Happy Halloween to everyone!
My work days are all weird giving me some uneven free and work time. So I pushed myself to have this done today so I hope you all enjoy!
Episode Ten: Getting back, taking a stand.
Another day in the realm of Demons, with each of Owl house residents doing their respective works.
The Owl Lady was brewing her weekly batch of potions and elixirs for sale in the coming week while King commanded/played with his army/stuffed toys of darkness while Luz was typing away on one of her datapads.
The three were silent for the most part as they didn't interfere with each other. Though curiosity wormed its way into the little demon's mind as he glances at Owl House's newest resident. After a minute of wondering. King hops on the couch where Luz sits and plants himself next to her.
"What are you doing, Luz?" The demon asked.
Luz gave King a passing glance before refocusing on the electronic device. "Going over some old contact info. Hoping they can fill in the blanks to some questions I have."
"Still looking for some answers, kid," Eda chimes in.
"There are still some things I don't get. Questions that I'm hoping could get answers." She paused in here, typing to give the Witch a clever smirk. "I'm also wondering how much chaos we spread across the Galaxy with what we pulled at the Temple."
The Witch threw her head back with a laugh. "I bet they would be. How much damage control do you think those guys do after our performance?"
Luz huffed in amusement. "If anything, they are still cleaning it up. I bet that show was broadcast to the whole Republic, not just Coruscant. I'm pretty sure more than a few dozen worlds are still trying to figure out what exactly happened." Eda's amusement soared.
"So, we might be the most wanted individuals in your realm?" Luz shrugged at the question.
"If they got good footage of us, specifically of our faces, then maybe. I'd imagine there would already be a price on Jedi, so if they got images, then more than likely there's a bounty on all our heads."
"How much are we talking about?" Luz pauses to think.
"A lot, I'm guessing. I'll look the next time we head back." She did one final swipe on her pad and smirked in satisfaction. "Found it."
"What? Your friend at?" Luz nodded. "Who are they?"
"Even before the Clone war, many experienced Jedi had a number of personal contacts to help in upholding the peace. During the war, many put them to good use in intelligence gathering. Some of the contacts I made helped in counteracting pirate raiders and slave trafficking."
Ede studied the young Jedi with an impressed look. "Weren't you guys in a war? How did you find time to break away from that to fight small fry?" Luz gave Eda a flat stare.
"Despite fighting the Separatists, we still had our duty in defending the Republic against all threats. Because I chose targets of lesser importance, the people saw the yellow-green armor of my regiment as living heroes who go out of the way for them!" Luz said with slight intensity, making the two Owl residents back.
Eda held her hands up in a calming motion. "Whoa, Kid! Didn't mean anything negative towards it."
Taking a calming breath. "No… I know you didn't. It's just the wounds are still fresh."
The Owl Lady sat down next to the kid and slowly rubbed her back. "That bad, huh?"
"Yeah… I was close to all of them."
"Who were they?" Said as King hoped on Luz's other side. "You didn't talk much about them when you explained your past."
A sad smile spread across her face as good memories unfolded. "The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, under the 8th sector army, 3rd Corps. The Brave Rifles…" Eda and King listened silently as Luz gathered herself. "We were a light unit. Composed and prepped for quick response, light travel, and engagements. That made us perfect for going up against pirates when they decided to show their ugly heads. It started off as a single regiment that soon expanded into three plus a single heavy complement. A little over seven thousand soldiers, not including logistic staff and starships."
"What?!" The listeners reacted with stocked looks. "That's more than the entirety of the Emperor's Coven!" Eda stated. "How and why would they put a child in command of such a large military unit?"
"Jedi have direct links to the military and have been in times of war and conflict since the start of the Republic," Luz stated like she didn't see the problem. "Since I was only a Padawan and not a Knight or Master, I only received the rank of Commander and not General. Which gave me command of regiment size units, just shy of a full legion or Corps." She looked at her friends and saw their looks of disbelief. "What?"
"Just the fact that the government you were a part of lets a teenager that hasn't fully hit puberty command thousands of soldiers," Eda deadpans at the Jedi.
"I'm so jealous!" King shouted.
Said Jedi rolls her eyes. "Anyway, I fought beside them from the defense of Kamino to the siege of Kashyyyk, over two years of hard-fought battles together and with them having my back wherever we went."
Luz clenched her fists till her skin turned pale white. "Captain Drake, Captain Oak, Captain Flash, Captain Pit, Captain Vultan, Lieutenant Swift, Lieutenant Scar, Wade, Blitz, Creed…and so many more." Tears threatened to fall from the corners of her eyes. "We fought together, we laughed together, celebrated victories after mourning our dead…."
"They. . . Taught me more about family than the Jedi did. Showed me the joys of fellowships and made connections that would last a lifetime! Things that Jedi would forbid me from doing."
She laid an enclosed hand over her chest. "I can't tell if the pain I'm feeling in my chest when I think about them is the reason for it, or if it's radiating from them? Either way, I need answers."
"So. . . We're going on another trip to your realm to meet this contact?" Eda clarified.
"That's right. I think you'll like the environment of where we're going."
.{Play Music: Escape (Beat Saber soundtrack trailer)}
The camera zooms in to see a dirty deadeye Luz walking in the rain, passing many dirt mounds with sticks planted in them with brown cloaks of Jedi robes wrapped around them or blaster rifles with clone trooper helmets hanging on them. The smoking aftermath of a battlefield in the background. Photos of Luz with several clones hanging out in a barracks. Luz on a ship's Bridge. The backsides of a younger Padawan Luz and a human male with short black hair in a Knights robe with thick sideburns and a confident smile. An armored Luz riding on her BARC speeder bike with her lightsaber out with several other clones on speeders following her into a battle.
Luz unknowingly walks through the portal door and falls on her knees. She looks up to see a hand in front of her to take. She looks up to see a hand in front of her to take. Looking at the hand's owner, Luz sees a smiling Eda with a happy King on her shoulder. Life is brought back in Luz's eyes, and she smiles back before taking the offered hand.
