The Jedi King II: War for the Rim

by Blitzkrieger

The Militia have made their move plunging the Galaxy in a new war, with the Rebels caught in the middle. After Ahkilleon chose stayed in Militia and the New Jedi, he enters an arena of politics, light and dark. Facing either his past he left behind or going forward to seize a future as prophecy fortold to become the Jedi King, but nothing is ever certain and no one can be trusted.

25. Iron Squadron

Chapter 25

Iron Squadron

MYKAPO

Militia Corvette Raleigh

The Militia corvette dropped out of hyperspace, aboard it Militia naval officers in blue flared trousers with buttoned jackets walked among the bridge, with blue painted B1 droids in support roles alongside them. The Captain, a woman with long graying braids and a captain's coat and hat stood at the helm, "Prepare landing procedures and to deliver cargo." She said as a tactical droid came up to her.

"Roger, Roger, ma'am all cargo is ready to be unloaded." the droid replied.

The captain sighed as the droid handed him a manifest, "That's glad to hear, mate glad we can at least make sure it gets home safe, we'll need to meet up with our contacts to get the cargo back to the families."

Just then one of the consoles started to go off frantically, "Captain we have a ship heading our way, fast."

"Imperial?" she asked.

"No Captain, YT-2400 light freighter, we're scanning multiple modifications." the crewmen said.

The Captain looked out to see the ship heading their way, The YT-2400 light freighter, also known as the YT-2400 transport, was a class of YT-series light freighter. The freighter was a stock cargo hauler produced by the Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC) as a part of their YT-series line of starships. The YT-2400 had the same basic disc-shaped hull most YT-series had, but was set apart by its tubular cockpit that was connected to the hull by two starboard bracing arms. Behind the cockpit was the ship's main escape pod, capable of ferrying six passengers. Opposite the primary escape pod and inside the YT-2400's cargo area was a secondary escape pod. The YT-2400's hull was protected by reinforced bulkhead frames and double-armored plating. The freighter was 18.65 meters in length and 28.5 meters in width. Despite sharing many parts with the CEC YT-1300 light freighter, the YT-2400 was more compact and maneuverable, and could be easily operated by a single pilot. "I'm reading multiple laser cannons and concussion missile launcher, and a full load of cargo containers."

"This type of vessel does not pose a threat to our ship." the tactical droid said.

"Pirates?" the Captain asked.

"Unlikely." the droid replied, "Hail them." the Captain said as she walked forward "Attention freighter, we are on official Militia business do yourself a favor and get out of our way." she ordered.

The ship kept getting closer "Ready all weapons, raise shields- I say again freighter, break off your current course or we will open fire, we are carrying valuable cargo and we will not hesitate to-" "Try an invade our world, Mykapo is under protection of Iron Squadron."

"Iron what-" "Captain they've loosed their cargo." the helmsman shouted pointing at the freighter that pulled up hurling a large cargo container at them, it smashed into their shields breaking apart and unleashing a furious payload that brew the entire corvette apart.

ATTOLLON
Chopper Base

"Hmm any closer and the knife would have popped your lung." Corto said as he laid his hands on Ahkilloens back, an additional scar to add to his collection on his back, Ahkilleon was sitting upright in the medical tent as Corto was patching him up. It was midday on Attolon and Ahkillen had his shirt folded next to his armor while Corto channeled his talent for force healing into his back. "So how many were there?" Jay asked, sitting backwards in a chair leaning on the back support with Rulf standing behind him.

Ahkilleon shrugged "I didn't really take time to count."

"A full company if it was a planetary hemispheres garrison, at least for a moon that is." Rulf said thinking it over as he looked through a holopad, "The Imperial holonet is saying that the Militia attack on Mandalore was thwarted by the quick response of Imperial Viceroy Gar Saxon, a loyal servant of the Empire blah- blah nothing about what happened on Concordia?" Jay snatched it.

"Let me see that, of course they won't would you want it known that a full company of your stormtroopers and four Mandalorian warriors were beat by one Jedi?" Jay said as he looked through it.

Corto slapped some final oil on Ahkilleons back to help it numb any stiffness from the healing, "Still, these Mandalorains who helped you could have lent a hand, no?" Corto asked.

"They did more than enough." Ahkilleon said smiling.

Corto didn't see it but he could feel the spark if joy in Ahkilleon, "Hmm, something happened over there, something good?"

Corto came around as Ahkilleon grabbed his sleeveless tunic and tied it around his waist. "Uh oh I think Ahkilleon is smiling, Rulf?" Jay asked.

Rulf smirked as Jay did too, Corto came around and like a couple of gossiping school girls the boys all got up "Oh yeah something really good to make our boy smile like this, spill." Jay said.

Ahkilleon shook his head, "It's not your business guys."

"You're smiling, like really smiling I haven't seen this face mile like this… ever." Corto said as he checked him for a fever with his palm "You feeling alright, do I need to-" "Stop." Ahkilleon swatted his hand and Corto shoved him back, "Oh no your a fighter." Ahkilleon said throwing a playful jab, both Rulf and Jay got out of the way as Corto and Ahkilleon roughoused.

"Whoa, you don't punch the healer, Whoa!" Corto laughed as they roughoused around the medical tent, throwing towels and pillows at each other, before Ahkilleon grabbed Corto and then Sabine walked in, "Am I interrupting something."

The four young men all looked at the entryway to see Sabine had repainted her armor and re dyed her hair to the signature purple and orange, with her own white and pink hair with blonde highlights back in like nothing had ever happened. "Oh… Oooooooh." "Shut up." Ahkilleon grunted, biting his lip with a smile.

"Rulf, don't we need to calibrate the Revenants cannons?" Jay asked.

"Yes, yes we do Jay." Rulf said as he got up and headed for the tent exit, Corto fixed his brown locks and grabbed the datapad, "I think Breacher said he had a bit of a cold, I'm going to go check on him."

"Thanks." Both Ahkilleon and Sabine said at the same time, when they were alone in the tent Sabine chewed the inside of her lip, "So… we're alone again." Ahkilleon said.

Sabine stepped a bit closer, "Really, and what did you have in mind?"

"Hmm, what did we do last time?" Ahkilleon asked playing dumb, "I think it was something like…" she had her hands behind her back and he leaned in expecting a kiss but she instead pushed his helmet into his hands, he looked won at it and saw she had painted it with the same orange and white decal of of his Clone trooper Phase II helmet before he lost it, the same markings his mother had although with some Sabine flare, the white markings on the cheeks and forehead were similar to Ahkilleons own white markings without the diamonds "Thought it needed a big of color, gray and blue are so… drab." She said to him.

Ahkilleon smiled as he looked at it "Thank you, Sabine, it's great."

"Great, how great?" She asked, he took her hand in his "How about I show you." he leaned in and she turned just to get a kiss on the cheek, "Easy Snips, we got a mission to focus on,"

Ahkilleon rolled his eyes, "Yes to the useless world of Mycrapo."

"Mykapo, and it's not useless, there are rebel sympathizers there who need our help, now come on. It also happens to be the home of our Commander Sato." She said, pulling him out of the tent but letting go after he followed her out. The sun shone down on them as they walked across the dust and metal landing field.

Ahkilleon tucked the helmet under his arm "Your commander, he's not in charge of me anymore."

"Oh you made that very clear when you socked him across the jaw, you know you apologized to me you could apologize to everyone else?" She asked him.

Ahkilleon rolled his eyes "I'll consider the specters but no way am I apologizing to Stoic Sato."

"Everyone else respects him?"

Scoffing, he replied "You haven't known him as long as I have, he's more uptight than a scorpion crab."

"He is a military man?" Sabine pointed out, "A military man who sits on the sideline while we do all the hard work, Sato just hangs back aboard the Phoenix Home or sits around here all day?" Ahkilleon asked.

