On the Imperial Venator's bridge, the Cosmic Wave, Captain Kendel Ozzel stood relaxed as he glanced at the planet his battlegroup was approaching with disinterest.
The Empire has sent Ozzel and his fleet to patrol the outer reaches and secure its new territory for the last few months. The captain saw it as an opportunity to further his career path with the rising of this new government. He was partially correct, given this new battlegroup of ships left over from the former Jedi Generals turned traitors' fleets. Being in charge of not one but three Venator Star Destroyers was like an absolute dream. But the assignments that he kept receiving were dull.
"Captain, we have arrived, and the clones down in the hold are boarding their transports now."
"Don't know why they bother," he muttered.
"I'm sorry, sir?" The Lieutenant looked confused at his superior.
The officer just waved it off. "Inform the base commander that the troops will be embarking soon," Ozzel told the younger officer.
"Yes, sir." The man left, leaving the captain alone with his thoughts. Ozzel looked at the planet they were approaching disinterestedly and didn't think much about the clones. As a former captain of the line, they had served their purpose and will soon be fazed out, just like the Jedi. The mere thought of his old superiors made the human grind his teeth. As his mind returned to the fighting on the ice planet of Khorm. How that kel dor Jedi ridiculed him openly on how he handled the battle. How the clone's lives should matter to him and that Ozzel shouldn't throw their lives away needlessly. Well, who's alive now?
Aside from the flight deck and pilots for the dropships, his flagship crew fighters had already been replaced with the new batch of volunteers. Even if they were fresh from whatever fast-paced training they got, at least the different faces helped tell his officers apart. But that still left him with an inexperienced crew at his command. Which was not something any commander would want. That may be why he'd been given all these blue milks run missions?
"Sir?" His thoughts were interrupted again when the same officer returned.
"What?"
"The transports are ready for lunch but have yet to receive the transfer code from the base commander."
"Must be waiting for the transports to arrive first. Send them. I'd like to be underway."
Outside in the void, the former Republic ships opened their central hangar bay, and a torrent of LAATs and Nu-class attack shuttles launched and headed for the planet.
{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. 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 18: Retaliations
"Load up those supplies, go!"
"Get those shield generators ready to position."
"Can I get a hand with this?"
The clones were rushing to and from the area all around the base. The news of three imperial Venators appearing overhead was a cause for concern. There could be anything from a legion to a whole Corp in orbit if they choose to invade, and they would have no chance of fighting that.
Back at the base's HQ, the lead officers were trying to devise a plan.
"Sith spit, I did not think this through. We pulled the coup too early," Oak stated as he gazed at the holo of the three assault carriers.
"Can't be helped. The guy needed to go, and we didn't know how long we could hold some of our more hot-headed brothers back. Besides, we were expecting troop transports, a single acclamator, two at most. Not three venators," Flash stated before turning to his Jedi commander. "Don't suppose you have another crazy idea for this, sir?"
"I would have just let the ships unload who they have before seizing the ships or then let them be off to avoid suspicion. But a fleet of that size only stays in one system for a short time before moving elsewhere. Drake must have seen them coming our way and hitched a ride. Safety in numbers as this still is the outer territories." The clones nodded in understanding of the implications.
Eda decided to join in on the conversation. "Why not go up there and take the ships like you did last week?" Everyone stopped to look at the witch like she was crazy. "What?"
"Is she serious?" Oak asked. Slightly dumbfounded by Eda's solution.
"She's never been on one, let alone seen one before." Luz tried to defend Eda's logic. "Trying to take one venator, let alone three, with what we have would be suicide, Eda. Each of those ships is over 1100 meters long and has a standard crew of over 7,400 members, not including its passenger count of an extra 2000 for troop deployments."
The realization of what she said made Eda feel like an idiot. "Oh... So, kid. What's the plan this time around?"
"When they receive word that it's safe for troop deployments, they will launch the shuttles and begin the transfer. A set of codes will be sent as a kind of signature for finalization and something only the base commander would know."
"He didn't write it down anywhere?" Luz shook her head.
"Codes of that importance are to be memorized and kept confidential."
"We also checked his code cylinders just in case he didn't. Nothing we can use." Oak conformed.
They went through several data banks belonging to the imprisoned Major and his records. They found records of his service and past dealings that got him into where he was today. None of which impressed anyone reading it other than his dealing with the ship manufacturer that created his custom ship that was now in their possession. That guy had a good amount of currency in the stocks and was making enough to fill the coffers of a regular PDF company.
"They can't wait up there forever, right?" Eda asked.
"Technically, yes, they can. The question being will they? No. This sort of thing is frowned upon and will warrant an explanation. If we try to force Rushton into giving the codes, he will likely try to use some unknown panic code to tip off the Empire."
Luz thought really hard about what to do. The two fleets were a match in terms of firepower. Their ships, both in orbit and near the system, could take them but it would be costly as the venators have stronger shields and starfighter advantage. Victory by this means was not assured and definitely not a welcome one. They could try to force Rushton to give up his authorization codes, but she wasn't all that great at using the Force to persuade someone.
"They're launching landing craft!"
The shout drew their attention away, and they focused on the scanners. The image changed from the warships to many small insertion shuttles.
"That's a lot of craft to be Drake and the First. They are sending in those new recruits the Empire is fielding." Oak deduced.
"We need those codes and quick, or this will be bloody."
A thought traveled through Luz's mind before turning to Eda.
"Eda, how good are you with mind Magic?"
Inside his cell, Rushton wondered how long he's been stuck in his small room. After his interrogation by the Jedi traitor, he was left alone with only his thoughts to entertain him. He was starting to go stir-crazy from his isolation, with no entertainment or facilities for self-cleaning. He was beginning to smell.
Before he could continue his self-willowing, his cell door opened, and his attention was drawn to the other side. When he looked, Rushton saw an older woman with long gray hair, pale skin, and a maroon red dress that reached down to her knees with it being ripped haphazardly on the bottom. She had two eye-catchers: her pointed ears showed she wasn't human, and her single golden fang pointed down out her mouth. Another thing was the wooden staff with a bird design at the top.
"Hey there, jackass." She greeted/insulted him.
"Who are you? How did you get past the clones?" Rushton demanded.
"They let me through. As for who I am..." The one tapped her staff on the ground, and the bird's eyes glowed unnatural yellow. "I'm the most infamous witch in the galaxy you've never heard of."
A blast of light flew out and hit Rushton before he made a sound, and all he knew after was darkness.
The body of Major Rushton is thrown without care on an operating bed. Around him, Eda, Luz, Flash, and Oak.
"Alright, he's here. Now what?" Oak asked.
"We need him to forget the last week so he can import his codes to the fleet; otherwise, they will think something is wrong. If he woke up here in the medical ward believing he had a head injury and imagined everything that's happened before quickly putting logistic problems and pressure on him to give his clearance codes. We can get those troopers to land, and the fleet can move on." The clone captains glanced at one another uncertainty.