The door where Hooty was opened as Luz steps outside in her sleeveless yellow vest, with Luz twirling and posing with Eda's staff with one hand and her lightsaber in the other in a low guard. But then Eda took her staff back with an amused grin while Luz gave a sheepish smile. King popped in front with his own pose.
A Boiling Isle mural was seen as Gus, Willow, and Amity are seen briefly before it burns away to show King commanding an army of stuffed toys, which all fall on him. The scene burns away to reveal Luz in front of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, looking at it in sadness. The silhouettes of the Jedi Council, along with other Jedi, stood before disappearing, leaving only their burnt robes and lightsabers on the ground.
Emperor Belos raises his staff as he foreshadows behind his castle as red lighting thunder from the sky. His army of Coven guards, numbering by many at his call, standing ready for a fight.
Now Luz was on her BARC speeder, racing past across the landscape. She zooms down the Boiling Isles passing, Gus waves at her, Willow smiling, and Amity looking surprised before she smiles softly. Passing by several Coven guards as they try to chase her. Then Eda, with King on her shoulder, hops on behind the Jedi. Then they hang on for dear life as a massive, monstrous worm-like monster, mouth wide open, lunges at them. Everyone screamed in horror as Luz turns the throttle up and guns it.
Then the scene changes back to the Owl House, where it's nighttime with stars twinkle in the sky as the three are on the roof and looking up into the sky. Luz opens her hands to reveal a ball of magic light and let it float to the sky.
Several lights flashed of fire and ice before the title appeared.
Jedi of the Isles
Episode 10: Getting back, taking a stand.
During the Clone Wars, it was homed to the 8th sector army and held an important role in supplying nearby systems with large ordnance and storage facilities.
Ord Mantell was contested several times between the Republic, Confederacy, and criminal elements as the war progressed.
It is dotted in chains of mountains and deserts, with 70% of it covered in pink clouds and junkyards. Ord Mantell stood as a prosperous trading hub between the Outer Rim and Expansion Region. With the support from Corillian entrepreneurs, the Mid Rim world became ever so popular for spacers and industrialists.
Down towards the planet in a deserted back alley on the seeder side of Old Mantell, a yellow eyed portal door folded out of existence. The door opened to show two figures dressed in cloaks with hoods over their heads, with a third running up from behind and jumping on the shorter one's shoulder.
Luz looks up to see a familiar pinkish-blue sky. "Ord Mantell. If it weren't for the criminal holdouts that seeped into the planet, then this world would be a pretty decent place to live." The two Owl House residents took note of the unkempt surroundings.
"I'm betting you've come through here a few times, haven't you?" Eda guessed.
"Correct," The Jedi answers. "My unit made frequent runs here for supplies and to defend when called upon." She then pulls out a cloth and wraps it around the lower half of her face.
"What's with the mask?" King asks.
"I'm known in this world. If Jedi are wanted like Eda is on the Boiling Isles, then I need to take precautions against hidden informants." She gestures to her current outfit under her brown cloak: the sleeveless yellow hooded vest with the tan cargo pants and black boots. Hidden under her cover contained her lightsaber and her blaster for if things got ugly.
"Nice to know you've learned something from me, kid," Eda happily smiled at Luz.
The three moved out of the alleyway and onto the busy streets. The crowds weren't heavy, so they could move about with ease while also getting a good look at their surroundings. Eda stayed close behind the teen as she was her guide around this world and gazed at everything around them. Finding the diversity of multiple species like that from the demon realm with a more technical side like the human realm she gets her junk from to be a little more attractive to the older Witch. Lastly, King, sitting on Luz's shoulder, looked at everything like a little kid would. Having been in the city before, Luz kept to herself and focused on the crowd. Trying to spot any soldiers patrolling the streets or any clones from the 8th sector army that was off duty. After several minutes of walking, Luz didn't see a single trooper, on or off duty. Something that did not sit right with her.
The three exited the street, and around the next corner, they had arrived at their destination.
"We're here."
The place they arrived at was a hole-in-a-wall-style bar. Its entrance was a stairway leading down a level. A neon sign depicting a language not in galactic basic but in the owner's native language.
Eda eyed the place up and down. "Cozy. Are you sure your friend is here?" She asked.
"She is," Luz said with confidence before walking down.
Eda and King shared another look before following Luz down. What greeted them was a typical bar, with a bartender and small-time gaming stations. There were a few patients who were socializing and drinking.
Though only one was important to Luz as she made a b-line for the bar where two individuals sat and took the seat next to her.
The first was a tiny human kid, around ten or so, bleach blond hair and playing with a doll that kind of looks like a Republic trooper before she spots the newcomers with an interested look in her eyes. The other individual looked like a green lizard with scales going over her tri-shaped head and overweight body. Its yellowed eyes glanced at their Jedi friend, and her eyes widened briefly before refocusing on its drink.
"The swill in uptown is better," the female Trandoshan advised.
Luz shrugs and counters. "But I like my Jumma shared with a friend."
The lizard gives a grin to the kid. "Good to see they didn't get you too, kid."
"I'm glad to see you too, Cid." Luz pulled her mask down to show her relieved smile. "I was worried they may have gotten you too."
Cid grumbled a laugh. "Don't worry about me, kid. I can take care of myself. It's you I should be more worried about. Last I heard, you had taken one of your regiments to help the walking carpets."
A shadow crossed her features as Luz remembered that day. "Yeah. We made it down to the surface and set up a beachhead. The battle was going well at first… Then the clones started to shoot at me. Barely escaped with my life by entering the shadowlands below." She thumbs at the Witch and demon behind them. "Probably be dead if it wasn't for Eda there taking me in."
Cid looks back with her yellow silted eyes at the Boiling Isles witch and grumbles. "This old hag saved you from the firing squad? She doesn't look so tough to me."
