Tondel hardly believed his luck. And how hard it was, mentally. To hide everything he'd learned from Count Dooku. But these desperate times did indeed call for desperate measures. He couldn't fight a trained jedi like Aayla Secura if he wanted to. Not in a straight up one on one fight. Though theoretically that was something easy to remedy. He did have his droid army. It, however, wasn't fully deployed to the planet.
To deploy it to the planet would mean invading the planet and opening up a ware in full against perhaps not the JSDF, but certainly those he wanted to train in the ways of the force, as he had by Count Dooku. Truth be told. He didn't even know how the Count picked up on his force sensitivity...
And from what he knew of the jedi, they certainly would've taken him at a young age like they did others... Perhaps his parents, selfish as they were for those who dwelled in the core worlds.. Perhaps they spared him from such a life, and apparent potential end, as if the records of Order 66 he received from his tactical droid, were anything to go by.
One singular decision could've made him a dead man. And it once once more this way. He had to play the hand dealt to him, perfectly. To hide any awareness of his own abilities. And ensure no one spoke to the jedi about them.
Tondel of course, thought on this... He'd made an excuse to give himself room from the Jedi. And got one of Pina's knights to show Aayla back to the Countess Formal's manor. So she may do whatever jedi do before battle. He didn't know, himself. But he knew one thing and one thing only. Whatever they did worked. Anyway.
Tondel made his way to the Southern wall, where Itami and his lot were put by Pina. He knew his droids could easily hold the Eastern Gate... That simply just left the North. Regardless, he'd let out a sigh as he approached the JSDF position and found his way up the battlements to find Itami, Rory, Kurokawa, and a few others.
"Lieutenant Itami, might you have the time to speak in private?" Tondel would ask as he'd motion Itami to follow along the top of the wall.
"Uh sure, I guess there's nothing going on yet." Itami would say, motioning Rory to stay behind with Kurokawa and the others. The two would walk along the top of the wall out of earshot.
"I'd like to make a personal request and please consider this a long term one." Tondel spoke as the two walked on..
"Does it have to do with the alien?" Itami asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Naturally. As I said, the Jedi and Sith are natural foes in my galaxy. So much so they've hunted those who follow the ways of the sith, to near extinction. And I have no doubts in my mind. She would kill me if she were aware. The jedi were always so dogmatic in their views. So much so... It cost them everything." Tondel explained.
"How so?" Itami asked, his interest somewhat piqued from what Tondel said.
"As I have mentioned before. I am the sole surviving member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' army and navy. However. She is as far as I am aware, perhaps the last Jedi. In the days of the Clone War, the Jedi numbered in their thousands. Before the rise of the Empire, of course. Everything changed then. The loyal soldiers that the Jedi fought with, their clones, turned on them and massacred them across the galaxy." Tondel explained as he brought his hands back behind his back, holding onto his wrist as he walked.
"I'd assume that was your doing but... Everything you've told me says there's something else to that." Itami said as he stopped and leaned to look over the battlements, keeping his eyes out for bandits. Multitasking in listening, and watching.
"Oh it wasn't my doing. It was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Palpatine. The order came from him. Why? I've no idea. I do know that my master before me, spoke rather cryptically of a dark lord who was in actual control of the Republic... So I can only assume, Palpatine, may have been that dark lord. The same one who had the Jedi killed." Tondel said.
Truthfully. Tondel didn't know for certain. He always hated the Supreme Chancellor, as well as the senate, and the whole rotten house of cards that made up the Republic for what it was. A corrupt, dying institution that needed to be torn down, and replaced with something new, something... Fresh.
"...You know it may just be me. It sounds like whatever happened was actually to the benefit of the Sith you keep talking about." Itami said as he turned and leaned back.
"How so?" Tondel, stopped and turned back to Itami. Now an eyebrow arched up as he was now the one asking questions.
"Well. You said you're a sith and you said she's a jedi. Your two peoples have been at each others throats for... God knows how long. Right?" Itami said, as Tondel listened.
"Correct..?" Tondel affirmed as he was attempting to follow Itami's line of logic.
"Well. You said the Jedi actively hunted your kind to extinction. Right?" Itami asserted.
"Correct, again...?" Tondel affirmed, once more.
"Well. You said your master is or was a Sith. And assuming I got everything right. Your master was the leader of your side of your clone war. ..Well following that logic. With the Jedi and only the Jedi, specifically, being wiped out by the Chancellor you mentioned... Was or is, a Sith." Itami said. Which got Tondel to almost freeze in place, whole, entire.
In all honesty, it was as if someone just connected dots that shouldn't have been connected, in a way that actually makes sense. ...In fact it made a wholly uncomfortable amount of sense.
For Tondel, the discomfort came from realizing that it was someone like him, who possibly destroyed his homeworld. For Itami on the other hand, the discomfort came from the fact that Tondel called the person who supposedly lead the... Galactic Republic, or Empire now as it was. Was a dark lord. ...Of the Sith. Which brought a lot into question about Tondel...
Silence, almost deathly silence fell between the two men. Tondel didn't show it... But yes. This made... Too much sense. Enough so that his fury was almost felt in the force. If for but a milisecond. A milisecond enough that Aayla, on the other side of the city, did feel it. But it wasn't enough to be of concern. At least the feeling in length of time wasn't. But the level of anger and fury was... Notable.
Even Pina could feel a chill down her spine. Though Tondel simply took a deep breath and left Itami there on the wall. Tondel walked back to the maze of alleyways and streets which made up the interior paths of the City of Italica, silently, he simply walked on and on as his mind ran through thought after thought. If this was all true... It was someone like him. A sith, that destroyed his homeplanet...
This realization hit hard, harder than anything else Tondel had experienced in his life. Just what would he do now? Continue the path of a Sith? No. ...No if everything was true, as it seemed it was. Mostly because all the dots connected well enough with hindsight now being 20/20... He couldn't do that.. But he also didn't wish to follow the Jedi either. Truly in this moment, was Tondel stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Though as he was lost in thought. Another intrusive thought occurred to him. If everything was indeed as he suspected it to be now. The Jedi couldn't possibly defeat the Sith. They failed already with Order 66. ...But now, the idea of being a Sith, soured in his mind. Being the same kind of person or creature that was able to destroy his own homeplanet.. This was. This was out of the question, now.
But for now, he had to put on a brave face, push it all to the back of his mind. Snap to reality. This was no time to dwell on such things. ...He'd have to figure things out as he went along. He couldn't stomach the thought of following that path anymore. So what was there for him? ...What was there since he promised to train the Rose Knights in the ways of the Force?
He didn't know, of course. ...But figuring that out, had to wait. His snap to reality came when he heard yelling coming from the Eastern Gate. And the sound of Blaster fire, most likely from those Super Battle Droids he put to guard the wall and the barricades behind the wall.