"That's a big gamble, Commander. I know you've done some things before with those Force powers, but this might be a bit much." Flash asked.
"Not me, her." Luz pointed at Eda.
The witch in question raised a brow in amusement, catching on to what the kid had in mind. "Using magic to mess with someone's head is doable but difficult. It's tricky and dangerous too, which I know you are familiar with." The time her head was so messed up when someone set literal fire to her memories made her rethink the plan. Could she do it to someone else, even if they helped with so much pain?
"Okay, that was a gamble. What about hypnotism? Can we trick his mind into believing he was injured and everything he thought of this last week was a lucid dream?"
"Now that's more doable." Eda put her hand and rummaged through her hair before pulling out a purple potion vile. She shook its contents before walking up to the sleeping imperial and pouring its contents down his throat. The action was sudden and surprising to others. Before anyone could stop the witch, she emptied the potion and tossed the vile away.
"What did you just give?!" Flask demanded, not caring about the Imp but worrying about the plan. Eda just casually waves him off.
"Relax. The potion I gave the guy something that will make him more accepting of suggestions. He will feel groggy and confused for a bit, making him easy to persuade. But it will only last for a half hour, so you will have to make him do whatever you need and quick." A groan escaped the Imp's lips, causing the others to freeze. "Also, it would be safe if we weren't near him."
"That sounds like a good idea. Move!" Luz pushed Eda out of the room.
"Wait, what are we supposed to do?!" Oak hastily asked.
"Do what you guys do best, improvise!" The Jedi said before shutting the door behind them. The two clone captains looked at each other before facing the waking Imp.
"Wha...what happened?" Rushton said with a slurred voice. He saw the two clones freeze in front of him. 'What are you two standing around for? Where am I?"
Oak acted first. "You are in the medical ward, sir! You took a nasty hit with some exported food..."
Flash couldn't believe what his fellow Captain was saying but had to go along. "That's right! Some kind of wine that wasn't made for human consumption. We are still analyzing it."
"How long was I out?" He asked as he got out of bed and stretched.
"... A few days, nearly a week, sir."
"A week?! Why was I asleep for a week?" The shock was visible on his face.
"You had a severe allergic reaction to it. The Medical personnel believed it best to keep you under for your body to naturally heal itself," Flash tried his best to lie about what had happened.
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner!?" Rushton demanded, to which Oak answered quickly.
"Medical protocols, sir. A medical professional takes charge regardless of rank when it involves their patient's safety. This was one of those times." The news didn't relieve the Major, but the man couldn't fight protocol.
"Fine...is there anything else I should know about?"
"Recently, three Venators entered the system not too long ago. They helped ferry the other half of the first squadron from their last assignment, and they're waiting on your codes for finalization."
"What?! Unbelievable. I go to sleep, and all hell goes loose. Find who brought me that wine and arrest them! I'll have their head for this!" Rushton shouted as he rushed out of the hospital room and made his way toward the communication center. Through the doorway, Luz and Eda walked from the opposite direction of where Rushton went, with the Jedi coming off her wrist comm.
"A little more warning would be nice, Commander," Flash said, irritated.
"You guys had it under control. I had faith," Luz waved off.
"Still, I would like a heads up," Oak said. "We're soldiers, not actors."
"Oh, don't be such a baby. I alerted the others to spread the word about what we were doing. Should have this situated momentarily." The Jedi smiled proudly at herself.
"Does that include the guys outside or just the guys in that HQ?" Eda pointed out.
Pew!
Luz's smile turned to one of horror as the four went just outside the medical facility doors to see Rushton's down form. Dead with a single blast shot to the chest, his face frozen in shock. The group looked up to see a clone trooper with his blaster raised on the dead imperial.
"I got him, sir!" the clone responded.
"Dang it, trooper, we still needed him!" Oak berated the trooper.
"Blast it. I didn't want to do this, but our hand is forced. Flash, Oak, we're modifying the plan. When all those transports land, we must get them disarmed and stunned. If it's Drake and the clones from the first squadron, load them up in stasis pods for transport. If not, just stun and pile them in a corner out of the way. Tell Pit and Vultan in orbit to bring all their ships down and prepare for fast evacuation! We leave no one behind."
"Evacuation? Where are we going?" Flash asked while Oak began to relay her orders.
Luz didn't answer and instead turned to Eda. "Is the potion ready now?"
The witch scratched her chin in thought for a moment. "Should be but can't guarantee it will be enough. Should be fun." She smiles slyly at the Jedi and clones.
Inside one of the LAATs heading for the surface, a clone in gray pinstriped armor with Captain's rank looked down at the floor silently. As of late, since that strange order to kill all the Jedi, Drake had begun questioning the directives of this new Empire. First, they defended Wookie villages, now they were subjugating them. His brothers under him were in the same boat; they could not understand why they couldn't feel anything. No guilt, pity, or sadness. A few had thrown themselves hard into work to keep themselves from going mad. Good soldiers followed orders.
Then there was Luz.
Despite everything they'd done together, the captain had difficulty feeling remorse for her. Something that did not feel right at all. When the order came through his headset, he had a job to do, but for some reason, he couldn't get the why before he started doing it. Drake would make time to head to the medical facility later to find out why.
"Captain."
Drake looked up at a trooper addressing him. His armor blacked out of any markings, making them look like shinnies and making it difficult to distinguish his brothers. Something that the new Empire cared little of.
"What is it, trooper?" Drake asked.
"I and others were wondering, sir. Would it be possible for us to get shore leave after we turn in all our gear? I mean, we've been through a lot..."
The request was not impossible to the clone officer, and he had to stop himself from shaking his head lest he give the wrong impression. Truthfully, his boys had earned it. Fighting on Kashyyyk, with its deadly jungles filled with spiders that can take on whole platoons and Wookie natives, was not something to scuff at. In fact, they lost many good troopers due to worthless charges and underprepared mission conditions.
"We'll see what it's like on base first. If not after, then tomorrow, to be sure. We all could use shore leave," Drake assured.
"Thank you, sir. I'll let the others know." The trooper left him with his thoughts.
Even worse, the new officers above him wouldn't let up and demanded the near impossible. More than once, his rank and position had been put into question by the new guys. And not just them. The new enlisted from all over would constantly give him backtalk or complain about something, with Drake and the others quickly disliking them.
The shuttle shifted from the air current change as the pilots righted out their course. Thoughts of the base on Qiilura were giving him a sense of home that had been missed with Kamino now gone... Drake shook his head so as not to think about other things. Good soldiers follow orders.
His ship soon landed before opening up to the world. One that caused him a significant amount of confusion as he saw many troopers from the other regiments wearing the unit colors from before the Empire...and pointed blasters at them. Before any could act, they were all shot with stun blasts before falling to the floor. Before Drake lost consciousness, he heard them speak.