"Could say the same about you too, you fat gecko," Eda fired back.
The short kid near them stiffens a laugh. Cid ignores it before looking back at the Jedi in hiding and jerks her head to follow. They follow the owner to the backroom for some privacy, with Cid settling behind her desk.
"I'm thrilled that you are alive, Luz. Really, I am. The Jedi and I had a great gig going on. So, the question I have for you now is, what can I do for you?" Cid as she interlocked her claws.
The little girl gasps in awe at Luz. "You're a Jedi?!"
Luz eyed the kid wearily before looking back at her old contact. "Cid?"
The Trandoshan waved her handoff. "She's clean, and you can trust her on this. She may be able to give you certain information you need."
"Her?" King said, surprising the kid and the girl. With Cid raising an eyebrow at the demon. "She's just a kid."
"It talks? You sure find some interesting stuff, kiddo."
"I think it's a gift." Luz shrugs before returning to the original topic. "I've been out of touch with current events. Needing to have certain questions about what's been going on with the galaxy."
"What, been living under a rock somewhere?"
"Or somewhere," Luz answers before turning to the blond girl. "What's your name, youngling?"
The girl smiles brightly. "My name's Omega. And I'm a clone."
Luz was shocked by this and looked over at Cid for confirmation, and the lizard nodded.
"Really?" Eda was drawn out as she looked at Omega with skepticism. Omega nodded.
"I was an assistant to Nala Se."
"Kamino's Chief medical scientist?!" Luz said with disbelief and having met the person once before. "If what you're saying is true. Then how did you end up here?"
"It's a long story. But I know how and why the clones attack the Jedi." Omega tells them. Eda and King share a look before turning to the resident Jedi, interested in what she would do next. Luz studies the girl before she pulls two chairs up for herself and places the other for Omega.
"Tell me everything."
Then Omega did. She explained the Behavioral modification biochips or inhibitor chips that the Kaminoan planted within every single clone trooper. She explained that when fully activated, it made the clones obey orders without question. Then she explained order 66 and how it pertains to the reason for the Clones attacking the Jedi. Omega then finished her story with how she got here to Cid and Clone Force 99 and found that their chips didn't activate and escaped the new Empire that rose from the Republic. Then meeting up with another clone and telling them the process of removing the Bad Batch's chips.
Throughout Omega's explanation, Luz stayed silent and processed what was said. It almost looked like a shadow fell over her face that made her look scary. This made the Owl house residents worry for their friends. While Cid, who'd known Luz far longer, was getting the same thing. The female Trandoshan had known the young Jedi when she was a bubbling, happy kid that loved to learn about other cultures and make friends with everyone around her. Seeing her like this was a heartbreaking sight to anyone who knew the girl.
When Omega finished telling her tale. The room was silent as they waited for Luz's response. Eda walks up and slowly lands a hand on the Jedi's shoulder.
"Luz? You good kid?" Eda asked.
"No… I'm not, Eda," she responded. Luz took a deep breath in an attempt to calm the storm of emotions within her. Just the knowledge alone of the inhibitor chips was a lot to take in. It made her question the Republic army and its original purpose. But there was something else she needed to clarify. "So the chips were inactive from the start? Only at the end did they activate and change them."
"Yes," Omega said with certainty. "Before that, every regular clone's decision was their own."
"So, if we could remove them. The clones go back to how they were before?" Luz said, a small light of hope kinder within her.
"It worked when Wrecker's chip activated. We removed it, and he went back to normal."
Hope. Real hope swelled in her chest. "I can save them?" Omega gave Luz a smile and nodded with her. Tears leaked down the Jedi's cheeks as she heard this news.
Luz stands up from her chair. A fire of determination burns in her eyes that surprises everyone in the room.
"Lead me to these clone deserters, Omega. I've got a job for them."
Nearby at a landing platform, a man wearing black and red commando armor freezes up and looks around. Three others in similar armors and color decals noticed this.
"You alright, Hunter?" A soldier wearing armor more suited for a Republic ARC trooper and missing his right hand asked. He was paler than the others in the room and showed signs of a five o'clock shadow.
"I'm not sure…." The bandana-wearing clone responded. "I've just got that feeling that our next mission is going to be different."
"Oh boy! I love those kinds!" The largest of the four armored soldiers shouted in glee.
The last of the four was pressing a few keys on the datapad he held. His goggled-covered eyes then turned to their leader. "You sure? The last time you've had this 'feeling' Hunter was when we were swarmed by over a hundred Acklays on Vendaxa."
"Don't think I've heard that one." The one arm clone said.
"The Separatists were attempting to try and weaponize the Acklays by attaching control monitors to their cerebral cortex. Then they would deploy them on the flanks of battlefields to disrupt and cause confusion in the ranks. We stopped them by… Releasing the breeding pens into the main complex."
"Ha! That was a good day. Barely did anything for most of that mission. Tech just hacked their computer while the rest of us sat back and watched it all go up," the big man said while smacking said man's shoulders.
Tech steadied himself and readjusted his eyewear. "Yes, and then having to run for our lives when the acklays spotted us after they devoured their former handlers."
"Anyway," Hunter said to bring them back to the topic that began the conversations. "I'm sure that everything will be alright long as nothing too complicated comes our way." Unknowingly going to eat his own words later.
Just then, his comlink activated, and Omega answered. "Hunter! We got a job, a big one!"
"What does Cid have for us this time?" He responds.
"It's not Cid that has a job for you this time." A new voice said.
The defective clones turn to see their missing squad member alone with a party she was bringing. The most striking thing that caught the four's attention was the human teen leading them with an un-ignited lightsaber in her hand.
"A Jedi?" Echo said in silent surprise and to the shock of the others.
"I hear your team was the best the Republic had to offer." The Jedi inclined her head to Omega. "Well then, I have a mission that's going to put your reputation to the test."
"You want us to do what?!"
