Chapter 5
Hubris
RAXUS
The Hexagon, Raxulon
In addition to the many new buildings being built by the Militia's seemingly endless supply of B1 battle droids repurposed to construction, building roads, tram rails and other infrastructure the Militia had begun and was nearing construction on the Militia seat of Military power on Raxus, the Hexagon, was a massive metal building with blue metal highlighting it's main structure with metal chrome on the roof. It was dome shaped in it's main structure with smaller six hubs built around it all for different parts of the Militia forces, Army, Navy, Espionage, Marine, Droid and Jedi. The domes were linked by outer walls and had few windows on the walls but had glass skylights on the top, with the major one angled to have the Militia Hex built into it.
"Mitth'raw'nuruodo, born as Kivu'raw'nuru with the core name Vurawn, recognized in his early military career as Mitth'raw'nuru, and better known by his core name Thrawn, was a Chiss male officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, somehow he found his way into the Empire climbed the officer corp ladder like it was jungle gym." General Kleeve said in front of a big room with dimmed lights a hologram showing a chiss man with a white grand admirals uniform and yellow epaulets, he had an angular face like a blade with eyes just as sharp. He had a strong brow and black hair, his skin a deep blue with eyes red as blood. Ahkilleon stood at the back of the room alongside Sigma and other secondary officers. Lord Asimov sat by Admiral Trench, along with other high ranking officers. "Caliban is soon to leave the Chiss Ascendancy, we've asked him to collect more information on Grand Admiral Thrawn, from what we've gathered from Imperial intel he's… brilliant." General Kleeve sighed.
This made some people murmur, "General Kleeve, is that Admiration I hear in your voice?" Lord Asimov asked in his viewing chair.
Kleeve nodded "After studying his battles, yes, he's a ruthless strategist and was given the title of Grand Admiral by the Emperor himself, if Vader is truly dead, then Thrawn is heir to the Empire."
"Have the Chiss click-click-click, responded to our proposition of alliance click-click-click?" Admiral Trench asked, tapping his metal and organic fingers together.
"No, they remain neutral to us and the Empire for now, what we do know is they don't care for Thrawn, he disobeyed some kind of orders from their ruling houses, but Caliban is pressing them for more." General Kleeve explained.
Ahkilleon noticed standing not far from him up against the wall was Cadet Jay Freeman, Fives son, Jay moved his way down and stood by Ahkilleon, "Fancy seeing you here."
"I go where my Master goes, it's a padawan's duty." Ahkilleon whispered back.
"You say so."
Kleeve continued "As of right now, we've put the fleet commanders on notice, should the 7th fleet make its presence known, they will be ordered to not engage and if engaged to withdraw."
"Withdraw?"
Ahkilleon hadn't realized it but he'd blurted out the question, heads swiveling back to look at him "Yes 'Padawan withdrew until we know more about Thrawn and can come up with a proper strategy when he comes, now onto more pressing matters. The Vanguard Fleet has secured Selucami and is on it's way here to resupply for their next campaign."
The doors to the war room opened and the white and blue armored General Freeman walked in, everyone stood immediately as the leader of the Militia entered, "At ease gentlemen, I thought I'd sit in on this briefing." he said walking to an empty seat at the center of the front, he sat down and his two Azure Guards stood guard at the door. Their armor was like the Generals, the militia style but painted to look like clone troopers from the 501st clone battalion.
"Of course General, we were just about to begin the latest updates to the front." General Kleeve said.
He pressed a button on his cybernetic implant the holographic screen changed, to show the galactic map as it was, Ahkilleon noticed the Foundry worlds were in blue along with most of the outer rim stretching to the Lothal System, former Corporate sector, half the Hutt sector just short of Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa and the borders of the unknown regions. "With Admiral Trench's fleet's success in taking the bulk of the Hutt system and the droids provided by Lord Bloodwolf our southern flank is secure." General Kleeve said pointing to what was once Hutt Space, Reik sat across the aisle from Lord Asimov and sat slouched, legs spread and shrugged like it was nothing "To the west, Lord Asimov's success…" There were a few snickers among the Warlords and other commanders, Ahkilleon could feel the shame of his so called 'victory' wasn't real "The Foundry has forced the Empire to reinforce their own borders to the Mid Rim, there's been no intel since our network in the Rebellion was compromised so General Gerrera has moved her fleet to secure the west, we expect the Empire will launch probing strikes and have upped our fighter patrols."
"Now, many of us remember this one… Felucia." General Kleeve said, pointing to a planet on the Militia's northernmost border.
"Felucai was hotly contested during the Clone Wars, it traded hands back and forth, use to be a spore jungle unlike anything the galaxy had ever seen, but all the fighting and left over waste has devastated the planet's ecosystem. That didn't stop the Empire from putting one hell of a garrison there. The next fronts opened there." Kleeve continued with the briefing showing the planet Felucia and two figures, one was a tall locked haired creature that was towering and imposing with gray skin, a loin cloth blue war paint holding a jawbone sword "The native Felucians of the world waged a guerilla campaign for a long time, now we believed them wiped out, if any are still alive there's a good chance they'll see us as hostiles too, so best to avoid them."
"What about the old republic scouts?" Ahkilleon blurted out the question, his mind racing at the stories he heard about the planet of Felucia.
The outburst got Kleeve to sigh through his nose "What?" he asked.
"During… the Old Republic, during the Clone Wars, there were an offshoot of the Jungle Felucians, farmers, who grew nysillin." the heads turned looking at him "And your point?" Kleeve asked.
Ahkilleon cleared his throat "Sir, they were invaluable scouts to the Republic effort to retake the planet."
Kleeve looked at the map with a large imperial garrison on it "Not that invaluable." a few mocking laughs before General Freeman stood, turning all Ahkilleon saw was Rex's face, all the officers stood "Lord Asimov, Admiral Trench your forces will lead the assault."
Both Asimov and Trench stood giving the Militia salute, a closed fist over their chest, with Trench it was two fists, "Militia Invictus." General Freeman said.
"Militia Invictus." everyone said before Ahkilleon muttered "Militia Invictus." A little late than everyone else.
