Chapter 7 - The Zillo Beast Part 1
Coruscant
Level 3000
Random Bar
2 days later
After sending the message using my old frequency, I just had to wait for my Mandalorian friend. I was currently wearing my old armor and sipping from something light, a Coruscant Cooler, and thinking about my old judicial forces days before I had a big ship.
Those were fun days, with just me, two Mandalorians, and a modified Republic Cruiser going on adventures throughout the galaxy. But they were days past now, and I had a war to fight. I was hoping for some semblance of my old crew with the two Mandalorians back.
Speaking of them, two Mandalorians had entered the bar. I recognized the first one, with dark green and black colored armor as Jorad, and the second one, with yellow and gray armor, as his girlfriend, or was it wife now? Skira.
I waved them over to my booth and watched the rather humorous sight of everyone becoming silent and moving out of the two Mandalorians' way. As soon as they sat down, the music and conversations resumed.
Jorad removed his helmet and greeted me with a smile, "Long time no see, Silas."
"Likewise, Jorad," I turned to Skira and asked, "So, you stuck with this loser?"
"Still don't know why I did," she quipped as she removed her helmet.
"Hey!" Jorad gasped, "I'm a very lovable guy."
"So, how's life as bounty hunters going?" I asked. Once the judicial forces turned into the GAR, they left to be bounty hunters, while I stayed with the newly formed navy.
"Just fine, we actually just finished a pretty easy job," Jorad said, "How's life in the navy going?"
"Very well, very well," I replied, "Did you know that I'm an admiral now?"
"No," Jorad was dumbfounded, "How did you, of all people, achieve a flag rank?"
"The war," I said.
"Oh."
"Speaking of the war," I added, "How would you guys like to join in on the fighting?"
"Pardon me?" Jorad asked. Him and Skira looked at each other and turned back to me. "Dang it, I knew this wasn't a social call."
"Fighting for the Republic, I assume?" Skira asked.
"Obviously," I replied, "it'd be just like old times, except with a bigger ship and bigger battles."
"Aren't the Jetii heading this war?" She spat out the word Jedi as if it was a curse.
Darn it, I forgot how much Mandalorians don't like Jedi, "Uh, yes, but the Jedi that I serve with is nice."
". . ."
"Come on, you should at least try it out," I pleaded, "You'll get the chance to see some of those clone commandos in action at the very least. I'll even pay you to come visit."
"Seeing some of Skitara's clones could be pretty cool," Jorad said, "Skira, we should at least try it out."
After seeing the look on her face he added, "Plus, we'll be getting paid."
"Fine," she reluctantly agreed, "but I'll decide our fee."
My face paled at this, but I agreed too, "Sure?"
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Coruscant
Venator Star Destroyer - Sirius
12 hours later
After signing the paper to hand my ship off to Blissex for a refit, I realized that I needed to find my new flagship. General Void was called to her office shortly after I left Kuat and he was informed of the refits, so he and the clones had settled in already, but I still needed to find the ship.
It was rather humorous watching people's reactions to two fully armored Mandalorians waltzing around with an admiral looking for his ship. We reached the help desk and the person manning it requisitioned a shuttle to my new ship for me after he saw my credentials. He didn't ask about the Mandalorians, though, most likely out of fear.
After that, we took the shuttle to the Sirius, my new flagship. The shuttle ramp opened and I started walking down, two Mandalorians in tow.
General Void and Pinpoint were outside, ready to greet me, when they saw the two Mandalorians and readied their weapons.
Jorad and Skira raised their pistols in response.
"Woah, Woah, Woah! Guys, we're on the same side here! Lower your weapons!" I tried to diffuse the situation.
Pinpoint looked at General Void for instructions. General Void nodded and extinguished his lightsaber, but he kept it in his hands in warning. Pinpoint did his best to follow suit with a rifle.
"Admiral, explanation. Now," General Void ordered.
