Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Wars movies, shows, books, comics or games. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not for sale, or rent. The Mobile Armors, and later Mobile Suits mentioned in the story are inspired by the various Gundam shows. They obviously belong to their respective creators, and, or copyright owners.

Chapter 5

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Part 1

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Corellian staging area Besh

Corellian system

For years now, the heart of the Corellian system has been a transit and storage point for relief supplies and all the material needed to rebuild whole worlds. Restoring the Five Brothers to their former glory, much less the system's combined industry was a monumental task that was still ongoing. Due to the central location of the Corellian system on the hyper-lane network, the constantly expanding storage and loading facilities in space eventually became one of the Empire's central hubs for storing and distributing relief supplies. As time went by, those hubs became transit points for all the material needed to rebuild liberated and reclaimed worlds as well. Every day, hundreds, if not thousands of ships delivered sealed containers with supplies or loaded them to be distributed where they were needed all over the galaxy.

That fact made the system a logical staging ground for the relief fleet that would soon head for the Other Coruscant.

A precious hospital ship floated in the center of a formation of large freighters of all stripes. A slowly expanding sphere of military ships formed around them in a protective cocoon.

A vast silver Nubiuan-built personnel transport exited hyperspace near that hive of activity, escorted by a squadron of Torrent fighters. They headed for the gathering armada of relief vessels and their escorts. The Naboo ship gracefully landed in the cavernous main hangar of the Palpatine class Star Destroyer Dauntless. Two humanoid figures disembarked in a scene of controlled chaos, followed by a stubby gleaming astromech droid.

"This brings back memories…" Anakin muttered, feeling a stabbing pang of regret. The metal fingers of his prosthetic arm clutched in a fist, and for a moment, the former Jedi stood frozen, fighting his emotions.

The moment passed and he walked after Padme with barely a stumble. All around them, hundreds of troopers and technicians were busy checking up dozens of vehicles. Even more people and heavily restrained droids moved around a constant stream of incoming cargo pallets.

A terribly young Duros officer made her way through the chaos and introduced herself.

"Senator Skywalker, Knight Skywalker, I'm Ensign Lusla Zhus. The Captain assigned me to be your aide for the duration of the mission."

"It's good to meet you, Ensign. Relax, contrary to popular belief we don't bite." Anakin offered the young woman a charming smile, finally shaking off the regret and melancholia.

"I understand that we're to attend an unexpected briefing?" Padme asked.

"Yes, Senator. There are new developments you must become privy to, before you decide how we'll proceed. Please follow me. The Admiral and the other representatives will soon gather in Briefing Room One." The Ensign reported in a single breath, before pausing to take in some air. "Please follow me!" She turned around and headed back into the chaos reigning within the hangar.

"She reminds me of Snips when she was young and innocent." Anakin chuckled.

"Those were simpler times." A brief smile flashed over Padme's face before she schooled it back into a professional mask of calm interest.

They quickly followed the Ensign, who led them deep into the ship, close to the Flag Bridge. Anakin tensed when he felt a dark presence shrouding the corridor ahead. He almost immediately recognized it and relaxed a bit. Say what you will about Veil's Apprentice, the woman was likely the sanest and best adjusted Sith in the galaxy right now. Arguably the least dangerous as well, at least compared to Veil and that madwoman, Zash.

The oblivious Ensign led them down the corridor, and around the corner leading into the next, where two different security details waited for their charges. One group was Mandalorian – there was no mistaking their distinct armor design. They all wore pristine new armors with almost organic flowing designs, that still maintained the core aesthetic one might expect of their people.

In contrast, there were two marines in light power armor, and a squad of soldiers in regular medium suits painted the bland gray of deactivated smart paint.

It was a sign of the times. Even after the war was over, and the rogue droids' danger mostly suppressed, high-ranking military leaders or government representatives could go nowhere without paranoid well-outfitted security.

Though to be fair, in a few select cases, said security was more in the form of a backup, rather than bodyguards. That was the case when Obi-Wan, or Veil was concerned. The Sith's Apprentice was no different, Anakin guessed.

