Q: "How numerous are the forces at Tondel's disposal."
A: As shall be seen, his forces will be on a steady increase in numbers. However, for the purpose of base numbers. A Lucrehulk class battleship can carry 329,000 Battle Droids. However, that number mostly focuses around B1 Battle Droids. However, as stated in chapter 1 there is an additional platoon element of B2 Super Battle Droids. I will confirm a Platoon of 100, B2s. Four mobile Ion Cannons, a small complement of 15 BX- Series Commando Droids.
A halved standard complement of Vulture Droids, two squads of Droidekas, one singular 4 man unit of IG-100 MagnaGuards, a full standard complement of vehicles from MTTs, AATs, C-9979 landing craft, Four Sheathipede-class transport shuttles, and a flight of four HMP Droid Gunships.
Further, with the lack of organic personnel on the ship, much of the rooms dedicated on the core were repurposed into cargo stores for war materials, such as the packaged, disassembled parts for a droid foundry and some parts the assembly for a shipyard. However not the majority as those wouldn't reach the ship before the end of the Clone Wars.
Tondel watched from the distance as the Rose Knights, and the one charged with their training and protection, Grey Co Aldo, celebrated their victory against the Goblins.
It became... Quickly apparent to Tondel his intervention had an impact on the young ones. Whether this was for the best, or not, was... Unknown.
But he'd watch from the darkness of the woods as the storm cleared and daybreak approached. He'd put immeasurable ground between himself, the Knights and their trainer, for the obvious reason, he didn't want to be seen returning to his ship.
Tondel activated his transponder and activated his commlink, speaking into it. "Come and retrieve me. ..There's much to be done." He'd say before turning off the commlink and waiting.
It took mere minutes for the ship to arrive and land briefly so Tondel could board it. He'd do so and returned to the cockpit, sitting down in the co-pilot's seat. "Home. Back to the ship." He'd say as he'd lower his hood and took the time he had for the moment to rest.
His body surely wasn't used to the action, and now it absolutely showed. He felt pain in his joints. But now was not the time to stop and rest. At least not this moment. He'd watch as the shuttle lifted out of the planet's atmosphere and made it's way back to the Lucrehulk in orbit above the planet.
He stood up as the shuttle came into the left hanger bay on the ship, making his way to the rear of the vessel. Tondel waited until the doors opened and left the ship down the ramp, his hands clasped together behind his back as he returned. The MagnaGuards joined with their commander, escorting him through the halls of the ship until he got to his quarters.
"Leave me." Tondel would say to the droids, they'd instantly obey, their footsteps echoed through the hallway as they left. He let out a sigh and entered his quarters for rest. He'd wake up hours later, his body sore from the rapid advancement from spar to combat. But he shrugged it off as best he could, leaving his quarters. He'd return to the hanger from whence he returned from the planet, to. And stood, watching the operations ongoing.
Upon taking in the sight, he find what he was looking for. A command designated B1, he'd approach it and clear his throat, causing the droid to turn around to face Tondel.
"Lord Ramarr, your orders?" The droid would ask, ready to carry out the Sith's orders, whatever they may be.
"I require you to deploy whatever probe droids we have onto the planet below. DRK-1s, if the manifest I received during the war is correct. I want them to... In secret, observe the local populace of the planet below, listening in on public conversations. Have the recordings forwarded to the protocol droid, aboard. I want the droid to learn, to translate for me on my next excursion down onto the planet." Tondel would order before leaving to return to his quarters.
"Roger, roger." The droid would respond as Tondel left, affirming his orders, and going to carry them out, exactly.
Tondel returned to his quarters and produced the second sith holocron from storage, taking hours upon hours to open it. But the knowledge it contained... Boundless. He learned much from just once glimpse through it. Abilities he'd never heard of. More importantly, Alchemy and magic. What, admittedly excited him the most, were the prospect of healing magic. Bacta surely would be in short supply from here on out... Though there wasn't too much, there were basics to both. That's... At least what the holocron had shown him.
All it might have been willing to show him for now as it returned to it's own... Stand by mode of sorts. On, but, nothing going on with it. It merely... Existed. Tondel picked up the holocron and set it aside before he'd start looking through the scripts that Dooku had left behind for him. It was more on the Sith, and... Surprisingly, the Jedi. Not just what to expect, how to best them, but their own abilities that Dooku was aware of.
He'd spend his time, honing his abilities over the next coming days, months, even years. As he kept an eye on the planet. Eating only to keep healthy as the on board medical droid deemed he should. He regularly transferred from his ship to a patch of untouched nature, where not even the primitive roads would be found, or formed. He'd practice not just his growing mastery over Form II, but also his force abilities.
The same place for years, would see regular visits from Tondel. He remained diligent in his duties to his mastery of the force, and his command over, what he, and most could assume to be the last bastion of the CIS. Far from the reaches of the Empire... Or Republic, whatever it called itself, now.
He had plans forming in the back of his mind. Establishing a droid foundry if possible. There were plenty of building materials for such an occasion... Count Dooku saw well to that.
As years passed, Tondel would give his orders to have such a facility established on the moon orbiting the planet. The reasons for this were two-fold. The moon showed great promise, not just for a droid foundry, but for a fueling station.
Six years later..
For six full years, Tondel would direct his droids to toil away, building the foundry, building the fueling station. And with the final steps in motion. He'd direct the foundry to repurpose it's machinery for the production of materials to build a shipyard.
The moon gave enough materials for all these purposes for the time being. Tondel's orders were an absolute in this case. He had no reason to justify what he was doing, he had droids who were programmed to follow his orders, and the orders of those he deemed worthy of giving such orders.
Tondel would in this time, regularly attend meetings with a TC-Series Protocol Droid, TC-1782. The droid would instruct Tondel on the local language from the snippets that DRK-1 probe droids would transmit back to the ship. It would take months, up to a year, for Tondel to even know this... Peculiar language as a second tongue.
It was after he was finished with those studies, he would ponder to himself.
"Six years..." Tondel would say to himself, finding himself, alone in a separate conference room on the ship. Drinking water and having a meal, alone.
