Chapter 1: Passage
January 6.
Accompanied by Thrawn and Kimby exposing the various functions of the control terminals in the room, Iulius strolled in the huge room of the Office of Space Traffic, the control center for the nascent and still small Carunoan orbital navy.
"I'm honestly amazed how your people adopted imperial technology so quickly, General." Thrawn complimented.
"We owe our existence to the Empire, Grand Admiral. We wanted to show that we can contribute to it." Kimby stated.
"I'm sure you will do it soon enough." Iulius reassured.
And as if on cue, Yagler entered the room, referring to the Lord-Protector. "Lord Tanis, the Committee is ready to receive you."
"Let's not waste any time, then." he declared marching out of the room.
Followed by the group of officers, Iulius headed straight toward the conference room where the Committee of Defense of the Carunoan State was waiting for him. It was composed of the President, one Tuglas Cromton, and a total of 16 members. Iulius noted with a bit of surprise that half of them were women.
The carunoan people had come out decimated out of the war with the Yavzakh. In particular the female population was now 40% of the survivors, but these humans could not afford to keep them in a 'stay home' condition as they did before the catastrophe nor put them into dangerous works, as they were needed for repopulating. In the last year and a half, women had taken up many bureaucratic and government positions, freeing up many men for service in the armed forces or in mining and farming.
After politely greeting the President and the people of the Committee, Iulius took position at the opposite end of the rectangular table, which was in front of President Cromton and Kimby. Behind the Lord-Protector stood a holo-feed where he was going to show images recently sent by the Inferno and from Moff Gideon.
With Thrawn calmly standing at his side and Yagler ready to operated the feed, Iulius started talking.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. In the last year and a half you enjoyed a period of peace that neither of you probably would have hoped for. The destruction of the Yavzakh has been a great victory not just for you, but for all galactic civilization. However, a new threat is manifesting itself in the dark reaches of Wild Space."
He nodded to Yagler, who touched her datapad, making the lights in the room go out and the holo-feed light up.
The image of what seemed to be an empty colonial settlement appeared.
"These images have been taken by a squad of imperial special forces, the Inferno Squad, on the planet of Parshoone, a planet at the edge of the galactic hyperspace routes and only inhabited by scattered communities. Three of said communities have recently disappeared without leaving any trace. However, our soldiers found a hint."
Yagler touched the pad again and the image changed into showing what seemed to be a small insect into the palm of a gloved hand, specifically the one of Agent Meeko, who took the picture with his helmet-cam.
Once the Committee realized what that was, they were clearly taken aback by bad memories.
"Isn't that one of the Cuspids?" a woman asked.
"Not quite." Kimby said. "The Cuspids here moved on the ground, that one has wings."
"Precisely, General." Iulius replied. "We believe these might be an updated version of the vectors used by the Yavzakhs to spread the virus they used to turn your people into them."
"Or better said: the masters of your old enemy updated it." Thrawn commented with his glacial tone.
"Right. You said that the Yavzakhs were puppets of somebody else." one of the men said. "But we still got no proof. What if the Yavzakhs were just those small insects? Parasites able to rapidly evolve?"
"Because this isn't the first time they show up." Thrawn stated. "My species, the Chiss, already met their puppeteers. A species capable of bending the minds and control other species on a scale that sounds impossible to those who haven't seen it. Trust me, sir, that the Yavzakhs were just an instrument. These new attacks on this side of the galaxy are most likely being carried out by another one of their assets."
The calm and secure tone of Thrawn seemed to convince everybody in the room of his version. Perhaps his blue skin, his stature (he was even taller than Iulius, who himself was a bit taller than the average carunoan) and his red eyes also contributed to give him an aura of authority.
Aside from Qathora, who they knew as Iulius' personal servant, the Carunoans had no idea that an alien held such a high position in the Empire. They knew that the nation was centered around Humans, even though Iulius was working to change that. They understood that Thrawn must have been an extraordinary individual, if he had been promoted to the rank he was holding.
With that said, Iulius spoke again.
"President, the imperial forces are already spread thin all along the galaxy fighting the war against the traitorous rebels and their allies, so I ask the help of the Carunoan people to investigate this threat."
