Ch11 - The Blade
Chopper Base, Atollon, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"Master Jarrus is here," Achilles informed Nico, "His Padawan is with him, as is the Mandalorian girl."
"Show them in," Nico nodded, "Maybe tell Atalanta that her favourite thought experiment is here. The things that woman does when you offer her a blaster are honestly scary."
"Admittedly, it's quite cool," Achilles smirked. "Jarrus was telling me that he was something of a gunslinger once, but Bridger's creativity takes it to a whole new level."
Nico smiled. Where Bridger's developments in fighting style were encouraging, more so was the increased relaxation of the Loth-rat's master. Kanan Jarrus had confided in Nico about his concerns regarding Bridger's reliance on a Sith Holocron in the immediate aftermath of the disaster on Malachor. Where Atalanta had, in fact, been curious about the boy's opinions of duelling, Nico had informed the Twi'lek of his concerns, hoping that her mental clarity would succeed where Kanan Jarrus, in his mental turmoil during his recovery could not.
"So, Master Jarrus, Ezra, Sabine," Nico greeted, "What brings you to my humble camp?"
Where Nico had looked to Kanan, the eldest among the trio, the blind man had merely looked across to the Mandalorian girl under his charge, encouraging her to speak. When she hesitated, she was spurred on by Bridger nudging her in the side.
"I… err," the girl fumbled. Nico didn't move, gently encouraging her to speak.
"I found this," she told him, opening her clenched hand.
Nico's eyes widened slightly. "That is…"
"The darksaber, yeah," Sabine grimaced.
"Djeria?" Nico called, causing the pair of youngsters opposite to jump slightly in surprise, the elder Rebel merely raising his chin in intrigue.
The girl appeared quickly, slightly out of breath from what had evidently been something of a run.
"Djeria, send a message over to the main camp," Nico instructed. "Request that Fenn Rau gathers any weapons that he might be in possession of, and to make his way here at his earliest convenience."
The girl nodded, running off once more.
"You'll teach her, then?" Kanan asked. "Honestly, I don't think I can."
"Emotional involvement is not the best thing to hold for a student, no," Nico agreed. "And to wield that particular blade? I doubt that Perseus would forgive me if I wasn't the one to teach her how to use it."
"'She' is still here," Sabine pointed out irately. "And why can't I just give it to someone else? Uncle Percy, say, or Grandpa Poseidon?"
"This is the way of the Force, Sabine," Nico explained. "That blade found you. That fact holds meaning."
The Mandalorian sighed. "Of course it does."
Nico laughed.
Chopper Base, Atollon, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"General di Angelo," Fenn Rau greeted, nodding his head in respect for the Umbaran. "I have what your Apprentice requested; Vambraces armed with Repulsors, Darts, Grappling Cord, the works. All I didn't have to hand was a Jetpack."
"We'll have to use yours, then," Nico replied, holding out a hand expectantly. "Sabine, try it on for size; I'm sure the Protector can explain how to use it all while he gives you the jetpack.
The young girl seemed to hesitate, looking to both Rau and Kanan Jarrus for advice, only picking up the immaculately crafted weapons when she received their approval.
"This is my clan's work," she observed, tracing a finger over the trident design that was worked into the Beskar. "Where did you get all this? I outgrew my old weapons years ago."
It was true, too. The weaponry that Delphin had left her with all those years ago when she had first met Nico and his crew were now in a box under her bunk, power systems ruined through lack of maintenance, weapons outdated and barely functional. A Mandalorian would normally have access to a forge, to mend any issues that combat would cause the weapons. Sabine, however, had no such things. The only reason she had kept them at all was because of the dishonour it would bring her, to discard her clan's Beskar.
"I met Triton not long ago, Sabine," Rau informed her. "I mentioned to him that you had recovered the sabre. Perseus and Reyna forged this set themselves."
Sabine grinned. "He left a mark on there," she told the older Mandalorian. There's a couple of surprises in here."
