Episode I : The Forgotten
Wyb Tersu, a foundling pulled from a KBC's slave freighter years ago by ex-Imperial Stormtrooper, Lenore Tersu, now resides in the New Republic Capital determined to help others by becoming a Naval Officer. As the New Republic Naval continues to establish and guard its era of peace, Wyb knows the whispers of the Empire are not to be ignored. The ghost of Imperial rule did not vanish, it is lingering in the dark.
"Hang on folks, looks like we're in for a bumpy landing," the RX-series pilot droid alerted his passengers on the budget star cruiser known as Star Tours. The StarSpeeder 1000 jerked as it entered Coruscant's atmosphere. The RX droid adjusted his controls hoping he could stabilize the vehicle. Wyb gripped the sides of his seat regretting booking the transport from Lothal to the Capital.
"This is the last time I use travel coupons from Jord," he thought.
He adjusted his posture and looked out the observation window to the familiar skyline he had called home for the last two years. He was now in his last year at the New Republic Naval Academy. He had done well since his arrival. Gotten top marks, well liked, but now right before his official military induction he found himself at a crossroads with what had happened in the Outer Rim–
"What's this?" Wyb asked, taking the data stick from Lenore.
"It's a list and information about the Imperial Project Resurrection. It's the reason behind the uptick in KSC attacks. Seems they're funneling their captives to the Project. Remember Jin and Cruv? Their twins were taken and their names are on this list." Lenore explained.
"Dune asked you if you had any information. Why didn't you give this to her?" Wyb asked in disbelief.
"I like Dune. I trust her. But I also know how politics can stall aid," Lenore explained.
"What do you want me to do?" Wyb asked and looked at Lenore then Jord bewildered.
"I want you to make a choice, Wyb. I've taught you everything I know, and you've learned quite a bit from the New Republic. If you trust the New Republic will seek justice for these families, then hand it over to your superiors. But if you know they stand a better chance with the renegades that run in the shadows, well, you have friends in high and low places that would help."
"Time to pass the torch," Jord said. "You're not a kid anymore."
"I don't know what to do." He said torn. How could she trust him with something so important?
"You will. Trust your instincts," Lenore said
He had been entrusted with an important decision. One he wasn't sure he could handle. One he knew if he chose poorly others would suffer because of it. Why did Lenore do this? Why didn't she use the information to help with her own situation? As he tried to clear his mind of the overwhelming responsibility placed on him he turned his gaze to the cockpit as the transport hit more turbulence.
"Star Tours!" a voice from the command tower chimed in over the radio. "You're in restricted New Republic air space. Turn around immediately!"
"Easier said than done," the RX droid sassed. "Not to worry everyone, Star Tours Spacelines is the preeminent spaceline in the galaxy!"
"I doubt that!" a man yelled from the back of the transport. Wyb fastened his seatbelt and checked his pockets. He wanted to make sure the datastick was safe. He took a deep breath and hoped he wouldn't die at the hands of an incompetent droid pilot.
"We're coming in hot!" the droid yelled as the transport hit the runway with more impact than intended. The sound of screeching metal and sparks flying alongside the vessel startled everyone on board until finally the transport stopped. "Oh we made it. I mean of course we made it. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for choosing Star Tours! If you enjoyed your flight today please know we have a Festival of Liberation Getaway Package available. So ask your travel consultant to book today!"
"I think I'll pass," Wyb muttered as he weaved past passengers scoping up their luggage that had fallen loose throughout the transport. As he exited the aircraft he couldn't help but smile at the sight of his partner Sonibelle Noya waiting for him looking cool as always.
"Hey there birthday boy, thought you could use a lift back to base.," she smirked, lowering her circular sunglasses as she leaned against her old republic city land speeder she had brought to the academy.
"Thanks, but I had my life flash before my eyes already. I think I'll walk," Wyb joked as Soni playfully punched him in his shoulder.
"You took your sweet time getting back," She said. He could tell he had missed him. Soni had been his first friend when he arrived at the Academy and was never far from him since. Next to Lenore and Jord, Wyb considered Soni his family.
"Things got complicated," Wyb admitted.
"Always are with you Wyb," Soni finally welcomed him with a hug. "So you want the whole story or just the highlights?"
They sped off toward the Academy, dangerously cutting off other vehicles and switching lanes.
"Let's start with the highlights," he replied as he caught a glimpse of the festivities being held for the seven day celebration of the end of the Imperial rule. "I got to prep for my meeting with Dune first thing back."
"Well let's start there," Soni stated, making a sharp turn. "Dune's gone."
"What?" Wyb gasped.
