Chapter 32
War or Peace
RAXUS SECUNDUS
Outside of Raxulon, Temple Asimov
"Ow." Ahkilleon felt a slab of cold meat slap onto his face from Sabine, who then flung one at Ezra who pressed it against his face, "Corto still not going to heal us?" Ahkilleon asked as Ezra pressed the meat against his face.
"Nope, and apparently your medical center doesn't have a medical droid yet." Sabine said annoyed at both boys who had beaten each other to a literal pulp, Zeb snickered in the doorway, the Temple Asimov, the recently remodeled estate had been turned into a small jedi enclave. Its medical wing was set with rounded medical beds, and a window overlooking the view from the estates hill. In the distance Raxulon stood. Hera was looking out the window as Kanan sat in a waiting chair with Rex beside him.
Ezra winced as he pulled the cold meat off his face "What uh… is this?"
Zeb came up and sniffed the cold meat, "Shaak meat, from Naboo?"
"That species isn't native to Raxus?" Zeb said.
"Maybe Raxus has a few farms here?" Ahkilleon said as he sat up, "You don't know?" Ezra asked him.
Ahkilleon shrugged, "Well, I haven't spent a lot of time on Raxus as a civilian, I'm sure we could go into the city with permission of course."
"Permission, thought this was a free world?" Zeb teased him, Ahkilleon got up and took the meat from his face. "I told you, they were worried about spies and no offense-" "We do tend to break a lot of rules." Kanan said, smirking. Ahkilleon tossed the cold meat to Ezra who laid back on the bed covering his face "I'll go check with my Master."
Elsewhere in the temple where a large tower had been built, it had four ramparts sticking out of it's tip like the Temple on Coruscant, Lord Asimov stood inside with Master Emesa and Sir Tai Uzuma, they were sitting in three jedi arm chairs with a hologram of the New Jedi Council sitting before them. "In summary, the Inquisitor threat and Jerec have been ended by my Padawan, in lure of him being disobedient in going without permission or reinforcements I believe my padawan should be commended for his brave actions for taking the initiative." Lord Asimov finished.
The rest of the Council, K'Kruhk, Taa, Paratuz, Dennir, Brood, Ventress, Zao sat there "We should keep this quiet, it sounds like something out of a fantasy no one would believe it and if they did it could cause a panic." Jennir said first.
"No, we will not hide what our Jedi do like the old Council, we will inform the General and discuss it further with the Militia, Padawan Tano's deeds have been spreading across the Militia as of late. The students here at Bastion are eager for his return of their… champion?" K'Kruhk as if he was uncertain of the title.
"I'm sure that won't inflate his ego?" Tai said leaning her head on her shoulder "Regardless." Emesa said as he scratched his mask "The defeat of the Inquisitors, nay the Sith should be our primary objective and among us Tano has slain more of these redblade pretenders than anyone." he said voicing his support.
Taa spoke next "His reputation is certainly growing, and with it I fear we may stray back into the path that led to the orders destruction in the last war, as Generals not peacekeepers."
"If you fear I'm to promote my padawan to General then I will put your fears at ease, there is still much he must learn." Asimov said from his center chair looking at the hologram.
Maris tapped her finger on her arm chair "Why not just give him a crown while you're at it?" She said there was a long silence after that "Oh come on, we're all thinking it, Asimov and his 'Congress' have been waiting for their Jedi King hell Asimov I thought you wanted it but looks like you want Leo's boy."
Asimov was silent, not denying it "The Jedi King prophecy was and is still just a rumor started by Caliban and Turok Skell, since the last prophecy was misread." K'Kruhk said.
Paratus cleared his throat "Skywalker's death at the temple is still in Question ever since Caliban found his starfighter on Raxus, its logs show it left Coruscant after the Temple was sacked."
"That still doesn't answer my question, Asimov do you think your padawan is the Jedi King?" Maris asked pushing her question, Lord Asimov stood up "I do."
Another long silence, "The Jedi have never supported a king, we have always served democracy, the rule of the people." Taa stated with K'Kruhk nodded "Not since the days of Empress Teta who unified the systems into what would be the Republic."