"Okay," I paused for a moment to think of what to say, "Remember how I told you that I used to be in the Judicial forces?" He nodded. "Well, these are two of my old associates from back then. I decided that they could be of help, so I just asked them on board to see if they want to rejoin the Republic."
". . ."
"It's not permanent!" I said hastily at the resounding silence. I sighed and said, "Just give them a chance." I turned to Jorad and Skira, "The same goes for you guys, too; give the Republic a chance."
General Void still looked grumpy, but he reluctantly agreed, "Very well Admiral, I will trust your judgment this time."
"Just tell your Jetii to Te'habi bevik gar'shebs and we have a deal," Skira replied.
Howler squad had arrived just in time to hear her comment and Ammo nearly burst out laughing. The other commandos had a hard time concealing their grins because their helmets were off. My mouth was hanging agape and the rest of the clones and General Void were looking confused.
After I got over the initial shock of her statement I croaked out, "I think that's insubordination, Skira. The General actually outranks me."
"Well that's ridiculous."
"Pardon me, but what did she say?" General Void warily asked.
I ignored General Void and turned to Pinpoint, "We'll have to arrange quarters for our new guests, of course."
"Sure thing, sir," he replied.
"Now I'm going to get settled in. Pinpoint, you help the Mandalorians," I said. I started walking out, leaving this awkward mess behind.
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Malastare
Venator Star Destroyer - Sirius
1 week later
I forgot how annoying Mandalorians could be.
My deal with my two Mandalorian friends entailed them staying with the Republic for one month. For General Void, that was one month too much time. He and Skira could not be in the same room without sparking a major argument. This was inconvenient for him as she spent most of her time on the bridge, with me and Jorad. Or, at least when Jorad wasn't with Howler squad.
He had almost instantly come to like them, admiring their teamwork in the few training simulations he had already witnessed. General Void was also far more amicable to Jorad, probably because Skira's first words to him were to, "pull that stick out of your ass."
Currently, we are in orbit over Malastare, a gray wasteland on the surface. The native species, the Dugs, had probably mined the fuel and destroyed the local ecosystem long ago. From space it was an eyesore, full of odd and unnatural colors. Apparently, Malastarian fuel was highly toxic, but the Republic still needed it.
The population of Malastare also consisted of human and Gran settlers. In fact, Malastare's senator was a Gran. Podracing was also a popular sport, because of several flat environments and desert terrain, like Tatooine.
Task Force 156, my Venator Battle Group was currently fighting a small Separatist fleet, consisting of six Munificent class frigates, two Recusant class light destroyers, and one Providence class carrier/destroyer. In this battle, Anakin's battle group was also assisting.
General Void was on the ground, along with Howler squad and Jorad and Skira, taking down a Separatist command post as a commando unit while the 554th was working in accordance with other clone legions to hold off the Separatist army.
Prior to the enemy fleet's arrival, their army had nearly completely consolidated into one force. I was informed that they were in a position to smash through the capital city's defenses. This was why nearly the entirety of the Republic's ground forces had also consolidated at the capital.
On the ground, the Republic was vastly outnumbered, nothing short of a full orbital bombardment on the droid army could even the odds. No one with any common sense would do that in a fuel rich environment. I thought that the republic was screwed, then Skywalker told me that he had an experimental weapon onboard the Resolute, the Electro-Proton bomb.
The Electro-Proton bomb was designed by Doctor Sionver Poll. Apparently, it emitted a electromagnetic field which would disable nearly all tech in a large radius, including droids. With this, our ground forces actually could defeat the Separatists.
Since the Resolute was carrying the bomb, Admiral Yularen and I had formed a defensive half-circle around it.
I was currently on a call with the Dug Council and the Jedi Generals, discussing the effects of the bomb. Dr. Boll was also in attendance.
"I won't allow my people to become Separatist slaves," Doge Urus, the leader of the Dugs said.
"I assure you, Doge Urus, that won't be happening," I reassured myself more than him. I had my own doubts about our new doomsday weapon, too. "Dr. Boll has stated that only droids will be affected by the bomb's electron field."
