Chapter Fifteen: Agents of the Republic
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Hey, everyone, I have returned for the time being as it was time for this to get an update after I punched out an entire story for a different fandom in only a month and I said that this was on rotation Hiatus and everything, I know. I am glad you are all enjoying this story and are looking forward to see where this goes, as am I. Last time, Obi-Wan got married, and the major sides were recruiting commanders. So, we pick up from there.
On with the Show:
The Galaxy still waited with its breath held, knowing that the armistice would soon broil over into open war again. In some ways, the war had indeed begun again, but not by the Republic or Confederacy. It was the Hutts that began their crusade to reclaim their ancient Empire. However, most of their attacks came in the form of pirate attacks on Confederate and Republic merchant shipping that carried the necessary war materials to build war machines. It was also a bigger hindrance to the CIS as now they had to reroute shipping around the outer edge of the eastern part of the Galactic Disk. They have also begun to mobilize some of their slave armies to be ready to storm planets in their way, as both the Republic and Confederacy had little forces in the areas near Hutt Space at the moment. They had to resort to pirate attacks like they usually did as they did not have the ships necessary yet to engage in full scale engagements with the other galactic powers, even with the Quunlac kajidic supplying their ships and recalling the Boonta Hutta fleets to bolster their ranks. Jabba and the other Hutt Lords had already begun financing the construction of new warships, but it would take a while until they were ready.
Outer Rim
In the meantime that the Hutts were working on building their fleets to overwhelm in numbers, they needed a Commander to match the abilities of Jedi and Sith. As it happens, they found one, now they just had to convince him.
Jabba took a small scout force, far from Hutt space toward the galactic north. Word had reached him through his underworld contacts that there was a Hutt crime lord that the new Hutt Empire could use as a military commander.
It was a world off the beaten path, Nam Chorios. A world supposedly strong in the dark side of the Force, not that Jabba cared about such things, he was not a Jedi. However, it was here that his target lived, a Dark Jedi by the name of Beldorion, some say called him the ruby eyed for having a hypnotic gaze. Jabba, though not Force-Sensitive himself, knew of the abilities of the Jedi. While his species was naturally resistant to Jedi Mind Tricks, a part of him was concerned that a Jedi of his own kind may be able to use the Force to influence him.
As the Star Jewel landed near the small palace of the Dark Jedi, Jabba was secretly harboring doubts about this. Something told him, and it was more so experience in the game of crime, than anything else, that told him to be on guard. He knew what species was native to this world of unnatural storms, and the disease they created. As his anti-grav litter descended down the ramp and settled next to his Majordomo, Bib Fortuna. In Huttese, he gave him a warning, "Be on guard for anything, I am not entirely sure what we will find here."
"Yes, Lord, Jabba," Fortuna said back in Huttese. As the entourage approached the main door, several guards came out to see what was up.
"Who are you? What do you want?" One of the guards said in a rough basic.
"The Mighty Crime Lord Jabba Desilijic Tuire, head of both the Hutt Grand Council and the Hutt Ruling Council, recently appointed Supreme Mogul of the entire Hutt Cartel, seeks an audience with your master." His translator, protocol droid, TC-70 said to the guards. Jabba felt a bit of pride as he heard the droid speak of his titles. He had already been one of the heads of the Hutt Councils that ran both the day-to-day affairs of their species and the oversight of the Five Hutt Families that ran the Hutt Cartel. When he proposed his plan to the other representatives to rebuild the Hutt Empire, they named him Supreme Mogul, giving him ultimate decision making power over their enterprises. The guards wisely opened the door and led the Hutt entourage inside to their Master's reception hall. As they entered the hall, it was like every other crime lord hutt, it was a place for parties and debauchery.
"Master, you have important visitors," one of the guards said to the Hutt Lord of Nam Chorios.
"WHAT? Now? During meal time? How dare you!" Beldorion used the Force to give his servant a powerful migrane.
"Please, my lord, this visitor is very important for you to meet," the suffering guard explained as he clutched his skull in pain. Beldorion laid eyes on Jabba and let his servant go of his torment.
Jabba let out a dark laugh, "hohoho, impressive," Jabba greeted in amusement of the torment inflicted on the servant.
"Master, this is…" the other guard started to introduce the visitor before being given a migraine himself.
"I know who this is, you simple-minded fool," Beldorion said, to the servant then turned to his guest. Despite being mostly cut off from the rest of the galaxy for nearly four centuries, word had reached him of a powerful Hutt Crime Lord that ruled from Tatooine. "Greetings, Lord Jabba. Welcome to my domain," Beldorion took a sip of his drink. He used the Force to summon drinks for Jabba and his majordomo. Once Jabba had taken a sip of the drink, Beldorion continued. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Business, Beldorion of the Ruby Eyes, a proposition, if you will." Jabba said. He knew he had to be careful with this one, and had to rely more on his wit and manipulative persuasion abilities to sway this Dark Jedi.
"Oh? What business would cause a Hutt such as you to come looking for me?" Beldorion was intrigued at least.
"War, Beldorion. The Hutt Cartel is intervening in the Clone Wars, to rebuild the ancient Hutt Empire, and to expand our holdings and criminal enterprises," Jabba explained. Beldorion's brow ridge raised in interest. "Our enemies, the Republic and the Confederacy have agents that can wield abilities like yours."
"Of course, the Jedi. You know I was once a Jedi Knight," Beldorion said, in memory of elder days. "However, it seems that my abilities have diminished over the centuries. Not sure I would be much use to you." Jabba seemed to know why Beldorion's abilities may have diminished, and it related to the world they were on, as his eyes flicked over to the other Hutt's Majordomo, speaking up for the first time since they entered the room.
"Take this chance, Lord. It would do us all some good to see beyond this world," Dzym said. "Besides, the populace is turning against you," he seemed to remind his master. He slightly smirked with an evil glint in his eyes as he plotted.
