Chapter 34
The Folly of Command
RAXUS
Raxulon, Militia
"Even if they were Separatists there's no way they'd trust the Empire, Master, Shiv Palpatine is still in charge?" Ahkilleon told him.
"Greed can do terrible things to a person Padawan, as can deeds of bravery to great things." Lord Asimov said looking up at the entrance to the Union Hall, General Kleeve was walking out with Steela who was muttering to him with an intense look on her face, "I knew Gererra didn't like Jedi, but to vote against us?" Ahkilleon asked.
Asimov looked at him and Ahkilleon remembered his family history with the Gererra's "Right, dumb question."
Kleeve turned to Steela and said something kurtley and turned away approaching the Vanguard officers. "General Kleeve." Asimov offered him his hand and Kleeve shook it, "Lord Asimov, you jedi continue for now."
"We won't be going anywhere any time soon." Terro grunted.
Kleeve eyed him with his good eye "Quite, the peace was a good try even if we knew it wouldn't last it would have bought us time, but what happened over Lothal has bought us more than time."
"General?" Ahkilleon asked.
Kleeve looked at him and was silent for a moment, his eye narrowed "I would to discuss the future of the war with you some time Lord Asimov, the One Eyed Devil's fleet and the Vanguard have been at odds for to long, there is much our two fleets could accomplish."
"Very well, when?" Lord Asimov asked.
"Tonight, at your… Castle was it?" Kleeve asked "Temple, but yes I will see you at sundown." Lord Asimov said ending the hand shake.
Ahkilleon cocked a brow before Kleeve left heading to a nearby speeder "What do you think he meant by more than time?" Ahkilleon asked.
"... Would you prefer the truth or a lie?" Lord Asimov asked.
"The truth, always?" Asimov gestured for Ahkilleon to walk away from prying ears and they headed to the edge of the platform "Your choice to offer peace to the Empire has started rumors of an ulterior motive."
Ahkilleon looked up at him as Asimov looked over Raxulon, a small fleet of cargo ships landing just outside the refugee camps at the city edge, "Ulterior motive?"
"Those ships landing at the camps, those are supply ships, those numbers were halved due to the prisoner camp, and promise you made to Kallus, with the prisoners gone the refugees have all the food and medical aid they need." Lord Asimov said "Some are whispering that you sent the prisoners to their deaths, not only to free up the resources for our people, but to eliminate them entirely."
Ahkilleon gapped at "I would never be so cruel?"
"Do not think of it as being cruel, if anything we use it to our advantage." Asimov said in a low tone insisting Ahkilleon do the same.
"How can butchery be an advantage, Master?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Our enemies call you demon, our allies see you as a savior, now the politicians will see you as as a threat. If you wish to be the Jedi King, you need allies and have to weigh your enemies. Kleeve has become an ally to the Jedi." Lord Asimov said.
Ahkilleon watched Kleeve enter a speeder driven by the former slave turned soldier Bug, who drove off "He fought against Jedi in the Clone Wars, almost all the Militia officers did and they almost voted us out of the military?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Now we fight together against our true enemy, and… we would not go quietly." Lord Aismov said.
Snapping his head back "Master?"
Asimov said nothing to that, "Master what do you mean?"
"As I have said, I will never let the Jedi fall to our enemies ever again, that includes other Militia." Lord Asimov said hands behind his back "Atell knows this, so does Kleeve if they voted us out what would you do, go back to the Rebellion?" Lord Asimov asked him.
Ahkilleon did think about it, would that be so bad now that things were mending with Phoenix Squadron, "I… don't know, I already left one life behind I don't know if I can do it again?" Ahkilleon replied.
"I pray you never half to Ahkilleon, come let us return to the Temple, we have something to do before Kleeve arrives."
TEMPLE ASIMOV
Training Yard
Ezra and Kraggen locked sabers, Fatima came up behind Ezra and be backflipped away out of the way of her blue lightsaber, Kraggens yellow one attacked Ezra again and he just twisted in the air landing on one hand and spinning to catch Fatima's blade again. He kicked Kraggen off balance and landed back on his feet. Fatima slashed her saber a blur of light and flashed the two blades meeting against one another. "You sure this is a good idea?" Hera asked Kanan as she sat next ot him in the training yard, watching Ezra duel both Kraggen and Fatima at once. The two War Jedi in training were still wearing their combat armor over their shoulders and chest, Ezra only had his padded jacket and greaves, moving quickly and gracefully.