"Yes, The clones and your people will be quite safe. We have accounted for every probable outcome," Dr. Boll confirmed my statements.
"It's the improbable that concerns me, Doctor. There must be other options," General Windu said.
"I'm afraid not. This bomb is our only hope for victory now."
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Malastare
Venator Star Destroyer - Sirius
10 minutes later
I was on a holo-call with Admiral Yularen.
"I've just received the all clear," he said.
"Great, launch those bombers and we can finally press the offensive," I said a little too eagerly.
"Give me a moment, Admiral," Yularen replied. He muted the call and started barking orders to his men. A minute later, he said, "Alpha flight has taken off, patching you to the live feed, now."
"Sure thing, Admiral," I flicked off the call and looked at a screen. It detailed five y-wing bombers flying in a V formation to the airspace above the droid army.
"Bombs away," the pilot's voice rang throughout the comms. I saw the bomb drop through the clouds. Then a small explosion. The y-wings veered up and I made a call to the surface.
"Did it work?" I asked once the connection was made.
Anakin looked through a pair of macro-binoculars and confirmed, "Yep, those droids look pretty deactivated to me."
"How's the situation going in space?" General Windu asked.
"Just peachy," I said, "We're doing well now that we can press the—" I flinched as my bridge was hit by a heavy cannon. Luckily the shields were still up. "Offensive, yeah press the offensive."
General Windu looked like he didn't believe me. He opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off by Anakin, who was still looking through the macro-binoculars, "Umm, Doctor, is the ground supposed to be doing that?"
"Give me those," Dr. Boll said. She took the macro-binoculars, and her eyes comically widened, more than I thought was possible for her species, "The ground is sinking!"
"You know what, I'll just be going back to my battle now. I'm sending down some Laat's for you guys," I left the call and started barking out orders to my men.
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Malastare
Imperial Palace
15 minutes later
The Separatist task force had been defeated in short order after receiving the all clear to press the offensive by Admiral Yularen and I with our six Venators. I took one of the last LAAT's to the surface to see the damage for myself and to meet up with the Mandalorians.
While I was still in the atmosphere, I noted the gigantic sinkhole. Apparently the bomb caused more damage than it should've.
Currently, I was in the Imperial Palace, the home of the Dug council, watching the rescue mission go. I was standing on a balcony, using macro-binoculars to watch the area around the sinkhole. It was buzzing with LAAT's picking up survivors?
I heard footsteps behind me, so I put the macro-binoculars down and turned around to see a burnt General Void with Howler squad and the Mandalorians.
"Whoa, General, what happened to you?" I asked. The other members of the team had burn marks and scrapes on their armor, too.
"Ask the Seppies," he grunted out, "Apparently, they're suicidal."
"Your poor Jetii just doesn't wear armor," Skira quipped, patting General Void on the back rather harshly. This provoked a wheeze from him.
"Poor General Void indeed," I agreed, "But how'd he get this burnt?"
"Bomb."
That must've hurt.
"Wait, how'd he survive, then?" I asked.
"Ask him, apparently he can make a forcefield with his space voodoo," Jorad said, "He's not very good at it, though."
"The. . . Force. It's called—the. . . Force," the General choked out.
"He's not looking too well. Come on, let's get him to a bacta tank," I noted that the General was turning pale.
"Sure, but he better get some armor."
"Can I see those scopes real quick, sir?" Cypher asked, "I just want to see the sinkhole."
"Sure," I handed him them.
"Such glorious devastation," Ammo said once he saw.
"Heh, I like this one," Skira found Ammo's antics amusing.
". . . Ba— Bacta," the General wheezed out.
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Malastare
Outside the sinkhole
1 hour later
After dropping the General in the Med bay and checking in on Pinpoint, I was outside the sinkhole, listening to a discussion about the treaty.
"The droid army was completely neutralized by the bomb. But the blast created a sinkhole which engulfed many of our troopers. We have search parties looking for them now," General Windu reported to Chancellor Palpatine.