Jabba noticed something was definitely off, and knew it had to do with the advisor. Dzym was too keen on leaving the world. He may not know how the Force worked, but he did know a parasite when he saw one. He knew what Dzym was, he knew was a Droch, from having eaten one ages ago. He was a very mutated Droch, to be sure, but the telltale signs were still there. He knew what they could do, given time and victims. He motioned for one of his servants to give him a blaster.
With but a single shot, Jabba placed a blaster bolt right between Dzym's eyes, and the parasitical link to Beldorion was severed. At first, the other Hutt was confused, and angered at the death of one of his servants, but when he started to feel his connection to the Force from his days as a Knight slowly coming back to him, thanks in part to the abundance of Tsil crystals near his palace, he knew what was done.
"I thank you, Mighty Jabba, for making me realize what situation I was in, for what exact favor might you ask of me, Beldorion of the Ruby Eyes?" The Dark Jedi asked.
"Your help and service, as stated, the Hutt Cartel is in the process of taking back the territory of the ancient Hutt Empire, but our enemies, both Republic and Confederate, utilize Force-Wielders as commanders in the war. I ask you to fulfill such a role in our ranks. To help us expand our enterprises and our slave trade." Jabba, while annoyed that he had to repeat himself, knew that this time the other Hutt actually heard him.
"I like the sound of that," Beldorion said, as he had been meaning to get a few new slave dancers for his own, might as well make it a Jedi. "However, just one question, what makes you think I won't betray you for power if the opportunity arises?" Beldorion asked. It was both the nature of the Hutts and of the Dark Side to pursue power by betraying and eliminating rivals that stand in the way of that power.
Jabba let out a signature throaty laugh. "Ho Ho Ho, the fact that you ask, makes me think that you will not. If you try, you will die a painful death. I have agents in my service that can deal with one such as you." There was a relatively small, but dangerous criminal syndicate that Jabba had gotten the allegiance of, made up of mostly cybernetically augmented bounty Hunters that split from the Bounty Hunter's Guild and decided to diversify their portfolios, in the gambling and smuggling sectors: Haxion Brood. Their leader, Sorc Tormo had assured Jabba that their Hunters and Hunter Droids could handle Force-Users.
"Understood." Beldorion got Jabba's threat, loud and clear. "I need time to practice my skills to be able to fight."
"Come, I know a place for such a thing. There is another Hutt Lord that would be interested to meet you." Jabba told him, with dark glee, that he had his Force-using commander. Beldorion summoned his lightsaber to him and surprising the Hutt Lord, followed after him on his own with efficient speed.
Nar Shaddaa
The largest moon of the Hutt species' adopted homeworld of Nal Hutta, Nar Shadda, also known as the Smuggler's Moon, was the financial heart of the Hutt Space. Jabba hadn't set tail on this world in a long time. As his ship set down on the landing pad, and he and Beldorion slithered out of the ship, they were met by their host on their mechno-legs. "Lord Jabba, It is good to see you on our moon," the Hutt greeted. Both new arrivals couldn't help, but notice the peculiar necklace the Hutt wore, with various levels of curiosity. It was a necklace bearing lightsabers of fallen Jedi. How Grakkus acquired these was anyone's guess.
"Hello, Grakkus. It has indeed been some time that I have been here. I come on business. My associate is in need of your help." Jabba gestured to the other Hutt with him.
"Oh, and what may that be?" Grakkus Jahibakti Tingi asked the Supreme Mogul.
Jabba turned to Beldorion, "Grakkus is an avid Jedi artifact collector." Turning back to the other Hutt, "Grakkus, this is Beldorion. The only one of our kind to ever be inducted into the Jedi Order."
Grakkus' eyes lit up in enthusiasm. "Is he now?" Questions immediately formed in his mind that he wanted to ask about what it was like to be a Jedi Knight.
"Beldorion will be serving the Hutt Empire as our Force-using Commander in this war. He needs to use your arena and training grounds to get back into shape with his skills." Jabba wisely left out the part about the Droch that had been feeding off Beldorion's power.
"Of Course, he may use them, if he will answer all of my questions about the Jedi," Grakkus said. Beldorion cocked an eye ridge at the other Hutt, this may be the beginning of an interesting friendship.
"Good, I must return to Tatooine, so I leave you both to get acquainted," Jabba did not want to be away from Rotta for too long right now, considering everything that had happened in the past. "When we are ready to take a more active approach to this war, I will call for you."
"I will be ready, Lord Jabba," Beldorion said. Jabba's litter turned and went back up the ramp. As the Star Jewel rose into the sky, Grakkus turned on his mecho-legs and led his guest inside. Among the first things he showed the Hutt Dark Jedi was his trophy room, which impressed Beldorion, and confused him as to how he was able to get all these artifacts and not have the Order come down on him. He then called a tailor to see about getting Belddorion special robes, reminiscent of his old Jedi robes made, to signify his place among their forces. Once all was said and done, Beldorion was shown to the arena and tested his skills against the training droids. His Knight skills slowly started to return to him as he trained. It felt good to use his saber skills again, preferring some aspects of Form VII, Juyo.
Meanwhile on Coruscant
Supreme Chancellor Bail Organa sat shifting through all the military data that had been compiled from Palpatine's files, either available to the Senate or his private files that had been kept in his private office. He noticed that there were missing fleets of Venators that Palpatine had kept in reserve as a "just in case" protocol, just like how he had his secret cloning centers on the moons of Coruscant. It was the Deep Core fleet, and he was requisitioning them to the front lines. Then, there were the arms suppliers to deal with. Rendili Shipyards wanted to know if he was gonna authorize the building of Victory II class Star Destroyers. Bail didn't like the look of the things as they looked like they were suited to imposing tyranny, just like he didn't like the Victory I's for the same reason, but knew that the Venator fleets needed some reinforcements. Once they had Republic livery on them, he was able to live with it for now. Kuat was also calling about the Mandator-line. Although he would authorize them for now, he intended to have them either repurposed as cargo vessels or dismantled after the war was over. The lesser of two evils in a way. He knew he would have to make more compromises like this in the future, if he intended to win the war, that was quickly becoming more than it once was.