Tondel let his instinct and adrenaline push him as he ran, prepping his SE-14 blaster pistol, he'd not miss this fight. ...It'd also be a good way for him to get his anger out.
Aayla on the other hand, heard the sounds of battle start and rushed to the defense, her lightsaber ignited as she reached the combat zone to find the Super Battle Droids holding their ground, both on the wall and down below at the barricades.
Though Norma, himself, one of the few male Rose Knights found himself lost in the heat of battle.
"Pick them off the walls, take them down!" Norma shouted, of course... The Battle Droids took it literally, climbing atop the bastions to fire their blasters down on the bandits who... Somehow didn't seem much phased and returned fire with arrows that did... Predictably nothing much at all to the B2 units.
Of course even with the support of the six B2 units, the bandits, ever the resilient ones managed to get up to the wall and turn things into an.. Admittedly still, one-sided affair. The B2s just smacked away bandits, backhanding them with their Duranium plating barely being scratched up by the swords, spears, and arrows.
Unfortunately, even wasps will succumb to hordes of ants. And that's precisely what happened on the wall. Norma, however was able to escape back behind the B2s which provided cover for his escape. The few droids that did stay operational with limbs attached would fall back along the wall, firing their blasters as they slowly backed up.
It was after Norma got clear of the barricade that the second line of B2 Super Battle Droids prepared to fire, and this was when Tondel arrived. Tondel took his place alongside his droids with his blaster pistol in hand, Aayla Secure leapt from on high and ignited Tondel's own lightsaber to supplement her first one as she force pushed the bandits back off the wall.
"Perfect timing, Master Jedi. However, do save your strength." Tondel said to the Twi'lek Jedi, who would roll her eyes.
"I would've expected you to be up there, Commander Ramarr." Aayla said as she took her stance whilst the Bandits broke down the gate.
"Regrettably. My legs were falling asleep. I had to take a walk. Now please, clear the lane." Tondel said as he turned his head to give his droids a nod. The droids prepared to fire and Aayla of course leapt up and to the end of the line of battle droids.
All the while, Pina watched from on high, the slaughter which unfolded before her. She watched as some of the slower, damaged battle droids belonging to Tondel were torn apart, limb by mechanical limb, spilling their oil, as well as the blood spilled by the bandits, who cut down the Italican militiamen who were still up on the wall and didn't run behind the B2 battle droids that did remain to hold the line off on the sides of the wall.
Though yes. Even she did see how many bandits were taken down for each B2 unit lost. It was... Well. It helped even the odds. And above all else, that is what Tondel said may happen.
Pina shifted her gaze to see the Jedi with Tondel's lightsaber as well as her own. And the supreme commander of the droid army himself, down with his droids, keeping himself and his machines as a line between the bandits and the reserves of the Italican militia.
The bandits that did manage to avoid being cut down by the B2s got the gate open from the inside and into the barricade area, rushed the loose berserkers of the bandit force. Tondel raised his blaster at the ready to cut them down... But oddly they stopped. They stopped and simply more came in through the now open gate, dragging in corpses, bodies from those who Tondel could only assume couldn't have made it inside the city, safely.
What happened next was merely without question, not only savagery. But as Aayla could feel. The point which Tondel snapped. No, not with anger. But with cold, emotionless motivation to kill.
The bandits started to toy with the bodies, cutting them with their swords, stabbing them with spears, kicking, dismembering the bodies. Corpses of some varied ages, and genders. Of course Tondel heard one of the militia men ask about someone's wife, he looked, saw them point to one of the corpses and his blood boiled if only for a brief moment.
The bandits started to mock and belittle the militiamen, and even Tondel himself, in his CIS uniform and battle armour. The hurled insults like "Cowardly shits". Further, they saw fit to even challenge Tondel himself.
Tondel had enough. He stepped forward and rose his right arm. The bandits smirked. Assuming he was about to surrender, of course this was.. Far from the truth and quickly the bandits realized this as the droids own arms arose, pointed at the bandits... And to further it all. His left hand still held his blaster.
Tondel leveled his arm, pointed towards the bandits as he gave the command to open fire. He simply began to fire and his B2s fired alongside him. Using both their arms with their dual mounted blasters. Without mercy, without any regard for possible surrender, Tondel and his droids just fired and kept firing.
In response, of course. Without regard for their own life the bandits rushed to only be cut down by Tondel, and his B2s whilst Aayla watched on the side with the lightsabers in her hands at the ready.
Crimson blaster bolts danced with the mixed dim light of the watch fires that were knocked over, the contents of the formerly standing pyres aflame on the ground, on the wall. And the darkness of the night sky. This was a sight that struck fear into Pina.
The machines which lacked emotion, that stood for hours as if they were statues unleashed their fire on the bandits that just came and came, the man who saved her when she and her other knights were so young, just cut down the bandits without rest. Tondel stopped firing only to reload and to move around his droids, getting to the side Aayla Secura was
Though despite everything, something was formulating in Tondel's mind... He was going to have to take a chance. He was going to have to do something he feared, and worried immensely for.
"Master Jedi, I'll speak with you later after the battle. Right now, however, I want you to ensure none of these bandits get into the city! And I'd like my property back. It maybe a lightsaber. But it's a weapon and ultimately my property." Tondel would yell as he'd fire at the bandits.
"Just for you to cut your arm off with it? I don't think-" Aayla would say before being cut off by a bandit that managed to rush past the droids. Tondel of course just pointed his blaster and fired, without even looking.
"Now. Master Jedi." Tondel said, as he held his free hand out for his lightsaber.
"Besides. If worse comes to worse, I may yet need it, even if I don't know how to properly use the damnable thing." Tondel would say, and... It wasn't convincing. Despite this. There was a point to be had. And despite how much she didn't want to admit it. Tondel was the best chance she had at surviving this world. And perhaps getting back to their shared galaxy.
"Very well, just don't cut your arm off or kill yourself with it." Aayla, who... Genuinely was not used to being given orders by a Separatist, extinguished Tondel's lightsaber and gave it back to him. Following this, she'd run and leap out of the barricaded area, making her way to a rooftop just outside of it to watch and ensure none left the area as Tondel and his droids fired blaster bolt after blaster bolt. Tondel would be considerably more confident with his lightsaber back in his possession.
Of course as this all went on. Tondel couldn't have known just what was going on back at Alnus.
Meanwhile at Alnus, General Kōichirō Hazama gathered the other recon team and an airborne combat unit for a briefing.
Already outside of the facility where the JSDF's helicopters were kept, a wide formation of Hughes OH-6D Scout Helicopters, Kawasaki OH-1 Scout Helicopters, Bell UH-1J Utility Helicopters, and Bell AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters already sat, their rotors spun up and ready to go, inside a briefing room however...