"And the Dugs? Have they signed the treaty?" The Chancellor asked.
"No, Chancellor, the treaty must be passed by the Dug council," Doge Urus explained.
"We need that treaty signed so we can gain access to the fuel reserves here on Malastare. Without it, our armies shall be vulnerable," Chancellor Palpatine said.
"I will do my best."
"Sir, we have a report from the front," a clone ran up to us, "They've lost contact with the rescue team."
"One problem always seems to replace another," the General sighed out.
"I hope your bomb has not upset the delicate balance of our planet," Doge Urus cut in.
"You guys deal with the treaty and Doge Urus. I'll help the rescue team in the crater," General Windu ordered General Skywalker and I.
"How long do you think it will take the treaty to get ratified?" I asked Doge Urus after General Windu left.
"We are waiting for two more members of the council to arrive. They will sign the treaty," He replied.
"We appreciate your cooperation. Without your fuel, our offensive will grind to a halt," the Chancellor said.
"This is the beginning of a great alliance," Doge Urus said with a smile. I could almost see the dollar signs in his eyes.
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Malastare
Outside the sinkhole
30 minutes later
"What do you mean a monster ate your starfighter?!" I incredulously asked Anakin.
"Yeah, a big, grayish brown monster. It had, like, three arms and two legs. Its scales even blocked my lightsaber!" He replied.
"Just to be clear, how big was it?" Doge Urus cautiously asked.
"It was gigantic, maybe even a hundred meters tall," he replied.
"You tried to stab something that big with your lightsaber?!" I asked incredulously, "You might as well have punched it, would've done the same amount of damage!"
Doge Urus went off to some other Dugs and whispered orders to them. He came back with a scroll and said, "That thing, it is a Zillo Beast. They once roamed Malastare, devouring our ancestors. When the Dugs first started harvesting the fuel in the planet's core, they were killed off. They are supposed to be extinct. Apparently, they're not." He opened the scroll, showing us the Zillo Beast.
Alarms started blaring and Dugs started chanting, pouring fuel into the sinkhole. "His weakness is—"
"What's going on out there?" Doge Urus was cut off by General Windu arriving.
"It is an internal matter. None of your concern," he replied.
"Your men are killing a unique life form!" General Windu shouted.
"It is a dangerous, bloodthirsty monster!" Doge Urus shot back, "Did you forget that it tried to kill you?"
"It was under attack!"
"It had lived peacefully below the surface for all these years. Until you unleashed it with your bomb!"
"We dropped that bomb to save your planet, at your request!"
Anakin and I stood off to the side, twiddling our thumbs awkwardly while General Windu and Duge Urus argued.
"To save our fuel for you to buy," Doge Urus calmed down a little and said, "If you want us to sign your treaty, then you must help us destroy the beast."
"What purpose would it serve to kill it?" General Windu tried to reason with him, "If it really is the last of its kind—"
He was cut off by Doge Urus yelling, "It is our duty! Our ancestors warned us that one would return someday and destroy our entire civilization! Will you help us or not?"
"I respect your traditions and your ancestors, but we cannot allow the destruction of an innocent life form," General Windu said.
General Windu was about to destroy our hopes of a treaty over one life form, so I cut in, "Actually, Doge Urus. That would be acceptable."
General Windu shot me a glare.
I returned the gesture and said, "What, General Windu? Without their fuel millions more civilians and clones alike will die from another Separatist offensive! That's not worth a monster who tried to kill you."
Doge Urus looked at the chancellor's hologram and the chancellor nodded his head. "Master Windu, are you sure this creature is worth it?"
"I mean, after all, it's just one creature. Remember what the Chancellor said. We need this fuel," Skywalker agreed.
"It isn't the creature. It's the principle," Windu stubbornly shot back, "Allowing the Dugs to kill it violates what we stand for as Jedi."
"Wouldn't more life forms die from not getting rid of it though?" I reaffirmed my point.