"Sent out on a special force mission. Never came back," Soni said, pulling through the Naval Academy gates.
"Did they find her ship? There's a chance she could still be alive or lingering around the outer rim. Maybe even check Navarro. What was the mission about?" Wyb questioned. He liked Dune. She had pulled the strings to get Wyb admitted to the academy. But no one knew it was as a favor. A favor to a Mandalorian known as Din Djarin who owed Lenore a debt.
"That information is above our cadet pay grade, but I hope you're right. She's a good soldier. I'm sure she'll show up," Soni parked the speeder.
"Anything else?" Wyb remarked.
"Well, there's a bunch of Imperial Sympathizers popping up across our manufacturing hangers and amnesty programs. Remember that boring lecture we had to sit through for our ethics course? Dr Pershing himself has been arrested for violating his parole. And nothing's been confirmed but apparently there's a threat of a shadow counsel plotting the Rise of the Empire."
"So I didn't miss much," Wyb laughed as he followed Soni into the hallways of the Academy building.
"You'd think they'd push up exams and make us full fledged pilots with everything going on," Soni continued. "But enough about work. How about you? What happened back home? You wouldn't believe half the rumors swirling around about you."
"What do you mean?" Wyb surprisingly asked.
"Wyb," Soni whined. "You were on a routine traffic sweep that ended with the destruction of an Imperial Star Destroyer and a group of Imperial Stormtroopers under home arrest. Some of the other cadets are saying the ex-imperial unit you took into custody ... .well one of them is your mother."
"I think I prefer the rumor where everyone thought I was a forgotten Mandalorian prince," Wyb laughed. "But yeah ... afraid to say that for once they got it right. Lenore…she's my mother…not my birth mother but…that's a story for another time. Her and Unit-56 are quietly secured on a Lothal family farm until further notice."
Wyb paused for a moment considering the simple way he had put his last few weeks. He eventually always told her sooner or later. But there was already so much on his mind he wasn't in the mood to retell it especially with the pending task Lenore had given him.
"That's all you're going to tell me?" She folded her arms trying to hint at her offense.
"You want the whole story or the highlights?" Wyb smirked flipping the data stick him his pocket nervously.
"Tersu!" another cadet yelled from the doorway. "Loncak's wants you to report to his office immediately."
Wyb looked at Soni, surprised by the order. She had left out one of the biggest highlights. Captain Denz Loncak, his former training officer, who had arrested Unit 56 was back on base and in an office.
"Thought I leave some surprises for you," Soni giggled. "Happy Birthday."
Denz Loncak was well known throughout the New Republic ranks. He had been the son of the Imperial Ambassador of Lothal during the reign of the Empire. But like many young citizens he had decided to join the rebellion. He had been a goto for intel operations and helped during the battle of Hoth. Once the New Republic took hold of the core worlds he had quickly jumped at the chance to fill his father's previous position as Lothal's Ambassador, but that was short lived as he was asked to step down and serve the Republic in a different manner, a military officer, otherwise known as a quiet the demotion among politicians.
"This report is incoherent. How am I supposed to get anything sorted?" Denz Loncak complained, shuffling through Cara Dune's files on the government holograph operating system. He jumped to the last report on the Unit-56 incident and then to the last transmission of her ship. She had been sent out in search of Moff Gideon. Not many knew the high ranking Imperial had managed to escape New Republic custody. In fact it was part of Denz's job to keep it quiet. Last thing the New Republic needed was this kind of news in the public during the Liberation Festival.
As the veteran shuffled through the files and compared his notes he realized something wasn't lining up. He hoped his former protege would have more information to help fill in the gaps. Anything at this point might help. He would do anything to stop another Galactic civil war.
"You called for me sir?" Wyb leaned into the office that was open.
"Tersu, come in," Loncak closed the files and turned his attention to Wyb. "I'm sure your chatty partner already filled you in on Dune?"
"She has. Any word on her or her ship?" Wyb asked, concerned.
"That's a bit above your rank, don't you think, cadet?" Denz said. He knew Dune was dead before his arrival. Report from Captain Teva unfortunately confirmed her death and the Moff's escape. But He didn't want to break the news to the wide eyed cadet. The way things were going he would see enough death soon enough. "But no unfortunately. A lot of activity coming from the Outer Rim, particularly from the Mandalorian corner."
"Welcome back to base sir. I'm sure it'll be more exciting than making security sweeps in the Outer Rim," Wyb sassed. He didn't like Denz. He found him to be an opportunist and had zero tolerance for ex-Imperials.
