Chapter 3

Animal Kingdom

SHATTERPOINT

Flagship of Lord Asimov

Ahkilleon exited the transport onto the ship he had once been prisoner, he noticed the Endeavor was also parked aboard the vessel, as the Shatterpoint was a MK Providence Class warship with a massive hangar capable of fitting entire squadrons of Hwk-Class and Vulture droids. Gathered around the ship to stretch their legs were the jedi healers along with Corto and Yumi, when they saw him Corto waved but it was Tai Uzuma storming toward him. "Young one, what did you think you were doing!" She snapped in front of some troops and droids.

He met her stern gaze and was about to speak up when Lord Asimov walked down with Sigma behind him, "My padawan was being reckless, I assure you he will not in the future sister."

"Padawan?" Tai asked looking at Asimov and then at the teen, "The Council never approved-" "They will, after report to the Capital, I've already sent a message to them relaying that the boy has accepted my tutelage." Lord Asimov added hand on Ahkilleons soldiers.

Tai glared up at the armored man, his helmet's visor reflecting her glare "If you have anything to say to my Padawan, you may say it to us both, Master." Lord Asimov said.

She gripped her fists tight and looked at Ahkilleon, "Ahki- Padawan Tano, is this what you want, tell me honestly are you going to be his padawan?" The look in her eyes were sincere, it reminded Ahkilleon of Hera, she was genuinely worried about his well being, the hot tempered scolding he had gotten was more of a worried mother then of a angered commander, "It…" he stopped himself "It's what I need." Ahkilleon told her honestly.

Tai sighed, "Very well, I'll let the Council deal with this then, when we arrive at Raxus I'll depart with my students." She said.

"I will put in a request they stay until my wounded are better, Master Saa's Padawan is most talented in force healing, as are you Master Saa." Lord Asimov said turning around, "Come Padawan, we must attend to the bridge." Lord Asimov said before Ahkilleon followed him.

They left the hangar behind and entered into a long hallway walking toward an elevator and getting in, "Commander Sigma, make sure my Padawan has a bunk set aside for him."

"Bunk? What about my own quarters?" Ahkilleon asked.

"This is the Militia, not the Grand Army of the Republic kid, you want your own room you earn it, but at this time you're no better than a cadet." Sigma said to him.

Ahkilleons face scrunched up "I've got more combat experience then most, I-" "Shouldn't have a problem getting a promotion, I'm sure." Sigma said annoyed at the questioning. He may be Rex's brother but Sigma lacked the Captain's impeccable charm.

The entered into the bridge and a quarren with one cybernetic eye dressed in a dark navy blue admirals coat with metal epaulets and a tricorn cap, "Warlord on the Bridge!" he barked through his tentacles.

"Admiral Zygote, allow me to introduce my apprentice, the one who so boldly interrupted our war council." Lord Asimov said.

Ahkilleon noticed every time the Lord said he was 'his' apprentice or padawan there was a special note of mockery in it, "Ah, about time you took a pupil, lest he'll be more informed now." The Admiral said his tentacles taunting him for the big moment he had was actually stopping Lord Asimov's plan to draw in the Imperial forces in a feigned retreat, to wipe them out. The bridge of the Shatterpoint was similar to the Separatist model of the Providence, only that it was extended out to twice its original length with wider walkways. The commander's chair was at the center and on an elevated platform. The crew is a mix of quarrens and battle droids, with a few neimoidians and humans among them. It was becoming clear to Ahkilleon many of the former Separatist worlds were hardline Militants.

"Are we ready to return to the Capital?" Lord Asimov asked.

"Yes, we are ready to make the jump to Raxus." Zygote said to them, Lord Asimov walked to the head, "Make the jump, if we go now we can make the next Union Session."

Ahkilleon heard him say it but wasn't sure what it was, Lord Asimov heard him "The Union Session, have the Masters not been keeping you up to speed on current events?" Lord Asimov asked him, the ship jumped to Hyperspace the blue vortex of hyperspace lanes sending them hurling across the galaxy.

