Tales of the Star Wolves
Episode II
Imperial Hand
Peace has returned to the galaxy. King Jelkol welcomes Ondru to the Empire. In response, Venator Star Destroyers are dispatched to secure the world. A meeting of Imperial might and the planetary defenders will commence.
Diless watched the empty space nervously. The Empire was expected to arrive. To sign Ondru away. But only if the Empire doesn't invade getting all of its gains. As she waited, TY-384 handed her a datapad. "LD-9 Squadron arrived at Ondru Two as ordered." the droid reported. The human nodded in approval. A surprise attack from the rear will make this Empire regret any potential attack. "May I suggest bringing Carrier Group Five to assist the Ondru Two unit?"
"No. Our current force will do just fine." she said moments before alerts rang the bridge.
"Imperial ship coming out of hyperspace." Friv reported. Standing up eight ships came into view. Clearly, they weren't expecting a fleet of this size. Or it was true they were here to welcome the planet in peace. A holo transmission was coming through. Accepting it, the image of an officer appeared.
"This is Admiral Colca Holt of the Galactic Empire. Your fleet is under my control now." the Imperial ordered. The Defense officer clenched her fist.
"That is not happening Admiral. We are an independent fleet and will remain so." Diless said.
"Not to mention neither the King, Royal Council nor the Citizens Senate have signed Senator Zhul's treaty with the Empire." TY-384 interrupted. Sometimes the droid was smart and this time the Defense Admiral was happy about it. The Imperial had a flinch of anger. But he refocused.
"Once the treaty is signed, then I expect respect from you Admiral." Holt said, ending the transmission.
Now it was clear that the Empire wasn't going to respect the Defense Fleet's sovereignty. Turning to the Sullustan, she issued new orders. "Send all LD Squadrons to Pilsi except for the current LD Squadrons in this group. Remove them from all charts and forms. I don't want to risk our fleet to this Imperial."
A Nu shuttle landed on the platform. Mun tapped his leg as he waited for the nearly promoted Admiral. Standing next to the King, he looked at the gathered Chairmen, Barons, and Senators. A royal meeting not seen since Naboo Crises. All gathered together to be united into the Empire. When the forward ramp lowered, a squad of clones marched off followed by Admiral Holt, Senator Zhul, and one more squad. King Jelkol opened his arms, welcoming the Imperial. "Welcome to Fyre." his majesty greeted. The Imperial smirked.
"Thank you King Jelkol. I'm sure this city is as beautiful as Senator Zhul has claimed." Holt said making the crowd chuckle.
"It is and much more." Jelkol boasted. "Now I believe there is a treaty that needs signing?" The Imperial handed the King a datapad. Mun gave a fake cough getting his lord's attention.
"Your majesty, perhaps you should wait for the Council and Senate to vote before signing." the Pau'an suggested catching a disgusting look from the Imperial.
"Nonsense. I'm sure both will sign and aid the Empire." the King said as he signed the treaty. The Royal Guards escorted the crowd inside for a noon feast.
"Republic, Empire, they're both the same. I see no reason to distrust them." Chairman Henna Strine said as the Royal Council discussed joining the Empire. Many of the members who interested in joining, but Derek was always cautious. A trait from his time in the Defense Militia. Especially during the Halt Wars. He remembered when commanders had them jump the gun into the Halt's traps. Even more so he remembered those who were lost in those battles.
"This Empire executed an entire religious people. Then called all of them traitors. This isn't a government we should align ourselves with." Chairman Elde Zaldey remarked. "The Republic had its flaws, but purging a culture shouldn't be the answer."
Derek rubbed his chin thinking about the Togruta's words. But as the Council began to argue, he wondered how the Senate could get a vote in an hour. As the arguments gained momentum, Chairman Adry Geyr stood up, catching the council's attention.
"I once believed the Republic was a beacon of hope in the galaxy. Then the Clone Wars came. The Republic fell into a pit of internal chaos. Unable to unite." she said and Derek listened closely to the words. "Perhaps this Empire can truly unite the galaxy as it promises."
Sparks flew around as Zarc installed MG5 launchers under his ship's cockpit. Now with the war over and the Empire rising from the Republic, he needs every advantage. Finishing up the launcher he grabbed his comlink. "Glet run diagnostics on the launcher." he asked the Rodian. I9 rolled up with a screwdriver in his metal arm. The Devaronian grabbed the tool wondering what the droid was thinking.
"While you're at it, test out the sensor jammer." Mevu asked. Zarc walked to the bench with tools.
"Good news, the launchers and sensors are operational." the Weequay reported. Now the ship was ready for running blockades. Next was for a new client.
