Tales of the Star Wolves
Episode I
War's End
The galaxy is engulfed in war as the Republic and the Separatist Alliance fight to gain ground. Seeking to avoid the chaos of the war, the planet Ondru sought to be neutral. Using their Defense Forces to protect themselves from both sides.
A cold wind blew through the metal fuel refinery sending chills down Corporal Lor Semor's spine. He hated this assignment. This place was poorly maintained, far from the closest settlement, and from his understanding wasn't giving the planet its returns. If it was up to him, he would scrap this place for what little it was worth. Leaning on the railing, looking at the hills of snow. It was mesmerizing compared to the steel of the refinery. As he let his focus go away, Private Jund Taw came back from the refresher.
"How's the view?" the Ishi Tib asked.
Leaning back up, the human smirked as they resumed their patrol. As they marched down a ramp, one of the incarnation workers eyed the DC-15A Carbine in Lor's hands.
"Ever wonder what those guys got locked up for? Jund asked.
"Rather not." Lor said.
Moments later a Youlka Bird landed on the railing. Swinging his arms out, the pesky bird flew away. More and more of those pests were coming around daily. Chewing through wires, stealing tools, and getting in all sorts of trouble. As the two guards continued their patrol, the comms came alive.
"Good news everyone. The Separatists surrendered. The war's over." Captain Chun Oli reported. The two friends were in silence. The war is over. The galaxy was forever changed.
Walking into the Throne Room, Advisor Mun Brab was smiling for the first time in years. Seeing King Isom Jelkol having a private feast. As he drank rich imported wine, the Pau'an set a datapad on the table. "Mun, come sit. Enjoy the end of the war." Accepting the offer, a servant brought over a chair. Sitting down, Mun grabbed a Sorkin Leg. Biting into the juicy meat, a holo message appeared in front of the King. "Zhul. What a pleasure. Tell me, did the Republic accept our proposal?"
"Proposal?" Mun questioned.
"We're waiting for the Senate to authorize the deal. But things are changing rapidly I'm afraid." the Duro said, his voice solum. The Pau'an and the human looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" the King asked.
"Palpatine proclaimed a new order. The Republic is over. We're living in an Empire now."
At those words, the Pau'an was surprised. An Empire. Now it was clear what Palpatine's loyalties were. Himself. Now the Republic was erased into a new Empire. As an advisor, he can't let Ondru fall into a possible dictatorship. "My lord. Perhaps we should wait and watch what this Empire is."
"Oh don't worry Mun. I'm sure this Empire isn't much different from the Republic. Am I right Zhul?" Jelkol asked. The Duro rubbed his chin.
"The Empire is keeping much of the Republic's structure, so I assume they are."
"Splendid. Continue on Senator."
The hologram dissipated and the King sipped his wine. Mun reached for another Sorkin leg, fearing the worst. He can't let the King lead Ondru into an untrustworthy regime. "My lord, I know you want what's best for the planet, but we really don't know what this Empire intends for Ondru."
"The finer details can be settled with time." Jelkol said. The Pau'an was getting increasingly worried.
Sparks flew around as Jes Minx cut open a C-9979's hull, revealing a battery cell. Setting the cutter aside, she jammed the clamp around the cell. Pulling it out, she placed the cell on her cart. Grabbing the cutter, the human repeated the process once more. Even with the war over, the galaxy still needs these old ships scrapped. Turned over for more warships. Now for a time of peace. As she got the last of the cells out, Garl Hugri stopped his Flitknot at Jes's station. "I need someone to secure Bay Five's tension cords." the Snivvian said, tossing the woman a datapad. It showed the pinpoints for the cord attachments for a DH-Omni Support Vessel.
"Big load and a risky task." she said.
"You'll get a thousand credit reward. Just get it down." Hugri said before speeding off. Putting the tools on top of the battery cells, she carried the valuable equipment down to her jumpspeeder.
Attaching the cart to a coil, the shadow of a ship hovered above her. Looking up, she saw the damaged remains of a Separatist ship descended down. Hoping onto the speeder, she rushed for Bay Five. Passing rows of C-9979s, Jes wondered if her chance to leave this slug heap had come. The war was over. Her savings were nice. Enough to rent a VCX-50 until she can get on of her own. Reaching the ship Bays, she started to slow down. Coming to a stop at Five.
Running into a tunnel, she started up the control room. Guiding the droids down. Watching the large structure gently fall onto the clamps. Once the droids gave the all-clear, she aimed the wires one by one. Careful not to miss. Once the cutters get to work, these wires will be all that keep the vessel up.