"It's good for Ezra to train with people his own age, good for these padawans too." Kanan said as one of the Sentinel droids that Ahkilleon had thrashed in yesterdays bout of rage were repaired and approached. Holding a tray of steaming liquid, "Hmm?" Hera saw the cups.
Kanan sniffed the air "Is that?"
"Ardee's beverage tea, mixed with milk and honey." the Sentinel Droid said, Hera took the first cup and Kanan the second he sipped it and his face instantly relaxed "I haven't had this since… I was youngling in the Temple." Kanan said.
Hera looked at Kanan and even though half his face was covered she could see the nostalgia in his face. Across from them Ezra still held his own against the two padawans, Jay was watching next to Sabine "Kraggen and Fatima will take him in the next four moves."
"Ezra will in three." Sabine replied.
"Fifty credits you're wrong?" Jay said.
"You're on."
Ezra blocked both Kraggen and Fatima but two on one, Ezra couldn't hold and he dropped low kicking out Fatima's legs but when he hit Kraggen's large calves it was like kicking a tree, that could fight back. Kraggen slammed his saber down at Ezra who rolled out of the way. Leaping he parried Kraggens next blow and nicked his right arm, Kraggen dropped his saber and Ezra caught it pointing both blades at each padawans neck.
"That a boy Ezra!" Zeb roared in approval as Ezra turned the lightsabers off panting "You guys are good." Ezra said winded.
"Not nearly as good as you Padawan Bridger." Fatima said as he handed her back his lightsaber, "I've never seen a form like that, I saw Form IV but you… improvised?" Kraggen asked as he took his.
Ezra shrugged "Well, when fighting Inquisitors you have to think on your feet."
"And the Empire, our Masters told us that some stormtroopers have started carrying lightsabers, not sure if they'll be the next Inquisitors?" Kraggen said to them.
Ezra clipped his lightsaber to his belt saying "Well if their aim is as good as their swordsmanship I'm sure we'll be fine."
Overheard they saw the ship, it was a blue tinted wedge shaped ship with a rounded pod cockpit and two engines, "That's a T-6 shuttle, I haven't seen one of those in years?" Hera said seeing it, it had blue markings on it and bore the symbol of the New Jedi Order on its wing decals. By the time it had landed the rebels and their jedi hosts had come to the main entrance to see who was exiting it, ""They've come." Kanan said seeing them through the force.
Master Uzuma was walking out with Yumi followed by a Masters Emesa, and someone Kanan hadn't sensed in a long time, Jedi Master Saa, Dass Jennir and then K'Kruhk. They were escorted by Emesa's sentinel droids into the training garden
"Are those…?" Zeb started to ask "Jedi Masters, yes ones I even learned under for a time." Kanan said as they approached up the courtyard.
Kanan stepped forward, "I know why you're here, Masters, I'm sorry but the answer is no."
"Well at least he's straight to the point." Dass Jennir said, his silver hair and green eyes looking over at Saa and K'Kruhk, "No, no to what?" Sabine asked.
Hera looked over to them "We should, probably leave them alone, Jedi business and all?"
"No, stay Captain Syndulla, you have kept our fellow brethren safe for many years the New Jedi will not have secrets from those we call friends." Master K'Kruhk said to her leaning on his wooden cane, "Kanan Jarrus, this Council is not whole, we require a ninth member to replace Master Qu Rahn, we wish you to join us willingly."
The rest of the rebels besides Hera, and the rest of the Militia and Jedi in the courtyard all gapped hearing that, "You have a perspective of the Galaxy we do not, as sad it is for the Jedi to be at war again we need someone who can guide us into the new age." K'Kruhk said.
"Plus you piss of Asimov." Jennir said, that earned him a sneer from Saa and a snicker from the padawans, "What?"
Kanan was silent, "You're Master Depa Billaba sat on the Council, your lineage has prepared you for this-" "My answer is still no." Kanan cut Saa off.
The old woman, who's face was still smooth and her long root like hair blew in the wind "Very well, we cannot force this position upon you." Saa said sadly.
"Sorry you made the trip for nothing." Zeb said snidely, "Oh we didn't come here just for you rebels, we have business with Asimov, the Militia voted to take the Jedi out of the military." Jennir said looking at Asimov "And we just barely survived, thanks to General Kleeve who will be visiting us later this afternoon." Lord Asimov said as he patted Ahkilleon on the shoulder.