Bail felt in his heart that if he was not assassinated by his enemies, either within or without, the stress was going to kill him. Speaking of enemies within, he needed to call a meeting of either the Senate or the wealthier senators to propose a funding solution. With the Banking Clan exposed for what it was and what side it was on, he knew they would need to find extra funding sources. He was willing to use his own fortune for this war, he had already called his wife about this plan, and she was on board with it, if it meant that peace would come to the galaxy sooner. He also knew that he had to figure out soldiers, besides Clones. He knew that besides Mandalore, he would need to bring together clone and sector defense forces into a unified GAR. Alderaan had its own people willing to fight, all he had to do was ask as Viceroy Organa and they would come to him. Corellians were always looking for a fight. Senator Garm Bel Iblis was a stubborn man, but he loved a good fight. While the planet he represented wanted to stay out of the war, its Senator was leading his own private militia fleet of Corellian Frigates against the Separatists. Chandrilla also had its own people that wanted to fight.
He also needed to make a public address to convince the populace to support the war effort. He has tried to reach out to Dooku to offer peace, but the Sith Lord has so far rejected all offers to pursue it. He also had a tight grip over the Separatist Parliament. So, he had to do things the hard way, and decided to target the corporations that supply the enemy with sanctions and other measures he could take as Chancellor right now, until the GAR brought their worlds to heel.
Needing to take a break, Chancellor Organa stood up from his desk and walked over to where he kept his liquor, poured a tall glass of Alderaanian wine and went and looked out the window. As he sipped his drink, he looked out over Galactic City, and all the people he was responsible for. My people, he thought. "If only I got this post in an era of peace," he said to himself. He turned in the direction of the Jedi Temple. He thought about all the damage that he had to undo to their reputation, thanks to his Sith predecessor. It felt like, even beyond the grave, Palpatine wanted him to suffer and die for opposing him.
Jedi Temple
Grand Master Yoda's Chambers
Yoda currently sat on one of the cushions in his quarters in front of the holoprojector. Before him was a conference call that had been a long time in the making. Representatives of various groups of Jedi Lineage were before him. Among them, Master Djinn Altis, leader of the Altisian Jedi Sect. Then, there was a representative of the Corellian Jedi Green Council, and the High Marshal Dragite of the Iron Knights. Following them, was a representative of the Teepo Paladins, who it was, Yoda could not tell, with their face concealing mask on. The Saarai-kaar of the Jensaarai followed after the Paladin. Yoda knew he had to be careful with that one after the recent enough incident on Susevfi. Also, there was Mother Rell and Queen of Dathomir Augwynne Djo of the Singing Mountain clan, representing the nine clans of the Witches of Dathomir. In truth, he was glad to see Rell still alive, and it may make this easier for him to get the aid of the clans. Lastly, perhaps the most bizarre member of the gathered representatives was a Sorcerer of Tund, representing the light side faction of the Sorcerers.
It was quite an eclectic grouping of Light Side representatives, and Yoda had to convince them all to aid the Jedi Order in the war. "Welcome friends, wished to have this talk in a more peaceful time, I did."
"Master Yoda, it is good to see you, old friend," Master Altis greeted. Of those there, he had the best relationship with the Old Master.
"Before we begin, why is there a Sith Pureblood and a Droid among us?" The Teepo Paladin asked. It was a fair question, given the past.
"The true Sorcerers of Tund follow the Light Side of the Force. Those that follow the Dark are Apostates, and unfortunately, likely to join the Count in this war," the Sorcerer said.
"We are living beings as well, we are Shards inhabiting droid bodies," High Marshal Dragite said.
"True, both statements are," Yoda inputted. He turned to the Witches, "Mother Rell, good to see you still alive, it is."
"Same to you, old friend. I have been putting the teachings that you gave me to good use in teaching the others of the Clan and by extension, the other clans," Rell told him, to which he nodded, glad that the Witches were learning the ways of the Jedi, considering their own history. He was there when Aylla was exiled for being seduced by the Dark Side, so though she realized her error and turned back to the Light. He was there when the Iron Knights were exiled as well. It was time to undo some past mistakes.
"Before we get down to business, Master Yoda, I believe I am owed an explanation," the leader of the Jensaarai said, arms crossed over her cortosis armored chest, and her rather gentle face under her cloak's hood.
"Indeed, owe you that, I do. In the hunt for the second Sith, little did we know, feared Sith cultists springing up, we did. Heard about the Jensaarai we did, and sent Jedi to investigate. Your founder, Nikkos Tyris, former Jedi he was, fell to the Dark Side he did, stole Sith texts from the Temple, and joined Count Dooku he did," Yoda explained to her, hoping she would understand.
The Saarai-kar was astonished to hear this, she trained her followers to serve the Light Side, believing the Sith were Light siders and the Jedi were dark users. However, when she received Yoda's call through the Force and felt the Light in him, she knew she was wrong on that front, which is why she agreed to the meeting. "No wonder why things went the way they did," she said, as she bounced her other leg over her knee in thought. "The Jensaarai have been rebuilt under my care, and we are many, Master Yoda." Many of the new Jensaarai were natives of the planet that they claim guardianship over.
"Perhaps later, we can strengthen our relationship. However, now is time to discuss business." Yoda turned to address all of them again. "Revealed, it has been, that the Clone War was a false war to eliminate the Jedi and destroy the Republic from within. Count Dooku, now sole Sith Lord, is building an army of Dark Siders to fight against us. Republic Intelligence has confirmed he has recruited the Blackguard of Mustafar already."
"That is indeed concerning, Master Yoda. This will no doubt prolong the war, bringing about much more unnecessary bloodshed," Master Altis said. After what happened at Yarrille, they rejected helping in the war, but sought to end it as soon as possible, which is why he was at this meeting. "You are not going to ask us to serve with Clones or give up our beliefs are you?" He had still wanted to help the Republic, but not if he had to give up his marriage. The Corellian Green Jedi representative was also concerned about that second one.