In a hanger, a lone Mon Calamari wielded a Setlive-5 Hyperdrive engine into the T-5 Star Voyager. This art was Qiss Peshcua's business. His resources were low, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the quality of his starships. Something that neither the Republic nor the Confederacy cared for. As the engine was sealed tight, he carried his tools out of the shuttle. Walking down the ramp, he saw his partner, Troc Mul walking down the hanger.
"Is she ready?" the Mon Calamari asked Qiss.
"Just need a few tests then she'll be worthy to fly." the builder said, putting the tools on a table. Troc wrapped his arms around his partner.
"I got good news. The war is over." Qiss couldn't believe what he heard. The war was finally over. Perhaps now they can share their art.
A modified landspeeder sped over the snowy plains, followed by four CK-6s. In the landspeeder, Chairman Derek Lort cruised along. Knowing the purpose of this mission. The Halt needed to know that the war was over. But he doubts it'll bring the tribal people out of the wilderness. As he sped over the ice bridge, TC-952 began speaking. "We've passed the Wayern Bridge." Shaking his head, the human wished he had a less annoying droid.
Pushing the throttle, he ignored the droid. As Ham'an Peak came to his sight, the human signaled the security convoy. Slipping into Jemi Pass, the speeders slowed down. The ice tunnel glowed from the engine's exhaust. He was always in awe at the sight. But it was brief as the red sun shined on the snow. As the Sacred Spire towered above them, the speeders came to a slow stop. Exiting the landspeeder, the Chairman waited for the sentries to show themselves. As the wind blew a fresh sheet of snow, four furry Halts popped out of the snow. TC-952 shuffled through the snow.
"Hello Si'lo. Good to see you again. How did Ke'lo do at his trials?" Derek greeted.
"Tou Si'lo. Epoa tu mup jea namtotu. Seta ko Ke'lo du o ssis rekatautao?" the droid translated. Si'lo spoke in his native language. The droid turned to the human. "Hello Chairman. Ke'lo did well. Caught a Tuskos on the third trial."
"Ah, congratulations. That is a mighty trophy for any man." the human said as the droid translated. "Anyways I've come here. To tell Chief Itmal'soua that the Clone Wars are over." As the droid translated the Halts looked at each other. Before cheering. Si'lo grabbed the human, escorting them to the caverns. It seemed that there was going to be a celebration.
Walking up the metal stairs to the bridge Admiral Lillo Diless, watched her subordinates control the battleship and keep the fleet in formation. With the war over she should feel safer. But she didn't. Tapping in commands on her console, she brought up a hologram of the fleet in the system. Looking at her force, she wanted to prepare for the unlikely case of the new Empire attacking. "Friv." she ordered the Sullustan down below.
"Admiral." Captain Friv said at attention.
"Bring Frigate Squadron Five and Eight to support Ondru Defense Group." she ordered as her eyes looked at Effo. "And send Group Four to Effo Six. If Effo Defense Group is attacked, then they will join the battle."
"Yes ma'am." the Captain said. As he carried out the orders she continued making her plans.
Exiting out of hyperspace Zarc Muv flew the Twi'lek Vixen towards Ondru's fleet. He eyed the mix of ships, careful not to make a mistake. A flight of V-19s flew towards him. "Transmit your clearance codes." one of the pilots ordered. Looking over to his copilot, Glet Kra put in the codes. The starfighters swooped around escorting the YT-1930 prompting the Devaronian to look back at Mevu Vru in the turret. If things go south, the crew would blast their way out. The next few moments were intense. But everything went to plan. "You're clear to proceed."
"Okay, R2-I9 check on the cargo." Zarc ordered the astromech. Entering the atmosphere, he considered himself lucky. Not all of his runs go as well.
With the war over, many of the clones felt lost. None more so than Commander Druid. He fought from Geonosis to Treva Eightteen. When he shot General Ocho in the back. The clone didn't want to kill his friend, but something inside of him made him pull the trigger. Now he was marching down the Venator's bridge to Rear Admiral Colca Holt's side. He handed the Imperial officer a datapad. "The Frontier and Observer are flying into formation."
"Good. Is the 11th Corps ready?"
"The 194th Regiment is awaiting transport to the Prophet."
"Excellent. Once they are onboard, we'll make the jump to hyperspace." the Admiral ordered. The clone walked away, trying to understand what he was doing.