They finally passed through one last, and very obvious, scanner. It made sure that no insidious droid had hijacked their bodies, using them as meat-puppet saboteurs, before the briefing doors opened, admitting them inside.

"The droids stay here." One of the marines demanded, obviously glaring at R2-D2.

"It's all right, soldier. He will stay put and won't cause problems, will you, R2?" Padme asked sweetly.

R2-D2 let out an offended beep. He pointedly rolled away from the marines until he stood beside the group of Mandalorians.

"It can't be helped, buddy." Anakin chipped in. "It pains me to say it, but Veil's Mandalorians are more tolerant than most these days."

"Our war droids remained loyal!" One of the Mandalorians boasted.

"Come on, Anakin, we've got work to do. You can try and relive your youth later." Padme gently chided and walked inside.

The place was no different than the many similar rooms Anakin had seen and used during the war – a large table with a built-in projector took the center of the room. It had seats with built-in terminals in front of them all around it, alongside space for folding chairs to cramp more people inside if necessary.

In this case, there were only a handful of people physically present. There was no mistaking the tall, almost thin figure of Admiral Yularen. Or the striking, Chiss woman, whose solid red eyes briefly flashed over the Skywalkers, before returning to the terminal in front of her. She too wore a Mandalorian power armor, with the distinct helmet placed on the table to her right.

"Senator Skywalker, Knight Skywalker, it's good to have you here. As confirmed by the Empress, and the Imperial Diplomatic Corps, you have political control of this operation. However, before we proceed with planning our mission, you need to be briefed about the latest events that happened on the other side, and the new instructions we have from the Throne." Yularen wasted no time on pleasantries, which didn't bode well.

"We're not going to like what we're about to hear, are we?" Padme sighed lightly. "Give it to us straight, Admiral. What are we dealing with?"

"Take a seat and I'll brief you," Yularen said and took his place at the head of the table. "Captain Piett's expeditionary force encountered a New Republic battle group at Cal-Seti, which proved hostile. Both sides suffered significant casualties in the battle that followed. After the death of the New Republic commander, the ranking enemy Captain requested cease-fire, which Captain Piett accepted." The Admiral summarized the situation. "You'll have the raw sensor data from the battle, as well as preliminary analysis of the engagement, and Piett's AAR to view at your convenience."

"The military details can wait. What is the immediate political fallout?" Padme asked. "What are our new orders and goals?"

"The primary goals of our mission remain the same. We're to offer assistance and relief to the people of the other Coruscant, and make painfully clear that we do not approve of such atrocities." Yularen explained. "However, because of the Cal-Seti incident, the scope of our mission has increased. We're to make official contact with New Republic representatives in their Coruscant system and demand both explanations and reparations for their unprovoked attack upon Cal-Seti, an Imperial world. In practice, what we Throne require of us is to stabilize the situation and officially receive all the equipment our forces have captured at Cal-Seti as compensation."

"What did Captain Piett get his hands on to be that important?" Anakin asked.

"Right now, he has boarding parties holding critical areas of a crippled Bulwark battleship. He has reached an agreement with the enemy commanders in the system. The final fate of the said ship and any salvage will be decided through diplomatic channels, instead of through the resumption of hostilities. At any rate, we've already sent forces to reinforce Cal-Seti, with more on the way."

"I think we might need to see some details of the battle to get the full picture. There should be more important concessions we want than a crippled Bulwark. While those aren't bad ships, we do have examples of them." Anakin pointed out.

"It's confirmed that the other side is a few decades ahead of us, timeline-wise," Aria spoke for the first time. Nowadays, her voice finally sounded smooth like silk, and free of pain. It was a far cry from the days of the war, when she had to struggle with genetic degradation due to her status as an imperfect clone. "This Republic, and presumably, all Galactic Empire Warlords fighting for their Palpatine's throne, have tougher, harder-hitting ships. We need that technology – getting it would not only give us an advantage in our corner of the galaxy but it will even the odds against our new neighbors. Not to mention the fortune and time, we won't have to waste on R&D of things already invented."

