Chapter 5: The Arms' Dealer

February 8, 2227.

After a week of scans and recons, the den of whoever was supplying the Tambaran with new weapons and gear had been finally uncovered on the planet Daratar, in the Faryar system. The monitoring of the transmissions revealed that the dealer, a Salarian named Voz Natrim, was going to inspect the cache that same day.

After sending a report to Earth, and receiving the blessing of the Emperor for this operation, Jane gathered her main collaborators in the strategic room and they planned around the projections that the scans were sending. They showed that the base was built inside a rocky formation, as it was usual for most improvised bases of small groups.

The outside area, however, was where all the stocks were put, and there were five landing pads from which cargo shuttles could land, load several crates, then head back for the main freighter that would be waiting in orbit.

"Shepard I have gained access to the inventory of the base." EDI spoke up. "It appears there are three heavy security Mechs, possibly the first line of defense against intruders."

"Good to know." said Jane. "That said, we'll get in two waves. Me, Javik and Chief will drop first and engage the mercs on the landing pads, then we'll go in and find Natrim. Javik, when we find him, I want you to get everything you can out of his head."

"Consider it done, Captain." the Prothean replied with no hesitation.

"Wilhelm, you will lead the rest of the platoon and secure the rest of the building. See if you can find anything that might point us toward understanding Natrim's traffics."

Wilhelm nodded and, after clearing the few other details, they all went to prepare.

While the Normandy waited silently, the first Kodiak was dropped, with the other following shortly after. Jane and her team were on the first. The shuttle dived through the atmosphere, allowing Jane to see the shields repelling the burning that the friction caused on the hull. After a few seconds, they were inside the planet, heading at full speed toward the hideout.

The pilot brought them straight over an empty landing pad. Surely, the mercs were not expecting an attacker to be this bold, as there was nobody to guard the area.

At least, that was the first thought in Jane's mind, before she heard multiple bleeps and the three heavy mechs activated at the same time, scattered around the zone.

"Take cover!" she quickly ordered, switching her assault rifle for the grenade launcher folded on her back.

Luckily, there were some natural covers and the amount of reinforced crates gave the team a fair amount of protection from the heavy machine guns and the missiles. Moving around quickly and firing before the mechs had the time to adjust their aim, Jane bombarded them one by one until they finally blew up.

By that time, the second shuttle arrived. Jane wasted no time talking with them as they had already lost several minutes to deal with the mechs, and the mercenaries had certainly noticed that they were under attack.

To prove that, when they breached the entrance, they found a small team that was putting up a barricade. At least they were caught by surprise and Jane's team didn't hesitate to use this advantage to cut them down to a half, then engaging a brief firefight against the others.

When they overcame the first line, Jane went near them and quickly took a look at their armors. She noticed that they had quite unique uniforms, both the Humans and the other aliens, however a Turian was wearing the armor of the Blue Sun.

The squad kept pressing forward. They had to pass through a gangplank bridge that led to a higher platform. Chief took point and easily gunned down the next three mercenaries that tried to stop him.

Fighting their way through the other rooms, the assault team arrived into what looked like the main storage room, where they heard a voice on PA.

"Activate security measures."

The voice had the classical imprint and rhythm of a Salarian, meaning that it was probably Natrim's. However, it wasn't much of a concern as the fact that a series of laser turrets appeared from the walls. They immediately dived behind covers, however they didn't need much time to react instinctively: Jane quick-hacked a turret, which fired on another one, and now that they had a flank clear, Chief charged into the jungle of boxes while Javik covered him.

A squad of mercenaries intervened to try and suppress the intruders, but they were quickly outfought by the much more experienced and coordinated members of the Normandy.

The team eventually reached what seemed to be the main control center of the compound and indeed they faced a squad of heavily armed soldiers, who even tech armors as an additional layer of protection and quality weapons.

Chief summoned his directional shield and sprinted forward, giving his companions a way to reach a cover safely, after they displaced the previous occupiers with a biotic explosion for one and a max overload plus a bullet for the other.

Jane tried to look around, but she saw no Salarian whatsoever. She then directed her focus onto a Krogan bodyguard who was charging in her direction, but seemingly out of nowhere, Chief slammed against the alien at huge speed, knocking both over and engaging a furious brawl. Confident that his Legionnaire friend had everything under control, Jane used her omni-tool to sabotage the weapons of a Turian guard and then gunned down a Human with her Harrier rifle.