The boy shook his head, "Turok has but mostly news on the front, I thought Arcadia was the Capital, not Raxus?"

"An easy mistake, many of the Warlords wanted to have Arcadia the capital, but it would be too great a risk to expose our homeworld to the Empire, Raxus is more centralized and familiar with holding a government entity, hence the Militia Union." Lord Asimov explained "A gathering of Militia Warlords, Generals, and dare I say it even politicians from new worlds who've sent their delegates to petition for membership, it was a tough fight to get Raxus, the Militia don't plan to waste it." Lord Asimov said turning to see Ahkilleons eyes were heavy and he was holding back a yawn.

He turned to Sigma, "Take him below to his bunk, you need rest." Lord Asimov said.

"I'm fine-" "No, you'll be entering the Union Hall with me, I need you focused it's the most dangerous battlefield of all, politics."

Later, Ahkilleon followed Commander Sigma into the belly of the Shatterpoint, in what was usually storage space for munitions and weapons for droids, the Mk. 2 Provinces had barracks and crew quarters the further deep they went the more regulars they passed by. Undressed in their armor the soldiers all wore dark brown and black body gloves or dark blue ones to show which branch they served. The brown were army and the blue were navy, though they were all the same side. Sigma walked like a great panther other animals who parted for him and Ahkilleon felt like a small cub keeping up. When the soldiers saw him they noticed his age and then his lightsabers on his hip their eyes were a mix of suspicion and curiosity "Right here, Cadet quarters."

Sigma stopped at a drawer to the barracks and it opened, inside there were four bunks only one of them occupied "You heard his Lordship, get some shut eye and be in the hangar before we drop out of hyperspace." Commander Sigma told him, sighing at the idea of looking after a brat like him.

Ahkilleon met his gaze "You got something to say kid?" Rex- no Sigma said to him.

"... No." "That's no Sir to you Padawan, you may be the Lords padawan but I still outrank you, you roger me?" Sigma pressed his finger into his chest

Ahkilleon gritted his teeth "Roger-roger." Ahkilleon hissed back.

Sigma coked a brow before he stormed off, the sea of soldiers parting in the barracks. Ahkilleon walked in and saw an open bunk; the others were all decorated in some way. Ahkilleon noticed the bunk across from him had some tally marks on it, the one above it had a sleeping mass rising and falling, covered in blankets. The one above his had a few pictures of peoplea aq s, mostly kids all pushed together in one photo. Ahkilleon laid over onto the bed that was the most undistinguished, he laid his lightsabers at his side and picked up the Inquisitor lightsaber.

No.

His lightsaber, taken as a trophy, is by right of victory.

He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, the second he felt the cushioned bed he realized just how tiring winning a planet was and he was soon asleep.

Slumber took him away from the Militia, away from this life to somewhere he'd never been and someplace he knew. Ahkilleon was walking on water, no it was sand, looking around the sky was moving overhead in varying colors of clouds, sunsets and twilights, the land was an ever changing scene, the dunes of sand rose and sank beneath ocean waves. In the distance he saw a mix of silver and gold towers like on Telerath but they were mixed with Atollon's coral trees towering over him. The air was warm but he could smell the salt of the sea and a wet breeze on his face.

With every step he walked, there was a ripple or a collapsing sand under his naked feet, wet and dry at the same time, torn between two places where he was happy and afraid. There was something different happening. He wasn't sure how to describe it so he looked over at one of the coral trees. He saw shapes and got closer seeing ships walking toward them he stopped, he new what laid under that coral tree.

"As you go forward, do not forget those you left behind."

It was a voice, old, ancient, "... Count Dooku?" Ahkilleon thought it and heard his own voice but he didn't feel his mouth open.

"No." the voice said "You are not ready."

"Who?"

"Who the hell is this?"

Ahkilleon looked up to see two large boys standing over him, one was a redhead with freckles all over his face and curly red hair sticking out from under his brown beret, he was dressed in a long sleeved high collared brown shirt with black cargo pants and boots, he was built broad and had his sleeves rolled up showing strong forearms thicker than a droids. The other was a neimoidian girl, skinny and bug eyed he had a bandana around his head and a similar outfit to the red heads, but skinny and long, put together they'd made an average sized hybrid "You're in my bunk." The red head said.

