for themselves at certain points." he smiled.
"What did you mean by "to expand business"?" he asked with a knowing devious grin forming on his purple face.
"I wanna try to start working for people other than Sangria. Y'know make some more credits on the side."
Fero's grinned widened more.
"We can discuss some business as my men load the cargo onto your ship."
"Sounds good, but first let me show them where to set the stuff. I have some hidden compartments you can keep the more expensive stuff in."
Fero nodded as Jaune left to his ship as the guards Fero had lowered their weapons tapping away at the control panels of each crate as they began to hover and move up the ramp with Jaune signaling for Oum to follow him.
Upon entering the hold he lifted up a few floorboards revealing a set of hidden compartments below large enough to hide the crates.
"Alright, guys put the most illegal crates down here first before you set the other ones down." Jaune instructed as Zygerrians nodded and began setting the boxes down one by one.
"Oum watch them. I need Arf for something." He whispered to the pilot droid who nodded.
As they were doing so Jaune exited the cargo hold and slowly went to find Arf who was still in the cockpit.
Upon hearing the door open the R4 unit turned around.
"Hey, buddy I have a favor to ask of you. Do you think you can sneak on board that bastard's ship and download the flight logs?" He asked the astromech.
"And I mean everything from fuel to business and stuff like that. Turns out Sangria wants me to smuggle her some unwilling workers and we are going to bring them back." He said venomously.
Arf beeped in confirmation with one of his arms extending outward and saluting him.
"Thanks, buddy. I'll keep him distracted." Jaune said, smiling at his droid.
After getting up he immediately went back out to meet with Fero hoping to stall him long enough for Arf to get what he needed.
Walking down the ramp Jaune put on a fake smile and approached the slaver.
"Alright, while your guys load up the ship, how about we talk business."
"Excellent. Where would you like to start?" Fero asked, smirking at the idea of hiring a new slave smuggler.
"How about we start with what I'll be paid." Jaune said as he directed Fero's line of sight away from his ship to discuss "business" as Arf made his way down the ship's ramp.
Being sneaky was never Arf's greatest skill but that didn't mean he wouldn't try especially if Jaune needed him.
As Jaune began talking to Fero, the little R4 unit quickly rolled down the ramp as fast as possible.
Arf rotated his headpiece as he saw his master distract the Zygerrian doing his best to keep his attention away from the cargo and ships.
Using the remaining crates to hide, Arf slowly maneuvered himself until he was close to the Zygerrian slave ship.
The only problem now was to wait until no one was coming down the ramp of the ship to see him.
Seeing the perfect moment Arf speed up the ramp of the slave ship passing by a series of caged animals from across the galaxy ranging from carnivorous anoobas to the majestic Neimoidian pylat birds, Fero appeared to have a taste for exotic birds and ferocious animals.
A caged anooba lunged at the droid startling it, as the anooba clawed at bars desperate to eat something and be free.
After recollecting himself, Arf continued to make his way through the ship passing by empty cages and rolled in front of a ladder.
Seeing this obstacle in front of him, two jet boosters came out of both of his motorized legs as he retracted his third middle leg.
Blue fire erupted from the boosters as the blue and yellow astromech began to lift off from the ground and began to hover in midair, boosting himself so that he was able to reach the second floor of the ship and retracted the boosters back into his legs.
Seeing no one in his way, Arf made a mad dash toward the cockpit with his spark projector extended to shock any witnesses he came across that would impede him.
Surprisingly the cockpit was empty.
Immediately Arf extended his scomp link arm and plugged into the ship's nav computer getting any and all information his master needed for his mission.
As the data downloaded into Arf's data banks as the sound of a refresher door opening caught his attention as he realized why no one was in the cockpit in the first place.
The pilot of the ship entered the cockpit as he let out a gasp of surprise as he saw the astromech plugged into his ship's console and immediately went to draw out his blaster pistol only to fall unconscious only let out a yell of pain as a yellow taser shot hit his body.
The Zygerrian pilot fell with a thud against the metal floor as yellow electricity coursed through his body.
Seeing that the download was finished Arf retracted his scomp link arm and wheeled himself back to the cargo hold of the slave ship, using his jet boosters once more to bring him down safely and raced toward the ramp.
Arf quickly scoped his surroundings seeing that many of the boxes were loaded onto his master's ship meaning sneaking back aboard would be a lot more difficult.