"Teta is a legend, that was five thousand years ago K'Kruhk, and as for the rule of the people we saw them cheer as the Empire destroyed lightsabers outside the temple as it still burned." Jennir grunted.
"So you think a Jedi King would be any better than a Sith Emperor?" Ventress asked leaning forward, "No, but I'm saying putting the governance of a nation in to the hands of a mob can trample rights just as any tyrant." Jennir explained.
K'Kruhk slammed his fist down on the "The Jedi are not meant to rule, lead yes, but never rule." he barked at them silencing the council before they became locked in debate, "The Jedi King is a myth, a dream of Leo Rock's that we can't verify, for now we should look to immediate issues."
"With Jerec and his Inquisitors finished, what else besides the war?" Tai asked them.
"We are still a member short of this council, this Kanan Jarrus has he considered our offer?" Master K'Kruhk asked.
Asimov turned at Tai, but said nothing "He… hasn't given me an answer." she confessed "But I will press him."
"You would offer the seat of a council member to Kanan Jarrus, but he-" Asimov started to object but silenced himself "What, no boastful tirade Asimov?" Asajj asked.
Lord Asimov relaxed in his seat, "No, not today is this Council wishes to offer the seat to Jarrus he may, it could be what finally brings the Specter's into the fold.'
"They were your padawans previous crew, no?" Emesa Cypher asked.
"Yes, he has since repaired the bonds between them and I believe these rebels will be of great aid to the Militia in the coming months, their primary system of activity was Lothal, thus it will give us an inside look into how to repel the Empire."
LATER
Asimov, Emesa and Tai walked out of the communication tower and into the courtyard, "You surprised me Asimov, with all that's happened I expected you to burst when you heard they'd offer Kanan the council seat." Tai said as they walked back up to the main house, the sun was up and clouds rolled overhead as did passing Hawk class fighters with a few Vulture droids. "My time as a teacher has tempered my hot blood, my padawan seeks to be a better version than himself and I wish to set a better example."
"Admirable of you." Emesa said as they walked behind him "But do you really want to try and put him on a throne?" Emesa asked.
Tai stopped glancing at both of them "... he doesn't know it yet, but he is a leader like his parents, when my men see him in battle I can feel their hope rise, their fear fade. A demon the Empire calls him, but I see so much more and why not. A King to challenge an Emperor makes sense doesn't it?"
Emesa said nothing, Tai cocked her head "When we were all younglings, we were taught that the Republic, that democracy was the greatest form of governance. Liberty, equality, the rule of all… but when it mattered it came down to a select few that decided the Jedi's fate, and I'm not just talking about the Council." She said as they came to the garden edge and looked out at Raxulon in the distance.
"I don't know if a King would be any better or worse?" She said in uncertainty, "Better, if we guide him to be greater than any who came before, Ahkilleon knows to inspire fear in our enemies and hope in our order. But I need your help, both of you to help the others see."
Emesa folded his arms "You're asking us to help replace the Council?"
"Stars no, a Jedi Order without a Council is unthinkable, if there is one thing I know, Ahkilleon is still uncertain of himself. But, with a Jedi King counseled by Masters could bring forth a new golden age." Asimov explained "I ask you to think on it, if not for the Jedi today, but for the ones we lost." Lord Asimov finished. He left the two of them alone and headed back to his Temple's interior.
Walking inside Lord Asimov saw his padawan round the corner, "Master, there you are, I was hoping to ask you for a pass so I could show the rebels around Raxulon."
Asimov stopped "Very well, I will get you pass but before you leave there is something important we must discuss."
"Anything Master." Ahkilleon said sensing his Masters frustration, "This is a turning point in the war, the Warlords, the Factions they are eager to one up the others."
"But we're united aren't we?" Ahkilleon asked "For now, but with our forces spread thin and our droids only able to hold the Empire off so much, the Jedi, Sovereign Destiny must present a strong front for the Union to give us favor." Asimov said as Ahkilleon walked with him.
"Politics Master, I wouldn't know where to start?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov chuckled "You run to face a Sith Lord alone and hesitate before politics, you are wise beyond your years padawan, while you are walking the city. Think of idea for me to present to the Warlords, but please enjoy your time with your friends."