He'd close his eyes, taking in the silence. Before he'd open them. ..Looking to his left he saw the planet out of a viewing window on the ship. Tondel set his utensils down and stood up, he'd approach the window, clasping his hands together back behind his back as he looked down on the planet.
Truly in this moment, Tondel felt as the most alone man in the galaxy. His homeplanet? Gone. His cause? Lost. Anyone to speak with? To share even a basic conversation with? ...Well. Technically, he had the droids to speak with. TC-1782 as well, but... They hardly were decent company. He felt... Like the unluckiest man in the galaxy.
He'd let out a sigh before going back to his meal. Then to his quarters, on his way there, however. He'd see a command designated B1 running his way. He'd stop at the door, raising an eyebrow.
"Lord Ramarr!" The droid yelled as it neared, the clack of it's metal feet heard like... Utterly annoying drums. Tondel would use the force to pull the droid closer, quickly. Causing the droid to be... Immensely surprised but... Still.
"Lord Ramarr, there is a change on the planet, sir." The droid would say as it found it's footing once again.
"What do you mean?" Tondel asked, not expecting much... He did expect this much to happen sooner or later. But he simply expected maybe a slight change in climate temperature. ...He did order the droids to report if anything... ...Anything. Happened. No matter how minute... But today was hardly the day for it.
"There's an energy signature in what we estimate to be the geographical centre of the continent you landed on, six years ago, sir." The droid responded. Tondel was.. Certainly perplexed. ...An energy signature meant something indeed did change in the six years he'd been here. But these people were... Primitive. There's not a chance that they could've figured a way to harness any kind of energy from a reactor or... No.. There was another possibility.
This planet was, and is, strong in the force. Those children he encountered, were/are, for all intents and purposes, in regards to what he could sense, possible candidates to become his own apprentices.
But... The way this droid came running, it was easy to assume these primitives somehow found something that might make them a worry for Tondel and the force of droids he was building.
"Then let's go see." Tondel would say before he'd head to the bridge, being met by a Super Tactical Droid and multiple B1 Command units.
"Lord Ramarr." The Super Tactical Droid would meet Tondel with a nod of it's head.
"I see you've finally been activated, Yul'mar." Tondel said as he joined the meeting on the bridge.
"Yes, it took time. Unfortunately I was not fully assembled on the journey to this ship, before we came to this point.
"Indeed. ..So this... Energy signature..." Tondel would say, hoping there was something of worth or note to this meeting.
"From the planet, there was a bright flash of light. I.. Took the liberty of having one of the probe droids you deployed to the planet, re assigned to the sector where this occurred. ...There appears to be a large, primitive force, congregated around a structure, alike that of a primitive, ancient temple. However, the structure is limited in size, but yet.." The droid would seemingly drift off, hesitant.
"But..?" Tondel said, hoping for something extra to that statement.
"The number of forces that have entered the structure, by my calculations should be exiting out the other side of it. ...And yet. They do not. They go in, and they do not come out." Yul'Mar said, looking to Tondel. Tondel would let out a sigh.
"I see. ...So these troops are.. Seemingly vanishing into this structure in question." Tondel said, hypothesizing, aloud.
"That seems to be correct, Lord Ramarr." The droid affirmed Tondel's theory, much to his... Dismay, though he'd not let that be known outwardly.
"...I see. ...Keep the probe droid in the area. Out of sight." Tondel would not... Be enthused about this theory of his seemingly affirmed. The whole issue of this structure left him... Indescribably uneasy. He didn't know why, either.
These primitives didn't have access to spacefaring technology, they especially didn't have access to anything that could be considered a threat to his command and control centre.
"General, Yul'Mar. ...Order the production facility on the moon to slow production on the materials for the shipyard, instead focus production on B1 and B2 droids." Tondel would order, as he'd leave the bridge. He'd think, heavily to himself for a minute, pondering something he hadn't entirely thought of in years.
Just as quick as he left the bridge, Tondel would return to see the Super Tactical Droid, strategizing in regards to the temple-like structure.
"General Yul'Mar!" Tondel would yell from the entrance to the bridge, causing the droid to turn and look to his right side, at Tondel.
"Yes, Lord Ramarr?" The droid would reply.
"Alert me to any and all changes to the area. I want to know what comes in and out of the structure. ...And I want a probe droid to search for a particular person on the planet. ...I only wish to be kept apprised of their whereabouts. They should be a late teens female with crimson red hair, accompanied by, possibly a blonde female of similar age, a tall man in metal plate armour.." Tondel would say, stopping himself as he thought back to what those young women and men looked like. But... For the life of him, he couldn't.
"I assume that's all, my lord?" Yul'Mar asked, attempting to confirm Tondel's orders.
"That's all." Tondel would confirm before he'd leave once more, returning to his quarters to meditate, seeking to reach out through the force to find his prospective apprentices. ...He'd practice this, by focusing on those he last saw on the planet, their features.. He'd attempt to use his Force Shadow to seek them out... Searching for the Red haired girl and her knights.
Tondel would be left for hours before there was a knock at his door. Tondel broke out of his trance and stood up, walking to the door he'd open it to be met by General Yul'Mar.
"General, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Tondel would ask, of course somewhat miffed at his meditation being interrupted... But he'd quickly change his tune, mentally, when he remembered he ordered to be kept up to date with the events on the planet.
"My lord, troops are returning from within the structure. They also appear to have captives they are putting in chains. Civilians. ...With clothing that is... Not native to this world." Yul'Mar would report, and Tondel would cross his arms, thinking to himself for a moment.
"Clothing.. Not of this world... Show me." Tondel would insist as Yul'Mar would lead him to the bridge, showing on the bridge's projector screen the captives who wore clothes, not unlike that in fashion, somewhat, to planets like Corellia and others of similar societal types.
"Interesting..." Tondel would remark, holding his chin as he observed... But what he didn't like to see was the chains and collars being put on these people. ..They were slaves, no doubt about it.