Nonetheless, the astro droid rolled down the ramp and hid behind whatever crates remained not before signaling to Jaune that he had succeeded by extending his wielder out, turning it so the flame faced upward to resemble a thumbs-up gesture.
Jaune must have noticed him as he gave a curt nod toward his direction when Fero looked away to admire the scenery with a hand on his chin as if he were in deep thought.
Arf rushed toward the crates as he used them to hide just in time as Fero looked back to face Jaune.
Slowly and carefully, he strolled through the cover until he reached a gap between the remaining crates and the ship's ramp.
Letting out an exhausted trill, Arf let out another beep this time to psych himself up as he hurried toward the ramp getting back on board in time before the Zygerrian guards came out of the cargo hold to get the other crates.
Arf let out another low beep as he returned to the cockpit happy that he was able to accomplish his master's mission.
This conversation was just angering Jaune more and more as he and Fero negotiated prices for future 'business deals' from travel expenses to other possible business partners Fero had that he could introduce Jaune to for more profit.
"There is a friend of mine who runs a Spice mine on Kessel who wouldn't mind some extra hands to help with the labor." Fero offered as Jaune pretended to give it some thought.
"I'll consider it maybe once I'm done with this delivery." Jaune replied as Fero nodded in return.
"Very well. This may be the beginning of a prosperous friendship." Fero smirked.
"Can't wait to see how prosperous it'll be." Jaune said as he shifted his gaze toward the scenery as he saw brezaks gliding through the humid sky with their Zygerrian riders looking out for any signs of escaping slaves.
His attention then shifted as he heard footsteps coming up from behind him.
Turning around he came face to face with one of the guards Fero had instructed to carry the crates inside the ship.
"The cargo is almost finished being loaded sir. Just the Spice crates and the slaves remain." he reported gesturing to the three red crates and large black crate.
"Good work Dar'En. We have just finished concluding our discussion of future business with each other."
"Then I should get my ship prepared for takeoff. Pleasure doing business with you." Jaune smiled extending his hand for a handshake which Fero took.
"Until we meet again my friend." Fero said as he let go of Jaune's hand and began to make his way back to his ship.
Jaune too began to make his way back to his ship, smiling as Arf had completed his mission and got what he wanted from the slave ship.
Before he could reach the ramp he heard shouting coming from the other side of the landing platform.
"Ralvo what is wrong?"
"Some blasted astromech droid was docked into our nav computer!" The Zygerrian pilot now known as Ralvo yelled, "It hit me with a stun bolt before I could pull out my pistol!"
Fero's eyes narrowed.
"What model was it?"
"It was a blue and yellow R4 unit." Ravlo answered.
Fero turned toward Jaune.
"Jaune." he called out, "You wouldn't happen to own a droid like that would you?" the slaver inquired.
Jaune folded his arms.
"What makes you think I have a droid like that?"
"Because I saw a droid that my pilot described boarding your ship after coming out from behind the remaining crates." he growled.
"Now tell me why did you have your astromech board my ship and plug into its nav computer?! Are you really willing to through away your life just for the little skugs!"
"So much for a prosperous friendship." Jaune grumbled as stared the slaver in the eye.
"Did you really think I was interested in smuggling slaves?"
Fero's look shifted to fury as Jaune sensed his rage begin to rise.
"Listen here you kriffing deal breaker. You are going to bring those slaves to Sangria or else you're dead."
This time Jaune felt his anger bubbling up.
"I am not bringing her slaves. And I'm not a deal-breaker that slimy sack of garbage is for trying to have me smuggle her slaves despite us having a deal that I wouldn't." Jaune yelled as Fero glared at him with his anger-filled gold eyes and bared his teeth.
"Then you leave me no choice. Kill this backstabbing piece of scum!" Fero roared to his men as he drew out his own blaster pistol and aimed it at Jaune.
The guards immediately raised their weapons as a barrage of yellow blaster bolts came out of the barrels. Jaune immediately dived toward cover behind the Spice crates as he unholstered his A-180 pistols and returned fire with his own red laser bolts killing one of the guards instantly.
The guards seeing this began to spread out and hid behind their own cover from his attack. One guard peeked out of his spot only to get hit by Oum who had joined him behind the crates with his E-5 blaster aimed at the enemy.
"Well, this could've gone better." Oum remarked as he fired more shots at the Zygerrians who ducked back behind cover.
"Not now Oum we still need to free the slaves and get them on board." Jaune grunted as he took out another guard.