Luz sighed softly at the clone Sergeant's outburst. She could understand how dangerous it was.
She stood in front of the four combat veterans and Eda inside a modified Omicron-class attack shuttle, the Havoc Marauder Omega said it was called. Said girl was playing with King showing off her Bad Batch trooper doll to King in the rear gunner's seat. What she was proposing was anything but simple or easy. And if the look she was getting from Eda was anything to go by then, there would be words spoken after this.
"I want us to de-chip every clone that was under my command. Specifically, the Brave Rifles regiments," Luz said.
"8th sector army, 3 Corps, 3rd Cavalry Regiment," the clone known as Tech answers as he typed away on his computer. "A light infantry unit specializing in difficult terrain, reconnaissance, and urban warfare. Made popular in the Expanse regions for their anti-pirate operations. Made famous among Republic units for their solo campaign against the Black Sun syndicate in the region. Stationed originally on Ord Mantell before relocating to Qiilura after its liberation from a corrupted Neimoidian merchant with Separatist ties to better protect the local population and hyperspace route leading deeper into the Expanse."
"Oh, that's just perfect," the clone Echo said. He then faces the Jedi. "Listen, Commander. Out of all of us," he motioned to the Bad Batch, "I would like nothing more than to free my brothers of those damn chips. But doing so will bring the attention of the Empire to us. To which we are not ready for."
"Hasn't stopped us before!" The big clone, Wrecker said.
"Kid, did you even have an idea of what we're doing, or are we making it up as we go along?" Eda finally voiced her opinion. Hunter nodded in agreement with her.
"I'm with her on this. Do you even have a plan, ma'am?" He asked.
Luz grabs a holoprojector from a nearby desk and places a chip inside before inputting a few commands. The projector came to life with the images of five Fett clone figures appearing.
The first clone on the left was clean-shaven, wearing a heavy variant of scout armor. What distinguishes him and the others is the painted flames on his armored gauntlets and thigh armor.
The next clone had a tattoo line painted boldly horizontally over both eyes with a standard flattop. His armor was that of any phase II clone armor. His helmet was painted the same way as his face and the entire chest and backplate in the regiment colors with a rangefinder on his helmet.
The third clone of the group was the most unique of the bunch as both his hair and beard were way outside republic grooming regulations. He had a large scar on the right side of his head that looked like a blaster wound. His helmet had a feathered wing painted on each side of his helmet. His armor looked a bit on the heavy variety, which seems to defeat the purpose of the jetpack on hit back.
The fourth clone looked like any other clone with the standard hair and no tattoos. His only distinction was a blaster scar from a near miss to his right cheek. Wearing light scout variant armor plates and paint in a blocky urban pattern.
The last one didn't wear armor but instead wore the standardized blue military attire worn by clone officers. The only thing that stood out was well trimmed sideburns.
"These are Captains Drake, Flash, Vultan, Oak, and Pit. My senior staff." Luz pointed at each officer with their name. "Simply put. My plan is to lure one officer at a time to the medical ward on base, stun them and the medical staff, then remove their chips. The base is equipped with what we need, so the operation will be possible. Once their chips are removed, and are back to normal. They will covertly begin the chip removal process for everyone else there. Do this quietly then the Empire will never know that they just lost nearly a whole legion under their control but the anger of an army of the newly freed clone soldiers."
The clones looked at the Jedi with disbelief, wondering if such an idea was feasible to accomplish. While Eda looked a little hesitant to commit, she did find that her little apprentice sure liked to dream big.
"As for payment." Luz hands over another datapad to Hunter. "Those are coordinates that will lead you to a backup supply cache on Qiilura. Fuel, ammo, anything you can fit in your ship is yours. Help me finish this task, and I'll personally open its doors without triggering the silent alarm."
Hunter and Tech look over the data in thought. "Omega, come over here. Give us a minute to talk this over," Hunter asks Luz while Omega separates from King and goes to the cockpit with the clones.
"Sure thing," Luz agrees before moving with Eda to the rear of the ship, where King was before starting the coming conversation. "So..."
"Things are about to get real, kid. And I mean the real dangerous kind," Eda stated bluntly.
"Eda… Your head got cut off in front of me on the first day we met," Luz deadpans. "Just the other day, we robbed the Jedi temple in front of a live audience. Don't tell me you're backing out now?"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not backing out or anything. I'm all for sneaking around thieving, but I've never done something like what you got planned. Not even sure what I can do."
"Being here is enough," Luz told her. "Eda, you have done so much for me in the short time we've been together. I owe you so much, and I hope to one day repay the kindness you've given me.
The Witch smiled softly before rubbing her bony hand through Luz's hair. "One of these days, kid, you're going to make me softer than griffon feathers. Then I'm going to lose whatever street cred I've got left."
Luz blew a raspberry. "Oh, please. Knowing you, you would rob a couple banks and beat up a few coven guards in a public setting to assert your dominance."
"She has you there." King nodded with that logic.
"What do you guys think?" Hunter asked the others.
"Sounds too simple to me," Echo voices his concerns first. "If getting the others off the control of those chips was that easy, then someone would have done it."
"Unlikely," Tech spoke as he turned his gaze away from the datapad Luz handed to him. "Without the right intel that we hold in our possession and the total control the inhibitor chips have. Any operation like this will be doomed to fail. However, with such knowledge and experience in removing them that we possess, such actions may be possible if the right steps are taken."
"Umm," Wrecker started to speak but sounded unsure.
Omega went to his side. "Go on, Wrecker."
"We… Need to help them." This action caught the attention of the others. "I may not like the Regs much. But those things need to be taken out! It made me do things I didn't want. It nearly…"
They saw his fists clenched in anger.
Though it was only a few days ago when they got their inhibitor chips removed, the actions of seeing one of their own activating were anything but pretty, with Wrecker being the one affected and nearly killing them all in the process.
"We got you, Wrecker. We do." Hunter approached and patted his brother's shoulder. "You don't have to say any more about what happened back there. You have more than earned that right, brother."