After the war council was adjourned everyone was walking out of the room down a large hallway the architecture style was a mix of Raxus and smooth white lines and spiral opening doors, Ahkilleon followed Lor Asimov and Admiral Trench out of the room, "Once my fleet arrives we'll resupply drop off our wounded and be on our way." Lord Asimov said.
"Very good click-click-click, how do you find Raxus my boy?" Admiral Trench asked Ahkilleon.
"I always heard the Empire was brutal here after the Clone Wars, it looks like they were never here to begin with, Grandpa?" Ahkilleon stated to him.
Then suddenly Asimov turned, "Commander Sigma."
"Sir." the clone asked.
"My padawan has seemed to forgotten place, when addressing his superiors." Asimov said down on him, Ahkilleon new it the second the Lord spoke, he'd interrupted the briefing twice and he hadn't addressed Trench by his rightful rank Admiral.
"Send him to the Convent to alert Master Uzuma and her healers that we will be departing, and after that… get creative." Lord Asimov said as Commander Sigma smiled his eyes gleaming like the light catching off his mullet and he leaned down to Ahkilleon, "You'll find the Jedi Convent outside of Raxulon's arts district, after that your ass is mine shiny."
Outside Raxulon,
Jedi Convent
Only a few kilometers outside of Raxulon, the capital city of Raxus, perched atop a solitary hill in the grasslands was an old monastery converted into a convent for the use of the New Jedi. The monastery itself was a large seed shaped building with a low stonewall around it and a single bell tower. The interior of the wall was paved with cobblestone and in it the Jedi healers who had followed Master Uzuma were gathered there. Corto Vos-Ventress sat in the courtyard meditating while his sister Yumi Vos-Ventress was training with six training droids deflecting them "I can't believe Lord Asimov chose him- as his apprentice!" Yumi hissed.
Corto sighed "Not this again."
"I just can't get my head around it, Corto." Yumi said deflecting shots as she interrupted her brother's meditation.
"Yumi, you'll get a Master's soon, you shouldn't bother worrying about Ahkilleon." Corto told her.
She deflected the shots focusing on sending the shots back to the remotes, "He disobeyed the rules of the trial, he snuck on the ship to the front and ran right into a warzone, whats he get, to become the Padawan to the most Powerful Jedi in the Order." She sliced one of the remotes in half and the remotes kept their distance. "It's not fair!"
Corto sighed "Yes, he disobeyed the rules of the trial, but when is a fight for your life ever fair dear sister?"
"He's a troublemaker Corto." she insisted stopping the droids.
Sitting up and standing, Corto stretched his lean arms "Is this coming from the girl who snuck up on him and attacked this troublemaker at night, with three other jedi learners?" Yumi looked abashed and turned away, Corto shook his head "He's trouble."
"And you have to stop him, is that it?" Corto asked her.
"No I- look mom told us who he is, his dad he was a monster." Yumi growled.
Corto folded his arms "And you heard what Dad said, he's not his father, or his mother, who he lost. What would you act like if you lost your family?"
"But it wasn't just his family, you heard the rumors he was part of the rebellion, he betrayed them who's to say he won't betray us, mark my words he's got all the signs of 'Most Likely to Become a Sith Lord' for the schools yearbook?" she stated.
Corto glared at her, "You know maybe none of those jedi would have become Sith, if Jedi like you didn't jump to conclusions."
"Jedi like me, I'm looking out for the Order." She explained plainly, hands up.
"Oh come on, you're upset he took the limelight from you in class, he could have wiped hte floor with you and your lackeys in the woods but he didn't, that should tell you something." Corto said walking away when he sensed something.
There came a knock on the gate doors, Yumi heard it to and she waved her hand making the doors open for Ahkilleon to walk in, Yumi sneered but Corto smiled "Ahkilleon, welcome brother!" Corto said walking up to him arms open as if he were to hug him. Ahkilleon saw him coming, coming in fast and stepped back and Corto stopped "Hmm not a hugger, I get it, how you been?"
"Well I…" Ahkilleon stopped himself cutting the small talk, "Master Asimov- um Lord Asimov requests I speak with Master Uzuma."
Corto nodded "Hmm serious business huh, come on, she's in the training hall with the others."
Ahkilleon followed the older boy past Yumi who resumed her training with greater intensity as if she were fighting against Ahkilleon, if only she knew outside of a Starfighter Ahkilleon was a lousy shot. They entered the convent which had its main hall that was once a place of worship turned into a training hall. Matts were laid out on the floor and the pillars that once held candles or incense were replaced with racks of staffs, wooden swords, scrolls of the new Jedi Code and so on. In it's center Master Uzuma was training with two wooden swords against Fatima and Urrde, the other jedi healers were around her as they 'klak' of wood on wood echoed around them.
"Don't hesitate, strike." Tai snapped at Fatima who attacked her but was quickly disarmed and wacked in the back of the head, Fatima held her own for a few minutes but then Tai hit her left wrist with a whack and Fatima fell back "And you lost a hand." Tai said, Ahkilleon did his best not to rub his left metal arm remembering the pain of losing it, it was agony all at once followed by a daze of being overwhelmed with pain.
Ahkilleon had lost his arm in a duel with Darth Vader, it wasn't even a duel it was a slaughter if his mother hadn't intervened to save him and Ezra "Yes, what's he doing here?" Tai asked snapping Ahkilleon back to the present.
"Master Uzuma, he has a message from Lord Asimov." Corto gestured to Ahkilleon.
Tai rested both her wooden swords on her shoulders, "What is it?" she asked not to even out of breath from the training.
Trying to be respectful, Ahkilleon bowed slightly "Master Uzuma, my Master, Lord Asimov requests that you and your healers follow us to Felucia as we prepare to take the planet."
"The Military will take the planet, you will not." Tai reminded him, she stood there "I will speak to the Council on this, for now, await my answer in the courtyard Padawan Tano." she told him throwing the swords to Fatima and Urrde "You two, keep practicing." she said.
Ahkilleon felt the coldness in her voice but he knew why, "Don't take it personal." Corto told him. "She lost her Padawan-" "On Lothal, to two Inquisitors." Ahkilleon said to him, Corto's face was blank with surprise "I know, I was there" Ahkilleon said walking out.