"Padawan, take the rest of the afternoon off." Asimov told him "But Master I-" "No buts, you've had a long past few days, Masters." Lord Asimov said gesturing them to follow him into the Temple. Ahkilleon watched them go and inhaled softly not pleased to be excluded.
Sabine came up behind him "You know, Jay did tell me you guys had some speeder bikes, I think I'd like a rematch from our last race?"
"You mean the one that ended with you getting electrocuted." Zeb asked.
Everyone gave Zeb a sharp stare "Whoops." Zeb muttered.
"Come on, this way." Jay whistled for them to follow and everyone did, Kanan could sense the Masters and Asimov speaking from a distance but he'd made his choice, following Jay and the others.
Across the garden Lord Asimov and the three Jedi Masters spoke "If the Militia lose faith in the Jedi, how likely would we face another purge?" Jennir asked sitting down on one of the stone benches.
"That is an extreme Dass and you know it." Master Saa said with a glare, "We can't take the risk Masters, Asimov?" Dass asked again.
Lord Asimov stood hands behind his back, towering over all three of them "There will be no purge, with the support of the Vanguard, Cyberspiders under Admiral Trench and favor of General Freeman our position in the Militia is assured, but I agree we can't take the risk which is why I expect General Kleeve will have demands for his support."
"What do you believe he will ask of us?" K'Kruhk asked.
"Kleeve is a strategist, always has been, with Jedi in his fleet he'll become just powerful as Trench and I." Lord Asimov stated "These… War Jedi of yours, I fear they enjoy the battles to much, the revile in the violence." Master Saa protested.
Lord Asimov paced the garden "We are at war, peacekeeping ideals is what held the Jedi back from ending the clone wars sooner."
"If we sacrifice the ideals the order were founded on, what is the point of being Jedi?" K'Kruhk asked him, "... a valid point." Lord Asimov said as he faced the white haired whiphid.
"I propose a new arraignment between this Council and the Congress of Knights." Lord Asimov said as he paced back, "It is true, that we are at war and all wars must end, and when this conflict is down. I will take the Barash Vow, but before I do I demand that this Order stand as one not divided between War Jedi and the Council."
There was a long pause between the Masters "You want the Council seat?" Jennir said staunchly.
"I want the New Jedi to endure." Lord Asimov said back to him, K'Kruhk and Saa looked at one another "And know that I will be one with the force before I let any harm befall our Order, ever again."
LATER
Temple Garage
While Temple Asimov was built on the hill that once belonged to another house on Raxus, at the base of the hill a large metal blast door had been installed, it opened with a great groan and the Rebels, led by Jay with Ahkilleon beside him. There were a dozen Mustang speeders and a pair of ground speeders with the Jedi Order and Vanguard symbol on it. "Mustang Speeders, finest in the Militia." Jay said, walking over to one.
"Got something to show you." Jay said as he got on his speeder bike he pointed out to a large tree a few miles away on another hill opposite of Temple Asimov.
"Race you." Jay said as he revved up his speeder bike, "You're on." Ezra said as He Sabine and Ahkilleon hopped on the speeder bikes blasting out of the garage, Zeb ran to hop on one before Hera grabbed his arm "We'll take the speeder."
Zeb groaned before they got into go after the four teens, up ahead Jay was in the lead before Ahkilleon came up behind him and side by side, Ezra peeled around taking the lead followed by Sabine, who soared around them on her bike. The four riders were neck and neck before Sabine pressed a button on her wrist activating her jetpack and giving her an extra burst of speed "No fair." Ezra shouted before Sabine rocketed off past them up to the tree. She came to a skidding halt and the three others pulled up followed by Hera driving Kanan, Zeb, Rex and Chopper.
Sabine was giggling at the race and rush of adrenaline before they heard a slow clap, standing behind the tree wearing a blue cloak with his hood up was Fives Freeman.
"Jay you got to work on your riding skills?" Fives said to his son "She had a jetpack."
Fives looked at her "That she did, quite the proteges you have Rex?"
Rex sneered at him "Not mine, there's." He gestured to Hera and Kanan.
"Hmph, never fought with a Kanan Jarrus, but Cham speaks highly of you Hera." Fives said as Hera got out of the speeder and helped Chopper down from the speeder "My father, you've spoken to my father?"