"Thank you… Master?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov sensed his padawan hesitated on something, "Is it so strange for me to want to see you relax?"
"Well it's just that when we first met, you were so intense now you're… relaxed?" Ahkilleon asked him.
"I will take that as a compliment." Lord Asimov said before he patted his padawan on the arm, "See Sigma before you leave for Raxulon, he'll have the pass ready."
LATER
The rebels were walking down the outer steps of the Temple toward the landing pad where a large speeder was waiting, Sigma was there standing annoyed by the speeder as Ahkilleon led them to it "Commander-" "It's here." Sigma tossed Ahkilleon a holodisk and he caught it, turning it on it showed a Militia Hex with a holographic stamp of approval with some writing "A travel pass, doesn't feel that free?" Zeb muttered.
"While you're in the city, you'll have to surrender your weapons." Sigma said gesturing to a bin next to him with two B5 battle droids holding it.
"Excuse me?" Sabine asked hands on her blasters.
Sigma rolled his eyes "Listen girl, we have laws here and everyone in the city is on edge only Militia can carry weapons."
"Sigma, I'm sure we can make an exception-" "No." the Commander grunted at Ahkilleon who bit his lip looking at the others "We don't have anything to be afraid of, do we?" Hera asked, smiling at Kanan as she surrendered her disruptor pistol, Zeb took off his borifle, Kanan and Ezra removed their lightsabers, and Ezra's blaster. Rex dropped his pistols in the bin and exchanged a glare with Sigma who then turned to Sabine.
Ahkilleon looked at her with puppy dog eyes "It's just for today." He reassured her, grumbling she dropped them into the bin and glared at Sigma under her helmet "If I see one scratch on them I'll-" "I'm done." Sigma was obviously unhappy with them even being here.
"What's Rex's little brother's problem?" Ezra asked as Sigma entered the temple.
Ahkilleon grunted "I haven't really had the chance to get to know the Commander that well."
"Why would you, he's a jerk." Sabine said.
RAXULON
The speeder, that they acquired flew the Ghost's crew over Raxulon, they flew over the refugee camp on the outskirts, and they were were low enough to see wired fences were being put up with droids patrolling the area, Ahkilleon looked over the shoulder of the speeder as he flew and then flew them deeper into the city. "I can't believe their are entire cities, worlds free of the Empire?" Ezra said looking up at a dreadnought flying overhead.
"Wasn't that long ago this place was the seat of the bad guys in the last war." Rex said behind them.
Ahkilleon looked over his shoulder, "Rex, did you ever speak to any Separatists when you and my parents were fighting them?"
"No, I was to busy blasting them." Rex chuckled, "You mean their droids." Ahkilleon said as they flew by buildings, "The Separatists were led by evil men, I'm not going to pretend the legacy the Militia is building off isn't a perfect one." He said as they flew past a string of Militia blue banners, "The military, Dooku, even the Separatist Council they weren't the real separatists, the people who were misled into breaking away from the Republic." Ahkilleon said as they landed on a side of the upper city. "They were just people, like us, the Militia Raxus because it was the last planet that had the infrastructure and the recent political power to be the new capital, if Arcadia was named it the Empire would launch a massive assault."
"And what thinks they won't launch one here?" Hera asked as everyone got out.
Ahkilleon looked up and even in the dim curtain of the blue sky over Raxus they could see the Militia armada on guard, "It would take have the imperial navy to break that blockade, hell it'd make the Battle of Coruscant look like a skirmish."
"You're that confident in them?" Ezra asked.
Ahkilleon got out of the speeder after Ezra, "Look around Ezra, do you see an imperials?" Ahkilleon asked.
Ezra scanned the city streets of Raxulon, the old republic architecture had checkpoints of Militia soldiers, sandbags propping up the foundations of building, B5 droids on patrol "No, I see Militia."
"Okay, that's fair, but this won't last forever and you know it once the Empire is beaten, this won't be necessary anymore." Ahkilleon argued.
He looked to Kanan and Hera, "Kanan, Hera, when the war- the clone wars, was happening, there were military people everywhere?"
"He has a point." Hera said "True, and that led to the downfall of the Republic."
Ahkilleon sighed drooping his arms "Look I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's something at least and here I- we can have a say."