"We have Captain Drake. We're bringing him in."
Behind the Imperial Venators, the miscellaneous rebel clone strike force starfighters exited hyperspace behind them and flew at blockade-breaking speeds.
Two wings of armored Y-wing bombers led the loose formation of ships.
"Gold group, Gray group, focus your ordnance on the starboard side cruiser. Punch a hole in their formation for the fleet to get through. Target weapons and hanger doors." Ordered the lead bomber pilot.
"That will take away their ability to respond from one ship, 6up. What about the other two cruisers?" The gray leader said from his squadron of ARC-170s.
"We just have to hold them back long enough for the fleet to get through, Root. As soon as you make your run, refocus on their response."
"Don't worry, I'll keep them busy. You just focus on living long enough to get to the surface."
"This is a pretty bold move, even for the Commander. Do you have any idea what she has planned?"
"She said we'll know it when we see it. Maybe a carrier group to pick us up?"
"Well, we know till we see it."
The starfighters speed off to their targets.
On board the Cosmic Wave, the men at the sensor stations had their terminals lit from activity.
"Sir, multiple contacts have exited hyperspace and are moving fast toward us!" an officer shouted.
"What? Who are they?" Ozzel questioned.
"Multiple squadrons of Y-wings and heavy ARC-170s heading for the Tarnish. They're going in at an attack vector!"
Ozzel looked out the bridge viewport to see them going in for an attack run. Sixteen bombers dove in on the unprepared ship. Each dropped a load of proton bombs across the Venator hull, damaging or destroying several critical systems. If that wasn't enough, the ARCs followed behind them and fired their proton torpedoes on the command towers, destroying them and killing the bridge staff. The now mission-killed Star Destroyer hung lifelessly in space as more ships passed it by.
"That ship is done for. Sending the signal for the rest of the fleet," Root ordered as he and the other pilots maneuvered their ships and waited for the Impeiral's response.
"Captain, more ships exiting hyperspace!" An imperial sensor offer called out to Ozzel in the crew. Those at the viewer saw dozens of ships coming out of hyperspace. They saw Gozanti patrol cruisers, fuel hullers, transports, freighters, and many more coming. They flew past the Tarnish, using the wreck for cover as they sped toward the planet.
"Where are those ships heading!?" Ozzel demanded.
"Their trajectory puts them on a path toward the planet," the Imperial officer replied.
"What of the local fleet?"
"They are moving to defensive formation in front of the invading force.
"Excellent. Launch all fighters. We'll come up from behind and box them in."
The two remaining star destroyers opened their hangar doors and began launching Alpha-3 Nimbus-class starfighters.
The clone's sensors rang that their enemy had launched fighters. "Alright, the enemy is coming at us. Boys, let's show them what we can do!" Root ordered. The clones aligned themselves behind their group leader and had their fingers trailing their guns as they drew closer to the Imps.
As they drew closer, Root gave the order. "Open fire."
The squadrons began firing at the oncoming Imperial interceptors. "Let them pass between us," Root said as they were only a few meters away. "Pick your targets, stay in formation. Tail gunners watch your vectors and cover our backs."
The laser fire from the clones' ARC-170s made quick and deadly work in overwhelming the V-wing's shields and light armor. But the same could be said with the V-wings outmaneuvering the aggressive fighters. Gray leader looked out to see his fellow brother using well practiced tactics against the Imps. He already knew these weren't veteran pilots, as they quickly overwhelmed them with superior skills and coordination. Just then, he heard his tail gunner start firing.
"Two bogies trailing us!" The gunner warned.
"Going for evasive maneuvers!" He put his ship in a downward corkscrew, and at the end, he cut the main thrusts and banked fast to face their pursuers. The move surprised the interceptor pilots before meeting green lasers to their ships. "The Empire was going to replace us with these guys? This is child's play."
As the fighter squadrons engaged one another, the Venators moved to intercept the enemy ships.
Captain Ozzel grounded his teeth in anger at the sight of his fighters being concisely picked off. He turned to his staff. "Engaged thrusters and fire forward batteries! We will fill the void with their wrecks. How is the defense fleet fairing against this attack?"
The officer looked at his scope. "The fleet has launched fighters and are in an intercept course for the enemy fleet. But oddly, sir, neither side is exchanging fire."
"That is odd..." Ozzel contemplated what he had heard. The defense fleet was taking a defensive stance but attacking. Were they trying to draw the enemy into a false sense of security?
On the bridge of one of the Pelta frigates, recently modified as a command role, a clone with a Lieutenant badge on his chest raised the defense fleet on the com. "Command, this is Lieutenant Holiday of the Stainless Design. Are you receiving me?"
Two blue figures appeared. One was Captain Pit standing at attention, and the other was Commander Noceda in a sitting position. "We hear you loud and clear, Lieutenant. Good to have you back." Luz greeted him.
"The same to you, Commander. But what's the plan, ma'am? You've brought us out and attacked the Empire in a big way. Are we showing our colors?"
The Jedi nodded in confirmation. "We are. I wish it was later, but we are left with little choice now. Link up all your combat-ready vessels with Captain Pit and send the rest to the surface. We are taking everything we can before leaving. Your orders are to not take any unnecessary risks and not get killed, but you all need to take the advance and drive off the Imperials."
"That's a tall order, ma'am."
"Don't worry. You aren't alone in this fight. I'm leading all the fighters we have planet side, up to reinforce you. We will be up there momentarily."
The news sent a small wave of reassurance to the clone. "That's a relief. But what about Drake and the rest of the first squadron. Did they make it to the surface?"
"They did. Flash and Oak are restraining them and the Empire's new recruits. If all goes well, they should have a handle on things."
Ducking behind a few crates to avoid the incoming blaster fire. Flash looked over in annoyance as several Impirals were held by some cargo containers. The last two Imperial-controlled shuttles veered away from their flight path and landed their troops in a different area due to a shortage of landing zones. Over four squads came out of them and soon started taking up residents in a nearby hangar once they found out what was happening. His men had already taken their ships, but the damage was done. Now they had to deal with an entrenched foe.
"How bad is it?" Flash looked over his shoulder to see Oak and his men ready to assist.
"Four squads worth are holding the hanger and have the exits covered."
"What's in that hanger?"
"No ordnance if that is what you're thinking, thankfully. No, just a service bay. The log says there is a V-19 in there for maintenance due to a faulty ignition coil, so they can't fly that out."
Oak saw a problem and pointed it out. "But they could activate it and call the fleet in orbit."
Flash cursed at his lack of foresight. "Your right. Damn, didn't think of that. What do you propose?"
The clone Captain looked up. "The roof."
His fellow Captain looked at where he was gazing at. "The emergency access hatches?"
"Certainly would be a surprise they wouldn't expect."
"Let's get the Jet troopers up their and...Say, isn't it a little quiet to you?"
