Chapter 19

Alliance of Necessity

RAXUS SECUNDUS

Capital of the Militia

The funeral pyre for Urrde burned bright in the early morning, the smoke rose up high into the dim blue and black morning sky outside of Lord Asimov's estate on Raxus, the Vanguard fleet had returned for repairs to Raxus in attendance Ahkilleon was wearing a brown robe with the other Jedi. That being his own Master, Asajj Ventress, her children Yumi and Corto, Master Tai Uzuma, Nareau Stormblade, then Kraggen and Fatima, beside them stood Ventus and Terro who wore simple brown cloaks instead of robes. They had cleared out the ground around the estate and it stood at the center of dirty, the logs starting to break as it sent embers into the air. Urrde's body had been wrapped up with the sigil of the new Jedi Order, it was reminiscent of the old order but the wings were more flared out and the saber more jagged to burn twice as bright like the flames.

"How's Kraggen?" Ahkilleon asked Corto.

"He hasn't said a word since we brought her back to us." Corto said.

They stood there in silence before Asimov put his hand on the students shoulder, "I must attend a meeting with the other Warlords, I will call for you soon." Asimov said before he turned to leave "I should go with you."

"No." Asimov told him kurtley in a hushed tone, "Be with your brothers and sisters, mourn with them and honor the memory of our fallen sister."

Ahkilleon nodded sensing the pain of loss from Corto, Yumi, Kraggen and Fatima. "There is no dearth, there is…" Ahkilleon tried to say the last word of the line "It doesn't make it easier." Asimov said before he departed.

As the sun rose and the fires died out, a pile of ash and smoldering embers were all that remained of Urrde's pyre, the Jedi pulled their hoods back and followed the trail that let back to Lord Asimov's Raxus estate, formerly the Bonteri residence with one tall tower attached to the rest of the manor, the trail that led up to it showed ships coming and going and a series of B1 battle droids hard at work erecting more structures around it, extra buildings added to the main house ground being dug to connect pipes and so on. "Whats all this?" Ahkilleon asked Terro.

"Lord Asimov has ordered his estate be expanded for the Order, so that other Jedi may use it as a place of refuge." Terro said behind his mask as they entered into the grounds, trees were being cleared by droids with chainsaw arms and carried away and Ahkilleon looked down the tall hill to see droids digging up earthworks to build what would become a tall wall. "As a Temple?" Ahkilleon asked.

Tai heard them and saw that some of the walls were having turrets added tot hem, "More of fortress." She muttered.

Terro took some umbrage with that "Lord Asimov has vowed that the Order will never be threatened by another purge, ever."

"I'm in no mood to argue Terro." Tai hissed following Asajj and her children into the manor, the others passed by and Kraggen came up the rear walking slowly "Kraggen?" Ahkilleon asked him but he didn't answer, "Kraggen." Ahkilleon grabbed his arm and the quarren turned his eyes glazed over "... what?"

Ahkilleon could feel his emptiness, his pain "If you want to talk, I'm here brother I know what it's like to… loose someone you've known your whole life."

Kraggen loosened and sighed "Thank you, Ahkilleon, but I can't right now."

"I understand." Ahkilleon said letting him go.

RAXULON

The Hexagon

The Hexagon, the center of the Militia martial power in the known galaxy, while the Militia's true home is Arcadia, it is home to their families and secret shipyards that built the Militia's first fleet. The Hexagon like it's name suggests is a six sided building with a pyramid dome, deep under the surface of Raxulon the Warlords gathered some were holograms others were there in person. Lord Asimov chief among them with a hologram of Admiral Harch, General Kleeve and Gererra were there in person, two more holograms: a nemodian tall and lanky with cybernetic eyes, and a phindian with brown scales wearing blue armor, there were other holograms and warlords all murmuring. General Freeman walked in with his Azure guards and sat down at the head of the table "Well gentlemen, ladies… we were caught with our pants down, how?" Fives asked them.

There were no answers, Lord Asimov stood then, "We knew this day was coming, the Empire would return to reclaim what is rightfully ours I say-" He slammed his fist on the table "Let them come."