"Oh no, I hear a recruitment speech coming?" Zeb chuckled elbowing Zeb as they started to walk "No, no, I wouldn't dream, stars Hera would be running this place in a month."
Hera smirked as she walked past thim "Don't count on it." Hera teased, the party continued down the road together walking past a bustling city street. People from all walks of life were abroad, humans, aliens, droids, that's what caught Sabine's attention the most. Among the B-series droids who were on military duty, Sabine noticed other variants walking the streets accosted and without a sentient chaperone "You guys have a lot of droids."
"The Neo Iron League, they believe in the freedom of droids who've served the Militia. We'll probably run into Kalani here?" Ahkilleon said, looking around when he noticed something. Walking the streets were many Militia soldiers in their armor or in uniforms, but many of them wore sashes, scarfs or armbands in different colors, but the same three pairings were all the same. He spotted Vanguard troops walking the streets in their yellow and teal painted armor, some officers wore yellow sash with teal over them. He could see their patches showed Lord Asimov's version of the Jedi Order, some were walking with Cyberspider soldiers.
"So, the Militia is made up into three factions?" Hera asked.
Ahkilleon nodded "The yellow and teal is Sovereign Destiny." Ahkilleon gestured to his own yellow sash wrapped around his waist. He pointed over to some other soldiers, Among the other colors were a dark blue and black, "Neo Iron League is black and blue clone war veterans. The ones in red and purple are the Merchant Alliance, remnants of the commerce guild and techno unions."
"Bunch of greedy Separatists." Rex grumbled.
"I'm not disagreeing, I've steered clear of politics for the most part." Ahkilleon said walking with them through the city, they passed through a checkpoint. It was both sides of the road but instead of being a laser gate, the metal checkpoint houses had a Militia officer, he wore no armor, except for his cutlass and cap, he wore no sash either but on his right sleeve he wore chrome shoulder pauldron with the aubresh characters of Mern and Peth, MP, Military Police. Unlike the Imperial officers the rebels were used to this man had a full beard that covered his face. Around the checkpoint were B5 battle droids with MP on their chassis. "Thank you sir, all checks out, Militia Invictus." the MP said after Beetoo showed the man the pass.
Ahkilleon saluted "Militia Invictus."
The rebels walked by and the MP watched them early before they passed, "So how is this different from the Empire, military checkpoints, traveling with passes, no right bare arms?" Hera asked.
Ahkilleon didn't answer, "Maybe your right, but if you were with us then we could show them a better way." Ahkilleon suggested to her.
"We already told Turok no, the rebellion-" She was cut off by the sounds of shouting and yelling, Ahkilleon and the others made their way to the source of the yelling to see a large line of B2 battle droids in a line of metal in front of a large crowd of refugees, they were at the edge of Raxulon and beyond it the refugee camp with the fences open and people shaking them. Behind the B2 battle droids were a large amount of Militia MP's their armor was painted the MP on their helmets and shoulders, each of them carrying laser shields with shock batons.
Hera gave a glare to Ahkilleon who hurried up to an MP in an officers kama, "What's the situation, Sargent?" Ahkilleon asked, he noticed the man was holding a holopad that controlled the droids.
The officer took one look at the star on his armor and then said "Damn ungrateful refugees are rioting." the Officer in charge said as the battle droids in front held up their right arms blasters raised "You are ordered to disperse." the droids all said in deep voices.
Ahkilleon looked at the MP rank, he was a Sergeant with two blades under his arm, "Commander, there's no need for this, it'll only escalate if you fire what's this all about?" Ahkilleon asked the commander.
"Refugee scum won't stay in their cages, we give them food and shelter and they want more and more." The commander barked.
The droids repeated their command "You are ordered to disperse." the B2's said again "Stand down Commander."
