Chapter 4: Lost Brothers
There was a moment of lull. Both sides seemingly caught by awkwardness as they looked at the Tanis brothers simply staring at each other for too many seconds. Ezra held his grip on his lightsaber. He didn't intend to barge in as he knew very well how long the two brothers had waited for a moment like this, yet they seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they were each leading a team of soldiers that were at war.
Ezra was especially focused on the man wielding two red lightsaber on the opposite site and who was staring grimly at him with his irises that sometime showed signs of red.
"I don't like that fella." Kyle whispered referring to the Sith, or whoever was that guy supposed to be.
"Let's just stay calm." Ezra replied. "Maybe there won't be any more bloodshed, today."
In fact, a few seconds later, it was Iulius who finally broke the silence.
"What are you doing here?" he asked quite coldly.
Darvos made a defying jolt with his chin. "Saving your Lordship butt, I guess."
The Death Trooper made one of their scrambled noises and seemed about to blast that smug face out of the universe, but the Lord-Protector made a gesture and forced him to stand down.
"I hoped that becoming Colonel and getting married would make you more respectable, but I see you still come up with stupid answers." Iulius answered quite annoyed.
"I'll take being a buffoon over serving an Empire that blows up planets full of innocent people." Darvos replied with frustration.
"I assume you are here to investigate these aliens yourself?" Iulius said, ignoring the accusation.
Darvos held back his anger. If that was actually anger. Ezra could feel that the two souls were in a tumultuous state.
"Yes. Some colonies aligned with us in this region have recently disappeared. According to what we had, we anticipated this might be the next target. And if you are wondering why we decided to defend an imperial colony...well, I thought you guys simply don't care about the most remote of your dominions."
Iulius huffed amused. "Still thinking we can't change?" he quipped if with a sarcastic face.
"Still thinking you can change it?" Darvos replied.
"I prefer try bettering my civilization than serving an invader."
The tone was getting much more aggressive, with both brothers now almost touching each other's nose and staring angrily into the other's eyes.
"If I didn't need your help I would force you to eat those words back." Darvos said, surprising everybody except his brother with that phrasing.
Iulius put his back straight again and delivered his answer. "Luckily for you, I agree that right now we can't afford to be enemies."
Confused looks came across even if most of the other people spectating that conversation were wearing full helmets. For being on opposite sides, Iulius and Darvos seemed oddly on the same page. Ezra was probably the only one who could understand it.
He knew that Darvos had wanted to at least try to mend the relationship with his brother, even though they had seen each other two times in the last years: first on Mykapo, through holograms before battling as commanders of their respective sides, then on Atollon, where they pointed their blasters at each other.
Still, they expected to run into imperial forces when the Normandy signaled that two Star Destroyers and their escorts had just arrived in the system, but he himself would have never expected to run into the Lord-Protector himself.
"Listen," Iulius resumed after a brief silence. "you helped us and I promised our mother not to kill you, so you're free to leave, for all I care. However, today's events prove that we have a common enemy."
"Are you proposing a truce, brother?"
"It's clear that none of us can afford to open another front, and neither our public opinions would benefit if they are never informed about what is happening here."
"You might have the authority to ask that. But I'm just a Colonel." Darvos replied candidly with a half-grin.
"You want me to believe they haven't put you in charge of the region?" Iulius quipped back.
At this point, everybody else wasn't in a mood to keep hostilities up anymore so they all put away their weapons for good. Ezra still kept an eye on the dark-sider, who certainly returned the suspicion and clipped back his lightsabers at his belt with much reluctance.
"I'm only in charge of my Task Force, nothing more. However I can promise that we will not fire on your people, if you do the same." Darvos proposed.
Iulius pondered on that for a bit, his gaze never leaving the one of his brother. But in the end, he made a little smirk and extended a hand. "Then a truce it is."