"You know if you really want this alliance between Militia and the Rebellion to work, making a few concessions could get you somewhere, not letting them walk all over us?" She suggested, Ahkilleon and her walk up the ramp to the command center, "You make a good point, I'll think on it."

She gave him a smile with a wink "Thanks, snips." she said as they headed up into the command center, "We've made contact with the sympathizers on my homeworld of Mykapo, our Fulcrum agent has told us they are gathering as we speak at the rendezvous point to be taken off world." Sato said as they walked up to the.

"With the numbers you gave us we'll need one of the hammerheads just to fit them all?" Hera said looking over the list on a holopad, "The loss of their rebel cell has made the sympathizers vulnerable, I will allow it." Sato said to her.

Ahkilleon stood behind the rebels observing, "Alright, all hands on deck for this one, Ahkilleon want to tag along?" She asked him.

"As long as I can bring Turok?" he asked as the old trandoshan stood in the background, "More the merrier, I guess." Hera said.

MYKAPO
Ghost

The Ghost dropped out of hyperspace followed by one of the Rebels Hammerhead cruisers, approaching the world of Mykapo. A planet located in the system as the same name of the planet of the Outer Rim Territories. The planet was a green and blue marble showing lush jungles and green fields. While the Ghost flew at the head of the small fleet wo A-wing fighters flanked the hammerhead, the crew of the Ghost were all in their positions Ezra on the nose gun Hera in the pilot seat with Sabine as her copilot, Ahkilleon and stood sat in the back, Kanan in the only other chair.

"Hey, did Fulcrum say how long it'd be before the Empire invades Mykapo?" Ezra asked leaning on the gun controls, bored asking Hera while they flew to the planet.

"No, but Commander Sato has connections here, and he said rebel sympathizers were eager to evacuate." Hera said as they drew closer. Ahkilleon had his eyes shut trying to meditate when their conversation woke him from the trance.

"Hmm?" Ahkilleon's face scrunched up as if he were sensing something "You alright?" Kanan asked.

He looked at Kanan and then at Turok, "Turok do we have any militia presence here?"

"No, no Milita's were ever set up on Mykapo as it wasn't deemed strategically important, but recruits have been flooding in from every planet in the Outer Rim to Raxus, Lothal even Selucami last I heard." Turok said through his signature pipe.

Ezra raised his head when something caught his eye "I think we may be too late." he said the rebels noticed it too a single freighter being chased by four TIE fighters and a Imperial light transport, Gonzatti class."

"Imperial transport plus four TIEs." Sabine said as she started to activate the ships weapon systems and shields "They haven't spotted us yet."

"They're distracted. Got their sights locked on that freighter." Ezra pointed out, Hera noticed the ships underbelly had a full load of containers under it "They've got cargo of some kind. Maybe they're smugglers."

"I wonder why they're not jumping to light speed?" Sabine asked.

Ahkilleon said nothing watching the freighter, "They're gonna need our help." Hera said moving into attack postion "Phoenix transport, proceed with the mission to the planet's surface."

"Yes, Captain." Rex said aboard the hammehread.

"Phoenix 2 and 3, move in on my command, protect that freighter." Hera ordered the A-wings and they flew toward the dogfight, as they got closer the freighter suddenly did a full loopy loot flying back right into the TIE fighters, it dodged one and ramed through a second the bigger ship demolishing the single TIE leaving only three more "

Ezra sat up seeing the boldness of the freighter "They're attacking the Empire head-on!"

"Better talk some sense into them, Hera." Sabine warned from her seat.

"Attention, YT-2400 freighter. We're here to assist." Hera said pressing the communications system mike, "Thanks, but we don't need your help." A preteen voice snorted back from the YT.

Kanan leaned over Hera's ear "Sounds like a kid." he said as the YT freighter made a run for the Imperail transport, while the A-wings took out the remaining TIE's with the Ghost.

"You're clear. Now make your jump! Get out of here!" Hera barked.

The voice came back "Negative. Whoever you are, the Iron Squadron doesn't run." the YT was on a direct collision course with the transport and pulled up at the last second loosing it's cargo, ten crates flying at high speed right at the transport, the transpotts guns blasted the cargo bit by bit but half of them went through smashing into the transport shields and exploding all over the haul of the transport, making it take serious damage. Flames and smoke burst out of a dozen new holes in the ships haul forcing it to turn around.

"They just bombed the Imperial transport with cargo?" Sabine gasped as the mysterious freighter of 'Iron Squadron' cheered at the attacks success.

Ezra looked in awe as well "Wow, the Empire's retreating."

"Nice work, Iron Squadron." Hera said somewhat impressed, "We've been battling the Empire for a while now. Why don't you come over?" The Captain of the victorious rebels said "We could probably show you a few tricks."

"Sounds like an invitation." Ezra said as they flew alongside the other freighter "

Everyone got up seeing the current danger had passed "I have to report first. Kanan, why don't you take a team to the planet, assist the evacuation."

"All right. Good luck with Iron Squadron." Kanan said as Zeb scrunched his face up at the thought of meeting them "Sounds like a ship full of Ezras. Let's get out of here." Ahkilleon snickered and Sabine shot him a nasty look but he just smiled "what?" He whispered thinking it was funny.

Hera got headed to the lounge, with Ezra leaving Sabine, Ahkilleon and Turok alone in the cockpit, Turok noticed Sabine and Ahkilleon hadn't stopped looking at one another "I better go see if Kanan and Zeb want me to come with them?" Turok said heading out, when he shut the door to the cockpit, a few second passed before Sabine swung her chair around and leapt on Ahkilleon.

"Well that was unexpected?" he asked as she jumped on him "You were giving me that look?" She asked.

Ahkilleon made a curious smile and asked "What look?" before his eyes softened and his green eyes shinned, "'That' look you chayaikir." she said the last bit in Mando'a. Ahkilleon placed his hands on her waist "What are you going to do about it?"

"Come here and find out." She said lips curling up before she kissed him and he kissed her back, she moved her hands up his arm and around his neck and his lips drifted from her lips to her cheek and neck, she let out a noise hum like a flutter, her arms moved feeling his strong bicep and he moved his hand around her waist just below where her armor stopped pressing her into him "Whoa- whoa." She said before he suddenly stopped.

He leaned back "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" he asked.

"No, no, it's just… um… thats not your lightsaber is it?"

Ahkilleons face went bright red when he remembered she was sitting right on his lap and the only part of her body that wasn't armored were her light brown trousers of her thighs "Oh… I-" His face was turning red as a flame and cheeks burned just as hot "Sorry." he said, biting his lip and Sabine just giggled, she actually giggled "I thought Jedi weren't allowed to have such… attachments?" she teased.

Her laughter seemed to make him unblush as she wasn't offended, "Well I'm a New Jedi, we don't have such worries, in fact." he reached up and cupped her cheek "We believe it's those attachments that us stronger, fighting for those we care about."

"How very Mandalorian?" she said, leaning her elbow on his shoulder and propping her head up.

They sat there in the silence, together looking at one another the hum of the Ghost the only sound around them, she lowered her arm and rested her head on her shoulder "I'm gald everyone isn't mad at you anymore." she said.

"I don't think everyone." he said leaning his head back, "Ezra still hates me."

She raised her head sitting on his lap, "He doesn't hate you he's… more complicated, you guys were close as brothers before you left, can't you be again?"

"I don't think it's that simple, I broke the oath." Ahkilleon pulled out the Nexu fang he wore, the same one Ezra had worn when they were still kids, or younger than they were "I'm sure he'll forgive you if you two just talk?" Sabine suggested.

Ahkilleon didn't answer he just looked out the ship at Iron Squadrons only vessel, that feeling unable to be shaken "What is it?" She asked.

