Chapter 26
Femme Fatale
MYKAPO
Imperial Outpost 2800
It was the dead of night, Imperial stormtroopers were on guard outside the walls of their stronghold a large base with a dozen TIE fighters scattered across the airfield, metal plates were laid out all around the four sided wall so that even the ground itself was covered in metal. The TIE's were fueled and ready to be launched at a moments notice, stormtroopers were on duty around the base and looked out across the dark black plains of Mykapo, the base itself was set up on rolling hills. One stormtrooper saw something in the distance and held up a scanner "What is it?" another stormtrooper asked.
The one with the scanner continued to scan "Some bovine creatures, moving in a herd." the first said putting the scanner down.
As he turned away several of the animals broke off their bodies thick shaggy coats of gray wool with horns, they approached the fort slowly grazing on the grass before they were within a stones throw of the wall. They shed their coats to reveal themselves as Militia, Commander Sigma ran up with one pistol in hand attaching a grappling hook to it with Lt. Breacher and Tyrok used grapple hooks to scale the wall. Turok and Breacher came up with knives cutting the stormtroopers' throats. The soldiers came over the wall next to a full squad of Militia regulars with vanguard markings on their armor. Sigma signaled them to move and the squad broke off, Turok and Breacher made for the airfield and started to set up explosives by the TIE's and the fuel cells.
Commander Sigma and his men moved down the ramparts steps silently coming up behind unsuspecting imperial troops to cut their throats with knives, one buried a hatchet into a man's neck and moved on to a communication tower. Sigma and his men came up to the doors and one of them started to slice through before the door opened. Sigma went in first with both blaster pistols up a winding staircase before they came to two imperial technicians which Sigma shot both in the back of the head. He came up to the communications signal "This is Sigma, we have the tower."
"Almost done setting the charges, Commander." Turok said as he primed an explosive.
"Roger, roger my lord, meet us back at the rendezvous." Sigma said as he and his men started rip open the control panels and sabotage the equipment by ripping out wires or breaking the connection.
Down in the airfield, Breacher and Turok ran back up the stairs to the wall and leapt over it, with their grapple hooks to slow their descent, they made a break for the rendezvous point in the hills free to run without any lookouts to spot them. Turok ran but Breacher started to break away, the trandoshan began to pant hard his lungs burning till he made it to the spot. Breacher looked back at him "You alright Lord Skell?"
Turok wheezed holding his side, "Just.. need a breather." Turok gasped as he sat down on a nearby boulder before Sigma and the rest of the team came up.
"Care to do the honors Commander?" Breacher tossed Sigma the detonator and the clone caught it, "Roger, roger Breacher."
They looked back and Breacher took off his helmet to watch, Sigma pressed the button and they all watched the base's TIE fighters go up in a roaring explosion, the squad cheered as metal and debris flew everywhere. "This is Commander Sigma to Vanguard command, we've eliminated airfield twelve."
"Roger, Roger Commander the Imperial forces at the Capitol have won't be able to hold out without that air field, Mykapo will be ours today." Ahkilleons voice rang out from thecomlink.|
Far from the airfield, a small city that had a Militia dreadnought in orbit, and a large box shaped ship with antennas on it's upper haul the smoke columns were still rising over the imperial defenses that had been razed to the ground, but majority of the buildings were intact. Even the large Imperial Center that was a massive tower that stood tall over the rest of the city, it was smoking from three large holes in the structure a red Imperial flag over it.
At the very border of the main square the Militia forces had surrounded the Imperial Center, the seat of the Empire's authority on the planet, the armies of the Vanguard were in alleyways and behind fallen buildings, one of them had collapsed blocking a street with the bulk of the forces behind it. Ahkilleon made his way to the front, the men parting for him as he walked past some saluted others said "Captain." in greeting, he made his way to the very front of the fallen building just behind the climax of it, peering out he could see the main steps a low twenty of them were covered with sandbags and extra barricades, he could see the tips of imperial stormtroopers helmets poking out from them. Looking over his shoulder back at the forward command center he saw Lord Asimov coming down to join him, the whole army parted for their leader who came to join his padawan. "Give the command Captain."
"CHARGE!" Ahkilleon shouted drawing his lightsabers and leaping over the fallen buildings rubble, the Militia followed after him a single B5 battle droid flying a Militia hex banner as the militia regulars poured out from all sides toward the center a blase of red and green blaster fire erupted back and forth from the Tower and the Militia forces rushing the square, bodies fell on both sides but the two jedi tore to the steps lightsabers blazing Ahkilleons red and blue with Lord Asimov's golden greatsaber cutting the barricades down. Stormtroopers who were manning turrets fired until the Militia forces overwhelmed their positions some fought hand to hand, a wasted attempt at bravery before being shot or stabbed.