Ahkilleon looked up from the blanket, "There's four bunks, this one was empty."

"I don't care, get up scug." The ginger hissed.

Ahkilleon reached for his lightsaber under his blanket, "I said get-"

The three of them heard a blaster prime and looked back to see a DC-17 pistol pointing at them from the top bunk from the other cadet who'd been sleeping, they saw a hand pointing out with the blaster before they pulled the blanket "Alright fellas, what's the commotion." a voice said followed by a tan skinned boy with thick black hair sitting up, he looked like Rex and Sigma but, younger and some other features. He blinked and swung his legs over the edge "Rulf, Gabi what the hell are you doing."

"Kids a stranger Jay."

"Jay?" Ahkilleo masked when he recognized him, he was the cadet from Hyena S quad, like Ahkilleon he'd grown too. Along with his pack of dogs.

"Yeah, well you think he's a cadet too?" Jay asked.

"He ain't in uniform boss." Gabi said her voice was wiry as she was.

Ahkilleon shot up and pressed both lightsabers under the bullies' chins, "I look like a cadet to you Ginger, Bugeye?" Ahkilleon growled, giving them nicknames.

"Lightsaber, lightsaber, lightsaber." Gabi said, her eyes going wide.

Rulf looked big eyed with blue eyes and up at him, "Wait, that's an inquisitor lightsaber."

"Good eye ginger." Jay chuckled, "This the padawan who took Selucami, careful fellas he's a hero."

Ahkilleon didn't drop his weapons "Don't call me that."

Jay smirked as he kicked off the blanket and jumped down, he was dressed like the other two "Sure, sure, course I could call you another name, what was it Spectre 7?" Jay asked, it was clear he remembered him and Ahkilleon but it was a clear warning to let the bullies go.

Lowering his hilts he clipped them back to his belt, "There we go, all friends again."

A loud bell rang out and Ahkilleon twitched after hearing it, the rest of the cadets were all relaxed "Hmm lunch time." Jay said walking out of the room, Ahkilleon stood there waiting so he wouldn't have anyone stab him in the back when Jay looked back "You coming shiny?"

In addition to the crew quarters that was an improvement to the Providence MkII a mess hall was added for the crew the watering hole of the ship, big as a pitch and tall enough to fit a large transport ship rows of tables had people eating but it wasn't entirely full. Since the Militia was majority droids based and there were soldiers on duty those who were in the mess hall were about to start their shift. Ahkilleon followed Jay, Rulf and Gabi into the mess hall there he saw pilots in their navy blue suits with their helmets close by. The regulars who were in their armor sat talking and chatting, the navel crews in their dark blue uniforms with a gray trim around the trousers and cuffs of their shirts wearing straight trousers that went over their boots instead of being tucked in like Ahkilleon had seen in Imperial or rebel style. Like at the Jedi Temple the medical crew wore white, but the medical team for the Shatterpoints uniforms were white versions of the ship's crew officers. As he walked through the mess hall he started to notice the small but big differences between the Militia and thinking back on the Rebellion and the Empire.

The Empire had all been straight edges, colors of black, dark grayish green, white and drops of red like blood. The stormtrooper armor was so ghostlike with the white hue, their pilots like black phantoms behind their helmets, and the angle and wedge design of their ships.

The Rebellion was in stark contrast, everything was mixed together from their ships to their uniforms, every color they could find, or what Sabine could paint over he thought? The curves of ships, the uniforms, the light armor the rebel troopers would wear, but not the Militia.

Their armor wasn't full body like the stormtroopers, that made it easy to run away from them. No, the Militia armor was still more like the clone trooper armor of the Old Republic. It was similar to the stormtrooper armor, covering the most vital parts of the body the chest, shoulders, arms and legs but it had larger spaces between the joints to allow for easier movement. It wasn't angled but smoother, like it would be easier to adjust for different sizes or races. The uniforms the officers wore was more in line with the Outer Rim apparel Ahkilleon would see ranchers wearing with their leather belts and bronzinom buckles sporting their revolvers. Even their coats had an outer rim style to them. The colors they wore, blue, brown and yellow, not a bright one that he'd seen rebels wear, the yellow was deeper, solid like a sunrise.