Chancellor Palpatine and Anakin also looked at Windu and he caved, "Very well."
"We'll handle this our way, no matter what these Jedi think," Doge Urus said as he started walking away.
"Doge Urus, the Republic will assist you in this," the Chancellor quickly cut in. He shot me a look and I nodded my head.
"Very well."
After Doge Urus was out of hearing range Dr. Boll walked over and saw the estimated specs of the Zillo Beast.
"How remarkable! I have never seen anything quite like it. I recommend that we transport it off the planet as soon as possible. We can find a place for it to live undisturbed in the Outer Rim."
"Sorry, but the Dugs want us to help them destroy it," Anakin said.
"And we should help them, no matter our personal opinions," Chancellor Palpatine shot a pointed glare at Windu, "This creature is of no importance to us. We cannot be alienating the Dugs at this crucial time."
"It is not the Jedi way to take an innocent life. Especially if it is the last of its kind," General Windu tried to sway the Doctor to his side.
"Chancellor Palpatine, I think it would be in our best interest to study this creature," Dr. Boll said.
"Its outer scales are virtually impenetrable. None of our weapons could harm it," Anakin said, "Even my lightsaber couldn't cut it. If we could somehow duplicate that for our ships. . ."
"An impenetrable armor," the Chancellor concluded. He turned to me and asked, "What do you think of this Admiral?"
"I said that we should get rid of it, not that we should kill it," I replied.
"What if we let the Dugs think we killed it? Then we could have the treaty and the creature," Anakin suggested.
"Yes, Anakin, go on," the Chancellor said.
"When I was climbing on the creature, I noticed small gaps between the armor and its scales. Maybe a stun cannon or a pulse could penetrate through the skin and short-circuit its nervous system. Like putting it into a deep sleep," he said.
"He's right. It would appear to be dead," the doctor agreed.
"Oh, I have something that can do that. General Void was going to bring it down anyway, the RX-200 Falchion," I said. Before anyone informed us about the electro-proton bomb, we had picked up some as heavy artillery.
"We could transport it to a secure location before it wakes up; the Dugs would never know the difference," General Windu added.
"That may be the only way we shall get this treaty signed and rest Master Windu's conscience," the Chancellor concluded. I heard a door opening from his hologram and one of his aides walked up to him. They conversed and he said, "I have to go now, call me when the situation is concluded." He flicked off the call.
After I ordered the tanks to come down, our group walked over to Doge Urus and he said, "I'm glad you finally decided to see things our way, Jedi. But you're a fool if you think your weapons will even scratch Zillo Beast."
"These are no ordinary weapons. Your Zillo Beast will be no match for them," General Windu informed him.
"Maybe true. But our way is already proven," he said.
"Your Way?" We asked simultaneously
"Open the valve!" Doge Urus shouted.
The Dugs started yelling at each other and cranking valves. The pipes started pumping fuel into the sinkhole. Jorad and Skira had caught up to us.
"What a waste of good alcohol," Jorad quipped.
"Our fuel is deadly to the beast," Doge Urus said, choosing to ignore him, "It killed them in the past. It will kill this one now."
"You're only going to provoke it. You'll drive it out of that hole, and then it'll be harder to deal with," General Windu said.
"We'll handle it, Jedi," Doge Urus said as the Zillo Beast started roaring.
"Order them to stop!" General Windu said once he heard its cries of pain.
"What? What do you mean, stop?"
"I said, order them to stop!"
"Or what? We are innocent life forms, too, are we not?" Doge Urus said. The other Dugs started laughing.
"Uhh. Guys the Zillo Beast is climbing out!" I yelled. Doge Urus and General Windu stopped glaring at each other and turned to the Zillo Beast.
"Charge up the rays!" Anakin ordered. Once they were charged, he ordered, "Fire."
A bluish white ray came from the Falchion nearest us and the others followed suit. The rays dragged across the Zillo Beast until they found their targets underneath its scales.