In hindsight, Tondel would admit, this backwater world, with nary even a landspeeder or a simple blaster to show for it... Certainly would practice something so... Appalling. It was appalling to him, only because he hadn't known of what the late Count Dooku, or the Separatist Council had done in the past to Twi'leks, or Togrutas... Tondel personally found the practice of slavery, disgusting, even then that was putting it mildly.
However, what Tondel, or any of the droids on his ship didn't know, was. There was a battle coming to a close, on the other side of a portal created by that structure. A horrendous, bloody battle, with too many innocent lives coming to an end at the hands of these primitives.
Though Tondel watched as the structure seemingly was abandoned... He'd feel as if this were merely the start to something else, entire.
"Keep an eye on the area. Send a probe droid to follow the column leaving the area... Only alert me to major changes." Tondel would say, outlining his orders as he'd leave the bridge, returning to his quarters to continue his meditation.
From there, he was uninterrupted. Though the thoughts of this structure did stay at the forefront. Hours later, a data tablet would be given to Tondel, giving the estimates of the enemy force that went in at some odd 100,000+... What came out on the other hand, were estimated to be under half that...
Tondel would be left to theorise that this army met with calamity and took what they could before fleeing the fight... If it were any other way, surely they would've left a campsite for logistical reasons, if not to secure their hold on the structure.
Tondel let out a sigh of mere exasperation at this situation. Thankfully he were alone for it. "These primitives had to have found something or someone capable of wiping out..." Tondel would stop himself, thinking. "Something, or someone... Capable of wiping out 66,000 men and supporting beasts..." A shiver crept up his spine. ...No, no, no, no. Could it be this structure might be a shortcut back to his galaxy?
No, that's... Ridiculous. Tondel at least thought to himself, trying to comfort that idea, that the only way back was perhaps replicating the circumstances which brought him to this place, in the first place.
But he brushed it off. He had training, physically, mentally, and with the force to do. So he would go back to doing precisely that, returning to his quarters for meditation.
After the force abandoned the hill and the structure that stood on it. Such a thing in his day, with his forces wouldn't be... Forgiven. Tondel would think as he meditated and practiced his abilities. He would know if his theory was correct, sooner, or later.
In time, small scale teams would be observed coming through the structure and out of it. All reports would indicate they wore camouflaged clothing and carried weapons which were... More or less, shaped like blasters in a way.
Tondel indeed did find this.. Interesting. But for now, he had... Only some reason to justify involving himself in the affairs of this planet. Slavery being that half reason, if anything. Regardless, he'd wait to see just what came of this... Odd occurrence.
Tondel thought, long and hard... He might as well be proactive. Thusly, he'd leave his quarters and would head to the bridge, being met, again by the command level staff droids under his command.
"We are going to be a bit more... Proactive in our approach to this planet." Tondel would say as he'd enter the room, using the force to turn on the central projector in the room, causing a projection of the planet to appear for all the droids.
"Proactive, my lord?" Yul'Mar would ask, turning his attention to Tondel, then the projection of the planet.
"Yes. From what we've observed, this structure has been lost to the local forces inhabiting this planet. ...And something new is coming through. I want observers to be nearby to report on the area whilst we send the probes off to other parts of the planet to continue their scouting duties. Inform the droid overseer of the foundry on the planet's moon, that we'll require fabrications for a permanent structure. But for now, send a droid team down to the nearby mountain range, near the site of this hill, and inform them to report any major changes to the situation involving this temple structure, as soon as the basic components for a base are fabricated, begin construction at the base of the mountain range, to the north, and dig into it." Tondel would order, of course.
"Yes, my lord. I shall have a squad assigned to the area to monitor the situation." Yul'Mar would affirm Tondel's orders, Tondel left the bridge, once more. Somewhat a weight off his mind as he'd go back to practicing his force abilities, and meditating.
Of course, not all can go... Simply and smoothly. Later, Tondel would be informed that the site of construction was near a local village. Seeing as these people were primitives, Tondel would come up with the simplest idea possible. Quite frankly, he'd tell his commanders to have construction go on at night. So the villagers would assume a beast of some sort now resided in the mountains.
They surely wouldn't dare go to see, at night. ...That was when most of the more dangerous wild life, on any planet, to Tondel's knowledge would be out to roam.
Things would go well enough from there, the facility Tondel ordered to be constructed would be built, of course at a snail's pace since he was forced to have his droids build at night, it was... Only barely frustrating. Finding the balance between inserting yourself, your droids, your forces on a planet you've known only basics of for years now. ...But to also have to hide from civilians out of concern you might interfere in what was to come? It was annoyance at it's finest. ...But it was one Tondel came to accept. He couldn't let his desire to see it all simply done and dusted as quickly as possible, get in the way of potential future opportunities.
Two and a half months later...
It would take two and a half months for the facility to be done. ...Just in time.
Tondel would be awoken days after the construction finished, a knock at his door, in the middle of the night.
Surely there was something important to this unannounced, surprise visit, hopefully. Tondel would get up from his bed and made his way to the door, opening it, to be met by General Yul'Mar.
"What is it, General?" Tondel asked, clearly still waking up from his sleep.
"My lord, the scout team has reported a column of tracked vehicles and primitive, wheeled vehicles coming out of the gate. An army of the local forces, native to the planet has also assembled." Yul'Mar would report, Tondel be shook awake by this information.
"Have caf brought to the bridge." Tondel would say as he'd grab his hooded cloak, putting it on whilst he'd make his way past Yul'Mar. Yul'Mar would follow Tondel to the bridge, giving the order for caf to one of the droids the two would pass on the way.
Tondel made his way to the visual screen, which would shimmer for a moment before the visual feed set up by the droids would show the two sides locked in... Heavily unequal combat. The local forces were being essentially, eviscerated by the new force which showed itself on the planet... Tondel watched with immense interest of course.
Such slaughter he hadn't seen since the Clone Wars... It made goosebumps rush along his arms under his clothes as he watched men with spears, shields, swords, bows, and arrows be mercilessly wiped out by a force with technology that might perhaps be on the same level as Tondel's...
He'd have a chair brought as he'd sit and watch the slaughter with... Morbid curiosity. This fight barely lasted but an hour. Much to his disappointment... But still. He now had an idea of sorts of what might lie beyond the temple these.. Primitives left.
