A/N:
Hello all and welcome back to another chapter! This one is filler, but frankly, I am excited to get this out to you in a relatively timely manner. Next chapter we can get into some real meat, just had to do some set up. Thank you for all the follows and reviews I do receive. I know my work could use some major improvement but I need criticism in order for that to work. So please don't forget to R&R!
Enjoy the chapter:
Disclaimer: I don't own rebels, Faith is my OC
Chapter 11
Commander Lannery had seen a lot in his service to the Empire. Aboard The Justice crew members slowly droned on as a majority of them had only just woken up for the day.
The remainder of the night shift slowly cleared off the bridge, Lannery stared at Mandalore far below the surface.
A single bead of sweat formed on his forehead in the otherwise cold star destroyer.
His sister ship The Eternal had already gone to the surface and was allegedly being used to assist with the transfer of some new fancy weapon, a weapon that could in theory completely neutralize the Mandalorian uprising that had ensued. Lannery's concern did not come from the possible danger of working so close to Sundari but rather on the other star destroyer that was no doubt working its way toward the system as they spoke.
The Chimera, ever since Thrawn's failure to obliterate the rebels on Atolon he was understandably upset.
Once he deduced that it was impossible for the rebels to pull off a feat unaided he immediately left for Mandalore, determined to get the upper hand on the rebellious fools who would dare upstir Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Lannery was concerned about the ramifications of Thrawn's arrival. Surely if he felt the rebels proved a big enough threat for a personal visit then Lannery would have an immense difficulty securing victory for the Empire.
"Sir, The Chimera's ETA is less than an hour away." HIs communication officer shouted, breaking Lannery from his thoughts.
"Your point Lieutenant," Lannery said, turning to face him.
"You asked me to keep you updated on their progress, sir." He paused as if there was something else to say. "You also asked me to give you any updates regarding movements on the surface and something came up."
Lannery, suddenly intrigued, walked over to be within arm's length of the officer. "What've you got for me?" He asked, masking his excitement with an Imperial monotone.
"Saxon is convinced that the Wren family will try to mount a rescue on Alrich as he is moved towards the capital for execution." The officer paused, glancing at his tablet.
"He has plans to plant false information in a decoy outpost, while the real convoy moves towards the city at approximately three rotations from now."
The officer hesitated looking up at Lannery for if he should continue.
"The madman wants to move the convoy in broad daylight?" Lannery was once again at a loss for words due to the stupidity of Saxon.
"Apparently so," his lieutenant said clearly agreeing that it was a bold if not stupid maneuver.
"Does Grand Admiral Thrawn know about the change in plans?" Lannery asked.
"Couldn't tell you, sir." The officer responded.
Lannery paused, deciding that he would inform the Admiral himself, he didn't think this plan was a good one but knowing the strong-headed colleague it was unlikely that he would see to reason and put a halt to his plan, no matter how idiotic it was.
Nodding a brief thanks to his officer he strode towards the door reliving command to Captain Mcgover.
On his slow descent to his floor, he contemplated the advantage of moving a high-value prisoner in broad daylight and with so little forethought. Gar Saxon was never known for being a patient man but he also wasn't entirely incompetent. His military strategy while dated was still sound and he usually made decisions that had been formed from a base of logic. The only possible advantage he could come up with was due to the absurdity of the plan, and the spreading of the false information regarding the outpost it was likely the Rebels would attack said outpost and ignore any information they heard about the caravan.
Still, Lannery didn't like it.
It also bugged him how Saxon had made this call without even a glance in his superior's direction. Lannery would've liked to at least know about it, but the first time he heard about it was AFTER it had already been put into place. He didn't like it.
It wasn't done properly.
As the doors slid open to his office he took a seat at his desk, Lannery ran a hand through his hair before tapping away at his screen dialing up the communication channel for The Chimera, and sending a message that he wished to speak to the Admiral.
His message was received and he was told to wait, that the Admiral was predisposed and would soon be available for communication. Nodding he sat back in his desk deciding to wait in his office for the inevitable phone call.
Pulling up the map of Mandalore he studied recent sitings of the mandolin rebellion seeing if he couldn't find any sort of pattern between the attacks,. Not having the location of the mandolin's base was really putting a dent in their operations. While he was staring at a particular mountain range that had seemed to be a hot spot he received a transmission. Assuming it was Thrawn he straightened and immediately answered it.
Lannery was surprised when the chiss did not answer and instead, the commander of The Eternal was looking back at him.
"Picked up on the first ring Danny?" Her playful yet teasing voice chimed over the speaker.
Lannery felt his cheek grow red with color but he quickly shoved it down steadying himself and steeling any sort of witty remark he would've replied with.