Ezra could feel and see Darvos' heart make a small leap. The Colonel openly smiled and shook his brother's hand. Sealing this extremely fragile but necessary cooperation between their forces to counter this new threat from the unknown deeps of the galaxy.
Under his helmet, Ezra couldn't help but smile as well. At the same time, he quickly sent a message down the bond to Jaral. She clearly was delighted as well that her husband had finally had the chance for this meeting.
"We'll have to establish a way to stay in touch, to share intel on these guys." Darvos noted.
"How about we dust off the Crispy?" Iulius said with a laughing face.
"Oh, kriff yourself." Darvos replied waving a hand as if to shoo away, but in reality he was chuckling as well. "But if you still remember how to do it…"
"I never forget." Iulius simply replied. "For now, so long, Colonel."
The Lord-Protector then turned around and walked toward his men as he put his helmet back. Heading toward the landing pad of the village so he could bring down reinforcements. His men followed without question, even if they were still a bit dumbfounded.
Only the dark-sider threw another glare at the Jedi Knight before turning around. Ezra decided to not pick up the provocation before his own group started to walk away, following Darvos who was making a call.
"Tanis to Shepard. We're leaving the settlement. Got some luck with the friendly exchange?"
"Affirmative." the voice of Scott came over the comlink channel. "Javik read one of those things before it died. We will talk about it on the Normandy."
"Excellent. See you on the ship." the Colonel concluded with a jovial tone.
And as they walked toward the extraction point, where they would meet with the Kodiak, Kyle suddenly spoke to Ezra.
"General...Ezra." he said hesitantly.
"Yes, Kyle?" Ezra replied in a gentle tone, thought probably the fact that he was still wearing his armor impressed the young man a bit.
Kyle sighed. "Listen...I think I'm ready to accept your offer."
They both stopped on the side of the road. Ezra was taken aback for a moment, but promptly returned in the right state of mind. "Why the sudden change?"
"Because of what we just saw." Katarn replied with firm determination. "The few colonists we saved along the way, it was mostly because of you and your use of the Force. If this war is going to get even more twisted, then I want to learn how I can better protect the people around me."
Ezra took a moment to probe Kyle's mind, but it was the exact reflection of what his face was showing. Katarn was a Force-sensitive, the son of a Jedi dead during the Purge, and now he felt ready to take up his destiny. The Knight put a hand on Kyle's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Then welcome to the Jedi Order."
"Thanks, Ezra. If you give me permission, before we start, I have something to recover." he said as they resumed walking.
"Can I help?"
"No need. It's about my father's lightsaber. He hid it somewhere on my homeworld of Sulon. It will be easier if me and Jan move on our own in that region."
"I see. Well, you have my permission. But be careful: that is one of the most tightly controlled regions of the Empire."
"Don't worry, Master Bridger." he replied just slightly sarcastically. "I'll be in and out."
After calling the Rogue Shadow for extraction, Iulius was only now realizing what had just happened. Good thing he had the helmet on, because part of him was sure that his face was arranged in a way that would severely undermine his authority otherwise.
Darvos had been right there. He had just shaken hands with him, for Emperor's sake! He had hoped to meet with him for years and now he just did, even if the situation was far from ideal for the kind of talking he had wished for.
Part of him was also very frightened, though: those were enemies. Rebels and invaders. His duty as an imperial officer demanded he killed them on the spot, but yet he didn't even contemplate that when he understood that his brother was in front of him. No matter how much he repeated himself that he was doing the strategically sound decision, what would the Emperor say?
Heck, he was worried about what his subordinates around him were even thinking. The only one without a helmet was Starkiller, but he seemed weirdly unfazed. Sure seeing Ezra Bridger he must've had his impulses as a trained Jedi killer rush to his brain, but, at least for now, he seemed to be going along with whatever Iulius had decided. Was that because of the strict discipline that Vader likely taught him?