"I've been asking around about you. You have quite the marks. I'd say you're one of the best pilots this year at the Academy. But under origins you have listed unknown and then an admittance clearance signed by Cara Dune herself. Not that I put too much stock into rumors, but many say you were escorted by a Mandalorian to the academy. Care to explain?" Denz reviewed Wyb's file on a data pad.
"Sir?" Wyb did not like how this was going.
"Relax kid. You're not in any trouble. I am just trying to get up to speed and see if you can fill in any blanks," he chuckled. "Not like your little family unit of ex-imps helped at while placing them under house arrest."
"Don't call them that," Wyb said. "Imps."
"Do you know what they used to call us?" Denz sat back amused. "Scum. Rebel scum."
"Lenore's my family sir. Maybe not blood but I've taken her name and I intend to honor it. Make it well known in the New Republic if I can."
"I'm afraid you're a little late for that. She's not the only Tersu. Did you know Lenore had a brother?" Denz said sadly remembering his deceased friend. "His name was Lee; a good friend; a fearless soldier. There was a time when you heard the name Tersu you knew whatever jam you were in that you'd needn't worry, you'd come out the other side ok. When you heard that name… it gave you hope. He gave everything to this cause, to bring in an era of peace, a new republic. But in the end… well we all sacrificed so much…parts of ourselves, I guess he just got lost… That name you've taken already carries weight in the new republic. More so than in the Empire I would hope. "
Denz stared off with a glazed look over his face. Wyb had seen many of the veteran pilots with the same look in their eyes as they relived the traumas and horrors of squaring up against the Empire. He wasn't sure if he should say anything.
"I don't understand how a fallen solider this has anything to do with me," Wyb finally awkwardly spoke.
"It's a history lesson. The Tersus' are survivors. They'd do anything to protect the ones they love, cross lines, and dig their heels in the sand like a stubborn blurg no matter what you tell them." Denz snapped.
"Sorry sir," Wyb said respectfully. "I meant no offense to the Tersus' or their reputation."
"I know all you youngsters find us old veterans a bore…but you don't know what we've seen or done or lost….." he trailed off and stared off. He then shook his head and refocused on Wyb. "But from what I know about you from personal experience you're different. You've seen some things growing up under Lenore's watch."
"I have, and before then as well," Wyb admitted.
"Well that brings me to why I called you here. While on Lothal, did any of the members of Unit 56 give you any information about that Star Destroyer they sunk?"
This was his chance. He could feel the data stick burning a hole in his vest pocket, but the knot in his stomach told him that if he handed this information over to this veteran soldier it would be forgotten in the chain of command. But he had to give Denz something. He knew not all the members of Unit 56 stayed on Lothal as they had been ordered to.
"No sir. No additional information, but I'm afraid to say not all of Unit 56 are following house arrest protocol."
"Yes, we're aware Civa Margar and Besa Corros have taken off, but since we don't have much information on their previous transgressions, and their low rankings in the Imperial Army, their whereabouts do not concern us at this time." He said. "What about the Mandalorian that dropped you off here two years ago? Have you've been in contact with him lately?"
"Mando?" Web asked perplexed. "No. I haven't seen him since the day he dropped me here. That was over two years ago."
"Hmm," Denz rubbed his chin. Something was definitely brewing across the galaxy. He just needed the right lead to follow. He's hunch was to see follow the Mandalorian. He would reach out to Captain Teva in Adelphi.
"Am I free to go sir?"
"If there's nothing further to report,"Denz replied as his instinct fired up and down his spine. The kid knew something. But he wasn't going to tell him.
"No."
"Then I suggest you study for your exams. They're in a few weeks out aren't they?"
"Yes."
"You're dismissed."
Denz watched the cadet leave and chuckled . He was more of a Tersu than he knew. Playing things close to the chest, alone when he had help all around him. Definitely a Tersu trait.
He shook his head and fired up his transmission to Captain Teva.
"Carson, wish I could say you look good, but it seems the Rim is taking its toll on you," Denz joked.
"Why don't you get out of the office once in a while and see what we're dealing with Denz,"Carson fired back.
"Good to hear you old buddy," Denz laughed. He and Carson had crossed paths a few time during the rebellion but little now during the New Republic. But it was nice to see a familiar face. "I got a favor to ask. You know anything about a Mandalorian…nick name Mando. Was a Bounty Hunter, may still be."
"Djarin?" Carson asked.
"I think so," Denz replied. "What can you tell me about him?"
"Funny you should ask, he just walked in the lounge looking shinny as ever. Give you a call back after I find out what he wants," Carson said and ended the call.
Denz sat back and felt his luck had just shifted.