Imperial Academy: A Star Wars Rebels Story;
Chapter VIII: Imperial Supercommandos
Characters: Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, Kannan Jarrus, Hera Syndulla, C1-10P (Chopper), Garazeb 'Zeb' Orrellios, Agent Alexander Kallus, The Inquisitor, Gar Saxon
Ships: Sabezra, Hints of Kanera, for now
Disclaimer:
I do not own Star Wars. I am but a humble fan, may Disney, who may soon be the entertainment overlords please spare me their wrath and lawsuits, I wouldn't have much to give them anyway.
Review Response;
So I'd just like to thank everyone for your time and care when it comes to this story or any of them!
The penguin5030 - I'm glad you think that these new chapters are a treat. I'm sorry you had to wait so long. Writer's Block sucks.
A Plump Hutt - No one is truly a fan of cliffhangers, but I'm happy you think I do them well. They do build tension though.
yuki terimi - I'm pleased that you couldn't wait, and I apologise so much for the wait you had.
The Only Liberator - Your love of this story, as well as everyone else's, is why I kept trying to conquer Writer's Block. Thank you for your support and I hope you don't have to wait too long for the update after this one.
Hangar Bay, Imperial Academy
Sabine and Ezra stood side by side along with the many other cadets of their class. They were arrayed in parade lines across the hangar deck of the academy. Viceroy Saxon, and a blonde haired man in Stormtrooper armour stalked up to a stage the cadets had constructed last night. The pair was followed by the white painted Mandalorian armour clad form of Captain Hark.
Sabine bit her lip as she glanced around. She saw it, really saw it, for the first time since she first arrived. Greys and blacks broken up by nothing but white, whether it be lights or armour. In fact the only colour that existed right now was The Viceroy's armour. A few strands of her chocolate brown hair blocked her vision for a moment. Her eyes stared at the boring brown… when was the last time she'd dyed her hair?
"Thank you cadets for constructing this stage, and for assembling promptly this morning." Viceroy Saxon's voice drew Sabine's focus from the inner workings of her own mind. "I have decided that extra incentive is needed for the next few days. While you are all training to be elite members of The Imperial Military, what most of you did not know is what that elite unit would be."
Behind the scarlet armoured Mandalorian the man in full Stormtrooper kit rolled his eyes. Captain Hark's visor turned on the man, but no word's escaped the blonde's lips. The Viceroy motioned Captain Hark forward.
"Captain Hark is the first of what I hope to be a new breed of Imperial Special Forces. My chosen right hand and the leader of The Imperial Supercommandos!" The Viceroy raised his hand and a banner unfurled, a stark red Imperial Cog on the field of white. "This first unit will report to Captain Hark, who will report directly to me. But if this team can be the best of The Empire's vast military machine we could remind The Galaxy why they feared Mandalore and her warriors for millenia."
Cheers rose up from the cadets as they pounded their feet in rhythm to Vode An. Saxon lowered his hand, and the stomps slowed and died. The Viceroy examined each of the warriors, Sabine caught the moment that his eyes settled on Bridger. The way his brows crinkled, his teeth barred just a hint, and his eyes hardened. Then there was another, as his teeth hid and his eyes focused. Sabine glanced in the same direction and one of the cadet squads was missing. Her thoughts were buried as The Viceroy continued on unimpeded.
"Know that perhaps one day each of you might be Imperial Supercommandos. That every member of your clans might be. That you could become The Wrath of The Empire. But for now there is a limit. Only so many can join the ranks of my elite unit. I will announce who has made it before the start of tomorrow's classes. I will use your assessments from today and any previous to make my decision. Until then you must study and train hard, earn your place among my trusted number and become The Empire's most vaunted warriors!" The chanting grew in volume again and as the three men descended and disappeared into the main complex. Drill Instructors quickly exited and took control. The whole of them herded back towards the main academy.
Sabine narrowed her eyes as she caught sight of Bridger. The young Jetii glanced over his shoulders at irregular intervals. Sweat beaded across his brow. His eyes were always on the move. His fists were curled tightly together. She lost sight of him as the columns of cadets were separated to go towards their classes for the days.
Hangar Bay, Imperial Academy
A shuttle slipped into the bay and it gracefully settled onto its landing struts. Saxon, Tiber, and Hark stopped at the end of the ramp. Lines of Stormtroopers and swamped in to take the place of the cadets now safely tucked away. A hiss resounded, and smoke erupted as the ramp whined on its way down. It extended and a white skinned, crimson tattooed, golden eyed alien in black armour and robes stepped down, followed by a pair of black armoured red emblazoned soldiers in unique Stormtrooper armour.
The trio came to a halt before Saxon, Tiber, and Hark. The alien was around the same height as the Mandalorians. The Purge Troopers though easily towered over everyone else. Slung on their backs were staves of some kind and E-11s were cradled in their arms.