"We owe you everything, Lixoriom. We will do everything in our power to help you." Cromton answered solemnly.
"Thank you." Iulius said with regard. Then started explaining his plan. "For now, I will leave Governor Pryce here on Carunoia. Her experience with resource management and imperial politics will help you receive more resources to build up your navy. I will send you some advisors out with your scouting parties, considering your people is new to space travel. You will report to Pryce for everything you find so that she can relay me the intel. If you happen to meet these new aliens, be on high alert and don't attack unless you're forced to. We need them to think that they're still in control, for now. Any question?"
The President answered to that. "Yes, I'm not sure our budget can cover both the expansion of the fleet and our share of the Dark Trooper Project, Lord Tanis. We can only focus on one."
"The Emperor already granted me additional funding, so you focus on building up your forces. I will make sure that the project will be covered."
"Lord Tanis," a man of the Committee said. "if these new aliens decide to focus against Carunoia, then are we sure that we can defend against them?"
"There are certainties." Iulius replied sincerely. "But if they are going with silent kidnappings and stealth attacks, is probably and indication that they don't feel ready for open war, and Carunoia is defended by two Star Destroyers and defense stations. They won't attack very soon, so the best defense is to find and destroy them before they become too powerful."
Nobody else spoke again.
"Then we'll see each other in the future, my friends. Thank you for your time." Iulius thanked before the men and women of the Committee rose from their chairs and started packing their papers.
After quickly saying goodbye to the President, Iulius and his two companions left the room and started walking toward the exit.
"So what kind of advisors you had in mind?" Yagler asked. "Should I contact Coruscant?"
"No need, Yagler. The advisors are already on this planet. Let's go make a visit."
January 6.
"They've been in there for a while, now." Luke commented to Cal, Ahsoka and Ezra as they all waited outside of the kyber cave.
"Relax, Luke. You took quite a while yourself in that temple." Ezra reassured him.
And indeed, just a couple minutes later, the entire group of teens came out running from the cave, all excited and everyone holding a crystal each.
"Look, we did it!" Sellion exclaimed.
The older Jedi smiled. "Yes, you did." then took a more solemn tone. "Sellion, Lissia, Kubari, Chuvi, Newak, Nost, Roxot and Jaden. You underwent your trial of spirit in that cave and passed it. You are now Jedi Padawan in full. Time for you to forge your lightsabers."
The teens couldn't hold back a cheer of triumph, then they all mounted on the Silver Bullet with the other Force-users and the entire group flew back toward the new Academy. The young Padawans were assigned to Cal, who had acquired the most experience in forging and modifying lightsabers out of everyone else during the last years, so Ezra could take a look around.
Right now, the rest of the students was receiving basic medical training from Mira, allowing the other instructors to prepare the next lessons. Zeb would take care later of hand-to-hand combat training, while Sabine had been assigned to teach in the workshop, where the younglings would learn how to craft items, weapons and armors whenever they needed it far from their base of operation. The last lesson of the day, before everybody was picked up by the shuttle, would be handled by Yoda.
While he contemplated all this, he suddenly spotted two faces that he didn't know had arrived and called them out.
"Rex? Kallus?"
The two, who were talking with Zeb and Sabine, turned around.
"General." the old clone greeted in a friendly tone. "Glad to see this whole Jedi school is doing great."
Ezra approached them. "Did you just arrive? Where is my father?"
"Right here." the voice of Jordan came from his side.
The young man saw his father and Jaral walking toward him with his uniform on. He hadn't noticed that they were observing from the fence of his and Mira's house and stood up once they saw the group of Jedi return with the Padawans.
Father and son shared a heartfelt hug. "I didn't hear you were coming today." Ezra commented.
"I wanted to surprise you a little. And inform you that I won't stay here for long."
"Are you going back to the frontline already?"
"Yes and no. After the message Master Yoda sent the other day, it looks like many Jedi who survived the Purge had reached the New Republic for help. Many are in remote regions or in imperial-controlled territory and asked for help."
"So it's a rescue mission?" Kallus asked.
"Multiple, I'd say. Alliance Command assigned the Constantinople to Darvos' fleet, given our cloaking device."
"How many survivors?" Rex asked.
"Last time I heard, this morning, they were seven, but perhaps others have found the courage or the chance to call us in the meantime."