There was a surreal silence in the few minutes necessary for the shuttles of the Admonitor to bring down Navy troopers to secure the colony and the technical teams to start recollect corpses of the unknown aliens and try to open the pods to free the colonists. Then Iulius and his team took the Rogue Shadow and returned on the Star Destroyer.
In doing that, they passed through the remnants of the alien fleet. The corvettes and frigates had been obliterated but the cruiser seemed deactivated. Quickly tapping into the operation reports, Iulius saw that the 212th was boarding the vessel. They found resistance, but they were almost done taking the last section of the ship.
Gladly, Iulius also saw that his own fleet still had all of its major ships. Two Arquitens were bruised but still operative. The Admonitor had approached the alien cruiser in order to keep it halted with the tractor beam and send down shuttles with reinforcements and technicians. Thus, with the lower hangar heavily trafficking, Juno brought the Shadow into the port hangar, where there was enough room. Iulius removed his helmet and put it underarm as the ramp hissed open.
"Good work down there, people." he said gently but in a tone that didn't seem entirely in the moment. "Take a rest."
And walked outside, heading toward the exit of the hangar so he could return to the bridge. Halfway there, Ciena called him.
"Lord-Protector, Grand Admiral Thrawn reports that his crew has trapped and captured the enemy transport. They are proceeding to secure the colonists."
"Excellent. I'm coming up on the bridge. Raise him on the holo." Iulius replied. He would need Thrawn to take a look at the corpses of the aliens, hoping that he might recognize them.
As he entered the corridors of the Star Destroyer, a voice spoke behind him.
"Leaving enemies alive is a mistake."
He stopped and sighed. He then turned around and found Starkiller standing a few steps away and looking at him with his usual frown.
"I had my reason for doing what I did." Iulius simply replied, turning to face the dark-sider.
"You realize that you just let go one of their most important Jedi?"
"Had we started a fight, there was no telling who might have won. And I'm pretty sure they had somebody else waiting around."
"They're our enemies. And you conspired with them!" Galen's voice now became much more accusatory.
"If you think so, you're free to report this to the Emperor or Lord Vader. I am ready to answer for my actions." the Lord-Protector concluded sternly before resuming his march, leaving Marek grumbling under his breath.
He headed straight for his office, where he could lock away his armor in his own wardrobe. But when he entered he found Qathora, waiting with a face saying that she saw everything. Iulius remembered that she was the only one he allowed access to his helmet-cam, meaning that she saw what happened on the surface. And sure enough, she was aware of the conflict raging inside the Lord-Protector's mind.
"Hey. How do you feel?" she asked gently.
Iulius had just arrived in front of the wardrobe and had pressed the command to slid the door open.
"I...am not sure." he mumbled as he started removing the arm-guards. "I know that I should've tried to capture them. But in reality...I think I'm relieved, and it bothers me."
"Why though? You have wished for a long time to talk with your brother again."
Iulius let the helmet fall over the well disposed pile of clothes, together with the first pieces of the armor, then proceeded to remove the legs and he didn't answer. He couldn't answer, because his mind and his heart were still fiercely debating over the final judgment about his most recent actions.
"I don't think you did something that stupid." Qathora finally went on.
"Strategically, not trying to capture the leader of the rebel intelligence and one of their most prized Jedi, has been a negligence."
"Yeah, right. Bridger alone held his ground against Vader. Even with Marek helping how do you think a fight against him would end?"
That much was true. Sure enough, Bridger and his father, with their armors and enhanced physiques, would certainly get out of there and would make everything to save their two companions. However that justification wasn't enough for the strict Lord-Protector.
"Let's...just take a little time to think over it. For now, we have more urgent matters." he concluded.
Qathora sighed softly, but accepted the reasoning. Indeed, they still needed to figure out who were those guys kidnapping the colonists.