It was always unnerving to hear a Sith speak calmly, and reasonably. Such things reminded Anakin of Dooku at the old bastard's best. This was a far cry from Maul or the ORR's unhinged attack dogs made in the Valley of the Jedi.

More importantly, this breed of Sith was nothing like the Jedi Order prepared to fight and deal with, which was ultimately one of the many reasons for its downfall.

"That would do it." Padme nodded

lightly in agreement. "I'm surprised we aren't already hounded by corporate liaisons demanding we get them advanced technology to play with."

"From what I hear, that's what the Imperial family has to deal with right now." Yularen noted in a tone that all but screamed, 'better them than me'.

"Well, in that case, we should get our homework done and see exactly what we're dealing with military-wise. At any rate, no matter the outcome of our negotiations with the New Republic, the aid part of our mission will go ahead. That much is not negotiable!" Padme declared with utter conviction.

"The Empress would have it no other way, and the Emperor is making sure we'll have the backing we need to carry out our orders."

"Please tell me he isn't calling Veil for this?" Anakin asked.

"No, he's going to be with his buddy Tarkin, negotiating with a Grand Moff Kaine, tens of thousands of light-years away," Aria informed them. "All we have to worry about is your kind of trouble, your highness!" The Sith woman smiled wildly and saluted Padme with a cup of water.

"It's been a long time since I've been a Queen. You know very well that the title goes by-election on Naboo, it's not something you can inherit!"

"Love, don't snap at the Sith, even if she's friendly." Anakin sighed. "And you, stop poking fun at my wife."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Skywalker." The Chiss sniffed primly and returned her attention to the terminal in front of her.

"That aside, I'm glad that right now we're far away from the Senate," Anakin muttered. "The place will be a circus, as usual."

"It's not that bad nowadays." Padme half-heartedly admonished him.

Anakin perked up as a familiar presence brushed up against his awareness. He was aware that Aria noticed it too because she smiled happily – never a good sign when a Sith was involved.

"Our little dark star is about to join us."

Sadly, the Sith was more right in her description, than Anakin would ever want to admit. As Snips approached, he could feel her in the force. She was a shimmering contradiction of glimmering light and bubbling darkness.

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Part 2

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PSD Dauntless

Corellian staging area Besh

Corellian system

Simply being in the Corellian system was an unpleasant experience for Ahsoka. If she wasn't careful and lost focus, or worse, tried to meditate, she could hear it. There were echoes in the Force. Those who died under her command and the countless civilians who perished during the CIS occupation due to not having enough supplies.

As if that wasn't enough to sour the young Togruta woman on visiting the system unless she had to, there wes even more baggage to deal with in this place. Here, the Force, still echoed with Ahsoka's anguished screams of pain, loss, and unleashed rage. She could hear herself scream, until her throat was raw. Ahsoka could taste blood and ash. She could hear droids shatter under the force of her screams. And she could feel the unbridled joy of letting loose against the droids while channeling the power of the Dark Side.

This system, was where Ahsoka lost herself, and she was never the same again. The last shred of innocence, or belief in the Jedi way she had left, burned here, in the flames of war. If it wasn't for Obi-Wan finding her, Ahsoka would be sure she would be a creature fully built back up by Zash. That thought made her shudder with both dread and excitement. The power and secrets that woman had to offer as a teacher were incredibly enticing.

Yet, if Ahsoka blindly followed that path, she was sure she would end up uncaring for anyone but herself, and perhaps a handful of useful allies.

The Jedi path? If it was the will of the Force to abandon the Republic when it needed them most? If it was its will for the Order to blindly follow along while the galaxy fell apart, then Ahsoka wanted nothing to do with them either.

Now, she had the opportunity to forge her own path, no matter how hard it was. That was the promise the Imperial Knights gave their members. For as long as they remained loyal to the Empire and its people, they were free to seek their own path with the available guidance.