"No, more birth born recruits, there will be. Chancellor Organa is working on that part of it. Also, recently I decided to follow your examples, my fellow Jedi. Allowed relationships and families, I have," he told them.
"About time, what about multiple apprentices?" Altis commented with a question. He knew Yoda wanted to reintegrate the Altisans into the main order and he had his sticking points.
"For now, reserved for more experienced Jedi, like Master Koon," Yoda told him, making the decision in the moment.
"A compromise I can live with, you will have the Altisans," Master Altis decided, Yoda nodded his thanks.
"Senator Garm Bel Iblis has asked several times if we would be willing to help his militia out. So far we have resisted it, but with the new Chancellor, we think he will bring Corellia fully back into the thick of things. While not official yet, once it is, consider our Contemplanys Herm over, Master Yoda. Besides, lately it has been the murmurings of our Order that more Corellian Jedi want to aid the main order in the War," The Corellian Jedi representative said, confirming that the Corellian Jedi will aid in the war.
Yoda was pleased, he had nearly achieved his primary objective for this meeting. He turned to the other two main Jedi sects. "Wrong indeed, we were, before. Resides in all living things, the Force does, no matter what form those living beings take. If forgive us, you can, welcome you, and teach you, we will." He was addressing the Iron Knight with that. He also thought of how excited a certain Aleena Jedi Master who works in the Technical division with a love of droids would be to meet an Iron Knight.
High Marshal Dragite gave a salute and a slight bow in his thanks. The Iron Knights still strived to serve the Republic in their seclusion on Dweem. At last, Yoda turned to the Paladin. "Suppose, last laugh, you have. Multiple Jedi Weapon Masters have trained with blasters over the years. Even in the Jedi Path, says no shame in it, it does. Plus, Jedi Sentinels, likely to carry them among their tools, they are. Defended a whole planet, alone I did, with a chaingun. If help you will, have you back, we will."
"Lord Teepo is laughing somewhere in the Netherworld, but we will serve," the Paladin bowed to the Grand Master. Yoda was content that he had reunified the Jedi offshoots to his side. The only one he was concerned enough about to not contact was the followers of the Potentium heresy, he was still convinced that was a secret Sith plot.
Now, Yoda turned to those of Jedi descent to see if they would help. First, he addressed the Witches of Dathomir. "What are your feelings on the matter, old friends?" he asked.
"Our sacred law is to never give into evil. Dooku and his dark army represents the greatest evil the galaxy has ever seen in millennia. We train as warriors, I sense it is the will of the Force for us to intervene in this conflict. In an ironic turn, Dooku did what you promised would happen one day," Queen Djo said, with a smirk on her face.
"Yes, heard about that, I did," Yoda said. It was the Nightsister massacre that Grievous led against Talzin and her clan. Ventress had told Kenobi all about it after she saved him from Maul, before they parted ways. "Your wayward daughter, Getherzion, what is she up to?"
"In hiding, perhaps intends to reform the Nightsisters now that Talzin is out of the picture, but not dead, that I know. If she does, I will deal with it," Queen Djo stated firmly. "To answer the question, we will aid you." Turning to the Jensaari, he wondered what would happen.
However, she had been stewing on what he had told her about how the Jensaari were founded and what the founder intended to do with the group, and even began to think that Dooku had betrayed them to the Jedi, which would be in keeping with the Sith. The Jedi and the Jensaari both served the Light in their own way, and they would only be doing the bidding of the Sith if they continued to spill each other's blood. She could not stand the idea of letting the Dark Side take over the galaxy, and what it would mean not only for Susevfi, but her son as well. "The Jensaarai will aid the Jedi, in exchange for learning the ways of the Force from them, after the war is over." Yoda silently breathed a sigh of relief he did not realize he was holding on to that one.
At last he turned to the most wild card of them all, the Sorcerer of Tund. "Just like the Witches and the Jensaarai, the true Sorcerers of Tund can not stand the idea of the Dark Side winning the war. As such, despite being descended from Sith purebloods, the Sorcerers of Tund will aid the Jedi." With that, they were all in agreement to form a Jedi-led Alliance of Light against Dooku's Sith Army, even if it put them all in danger.
War Room
Meanwhile, as the Grand Master was having his meeting to gather as many more Light Side Force groups of Jedi descent to aid them, Master Windu was heading up the discussions in the War room, along with Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker, and other senior Jedi Generals, planning the next steps of the war, once it begins again. When Obi-Wan had walked in the room, he got several curious looks, while him wearing armor was not out of the ordinary, usually it was pieces of Clone armor, now he wore Mandalorian Armor, at the behest of his wife, Mandalore the Peacekeeper, who was busy building a new army of crusaders as it were.
"While the Confederacy is biding its time, pirate attacks have become more frequent now that the Hutts are backing them. While this has caused some problems for the Republic Navy, the benefit is that Dooku now has to route supplies along the edge of the galactic disk, making it take longer." Windu informed the gathered Jedi of the increased attacks of pirates, bearing the marks of the Hutt Cartel.
"Don't we have a treaty with Jabba and the Hutt Cartel, considering I had to rescue his son?" Anakin asked what many were thinking. Despite being removed from front line duty, Anakin was still included in the strategy meetings as he was still a brilliant tactician, and had unorthodox ideas that tended to work.
"While that would be true, before Chancellor Palpatine was exposed, Jabba recently made a broadcast to Chancellor Organa telling him that the deal was off and that any Republic ship in Hutt Space was to be attacked and seized. He used it to declare that the Hutts were going to war, so now we have a war on three fronts to deal with. However, it does seem that Jabba is directing their forces north toward Separatist territory," Windu informed the gathered Jedi.