"Just…" he started to say when they heard Hera through the door "Sabine, Ahkilleon let's go we're boarding the ship." she called out about to open the door, Sabine leapt off Ahkileons lap and got to the pilot seat "Moving us into position." she walked into see both Sabine and Ahkilleon facing away from one another now both blushing as Ahkilleon pretended to be monitoring the ships vitals while Sabine flew them alongside the YT freighter, "Alright you two… come on?" She asked pretty sure they had been up to something.

The Ghost latched onto the freighter on the starboard side and the rebels plus Ahkilleon headed to the airlock, he noticed that Turok was still there "What they didn't want you to go down to the planet?" Ezra asked Turok.

"Thought I'd be more use staying aboard the ship."

"Just don't sabotage it this time, or I'll let Chopper blow you out the airlock." Hera warned the Trandoshan who held up his hands in surrender "Oh I believe you will. Little droids are a menace." Turok said smoke was flaring from his nostrils. They approached the ships docking seal and it opened to reveal a smoke filled corridor with a single person waiting for them, a pink skinned Theelin, her hair was trimmed in a pink mohawk that showed of three rows of spikes on each side of her spotted head, the spots ran down her neck and shoulders which were exposed wearing a tank top with a breastplate, and dark blue trousers, she had a hammer in her and and thick grey gloves.

"Welcome aboard. We'll take you to our captain." then a human boy appeared with blue eyes, a shaved head and round face wearing a beige shirt under a heavier breastplate with blue long sleeves and gray pants.

The rebels walked in with Ahkilleon bringing up the rear next to Chopper, "Ship needs a little work." Sabine commented while they followed them.

"Try not to touch anything. It's organized the way we like it." The theelin said her accent sharp and condescending "If you like a junk pile." Sabine muttered "Be nice." Ezra said.

They followed them around the ship stopping at the hyperdrive, it was smoking and lights were flicking on and off showing it was damaged, almost to the extent of beyond repair a single R3 unit working on it. "Your hyperdrive doesn't work?" Ezra asked "We don't need a fancy hyperdrive." The boy said.

"Mart's the best pilot in the galaxy." he added, Ahkilleon cocked a brow hearing the proclimation

As Ezra said "Chopper can fix it." Chopper rolled up to it before the R3 got in Choppers face and started swatting at him with it's own tools, then both droids started squabbling before the theelin and Ezra broke it off.

"Hey. Back off." Ezra pulled Chopper away while Ahkilleon rolled his eyes "Yeah, well, R3 fixes things around here."

"Chop, just let it go." Ezra told the droid before they followed the other two rebels of Iron Squadron into the ships lounge, where another boy sat he had shaggy brown hair, wore a yellow long sleeved shirt with dark burgundy pants and a pilots harness over his chest, his back was turned to them as he was working on something feet propped up on some crates as he sat in a chair "Hey, Captain. Company's here." the boy said.

"So, you guys are the entire Iron Squadron?" Sabine asked "The three of you?"

The Captain glanced back with dark eyes "Nice. You can count." Ahkilleon didn't care much for his tone and he flicked his finger sending a small force push to knock his feet knocking them off the crate as if he had lost his balance, Ezra shot him a nasty glare and Ahkilleon made fake shiver pretending to be afraid.

"Hey, I'm Ezra. That's Hera, Sabine and Chopper." he said introducing them, "Who's tall dark and broody?" the theelin asked.

Ahkilleon folded his arms noticing Ezra forgot to introduce him "Ahkilleon." He replied.

"I'm Gooti. Jonner, R3 and that's Mart." the theelin said introducing the four of them.

Ezra recognized the name "Mart? I think we know your uncle."

"So, you know Commander Sato. He order you to come get me?" Mart asked Ezra.

"We're part of his Phoenix Squadron, a rebel group fighting the Empire, we came here to help anti-Imperial dissidents like yourselves evacuate."

"What does "evacuate" mean?" Jooner said with a smile, Ahkilleon looked at Sabine and she was just as confused as he was if Jonner was joking or just…. Dumb?

Mart answered "It means run away like a coward, unless you didn't notice, we fight and make the Empire evacuate."

"They'll be back." Hera warned them "Can we eat? I'm starving." Jonner interjected as R3 came up with at tray of rations, cut into triangles "Let me in there!" Jonner said grabbing one of the waffles "Hey, you want some?" Jonner asked Hera trying to be polite to their guests.

Hera pushed the food out of her face "Thank you, but we don't have time, let me debrief you on our plan to-" "How debrief is this gonna be?" Jonner interrupted.

"How about you show some respect, before shove that food down your-" Ahkilleon almost finished the threat when Hera stopped him with a look.

Mart spoke again "Look, it doesn't matter. We are not going anywhere."

"You can't stay here and fight the Empire alone." Ezra warned them.

"What do you think we've been doing?" Mart argued.,

Hera tried to reason with him "If we hadn't jumped in and helped you back there-" "Helped us? We had everything under control." Mart told her.

Jonner nodded "Didn't you see how we chased off that Star Destroyer?"

"Yeah, that was not a Star Destroyer. It was only a transport." Sabine corrected him, Hera saw trying to move them from their post wasn't going to be as easy as they hoped "You're all very brave, but once the Empire arrives in full force, that won't matter." She warned them again.

"This is our world, and we aren't just gonna leave so some Imperial goons can take it. We're not gonna run, not now, not ever." Mart said confidently as Goonti and Jonner stood behind their captain "And we can handle the Empire and the Militia."

Ahkilleon turned his head "The Militia?" Ahkilleon asked.

"Uh oh." Ezra muttered.

"Yeah, one of their dreadnoughts came through and we smashed them to bits." Jonner said, the Specters all gapped hearing that eyes wide and Ahkilleon got off the wall "You what?"

"See?" Jonner said pointing out a small portside window, the rebels looked to see debris in the distance "That's not big enough to be a dreadnought?" Sabine said, Ahkilleon pushed past the rebels looking out at the wreckage where he saw the remains of the Raleigh it's haul breached and it's cargo had spilt out into space Ahkilleon shut his eyes when he saw what it was hundreds of them floating in open space frozen stiff by space's icy grip.

"What are those?" Sabine asked.

"They look like, coffins?" Ezra said .

Ahkilleon got to his feet "Our…. honored dead." Ahkilleon turned around his eyes dark and grimacing at Mart, "A deathship." Sabine said as Ezra felt the dark side surge in Ahkilleon "You attacked a Militia vessel carrying back fallen Militia soldiers." Ahkilleon growled.

"Wait- what?" Jonner asked.

"You have eyes don't you, do those look like weapons or invaders?" Ahkilleon barked, pointing at it, "You Militia invaded worlds just as much as the Empire, we were protecting our home." Mart said, stepping forward.

"And were they doing any less, the Militia liberats worlds, we only invade if there's a tactical necessity." Ahkilleon argued back, stepping forward again, he pushed past the rebels and shoved his way past Jonner and Gooti before he grabbed Mart by his pilot harness and hoisted the boy off the feat like he was a ragdoll slamming him into the wall "Do you have any idea whats coming for you?" Hera got between them putting her hands on Ahkillons muscular arms that looked like they could rip Mart in two "Ahkilleon-stand-down." Hera commanded.

Ahkilleon's eyes never left Mart, at first Mart's face was strong but the more he looked into Ahkilleons eyes he saw that this wasn't the first time Ahkilleon had that look, the look of a creature that had killed before and would again even Ezra felt the bloodlust in Ahkilleons force presence, his hand slowly inching to his lightsaber "Ahkilleon." Sabine said and the demon vanished, just as the green eyes showed a hint of yellow. He dropped Mart, shoving him to the wall before he stopped at Hera's side, "I'll be on the Ghost."

"What was that all about?" Jonner asked, helping Mart up, "Phoenix Squadron has an understanding with the Militia, Ahkilleon is part of them we need to get you out of here."