The firefight lasted another minute as both Jaune and Oum struggled to hold back their attackers.
Seeing that they were getting nowhere Jaune came up with an idea.
"Oum stay here and keep me covered. I'm gonna draw their fire by running over to the next crate." He told the droid as he pointed to another Spice crate nearby.
"Ready."
"Roger, roger."
"Go!"
Jaune sprinted to the next box as he gunned down another guard, while Oum took another one out.
Jaune tapped the control pad to the box on his side as the box started to hover. Another button pressed opened the top.
Jaune took a deep calming breath as he extended his hand and used the Force to push the crate towards the remaining guards creating a spicy red-orange mist around them.
The Zygerrians roared in pain as the Spice hit them, burning their eyes, nose, and mouth as they inhaled the powdered drug.
Seeing that his enemies were dealt with Jaune ran toward the black crate and opened it up seeing the children huddle with each other once again as they heard the sounds of a gunfight happening outside their container.
"Come with me and we'll bring you guys back home!" Jaune yelled, as the children slowly began making their way out one by one.
"Come on, we don't have enough time. Get on the ship!" He shouted pointing at his YT-2000. The children ran for their lives running toward his ship and up the ramp where Oum covered their escape.
However, one child remained in the crate cowering in the corner as she looked at him.
It was the same blonde girl with blue eyes that made eye contact with him before, undoubtedly debating whether or not he should be trusted.
"Kid! Come on before more of them get here!" Jaune ordered but the girl remained where she was shivering with anxiety.
"Listen to me!" Jaune shouted as he made eye contact with her again, "You have my word that I'll bring you home to your family and I never go back on my word!"
The girl seemed to believe him as she began making her way out to him but fell down screaming as her shock collar activated.
Jaune looked back and saw Fero with a murderous look in his eyes holding the controller for the collar with his finger pressing the button shocking her and the other slaves nearby.
He went into action as he rushed toward Fero and fired two bolts at Fero with one shouting the control out of his hands and the other hitting his shoulder and sending him on his back.
"You will pay for your treachery Jaune!" Fero screamed as he placed a hand where he was shot while Jaune approached him, "Sangria will not be pleased with your actions this day and won't rest until you are dead!"
Jaune was now in front of the downed feline alien and knelt down.
"You can tell that gasbag to go Hell." He said as he grabbed some of the Spice that had collected on the platform.
"And another thing may Spice salt your wound!" he spat out as he shoved the fistful of Spice he had onto Fero's fresh blast wound and screamed in pain as the drug burned his damaged skin.
Jaune wiped away whatever remains were left on the fallen Zygerrian and ran back to the fallen girl who was slowly getting back up.
"Hold it right there!" Another voice yelled as a team of five men wearing white plastoid armor with black gaps in between the various armor pieces to allow for quick movement and each held an E-11 blaster rifle. These men were Imperial Stormtroopers.
Jaune immediately turned his weapons towards them and began firing as the squad split up before any could get hit and fired their own red energy bolts at him.
Seeing that he was out-matched, Jaune ran toward the container, put one of his blasters away, grabbed the girl, and booked it toward the ramp subtly using the Force to increase his speed as ran toward the entrance to his ship.
A series of blasts nearly hitting him made him skid to a halt.
"Kriffing Stormtroopers!" Jaune thought as he hid behind the crate while Oum was forced to go hide behind the ramp entrance corner to not get hit.
Jaune peeked out from behind his cover as he used his other pistol to shoot one of the advancing troopers.
"Call for backup!" He heard a trooper with a yellow pauldron call out as Jaune was forced to make a difficult decision here and now.
Should he try running up the ramp again and risk getting him or the girl shot?
Should he try holding the troops off and risk reinforcements arriving in time and stopping him?
Or...
Should he use his Force abilities and risk exposing himself to the Empire?
…
…
…all he could hear right now was the pounding of his heart against his chest as he started to feel cornered.
…
…
…
…
...
A few more seconds passed before he finally came to a decision. Taking a deep breath Jaune knew that there was no turning back from this moment. l as he stood up to face the oncoming stormtroopers.
Extending his hand forward he called upon the Force to send the troops flying backward as they yelled in surprise at the sudden feeling of flight before they crashed onto the ground.
With the stormtroopers dealt with Jaune raced up the ramp as Oum pressed a button as the ramp came up and closed.
"Where are the children?"Jaune asked as he started to run down the hallway toward the cockpit.
