I thought you were making a reference. Instead you incarnated a warrior Saint into your story. Cassius Marcellus Clay is a name of great honor and many songs. A white man who'd fit in among our headhunters.
Are Mercenaries
War on the Horizon
- Thread starter MarkWarrior
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Chapter 56
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 56
"It is unfortunate that they survived both attempts," Sidious muttered to Mas Amedda, but this is not a failure. No, this will stoke the fires that have already been burning in the hearst of both the Republic and the Confederacy. Leading them towards war in an even shorter time frame than I originally intended."
"The Republic would be on the losing end of such a conflict at first," Amedda cautioned. "I am uncertain as to how that would further your plans."
"The Outer Rim possesses the resources to fight a prolonged war. But they do not have the manufacturing capacity to do so," Sidious explained. "Unless the Confederacy allies themselves with the Banking Clans and Trade Federation."
"Which would be nigh impossible for them at this time," Amedda nodded in understanding.
"Which will lead to a burning resentment of those who desire peace with the Confederation," Sidious smirked. "Yes, the future is not quite as certain as it once was, but the Grand Plan can always be… Adjusted as necessary."
"And what of losing Orn Free Taa?" Amedda asked.
"An inconvenience," The Sith Lord waved the concern away. "He was a blunt instrument, and while he may have been a useful tool at one time, now he is merely another to be sacrificed on the altar of the future empire."
"We must remember to disguise your meetings with Kuat," Amedda stood up to leave. "There are many questions that have been raised of late, I would not have us discovered."
"That will be handled shortly," Palpatine seemingly changed from a sinister figure to a kindly old man as he lowered his hood and smiled genially. "I have already secured the funds needed to further our agenda with them. When it is time, we will have a fleet to secure the Outer Rim."
I woke up to the sound of medical devices, the familiar noise of an EKG machine allowing me to relax a bit.
"Ahh, Colonel," A Togrutan nurse greeted me as I blinked through blurred eyes at her. "You're awake!"
"Anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" I asked as I rubbed at my eyes, wincing at pain that radiated from several different places.
"Well, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a bus," Siri spoke up from the doorway she was leaning on. "Now, I think we need to have a discussion about Windows," she crossed her arms. "They're for looking out of, not falling out of…"
"I was thrown," I protested as the Nurse began running checks. "Believe me, I didn't go voluntarily," I watched as some tension drained out of my friend. "Now, how long have I been out?"
"Five days," the Nurse answered. "You were in pretty bad shape when they brought you up here. The Human body is not supposed to withstand anything approaching the sort of speeds that you endured before you interrupted your fall. Now, we're going to keep you for further…"
The Nurse's voice faded as I tuned her out. I knew that whatever she was saying was important, but right now I couldn't bring myself to care. I was tired, and after we got back from Coruscant, I was taking a vacation.
"Do you understand, Colonel?" the Nurse's voice broke through my thoughts.
"I understand," I replied, leaning back against the bedframe. "Now, can I get an update on what's happening with the negotiations?"
"Orn Free Taa is in the brig now," Siri replied. "We're just ensuring that all of our personnel are aboard and that the Hapans have the information they need to establish an Embassy with the Confederacy."
"I think I missed something," I raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember that being a part of our job here."
"Clay asked for us to remain until he had finished up with the Hapans," Lieutenant Sturn stepped into view. "Major Mathis is currently ensuring that he remains secure. And, honestly, given how successful it seems he is, we might have another ally soon."
"More allies is good," I closed my eyes for a minute. "What are our odds of persuading more neutral factions to join the Confederacy?"
"If you can persuade the Mandalorian People, then the current ruling faction will follow," Sturn shrugged. "They are nothing, if not democratic."
"Nevermind," I sighed. "I'm going to lay here, and heal up. And when I'm done, I'm finding a beach in an extremely well guarded compound and staying there for a month. I'm taking a fucking vacation."
"So, I can expect a diplomatic assembly to arrive at Raxus by the end of the month?" Clay leaned back, his cane tapping on the floor as he spoke with Anita.
"Ta'a Chume, the Queen Mother has confirmed that she would like to establish trade ties at a minimum to much of the rest of the galaxy. And given that the Republic has been… Less than open to such of late, she will accept an alternative."
"And your Daughters have been left alive?" Clay asked. "I know that the Embassy was closed for a time when the Jedi were expelled from the entirety of the Consortium."