SEVENTH FLEET
Chimera, Synistahg System

Grand Admiral Thrawn stood over his holotable aboard his flagship as Admrial Konstantine and a deck officer approached him "The blockade over Synistahg is proceeding as planned. Martial law has been declared on Mykapo, but a small pocket of resistance continues to be troublesome." The officer said.

"Mykapo has no armed militia or starfighter corps, what resistance is there to be so troublesome?" Thrawn asked, vexed by the development.

"One ship calling themselves the Iron Squadron recently attacked an advance patrol with the aid of this rebel vessel." the officer reported.

Thrawn's interest was peaked as his forehead "The Ghost."

"They're likely evacuating the treasonous inhabitants before we can arrest them, as for this Iron Squadron, very curious." he deduced before he scratched his chin "Admiral Konstantine, go to Mykapo and lock down the system."

"I will deploy a squadron of ships." Konstantine said confidently "No, Admiral. I want you to handle it yourself. A single light cruiser should be more than sufficient for a man of your talents."

The Admiral froze and stiffened at the danger "You would send me in one ship?"

"Unless you're not up to it." Thrawn asked him looking back his red eyes boring into him "I will leave immediately." Konstantine said before he turned to go.

MYKAPO

Ghost

Back aboard the Ghost, Ahkilleon was pacing in the kitchen as Turok sat there with his pipe, "This is bad." Turok said as Ahkilleon bad, "Bad, bad, that brat attacked the Militia under the rebel flag, what does that mean for us."

"Technically there's no record of this Iron Squadron, they're not affiliated with the rebellion as the Militia knows it, Phoenix Squadron hasn't done anything wrong, yet?" Turok said, drumming his fingers on the table, "But you're right, this kid has no idea what's coming for him."

Ahkilleon stopped "What would the Militia do if they found out about this?"

Turok huffed out smoke "Retaliate."

Ahkilleon faced a few steps "The Raleigh, which fleet did it belong to?"

"Who do you think?" Turok asked.

Ahkilleons eyes widened with terror, "He's just a boy, he didn't know-" "Don't you dare say that, not after what you've done, you know what a boy is capable of when his fingers on the trigger." Turok told him standing up pointing at him.

"That was different, I-" "Am a Militia soldier, who swore and oath and a New Jedi." Turok pointed out reminding him of his true loyalties, which were ultimately being tested.

"We have to do something." Ahkilleon muttered.

In the lounge across from them, Hera, Sabine and Ezra were speaking to a hologram of Rex, as Zeb and Kanan had returned to the ship. "Well, we have cleared the planet of everyone who wanted to get out before the Empire returns." Rex said in a hologram on the table.

"Prepare to rendezvous with the fleet. We'll meet you there." Hera told the old clone, "Some of these families, they were expecting a Militia transport carrying their family and friends who joined the Militia… I guess it' the same one Sato's nephew destroyed?" Rex asked them after being told what he'd done.

Hera sighed "Yes, I'm not sure what that means for us."

"What about Iron Squadron?" Kanan asked.

"They're not coming. I'll tell Sato." Hera said as she prepared to send a signal "Hera, wait. Let me try again." Ezra begged her.

"You don't have time, their ship has no hyperdrive, and the Empire will be back sooner than later." she said as Ezra leaned on Sabine shoulder. Her eyes were looking down the hallway at Turok and Ahkilleon who were speaking in hushed tones. "Right, but Sabine had an idea."

"Oh-Yeah. Chop and I can try to fix their hyperdrive." she said snapping back to the room "At least that'll give them a chance to escape.

Hera thought it over "All right, but I want you all out of here, soon as possible, whether you convince them to leave or not."

"I got it. We got it, right?" Ezra said as he Chopper and Sabine got ready, they headed to the Phatnom II, piling in Ahkilleon caught the door just before they closed it "I'm coming to."

Ezra looked back from the pilot seat, "Noway, not after you're little outburst." "You need all the help you can get, I've been fixing ships since I was youngling, let me come." Ahkilleon argued.

"More hands are less work." Sabine said to Ezra, the boy grumbled and replied "Fine, but you stay on the Phatnom II unless Sabine or I tell you to come, got it?"

"I'll do my duyt." Ahkilleon said taking a seat in the Phantom II.

Later the rebels were back aboard the YT, Sabine, Ezra and Chopper stood in front of the hyperdrive, looking it over when Mart along with his crew watched This is a waste of time." Mart said storming off.

"If we can't get your hyperdrive working, you'll have to come with us on our ship." Ezra warned Gooti and Jonner.

Jonner shook his head "If Mart isn't going, we're not going."

"This might be just a planet to you, but it's our home." Gooti argued standing her ground firmly.

Ezra looked at them with sympathetic eyes "Look, I didn't want to leave my home either, I was so afraid and I didn't know it.

"We're not afraid of the Empire, or the Militia." Gooti said firmly as Ezra looked at her seeing himself "I know you're not. You're afraid of losing everything, like I did."

Jonner nodded "So you understand why we do what we do."

"I understand that the Empire wants us to fight because that makes it easy for them to destroy us." Ezra replied, Ahkilleon had disobeyed the orders and was in the doorway of the docking port, hands on his sabers.

"So you're saying we should do nothing?" Gooti asked him.

Ezra shook his head "No. I'm saying how we choose to fight is just as important as what we fight for." Ahkilleon sunk his head against the wall and pondered the words, and what would come next. Just then the ship came alive with power in the hyperdrive, it was working again thanks to Sabine and Chopper before it suddenly shut down.

"What happened?" Sabine asked.

Chopper beeped a few times after he plugged into the system "What do you mean, the power is being rerouted? To where?" she asked and Chopper replied in binary.

"The guns and the shields?" she asked.

"Mart." Jonner said knowing it was their captain, "Fixing the hyperdrive is useless if the power isn't switched back." Sabine urged them.

"Iron Squadron, get to your battle stations now!" Mart's voice echoed over the ships intercom, and the rebels all ran to the cockpit, Ahkilleon hid in the doorway watching them run by knowing it was time.

The rebels ran into the cockpit and saw a light Imperial cruiser heading their way with two Gonzati transports both armed with four TIE fighters that were being dispatched and moved into attack positon. Aboard it Admiral Konstantine and his bridge officer saw the ship "There's one small freighter."

"Thrawn overestimated these rebels." Konstantine said.

Back aboard Iron Squadrons YT freighter Mart was giddy as a school boy "Finally, a Star Destroyer!" "No, that's a light cruiser." Sabine said coming up to his chair "Star Destroyers are six times that big."

"Yeah, well, prepare for battle anyway." Mart told them all "Mart, you can't be serious!" Ezra barked at him "Look, we need to get to the Phantom."

"It's time to go." Sabine snapped.

Ezra was running out of patience too "You need to come with us now!"

"Mart, maybe he's right." Jonner said "That's a lot of Imperial ships, and they say there are even more on the way." Gooti agreed.

Mart looked back at his own crew "What's wrong with you two?"

"They're not ready to die." Ezra pointed out.

"Come on, buddy!" Jonner said as the ship was hit by the first wave of TIE fighters hititng the ship making it shake with laser fire "We have no choice." Gooti told him.

Mart squeezed the controls of his ship and finally relented "Fine, fine. Let's go."

"No." Ahkilleon appeared in the doorway lightsabers drawn, blue one held shien style behind his back and the red one pointed at the rebels, "What are you doing!" Ezra screamed at him, "Iron Squadron in the Name of the Militia I am placing you all under arrest for crimes against the Militia."

Ezra reached for his blaster and lightsaber. "Seriously you're doing this now."

"You and what army?" Mart snapped.

Ahkilleon looked past them and out of hyperspace an entire Militia fleet dropped out with a dozen dreadnoughts, Admiral Konstantine saw them "Pull up- PULL UP!" Konstantine shouted before the light cruiser flew down at full speed narrowingly avoiding the dreadnought before it smashed his support ships. The rest of the Imperial ships were eviscerated by the dreadnoughts. Admiral Konstantine's was rocked by cannon fire before jumping to hyperspace.

