Episode 4 - Rebels Part 1
Rebellion! With the Empire's destruction of Alderaan exposed to the Galaxy and with the Rebels having destroyed the Death Star, the galaxy braces for a Galactic Civil War! On Concord Dawn, the members of House Rook have welcomed two new faces, Kiffar Bounty Huntress Sintas Vel and her daughter Ailyn, offering them refuge from the corrupt Journeymen Protectors in the Free City of Ve'vut Bral!
Rook Homestead.
Morning...
Jayna Rook stood at the kitchen sink, cleaning the last of the breakfast dishes as Sintas walked in, dusting off her hands.
"I think that's all of it, ma'am." Sintas said as Jayna chuckled.
"Thank you, Sintas. But you don't need to go through all this trouble. You're not a house servant. We do have a couple of droids after all." Jayna said as Sintas shrugged.
"It's my way of saying thanks. It's the first soft bed, warm shower, and hot meal my daughter and I've had in months and all at the same time." She said as Jayna dried her hands.
"We Mandalorians are known for our hospitality. And your circumstances were out of desperation, not malice. It would've been wrong of us to do the Imperials' job for them. Besides, as my husband mentioned over breakfast, you have your uses to the House." Jayna said as Gio stepped inside.
"Speaking of which, I thought it best we discussed those." He said as Sintas gave a nod, following him out into the main part of the dwelling where Kaden, Ailyn, and Gia were playing a game of Sabacc at the booth table, while Jan sat at the bar, watching the game with a glass of blue milk in hand. R3 was sitting nearby, and Tina stood sentry by the foyer door. Gio, Jayna, and Sintas sat at the cleared dinner table, Sintas sitting across from Gio, with Jayna sitting to his left.
"As I said yesterday, you're on a probationary period for the crime of trespass with intent to steal from us. But you proved yourself at least against the Journeymen. So, for that you have our gratitude." Gio said as Sintas gave a nod.
"And I'm grateful." She replied.
"I want to let you know what we've done as of this morning. We've declared the four journeymen that pursued you dead and that you managed to find transport off-world via an unregistered transport. So, the Journeymen will stop searching for you here on Concord Dawn." Gio explained as Sintas took a deep sigh of relief.
"That's more than I could ask for." She said as Gio motioned to wait.
"This kindness has a price. Like I said, we could use someone with underworld contacts like the kind that bounty hunters often have. Any assistance you can provide would be invaluable. Do the Imperials know your face?" Gio asked.
"Not directly, but I've done bounty hunter work for some of their postings. If they were to look into me, they'd find an old picture of when I was registered with the Bounty Hunter's Guild. Ever since I got that bounty on my head over Lenovar, I'm burned. I can't register with another guild unless I took under the table work from people like the Pikes, the Hutts, or even the Ohnaka Syndicate." Sintas explained.
"It's still experience that could be valuable to us. We'd need you to keep your ear to the ground for any information that might point towards increased interest regarding Ve'vut Bral or any of its citizens. Specifically, any Imperial interest." Gio explained.
"Look I'll dance in a cantina for you at this point, you've already done that much for me." Sintas said.
"Is that a promise?" Kaden asked before yelping in pain after Gia kicked him in the shin again. Sintas just smirked lightly.
"We won't ask that much of you, not even close. But I would like to ask what your long-term goals are. If we can help you work towards that end, we'll do what we can in exchange for your service." Gio said as Sintas sat forward in her chair, pondering for a moment.
"Mostly what I need is a way off-planet. A ship and maybe some equipment, but that's something I need to shop for myself and most of my gear is still good. Might need some repairs and some maintenance but still good for what I need." Sintas said as Gio gave a nod.
"Reasonable requests. I imagine a place to stay more long term would be in your interests as well." Gio said as Sintas gave a light nod.
"No disrespect sir, but yeah, I'm not big on renting a room from strangers on their own homestead. We've all got our secrets." Sintas said.
"None taken." Gio replied as Sintas sat forward, glancing towards Ailyn as she played sabacc.
"There's one more thing. And I'll pay any price you want for this. But Ailyn needs an education. The Mandalorian kind. I'm not a Mando, but her father's one, and she's interested in learning. She's picked up some on her own, but she needs a teacher. I know I've imposed a lot but that's something that, for her sake, I'd like her to have. Concord Dawn is her homeworld after all." Sintas said, Ailyn looking towards her upon hearing her name being mentioned. Jan however stood up.
"Buir, a moment." Jan said, walking towards the table.
"Yes Jan?" Gio asked.
"If it's alright, I'd like to be Ailyn's instructor, as gratitude for Ms. Vel's coming to my rescue." Jan said as Sintas looked her over.
"Seems like a fair offer to me. I'll permit it." Gio said as Jayna smiled proudly at her oldest.
"I mean no disrespect but are you qualified?" Sintas asked.
"I'm specialized as a Mandalorian Supercommando Shocktrooper, I assure you, I am qualified to serve as training sergeant to your daughter." Jan replied.
"It's true. She was rated by the other House Leaders; each equally authorized to grant her specialization status. She's got the training and skill to show your daughter the Way of the Mandalore." Gio explained as Sintas nodded before looking to Ailyn.
"Lyn, you listening to this?" Sintas asked as Ailyn set down her cards and got up from the booth.
"Yeah. I hear you. I mean, if you're sure. I'm gonna need a blaster though. I've had to borrow mom's all this time. And I don't have any armor." Ailyn said as Jan turned towards her.
"We'll get a suit of duraplast training armor from Alor Veska on consignment. And we've got plenty of blasters you can borrow." Jan replied.
"You can borrow the DC-15 Mom loaned me for my scout trooper patrol. I won't be needing it since I'm getting reassigned to the base." Kaden said as Ailyn shrugged.
"I guess I'm covered then." Ailyn said.
"Good, then grab whatever gear you need, hit the 'fresher and meet me outside. We start just as soon as I'm armored and ready." Jan said, turning and heading for the hallway to her room.
"Yes ma'am." Ailyn replied only to be blocked by Jan as she spun around towards her.
"Okay, first lesson. The words I want to hear you addressing me with is my proper title, and that's Bajur Alor'ad. Am I understood, ger'verd?" Jan asked as Ailyn immediately snapped to attention.
"Yes, Bajur Alor'ad! Sir...err, ma'am!" Ailyn replied as Jan chuckled.
"I'll accept either one. Now move your shebs, ger'verd!" Jan barked, Ailyn quickly hurrying down the hall with Jan hot on her heels.
"You know, Kaden, Gia, you could use some extra practice as well." Gio commented casually as Kaden and Gia both exchanged grim expressions before both put their cards down and got up from the booth.
"Come on, Gia, let's go get your practice armor on and do some target practice out back." Kaden said as Gia trudged after him towards the hallway.
"Okay, I'm officially convinced she'll be fine." Sintas said with an amused smile. Jayna chuckled to herself.
"If I'm correct, I think Jenth Squad is getting a fourth member." Jayna said as Gio laughed.
"Possibly." He replied.
"What's Jenth Squad?" Sintas asked.
"It's an informal squad that Jan and her friends have formed. Their names all start with the letter jenth, hence the name." Gio explained.
"Any good?" Sintas asked.
"Well let's just say Ailyn will be in very good hands." Jayna said as Sintas chuckled.
"I'm sure." She replied as they heard a speeder engine approach and stop outside the dwelling, letting off a stuttering sound as it powered down.