"Had it been Master Windu who was present, such a thing would not have happened. But after what happened," Anita sighed. "My Daughters were considered tainted at first. But since they have proven themselves, they are considered a valuable part of the Navy."
"That is good to hear," Clay leaned back in his chair. "Is Ni'Korish alive? I have heard nothing of her in decades."
"There has been no news from the family aside from ruling edicts," Anita shrugged. "We are currently the strongest we have been in generations, and piracy has all but been eradicated."
"We're not quite there yet in the Confederacy," Clay replied. "But we are well on our way to ridding us of that plague among the stars. Our largest fear lies not with pirates at the moment. But instead, it lies with the Republic."
"That is the one reason that I believe an alliance would falter," Anita agreed. "The Queen Mother will not be favorable to an alliance should it drag us into a war with any faction at present."
"We're hoping it never comes to that," Cassius eased himself up onto his feet, leaning on his cane and looking at his old friend. "The Republic is sending along independent observers to ensure that we don't just execute the fat bastard. You and your representatives are invited as well if you wish to be present for trade negotiations."
"Who have the Republic chosen to send?" Anita asked.
"Various Senators and their entourages," Clay smirked. "Which means they'll be beyond surprised at the size of the Confederacy's assigned quarters and staff for their elected officials."
"If I'm not selected, I may take some leave and travel with an old friend," Anita smiled in response. "Watching those sorts of upper class brats being surprised with reality is always enjoyable."
"Well, let me know if you manage to find the time," Clay began to exit the room, twin bodyguards in Powered armor falling in behind him. "We'll be leaving in six hours."
"I know where to find you," Anita replied. "You'll be in the thick of whatever mess you've managed to land yourself in this time."
"Always," Cassius turned and waved jauntily. "Always."
Then he entered the elevator and was gone, leaving Anita to once again deal with the bureaucracy of the Republic by herself.
"What's my next appointment?" Anita asked her secretary, the man jolting up and quickly closing out the Pazaak game he'd been playing.
"Umm, you have a meeting with Eriadu, but that's not scheduled for another week or so," he stammered.
"Good," Anita leaned forward. "Begin the paperwork for a travel request. We're going to see if we can't get our vacation paid for by the Queen Mother."
"Yes, ma'am," the secretary began typing rapidly. "Is there anything else that you need?"
"Ensure we get one of the faster and well armed ships. We're not taking any chances on this one," she paused. "And make sure that we've got some of the better looking girls. This is a chance to steal some of the best of their gene pool for our future daughters after all…"
"It is unfortunate that they survived both attempts," Sidious muttered to Mas Amedda, but this is not a failure. No, this will stoke the fires that have already been burning in the hearst of both the Republic and the Confederacy. Leading them towards war in an even shorter time frame than I originally intended."
"The Republic would be on the losing end of such a conflict at first," Amedda cautioned. "I am uncertain as to how that would further your plans."
"The Outer Rim possesses the resources to fight a prolonged war. But they do not have the manufacturing capacity to do so," Sidious explained. "Unless the Confederacy allies themselves with the Banking Clans and Trade Federation."
"Which would be nigh impossible for them at this time," Amedda nodded in understanding.
"Which will lead to a burning resentment of those who desire peace with the Confederation," Sidious smirked. "Yes, the future is not quite as certain as it once was, but the Grand Plan can always be… Adjusted as necessary."
"And what of losing Orn Free Taa?" Amedda asked.
"An inconvenience," The Sith Lord waved the concern away. "He was a blunt instrument, and while he may have been a useful tool at one time, now he is merely another to be sacrificed on the altar of the future empire."
"We must remember to disguise your meetings with Kuat," Amedda stood up to leave. "There are many questions that have been raised of late, I would not have us discovered."
"That will be handled shortly," Palpatine seemingly changed from a sinister figure to a kindly old man as he lowered his hood and smiled genially. "I have already secured the funds needed to further our agenda with them. When it is time, we will have a fleet to secure the Outer Rim."
I woke up to the sound of medical devices, the familiar noise of an EKG machine allowing me to relax a bit.
"Ahh, Colonel," A Togrutan nurse greeted me as I blinked through blurred eyes at her. "You're awake!"
"Anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" I asked as I rubbed at my eyes, wincing at pain that radiated from several different places.