Ahsoka struggled to push her baggage away and focus on the task at hand. She let the familiar presence of her security detail soothe her frayed senses, and closed herself to the Force at a large, and the screams echoing through it.

The harried Lieutenant leading the way pointed at the corridor junction ahead.

"The briefing room is on the right. You can't miss it, General." He saluted and hurried to continue doing his regular duties.

Walking around the corner, Ahsoka had to suppress a snort. This was one of those darkly amusing things that came out of the Black Rebellion. When you get a meeting between multiple high-ranked officers, you tended to need a large separate room for their security details to wait, otherwise, things got terribly cramped.

"Wait here, and try not to antagonize either the marines or the Mandalorians."

"But they're navy!" The usual offender couldn't help herself.

"Sergeant?"

"Meiko, give me fifty, and try not to block the corridor while you're at it."

"It's marines, Sarge! How can we not poke fun at them?"

"Make that a hundred."

If that girl wasn't as good as she was at her job, Ahsoka might have had to get creative in punishing her. As things stood, Meiko Mayers never did anything that might ever warrant busting her out of the military, which would be admittedly a waste. However, she was simply physically incapable of keeping her armored feet out of her mouth.

She was also a torchbearer for the ancient rivalry between the army and the navy, something the Empire's military could do without, thank you very much.

Ahsoka walked through the last scanner check. She waited for the door of the briefing room to seal behind her, pointedly paying no attention to the other two security details. At least the task at hand and the people inside would prove enough of a distraction, the Togruta hoped.

"Skyguy, Padme!" Ahsoka cheerfully greeted her former Jedi Master and his wife, briefly leaving proper conduct behind.

"Snips! You've grown even more!" Anakin looked at Ahsoka from her armored toes to the tips of her lekku. "And I see the Mandalorians haven't corrupted you yet." His happy tone felt bittersweet emotions of longing and regret.

When practical, Ahsoka tended to wear the much more comfortable field uniform that came with her rank, instead of her armor. The latter she kept for when going dangerous places. Otherwise, even with custom modifications, there was simply a comfortable way to stuff her lekku inside, especially if she had to wear the damn thing all day, every day.

"Ahsoka, it's good to see you." Padme greeted her back with a genuine smile.

"General Tano." Yularen acknowledged her from where he sat at the head of the table.

"Admiral, it's good to see you again." Ahsoka flashed the old man a toothy grin. "And you!" She pointed at Aria. "I haven't seen you in more than a year what were you up to?"

"Hello there, trouble. I've been doing various errands for my Master, and hunting remnants of the Bothan Spy Net in our space."

"Ladies, you can catch up later." The Admiral lightly scolded them.

"My apologies, sir! General Tano reporting for duty." She saluted, and Yularen returned the gesture.

"Take a seat. I believe you've been briefed?" Yularen asked.

"Unless there has been any new development over the past four hours, then I'm up to date, sir."

"Good, then we can begin. General Tano, you'll be in charge of our ground forces. Your revisited operational objectives will be to ensure the delivery of relief supplies to the people in need on the Mirror Coruscant. That is what we'll be calling it for the operation's duration. It is for you, and your officers to determine the best way to do it with the assets we have at hand. The fleet will do its utmost to offer your support. At this time handling the supplies to the New Republic, and expecting it to use them to help the people of Coruscant is not something we can take for granted, no matter what promises they might make."

"On top of my head, I see two potential options. First, we secure a larger starport on the ground, deliver the supplies there and re-distribute them, from that FOB. Second, we secure a few of the largest hospitals planetside and use them as distribution centers. We'll have to constantly supply these facilities by using smaller shuttles. Doing so will be less efficient. I'm in favor of the first option – it would mean our limited forces will be concentrated. I know firsthand how small an area of Coruscant a whole regiment could properly lockdown. If we face serious trouble, spreading out can guarantee defeat in detail, no matter how much we outmatch the mirror people on the ground."

"That's a logical take on the situation. Please prepare proper plans for deployment for both eventualities. We'll revisit them later. Senator Skywalker, about the political side of the mission…"

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