A few of the other non notable ones didn't, "I admire Warlord Asimov's gaul, we must be cautious." An elder nosaurian with orange skin, six spikes on his head with brown eyes, he wore a military uniform of brown with a coat a blaster tucked under his arm "The Imperial fleet still out numbers us, we must change tactics."

"I agree with Warlord Bomo Greenbark, the Empire's attack was not a full invasion but probing our defenses and we proved we could hold them off for now." The Nemodian said, skinny with cybernetic implants over his eyes, his uniform was more a classic separatist one with long blue robe with a matching commanders hatt. "Admiral Tuuk's Golden Fleet speaks for me and the Free Company as well." The phindian said.

Kleeve snickered, "What could we expect from the Merchant Alliance's mercenaries?" General Kleeve said, drumming his fingers on the table.

"You dare-" The Phindian snarled, standing "Enough!" Harch barked at them, "A change of tactics is in order click-click-click, to balance click-click our odds of survival."

A round of murmurs as General Freeman looked around, "I agree, which is why I'd like you all to welcome back and old friend?" Fives said as the door opened and entering in wearing his purple robes and mummified body, with his golden mask was Caliban, Warlord of Shadows and Spymaster of the Militia, "Hello my old friends, the Chiss Ascendancy sends their greetings and more."

"An alliance?" General Gererra asked.

"Not so Adventitious as that, I assure you but General Freemen has alerted me to our predicament and we have a solution." Caliban said as he stood behind the General.

All eyes were on the masked man, "The Militia cannot win this war alone, the Chiss will not join our war but they will not aid the Empire either, as is their way. Therefore what I suggest will be a drastic step in a new direction we must ally with the Rebellion."

"No." Lord Asimov said sternly, there were many nods and murmurs of agreement "Your caution is well founded, as you know the Rebellion exists across the galaxy, some even think behind our own borders those we have rooted out, but the Empire cannot afford a war on two fronts." Caliban said.

There was silence before General Steela asked "What do you recommend Caliban?"

"The Vanguard has already been in contact with one cell, Phoenix Squadron who from reports of Turok Skell are in charge of search and recovery of assets that could support the rebellion, ships, weapons, supplies etc. Lord Asimov, did you not trade supplies with this cell recently?" Caliban asked.

Asimopv turned his head and answered "... Yes, in exchange for two holocorns they took no weapon though." there were more murmurs.

"Indeed, I will be plain, the rebellion is an idea. Their greatest strength is their greatest weakness; they are divided, scattered, leaderless at the moment except for a network of agents on an axis or fulcrum."

"And what of your agents Caliban, where have they been?" Kleeve asked him.

Caliban held his hands up and interlocked his fingers "Hard at work I assure you, but if we delay the Empire will pick us off and the rebellion will gain more strength as we fight the Empire bleeding dry until they overwhelm us. That is why I propose we offer them our military assets of older separatist weapons and ships, the Empire will not be able to connect us to them and with our new patronage more… agreeable rebel cells will rally to our cause."

A grumble from Greenbark "There's no honor in this type war."

"Honor is for people who can afford it, my dear Bomo." Caliban bowed his head in respect, "Lord Aismov you've been quiet, what do you think?" Fives asked him.

Lord Asimov stood "I will do what is best for the Militia as I have always done."

LORD ASIMOV'S ESTATE

In addition to the new construction of the estate, there was a small detachment of Jedi Sentry droids who had taken up guard duty at the estate, Ahkilleon was sparring with two of them who were using their shock staffs to fight him. Ahkilleon was wearing his armor again and his hemet taking on both droids alone, Nareua stood watch on the training as he had often done Corto came out with a pot of simmering tea after helping himself to the kitchen, three cups on it he started to pour "How is he?"

"His form never wavered click-click-click, I credit his doctor, Corto." Nareua said sipping the tea behind his mandibles.

"He's my most stubborn patient." Corto sighed pouring the other two cups, "And you Padawan, click-click-click the loss of Urrde click-click-click must weigh on you?" Nareau asked.

Corto's face stiffened. "She is one with the force, I will mourn her death and honor memory."