Even if with a certain struggle, eventually the trio overcame their foes, killing them all.

And still no sign of Natrim.

"Where the hell is he?" Jane murmured, then referred to the Legionnaire. "Chief, plug Cortana into that terminal."

Chief answered by just making two large steps and using his omni-tool to give Cortana access to the mainframe.

In no time, Cortana found out the truth. "It's a scam. Natrim was talking through a radio, but he's not on this planet."

"Correct." the voice of the Salarian replied on the PA. "You wouldn't assume I would get out in the open with one the most famous Spectres of the galaxy on my tail, right?"

"All you got is a little more time." Shepard replied in a snarky voice.

"Just a little...sure." the Salarian simply replied with a smug tone, but then stayed quiet.

Jane noticed that Cortana was working with extreme speed on the systems of the control center.

"What's happening?" the Dealer demanded to know.

Then Cortana seemingly finished her work. "Captain, there is a nuclear device beneath the structure. I severed the connection, but she should immediately move to secure it before anyone tries to blow it up manually." the AI reported.

"Nice work, Cortana. Inform Wilhelm and the others, me and Javik will go forth."

"Yes, ma'am."

Natrim had apparently closed his transmission. He would've had to wait, though Jane was frustrated that they she had been played, at least they still took out the major base from which weapons were smuggled to the Tambaran.

That, and not being blasted out of the universe by a nuclear bomb, would have had to suffice, for the day.

February 10, 2227.

Things between the Tribe and the Mandalorians of Atin were going surprisingly swiftly. Even if the 'helmet question' was still a motive of friction and incomprehension between the two groups, they had managed to put that aside and start living together, and partially thanks to the mediation of the Jedi, the organization to which now they were both allied.

The Tribe had decided to settle just outside of the main town, where they could have enough privacy to maintain their tenet without risks of further incidents. For anything else, the Tribe had already started to mingle with their kin and to show up at the Jedi Academy to train alongside or with the students there.

In particular, Din visited the place daily to check up on Grogu, just as he was doing right now, with Ezra helping the small alien relearning the basics of using the Force.

The young Master was sitting cross-legged on the ground, making a pebble float in the air. Grogu watched the pebble with curiosity and perhaps a certain familiarity. Then Ezra attracted it back to his hand, offering it on the palm.

"All right, Grogu. Take it." he invited.

Grogu stood there, tilted his head in confusion and then looked at Din.

"Come on." Din said, trying to encourage him.

Then again, it seemed like Grogu wasn't keen on trying.

"Perhaps not fun enough, for him it is." the voice of Yoda spoke out of nowhere, carrying a note of fun.

"Master Yoda." Ezra greeted in a friendly manner.

"What do you mean 'fun'?" Din asked confused and maybe a little annoyed. "Training is training. Is not supposed to be fun, is supposed to be useful."

"Several ways to train, there are. And the mind of a child, the right incentive, needs."

"All right then." Ezra said in a pragmatic approach. "Do you know what can possible draw his attention?"

"Me? Maybe to him, you should ask." Yoda replied before laughing.

Ezra made a lopsided grin and turned again toward Grogu. He looked at him for a moment, then the little alien turned his head toward Din. The mandalorian looked at his little friend and then sighed under his helmet.

Din reached for one of his pockets and took out a little sphere. Ezra could see it thanks to his enhanced sight, and realized that it was the knob of a small-sized lever. Possibly from the Razor Crest, he thought. Grogu seemed suddenly much more interested.

"All right, kid. Do as your teacher says." the mando ordered with a paternal tone.

The kid turned his whole body around and, after a moment of preparation, he extended his hand. Soon, he started to be visibly strained. Ezra could feel a movement in the Force, as Grogu was certainly putting his damnedest into getting that knob.

As the pressure increased, the small ball finally flew from Din's palm and toward Grogu.

It hit him straight on the forehead instead of his hand. The little alien blabbed something with an angry expression.

"That's a start, I guess." Ezra said overall satisfied with the result.

"When 900 years to learn you have, your time you take." Yoda quipped.