The officers listened, and it was suddenly quiet of blaster fire. Looking at their men, they saw they were standing and looking toward the hanger entrance. There, walking out of the hangar, was the Commander's new friend, Eda. Her wooden staff was out for all to see, with a TK trooper helmet being twirled on top. She also had a smug face, like she did something behind someone's back.
She walked up to the clones without a care in the world. "Took you guys long enough. What stopped for takeout? The guys in the big room over there are out of the picture, so that leaves me to do my thing."
Eda's staff then came to life as it hovered off the ground like a land speeder before hopping on it. "Anyway, got things to do. Hope this all works out. Bye~"
She flew away and left the stunned clones behind. Wonderinging what just happened, the captains moved towards the hanger, and what they saw stunned them.
Blobs of goo pinned soldiers to the walls, plant vines snared others, suspended them in the air, and a few were on the ground, unmoving with visible broken armor pieces.
"Oak."
"Yes, Flash?"
"That is something mystical."
"...We don't get paid enough for this."
"We weren't getting paid much to begin with."
"Exactly."
"One coming hot."
"Watch out, Gray 4. You got one on your tail."
"Watch your stabilizer, Gold 6."
"He's going down!"
"Two coming around!"
"He's going in at point 290."
"Good shooting!"
"Watch out!"
"Another tally on me!"
"We lost Gray 9!"
The radio continued on like this as soon as she broke into orbit. The plan was rushed, but it was working so far. Seeing the first destroyed Venator saddened the Jedi, but they had to press on. Now was the time to begin the next act on this tragedy.
"Pit, are you ready to begin the assault?"
"We're ready, Commander. Waiting for your order."
"There's no turning back after this. Begin your strike when I give the signal."
The Imperial Captain looked at the space battle with frustration. His pilots were being beaten by the attackers. For every ship they downed, they took four of his. He could only see why they hadn't attacked his other capital ships directly because of the constant stream of starfighters they were sending. But what bothered him was why the defense fleet was not engaging the enemy. It was bugging him in a way that made him feel like something wasn't right.
Before he could continue on these thoughts, his subordinate from the sensor station called for attention. "Sir, fighters from the planet's garrison are moving toward us. But there is an anomaly."
The mention of an anomaly brought his suspicion up. "What is it?"
"It's coming from the lead ship in formation. A single ARC-170 broadcasting a Republic IFF. It's very odd, sir."
Indeed it was. All Republic ships being converted to the new Imperial standard had to have their IFFs changed. So why didn't this one?
"Show me."
The officer brought it out on a holo display for a detailed look for them to see. It was like any other ship they'd seen but held a few differences. The most prominent is the paint scheme, which was well out of regulations, showing painted feathered wings along its metallic ones.
"Contact that ship. Find out who they are," Ozzel ordered.
"Yes, sir."
A few moments passed with nothing coming on the display. "What's the holdup."
"Nothing, sir. They are not answering. Wait, they are accelerating towards our other ship!"
"What?!"
Luz led the other starfighters and flew toward the underbelly of the enemy Venator. "Torps away!"
Proton torpedoes and concussion missiles flew from her ARC-170 and the V-19 Torrent toward the capital ship's ventral hanger. The ordinance struck hard and fast, setting multiple fires to the cargo holds and side hangers. The crews were taken by surprise and tried to contain them before they spread. But that wasn't all they had to worry about.
Seeing the attack, Pit gave the command, and the fleet began attacking the Imperials. Catching them flat foot at the sudden assault as turbo laser batteries battered against their shields. The Cosmic Wave held firm against the onslaught but could not say the same for her sister ship. Their shields popped under strain, receiving new damage to their outer hull and losing several weapons.
Ozzel looked at the display in growing panic. Two-thirds of his fleet were wrecked in space, and his starfighter was being massacred, leaving too few to hold back the enemy fighters. The defense fleet had turned on the Empire and fired on his own ships. Why was this happening? Before he could answer, the enemy assault halted.
"Sir, the enemy has stopped firing."
"I can see that! But why did they?"
"Because I said so."
The Imperial staff turned to the now active holo table and saw a young human female.
Ozzel looked back at his junior officer. "How are we receiving this?"
The JO looked at his display. "It is from the com request we sent to the lead fighter from the planet."
Ozzel looked back at the holo. "You have unprovoked, attacked an Imperial vessel and destroyed Imperial property. Who are you to do this so we may charge you as such?"
Luz's eyebrow rose at the arrogance this man exhibited. Still, despite having fleets worth of guns trained on him, he had just the amount of nerve to demand something from her. Oh well, might as well see how this goes.
"Who I am is of no concern. But what I can do is," Luz stated. "You are outnumbered and outgunned, Captain. Your capital ship escorts are sunk, starfighters are shot down, and your last ship is about ready to join the rest of your fleet. For the sake of your crew, surrender yourselves, and I'll treat you fairly identical to the Republic's statue of prisoner of war."
"You...you dare..." Ozzel couldn't believe what he was hearing, nor could the bridge staff. Surrender to this pirate group?
"I've dared a lot of things as of late, Captain. Right now, you have several torpedo launchers with payloads locked in at your bridge, ready to kill you and your staff. So here are your options. Be destroyed along with your ship or power down your weapons and lay down your arms, to which you and your crew will be escorted down the surface and released from our custody at the capital's outskirts."
Now the Imperials were confused. Surrender, and they would be released to the planet's population, where they could quickly call for backup. "What trickery is this? You expect us to lay down our weapons and suddenly be released?"
"It may sound unorthodox. But in truth, I have no need for Imperial prisoners. They would be just more mouths to feed, and ransoms never go well. So, it was either kill you or release you. Besides, there has been enough death today, don't you think? Why add your corpse to the pile? At least this way, you can live to hunt me down another day."
The Imp couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Hunt you down? Do you think this is a game, girl?!"
"Life is full of them, Captain," Luz responded. "You should know them well enough by your current station. Now, what will it be?"
Ozzel felt a fury building up in his body. From what he could see from the tactical displays, his flagship was surrounded on all sides, their starfighters protected behind them and ready for another attack. He was confident his ship could take on one or two before his demise. Not a good trade-off. He wasn't supposed to die here. He was meant for greater and grander things! The Emperor had granted him many such rewards and…
Sucking in an air of realization, he knew what to do next.
"Will I have your word that my men and I will not be harmed and they've been released?" Ozzel asked, much to the surprise of his fellow officers.
"Captain?!" Many of his staff said in surprise.
"My word is ironclad. I always keep mine," Luz assured.
The Imperial Captain reluctantly nodded before turning to his first officer. "Power down our weapons and shields. We surrender."
"You've made a wise decision, Captain."
Sometime later, multiple dropships and shuttles full of the clones of the 3rd stormed the two remaining Venators. Their crews surrendered with reluctance but no resistance under the penalty of death. Vultan oversaw the operation of the surrendering crews, while Pit handled the transports. Meanwhile, Luz went up to the bridge to meet with its Captain.