Ahkilleon ran ahead of his master fighting his way up the steps he cut down a stormtrooper with a knife, them deflected a firing squads lasers back at them. The sheer sight of the two jedi, the one who carried red and blue sabers made the remaining stormtroopers freeze "IT'S THE DEMON!" one cried before he ran back into the tower.
Ahkilleon kept fighting as more fled into the tower shutting the gates, Lord Asimov signaled to two rocket troopers and they blasted the main entrance down, Ahkilleon rushed through the smoke and falling metal to see the main foyer of the Imperial center was just as fortified as the exterior, but the chokepoint would make the Militia numbers mean nothing unless-
"STOP!" Ahkilleon shouted at the top of his lungs to the stormtroopers inside, there couldn't have been more than a hundred all lined up on staircases and balconies ready to fight to the end, but the thunderous bellow from the armored Jedi made them pause. Lord Asimov and his men came in blasters and swords ready but Ahkilleon raised his saber stopping them, Lord Asimov made no motion to advance, he was intrigued "Soldiers of the Empire, you have fought valiantly this past week, we've intercepted every distress signal you sent, no one is coming it's over…" Ahkilleon lowered his swords "Lay down your arms, and you will be spared."
"Don't listen to him!" An imperial officer, squat and fat with an officer helmet on and armor that barely fit him wailed "Sh-shoot the barbarian!'
None of the stormtroopers moved.
Klak
One of the stormtroopers dropped his blaster and removed his helmet kneeling. "Traitor!' the officer shouted drawing his pistol running over ready to execute the surrendering stormtrooper before Ahkilleon flung his red saber at him skewering the officer in the chest. Now he fell to his knees gasping looking at the saber the last thing he saw was Ahkilleon coming up to rip the saber out of his chest. When the Imperial officer fell dead, the rest of the stormtroopers dropped their blasters. Others got on their knees and more came out hands up as the city had fallen.
It was over.
LATER
"What will happen to Mykapo, Commander?" Ahkilleon asked Sigma as the militia escorted the Empire's soldiers away in droves. The city had fallen to them and the Militia flag flew high over the city.
"Not our problem, we're soldiers, we move to the next planet." Sigma said coldly.
"With all due respect sir, if we made the mess we should clean it up." Ahkilleon said looking across the destruction.
Lt. Breacher spat out the side of the gunship, "If the civies didn't want the Empire here or us to save em they should have fought back." the riflemen said sitting on a fallen statue of the Emperor.
"You want to find out what's going to happen to this rock, take it up with Lord Asimov when you see him, he wants to talk to you anyway Captain." Sigma said as they flew into the city where the Militia had set up a forward command center in the Mykapo spaceport. Hundred of gunships were landing and taking off around it, wounded were being loaded up onto ships and a holotable was set up under one of the hangars. Lord Asimov stood with his inner war council overlooking the planet, a dozen outposts like the one they'd just razed appeared on the map and then all evaporated.
As Sigma and Ahkilleon walked in his Lordship noticed them "Well done everyone begin our troops offworld."
"So that's it, we're just leaving?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Not quite, Padawan walked with me." Lord Asimov said turning off the holotable.
Ahkilleon followed his Master out of the hangar and to the front foyer of the spaceport, the city buildings were round domed shaped buildings with stone bases, destroyed Imperial walkers were pushed aside on the street and the bodies of dead stormtroopers were being piled up by B1 droids. "Master, what'll happen here after we leave?"
"After it was clear that the Imperial garrison here was going to surrender, the Union wants us to see if Mykapo wants to join the Militia." Lord Asimov stopped at the steps of the airfield watching Militia forces heading there to leave.
Ahkilleon saw a small group of Mykapoians walking the streets keeping their distance from the Militia and droids, but otherwise not being accosted "They don't seem thrilled?"
"It's either us or the Empire, besides we need something to show for it." Lord Asimov looked up to the strange box shaped ship, it was half the size of the dreadnought but thicker with four large engines slowing its descent to the outskirts of the city. It's large engines sent up great gusts of wind and when it touched down the whole ground shook "What is that ship?"
"Not a ship, the new foundry." the ships top opened up and four large chimneys rose up starting to churn out smoke, "Lord Hood calls them Vulcan-Class Star Factories, when docked with one our dreadnoughts it can travel through hyperspace and be landed on any world, all we need to do is start mining the planets ore and soon a droid army will stand on guard to protect Mykapo, at least until a militia can be trained."
Ahkilleon stayed silent, "You disapprove?"
"I mean, are we really better than the Empire if we're just taking over?" Ahkilleon asked.
Asimov placed his hands behind his back "When was the last time you were on Raxus?"
"Not for some time Master."
"If you would see it as I had seen it when you were training you'd see the planet is free, there are no unwarranted searches, no arrests unless provoked and more. But perhaps that is my fault." Lord Asmov told him.
Ahkilleon cocked his head "Master?"
"You did well last week when we dealt with the rebels of Iron Squadron, I'm proud of you Ahkilleon." Lord Asimov said, hand on his shoulder.