"It seems that Jabba wants to settle the score with Count Dooku," Kenobi remarked, his hand on his bearded chin in thought, like he usually did. An idea formed in his mind, he may want to suggest to Satine that she and her army may want to crusade against the Hutts, as Satine would love to help end the practice of slavery that the Hutts perpetuate and that the crime syndicate takeover of her planet caused some grudges among her people that needed to be settled.
"He wants to reestablish the Hutt Empire," Plo Koon inputted, which caused some concern among the Jedi that knew of that bit of Galactic history.
"We can not allow such a thing, the Hutts will bring about an era of Slavery that has not been seen in the galaxy since the days of height of the Zygerrian Slave Empire," Ki-Adi-Mundi inputted, Anakin's lip twitched. He was looking forward to when he was allowed back on the front lines to wage war against the Hutts. As Anakin thought about what he had been told about the Hutt pirate attacks, an idea came to him.
"I have an idea, if I may, my masters?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked. Obi-Wan had worked with Anakin long enough to know when he had a good idea, even if it sounded crazy.
"Remember what we did on Onderon? And you know how Master Kota has his own militia?" Anakin asked, many of the Masters in the room began to wonder where Anakin was going with this line of thought and how it would relate to the issue at hand. "What if we get pirates to work for us, like legally?" Anakin asked.
"You want Chancellor Organa to issue Letters of Marque and Reprisal to help with the war?" Obi-Wan asked his former padawan. A Letter of Marque allowed a private individual to become a privateer with the authority to raid an enemy nation's shipping and to pursue the war as they were able.
"Yes?" Anakin himself was a bit unsure of his own idea right now.
"What pirate would be willing to go against the Hutts and the CIS?" Plo Koon asked.
Both Anakin and Obi-Wan had the same thought, "Hondo," they both said.
"Also, what about that pirate that hates the Trade Federation that Master Gallia worked with before the war began?" Stassis Allie asked, in memory of her late cousin.
"Nym? He might be willing," Windu remarked in thought. Nym hates the Trade Federation with a passion and has been raiding them for free. "Alright, Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker, get in touch with this Hondo Ohnaka, I will contact Nym. There is also another one that is an old friend of Master Yoda that may be willing to help, I will speak with him once his meeting is done."
"Also, doesn't the Republic have an alliance with the Bounty Hunter's Guild?" Anakin asked, having another idea. Dealing with bounty hunters during the war that worked for the CIS made him think about this, particularly the ones that he, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka partnered with against Hondo on Felucia and dealing with Bane and Aurra Sing and such. Then, there was the matter of the late Durge coming to mind, as he was a Hunter that took a commission in the Confederate Military.
"There is that too, which may turn things in our favor," Kit Fisto said, recalling that mission he, Windu, Tiin, and Kolar did to take out the Crimson Nova.
"Very Well, Meeting adjourned, may the Force be with us all," Windu ended the briefing.
Chancellor's Office
As the sun began to set, Bail worked on the speech he would give the Senate to decide on a funding bill, as well as the public address he would give the citizens of the Republic to build a second army for the Republic to bolster the ranks of the GAR with non-Clone soldiers, to help bring the war to a quicker end. He was brought out of his work frenzy when his communications terminal beeped. Answering it, he was glad to see that it was Master Yoda. "Master Yoda, what can I do for you? I was just working on the speech I was going to give to the Senate and the public."
"Several small requests, I have, old friend," Yoda greeted the Chancellor.
"Anything for you, my friend," Organa said, he wanted to help the Order in any way he could. They and the Clones were fighting and dying for the most crucial battles of the war.
"First, your blessing, to allow Jedi to have families," It had been on his mind to deal with that matter lately.
"I was wondering when you would ask me that, considering Knight Skywalker's marriage was exposed," Organa told the aging Jedi Master. "You have my backing, and blessing. When the war is over, you should get your certification to officiate, old friend." He half-smirked in mirth.
"Indeed, I should. Next, perhaps a solution to some problems we have. Knight Skywalker had an idea, with Hutt backing for pirates, need to counter this, we do. Propose issuing letters of Marque, I do," Yoda informed him.
Bail thought the idea through a moment, it would free up the Republic Navy to focus on more critical sectors if Privateers could harass Hutt and Confederate shipping and bring those needed war materials to the Republic. He would need to figure out the funding of the privateers, for the materials they bring in, but at least the Republic would not need to pay to provide ships to the privateers. He will add it to his speech to the Senate. "Any other ideas?"
"Place bounties out, on Separatist leadership, we should," Yoda told him. Again, Bail considered it, while it was in a way outsourcing the war, he wanted this war over as soon as possible. If the CIS was going to spurn his offers of peace, then he had to play the war game. They already were using bounty hunters to train the clones on Kamino, and CIS backed hunters have been problems as of late for the Jedi. "Very well, Master Yoda, if it helps end the war sooner, then I will see it done."
Next Day, Galactic Senate
The full Senate had gathered to hear the new Chancellor's propositions on how to handle the war. His supporters were eager to know what he had planned to bring peace to the Galaxy as quickly as he could, and his opponents wanted to know how they could use this against him. As the Chancellor's podium rose from the floor, the Senate saw a tired, and stressed Chancellor in his blue robes. He had not slept well last night, he had been practicing his speech for that day. Before he opened his mouth to speak, he looked around the Convocation Chamber, at the senators he knew were on his side of this, among them were Amidala, Mothma, Chuchi, Wookiee Senator Yarua, appearing by Hologram was Senator Garm, and the rest of the Delegates would have made up the delegation of 2000. He also glanced in the direction of his former box, as delegate of Alderaan. In his place, his predecessor, Bail Antillies, who was a relative by marriage,and who was asked by his wife, the Queen of Alderaan, to fill in for the time being, and he was partially relieved to see Antillies there.