The big clone nodded in relief to their leader.
"What about that supply base Luz was talking about?" Omega changed the subject for Wrecker's sake.
Tech pulled up the datapad to read off. "It is a standard Republic emergency cache. They are made hidden for such emergencies in case the planet is under enemy occupation. They provide emergency supplies such as food, weaponry, medical supplies, and other useful endeavors a Resistance cell would need. Something like this will provide much reprieve in resupplying our much-depleted stores and paying any lingering debts we have."
Hunter milled over his companions' thoughts before looking at the shortest member of the squad. Omega saw his look and smiled brightly.
"You know my answer, Hunter."
The clone huffed humorlessly at the kids' reply. Well, the choice has been made.
"Commander," he said and gained the other group's attention. He locked eyes with Luz and nodded. "We're in."
Traveling through hyperspace for the first time was something King won't ever forget.
Having flown with Eda plenty of times over the Demon Realm made him familiar with the weightless sensations. But when he saw themselves leaving the planet…he never felt so small.
The beauty was breathtaking as he watched the stars fly by them before they entered the tunnel of hyperspace.
Eda was also experiencing the same emotions the little demon had, just having a better time hiding it. Hearing that the people from this realm traveled to a different world through space travel was a new concept to believe. The Witch was lucky she had such an open mind on things. Otherwise, she would be freaking out worse than when she found out she detached her arm the first time.
Over by Luz in the ship's cockpit, she went over the details of their infiltration into the former Republic base with Hunter and Echo.
"By our time of arrival, the sun will be setting over the base. For infiltration, me, King, and Eda will be causing a distraction at the southern pass and will allow your team to enter without a problem." Luz pointed at the map before drawing a line over it and tapping a specific part. "From there, you'll have to traverse through second squadrons' motor pools to reach the medical wards. On the building's south side is the entrance leading to the basement. It is mostly used for storage, so there should be very little activity. From there, you'll have to wait a bit for the heat to die down while we link up with you till night falls over, and we can move about easier."
"What will you use as a distraction? You'll be very recognizable among your men," Echo asked.
"Nothing flashy. The rocks in the hills were always a bit unstable and could cause a simple rockslide that will be a little close to the checkpoints but won't result in any injuries," Luz responded.
"How will you get in, Commander?" Asked Hunter next. "The base may be on alert depending on how big of rockslide you cause."
The Jedi waved him off. "Don't worry, we have our ways," she said smugly. The confidence she gave off confused the two clones.
While this went on, Wrecker was in the middle of telling Omega and King about one of their past missions. King sat in the girl's lab, listening eagerly to the clone's destructive tale while Omega held onto the little horned demon. Loving how soft and fluffy his fur is.
"So… With the halls full of droids coming at us, I bumped my fist together, charged at them, and gave them the wrecking ball!" He said with flexing arms. King clapped his claws in excitement as the clone continued the story. "Left! Right! I swung and grabbed the next one and used it as a club to beat the others! When there was only one left, it cowered before me, and I smashed his head!"
King cheered at the merciless violence being told. "More! More!" He said as he sat looking at Wrecker with starry eyes.
It was then Tech's voice called back at everyone. "Attention, everyone. We are approaching Qiilura."
The team broke and gathered in the front and looked out the viewports as they exited hyperspace. Qiilura looked bountiful with its deciduous forests and many island chains off its notable continents. They flew into the atmosphere towards the surface and landed in a dense jungle. From there, the eight traveled for about an hour to reach their intended destination. Right on time too, as the sun was beginning to set. The Owl house residents split from the Bad Batch to start their distraction when they reached the base. Meanwhile, Hunter was with Tech to look over any activity that was happening at the military base.
"Anything unusual, Tech?" Hunter asked.
The high intellect clone responded as he used his helmet scanners to go over the base. "The base is indeed occupied. There are at the very least two regiment-sized motor pools filled with stored equipment. Security around the base looks to be the standard base procedure. Should be able to sneak in should Commander Noceda's distraction work." Hunter grunted when he was done. Tech looks over at his leader. "Last chance, Hunter."
The bandana-wearing man shook his head.
"A Jedi is risking her life to save the clones under her command after they betrayed her. How many of those guys would do the same thing the Commander is doing now?"
"Not many, I'd reckoned, but this is a mission like none other we've done before. A suicide mission to a high degree." Tech pointed out.
The Sergeant lifted an eyebrow under his helmet at the brilliant clone.
"When haven't we finish a suicide mission given to us? It will be like the mission to save Echo from the Techno Union. What makes this one different?"
"The difference is instead of saving one of the Reg's, we're going up and potentially rescuing thousands from themselves while under the influence of someone else," responded Tech. "Our chances of doing so are better with the Jedi Commander by our side. But the outcome of this mission depends solely on whether the clones want to be rescued."
His words milled in the clone's head but spoke no more of the subject before they heard their distraction. With the soldier's attention away from their current duties, the Bad Batch moved past the distracted sentries. In the distance, dozens of small rocks collapsed and caused a moderate-sized rockslide that impacted the outer wall near the gate.
While with the Owl House crew, the three were flying above the base on Owlbert with an illusion of a giant bird concealing them.
"Nice job on the rocks, Eda," Luz praised the Witch. "Now, let's go meet up with the others."
They flew towards a three-story building near the center of the base and entered through one side entrance. Almost upon entering the storage level did the dark armored clones and Omega greeted them.
"Good to see you made it," Echo greeted them.
"You too," responded Luz.
"Alright, kid. We're here. Now how are we supposed to get your friends to come to us?" Eda voiced her question.
"Tech, did you find a base terminal down here?"
"I did. Echo was about to plug in and gather some intel of the current units stationed."
"Well, don't wait up for me. Find out who on our list is here."
The former ARC trooper nodded and stuck his socket arm into the computer socket and began his hack. "I'm in. Bringing up the rosters… There."