"Ah, that sounds like Cyril. Unusual for him to be out so early." Gio commented as he stood up.
"Must be serious." Jayna said, also standing up.
"Who's Cyril?" Sintas asked.
"Gio's predecessor as Field Marshal some years ago. He's since abdicated to Gio as de-facto leader of the Four Houses of Ve'vut Bral." Jayna replied just as they heard the door chimes, Gio opening the door.
"Alor Glebbins, an unexpected surprise to see you out in our area at this hour." Gio said as he escorted the bearded senior Mandalorian into the dwelling.
"Ordinarily, I wouldn't be. But I thought it best to share the information I have in person rather than over easily monitored comlink channels." Cyril said as he walked in, taking notice of Sintas.
"And this must be the young Kiffa Verd I've heard about. Cyril Glebbins, Alor of House Glebbins, at your service." Cyril greeted with a humble bow.
"Sintas Vel, at yours, for the right price of course." Sintas said as Glebbins gave an impressed nod.
"Manners! A rarity among the Bounty Hunter trade. Either you're quite green around the gills, or you're just good at hiding your skills. Judging by the fact that you survived for the better part of a year against a bunch of Dar'Manda at your heels, I'll say the latter. Either way, welcome to Ve'vut Bral." He said as he walked to the booth, sitting down.
"Can I get you something to drink, alor?" Jayna asked.
"Oh, don't trouble yourself ner vod I had a hearty breakfast before leaving the house. No, what I have is something you're going to want to hear. I have a favor to ask of House Rook. You're the only ones with the equipment and capacity to do this favor." Glebbins said as Gio and Jayna exchanged curious looks.
"Name it, Alor." Gio said as Cyril reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a data card, setting it on the table.
"Talking with your kids the other day, reminiscing about the old days, I got to thinking about an old friend of ours. Ol' Taung." Cyril explained as Gio and Jayna both smiled at each other.
"Ah Ol' Taung. How is the old jaig?" Gio asked.
"I checked on her yesterday actually, and she's still in mostly good shape." Cyril replied, Sintas furrowing her brow.
"Wait, are we talking about a ship?" Sintas asked.
"It was the ship Gio, Glebbins, and the rest of the Four Houses and the rest of the vode traveled in during the Clone Wars." Jayna explained.
"And she's been laid up in drydock since the end of it. I had my son, the Mandal Motors Engineer, come and take a looksee at her and it'll take some work to get her flying again but it's possible. Which is why I've come to House Rook." Glebbins said.
"Us? But what can we do?" Gio asked, confused.
"Last I heard, of the Four Houses, only one of us has a ship." Cyril replied, looking towards Jayna who pointed to herself.
"My old ship? It hasn't flown since we got Tina." Jayna said.
"And when was the last time you checked it, with all your need to make a quick getaway in light of your 'activities' as of late?" Cyril asked with a coy smirk towards her. Jayna sighed and shrugged in defeat.
"T-two...two weeks ago. She can fly." Jayna muttered.
"You have a ship?" Sintas asked.
"It's a century old spice freighter." Jayna argued.
"Playing Malachor's advocate for a moment, why us specifically? Doesn't Canderous Orar have a ship?" Gio asked, Cyril nodding.
"Yes, he does, but he needs it to run his freight handling service. He's one of the city's regular suppliers for the various goods and supplies we need. We can't really ask him to drop everything for such a task as I wish to ask of you. Besides, a mission of this sort requires a level of trust, and Orar's Corellian mouth doesn't exactly inspire such confidence when it comes to secrecy." Cyril replied.
"True. The man inadvertently gave away Veska's three armor sizes at a party and the fat lip she gave him had to have broken some kind of record." Gio commented as Jayna gave a nod of agreement.
"So, what's the mission? It's sounding like a salvage run." Gio asked Cyril who nodded and picked up the data card.
"It is. I've compiled a list of the parts that are most easily salvaged. The larger components we can get elsewhere. With our access to the Imperial Databases, I believe we could locate the parts we need far easier than taking a gamble on a bunch of abandoned Clone War Era outposts." Cyril replied.
"He's got a point." Jayna commented.
"Easier in finding the parts perhaps but not at evading Imperial Patrols. If they're on the Imp databases, then the Empire clearly knows about them." Gio said.
"I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think you were capable. Besides if the Emps get suspicious, just throw around some pro-Rebel jargon and deflect the blame." Cyril said as he stood up.
"We'll need some time to think about this, Alor." Gio said as Cyril gave a nod.
"Absolutely, Rook. I wouldn't want you rushing into this without having given it some thought. Take some time, consider the options, and if you proceed, choose your targets wisely. In the meantime, Ms. Vel and I have some business to discuss." Cyril said, looking towards Sintas.
"We do?" Sintas asked, suspicious of his motives.
"You and your daughter don't want to spend your time sharing a roof with another family, do you? My House is the largest landowner in Ve'vut Bral, and we've more than a few places we can rent out to you at bargain prices. And I'm not talking mynock motels either. They are prefabs though but they're in excellent shape. I'd swear my reputation on it." Cyril said but Sintas seemed a bit skeptical.
"I dunno." She replied.
"No harm in looking at them. And if your concern is about Alor Glebbins being some kind of lecherous old man, rest assured his wife would kill him." Jayna commented with a smile.
"As I like to say, why have bantha burger out when you can have a ronto steak at home?" Cyril asked as Sintas chuckled.
"Alright but I'm keeping my blaster safeties off just as a precaution." Sintas said.
"The only thing you have to worry about with Alor Glebbins is that he'll talk your ear off for hours about Mandalorian History and the nuances on the evolution of the Mandalorian bu'yce throughout history." Jayna added as Sintas headed for the door with Glebbins.
"I need to do some things in town anyway. Might be able to access my old dark accounts and free up some credits now that I have some breathing room." Sintas said as she and Glebbins headed out, leaving Jayna, Gio, and the droids alone in the main room.
"So, what do you think?" Gio asked, fingering the data card from Glebbins.
"Let's do some investigating before we commit one way or the other. Check the list of parts, see what we'd need to get, then see what we can find on both the Imperial databases and in the Old Republic records R3 still carries, do some cross-referencing. We might need Kaden's help with this. His experience with tech would be invaluable." Jayna said as Gio gave a nod, R3 beeping his affirmation.
"Agreed. No harm in investigating." Gio replied as he approached R3, sliding the card into the slot beneath R3's photoreceptor.
"I'll leave you to cross-reference the list with the old data you have, see if there's any potential there. Meanwhile, I have business in town." Gio said as he walked towards Jayna the two kissing.
"I'll probably recruit Kaden into helping R3, Tina, and I into prepping the ship for a potential salvage mission." Jayna said as Gio nodded.
"Probably would be best to have it prepped in general, all things considered. I still don't fully trust our new bounty hunter friend." Gio said as Jayna nodded.
"A reasonable skepticism. But time will prove her loyalties." Jayna said.
"Either she'll prove a boon or a liability." Gio replied as he headed into the back to don his armor. Jayna watched him depart for a moment, mulling the recent developments over for a moment when she paused. She had felt something, a shift of some kind she couldn't explain as anything but one thing. She quickly looked down the hall towards hers and Gio's room.
"Giordo!" Jayna called as she hurried to their room to find Gio removing his boots to begin pulling on his armor which was laid out across the bed.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I just had one of my...feelings." she said as he paused.
"You mean..." he asked, looking at her.