"Then take the Jedi down a peg or two," Rau encouraged. "They'll respect strength when they see it."
The Umbaran Master drew his blade, igniting it. "This blade is one I forged myself," he lectured. I know it, and it knows me. In time, Tarre Vizsla's blade will learn to respect you, to protect you as mine does me."
"You're speaking like the laser sword's alive," Sabine noted, frowning.
"It is connected to us, as all things are, in the force," Nico replied calmly. "Ignite the blade, see for yourself."
She did. "It's heavy," she told him.
"It resists you. It yearns for its master," came the serene reply. "Master the blade, and it will serve you, Sabine Wren."
He put his own blade away, encouraging Sabine to do the same. "I will not teach you to fight as my Jedi fight, because you are not a Jedi," he informed her simply. "The forms are of little use to you, when you have so much at your disposal."
"But I don't have the force," Sabine replied. "What do I have that your students don't?"
"You have your heritage, young one," Nico replied, a glint in his eye.
"I don't get it," Sabine frowned.
"The individual parts of your armour, young one, are meant to mirror each of the powers that I possess. Where I use the force to leap," he propelled himself up and over her head with ease, causing her to turn, "you fire a controlled blast of your jetpack, or, indeed, Rau's in this instance. Where I push out in the force, you fire your repulsors. Where I pull, you use your grappling line."
"I… understand," Sabine replied, a familiar steel entering her eyes. Nico knew that steel; he had seen it in the face of the young girl's uncle so many times.
"The Darksaber is a formidable blade," he lectured, igniting his sabre and gesturing for her to do the same. "It feeds off the energy of its builder, Tarre Vizsla; the Kyber crystal seeks for his touch. Until it learns to feed off you, it will respond to you as it did him. Master the blade, and you Master Mandalore."
He stood side on to her, taking up the guard of Form 2 - Makashi.
"When I tell you to attack me, Sabine Wren, attack me as you would a stranger. Do not see Kanan Jarrus or Ezra Bridger in my place. I promise you, as formidable a warrior as I am sure you are, I can guarantee you that I have faced better. If you should hit me, dulled as your blade is, then you shall not need my tutelage."
Sabine's grin was feral.
The Umbaran drew his blade, the green sabre illuminating the side of his face. Sabine mirrored his actions, holding the Darksaber out in front of her in her right hand as she had seen Kanan do a thousand times over, her left hand clenched tightly.
"Unconventional," the Jedi Master noted, shifting his posture slightly, "and yet in line with the styles of your people. Master Jarrus, if you would?"
Kanan nodded, starting the duel.
Sabine eyed the man opposite her carefully as they circled one another, constantly circling around to her left, searching for any gap in his defences, keeping the darksaber held up to stave off anything he might throw at her.
His eyes widened for the slightest of moments, and Sabine struck, though not with the blade in her right hand.
Quick as a flash, she fired off a dart from her left hand, darting to her right and then bringing her blade across his midsection.
Instead of blocking, though, the Jedi Master simply jumped, up and above her brutal slash. He evaded with ease, splaying a hand out in front of him and sending her tumbling back with a force push.
"Where I agree that your vambraces are of some use," She heard as she rose to her feet, it is important to remember that you are still in a fight. Your balance and awareness must be immaculate, especially at close quarters."
Sabine nodded. She'd made a mistake, losing her balance by overcommitting, and paid for it.
"Again?" the Umbaran offered. Sabine nodded, taking her guard once more.
He attacked quickly this time, darting in faster than she thought was imaginable. By instinct, she blocked with the darksaber, fending off the flurry of strikes that came in her direction until she was able to fire off her repulsor, getting some distance between herself and the Jedi Master.
Gritting her teeth, she braced herself once more as he pressed his advantage once more. This time, the assaults were even more relentless than before, forcing her to duck and weave, fighting to evade his strikes, and without a chance to get in a reply.
Suddenly, she had an idea from his initial lecture to her.