"We have to get out of here-" Mart ran for the controls but Ahkilleon force pushed the controls shattering them, "Run and you'll die." Ahkilleon pressed the communication button, "This is Captain Tano, I have secured the criminals who destroyed the Raleigh."

"Who's fleet is that?" Ezra asked before Ahkilleon waiting for a response, a hologram appeared on the dashboard. Out into the holographic camera came the armored juggernaut and Warlord of the Jedi, Ahkilleons Master, Lord Asimov. "Well done, apprentice, you have done a great service to the Militia preparing to be brought into the Shatterpoint, via tractor beam."

"What did you do?" Ezra asked, "It's not what I did, it's what he did." Ahkilleon looked at Mart, "All blood here out is on your hands, 'Captain'." he said to Mart, the Crucible's hanger opened up and their ship was drawn into the Shatterpoint to seal their fate.

The Shatterpoint drew the freighter into it's hangar and already they could see the hangar was filled with blue painted Militia Vulture droids and scores of troops, "This… is a dreadnought?" Jonner said in shock of the sheer size of the leviathan-like ship.

"Chopper send a signal to Hera, now." Ezra ordered glaring at Ahkilleon who noticed the glare but kept his sabers on Iron Squadron, he looked at Sabine and replied "I'm sorry."

LATER
Shatterpoint

The Ghost landed soon after Mart's ship was secured, Vulture droids were already crawling over it and it was surrounded by Militia soldiers. Hera and Kanan came running out to see Mart, Gooti and Jonner being dragged out handcuffed while a horde of Militia regulars had surrounded the ship held back by Militia MP's with shockstaffs, the mob hurling insults at Mart's crew. Ahkilleon came out with Ezra, Sabine and Chopper behind him when she saw her crew was alright Hera sighed with relief while Ahkilleon walked up to Commander Sigma, the clone and him exchanged a few words. Ahkilleon appeared to be arguing with him but the Specters didn't notice it.

Turok had walked past the Specters as they grouped together "What's going on, Turok?"

"What do you think, Sato's nephew poked the dragon now it's breathing fire." Turok said the rebels looked over at Ahkilleon who was in a heated discussion with Sigma.

"Let me handle this, I've finally got on the rebels to trust me if we don't do this right, it risks the agreement." Ahkilleon said intently to Sigma, the clone cocked a brow and looked over at the Rebels all looking at him intently "You sure about that."

The crowd of Militia rabble who looked like they wanted to kill Mart and his crew suddenly started to die down as Lord Asimov walked through them standing a head taller than every man, he was flanked on each side by Terro and Ventus, along with a third broad shouldered Quarren wearing Jedi robes and a breastplate, with shoulder pauldrons, his hood up shadowing his face "Step back, all of you!" Sigma barked at the crowd and they all moved at the Commander's voice.

Lord Asimov stepped forward and Iron Squadron looked up at the towering Warlord who stood over them, "Take them to the brig to await their fate."

"Yes my lord." Commander Sigma said while saluting he gestured to the Militia soldiers to take the three Ironites out of the hangar, they had to walk through the crowd of the Vanguard troops who were still shouting, spitting and cursing.

Ezra couldn't stand it, "We have to do something." Ezra stormed towards the Militia, Ahkilleon saw him first and intercepted him "Ezra don't." He grabbed Ezra's arms before he could unsheath his lightsaber, "Get off me." Ezra shoved Ahkilleon back.

"What's this, the pups are fighting again?" Ahkilleon sighed and looked over his shoulder to see Terro and Ventus, both War Jedi were wearing their plate armor under their robes, hands on their belts very close to their lightsabers, "What will happen to Iron Squadron?" Ezra snapped.

Ventus and Terro looked at one another "Uhhh execute them, of course?" Terro laughed.

"You'll what?" Zeb barked before Ezra could go for his saber, Ahkilleon held his hands up "That's enough Terro, Not unless ordered by Lord Asimov, and we are taking them to the brig." Ahkilleon corrected.

"What wrong boy?" Terro asked walking arms out up looking at Ezra "Want to test yourself against a War Jedi, real jedi?" he asked trying to goad Ezra into another fight, before Ahkilleon came around and shoved Terro back so hard Ventus caught him "I said that's enough!" Ahkilleon yelled squaring off arms at the ready

Terro pushed himself off and stepped to Ahkilleon their foreheads pressed against each other like bulls locking horns, Ahkilleon was so close he could see Terro's brown eyes looking back at him from behind his metal featureless mask, "Asimov's pup shows his fangs, what you spending to much time with your old rebel friends is that it, Ahkilleon, forget you're Militia?" He poked Ahkilleons breastplate and they both grabbed their lightsabers at the same time.

"You want to test that Terro, I'm right here." a fight seemed inevitable until they both felt the presence of Lord Asimo watching them.

Stepping back they both looked at his Lordship, "That's better, Terro, Ventus leave us." "But my Lord he-" "Now." Asimov said firmly. Both his bodyguards stepped away bowing and the third new War Jedi in the hood removed it revealing it to be none other than Kraggen, Ahkilleons eyes widened and he bowed along with Ventus and Terro before he followed them.

Hera stepped forward and Kanan grabbed her "Remember what happened last time." he whispered to her.

"This won't be like last time." She said, pulling away and walking up to him "Asimov!" she yelled at him, he looked over at.

Sigma had joined them and got between them "You will address his lordship as-" "Lord Asimov, this is a rebel matter, for the sake of our arrangement I suggest you hand him over to us, we'll deal with Mart and his crew."

"No, if he were a member of your crew or cell we would, but it is clear he is the 'leader' of Iron Squadron." Lord Asimov said to her "He will be tried and executed for his crimes, his conspirators will be evaluated before justice is served."

"You can't." Ezra said behind Hera sharing the objection with the other rebels, Ahkilleon came up between Hera and Lord Asimov, "Master, if I may?" Ahkilleon asked, waiting.

Asimov turned to him, "Speak apprentice."

"If we are truly after justice, let us do this justly put Iron Squadron on trial, yes, the rebels can mount a defense and we can prosecute the crime in a court of law." Ahkilleon suggested hands up to both sides offering a middle ground.

Asimov paced away considering it, "Very well, the rebels will be allowed to speak on behalf of their comrade, but the trial will proceed."

"Thank you master." Ahkilleon bowed, "You will be prosecutor Padawan."

"What, me- but I'm not Lawyer?" Ahkilleon asked.

Lord Asimov nodded "Then this shall be an excellent lesson, come we will prepare."

"Wait, who's going to mediate this so called trial?" Hera asked.

"I will send a request to bring a Master from Bastion Temple to mediate, they are not part of the Militia military, and will be non biast as Jedi Masters." Asimov said "Now come apprentice, there is much to do."

The rebels watched Ahkilleon and Asimov walk away, "And here I thought he'd be coming back around." Zeb muttered.

"Come on, we need to send word to Commander Sato, he's the only family Mart has left, he should be here." Hera said as she headed to the Ghost, "What about the trial?"

Hera put her hands on her hips at the entrance, "We prepared a defense, plain and simple."

"None of this is simple, you saw the Militia, Mart is already guilty in their eyes, we need to bust him out" Ezra argued outside their ship before Zeb grabbed him by his collar.

"Say that to a little louder kid." Zeb growled at him, looking over at Sigma who was walking up holding a small leather bound blue book. When they saw the clone approach them the rebels all looked at him warily.

He tossed the book at Hera, "This is a copy of the Militia Codex, our governing bodies, Lord Asimov told me to give you a copy so you can be prepared for this 'tria'. Lord Asimov has also given your crew limited access to the Shatterpoint, if you go somewhere you shouldn't, you'll be told to leave, if you don't. You get shot, this is all a waste of time if you ask me." he said to Hera who caught the book looking at the Militia Hex with a reef around it.