"A disturbance in the Force. Small but still noticeable. Just be wary. There's no telling what it could mean." Jayna said as Gio gave a nod.
"I'll be careful. You be careful too." Gio said as he resumed armoring up, Jayna pitching in by handing him parts and equipment.
...
A few hours later at midday, Janie Rook, in full armor, was sat atop a modified Undicur model speeder bike, parking the collapsible bike in a parking zone outside of a sleekly designed diner before collapsing the bike and placing it against the front wall where a couple other collapsible and portable speeders were stashed. She then headed into the diner, the sign over the door flashing in big bold aurebesh lettering: "Bexer's Diner!" Jan walked inside, removing her helmet and setting it on a shelf by the door where several other helmets were lined up. She immediately recognized two of them as belonging to Jexxa Orar and Jacki Wolffe. Sure enough as she looked down the row of booths along the windows, she spotted the Umbaran and Ovissian women in one booth. Jexxa was the first to spot Jan and beckoned her over.
"Rook, we saved you a seat." Jexxa said as Jan sat down next to Jacki who was wearing a pair of welding goggles over her eyes to keep out the sunlight in her light sensitive Umbaran eyes.
"What've I missed?" Jan asked, picking up a menu.
"We've been taking bets on what the next calamity to befall you or your family will be. Doc at the Cantina says Hutt Slave Dancer. I kept it simple and say you'll get spaced." Jacki commented as Jexxa snickered.
"You're both such rousing founts of encouragement and support." Jan muttered dryly, not looking up from the menu.
"But seriously, any di'kuts try to do to you what they attempted yesterday, and we'll rip them limb from limb." Jexxa said as Jacki nodded.
"Yeah. I wish I'd have been more helpful. My jetpack was low on fuel, otherwise I'd have been able to track them." Jacki said as Jan gave her friends an appreciative smile.
"Thanks, but it's actually worked out alright. In fact, I got a protégé out of it." Jan replied.
"A what?" Jexxa asked.
"I'm training a new recruit. Girl named Ailyn. Long story short, she and her mom are why the Dar'Manda came to town at all. We caught them trying to break into our home so they're on the hook for that. The girl's mom isn't a Mandalorian but evidently her father is, so she wants to continue after him. So, I'm giving her some training. I've sent her to get some training armor from Alor Veska and her mom's looking at dwellings in town. Our lessons start once everything's settled on that end." Jan explained.
"Oh, that'll be nice. Are we talking a new member to Jenth Squad?" Jexxa asked.
"Potentially. We'll see how she does. I am, naturally, assuming you two wouldn't be opposed to helping out with her training?" Jan asked as Jexxa and Jacki both gave nods.
"I'm game." Jexxa replied.
"Sounds interesting but I was hoping we could convince you to join us on a little hunting trip tonight." Jacki said.
"Yeah?" Jan asked, curiously.
"House Geht's offering a bounty on Massiff kills. Seems there's a pack out in the spires that've been attacking some of the nerf herds on Alor Geht's ranch." Jacki explained as Jexxa reached across and gently grasped Jan's hand.
"Speaking of calamities, brace yourself they wounded a certain milking nerf you like." Jexxa said as Jan's eyes widened.
"No! They got Little Bachi?!" she asked.
"Wounded but she'll recover. But she's got a bad bite mark on her back right leg." Jexxa replied but Jan was clearly displeased.
"You want me on your hunting trip? I'm in. Details, stat!" Jan said as Jacki chuckled.
"Same as the last couple hunting trips we've been on. Head out to the Spires this evening, bag some Massiff, head home in the morning. Only this time we get paid for it." Jacki explained.
"One thing, you think you can borrow your folks' speeder and cargo sled? My dad needs his speeder truck for some cargo hauling tonight otherwise I'd ask him." Jexxa said Jan shrugged.
"I can ask. Worst they can say is no. Want me to make this an open invite? Kaden might want to tag along." Jan asked.
"Can if you want but he's never been one for sport hunting. What about your little ger'verd friend?" Jacki asked.
"I gave her a couple days for her and her mom to get situated. I want her to not have any distractions when we begin our training sessions." Jan replied.
"Smart idea. If you can snag the speeder, you can meet us at the cantina, grab a drink for the road, and then we head out." Jexxa said, Jan giving a nod.
"Sounds like a plan." Jan said as a green colored WA-7 Serving Droid rolled up to their table to take their order.
...
Meanwhile in orbit over Concord Dawn, a Venator Star Destroyer in Imperial grey quietly patrolled the region, deploying and receiving squadrons of TIE Fighters on their regular patrols. On the bridge of the vessel, the ship's Imperial Admiral stood looking out the front viewports, observing a returning TIE Fighter Patrol Wing as it touched down within the Venator's topside hangar decks. He was a human man in his late sixties with grey hair kept nice and neat. He wore a pair of decorations on the right side of his uniform, two medals, one depicting an Imperial crest engraved on a dark grey medallion, attached to a red and black striped ribbon, the other a slightly lighter colored grey medallion depicting the right-side profile of a Phase II Clone Trooper helmet, attached to a blue ribbon with white stripe down the center. As he observed the space outside, one of his subordinate officers, a Lieutenant, approached.
"Admiral, we're picking up reports of a disturbance in sector thirteen. A transport ship has refused to answer to hails by our patrols. We are within range to intercept." The Lieutenant replied as the Admiral turned and nodded.
"Very well. Intercept course and speed. Ready the tractor beams." The Admiral ordered.
"Aye sir." The Lieutenant replied, the Admiral following him back towards the holotable at the back of the bridge. The table was projecting the sensor data, depicting the Star Destroyer as a red arrow and the target vessel as a smaller blue arrow while a pair of even smaller red arrows depicted TIE Fighters.
"Have we identified the vessel?" The Admiral asked.
"We haven't gotten an identification code yet and it's not running a beacon. Pre-Empire surplus, sir, an old shuttle craft, apparently modified for long range transport. Profile match in the database matches a Lanitllian GX1 Short Hauler." The Lieutenant replied as a hologram of the vessel in question appeared over the holotable.
"Have boarding crews standing by for when we tractor it into the lower docking bay." The Admiral ordered.
"Yes sir." One of the other bridge officers replied.
"Sir! We're registering weapons' fire! The shuttle is attacking our fighters! It's accelerated towards the planet surface!" one of the officers reported. The Admiral looked at the hologram of the fighters beginning to move faster around the transport. One of the red arrows suddenly vanished in a small burst followed shortly by the second fighter.
"They've taken out our fighters, sir!" another officer reported.
"We have more, don't we?! Scramble fighters to intercept! Weapons status?!" the Admiral barked.
"We won't be within range for four more minutes sir. The enemy vessel is faster than ours, sir, they'll outrun us! Our fighters won't reach it in time either." the Lieutenant replied as the Admiral growled under his breath.
"Track the vessel for as long as you can and relay all data to our bases and outposts on the surface! Stand by all wings to prepare for search operations." The Admiral ordered as he turned and headed for the front of the bridge, watching as a wing of four TIEs were launched from the hangar.
"Where is the vessel headed?" the Admiral asked.
"Its trajectory indicates its headed towards an unoccupied region on the surface. Mostly small farming settlements and trade outposts. Nearest major settlement...Ve'vut Bral." One of the junior officers, a midshipman, reported.
"Inform the Ve'vut Bral garrison of the situation. Do they have fighter or aerial capabilities?" the Admiral asked.
"No sir. Ground forces only. Nearest fighter capable garrison is in the capitol." The Midshipman replied.