"As will we all click-click-click." Nareau said as Ahkilleon blocked both shock staffs, and the harch master clapped his hands "Enough Padawan Tano, click-click-click I will assure your Master click-click-click and the Council you are fit for duty click-click-click." he clicked out.

Ahkilleon walked forward, clipping his sheathed sabers to his chest and taking his helmet off, "Thanks…" He said to both of them as he took the tea and sipped it.

"How's everyone else doing, Coto?" Ahkilleon asked.

Corto frowned "My sister still mourns, but my mother is with her, Fatima is on a holo call with her family when we get back to Arcadia she says she'll be staying with them for a while, she'll be fine, eight siblings."

"Eight, wow." Ahkilleon said "And you?" Ahkilleon asked Corto, he sighed "I knew Urrde since she first arrived at Bastion, she had her rough spots but she was still a good friend I'll miss her."

Ahkilleon looked at the stairs leading up into the estate and saw Tai walking down, she approached the three of them "Practicing for the next campaign Padawan Tano?"

"Inquisitors they often travel in pairs when they hunt, one will distract you while the other strikes, they use their rotary blades and have their own engine, the sentry droid shock staffs are good ways to train against them." Ahkilleon explained sipping his tea.

Tai looked at him hard, "Do you know why Yumi- My padawan contacted me about your vendetta after Maul?"

Ahkilleon stiffened his gaze, "You told her too?"

"No, she did it because she cares about the other jedi, like her brother, Kraggen, Fatima and Urrde." Tai told him.

Ahkilleon drained his cup and held it, and Nareau lowered his "Master Uzuma, click-click-click perhaps this is not the best place for this."

"It's okay Master Stormblade." Ahkilleon said.

Tai clicked her tongue "It's anything but okay, you endangered them once and your actions inspired Kraggen and Urrde to abandon their posts in the medical bay to go fight."

"That's not fair Master, Ahkilleon had nothing to do with Urrde's death." Corto said coming to his defense "It's not the first time a young jedi died because of you." Tai hissed. Ahkilleon squeezed the tea cup so tight it shattered. He lowered his arm "If you're referring to your former Padawan, I didn't know he was-" "What, that he was obsessed with that Jedi King prophecy you think you are."

Ahkilleon stepped toward her, "I won't apologize for fighting for what I believe in, I'm sorry but I can't control what others do for their own beliefs."

"Spoken by someone who isn't ready to be a so-called 'king'." she said before she turned to leave. Ahkilleon wanted to snap back but Nareua grabbed his arm and Ahkilleon let her and it went back into the estate. Ahkilleon paced away, hands on his hips he lifted his head and took a deep breath and exhaled, to calm down.

Ahkilleon walked through the courtyard alone. He came by a nearby tree and slammed his fist into it breaking some of the bark and cutting his fist, "Well that went smoothly." Ahkilleon looked up to see sitting in the branches was the familiar spectral apparition of Qu Rahn.

"So you are haunting me?" Ahkilleon asked Qu.

"Nah, I'm just bored I loved living death is so… dull." Qu swung his legs off the branch and floated down across from him.

Ahkilleon sneered at him, "Leave me alone."

"No." Qu told him.

"Why?" Ahkilleon snapped.

Qu shrugged "Like I said, being dead is so dull you're still alive I want to see how things… play out."

Ahkilleon scoffed at him "Yeah well they played out with another jedi's blood on my hands."

"Urrde's death wasn't your fault, not entirely" he asked Ahkilleon who said nothing, "Life and Death are the only two things everyone knows is true, you were in the middle of a war hundreds of thousands of people died but trillions of more would have died if the that Imperial fleet has reached the refugees here." he said looking out at Raxus "What did she mean, said I wasn't ready to be a king?"

Qu paused and paced a few steps "The monarchs I did meet when I was alive were either elected, or inherited their crowns, somewhere noble others downright despotic point is being a King or a Queen, isn't just wearing a crown, living in a palace and waving to the crowd it's knowing that your choices good or bad will always come at a price if you want to be this so called Jedi King, which I'm still against, make sure you know the price is worth it."

Ahkilleon looked back at Qu and saw he was gone, "... Really?"