Then there was Lord Asimov, who he spotted at the end of the hall sitting with his inner circle of his army's officers. Asimov wore his plate armor with the teal stripes running down it with his metal plum and beside him Sigma. "Here." Jay pointed to a table and sat, Ahkilleon was about to join them when Lord Asimov called for him "Padawan!"

Everyone froe to look at him, Padawan Tano.

"Come, sit." Lord Asimov said making a space for him at his table, Ahkilleon walked towards his new Master, all eyes on him he even saw Corto, Yumi and Lady Uzuma sitting apart from the other soldiers giving him different looks.

Corto gave him two thumbs up, Yumi sneered looking at her food and Lady Uzuma looked disappointed, shaking her head still.

When he sat down with Lord Asimov between him and Commander Sigma, the clone sipped a dark drink and said nothing, "Heard you were making friends with some of the cadets."

"Already?" Ahkilleon asked.

"I know everything that goes on aboard my ship." Lord Asimov told him.

A droid came over and gave Ahkilleon a tray of rations, "Well, they started it."

"And it was First Cadet Freeman who finished it, you'd be wise to get along with him, considering he's the Generals son." Lord Asimov told him as everyone went back to eating.

Ahkilleon looked over at the table he left to see Jay eating with other cadets, talking and laughing, he then looked at Sigma and thought about Rex, General Fives Freeman and realized why Jay looked so familiar and not because they'd met before, he and Sigma shared many of the same features, the nose, the chin, the ears, "So he's… your nephew Commander?" Ahkilleon asked looking at Sigma.

"I guess." Sigma said not interested.

"Lord- Master, can I ask you something?" Ahkilleon turned to him and Asimov leaned back, "Yes."

He looked back at the cadets and then at the young jedi, "I thought, in fact I've heard you say multiple times the Militia doesn't allow any youngling enter combat, why are their cadets here, why was Cadet Freemen allowed to be with Hyena squad?"

'"Those cadets, much like the young jedi and you are learning and to learn it must be by doing, each one of them are training to become officers one day, but they serve in support roles like the young jedi. Not in combat, which I find so strange you ran head first into the enemy, guess there's still some rebel in you try to keep that in check when we get to Raxus." Lord Asimov said to him.

RAXUS SECUNDUS

Capital of the Militia

Following the Militia liberation of the Raxus system, the former capital of the Separatist Alliance became the Capital of the Militia, The planet Raxus was situated in the Raxus system, a star system in the Outer Rim sector of space that was known as the Tion Hegemony. A verdant terrestrial world that orbited a sun, Raxus supported a temperate climate and an atmosphere that was breathable to a number of humanoid species. Its climate was comfortable despite a challenging ecosystem and dangerous predators. Its surface was covered by vast oceans and landmasses, which themselves were enveloped by forests, plains, and hills. Raxus's lushness led it to become known for its beauty. By the time of the Clone Wars, some areas of the world were heavily developed, such as the urban sprawl of its capital city, Raxulon, while regions that were farther from the city center remained more rural.

Above it, the Militia fleet stood guard, with it being only a hyperspace jump away from the core worlds and Imperial space, the Militia had assembled a massive flotilla of over one hundred ships to protect the Capital of the Militia. Twenty five Militia Providence MK II's and fifty seventy five their lesser ships, an improved version of the Munificent class frigates. Both larger and longer than their predecessor the largest difference was that the rear of the ship had a larger section for the crews and on each two rear turo lasers. And like the dreadnoughts they had a different nose, the older frigates were rounded at the front but the Militia models had two sharp angles pointing inward for speed and ramming.

The shatterpoint flew toward them and the fleet made a space for them, Ahkilleon stood on the bridge eyes wide, "That's the largest fleet I've ever seen." Ahkilleon said in awe of the flotilla.