"Notify the capitol then as well. See if they can spare any ships for a search of the region. Have we gotten an ID on the ship yet?" the Admiral asked.
"No confirmation but one possible lead sir, the profile came back with a match on a ship that was present at a Rebel attack on Scarif just a day before the incident in the Yavin System. The ship in question was confirmed to have escaped the battle." The Lieutenant replied as the Admiral whirled around towards him with a scowling glare.
"Rebels? In my sector?!" the Admiral howled indignantly.
"It's only a lead sir, not confirmed." The Lieutenant replied while standing at attention.
"Nevertheless, we take no chances. If word were to leak out that there are Rebels active here in the Mandalore Sector, it could lead to a potential uprising by the local populace." The Admiral replied, a look of clear concern on his face.
"Sir, if there are Rebels present among the locals, they'd be no more difficult to crush than any past rebellions on other planets." The Lieutenant said as he followed the Admiral back towards the holotable.
"Not here, Lieutenant. The Mandalorians are well known throughout history as being skilled and deadly warriors. I served in the Clone Wars and the Clone Army was trained in the Mandalorian ways. I also remember the Siege of Mandalore. Their warrior ways are not to be idly dismissed. What they lack in numbers can be made up for in sheer skill. And let's not forget we've had several transport ships destroyed lately." The Admiral replied, examining a holographic display of the GX1.
"But sir we've detected no fighter launches and investigations have found the ships crashed due weather conditions." The Lieutenant replied.
"Mandalorians don't need fighters in low atmospheric situations. They have other means." The Admiral replied as the Midshipman approached with a datapad.
"The Imperial Security Bureau had dispatched an agent to investigate these occurrences." The midshipman reported.
"With the loss of Admiral Yularen and the Death Star, I wonder if that agent ever even arrived or even got their orders. Nevertheless, my orders stand. Make sure we have the information on that shuttle forwarded to all Imperial facilities in the system. It will not be allowed to escape." The Admiral ordered as both officers saluted and turned to carry out their duties.
...
Back on the surface, the sun was setting in the Concord Dawn wilderness as Janie Rook cracked open a cannister of a labeled beverage, tilting the fizzing drink back as she sat on the bonnet of her family speeder, sitting in full armor sans helmet which sat next to her on the bonnet. Jacki was sitting on a rock nearby, checking her sniper rifle with her helmet on. At the same time, Jexxa was fiddling with an audio device resting on the bonnet of the speeder's hood, adjusting a receiver dish built into the device. The device was emitting a series of changing and warbling sounds as she adjusted the device's frequency. Connected to the speeder via a pair of power couplings was a floating repulsor sled. There was a mounting for a removable crane on the sled but it was unnecessary for this trip. Before them, roughly half a kilometer away was the edge of a region near Ve'vut Bral called the Spires, a rocky canyon area filled with towering rock spires and arches. The warbling suddenly stopped and sharply became a casual melody of a small vocal group singing a song in Huttese.
"Oh, I like this one!" Jan commented over the music, starting to sing along with the chorus and sway to the beat.
"No Bata, tu-tu, muni, muni. No Bata, tu-tu, muni, muni." Jexxa and Jan both sang as they swayed to the beat. Jacki was nodding her head to the beat as she continued checking her rifle.
"You know the story behind the song?" Jexxa asked after the first chorus.
"Something to do with Jabba the Hutt I assume." Jan said as Jexxa shrugged and made her way around to the front of the speeder.
"Nyac osik. As I understand it, the song was written by a couple of musicians who crossed Jabba somehow and when asked to explain themselves before the Hutt, they broke into this song." Jexxa explained.
"Did it save them?" Jacki asked.
"Couldn't say. I've heard different stories. One says the Hutt was amused and spared them provided they record the song and give him a cut of the royalties. Others say he had his droid record the song before executing the musicians anyway and then commissioned another group of musicians to record it, also for a cut of the royalties." Jexxa replied as she squatted down between Jacki's rock and the speeder.
"Maybe the truth lays somewhere in the middle." Jan commented, looking towards the Spires.
"Perhaps." Jexxa replied.
"So, bets on who'll bag the most massiffs tonight? Place your wagers now ladies." Jacki said.
"Betting two cantina rounds, with a target total of five. And if I bag Little Bachi's attacker, I won't care if I lose." Jan said as Jexxa laughed.
"No contest from me. I do better against enemies that walk on two legs. If we were talking stormtroopers, I'd bet. Massiffs, nah." Jexxa replied.
"I'll match your wager, Jan, with my target of seven." Jacki said, picking up her rifle and resting it on her lap.
"Alright then, may the best shocktrooper win...oh wait." Jan said with a coy smirk towards the huntress. Jacki snorted in amusement, shaking her head. Jexxa then stood up and pulled a pair of electrobinoculars from a pouch on her belt.
"Hey, guys, you might want to check this out. Look at the Spires, eastern side." Jexxa said as Jan muted the music before putting her helmet on, using the rangefinder to focus on the area in question. Jacki did the same with her rifle's scope. They could see flashes of red light coming from within the spires, the light reflecting off the brown surfaces of the canyon.
"That doesn't look like any trick of the light to me. That's blaster fire!" Jacki commented.
"E chu ta! Someone's gone in early! Everyone knows after sunset's the best time to hunt Massiff!" Jexxa commented.
"Mount up, ladies! They're trying to steal our kills! Oya!" Jan yelled as they quickly climbed aboard the speeder, Jan in the driver's seat, the speeder quickly screaming off towards the Spires. As they got close to the edge, they brought the speeder to a stop, cutting the engines and engaging a parking brake before standing up and rocketing off on their jetpacks into the canyon, following the flashes of light. Jan spotted it first, a small group of men and women with blaster rifles and blaster pistols, firing at over two separate packs of wild massiffs, numbering at least a dozen or more on each side, the hounds trapping the group of seven people between them. The three Mandalorians landed on top of one of the shorter spires nearby, the spire offering them a clear view of the action below them.
"Fierfeks getting what they deserve for cutting in on our kills." Jacki commented.
"I dunno, something feels off about this." Jexxa said as Jan nodded.
"Yeah, this is way off. I don't think this is a hunting party." Jan commented.
"Orders, alor?" Jacki asked, looking through the scope of her rifle. Jan watched for a moment, watching as one of the massiff dogs pounced one of the people below, chomping down on his arm before the dog was shot in the head by a man in a white helmet with a grey stripe down the middle of the helmet.
"Argh! Shabla'ni darasuum! Let's move!" Jan groaned, pulling her E-5C from her jetpack holster before she and Jexxa both tumbled forward off the spire, their jetpacks igniting immediately as they took off. Jacki however steadied her rifle. Down below, the group was having to close ranks, pulling their wounded back behind what few fighters remained standing but the Massiff's could smell and had tasted blood and weren't going to give up so easily.
"This was a bad idea!" a human woman with short brown hair in a red short-sleeved jacket said as she fired a blaster pistol at the approaching pack.
"I told the General he should've come with us!" the helmeted man said. His helmet was a Phase II Clone Trooper helmet and he was using a DC-15S Blaster Carbine to ward off the hounds. Suddenly there was an explosion in the center of one pack, followed by another explosion in the other.
"What was that?!" the woman asked.