Mustering his courage to do what must be done, he began his speech. "My fellow Senators," Bail still thought of himself as a Senator and not as Chancellor, as a way to keep him humble and to make him seem more approachable to the newer representatives, after the shakeup that happened to the Senate in the wake of Sidious' trial. "Today, I came before you to propose a bill that will provide funding for our war effort. Each member of the Republic will contribute a share of their tax revenue to the Treasury to pay for needed troops and supplies. Each world will contribute the same percentage, so that everyone pays their fair share. In addition, I recommend that those of us that can, to personally support finances with our personal wealths as we can. To show solidarity with all of you, I, Supreme Chancellor Bail Organa, Viceroy of Alderaan, am willing to put my own wealth up to aid the Republic in this trying time." The fact that the Supreme Chancellor himself was willing to put his own wealth up to support the Republic to get what it needed to fight the war, helped convince some of the other wealthy Senators to support it as well. It also helped that the Bail was, besides Count Dooku, one of the wealthiest men in the Galaxy. He got looks from Padme and Mon Mothma in support of this, and Garm's hologram slightly nodded. He also fixed a few with a stern look to try to see if he could convince them, like the corrupt twi'lek senator of Ryloth, Orn Free Taa. Taa was on a bit of a shaky standing after the Palpatine debacle exposed some of his corruption. The slight glare from the Chancellor was a bit moving to get him to support it. "In addition, I propose a union of our noble Clone soldiers and the brave men and women that make up the local sector defense forces into a more unified Grand Army of the Republic." There was some applause but there was a bit of apprehension, many were wondering if the new Chancellor was trying to seize power. "I propose this, so that we can streamline resource management and bring together a multitude of differing experiences so that we can train each other to better handle whatever the enemy throws at us. It is also now that I am proposing opening up volunteer recruitment for soldiers. I know many worlds here have many citizens that are always looking for a fight. Senator Antillies, would I be correct in presuming that Alderaan still raises those that look to correct injustice?"
"Indeed, Chancellor Organa," Senator Antillies responded.
Organa turned to his other allies, and got support from Chandrilla and Naboo, with Representative Binks, with experience in combat at Mon Calamari, speaking up that the Gungan Grand Army will be willing to help.
Speaking of Mon Cala, the Mon Calamari Senator Meena Tills and Quarren Senator Tundra Dowmeia spoke up. "At the behest of King Lee-Char, the Mon Cala Defense fleet stands ready, and Captain Ackbar is ready to lead his people." In the wake of the battle for Dac or Mon Calamari, they had started to arm former civilian ships to build a defense fleet should the Separatists return to seize the water world.
The hall heard a male Wookie Senator speak up in his native tongue of Shyriiwook, their translator droid telling the hall that Yarua said that the Wookiees will fight in the name of freedom, as their species rivals of the Trandoshans had declared their loyalty to Count Dooku and thus have been enslaving and hunting Wookiees for sport, like they had always down. One by one, many more senators would voice their support for the Chancellor's plan. Bail had to take a moment of surprise as to how many were supporting his plan, and was glad at this show of unity.
He turned to the box occupied by a hologram of Senator Garm Bel Iblis, and now it was his most difficult challenge, convincing the man to rescind his planet's neutrality, and provide the Corellian Fleet to the Republic, and their Jedi to aid the main order. "Honorable Senator Iblis, who is honorably fighting our enemies in the name of Corellia. Unlike my predecessor, allow me to honor you for your service after this meeting. Will you allow Corellia and its fleet to join with the GAR to help end this war?"
"Bail," Garm began, his arms crossed, shocking some of the senators, as he was breaking procedure. "If anyone, especially Palpatine, had asked me that, besides you, I would have refused. While I am not okay with the Corellian taxpayer having to pay for both the Sector Defence and Republic War effort, it is clear that you mean that this bill will bring both together so that the common person will only pay one tax to provide for both. I have spoken recently with my Diktat, and the leanings of Corellia are that of war. Many trained pilots want their chance to prove themselves in this war, and the leadership of our branch of the Jedi Order have been discussing sending more to aid the main Order here on Coruscant. It is clear that it is time that the Contemplanys Hermi of Corellia is at an end. The Corellian fleet is ready for battle." It was a decision that shook the Senate, that Corellia was back and active in the war. Bail smiled in victory, he had done something that Palpatine had failed to do, he swayed Garm Bel Iblis to officially join the war effort.
"In relation to our volunteer forces, I am announcing an opportunity for those of a more enterprising mind. I announce that any one that wants to aid the Republic in a more freelance manner, I will now issue Letters of Marque and Reprisal. With the Hutts having entered the war as a third faction, and having made shipping supplies to and from the Outer Rim near impossible, Goods and Materials for ship building will be compensated as part of this funding bill. As well, in an attempt to bring this war to an end, the Republic, and from my personal wealth, I am placing a bounty of 5 million credits each on the heads of the Confederate Military." There was applause from the Senate, glad the Chancellor was taking measures to end the war without trying to seize power like Palpatine would have done. It was the fact that he was willing to use his own fortune to help the Republic in this dark hour that endeared him to many of them. He put his new bill up for a vote and it passed with a Senate Majority. So far, the Election of Bail Organa to the Chancellorship was proving to be the right thing to do.
When he had dismissed the Senate for the day, and returned to his office in the Senate building itself, he was visited by his closest friends with Garm sending his regards, and they shared a drink, because Bail needed it. This job was going to kill him. While he was trying to relax, his terminal beeped. Answering it, it was Master Yoda, calling to ask him to fill out the first three Letters of Marque to ever be issued for allies of the Republic. Once done, he retired for the night back to his apartment and slept soundly for the first time in a while, merely from exhaustion.
Florrum
The arid world of Florrum, while a backwater world, has been the site of several important events of the Clone Wars, from the capture of Count Dooku and two Jedi, to a battle between Jedi younglings and pirates on one side and General Grievous on the other, in which the Droid General having to flee, to encounters with to Zabrak Sith and such. It was all over seen by one man, the Pirate King of Florrum, Hondo Ohnaka. Hondo himself and his gang had been reduced to salvagers after Grievous came and ruined much of the firepower they once had.