"Where did the Militia get all the resources to build their fleet?" Ahkilleon asked Lord Asimov.

The Warlord stood at the helm with his apprentice, "Same as the rebellion, we stole but we didn't steal ships we stole plans, raiding separatist storehouses and with Admiral Trenches strategy and the Generals clone training, we went deep into the unknown regions scouring planets with rich minerals. Reconstructing the droid foundries of the Separatists with the surviving holdouts the droids needed no rest, no food, and built our great fleet." Lord Asimov said gesturing to two of the droids walking.

Ahkilleon looked at the droids and what they could accomplish, "How many of the militia are droids?"

"At least over seventy percent, but more and more people flock to our ranks, look." Lord Asmov said pointing to a cluster of ships they were passing by, they were boarding some of the dreadnoughts and many of them were large freighters, civilian transport ships "Refugees come here by the thousands every day to live free of the Empire." Lord Asimov told him.

"Come, the Union will be meeting soon." Lord Asimov said, walking to the exit.

Later, Ahkilleon was sitting in a Militia transport ship flyin down to Raxus and the capital Raxulon, Sigma sat beside Lord Asimov along with a dozen heavily armored Militia soldiers and two of the War Jedi. Both of them were dressed in the same robes and armor.

A sown on hood with metal masks with slits for eyes, the armor on their shoulders had the jedi order sigil and a breastplate covering each of their chests, with metal bracers and boots, their robes were dark brown with gray tunics. "Your masks, their Temple Guard masks?"

Neither of them said anything, "Ventus, Terro my Padawan, Ahkilleon Tano." Lord Asimov said back to them.

"The Council finally let you have him?" Ahkilleon wasn't sure which was which, so he guessed this one was Ventus.

"No." Terro said, arms crossed, "He pledged himself?"

"Pledged?" Ahkilleon asked.

Lord Asimov chuckled "You still have much to learn my apprentice, in the New Jedi's foundings the Council's power was greatly limited and we reestablished the Congress of Knights."

"I read about that, five hundred knights who if the Council wasn't acting in the best interest of the Order, they could vote to veto things, do we really have that many jedi?" Ahkilleon asked.

Both Terro and Ventus laughed "Nerd."

"Perhaps you two could learn a thing from him, sadly no our Order is still a shadow of the Old, when the Militia escaped the Empire during the Purge there were only over two dozen Jedi, most of them younglings protected by K'Kruhk, now we number just over two hundred many padawans and young jedi like yourself, but one day." Lord Asimov said "One day the New Jedi will be THE Jedi."

The ship flew down to Raxulon, Ahkilleon looked out the window to see the city stretching out from a crescent shaped structure with many towers and smaller buildings all around it, ships were on the outskirts with entire tent cities as far as the eye could see "Refugees from across the galaxy." Ahkilleon muttered as they flew to the crescent shaped building. As they neared the surface Ahkilleon saw Militia banners flying over it before landing.

Everyone exited with Ahkilleon following at Lord Asimov's side and Sigma on the other, Terro and Ventus followed behind them and the Militia shock troops bringing up the rear. "This is the old separatist senate building?" Ahkilleon said out loud.

"Now it is the Militia Union Tower." Lord Asimov explained walked ahead, his half fur cape blowing in the wind, Ahkilleon had little chance to clean himself up, he was still wearing his ripped off sleeveless tunic, the leather harness over his shoulders and around his face. He smelled himself and wrinkled up his nose "Don't you think I should have changed or at least showered before coming here?"

"Why didn't you?" Sigma asked him. Ahkilleon didn't have an answer, everything was moving so fast and did his best to avoid his gaze.