"Well, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a bus," Siri spoke up from the doorway she was leaning on. "Now, I think we need to have a discussion about Windows," she crossed her arms. "They're for looking out of, not falling out of…"
"I was thrown," I protested as the Nurse began running checks. "Believe me, I didn't go voluntarily," I watched as some tension drained out of my friend. "Now, how long have I been out?"
"Five days," the Nurse answered. "You were in pretty bad shape when they brought you up here. The Human body is not supposed to withstand anything approaching the sort of speeds that you endured before you interrupted your fall. Now, we're going to keep you for further…"
The Nurse's voice faded as I tuned her out. I knew that whatever she was saying was important, but right now I couldn't bring myself to care. I was tired, and after we got back from Coruscant, I was taking a vacation.
"Do you understand, Colonel?" the Nurse's voice broke through my thoughts.
"I understand," I replied, leaning back against the bedframe. "Now, can I get an update on what's happening with the negotiations?"
"Orn Free Taa is in the brig now," Siri replied. "We're just ensuring that all of our personnel are aboard and that the Hapans have the information they need to establish an Embassy with the Confederacy."
"I think I missed something," I raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember that being a part of our job here."
"Clay asked for us to remain until he had finished up with the Hapans," Lieutenant Sturn stepped into view. "Major Mathis is currently ensuring that he remains secure. And, honestly, given how successful it seems he is, we might have another ally soon."
"More allies is good," I closed my eyes for a minute. "What are our odds of persuading more neutral factions to join the Confederacy?"
"If you can persuade the Mandalorian People, then the current ruling faction will follow," Sturn shrugged. "They are nothing, if not democratic."
"Nevermind," I sighed. "I'm going to lay here, and heal up. And when I'm done, I'm finding a beach in an extremely well guarded compound and staying there for a month. I'm taking a fucking vacation."
"So, I can expect a diplomatic assembly to arrive at Raxus by the end of the month?" Clay leaned back, his cane tapping on the floor as he spoke with Anita.
"Ta'a Chume, the Queen Mother has confirmed that she would like to establish trade ties at a minimum to much of the rest of the galaxy. And given that the Republic has been… Less than open to such of late, she will accept an alternative."
"And your Daughters have been left alive?" Clay asked. "I know that the Embassy was closed for a time when the Jedi were expelled from the entirety of the Consortium."
"Had it been Master Windu who was present, such a thing would not have happened. But after what happened," Anita sighed. "My Daughters were considered tainted at first. But since they have proven themselves, they are considered a valuable part of the Navy."
"That is good to hear," Clay leaned back in his chair. "Is Ni'Korish alive? I have heard nothing of her in decades."
"There has been no news from the family aside from ruling edicts," Anita shrugged. "We are currently the strongest we have been in generations, and piracy has all but been eradicated."
"We're not quite there yet in the Confederacy," Clay replied. "But we are well on our way to ridding us of that plague among the stars. Our largest fear lies not with pirates at the moment. But instead, it lies with the Republic."
"That is the one reason that I believe an alliance would falter," Anita agreed. "The Queen Mother will not be favorable to an alliance should it drag us into a war with any faction at present."
"We're hoping it never comes to that," Cassius eased himself up onto his feet, leaning on his cane and looking at his old friend. "The Republic is sending along independent observers to ensure that we don't just execute the fat bastard. You and your representatives are invited as well if you wish to be present for trade negotiations."
"Who have the Republic chosen to send?" Anita asked.
"Various Senators and their entourages," Clay smirked. "Which means they'll be beyond surprised at the size of the Confederacy's assigned quarters and staff for their elected officials."
"If I'm not selected, I may take some leave and travel with an old friend," Anita smiled in response. "Watching those sorts of upper class brats being surprised with reality is always enjoyable."
"Well, let me know if you manage to find the time," Clay began to exit the room, twin bodyguards in Powered armor falling in behind him. "We'll be leaving in six hours."
"I know where to find you," Anita replied. "You'll be in the thick of whatever mess you've managed to land yourself in this time."
"Always," Cassius turned and waved jauntily. "Always."
Then he entered the elevator and was gone, leaving Anita to once again deal with the bureaucracy of the Republic by herself.
"What's my next appointment?" Anita asked her secretary, the man jolting up and quickly closing out the Pazaak game he'd been playing.