Firing off a quick burst from Rau's jetpack, she leapt up and over his head, blocking his sabre when he tried to catch her on her way over, and landing in a crouch behind him.
"Good," he praised, taking his guard. High off the success of her move, however, Sabine went on the offensive. Reaching out with her right hand, she fired her grappling line, grinning when she ensnared his sword arm, opening his guard and giving her a chance to dart inside his arc unopposed. Locking her blade against his when he tried to back off and counter, she got close, firing the repulsor of her left vambrace and sending the Master hurtling backwards.
It should have been a finishing blow, sending him to the floor and allowing her a chance to finish the fight.
The result, however, was her opponent springing up with the momentum of her repulsors, using it to flip mid-air, and landing on his feet with the distance that he had been searching for when Sabine had forced herself inside his guard.
Frustrated, the Mandalorian drew a WESTAR-35 blaster from her left-hand holster, and firing off a burst at the Jedi. The Umbaran, set and ready, deflected with ease, sending one of her own shots back at her and forcing Sabine to use the Wrist Projector of her left vambrace.
"Hold it there," Kanan instructed, both himself and Fenn Rau placing themselves between Sabine and Nico. "No point in going further."
Sabine groaned in protest, but she knew that Kanan was right; the weapons on her Vambraces could only be used so many times, even these simulated training ones, meaning that over time, she would be beaten.
"Well duelled, ad'ika," Rau praised. "Very few could last as long as you did against a Jedi of Master di Angelo's calibre, let alone with such distinction."
"He's right, you know," Kanan agreed, "I don't think I would've realised that you could use your vambraces like that."
"You didn't watch Percy fight," Nico pointed out. "I remember sparring him, under Master Obi-Wan's guidance, once. I thought it would be like sparring Cody, and then he started to really use the weapons at his disposal. To train Sabine like a Jedi would have been a disservice to Mandalore. To them, a lightsaber is just another weapon."
"Well said, Master," Rau agreed with a respectful nod. "We are warriors from birth. You're taught how to defend yourselves; we're taught to strike hard and fast."
"Then you and I will train her to do it better than anyone else," Nico resolved.
"The bladework of a Jedi and the aggression of a Mandalorian?" Kanan mused, stroking his chin. "Sounds like a good way to cement yourself as a leader."
"I like the sound of that," the adults turned to face the source of the strained voice. "Now can someone help me up? I don't think I can feel my legs."
The group chuckled.
Tritonis Stronghold, Krownest, New Kleyman System, 2 BBY
"Everything is in place, Father," Percy told the Count of his Clan in the Stronghold's Court. Winter had fallen over Krownest, and the typically cold planet had descended into a series of fierce blizzards that blocked nearly all craft that weren't designed specifically to handle the treacherous weather systems.
"There is something you've been keeping from me, though," Poseidon pointed out. Percy scowled.
"I wanted it to be a surprise," he admitted. "Sabine Wren has recovered the Darksaber from Maul, who continues to seek Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is no longer a threat to our people; it's all lining up for us now, Father."
"Then we know exactly when we are to strike," the Count replied with a grin. "Gar Saxon's hold over Mandalore shall be thrown off, and our way of life shall be restored."
Percy bowed, leaving the room.
Imperial Academy, Sundari, Mandalore, Outer Rim, 9 BBY
"Agent Kallus, has there been any development in that little situation I've had you watching of late?" Percy asked as the Agent saluted him. "Thrawn has been getting a little more demanding of late that I go across and help him with the Rebels."
"Yes, Sir," Kallus replied. "He is insistent that there is a spy inside his personal network. I know of nobody operating on the Fulcrum network, though the young Jedi, Ezra Bridger, has a network of sympathisers who he often relied on for aid in intelligence gathering and sabotage missions."
"My own plans are beginning to unfold, Aleksandr," Percy told the man. "Thrawn might want me, but I feel as though you might just do the trick."