"I don't take orders from you boy. What's your name?" the commander barked at Ahkilleon, the rebels sensed a fight was about to start but when Ahkilleon got closer inches from the commander's face he said "Ahkilleo Tano, Captain Ahkilleon Tano, Vanguard Fleet under Lord Asimov, Now-Stand-Down!" Ahkilleon barked dropping the base in his voice, even though he was still only a teenager in the armor and in the way he spoke it was like Ahkilleon was already an adult. The sarge looked at him and then pressed a button on his bracer, the B2 droids drew back their arms and Ahkilleon walked forward, the droids moved aside for him and he faced down the mob who saw him walk out toward them. The second they saw Ahkilleon the shouting started to go down as he looked at them, the look in his eyes, the lightsabers on his chest, the armor and the markings some were looking over at a nearby wall and saw a propaganda poster with Ahkilleon on it. It was him in his armor but wearing his helmet, without the orange and white markings to honor his mother a finger extended 'I want you' on top and underneath 'For the Militia!'
Someone threw something, Ahkilleon looked at it and caught it with the force of a piece of rotten food, he dropped it into his hand "Keep your rotting food you kark!" one of the crowd shouted.
Ahkilleon looked at the fruit and bit into it, his face scrunched up and he spat out the rotten fruit. "It is rotting." He said loudly for those in front of him to hear, then spat out some black seeds tossing the fruit away "Where did this come from?" He asked, seeing many of the men and women in the crowd were holding crates of rotting food with the Militia hex on it, and under the reef were the red letters Mern and Peth. Ahkilleon turned back to the MP who took a step back, "Leave the rotting food, proper rations will be given to you as soon as possible!" he shouted at them.
"Go home, fighting amongst ourselves gives us nothing." he said before he saw the crowd drop the rotting fruit and crates slowly making their way to the city exit. Ahkilleon sighed in relief before he turned back to the line of B2 battle droids and the Sarge cowering behind them.
He pushed past the droids toward the Sarge, "Why were they given rotten food, Sargent?"
"... Captain I… I didn't do it personally, the Military Police just handles the-" "Who gave the order!" Ahkilleon yelled at him.
"... I… I don't know sir, between the refugees and the imperial prisoners in the north, food has to be kept rationed for the army." he explained.
Ahkilleon looked at him a few more seconds, "See to it that rations from the Vanguard are sent to the refugee camp." he grabbed the holopad from the MP's holopad and wrote his signature on the order "If any more rotten food is given sent to the refugee camp, I'll find you." he said shoving the tablet back into the mans breastplate before he rejoined the rebels.
He exhaled "Sorry about that."
"No, it was entertaining." Zeb chuckled.
"And here I thought you were trying to be better?" Ezra scoffed with a smirk, "The Militia respect strength, If I'm a captain I need to act like it."
Kanan hummed to himself "So many refugees, I can feel their frustration, what was that I heard about prisoners?"
"Despite what you may think, we do take prisoners, north in Raxulon's sea there's a large prisoner colony, prisoners of war."
"Better than living under the Empire." Ahkilleon muttered "Perhaps we could-" there was a sudden beeping from Ahkilleons bracer, he reached up and turned it on "Padawan, the Union will be in session soon, they moved up the meeting to get here now." Asimov's voice echoed.
"Shit." Ahkilleon said as he cut the transmission "I have to go, I'll see you all back at the Temple." Ahkilleon said as he ran off to a nearby row of speeders.
LATER
UNION HALL
Ahkilleon walked briskly into the outward halls of the former Separatist Parliament building now the Militi Union, Asimov was speaking with Admiral Zygote and Trench, "I'm here, I'm here, what I miss?" Ahkilleon asked seeing them.
"Nothing yet, everyone is still rolling in, Consul called it early after some of the Warlords like Kleeve didn't show." Zygote said as they walked in, the Union hall factions all took their sides, the Corporate Sector on the right, Sovereign Destiny on the left, but around the center was the Neo Iron League. Ahkilleon looked to see General Gererra sitting there with General Kalani, the super tactical droid, among the Neo Iron Leagues numbers he spotted Steela's daughter, Sawyer wearing all black as she usually did. Across from them in the Coprorate Alliance he saw Voe Atell alongside Admiral Mar Tuuk from Salecumi, the Nemodian was whispering to her about something.
As they took their seats Consul Kushi walked in, before he sat down, "I call this meeting of the Union to Order." He said hammering his gavel.
"Master?" Ahkilleon turned to Asimov who whispered "The Neo Iron League, I noticed them in the middle too, their agreement with the Merchant Alliance is starting to strain now that the Empire is being more aggressive."