Following Lord Asimov inside, everywhere they walked they saw Battle droids guarding doors and Militia officers walking the halls. They entered into the main building and heard raised voices coming from a large door, standing guard were the same Azure armored guards that had followed General Freeman, wearing blue chest plates with white armor on their arms, blue boots and kamas with long azure capes and swords, their helmets had two fins on each end with feathered plumes "The Azure Guard, the Generals personal household guards and skilled warriors." Asimov said as they walked inside to the Union Hall, formerly the seat of the Separatist Senate or Parliament, it was a large rectangular room with two levels, the center of the floor was open and a few people were muttering in huddled groups, behind them at the first level were many vacant seats and only a few people sitting in them the upper level which was used for the public to enter was empty.

"This Union is called to Order!" a loud voice shouted, Ahkilleon looked to see an old man with pale blue skin and red eyes, he wasn't a Chiss for he had no hair and his iris was white, he wore a long vestment of deep purple with a red trim and laurel design embroidered in, he was wrinkled but still stood tall and with a strong back, his voice carried weight and everyone moved to the seats or off the floor. Lord Asimov walked forward along with two others Ahkilleon didn't recognize.

"Over here shiny." Sigma grabbed Ahkilleon and led him over to a section of the hall that had many officers and even War Jedi like Ventus and Terror sitting together, they were the only group sitting on the right many of them wearing yellow and teal sashes or arm bands, on the left were two more groups huddled together Militia soldiers but they were of an older group, some alien and even droids sitting with them. The other group were aliens Munn, Nemodians, Skakoans not a single soldier among them.

"This Union calls Lord Asimov, Warlord of the Jedi and General of the Vanguard fleet to report on the situation in the Foundry." the speaker said to Asimov.

Lord Asimov bowed to the blue man "Consul Kushi. I return to Raxus with news many already know, the Empire has been driven from Selucami and my fleet remains their to reinforce it, as we establish a stronghold." There were claps from the side Ahkilleon sat on and wrapping of fists on the arm rests, the other two sides didn't make much noise, the one with the soldiers and droids clapped in respect but the other delegation didn't make a noise "And what pray tell stopped you from pursuing the enemy fleet Lord Asimov, undoubtedly this will cost this Militia more credits and lives."

Looking to who spoke it was a woman with green skin, spikes on her head and montreals not like togurtans or twi'leks more like feather like tentacles "The cost of our victory was steep, Lady Atell, but with selucami under our control we can begin the building of farms for food and medicine we will surely need in the future, your investments on that world will be satisfied."

"Investments?" Ahkilleon asked sigma.

"Shh." Commander Sigma hushed him.

"It was said you sent the majority of your droids into the final fight, how many were lost?" the third to speak was a man with horns, a male Devaronian male with a cybernetic eye he had deep brick colored skin and yellowish horns that went out then back in unlike Vizago who was a pale green with sideburns and ribbed horns, this man's horns were he wore a bright blue uniform with bright orange stripes running down his sleeves and a breastplate that was ceremonial more than practical. "A total of five million battle droids is the estimate, General Kleeve." Lord Asimov said.

"That will cost us billions." A skakoan snapped from his side.

"And you will be well compensated as will the rest of the Merchant Alliance." Ahkilleon searched his mind after Asimov spoke trying to think if he'd ever heard of the Merchant Alliance the more he looked at them, he noticed many of them were species that were majority members of the former Corporate Alliance. He then looked at the People behind Kleeve.

They were nemodian, humans, umbarns Quarrens, saurians harkadons even, all races of the Separatist Alliance, primarily those who were officers, many of whom were all older, with gray in their hair or whatever that attributed for their race. Among them Ahkilleon spotted a black jacket wearing Dragoon with a red visored dark metal helmet looking right at him. "The Neo Iron League will not support such barbaric waste of resources and troops, the battle droids who fight with us are as much our people as you or I, Lord Asimov." Kleeve stated to the approval of his faction, the Neo Iron League?

"Much must be sacrificed in war comrades, which is why-" suddenly the doors to the hall burst open and everyone watched as walking in was none other then Warlord of Lothal, Reik Bloodwolf with an entourage of his Lt's, and a prisoner.