Stepping onto the bridge, Luz meets face to face with the bushy mustache man, surrounded by her men standing guard. When Ozzel looked at the new visitor, his breath hitched at seeing the Jedi robes and realizing what he was dealing with.
"Jedi? Traitors!" Ozzel said aloud.
"The Jedi were never traitors to the Republic. Not like you will see why that is."
Ozzel instantly dismissed her words. "Your actions say otherwise. By attacking my fleet, you have confirmed that all Jedi are indeed traitors, and not only that, but you have also demonstrated that the clones can no longer be trusted!" He shot a glare at his captures. The clone's expressions hidden behind their helmets.
"What do you expect when you take away one's free will or destroy the closest thing they have to a home. Will they follow then? They are living beings like you and me and can choose themselves."
"They are Imperial property, and we will decide their fate how we wish it. They don't get a say in that!"
It felt like she was having a recap of her last conversation with Ruston. "If they want out of the new Empire that has built its foundation of their fallen brothers and then be forgotten of their sacrifice, they can. And I will help them however I can. If that means stealing ships from the Empire that abandoned them in the first place, then I will do so."
The captain glared harshly at the Jedi. "The Empire will have your corpse."
Luz shrugged her shoulders dismissively at the Imperial officer. "Maybe. But not today." She turned to the guards. "Keep him under heavy guard outside the bridge and have the techs cover the ship's computers. Make sure the last owners didn't leave us with any surprises."
"Right away, Commander." The guard responded before pushing the arrogant Captain away.
When he was out of sight, Luz walked over to a nearby seat and collapsed onto it. Feeling all of the day's tensions build up and fall. Magic school, teenage drama, freeing clones from mind control chips, fighting and stealing former Republic capital ships from the fledgling Galactic Empire. All the young Jedi wanted to do next was curl up in her sleeping quarters back at the Owl House and sleep. Any further thoughts were halted when both Pit and Vultan entered the bridge and saw her state.
"You alright, Commander?" Pit asked.
"Not how I thought today would go," Luz responded tiredly.
"I don't think anyone did. We were expecting Drake and 1st squadron; instead, we got a fleet. Speaking of, did we get them, and what of our losses in space?"
The two shared a look of sadness and anger. "Gray and Gold squadrons did well against the Imps. Gray lost six starfighters, while Gold didn't lose any due to their quick run. Our ships took minimal damage due to the rug we pulled under them. As for Drake... We received a message from Flash and Oak, they have Drake and the 1st, but fewer than we initially believed," Pit responded.
"It was a bloodbath on Kashyyyk," Vultan responded in anger, not at her but for the Empire. "Luz, the Empire threw Drake's men down into the thick of it to attack Wookie villages or deployed them in harsh environments without the appropriate gear. Out of the three companies worth of soldiers, they sent down to us, barely one of them was of the 1st. The rest are those new replacements. All mixed in from Agara, Braker, and Cook company, a total of 82 exact, including Drake."
The Jedi did the math quickly in her head. And the result was heart-wrenching. Adding the infantry, including the individual company logistics platoons, and excluding the command staff.
"82...out of 493 troopers."
Silence ran between the three. A moment of silence for the dead as it were. Luz ran her hands through her hair, and a surge of feelings went through her at what was happening. Never in the war had they lost so many in one sitting. Other units had been in the same situation but not them. Clever tacticians and quick engagements were their game, and to lose so many soldiers was new to them.
Just like Homefront.
Taking a breath to calm down and center herself once more was beginning to become a challenge. But Luz did so because her men needed her. After a few moments of thought, "Send a message to Flash and Oak to begin taking out Drake's and the other's chips. Get them free and update them on everything. We need to get everyone up to speed on what we do next and need as many of your brothers as possible to man these new ships. As for these new ships, get them scrubbed clean of any beacons, tracers, or anything that can follow us. We have just painted a massive target on our back for this stunt and need to work fast. Also, send salvage teams out to recover anything and everything of value from that destroyed Venator."
"We'll need a lot of material to repair that other ship you helped damage," Vultan deduced. "We'll be short-handed on engineers to maintain all these ships, and it's going to stretch us if we don't do something."
Pitt rubbed his chin in thought. "We could convert the damaged Venator into a more logistical role rather than fighting. Turn its hangers for more cargo and living space."
"Whatever we need to do, we need to figure it out quickly. I give us two days before the Empire sends a team to investigate why their fleet of ships isn't responding. In the meantime," Luz pushed herself up and stood with clones, "divide the men into shifts for repair and supply gathering. We will need all we can before leaving. I'll head to the surface with our new prisoners and check on Drake."
"Sir, are we really going to just let them go? That Captain will just go to the nearest settlement and call the Empire."
"Oh, I know. But it will be a minute as the arrogant Captain will have to walk 82 miles to the nearest settlement. A good march for any soldier, don't you agree?"
Entering through the front door of the medical center, Luz went up to the reception desk and got directions from the reception droid. She was here for Drake and the men getting their chips removed. Getting what she needed, Luz headed up to recovery. Entering through the double doors, Luz spotted several clones out resting in beds, many having little patch coverings on their heads.
Looking over them, Luz spotted who she wanted to see and went over to the bedridden clone. Taking a seat next to the sleeping clone.
Figuring this was like last time, Luz crossed her arms and closed her eyes before falling into a meditation trance. Knowing Drake will wake in time.
"Commander...?"
Or not. Luz opened her eyes to see Drake looking at her with a gob smacked face.
"You survived?!" He stated.
"Yes. I have. Went through quite an ordeal to stay that way." Luz got up and threw her arms around her lost friend. "I'm so glad you are alright."
The clone hesitantly put his arms around the Jedi. Feeling that Luz was real broke the shock out of him, and he fell back into reality. "How...What's going on? How are you here?"
"It's a bit of a long story." They broke the hug with Luz sitting back down. "Short version is I evaded capture long enough to make it off-world. I went to an old contact before stumbling upon a squad of rouge clones who told me why you all suddenly attacked me. With their help, I began the effort to free you all."
"Free us? Why did we need..." His body stiffens as a rush of emotions and memories of what he did rush at him. Drake cupped his hand over his mouth as the sick feeling of his last meal threatened to come back to greet him. "Oh, no. What have I done?" He looked on in horror.
"What? What did you do, Drake?" Luz asked.
Before she could get an answer, another clone woke up nearby and started to panic. Then another. And other. Panic buttons were hit with medic clones, nurses, and other troopers nearby came rushing in to calm them all down.
Later with the clones calmed down, Luz assembled most of her upper command staff and crowded around Drake. The only one absent was Pit, as he was taking care of things in orbit. After that little panic, Captain Drake looked mentally exhausted but calmed down after realizing where they were.