It was partially a surprise, and partially not when a Jedi Shuttle touched down outside the old Ohnaka Gang's base. Hondo saw the shuttle come in and land and knew already who it was, there were only two Jedi that would willingly come here, and he was right, as he saw Skywalker and Kenobi descend the shuttle's ramp.
"Skywalker, Kenobi, my friends, you come alone?" Hondo said in greeting as his men pointed weapons at them. Several ideas were popping in mind how he could spin this.
"For business, Hondo," Anakin greeted the pirate.
"And do we really need to be met with weapons drawn every time we meet?" Obi-Wan asked, despite being the one wearing Mandalorian armor.
"Business? Good, good, that is what I understand." He put the men's weapons down. "Do you need me to ship missiles again, Master Jedi?" He was referring to when Skywalker came and paid him in spice to ship some missile launchers to Onderon.
"No, but we have a proposition. Do you wish to get back at Grievous and Dooku for attacking Florrum and make a lot of money in the process?" Kenobi asked, hoping that Hondo would make this easy.
Hondo was now interested with profit involved and he did have a bit of a grudge against Grievous for that battle. "What do you offer, Master Jedi?"
"A letter of marque and reprisal," Anakin said as he held out the datapad for Hondo to look at.
"It is an offer to become a licensed privateer, we are asking you to raid Confederate and Hutt shipping and bring captured war materials to Republic ports to be used to fuel our war effort," Kenobi explained to Hondo. "Any spice recovered from Hutt shipping is yours to keep, just don't be selling it on the black market back to them. Also, it might be a good idea to start accepting Republic credits as it will help you be able to buy necessary goods from the Republic." Kenobi remembered the hassle of the ransom for them and Dooku had to be in spice, not credits.
"Can I keep the ships if I capture them intact?" An idea formed in Hondo's mind to try to expand his enterprises. A privateer fleet, to help him bring in a fortune.
"Perhaps some of them," Kenobi said, hoping this would not bite the Republic in the backside if he was allowing a Pirate to build a fleet to aid him privateering.
"Also, all slaves you find among the CIS and Hutt holdings are to be set free. The Republic will compensate you for it," Anakin said. It was a sore spot for him. Obi-Wan was glad that Anakin managed to say that civilly. Master Yoda was planning on Anakin's therapy to start as soon as he gets things sorted.
"This sounds profitable, indeed. In the end though, Master Jedi, what is the end reward for my services?" For Hondo, profit was what mattered most.
"A pardon and the chance to retire with your loot, providing that you cease all other criminal activities," Obi-Wan told him. Hondo looked at the Jedi with an almost incredulous look asking what crimes had he done against them. "Remember, you are still on the hook for trying to hijack a Jedi Starship to steal kyber crystals, and attacking that village on Felucia." Kenobi warned. Hondo's face shifted to understanding.
"And for what you were going to do my padawan," Anakin's voice got hard. Obi-Wan held him by the shoulder to calm him down. Ahsoka had told him about that debacle, and he was not happy at the time, and it bothered him that Hondo had a buyer lined up interested, particularly female Jedi, and didn't care if they were alive or not. He had half a mind to ask as to who it was, but he also did not want to know, as he knew he would go after that person if he knew.
Knowing that his back was against the wall and seeing no other option here, "Privateer Captain Hondo Ohnaka, quite like the sound of that."
"So, do you accept the offer?" Anakin asked, wanting to get going already.
Hondo took another moment to think it over, and looked over the remnants of his old base that was now his salvage operations. He had once built a proud pirate empire and the Confederacy and the Sith had taken it from him. Now reduced to a salvager, desperate for what money they could pull off selling scrap. This contract was his one chance to both avoid prison and rebuild his reputation and his business. "Master Jedi, you have a deal." He put his hand out to shake the Jedi's hands, which they cautiously did, weary that Hondo had a trick up his sleeve, but were glad that he didn't.
Before they left, he had one last piece of business with the Pirate Lord, from his other responsibilities to Mandalore. "Also, as the Duke of Mandalore, I must also present to you with a request from the head of Clan Fett. Boba Fett requests you return his ship, Slave I, to him immediately." Anakin's back stiffened a second at the name of the ship. Hondo's brow cocked for a second in recognition. He was also a former slave himself, and so was Jango.
"I liked that ship!" Hondo seemed incredulous at the request, but he gave way immediately. "However, you are right, it is his. I knew his father well, you know, I was just keeping it safe for him." Hondo seemed to lose himself in a memory for a second.
"Did you have a price on your head at the time?" Anakin asked, his brow cocked.
"No, thankfully not, but I probably do now, from someone." Hondo's face shifted a bit in thought. He was partly wondering why Dooku hadn't put a price on his head yet for both ransoming the Sith Lord to the Republic for spice, or making Grievous flee at the Battle of Florrum. No hunters had shown up yet to take his head and he had to thank the Force for that. Anakin and Obi-Wan seemed to already know what he was thinking about. "Jango would come round once in a while when he was on the job for information, share a drink with me, may have killed a man or two in my bar that had a price on them, and I helped out on a few hunts here and there. It's how I met Aurra, speaking of, how is she?" He had last heard she had gotten herself out of prison.
"Escaped, and it seems she is lying low, but she may be trying to barter with Dooku for employment." It was a concern among the Jedi Council if Bounty Hunters would take commissions in the Separatist military, especially after Durge and Cad Bane's usage of a Trade Federation fleet.
"That sounds like the woman I knew, considering her history with your Order," Hondo remarked.
"Oh, we know. Master Kuro is waiting for the day she meets her former padawan again," Obi-Wan remarked. Kuro blamed herself for what happened to Aurra, but knew that she had to end it as Aurra was too far gone, with how many Jedi and Republic officials she had killed.
"Well, I'll raise a drink in her memory then. Speaking of, care to join me for a drink to finalize our arrangement?" Hondo put his hands together in hope.
"Not after last time, Hondo." Anakin shook his head, that was quite an ordeal. Hondo had not taken any chances and had spiked everyone's drink that night, on the hunch that the Jedi would suspect the cups they were first given.