"My apologies Captain Hemmrick I was expecting Grand Admiral Thrawn." He said with Imperial profession.
Jane Hemmrick had gone to the Imperial Academy with Captain Danniel Lannery and they became fast friends. They found that both of them shared similar ideas, the difference being that jane was far more willing to be expressive with said ideas. While Lannery was far more content to simply let certain things remain unsaid.
Danny had been a nickname she had affectionately given him after he had been complaining about being referred to Lannery.
"Understandable Captain Lannery." She responded, any sense of play vanishing without a trace.
It hurt just a little to dismiss what could possibly be a genuine conversation between the two since it was on a very scarce chance they got to talk just the two of them. He hadn't had one of those conversations since the last time the twin destroyers had been at the yard for repairs.
But the job came first.
The Imperial mission always came first.
"I trust that Saxon has been a reasonable guest?" Lannery asked raising a brow.
"His methods are questionable to be certain, but he hasn't been entirely useless. His new weapon will put an immediate and swift end to this mandolin threat we face." She responded dipping her head.
"Is that why you contacted me?" Lannery asked. No matter how much he wished it to be true, Hemmrick would not simply call him for just a chat.
"No. Unfortunately, I have some disturbing news." She said concern edging into her voice.
"What is that?" Lannery said his eyes narrowing in concentration.
"This weapon that he speaks of…" She paused glancing around. "I fear that using it will turn ALL the Mandalorians against us."
"Elaborate," Lannery asked cocking his head to the side.
"It eliminates the effectiveness of Mandolorian Amour." The captain responded.
"I see," Lannery said understanding dawning as he put the pieces together.
"Something in the amour attracts it and it fries the wearer before they even have a chance to understand what is truly going on." She continued. "If it proves as effective as Saxon claims to be it could scare the current loyal Mandolirans into some sort of revolt.
"I do agree that it seems that Saxon's method is a little extreme if nothing else," Lannery said putting a hand to his chin in thought.
"I thought it best to let you know, Since Saxon has been keeping me busy I find less and less time to get a message out, I took this opportunity when I had it." Jane glanced back, saying something inaudible, and then shook her head sadly.
"That is him, I should see what he wants this time." She straightened giving him a salute.
"Stay safe Captain."
"The same to you… I hope to join you on the planet's surface soon." Lannery, unable to help the grin that spread on his face.
"I look forward to it… Captain Lannery." Without another word, she disconnected the comm.
Lannery ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to relieve stress. Turning his chair to face the window he took a long look at the stars surrounding the planet.
He didn't know when Thrawn would become available but he expected it to be soon.
Somewhere below on the planet rebel activity was stirring and he didn't like it. Lannery had served many missions and had completed them all without failure. But it was this particular job that had him uneasy. Something just didn't sit right.
If the rebels could escape from under the grip of the infamous Grand Admiral Thrawn how was he supposed to fair any better?
Releasing a sigh Lannery turned back to his computer and pulled up the Imperial Database, if he was going to fight these rebels he might as well learn what he could.
Starting with a name he had come to resent during his time stationed at the warrior planet.
—-
"Sabine!" Ezra called out ducking under a blaster bolt. "More troopers approaching from the base of the tower.
Without turning she shot forward alerted to the new stormtroopers, a couple of warriors surging behind her.
Ezra refocused on the troopers in front of him, igniting his blade and deflecting a stray bolt that came near him. He surveyed the fight quickly checking on the rest of the squad. Fenn and the remainder of Clan Wren were dealing well enough with the walker that had appeared out of nowhere.
Kanan was hopping around in the air, stormtrooper to stormtrooper.
Faith rolled under a bolt, only to return fire knocking her enemy to the ground. Everyone seemed to be doing well. The battle seemed almost to easy and it concerned Ezra greatly.
Ducking under another bolt and igniting his blade he once again dove for the scattered troopers, deflecting bolts back he made quick work. When he saw Sabine curled on the ground a trooper with his gun pointed directly at her head.
"Halt Jedi! Or she dies." The trooper called out.
Ezra froze. With Sabine's life under threat, he was entirely unsure of what to do, and suddenly the word was reduced to just him and her. Slowly he deactivated his blade fixing the trooper with a glare.
Before the trooper could even chuckle in his victory, he was collapsed onto the ground by a blaster bolt.
A Mandoliran he didn't recognize flew down over her fighting stance in the air giving off an air of command to it.
"Don't just stand there! Help her." The Mando yelled shooting at another trooper.
Without being told twice Ezra ran towards Sabine as she sat up and rubbed her head. "He snuck up right behind me." She complained rubbing her head.
"Happens to the best of us," Ezra said with a smirk extending his hand to help her up.