Consul Kushi rose, "I present to you, High General Fives Freemen, Leader of the Militia." the doors to the hall opened and everyone got on their feet, walking in in their blue and white armor with their capes and Kamas hands on their swords were the Azure Guard, Freemans personal guard and Fives Freeman walking in himself dressed in his blue and white armor everyone rose againas he came in out of respect or military custom.
He approached the Consuls seat and Kushi rose for Freeman to sit, Ahkilleon at first glance saw Rex's face, but with Fives full head of hair, trimmed mustache and the faded 5 tattoo with the scar they were nearly identical. But something in Fives eyes made him seem more, distant.
A long silence filled the air, "Sit already." Freeman ordered, "We all knew this wan't going to be an easy fight, these past months we've had good luck taking the Empire by storm, but poking a sleeping dragon we knew one day we'd face that fire and Lothal is kindling the Empire wanted."
"There has been no word from Warlord Bloodwolf or his forces, the massive armada assembled against Lothal is greater than anything the Galaxy has ever seen, and we must respond." Lord Asimov said.
Voe Atell rose to her feet "General, the Merchant Alliance fleet is prepared to send ten million of our droids and appropriate ships to engage the enemy and relieve Lothal." there were many stomps of approval by the Alliance's side.
"This war cannot be won with droids alone, blood and oil will be spilled." General Gererra said from the Neo Iron League, "If we divert to many of our forces to save Lothal, we risk exposing ourselves." She added.
Many of the Neo Iron League nodded and so did Sovereign Destiny, "The Empire has attacked, we must respond." Lord Asimov said speaking on behalf of his own faction, "Lothal is also home to a Jedi Temple, ancient and forgotten if we are to go to Lothal's aid, we must do it as one." Lord Asmov said.
"The Empire will be expecting a counter attack by the greater click-click-click Militia and if the Seventh Fleet has overall command of this armada click-click-click, then we cannot afford to rush in blind." Trench said.
Freeman leaned back in the consul chair, "There are many things to consider, now is the time to speak them?"
Before anyone could say another word Ahkilleon leapt to his feet "Peace!" he almost shouted the word.
"Who dares?" Steela rose to her feet as did many of the Neo Iron League, when the saw Ahkilleon step up, he met their gaze holding his composure "Offer the Empire, peace."
The whole chamber rumbled with laughter at such an idea, and Lord Asimov shook his head before General Freeman held his hand up "QUIET!" One of the Azure guards barked with thunder in his words. "Captain Tano, step forward." Fives said. "I understand you've been having some unorthodox missions lately, behind enemy lines, tough stuff and you suggest peace, Do you really think the Empire would accept it?"
Ahkilleon walked out in the middle of the hall, looking around the rectangular chamber "This war has already gone on for six months, and for six months we have spilt our blood and oil across the stars, the Empire has retaliated on Lothal, but any world could be next on those worlds we took hundred of thousands of imperial soldiers prisoners of war."
"What are you proposing, Captain?" Voe Atell asked.
"Send them home." He said, many yelled in objection and Ahkilleon held up his arms to try and quiet them, "They are draining our resources, our own refugees are starving, we don't want them here anyway if we send them back to the Empire, it shows our goodwill that gives us time!" he yelled at them "Time for what?" Admiral Tuuk snapped.
"For peace!" Ahkilleon roared at Tuuk, the loud roar was deafening, and Ahkilleon seeing he had their attention continued "Are we soldiers, who fight for peace?" he asked, looking at his Master, Lord Asimov's face still hidden by his helmet, "The Imperial Senate still has weight in the Core, and if the Moffs refuse to accept the return of all our prisoners of war, what does that say to their own men. It will be too good an offer for them to refuse."
"Coward." A voice called out.
Ahkilleon twitched, hands on his lightsabers "Who said that?" Lord Asimov said rising to join Ahkilleon in the center of the hall. No one spoke. "Any who would call my apprentice a coward, is either a fool or mad." he said looking around the room, still no one would speak when Asimov was standing.
"General Freeman, honored Warlords, I would see this war won tomorrow if I could, but if it could also end and the Rim be given to us, I would concede to a ceasefire."