"Sir?" the Agent questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Cover your tracks," Percy replied, breezing over his subordinate's concern. "Thrawn, I can assure you, will find out if you leave him so much as a crumb to go off. I'll see you on the flip side."
"Sir?"
"Dismissed, Agent Kallus. Your shuttle is in Bay 8."
Chopper Base, Atollon, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"Unidentified ship entering the atmosphere!" the Flight Controller of Chopper Base announced, "All patrols on alert!"
An alarm went off on the Jedi Camp, blaring over the speakers and drawing students from their lessons to investigate what was going on. A trio of RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptors hurtled low overhead, diverting from their original patrolling flight path to set an intercept course.
"Lady Wren, to cover!" Nico instructed his latest student. He had taken to addressing her by the more formal name to get her used to the idea of responsibility. After all, she would likely hear that form of address more often than she heard her own name, once she returned to her people.
Sabine, instead, darted for a starfighter; not the Jedi Delta-7Bs that littered the airfield adjacent to his camp, but the lone Mandalorian SoroSuub-Mandal Motors Fang-Class fighter that she had stolen on her mission to Skystrike Fighter Academy.
Sighing, Nico followed, heading for the more familiar Jedi Interceptor that he had owned for the past fifteen years. The pair of them took to the skies nearly simultaneously, setting a wide intercepting course of their own, ready to cut off the intruder if they attempted to evade the initial Phoenix Squadron Patrols.
"Chopper Base Control, this is Shadow 1 and Spectre 5 setting secondary intercept course," he told the tower, flicking his radars on.
"Sabine, intruder is on your Point Five," he advised. "Mandalorian vessel, potentially carrying drop troopers."
"Yep, I see them," Sabine agreed. "I'll try and see what they want."
The girl proceeded to switch frequency, speaking in the Mando'a language that Nico had heard Percy speaking so often to his own people. By some miracle, the conversation didn't seem to be taking the poor turn that he had anticipated.
"Master, take up escorting positions. They're going to come peacefully," she announced triumphantly, pride evident in her admittedly impressive negotiations, considering the fact that he had intercepted them in a Jedi fighter.
Relaying the same message back to Chopper Base, Nico followed the girl's instructions, looking curiously at the lack of distinguishing features on the Gauntlet's hull.
"Lady Wren, did you ask who they were?" he asked, still frowning at how easily they had been cowed.
"Oh, they're friends," Sabine replied cryptically. "I think Commander Sato will want to hear what they have to say."
Nico shook his head softly.
Chopper Base, Atollon, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"Are you going to say who our guests are before we let a platoon of Mandalorian Warriors into our base?" Hera asked of Sabine, though the Twi'lek sounded more exasperated than she did concerned.
"Sure," the girl smirked. "Allow me to introduce Lady Bo-Katan Kryze of Clan Kryze, and Lady Reyna Tritonis of Clan Tritonis."
"The Imperial Governor?" Hera asked, shocked.
"The very same," Reyna replied with a smirk. "My husband wished he could be here, but he finds himself occupied at Skystrike."
"My Ladies, a pleasure to have you both here," Commander Sato paused the conversation, placing his hands on the edge of the holotable. "May I ask why you've come all this way?"
"We have a proposal for you," Bo-Katan told him, leaning against a stack of crates. "One that deals a mighty blow to the Empire, and all but crushes the Imperial Sixth Fleet."
"Destroyed?"
"Some," Reyna replied, "Others, that would be more useful to an expeditionary fleet, captured."
The crowd of Rebel Officers seemed to draw a simultaneous intake of breath. A whole Imperial Battle Fleet was a huge prize. The potential to capture enemy vessels made it all the more lucrative.
"You'll have to explain, then," Sato told them. "I will inform Rebel Command."
Chopper Base, Atollon, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"So," Reyna raised an eyebrow at her niece, "it's been a while, huh?"
"You were on Concord Dawn, weren't you?" Sabine shot back playfully. "Uncle Percy's plan's a good one."