Iulius quickly put back his white uniform, wore the new white gloves that had been awarded from the Emperor for his victory at Lantillies. They were a very minor detail, but they made him stood out from other Grand Admirals, who wore black gloves. Those new ornaments were an acknowledgment of his rank as Lord-Protector, the first representative of the Emperor in the Mid Rim, tasked with the security of the Empire. Just to add some load onto his sense of guilt.
As soon as he finished polishing the dress, Iulius headed out, with Qathora following suit. They reached the command room on the bridge, where Ciena was waiting around the holo-table with Yagler and the holograms of both Thrawn and Palleon and they all turned toward him. They knew of what happened on the surface, but they didn't seem intent on condemning him.
"Grand Admiral. Have you met our new friends?" Iulius asked with a rigorous tone, as if nothing wrong was in the air.
Luckily, the Chiss was of the same advice. "I did. And I'm afraid I never saw them before."
That was bothersome, but it's not like Iulius expected Thrawn to know every single species lurking in the Unknown Regions. The Grand Admiral had told him that the Chiss, while being the undisputed major power in that part of the galaxy, only controlled a handful of key systems that just so happened to border the Northern Fringe.
"Okay, then. Have you found anything that might suggest us where their ship came from?"
"We secured their navicomputer and sent the data to the Admonitor. The AI should already be at work on the data."
"He is, sir." Ciena intervened. "The same did Sergeant Mickey on the alien cruiser. Nash and Steve are backtracking the route of the alien vessels."
A moment later, the door from the viewport section hissed open and revealed Nash, exactly. The Lieutenant made the salute and stood at attention. "Lord Tanis. Steve and I have found the route taken by the aliens."
"Show me." Iulius invited.
Nash thus reached the holo-table and brought up the galaxy map. "Steve, bring up the trail."
Focusing on the border between the Northern Fringe, Wild Space and the Unknown Regions, the AI started to draw a red line going from Bettok and passed through a series of systems that were connected to registered lanes but that were very neglected by the imperial military because they were considered quiet, the small alien flotilla had arrived on Battok by entering from the Utegetu Nebula.
The officers were appalled at first. Even considering the factor of using secondary lanes, they would have to cross with some major lanes, so somebody should've noticed them. Everybody on the bridge realized that.
"Somebody is going to lose their job for this." Qathora commented sarcastically.
"Indeed." Palleon said. "But was this simple negligence from our officers, or do these aliens have a way to get past our sensors?"
"Why not?" Nash asked. "Rebels often found a way to get around our defenses."
"True, Lieutenant." Iulius said calmly. "But the rebels had many deserters from our ranks who knew how to exploit our gaps in security. These aliens should not have that advantage."
"Unless they, or their masters, have been observing us for a long time." Thrawn coldly added.
Gazes turned toward the Chiss.
"What is your analysis, Grand Admiral?" Iulius calmly asked, gently leaning his chin on his right hand's knuckles
Thrawn extended his right hand and tapped his own holotable to enhance the map on the point where the trail ended. After making a few calculations on his own, he finally spoke up.
"I can't tell exactly who we're up against, but I know the name of the region where they seem to be come from."
"Have you ever been there?"
"No. It's too far from the space of the Chiss Ascendancy, but my people identifies it with a name that I'm not going to try and teach you. Perhaps we can simplify it with the name...Haeleus."
"Ok, good enough. Steve, update the map." Iulius ordered.
A moment later, the area was designated with the corresponding letters in Aurebesh.
"There is a more pressing issue than toponymy, though. Considering its location, I believe the possibility that this aliens are under the influence of the Grysks is becoming more plausible."
"I thought your own intel on the Grysks were limited, sir." Yagler said a bit confused.
"Indeed. However, for the few times that I met them, most of their attacks against the Ascendancy came from that region of the galaxy. Though it's hard to actually pinpoint where their main territory actually lies, I believe there is a fair chance that the new aliens might be another tool of the Grysks. Of course, I will wait the results from imperial scientists before assuming anything else."
Iulius stood there, observing the map for a few seconds and pondering.