"Shara, look out!" the helmeted man exclaimed, the woman turning back just in time for a massiff to leap at her but suddenly take a blaster shot through the cranium. An orange armored figure suddenly landed nearby, raising her left arm, and emitting a jet of flames from it towards the massiffs, the pack backing away. On the other side, a large, armored, ovissian woman landed hard on the head of another Massiff from overhead, raising a CR-2 Heavy Blaster Pistol and opening fire with a stream of green blaster fire at the pack. One leapt at her but she brazenly punched it across the face, knocking it to the ground and causing it to scurry away, yelping in pain. Jan then switched to her E-5C, grabbing the handle over the muzzle and holding down the trigger, letting out a steady stream of blaster fire into the pack of massiffs, a couple of the beasts getting mowed down before the rest turned and ran. Both packs were now in retreat, scurrying away from the group as fast as they could. The blaster fire quickly died down as the two Mandalorians on the ground turned towards the group.
"That'll drive them off for now. But they'll be back. They've tasted blood." Jan said as she approached the helmeted man. She could see that he was wearing the chest plate and forearm guards of clone trooper armor along with the black bodyglove to go with it, under a brown padded jacket, and khaki-colored rugged trousers. She could also see the white boots of clone armor on his feet.
"Thanks, we weren't prepared to deal with a bunch of wild massiffs." The helmeted man said.
"You in charge? Gar Mando?" Jan asked him.
"I am in charge but Mando? Elek...bal nayc." The man replied, unsure of his answer. This caused Jan to stare at him curiously.
"Me'ven?" she asked. The man sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Look I'd explain but I need to see to my men. Is there somewhere safer besides this deathtrap?" he asked as Jan nodded.
"Yeah, follow us. We'll guide you out." Jan replied, turning towards the spire where Jacki was, motioning for her to come down.
"We owe you one." The helmeted man said as Jacki rocketed down on her jetpack to lend a hand. A few minutes later, and they were emerging from the spires as the dark of night set in, the wounded being helped onto the cargo sled.
"What was our damage, Shara?" the helmeted man asked.
"Mostly wounded, but Paran's in serious shape. He needs a medical droid as soon as possible." Shara, the woman, said as the man nodded and looked to Jan.
"Is there anywhere we can get medical attention? Somewhere off grid perhaps?" he asked. Jan stared at him for a moment before turning towards Jexxa who was tending to the critically wounded man on the flatbed.
"T'ad, can you stabilize the serious one?" Jan asked.
"Maybe. Can't guarantee it. His wounds are deep." Jexxa replied, Jan turning towards the helmeted man.
"We've already helped you enough out of pure kindness. Now we get something for our trouble. You answer my questions, and maybe we help you. Else we cut the sled free and leave you here for the massiffs to find. Agreed?" Jan asked as the helmeted man gave a nod.
"Agreed. We were traveling from another system when our ship got tagged by an asteroid. We were able to limp here and had to set down in the canyon. We thought we could find help on foot but those dogs-." The man said but Jan sighed and cocked her rifle.
"Tell me another lie and we jet. There aren't any asteroids near here, not within sublight range. And if it were an asteroid, you could've hit an emergency beacon and there'd be any number of ships coming to lend a hand. You're not equipped with hunting gear, so poaching massiffs isn't what you're here for. So, who are you really?" Jan asked as the man took a breath.
"Would you believe we're smugglers? We've got some fine goods that'll 'Light the Spark' if you get my meaning." The man said. Jan's head jolted at this.
"Solus?" Jacki asked, standing atop the speeder bonnet, rifle in hand. Jan took a deep breath and a long, drawn-out, sigh at this.
"Alright, where were you headed?" Jan asked, walking past him towards the speeder.
"Ve'vut Bral Spaceport was our destination." The man replied.
"Right. Then that's where we'll go. Hop in." Jan replied, climbing into the driver's seat.
"Uh, Solus? What's going on, who are these people?" Jexxa asked, tending to the wounded.
"Let's just say that if the Empire caught us helping them out right now, we'd be in deep osik." Jan replied, powering up the speeder.
"I don't get it." Jexxa said.
"They're Rebels, T'ad. Same bunch that blew up the Death Star." Jacki replied as she sat down in the front passenger seat, the helmeted man and Shara climbing in the back.
"Oh great, death warrants for all I guess." Jexxa groaned dryly.
"Before we get moving, I need to ask. You got a name aruetii? Or something I can call you?" Jan asked.
"Just call me Xavier. Xavier Gray." The helmeted man replied before the speeder took off.
...
Back at the Rook Homestead, Jayna was down in the formerly secret hangar for her old Jedi Starfighter, helping Kaden convert the fake wall that once separated the hangar from rest of the garage into one larger garage as it had been built initially. R3 was pulling a cargo sled of debris away to a junk pile outside.
"You plan on keeping that old Aethersprite? It's a real beauty of an interceptor. Not much teeth on it for my tastes but I can fix that." Kaden said, pulling pieces and flakes of thin permacrete from the walls. Jayna just chuckled.
"Oh, I don't think so. She handles just fine for her purpose. Although if you wanted to try and jury-rig a hyperdrive unit onto it, I won't turn that down." Jayna replied, smiling at the old fighter.
"Maybe a new paint job. No offence but I think that old symbol will draw some attention." Kaden said as Jayna nodded reluctantly, looking at the old Jedi Starbird on the top of the hull.
"Indeed. Keep the current colors and just swap it for a mythosaur skull perhaps?" Jayna asked.
"Simple yet elegant. R3 and I can work on that, no problem." Kaden replied as R3 returned from dumping the sled's cargo.
"Good. I can help with that too. Although once its finished, we should move it to the Halls of Besk'ar." Jayna said as Kaden snorted in amusement.
"We have gotta come up with a different name." Kaden said as Jayna smirked.
"It serves its purpose." She replied, glancing over her shoulder at her only son.
"You know, your father and I have been trying to figure out some way of rewarding you for helping to rescue your sister." Jayna said as Kaden chuckled.
"Having her serve me breakfast in bed and call me Alor was one idea, but she threatened to toss me in a sarlacc pit." Kaden replied as Jayna laughed.
"And on the realistic side?" Jayna asked as Kaden thought for a moment then shrugged.
"I dunno. There's one thing, but I'd hate for that to be it." Kaden said as Jayna turned towards him, looking at him expectantly. Finally, he sighed.
"I'd like to know more about your past, mom. I know it's something you want to keep secret, but..." Kaden said, his sentence trailing off. Jayna smiled warmly at him, glancing at R3 nearby who looked at her and beeped his concern. She pat him on the dome before looking at Kaden.
"What did you want to know?" she asked.
"I want to know more about the Force." He replied, looking at her. She gave a conceding nod.
"I sense there's something specific you want to know about it." She said as he sighed, looking away in consternation.
"Back at the warehouse, when Jan was a captive, when I was looking for her. I was trying to find her. I was outside the warehouse, no more than a quarter klick away when...I can't explain it. It was like I could...feel her presence. Like there was some kind of...bond. I've felt it before with her, Gia, you...but never dad or the droids or anyone else. It helped to lead me straight towards her." Kaden explained as Jayna's smile widened. She quietly approached him, her hands folded in front of her.
"Kaden, you've taken your first steps into a larger world. That was the Force at work, working and flowing, in and through you. Remember how you and your sisters have always gotten bored with hide-and-seek? Because you could always find each other? Or how you gave up hiding from me whenever you got into trouble as foundlings? It wasn't just because you had good tracking instincts or were bad at hiding. It's because you were unknowingly using the Force to find others strong with it as well. But perhaps it is stronger with me and your sisters because of our family bonds." Jayna explained as Kaden furrowed his brow a little.