"The clones I knew would never stand by and let a kid be executed." Hera said as she looked through the book.

Sigma clicked his teeth "No, they just had chips in their heads that made them execute everyone." he said walking away.

"Why does it feel like we're back to square one with the Militia, again?" Ezra growled watching Sigma walk away.

"Their anger you can feel it can't you Ezra, right or wrong when Mart was trying to protect his home, he still killed Militia soldiers aboard that corvette." Kanan said to him, "Then how do we get them out of this?" Ezra asked.

"I don't know." Kanan replied.

LATER

Within the hour, the Revenant had landed with the Breacher and Jay coming out followed by Commander Sato who walked briskly to the Ghost across the hanager, entering the Ghost he was greeted by Zeb and Ezra, "Where are Mart and his crew?" Sato asked as he entered the lounge of the Ghost, Hera and Sabine were looking over the Codex.

"In the brig so far as we know, the Militia are preparing to put him on trial, but Lord Metalhead is already convinced he's guilty." Ezra explained to him.

Sato squeezed his gloves tight "This is all my fault, I should have come to Mykapo a long time ago to come get him."

"There's still hope, as long as we can mount a reasonable enough defense we can get him and Iron Squadron out of it." Sabine said.

Ezra scoffed "You can't be serious Sabine, this is the Militia we're talking about, and Asimov the psychopath who tried to kidnap us and brainwashed Ahkilleon."

"I wouldn't say he's brainwashed, but he-" "Is the person who Asimov ordered to make sure Mart and his friends get killed." Ezra interrupted.

"Why are we even going along with this, it's a shame?" Ezra asked.

Kanan who was sitting in the corner scratched his beard "I'm not so sure, in the past Jedi were often sent to mediate disputes in the Republic, if Asimov is as serious as he claims to be about protecting his New Jedi, he'll go along with whoever they send."

"So it comes down to a Jedi we've never met to decide my nephew's fate?" Sato asked them. The situation was grim and the rebels were all silent, not sure what to do, "If Mart is hurt or let alone killed in any way this alliance with the Militia is over." Sato declared he was storming out.

The rebels looked at one another, "This is a test." Kanan said.

"What do you mean Kanan?" Hera asked.

"If Asimov wanted Mart dead he would have executed him and his crew when they were brought aboard, he's going to test Ahkilleons loyalty to the Militia." Kanan explained.

Zeb cleared his throat "Do we really think junior would go along with this, to kill Mart?"

"I wouldn't put it past him." Ezra muttered, folding his arms over his chest, "This is just an idea, but maybe I can talk to him, see if he can't get Asimov to call it off, let us take Mart and Iron Squadron?" Sabine asked to get up from the table.

Ezra cocked a brow "What makes him think he'll listen to you?"

"I don't see you guys getting any ideas?" She asked before she left the Ghost, she walked out of it and across the hangar passing by the Revenant, where she saw Corto and Jay, the two boys ran up to her "Hey we heard what's going on, a trial." Corto said following her.

She nodded at them "Yep, do you two think you could show me where Ahkilleon is, I need to talk to him."

"Yeah he's the prosecutor, umm I think he'd be in Lord Asimov's stardeck." Jay said as he led her out of the hangar, they walked down the hallway together getting odd looks from the rest of the Shatterpoints crew, from the marines to the navel officers before they reached an elevator. When they walked in the Sabine took her helmet off "I take it they haven't forgotten when we sabotaged your ship." Sabine said.

Jay shrugged "I actually think what you three did was really impressive, taking out a whole dreadnought showed how poor our security was Sabine."

"And why don't you mess with Mandalorians." Corto pointed out.

"I appreciate it, but you all did kidnap Ezra and me, and Ahkilleon." She pointed out reminding them of the last time they were aboard the Shatterpoint.

Jay shrugged "You got us there, no hard feelings I hope."

"I haven't blown up your ship?" She said as the elevator doors opened and she walked out, "She's joking right, right?" Jay asked before they followed, Corto shrugged and they headed to Lord Asimov's stardeck.

They came to the doors that were guarded by Militia regulars with blasters, when they saw Sabine they walked up "Halt, you are not permitted to be here rebel."

"Actually sir, she needs to speak with Captain Tano, about the trial?" Jay asked.

"Escort her back to the hangar Cadet." the guard ordered.

The doors to the stardeck opened and Turok walked out, "That's alright men, she's okay to come in." the lizard said to them, both Guards stood down and let her pass "See you later Sabine." Corto said before she walked in without them.

The Stardeck was a large room with three large windows showing Mykapo and the Vanguard fleet, there was a long table in the center of the room and a mediation matt at the front of the room for Lord Asimov who was standing in front of the table looking at a holo recording, it showed the Militia Corvette the Raleigh flying toward Mykapo.

"Attention freighter, we are on official Militia business, do yourself a favor and get out of our way." the Raleigh's transmission was being played back

Mart's ship kept getting closer "Ready all weapons, raise shields- I say again freighter, break off your current course or we will open fire, we are carrying valuable cargo and we will not hesitate to-" "Try an invade our world, Mykapo is under protection of Iron Squadron."

"Iron what-" "Captain they've loosed their cargo." the helmsman shouted pointing at the freighter that pulled up hurling a large cargo container at them, it smashed into their shields breaking apart and unleashing a furious payload that blew the entire corvette apart.

Ahkilleon had been watching it with Lord Asimov and had his arms folded before he sighed. The evidence was clear and damning, "Excuse me, Asimov, Ahkilleon we have a guest."

Lord Aismov noticed her "What is she doing here?" he asked, turning off the recording.

"I came to talk to Ahkilleon." She said to Lord Asimov, "You are not allowed to be here Mandalorian, you are-" "Master." Ahkilleon came around and got between them and held his hands up "Please, I'll escort her back to the hangar." he said.

Lord Asimov folded his arms over his chest, "See that you do."

Ahkilleon bowed respectfully and headed over to Sabine, he grabbed her arm and she pulled off "I don't need an escort."

"No, then why did you come up here?" Ahkilleon asked her out of the star deck, back into the hallway "To try and get you to call this whole thing off."

They walked away from the guards at the door into an empty section of the ship, "You know I can't do that, you saw the recording, and the Iron Squadron is guilty."

"And you'll just line them up to be executed after this 'trial'?" She held up her fingers making quotations.

"If my plan works then it won't come to that." Ahkilleon stated.

Sabine reached up to remove her helmet, "Plan?"

He looked over her shoulder and nodded "Yes, we can get Mart and his crew out of here but I need your guys help."

"You're not angry at him?" Sabine asked.

Ahkilleon sighed "No I…" Sabine watched Ahkilleons face grow sad and struggled to find the words "I've done terrible things Sabine, and did them wanting to do right to fight for a free Galaxy, I know what it's like to have blood on your hands that you shouldn't, that's why I need you to trust me when I say I can get Mart out of this, but only if you get everyone else to go along with it."

Sabine pondered it for a moment, "Okay, let's hear it."

Eventually, Sabine returned to the Ghost and when she walked in Hera came out of the lounge "What did he say, he says he has a plan it's crazy but it may work." she said.

"Let's hear it?" Kanan asked.

Sato scoffed "We cannot trust that traitor." Sato said with Ezra behind him, "Ahkilleon is trying to save your nephew, he's the only one aboard who's on our side."

"And the prosecutor Sabine, he's lying to you so he can do what Asimov wants you saw him on Mart's ship he was ready to rip Mart apart." Ezra pointed out.

Sabine turned to Ezra with a sincere look "He was angry, those were his comrades imagine if it were my clan, or if it were Phoenix Squadron troops?" she asked.

"Tell us the plan on the way, it looks like the Mediator is here." Hera said as they saw a new ship enter the hangar, "How can you tell?" Kanan asked.