"I placed them in the medbay and Arf informed Sila about our situation." The droid responded.
"Alright then. Get ready to get us out of here. I'll join you when the girl is with the others." Jaune ordered as the pilot droid rushed toward the cockpit while Jaune stopped by the medbay with the girl in tow.
Jaune saw the children sitting on whatever soft surface they could find as the floating medical droid began examining them while they continued to stay close.
"Sila here's the last one. Make sure they're alright!"
The grey and yellow medic droid turned her violet eyes on him.
"I'll see what I can do." She replied as Jaune left and went toward the cockpit where Oum was already getting the ship ready for takeoff.
Jaune took his seat and joined Oum in getting the ship off the planet.
Slowly the ship began to hover in midair as the landing feet returned into the ship and began to move away from the platform leaving Fero, his men, and the stormtroopers behind.
To say that Fero D'Nar was furious would be an understatement.
Not only did he have Spice smothered in his newly acquired blaster wound, but the rest of his premium Spice shipment was ruined from that blonde son of a bantha during his escape. And for what? Those little skugs they had that were supposed to go to Sangria!?
To make his situation worse the bastard now had access to a secret hyperspace route his family had discovered during the time of the Zygerrian Slave Empire that cut through Wild Space and the Unknown Regions and had taken measures to ensure it was a family secret not only to help boost their profits but to make sure no Jedi discovered the planet they were taking others from.
And now it was in the hands of some kriffing double-crossing skug lover before he had a chance to erase them from his ship's records.
But the absolute worst part of his current situation was that the kid appeared to be a Jedi judging from how he was able to escape the stormtroopers by extending his hand and sending them backward.
He felt a myriad of emotions from anger over having been betrayed by someone Sangria trusted, shock over seeing the kid use the Force like a Jedi to escape, and shame over letting his family's most well kept secret fall into the hands of another especially that of a Jedi, who was supposed to be dead years ago.
Fero gave one last glare at the escaping ship as the troopers that were knocked down began to rise, wondering what happened.
Upon seeing him they approached him with binders out.
"You're coming with us." the captain said as Fero felt himself get lifted up cuffed as the other troopers went toward his other downed men.
"You have a lot of explaining to do." The captain continued as he dragged him away.
"Contact Admiral Grakkus and tell him we have a Corellian YT-2000 attempting to leave the planet. Be sure to tell him one of the crew may be a Jedi." The captain ordered as his underlings nodded and carried out his command and immediately began contacting the Oppressor as it connected.
"This is Admiral Grakkus of the Oppressor. What is the nature of this call?" asked an annoyed, yet strict Coruscant accented voice over the line.
"This is Captain Alder Scarr of the Imperial Army stationed here on Scalvos. We heard blaster fire coming from the nearby landing platforms. Seems like a slave and Spice deal gone wrong judging from the looks of it." The captain said in his helmet's synthesized voice.
"The other party got into their ship and are making their way to the atmosphere. We need you to cut them off and bring them in for questioning."
Captain Scarr could hear the Admiral roll his eyes in annoyance.
"Very well. A squadron of TIE fighters will be dispatched and the tractor beam will be prepared. What model is the ship?
"A Corellian YT-2000, sir. Also, be warned that one of the crewmen may be a suspected Jedi."
"...I see very well. We will make sure these smugglers do not have a chance to escape and that supposed Jedi faces Imperial justice!" Grakkus declared as the line between the two ended.
The Shining Arch soared above the clouds as it entered the atmosphere of the planet and slowly began to rise past the other layers until the deep blue color of Zygerria's sky turned into a pitch-black void with white lights dotting the horizon with the only man-made structure being the large Imperial Star Destroyer guarding the planet.
"Let's go into light speed before those Imps have a chance to catch up with us." Jaune said as he fiddled with the controls searching for a planet, he could jump to that would little to no Imperial influence.
"Uh, Captain they seem to already have caught up." Oum said alerting Jaune as he saw five dots headed his way.
"Oh, come on. Oum take over and plot a course for Florrum or some other nearby planet or moon! Arf try jamming their comms! I'll make sure those TIEs don't blow us up!" Jaune commanded as he got up from his chair and ran towards the ship's turret well ladder and climbed up until he reached the top turret.
He quickly slid into the chair and strapped himself in and grabbed onto the turret handles. The turret moved from the slightest touch from Jaune's monuments bringing it around so that the twin laser cannon was aimed at the oncoming pack of TIEs.