"So, we were cheating?" he asked as Jayna smiled and stifled a laugh.
"From a certain point of view perhaps. I wonder if your sister also knows this. We should speak to her together when she comes home tomorrow." Jayna said as Kaden nodded.
"Yeah. Gia too." Kaden replied.
"Indeed. We need to have a sit down sometime soon and discuss this. But I need to ask. Do you want to know more about the Force because you seek to simply understand it better, or do you seek to walk a different path?" Jayna asked as she turned and walked towards a stack of boxes with the banner of the Jedi Order draped over it.
"A different path? You mean..." Kaden said as Jayna opened the wooden box her lightsaber was in, removing the weapon from the box, and activating its yellow blade.
"The Way of the Jedi. It is a life of discipline and patience. Of abstinence and peace. There are some stark contrasts between the Way of the Jedi, and the Way of the Mand'alor. You would have to unlearn what you have learned and adopt a completely different way of life, of thinking, acting. Above all you would have to learn discipline, control, things you only think you have learned already." Jayna explained as Kaden looked at her curiously.
"You mean...I could become a Jedi?" he asked as she gave a nod, deactivating the lightsaber.
"You'd be starting later than most. The oldest I've ever heard of someone starting was at the age of ten. I started when I was but a youngling. Little more than two years of age. But I believe it is very possible for you and your sisters to become Jedi." Jayna explained, Kaden looking thoughtful, pondering his mother's words.
"But..." Jayna said, drawing his attention again.
"...if you are seeking to learn the Ways of the Force for power, strength, personal glory, then I will show you nothing. For such would lead you down the Way of the Dark Side of the Force, and of the Sith. And if you were to follow that..." she said, her sentence trailing off, a serious look on her face.
"I understand. I'd need some time to think about it. But just having had confirmation about what happened yesterday is enough for now." Kaden said, Jayna smiling and kissing him on the cheek before pulling him into a hug.
"You've made me very proud, Kaden." She said before letting go and walking back to the boxes to put away her lightsaber. As she did, Gio stepped down into the garage.
"Ah, Jayna, Kaden, suit up, we just got an alert from Jan, she and her squad are in the culverts. She says its urgent and to bring the medical droid and medical supplies." Gio said as Jayna looked at him in surprise.
"Is she alright?" Jayna asked.
"Didn't say. But she did say something about lighting a spark." Gio said as Jayna froze and then ran a hand over her face.
"Oh no." she muttered.
"What's that mean, Jayna?" Gio asked as Jayna took a deep breath.
"It means our troubles with the Empire may have just gotten worse. That's the phrase our 'insurrectionist' friends gave me as a passphrase. Jan and Kaden were both present with me when we handed over the supplies from our last shuttle interception to them." Jayna said as Kaden nodded. Gio scowled at this.
"You're right, our troubles have just gotten worse. I'll explain on the way." Gio said before turning and heading back up the stairs to the main dwelling.
...
Beneath Ve'vut Bral ran a network of tunnels and passages, built over time to allow for access to the city-wide power grid, plumbing, and sewer lines. A fully armored Gio, Kaden, and Jayna made their way through the tunnels, followed closely by R3 towing his cargo sled carrying a few unmarked crates of medical supplies and a powered down AZ-Series Medical Droid decorated in Mandalorian iconography on its head and chassis. Gio had removed the Imperial Deputy Badge from his armor. They soon walked into a larger chamber that, at one point, was one of the major junctions and was situated beneath the city medical clinic. There were a couple of men and women standing guard with rifles and blaster pistols at the entrances while, inside, the wounded soldiers from the Spires were being treated by Jexxa and an armored Mandalorian woman in white and red armor with a white cloak on around her armor and red medical insignias stitched into it.
"Captain Grey!" one of the soldiers called as they saw the approaching Rook Party. Jan and Xavier were stood nearby conversing but turned to look towards the entrance but started to approach as the Rooks entered. The Mandalorian Medic stood and approached them as well.
"Alor'ad, I'm sorry. But he didn't stand a chance. Too much damage. A bacta tank would've only delayed the inevitable." The medic said, to Xavier, handing him a set of dog tags and glancing back at the shrouded corpse of the soldier whose wounds had proven too great.
"You did your best. Thank you." Xavier said as the medic turned towards Gio and Jayna.
"Alor." The medic said with a bow before turning away and returning to tending to the rest of the wounded. Kaden quietly activated the medical droid, directing it towards the wounded. Gio and Jayna looked towards Jan who was standing quietly.
"Alor this is Alor'ad Xavier Grey, leader of Grey Squadron, part of the Rebellion. They got ambushed by a pack of wild massiffs out in the Spires." Jan explained.
"Alor. I want to thank you for your hospitality. I know this is an awful risk on your end associating with us." Xavier said but to Jayna and not Gio. Jayna nodded as Gio remained silently at her side.
"I told your Rebellion when we gave them the supplies that we would contact them, not the other way around. And that we made no promises of support either. Consider yourself fortunate that we are known for our hospitality." Jayna said as Xavier gave a nod.
"Yes ma'am, I'm aware. But we were sent on an important mission. In search of supplies, allies, equipment. Standard recruiting drive. Perhaps see if members of your house would-." Xavier said but was silenced by Jayna's head snapping towards him.
"Come with us." Jayna ordered, turning and leading Xavier and Gio back through the tunnels, Gio following behind Xavier until they reached another large junction where there was a steady stream of water from the city purification plant flowing, creating a loud sound of rushing water so that their voices couldn't be carried.
"I'll have you know, Captain, if there's one thing that I greatly dislike, it's dishonesty. Even if it is an ugly truth, it is still the truth. But I understand the need for dishonesty when it comes to keeping secrets. Now nobody can hear us but myself and my associate. Now, what's the real reason you're here?" Jayna asked as Xavier took a breath through his helmet's filters.
"You're probably going to think us a bunch of insane fools. And sometimes I think we are. But I'm not going to question the General's orders. He thinks that our contact here, that you, might be an old friend of his." Xavier replied.
"The only Rebels I know at all are the ones I contacted to pass those supplies off to a few days ago. What is the name of this General?" Jayna asked.
"Rahm Kota, ma'am." Xavier replied. Jayna's breathing immediately stopped but soon continued. Beneath her helmet, her eyes had widened, and mouth fallen open in surprise. However, she composed herself within a second.
"Rahm Kota? I don't know that name." Jayna replied. Gio however was unconvinced but said nothing. Xavier gave a conceding nod.
"I thought as much. It was a chance. A gamble. I understand though. It was something he and the whole Rebellion was hoping for. The chance of finding another-..." Xavier said but stopped himself from finishing.
"Another what? You can speak freely." Gio said, Xavier glancing back at him before turning back to Jayna.
"A Jedi. He hoped there was a Jedi living here on Concord Dawn." Xavier explained.
"And what made your General Kota believe there was a Jetii living here?" Jayna asked.
"The Force." Xavier replied, the two Mandalorians staring at him silently. Xavier sighed again.
"It's a kind of energy field that surrounds all living beings. It's what gives a Jedi their power. General Kota is one of them. And there are two more Jedi among the Rebellion too. The General just hoped he'd found another one. He said the Force had showed him a sign that a Jedi was here." Xavier explained.
"If the General knew his history, he'd know that we Mandalorians and the Jedi have never been allies." Jayna replied.