Oak took the lead. "Alright, Drake, what's going on? You and the other started to panic right after you woke up."
"You've gotten us all worried. Can you tell us what happened?" Oak asked. The clone officer was silent as he tried to gather himself.
"After Order 66 went out, and Vultan and his companies were recalled, my orders were to go to Wookie villages and pacify them. By any means..."
The others needed clarification before understanding what he meant. '"What happened?"
"The Wookies resisted, is what happened. We marched on Kachirho, gathered the villagers, and executed them on the spot, and we did it without remorse. When the other villages learned of this, they sent warriors to attack us. We sustained heavy losses from their unrelenting attacks. They would ride beasts and smash our defenses or ambush portals from above in the trees. They lured one clearing team into a nest of giant spiders resistant to blaster fire."
"Didn't you get any support?" Luz questioned. "Gear, reinforcements, intel, anything to help?" Drake shook his head.
"The ones in charge of the operation complained we had all the equipment we needed and should have been using it. Meaning the gear we brought with us at the start of the campaign when we were fighting Separatists. But that was quickly being wasted each time an attack happened. I lost half my men in the fighting before the Empire sent in a relief force."
"Let me guess," Vultan interrupted. "In the form of those shiny new recruits."
"They were an absolute pain to work with. Questioning my orders, calling us outdated relics. Wondering why they should follow simple clones and don't even get me started on the replacement officers."
The more they heard from their fellow brother, the more apologetic they felt toward him. As Drake continued to talk, Luz couldn't help but wince in sympathy and be concerned by the arrogance that had grown into the Empire's military. What made them get an ego so extensive as that in such a short time?
On the Cosmic Wave, clone techs reviewed the systems to find any faults. Over by comms, one tech found something peculiar to the system.
"What do we have here?" He brought up the diagnostics and did not like what he saw. "Oh no."
"Sir! We have a situation!" The technician called out.
Luz's wrist com flashed red for urgent priority, making her activate it. "Noceda here."
"Commander! We have a new problem," Pit on the other end responded.
"What's going on, Captain?"
"Someone from the previous crew set up a subspace message to the fleets in nearby systems warning them what happened here. We've been exposed!" This took everyone by surprise.
"That slimy little Hutt! That Captain pulled a fast one on us. Should have figured forcing him to surrender went too smoothly," Flash deduced.
"Do we still have him? I'd like to thank him for putting us in this situation." Vultan cracked his knuckles.
"He and his crew have already been placed miles outside the nearest settlement. Besides, we will be wasting valuable time trying to find them."
"Time we don't have the luxury of having," Oak said to his brothers, then noticed Luz put a hand over her face, her features scrunched in pain. "You alright, Commander?"
"I don't think we have any time at all, guys. "Luz rubbed her forehead before looking up not at the ceiling but beyond. "They're here."
Pit looked at his scanners in dread as seven Venators and a bunch of Arquitens and assault Acclamators jumped out of hyperspace. "Commander, multiple ships just jumped out of hyperspace, 100,000 kilometers out and closing fast."
Luz steadied her breath as she tried to collect herself.
"Pit, listen to me carefully. I need you to gather all the ships you can and head planetside. Have them stationed in the air south of the base and facing towards it. Can you do that?" She instructed as she gained the other's attention.
"We would be giving up complete control of the orbit over to them, sir." Pit opted out.
"I'm well aware of that, Captain. But if what I have in store works, it will be fine. Can you get it done?"
"I..yes, sir," Pit confirmed before Luz cut the line. Then she turned to the other clones.
"Get everyone and head to the southern edge of the tarmac. Have them bring everything, speeders, haulers, tanks, whatever."
"Commander, what are you planning?"
A smile stretched her face. "Something they will not expect."
The captains relayed the orders quickly, and the men rushed to their positions. In the air, more and more ships from their fleet, including the two Venators, descended from orbit and filled the sky to the south. While AT-RTs, speeder bikes, AT-TEs, and TX-130 saber tanks were prepped and ready on the ground. Anything that could be moved. And Troops started packing anything and everything they could into them. Even the dropships and transports the Empire brought were being manned and stuffed with what they could. Many wondered what their Jedi Commander was planning. Some thought they would soon pack up and run, while others thought they were preparing for a base attack. Whatever the plan was, they would be ready.
Over at the northern end of the tarmac, Luz pulls out the portal key and opens the door back to the Demon Realm. The yellow-eyed door opens to reveal Eda pushing a cauldron through and positioning it next to the Jedi.
"Is it ready?" Luz asked as she looked over the orange bubbling potion.
The older witch nodded her head in confirmation but had some doubts. "It was close, but it will work. Although, I've never done something like this to a portal before."
"No time for going back now. It's do or die time. We've got baddies closing in on us, and I'm not keen on having my men face them with their numbers." Not seeing any other way, Eda summoned the portal door to the demon realm.
"Everyone, be ready to move!" Luz said over her wrist com.
Eda used magic to lift the pot up... and dumped it over the portal door.
The two stepped away and watched the door. Luz sees the portal soaking up the potion within its wooden frame. Looking it over, the portal door generated an aura of orange light surrounding it that became so bright the clones a few hundred meters noticed it. Stopping all activity as they watched what would happen. Before anyone could comment on it, the light disappeared and concerned the Jedi.
"Eda..."
"...Give it a moment."
True enough, a moment later, the door started to wobble in place.
Then it GREW.
Eda and Luz looked up in awe and had to take a few steps back. The clones watched in shock as the door stretched across the tarmac and grew to an insane size. Some took their helmets off to ensure their visors weren't playing tricks on them. Even in the air, the pilots in the ships gaped at the sight of what had to be the most enormous door they had ever seen. It finally stopped when it reached the end of the landing field, and the height was something else as it grew to the size of a skyscraper.
Eda looked at her Jedi charge with a smug grin. "Big enough for yeah, kid?"
Luz had a star-stricken look of awe. "Have I said how much I love magic?"
Eda laughed. "Alright then, kid. Now all we need to do is open the door."
The two stood there for a second before realization hit the Jedi like a blaster bolt. "Eda...you can open the door when it's this big, right?"
Eda opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out before realizing her mistake. "Whops. Should have opened the door first."
"That would have been helpful!" Luz shouted. "How do we open it?"
"Like any door. Turn the nob." Eda pointed at the brass door knob the size of a nu-class shuttle. "Either one of us can turn the handle, but together I don't think it's enough to open the door. We need some muscle."
When she said muscle, Luz turned to the army behind them. Eda turned to look at the clones and hummed in approval. "That could work."
"Everyone, head to the big door and push it open. This is our escape!"
The clones were taken aback by this and looked at the big door in front of them.
"How are we supposed to push that thing?" Flash heard a nearby trooper say. The captain looked in the soldier's direction and saw the row of AT-TEs behind him.
"With those troopers. All walkers, forward! Push that door open," the captain ordered. Sixteen walkers advanced toward the door. Upon contact, the two front legs went up and planted against it.