He heard a ship flying overhead and saw it was a Gunship, sensing his Master was onboard he made his way to the landing pad outside the estate, Beetoo was already there waiting and it came up to Ahkilleon like a dog beeping at him, as the gunship landed "Looks like he's yours now." A familiar face, Ahkilelons face shot up to see Turok walking out of the gunship with Lord Asimov, "Nemo would be happy knowing Beetoo was in good hands lad."

Ahkilleon sighed in relief, "Still alive?" he asked.

"Yep, never gonna die, and you been busy fighting off Sith Lords, winning space battles." Turok said walking up to him, Lord Asimov followed "We can catch up later, we need to talk."

Lord Asimov led them inside and into the interior of the estate, that was slowly being transformed into a temple fort, they stood in the great hall where a furniture had been moved around for a meditation room, there was a holotable at the back of the room and Asimov turned it on. To reveal two figures, General Freeman and Caliban. "Greetings Captain Tano, I trust you've made a full recovery?" General Freeman asked.

Ahkilleon nodded "Cuts and bruises sir."

"Quite, shall we cut to the chase." Caliban said making it clear this wasn't a social call.

Ahkilleon looked at everyone confused, "Caliban has plan to help prepare us for the next Imperial assault, the Militia will court the Rebellion, in exchange for weapons, ships and supplies their spy network will give us tactical information that will help balance our fight against the Empire." Lord Asimov said with disgust.

"But Master, you said you don't want an alliance?" Ahkilleon asked.

Lord Asimov placed his hands behind his back, "I would rather not, but the Warlords and the General are all in agreement by majority we need the rebels spy network."

"That is where you come in Captain." Caliban said with his hologram eyeing him, "You know the rebel cell known as Phoenix Squadron, how the work and how they operate. We need you to be our ambassador."

Ahkilleon forced a smile, "Eh- Um with respect did you two not read the last report we gave, the Vanguard and Phoenix Squadron aren't exactly on the best of terms?"

"We're aware, however, what we have to offer they won't be able to refuse." General Freeman said with a smirk.

Ahkilleon looked at Asimov and Turok, "But you need the location of their base?"

"And you have the coordinates don't you, Captain." Caliban said.

There was a long pause, Ahkilleon looked down "You're asking me to betray their secrecy, if I give you their location it'll only take one Imperial spy to find them, it's the same as Arcadia or the access codes to the droid army."

"I assure you, no Imperial spy has been close to finding Arcadia." Caliban said.

"But this is the same thing…. Permission to speak freely?" Ahkilleon asked.

There was another pause, "Granted." Fives said.

Ahkilleon looked at everyone in the room "I left that life behind, all of it I'm part of the Militia, I'm loyal to the Militia but what you're asking me to do, it… it-" "Is your duty to answer the call, your Oath demands that tell us the location of the rebel base." Caliban said to him,

"Now are you a rebel, or a soldier of the Militia?"

ATOLLON

Chopper Base

A rebel transport was landed in the airfield, some of the supplies they'd gotten from the Militia had been loaded up onto its haul and an escort of A-wings were being prepped and fueled to escort it. "The ships all loaded for the civilians on Teralov, enough to last them a long time." Ezra said to Hera who was looking at it with some comfort knowing they still had plenty. "And you scrubbed the Militia decals off the crates?"

"Sabine pressure washed them off." Ezra said to her.

Hera nodded at him "Thank you all for the heavy lifting."

The other rebels were finishing up when an alarm sounded, Ezra and Hera went running to the command center, Kanan was awoken from his meditation, Sabine who was finishing up another one of her murals on a barracks walls grabbed her helmet. Zeb was woken up from a nap and Rex who had been in a holochess came with Chopper followed the droid out of the Ghost, they assembled at the command center with Sato already there.

"What's going on, Hera?" Zeb asked.

