Chapter 3: The Mission Begins

Atlas Academy Landing Pads, 1st March 16 BBY, 6:45 am…

Kanan's arms were tight around Yang as he held her as close as he could; knowing these fleeting few minutes would be the last he spent holding her in what felt like forever.

Was this how Blake felt in those moments before the medics had taken Nathan away at Beacon; knowing it might be the last she ever saw of him?

Speaking of Blake, she was stood nearby, waiting for Yang and Kanan to finish saying goodbye so that she herself could do the same.

"I'll call you every night." Kanan vowed, making a mental note to call Yang the moment he and Blake were able to upon landing in Menagerie.

"I know." Yang said, before momentarily breaking from Kanan so that she could pull Blake into their little group hug as well. "Just… be safe, you two. Aside from Ruby, Weiss and Nathan… you're the most important people in my life."

"You too, Yang." Kanan said softly, stepping back to look into Yang's eyes.

The sun had just began to rise, bathing Yang in its beautiful golden light.

This somehow made Yang even more beautiful, and Kanan couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

Stepping away from Blake, Kanan pulled Yang into a passionate kiss, putting as much love into it as he could muster; knowing it would be the last time he kissed Yang for a while.

Pulling Kanan closer, Yang returned the kiss, pouring every ounce of her love for him into the kiss.

Upon breaking it, Yang said: "I love you, Kanan Belladonna Khan. So much."

"I love you too, Yang Xiao Long." Kanan replied. "Safe travels."

The two lovers stared at one another for what felt like an eternity, until Kanan dragged himself away from Yang and towards his ship, spotting Ghost handing Blake an envelope. Recalling the previous evening, Kanan soon had a feeling who had written to Blake.

Blake's eyes met Kanan's, and the smile crossing her face told him the whole story.

Both climbed into their ship and sat down, with Kanan pounding the bulkhead of the craft to indicate that it was time to lift off. And lift off they did, heading straight for Menagerie. To the White Fang. To their parents. To their home.

With Ghost, Ruby, Yang, and JNNPR's ship…

"Was that an envelope you just gave Blake?"

Ghost looked to see Pyrrha sat across from him, eyeing him quizzically. Nodding, Ghost replied: "It was from Nathan. Jason asked me to give it to her before she left."

Pyrrha nodded. "Did… Was there one for me?" She asked.

Ghost smirked and handed her one such letter.

The smile that cut across Pyrrha's face as she read Nathan's handwriting on the envelope made Ghost smile as well; a sentiment shared by Jaune, Nora and Ren as they gathered around Pyrrha, gazing down at the paper.

Taking a deep breath, Ghost said: "Before you read that; listen up, everyone!"

Everyone's eyes fell on Ghost as he looked around, meeting their gazes.

"The plan is for us to land on the outskirts of Higanbana; a prominent town in Mistral with a popular inn. We have someone Jason wants us to meet with there, since they'll be joining us on the journey to Haven."

"Who is it?" Jaune asked.

"No idea. Jason's only told me that it's someone we know from our travels across the galaxy searching for Nathan." Ghost replied. "We'll meet them in Higanbana, then traverse the rest of the way to Haven on foot; to better avoid Imperial detection. Everyone clear on that?"

Everyone nodded with various phrases of affirmation, except one.

Ghost noticed Ruby looking a little down, and leaned over, asking: "Everything okay, Ruby?"

Ruby perked up, then sighed. "Sorry. It's just… We'll be gone from Atlas for a while, and… and I've not seen Weiss since we got here to Atlas."

Ghost nodded sympathetically. He was well aware that Ruby and Weiss were a couple, and were very, very close. He could only imagine how badly Ruby missed Weiss. "I can't help you see her again; but I can only imagine that Weiss misses you equally as badly. And trust me when I say that Weiss' father has a fight on his hands if he even thinks that Weiss will willingly marry someone that isn't you. Wouldn't surprise me if Weiss hasn't already made attempts to escape. She's certainly smart enough to plan an escape."

Ruby smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I just wish I was there to help her."

"You are helping though, Ruby." Ghost said assuringly. "You're helping by being in Weiss' thoughts. The thought of you is probably the only thing keeping Weiss going right now."

Ruby's smile widened. "Thanks, Ghost." She replied, her mood improved.

A nearby balcony…

Nathan's scowl deepened with every second as the ships carrying his closest friends, and his girlfriend, grew more and more distant until they were specks.

Safe travels, guys, he thought to himself. Even if I should be on one of those fucking ships. Preferably with Blake, holding her close.