Later he was waiting outside in the courtyard pacing left and right, Yumi was still doing her training and Corto was talking to a few padawans, they weren't Fatima or Urrde the two of them were training with their lightsabers. "Yo Ahkilleon!" Corto called out to him, he waved him over and Ahkilleon hesitated to join him before Corto whistled at him.
Following Corto's beckoning Ahkilleon approached three other young jedi, one was a twi'lek with pink skin, he was lanky and had dark red eyes, dressed in a brown robe and a gray bandana wrapped around his lekku ""Ahkilleon, meet Tobi-", beside him was a set of twins both Miralian but one boy one girl, the both had green skin, with a matching set of diamond tattoos on their chin and across their nose in a distinct pattern. "-Kana" The girl wore a hijab of dark black around her head with a long brown robe that went to her knees, her brother had dark green hair wearing a similar robe but with trousers "And her brother "Kano."
"Hi-" "How did you destroy those walkers?" Tobi asked him.
"What was it like fighting an Inquisitor?" Kana asked.
"What was it like killing an Inquisitor, you kept his lightsaber- did you keep more?" Kano asked.
Ahkilleon frowned and looked at Corto who gave him an insistent look "Um, well I learned that the walkers, the ones the Empire use, have a weak spot, their necks." Ahkilleon told them.
"How, where, when?" Kano asked him.
Feeling a bit embarrassed "Seelos, almost a year ago, I was um visiting some old friends and we were being chased by a group of walkers in a sand storm, we had to blow up the walkers necks to get away wasn't easy had to get under the walkers." he lied not giving them the full story
"So you ran across one from the other with grenades, that's awesome?" Tobi said folding his arms impressed.
"Uh thanks, Tobi." Ahkilleon asked the twi'lek.
"Ahkilleon here, isn't just any jedi mother used to be in the order, he's a legacy." Corto said, patting him on the shoulder, "Really, who was your mom?" Kana asked.
"Doesn't matter." Ahkilleon shoved Corto's hand off his shoulder "She's gone."
Tobi and the twins frowned, they looked at one another "Yeah, mine to." Tobi sighed looking at the ground, "I um think my dads alive, but I haven't seen him since I left Ryloth."
"We lost our dads running from Inquisitors, then a trandoshan found us we thought he was a bounty hunter but he smuggled us to Arcadia." Kano said looking at his sister who smiled "Sorry about your mom, I didn't know." Kana replied to him.
Ahkilleon could sense they were all telling the truth, that they'd all lost someone to get here "It's… it's fine, um yeah I was able to kill the Inquisitor, this was his lightsaber." Ahkilleon held out the dark iron lightsaber and the three of the younglings gawked at it.
"Wait, I thought they used rotating lightsabers?" Tobi asked.
"Nerf herder, he obviously changed the hilt." Kano told him.
Tobi shoved Kano and Kano shoved him back, soon the two were in a playful fight that older boys would often get into before Tobi locked Kano by the head, and started to give him a noogy "Who's the nerf herder now-" "STUDENTS!"
The doors to the convent opened and Tai was standing in the doorway, "Master Uzuma." Corto bowed to her and the other jedi stood at attention before Ahkilleon saw her eyes on him, "The Council has agreed to send us to aid the Vanguard fleet as healers, any who wish to return to Arcadia are welcome to stay here until a transport can be set up."
Ahkilleon approached her and bowed to her "Thank you Master Uzuma, I'll let Lord Asimov know at once."
"Yes, you do that." Tai said turning around ire dripping off of every word, Ahkilleon didn't rise from his bow, but the disrespect lingered in the air
FELUCIA
The Vanguard fleet dropped out of hyperspace, a dozen dreadnought fleet strong armada descending out of hyperspace, the Shatterpoint at it's head and the fleet beside it Admiral Trench's flagship the Victory, the matched fleet had the teal and yellow Jedi Sigil of Lord Asimov and the Spider face of Trench on their ships showing which fleet they belonged to. Trench's sigil had changed slightly from it's clone wars version, the left half of it like trench's face was angled to look more mechanical showing it was the Cyber Spider fleet. Felucia, known as Galush prior to the formation of the Galactic Republic, was a colorful, humid jungle planet located in the Felucia system of the galaxy's Outer Rim Territories. The headquarters of the Commerce Guild, its primary agricultural export was the valuable crop nysillin, which was largely farmed by the native Felucian tribes. It's important strategic location along the Perlemian Trade Route made it a major battleground throughout the Clone Wars and now this new war.
Standing guard over the planet was a fleet of Five Star Destroyers all of which opened fire the second the fleet came out of hyperspace, "Deploy fighters click-click-click, formation seven." Trench clicked out in a command. Ahkilleon was standing behind Lord Asimov aboard the bridge, he watched as Hawks flew out of the ships followed by swarms of vulture droids. Cannon fire met cannon fire and he saw TIE's lock into dog fights with them.
"Padawan, come, we must prepare for the ground assault." Lord Asimov said leaving the bridge behind.
Ahkilleon followed him down to the hanger "Am I to join you on the assault Master?"
"... No, for now watch and learn, when the landing site is secure you will join us." Lord Asimov told him.
"But you'll need me in the fight?" Ahkilleon protested.
"I need you to be here, alive, this isn't the Grand Army of the Republic, we don't-" "Send children to war, I know, I know but I'm not a child anymore." Ahkilleon argued with him.
Lord Asimov folded his arms on his chest and then held out a finger "Don't be so eager for bloodshed my apprentice, I won't deny your hardships but this is war and war is the duty of men." Lord Asimov walked on showing he didn't intend to argue about it. Lord Asimov led him to a large section of the Shatterpoints hanger where a mass of troops had gathered. They had adjusted their armor for jungle warfare, painting their armor with dark mud stripes, some even on their faces.
"Vanguard!" Lord Asimov shouted to get their attention standing on a crate.
"Our objective remains the same, take this planet from the Empire, Felucia was a major spot in the Clone Wars, be aware of any left over wreckage, mines and debris we may encounter not to mention the wildlife." Lord Asimov added a few of the soldiers snickering, it was clear these soldiers were battle hardened after six months of combat. "But we won't be going alone." Lord Asimov said as a bay from another part of the hangar opened and heavy metal footsteps entered.