"I'm not sure Zeb, Commander?" Hera asked Sato who brought up the planetary map, the rebel fleet that was hovering over the planet standing guard "A ship passed by our long range sensors, it's dropping out of hyperspace in three… two… one." And as Sato said dropping out of hyperspace was a The Providence-class carrier/destroyer, additionally designated as the Dreadnaught-class command ship and also known as the Trade Federation cruiser, the Separatist Star Destroyer, or the Separatist dreadnought, was a series of capital ship models fielded by the Confederate Navy during the Clone Wars. It was originally produced and used by the Trade Federation, hence the nickname.

Rex gapped seeing it "A Separatist dreadnought, what the hell is it doing here?" Rex said.

A beeping comtower showed a transmission was being sent, "We're about to find out." Ezra said, "Chop scramble the signal don't show them we're here." Ezra added before it went through.

A hologram appeared and walking into view was Ahkilleon in full armor, he removed his helmet "This is Captain Tano of the Providence Dreadnought Rebel One, baring greetings from the Militia, and a message for the Rebellion cell Phoenix Squadron, permission to land?" He asked.

The rebels all looked at one another, Ahkilleon held his helmet under his arm but said nothing, "Permission denied. What business does the Militia have here in this system?" Commander Sato said dropping any pretense of pretending they weren't who Ahkilleon said they were.

Ahkilleon tensed hearing the familiar voice, "As you know the Empire has begun it's counter attack across the Outer Rim, the Militia High Command wishes to parlay and as a token of our good faith, this very ship for your fleet."

The rebels all looked at one another "Did I hear that right, a whole warship?" Zeb asked.

"Those Dreadnoughts could take on almost a full Republic fleet back in the day." Rex said in a hushed tone.

Ahkilleon continued, "With it we give a skeleton crew of B1 battle droids, supplies, weapons all pre-Imperial." Ahkilleon added.

He looked down as if he were doing a painful act, and the rebels cut the transmission "This a trick it has to be." Ezra said.

"Trick or no trick, the Militia know we're here, Ahkilleon saw to that and if they're willing to give us a full dreadnought we need to listen." Hera said crossing her arms.

Sabine gawked at her "Wait, you want to hear what they have to say Hera, you?"

Hera dropped her arms "I know I've been against the Militia, but times are changing with Imperial fleets invading the outer rim, again rebel activity will be watched even more for our cell and others, and a prize like a Providence-Class dreadnought thats… not worth my pride." She looked at Commander Sato.

He reestablished the transmission "Rebel One, one ship is granted permission to land."

Ahkilleon nodded "Roger, Roger." Ahkilleon said.

Rex scrunched up his face hearing that.

Not long after hearing they had permission to land, the Revenant descended down to the surface of Atollon with an escort of four A-wings following it. It landed in the airfield next to the rebel transport they had been loading, and it looked as if the whole squadron had come out armed and ready for the Militia. The ramp lowered and exhaust poured out as footsteps echoed walking out at the head of the landing party was Turok wearing his long brown trenchcoat followed by Ahkilleon in his full armor, his helmet hiding his face. Then Lt. Breacher, Captain Naqia Scintel, Lt Stratos, all wearing their own armor.

They walked down and Turok gave a toothy smile seeing the rebels all assembled hands on their blasters, Commander Sato stood out in front of them hands behind his back flanked on each side by Phoenix squadron troopers, the spectre's stood in the foreground while Hera and Rex stood beside Sato, "Commander, so good to see you again." Turok said.

"So, you are the one in charge of this charade, Turok Skell?" Sato asked him.

Turok held his hands up "No charade, this is for real, the Militia want to talk."

Sato glared at him, "Very well, but you and your men will surrender all your weapons." Commander Sato held up his hand firmly and closed it showing it was an order not a request.

"Of course." Turok said taking off his pistols, the rebel troopers came to take the weapons, Breacher surrendered his sniper rifle, Stratos gave up his pistol and his rotary cannon, Naqia surrendered her sword and pistol, but it was Rex who took away Ahkilleons lightsabers.

Stepping aside, Sato let Turok walk forward "You're men may remain here, where we can watch them."

"Your base, your rules." Turok said following casually, Sato led Turok up to the command center with Hera and Rex following, Rex looked over his shoulder at Ahkilleon who's face was hidden behind his helmet, looking like his mothers lekku but with a metal face mask and visor. They entered into a small building with a table for private meetings, Sato sat down and Turok joined him.