"Gentlemen! Third Recon just relayed a request from Princess Pina of the Empire, as the commanding officer of the city of Italica. She'd like us to help reinforce their positions inside the city." Hazama said, laying out the situation plainly to those assembled.
Predictably there were the usual glory hounds who requested to be sent, those of the other recon teams. They were all of course, silenced by the commanding presence of Lt. Colonel Kengun of the 4th Combat Unit who spoke up, loudly.
"Nonsense. All of that. A ground assault would be too slow. And if it was what was needed, I'm sure the droids nearby would've already went to reinforce their commander, who went with Itami and Third Recon. What we need is speed, Italica needs help right away, not an hour from now. General Hazama, send in my unit, sir!" Lt. Colonel Kengun insisted.
From behind the good Lieutenant, his second in command piped up. "I got the speakers hooked up and a Wagner CD all ready to go!"
Kengun couldn't help but smirk at this and simply say "I like your thinking Colonel." He'd say, sarcastically.
Though of course this was taken well and a simple reply of "Thank you, sir it seemed appropriate!" was given in return.
General Hazama of course, recognized this was, perhaps for all intents and purposes... The best course of action.
"We're going with the Airborne option, this time. The situation needs a quick response. But I will need everyone else standing by, just encase." General Hazama said. Of course quietly under his breath he couldn't help but mutter to himself "Here we go, these knuckleheads have been waiting a long time for something like this... But the last thing we need is a bunch of meatheads heading into this.." Of course he quietly thanked god that nobody heard him, before he'd send the 4th Combat Unit out.
Back at Italica the situation was growing intolerable for Tondel.
These bandits, the scum that were barely even worth the dirt under his boot had managed to get close a few times, particularly close to his droids. The bigger and less intelligent of the lot figured out that they could swing some long ball and chain weapons and take out the droids. Of course as this happened the Italican Militia entered the fray along with the CIS officer who had now held back as much as he could... Using his blaster pistol.
The numbers of these savages were too much. Aayla looked on and debated internally the risks of helping at this moment... She wanted to test a theory. To see if Tondel had any previous training with a lightsaber. She of course knew that children did play with sticks when they were younger, pretending like they were swords or lightsabers. But she wanted to see if she could pick up any kind of actual training in the various lightsaber combat forms.
Tondel of course could somewhat pick up on this intention... And he knew he'd have to hold back a lot of his knowledge and maybe risk taking some hits but the time finally came after the last of his B2s were taken out of commission.
Tondel looked on as he now was all that stood between Italica, between the militiamen, between Pina and her Rose Knights, against the bandits which eyed up the CIS commander like a hunk of meat ready to be carved up.
Of course what they didn't expect was him to pull the lightsaber. To ignite the crimson blade, this gave the bandits pause as it had Pina, her Rose Knights, and those goblins all those years ago.
Though what followed was lacklustre, and clumsy at best as far as what Aayla could see. Tondel could only hold his own because of the fear that the crimson blade put into the bandits, he certainly, from her perspective, wasn't trained. At least not in anyway she could perceive. He was just another normal person with a sword. Albeit a lightsaber.
Tondel of course was growing somewhat exhausted when he remembered he kept the radio that Itami gave to him earlier, the previous day.
Fortunately for him, he could hear Itami on the radio, speaking to apparent reinforcements. Tondel holstered his blaster and took up the radio as he swung the lightsaber around, staying on the move to keep the primitive bandits on the backfoot as best he could.
"Itami, it's Tondel. I'm barely holding out here, when are your reinforcements coming?!" Tondel yelled into the radio.
"Relax, you got Rory coming your way and I'm on the way with Kuribayashi and Tomita." Itami replied back, this... Gave some relief to Tondel as he cursed under his breath. He didn't care where Aayla was at this point, him putting himself in this danger just so the Jedi didn't know the measure of his training was annoyingly frustrating.
Though his frustration would not last long as Rory came barreling in like a bull in a fine china shop. She'd start wrecking havoc and giving Tondel, whether intended or not, breathing room.
With the moment to breathe given, he'd take it. Though the surprises just kept coming, Kuribayashi came charging in with a bayonet affixed to her Type 64, and the show Tondel got in earnest made him realize one thing and one thing only. He was glad he decided to make friends with the JSDF, and by proxy. Rory, too.
Especially as he watched the two in their own dance of violence and mayhem, the two, the soldier and the apostle worked unknowingly well in tandem together. They backed each other up and stood essentially back to back as Itami and Tomita took up positions, firing their own Type 64s to support the two, ensuring the bandits stayed in front of them, and never behind them.
Tondel provided his own support with his blaster pistol. Extinguishing his lightsaber and dropping it into the holster for his blaster pistol as he'd fire and ensure much the same for Kuribayashi and Rory.
One of the final surprised of the moment would be when the JSDF fired a rocket off at the top of the gate, causing the apparent commander of the bandits to go flying. And, unfortunately for him. He'd find himself impaled upon Rory's Halberd. Though Tondel made it a personal point for his own survival to stay back with Tomita and Itami, he could hear the bandit screaming something to do with honour and this not being a real war.
Tondel couldn't help but roll his eyes at the comment. Merely the final words of a madman. Of course he simply watched with, admittedly some amusement as Rory whipped him down onto the ground and viciously pulled her halberd from his body.
Tondel could feel things were wrapping up as an AH-1 Cobra flew overhead and took up station. He could hear the pilot say they were getting ready to clear out the last remains of the bandit force that sought to destroy Italica... And that they had ten seconds to get clear. Of course, Tondel being the faster of the bunch, ran and swooped up Rory as Tomita ran and picked up Kuribayashi, the two ran back as the countdown was in progress and finished.
He(Tondel) didn't even have the time to turn back as the 20mm Gatling Cannon on the helicopter spun up and laid waste to the bandits inside of the city's gate.
Despite everything being over, Tondel didn't care much to hold Rory in his arms, so he dropped her on her feet at the first opportunity before he'd go and see to the droids he had brought with him... And see if they were even salvageable. He ended up kneeling over a wrecked B2 and examining it, losing himself in the moment.
Even with everything that happened, all the death and destruction. He forgot only just one thing. Where was the jedi? Tondel stood up and looked around. ...Looking high and low. She was nowhere to be found.
This... Mildly annoyed him of course. He could sense her in the force. But she wasn't anywhere near him. Still on the planet, of course. He would suppose now began the greatest game of cat and mouse but.. He didn't have time for it, nor care for it.
He did however keep an eye on Pina and the rest, intermittently helping the clean up by using the force to pick up piles of rubble and move them, himself.
One annoying thought did come rushing back to him. What was he do to now? Itami connected dots he never thought possible to connect. His master planned to use him for something, but what it was, he'd never know. As best he could remember, that information died with Dooku in the battle above Coruscant.