"I doubt the Sith will just let you take them." Jaral admonished. "You should bring some of us just in case Vader or some other Dark-sider shows up."
"I'm certainly not taking you." Jordan said ironically. "Master Kota seemed eager to return to the action, I'll ask him to follow, later."
"Not to mention, they can help you discern real Force-users from possible imperial spies." Ezra added.
"Uh. Didn't think about that." Jordan admitted.
"How long do you think you'll stay away?" Jaral asked.
Jordan sighed. "Who knows? I'm not just going to the frontline. Based on the circumstances and the requests for help we receive, we may not return until we finally destroy the Empire."
Jaral clearly felt those words. Ezra could sense a lingering sense of fear that something might happen to either their father or to her husband, just when she was about to enter the most delicate period of her pregnancy.
The Legionnaire clearly saw through her and went to put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently in a way that was trying to calm her. "Hey. I can't say when we will see again, but I promise you the little girl will not grow up as an orphan."
"Dad, please, don't say that." Jaral replied in a hushed tone. "You guys have your duty and I have mine. I know you will do your best to come out alive and I know what your best is. I'm fine with that."
"Good to know."
"Any news from the front, instead?" Rex asked. "I heard only scarce news, recently."
"Well, the point is that neither us nor the imperials are in a position to mount any major offensive. They lost too many ships in their botched offensive last summer, but we suffered a severe blow at Lantillies. Federal Command is not eager to attack soon unless we have a foolproof plan. I also heard that public opinion in the Milky Way is starting to get restless."
"About the war?" Kallus asked.
"About our chances of winning. Nobody actually questions the fact that, if we let the New Republic to its destiny, the Empire will sooner or later come to our galaxy. But there are those who insist that we keep boots on the ground in Andromeda and those who are calling for a total evacuation of our troops and citizens, that we close the wormhole and shut down the mass relay."
"A full retreat?" Hera asked baffled. "The Federation is considering leaving us to our fate?!"
"Calm down, Hera. The Empress will never allow it. For now this is just the opinion of a minority, but if we suffer more defeats, more people might side with them."
"So we're on the defensive." Zeb accepted.
"That may not be that bad." Jaral said. "I keep receiving news from the Senate that thousands of systems that want to join the New Republic are requesting help in dealing with bandits, pirates and armed organizations causing more chaos and destruction. The Jedi Order and the New Republic must focus on stabilizing the liberated territories."
"Well said." Ezra concurred. "We can't possibly fight a war if our new state is crumbling. We can use this break in the fight to help the needy."
"That's the spirit." Jordan said encouragingly. "The galaxy couldn't have better people to help it."
They then all returned to their businesses. Only around an hour later Cal escorted the new Padawans back into the field. Each of them holding their new lightsaber and looking very ready to start their new journey.
Ezra and Jaral went to stand in front of them and with a gesture invited them to ignite their new weapons and most important tools as Jedi.
The eight Padawans all turned on their sabers, creating a loud hissing from the weapons before they showed their blades, a mixture of green and blue. Only one of them, Kubari, revealed a yellow blade, as he had asked Cal for a tip on how to modify the color that would come out of the hilt, considering that his crystal was green like others.
After seeing their rightfully proud faces, the siblings ignited their own lightsabers.
"Welcome home, young Jedi." Ezra said happily, then the two of them lowered the sabers horizontally.
Soon enough, the Padawans joined the tip of their plasma blades together, creating this strange flower of lights as testimony of their completed passage toward the status of Padawans.
Everyone else watched with trepidation and satisfaction. It was clear to all of them that his wasn't just a rite of passage for those kids: this quick ceremony marked the actual creation of the new Jedi Order. And they were all going to work so that it could flourish and become the beacon of peace and justice in a dark universe that desperately needed both of these things.
Then they turned off their sabers, allowing Jaral to speak up.
"Congratulations, to every one of you. Now, since you have passed your first trials, it's time for you to join us on the field."
The Padawans had disposed on a line and were listening attentively, with the discipline that Jaral had transmitted them in the last month.
"There is eight of you, but not enough instructors. Therefore, I will assign more of you to one Master if necessary."