"I… don't understand you wanted Mart dead?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov chuckled, "I wanted to see if you were still loyal to the Militia and if you could find a middle ground, which you did." Lord Asimov told him, "Yes, I had to openly express I wanted the rebel to be executed, I need to maintain command and loyalty of the Vanguard but you, if you are to be the Jedi King you must know what it is to lead and being a leader is hard." Lord Asimov explained to him "You're choice to spare him has been the talk of this campaign, some saw it as you caving to rebel sympathy, more thought it wise to take his hands as a warning and all agree you were merciful to spare the life of an enemy who was beneath you."
"Beneath me, Master, when I looked at Mart, I saw myself, I saw all my frustration, my helplessness turned into nothing but anger?" Ahkilleon asked him.
"On the contrary, you have channeled your own pain and misery into this." he gestured to Ahkilleon he tugged at his armor, he slapped his muscular arm "Look at the strength of your body, the desire in your heart the skill in battle these are things to be celebrated not diminished by comparison." Lord Asimov said as he
Ahkilleon felt his lips curl up and he smiled "Thank you Master."
Commander Sigma came up to them "My Lords, the local Magistrate has been asking for you, again."
"Tell them we are on our way, and halt the departure of our troops off the planet we may be staying a while longer to convince the Mykapo government to join the Militia." Lord Asimov said.
Sigma sighed clearly not wanting to stay on the planet "Roger, Roger."
Ahkilleon followed Lord Asimov through the streets of the capital, Ahkilleon saw the Militia troops were still packing up till they started to get the new orders, Ahkilleon saw the space port was located in the center of the city where the architecture was all colorless metal in Imperial fashion, the once flying red banners were torn down and replaced with the Militia flags to show they were occupying the city. Among the ruins of the imperial district Ahkilleon saw some of the Mykapoians there were humans like Mart, Jonner or Sato then a few Thesslins like Gooti amongst them, Ahkilleon followed Lord Asimov out of the imperial district, they then entered a more natural looking quarter of the city there were buildings of stone and wood, that towered over the streets with shingles of clay. "What do you know of Mykapo, Apprentice?" Lord Asimov asked him.
"Very little Master." Ahkilleon said as they walked over an arched wooden bridge that connected two parts under a man made lake.
"Before the Empire came here Mykapo was part of the Republic, ruled by a caste system of peasants, merchants, soldiers and then the ruling families." Lord Asimov stated as they passed into another part of the city, "The district we just left was the Merchant district, we are now entering the slums." Lord Asimov said and Ahkilleon saw why it was called the slums, the streets or lack of them were wet mud littered with trash, the walls of the buildings if they could be called walls at all were a patchwork of old dry wood, rusted metal and anything that could be propped up, nailed or welded together, some of them were even empty cargo containers made into homes stacked on one another. "Many worlds in the Outer Rim are like this, they will need to change if the Militia is to become a true nation one day."
Ahkilleon saw mostly aliens rather than humans in the slums, Thesslins like gooti, ithorians like Byph, a few twi'leks, aquallish, weequay and so on. "But shouldn't we respect the local customs Master, if we want the Mykapo to join us."
"A wise sentiment, but what happens when our customs demand we intervene?" Lord Asimov asked him as he gestured to a small alleyway where they saw a person that was more bones than skin and meat sitting in a large barrel.
"Surely the Empire didn't make anything better?" Ahkilleon asked.
Lord Asimov and Ahkilleon rounded a corner and the streets were still muddy and filth but they did pass by an Imperial building, one that been ransacked and windows broken, with the cities denizens rummaging through it "In the long term, no, but if you were born in this squalor would you not want a change to the status quo, what did your mother say about the Republic when you were younger?"
Ahkilleon paused thinking back on it "My mom said the Jedi forgot about the people, and the people lost faith in the Republic, that the politics were dangerous, mostly that she didn't care for them."
"A wise woman, but naive that you shouldn't care about politics because they care about you." Lord Asimov said as they passed over a stone bridge with painted green fences into a cobbled street, the buildings were taller, with white stone walls and decorated in orange artwork and statues of Mykapoians mostly humans that shared Mart and Sato's features. "This is the Noble Houses district, you can see they and the Empire worked well together."
"What makes you see that, Master?" Ahkilleon asked as they walked up the street it rising in winding corners between large estates and manors.
"I trust your mother didn't skip the part of history class when the former Chancellor, now Emperor, declared the Empire, how did the Senate react?" Lord Asimov asked him.
"With Thunderous Applause, though she says that was a friend's words not hers." he said repeating the words.
Lord Asimov "Very good, was she privy to many diplomatic meetings?"
Ahkilleon thought about it as they climbed stone carved steps "No Master, she and her Master they did… aggressive diplomacy, as she put it."