Though for now, conflict didn't interest him. He was curious, more so for what lay beyond the gate, just where did these people come from..? They weren't dressed, as far as he could tell, like clones. So they couldn't be any part of the Republic... or Empire, whatever it was calling itself, now.
Tondel continued to monitor the situation as days passed, he'd sleep, and eat on the bridge, as well as doing his basic exercises on the bridge. Exempting lightsaber combat practice and force related training as he'd want to not miss a single thing.
He would be thankful for his choice to do this as it seemed another army would soon throw itself against the wall that was posed and set up by this unknown force.
It seemed, as well, this force had no communications discipline and was operating on open frequencies as Tondel and his droids soon found out. ...He would have the protocol droid, TC-1782 come and join the command staff on the bridge, hoping it could perhaps start learning the language, deciphering it as he'd watch the slaughter unfold once more, leaving more broken bodies, more dead, for hours upon hours this force slammed itself against the line imposed by these newcomers.
Tondel of course, had his thoughts turn to those... Children, he'd think back... They certainly had to have grown in these past years. ..He hoped his prospective apprentices weren't amongst those fighting... The thought of that certainly left a frown to don on his lips.
Such an... Unfortunate event. He'd hope wouldn't come about. It would be quite.. A tragic waste.
Tondel let out a sigh as day turned to night, he remained seated, and attempted to drift off to sleep... Before another battle broke out. Which shook him awake as he'd listen to the cannon fire, the small arms. He'd watch as the droids that broadcasted would turn their sensors to night vision whilst this fight went on. It seemed the last scraps of the army that was sent, this time, were fighting for their lives... And surprisingly they made it farther than the others... But to no avail, of course. It was a worthless attempt, with nothing to show for it.
A pitiful display, truly. ...Tondel could use this all to his advantage. Take the planet for himself... Align with these... Newcomers, perhaps.
"General Yul'Mar." Tondel said as he arose from his chair, catching the General's attention.
"Yes, Lord Ramarr?" The droid responded, his attention fully diverted to Tondel.
"I shall be going to the surface, to try and make contact with these... People. There will be no combat operations unless I give the order. However. Reinforce the facility with an extra squad of battle droids. Inform them they are to operate under the strictest Rules of Engagement. They are to not fire unless fired upon. They are not to fire on unarmed civilians or otherwise. Am I clear?" Tondel would order before he'd head to leave the bridge.
"Yes, Lord Ramarr." The droid would respond and go to carry the orders out, as given.
Yul'Mar, himself was certainly taken aback by the command style of Tondel. He was a separatist of course, but... He was unlike any other separatist commander. Any like Grevious, Sev'rance Tann or the litany of other commanders... By his calculations, the move was... Risky, but indeed it might bear more fruit to act in the ways ordained by his commander, than to act otherwise.
Realistically speaking. Tondel's forces lacked the vast majority of resources the Separatist Alliance had at it's peak during the Clone Wars. ..Their usual way of brute force would not accomplish much but see ruins across the planet. Therefore, perhaps, it was indeed for the best to operate as ordered.
Tondel himself, moved through the ship, heading to the hangers before he'd board a shuttle. Again he'd refuse the escort by the MagnaGuards, seeing them as unnecessary for the time being, before the shuttle would head to the planet.
Tondel stood behind the two droid pilots as the shuttles entered atmosphere, using the mountains to their advantage. He knew, certainly they had to have been picked up on scanners, no matter how less advanced they may be. The two shuttles would come to land outside of the mountainside base, dropping off their passengers.
Tondel would order the ships back to orbit, ordering them to not directly return but to take a route low and fast, away from the area before doing so.
After the ships had left and the droids took up their garrison, Tondel put up his hood and left, heading into the woods.
He hadn't known or sensed that perhaps this path would intertwine his future with... Others.
Tondel's travel, west would bring him near the primitive village, catching him unawares as he neared it, he'd hide himself behind a tree, lowering his hood as he'd watch three motorized vehicles, surrounded by troops in green, he'd pull a set of macrobinoculars from his belt and looked into the village from his... Mostly concealed position, he'd observe as two of the soldiers spoke with the villagers... He'd put his macrobinoculars back down on his belt before he'd use the force to move an object near the gate of the village.
Drawing the attention away from the woods, he'd move around the village and sneak closer, behind the house that he saw the villagers and troops talking.
For what he could pick up, listening in as he kept low, hiding behind some barrels and boxes, he'd listen to the troops... Barely able to communicate with the local populace. He'd listen as the populace directed them south, towards a village in the forest.. And warn them of the sounds to the west.
When pressed, it sounded as if the villagers tried to replicate the sounds they heard as they explained, they heard it predominantly at night.
This... Perturbed Tondel, then again. He should've expected it. He'd sneak away, using the force to maximize his speed as he retreated into the forest as quietly as he could before he'd pull his commlink and turned it on, calling on the facility he had built.
It would take a mere moment before it would be answered.
"Lord Ramarr? This is B-25789. Are you in danger?" The droid on the other side answered the call, Tondel gave a sigh.
"No. I am at the village to your west. I have seen the newcomers, they're speaking with the primitive local populace of the village. However I want the droids of your station to retreat to the inside. Keep your attention on external sensors, if anyone comes, only send out your command unit, unarmed. Inform me should this occur, I shall return to handle things myself." Tondel would order, hoping certainly they would decide the information in regards to the station would be chalked up to locals being... Locals.
"Roger, roger." The droid responded before Tondel hung up the call.
Tondel would place his commlink back in his pocket before he'd begin thinking... And hearing the start up of engines.
He'd move quickly to see where the mysterious troops were going. Much to his relief they decided upon heading south.
Tondel was... Of course, as said, relieved. But he would follow from a distance, keeping out of sight as he did so.
He'd use the force to maximize his speed once more as he moved to follow the vehicles, which soon became a... Tiring task. But still, he'd carry it out as best he could. Staying at least so that these vehicles were in earshot.
Soon the vehicles would be nearing the forest but... The occupants seemed to take note of what Tondel noticed, the plumes of smoke, or... The massive singular plume of smoke and fire.