At the mention of the massacre of the Protectors, Reyna's face darkened.
"Sabine, there were no survivors from that attack," she told the younger girl. "The entire Royal Guard, gone."
"There weren't any Wrens on there, were there?" Sabine asked, brow furrowing.
"No," Reyna reassured, "But Triton's daughter, Pallas, was present. She and five other Tritonis pilots lost their lives."
Sabine sighed. "Then we'll fight for them, too."
"Their names are forever in song, Sabine," Reyna placed a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "Don't fight for them, fight with them."
"My Ladies, forgive me for the intrusion," a warrior interrupted, "We must be on our way, Lady Tritonis."
Reyna nodded. "I'll be seeing you soon, Sabine," she said, "and keep working with that sabre of yours. You'll be a damn good leader when you return. All of us are proud."
"If Uncle Percy's plan works, then we become mightier than anyone who's ever opposed the ruling power in the Galaxy before," Sabine pointed out.
As far as she knew, it was true, too. The full force of a united Mandalore had not been fielded since the wars against the Jedi; the sector remained the single biggest threat to Imperial rule, and with some of the most important systems in the Galaxy already in the hands of the Rebellion, this move would give them all the credibility that they could ever have wanted.
Imperial Academy, Sundari, Mandalore, Outer Rim, 9 BBY
"Saxon," Percy greeted, smirking. "What brings you here?"
The man had strode into the Admiral's office as though he owned it, expression fixed in a fearsome glower. "You know exactly what I'm here about," he spat. "Your political moves have not gone unnoticed."
"Oh?" he asked innocently. "Do tell me, Tiber Saxon, what have I been doing?"
"Clan Saxon may have risen above House Vizsla, but even we could recognise that you have begun to deal with Clan Kryze in the past few months."
Percy smirked.
Of course, it had become nearly impossible to hide their dealings with Clan Kryze after nearly ten years, though the union of Mandalorian sentiment went far deeper with that. Houses Vizsla and Kryze had been united in their entireties for some time, with House Kast extending their hands in tentative friendship too. Many of the Old Mandalorian clans had pledged their banners in friendship, with Kalevala the crux of the movement for freedom from the Imperial yoke.
With members of the Rebel Alliance due on Krownest any day soon, war would break out, with the few loyal clans remaining unprepared by all reports.
"We've got our eye on you, Tritonis," Saxon snarled. "You may control the fleets of this sector, but you do not control the people."
Percy fought back a snarl. The people of their system weren't pawns to be controlled. The Empire had no right, let alone this failed excuse of a warrior.
"Is there anything of importance which you wish to tell me, Tiber Saxon?" he asked, faking pleasantry.
"The Sixth has arrived in the sector," Saxon ground out. "I fail to understand why you are massing troops here, especially since it crams my barracks to the brim!"
"I required a review of my Officer Staff, Governor," Percy smirked. "And since I, as Grand Admiral, control the fleet, I decided to test my staff's ability to move en-masse by holding it here."
My brother, Gar Saxon, was called to Krownest this morning," Tiber sneered. "I would wager either that Ursa Wren would come to heel as is expected, or that there shall be a far greater loyal Imperial presence on Krownest."
"Called to Krownest?" Percy mused, "On what reasoning?"
"Ursa Wren informed him that the wielder of the Darksaber has entered her stronghold; a Dar'Manda, aided by none other than the Jetii."
"Oh?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
"My brother means to take the sabre for himself, to legitimise himself as Mand'alor."
"Then I wish him all luck in this venture," the Admiral smirked. "I shall scramble ships to aid him, and to witness the victory of the Mandalorian people."
Saxon merely glared for a moment, before turning and leaving. There was none of the respect that Imperial standards demanded that he offered to an Officer of higher rank, not as though Percy would have given one back, either.
"Thalia?" he called to nobody in particular. There was no response, and so he repeated the request for his trusted lieutenant over the comm. "I've received all confirmation; make the necessary arrangements."