That was way further than anticipated, and even if the technicians could make an accurate copy of the route, the imperial navicomputers didn't have that region in their databases.
"What are you thinking about?" Qathora asked seeing that he seemed conflicted.
"Mara can lead a single ship through those uncharted routes, but it seems too risky at the moment."
"How about we use probe droids first?" Yagler suggested.
"In which way?"
"We can use them to scout along this trail and see if they can find a system where we can establish an outpost. At the very least, it would prevent the aliens from using that route again and allow us to decide the next move."
Iulius seemed pretty convinced, but he didn't want to commit too many of his resources for a simple recon. After pondering for a few seconds, he turned his head toward his mentor.
"Thrawn, the Chimaera will take point. If we find a valid choke-point between the Utegetu Nebula and Haeleus, you will take Agent Jade, plus Captain Fel's Wing and secure the position. In the meantime, we'll focus on fortifying the Mid Rim."
Thrawn made a respectful nod. "As you command, Lord Tanis."
Iulius could hear that there was still a hint of pride in the Chiss' voice whenever he mentioned that rank. Iulius managed to do only a half-smirk before speaking to the rest of the group.
"Agent Yagler, as soon as the scientists complete the dissection of the aliens, send the results to the Director. I want every resource he can spare working on them."
"Yes, Lord Tanis."
"Dismissed."
Thrawn and Palleon disappeared. Ciena, Nash and Yagler all went back to their posts. Iulius instead reached the end of the bridge and went to stand in front of the viewport. He clasped his hands behind his back and turned his head back.
"Lieutenant Windrider, set a course for Kashyyyk."
"Yes, sir." Nash replied promptly.
Qathora stood composedly at his side. She went closer than usual, just to remind him that she hadn't forgotten their conversation and would support him whatever he chose to do.
For now, Iulius wanted to inspect one of the major worlds under his control to see if his recruitment of non-humans into the Armed Forces was being implemented. Also, the trip would be long enough for him to better think about the events of that day.
The Kodiak entered flying backward into its spot inside the hangar and the magnetic clamps secured it tightly. As the main door of the hangar closed, Jane and Wilhelm walked in front of the shuttle's door, in time to see their kids, Javik and Chief walk out along with Ezra and his squad.
"Good work down there, team." Jane complimented. "So what have you got on the enemy, Javik?"
"The thoughts on the alien I read were...very blurred. There are traces indicating that he wasn't in complete control of what he was doing, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that they are just mindless slaves."
"What sets them apart?" Wilhelm asked.
"They call themselves with a clear name: Kett. They have their language, a society. But they started this kidnappings under the influence of somebody else, though the Kett I read didn't know who these higher-standing aliens are."
"We also had Cortana analyze their weapons. Take a look." Sara invited, stepping slightly aside so that Chief could summon his AI.
The hologram of the woman-shaped construct appeared and with a snap of fingers brought up a scheme of the rifles of the Kett.
"They seem to be magnetic-based weapons, however there is an element that grants them that orange color and seems to make short works of our shields, if we are not careful. Other than that, their defensive equipment is almost non-existent, aside from their hard skin. Still, their squad leaders had some measure of personal shields or additional armor. All materials that we haven't seen in this galaxy so far, which confirms that the Kett come from the Unknown Regions."
"But why are they kidnapping all these people?" Ezra wondered. "What do they hope to accomplish?"
The Shepard twins looked at each other, then Scott turned toward Jane. "Mom, remember the stories about the Collectors? Isn't this dynamic very familiar?"
"Yes, I noticed." Jane said while thinking about what this could be. "I doubt they're using the colonists to build a Reaper, but sure enough they must use them for something."
"It might be due to my brother's previous interference with the plans of their masters." the voice of Darvos came in a neutral tone from the end of the group, which then stepped aside to let him get more in.