"Yes, Anakin Skywalker was the greatest warrior the Jedi ever had, it makes sense his own padawan was. If you are to be mine you must not only be a warrior but a peacemaker, watch and learn as we make 'peace' with Mykapo." they came to the largest estate yet, two towering white walls on each side of a green painted door with golden handles. The doors opened and two security droids stood in front of them, they were old Republic style Police droids with large helmet heads and yellow optics. They had been painted green and white with gold accents to match the decor of the house and upper district.
"This way." the droid said before leading the two jedi through a beautiful garden with moss covered ground stones and fountains, the whole garden looked almost as if it could fit the entire street of the slums Ahkilleon and his Master had walked through to get there. Ahkilleon started to see why Lord Aismov had shown him the slums first before bringing him here, to show him the disparity in the class of this 'Magistrate'.
They entered the main manor, a large white building with a metal roof and large windows, the main entrance was a large hall with marble floors and lush furniture for waiting. The droids stood on each side of the room as from another entrance came a tall brown haired man with a beard and long combed hair, he wore a deep azure robe and a milky white and green kimono, Ahkilleon noticed the man was wearing the same shade of blue as the Militia would wear, but underneath he retained the colors of his house and droids. "Ah our liberators, welcome welcome." The man said as he bowed, followed by a retune of other people dressed just as formal and immaculate as himself.
"I am Magistrate Noi of house Vitalo, you honor us with presence Master Jedi." the man calling himself the Magistrate said.
Magistrate Vitalo stood aside gesturing to a dozen or so other men and women, all middle aged or higher with graying hair, they all had on beautiful robes, suits and dresses each of them were also wearing some form of the Militia dark blue, over their other clothes. A fancy coat, a scarf or shawl but underneath they were still wearing their beautiful luxurious clothes, some of them had gold circlets on their heads, others jewelry of shining gems "These are the other Noble Houses of the Oldest families in all of Mykapo, House Vitalo speaks for them and Mykapo, please come our chef has prepared an a wonderful banquet in your honor."
Ahkilleon saw Lord Asimov stand still as a statue, "Very well, lead on." Lord Aismov said.
Magistrate Vitalo led Ahkilleon and his Master deeper into the mansion, it was decorated with art and beautiful tapestries, some of which Ahkilleon recognized from other worlds, Twi'lek statues, Pantoran vases and so on, finally after what felt like a mile of walking they came into a great chamber with windows on each side flooding the area with natural light, a long table of wood carved in extravagant detail was decorated with food, drinks and sweets Ahkilleon could barely describe but it all looked delicious. Magistrate Vitalo sat at the head of the table with Ahkilleon and Asimov on each side of him, the rest of them all sitting down the line from the main entrance. Magistrate Vitalo clapped his hands and the doors opened as servants came in, where Ahkilleon expected roids; he was surprised to see they were people.
Was shocked him even less was their uniforms, men and women all dressed in humiliating revealing clothing, backless tunics that covered only a small center of their chest with loincloths that covered their lower regions, with nothing but sandals on their feet, some of them were human but more were alien, Twi'leks, Zeltrons, Thesslins and even a trandoshan wearing a gilded muzzle. "What is this?" Ahkilleon asked to see a wine bearer come up to him, she was a blonde woman, no a girl his age she had a slender face with small ruby red lipstick on making them pop against her porcelain like skin, her servants uniform was revealing around her chest which made Ahkilleon look away, but not before he noticed the obedience collar on their necks.
"Ah our servants, your Padawan has a good eye." Magistrate Vitalo said as she filled his wine cup and then the others.
"What you see here are criminals that have been given a second chance, rather than slave away in the Imperial prison factories. I, like many of the Noble houses here, have taken it upon ourselves to help educate them in society." the Magistrate said toasting to the other houses.
Lord Asimov didn't take a glass and neither did Ahkilleon, "We will have to reevaluate the severity of their crimes if Mykapo is to join the Militia?" Lord Asimov said.
The Magistrate sipped his wine, "Ah, of course we can discuss business later, you know you aren't the first Jedi Master to honor this house, Master Jedi."
"Really?" Ahkilleon asked.
The man turned his neatly combed beard to Ahkilleon, "I myself had the honor of serving as Galactic Senator in the Republic for Mykapo before the Empire took over a nasty business it was, but we survived even without a starfighter corp or military." the Magistrate said, smiling at the table all the Nobles nodding and snacking on the food.
"Some of your people fought bravely, I'm sure you've heard of Iron Squadron?" Ahkilleon asked the Magistrate.
Magistrate Vitalo turned him "Oh, yes, nasty annoyance stirring up trouble and bringing the Empire's wrath on the people."
"As you say, you survived." Lord Asimov said holding up his cup but not drinking it, mainly because he was wearing his helmet.
"Indeed, now the Nobles and I saw that new ship of yours landing outside the city port, what pray tell is it?" he asked Lord Asimov.
"A droid foundry, one that can produce over five thousand battle droids a day depending on the make and model." Lord Asimov explained "With Mykapo's resources it will create a garrison here, should you wish it.'