"Roger that, Boss," came the delighted reply.
He pressed the button informing all members of the Emperor's Fist's essential battle crew that they were required at their battle stations.
Imperial Academy, Sundari, Mandalore, Outer Rim, 9 BBY
"Grand Admiral?" an ensign asked, confused, "Who gave the order to scramble?"
"I did," Percy confirmed, continuing to walk in the direction of the gangway to the fist. "We're in space in half an hour."
Still, the sirens to scramble blared.
The command would bring the Emperor's Fist and its close protection craft; a pair of Arquitens-Class Command Cruisers to the New Kleyman system, with advanced orders to maintain combat readiness.
It would only be a skeleton crew, made up of the most vital components of the Fist's crew; a fearsome prospect in any situation, let alone if you were a soldier with nothing but a few blasters.
Wren Stronghold, Krownest, New Kleyman System, 2 BBY
Drums beat a steady thrum as the pair duelled, vivid green lightsaber against the unique Darksaber.
Of course, Nico mused, Sabine wouldn't have expected to be wielding Ezra Bridger's blade when she was first challenged for the right to wield the Darksaber, but she seemed to have brushed off the unfamiliarity with some level of ease. The Darksaber, however, did not seem to have got the memo; half of Gar Saxon's battle was to force the blade into submission, and to do that in the face of the fearsome warrior opposite him earned him some respect.
On the pair went, Sabine unleashing a barrage from her flamethrower which forced Saxon to take evasive action and gaining the younger of the pair the upper hand.
Deep down, he knew that she was good, but now, with her life and people on the line, the girl had become a dervish. Shrugging off an almost-desperate paralysing dart from the Imperial Governor, she struck back in dramatic fashion, firing her jetpack for a moment to guide her leap over her recovering opponent, and snaring him in a chokehold with her grappling line as she landed.
"Submit," she demanded, standing over him, Bridger's blade at his throat.
"The Mandalorian way is death, Saxon forced out from behind gritted teeth. "Or do you not have it in you?"
"I could finish it right here and now," Sabine smirked, "but then you wouldn't see what happens next."
Nico frowned.
As though on cue, an Imperial fleet dropped out of space, directly into Krownest's atmosphere.
"So that's what happens next," Ezra Bridger remarked dryly beside him. Kanan Jarrus scoffed.
"Master Jarrus, keep me appraised of developments here," Nico instructed. "I believe that I may have a larger role in this plan.
Sprinting for the Lambda-Class Shuttle which they had used as a personnel carrier, he opened the hatch to reveal Atalanta and Menelaus, both robed and ready for battle.
"Iyneda, send the transmission," he ordered. "It's all about to start."
"Got you covered, Master," the woman replied with a smirk, punching a button which engaged their ship's comms unit.
The gears were in motion, and for the first time, it was not the Emperor who held the cards.
All that was left was to watch, and see who came out the victor.
Wren Stronghold, Krownest, New Kleyman System, 2 BBY
"Fool!" Saxon cackled. "You let the Imperial Navy into your system? That one Star Destroyer has enough firepower to obliterate this planet before you can even scramble your fighters!"
"Power has done you no favours, cousin," Count Poseidon smirked. "Look at the markings, and remind yourself just whose Destroyer that is."
Saxon looked again, and his head hung low.
Off in the distance, it was becoming quite obvious which vessel was bearing down upon the snowy planet, the underbelly bearing the Jaig Eyes of a decorated Mandalorian Warrior at the rear, and a massive likeness of a fist, emerging from the Imperial mark adorning the pointed front of the hull.
"Your treachery will be paid for!" Saxon roared, straining against Sabine's grappling line which still bound him, uncaring of the blaster pressed against his skull. "The Emperor will avenge me!"
Off in the distance, a warrior set off a flare, which soared high into the midday sky and painted it a shade of blood-red. Fang Starfighters and Gauntlet Troop Transports soared in, a full company of Clan Kryze warriors dropping out of the four Kom'rk dropships' troop bays.