"With respect ma'am but you don't need to tell me that. I'm what you might call a gebi'Mando'ad. You see, my homeworld is Kamino. I learned Vode An with Coruscanta in place of Manda'yaim. A clone veteran of the Clone Wars. I was raised with the history of the Mandalorians imprinted upon me like the rest of my brothers." Xavier explained.
"You're no clone. You don't even talk like them. I know the voice of the clones and yours is not it." Gio said as Xavier gave a nod.
"Because my donor was different, and there was only two of my line ever made. My brother, and me." Xavier replied before reaching for his helmet, removing it to reveal a head of short brown hair and a scruffy goatee.
"My real name, my designation, is X2. My father was a Jedi named Falon Grey. Xavier's just my alias in the field. Something to throw off the Imps." Xavier replied, looking to Gio. Jayna though was quiet and almost awestruck by the sight of X2 for a moment.
"What happened to your father?" Jayna asked.
"He died a few years ago. My brother, X1, killed him on Dantooine." X2 explained.
"The Kaminiise are cloning Jetii now?" Gio asked but X2 shook his head.
"It's just me and my brother. We were a special case for the Kaminoans. So far as I'm aware, we're the only two to have been made from the genes of a Jedi." X2 replied.
"So, your General sent you here on a wild bantha chase on a hunch? And yet the Empire is scared of your Rebellion?" Gio asked with a dismissive sniff.
"He's not infallible. Even he'd admit that. But any hope of adding another Jedi to our ranks just makes us stronger and more formidable against the Empire. Have you any idea what a single Jedi can do?" X2 asked.
"I'm familiar with what Jedi can do. I also fought in the Clone Wars, both against and beside Jedi. They're formidable warriors." Gio said but X2 shook his head.
"With respect Alor but that's not it. It's not about leading troops into battle or coming up with unique strategies. It's about hope, the hope that a single Jedi can inspire in entire planets, entire systems...that's why the Empire, nay the Emperor himself, fears the Jedi. That's why he's hunted them to near extinction." X2 explained before sighing and bracing himself against the railing on one arm, letting out another sigh.
"What will you do now?" Jayna asked.
"Well, if we can survive the trip back to our ship, we'll leave in peace. We won't bother you again unless you call for us." X2 replied.
"That may be a bit difficult. We intercepted a message on the Imperial channels. They're looking for you and have patrols in the skies overhead. All garrisons are on alert, Ve'vut Bral's garrison especially so since your ship was tracked headed for our area." Gio replied as X2 shook is head in frustration.
"This mission's gone to Mustafar in a Bucket. Is there any way past the patrols?" X2 asked.
"The patrols in this area are fairly lax so it's not the Stormtroopers you'll need to worry about. It's the air patrols and TIE Fighters you'll need to worry about." Gio explained.
"If we can get to our ship, we should be able to slip past them." X2 replied.
"You'd be smart to wait until dawn. The Massiffs tend to hunt during the night." Gio said.
"Thanks." X2 said, putting his helmet back on.
"Oh, one more thing. A request. Part of my mission was to give this to you so that, if by some chance, you should find a Jedi, you can pass it along to them. He said the code to activate it was the name of the Jedi he hoped it to have been." X2 said, handing an old imagecaster to Jayna, who looked at the device in her hand, pocketing it.
"I'll make sure that a Jedi sees this then, assuming we find one. On that you have my word." Jayna replied as X2 nodded.
"Thank you. And whether you believe in it or not, may the Force be with you." X2 replied before turning away, heading back the way they came. Gio let him pass by for a moment, looking at Jayna before turning away to follow X2 without a word, leaving Jayna to herself. As soon as Gio was out of sight, she pulled the imagecaster from her pocket, looking it over in her hand in quiet contemplation. Back in the main junction where the Rebels were hiding, Gio and X2 returned.
"Alright Greys, we're aborting the mission. Problem is, the Imps are looking for us. Suggestions?" X2 asked as he tucked his helmet under his arm.
"We may need to abandon our old ship. They might've tagged us coming in. Is there someplace else we can get a ship?" Shara asked Jan who gave a light shrug.
"We've only one spaceport and if we helped you steal a ship from someone local, we'd be helping you steal from one of our own." Jan replied.
"Not necessarily." Kaden said as he approached the group.
"You've got an idea?" X2 asked.
"As I see it, we may not be formal allies. But we have the same enemy. So, why not do something that hurts said enemy? Why not steal an Imperial vessel?" Kaden asked as X2 gave a nod.
"That'd probably be ideal. It would make slipping past the Imperials much easier." X2 replied.
"There's a problem with that suggestion. The local garrison only has a single landing area and that's on the roof of their base. However, we might could work something out. We'd just need you, on your part, not to ask too many questions." Gio said as X2 nodded.
"You saved our lives when you could easily have let us die, even knowing we're Rebels. We're in your hands." X2 replied.
"Would the Imperials know any of you by sight?" Jan asked.
"They may know me, but the rest? Doubtful. Fortunately, I'm on a planet where it's normal to walk around wearing a helmet and I brought my own, so..." X2 said, putting his helmet on.
"We'll lead you to a place you can lay low that's better than a sewer. We lack a hotel but one of the local Houses owns a number of prefabs he rents to travelers. We'll take care of the fees. You just keep your heads down and don't ask any questions." Gio said.
"Any chance you could contact your allies for help?" Jan said to X2 who gave a nod.
"If we had access to a long-range transmitter, we might be able to signal for an extraction." X2 replied.
"Slight problem with that. The Empire's monitoring all communications in the region." Kaden interjected.
"There was an attack on one of their relay towers recently. They're cracking down on communications." Gio added.
"Not to worry. If we can get the parts, we can assemble one. Even if they traced us, they wouldn't be able to link it to you." X2 said as Kaden gave a nod.
"I can help with that. I know where to find the parts and can acquire them easy." Kaden said. As he and X2 hashed out the details, Jayna returned.
"Kebiin!" she said, motioning urgently towards another passage. Gio turned and walked over to her.
"Problem?" he asked.
"You're needed topside. Geht's trying to get a hold of you." She said as Gio gave a nod.
"Right." He replied, walking towards one of the access hatches and climbing up, emerging in an alleyway near the med clinic.
"This is Alor Rook. What's the problem, Geht?" Gio asked into his helmet comlink.
"We've got a problem at the base. We've got Imps incoming. Something's got their cage rattled." Geht replied
"Understood, I'll be there momentarily." Gio replied, turning back to the access hatch, and kneeling down near the edge just as Jayna climbed up, the hatch closing as soon as she was clear. It was still dark, but the alley was lightly lit by the light of the streetlights nearby.
"We knew this would happen sooner or later." Jayna said as Gio took a breath and nodded.
"Yeah, but it's happened too fast." Gio said before Jayna turned towards him.
"We couldn't have predicted they'd come, especially for the reasons they gave." Jayna said as Gio approached her.
"I have to ask, but the General that the clone mentioned, and the one he said was his father...were they-..." he asked, Jayna nodding and sitting down on a nearby barrel.
"I knew them both. They were both older than me, but we still knew each other. The fact that Kota's alive, it confirms what the ISB agent said." Jayna said.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"She said that the Jedi have returned. That they were leading the Rebellion. I was skeptical at first, but I know the name Kota. And that clone...he is the son of Falon Grey. The spitting image. And quite possibly more. I could feel it. He is strong with the Force." Jayna said as Gio gave a nod.
"What do you plan to do now?" Gio asked.