He hoped that in that moment, Blake was either reading his letter, or was about to; the same with Pyrrha.

Sighing sadly, Nathan leaned forward, taking in the early morning breeze. That was one of the only other things he enjoyed about Atlas: the early mornings.

"There they go…" A voice said.

Nathan turned to see Jason had joined him. Scowling again, Nathan looked back out towards the ships, seeing he no longer could see them. "I should be on one of those fucking ships, Jason. Preferably the one with Blake."

Jason sighed. "I know, Nathan. Me too. But all we can do right now is keep working until Ironwood takes notice."

Nathan rounded on Jason, who realised his mistake immediately.

"And how long will that be, Jason?" Nathan asked angrily. "How much fucking longer do I need to wait until I'm back on the battlefield? How much longer until I get to finally get the fuck out of Atlas?! How much longer until Blake is back in my fucking arms and I'm back in hers?"

Jason opened his mouth to respond, but he could think of no reply. He knew Nathan was right, and had every right to be as frustrated as he was.

Nathan took a deep breath as he said: "I've been here six fucking months, Jason. And it's been two weeks since you told me I was ready. I should have been back in action then! But that didn't happen. Fast forward to today; I should have been on one of those fucking ships, bound for Mistral or Menagerie. But I'm not. It's got me thinking that Ironwood has no intention of ever letting me leave. And that the only way I'm getting out of here is by force." At that, Nathan passed Jason and stepped off of the balcony, leaving the Jedi Knight stood there, the picture of disquietude.

Jason knew how badly Nathan pined for Blake. He sensed it when Nathan was reading her letter to him, and he sensed if almost daily. He knew that the real reason Nathan wanted to return to combat was primarily so he could be with Blake again. But he knew Nathan was right; Ironwood likely had no intention of letting Nathan leave.

With that thought; Jason promised himself that he would get Nathan out. One way or the other.

With Kanan and Blake…

"Aren't you going to read it?" Kanan asked Blake.

Blake looked, and nodded, gesturing for Kanan to join her.

Kanan obliged, sitting next to Blake as she opened the envelope and pulled out a letter, which she unfolded.

Together, they began to read:

"Dear Blake…

I can't begin to describe how happy I was to get your letter last night. I have it right next to me as I write this letter.

I guess you want an update on how I'm doing, so… I'll give you the basics:

I'm in better shape than I was before Beacon fell; I'm a lot stronger than I was before Beacon fell; and I'm definitely a lot faster. But I digress.

The main thing is; I'm ready to return to combat in every sense. To the point I could have joined you guys in Vacuo for the battle two weeks ago. Hell; I could be on your ship right now, holding you close instead of having to write this letter to you. But no. Ironwood for some reason doesn't think I'm 'ready' to join you guys in the field. I call bullshit. Jason calls bullshit, Winter calls bullshit, hell; most of the fucking Ace Ops call bullshit!

Sorry, but… I've just been so frustrated the past couple weeks. I hear that I'm ready and good to go from everyone but the guy that makes the call. It's honestly starting to make me think Ironwood has no intention of ever letting me leave Atlas. Probably because he knows I'm right but his ego means he has to be the one in the right, and thus he keeps me here; feeding his ego because I'm where he can control me. But enough venting; you did that enough in your own letter to me.

I miss you, Belle. I miss you every second, every minute, every hour and every single day. There isn't a day that has gone by where you're not on my mind, and it fucking kills me to know that you're even farther away from me.

I know you feel the same way; but for my sake, be strong. Be strong knowing that I will do everything within my power to get out of Atlas, and straight into your arms. Where I belong.

Ironwood thinks he can control me. Well one day; I'm going to show him how wrong he is. Especially with you waiting for me.

I love you so much, Blake Belladonna. I'll see you soon.

Nathan."

Tear stains fell onto the paper, and Kanan watched as Blake lowered the letter, tears falling down her face. Pulling her close, Kanan let Blake soak his shoulder with her tears, shaking with emotion.

An idea came to Kanan's mind in that moment, and it made him smile, knowing it would please Blake. "Blake?" He asked.

Blake looked up and wiped her eyes to meet Kanan's gaze. "What?" She asked.

"What if we make it a condition of any alliance between the Atlas Military and the White Fang that Nathan be returned to combat as soon as possible?" Kanan asked. "Ironwood needs the White Fang's support, so it'd leave him with no choice but to agree to that term of the agreement."

Blake perked up. "Kanan, that's a great idea!" She exclaimed, hugging her older brother. "I'd love to see Ironwood's face when he reads that clause."

Kanan laughed. "I'd love to see Nathan's face when he hears about it."