Trench stood next "Has the great Lord Asimov, lost his bloodlust?" General Gererra asked standing up.
"The Empire is a cancer, one day it must all be burned to the ground. But Lothal is on the doorstep of the foundry, we must secure it and if the Empire accepts this will give us time to prepare without having to hide like we did for fifteen years, we have our droid factories producing more droids every day, enlistment campaigns for new troops, new jedi training every day it will not be a long peace, but it will give us a glimpse of the future we are fighting for." Lord Asimov held up a fist to show his resolve.
Before another word could be said in objection, Freeman stood, the whole assembly stood too "Make the preparations, we will transfer the prisoners to Lothal, back them into a corner so they can't refuse." Freeman said.
Ahkilleon did his best to hide his relief, exhaling through his nose before he saluted General Freeman, "Lord Asimov, I hear you have a new Jedi Temple, I may like to see it."
"You are always welcome there General." Lord Asimov replied.
As everyone began to file out, the Militia Warlords looked at the two jedi with disdain, "And they act surprised that some Jedi want to be peacekeepers." Lord Asimov whispered.
"I mean…. You Master?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Come."
Ahkilleon followed Lord Asimov out of the Union hall out to the ships and speeders, "When I asked you to come up with an idea, I meant a strategy not a peace petition. If I don't support own padawan, your plan doesn't look like it's mine and our enemies would see weakness."
"You think we have enemies in the other fleets?" Ahkilleon asked in a whisper "The Merchant Alliance wants to go back to the old way where corporations ruled the Rim, profiting from stealing resources and selling them to the Core. The Neo Iron League are made up of veterans who want peace, but know only war. Their fantasy of sentient and droid equality is just that a dream but us, but Sovereign Destiny does have a future." Asimov said as they walked next to a drop ship.
Ahkilleon knew what he was about to say "If… there is a Jedi King, then shouldn't a King seek peace for his people?"
"A hopeful king would, but a wise one would know to seek council before blurting out his ideas to the court." Lord Asimov said as he got on.
"It was just… today I saw refugees about to riot over food, the MP told me that they were sending some of that food to the army, to the prisoners, if we can get rid of the mouths we don't want to feed all the better." Ahkilleon said.
The ship took off and flew over Raxulon, the gunship doors were open and they could see the refugee camp below "Compassion is not a weakness of Ahkilleon, but it can be abused. Whoever it was who called you a coward doesn't know what you've been through, the horrors of war we've seen."
"But?" Ahkilleon asked "But you cannot help those who won't help themselves, the refugees if they are to stay in the Militia must do more than just eat our scraps."
Ahkilleon looked down at them and then out at the horizon with an idea, "What if we gave them their own land?" He asked.
"Hmm?" Asimov asked, "Saelucami use to be farmland, Serenno was a beautiful world before the Clone Wars, Ryloth, Mykapo, Garel, even Lothal the Outer Rim worlds have vast resources the Empire needs, so do we. But we don't have anyone to access them. You said this peace would buy us time, enlistment campaigns for new troops, but why stop there. We can do more than just protect these people from the Empire, we can give them means to fight back and build a future."
Lord Asimov scratched the bottom part of his helmet "A enlistment bonus?"
"A Promise Master." Ahkilleon said looking up to him "If the General is coming tonight, we can speak to him about it."
Later that evening, the rebels were inside the Ghost, gathered around the holotable "I do not approve of your crew's sudden departure for Raxus, Captain." Commander Sato said arms folded standing on the longues table in a hologram. "I know you wouldn't Commander, but the situation on Lothal demands that we explore all possible alliances even with the Militia."
Commander Sato grunted "I won't pretend I have my own personal reasons to distrust the Militia, but Mart is alive and so is his crew, what will the Militia do about the Empire's new offensive against Lothal?"
There was a long pause "We hope to find out soon, Commander and we'll return as soon as possible to Chopper base when we do."
"Keep me apprised of the situation Captain, the Specter's are too valuable a cell to lose." Commander Sato said as he cut the transmission.
"Well he took that better than I expected." Ezra said next to Zeb, "The Commander knows not to let his personal feelings cloud his judgment, it's why he's in charge of Phoenix Squadron." Hera said to them.