A series of green blaster bolts struck the ship slowly rocking a bit as the shields protected them from causing any major damage.
Jaune retaliated by opening fire on the pack of TIEs as he aimed toward them with his red cannon bolts managing to catch one of them causing the fighter to spin out and blow up.
The remaining four fighters began to form up as they went for another attack run, but Jaune opened fire on them before they had a chance to do so forcing them to split up to avoid getting hit.
One TIE fighter got in close to his ship as he began opening fire on it, but the shields held strong due to his ship's incredibly strong shield generators.
"Sir, our shields are down to 95%!" Oum announced over the comms.
"Trying to take them out as fast as I can Oum!" Jaune yelled back as he opened fire again at the strafing fighters this time clipping the wing of one fighter and caused smoke to billow out from the wing as the starfighter began to shake slightly.
Another barrage of green struck the ship causing it to sway slightly before correcting itself to its original position.
"Arf think you can access the lower turret and help me out?" Jaune asked as he blasted a TIE and watched it turn into a fireball. The R4 unit beeped in agreement as he plugged into the ship's controls and got access to the bottom turret.
The lower turret began to open fire on the remaining three TIE's causing them to scatter again before they could get hit. Unfortunately for one Arf managed to hit it right in the middle of its wing setting it on fire as the fighter then blew up a few seconds later.
Arf cheered at seeing the remains of the fighter get sent in every direction by the gravity of space.
"Great work Arf! Don't get cocky. Looks like more are on the way!" Jaune reminded the droid as another squad of five TIE fighters joined the fray unleashing a hail of cannon fire on the ship.
"SIr shields have dropped to 85% percent!" Oum warned over the intercom, "It also appears they may be trying to pull us in with their tractor beam!"
Jaune groaned having a gut feeling telling him why they wanted to capture them alive.
"I made my choice. It was either us getting shot, caught, or expose myself and give us a chance to escape." Jaune reminded himself as he blasted another TIE coming at them.
"Are we about ready to jump into hyperspace?"
"Almost sir. Once done we'll be headed to Florrum." the droid reported, as he also opened fire on any TIEs in his line of sight using the front-mounted laser cannons.
Jaune turned his attention back to the oncoming TIEs as he began blasting away at them again this time hitting one of them in a way that it ended up crashing into a second TIE that was close by.
"Sir the Star Destroyer's cannons are locking onto us!" Oum panicked as the behemoth of a ship's turbolaser cannons began to move to intercept them.
"Oum focus on dodging the fire from that ship!" Jaune shouted as he and Arf took out two other fighters as their ship drew closer and closer and a barrage of green cannon fire was fired their way.
Admiral Onyx Grakkus was a well-built man with sleek black hair, a standard dark grey Imperial uniform, and a strict air of authority and ferocity about him that made his underlings fear him.
An authority which was being challenged by this supposed Jedi smuggler he had let pass by earlier and who was currently making a mockery by taking out his fighters.
But not anymore.
"Prepare the starboard cannons and prepare the tractor beam. Use medium power settings. I want this Jedi captured alive!" Grakkus barked toward his officers who immediately went to work making sure everything was ready for the capture of the Jedi as the gunmen began firing at the ship.
"With this, I'll be a legend throughout the Empire. Perhaps even be awarded high honors by the emperor himself." Grakkus thought to himself as he imagined the ceremony on his homeworld of Coruscant.
A dream that was rudely interrupted by the appearance of Officer Paris Ratcliffe, a young officer that preferred to follow protocol rather than obey his commands to the letter.
"What is it, Officer Ratcliffe?" Grakkus growled as he turned to face the young black-haired officer.
"The ship is attempting to power up its hyperdrive. We need to fire the tractor beam at the right moment to catch it and reel it in otherwise we will have lost them."
Grakkus turned to face him. A look of annoyance present on his square bearded face.
"Of course, I know that. I didn't become an admiral of the Imperial Navy through family connections and wealth, but actual talent and skill. Traits you do not have." Grakkus said insulting the aspiring officer who had a flash of hurt in his eyes which turned to hatred.
"Very well, sir. I apologize for bothering you." Paris replied in a cold voice that masked his anger as he turned and left to return to his station.
Grakkus turned his attention to a nearby screen that displayed the skirmish the Jedi smuggler and his fighters were in.
"All cannons open fire!"
And the onslaught of cannon bolts was initiated.