"Welcome Grand Inquisitor, I must thank you for your prompt arrival-" The Grand Inquisitor raised his hand and Saxon stopped.
"Viceroy, neither of us care, or have time, for extended pleasantries. Let us do away with them so that I might begin to focus on my task." Saxon bowed his head and stepped to the left. The Grand Inquisitor and his Purge Troopers went past. They moved for The Viceroy's office. Once they were behind the secure doors the conversation could resume.
Saxon took his seat and activated a projection of Cadet Bridger. The Grand Inquisitor's eyes narrowed on it. He stepped closer as Saxon brought up Bridger's file. The text scrolled automatically.
"I haven't felt his presence yet… He has certainly been trained to hide it, or more concerning he has begun his apprenticeship. You have found a rare breed among a nearly extinct species, Viceroy. I thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will begin my hunt immediately. Cease any interactions or orders you have which risk my investigation." The Grand Inquisitor swept from the office followed by his Purge Troopers. Tiber smiled.
"I'll have Cadet Wren brought to your office so you can inform her of her imminent return to Project DUCHESS." Captain Hark twisted to look at the younger Saxon.
"No." Tiber's brows furrowed.
"No?"
"No. I will handle things from here Tiber. Return to our Star Destroyer and keep The Duchess away from prying eyes. I don't want this Jetii to get close to it. While I'm convinced he doesn't know anything, I want to play every angle. If he knows of The Duchess he could do far more damage to us than previously expected. I also do not trust The Grand Inquisitor, I want someone close to keep an eye on him."
"Gar have you lost your mind?" Tiber approached his older brother's desk and braced himself on it, leaned in and arms spread out. "The Grand Inquisitor will take care of our Jetii problem. Once that is dealt with, The Duchess will secure our clan's future as the eternal rulers of Mandalore."
"Or it could be the end of Mandalore!" Gar rose and pounded the desk. "I will not complete the weapon until I am certain that safeguards are in place to avoid its use against us."
Tiber snarled and stalked from the room. Saxon fell back into his chair. Captain Hark looked between the closed door and his Viceroy.
"I agree with you Viceroy. A weapon like The Duchess must be handled carefully. If not we risk finding ourselves on its receiving end." The Captain strode to the door. "I'll keep an eye on your brother Viceroy, I promise."
The door hissed and then snapped shut. Gar huffed. How had everything come to this?
Classroom Alpha-3, Imperial Academy
The Grand Inquisitor watched through the hidden observation room. Cadet Bridger was completely focused on his task. It was a strategy assessment. Cadets Bridger, Wren, and two others made up the forces going over a battle from The Clone Wars. His eyes narrowed on the projection. The Battle of Umbara.
Cadet Bridger followed a strategy eerily similar to General Skywalker's initial concepts. The 501st marched out hitting Umbarans in sneak attacks, ambushes, and special operations. Cadet Wren commanded the rest of The Republic forces on a full scale attack of The Capitol. The pair of Cadets pit against them were failing, hard. Supply lines were all but cut. Multiple airbases and highways had fallen. The Umbaran team were only minutes away from losing entirely.
The Grand Inquisitor's lips pulled up into a smirk. He raised his hand to the glass. His eyes closed and he reached out towards Cadet Bridger. He probed the boy's mental shields, resilient and instantly awake. He opened his eyes and saw Bridger unfocused, the boy's gaze shot around the room. But there was no return probe from The Force.
The battle swung back in the favour of The Umbaran team as Cadet Wren slapped Bridger and brought his focus back to the battle. The Grand Inquisitor's interference didn't buy the pair's opponents much time. As quickly as the battle had changed direction it snapped soundly back, crushed once Bridger returned to it.
Yes this boy was more than meets the eye. He kept up his surveillance throughout the rest of his classes. Most of them Bridger was paired with Wren, but nothing risked giving him away. Whoever had taught Bridger had gone to great length to make sure he was prepared for this assignment and wouldn't slip up. Bridger's Master was someone he was very interested in meeting face to face.
Dormitory 5, Imperial Academy
Ezra blinked up at Sabine standing over him. Her eyes caught his. She leaned down, pinned him between herself and his rack. She was in full armour, the stripped down silver scuffed to avoid reflection.
"Can you prove that The Duchess will be used against Mandalore?" Ezra blinked again.
"Not here, none of the terminals have access. Closest place will be Saxon's Star Destroyer. That's where you did most of your work right?" Sabine nodded. "Then that would be the only place where any data related to the project and its uses would be."
"Then let's go." Ezra's eyes blew wide.
"What?" Sabine rolled her eyes and slid her helmet over her head.