The vehicles came to a dead stop as the troops got out and would watch as a dragon rose from the flames of the forest.
Tondel himself, watched with... Immense concern at the sight of the dragon. It reminded him of stories of old krayt dragons on Tatooine and some other places...
Yes, he'd been here for six years already but... He'd not even seen much of the local wild life. ...This.. Was a new concern to him. Not only would the local populace have to be tamed, but nature too, in full.
He'd watch as the troops scrambled and soon rain started to fall, as if on cue for some... Reason. Tondel would find himself, shelter under a tree as he'd put his hood up, keeping his sight as best he could on the troops, watching as they would, on the dying inferno... All night. Until morning.
The rain turned to a downpour overnight, only letting up in the morning until it was but a light sprinkle, unto... Nothing.
Tondel watched as the troops and their vehicles descended to the remains of what was left of the forest. He'd take the team's place on the ridge overlooking the burnt remains. Using his macrobinoculars, he'd watch as the mysterious troops would dig through the rubble of what remained. Tondel watched, his heart grew unusually heavy in his chest as he watched, seeing arms sticking out of piles of bricks and debris...
He'd lower his macrobinoculars and let out a sigh, his right hand held his chin as his left, shifted the macrobinoculars back under his cloak. He'd continue to observe from the distance. He'd watch as the troops seemed to congregate around their vehicles... It was then he noticed on one of those vehicles, a man stuck out the top of it, looking right back at him with some type of macrobinoculars of his own.
He'd seem to point to Tondel's direction which would cause Tondel to turn and leave. Tondel didn't intend to be associated with this... And soon he heard yelling off in the distance, he'd leave quickly, putting space between himself and the area, using the force to help in this task.
It would only be an hour later when he'd see the vehicles leaving, heading back north, towards the primitive village they came from, they'd leave at high speed.
Tondel would follow once more, being as especially careful as he could to not be seen. He'd follow their return to the village.
This time, he'd peer only around the biggest trees he could find to watch the scene unfold.
It seemed the troops would be telling these villagers of the destruction to their south. ...And showing them, apparently a survivor.
Tondel would listen in, frowning. He for once did feel pity for someone. Even if he hadn't known them directly. He knew what it was like to be the last of one's people. Even if the level of destruction wasn't comparable. He still felt it. His planet was gone. This... Survivor's village was gone. One may say it was all a matter of perspective, of course.
But regardless, he'd be surprised when he saw the village spring into action. People loading up carts and gathering their things. It seemed they intended to abandon this place.
This... Would be an... Unexpected net positive for Tondel and his plans.
Tondel would watch as seemingly everyone and all those they cared for started to move out... This of course didn't go so smoothly as soon he'd see one of the wagons axel's break. He'd ponder for a moment before he'd hide his macrobinoculars, he'd lower his hood and came out of the woods, entering the village. He'd walk past the line of wagons before finally... He'd reach what seemed to be the culprit, preventing movement.
A wagon overturned, and a girl, a child injured. He'd step forward before, one of the soldiers in green rushed past him, to the girl. He'd also see a blue haired girl come to the child as well. He'd raise an eyebrow at this. Listening to the conversation. Another one of the soldiers would take a knee behind the blue haired girl, seemingly talking to her...
And that was when all hell broke loose. One of the horses started acting erratic, bucking up on it's back legs as it let out a shrill noise, making it's way towards the four. Tondel lept into action and used the force to push back the horse with immense force, causing it to crash into the building behind it.
This of course... To say the least, shocked the soldiers that came running as soon as they heard the noise, with their weapons up, shouldered at high ready.
Tondel froze, for just a moment, looking around. All eyes were on him... And soon a few weapons too. He'd find a rifle pointed at his head by the soldier that knelt down behind the blue haired girl, and next a short brunette girl.
Tondel of course couldn't understand a thing they were saying until they switched to the local language, telling him to put his hands up.
He'd, of course, do so. His cape moved aside with his arms. Exposing his lightsaber. Which caused the brunette girl to grab Tondel and force him to the ground, putting his hands behind his back. ...He realised of course. His lightsaber was indeed a dead giveaway that he wasn't from there.
But anyway. He'd feel some plastic material around his wrists, tighten before he'd be pulled up and his lightsaber given to an older man of the group.
Quickly enough another man would come running, seemingly the commanding officer... Surprisingly enough, as they all seemed to differ to him.
"Would you care to explain yourself? ..And this?" The man asked, an eyebrow raised as he handled Tondel's lightsaber, he of course asked in the local language.
"I am Tondel Ramarr. And that is my lightsaber." Tondel would reply, plainly, and calmly.
The man just kind of... Froze for a minute.
"I'm sorry, but did he just say light sword?" The brunette woman asked, looking to the man handling Tondel's lightsaber, the same one that froze at the mention of it.
"Light. Saber. Light. Saber." Tondel would assert, but found himself, annoyed when the brunette just seemingly ignored him.
"If my translation isn't off. ...He said Lightsaber." The older man of the group would interject.
"What THE HELL, is a lightsaber?! Some kinda laser sword?!" The brunette would ask, loudly as she'd look to the lightsaber hilt and then Tondel.
"It is the weapon of Sith, and Jedi." Tondel would state, annoyed, his annoyance grew with his wrists being cuffed.
"...You're not from around here, are you? Cause this is... Beyond these guys." The commanding officer would finally speak up, giving a general motion to the people around, watching the scene unfold.
"I am not. ..I am just a stranger in this land, as you are." Tondel would reply, giving a subtle jab in return.
"So what's your intention here. Cause one of my guys saw you back at the elf village. After it was burned down." The officer asked, being as careful with the... Now apparent weapon as one could be.
"Observation. Though we are both, not of this world. I have been stuck here, longer." Tondel said as his eyes tracked around, watching this group, and those around him.
"By how long?" The officer asked.
"Six. Years." Tondel stated, seemingly blowing the officer's mind as he'd stand there in thought for a moment, before he'd look to the brunette woman.
"Uncuff em." The officer stated.