Tech bought out his computer visor down and shifted through the data. "I have the roster logs. Out of the five on your list, only four of them are on the base. Captain Drake and half the first regiment are still stationed on Kashyyyk. The rest are accounted for on the base and the surrounding region."
It was saddening to Luz that one of her friends and a portion of her men would have to suffer a bit longer under the influence of the inhibitor chips. They will have to be recovered later, now they have a mission to do.
"Let's focus on the ones here," Hunter said, unknowingly voicing the Jedi's thoughts. "How do we lure them here?"
"Do we have their locations?" Luz directed her question at Tech.
"Captain Flash has logged out for the day and is likely in his unit's barracks. Captain Pit is located at the base's command post. Captain Oak is registered to be out on patrol and is due back. Lastly, Vultan is said to be here in the medical wards." Tech announced.
News of one of the primary targets being already here was good news.
"What's he in medical for?" Asked Luz.
"Says here he's been receiving numerous headaches from the scar on his head. The base commander has confined him to medical leave till he is either fit for duty or retired…."
A shiver went up Eda's spine at the mention of the word "retired."
"That's not a good thing, is it?" The Witch asked.
"It's not," Luz answered with a sneer. "I've read a Kaminoan journal of what they do to retired clones… Oh no!" Luz turned back to Tech with fear in her eyes. "Search the register for Homefront company. Now!"
The urgency in her voice prompted Echo and Tech to work to search for this group. "Here, it says the Base Commander ordered them up for deployment then shipped them out to Kamino for evaluation."
The answer brought no joy to the young Jedi as she fell to her knees and wept softly. Eda, King, and Omega were by her side in an instant.
"What is it, kid? Talk to me," Eda urged.
"What is the Homefront company? Why were they recalled?" Omega asked the teen.
"Homefront… Was a project I built up after finding out the truth of what they did to clones that could no longer fight again," Luz explained, gaining particularly close attention by the clones. "It was my attempt to give them a new purpose outside of battle or for when the war ended. I made them as a reserve unit on file so no one from Kamino would suspect. It's made for clone troopers who were too wounded for front-line combat but would still be fit for a normal life. They still are allowed to serve in logistic roles such as agriculture, manufacturer goods, or light details, but only part-time. So that they could develop their own unique lifestyle as they see fit…."
This shocked the Bad Batch troopers. The idea of life outside the military was always a quiet topic among the rank and file. What would life be like after the war for them? To hear that this one Jedi had developed a plan for those walking wounded that could no longer fight almost made them speechless.
"Tech… How many from that company were sent to Kamino?" Hunter dreaded to ask.
"All of the Homefront, all 678 of them…."
The rest of the Bad Batch and Owl House were silent as they digested the news. The Owl house residents were horrified with Omega doing the same. The clones brought their heads down for a moment of silence.
It was Echo that broke it. "Not one more…."
"Agreed." Hunter pulled out his blaster pistols.
"Who's this Commander…." Luz's voice was devoid of emotion. Something that started to scare Eda and King. Something Omega, Echo, and Hunter noticed while Tech read off his name.
"File list as one Major Creed Rushton. A recent transfer from Coruscant if the records indicate right."
"Right… Echo, we ready?" Hunter said to the former ARC trooper.
"I have the hallway feeds running on a five-minute loop. Security won't be a problem."
"Good… Let's move." Hunter urged the group, not wanting to inquire about the Jedi's wrath.
They moved up and were greeted by a staff room with five medical clones. They were confused with the sight of the dark armored troopers and were quickly stunned before they knew what had happened. While the Bad Batch worked on stunning them, Luz, King, Eda, and Omega moved their unconscious bodies to a secure place and stripped them of any com devices. For good measure, Luz had Eda place minor sleep spells to keep them unconscious till after the chips were removed. Leaving the staff room and locking it behind them, they made the nearest stairwell move up to the second floor. Where both the equipment and Vultan rested.
Entering the second floor, they encounter no other medical staff wandering the halls. Tech led them to one door not too far away. Opening it revealed the captain they were after, standing by the room's window clad only in his black bodysuit. When the clone Captain heard multiple foot stops entering his room, he looked back to see the Bad Batch troopers with a raised eyebrow.
"Who the-'' he began to say before his eyes landed on Luz and his eyes widened in shock. "Commander?! You're alivahhgg!" He grabbed his head in pain.
"Vultan!" Luz said, her voice laced with worry.
"Good Soldiers—What?!" He gritted.
"It's his inhibitor chip. It's activating!" Tech warned.
"Aggrrr!" His pain ended when a stun blast hit his chest, knocking him out. Luz was by his side in an instant.
"Vultan! What was happening to him?" She directed the question to the clones.
"His past injuries must have assisted him in fighting the programming from his chip similar to Wrecker's chip. Thus, the headaches," Tech answered.
"Then let's get that thing out of him," Eda declared before reaching down and picking up the clone before throwing him in a shoulder carry. "Where to now, nerd?" She directed Tech.
Tech was slightly put off for a moment by Eda's nickname, to which Wrecker laughed at. "Down the corridor and to the left."
"Great! Let's go!" Eda said as she pushed the clone out. Luz's spirit uplifted a bit at her friend's support.
They re-entered the hallway and moved towards the equipment where they could safely extract Vultan's chip. Reaching the surgeon room, they encounter another pair of medical clones and stun them before bringing them with them. Tech motioned Eda to a nearby bed and dropped the captain on before fixing the head scanner to Vultan's head.
Echo went to the surgeon's console and plugged in with his arm socket. "I've started. Give me a moment to upload the surgical program."
"Good. It will give me time to find his Inhibitor chip," Tech said.
Luz stood off to the side with her arms crossed over herself. Filled with worry for her longtime friend. King and Omega walked over for emotional support just as they started operating.
As Echo and Tech did the operation. Hunter and Wrecker pulled security over the knocked-out clones and the door. Eda Glanced between the two groups and sighed. Finding a nearby chair, she sat down and waited for this whole drama to end. She really needed a bottle of apple blood right now.