The younger Master smiled and thought about a few days before, when they had presented Grogu to Yoda. The latter and even Master Kota confirmed his identity: Grogu had been found by the Order a couple decades before the Clone Wars and he was raised by at least three different Masters over time. He was supposed to be the next Yoda, since their species was extremely rare, yet the older green guy wasn't the first in history.

Before the Clone Wars, there was a female specimen, Yaddle, who had been killed before the war. And throughout the entire history of the Order, there were other aliens like them who had served as guides to the Jedi for centuries.

Ezra couldn't help but imagine just how many challenges the new Order was facing. Raising a youngling that would need at least two centuries when the organization was barely managing to carry on its duties, this was a quest unlike any.

"Then I guess it's time for a break." Ezra decreed, standing up from the ground. "Why don't you help him know the other younglings?" he asked Din. "He would certainly benefit."

"If you think so. Come on, Grogu." the mandalorian said and started walking toward the other younglings in the courtyard of the Academy.

Ezra then took the opportunity to talk with Yoda.

"How was your training when you were young, Master?" he asked without getting around it

Yoda made his amused hum. "Ask my Master, you should. Because my head, a little faulty is." he said with another carefree laugh.

"Ok, I get it. I'll have to figure it out myself." Ezra replied with a quip.

They made a few more steps before Yoda added a phrase with a more encouraging tone. "Of your skills, never doubt, Ezra. But remember: no manner of teaching, perfect is."

"Thanks, Master." Ezra said, grateful for the kind word, then he went on his way, as it was almost time for him to preside a lesson with both some younglings and his two formal Padawans.

First, however, he made a stop at his sister's house to check on her, and found Jaral sitting at the table trying to feed Samira with a spoon, while Sabine was next to her, doing the same thing with Jacen, only that Jacen was sitting on a chair with a few pillows beneath to help him reach the table, and Sabine was helping him eating on his own.

"Here comes the spaceship!" Jaral said with the usual playful voice directed to kids, making the spoon float with the Force, which Samira watched giggling and waving her hands.

The baby took the mouthful and the women noticed Ezra entering at that moment.

"Hey kids, look who showed up." Sabine said and pointed Jacen so he could see his god-father.

Jaral quickly did the same with his daughter, and both kids took a look at him.

"Uncle Ezra!" Jacen yelled happily. He was now two years and was able to recognize Hera, Chopper, Raze, Zeb, Sabine and the siblings.

Ezra instinctively smiled widely and went to rub Jacen on the head, adding even a smooch on his forehead. "Are you listening to Aunt Sabine, Jacen?" he asked jokingly.

Jacen bobbed his head multiple times. Samira bumbled something, though it sounded something like "Ed-da." and she was clearly looking at him. She was now three months away from her first birthday and was still starting to form words.

"Jacen, how about you come here and help Samira?" Jaral proposed, and the kid excitingly accepted.

Having earned a couple minutes on their own, the adults stepped away from the table. Ezra put an arm around Sabine's neck.

"How's Grogu going?" Jaral asked.

"There is some progress, but sometimes I wonder if he's more interested in learning about the Force or about Din's culture."

"Maybe he will embrace both." Sabine suggested. "I'm sure he would become unstoppable."

"Provided the Order will be able to train him after we will die of old age." Ezra replied.

"Well, we have time for that. Rather, have you heard any news from Llanic?" Jaral said.

Ezra sighed faintly. "Yes, and they are not good. Ahsoka says that the Commons are just slowing down the imperials, but they are unable to stop them. Also...it seems like the Astartes have reappeared."

Jaral was taken aback. "What?"

"Master Kota and his Padawans reportedly saw them during an imperial boarding attempt of the last orbital fortress of the planet. And the recordings shows they are actually there."

"Weren't they done with the Sith?" Sabine asked a little annoyed.

"I don't think they are fighting for Vader or the Emperor. I saw them leading stormtroopers in battle, and in the middle of a purely military operation like that on Llanic. If you ask me…"

"They are probably serving Iulius." Jaral interrupted.

Ezra made a quiet nod. "Yeah. That said, we should keep our eyes open on them. Until we're sure they have stopped working for the Sith, they might still be our concern."

"Right. What about Dhara? Has she recovered?"

"Zare reassured me that she is already back on the field. And that message we received recently indicates that even the Imps have taken a liking to her."