Cheered on by the watching members of Clans Wren and Tritonis, they stormed the bridge, breaking through the viewports with jetpack-mounted rockets and wreaking havoc among the panicked, unprepared crew.
The Arquitens-Class cruisers providing escort to the Fist swing about, targeting their weapons at the Wren Stronghold, only to be set upon by fighters, the nimble Fang-Class Interceptors knocking out their shields so that warriors of Clan Rook could force their way through to seize the bridges and command centres.
Imperial Headquarters, Lothal, Lothal Sector, 2 BBY
"Grand Admiral," Thrawn turned to face the source of the voice, and raised an eyebrow as Agent Kallus, the ISB Agent who Perseus Jackson had trusted so much entered his office.
"Such a hurry, Agent," he observed. "What has happened that is so urgent that you wouldn't even knock?"
In truth, the Agent had been a great help, supplying vital intelligence that Thrawn had been able to utilise in his hunt for the elusive Phoenix Squadron. Indeed, perhaps a little too useful, though that hypothesis could be tested later.
"News from Mandalore, Grand Admiral," the Agent informed him. "It's better that you see for yourself."
He played a hologram, plugging a small datastick into the input terminal.
A Star Destroyer of the Sixth Fleet was burning in the sky over a wintery planet of some description, its Arquitens escorts on either side being stormed by heavily armoured warriors.
Kom'rk Troop Transports provided brutal fire support, pummelling the ISD's hull with bright yellow laser bolts.
"It's the Fist, Sir," Kallus informed him. "Emergency deployed to the Krownest System to put down some unrest there."
Thrawn nodded mutely, waving off the man's intention to explain further. He pressed a button on his console, pausing a wide-angle shot of events.
"Agent, it is very much obvious what has happened here, even to the untrained eye," he explained. "It is war."
Kallus' eyes widened.
"Perseus is not so naive as to have assumed that he would be safe, putting down an uprising such as this one, and yet not even he could have been kept appraised of how events had played out."
"Oh?" Kallus encouraged, curious.
"You can see Gar Saxon, bound and with a blaster to his head. In his hand is the Darksaber, likely lost in single combat to the Rebel, Sabine Wren, who stands over him. Of course, my intelligence network had informed me of her discovery of this weapon, and, indeed, of its significance."
Kallus nodded, clearly following the Chiss man's logic.
"When this news broke out, it would likely be the case that Mandalorians in their capital city of Sundari, would have heard the rumours, therefore informing the Wrens of the incoming Imperial Fleet. The first allies to rally to the Wrens' cause are Clan Kryze, the former Royal House, clearly attempting to stake a claim on the throne, and their allies in Clan Rook and Clan Awaud have followed them into this foolish battle."
"The Sixth will take revenge, then?"
"Not the Sixth, no," Thrawn refuted. "I doubt that Thalia Grace has it in her to command a fleet of that magnitude against a full-scale rebellion, and certainly not without the brilliance of Perseus Jackson to guide her; I would instead predict that Tarkin withdraws the Sixth, and in its place, places Castellan's 'Bloody' Fifth."
He tapped a screen, bringing up the Fifth's profile, Castellan's scarred face illustrating his point.
Tritonis Stronghold, Krownest, New Kleyman System, 2 BBY
"Some day, huh?" Reyna mused, leaning against him as they sat down to eat.
"Not everyday that you die, is it?" Triton guffawed, earning himself a poke in the ribs from Libya, and snickers from his kids. "So, Perce, how's it feel to be a dead man?"
"Change that question, Triton," Percy shot back. "To how does it feel to be a free man."
The assembled members of House Tritonis cheered, raising their glasses in a toast.
"There's more important things going on, anyway," Percy told his adoptive brother, turning to the younger girl across the table. "Sabine, how does it feel to be back?"
The Rebel grinned. "Didn't think I'd ever say this, but the Darksaber's a useful thing to have around."