The Zillo Beast continued to move forward, swatting at clones, Dugs, and tanks like flies.
"Back up. Back up!" Anakin ordered.
While we were running away I asked the Mandalorians, "How would you guys like to slay something way bigger than a Mythosuar."
"This isn't working!" A clone yelled as he was swatted away.
"No thanks, we're not suicidal."
"Whose bright idea was this, anyway?" Jorad asked.
"Keep the beam on him, he's getting tired," General Windu ordered?
"It was my idea," Anakin replied.
"This thing looks like something out of a cheap holofilm," Jorad quipped.
"I think we need a new plan," Anakin said.
"Rocket!" Jorad yelled as he shot a rocket at the Zillo Beast's face. It hit and the Zillo Beast roared even louder. The Zillo Beast stopped and started groaning, the Falchions hitting their targets.
It came crashing down with a final, weak roar. It smushed more people and a tank; its head stopping ten feet away from us.
"Hey, it worked!" Anakin said.
"Are you sure?" Jorad asked, "This is normally the part of the holo where the monster gets back up."
"Yes, I'm very sure."
"You go first," Jorad said warily.
Anakin groaned and walked over to poke the Zillo Beast, "See?" He started rubbing part of its face, "Who's a good Zillo Beast? You are, yes you are."
"Welcome to the Republic, Doge Urus," I said, "I am sure this business arrangement will be mutually beneficial."
He looked unconvinced because of Anakin's antics so I reassured him, "Don't worry, that's just Skywalker, the rest of us aren't like this."
"Can I get a picture posing over this thing?" Jorad asked.
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Malastare
Outside the sinkhole
10 hours later
The Dugs had bought our ploy hook, line, and sinker. They were completely oblivious to the fact that the Zillo Beast was still alive. Our party was overseeing it being loaded onto an Acclamator class assault ship.
"The beast has been loaded onto the transport," Pinpoint informed us.
"Have you selected a planet for relocation?" I asked.
"There has been a slight change of plans," Dr. Boll said, "The scientific community has reviewed the data on this rather unique creature. They believe it should be further studied in a more controlled environment before it is released into the wild."
"And where is this controlled environment?" General Windu asked warily.
"On Coruscant," Dr. Boll answered.
"Controlled environment?" I asked.
"Yes, a very safe and controlled environment," she replied.
"Safe for the people or safe for the beast?"
She chose to ignore me and the chancellor said, "Master Windu, you and General Skywalker
shall safely bring the beast here."
"Well, you made the right choice, doctor. We got our fuel, you saved your creature, and now he'll be safe," Anakin said.
"Let's hope we can say the same about Coruscant."
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Coruscant
Research Facility
3 days later
General Windu and Anakin were tasked with bringing the Zillo Beast to Coruscant for research. However, the Acclamator that had arrived to pick it up was low on fuel. The chancellor decided to send the rest of the fleet at Malastare as an escort to the planet where it would refuel since the Malastarian fuel depots weren't ready for warships yet.
After that went by without incident, we took a short series of jumps through the core worlds to Coruscant, where the research facility was located.
General Windu, Anakin, and I walked up to the Chancellor, who was watching the Zillo Beast's prone form be dragged by tanks off the Acclamator.
"Your excellency," Anakin greeted him.
The Chancellor didn't hear him because he was busy marveling at the Zillo Beast, "Such size. . . Such power. . . Such potential. . ."
"With respect, Chancellor, I believe this creature could pose any number of dangers. Bringing it here to Coruscant is a mistake," General Windu stated his opinion.
"Oh, I assure you, I did not make this decision lightly, master Jedi. The sooner we unlock the Zillo beast's secrets, the sooner we can end this terrible war," the chancellor reassured him.
"I hope you're right, Chancellor," Windu replied.
"I'm turning the Zillo beast over to you, Doctor.
"I trust it will be given good care," Windu said.
The beast is a priceless resource, Master Windu. It will be well treated, I assure you," the Chancellor shot him his best politician's smile, but Windu still looked unconvinced.