"I am honestly surprised at how easily she has decided to help those who tortured her." Sabine commented.

"Correction: the Inquisitors tortured her." Ezra explained. "The average conscript of the Empire didn't do anything to her. And what she did is exactly what the entire Order should strive to become: a neutral side that helps everybody."

"Let's hope the galaxy recognizes this effort…hey, you have a message incoming." his wife said, noticing a glowing on the left hand of Ezra.

The Jedi Master saw it and lifted his arm to light up his omni-tool to read the message.

A message that left him astounded, confused and horrified.

February 15, 2227.

"Wait, is this true?" Iulius asked. His tone was both hopeful, but also completely flabbergasted at the stupidity that it was showing.

"Absolutely." Yagler said with a grin as she stood right next to Qathora. "The Commonwealth's Assembly has banished the Jedi Order from operating within its borders. And since it was sent almost a week ago, it's safe to assume the Jedi are no longer defending Llanic."

"Dhara Leonis has not been spotted in four rotations, and even her followers." Qathora confirmed. "These guys have just renounced to their best defenders."

Iulius looked again at the intercepted message, where the Commonwealth condemned the fact that a member of the Jedi Order had been rescuing imperial wounded, no matter if she was doing the same for the rebels', and formally expelled the Order.

This seemed way too strange: the politicians of the Commonwealth had to see that their reasoning was just too stupid. Dhara Leonis was basically an unarmed field medic doing what all medics swear to do (saving lives), and she certainly wasn't helping prisoners escape or anything, just stitching up anyone who needed her help.

Nonetheless, if all the Jedi had been expelled, this meant that even those who were on the Golan III were gone, and it was finally time to launch the assault he had hesitated to do until that point.

He put a finger on the Intercom to reach the bridge. "Commander Windrider, put the fleet in offensive stance."

Nash was likely taken by surprise, but after a moment to realize that those words were serious, he replied "Yes, sir!" without hesitation.

He then stood up and headed straight for the bridge as the alarm for battle stations started blaring around the corridors. When he reached it, the fleet was ready to move, since it had been kept at high readiness. Even the Executor was ready to start another round.

The plan had been actually laid out in the previous rotation: the fleet would commit a little more than before and try to at least take out half of the turrets of the platform, which were constantly repaired during respite, and allow a larger force to board the station.

Some commanders, Ozzel first, had proposed to simply destroy the platform, but that would mean putting at risk the Executor and other capital ships. And as Iulius had to reluctantly admit, it's far easier to replace men than huge ships.

Only if this boarding failed as well, would he order to just bombard the structure out of existence and get done with it, because this planet was already taking up too much time.

"All units, commence the attack." he ordered once all ships reported combat readiness.

The battle started with another massive volley from the weapons of the Executor.

What was left of the Commonwealth's fleet moved forward to engage the imperial fleet and give the platform some protection. To Iulius, that seemed almost suicidal, given that they only had a couple of heavy frigates at most and not a single cruiser.

However, a doubt crossed his mind and he contacted Admiral Versio.

"Admiral, deploy your squadron between us and the hyperspace exit for Tythe."

"Yes, Grand Admiral. Do you think the enemy is sending reinforcements?" the Admiral calmly asked.

"No, but better safe than sorry. Keep your sensors pinned in that direction."

The Admiral nodded and closed the transmission. While the Eviscerator and her ships moved toward the designated position, the battle was raging already. The fighter lines were already launched and engaging furious dogfights all around the area, but Iulius was keeping his best wings in reserve for the crucial moment.

"Captain Octis, do you copy?"

"We read you, Grand Admiral."

"You might begin the 'Carousel' on those torpedo bays."

"Right away."

The 'Carousel' was a simple maneuver where the Victory-class cruisers moved into a circular formation, like a wheel, and the one that passed closest to the target fired its volley of missiles, then it would proceed to give room to the next ship, creating a constant barrage of missiles.

A tactic that soon proved effective, as the torpedoes that were slow enough to pass through the shields hit the platform's armed stations, blowing up the magazines.

"Grey, Kyrell, Fel, engage the enemy fighters and secure an approach vector for the transports."

"Copy that, Titan Wing, moving in." Grey answered.

"Blizzard Wing, moving to attack." Kyrell said.