More cheers, and some laughs.
"A shame that Ursa's still being a cow, though," Poseidon remarked, holding his hands up in protest when Amphitrite shot a glare his way. "Believe me, I've tried, but the woman just won't budge on some things."
"Well, I'm back on the planet," Sabine shrugged, "We can sort things out with my mother when we're all sitting together in Sundari."
Again, cheers.
"I've had spies monitoring you for years now, kiddo, but none of them ever mentioned you turning into this," Percy told her, smiling proudly.
"Into what?"
"A leader," Triton cut in. "A warrior worthy of song."
"That's a load of shab, and you know it, Triton," Sabine jabbed back. "I'm not a leader. Not like you and Percy and my Mother are."
"No," Percy agreed, and Sabine smiled gratefully at him. "You're a better one."
"This better not be about the Darksaber," Sabine warned threateningly. "You'd win it off me in the blink of an eye."
"Who, Sabine?" Percy pressed. "Nobody in this clan could command a ground battle; we're all pilots, and too valuable to take out of the battle line. The Wrens have acknowledged you as a military commander too."
"There are better warriors from Vizsla, Kryze, Rook!" Sabine protested. "Lady Bo-Katan is the rightful ruler of our people!"
"And yet who between you has learned not only the ways of the Manda and the Rebellion, but the Empire too? Even learned the ways of the Jetii, if reports are to be believed." Poseidon asked, an eyebrow arched. "Nobody is suggesting that you rule, Sabine, merely lead."
The girl sighed, shaking her head.
"Sorry, someone mentioned Jedi?" Percy interjected, "Which ones?"
"Your old friend," Sabine smirked. "He's got loads of stories of you two." she pointed between Percy and Reyna.
"Like what?" Reyna asked, confused. "We didn't do much weird stuff, did we cyara?"
"I dunno," Percy shrugged. "Go on then Ad'ika, what's the kid been telling you?"
"Something about celebrating too loudly after the Battle of Coruscant?" the girl hinted innocently. "He isn't a kid, either; got a beard and everything."
Percy and Reyna shared a look, Amphitrite clearing her throat as she sent a pointed glare Triton's way.
"What?" he protested, raising his hands in surrender. "Not my fault they were too loud on a Star Destroyer!"
"Wait, what did you think we were doing?" Percy asked incredulously, Reyna stifling giggles beside him.
"Err, you know…" he made a suggestive motion with his hands.
"Men," Reyna sighed, "They all have a one-track mind."
"So what did you do?" Sabine asked, confused.
"We got Kenobi almost comically drunk," Percy replied, smiling at the memory. "He sang a great duet with Clarisse, before Nico realised that something was wrong with his master and took him back to the Temple."
The table devolved into snickers, many of them familiar with the famed General's name, and imagining the undoubtedly raucous celebrations.
A smirk on his lips, Percy leaned over to his wife, whispering in her ear. "Come to think of it, we did have a close call or two that night, didn't we?"
Reyna laughed, shoving him back to his seat.
A/N
As I said to Dudududhehe, finally, Percy's in the Rebellion!
Probably the worst-kept secret ever that he'd end up here somehow, but here we damn well are.
Nico teaching Sabine was possibly the first thing I wrote for this project, and I don't mean Talons. That scene existed before Geonosis existed, before Umbara existed. Basically, I always knew that if Nico was going to be a Jedi, then it was too good of a chance to let go.
What else...
Thrawn isn't going to be a regular POV - we'll see his and Kallus' POVs every now and then, but that bit was really just to reinforce that people think that Percy's dead.
Apologies for the slow updating; there's been all kinds of shite to deal with, first and foremost University and Exams, I'm sure you lot understand. I'm hoping to get another chapter out before the end of the month? We'll see - I'm not writing on my laptop atm so I genuinely don't know.
Thanks as usual to Dudududhehe for his help, check out his writing too.
Until next time, then,
Sol
(I don't own PJO, Star Wars or any related media)