"If I may excuse myself," I said, "I have some shopping to do."
The others shot me weird looks.
"Very well, Admiral," the chancellor said, "Thank you for your contributions in the capture of the Zillo Beast."
"Oh, don't look at me, that crazy idea was Anakin's," I said as I started walking off.
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Coruscant
Garo's Armory
3 hours later
After dragging General Void out of the Jedi temple and a quick meal, we were in a weapons store. We, being Jorad, Skira, General Vassic, and Admiral Thorne, the latter two coming for the laughs of seeing a grumpy Jedi. The store sold everything from starfighters to civilian armor, although the starfighters were old and based in a different location.
We were looking for a decent set of armor for the General, so he wouldn't get that burnt again. He illogically continued to complain and ramble about the force being his protection.
He tried to run from us in the temple, but was stopped after he ran to General Vassic for help. That backfired terribly.
General Void was actually pouting now, "Is this truly necessary?"
"Yes General, can't have you burnt to a crisp now," Skira replied.
"I concur with her," General Vassic agreed, "Some armor would be good for you."
"You're not wearing any!" The General protested.
"I have the force and a lightsaber," she explained.
"I have those too!"
"Yes, but who's the Jedi master? You're just a knight."
"Can we just get this over with already?"
We walked in the shop and I was surprised by its vast contents. The place was more similar to a warehouse than the small store Jorad told me about. It had stacks of weapons in rows, some of these had to be illegal, but we ignored them, instead moving to the more specialized armor sets that were locked in glass display cases.
"Jorad, are you sure this place is legal?" I asked warily, staring at a gun that looked suspiciously like a disintegrator rifle.
"Oh yeah, everything here is legal. The owner found a loophole in the law that allowed him to have this stuff," he replied.
That didn't make me feel much better, by the looks on the others' faces, it didn't make them feel much better to exploit the law, either.
"Speaking of the owner, here he is now," Skira said.
A Duros, who I pegged as Garo, walked up to us and greeted us, "Ah, my favorite Mandalorians, and I see you brought friends." He saw the Generals' lightsabers and suspiciously asked, "Jedi?"
"Oh don't worry about them, they're customers," Jorad reassured him.
Garo still looked unconvinced, but he put a smile on his face and asked, "What are you looking for today? Guns? Explosives? Ships? Or just browsing?"
"We're actually looking for armor today," I cut in, wrapping an arm around General Void, "Preferably something lightweight and durable. This guy over here gets into too much trouble."
"I believe I have something that would be perfect for him." Garo said, "But you're a new face, too. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
I looked at Admiral Thorne, she nodded, so I flashed him with the best smile I had and pulled out my rank plaque and my old judicial forces badge. She followed suit with her Admiral's bars.
Garo took a closer look and his face paled, "Interesting friends you've made here, Mandos."
"You wouldn't believe it," Jorad replied, "Now, about that armor—"
"Oh, of course, the armor for our Jedi friend, follow me."
"I'm not your friend," General Void grumbled.
Garo led us to an aisle on the side of the store that contained more armor and he led us to a display case.
"Fresh from QESC Industries, this armor provides protection against most conventional laser fire and burns while allowing the wearer good mobility," he read the sales pitch off of the tag, "This thing is supposed to completely block out burns and light laser fire using some sort of energy disrupting material in it. It also should greatly mitigate a heavier blasts damage."
"Sounds good to me," I replied, looking at General Void.
"Protection against burns you say? Yep, this is perfect for him," Skira said, "Alright then, I think that was our only item, let's start going now."
General Void perked up at the prospect of leaving quickly. General Vassic saw this and suggested, "Actually, finding some pistols for Admiral Thorne would be nice."
"Sure," Garo said, eager to sell more things, "Right this way," he led us to the front of the store.
General Void just groaned.
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A/N Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. I'm looking forward to some turkey today. Favorites and follows are appreciated greatly. 11/23/23 update