"Umm, you have a meeting with Eriadu, but that's not scheduled for another week or so," he stammered.
"Good," Anita leaned forward. "Begin the paperwork for a travel request. We're going to see if we can't get our vacation paid for by the Queen Mother."
"Yes, ma'am," the secretary began typing rapidly. "Is there anything else that you need?"
"Ensure we get one of the faster and well armed ships. We're not taking any chances on this one," she paused. "And make sure that we've got some of the better looking girls. This is a chance to steal some of the best of their gene pool for our future daughters after all…"
Chapter 57
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 57
Date: November 4, 3015/04.11.7954 CRC
Location: Dac, Calamari System (Currently neutral pending Confederacy negotiations), Calamari Sector, Outer Rim Territories
"My client cannot be held responsible for the actions of terrorists simply because of similar beliefs!" A Confederacy assigned lawyer slammed his fist on the table in front of him dramatically. "As we know, one of the tenants of our nation is that all are presumed innocent until proven guilty. I ask that the Jury, and the judge keep that in mind as we go about this trial."
I shut the 'Gram off and rolled back over, burying my face into the cold pillow as I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep. But this was the first day of my vacation, and my brain was too focused on what was going on in the galaxy for me to properly relax.
"Ugh," I grunted as I finally gave up on sleep, stretching as I yawned and looked out the window at the sandy beaches and crystal clear sea that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Slipping into a pair of shorts, I stepped out on the balcony and smiled at the smell of the sea breeze, the salt and somewhat familiar feeling was relaxing in a way.
"Now, I don't remember if we stocked this place with foodstuffs," I muttered as I turned around and opened the cooler, grinning as I saw a slab of bacon, sausage, and eggs lying within.
"Now we're talkin'," I opened the packages up and ignited the flat top behind me, bringing it to temp before tossing the food onto it.
I pulled up a chair and sat down, checking the food periodically as I just allowed my mind to unwind for the first time in a few years.
"Hmm," I stood up and started a pot of coffee before finding a pair of sunglasses and reclining once more.
"Knock knock!" I heard as someone entered the hut's upper floor.
"On the balcony!" I called out, flipping a sausage patty over while grabbing a bowl to scramble some eggs in, cracking them open before tossing the eggshells into a nearby waste bin.
"Something smells good," Sheppard walked in, his uniform still on. "Mind if I snag a bite?"
"Be my guest," I tapped the plate I'd set some of the food on with my tongs. "What brings you by? I know that you're not due for a vacation, you just finished up one a few months back."
"Just wanted to see if you actually were relaxing," he smirked as he snacked on a piece of bacon. "I remember a time when you thought you had to be present for everything."
"Delegation is the only superpower that exists," I replied as I finished piling my breakfast onto a plate. "And you're the victim of it at the moment. So, if you don't mind, I'm going to go sit out in the sun for a few hours, get burnt, and then come back in for some sleep."
"Have fun!" Sheppard called out as I began walking down the stairs towards a set of beach chairs. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"Uhuh," I muttered. "I'm just here to relax, no funny business here."
The next day…
"You're blocking my light," I muttered, glaring at the figure who stood in front of the sun. "Don't you have better things to do than bother me?"
"I was told that I should rest as well," Siri shrugged. "And someone dropped by to say hello to me. Colonel Hull, meet Jedi Knight Bant Eerin."
"A pleasure," I glanced at the Mon Calamari. "Now, I was about to take a nap, but someone decided to block my light. Now shoo, get. And don't come back unless you've got a gorgeous redhead in tow!"
The two Jedi Knights wandered off further down the beach as I closed my eyes again, a sigh of relief as my stress decreased the further away they got.
"Jedi are trouble magnets," I exhaled. "If it's not one thing it's another."
I closed my eyes and was just about to nod off when a group of Marksman on leave jogged through, surfboards and other things in hand.
"Sorry Colonel!" a Taurian recruit grinned sheepishly as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "We're teaching them how to surf, and the best waves are on this side of the island."
I sat my chair up and looked at the two dozen or so soldiers, the mixture of humans from the Inner Sphere, Outer Rim, and the aliens made it a colorful group both literally and figuratively.
"Well," I stood up and shook the sand from my shorts, a wide grin on my face "If y'all like surfing, let me find a boat. We're going to have some fun!"