"181ststarting attack run." Fel concluded.

By now, the three commanders and their pilots had become known as 'Tanis' Wind.'. After years of working together, and especially after their campaign in the Haeleus Sector, they had developed a unique synergy that allowed them to overcome pretty much every opposition. This time was no exception.

In a handful of minutes, the way to the platform's hangars was clear and defenseless. The transports started moving toward it, and the Rogue Shadow was the first in line, bearing her cargo of powerful warriors.

"Morit to Admonitor, we've secured the first hangar. No sign of the Jedi, yet." the male Astarte reported after around six minutes.

"Understood. Assault team Cluster, keep your ranks tight and proceed with the occupation."

One of the reasons why Iulius had had to delay this attack was because he had spent the last weeks forcing Starkiller, the Astartes and Inferno Squad to work together. Since they were the most destructive elements of the 101st, Iulius had wanted them to act as a single unit, rather than in separate groups like they had done so far. That way, he hoped that they would have a better chance facing off the Jedi.

The Force-wielders might have already left, but one thing was for sure: Cluster team was just cutting through the defenses of the Commonwealth as if they were made of butter. The Commons, too busy trying to contain them, were too distracted to stop the boarding parties on the other hangar. The 753rd Stormtrooper battalion, a new unit formed mostly from rookies and a handful of veterans, poured in easily and started conquering the platform room-by-room.

The resistance of the rebels was desperate, but also kinda fanatical, as there were reports of some of those soldiers who, when the opportunity presented, took a thermal detonator or two and threw themselves at the attackers, trying to take as many as they could down with them.

Seeing that the enemy was resorting to such tactics, the soldiers of the 753rd went blind. They didn't flee, for the training of a Stormtrooper was still harsh enough that they were taught how to ignore fear, but they quickly understood the reality of any rookie coming out of boot camp: training can't possibly prepare someone to the chaotic reality of a battlefield.

From the helmet-cams, Iulius witnessed the fight between the regular soldiers of both sides devolving into a savage melee. Both sides screamed at each other or more often than not sought a melee rather than fire at each other from a distance. Eventually, the numerical superiority and the training of the boys in white won the day, though not without many casualties.

After an hour of brutal fighting, it was eventually Cluster team that reached the control center and took it. From there on, the resistance of the Commonwealth became disorganized and easy to overcome, but it was nonetheless a bloody affair.

In order to completely take the station, the 753rd had suffered 43% casualties.

February 23, 2227.

Thanks to the intel gathered by Cortana, Natrim's real position was clear: a hideout in the jungle of the planet Invictus, in the Minos Wasteland.

"To put a base here, they must really be determined to keep their secrecy." Garrus noted.

"Why this place in particular makes you say so?" Javik asked with curiosity.

"We Turians have a saying: 'A house in an Invictus' jungle.' to indicate ideas who look good only to the one coming up with it. Aside from the desert strip, this planet's jungles are hostile to any colonization."

"Which means that not only they are very secretive. They also have the money and means to build a base in such an environment." Jane concluded the reasoning as the Kodiak was about to touch ground.

"Still, they shouldn't be able to host more than 20 people, if they want to keep a low profile." Garrus added.

"Maybe my colleague will be able to give us the numbers."

The 'colleague' was the first Krogan Spectre ever: Nakmor Dresh. Promoted just ten years before.

He was waiting for them at the edge of the jungle. After his and Jane's omni-tools exchanged an encrypted signal, the Krogan came out of his camouflage, a rare feat for a species that usually favored brute shows of force.

"Captain Shepard. A pleasure to see you." he said, extending a hand so she could clasp it in a friendly manner.

"Me too, Dresh. Heard you've been having some fun tracking down traffickers, in the last two years."

"They are usually a challenging prey, just the way I like 'em." the Krogan replied before turning around, pointing toward a direction that went inside the depths of the jungle. "And your Salarian is no exception."

Then he gave a look at Jane's companions and noticed Javik. "Hey, is that the famed Prothean?" he asked.

"I am." Javik replied in a neutral tone.

"Can you really read the mind of anybody with just a touch?" Dresh asked with a mixture of curiosity and amazement. Two traits that, combined with his patience and prowess had made him a valid candidate for the Spectres.