With Nathan…

The Manticore fell without much issue, dissolving within moments of Nathan striking it down.

"Well done, Nathan." Winter called out as she stepped over to him. She looked a little tired, since she had just been using her summoning to allow Nathan to practice. "You defeated that Manticore much faster than you did the last time you fought it."

"Which was last fucking week." Nathan said, visibly angry. "Fact is… none of this fucking matters if Ironwood keeps refusing to clear me for the field."

Winter sighed. She was well aware of Nathan's frustrated outburst earlier that day, and she was deeply sympathetic. "Nathan; we have to keep your skills sharp in the eventuality of you leaving Atlas to return to combat."

"And when's that going to be, Winter?" Nathan demanded." Today? Tomorrow? Next week, next month, next fucking year? The fact is; you might as well switch the end of that sentence, Winter. With all due respect, Ironwood probably doesn't even plan on letting me leave at all. Because that would be him acknowledging that I am right about something; like I've been in the past. And his ego demands that he be the one in the right, not me."

Winter sighed again. "I know you're frustrated, Nathan. I am, as well. But we still need to keep training."

Nathan shook his head. "No. I've done my training. Ironwood just needs to pull his head out of his ass and agree with me." With that, Nathan spun on his heel and headed for the exit.

"Nathan…!" Winter called out, but her protests fell on deaf ears as Nathan left the training room. Taking a deep breath, the Atlesian Specialist sighed. Evidently Nathan's frustration was worse than Jason had hinted at.

"Guess he's done training for the day."

Winter turned to see that Jason had joined her. Looking back in the direction Nathan had just left; Winter said: "Nathan told me he thought Ironwood has no intention of ever letting him leave Atlas. But then why would he spend all this time having us train Nathan back into battle readiness?"

"Probably because Ironwood wants Nathan to think he's getting out; but won't." Jason responded. "I'm beginning to think it's an ego thing with Ironwood. Nathan's always been one to question bad military decisions; like the size of Ironwood's fleet at the Vytal Festival. And usually; it's because Nathan is right. And have you ever noticed about how Ironwood just has to be right when it comes to military matters and tactics? It's like he thinks that just because he's a general, he knows better than anyone."

Winter nodded. "Now that you mention it… yes; he does seem to always need to be in the right about military matters and tactics." She sighed. "Nathan did say that him being allowed to leave Atlas would be Ironwood having to acknowledge to Nathan than Nathan is right and he's wrong."

"So Ironwood doesn't want to let Nathan leave because it'd be another blow to his ego?" Jason asked.

Winter nodded. "It would make sense as to why Ironwood's never cleared Nathan for combat, even when he's so clearly ready."

Jason scowled. "Bastard…" The Jedi Knight murmured.

"And knowing Ironwood like I do; he won't prove easy to convince." Winter pointed out.

"Then screw convincing him. Nathan needs to get out of Atlas one way or the other." Jason declared. "Will you help me?"

Winter nodded. "Ironwood may be my commanding officer; but it is becoming increasingly apparent that he is letting his dislike of Nathan negatively impact his conduct as a military commander. So yes; I will help you get Nathan out of Atlas."

"Would have thought you'd agree purely because it was me asking." Jason remarked, pulling Winter close.

"You had something to do with it." Winter replied, wrapping her arms around Jason's neck. "Let's leave it at that."

With that, the two lovers shared a passionate kiss.

Several Hours Later, Mistral Airspace…

"We're approaching the remains of Shion village." The pilot called out over the intercom.

"Shion Village?" Ruby asked.

"It was the site of a horrific Grimm attack some time ago." Ren said. "Bandits raided the town first, and escaped before the Grimm came and destroyed what was left."

"Maybe we could land there?" Jaune suggested. "It's not that far from Higanbana."

"It's a good point, Jaune." Pyrrha said.

"Pilot, take us down when we reach Shion Village." Ghost called out.

"Got it." The pilot said, and the group soon felt the ship begin to descend.

Ghost noticed Pyrrha had not yet opened the letter Nathan had written to her, asking: "You're not going to read it?"

"I'm waiting until we reach Higanbana." Pyrrha said. "Means I can read it comfortably and not worry about losing it in mid-air." At this, she stuck the envelope into her backpack, making a mental note to read it as soon as they were in Higanbana.

Which was precisely when something struck their craft.

The booming crackle of an explosion filled the ship as alarms blared, the ship slumping forward into a nosedive.

"They took out both our engines!" The pilot shouted. "I'm gonna try and pull up; land us somewhat safely!"