Ahkilleon saw marching toward them in a crowd then straight parade were two dozen gigantic battle droids, they looked B2 Super Battle droids but even bulkier as if they'd been on a strict diet of oil and ore protein shakes, they had broad shoulders with a mound of a head that resembled the classic B series droid face, thick long arms and legs some with mounted turrets and other weapons, many with painted markings on them one at the center had a row of fangs painted on his chest "I give you Lt. Gaser Stratos of the Droid Armored Marine Corps." The fang faced droid armor opened up to reveal Gaser of Hyena squad, his beard had been trimmed but his hair remained long, running down just after his neck.
Sigma snickered "Well there goes the neighborhood boys!"
The militia army all laughed, and even Ahkilleon snickered, the age old rivalry between army and marines old as the stars.
Ahkilleon wondered if Lt. Stratos would respond but he just looked at Asimov, "The first wave will consist of myself, Commander Sigma and Lt. Srtatos's marines, they'll take any flak we find at the Imperial garrisons central command before we take the position, expect heavy resistance…" Asimov trailed off.
"Commander Sigma, will you do the honors?" Lord Asimov asked, looking at the clone.
Ahkilleon watched Sigma walk past him shoving his helmet into the boys hands, the whole army stepped back and everyone made some space for him. Sigma's eyes went wide and he bared his teeth like fangs, he growled and snapped at the soldiers nearest to him. And to Ahkilleons surprise they did the same, he started to shout in a language not even Ahkilleon new. Sigma took the center of the room and started to shout:
"Kikiki! Kakaka!
Kauana kei waniwania taku tara
kei tarawahia, kei te rua i te
kerokero!
He pounga rahui te uira
ka rarapa ketekete kau ana
To peru kairiri mau au e koro e!
Hi! Ha! - Ka wehi au ka matakana,
ko wai te tangata kia rere ure
tirohanga
ngā rua rerarera
ngā rua kuri kakanui i raro! Aha ha!"
Then Sigma took a stomping wide stance fists clenched, forearms out in front stacked on one another. The Militia soldiers all let out a furious sound of war cries and puffed their cheeks or stuck out their tongues, Sigma shouted so fast and so quick Ahkilleon couldn't understand what he said but then the Militia started to dance?
"Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora!"
They stood wide, slamming their hands onto their thighs, in loud slaps over and over again repeating the chant, before flinging their hands to the air, then turning right they held up their fists, and did another move all while shouting fists aimed low into the next part of the chorus. .
"Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā"
They raised their arms next to their head still chanting with Commander Sigma leading the war chant, one arm was flexed fist to the sky the other hand smacking the strong forearm while chanting. Even Lord Asimov was doing the war dance, the sound of his armor pinging off one another like the rest.
"Ā, upane! ka upane!
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te rā!"
They froze in a squat, everyone face red or tense from the dance, Ahkilleon had never seen anything like it, "Militia Invictus!" Sigma shouted.
"MILITIA INVICTUS!" The army shouted.
A red light went off on and a green light went on, at once the entire room started to move, Ahkilleon watched the whole crowd of soldiers break up into squads of a dozen running to gunships.
He couldn't believe it, the gunships were Low Altitude Assault Transport, or LAAT, was a line of gunships used by the Grand Army of the Republic. Models in the line included the Low Altitude Assault Transport carrier designed to transport a single All Terrain Tactical Enforcer and the Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry that served mainly as a gunship and troop transport. Space gunships were a variant of the Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry designed to function in space. The Coruscant Guard and Imperial Military also used a variant called the LAAT/le patrol gunship. "Those are LAAT's?" Ahkilleon asked Sigma who walked up to him.
Sigma looked over at them, a bit out of breath from his war song, "Advanced models, bigger, faster, stronger." They were different with wedged faces: the turrets on the side were armored and the bay doors were thicker with a slight sink in the wings with misled under them. They didn't have the white, red and green paint instead they were the colorless metal. With the yellow sigil of Asimov on the sides the wings lined in blue, "When we land, you are going to assist the droids in unloading munitions, by hand." Commander Sigma ordered.
"But I-" "Are you questioning me, shiny?" Sigma snapped.
Ahkilleon didn't say a word, "Is that clear?"
"Roger-roger." Ahkilleon growled. Sigma glared at him before he went to join a ship.
Ahkilleon watched the ships take off and fly out of the hanger, walking out to the edge of the hanger, he could see the Imperial Fleet in full retreat, two of the five star destroyers were going down in flames. And the Militia Armada was descending down on the planet now, hundreds of gunships were flying out from every ship to the planet. Ahkilleon was watching with nothing but envy. He clenched his fists tight, seeing the flak light up the sky above the planet knowing that's where he needed to be.
Walking up behind him silently, was Admiral Trench "Speak your mind my boy click-click-click."
"I thought If I joined the Militia, I'd have the chance to fight the Empire, not hide while other men die?" Ahkilleon asked him.
Admiral Trench signed out of his nose, mandibles clicking "Your time will come, click-click-click."
"My time, I'm tired of waiting and being patient, the Empire is down there, right there and men are dying, I thought becoming Lord Asimov's padawan would make me… not this, an assistant?" Ahkilleon asked him.
Admiral Trench blinked at him, "Have you learned nothing click-click-click?"
"What?" Ahkilleon asked.
Admiral Trench shook his half spider half droid head "Youth is wasted on the young click-click-click" Trench said walking off.
Meanwhile planetside the Militia forces were descending through the thick spore filled clouds of Felucia, their LAAT's were falling like crows down on the surface over rotting spore and fungal jungles. Red imperial cannon fire was blasting into the sky explosions of the flak. Inside one gunship with a dragon's mouth painted on the front Lord Asimov was standing with Ventus and Terro, Commander Sigma had his hand on a handle above his head before he turned back to Lt. Stratos, "Alright you marines, get dirty!"
The back of the drop ship opened up and the droid armor fell back into a fetal position becoming a giant iron ball falling out, hundreds of others fell backwards, they landed like boulders from the sky into the jungle tearing up the ground and spores before they uncurled and stood up. Gaser started to run through the jungle with his giant armored marines tearing apart the jungle branches and vines. Straight toward a large imperial garrison, it was a massive citadel of walls thirty feet high and land cleared out for a full mile around it, a large compound almost forty stories high. The Imperial sigil on the main building with two smaller ones on each side. The walls were lined with anti-aircrafts shooting into the sky but on the walls Imperial stormtroopers ran up with E-webs and mounted them to open fire on the droid armored marines who ran out raising their right arms with turrets shooting back at the walls. The gunships that haven't been shot down landed out in no mans land and dropped off the Militia Vanguard regulars. Lord Asimovs gunship flew over the walls and the Warlord jumped out with his two bodyguards.