To answer, Javik stepped closer and touched the Krogan on the shoulder, establishing a connection.

"Nakmor Dresh. You were born just in time to become a warrior when the Reapers arrived. You support your people's efforts to become a part of the galactic community and worked to become a Spectre. You also want to impress a Krogan female named Jard…"

"All right, all right, I'm convinced." Dresh quickly said, scrambling away from the Prothean, then returned serious. "Come with me, I'll show you their base."

The group marched for a couple km into the jungle before they arrived on a small hill where they could spot the roofs of a few prefabs.

"I counted no more than 24 armed guards in there." Dresh explained. "Meaning they won't be much of a problem with our combined strength."

"Have you come up with a plan?" Jane asked.

"Yes, I spent the last few days mapping the surroundings, and I found a path in the jungle that is most likely used by those guys for emergency escapes. Here." he lit up his omni-tool to pass the map of the area. Jane was still looking at it when Dresh added the synthesis of the plan. "You guys get there and cut their escape route. I will go knock on the front door and scare them a little."

"I'm not exactly fond sending you in alone." Jane objected.

"Hey, I might be young, but I'm not stupid." Dresh replied convinced. "I wouldn't propose this if I I wasn't sure I could make it out alive. Besides, they will most likely assume that I'm a vanguard for a larger force and run away without much of a fight."

Jane hummed in thought, but eventually decided that Dresh wouldn't be a Spectre if he couldn't handle a couple dozen of thugs and nodded positively. "Then I'll see you once we get Natrim."

"Good."

Twenty minutes later, after Jane confirmed that she and her team were in position, Dresh attacked, showing in front of the main access to the camp and being immediately fired upon. He broke the first guard house with a biotic charge and the M-300 'Claymore' in his hands. Easily breaking into the network of the pirates, Jane could clearly hear the panic spreading among them when they realized a heavily armed Krogan with the symbols of the Citadel Council was wreaking havoc.

Also, she clearly heard the voice of Natrim ordering the evacuation through the escape route. Jane, Garrus and Javik drew their weapons and laid an ambush behind a tree surrounded by bushes and a couple rocks.

It didn't take long before the first group of mercenaries poured outside, with Natrim being among them.

When they were inside the range for a safe shot, Jane said "Now!" in the comlink and she crouched laterally to fire with her assault rifle. Garrus immediately shot a merc through the helmet with his sniper rifle, while Javik prepared a biotic explosion with his powers, mainly to push Natrim outside of the group.

After taking care of them, Natrim was laying against a rock, passed out from the throw. Jane quickly ran to his side and scanned him for other weapons or traps. He had no more of them, and he was still breathing. She secured him and shortly after the second group of survivors came out.

They were only a Batarian and a Human. The latter was just running, the former fired a burst back into the dark alley, but Dresh came out anyway with his full armor and smashing his head by slamming with the shotgun.

The Batarian quickly realized that he was surrounded and dropped his rifle, begging for mercy.

"Garrus, seize him." Jane calmly ordered.

Dresh refrained from making any other move and made a few breaths to suppress his blood rage, then put away his weapon.

"Great work, Dresh." she complimented.

"It's been an honor working with a Shepard." the Krogan replied with deep respect.

After all, John Shepard was the man who had cured the Genophage. The family really was regarded as one of heroes among the Krogans, and Dresh wasn't beneath that.

"Javik. Time to do the thing." she quipped.

Since Natrim was only out of his senses, Javik could read his thoughts even better. So he got near the laying body of the Salarian and put his hand on the chest of the dealer and closed his eyes. The rest of the group stood around and waited a few seconds until the Prothean was done with his probing. He stood up and explained.

"Seems like he wasn't working for the Tambaran. Somebody else commissioned his deliveries."

"Can you tell who?"

"He doesn't know. He was contacted by an intermediary, an Asari called Reena T'Mosa."

"Okay, let's pass this name to both Liara and MI6. Anything else we should know?"

"He got his weapons from a subsidiary company of Elkoss Combine. Maybe we should look into it."

"On that, we agree." Jane concluded. "Let's get these two to the nearest Alliance's cruiser, then we will report this to the Council. Need a lift, Dresh?"

"Thanks, but I have my ship not far from here. I'll go to the Citadel to make the report, then take my next assignment."

"Then we better go."