The Empire was now in control of Ondru. Lor leaned on the railing above the landing platform. Snow fell onto the refinery as a blizzard grew over the horizon. Most of the guards watched in anticipation for the Empire to arrive. Apparently, there are considerations in the Empire to use this rust bucket for an outpost. Watching the sky, they waited to see if those rumors were true. Then roars of engines echoed the fields.
"There!" Corporal Spraoc Frel yelled pointing towards a gunship.
Everyone watched with glee for the possibility of getting out of here. Perhaps go home for real warmth. As it landed Captain Oli walked through the snow, greeting the Clones. Lor clapped for the trooper's arrival and soon the gathered guards joined in.
A landspeeder raced along the highway to Fyre. Snow blowing in the wind. An Admiral was assigning new chain codes to all citizens. Qiss and Troc weren't going to refuse a requirement. Imperial fighters flew over the air patroling the planet. As the city's gate came into view, he slowed down the speeder. Clones and Defense militia were stationed at the checkpoint. Lowering the window, the Mon Calamari smiled at a clone trooper in light blue decorations.
"Are you coming for the new chain codes?" the soldier asked.
"Yes sir." Qiss said, seeing his breath in the cold.
"The station is at the Crusader Park. The troopers there will direct you further."
"Thank you sir." he said before putting the window back up. The clone directed them forward and they left the checkpoint, entering the city.
Clones marched through the Defense Center along with local forces. Even though they all were part of the Empire, the clones distrusted the Defense Force. The Army and Militia were a mix mash of local, Republic, and Separatist equipment. Standing on a balcony over the yard, Druid deactivated entire droid battalions. Free to be scrapped by the locals. As he calculated how many separatist tech there were, Captain Chix walked to his side.
"We need to talk?" Chix said.
"Sure. About?" the Commander asked.
"What are we doing?" the Captain asked and Druid looked over. "We were made to fight for the Republic. Serve the Jedi. But it's gone. We killed the Jedi. Now what are we doing?"
The commander put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "We're soldiers. The Republic is the Empire now. We'll serve it until the end. Focus on that."
A T-70 blew snow into the wind along the back roads of the towering snow hills. When the farm appeared over a hill, Jes slowed down through the gate. AG-9 shuffled out of the farmhouses, heading towards the homestead. Parking the speeder bike in the garage, the droid waved at the human. Making her way to the heated interior, her father ran to the droid. Then he spotted her walking.
"Get inside. Blizzard incoming." he yelled as he lifted the droid. Jes turned her walk into a run.
At the door, she locked the barn, garage, and farmhouses. Once her father brought the droid inside, she locked the door. Sealing the family inside. In time, as the calm winds turned bitter harshness. Letting out a breath of relief, she walked into the living room. Dad was brushing snow off of AG while R2-B9 rolled up from the maintenance shed. Patting the little astromech on the head, Jes walked down to find Tessa welding a stabilizing wheel to the C1 she was repairing.
"Hey kiddo." Jes said. The little sis turned off the welder and turned with a smile. She ran and hugged the scrapper. As they let go, the scrapper grabbed a power-flux regulator from her satchel. "Here's a gift for you." she said and the little girl giggled from excitement. Tessa ran over to the droid and began installing the salvaged tech. Leaning next to her sister, Jes watched as the magician worked. "How is the old scrap heap coming?"
"The accentuating coupler needs replacement. The memory bank is fried. And that's just the top on my list." Tessa said tightening the regulator in the astromech. Patting her kid sister's back, Jes promised to get what she needs.
Walking along the palace's halls, Mun was reading the morning reports. The Empire decommissioned the Defense Army's droid armies. and plans on decommissioning the Vulture droid fleet. The bulk of the Defense Army was about to be lost. The Pau'an can't let this happen. Entering the Military Wing of the palace, he found clones walking around in patrols. The Royal Guard was absent. Continuing on the Imperial clones eyed him. His rank of Advisor was the only thing letting him pass through.
The once-warmed halls were filled with a chilling cold. Not like the winds of the wild. As he passed General Sothail Fadol's office, he recognized that her MagnaGuards were replaced with ARC troopers. One can only imagine what the Bothan was planning now.
When Admiral Holt's office came into view, he was surprised to see four Commando's. The Pau'an wasn't expecting such high security for the Admiral in peace times. But as he made closer, a commando caught his eye. The clone raised his hand out, stopping the Advisor. "I need to see your chain codes." the clone ordered. As the man handed the soldier the codes, the Admiral exited the office.
"Advisor Brab. I'm surprised to see you this early." the Imperial said. Then he noticed the chain codes in his guard's hand. "Don't worry about the Advisor's codes. He can be trusted."