"It looks ike a T-6 shuttle." Hera said walking out of the Ghost, "A T-6, my Master and I use to fly in those all the time." Kanan said as they all followed out after them. The shuttle did resemble a Jedi transport T-6 model only like many Militia vessels; it had sharper features and more angular design. The T-6 shuttle had a rotating engine block and curved wings that would turn sideways when it landed like this model. This particular design had a more arrowhead shape design with a pointed cockpit like the one used in the B-wing and the wings were longer and had a straight edge cut to them with blue highlights.

When it's landing gear went down so did the ramp, walking out of the ship with his wooden cane was Jedi Master K'Kruhk, "Master K'Kruhk?" Kanan said, sensing him.

"Who?" Zeb asked.

"The Grand Master of the New Jedi, I'm surprised he came all this way?" Kanan said, just as he spoke the doors to the hangar opened with Lord Asimov, Ahkilleon and Sigma walking out to greet him. Both the rebels and the Militia approached K'Kruhk who lifted his straw hat to greet both of them "Welcome Grand Master, if you follow me the trial can begin."

K'Kruhk hummed behind his tusks and looked at everyone, "I don't take this matter lightly Lord Asimov, but the sooner we can put this matter to rest the better." he said.

"Please follow me." Lord Asimov said "Where is my nephew?" Sato commanded.

Asimov just glanced at him "The prisoners will be brought up for the trial soon enough."

The rebels were escorted out of the hangar into the belly of the Shatterpoint, into a large chamber that had been set up for the trial, there were two dozen chairs at the front of the room with two tables in front of them, and finally a metal chair set in the center at the front for Master K'Kruhk. A door in the back opened and four B5 droids walked in with Iron Squadron in handcuffs; they were led to three chairs and forced to sit down in them. "Mart!" Sato shouted when he saw him "Uncle Sato?" Mart yelled.

Before either of them could move to one another they were blocked by the B5 droids, "I hope you know what your doing." Sabine said to Ahkilleon as Mart and Sato were pushed back. K'Kruhk sat down in the judges chair and the rebels all took their seats, on different sides of the room. Lord Asimov and Ahkilleon sat together while the rebels pilled behind the table with Mart and his crew. Jonner and Gooti were looking at Mart for answers but everyone else was looking at Master K'Kruhk.

He stomped his cane, "I am are called here to decide the fate of these three rebels, I am aware that these three younglings attacked and destroyed the Militia Corvette, correct?"

Lord Asimov nodded at Ahkilleon who looked at the rebels and got up "That is correct Grand Master, I asked for this trial because… because of the Militia, demand justice." Ahkilleon said trying to sound professional even though he wasn't used to speaking in a legal setting he pointed to Iron Squadron "Captain Mart Mattin attacked the Raleigh without provocation, the Militia had no interest in Mykapo except to return the honored dead of the Vanguard fleet."

"And what does the defense say?" K'Kruhk asked, looking over at the rebels, everyone looked at Hera who got to her feet.

She walked out front "Master Jedi, I'm Captain Syndulla I'm… not a lawyer, I'm a pilot what Iron Squadron did was defend their home, they are rebel soldiers I'm asking that this court please turn Mart and his crew over to our jurisdiction so something like this never happens again." she said plainly before she went back to sit down.

Master K'Kruhk stroked his silver beard and turned to Ahkilleon "And is the Militia still seeking the death penalty for his crimes."

Asimov turned to watch his apprentice and the rebels waited for Ahkilleons second statement "Master K'Kruhk, we could go back and forth with arguments and evidence, but as a Jedi I trust the will of the force, so I call for Trial by Combat." Ahkilleon interjected. The courtroom went deathly quiet Ahkilleon held his arms "Article 15, section eight of the Militia Codex a dispute between soldiers can be settled by pistol or blade. I Captain Tano of the Vanguard hereby challenges Captain Mart Mattin of Iron Squadron to trial by combat for his crimes against the Militia." he said pointing at Mart.

"What?" Mart gasped hearing it. "This is the plan?" Ezra whispered to Sabine, "Trust me." Sabine said as she looked at Mart, who gave a nod to him. Master K'Kruhk sighed before he turned to the rebel, everyone looked at Mart " I… Accept." Mart said getting to his feet.

"Mart no, you can't." Commander Sato grabbed his nephew by the arm and pulled him back into his seat.

"We're in this mess because of me, I can do this." Mart argued getting to his feet.

Kanan leaned over "No you can't, Ahkilleon is beyond a trained swordsman he-will-kill-you, Sabine this was the plan." Kanan asked her.

"Yes." Sabine said to them with a worried look.

"Maybe I'll get lucky?" Mart said as Zeb flipped through the Militia codex to Article 15, "Wait, wait he says he can choose a second to represent him if 'A resolution to a dispute can't be accomplished' what does that mean?" Zeb asked.

Sabine looked over at Ahkilleon and the rest of the court waiting on a response "It means the second can try to reason with the others second, or fight in his place in the duel." Sabine was about to get to her feet but Commander Sato jumped to his feet "I will stand fo my nephew."

"No." Ezra said seeing Sato walk out around the desk and stand before Master K'Kruhk, "I Commander Sato, accept the duel on behalf of Iron Squadron." Commander Sato's acceptance of the challenge made Mart's eyes go wide and his crew looked to him, "Uncle Sato, no-" "Quiet boy." Sato ordered

"Commander, you can't." Hera said standing up.

Commander Sato didn't look back "I appreciate your concern Captain Syndulla, but this is my choice and my family."

Master K'Kruhk squeezed the top of his cane "Commander, is there still a chance for you to resolve the dispute if you wish?" K'Kruhk asked him.

Sato looked over at Ahkilleon who frowned at him "I am not leaving here without my nephew and that is final."

Ahkilleon looked away and sighed "Very well, when and where?"

"How about right here, right now?" Sato asked him.

"Not enough room." Lord Asimov said getting up, "We'll settle this in the hangar."

The court moved out of the small room back to the hangar that was already getting a large gathering of Militia soldiers and crew coming to watch, the rebels were herded together on one side of a circle of Militia shields and droids with shockstaffs. "What are all these soldiers doing here?" Ezra said.

"Asimov wants this to be a spectacle dammit." Turok said, appearing beside disgust in his voice, "You don't sound too happy about it?" Ezra asked.

"Lord Asimov never wanted this alliance with the rebellion in the first place, I doubt there'll be anything left of it if our own representative kills the leader of the Squadron we're working with." Turok growled.

Hera looked at a worried Sabine, "Was this part of Ahkilleons plan."

"Not… exactly." Sabine said as Commander Sato removed his blaster handing it to Kanan, Commander Sigma walked out holding a sheathed Militia cutlass and a revolver, and the whole hangar went quiet. Militia soldiers sitting on crates and on ships to get a better vantage point as Sigma held up the blaster and sword.

"Captain Tano has challenged the rebel cell Iron Squadron, in trial by combat, in the place of the accused we have Commander Jun Sato of Phoenix Squadron." Sigma said, the Commander walked forward standing tall arms at his side a few of the Militia soldiers booed him for defending his uncle, Mart and Iron Squadron were on their knees still handcuffed guarded by droids. It was almost exactly like Ezra, Ahkilleon and Sabine when they were captured and the former security officer Captain Yasha had tried to kill them.

Almost the same.

"Will either of you come to terms?" Sigma asked.

"My nephew leaves with me." Sato declared.

"The Militia demands Justice, and we will have it." Ahkilleon replied.

Sigma nodded and turned to Sato, "Sword or pistol?" He asked.

"If the Commander is smart he'll choose pistol, I've never seen Ahkilleon good with one of those." Kanan said arms folded over his chest, before Sato reached for the cutlass "Or not."

He drew the blade out of it's sheath and turned on the vibro blade, a small humm emitting from the blade as Ahkilleon turned on his blue lightsaber. Sigma stepped back and out of the combat circle, "Enguard!"