The Magistrate leaned in hands together rubbing them "Five thousand battle droids a day, I love droids so much more reliable than humans, for… most services." he snickered as the blonde wine bearer walked past them having finished filling everyones cup. "I hear this Militia of yours has their own Senate, you call it the Union of course, how do they do business." Ahkilleon noticed the young blonde woman pouring more wine and then seeing one of the old fatter Nobles squeeze her ass with a lecherous smile.
"The help direct and prepare laws as any governing body, but as this is a time of war the Militia High Command is in charge, primarily us Warlords." Lord Asimov said as the Magistrate cut into a thick brown slab of meat that smelled delicious he cut it with a knife that sliced like butter and he chewed "Ah yes, you are at war but when the war ends, I assume the Union will be given power to the People?" the Magistrate asked, smiling at the last word as it were a joke.
"First we have to win the war." Ahkilleon interjected, the Magistrate noticed Ahkilleon had spoken out of turn, "Your Padawan is spirited Master Jedi, the last Jedi's padawan just stood in silence." it was clearly a jab at Ahkilleon wasn't supposed to be talking, Lord Asimov gave Ahkilleon a look and with one hand on the table Lord Asimov waved his hand for Ahkilleon to be silent.
So he was.
"My apprentice speaks more often when he should listen, but he is right, we must defeat the Empire in this war, only then can the Outer Rim be free." Lord Asimov explained.
Magistrate Vitalo nodded at Asimov "You have an insurmountable task ahead of you, Mykapo would be honored to lend our support given certain concessions and liberties where respected?"
"Please, elaborate Magistrate?" Lord Asimov asked.
The Magistrate nodded "Under the Republic Mykapo was free to trade and do business with anyone we pleased, our economy flourished, under the Empire there were taxes and permits for everything, just this table alone, Wroshyr wood had to be imported from Kayshyyk and laid in dry dock for three weeks before I could get it here." the Magistrate slammed his hand on the table. Ahkilleon knew about Wroshyr wood, a very rare and valuable tree on Kashyyyk considered sacred to wookies.
"Under the Militia your people will want for nothing in resources, what other planets have we will share." Lord Asimov said to him.
"Wonderful, wonderful." the Magistrate said "Now that leads me to other issues we have had in the past, not insinuating they will again mind you." the Magistrate said, he looked down the table at the other nobles "The Noble Houses have lead the people of Mykapo for generations since the days of the High Republic, we wish to maintain that order so that our people may have semblance of… normality, to the lowest peasant Republic, Empire, Militia they needn't worry about such things. I would ask that by your grace Lord Asimov, you allow myself to join the Union and speak as its representative." he said with a smile.
Lord Asimov drummed his fingers on the door, "You would return to your old post as a Senator, in our Union?" Lord Asimov asked.
"It would be an honor." the Magistrate said standing to his feet looking regal and impressive.
Ahkilleon looked at Lord Asimov, who stood with him, the Magistrate held his hand out to shake it and Asimov took it, "Then we have an accord, long the Live the Militia." The Magistrate raised his glass to the table and all the other nobles did too "Long Live the Militia!" they cried.
"Actually Magistrate Vitalo." Lord Asimov said before the man could pull away, he looked down to see Lord Asimov squeezing his hand tightly. So tight the Magistrate flinched, his hand starting to turn red from lack of oxygen "It's Militia Invictus."
Ahkilleon heard a crunching sound like gravel being rolled over, followed by Magistrate Vitalo dropping his wine glass, shrieking like a child, then Lord Asimov let go. He looked at his hand, the Magistrates hand was mangled twisted the bones crushed under Asimov's grip, "What ist he meaning of this!" the Magistrate roared before Lored Asimov smacked him across the face with the back of his gauntlet knocking out three teeth. The whole room jumped to their feet some of the Nobles yelling in shock "You who sold your people to the Empire when you were an oh so 'honored' Senator of the Republic, would you do it so quickly again?" Lord Asimov asked.
Lord Asimov held his hand out to the indentured servants and one by one their obedience collars were snapped off leathery skin scared and chaffed from long years of the collar were finally breathing again, even the blonde wine bearer who was frozen stiff reached up to touch her neck belated from the others. Ahkilleon noticed her skin was smoother than the others, she must have only been just imprisoned. "Guard- GUARDS!" Magistrate Vitalo shouted.
Before they heard the security droids break in they heard shooting outside and the thundering of footsteps, the door the dining hall burst open and Commander Sigma walked in followed by two dozen Militia Regulars all of them aiming blasters at Noble's "What in the stars!" one woman with pearls shouted.
"You have all eaten well Noble Houses of Mykapo, you feasted with the Republic and you dined with the Empire, but your feast is over. The Militia has not forgotten the Republic Senate and it's pawns sold out the Galaxy to the Empire." Lord Asimov said as he grabbed Vitalo by his hair and pulled him up "You wish to serve your people you will." Lord Asimov said as he held his hand up the collars that had been on the servants' necks flew from the floor and onto the necks of the nobles collaring them "The Noble Houses are no more, Commander Sigma take them away."