Several minutes went by before the surgery started and ended. The silence was killing Luz as she sat next to the clone and watched over her friend. Tech assured her that he was alive and should wait for him to wake. While they waited, Echo had Wrecker take the other two clones with them and put them into surgery next. Hunter grabbed Wrecker and Echo to start policing up any clone staff nearby and bringing them in for surgery when that was ready.
Vultan then began to stir before his eyes blinked open in confusion. Luz saw this and hovered near the clone.
"Vultan?" She said his name, caution in her voice.
His head snapped towards her, and he blinked his eyes to see if his eyes were perceiving right. "Commander, that you? How did I? Oh gods!" His face became pale as memories came flooding in. "Luz, I'm so sorry! I wasn't-!"
"Vultan!" Luz lunged in and pulled the clone in a tight embrace. "I'm here. We're safe."
"What happened to us? One moment I'm fighting clankers, the next, I couldn't control myself."
Tech took this moment to join in with Omega. The two other medical clones chose to wake up at this moment for Tech to fill them in. "It was your inhibitor chip activating."
"What inhibitor chip?" One of the clones asked.
"Organic chips built into our genetic code to make us do whatever certain orders are made. When activated, that soldier, upon hearing the order, will take any following order given. Such orders are not limited to shooting civilians and killing Jedi. The order for the latter being the one initiated," Tech explained bluntly, much to the horrified clones.
"Then I almost…." Vultan bowed his head in shame to the Jedi teen. "Oh, Luz. I'm so sorry. I'd tried to fight it but…."
"I'm alright, Vultan. I'm alive." Luz assured the clone Captain. "But many of your brothers aren't. They need your help to free them from their controlled state." She turned to the other two medical clones. "Can you help us?"
The two looked at each other before they stood at attention before the Jedi.
"We're with you, Commander."
"You can count on us, ma'am."
Vultan got off with fury in his eyes. "I will free all my Hawk men from these cowardly instruments! Tell me what must be done?"
"This is a delicate operation." Tech urges the captain. "We must not make any overt actions too soon, or we risk discovery. At this moment, the rest of my team is restraining the security and medical staff. After which, they will bring them here for treatment."
"Then we work on the rest of the men," Luz told them.
The clones nodded and got to work with Tech to go over the chip removal process so they could get started.
Leaving behind the Captain with the Jedi. "What am I to do in the meantime? I'm not for all this sneaking stuff."
"We need the others to help. Flash, Pit, and Oak. We need you to lure them here, one at a time to not cause suspicion and get their chips removed. Then we can have them order the men here little at a time to get those things out," Luz explained her plan.
The clone Captain hummed at the Jedi's plan. "You know I'm always for headlong attacks and airborne assaults. Never these covert ops." Luz hands him a communicator.
"I know. But you're our only hope in this. The others will be alert if they hear my voice and be suspicious if they hear someone they don't recognize. That's why they need you," Luz assured.
The man looks at the communicator and nods before walking to one corner of the room and talking into the com unit.
As he did that, Hunter entered the room with a green and yellow clone trooper over his shoulder, with Wrecker following with four on his shoulders. Tech and the two medical clones directed them over to the surgical tables to begin removing their chips.
With Luz by herself, Eda chose this time to approach the Jedi. "Feeling better now, kid?"
"Much better…" Luz looks at her friend and smiles sincerely at her. "Thank you, Eda. I don't know how I can repay you for all the help you've done."
"Don't sweat the small stuff, kid." Eda waves off. "Just glad you're smiling again. That mopey look didn't suit you." The jab made the girl smile more. The Owl lady then bends down to whisper in the girl's ear. "A serious note, how long is this going to take? Need to get back soon to drink my elixir, or this could get messy. Also need to check in on Hooty to see if he got into something he shouldn't, like my liquor stash."
"As soon as we get Oak, Flash, and Pit de-chipped. After that, I'd feel better about leaving these guys to themselves."
"You don't want to stay?" Eda asked.
"I want to, Eda. I do. But if I stay here, I'd be putting myself and the others in danger if I did. If I'm caught, then all this will be for nothing." Luz shook her head. "No. I need to stay away. For their safety and return when they are all free."
"So, you're not going to leave us?" King jumps in and looks up to Luz.
The Jedi smiles softly back at him and spreads her arms out. "Still need to teach you proper fighting stances if you're ever going to rule all Demon kind now, don't I?"
"That's right!" King says before jumping into Luz's arms. "I can't have my loyal knight abandoning me before she helps me rule the world!"
Luz laughs at his child-like demeanor that uplifts her mood. Vultan then joins in to update them on the situation.
"Got in contact with the Oak. Told him I wanted to discuss some things with him to alleviate boredom. He's on his way." He sees the woman and the creature in Luz's arms. "Sorry, don't think we've met."
"Vultan. Meet Eda Clawthorne and King. Eda is the one that got me off Kashyyyk and hid me from, well you…." Luz introduces the Boiling Isles residents.
"If this is true, then you have gained mine and the other's deepest respect for doing so," The Captain said sincerely. "The Commander is like a little sister to most here. Her loss would weigh heavily upon us."
"Don't worry your head, you big lug. I like having Luz around. She makes things interesting." Eda smiles sincerely back. "So till it's safe for her to be back here. She can stay at my place."
"Thank you, Miss Clawthorne. Know that you have made a friend this day. Should you ever require myself or my men, you'll have it."
"An army that owes me. Interesting…" Eda hummed in with a gleam of mischief in her eyes. Luz saw this give the Witch a deadpan stare.
"Eda…" Luz warns.
"Relax, kiddo. As much as I enjoy the thought, I have no use for an army." Eda lazily waves off the Jedi's warnings. "I mean, what am I supposed to do with an army?" She jokes.
"Take over the Isles?" King offered.