"Perhaps after the war is over, goodbye Captain Hondo, Privateer of the Republic. If we see you out there, we will try to provide what aid we can." Kenobi turned and both he and Skywalker walked up the shuttle ramp to return to Coruscant.
As he watched the Jedi Shuttle rise into the sky, Hondo had to ponder the fact that it seemed like everyone had to choose a side in the war, and that there would be no middle ground. As he returned to his desk, he heard his communications beep. Answering it, he saw the face of an alien species he had not seen in a while, a renowned pirate queen. "Maz, my old friend. Are you calling about an unpaid tab?"
"Yes and No, Ohnaka," Maz answered him, her face giving away that she wished it was only about his tab that she was calling about. "Come to Takodana, we need to talk in person. Nym and Shard are on their way as well."
"I wondered if you were calling about the news, I just had two Jedi show up to recruit me." Hondo told her, with her brow cocking in question. "I accepted it. I'll be there." She nodded and cut the connection. Hondo turned to his men and told them to load up to move out.
Pirate Lords
Maz Kanata's castle, Takodana
In a meeting room in the tower of the old castle, sat four of the most renowned pirate captains, three bearing the title of Pirate King/Queen. At the head of the table sat Pirate Queen Maz Kanata, next to her on her left sat the Pirate King of Florrum, Hondo Ohnaka, to his left was the Pirate King of the Nevarro sector Gorian Shard, and finally Captain Nym, Pirate Lord of the Karthaak system sat to Maz' right. They had been gathered there to discuss the Republic's offer of a privateer contract; Hondo had already taken the offer. "My fellow pirate captains, we know why we are here. There is an offer on the table to make a lot of money, the Republic is offering Privateer contracts to raid Confederate and Hutt shipping, with pardons for all of us and a chance to retire with the loot. Captain Hondo has already taken the offer." Maz began the meeting. They each shared looks trying to see what they were all thinking.
"It was either this or prison, and let me tell you, It would not suit me," Hondo said, his ego showing.
"Captain Nym, it has reached my ears that you worked with the Jedi and Republic in the lead up to the opening of the war and have been continuing to harass the Trade Federation," Maz addressed the Feeroan. It was true, he had a habit of helping the Republic here and there, all the way back to the Battle of Naboo.
"It was vengeance, Maz, pure and simple." Nym's gruff voice spoke up. It had in fact been revenge against both the Federation and Sabaoth Squadron for his part in the early days of the war. "In the end, the Jedi offered me a post as commander of the Karthaak system, I declined it to keep my options open, but I did keep up the fight to keep the Federation out of my system. However, considering the options, I think I must take the offer."
"Why pick only one side?" Shard commented. Everyone turned to him in question of where he was going with this. "I am sure both the Confederacy and the Hutts will also issue letters of marque. They will be more focused on each other to worry about us amassing our fortunes." His mind was of greed, and it would indeed be profitable if he was raiding for all sides.
"Unfortunately, Captain Shard, the rest of us have reasons for why we can't do that. Nym has been fighting the Trade Federation for a long time now, and Viceroy Gunray has it out for him. Hondo is on both Count Dooku's and General Grievous' kill lists for capturing and ransoming the Sith Lord to the Republic as well as forcing Grievous to run at the Battle of Florrum. As for me, I have good relations with the Jedi Order that I do not wish to put in jeopardy." Maz herself was Force-Sensitive, and was concerned as to what would happen if the Sith won the war.
"What is the galaxy coming to when Pirates are choosing sides in war?" Shard asked, his eyes narrowing in accusations.
"It's called backing the winning side, Shard. It is better that the Republic wins as if the Confederacy wins, all Pirate operations will be skewered on Dooku's lightsaber, and the Hutts do not have the strength to carry out a prolonged engagement with either of them," Nym commented. Hondo recalled when he had held the thing in his hand, what an interesting weapon.
"Then, there is nothing left to say, to the victor go the wealth," Gorian stood up and limped out of the room.
With the three now alone, Hondo turned to the others, "So, are both of you taking the commission?"
Maz and Nym shared a look to see if they were in agreement, and they were. "We are, my old friend. I will put the word out through the cantina downstairs to rally anyone that wants a job to join my fleet."
"The Lok Revenants await my command to raise the banners against the Federation," Nym's gruff voice agreed.
"Very well, Captain Nym, contact who you have to to get your commission. I will call Master Yoda. Captain Ohnaka, gather what men you can," Maz ordered.
"My name still holds influence over the underworld, at least I think it does," Hondo said, hopefully.
"It does," Maz assured him. It was not much, but Hondo was still a Pirate King.
In the wake of the Supreme Chancellor's speech, numerous things happened for the Republic, Organa had gotten flooded with requests from aspiring Captains to give them a letter of Marque. Also, the Antarian Rangers saw a surge in their ranks, even Kota's Militia saw its ranks swell with volunteers. Despite what Palpatine had done, there were plenty of people that still wanted to fight alongside the Jedi in the name of freedom. While the Clone Legions were divided up a bit more to give the Corellian Jedi some forces until the birth born recruits were ready, it was a good start to what was gonna have to be done. Hondo, Nym, and Maz gathered small-time pirates and enterprising personnel to their cause and began to plan where they would raid first. However, the Confederacy was also making their last preparations for war.
Well, that was something. Yoda got his Jedi-led army of light commanders, of which, definitely mixing lore here with some of them, like the Sorcerers, and a bit with the Witches of Dathomir.
Jabba got his Force-using officer and such, so each side has at least one, hahaha. The privateer thing is something I had in my head for while and I am glad to get to start to use it. Also, yes, I played Jedi Starfighter, so yeah. Once again I know my lore as it were, also had to remind myself of some of it, but you know, how it is. Bail's speech was perhaps the hardest part of this chapter to write, never liked writing such things, but I gotta do what I got to do.
Well, I will be off now, I'll see you guys soonish, I think. Hope you enjoyed it.