–
–
"I didn't know you knew how to wakeboard, Colonel!" a young soldier dressed in the black shorts and gold shirt of our PT gear yelled out from the boat.
"It's been a few years!" I yelled back, but I think I've still got it!"
"What is this?" A Torgrutan asked from the boat as I tossed a line out into the water and began strapping a board to my feet.
"This is wakeboarding," I replied. "It's a sport that's a ton of fun. It just normally takes quite a bit of funding to get into."
I hopped off the end of the boat and sank into the water, bringing my feet up and allowing the flat part of the board to face the boat, the line slowly extending until it went taut at about forty or so feet of length.
"Ready?!" the driver asked.
I held up a thumb where he could see it in the mirror and the boat began to pick up speed, allowing me to push off of the now somewhat solid water and get up on the surface.
"Awesome!" the driver called out, beginning to take us for a ride as music began to play.
"Colonel, we're heading back to the on-site housing, you want to come with us and spend some time hanging out?" the soldiers asked as we loaded up the rest of the supplies onto a truck.
"Nah," I waved them off. "You kids have fun, I'm going to enjoy the sunset for a bit."
Heading back to my beach chair, I sat down and smiled. Today had been fun. I hadn't been able to just cut loose and enjoy things like this in a few years.
Then the smile turned a bit melancholy as I remembered the last time I'd been wakeboarding. Of teaching my daughter about the physics of the sport, of my son freaking out when on the board, but loving to go tubing.
My heart ached and longed for my family, time heals all wounds, but some are never fully sealed, and the hurt leaks out when you least expect it.
A tear dripped down as the local star began to fall below the horizon, a brilliant glow filling the sky as the clouds caught and redirected the light.
Picking up my chair, I headed back up into the two story building, putting away the supplies before opening a cabinet and reaching for something I hadn't had in a few years. Pouring a small glass of whiskey, I also pulled out my last cigar and went out to the balcony.
I sat down and took a sip before opening a box of matches and lighting the cigar, puffing until the end was lit before I watched the match burning away as I tossed it into the wind.
I sipped my whiskey and puffed on my cigar, the lone moon beginning to rise and cast its glow over Dac while I relived decade old memories as if they were yesterday.
"You were supposed to last me the whole week," I glanced at the cigar in my fingers. "You're my last one, and I was supposed to wait until the last day of my vacation."
My chair creaked back and forth as I finished off the whiskey and set the glass down. I would clean up later after I had cleared my head. Stepping out onto the sands I began walking along the shore as the tides rolled out, exposing crustaceans and other creatures that dwelt within the waters.
And so I walked, the thoughts and emotions within driving me forward as I meandered around the beach before finding a spot to sit down and finish off the cigar, the last puff of smoke floating up into the distance as I let the stub finish burning.
"I'm pretty sure that those will kill you given time," a feminine voice greeted me.
"Maybe if I smoked them all the time," I replied, not shifting from my spot among the sands. "But in moderation, it's a tradition that can bring people together."
"Or bring back old memories?" the voice asked as an elvish looking woman stepped into my field of view. "It has been many years since I felt such sorrow from a single being. Let alone one who only rarely gives off emotion that is perceptible to the Force."
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," I finally stood up and reached out to shake her hand in introduction. "I'm Mark Hull, and you are?"
"Fay," she replied with a gentle smile. "Now, tell me, what troubles you so?"
–
–
Author's Note: We've got a couple of chapters and Then I'm going to call book "One" over and take War on the Horizon off of the update list for a few weeks to a month while I work on something else.
Chapter 58
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 58
"What can I get you to drink?" I asked Fay as she stepped into the hut that I was using as a home during vacation. "I have water, some leftover soda, or a little bit of whiskey or rum."
"I will have a little bit of whatever it is that you are having," the Jedi Master smiled warmly.
"Don't lewd the elf," I muttered under my breath as I poured two glasses of water in the kitchen. "Even if she does look like an unmarried Galadriel."
"Here you go," I handed the Elf a glass before taking a seat in the other rocking chair and looking out at the moon shining in the distance. "So, before I get into anything deep or heavy here. What led you to be here at this time?"
"I was invited by an old friend to help negotiate a settlement between the Mon Calamari and the Quarrens," she sipped at the water. "The two peoples are ever at odds with each other, but I believe that we have found a suitable compromise," she paused, collecting her thoughts. "Regardless, I was given lodging among your people after the negotiations were complete. Then, I found myself restless, and began to wander the beaches until I felt your anguish through the Force."