Now King was receiving deadpan stares from Eda and Luz while the Captain just looked at the three, wondering what was happening.
Over the next hour, the Regiment officers came strolling in like clockwork as the ruse was working. One by one, Oak, Pit, and Flash came to the medical ward at Vultan's request, and each had their chips removed and began thinking clearly. Each had similar reactions to their fellow Captain regarding what happened and were forced to do, especially when regarded by the Homefront company and Luz.
"What have we done?" Pitt asked in dread as Vultan and Oak provided emotional support. As it was Pit's men that rounded up their disabled brothers who were living an everyday life before being shipped off to their deaths.
"We all feel the same, brother," Vultan said.
Flash turned to face them. "Executing their commanders. Sending our men to round up our retired brothers for them to be killed. Brothers, I can't in good conscience serve this new Empire if this is what they do to the soldiers under them."
The others nodded. Oak spoke next. "I agree, Flash. But we must be careful now. What we do next is treasonous in their eyes, and we must be careful on what we do next."
Hunter joins in next on the conversation. "He's right. If any of this is discovered by the higher-ups, then the Empire will come down hard on you."
"The Sergeant is correct." Vultan sided with. "You all know I'm all for a fight. But this is an uphill battle we won't win with brute force."
"Which is why we save who we can."
The five turned to the Jedi in the room as she approached them with an aura of authority Luz developed throughout the war. All the Captains, Sergeant, and anyone else in the room stood up at attention to listen to her words.
"The Jedi taught me to try and save everyone. During the clone war, I was forced to realize that I couldn't do that. Now that that war is over, another has started for me. One of survival, and I can only trust that I can survive while trying to save as many as I can." She looked at her four Captains with feelings that the Jedi Council would frown at. "You and everyone in the rifle regiments are all I have left in this world. This is my family, and I won't give up on any of you if you don't give up on me without a fight. Hooah?!"
"Hooah!" The clones in the room respond. Motivated that their Commander was with them.
"Now that you all are free. We need to move forward with freeing the others in the Regiments. I can't be here for us to do that and risk discovery, or the operation will be in jeopardy. All the work must be done from your end. I'm sorry that I can't do more." Luz bowed her head solemnly.
"That is further from the truth, Commander," Flash said. "You freed us. Gave us a chance!"
"One we will not squander needlessly." Oak nodded.
"For the ones that we failed…." Pit said with a motivated tone.
Vultan walked forward, placed a hand on the kid's shoulder, and turned her to face the Bad Batch clones and Owl House residents. "Best get going, Commander. Not safe for you all here. If you need us, you know where we are."
Luz walked over to Eda and King were. Luz gives one last look to the four Captains and nods before they leave.
The four watched them go with sad expressions but were filled with hope and relief, knowing Luz was in capable hands. Vultan turns back to his fellow brothers.
"Well, brothers. Should we get to work?"
"Yep, got a lot of work ahead of us." Flash nodded.
"We will have to be extra careful," Oak warned. "We're also going to have to plan for the long term once the Empire finds out about us."
"You worry about our ships, Oak. Meanwhile, Flash and Vultan will handle the men, and I'll handle the logistics. I'd imagine that we won't be staying long on Qiilura once word gets out," Pit declared.
"Good. Just as long as we're all in agreement." Vultan nodded.
"What of Drake and the rest of the First?" Flash asked.
"One problem at a time. Let's first free the ones that are here and now before we can move on to possibly save the others in the future." Pit reassured his brothers.
"And Rushton?" Came Vultan's question.
Pit punched his fist into his palm, cracking his knuckles. His voice dropped low, "He'll get what's coming to him."
The other nodded and planned for the future.
The Owl House and defective clones safely returned to their ship before flying out towards the Bad Batch payment site. When they landed, Luz walked out to the hidden bunker and entered one of the entry command codes.
"There, take your fill guys. You've earned it."
"Oh boy!" Wrecker said as he rushed past the Jedi with the attitude befitting of a young kid receiving a present then a clone trooper. What made the scene funnier was King following the big guy looking to explore the place.
"I hope this helps you guys out."
"It will," Hunter said as he watched a happy Wrecker pull out a Z-6 rotary blaster with Omega while Tech looked over a supply roster. King and Eda looked through some crates, with King pulling out a spare clone helmet and Eda with the rest of the suit.
"We certainly won't forget what happened," Echo said, joining in. "I sincerely won't."
Luz shook her head. "All I did was help my family…."
They stood by and watched the others grab what they wanted. It wasn't long before they gathered their things and started loading them onto Hunter's ship. The clones soon noticed that Luz's friends' gathering pile wasn't being moved to the ship.
"You have a ride coming to pick you up?" Hunter asked the Owl House residents.
Luz and Eda shared a knowing smile. "You can say that.
They were confused by the answer when Luz pulled out a strange key. They then jumped back in surprise when a glowing door appeared out of nowhere.
"Alright, kid. Time to head back now." Eda stomped her staff and used her magic to wrap the crates and supplies in a golden glow before sending them through the portal door. Stunning the clones more.
"You're a Jedi too?" Said Omega.
The question made the Owl Lady bark a laugh. "No way! I'm anything but those old emotionless farts. I'm something way better."
With that, she entered the portal with King following behind. Luz watched them go before returning to the still shocked clones.
"If there is another job that needs doing, I know who the right people are. Take care, guys." With that, the Jedi walked through the portal before it folded up and disappeared.
Leaving only four confused clones and one star-struck kid.
"Luz!" The Jedi was nearly knocked off her feet when a small illusion track student tackled her.
"Gus? What are you doing here?"
"I need your help with an activity for the H.A.S meeting at school to show off the stuff I have."
Luz sighed. Already dreading what comes next.
Did I just have Luz lay the ground work for a clone rebellion?
Could it possibly be this easy?
Stay tuned and have a happy Halloween.
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Updated and edited on 6/9/2022 by Ghost -G339 thanks friend