For now he just simply let himself go on a mental auto-pilot of sorts. Helping to pile the rubble and clean up the city as best he could.
This would all go on until he got called over the radio by Itami for what was apparently a final meeting with Princess Pina and Countess Myui.
Tondel squared his shoulders and met up with his tactical droid from earlier in the previous night before they'd proceed onto the manor.
It was there he found Itami, Lelei, and Tomita along with the Countess, Pina, and one of Pina's knights. Hamilton. Hamilton was in the middle of reading out, apparently, a list of terms of sorts for Italica. He barely listened of course, that was a matter between the JSDF and Pina. He was here for the next appointment, afterwards.
Everything seemed to go well up unto Hamilton brought up the issue of the prisoners taken during the end of the battle, and how the JSDF required them to be treated humanely. Tondel, even himself, found himself sympathetic... Oddly. To the idea. Prisoners treated well and used for labour did last longer. ...It was a shame apparently Hamilton didn't see it that way.
But regardless, she agreed anyway, on behalf of the Countess and Pina of course. Then came the request for the JSDF to withdraw their forces. And as Tondel expected. They agreed to that as well. He was quite... Bemused by the dumbfounded looks that briefly flashed on Hamilton and Pina's faces.
Though as Itami, Tomita, and Lelei were about to leave, Tondel stopped Itami. "Would you mind waiting for me? I must speak with the princess." Tondel would say, a brief raise of the eyebrow is all Itami could briefly offer before he gave a shrug.
"Yeah, we'll wait. Just don't take too long." Itami would say before he joined Tomita and Lelei, leaving the manor.
"Well I'd say that went very well, your majesty." Tondel said, switching to the local language as he stepped to where Itami stood, previously, his tactical droid joined him by his side.
"It was... Unusual. It goes against everything Grey taught me about negotiating a victory." Pina admitted as she let out a sigh.
"Of course. ...Well. I have no demands of my own, though I'd like to deploy a supplemental droid force to help keep security for your city, if you'd allow it." Tondel would offer and Pina would sit in thought for a moment.
"Unfortunately, they won't be the same types as what I used last night. But they will be, none the less. An effective security force able to handle small crimes." Tondel said, further sweetening the deal.
"It would help immensely... The militia is still..." Pina would say before Tondel spoke up.
"Inexperienced, I'm aware. ...However there is another side to this. The JSDF won't think about attacking a city with my forces in it. And there's also the fact, your Empire, is not at war with the Confederacy of Independent Systems, trust in, if nothing else. I wish only for peace, and I will defend with teeth and claws those I and my droid army are entrusted to defend." Tondel said, Pina did have a bit of confidence regained of course from this.
Tondel did seem to be the only true ally she could trust, and of course, he was going out of his way for this. If nothing else his worse was true, he wanted Pina to have peace between her people and the Japanese. It didn't take the most experienced jedi or those with insight into the future to know that further conflict between her people and Japan, wasn't ideal and would only lead to ruin.
"Alright. ...I accept, please keep this city safe." Pina would say.
"I will, your majesty. And as my first show of this. I'd like to leave this droid here to coordinate the defenses. He isn't a model like General Yul'Mar, however, he will be able to effectively coordinate defense for this city." Tondel said as he motioned to the tactical droid beside himself.
"I see... Then I accept." Pina said before the droid spoke up.
"Thank you, your majesty. I will do my best to keep this city secure on your behalf as my commander would wish." The droid with his monotone mechanical voice spoke and gave a brief bow before stepping back behind Tondel.
With that Tondel would leave and use his holodisk to speak to General Yul'Mar. The conversation would indeed be brief, and only would Tondel permit the deployment of one MTT and one singular AAT for the city. Of course.. This deployment would take time. Tondel handed off handling it to the Tactical Droid who was given the strictest Rules Of Engagement, it would ever see.
No executions unless Italican law called for it. No harsh treatment of the populace, droids were to be on their best behaviour, no abusing the populace, either. Tondel heard of the treatment allowed by Wat Tambor and other.. Particular members either of the Separatist military and Council.
Tondel didn't want a repeat of Ryloth or any of the other disasters that were caused for the Separatists by what could be described as cartoonishly evil nonsensical commanding officers lacking any common sense, or decency.
With that Tondel left and arrived to find Itami picking out prisoners to take back to Alnus... And an immense deadpan donned on his face as he saw Itami was merely picking out women... And only, women, of course he could overhear Kurokawa and Kuribayashi just subtly accusing him of... Something. And perhaps having his own agenda to it all.
But Tondel simply remained silent and let things play out. It wouldn't take long before the women were loaded onto the helicopters and sent back to Alnus, head of Itami and 3rd Recon's departure, it was only after Rory, Lelei and Tuka returned that they'd get moving. Tondel said opposite to the aforementioned three and sat. Meditating into the force. This time he'd focus on something... Different.
Not the usual darkness within and all that. He'd focus on the lighter aspects. Or what he considered lighter aspects of the force.
This... Naturally didn't last long as suddenly Kurata brought the vehicle to a firm, abrupt stop, causing Tondel and the three girls to come flying off their seats and onto the cold metal floor of the vehicle.
"What in blazes was that even for?!" Tondel would be the first to speak up, shouting in annoyance at his concentration being broken.
"We got more smoke on our 2... Again." Kurata would report as Itami reached for his binoculars.
"Man.. Again? Are you kidding me?" Itami said as he lifted the binoculars to have a look for himself.
"Is it even coming our way...? I can't get a good enough view to tell what it is..." Itami would say before Kurata would speak up.
"I think I got it." Kurata spoke up, confident in his assessment that he had a good view.
"Well, what is it?" Itami would ask inquisitively.
"I see a tiara!" Kurata yelled.
"Yeah, sure. Okay... Wait what?!" Itami yelled as the two started to get excited.
"I see a blonde! She's got ringlets!" Kurata would yell as a collective deadpan between Tondel and Kurokawa donned on their respective faces.
"I love ringlets!" Itami yelled as he moved over to get a better view of what Kurata was seeing.
"Confirmed! A blonde with sweet ringlets and a hottie in men's clothes followed by even more hotties!" Kurata yelled and Tondel... If mere facial expressions made noise. Tondel's deadpan would be the loudest thing for about 100 miles in diameter.
"They also have roses!" Itami yelled, his enthusiasm dying in his throat as he spoke. Kurata of course parroted the statement still, surprisingly with enthusiasm.
Tondel thought to himself for a moment... He remembered a blonde of sorts of Pina's group. He remembered all those years ago they exchanged a glance as they both struck down a pair of goblins. Of course that was when Tondel was still a clean shaven young man who had only just then fully tapped into his training for the first time... Though something in the force did tell him, he'd meet her, specifically, again at some point. And that much was very clear... Oddly clear, for the standards of the force, anyway.