Sigma followed him along with their own soldiers behind the walls. "They're over the walls!" one stormtroopers shouted before Sigma shot him.
Asimov and the other two war jedi unleashed their lightsabers on the imperials, Gaser was closer to the wall now and kicked up speed, a set of thrusters on his droid armors back powered up and Gaser screamed loudly charging the wall and unloading a salvo of rockets and laser fire before he ran right through the wall.
"We've been breached!" An officer shouted as the Militia poured in through the hole in the wall or scaled the battlements. The stormtroopers on their walls to their credit held on as long as they could. But when they saw it was an overwhelming force a lone commander shouted "RETREAT!"
The stormtroopers broke rank and fell back, some ran back into the base others ran fo gaps in the militia lines taking to the jungle. Up on the main structure of the militia compound Sigma and his men had found their way to the top and took out a long tube, opening it it expanded into a large spear before Sigma stabbed it into the metal a large holographic emblem of the Militia Hex appeared over the compound.
The garrison was theirs.
LATER
Felucia, Sunset
The Endeavour had landed along with three of the dreadnoughts, Corto, Yumi, Tobi, Kano and Kana walked of with Urrde and Fatima following behind Uzuma, they made there way through the ransacked garrison as the Militia forces quickly moved in to secure everything of value and importance. The former Imperial garrisons barracks was housing any wounded and had a bright red medical cross painted on it's exterior. "Casualties are minimal, seek out the medical droids in charge of the medical tent, I'm off to find Lord Asimov to have the ship refueled." Tai told them.
"Should one of us come wit you Master Uzuma?" Yumi asked stepping forward.
"No, stay with the rest of the group and make sure no one goes wandering off again." She said looking over at Ahkilleon who was walking in a line with B1 droids unloading munitions from one of the dreadnoughts into the garrison.
Yumi smirked and her goons snickered seeing Ahkilleon carry the crates clearly meant for droids to carry, Corto frowned seeing Ahkilleon working but Tai didn't seem to care. She made her way into the barracks and the others moved to the medical building. Ahkilleon kept carrying the crates across the garrison field to a large warehouse. Ahkilleon set down the crate and sat down near the exhausted "Get up." Sigma said over him, arms crossed.
Ahkilleon looked up at the clone, "You know, back in the Grand Army of the Republic, I'd outrank you."
"In My Book, Experience Outranks Everything, now back to work." Sigma growled at him.
"Hehehe Roger…" he chuckled "roger." Ahkilleon walked toward back over to the droids and made his way back to the ship to continue unloading. Sigma oversaw the unloading of munitions for another hour before his comlink beeped, "Commander join me in the War Council." Lord Asimov said into his coms "Roger, Roger my Lord." Sigma said before he turned to Ahkilleon.
"I want that whole dreadnought unloaded by the time I'm back shiny." Sigma barked before he left.
Eventually Sigma made his way into what was the Imperial command center of the garrison a large round holotable at the center with Tai, Lt. Stratos and eventually Sigma along with the rest of Asimov officers. Admiral Zygote was in a holographic form with Admiral Trench, "The Imperial fleet is no longer on our long range scanners, they were eager to get out of here." Admiral Zygote said.
Trench clicked his mandibles, "Indeed, click-click-click, too eager."
Lord Asimov paced a few steps as Sigma joined him, "Commander, halt all landings for the next half hour, I want you and a team of your best to go out and scout the surrounding area."
"Consider it done my lord." Commander Sigma said.
Back outside at night having taken over, Ahkilleon was almost halfway done unloading the ship when he saw Corto walking over to him with a canteen, "Don't get too close, you may have to join me." Ahkilleon grumbled as he set down a crate, beads of sweat ran down his face and Corto offered him the canteen.
Reaching for it Corto pulled it back "What in the stars did you do to piss off Pyscho Sigma?"
"You know him?" Ahkilleon gasped before Corto gave in and handed him the canteen.
Ahkilleon gulped it down and Corto shrugged "Only that he's the meanest, toughest Commander in the entire Militia."
"I think existing was enough for him." a familiar voice said, it was Cadet Jay Freeman, he was wearing a brown beret with a brown wool jacket over his gray and brown trousers, he had a blaster pistol at his hip and and a knife tucked into a strap on his sleeve. Ahkilleon kept chugging the water, "Jay what's up man." Corto said as they grasped hands in a manly but friendly way "Corto, good to see you."
Ahkilleon let out a gasp of refreshing relief and annoyance "Oh great, you two know each other."
"Course we do, our parents raised us together." Corto said as he patted Jay on the shoulder, Jay looked at Ahkilleons work and nodded "Munitions duty, yep we've all been there." Jay said.
Ahkilleon set down the canteen, got up and headed back to the ship "Yeah, during holonight with the folks?" Ahkilleon muttered as the two other boys followed him.
"No only after popcorn." Jay said not taking the remark as an insult.
He kept going making his way to the ship when the three of them saw a dozen regulars running around, and then a few more people starting running around. "Whats going on?" Corto asked.
Jay stuck his hands in his pockets, "I'll do some recon."
Ahkilleon ignored it and kept unpacking stuff, "Why are you even doing this, you're a jedi not really even in the military?" Corto asked him.
"Yeah well we all know I can't heal anyone, but I can lift heavy stuff." Ahkilleon said not trying to sound like he was complaining.
Corto kept following him up into the dreadnought near the cargo hold side and watched Ahkilleon take another crate from a battle droid, "But why, all this, why not talk to Lord Asimov he is your Master and he out ranks Commander Sigma?"
"And what, go running to my master whenever I have a problem?" Ahkilleon asked him.
Corto folded his arms at the cargo hold door "That's the point of a Master isn't it, to help us with our problems."
"Yeah well… oh great he's back." Ahkilleon cut himself off seeing Jay walk up back to them.
Corto approached him "What you hear?"
"Not good, Commander Sigma and his scouting force went out before dark no word from them." Cadet Jay told them.