"What do we make of all this, Raxulon, the Militia didn't see much?" Zeb asked them, putting the question out there, "It's still a planet under occupation, just not the Empire." Ezra said to them.
Kanan nodded "He has a point, during the Clone Wars I saw clones everywhere, I never really knew what it was like for the regular citizens."
"My time on Concordia wasn't like this, but we had our own warriors. Is this any different for the Militia?" She asked.
"If it were Arcadia-" "You know why we can't go there." Sabine corrected Ezra as she got up "We all joined the rebellion to fight the Empire, Ahkilleon did the same for the Militia. I'm not saying they're perfect or that we enlist but taking their supplies for intel worked out pretty well."
Zeb leaned into Kanan "And she gets to keep seeing a certain someone." he whispered.
"Heads up, the master of the house is back." Rex called out from the loading ramp. The rebels walked out to see Lord Asimov and Ahkilleon return, their gunship landed and they walked up the steps of the Temple.
LATER
Night
"This is a joke right?" Ezra asked chuckling, "He's joking, you're joking right?" Ezra asked again as Ahkilleon had just finished explaining what had been discussed in the Union meeting, the rebels were in one of the large rooms with sofas and chairs for some of them to sit. Lord Asimov stood by the window looking out, Ahkilleon behind him in the center of the room across from Ezra. Zeb was sitting on a sofa while Hera and Kanan stood off to the side. Sabine was leaning next to the door with Rex beside Chopper. "After all those speeches and grandstanding about fighting the Empire, you, Ahkilleon, want to make peace with them."
"No one expects the ceasefire to last, but it could buy us time for the Empire to leave Lothal, ships are already landing at the prisoner camps to take the prisoners to Lothal." Ahkilleon said to them, Ezra gawked at him "I want to stop the Empire, but don't you want Lothal to be saved if this works if the Empire, withdraws we can save Lothal without anymore bloodshed thats…" Ahkilleon shut his eyes knowing what he was about to say was hypocritical "That's the jedi way."
Ezra gapped "You… you're the one saying this?"
"He's right." Kanan said stepping forward "Jedi are peacekeepers, Ezra and if the Militia is willing to give peace a chance. The galaxy can't afford to say no."
Lord Asimov felt Kanan's gaze on him, but still he said nothing. "If the Empire were to accept a ceasefire, you know one of their terms would be for you to stop helping the rebellion."
"First we need them to accept it." Ahkilleon said.
None of the rebels spoke "I don't buy it, and everyone just went along with it?" Zeb asked.
"If we hadn't had General Freemans support they wouldn't have, speaking of… um, he's coming here later tonight."
The rebels exchanged another round of glances, mostly at Rex, "Well… this day is full of surprises." Rex said.
"How long has it been?" Kanan asked, "Almost sixteen years since I last saw Fives, I thought he died in the Purges." Rex said pacing the room, hands on his hips, he folded his arms and rubbed the back of his head clearly unsure.
Just then they heard a ship rumbling in the distance, Rex looked out the window to see a Militia Shuttle flanked by four Hawk's descend to the Temple on the third landing pad. Lord Asimov walked away from the window, "Padawan." Ahkilleon headed to the door and followed his Master before Rex grabbed his arm "I need to speak with him."
Ahkilleon leaned in "I can ask but… I can't promise you anything."
Lord Asimov walked out of his temple followed by Ahkilleon, Ventus, Terro, Master Emesa, and Master Uzuma along with their padawans. General Freeman walked out of his shuttle cape blowing in the wind as his guard followed him before the jedi bowed "Welcome to our Temple General, the first of many." Lord Asimov said allowing Fives to walk in.
"Jay told me it was coming along nicely, I'd have brought him if his mother hadn't been insistent he stay at home for a while." Fives said walking beside Lord Asimov to the Temple entrance, the Jedi walked alongside the Azure guard, Lord Asimov waved his hand to open the doors to the Temple, and when they opened Rex was standing there in front of Fives. Fives eyes widened the same eyes Rex had, but Rex's was filled with something else, contempt.
"Rex-" and Rex punched Fives in the face.