Seeing them ready, Luz joined Eda on her staff. "My men are in position. You ready, Eda?"
"Always."
Luz lifted both her hands and reached out with the Force while Eda drew a spell circle. Together the doorknob slowly turned till they heard an audible click, and the door slowly moved back. With their task done, they diverted their attention to the clones below. Saber hover tanks had joined the walkers in pushing the door, along with platoons of clones helping by forcing the big door by hand. She even saw Vultan leading his Hawk man in the air, using their jetpacks to help push. After a minute of struggle, they got the door opened enough to direct vehicles through as land speeders filled with troops and supplies made it through. But that led to the problem of the ships still in the air.
Luz looked to the sky with worry. She opened a communication line with her officers for advice. "Guys, the Empire will be on us any minute. We need to open that door for our ships to get through. Any suggestions."
"The armor is doing all we can down here, Commander. But this is one heavy door."
"We're pushing our jets as hard as our fuel lines allow. Any hotter, and they'll burn out.
"I have one. It's not ideal, but it could work."
"What do you have for us, Pit?" Luz asked.
"I'm sending a frigate to the door, and they'll softly impact it and fire off their sub light thrusters. That should be enough thrust to push the door fully open," Pit explained.
"That's a crazy maneuver if I've ever heard a ship doing, but I like it. Letzdoit!" Vultan voiced his vote.
"Pit, ETA on the Empire's forces. How far out are they?" Luz asked.
"Orbital sensors pinged and tracked fighters coming in through the upper atmosphere. I give them fifteen minutes before they're right on top of us."
"...send it."
"Roger that. Frigate 280. You're clear to go."
"Understood, sir... Commencing door breaching maneuver."
The frigate was a Consular class. It slowed to a hover as it nosed up to the portal door. After a minute of positioning, the ship captain fired its thrusters, lunging the ship onward. The frigate bounced off the door before settling into a strong push. The results were instant as the door moved much faster and allowed more of our ground forces through. Half a minute later, it provided clear passage for the other ships.
"The way is open, advance!" Pit ordered.
"Hope there's clearance."
"This is insane."
"So are the rest of us."
Luz watched with hope as the ships of all kinds rushed through the portal, with some having to course-correct themselves to avoid crashing into each other. While on the ground, the infantry, transports, and walkers made a mad rush. But time was running out.
"Pit, what's the status of those imperial fighters?"
"They'll be upon us soon. Then we'll have to defend ourselves. Commander, we don't have the manpower to protect the Venators. Not enough gunners."
Luz looked over at the hangers and saw her fighter still parked. "Eda, head there!" She pointed at the parked aircraft.
The witch complied and headed to a parked ARC-170. This one was painted differently than the others. While the others had the Republic red striped, this was green with a yellow pinstripe, while in the paint screen were outstretched white feathered wings on the four small s-foils. They hopped off the staff, with Luz rushing up into the cockpit.
"Kid, what's the plan?" Eda asked.
"I need you to help the clones here on the ground through the portal. Meanwhile, I'll do the same in the air while providing cover." Luz responded as she started up her launch sequence.
"That's going to be dangerous."
"And having your head chopped off isn't?" Luz gave her teacher a comforting look. "So don't worry. This isn't my first air rancor rodeo." She said before the canopy closed and flew off without seeing Eda's concerned look.
Linking up with the fleet, Luz watched the first Venator angle itself to the side to get better clearance from the portal's rim. Followed by many LAATs and shuttles faring whatever they can. The Stonewall and the Acclamator assault ships readied themselves behind the second Venator to through. Luz flew passed them as she rose into the sky.
"Pleasant day for flying, ay commander?"
Luz looked over to see the remaining members of Gray Squadron form up on her wing.
"And a good day to put my wings back on, Root," Luz responded to the leader of Gray Squadron.
"Your orders?"
"Keep the Empire from damaging the portal. Defend our ships if they need help, but the objective is the portal. If that gets destroyed, then our way out will be cut off. Leaving us with a whole battle fleet to contend with.
"Here they come!"
Out from the gray clouds, formations of Alpha-3 Nimbus V-wings flew right at them. A quick check from her sensors told Luz they were outnumbered three to one. No, different from any battle she's been in.
"Root, stay on me. All craft, engage!"
Eda assisted a few medical troopers in moving the wounded through the portal. After sending the last of the injured to the Demon Realm, she couldn't help but look up at the sounds of combat in the distance. Red and green flashes of laser fire filled the air, raining debris from down fighters. Before she could worry about Luz, the semi-familiar armor of Captain Oak approached her.
"That was the last of the medical personnel," he said to her.
"What about the others?"
"The last of the 1st is on the other side as well as my men. Vultan's troopers are up in the ships helping to guide them through." An explosion from the air drew their attention to an ARC-170 falling from the sky before crashing into a nearby building. "How long can this portal stay open?"
"As long as I want. I'm more worried about Luz."
"I share your concerns, but the Commander can take care of herself," the clone dismissed. "Besides, she survived the purge, didn't she? A few fighters won't hold her down."
Above them, the second Venator was making its way through, its visible damaged hanger for everyone to see. Smoke trails were visible to see, making some clones look at it hesitantly and hoping nothing would fall off.
Looking out of her cockpit, Luz saw that there were many more ships than they had initially thought. She could see above in the upper atmosphere where the enemy carriers were sending out swarms of starfighters. Locking onto one such fighter before pulling the trigger on the wheel, spitting forth a gout of lasers. One of the shots hit the stabilizers and caused a spinout. Banking hard and slamming herself back into her seat as she approached another fighter's rear. The two laser cannons on either side of his cockpit spat death as he positioned his craft for a better firing position, hitting another craft square in the engines. The fighter began spinning before the fighter exploded. It was never easy for Luz to take a life, but he held back the guilt in favor of the situation.
"Pit, the sky is getting thick. What is the evac status?" Luz asked as she focused on her next target.
"All ground forces are on the other side with half the fleet, and the rest are moving into position now. Estimate two minutes to complete."
"Hurry it up, Pit! The air is thick with enemy fighters, and we're about to be overwhelmed." Luz dove down and shot at an enemy fighter gunning for one of her pilots. Its shields flickered before a stay shot bypassed them and landed in the cockpit. It tumbled out of control as gravity took hold of it and got a "Thanks" from the clone pilot. "Plus, those capital ships in orbit will be in weapons range very soon. Who's left?"
"Three Acclamators and the Stonewall. Correction, two Acclamators."
"Make it go faster! We're getting torn apart." Luz grunted before watching a fighter catch onto her tail, following her as she attempted to shake them off.
Luz twisted her craft through the air, trying in vain to keep the fighter out of his cross-hair long enough to get in position. Luz avoided its next shot, pulling up and quickly cutting her engines, the air catching her, turning her completely inverted before shooting away her pursuer.