She thus turned her head toward the only Twi'lek female in the group. "Jaden, you will start your training as a Padawan by joining Ezra and Luke in their missions."
"I'm honored." the girl replied with modesty, then went in front of Ezra. While the two discussed, Jaral went on with the pairings.
"Kubari, since you two seem to go along well, I will assign you to Cal."
"Yes, Master Bridger." the teen said excitedly, then went to give a high-five to the Knight, who seemed eager to take him as well.
"Chuvi, Newak, you're going with Ahsoka." she said to a female human and the Rodian.
"Nost, Roxot, you are very skilled in combat, so you will follow Master Kota."
The old Master nodded, as did the Kel-Dor and the other human male. "It is an honor, Master." Nost said.
The only two left were the oldest two.
"Sellion, Lissia. You two have proven the most promising students. For the moment, I will keep on training you here at the Academy, but for missions I think you can handle yourselves until I'm in condition to return. In the meantime, you'll fly with the Ghost."
The human and the Tolothian smiled and rose their chests. "We will not fail you, Master." Lissia declared.
Jaral smiled back, and with the ceremony closed, it was time for the new teachers to resume the lessons right away.
January 12.
As Jane walked toward Bay D24, she was engulfed by a mix of high expectations and a sense of nostalgia. And apparently she wasn't the only one, because there was quite the crowd of curious Citadel residents who had gathered there to get a glimpse of the legend herself.
Shepard had to push a bit to make way toward the main access door and the walkway where it finally appeared.
Behind the observation glass, Jane saw the INS Normandy. Externally, she looked exactly like she remembered her from her childhood, when John was in command of her.
"She's as beautiful as the day I left her." the voice of her father sighed from her side.
Jane turned around, spotting him and three special persons: Benedetta, James Vega and Esteban Cortez. The latter two members of the Imperial Guard and former crew of the Normandy themselves.
"Indeed." the Colonel agreed.
"I'm a bit jealous that somebody else will pilot the shuttles." Cortez commented ironically.
"I know, but it's time we leave the youth to it." James replied in tone.
"Jane, I hope you're aware that you carry quite the legacy with you." the Empress said in a calming tone.
"I am, my Lady." the woman replied, ready to accept the responsibility wholly. "I promise, before you decide to scrap her or turn her into a museum, the Normandy will bask in victory one last time."
"Come on, she might be old, but she was pure vanguard 40 years ago." John commented. "The techs only needed to update her a little."
"That's correct, my friends." Benedetta said. "The technology used for the Constantinople-class is mostly derived from the Normandy. It wasn't that difficult to replace the old pieces. Now you don't have to worry about fuel and the cloaking device can hide you from the eye as well."
"Perfect for my assignment, then."
After saying that, Jane turned toward her father. He looked at her with a mix of pride and perhaps a bit of apprehension, knowing that this time she was going to be away for much longer than usual. But this was the will of the Empress, and Jane, as a soldier, had the duty to go.
The Shepards hugged each other. Jane also patted John on the back to reassure him that she was going to come back.
Once they were done, another familiar voice barged in. "Ready to fly again, Captain?"
The group turned to the direction of the voice and spotted a blonde man in red armor walking toward them.
That was Major Wilhelm von Clausewitz. Descendant of an honored military family that had also served the Federation for centuries. A biotic specialist, an 'Adept' by Alliance designation, expert in field tactics and strategy. Ex-husband of Jane and father of Scott and Sara.
"Major." Jane greeted cordially and they looked at each other like good friends.
Wilhelm then turned toward the Empress and arched his torso forward. "Your Majesty." he greeted.
"Major. Is the ship set?"
"All crew is accounted for and systems are all green. We're just waiting for the chief and for your word, my Lady."
"Very well. Are you ready, Captain Shepard?"
Jane nodded and stepped away from her father. Wearing her lightly reinforced uniform, she stood at attention. "Ready on your order, ma'am."
"Go then. Know that I appreciate that you accepted this task. This might be a singular opportunity."
"If you believe it might end the war, my Lady, then I will go to an even further galaxy." Jane stated sternly.
Benedetta slightly nodded. "Thank you. Then I wish you all good fortune and a clear path to success."