Sigma nodded under his helmet "With pleasure." he said as he started to handcuff the nobles some of them tried to resist but were shot with stun blasts or wrestled to the ground and dragged off kicking and screaming in their expensive shoes.
Ahkilleon watched the last one being dragged out by the regulars "Lord Asimov, tell our men they can take whatever prizes they want from the former 'noble' houses, but to leave the Merchant and slums be, that goes double for the people any man accosting or molesting a civilian will be executed." Lord Asimov told him.
"Yes My Lord." Sigma said before he turned to the remaining regulars "Take everything that isn't nailed down!"
The men let out a cheer before they stormed out ransacking the manor.
Ahkilleon had never got out of his seat he was so stunned, soon the former servants ran to the door to claim their freedom even the blonde, Lord Asimov sat back down at the table as they were the only ones left in the room and removed his helmet, he grabbed the meat from the former Magistrates plate and started to eat it, "That's what you call diplomacy."
"You disapprove, Ahkilleon?" Asimov asked.
"Master… you just came in and took over like the Empire would?" Ahkilleon asked him.
Asimov sipped the wine straight from the bottle, "No, if I were the Empire I would have empowered these 'nobles' like they already were, when conquering a new territory you can either allow the local leaders to remain in power or you can rip out the foundations by the root, I choose ladder." Lord Asimov said to him.
"But how does that make us any better?" Ahkilleon asked him, "We are removing the people who betrayed Mykapo to the Empire in the Republic, if the Militia is to establish itself as a free people we must make sure it has no attachments to the old regimes, the Imperial prisoners here along with any collaborators will be put to work in the mines and farms to repay their debt." Lord Asimov explained.
Ahkilleon looked over at the wine stain where the Magistrate had split "And Magistrate Vitalo, he's to be executed?"
Lord Asimov sipped the wine, "No, executing him would make him a martyr much like your brave friend Mart, no Vitalo will be stripped of all rank, wealth and sent to do the work he made so many others do."
"That just sounds like slavery with more steps?" Akilleon asked.
Lord Asimov set his food down and leaned on the table "The Galaxy is a cruel place Padawan, you know this better than most, we cannot shy away from the ugly truth that the rich and powerful will do anything they can to hold onto that power, we must but do what is necessary for the betterment of all."
"How is arresting and killing a few rick noble men making things better?" Ahkilleon asked him.
"It's clearing the way for the future." Lord Asimov said as he chewed on the meat, "Without the Noble houses to rally any 'native' support and the removal of the Empire, the power vacuum is right for the Militia, come I will show you." Lord Asimov picked up his helmet and slipped it on, they went back the way they came the art and expensive furniture that had been all over the mansion was being carried away by the Militia, Ahkilleon watched as the soldiers tore down the paintings of Magistrate Vitalo and some were even carrying crates of credits and stacks of shiny metal bars. They walked back through the garden and to the main gates of the estate where the long clean cobbled streets suddenly had a large crowd of Mykapo's slum population, a line of Militia soldiers stood outside the estate. Ahkilleon guessed that Sigma and his men had taken the same route he and Asimov had taken, only to draw a crowd from the city to wonder what was going on?
Ahkilleon watched Lord Asimov walk forward "Good people of Mykapo!" he called out his voice raised over the crowd lining the narrow streets.
"We the Militia have removed the Imperial rot from your world, we are sorry for the destruction of your city but you will rebuild, stronger and greater than before because we have not only eliminated the Empire's grip over you, but the tyranny of the past." Lord Asimov gestured behind where they saw Sigma leading out the Noble houses handcuffed and collared "Your Noble houses did nothing but grow fat and rich off the Empire like they did the Republic, a new age has come an age of freedom-" Asimov grabbed one of the being brought out by the soldiers, "AND PROSPERITY!" he flung the credits into the crowd and the people let our cheers of joy as money showered down on them. The Militia soldiers began to throw the wealth they had been looting off the walls and into the crowd. Vitalo watched in horror as his wealth was being spread to the masses. The crowd cheered and picked up the money in their hands.
Ahkilleon watched as the crowd cheered as the Militia led the nobles through the streets in a line of rich prisoners, booing and spitting on them as they passed. Ahkilleon noticed the blonde woman was in the crowd, she never took her eyes off him, a pair of green eyes like his looking right back at him.
He felt something, "Do you see Padawan?" Lord Asimov said as he waved to the crowd while they walked through them, the Mykapoans patting them on the back some hugging him or young girls giving him kisses on the cheek "As we free the people, we must show them the way to the future is to break away from the past."
"If you say so, Master." Ahkilleon replied as he looked for the blonde girl, but she was gone.