"You're a Jedi," I began and then paused, allowing silence to fill the air for a second. "I'm not sure that you'd understand what's going through my heart, mind, and soul right now."
"I have found that I while I may not understand some things, a listening ear is always a good thing to have on hand," Fay continued with that gentle smile.
"I have everything I've ever wanted in life," I said after thinking it through. "I'm not just in the military like I'd wanted to be for most of my life. I'm the head of a force that would be equal to some of the most elite where I'm from. I'm better off monetarily than I've ever been in life, and I've got friends that are as close as brothers…"
I trailed off because I didn't want to finish the thought.
"But I would trade everything to be back with my family again. Even though I know that there's nothing I can do to get back to them, or to bring them back here," I smiled sadly at the elf. "That's why you can feel my 'anguish'. I'm finally dealing with emotions that I've put off for the last fifteen years."
"If I may inquire," Fay said after considering what I had just said. "What happened to your family that you were unable to bring them? I have seen your soldiers, many of them seem to have come with their families from wherever it is in the Unknown Regions that you are from."
"My family has been gone longer tan that," I glanced at my water and suddenly wished that it was a stronger beverage. "There was an accident long ago, and I haven't been able to see or communicate with them since. We have been entirely cut off."
"I could search for a way to reconnect you with them," Fay offered. "I have seen many strange and unusual things in my wanderings of the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions."
"I think I just needed to let out all of the emotion one final time," I sighed. "I've been bottling it up because there was always something else I could do to take my mind and soul off of it. Which just made the wound worse. Instead of allowing it to heal, I've allowed it to fester and it finally reached a point that it had to be dealt with if I wanted to move forward."
"You are surprisingly self-aware of your emotions," Fay finished her water. "I've not met many, Jedi or otherwise that were as knowledgeable about what they felt."
"I have this thing about self-control," I said after a minute. "I hate addiction, I hate not being in control of my own actions, and you cannot claim to have self-control if you're not aware of exactly it is that you're feeling and how you want to respond to it. Sometimes, that means that I shove the emotions away while I deal with the source of the problem. Sometimes that means that I limit what I am willing to do within a crowd. And sometimes, I let righteous anger take over and I act on said anger. Anger, hate, emotions are neither good nor bad, it's how we respond and act in the midst of emotions that determines what sort of person you are."
"I would agree," Fay said after a moment. "I am old, Colonel, I have seen much of the galaxy in my wanderings, and even though my Padawan has forgotten much, I do not believe that he understands what you have just described. Now, I have had enough of this talk that brings about a depressing atmosphere, tell me stories of something that is going well. If we only discuss that which brings us pain, we will remain in a place that holds it."
"Well, the dropship and tank crews are in a competition to see who can do the best nose and body art on their vehicles. Currently though, Hober's crew is winning. Partially because of how good the nose art is, and partially because the crew keeps making Katrina's breasts a bit bigger when Hober is busy doing admin work. They're not at a ridiculous size yet, but they're getting to the point that Katrina would be laughing if she knew. Her husband would be too."
I smiled as I thought about the probable current Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth.
"I kinda wish the two of them were here," I laughed a bit. "They'd have taken the galaxy by storm already."
"Tell me about them," Fay leaned back, thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.
"Well, Arthur's the kind of man that has his integrity and refuses to let it be changed or shifted. And Katrina… She's the kind of woman you meet once in a lifetime. If she wasn't already in love with Arthur there'd have been men and women lined up to try and court her, and that's before you get into just the sheer amount of talent and grit that she showed. While I wish that they were both here to lend advice, they both have plenty of work to do if they're going to implement their planned reforms back home."
I continued to talk about everything that came to mind, my flow prompted by choice questions that brought me further back into the past, until eventually, Fay asked one question that I wasn't sure how to answer.
"You've spoken a lot about the people you know and love, and the stories that you've shared with them. But I don't want to know about the people around you. Who, is Mark Hull? What drives him? What makes him decide to wake up and go about every day? Or," she seemed to stare deep into my soul. "Are you merely going through the motions because it is what is expected of you?"