Jane and Wilhelm both made the salute and finally entered the access tube leading to the main hatch of the Normandy. They were welcomed by Scott and Sara on the bridge and the crew also took a moment to greet their new commander. Jane decided to start with a quick tour of the ship. But truly, the only thing that had changed was the size of the engine core. The rest was equal to how she remembered it from her childhood, after the Reaper War, when John navigated the newly unified galaxy to solve problems as Spectre.
Liara had retook her old cabin. She was still the Shadow Broker, after all, and she wanted to expand her network into Andromeda. Garrus had been assigned as weapon officer, of course, just as Tali was now Chief engineer and Javik still had his room on Deck 4.
But one major difference was the multi-ethnic nature of the crew. When John became the captain of the ship, many frowned at him taking aboard aliens, but now all of those species were fully integrated citizens of the Imperial Federation, and so there were now Turian marines guarding the strategic room just as there were Humans, Batarians and even a young Drell. The operators and engineers were also of many species, though Humans were still the most represented group on board.
But the biggest surprise that Jane wasn't expecting was at the end. When she reached the cockpit to meet the new pilot. At first he looked like a Human, but then he stood up from his chair and showed himself. Indeed most of the body was identical to a Human, but the skin was a mix between light gray and pink, and most importantly he had a set of short horns in place of the hair.
"Captain." he greeted.
"Hi. Uhm...sorry, I don't think I ever saw your species." she said with an apologizing tone.
"That would be difficult considering you were always in the Terminus, ma'am. Lieutenant Mazak, I'm a Zabrak. I was among the first wave of refugees who left Andromeda and came here almost three years ago."
"Oh." Jane huffed. "That explains a lot. But I thought we started recruiting you people only recently, how are you the pilot of a frigate?"
"Actually, I was already a freighter pilot in Andromeda. I flew the ship I came in this galaxy with. Then I learned more about the Systems Alliance and I decided to sign up as an auxiliary. I completed my training as helmsman last year and got the citizenship."
"Let me guess...the Empress chose you?" Jane asked finding it a bit funny.
The man nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I got the best score in my class, so Her Majesty asked me to become your pilot, mostly because I know Andromeda very well."
"Makes sense. Then I look forward working with you, Mazak." the red-haired woman concluded.
The Zabrak smiled and made the salute. "It is an honor for me, ma'am. I know how important this ship is to you. I swear I won't let you down."
Jane smiled encouragingly. "Then let's get this old lady flying, Lieutenant. EDI, set a course for the Andromeda Relay." she ordered to the mech sitting at the co-pilot's chair.
"Yes, Shepard." the machine replied. Jane could swear she heard a hint of happiness in the tone used by the AI.
Jane then reached the galaxy map. She caressed the handrail. Time and again she had dreamed of being in place of her father, but she had never actually hoped it. Now there she stood. Ready to bring the Normandy in what was probably going to be her last grand journey. She was then reminded of the very tricky task that the Empress had put on her, realizing that she still had to tell anybody about it.
Should she just stick with Wilhelm and her kids, them being their closest associates?
"This is the Captain speaking." she eventually said in the Intercom. "Everyone, I know that many of you were told that we're going to Andromeda to join the fight against the Galactic Empire, however, I feel that I need to tell you the truth.
"We're on a special mission per orders of Her Majesty herself. We are to infiltrate enemy territory and look for a high-profile officer, one that I am sure you have heard especially in the last months: Grand Admiral Iulius Tanis.
"I know it sounds weird, but our goal is not to kill him. On the contrary, we're to observe him, and favor his ascension along the imperial hierarchy while we stick to the shadows. I'm sure we will see a lot of actions on the frontline anyway, but the Empress believes that the Grand Admiral might favor a peace between the UACT and the Empire.
"It might sound absurd to you as it sounded to me at first, but I ask you to trust the judgment of the Empress like I do. We will find a way to bring peace to both our galaxies.
"Shepard, out."
She could see that the crewmen on the CIC around her had been listening attentively, and nobody budged when she was done. Everyone simply went back to work in bringing the Normandy in the air.
The frigate finally received permission to take off and left the Citadel, heading straight toward the Mass Relay beyond Pluto. EDI calculated that the trip toward the Andromeda Relay would take three hours in total.