"W-wait a minute, hold on here, are you sure-" The brunette would skamper out before Tondel interjected.
"I have been watching you since you arrived at this village the previous day, and followed all the way to the... Elf village. If I had ill intent, would I have not acted upon it? ...And would I have saved the child, and the other girl?" Tondel would ask, making a... Decent point. There were plenty of times someone could use to engage them, the troops in green, if they had genuinely ill intent.
With that point made, the brunette would sigh and remove the cuffs, Tondel would gently rub at his wrists, one after the other before being handed back his lightsaber.
"I suppose, I should introduce myself. I'm Lieutenant Youji Itami. ...That girl that slapped the cuffs on you, first thing, is Sergeant First Class Shino Kuribayashi. ...And I owe you thanks for not just saving the two civilians, but one of my people, Sergeant First Class, Kurokawa, our medic." The officer, now known as Itami would state, offering his hand to Tondel.
Tondel would of course be hesitant but would shake Itami's hand.
"As I have said. I am Tondel Ramarr. From the planet Alderaan, last living military official of the Confederacy of Independent Systems." Tondel would state... Wanting to just... Put everything out in the open... But that seemed to just leave Itami, for lack of a better phrase... Flashbanged by words.
"I see.. May I ask what you're doing here, Mister Ramarr?" Itami would say, a nervous smile on his face. Kuribayashi just noped out of the conversation and the older man just went on to oversee other matters.
"I am in hiding with my army." Tondel would.. Admit of course, though the fact he was hiding with his army did leave... Questions. Potentially concerning questions.
"I see.. Do you reside at this village, Lord Ramarr?" Itami would ask, of course hoping that wasn't the case.
"No, my... Dwelling is elsewhere. However, if you wish for help. I'm willing to do so." Tondel offered, of course.
"I appreciate the offer... Depending on what you do have to offer. ...I suppose you could ride with us." Itami would offer in return, and Tondel would give a smile.
"It'd be my pleasure. As for what I have to offer, protection from that flying fire breathing beast. I can call for help from my forces if the need arises." Tondel would say, accepting. Things were... Working out well enough. Tondel not only managed to get into the good graces of one group of the forces that came through the temple, but he also was even allowed to ride in one of their vehicles.
"Well. That would come in handy, I suppose. ...I accept." Itami accepted the offer, though he... Didn't know what to expect, this man was clearly something else entirely, opposed to everything he's seen of this world, so far.
Though, when that time came. Certainly things were... Different than what Tondel was used to.
He would find himself riding in the lead vehicle with Itami, Kurokawa, another named Kurata, the older man he came to know as Kuwahara, and... On the floor of the vehicle, wrapped up in blankets was the lone survivor of the elf village.
As time dragged on, the silence in the vehicle became the only thing notable about the trip.. That was until Tondel's holographic communicator began to give off a ringing beep of sorts. Which immediately caused the majority involved to go for their weapons.
"My apologies. That is my communicator." Tondel smiled nervously and slowly reached into his pocket, pulling a flat disk of sorts, he'd hit the button and those involved would be... Immensely surprised to see a blue tinted figure, unlike any they'd seen. Speaking in... English(Side note: After attempting to discern whether or not Galactic Basic was the star wars equivalent of English, I gave up and decided that for the sake of this all. It would be one and the same.)
This lead to the whole group, aside from the unconscious elf to look, again. Lack for a better phrase. Flashbanged by words.
"Lord Ramarr, our sensors indicate you are going quite.. Far from our nearest outpost. Is everything alright?" The droid that Tondel knew well as General Yul'Mar would say, asking with concern.
"Worry not. I am in no danger, I assure you." Tondel would state, speaking in the same language.
"Very good. I had almost sent a squad of our commando droids and your guards to come see to your safety." The droid stated, his concern, obvious.
"Unnecessary, my friend. I have made contact with the group we have been observing. You may inform our units they are friendly." Tondel stated.
"Affirmative." Yul'Mar would state, seemingly going to cut the line.
"Before you return to your duties. A word, General. ...We may be being pursued by a flying beast. I'd like you to keep a wing of Vulture droids on standby. I shall activate my transponder if there is trouble." Tondel would order, the droid would give an affirmative nod to Tondel.
"Yes, my lord." The droid then cut the line as Tondel let out a sigh... And it was then he felt all eyes on him.
"Uhm..." Tondel would get out before Itami would be out of his seat and back in the back.
"I'M SORRY BUT YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?!" Itami yelled, before getting a bop on his head by Kurokawa.
"As much as I am surprised, as well, please have consideration for the patient." Kurokawa would state, annoyed.
"Sorry... Yikes. ...Anyway, you speak English?" Itami asked, again.
"I heard you the first time. I don't know what this... English is, but the language we're all speaking at this moment is known as Galactic basic, in my galaxy." Tondel said, though he was... Curious. How did Galactic Basic and this... English become known in two different places. He'd never seen anything of these... People. They didn't carry blasters, they carried primitive slug throwers.
"Okay, we'll come back to that later. But what's more surprising to me is, was that a freaking robot?" Itami would ask with some measure of... Unusual excitement.
"It is a ST Series Droid. Otherwise, most call it a Super Tactical Droid. They were issued as advisors to some high ranking personnel of the Separatist Alliance. General Yul'Mar is the most advanced droid at my disposal, in regards to intelligence. There are others, however. More of them." Tondel would explain, though still, he was stuck and put off on the whole... Galactic Basic is English thing, where Itami comes from.
"So, wait, wait, wait, wait. Okay. Time out. Is your whole army comprised of these.. Droids?" Itami would ask, an eyebrow raised.
"Correct. Multiple models, types, and variants. They were all I could have prepared for my flight from my galaxy." Tondel would say, of course he was lying. He didn't willingly flee from his galaxy, a hyperdrive malfunction brought him here. And he only had the force that his master, Count Dooku left with him before he was put in Stasis.
"Dude... I'd say that's cool but.. You had to throw that part in." Itami would say with a sigh before he'd return to his seat.