There was a tense silence in the air "Nice place you got here, far away from Imperial eyes, plenty of space and sand lot of sand." Turok said drumming his metal fingers on the desk.

"Say your business or be on your way… I assume I should call you Commander or is it Warlord?" Sato asked him.

"Turok is fine, never cared for ranks or titles, though the Militia is fond of calling me Lord." Turok took out his pipe and lit it with a match, "Jun old buddy." "I am not your buddy, trandoshan." Sato hissed.

Turok puffed on the pipe as he flicked his match out, "Fine, to the point I like it that way, since this war started the Militia information network has been shite, now compared to your rebel network of spies and informants we can't compete, so here's the deal we'll give you ships like the one up above, weapons, you name it in exchange for any and all intel of imperial troop movements, secrets, etc. Deal?"

Rex folded his arms over his chest "You think we can't get our own supplies?"

"Rex, I know you can't, hell you all almost got yourselves blown up getting that carrier Phoenix Home II or Pheonix whatever you want to call it, and you really aren't going to take one that we're just giving to you?" Turok asked him.

Hera cocked a brow "Last time we got a ship, like the one you said it was bugged with a transmitter?"

"Scan the whole thing if you want, melt it or sell it, we don't care." Turok said to her, he huffed on his pipe "Now, we can go, the dreadnoughts only got a skeleton crew and fuel for a few jumps, oh did I mention we'll give you fuel for your other ships?" Turok asked them.

Rex and Hera looked at one another, "All your supply problems poof gone, worrying about having medical aid, rations, the works and all we want is access to your spy network. That is so much to ask?"

"For what your Militia has planned, I'd say so?" Hera asked him "Awee does the noble rebel hero not want to get her hands dirty to win a fucking war?" Turok asked to get up.

This surprised the rebels, "You have our offer, we'll wait a few hours and then we'll leave." Turok said getting up and walking out, he didn't wait for their leave and walked back out and down the command center ramp, he noticed Ezra, Zeb, Kanan and Sabine watching them and he winked before he headed back down to the others.

Ahkilleon stood in silence, hands behind his back trying not to look over at his old crew when he heard… a familiar voice.

At last, you come…

He looked into the desert of Atollon, seeing krykna in the distance.

Find me, there is much to discuss…

"So, what did they say?" Captain Naqia naked him "You weren't in there very long my lord"

Turok shrugged huffing smoke out his nostrils, "Naqia the art of negotiations is making the other think they need you more, then you need them."

"And do we need them?" Breacher asked, taking his helmet off, spitting under his mutton chops, "republic loyalists." he muttered, glowering at the rebels.

Stratos removed his helmet too, "I don't like it either sir, but I was at Serenno before it fell. We need to be better prepared."

Ahkilleon said nothing.

Back in the small hut, Rex, Sato and Hera were debating "Having a supply of weapons, ships and other needs met in a steady fashion would allow the rebellion to grow even faster?" Sato said.

"But if we give into their demands, what's to stop them from ransoming their 'gifts' for leverage in how we act or operate?" Rex asked aloud.

Hera scratched her chin "I don't like working with them anymore than I do, but we make it clear that if we take their surplus we act independent, and looking at the dreadnought they're giving us their outdated tech, so we can distance ourselves from them in that regard. But Rex is right, we need to make sure the rebellion remains independent from the Militia at all cost."

Sato nodded, "Then we will test this 'alliance' on our own before we spread this to other cells, agreed?"

"Agreed." Hera said.

Rex nodded with her, "Alright, but I'm not taking orders with any clankers." Sato headed to the exit "Commander, one more thing."

Outside, the Ghost's crew minus Hera were watching the Revenant's crew from a distance, "Look at'em, so smug in their fancy armor, hell they even made a knockoff Ghost, I mean look at that thing those wings are overkill." Zeb muttered gesturing to the Revenant with its four wings and blue highlights.

"I wondered what got Hera so annoyed." Kanan said, Zeb soured "oh sorry."