LATER
Capital City
Ahkilleon was back in the Revenant inside the main space port, he was sitting on the loading dock with a holopad, he was writing something but he couldn't seem to finish it when he erased it all. He looked up to see a charred gunship landing in the landing pad next to him, it opened and he saw Terro and Ventus get off with Kraggen following them their beige robes were stained with blood like their armor. Ahkilleon saw both Terro and Ventus speak with Kraggen; the tall quarren nodded to them before they waved while walking off. Kraggen pulled his hood back and sighed before he walked off, shoulders slumped, he was exhausted "Kraggen!' Ahkilleon shouted getting up and walking to him.
The quarren noticed him "Ahkilleon, hi, didn't see you there."
"Didn't expect you to be here either, since when are you a War Jedi?" Ahkilleon asked, looking over his new clothes, the robes were beige like Terror and Ventus, he wore armored bracers and pauldrons, his beaded braid hung around his head and he looked at Ahkilleon with dark eyes.
"Since the Slice." Kraggen said grimly, the same day they lost Urrde.
Ahkilleon looked him over "Is Ventus or Terro your master?" Ahkilleon asked.
"They have agreed to train me together, but I'm learning a lot on the battlefield." Kraggen said squeezing his clawed hands into fists, "No one ever prepares you for the smell." Ahkilleon said.
Kraggen's head snapped to him "What?"
"The smell, men shitting themselves when they die." Ahkilleon said looking at him his lip curled up "Or how fast it is, running through buildings, blaster bolts zipping past your head, people screaming… men dying." Ahkilleon said, patting him on the arm.
Kraggen nodded and gave what counted as a quarren smile "No, they don't."
He noticed the datapad in his hand "Whats that?" he asked as Rulf and Jay came up from behind him, Jay snapped it from his hands "Doesn't look like nothing, Captain here's been looking at it for the past hour."
Ahkilleon reached for it "I just want to look at it-" Jay said as he dodged him looking at the Holopad "Dear Sabine- hohoho a love letter you dog." Jay giggled as he flung it over Ahkilleon and into Rulf's hand, the big red head looked it over "It's not even more than the greeting, what are you writing?"
Ahkilleon caught it after Rufl tossed it to Kraggen who made no attempt to catch it "None of your business I just want to check in." he said.
"Well you did cut off one of the rebels hands, you fought their commander, I'd say it's probably not going well?" Jay guessed as Ahkilleon put his hands on his hips.
"Just say you miss her sir, women want to know they're thinking of you." Rulf told him, "Yeah what Rulf- wait Rulf do you have a girlfriend?" Jay asked. Rulf shook his head, "No, if I was wanting someone to write to me, I'd like to think she misses me?" Rulf said.
"No, no, no, write about her armor how it's shiny or colorful, just make it about her." Jay said to him throwing his arm over Ahkilleons shoulder "She's a mandalorian it's hard to miss the obvious?" Ahkilleon asked, shoving his arm off.
Jay sighed looking at all of them, he even noticed Corto that was by the medical ships helping with the wounded "ALRIGHT THAT'S IT!" Jay shouted. Everyone looked at the young cadet, "We are going to the nearest bar and getting a drink, that means you too Corto!" Jay shouted over to Corto, he saw the boys joined together and got a thumbs up from a nearby medic.
"What the hell I could use a break."
"That settles it, Captain Tano permission to lead a dangerous mission, fraught with danger, intrigue and high rates of hangovers the following morning?" Jay asked Ahkilleon giving him a Militia fist over the chest salute, Ahkilleon saw he was being sarcastic "Hmm Lord Asimov has given me the afternoon off, permission granted Cadet, lead on." Ahkilleon said.
Jay stood at attention "Roger, ROGER!" he said as he grabbed the other boys and they hurried out of the Spaceport.
Within the hour they had found a pub with only a few Militia regulars and pilots enjoying the sunny day with drinks and company, Jay came with a tray of five tall pints of frothy beer setting them on the table, "Alright boys, Vanguard has opened a tab so we don't stop until one of us pukes, my money is on Corto." the pub was made mostly of wood with one bar on the left side, a glass door to lead in and windows letting in light on the sides, in diamond shaped frames.
"Bad idea, considering he can heal hangovers." Rulf said as he took a mug and the rest of the boys did, "So what do we drink to, badluck to not give a toast?" Corto asked.
"To the Vanguard?" Ahkilleon masked him.
Jay shook his head, "Nah been hearing that all day, how about Captain Tano getting his own cheeka?" Jay asked him.
"Why are you all so obsessed with my love life all of a sudden?" Ahkilleon asked the boys, "Wait, Ahkilelon got a girl, that's what the letter is about?" Kraggen asked them.
Jay nodded "She's this badass rebel, you saw her at the asteroid, the Mandalorian in colorful armor she's awesome."
"Well I'm glad you like her, not that she'd care." Ahkilleon told Jay.
Jay smirked, "Hey, she makes you happy, we're happy." Jay said.