–
–
Author's Note: Sometimes, characters surprise you. Especially when they decide that your fun planned vacation chapters need to be sidetracked and a character arc needs to be finished before a fic goes on Hiatus…Remember, Hull. Don't lewd the elf, even if she is Galadriel in Star Wars…
"What can I get you to drink?" I asked Fay as she stepped into the hut that I was using as a home during vacation. "I have water, some leftover soda, or a little bit of whiskey or rum."
"I will have a little bit of whatever it is that you are having," the Jedi Master smiled warmly.
"Don't lewd the elf," I muttered under my breath as I poured two glasses of water in the kitchen. "Even if she does look like an unmarried Galadriel."
"Here you go," I handed the Elf a glass before taking a seat in the other rocking chair and looking out at the moon shining in the distance. "So, before I get into anything deep or heavy here. What led you to be here at this time?"
"I was invited by an old friend to help negotiate a settlement between the Mon Calamari and the Quarrens," she sipped at the water. "The two peoples are ever at odds with each other, but I believe that we have found a suitable compromise," she paused, collecting her thoughts. "Regardless, I was given lodging among your people after the negotiations were complete. Then, I found myself restless, and began to wander the beaches until I felt your anguish through the Force."
"You're a Jedi," I began and then paused, allowing silence to fill the air for a second. "I'm not sure that you'd understand what's going through my heart, mind, and soul right now."
"I have found that I while I may not understand some things, a listening ear is always a good thing to have on hand," Fay continued with that gentle smile.
"I have everything I've ever wanted in life," I said after thinking it through. "I'm not just in the military like I'd wanted to be for most of my life. I'm the head of a force that would be equal to some of the most elite where I'm from. I'm better off monetarily than I've ever been in life, and I've got friends that are as close as brothers…"
I trailed off because I didn't want to finish the thought.
"But I would trade everything to be back with my family again. Even though I know that there's nothing I can do to get back to them, or to bring them back here," I smiled sadly at the elf. "That's why you can feel my 'anguish'. I'm finally dealing with emotions that I've put off for the last fifteen years."
"If I may inquire," Fay said after considering what I had just said. "What happened to your family that you were unable to bring them? I have seen your soldiers, many of them seem to have come with their families from wherever it is in the Unknown Regions that you are from."
"My family has been gone longer tan that," I glanced at my water and suddenly wished that it was a stronger beverage. "There was an accident long ago, and I haven't been able to see or communicate with them since. We have been entirely cut off."
"I could search for a way to reconnect you with them," Fay offered. "I have seen many strange and unusual things in my wanderings of the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions."
"I think I just needed to let out all of the emotion one final time," I sighed. "I've been bottling it up because there was always something else I could do to take my mind and soul off of it. Which just made the wound worse. Instead of allowing it to heal, I've allowed it to fester and it finally reached a point that it had to be dealt with if I wanted to move forward."
"You are surprisingly self-aware of your emotions," Fay finished her water. "I've not met many, Jedi or otherwise that were as knowledgeable about what they felt."
"I have this thing about self-control," I said after a minute. "I hate addiction, I hate not being in control of my own actions, and you cannot claim to have self-control if you're not aware of exactly it is that you're feeling and how you want to respond to it. Sometimes, that means that I shove the emotions away while I deal with the source of the problem. Sometimes that means that I limit what I am willing to do within a crowd. And sometimes, I let righteous anger take over and I act on said anger. Anger, hate, emotions are neither good nor bad, it's how we respond and act in the midst of emotions that determines what sort of person you are."
"I would agree," Fay said after a moment. "I am old, Colonel, I have seen much of the galaxy in my wanderings, and even though my Padawan has forgotten much, I do not believe that he understands what you have just described. Now, I have had enough of this talk that brings about a depressing atmosphere, tell me stories of something that is going well. If we only discuss that which brings us pain, we will remain in a place that holds it."
"Well, the dropship and tank crews are in a competition to see who can do the best nose and body art on their vehicles. Currently though, Hober's crew is winning. Partially because of how good the nose art is, and partially because the crew keeps making Katrina's breasts a bit bigger when Hober is busy doing admin work. They're not at a ridiculous size yet, but they're getting to the point that Katrina would be laughing if she knew. Her husband would be too."
I smiled as I thought about the probable current Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth.
"I kinda wish the two of them were here," I laughed a bit. "They'd have taken the galaxy by storm already."