Once she was back on her feet she quickly took off towards the top of the tower.
"You ok?" Faith asked as she appeared behind him.
"Of course I am." Ezra boasted sticking his chest out with pride.
"Right…" She said trailing off with a grin.
"Need a lift?" She said extending her hand.
"Why how kind of you," Ezra replied taking her hand.
Without further response the two flew up towards the tower, Faith floated a little higher than the platform and unceremoniacly dropped Ezra before landing next to him paying attention to the conversation.
Kanan appeared from the tower's elevator Fenn following behind him.
"What took you so long old man?" Ezra teased elbowing Kanan lightly.
His master smirked at him and said nothing as the strange Mando from earlier floated up from the ground landing on the platform.
No one seemed surprised by her presence, but Ezra still wasn't sure who exactly she was.
"My father isn't here," Sabine said disappointedly, and Ezra felt a pang of sadness they weren't able to rescue him.
"It was a trap," the stranger said. "Your mother received word and sent me ahead to reinforce you. I have it on good authority she is on her way presently."
"Who is this exactly?" Ezra asked whispering to Faith who stood next to him her helmet tucked against her side.
Apparently, Fenn heard him because it was he who introduced him, "Ezra and Kanan this is Lady Bokatann of house Kyrze. Her sister ruled Mandalore during the Clone Wars and many still see her as the rightful ruler of Mandalore. Her commitment to her people and this planet is legendary." He finished nodding at the woman.
Bo Katann looked like she had something to see but Faith stepped forward bowing slightly.
"It is an honor to be in your presence m'lady." She said looking up.
"I am sorry but I do not recognize your clan colors." Bo Katann said studying Faith's armour.
Fenn Rau winced at that statement and a noticeable tension gripped the air.
Faith's return to Mandalore hadn't been an easy decision to make. After escaping from under Thrawn's grasp it was decided by Hera and the remainder of Phoniex's cell that the Mandolrians needed to be repaid in some way. Lending their two Jedi for a mission seemed like a fair price. So it was decided that Sabine, Ezra, and Kanan would return to Mandalore to free Sabine's father.
After this decision was made Faith immediately expressed interest in going along with the mission. Claiming that while she hadn't exactly been a part of Mandalore for a long time, it was her home.
Fenn Rau was still processing that one of his protectors was still alive and much less uninterested in any sort of relation with her clan. He had some objections but whether because he wished to garner goodwill with Faith or because he truly agreed with her he supported the decision.
With Rau's approval and the rest of the group failing to find a reason it was a bad idea decided Faith would also come along to the mission.
Despite this Faith had yet to express whether or not Rau was on good terms. In Faith's mind, Rau had abandoned her by not looking for any further spots, and while this was technically true it wasn't entirely Rau's fault.
Ezra believed that Faith was experiencing much pain from her return to Mandalore and it was easier to take it out on Rau than any other form of coping.
But when Lady Bo Katann asked her question she looked her straight in the eyes and answered with a certain boldness Ezra had only heard from her once or twice.
"I am a protector." She paused as if just saying it left a large boulder off her chest.
Bo Katann glanced once at Rau who nodded once and then she returned her glance to Faith. "A complicated story?" She asked with one raised brow.
"You could say that," Faith said simply.
Bo Katann nodded letting a hand fall on Faith's shoulder giving her a comforting pat before removing her hand.
"Is it true?" She asked looking at Sabine. "Do you have it?"
Sabine removed the dark saber from her belt glancing once at it. And extending it towards Lady Bo Katann.
"It belongs to you," Sabine said her eyes begging the past leader of Mandalore to take the sword.
For a moment looked like Bo Katann would take it before she shook her head, pain edging into her eyes. "I am not the leader you seek." She said moving her helmet from her side and placing it on her head. She moved past them towards the elevator and everyone cleared out as she left.
"I am not my sister." She finished as she moved into the elevator leaving the conversation at that.
With the mood ruined, Sabine drooped her head. "See if you can contact my mother." She said to no one in particular. But the underlying message was clear.
'Leave me alone'
Slowly everyone else filed off the platform, whether into the actual building or hopping off the sides and floating down. Before Ezra left he glanced at Sabine, fighting his inner instincts he approached her.
"We won right?" Ezra said light-heartedly.
Sabine smirked, and Ezra thought his attempt worked before realizing she was still upset and he had done little.
"Not yet… We still have to free my father." Sabine said sadly.
Ezra fixed her with his signature grin. "And you know that we'll save him with no problem. After all, that's what our mission is isn't it?'
Sabine looked at him with gratitude and something else Ezra couldn't place.
"Come on, let's go get a plan in action huh?" He started walking towards the elevator.
Sabine chuckled before tucking the saber back into her belt and following.