"These 'master aliens' were experimenting with other humans in Wild Space before Iulius killed said experiments. It would be safe to assume that they took their time to first study our galactic society and now are preparing for another phase of their plan, whatever it is."
"So should we expecting an invasion anytime soon?" Kyle asked.
"Not soon, perhaps. But it's clear that they are want to dominate other species and have the means to force some of them to act as their proxies. We need to figure out what is going on, and fast."
"Then I guess it's a good thing that you made a truce with your brother." Cortana said without giving it much thought.
Jane and Wilhelm barred their eyes. "What?! The Grand Admiral was there?!" Jane exclaimed. Of course, the Normandy's sensors had picked up the Admonitor and her escort, which actually came in quite handy, considering they removed the Kett fleet. But to think that the Grand Admiral would risk his life like that…
Darvos nodded calmly. Ezra confirmed and after explaining what had happened, the two Alliance officers didn't need much time to realize that this was quite the occasion: if they could expand the truce between the two brothers and establish some degree of alliance against the Kett, the chances of getting Thrawn, Qathora and possible accomplices to the plan of the Empress would get up by a fair margin.
They shared a quick glance of understanding, then Jane decided it was time to move.
"We should probably report this to both Her Majesty and the President. Let's regroup with the 515th."
The Colonel nodded in agreement, then added. "If you look for me, I'll be waiting in the port observatory."
Ezra looked as his brother-in-law walked away, sensing that he was conflicted, as it was inevitable. So he decided at first to reach into the Force and try to reach Jaral.
"Maybe you should go talk with him." Jordan whispered with a caring tone. He had already dematerialized his armor and Ezra noticed that he was still wearing his own, so he did the same.
"Just give me a second. I want to inform Jari, first."
Jordan accepted his son's request and so he went on his own way. Specifically he took the moment of quiet to go around and explore the Normandy, with Jane quickly noticing his interest. Ezra remembered that his father was six during the Reaper War and to him the Normandy was a legendary ship. Just as much as her Commander, Jane's own father.
While the two soldiers were quick in starting exchange a few stories, Ezra focused into the Force and finally Jaral replied.
"Hey, Ez. What's going on?" she asked jovially.
"First of all, how are you doing?"
"As good as I can be two months away from giving birth."
"Okay. Because there have been important developments."
"I'm listening."
She still had a lighthearted tone, so much that Ezra for a moment hesitated over giving her the news. But that same moment of hesitation didn't go unnoticed to his sister, so he might as well just say everything.
"We found out who is kidnapping the colonists. But most importantly...me and Darvos met Iulius face-to-face."
Ezra could clearly feel the wave of surprise and disbelief combined coming from Jaral's side of the bond. Had she drinking something, she would probably be choking on it.
"What happened?!" she asked worried. Probably fearing that they had been captured or something.
"Relax. It just so happens…"
After Ezra explained what just happened on Battok, Jaral sighed of relief and, now having a full picture of the situation, asked her brother. "How is Darvos?"
"Actually...he seemed quite relieved. But I can go talk with him, if you want."
"That would be a huge favor. Please take care of him."
"Right away...hey, how's it going at the Academy?"
"All in order, I say. The younglings learn fast. Sellion and Lissia have behaved incredibly well in their first missions. At least Hera says so."
"Wasn't expecting anything less from your own students. Speaking of students, we recently finished to gather a group of Jedi belonging to the old Order. It looks like they knew Ahsoka already."
"So I assume they are at least adults? Because we really need more of them."
"Indeed. Even better, Kyle has convinced himself to finally start learning about the Force. I believe he wants to retrieve the lightsaber of his father, but he doesn't want me to go with him."
"Well, not like you can force yourself on him. However, teach him some basic abilities. You never know when they come in handy."
"Sure thing. I'm off to see Darv. Call you later, sis."
"Thanks, lil bro. Tell him to call me if he can."
They closed the bond again and Ezra gathered his mental strength to finally take the elevator and go speaking with his friend and in-law.