Tondel was briefly lost in thought as to why the force was so... Specific about this but... He'd not have much time to dwell on it. Itami was vocalizing his own theories as to who was who and who was in charge as Pina's rose knights approached the convoy, cautiously.
It seemed that the knights would stop at the first vehicle in front and speak with the passenger... And predictably with most of the other JSDF not being as adept with the local language as Itami, or even as familiar with it as Tondel, a sword was drawn and immediately some minute measure of panic did ensue as the other knights lowered their lances at the vehicles.
It seemed Tondel and Itami were of the same mind though Tondel didn't realize it, he left his lightsaber and blaster in the vehicle as the two jumped out to defuse the situation.
Unknowingly, Tondel was now just moral support if anything happened as he and Itami approached the knights, Itami put his hands up to ensure they didn't perceive him as a threat. Tondel on the other hand just walked next to Itami.
"Woah, hang on here, I think there's been a misunderstanding." Itami would say as he'd try to de-escalate the situation.
"My guy didn't offend you did he?" Itami would ask as the previously theorized "white rose" would raise her sword near Itami's head, and instead of just shutting up, Itami did the worst he could do.. Which was speak again.
"Hey easy, I'm sure we ca-" Itami would be cut off as the "White Rose" would full force with the palm of her hand, smack Itami across the cheek.
Before Itami could even speak, Tondel would already yell.
"Go, get out of here, we'll be fine!" Tondel yelled to Kurata and the rest as they'd back their vehicles up at full speed and do a wild turn before getting out of there.
"Great plan." Itami said sarcastically.
"Shut up, we'll be fine... I think." Tondel said before he'd turn with Itami and be met by the swords of the rose knights. ...As Itami was left to smile nervously about the situation before them. Tondel merely kept a stone face. He knew they, the Rose Knights, wouldn't recognize him. Not yet anyway... But he didn't want to shoot force lightning into those he promised Pina, he'd train in the force. ...So he just accepted that he'd make the situation awkward when that time came.
In quick succession Itami and Tondel would be tied up and drug by the Rose Knights horses back to Italica. Of course, ignorance is bliss and blissful are the Rose Knights who enter Italica, to see it still free of bandits... And... Craters in the city walls, as well as the grounds outside.
Whilst they did find this odd, they still went on, dragging Itami and Tondel, the latter of whom would've fallen unconscious by now, given one's own... Training experience(spoilers). And the obvious lack for the other one. As... It isn't particularly expected for a commander of the separatist alliance to be acclimated to handling such... Rough. Treatment.
Itami, who himself was in a roughed up state and barely even aware of what was going on as he was left in a daze was brought before Pina by her rose knights. Already at the sight she was ready to have a panic attack. It wasn't until Tondel was also seen alongside Itami, out cold and possibly suspected as dead... Until Hamilton ran, panicked herself, to check if the CIS commander was even still breathing. Pina threw her drink at Bozes and screamed.
"What the hell do you two think you're doing?!" Pina screamed as a golden chalice in her hands found it's way square to Bozes forehead. Bozes, herself was... Confused and just found herself on her knees. Panache rushed and brought a napkin to stop the blood which was now running down Bozes forehead.
"You.. You idiots!" Pina yelled, once more as Panache looked to Pina whilst she still held the napkin to Bozes forehead.
"Your majesty what have we done to make you this angry?!" Panache yelled back in immense confusion.
"Don't you get it...?" Pina asked as she took a deep breath and looked to the two captives who Hamilton was trying to shake out of their respective, stupor and state of unconsciousness.
"Master Itami! Master Tondel, please, say something!" Hamilton shook the two and Itami could only reply in a nonsensical groan... Meanwhile Tondel just fell over, still unconscious, causing Hamilton to scream.
Tondel and Itami would be whisked off to their own specially prepared quarters, as Pina finally sat down, her hands buried in her face.
"We've broken not just the treaty on the very first day... We've also possibly lost our only ally and made an enemy of what is under his command, if he doesn't wake up." Pina said whilst she'd try to find some semblance of confidence in herself.
"They can use this to restart the war, you know. ...And as for Commander Ramarr..." Grey would say before being cut off by Pina.
"I know, I know! ...We don't even know the true extent of his own forces, we can't let the droid he left behind, here, learn of this." Pina would say and stand up, pacing herself.
"I don't know if the Japanese would use this to start the war back up, I know your father would. But I don't know about the Japanese. For Commander Ramarr... " Grey would say before being cut off by Pina.
"If the Japanese, or even let alone, Commander Ramarr's droids did attack us, I feel like it'd be over very quickly." Pina said as she'd walk to and from, thinking.
"At the very least, Bozes and Panache didn't to our knowledge go over board and kill one. The other might be debatable but still. Perhaps you should just come forward and apologise for what they did." Grey offered as a suggestion.
"You want me to just grovel before them?" Pina asked indignantly.
"I don't think you want to fight. All things considered." Grey said, firmly.
Of course... Yes, this made sense. Pina was... Resigned to what she had to do.
Though meanwhile, outside of Italica, Third Recon didn't just fully tuck it's tail between it's legs and run back home.
They had stationed themselves outside of the city.
Kuribayashi, Tomita, Kurata, Lelei, Rory, Tuka, and the rest all watched the city as the odd purple fireflies came out and provided decent enough lighting.
"What?! What did you just say?!" Kuribayashi yelled... And good thing distance was a factor, as well as a language barrier.
"Uh... The Lieutenant doesn't have anything to worry abou-" Kurata would answer before Kuribayashi yelled again.
"That's not what you said!" Kuribayashi yelled before Tomita spoke up.
"Kurata said, Lieutenant Itami happens to be a ranger." Tomita said plainly, not taking his eyes off the eastern gate of Italica for even just a moment.
Kuribayashi now acted as if someone had just shown her the secrets of the universe... With less brain on fire-y results, ala Irina Spalko. Essentially, Kuribayashi had, and one would be forgiven for it, as most people already had a similar mental image of Itami built up in their minds, imagined him as nothing more than a worthless nerdy otaku without any actual accomplishments under his belt, therefore, her response to this... New information was entirely not just justified but expected.
"You're joking! You have to be joking! There's no freaking way a jackass like that has a ranger badge!" Kuribayashi yelled once more and Lelei, who was now... Well. Captive audience for all intents and purposes to this pitiful display, felt like sating her own curiosity.
"What's wrong with Itami having a ranger badge? Is it a bad thing?" Lelei would ask in English, having picked it up since... Mostly because of Tondel speaking it, though she didn't know, yet that English to Tondel was Galactic Basic.