Fives nodded "He's refused any Militia support, probably something to do with droids."
"You think?" Hera asked him, "I was manufactured Captain, same a droid speaking off." Rex gestured back over the otherside of the hill toward a table filled with food, drinks and chairs for sitting "You brought us out here for a picnic Jay?" Ahkilleon asked him.
"Dad asked to." Jay said as he walked down to the table "Come on, they brought Zao's soup all the way from Arcadia." Jay said as everyone walked down to enjoy the food, Rex stopped at the tree by Fives.
"Think they'll be alright?" Hera asked glancing at Fives and Rex "If Rex doesn't kill him."
The two clones stood there "You going to punch me again?" Fives asked him, "I'm debating on it?"
"Before you do, take a look." Fives asked, gesturing down to the table, Rex looked down at the picnic, "You found yourself a new family, I… created my own." Fives said looking at Jay, "He's about Ahkilleons age, he'd have to be born soon after him?" Rex asked.
Fives nodded, running a finger through his white hair "When I held him, he fit in the palm of my hand, just before that big mission with Turok. He'd helped so many people disappear, and… his mother, I wasn't about to risk him growing up without a father like we all did."
"Jango wasn't-" "I know he wasn't, but you said it yourself we are Freemen, I am Fives Freeman leader of the Militia and a father of six." Fives said to him, "Wait you have more?" Rex asked.
"On Arcadia yes, with my wife, and a lot of other clones." Fives said.
Rex shut his eyes "You abandoned us, Gregor, Wolffe, the Clone Force 99-" "I had to choose Rex, and I made my choice I won't apologize." Fives told him.
"But that's the past, we should move to the future, Rex take your rightful place me, not as a Captain or a Commander, but the General you were meant to be." Fives grabbed his arm and looked at the specters "Lead thousands of new brothers into battle, we know the Empire's tactics, we can win this war."
"No." Rex said "What?"
"I'm with the rebellion, to restore the Republic." Rex said firmly "The Republic created us, we fought for it and it betrayed us with this." He pointed to the side of his head where his slashed 5 tattoo was, Rex had an identical scar where his implant had been "We owe nothing to, Rex. Least of all you."
Rex didn't answer and Fives sighed "My offer is still on the table."
"Wait." Rex said looking to him "I won't join the Militia, but the rebellion needs resources, weapons, ships and we need to get on Lothal."
Fives stopped and slowly turned "I can do that."
TEMPLE ASIMOV
Communications Tower
General Kleeve's ship landed outside the Temple on the last open platform, he was escorted inside by the Sentinels and to the garden where the tower stood, Lord Asimov waited inside at it's peak looking at a holotable. It showed the galactic war map as it stood. Much of the north eastern region of hte Outer Rim in Militia blue, the edge of Hutt space was firmly in Militia control all the way to the borders of Nal Hutta, to the north the foundry had a large chunk of it in red where Lothal was, with a few specs of blue around it. "The fleets will be moving out soon, I hear that Mod Tuuk will be launching a raiding campaign on some sectors in the mid rim, and that Trench will move against more Hutt territory, and you?"
"We will know soon enough Kleeve, you said there was something you wanted let's hear it?" Asimov asked.
Kleeve sighed "Oh good, I was glad we'd have to go back and forth in some political word play." Kleeve said as he walked in.
"I'm waiting?" Azimov asked.
Kleeve nodded "Jedi, I want jedi in my fleet."
"How many?" Lord Asimov asked.
Kleeve stroked his hand around the table "No more than five or ten, one jedi is worth a thousand and with Jedi in the One Eyed Devil fleet, that means the fleet is in your corner so shall we say?" Kleeve asked.
"You propose an alliance with the Vanguard?" Lord Asimov asked "To what aim?" Asimov asked him again.
Kleeve stopped, "The Militia Union doesn't have the power it thinks. The only reason the factions haven't turned on one another is because the Empire would support whichever side they thought they could defeat after." Kleeve said.
"When the Merchant Alliance and your growing enemies in the Neo Iron League see you have Jedi in your fleet, factionalism will take root; it would only be a matter of time before the Militia tears itself apart." Lord Asimov said focusing on General Kleeve.
A long pause passed between them "We cannot afford a civil war."
"I'm not talking about a civil war." Kleeve said, "I'm talking about a Jedi King."