"Yes sir." the clone said, handing back Mun's codes. "Sorry sir."
"Thank you. Admiral, I was hoping to discuss some topics with you." the Pau'an said. The Admiral put his hand on the Advisor's shoulder.
"Come let's walk and talk." Holt said. As the group walked down the halls, Mun's spine shivered at the armor echoing around. "I assume this is about the decommissioning of your droid armies."
The Admiral's movements were calm and clear. He had expected to have this conversation. He no doubt rehearsed his speech. Mun was at a unique disadvantage. But it was too late and there wasn't any other reason for this conversation.
"Why yes it is." he said, entering cautiously. "You took away a bulk of the Defense Army's ability to defend us efficiently."
"That is what the Clones are here to do. The is no longer a military power strong enough to threaten the Empire. Ondru and its assets are safe." Holt reassured. Mun wasn't convinced but hid his emotions. "Now I have a meeting with several Council Members and I don't want to be late. Have a good day Advisor." The last word he heightened. A warning perhaps. But the Pau'an could only watch as the Imperial walked away.
The warm cup in Derek's hands was intoxicating compared to the bitter cold outside. Waiting for 952 to arrive with the latest reports. As more employees came and left, he noticed more clones in the chamber than what was authorized. But he brushed it off as miscommunication. Nothing for him to worry about. When 952 entered the chamber, a clone started to hassle the droid. The Chairman walked over catching the conversation.
"My master is a member of the Royal Council. You should treat me with respect." the droid said.
"I don't care about any of that. Just show me your codes." the clone ordered.
"I am a Protocol Droid of the Royal Council. Our sovereignty will not be tarnished." Easing the tension, the Chairman intervened.
"Sorry trooper. My droid is in need of maintenance." Derek said, extending out his chain code. "TC-952 will show you her codes." The droid gave the Chairman a surprised glare. But it relented, handing the clone its codes. Upon inspection, the soldier handed them back.
"Have a good day sir." the clone said.
Derek nodded as he led the droid into the halls. 952 handed the human a datapad with today's reports. As he inspected the data, he noticed no appointments for the standard week. Stopping he turned to the droid. "What happened to my appointments?"
"I do not know. I assumed with the Empire here there was little to speak about." 952 said.
Shaking his head, Derek rushed to his office. Hoping to find out what is going on. As he arrived at the hall where his office was located, four Commandos stood at attention. The Chairman grabbed his chain code, approaching the soldiers. They extended his arm out and he handed them to codes. They inspected it for a moment, before handing it back.
"Admiral Holt is waiting for you inside Chairman." the Commando said, moving to the side.
Derek and 952 walked inside finding the Imperial inspecting the Halt totem. A gift from Chief Itmal'soua. A sign for protection. Seeing it in the Imperial's hand was eerie. When he spotted the Chairman, he put the totem down. "It's a pleasure to see your Chairman Lort."
"The pleasure is all mine Admiral. If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?" Derek asked.
"There are new orders I'm afraid. The Empire will handle dealing with the Halt. You're dismissed." Holt said to Derek's surprise. It'll defy the Arcta Treaty. He was risking the safety of thousands. He needs answers.
"Why are you doing this? Our relations with the Halt will deteriorate." Derek said.
"You can pack your belongings. Then my clones will escort you out." the Imperial said.
The man tried to protest, falling on deaf ears. Marching to the desk he grabbed a pair of comlinks out. Stuffing one in his pocket, he handed 952 the second. "Keep an eye on the affairs with the Halt. I want to stay up to date."
"But sir. Won't the Admiral find that as spying?" the droid asked as the human began to pack up whatever he could.
"Yes. But you won't tell him."
"But that's against my programing."
"Are you programmed to keep the peace between the Halt and Ondru?"
"Of course." the droid answered. The human smirked and the machine understood what it meant. Finishing packing, he walked out of the office for possibly the last time.
Watching the Munificents descend to the surface, Diless was helpless. They all were to be scrapped under the Empire's orders. Leaning back in her chair, she knew the rest of her fleet was endangered. Typing on her datapad, she recorded secret orders. Trying to protect her fleet from this Empire. As she reorganized Groupt Ten, she heard the rumble of Clone armor echo behind her. Hiding the datapad under her console, she turned around finding Captain Len Fror marching up the bridge with an escort squad.
"I see the transfer is doing well." the Imperial taunted.
"The frigates will reach the salvage yards in a matter of hours." 384 reported. Much to the Admiral's disapproval.
"Let me know when it is done. There is much more for this fleet to do for modernization." Fror said. Diless only saw it as demilitarization. And soon the fleet will be nothing. If Ondru was to survive, she'd need to find allies and resources.