Reik Bloodwolf, the militia leader who led the revolution on Lothal to seize the planet for the Miliita, and start the war. His blonde hair had grown into a braid that fell down around his neck, he was taller with a fur collar robe under his Militia armor, at his side he wore his Okami Chief's blade and he had a red cloth wrapped around his own left eye where he'd lost in in battle. Behind him came Keiza and Colin his two trusted Lt's. Keiza the tall imposing Okami huntress had a chain in her iron like grip and Colin, the Dragoon wore a leather jacket with red stripes to show he was loyal to Reik. The prisoner was the most surprising of all, it was a man with a hood over his face, chained by the neck like an animal shirtless covered in bruises and untreated wounds before Keiza yanked him along "Apologies for interrupting, but after your third invitation I figured why waste anymore time." Reik said striding in as if he owned the whole building.

"Lord Bloodwolf, at last you see fit to join us on Raxus?" Lord Asimov asked.

Walking past him Reik didn't stand as tall as Asimov but close, "I do, especially after hearing of your grand success at the cost of my droids?" Reik asked him.

"Were just discussing the-" Kleeve was about to say when Reik cut him off "I have come, because this Militia has for the past six months made bites, and small pushes on borders since we took Lothal." Reik said.

Consul Kushi stood "You make a mockery of this house, Lord, there are proceedings and protocol that must be obeyed."

Kushi and Reik's eyes met, "Consul, please let him." Lord Asimov asked.

With a reluctant glance and nod, Reik was allowed to continue "After we took the Capital, the Imperial remnant on Lothal fled into the wild, it was their turn to be hunted and my wolves hunted them down."

"You have imperial prisoners?" Voe Atell asked looking at the hooded man.

Reik gave a chuckle "Only… one."

A wave of murmurs escaped the lips of the Union Hall, Ahkilleon looked at the kneeling imperial prisoner face hidden by his cowl, "Did they fight to the death, or did they offer to surrender."

"So many things happen in war, but this one, this one deserved more." Reik said, walking up to the man in the hood and ripped it off to reveal the bloodied and beaten face of Agent Kallus. "An Imperial Security Bureau Agent, the worst of their kind." Reik kicked him to the ground and when the other members in the Union heard he was an ISB agent some jumped to their feet.

"KILL HIM!" one shouted from the Neo Iron League.

"Imperial dog!" one of the Merchant Alliance barked.

None of Asimovs side spoke, neither did the Lord Reik looked to the one speaking as Kallus was on his knees trying to get up but Keiza forced him down. "This is all well in good Lord Bloodwolf, but what is this?" Lord Asimov asked, cutting through the bull.

"As I said, I am here because this Militia isn't doing enough, allow me…" Ahkilleon felt a chill in the air as Reik drew his sword "To show you how we deal with Imperials on Lothal." He pressed the blade tip under Kallus's neck and the agent raised his head. He looked Reik in the eye and said nothing, he was ready. The shouts for Kallus's death started to grow "DO IT…. Take off his head…. Cut out his tongue… Kill him!" This was wrong, Ahkilleon thought, there was no honor. Reik drew back his blade arm to bring it back down when Ahkilleon leapt from his seat blue lightsaber in hand to catch the vibrosword "NO!"

The whole Union went silent except for the humm of blade on blade, Ahkilleon broke the lock and cut the chain, but Kallus was still handcuffed behind his back "You." Reik said recognizing Ahkilleon, "Who dares to let a rebel spy in our Militia!" Reik barked, raising his sword, Kieza drew her pistol and Colin his blaster.

"I do." Asimov said drawing his great saber, the twin yellow blades from the same blade pointing out, and what followed was both Terro and Ventus drawing their blades, Sigma and all the men and women on Asimov's side standing up ready to fight. "My padawan learner, Ahkilleon Tano who single handedly stopped the Imperial counter attack and killed an Inquisitor." Ahkilleon wasn't sure if his Master was bragging or embarrassing him.

Reik looked at Kallus, "And you two would die to protect this imperial bastard."

"No." Ahkilleon said "But I won't sit by and see a defenseless man murdered." Ahkilleon snapped at the whole hall, turning his gaze on Reik.

Reik chuckled, "Murdered, that man is a murderer, this is justice."