Ghost glanced at the ground, seeing it rising up faster than hoped. "No way! Open up the doors! We'll land ourselves!"

The pilot was silent, then said: "No problem!"

The ship doors opened, and Ghost looked at the others.

"GO, GO, GO!" He roared as the team lined up to jump out.

Ruby and Yang went first, Ruby using her semblance for the both of them.

Jaune went next, followed suit by Pyrrha.

Ren followed, aiming for a nearby building, whilst Nora used Magnhild to propel her out of the ship.

Finally came Ghost's turn, as he gunned his jetpack and flew out of the ship as it went down, landing a few feet away from Yang and Ruby, who were brushing each other off.

Pyrrha and Jaune soon joined them, as did Nora and Ren, and together, they watched their ship fall out of sight.

"Everyone okay?" Ghost asked as they gathered around him.

"We're good." Yang said, holding Ruby close.

"Me and Jaune will be fine." Pyrrha declared.

"As will me and Nora." Ren stated.

"Brilliant." Ghost said. "With that sorted; let's get-"

He was silenced as a hail of blasterfire struck his beskar breastplate, knocking him back several paces.

"Ghost!" Yang shouted, rushing to his side as the rest of the team took up defensive positions.

"I'll be fine!" Ghost declared, getting up and drawing his pistol. "Take up defensive positions! The Empire won't get us that easily."

From there, Ruby used her semblance to get up to an elevated position, taking Crescent Rose out and configuring it into its sniper form.

It wasn't long before Imperial Stormtroopers came bursting into view, blaster rifles blazing.

Throwing a thermal detonator, Ghost watched those initial stormtroopers go flying from the explosion, opening fire as he did in the hope that as many Stormtroopers as possible were lined up in his crosshairs in that moment.

"Pyrrha, up!" Nora called out as Pyrrha got down to one knee, allowing Nora to springboard onto a nearby roof, from which she could lay down grenade launcher fire.

From there, Yang and Jaune took up positions at the front of the group, cutting through any troopers that came for them and managed to evade Nora's grenades and Ruby's sniper fire.

Those that Yang and Jaune didn't kill were soon wilting under the combined fire of Ren and Pyrrha, Stormflower and Miló working simultaneously alongside Ghost's blaster pistol, felling Imperial Stormtroopers left, right and centre.

Just as a rocket sailed over their heads, striking Nora and Ruby's position in a direct hit, sending Ruby and Nora flying.

"RUBY!" Yang screamed.

"NORA!" Jaune, Ren and Pyrrha shouted.

Ghost swore under his breath as Yang and Ren abandoned their firing line to see to Ruby and Nora.

Just as they saw an AT-ST clanking into view.

Ghost barely had time to say: "SCATTER!" As the AT-ST opened fire, lighting the whole area up in laser fire. Grabbing the first person he could reach, he gunned his jetpack and flew off into the night.

The Imperial Commander watched as the rest of the enemy group fell back, five in number, likely to find a way around them or to a better defensive position.

If the commander had to wager, it was the former.

His focus settled on the Mandalorian flying off with his companion; the blonde.

"Sir; the enemy is scattering. Shall we send contingents to pursue both of them?" A nearby Stormtrooper asked.

"No." The commander said. "Call our base camp and have them send that scorpion faunus up against those five stragglers that ran off. The rest of us will follow that Mandalorian and his blonde friend." With that, the commander removed his helmet, revealing an older, middle aged man in perhaps his mid thirties to early forties, with black hair shaven into a military buzzcut, and cold, mud-brown eyes. His face was a mess of scar tissue, with one running through the left corner of his forehead, down through his left eye which was covered by a patch, passing through his mouth, and ending at the tip of his chin. Scowling as he watched the Mandalorian disappear into the forest around them, he said: "My brother and I have some catching up to do."

NEW CHARACTER ALERT!

Also; finally back into the swing of things. So... yeah.

Anyway; enough rambling, time to answer some reviews:

april-551: I did warn of significant Ironwood bashing. As for your questions:

- You'll find out as the story progresses.

- I think you already know where the Arc Family will go.

- I have a much different idea for the humbling of the Ace Ops, and it involves me taking a cue or two from the Transformers Movieverse.

- Ironwood only sees assets. He doesn't really care for the Force or the damage it could do.

- The Crown is a difficult thing to include. Especially considering that we won't be in Vacuo for another few stories, at least.

That said; thank you all so much for reading this story.

If you all liked it; you all know what to do.

I shall see you tomorrow with chapter 4; which sees things go from bad to worse for Nathan.

T-Rock14