"Commander, you and the Stonewall are the only ones left," Pit informed her.
"Gray squadron, double back to the portal. Go, GO!" Luz shouted the order.
Moving as one, the fighters of Gray squadron formed back up behind Luz's starfighter and pushed their engines. The maneuver was so random that it caught the Imperial pilots off guard. Gray squadron flew low and fast as they raced towards the portal. Ahead of them, the Stonewall finished entering into the other world.
"Enemy fighters gathering behind us!"
"They know we're trying to escape. Punch it!"
The portal came up fast, and before anyone knew it, they were on the other side.
"Close it, Eda!"
The Owl Lady heard the call and tapped her cheeks. Then, as quickly as it grew, it shrunk back to its original size before disappearing out of existence. Leaving behind a bunch of confused Imperials.
Later at the new base, the engineers and combat engineers were getting more buildings set up or clearing up new areas for future expansion. Others were getting the lay of the land and scouting out potential locations for landing platforms. Meanwhile, Luz met up with her Captains, and Eda, the former, was leaving with the latter.
"Sure about leaving, Commander?"
"I am, Captain. You've already got the data I've collected about this world, but there is so much more to be learned firsthand. You all continue building up the base while I will keep looking into this world. It is an extraordinary planet with plenty of mystery beneath it," Luz explained.
"And no offense, but you all going to the Boiling Isles will stick out like a finger dragon in a pastry shop," Eda commented.
"We'll stay out of sight and start gathering supplies. Get the hydroponics working," Flash said.
"I'll see about getting some supplies ready for you all." Luz looks over at Drake. "Will you be alright?"
The clone Captain shook his head. "Not going to lie. Running from the government that we once belonged under will get some getting used to. The thought of leaving the Empire had crossed my mind more than once, so this shouldn't be a problem."
"Let us know if you need backup, like facing that fear-reading shapeshifter you fought." Vultan's example confused Drake.
"Fear-reading shapeshifter?"
A LAAT landed near them. "There's our ride. I'll send reports regularly. You take care."
The clones said their goodbyes as Luz and Eda boarded the transport and took off. The two sat together on a crate and watched the scenery go by.
"Well, that was something, am I right?" Eda said.
Luz nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but it was close. Too close. We got lucky this time, and we might not get that the next."
Eda dismissed that with a waved hand. "Don't worry about what ifs, kid. They just make you grow old faster. As for next time? Go and face it like any other problem we've been dealing with."
"Facing our problems head-on and making friends?" That got Eda to blow a raspberry at her.
"No! By sneaking in and stealing everything not nailed down and going home to enjoy a satisfying cup of apple blood."
Luz rolled her eyes playfully at the witch before closing them and leaning against her. Eda looked to her side in surprise by the act. She smiled down at the young Jedi and gave her a one-arm hug.
"You're such a weirdo."
Eda gave an unladylike snort. "Please, you're probably the weirdest person I've met in years."
"Guess that means I fit right in, doesn't it."
"Yeah...you sure do."
The two relaxed into one another as the landscape passed them by.
Back on the other side of the portal, a shuttle landed at the vacant base. A small parade of blue-painted clone troopers stood at attention as they waited for the new arrival. The ramp fell, and a tall, dark, imposing figure appeared. Its skull-like face mask breathed in with a heavy respirator sound.
Darth Vader moved across the tarmac before stopping at a certain point and crouching into the ground. Stretching his senses through the Force told him of a strange energy left here, similar to what he felt months ago at the Jedi temple. The event puzzled him and his Master, with himself leading the investigation once he acquired a lightsaber.
Standing up, he soon made his way to the base's command structure. Entering and navigating his way to the main security room, he located the central computer that was already crawling with techs. Approaching the main computer, he imputing a couple commands into the system. He found the screen in front of him lit up with security footage of not so long ago, and one included a military parade and a young Jedi in front of them. Pressing play, he listened to her words.
"Brave Rifles!" She shouted.
"Veterans!" The regiment of clones challenged.
"So, it is you... Luz Noceda." Darth Vader confirmed as he and the clones with him stood silently as they listened to the young Jedi's words.
Omake: Drawing good proportions.
King stood with curiosity as he watched Luz draw on an easel. On the page was a good illustration of a posing clone trooper.
"Luz, how is it you can draw so well?" Asked the little demon.
Luz smiles. "I'm glad you asked, King. For me, it's all about breaking down into shapes. Look." Luz pulls up a new page and draws a few circles and cones. "See? This is your shape. And these are Eda's." She pulls up another page to show the Owl Lady. Luz pulls up another and does a quick draw of Hooty.
"And Hooty is relatively easy. He's just a circle and a tube."
"So realistic."
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" Hoot stretched his head in before freezing at the sight of his drawing. This disturbed the others.
"Hooty?" Luz asked in concern.
The bird tube then fluffed up his feathers and started hissing at the picture.
"Hooty, no! It's just a drawing," King tried to calm the house demon.
"Who sent you? This is my territory!" Hoot shouted before he tore into the paper with a war cry.
Sometime later, Hootie calmed down and sat on the couch with two life size drawings of Luz and King.
"Thanks for calming down back there, guys. I could get a little antsy with the territory.' Hooty said to the drawings. Off around the doorway, King and Luz had their heads mounted around to watch this.
"Hootie has been talking to those drawings for several hours. Good thing you had them on hand."
"Honestly, I made those because I was bored but good to know my life-size drawing can make a powerful impact on the simple-minded."
Hoot then noticed them and started panicking again. "Wait a minute...Who are you? I'm freaking out!"
King and Luz just slowly backed away from the doorframe and disappeared from Hooty's sight.
This took a s*** of a bunch of time to write.
Sorry it took so long to put this out. Work has been mental and there have been many distractions in my life that taken my focus attention away. Like dealing with season 2 of DMZ in MW2 for one and dealing with a lot of operator hunters.
Anyway!
That's right! I've brought Luz's entire clone unit to the Boling Isles. Fleet and armor included! Now I've had this conversation with my fellow writers, and they agree that if Luz wanted to, she could take over the Titan with her forces. But will she? Well, she's a Jedi. Think about it.
Also, Vader is investigating Luz personally into how she's doing all of this.
Also to give thanks to Ghost-G339 and Wesley9516 for cleanup and editing.
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Oh crap almost forgot that the finial Owl House episode aired, and it was awesome! I loved the reunion Luz had with King and Eda. Luz's titan form was just rocking badass with her OP magic. Kinda wish she could have kept it as a passing gift from Papa Titan as a thanks for being there for King. That would have been awesome and to see Amity's reaction to it, but Morning Mark did that for me in one of his recent comics. I did want to see more interaction between Camila and Eda but understood the time crunch.
Didn't want to give to many spoilers but Belos got what he deserved in the end.
Anyway hoped you enjoy the chapter and will see you all over the web.