The three of them headed outside after hearing Hera's 'one more thing', Sato approached them he had his hands behind his back standing in front of the militants, astute and serious. "We have discussed your offer, and we have an ultimatum for you." Turok was sitting on the loading ramp legs spread arms on his knees, he huffed out smoke from his nostrils, saying nothing. "I cannot speak for the rest of the rebellion, but Phoenix Squadron will accept your gracious gift of the dreadnought and your support, in exchange for shared intelligence, on certain conditions."

Turok took his pipe out "Such as?"

"We will not be made mercenaries of the Militia, we will act and operate on our own terms."

Turok tilted his head back and forth, "Done."

"Large scale shipments will be delivered here to Atollon, or at designated drop off points."

Turok thought on this one "... okay."

"And finally, 'Captain' Ahkilleon Tano will remain here with us, as insurance." Commander Sato said looking at Ahkilleon, who tensed up as if to say something but he looked at Turok, "I'll have run that last one by the brass."

Sato eyed him, "You have our offer." he said before he turned away.

Turok stood up, stretched and then gestured for Ahkilleon to follow him they headed back inside the Revenant into the common area where a few more people had tagged along, Jay and Rulf, Corto was there too in his usual spot the kitchen making food. "Give us the room lads." Turok ordered them.

The two cadets and padawan filled out before they brought up a hologram, "You're not seriously going to make me stay here, are you Turok?" Ahkilleon asked, taking off his helmet.

"Out of my hands lad, got to see what Caliban and your Master say." the trandoshan explained when a connection got through.

Asimov and Caliban were standing over the holotable in the commons dinning room "Report?" Caliban asked.

"We've made contact with the rebels, they accept our alliance on certain conditions, you were two three Caliban." Turok told the masked spy master, who waved his hand "I do my best, what was the third?"

Turok glanced at Ahkilleon, "They want Ahkilleon back, insurance as Sato put it."

"Curious, but would allow us to have eyes and ears in the rebellion?" Caliban tapped his golden masks chin, his hood hiding the rest of his head, "It would either complicate this alliance, or strengthen it, given your history with the rebellion, Captain?" Caliban said looking at Ahkilleon.

Ahkilleon looked to his Master, "I… I'll do whatever is needed of me, for the cause."

"Your devotion is noted, Lord Asimov as our man's Master and his commanding officer, what do you say?" Caliban asked Asimov.

His Lordship was silent, "My apprentice knows his duty, shown his loyalty, I trust Ahkilleon is perfect for this assignment as our official liaison with the rebellion, but he will need a staff." "Turok." Ahkilleon said quickly "I… I want Turok with me."

"Done, who else did you have in mind?" Turok said, smirking.

Ahkilleon thought it over, he knew the other boys were listening and he smirked "Corto, Cadets Jay and Rulf, Lt. Breacher and Beetoo, and lots of battle droids." Ahkilleon added.

Caliban smiled "The Rebel One should have what you need, a special cargo unit, I'll send you the access codes to it, may the force be with you Captain Tano."

Later, Turok and Ahkilleon emerged, Ahkilleon had his helmet off still and Turok took a deep breath, he paused hands on his hips looking off into the distance as Sato eyed him "We have a deal, on the condition a squad of ours is allowed to remain here with Captain Tano for his own safety and a number of droids to be under his command."

"How many clankers?" Rex asked.

Turok cleared his throat "No more than a hundred." "Fifty." Hera countered.

"Done." Turok replied, "Do we have an accord?" he asked, offering his metal claw.

Sato took it with some reluctance "We do."

Turok looked over his shoulder, "Naqia, Stratos, take the Revenant back up to the Rebel One trade off with a transport and make sure our baby here is all loaded up with the essentials."

Both the hyenas nodded "Militia Invictus." Captain Naqia said.

"Militia Invictus." he replied as they headed up, "So where are we staying, doubt the Ghost has much room?" Turok asked Hera and Rex.

Hera scoffed "If that thing you call a ship is coming back, 'Captain' Tano and you can stay there." she said before she turned to leave "And the Revenant, really?" she asked.

"Hey we didn't name the ship, Hera." Turok replied with a shrug.