A wave of bloodthirsty cheers echoed for Ahkilleon as the two of them circled, Sato held out the sword in front of him standing sideways, showing he had training in swordsmanship. Ahkilleon took a wide stance lightsaber held with both hands, Form I Shii-Cho the most basic of lightsaber combat, Sato came at Ahkilleon first and lunges, Ahkilleon blocked and countered the cheers of the crowd going nuts for the sport. Sato parried and slashed left, Ahkilleon blocked it and they locked blades "After all your insolence, your treachery knows no bounds Tano, you would kill my own nephew you and Bridger were his age not that long ago." Sato growled.

"Times change Sato." Ahkilleon grunted "And I'm not that little boy you could boss around anymore." Ahkilleon pressed off of Sato and went on the offensive. Sato backed up using the curved end of vibrosword to parry the hacking and chopping motions of Ahkilleons attacks. The rebels watch with anticipation as the sparks flew off the blade, Mart and his crew's faces were stricken in terror knowing that if Sato lost they'd all be lost.

Sato thrusted the sword at Ahkilleons neck but he sidestepped, a finger's length away from getting his throat cut. Ahkilleon countered with an overhead swing that knocked Sato to the ground, making the crowd cheer.

"This isn't a duel, Ahkilleon is toying with Sato." Ezra muttered seeing that Ahkilleon could have ended Sato right then and there.

The Commander rolled to his feet panting but refused to relent, though he still had strength it was clear Ahkilleon's youth and own training were far superior, "Uncle!" Mart cried out before Sato slashed at Ahkilleon another block, Ahkilleon swung his lightsaber hilt hitting Sato in the shoulder making him stagger back, it may have just been the butt of Ahkilleons blue lightsabers hilt, but it might as well been a hammer hitting him with how strong Ahkilleon was. "You will not… take my only family from me." Sato grunted before he rushed Ahkilleon.

Bracing himself for the attack Sato tried to run Ahkilleon through, catching the tip of Sato's sword, Ahkilleon swung his saber around the blade twisting Sato's wrist at an awkward angle making the blade fly out of his hand and clatter to the ground. "It's over." Turok siad shutting his eyes looking away.

A roar of victory rang out in the hangar as Sato was disarmed, and the blue saber of his opponent raised to his neck. Sato looked at the sword on the floor and then at Ahkilleon, he could try to go for it but Sato wasn't nearly as fast as he used to be. Hands out Sato knelt.

"Kill me if you must, but let my nephew go." Sato said bowing his head showing he wouldn't resist.

Ahkilleon paused, "Stoic to the end."

"STOP!" Mart ran out from the crowd and jumped in between Commander and Ahkilleon, Ahkilleon drew his saber back so he didn't cut either of them "Stop- Stop, this is my fault, I was stupid arrogant. I was only trying to do what I thought was right." Mart shouted at all of them "I killed your crew and desecrated the bodies of your fallen comrades, me not my Uncle, not my crew, ME!" Mart said as he got in front of Ahkilleon on his knees.

"Do whatever you want with me, just let everyone go." Mart begged hands up even though they were handcuffed. Sato tried to push through but Kanan and Hera held him back watching Ahkilleon who looked over at Lord Asimov and Master K'Kruhk both of them watching "The duel is won, the victor decides the losers fate." Commander Sigma said, looking to Lord Asimov before the Warlord could interject.

The decision was ultimately Ahkilleons, kill Mart and be shunned by the rebels or spare him and face the consequences with the Militia. "There's been enough death this day, Mart Matten. Do you swear to never raise your hands against the Militia so long as you live?" Ahkilleon asked him, raising his saber like an executioner's blade.

Mart felt the heat of the blade over his head of shaggy brown hair"I-I swear." his voice cracked but it was brave.

"Words mean nothing, actions speak louder." Ahkilleon swung his saber, cutting the handcuffs and Mart's hands off at the wrist, "GYAAH!" Mart fell back, his hands seared black at the wrist where two stubs were left.

"MART!" Sato ran out with Iron Squadron behind him to the wounded Mart who was groaning in pain as they sat him up he looked up at Ahkilleon who had sheathed his sabers "We need to get him to a medical bay, we can reattach them if we're quick, right?" Jonner said looking for his Captain's hands but he focused on Ahkilleon. "Mart's words are his, but his hands are mine." Ahkilleon used the force to pick up the hands for all to see. What had sounded as a metaphor Ahkilleon had meant quietly literally they would never be raised to harm Militia again.

He looked Commander Sato in the eye "See to your nephew, Commander, this matter is closed." Ahkilleon looked over to his Master, Lord Asimov "Right Master?"

"We are done here, deploy our ground forces to Mykapo." Lord Asimov told Sigma.

Sigma saluted "Alright boys you had your show now time to go to work."

"Wait, what after all this you're going to invade Mykapo?" Ezra snapped at Ahkilleon whose eyes were just as wide as there's hearing it, "We didn't come here for nothing." Turok said walking past them.

Lord Asimov answered them both as the Vanguard mobilized around them "Did you really think we would come all this way here just for one rebel, Mykapo is under Imperial martial law we will end it." Lord Asimov said "By taking over, how dare you you are no better than the Empire!" Sato accused.

Sigma and a lot of other troops stopped at the accusation, "Even my mercy has limits Commander, we will destroy the Empire here, what becomes of your homeworld is up to your people."

"Mercy my nephew-" "Is alive Commander, so is his crew." Kanan said as she helped Mart to his feet with with Gooti and Jonners help.

"Indeed." Lord Asimov said "As my apprentice said, the matter is closed, you may go now rebels. Apprentice come, let us show them how to liberate a world." Lord Asimov said heading toward one of the Militia gunships with Sigma already abroad with Turok and Lt. Breacher. Ahkilleon stood there for a moment, Beetoo rolling up with his helmet.

The rebels looked at Ahkilleon, who took the helmet "You're really going with them, after all of this?" Sabine asked.

Ahkilleon looked at the helmet she freshly painted just this morning, he thought of his mother as he rubbed the orange "I wish things could have been different Sabine, I do." He said as he looked at Ezra who was stunned at the whole scene seeing that Ahkilleon's plan was to never kill Mart or his crew, but to maim him to make a point "Make sure Mart doesn't make the same mistakes I did."

He slipped the helmet on "Militia Invictus." He walked to the gunship and joined Lord Asimov folding his arms over his chest like his Master.

LATER

ATOLLON

The Specters had returned to Atollon, and the sun was starting to set, Mart was in the medical bay with a medical droid, his crew was around him as the droid had replaced both his severed hands with mechanical prosthetics that were skeletal frames of metal hands that resembled the human anatomy. "It's not perfect but he has hands." Rex said to Hera and Kanan who were watching, behind them the others were at a holotable.

"From what you told me, it sounds like there was no easy way out of this 'trial' if you can call it that." Rex said, scratching his beard.

"I'm not defending what Mart did, but I thought at least Ahkilleon could helped us out?" Hera asked.

Kanan pondered it as well, hands behind his back, "He was torn between the Militia and us, even as the trial proceeded I felt that Ahkilleon had no anger against Mart, just, pity."

"So he cut Mart's hands off to save his life?" Zeb asked beside them.

"Maimed but alive." Sabine said looking over at Mart who was laughing with Jonner and Gooti, "Do you think he was right?" Hera asked Kanan.

"About what?" Hera looked at Sabine then at Ezra who was with Commander Sato watching the live reports of Mykapo as the Militia fleet had surrounded the planet. "Mart did kill the Militia crew, in any legal court room of the Republic he'd be tried and sentenced, if not killed he'd go to jail for his whole life. This is the best situation we could have hoped for" she confessed.

"You believe that?" Rex asked.

Hera gave a sad smile "I don't know, that and if the Militia and the Rebellion will get along." she said walking over to the holotable "I just hope Ahsoka's son is safe."