"If the only proof exists on The Viceroy's Star Destroyer we are going there and finding it. Because now I need to know. So get your Rebel butt outta your bunk and let's go sneak aboard a destroyer. Unless you'd prefer I turn you into Saxon instead?"
"Star Destroyer it is, what's breaking into one of those again." Ezra jumped up and grabbed his blaster. Sabine paused as he strode past her.
"Wait, did you just say again?" Ezra didn't wait and strode out. Sabine groaned and rushed to catch up to him.
The Ghost, 25 kilometres out from Sundari
Kanan opened his mouth and closed it again. Zeb and Chopper were thankfully quiet, how that had happened Kanan was concerned to learn. That was a problem for another time though. Hera was under the control console for the Ghost. She reached out and grabbed a tool.
"Out with it Kanan," Hera's melodious voice reached him as she loosened another bolt.
"Something is here. Something like The Inquisitors. This one is darker and colder though, than any of the previous ones. Whatever has come, it's throwing a shadow over Ezra and his mission. I think The Viceroy has his suspicions about Ezra. We need to pull him out now." Hera pushed herself out and raised an eyebrow at Kanan.
"Kanan, you've said that three times a day for at least the past three days. This presence is new, and I'm concerned too. But we can't pull him out, he hasn't even finished his mission yet. If we take him out now we'll never get another chance like this."
"Then we help him. We'll strike the prototype together and eliminate it." Hera's eyes widened, and her lips parted ever so slightly.
"You're that certain?" Kanan nodded. Hera pushed herself back under the console.
"Then get under here and help me fix the wiring. We'll go after Ezra as soon as the Ghost is at full power." Kanan chuckled and joined her beneath the console.
"You know this brings back memories."
"Later."
Hangar Bay, Gar Saxon's Star Destroyer Aruetii Aaray
Sabine stared at Ezra as they carefully made their way between crates of supplies, walkers, speeder bikes, and TIE Fighters. There was almost no activity. The hangar is almost as silent as a crypt. But at the far end. Built onto one of the AT-DP walkers was The Duchess. The core to the weapon was missing however.
"They won't store the weapon core just anywhere. We should check the weapons lab." Ezra went to move before Sabine's hand grabbed his shoulder. He huffed and turned to look at her.
"No, the maintenance bay directly next to flight control has a better chance of us finding any recent information. Plus the weapon's bay is much deeper within the ship." Ezra motioned for her to take the lead. Sabine stared at two of the Stormtroopers standing guard at the elevator. She raised her gauntlet and pressed a switch.
A crash resounded, filling the room, and stores of rations flooded the floor. The pair of Stormtroopers ran in an instant towards the spilling food. Sabine smiled and ran for the lift. Ezra was right behind her. Their path up was quick and they stopped right next to the doorway.
Ezra hacked the controls with a handheld scomp link. They entered, but just as they went for the terminal controls doors on the other side hissed open. Sabine dove and tackled Ezra into a small space. She straddled him as she watched between gaps in the terminals.
Tiber Saxon, the man in the Stormtrooper armour from this morning activated a terminal on the back wall. A projection of a figure obscured in the dark that she couldn't recognize lit up the room in blue light.
"My test of the weapon worked well, the Mandalorian Cadets were hospitalised. It will be some time before they're ready to fight, but their sacrifice will be worth it. The weapon only operates at partial power. We've proven it can destroy Beskar and that it can injure, and no doubt do worse, to the warriors wearing it. My brother may not see the value but I do. I promise you, Captain, you may inform The Grand Admiral that I will see to it that The Duchess will be ready for his arrival." The transmission cut out and Tiber reached up and pressed a second switch. "Inform the engineers that I want them to finish tuning The Duchess. I will use her tomorrow if I must if my brother won't see reason."
Sabine's jaw dropped, her heart leapt into her throat, she fought to breathe as her chest stopped. Her weapon, her clan's security, Tiber Saxon would unleash it upon Mandalorians. Haar'chak to loyalty he would send himself and everyone else to Dar'yaim. Her chest burned, she wouldn't let this come to pass.
A/N:
Well Sabine now sees. It isn't just writing on the wall, her weapon will and has been used against her people. So I know that my stories always fade in and out, I can't make any promises I've been going through a lot in my life. That said I pumped this out in a few days. I hope I can keep that up and have a post every month, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me for this long ride. I'll be engaging a bit with the recent reviews below, but first take a look at some of the translations for the Mando'a in the chapter if you feel so inclined!
Mando'a Translations
Vode An = A Mandalorian war chant, there was a version constructed for use by Clone Soldiers of The GAR during The Clone Wars
Jetii = Jedi
Haar'Chak = Damn it!
Dar'yaim = Hell, a place you want to forget.
Big shout out to Anonymous Noob the 2nd/A Plump Hutt for requesting this story! I'll see you with the next one!
-Six Out!