Ahkilleon kept carrying his crate not paying attention, "Any word of a search party?"
"They'll recon overhead, but there's so much wildlife that organic signature will be near impossible to find." Jay explained, "If only we had a jedi or two who could track him, then whoever found him may get… rewarded?" Jay said looking over at Ahkilleon.
Ahkilleon stopped and frowned at him not sure what he meant, "Jay, that thing my dad can do, not every jedi can do it."
"Your sister can?" Jay said smiling a twinkle in his eye.
Corto's face became stone "Keep her out of this."
Jay raised his hands in surrender "I'm not asking you to go two lightsabers swinging into the jungle, we just take one of Sigma's things she sniffs it, tells us where he is?"
"And you just happen to have one of his things?" Corto asked him, Jay reached into his jacket and pulled out a small holodisk.
Corto gawked at it, "You broke into his quarters?"
"I break into everyone's quarters, the officers always have the best stuff, and he had this." Jay said, tossing the holodisk to him, Corto caught it. The young jedi thought about and looked at Ahkilleon, "I'll ask her, but she's still mad at you."
Jay gave a bashful smile "It was years ago, I bet she forgot."
The two of them walked back to The Endeavour and Ahkilleon kept walking with the crates, "You coming?" Jay called out to Ahkilleon, seeing that he wasn't going to get this done any time soon followed Jay and Corto into the ship. The boarded the long light corvette and entered into the padawan quarters, there he saw Tobi and Kano playing a game of holochess and saw Urrde and Fatima talking outside a door. Jay smiled, "Ladies."
"What do you want Jay?" Fatima asked behind her veil.
"Fatima my sweet, I am here to speak with your mistress." Jay said, taking off his beret and giving the over the top chivalrous bow. Urrde giggled and Fatmia was obviously smiling under her veil, Ahkilleon rolled his eyes and watched Tobi and Kano play.
The door the two girls were guarding opened and she saw her brother and Jay, "You." she said before Jay said "Yumi my darling-" Yumi drew back her fist and in perfect Vos fashion punched Jay so hard he spun before falling down.
Corto pressed his lips "Told you."
"You scruffy looking nerf- CUNT!" she barked at him, Jay rubbedh is jaw and sat up "Good to see you too." he said holding his beret.
Yumi snarled at him, "Corto, get him off or I'm going to the dark side on him" She hissed.
Jay felt to see if he still had all his teeth, "It was two years ago Yumi, I'm sorry."
"You set my hair on FIRE!" she screamed at him reaching for another hook, her brother jumped between them, "Alright, alright, he's sorry, you keep your head shaved, and you rock the look sis, you also still have a killer right hook."
Yumi backed off but placed her hands on her hips "What do you want?"
"Need you to do dads trick." Corto said holding up the holodevice.
Ahkilleon looked over his shoulder and she glanced at him before he turned away, "What's in it for me?"
"What do you want, Yumi, holovids, energy drinks, cards, name it I can get it?" Jay asked, poking his head around her brother.
Yumi sneered, "You mean contraband?"
"I mean… yeah contraband, look we're going after Commander Sigma, you're the only other jedi in the whole New Jedi who can do that tracking thing." Jay explained to looked at the holodevice, "Please, he's family, even if he doesn't think it." Jay begged her. Ahkilleon overheard the last bit but acted like he wasn't paying attention, Yumi took the holodevice and looked at it, she held it up to her nose and took a whiff. Ahkilleon and the other padawans felt the force surge around Yumi and all of them watched her shut her eyes.
Even with her eyes covered by her eyelids they could see her pupils moving as if she was looking at different things, "I see the jungle, there's oh stars… dead Miliita…" She said squeezing the holodevice, "I don't see the Commander, but I see… a village, it's overgrown… the Commander is there, he's a prisoner?" Ahkilleon felt a terrible surge of dark side energy and spun around.
She opened her eyes, "That's it." She said, blinking a few times rubbing her forehead.
"He must have been ambushed by the imperial remnant here." Jay said, thinking scratching his jaw.
"But a village, what kind of village would be out here?" Corto asked.
Ahkilleon couldn't take it much longer, "Yumi."
"What?" She hissed like gargling acid to talk to him "The village, did it have a big barn, bigger than all the other buildings, big enough to fit a ship?"
Yumi was thinking of some sort of insult to throw at him but she went blank "Yeah, a big barn?"
"I need a map." Ahkilleon said.
Quickly the padawans went into The Endeavour's main atrium, it had a holotable with couches around it, the main hall was large and had a few chairs and tables tucked into the walls for sitting. Ahkilleon started to bring up the map of Felucia and started to zoom in on a part of the planet not far from the garrison. "What are you doing?"
"Back in the clone wars, my-" Ahkilleon cut himself off "There was a skirmish here, jedi got shot down and fought some pirates at a village." Ahkilleon zoomed in and showed a scan of the planet, an opening in the thick hills and jungle, where the village should be "Here."
Jay and Corto looked at one another "How do you know about this?"
Ahkilleon paused "I.. read the report on the planet."
"Well we don't have a moment to waste, that place isn't far." Jay said getting up, "Gabi and Rulf are already getting us transpo, thanks again Yumi." Jay said heading for the exit.
Ahkilleon got up and followed him "Wait, we should let Lord Asimov know, something about this reeks of dark side?"
Jay stopped, "Hey, you got your glory from Saleucami let us get ours, we take this to Asimov he sends in the troops two things happen. Sigma is killed when they hear them coming or worse we don't get the credit." Jay said, putting on his beret.
"Didn't you hear me Jay?" Ahkilleon asked to walk out so they stood on level ground face to face, "I felt a surge of dark side energy, something there, waiting for you."
Jay thought about it, "Then, we need a jedi, so come on." Jay said before he headed toward a group of speeder bikes, mustangs speeder bikes with sidecars attached. With mounted turrets, Rulf and Gabi were in one and they had a spare one for Jay and whoever else would join him. Ahkilleon looked back at Corto and the other young jedi, if he went that would be the second time he entered combat without permission.
The dark side was out there, and he would face it. Following Jay he passed by him "I'm driving." he said before he hopped onto the speeder and Jay got in the side car with an E-7 Blaster rifle.