"Look it's not like we give them out to anyone, you have to be really tough to go through the training and then prove you can accomplish something afterwards! It's supposed to be a goddamn honor! Rangers are total badasses and the Lieutenant is not a badass!" Kuribayashi yelled once more.
Tuka and Rory just had a giggle of sorts to themselves with this before Rory spoke up.
"So that must mean he's stronger than he looks, interesting.~" Rory said before a smirk donned on her lips.
"Aaaaalright. It's time for us to get moving, people." Tomita said before he'd get up off the ground and check his Type 64 to see if the magazine was fully loaded. He'd lead the way to Italica as Kuribayashi collected herself and her senses.
As Third Recon prepared to infiltrate the city to start their rescue mission, Tondel awoke in his bed, shooting upright, he'd look around the room, noticing that.. There was no one there..
Though the luxurious accommodation was a wonderful surprise to awaken to. It did nothing for the aches and pains. Though he wasn't about to be vulnerable again. He, despite his better judgement, stood up and used the table next to the bed for support as he started looking around for his holodisk.
"I need to find out what's happened and where Itami is..." Tondel said to himself as he'd take a step and only end up stumbling back, plopped right down on the bed again.
"Body says no... Fine." Tondel said as he let out a sigh and sat there before some maids came in and brought him water.
To say he was... Immensely confused was... An understatement. But it would be explained that they, the maids, were meant to be his nurses, the knights that did... What they had to him, were of course punished.
Tondel didn't expect anything less of Pina, more than anything he held concern for her perhaps beating herself up over this situation. Yes he was a military officer but he was still understanding. He hoped she, nor anyone else aware of the situation thought he might consider something... Rash.
Though he sat back in bed, back under the covers at the behest of the maids. One of which left, he suspected perhaps to let Pina know, he was alright.
Further on across the manor, Pina demanded Bozes and Panache's presence in a meeting room, the two of course, knowing they were already in hot water with the Princess made it a point to show themselves, quickly.
The two found themselves standing across what one would consider in nominal terms, a coffee table, opposite from the Princess.
"Bozes. Panache. You have attacked, not just an officer of the Japanese Self Defense Force. ...But the man with the light sword that saved us all those years ago." Pina said and it was only then, when reality set in for the two.
To say they were not just scared and dumbfounded was putting it lightly. They were immensely terrified. More so of the latter since they had actually bore witness to the carnage he could unleash.
"You treated master Itami and master Ramarr in a lest than hospitable way, endangered not just Itami's life and also perhaps brought master Ramarr to the brink of death." Pina would say before a maid came in and made her way to Pina to whisper in her ear. After she did so, she left.
"Well. I take it back. Master Ramarr is alive and awake. Regardless you two have violated the treaty we have with the JSDF and perhaps aligned master Ramarr against us with your actions. Master Itami and his people possess the power to wipe out our forces without even a second thought, and I shudder to imagine what master Ramarr is capable of beyond his use of what he calls, the force, and his lightsaber. The Empire would fall, because of your actions." Pina said, asserting her theory.
"Yes..." That would be all that Bozes and Panache could muster to say for themselves.
"It is on you two to make them forget this whole thing ever happened... You're going to need to offer those men your bodies. Panache to master Itami and Bozes to master Ramarr." Pina would state.
The two were... In a new state of shock for what Pina had said.
"I know it's degrading but you must do whatever it takes." Pina said, though it offered no consolation, what so ever.
"We're daughters of nobility, your majesty. And... We understand what it takes to protect the Realm." Bozes said as her face grew red with embarrassment.
"We'll do what must be done, if that is what it comes to." Panache spoke up.
Pina didn't like the idea. But it was the only card she had to play. From her point of view. Itami wasn't an impressive man by any... Notable means beyond being an officer of the JSDF. Tondel on the other hand was a warrior from another planet, no, another galaxy. With, supposedly... Well. Not supposedly. She saw even just a small force of battle droids could hold their own for a time against the bandits. With him leading the charge and an as yet unknown but potentially numerous droid army, she couldn't afford to have Tondel re-think his promise to Pina, or the potential alliance she had with him.
Back in the part of the mansion that Itami and Tondel were kept in, Tondel could hear the commotion next door. He had no idea that the JSDF were even let in by the maids, or that they B-lined for Itami first. He couldn't blame them though, of course.
Tondel merely sat and let out a sigh. "I'll be okay on my own, please leave me for a while. I'd like to meditate." Tondel said to the maids that he'd been provided. They of course left and let Tondel know how to call for them.
Tondel was... Naturally grateful for their help and their kindness. As soon as they left, he'd sit up and cross his legs before he'd close his eyes, to continue his previously interrupted meditation, to perhaps grow closer to the light, and find his way away from the Sith side of things.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he sat. Though as he got into the motions of everything. Tondel felt a presence outside of his door. It wasn't the maids of course. But he refused to open his eyes.
Bozes stood on the other side, Panache stood further down and the two looked to each other with... Discomfort considering the clothing they had to wear for the occasion. Panache being the braver soul she was barged into Itami's room ever so head strong.
Bozes on the other hand, hesitated as her hand was inches away from the handle, the knob on the door opened and the door simply lightly... Opened on it's own. Bozes was taken aback by this but she steeled herself and entered only to see Tondel floating, inches off the bed, with his eyes closed.
This woman, lived in a world of magic, sorcery, wizards, mages, all sorts of things that made up your usual bog standard fantasy world. But this took her aback further than the previous matter. She just stood there and watched Tondel float, her mouth agape.
"I suppose you came to apologize." Tondel would say in the local language, as he kept his eyes closed and continued to float, focusing as much as he could on his meditation.
"Y-You do speak..." Bozes said as she watched, disconcerted, and yes, terrified.
"Indeed. I do." Tondel said as he'd lower himself back to sitting on the bed. He opened his eyes and looked to Bozes.
"You have grown since that night I first saw you. Kill any goblins recently?" Tondel said as a light jab of sorts, a smile donned on his lips, under that beard he grew in the time the two had last met.
"I-I-I, no. ...No I've not. ...I'm sorry for what I did, I didn't know you were-" Bozes said before Tondel's hand rose, signaling her to silence herself.
"I hold no anger, nor a grudge. I am simply glad to know you and the others are alright." Tondel said as his hand came back down to rest on his leg with the other hand.
"Well.. Alright is..." Bozes would say, earning a raise of the eyebrow from Tondel.
"Is something wrong?" Tondel asked.
"Panache, Pina... Pina ordered myself and Panache to... Make things right with our bodies. To use our bodies to earn your forgiveness." Bozes would say before Tondel would merely chuckle, not in any dark way like he'd go along with such an idea. But one of amusement.
"W-W-What's that laugh for?!" Bozes asked, loudly.
"Oh my... If I may be honest. You've nothing to worry about from either myself, or Itami, and that also goes for Panache. In fact right about..." Tondel said before he'd go quiet and there'd be a loud smack and yell heard from the room next door.