"We'll have the access codes to the dreadnought now, thank you very much." Rex said to Turok who looked at Ahkilleon, "Sir?" he asked.

Ahkilleon stiffened, still not used to being in command, "Give them to Captain Rex, and assist with Sato with where we can set up shop." he said formally. Turok reached into his trench coat and pulled out a data disk and gave it to Rex who swiped it out of his hands, he sneered at Turok but his eyes softened passing over Ahkilleon, saying nothing.

Come to me, we must speak

The voice, again.

Ahkilleon looked over to the distance and started to follow the voice when he noticed something covered under a tarp by a large set of rocks under an awning. He walked up to it recognizing the shape of the tarp "It can't be." He muttered as he pulled back the tarp to reveal a blue paint faded Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor, it had its haul opened, wires removed, the cockpit cracked covered in dust and the cockpit was torn apart for spare parts "See you found your old ship?"

Ahkilleon looked over his shoulder to see Zeb leaning on the awning pillar, "You scrapped it for spare parts?" Ahkilleon asked.

Zeb scratched the back of his neck "Actually Sabine did, you should talk to her." Zeb said.

"...No." Ahkilleon said walking into the desert. He passed by the fence of transmitter and Krykna approached him with feral intent, Zeb held up his hand "Wait you-" then he watched the spiders stop three of them staring down Ahkilleon they hissed and snapped their beaks when they suddenly went silent before screeching and running away, as if they were facing down an even more dangerous predator.

Back up at the command center, Hera was explaining their new situation "So wait, we're getting backed by the Militia now?" Ezra asked her.

"In simple terms, yes, we'll give them intel. We have imperial patrols, sector fleet strengths and as things progress well we'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Hera said.

Kanan turned his head "And Ahkilleon stays here with Turok, and friends?" Kanan asked.

"Yep." Hera replied.

"Speaking off, friends, can we really trust Turok, again?" Sabine asked looking over at Turok who was listing off everything the Rebel one had brought with them to Sato and Rex.

Hera looked back "No, so everyone be on guard around him, always, Chopper change all the codes to the Ghost, everything." She told the droid.

Zeb had come back from talking to Ahkilleon, however brief, "Hey, where'd snips go?" Ezra asked him, "He headed off into the desert to be spider food."

Ezra and Kanan looked at one another, "Do you think?"

"Has to be?" Kanan said.

The two of them ran down the ramp to the nearest speeder bike, Ezra got in front with Kanan behind him and they raced off into the desert, the others left speechless "I hate it when Jedi do that." Hera sighed.

Ahkilleon had made his way to sunken grove with the Krykna caves, he'd followed the voice and looked around the grove. Nothing but bare stone and rock and no sign of the voice, but he could feel the force, he reached up for his lightsabers and realized he hadn't gotten them back yet, lowering his hands he closed his eyes behind his helmet "Show yourself." he said in a low growl.

Do you intend me harm?

"If you are my enemy, yes?"

And what do you think I am?

"So far, a voice, now I need a face and a name?" Ahkilleon said.

He heard stone shuffling and he spun around arms up and hands open ready to unleash his force powers on, the Bendu. The great ape rose up and looked down at him with his milky white eyes "At long, last you have come."

Ahkilleon's legs wanted to step back but he forced his feet to stay planted "I was here long before you started to speak to me, why now… what- who ever you are?"

Bendu leaned down with a smile "You were not what you are now before, and are so much yet to be, Ahkilleon Tano."

"You know my name, how?" Ahkilleon asked.

Bendu reeled back "Your mother told it to me, long before she transcended even now I wonder what she would think of what you've become."

Ahkilleon watched Bendu as the great being walked around him looking at him, "Would she be proud, you have grown but into what?" Bendu asked.

Ahkilleon lowered his arms "It was you, you who warned me about Maul and the holocrons why?"

Bendu came behind him and continued "The balance of the galaxy is shifting, the forces of light and dark rise again to challenge one another, and at the center, you."

"Me, why?" Ahkilleon asked.

Bendu was on his right now, "Because I am the Bendu, between the Bogan of the Dark and the Ashla of the light I alone have been here the one in the middle the fulcrum and I have been alone until now."