After an hour of riding, they road into the abandoned farm and looked to see nysillin crops were overflowing the old buildings tangled with the Felucian spores and vines that had retaken the structures and fences, the old barn which was the largest structure was collapsed and the two dozen homes or so were all but in ruins, Ahkilleon, led from the front with Jay behind him, bringing up the rear with Rulf and Gabi who flanked them with their blasters. "There." Jay whispered pointing to the center of the village where they saw Commander Sigma strung up on a wooden post out cold.
"Let's go." Rulf said, looking around holding his blaster rifle.
Ahkilleon held up a fist to signal them not to move, "No, this is a trap, something is out there…" Ahkilleon looked at the dark shadows "it wants… me?" Ahkilleo said.
Jay scrunched up his face "Hey we're all the main character of our own story, but-" "I'm not joking around Jay, something dark is here, it knows I'm here, and if you don't do exactly what I say right now we all die."
The look in Ahkilleons eyes said everything, and Jay nodded "Alright, what's the plan?"
"This is a trap, whoever went to all this trouble wants us to walk right into it, so that's what I'll do."
"I knew jedi were crazy, but are you sure, shiny?" Rulf asked him. Ahkilleon shook his head "No, but I don't now any other way to get Sigma out of this."
He got and walked out into the abandoned village, he kept his eyes on Sigma who was still strung up on the post, as Ahkilleon walked over dead plant roots, they crunched under his leather boots. Sigma started to wake up and blinked, shaking his head when he saw Ahkilleon "Shiny, what are you- wait my men, where is he?"
Ahkilleon stopped "Who?"
"The redblade who attacked us, he took me alive he- RUN KID!" Sigma shouted so loud and hard it sounded like Rex, suddenly Ahkilleon heard a lightsaber turn on and he activated both of his own red and blue ones. Something was coming.
Footsteps.
Then a red light coming out from behind one of the abandoned buildings, coming from the darkness illuminated in red, was Jerec the Grand Inquisitor. "A boy?" he asked licking the side of his lips, he snickered "Forgive if I laugh, I expected someone well… more?"
Ahkilleon didn't hesitate he rushed Jerec and swung at him with both lightsabers, at every side and angle but Jerec just side stepped and dodged not even bothering to raise his lightsaber, Ahkilleon chased him between the buildings and everywhere Jerec was he suddenly wasn't. After a dozen failed strikes, the young jedi was panting as Jerec strode around licking his lips back to him, "Hmm abrasive, intense, but inexperienced in dual wielding swordsmanship… your legacy is mixed?" Jerec said curious with some intrigue on his face, Ahkilleon looked at his face more clearly in the red sabers light "Your eyes…" Ahkilleon whispered. They had moved so far into the village Jerecs back was to Sigma, Jay, Rulf and Gabi came running out to cut Sigma down and started to cut the bindings.
"Ah yes, you noticed, I am Miraluka, one of the last of my illustrious people no we do not have eyes, but the force lets us see more than you know, hmm let's take another look shall we." Jerec moved like a nexu slashing and clawing at Ahkilleon with his red lightsaber, pushing him back to one of the wooden structures, Ahkilleon dodged and Jerec sliced into it, the structure looked like it was about to crush him but Jerec waved his hand "Please." the entire building was blown away like a great gust of wind knocked it away from Jerec. It worked just enough time for Jay and the others to get Sigma free.
Sighing the Grand Inquisitor looked right at Ahkilleon, "Hmm deception, trying to think ahead but thinking of others, staying behind while your little friends run away, reminds me of… aah Qui-Gon."
"Who?" Ahkilleon asked.
"Qui-Gon Jinn, Master of Kenobi, Master of Skywalker, Master of Tano… your Master was Ahsoka- no, oh my." Jerec smiled at his teeth ghostly white "Mother."
Ahkilleon tensed up and the sith felt that tension, Jerec attacked again and Ahkilleon deflected the first few strikes but Jerec was like a cobra always striking without hesitation and near total precession, "A shame, she didn't teach you how to fight with two sabers like a real Jedi?" he teased.
He swung his lightsabers at him and Ahkilleon blocked them both perpendicular "I-am-a-jedi!"
Jerec just gave a tongue filled smile, "Not with all that anger."
"You want anger- fine!" Ahkilleon let loose a burst of force lighting and went on a new offensive, he struck this time making Jerec block the attacks before he flipped away and turned off each of his lightsabers, Ahkilleon focused on the memory of Ezra and him fighting the Nexu, unleashing a bolt of force lighting, Jerec caught the blast with his lightsaber redirecting it into the barn making it support beam shatter and the whole building come down. Jerec smiled slowly with his tongue caressing his lips, "Oh you think that's power?"
Jerec turned off his lightsaber, "This is real power." Force lightning started to flicker on his finger tips, Ahkilleon turned on his lightsabers and raised his guard in a reverse grip when the Grand Inquisitor let out a storm of lightning that pushed Ahkilleon back into one of the buildings and then off his feet flying through it and the wall after it taking it out and another before Jerec licked his lips pleased.
He walked through the wreckage kicking over boards, "Ah Ahsoka Tano yes, she was the pride and prodigy of the padawans, framed for a murder she didn't commit and chose exile over the order who raised her, and of course there was that Rock boy who was… oh my now I see." Jerec teased poking on his spectacles as Ahkilleon tried to get up he had cuts and scraps the feeling of debris stuck in him causing him to bleed, and "The bastard son of a failed padawan and a traitor, not just any traitor the Jedi who broke the order in its darkest hour when it needed unity more than anything, it be funny if it weren't so pathetic… oh why not I'll laugh anyway HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Jerec's maniacal laughter echoed across the abandoned village, and Ahkilleon looked up his anger rising when Jerec raised his hand and shot a single bolt of force lightning up into the air creating a lighting strike for miles to see around them. Jay, Rulf and Gabi with a wounded Sigma in the passenger seat of the speeder saw the bolt and then they heard thunderous explosions "What was that?" Jay asked.
"A signal."
Back at the garrison, rockets flew from jungle and struck all the main batteries set up by the Militia, flares were launched and out of the surrounding jungle and ocean of white armored stormtroopers covered in mud came thundering out of the trees. Imperial AT-AT's came marching out from behind tall spore trees and the Militia spran into action shooting back. Lord Asimov came running out of the garrison main building with the other officers and looked up to see a second Imperial twice as big as the last one dropping out of hyperspace to engage Trench and Zygote.