"There we go." Tondel chuckled as he stood up and approached Bozes.
"Well. We should go see the Princess. We'll not be the only ones. ...May I have my uniform?" Tondel asked Bozes.
"Wait... You're... You're not going to..." Bozes would say before Tondel let out a sigh.
"I shant. Not if you don't want me to." Tondel said, affirming his stance on the... "Issue". Bozes, who could no longer hold it in burst into tears and hugged Tondel tight, despite his... Condition.
Tondel of course put up with it and sighed before he'd return the hug.
He couldn't help but think to himself. 'Dutiful... You do all this for Princess Pina... I'd suppose, I'd expect nothing less.' Tondel simply held Bozes in his arms and let her bawl her eyes out. She was saved from what amounted to an unbearable embarrassment, by the man who she was ordered to endure such an embarrassment from.
Tondel simply sat Bozes down and retrieved his uniform, getting it.. At least the pants, boots, and undershirt on. Instead of putting on the tunic he'd drape it on Bozes' shoulders before he'd escort her out of the room, and as he predicted. Itami, the rest of Third Recon, Rory, Tuka, Lelei, an angry Panache and the maids assigned to Itami would already be heading down the hall towards where Pina was.
Bozes walked along side Tondel, holding his tunic tight to cover herself up as he'd walk with her, behind the group, all the way to the throne room.
Pina was... Predictably upset, Itami had a nice bright handprint from Panache slapping him, Panache was, understandably, now that cooler heads were had, apologetic for what she'd done out of anger.
More so, looking back, Pina was... Also confused that Bozes and Tondel were here since... Well. Tondel didn't have any new marks on him, and Bozes was still dressed. Actually, she was a bit more dressed than previously, with Tondel's tunic draped over her shoulders.
But that was less of a concern. Right now she had to deal with Itami being... Well... The punching bag. Of course Tondel tuned out as he stood next to Bozes. Pina was... Having another break down as everything was explained to her. Itami was being called back to testify to Japan's government about.. Something that wasn't elaborated on at the moment. And Tondel was apparently asked to speak with the Japanese foreign ministry.
That last part really broke Pina. Tondel of course stepped forward and said merely. "It's likely they just wish to speak to me about commerce, your highness. I need to replenish my food stocks on my starship." Tondel said, trying to... Alleviate the concern. Which thankfully. It did.
There and then, unknowingly a plan formulated in Pina's head. She'd go to Alnus and possibly, Japan itself, to try and end the war at best... Or keep the armistice at worst.
With this... Plan of Pina's now put into action. Bozes and Panache would accompany Pina to Alnus, along with Tondel and the rest of Third Recon.
Tondel of course after morning broke and the vehicles came to pick everyone up, let out an audible sigh of relief when he met Kurokawa who held out Tondel's lightsaber for him and his blaster.
"I was wondering just where I'd lost these, thank you." Tondel would say as he'd gratefully take both, back.
"I was surprised to find them on the floor of the Humvee. You should perhaps be more careful with these." Kurokawa said, giving Tondel a brief smile before she'd go and get in the aforementioned humvee.
"Well, I thank you for keeping them safe for me." Tondel gave Kurokawa a smile before he boarded the vehicle. Before he even sat down, he saw that Pina, Bozes, and Panache were nervous about the whole thing. So he'd help each of the three into the vehicle before he sat down next to Bozes for the ride to Alnus.
The ride took shorter time than Pina, Bozes, or Panache expected, and for once Tondel had the time to meditate, silently. Though he almost fell asleep during it... Up unto Bozes shouted that she could see Alnus hill, and subsequently a JSDF Cobra did an overhead pass over the small convoy of Third Recon. This was the first of both technological shock and culture shock that Pina, Bozes, and Panache would experience, the three would also see the depot that Tondel had established, guarded by B2 Super Battle Droids.
There was an obvious technological gap between Tondel's Droid Army and the JSDF. Pina knew that for certain now as she saw more droids than just the B2s as well, she would see B1s on regular patrol, a couple AATs would be doing some maneuvers with the JSDF's Type 74 tanks. A few Vulture droids remained on standby by the depot, walking around it's immediate vicinity.
Beyond that, Pina saw the troops of the JSDF running drills, shooting, clearing killhouses, firing on the various target ranges around Alnus. She saw, more so. Angering or isolating one side or the other, and perhaps causing a three way war to start wouldn't be... Pleasant for anyone. And already she had doubts that Tondel would go for such a thing. In truth, he wouldn't.
But Pina didn't know that, and that's how he planned to keep it. Besides, he had enough trouble without having to fight a pointless war against the JSDF. He had to figure out where General Secura went, the Jedi... Even on a planet in another galaxy, he couldn't be rid of those lot... Though, admittedly, he had mixed feeling more so than hatred for the Jedi at this point. His hatred was more for the Sith than anything else... He'd have to study the aspects of the light side of the force from the datapads given to him by his former master, at a later time.
For now, bigger issues required Tondel's attention. He'd listen in as a sort of exchange of words was had by Lelei and Pina.
Lelei explained how every single soldier in the JSDF had a rifle, and that they were trained very well to use them. Pina of course was only remorseful that the Empire could never hope to match such a force.
Lelei apparently in some way stepped out of line..
"The Empire stepped on the Griffon's tail." Lelei said, garnering some.. Backlash from Panache and Bozes, who told her to watch her mouth, given as the Empire was on the brink of collapse.
Then Tondel would decide to step in.
"The Empire brought such a situation upon itself, if I may be so honest." Tondel said, garnering shock from the three women he sat by.
"The Empire walked through the gate and came not with friendship or kindness. But death and destruction, in the capital of Japan, as far as I've heard. ...As for what I've seen of the aftermath... I saw who and what came back after your army returned from the world, Japan belongs to." Tondel said, leaving it purposefully vague... But still the message was understood. He saw and knew of the slaves.
"And personally. I disapprove of what happened and what has likely come of it." Tondel would finish, the three women looked... Defeated of course. And sorry. In a way, they looked up to Tondel since that day he arrived to fight off the Goblins. To them, he was a mystical knight with lightning in one hand and a crimson sword of divine retribution.
"But... That is not to say, the situation cannot be rectified. I'm sure your highness will do everything you can to make things right. And I will help in that endeavor... And only. That endeavor. I will, however, naturally. Keep to what I promised. Your knights will be trained as I said, your highness." Tondel said, Pina had some semblance of hope return to her.
Bozes and Panache were.. Confused, they hadn't been made aware of what Tondel promised Pina. He knew that, of course. He'd just have to find the right moment to elaborate on that.