"My exile, hopefully won't be long. ...I intend to rebuild the navy of the Separatist Alliance. I shall reclaim my galaxy for the democratic ideals the Confederacy was founded upon. ...And we shall wipe from the galaxy the corruption which brought about the Galactic Empire. Along with the crime lords that the Empire allows to continue to operate, unhindered." Tondel would say, he was.. Still after all these years, what one could consider even now, an idealist. He was a die hard separatist, whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, is entirely up for debate.
Regardless, the ride was.. Long and only somewhat uneventful. There were some who lost carts from broken axels.. Those would have to be burned. Such a thing, unfortunately put some things he experienced in the clone wars, and read of into... Perspective. Seeing it for himself. The people here were indeed refugees... And he felt regret.
He could very well offer them sanctionable protection by the Separatist Alliance... But the technology difference, he recognised would... Probably leave the people here feeling just as terrorised as they would be with a dragon spewing fire, would.
As such realisation came to him, he'd remain quiet, just watching, with regret, still in his heart.
Soon enough the lead vehicle of the convoy that Tondel, Itami, Kurata, Kurokawa, and the apparent elven girl as Itami and Kurata called her would be shared with children from the village, the children of those whose own possessions and memories burned with the lost wagons, left to the dust of history.
Tondel would silently ponder on these events, meditating silently with his eyes closed as he'd sat in the vehicle. ...Until it came to a stop, suddenly.
"What is that...?" Kurata would be heard saying, Tondel would open his eyes and lean forward, looking to see just what was being spoken of.
Itami pulled up a primitive set of binoculars, taking a look for himself as Kurokawa stood between the two.
"Hm.. Crows..? ..." Itami would say before pulling down his binoculars away from his eyes, seemingly shocked or surprised.
Itami put the binoculars to his eyes as his seeming shock or surprise turned to excitement
"No.. Way... Goth lolita girl." Itami would get out and Kurata soon joined in on the excitement, picking up his own set of binoculars, the two's eyes transfixed on this figure. Tondel would move up to see, for himself.
"...Is that a child with a primitive Polearm weapon...?" Tondel would ask with an eyebrow raised in confusion as to what was so... Enthralling about this.
Eitherway, Tondel's eyes set on the... Goth lolita girl as Itami put it and he'd close his eyes, trying to feel out with the force...
What he felt worried him. She was.. An anomaly, she had no presence in the force as best he could tell. This caused a bead of sweat to roll down his forehead.
"Oh that's... Worrying." Tondel would mutter to himself.
"Is something wrong?" Kurokawa would ask, being the closest one to hear him.
"It would... Take a lot of time to explain all the details of it but... In a way, yes. ...We shall see." Tondel would say. He had... A bad feeling about this girl.
And that was when he heard her voice after she got up and came to approach the lead vehicle.
"And from where do you fine ladies and gentlemen hail, and what's that strange little contraption?" Tondel heard asked by the... Immensely young looking woman.
"She... Looks like trouble." Itami would nervously remark.
"...Yeah." Kurata would say in agreement.
"The maids around here sure are young.." Kurokawa would remark. Tondel on the other hand, felt, and knew better from what he felt.. And what he saw.
The convoy came to a halt and the children in the vehicle opened the doors. They jumped from the back of the vehicle and ran to meet the girl. As did some of the adults of the convoy, they were shouting something about the girl being an oracle. And it looked as if they, the children and the adults that rushed to her, started praying to her.
"So. ...An Oracle." Itami would say, nervously.
"It appears possible." Tondel would say, his hand running over the scruff that had grown on his face.
Tondel listened as the apparent... Oracle spoke with the children, listening to her ask where they're from, and the civilians explaining to her their situation, how they were running from their village because of... A flame dragon. As they'd call it.
"It does almost look like they're praying to her, doesn't it?" Kurokawa would say, voicing her observation.
"Ya think that fancy outfit of her's has any special meaning or something?" Itami would ask, an eyebrow raised.
"They did call her an oracle.." Tondel would remind the group as it seemed the girl was now finally going to turn her attention to Itami, his group, and Tondel. She'd approach the vehicle, looking it over with curiosity as she approached the passenger side where Itami sat.
"So who are these strangers you're with?" The girl would ask one of the children.
"They came and helped us, they're the good guys!" The child would say, naturally so childishly naïve.
"And you're certain they're not taking you anywhere against your will?" The girl asked, her eyes shifting from the vehicle to the child.
"Nuh huh." The child would affirm, they weren't in any danger from Itami, his group, or Tondel.
"So how is this moving without any horses?" The girl asked, her attention now more so focused on the vehicle, and it's construction.
"I dunno. But one thing's for sure, it's a lot more comfortable than a carriage!" The child remarked with glee, even despite his lack of an answer to how the vehicle functioned.
"Reeeeaaaallly? ...More comfortable than a carriage..." The girl would say as a smirk donned on her lips.. Followed by her licking her lips as she turned her attention directly to Itami.
"Well, I would just love for you to show me... How comfortable the ride is.." The girl said, looking dead on, directly at Itami.
Tondel was... Unnerved of course.
"H-Hello, how are you...?" Itami would say, switching to the local language...
But following a very quick succession of events. Part of which left Kurata oddly jealous. The girl would be sat on Itami's lap, and the convoy would keep moving.
The scenery would change over the course of an hour. From a rolling field of green, to rocky, dead terrain.
"The terrain is really starting to look different." Kurata would remark.
"Yeah, we've really put some distance between us and the village." Itami would say, the apparent oracle the locals spoke of just looked Itami's way, and he'd shift his gaze to the left, out the window.
Tondel retook his seat, earlier, pondering to himself.
"I hope we get this whole evacuation thing over with." Itami said with a sigh.
"Amen to that, sir." Kurata agreed.
Tondel would start meditating in his seat, his eyes closing and his head lowering as he'd feel through the force, seeing if perhaps, he might feel somewhere on the planet for those... Prospective apprentices he hoped to find, still alive and well.
He didn't know it but Itami stuck his head out the passenger side window and looked out to the following convoy, watching as the train of wagons slowly made it's way, he'd watch the sky as it was getting late in the day, looking to the sun...