"And your judge, jury and executioner, I don't think so."

Reik looked around the crowd to see everyone looking at him, gripping his sword tight, he appeared to be thinking weighing his options he looked to see all of Asimov's side outnumber him ten to one his three wolves to a herd of bulls ready to charge, while the Neo Iron League and Merchant Alliance were silent like owls. "How noble, you bring your rebel sentiment but we have a war to fight, and we win wars by making his kind die." Reik said, holding his ground barring his wolf-like smile.

"Then you'll have to start with me." Ahkilleon raised his lightsaber to defend himself and Kallus.

Reik looked at Ahkillein with daggers for eyes, then he noticed the rest of the Union looking at him, "Lord Asimov your padawan…" Reik growled before smirking "Has a big'ol pair." before he sheathed his sword in its scabbard laughing.

General Kleeve then started to laugh, then his own ranks laughed behind him, Sigma snickered and started to laugh, along with Ventus and Terro, so did more, then both sides were laughing the Merchants Alliance started to laugh to forcing it, the Hall sheathed their weapons and Ahkilleon was standing there holding his lightsaber dumbfounded at what had happened. Asimov clipped his hilt back to his belt and Ahkilleon turned him off, lowering his guard. "Consul Kushi, I move that this session be ended early on a high note?" Lord Asimov insisted.

Consul Kushi slouched back into his sighing hand on his face, "The chair hears a motion to end the session early, do I have a second?"

"Seconded." General Kleeve replied.

"The motion passes… Union is… adjourned." Consul Kushi said, the Merchant Alliance all moved quicker then everyone else to the exit, "... thank the stars." he muttered under his breath. Ahkilleon turned to Lord Asimov who approached him, "Wait for me by the ship." From the note of seriousness in his voice it was a command not a request.

He looked back at Agent Kallus, he was breathing easier but was looking around, his muscles still tense, even when Ventus and Terro grabbed him and hauled him out, "Where the hell you wizards taking our priso-" Keiza saw them take him and Commander Sigma stood in her way looking up at her, "It's fine Kieza, let them have Kallus as a gift, one Warlord to another." Bloodwolf said with a nod to Asimov, Ahkilleon followed Terro and Ventus who were dragging Kallus out.

"An imperial agent, and I didn't get you anything." Lord Asimov said back to Reik.

"Then let's talk." Bloodwolf replied.

Later, Ahkilleon was standing outside the Union Building, with Sigma and the others, faithful hounds waiting on their master, Agent Kallus was being guarded by the Militia shocktroopers next to him. He looked up at Ahkilleon, "Thank you…" he muttered. Ahkilleon said nothing, "Mouth shut." one of the shocktroopers said hitting Kallus on the back of his head with the butt of his rifle, despite the pain Kallus made no noise or showed any pain. Despite the multiple injuries he had, it was clear Kallus was not broken yet.

Eventually Lord Asimov walked out of the hall with Reik beside him, the two chatted as onlookers of the Union, Warlords and representatives noticed the two embrace in a firm handshake of grabbing each other by the forearm, not a handshake or a hug but a bond of mutual understanding of something?

Asimov approached his ship "You've made a right proper mess of everything, and it hasn't even been your first day." Lord Asimov whispered to him in a hushed tone patting him on the shoulder "Now if I wasn't acting so calm, I'd be screaming at you but, you've given us an opportunity."

"What do you mean?" Ahkilleon asked.

Lord Asimov waved farewell to Reik, "You've insulted Lord Bloodwolf, an insult to him is an insult to his entire Militia and the Lothal sector, which if you forgot…?"

"Produces over half of the droids in the Militia?" Ahkilleon asked rhetorically.

"Oh careful Lord, he's learning." Terro said besides Ventus, "So here is what you will do to remedy this, the wolves of Lothal have failed to break Agent Kallus and get vital information, we as Jedi can use… other means." Lord Asimov said.

"Other means?" Ahkilleon asked growing pale "Yes, and you'll be the one to do it." Lord Asimov said walking up the ramp of his ship "Your education is about to become… more enlightened."