"Nothing has changed. I'll go along with whatever you decide. But I'd like to help them escape back to the Rebellion if at all possible." Jayna replied.
"Very well. But if you change your mind and decide to go with them, I'll respect whatever you decide." Gio said but Jayna shook her head.
"My place is here with my family. I'm not going to abandon you for some old friends. Besides, I'm not-..." Jayna said, her sentence trailing off, as Gio gave an understanding nod.
"Okay then. I'm needed at the base. Something's come up and I'm betting it has to do with you-know-who." Gio replied, starting to turn away.
"You will keep us informed if you can?" Jayna asked as Gio gave a nod.
"If I can. Try and get the others back home as soon as possible. We'll try to move our guests somewhere better than the culverts as soon as we can." Gio said before rocketing off into the sky, flying towards the base. Jayna watched him fly off for a moment before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the imagecaster. She fingered it in her hand for a moment before pocketing it again and standing up, heading for the access hatch.
...
At the Imperial Base, Gio walked into the conference room where Kes, Geht, and Veska were already present. A round-domed C1 Astromech with a green dome and decorated with orange Mandalorian iconography sat nearby, projecting a hologram of Glebbins into the room.
"Rook, glad you could make it. We've got a situation on our hands." Geht said as he pressed a button on the conference table, causing a projection of an Imperial APB featuring a GX1 Lantillian Short Hauler to appear over the table.
"Possible Rebel activity within the system and near Ve'vut Bral, I know. You told me." Gio said as Geht pressed another button, switching to another hologram showing an Imperial communique with the local Governor's signature on it.
"We got this a few minutes ago. It's an advisory that a team of Journeymen are on their way to assist in the search for the Rebels and their ranking officer is a Field Marshal." Geht added.
"A Field Marshal all to find a few possible Rebels? Seems a bit much, doesn't it?" Gio asked.
"It would but when we spoke to the Field Marshal, she implicated that these Rebels may also be able to lead her to the, and I quote, 'Dar'Manda who attacked an Imperial Communications Outpost a few days ago.' Apparently, she's been investigating the attack." Geht replied.
"Why are you emphasizing that it's a woman?" Gio asked.
"Because it is one that each of us, you especially, Giordo, know quite well." Glebbins said with a grim expression. Gio looked them over in silence for a moment before quickly removing his helmet, a grim look on his face as well.
"You mean-..." he said as Veska reluctantly hit another button on the console, switching the hologram to an Imperial Personnel File depicting a human woman with short black hair kept in a well-groomed bob-cut and with a faint but visible jagged scar on her left cheek. Gio approached the table scowling at the hologram of the woman.
"Janiessa." He growled under his breath.
"Orders, Field Marshal?" Geht asked soberly.
"We need to be extra careful. And I'm going to effectively be hamstrung once she arrives. She'll be watching me and my family like a Shriek-hawk." Gio said, not taking his eyes off the hologram. Kes cleared his throat.
"Uh, at the risk of getting myself spaced, but who is she?" Kes asked.
"Well, you know the old saying' 'there's one in every family?' Well, meet House Rook's." Veska said as Kes winced.
"Oh." He replied as Gio put his helmet back on, flipping on his helmet comlink.
"Jayna, I need you and the kids to beat a hasty retreat back home. You need to stash your old war souvenirs in the Halls of Besk'ar. You may also want to move our guests there too. And do it fast, we're going to be having company." Gio said as he turned and headed out the door.
...
It was early morning over Ve'vut Bral, and standing on the landing platform atop the Imperial Base, was Kes in full uniform, flanked by rows of Mandalorians disguised as Stormtroopers and officers, and with Giordo in full armor to his right, watching as a white colored Aka'jor-class Shuttle with the Imperial insignia on the sides, and flying with a TIE Fighter Escort, began to touch down on the platform, the fighters flying off once the shuttle had begun its landing. The boarding ramp soon lowered, and four besk'ar armored Journeymen Protectors disembarked, standing at the edge of the ramp in a parade formation before a fifth Journeyman, with a red pauldron on the shoulder and a kama with a black exterior and red interior lining disembarked, carrying an E-11D Blaster Carbine in hand. She approached Kes and Giordo immediately.
"Field Marshal Janiessa, it is an honor to have you amongst us." Kes greeted in his best Imperial tones. Janiessa looked at Kes in silence for a moment before turning her head back towards Giordo, the two staring at each other for a moment.
"Hello, brother." Janiessa said but in a tone of smug superiority mixed with animosity.
"Sister." Giordo replied.
"It certainly has been a long time since we last saw each other." She said as Gio gave a light nod.
"It has." He replied, showing clearly that there was no love lost between them.
"Last we spoke, we had a bit of a falling out over who to support in the Mandalorian Civil War. You supported that fossil Glebbins and that antiquated Supercommando Codex by the Dar'manda Mereel, and I supported Alor Vizsla and then Alor Maul, and I have remained loyal to Viceroy Saxon and the Empire. I believe it's obvious now who chose the right side." Janiessa said, not taking her eyes off of Giordo.
"Yes, it appears so." Giordo replied.
"I'm glad to hear you say that, brother mine. And I'm especially glad to see this displayed so proudly on your armor." She said, tapping the Imperial Deputy badge on Giordo's left chest plate.
"Are you?" he asked.
"Indeed. It shows you've finally begun to come around to my way of thinking. Better late than never, I suppose. I look forward to working with you again, brother. And to meeting the rest of our House. I've not even met my sister-in-law or my nieces and nephew. Now is that any way for a family, let alone an entire House, to operate?" Janiessa asked. Kes quietly stood by, watching the two interact. Janiessa then turned towards him.
"I haven't forgotten about you Minister uh...Minister...I'm sorry what was your name?" Janiessa asked.
"Dameron, ma'am." He replied as Janiessa gave a nod.
"Yes. I apologize but for the duration of my business here, I will be assuming command of the Ve'vut Bral Garrison and of the city itself." Janiessa said.
"The entire city, Niessa?" Giordo asked, Janiessa turning her attention back to her brother.
"It's a bit extreme, but Viceroy Saxon believes there are traitors in our midst. Not just Rebel agents mind you, but aruetii among the Mando'ade. I've been searching for these aruetii for a few days now after they attacked an Imperial Outpost here on Concord Dawn, but the recent arrival of a suspected Rebel craft that landed in the Spires implicates that my old hometown may be where these Rebel sympathizing aruetii are hiding." Janiessa explained.
"But taking over the city?" Gio asked as Janiessa gave a nod.
"The Empire wants examples made of those who defy its authority. As does the Viceroy. Especially after the Rebels and their little stunt in the Yavin system destroyed the Emperor's new battle station. So, these extreme measures will serve as an example to other systems within the Mandalore Sector for those who may harbor Rebel sympathies. This isn't going to be a problem, is it, brother?" She asked.
"Not at all." Giordo replied.
"Good. I look forward to us working together again. Now then, if we shall adjourn to my new office, we'll go over the new curfews and checkpoints we'll be instituting for the duration of the search." Janiessa said as she started for the turbolifts into the base, followed by her squad of Journeymen. Gio and Kes both exchanged subtle looks before following after her, knowing that things in Ve'vut Bral had just taken a major turn, and for the worst.
To Be Continued...
End Episode 4
I own Janessa Rook. I should note that Janessa is not the same character as the minor Mandalorian/Death Watch character Rook Kast from the Clone Wars and that Clan/House Kast is a separate entity.