"It sure gets a lot hotter here than it does in Japan... Ya know.." Itami remarked, his eyes still set to the sky.
Tondel remained silent, but he.. He felt it. That trademark bad feeling. His suspicions would unfortunately be confirmed as Itami would yell.. "Contact!"
Tondel's eyes shot open and he produced his holoprojector from his pocket and turned it on. He'd be immediately answered by his ST series droid.
"Lord Ramarr what is-" General Yul'Mar would answer before being cut off by Tondel.
"Send vulture droids, now." Tondel would say as gunfire would be heard by General Yul'Mar on the other end.
"Affirmative." Yul'Mar answered before cutting the call.
Tondel heard the screams and apparently had the same idea as the oracle as she grabbed her polearm and kicked the back door of the vehicle open. She'd hop up ontop of the vehicle, meanwhile Tondel stood up and jumped, himself, using the force to move himself in the direction of refugees that were in the path of the dragon.
He'd use the force to pull them past and behind before he'd use the force to block the dragon's fire as it would be sent towards him and the group behind him.
A fantastic wall of fire built up over and around Tondel, though those he could save weren't incinerated by the dragon. He sensed the fear, the panic, the terror of all those around him.
Under normal... Well. "Normal" circumstances, it might feel good to bask in their terror, their fear, their panic. But.. Well. Right now, he idiotically threw himself into the mix. Why? He didn't know. Something in the force told him to do it. He had nothing but his own instincts and the force to trust in. ...And both told him to do this.
Soon the flames stopped coming and the dragon came closer, but he could hear the sound of the vehicles of those green wearing soldiers, turning to fight. And fight they did, firing their primitive weapons at the dragon as Tondel made sure the civilians got away. He'd use the break to breathe and regain his strength. That was until he saw that the dragon was turned towards the soldiers and Itami.
Tondel would raise his hands, pointing his fingers to use force lightning but he still was at his limit.
The oracle girl was about to throw her poleaxe when the roar of vulture droid engines were heard and blaster fire erupted, as the dragon was hit multiple times, it would screech out whilst the droids flew and preformed their maneuvers, moving in such fantastical ways, pulling 0-Gravity turns in mid air as they'd work to damage the dragon.
The dragon was sufficiently distracted enough, the troops with their primitive weaponry would fire a rocket at the dragon. The oracle girl threw her poleaxe and caused it to impale into the ground. The dragon, as a result of this would shift it's balance. The rocket would hit the dragon's left arm and cause it to be severed.
After it let out an ear piercing screech, the dragon would realise, almost instantaneously, this fight was not worth picking before it'd fly away. Leaving burned wagons, injured, and corpses on the ground. Tondel would order most of the starfighters to break off, except for one, authorising it to pursue for later extermination.
Though thanks to Tondel's efforts, more would survive than perhaps one might expect, if not for his intervention. Tondel felt eyes on him as everything died down... Figuratively, and in a number of cases, literally.
What he certainly didn't expect was for two of his shuttles to come down out of the clouds. This certainly put Itami and his crowd on edge, and it did especially so for the locals.
The two shuttles landed and out would come General Yul'mar, from one, along with Tondel's supposed to be protection unit, his MagnaGuards. From the second would come a squad of B1 Battle Droids.
"Friends of yours?" Itami would come to Tondel's side, asking.
"My subordinates." Tondel would state, his right hand going over the other, behind his back as he'd step towards the droids.
"My lord." General Yul'Mar would state, greeting Tondel.
"General, I do not recall calling for further assistance." Tondel would state, an eyebrow raised to question Yul'Mar's presence.
"I sought to assist however you'd allow. As we are... Now preforming humanitarian efforts for the populace of this planet, by your apparent, unspoken directive." The ST-Series droid spoke, turning his head in the direction of the Refugees burying their dead.
"I see... Very well. Have the droids assist the people." Tondel would order as he'd turn to leave.
"Yes sir... I'd also like to state. I cannot take no, further. I insist you bring your guards with you, as you travel. Your life by the order of Count Dooku is to be preserved at all costs." Yul'Mar would inform Tondel. ...Tondel stopped in his tracks, annoyance written on his face as he faced away from the droid so that only Itami could see.
"Very well. I shall... Consult with my hosts about this." Tondel would state, looking to Itami.
Itami just... He was bewildered to say the least. He looked to Tondel, then the droids that came from behind Yul'Mar, then to Tondel. This process repeated a couple times before Itami just let out a defeated sigh.
"Very well..." Itami would say, regretting his words already. ...But really, he was in a great position, PR wise, anyway. He helped save a bunch of refugees from a flame dragon and his whole squad could confirm it... Maybe if he was lucky he'd get a break!
Anyway, the B1 Battle Droids would deposit their weapons back on the shuttle they came from and would go, help the refugees. ...Of course, being what they were and what they looked like, they were treated with suspicion and fear in short order. But as the refugees came to see what the B1's were doing for them, they would.. Reluctantly accept the help of the droids who carefully placed the bodies in graves dug by the refugees and the Japanese as Tondel would come to know them.
Tondel would come to learn much from this time given to him. The Japanese were from a planet called Earth, they weren't surely the strongest force but... In comparison to these... Primitives of this world. There was no doubt that their technology gave them an undeniable edge that may never be caught up upon by this world.
With Tondel on the fence about both sides, he'd more than likely come to be a kingmaker of sorts... If he didn't decide to take the planet outright for himself. Of course, leaving the Japanese their plot of land. He had no intention of fighting them. They presented perhaps a new opportunity for helping to improve the droids of the Separatist Alliance. ...And he could perhaps bestow upon them the means and the information to make them the top dogs of their world.
However on Itami's side of things, he now internally was a train wreck in slow motion. As night moved in and the droids finished their work, a fantastical sight was seen by Droid, Human, and... Elf. Alike. Purple bioluminescent insects began to take flight from a wide and far patch of white flowers near the area
Tondel would listen as Itami would state the destination of the group and the refugees which came with them, separating from the ongoing convoy which would take it's own path, further on. They were headed to Alnus Hill, now. The base of the Japanese.