"Alright then to being happy." Ahkilleon held up his pint and the boys all held it up "To being happy." and they all took a drink, Kraggen only took a sip, so did Corto, Rulf started to chug his and so did Jay. Not ready to be out drunk, Ahkilleon did the same a few gulps later and all three boys let out belches with Rulf's being the loudest of all before Jay burst out laughing "I'll get more." Corto sighed. The drinks began to pile up as the young men talked, laughed and forgot about their worries. The pub began to grow more packed as the day went on. The credits that had been taken from the Noble houses started to pour into the pub as Mykapoian civilians came to drink with their liberators.
Ahkilleon was smiling like an idiot when he brought around another tray of drinks, so many that were covering the table, Jay was red faced drunk as he took another one "We need a song, who's got one-?" he burped.
"I got one?" Rulf said sipping his, got up be burped too and farted before he headed over to an empty table, pulling out the chair he got up.
"OOOOOOOH!" he let out a bellowing note to get the whole pubs attention, "Come all you young regular men, listen to me, I'll sing you a song of the beasts in the void!" he said then the boys at the table except for Ahkilleon who didn't know the song joined in.
"And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the void blows, we're all together, boys
Blow ye winds homewards, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'home, boys, steady she goes"
"Up jumps the mynock with his slippery tail. Climbs up aloft and hauls the engines" Rulf held his arms up flapping and wiggling as he walked along the bar, people laughing and cheering him on before joining the chorus.
"And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes"
"And then up jumps the Purgill with his nine arms of tentacles Saying, "You eat the dough boys, and I'll eat the beef!" he gnashed his teeth like fangs and held his arms up to mimic a purgil.
"And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes"
"Up jumps the exogorth, the largest of all; If you want any wind, well, I'll chase ye a squall" Rulf leapt from the bar onto another table, Ahkilleon joining in on the Chorus with everyone.
"And it's windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow
Jolly sou'wester, boys, steady she goes!"
Rulf sang as a loud cheer went up from the crowd at the song, a round of applause followed as a service droid brought over a cup of wine setting it in front of Ahkilleon. "What's this?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Compliments of the girl down there." the droid said pointing down the pub, the boys all looked to see a booth on the far end of the bar where a young woman sat, it was the blonde wine bearer from Magistrate Vitalo's estate, she was dressed in a brown and burgundy long sleeve dress, far more respectful than the costume she had been forced to wear as an indentured servant. Ahkilleon looked down at her and then the drink "How do girls do that?" Jay asked.
"Do what?" Corto asked, sipping his beer.
"As soon as a man is off the market, or with another lady, the rest come swarming." Jay said as he shook his head.
Ahkilleon took the wine, "She was at the Magistrate's estate, little more than a slave she just wants to say thank you" Ahkilleon got up, took the wine cup and walked through the bar and set the glass down on the table.
"You don't need to serve wine anymore, you're free." Ahkilleon said smiling at her.
She brushed back her blonde hair and a wide smile on her face, "I… wanted to thank you my lord, no one ever lifted a finger to help me before your army came here, please sit." She asked.
Ahkilleon sat "It was my Master, Lord Asimov's army who liberated you."
"But you're Ahkilleon Tano, the Demon, Hero of the Militia." she said as she reached for his hand but he pulled it away "There are far greater heroes than I, not all of them are in the Militia too." Ahkilleon told her.
"As you say, my Lord." She said looking away brushing her hair back again playing with it, "What is your name?"
"My name, why would one be as great as you care about my name?" she asked, looking away.
"Because my name is Ahkilleon, not My Lord." Ahkilleon told her, taking her hand in a friendly manner she looked up blushing "S-Sariss, please would you not have just one cup with me?" She asked.
Ahkilleon looked at the glass of red wine and sighed "One glass." He said as he took it.
She held up her own and they toasted before they sipped. Corto and Kraggen looked at one another but said nothing sensing something amiss.
Time began to pass, Jay and the other lads had finished up their beers, the pub had started to empty and the cadets all got up "About time we headed back too." Jay said amongst them before they looked to where Ahkilleon had been sitting, "Where's ladies man?" Rulf asked.
Corto walked over to see the two wine cups left behind, one was empty the other half full? "Man I'd hate to be Ahkilleon when that Mando girl finds him." Rulf chuckled, Corto lifted up the empty glass of wine and sniffed, his nose scrunched up "We need to get to Lord Asimov, now!"
Corto ran to the door and the others followed him "Whoa where's the fire Corto?" Jay caught up with him along with Rulf and Kraggen.
"I new there was something about that blonde I didn't like." Corto said.
Kraggen ran with him "I could sense it too, she wasn't just some ordinary servant she was using the force."
"Not the force, drugs.' Corto said holding up the cup that Ahkilleon had been drinking out of, "Wait, wait you saying blondey back there took Ahkilleon?" Jay asked.
"YES." both the other padawans shouted at him.