"What the hell is happening?" Lord Asimov snapped.
He checked his comlink and Trench appeared "It's as I feared my old friend click-click-click, there's still some fight in the Empire after all."
Asimov looked over at the warehouse with the munitions and didn't see Ahkilleon, "Get my army off the ground now, and get me a ship."
Back at the abandoned village Jerec was still laughing and Ahkilleon had forced himself to his feet, no not Ahkilleon something else. Jerec felt it like a pulse and cocked his head "Hello?" Jerec asked when Ahkilleon moved ten times as fast with both lightsabers on and Jerec caught the attack with both hands on his lightsabers. "Ah there you are.
"I wondered when this mysterious power would reveal itself?" Jerec asked as Ahkilleon let out a roar and broke the lock, Jerec blocked the attacks backing up but not retreating.
Jerec side stepped and Ahkilleons rage followed him with fury and wild attacks, Jerec frowned "I am not impressed." he held up his hand and waited till Ahkilleon was an inch behind the hand and Jerec unleashed a force blast so powerful it sent Ahkilleon flying before he closed his fist and grabbed Ahkilleon in the air before smashing him into the ground holding him their with the force. "Savagery, brute force, no strategy here…" Jerec spat as if he were insulted "You are unbalanced, light and dark fight for control disgusting." Ahkilleon snapped his fangs and pushed off the ground but Jerec walked toward him with a lightsaber ready to take his head.
"Whatever the Emperor's reason for wanting you dead, it will soon be revealed when I lay our head at his feet-" he sensed a gust in the wind and out o the sky landing like a meteor was Lord Asimov greatsaber drawn the two yellow blades stabbing into the ground where Jerec had been. Jerec had jumped back four meters to see Asimov followed by Terro and Ventus, each of them holding a blue and green lightsaber.
Jerec cocked his head "Hmm, the so-called New Jedi, I presume?"
"Assume correct dark sider." Asimov said raising his lightsaber, Jerec turned his lightsaber of and jumped up as a lambda class imperial ship appeared overhead. Jerec landed on top of it, "Another time perhaps?" Jerec taunted before his ship took off and Imperial star destroyers started to descend on the planet from above.
Asimov turned back to Ahkilleon and knelt down, the boy was wounded growling and about to go full berserk, Asimov put his hand on the boys head "Stupid boy." Asimov said forcing Ahkilleons mind to rest and pass out.
"Terro, Ventus take him." Lord Asimov said looking skyward into the battle filled atmosphere, "The Empire wishes for a fight, we shall oblige."
SHATTERPOINT
Hyperspace
Ahkilleon came to aboard the Shatterpoints medical bay and sat up slowly, "Whoa, easy sleepy beauty, you took a lot of nasty hits." Corto said next to him, Ahkilleon looked around and saw he was in a white room with Corto, filled to the brim with wounded Militia. White clad B1 medical droids assisted the crew and he even saw the B5 droid aka Nurse treating wounded with other medical droids and Militia medics. "What happened, are we still in Felucia?"
Corto was sitting in an army chair, "Um that's a long answer but the other one no, we're heading back to Militia space, the Empire didn't want to give Felucia up so easily as the military thought."
"We lost?" Ahkilleon asked, shocked.
Corto pressed his lips into a thin line "Lost isn't the word Lord Asimov used, a strategic withdraw I belive, when Ventus and Terro brought you in we thought you were dead, you had so much blood coming out of you, but we patched you up." Ahkilleon looked down at a set of bacta patches and fresh scars.
"Hey, hey look who's awake!" Jay was walking in Rulf and Gabi, the two of them were holding mops and Jay had a bucket under his arm with a wet brush.
"The battle, what happened?" Ahkilleon asked.
Corto seeing the other young jedi wasn't going to let it go, turned to Jay who spoke "So, the Empire the Militia found at the garrison were a skeleton crew, same as the ships in orbit, the main force went into the jungle and waited the main fleet next sector over if you believe that. Battle lasted about oh… eight hours before Lord Asimov signaled a retreat."
"The Militia running away." Ahkilleon mumbled.
Jay leered at that, but said "We've been kicking ass for six months, about time they kicked ours, plenty of time to learn our tactics and our weaknesses, hubris for one, it sucks." Jay said kicking some dirt on the floor "Get some rest shiny, you'll probably be joining us in scrubbing down all the Marines droid armors when you're allowed to leave?" Jay said before he walked off.
"But they saved Sigma?" Ahkilleon asked Corto.
"Yeah, but you all still broke the rule, no minors in combat. Why is that?" Corto asked him.
Ahkilleon fell back against the pillow "Why what?"
"Why do you, the new guy, always go after the biggest, baddest guy you can find, first it was tanks now this new red blade?" Corto asked, leaning in his chair, one foot propped against Ahkilleons bed. Looking at the ceiling, Ahkilleon thought back to the other times he didn't run away "What do you have to prove Ahkilleon?"
"That I'm stronger." Ahkilleon said curtly.
Not satisfied with the answer, but not wanting to press Corto got up "Well stronger, that red blade got your ass kissed turns out he wasn't just any red blade, that's the new Grand Inquisitor, a former Jedi Master named Jerec, looks like he was the mastermind of the whole imperial counter attack. Rest up, they'll be here soon."
Ahkilleon followed Corto's back "Who?"
"Oh just the General and the Jedi Council, um if you get exiled from the Order, can I have your lightsabers?" Corto teased before he walked out, Ahkilleon laid back on the bed and wallowed in self pity, all his training, all his progress, it didn't mean anything! He still lost, he got his ass kicked and was lying in a medical bed. Everything was wrong, he clenched his bandaged fists so tight his wounds threatened to reopen. He turned to his left to see his lightsabers and he reached out to them with the force they came to his hand and he held both blades over his chest fighting back tears he'd been holding back since he woke up, "Never again… I won't ever loose-hick-" he held up both sabers close to his chest as he swallowed back tears "never-again." he growled, tears escaping his black eyes burning down his cheeks.
The Battle for Felucia was lost, but the war for the Rim was about to begin.