Despite the Shining Arch being a bulky YT-2000 Corellian model it was still designed to be maneuverable as it dodged the many bombardment of green cannon fire with ease as Oum performed every evasive action he had programmed in his head to dodge them, from old Separatist war tactics to new riskier stunts from being Jaune's co-pilot.
The Arch served from left to right as Jaune and Arf did everything they could to get the TIE fighters off their backs.
He checked the hyperdrive to see how much and was elated to see that it was ready to go. With the coordinates to Florrum locked in, they were ready to leave.
Another TIE was blown up as Jaune heard Oum's voice over the comms again.
"Sir, the hyperdrive is ready. But we'll be cutting it close with the tractor beam getting ready to capture us."
"Alright. Just get us out of here!"
"Roger, roger."
Oum flipped the hyperdrive lever and the blackness of regular space was once more replaced by the glimmering blue of hyperspace.
Seeing that they were safe now Jaune let out a sigh of relief happy to know that he wouldn't be captured today.
"Good work guys." Jaune said as both droids gave thanks to him for complimenting their skills.
"I'm gonna check up on the kids. I'll be with you guys soon." Jaune said as he unbuckled himself from the turret's seat and descended the latter until he was back on the deck.
He walked through the hallway until he was outside the medbay room and walked in to see the kids still huddled together as SIla attempted to comfort them.
"It's okay now." She said in her soothing voice, "We're going to be okay. You don't have to worry about getting hurt here. Please let me help you."
Her pleas to help them fell on deaf ears as the children just seemed to huddle closer to each other and away from Sila.
"What's going on here?" Jaune asked as Sila turned towards him.
"Jaune the children are terrified. They're not letting me treat their wounds before they get infected." worried Sila as she took a glance at them.
Jaune thought for a moment.
"I'll try to connect with them. I went through the same thing at their age." Jaune said as Sila nodded.
Now that Jaune and the others were no longer in danger of being captured or killed he could get a closer look at the kids they saved. There were five kids in all. Three boys and two girls with different colored hair and eyes. Two of which seemed to stick out more than the others due to the fact that one of them had what appeared to be wolf ears on his head while another girl had a cat's tail.
How curious. Jaune must have seen many various alien species over his travels and never once had he come across or heard of humans that were born with animal traits like extra ears and tails. There were of course near-humans who could fall into that category, but these two didn't appear to be like them at all. Other than the animal parts they seemed to be regular human children.
Jaune slowly approached and knelt down until he was at eye level with them, while they flinched and clustered together even more.
"It's okay guys, you're safe now. The mean monster isn't going to hurt you anymore." Jaune said in a kind, comforting manner.
"I promise that you won't get hurt here. Sila just wants to help heal you." he continued, gesturing to the floating droid behind him who nodded her head in agreement.
"I know what it's like. I've been hurt by the same people who have hurt you. But I'm not like them. I want to help you get back home to the people who love you." Jaune finished as he looked at them with pleading empathetic eyes as he sensed their anxiety and fear slowly draining away bit by bit.
"D-Do you r-really m-mean t-that?" asked a trembling female voice. The blonde girl who Jaune had carried slowly stepped forward with her small body shaking.
"I promise on my life that I will not hurt you, but heal you and bring you back home to your families." Jaune vowed.
"W-What if we don't believe you?" the blonde girl asked, still shivering.
Jaune slowly took off his brown jacket and offered it to the girl who reluctantly took it and wrapped herself in it.
"Kid, when I make a promise I never go back on it. I always keep my word. My name's Jaune. What's yours?" he asked, giving them a warm and welcoming smile.
"I-It's I-Iris." she stuttered.
"I-Iris Arc."
AN: And scene. With this, I finally have chapter three finished. I hope you all enjoy it. Seems like Sangria tried to have Jaune smuggle her some new slaves Fero recently got from somewhere. And who is this Iris Arc? Tune in next time to find out!
Remember to vote for whether I should do a rewrite for Mortal Kombat RWBY: Grimm Threat story about whether it should take place earlier in Volume 2 or if I should continue how it currently is. The end date for the poll is January 1st at midnight!
Also, look forward to the next RWBY crossover story I have planned. Once I have the first chapter done, I'll release it. I'll also be taking a class during January so keep that in mind.
Rest in Peace Jeremy. You deserve it.
That's all I have to say. I hope you all had a great Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and hopefully have an even better New Years.
May the Force be with you always.