The convoy would find it's way into the impressive fortress base that was Alnus, and come to a stop with everyone piling out. Tondel would help Pina, Bozes, and Panache out of the back of the vehicle as Itami would run off, using some... Briefings apparently as an excuse for him to do so.
Tondel merely shrugged and sighed. "One can apparently expect Itami to shrug social interactions when it suits him.. With justification of course. Regardless, your highness, Bozes, Panache. After your meeting with the base commander here, feel free to come to my depot. My droids will be informed to allow you entry. For now. I must go and meditate." Tondel said as he turned and left.
...To Pina, Bozes, and Panache it seemed all Tondel did was meditate, when not near battle or.. Well. Any other such urgent situation.
With the matter, essentially now out of his hands. Tondel would return to his depot and give new orders to his droids to allow Pina, Bozes, and Panache in when they arrived. Of course he'd post a command variant B1 to the gate along with the B2s, given the B1s were more... Sociable.
Now, alone, and free from possible interruption as far as he could see. Tondel would find his way to his established quarters and firstly begin meditating in silence, attempting to connect more so to the Light side of the force, rather than the Dark.
He was at a crossroads in his life. Tondel hadn't any idea of what to do with himself. But he knew, if the theory that the Sith were the ones all along behind the clone wars, behind the republic becoming the Empire... Which in turn lead to the demise of his home planet. He'd have to realign himself, internally, first, before doing anything else. That was all he could possibly do. That was, indeed all he could think to consider.
If the Dark side, if the Sith were the root cause of everything. He wanted nothing to do with it. He wanted to be more, more than merely a tool for whatever plan Count Dooku had established without his knowledge. He wanted not for power. Revenge, perhaps, yes... But something came around inside of him, something told him, revenge wouldn't do much if anything.
With the silence, with the absence of interruption, with the loneliness that he felt by the lack of outside presence... Tondel opened his eyes as he felt some.. Wetness down his cheeks and his chest ached, not in any physical pain to cause concern. But perhaps... A pain of the soul. It was a pain he wasn't... All that familiar with, he'd experienced it as a boy, once before, when he was innocent and perhaps pure of heart.
it was sorrow. He felt sorrow for the first time in... Forever it seemed. And all he could do was let it out, that's all he could think to do. As finally every burden he bore came to it's final conclusion. He felt sorrow not for any physical injury he sustained in the past day or so.
He felt sorrow for his home, his Alderaan. He'd never see it again, never enjoy the forests and the fields, never see her beautiful cities again, or those he loved and once held dear. He'd never see those faces again. This realization hit him like a truck at full speed into a wall.
They may have hated him or perhaps misunderstood why he became the man he did, to join with the CIS, but originally, it was because he saw the injustices of the galaxy, and wanted to do more than just sit, acknowledge them, note them, and pay mere lip service to them. He wanted more, he wanted to right the wrongs done to the people of the galaxy, the people of the Republic.
But with the, then vaunted senator Bail Organa being Alderaan's representative in the galactic senate, he knew Alderaan would not have part to do what was right. ...So he broke from the ranks and lent himself to the Confederancy of Independent Systems. He never knew, or could've thought, that decision would lead him to this point.
The last of his family, perhaps, the last of his people, the last of those born on the planet of Alderaan, the last of the CIS and still yet lived. It was a hard thing to take in, of course.
He was the only one left to carry the torch for Alderaan, for his family, for the Separatist cause. Did he know if he could do it..? No. Absolutely not. ...But he had to, there was no choice in the matter. But this brief release of sorrow was well worth it in his mind. He spent a few hours at this, letting his sorrow simply... Work through his system and release.
Hours later Tondel cleaned himself up and... Just in the nick of time, as it seemed the sun was going down, his communicator went off and he'd answer.
"Tondel, what is it?" Tondel said into the microphone.
"Uhh sir, I have five individuals here. One is Lieutenant Itami, another is Sergeant-" The droid would be cut off by the sound of Kurokawa's voice.
"Sergeant First Class, please." Kurokawa said
"S-Sergeant First Class Kurokawa, and the other three are the women you mentioned, shall I let them all in, sir?" The nasally voice of the command variant B1 was heard through the communicator and Tondel let out a sigh.
"Yes, yes, fine, allow them all entry." Tondel said before he hung up the communicator. Annoyance wracked his nerves as he'd go to meet the four.
The walk would be quick as the Depot itself wasn't that large. It was just large enough to house deactivated droids, munitions, housing for Tondel, repair services, and a sparring arena.
Tondel came to the gate just as the group of five were able to enter as Tondel purposefully used the force to hold the gate in place before his arrival.
When the gate opened, the group would see him there, an eyebrow raised.
"I was indeed expecting Princess Pina, Bozes, and Panache, however I was not, you. Lieutenant and lady Kurokawa. To what do I owe this visit?" Tondel said, putting on a sort of mildly official face of sorts. Kurokawa merely smiled about it and Itami sighed.
"Well... I need to ask you to come to Japan. The girls are all coming. The foreign ministry does want to speak with you and the princess." Itami said as he'd scratch the back of his neck.
"I see... Is that why you came?" Tondel said, as he turned his attention to Kurokawa.
"No, not at all. I came to see if you were alright. Troops that were exercising near your facility reported hearing sobbing for an hour." Kurokawa said... Much to Tondel's embarrassment.
"I... I see." Tondel said.. Embarrassment was indeed worn on his face but he'd simply sigh and shrug it off. "Sometimes heavy burdens require time, alone, to process. ...Unfortunately. I didn't have the time before... I took the time I did have to... Process it, alone." Tondel said, attempting perhaps to reassure Kurokawa. Though Itami was thoroughly out of the loop.
"Dude.. You were sobbing?" Itami said and was quickly rebuked by Tondel simply using the force to cause Itami to do an involuntary acrobatic split.
"This, shall never be spoken of. Again. And yes, I shall be going to Japan with you." Tondel said before he'd turn and go back inside of the depot. Bozes, Pina, and Panache who.. All just stood in the middle of things off to the side didn't know what to make of what just happened. They wouldn't have any idea until later when perhaps someone might explain it to them, whether it was Itami or Kurokawa... But regardless.
Tondel would make up a place for the three nobility girls to sleep, explaining that, it was simply too late in the day for training with the force. Not because the force was weak or anything at any particular time to day, but simply because.. Tondel didn't have the physical energy to do that. ...Coming to think about it, it was likely, no one of those who were either at the earlier battle for Italica, probably had the energy for any training. Sleep, actual, good, decent sleep was indeed in order.
Though as Pina, Bozes, and Panache slept, Tondel re-configured his lightsaber to look alike that of a medical device. With help of a commando droid he'd manage to make it... Considerably convincing as an injector of sorts for medicinal purposes. His kyber crystal, though yes, blood red, would be mounted on a makeshift necklace.
He had absolutely no intention of going in, disarmed.