"Tell me about them," Fay leaned back, thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.
"Well, Arthur's the kind of man that has his integrity and refuses to let it be changed or shifted. And Katrina… She's the kind of woman you meet once in a lifetime. If she wasn't already in love with Arthur there'd have been men and women lined up to try and court her, and that's before you get into just the sheer amount of talent and grit that she showed. While I wish that they were both here to lend advice, they both have plenty of work to do if they're going to implement their planned reforms back home."
I continued to talk about everything that came to mind, my flow prompted by choice questions that brought me further back into the past, until eventually, Fay asked one question that I wasn't sure how to answer.
"You've spoken a lot about the people you know and love, and the stories that you've shared with them. But I don't want to know about the people around you. Who, is Mark Hull? What drives him? What makes him decide to wake up and go about every day? Or," she seemed to stare deep into my soul. "Are you merely going through the motions because it is what is expected of you?"
–
–
Author's Note: Sometimes, characters surprise you. Especially when they decide that your fun planned vacation chapters need to be sidetracked and a character arc needs to be finished before a fic goes on Hiatus…Remember, Hull. Don't lewd the elf, even if she is Galadriel in Star Wars…
Chapter 59
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 59
“Does it matter one way or the other?” I asked in response. “I’m content with my life. Even if it has taken time for me to fully process things. I’ve got people who care about me and who I’d die for, and I know that they’d do the same for me,” I sipped my water before rocking a bit and looking out at the stars. “Besides, ‘A Friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’”
“I suppose that was a bit forward of me,” Fay finally said after the silence had continued for a few moments, only broken by the sound of waves crashing upon the shore. “I merely wish to see what sort of being it is that has such influence among those whom I have mentored and assisted over the years.”
“I’m an open book,” I shrugged. “What you see is what you get. Just a simple man, making his way through the galaxy,” I repeated a line nearly forgotten in my memory. “I don’t mind questions, so long as I get to ask a few of my own and I get answers.”
“I suppose that some questions would not be amiss,” Fay replied. “But I believe that if we are to continue this conversation, we should do so indoors, and with some more refreshments.”
“I suppose you’re right about that,” I looked across the sea as the wind blew, sending a bit of a shiver as the heat of the day finally left the shores. “Now, If we’re going to be talking stories, we’re going to need something a bit stronger than this.”
I gestured for the elfin woman to follow as I reached into a cabinet and brought out a bottle of whiskey that I’d collected a few years back in the Taurian Concordat.
“What’s your poison?” I asked as I poured a couple of fingers into a decanter with a bit of ice.
“What is that?” She asked of the bottle in my hand.
“Whiskey,” I replied. “I don’t get drunk, but sometimes it does help to tell a story or two when you’ve got a drink to make some of the memories a bit less harsh. And, this one tastes a bit like the ones that I used to sip around a fire with my family, sharing stories and smoking some cigars.”
“I shall give it a try,” Faye responded. “I have never had any of this ‘Whiskey’ before.”
“I’ll start you out with a finger, and we’ll go from there,” I poured a second glass before setting it on the kitchen table. “Now, a story for a story?”
“That’s as good a trade as any,” Fay shrugged as she took a sip of the whiskey.
I chuckled as she made a sour face at first but then grew to like it more with every sip.
“That burns pleasantly,” She finally said after a small cough. “Now, where shall I begin?”
“I’d say at the beginning, but I figure that if we’re trading beginning stories we’ll be here longer than we should be,” I took a sip and savored the whiskey as it left a pleasant tingle on the way down. “You’ve got what, thirty years of stories to tell? And I’ve got some that cover a few centuries.”
“Something like that,” Fay smiled mysteriously. “But I suppose we should start with something lighthearted, like the time that I was mistaken as a fertility goddess to a culture that had receded to pre-spaceflight…”
–
–
“So, I’m not normally the one to supervise leave. I mean, my callsign is Mom for a reason, but on this occasion, they decided that they wanted to go to a Taurian Rodeo, and despite my warnings, they wouldn’t listen. So, I ended up having to step into my grandfather’s shoes a bit and get into the ring with a one-ton mass of muscle and fat, and have to get its attention before it stomps one of the poor bastards flat. So I step in, and…”
–
–
“So, as you’ve noticed by now, I do not carry a lightsaber,” Fay points out the obvious. “It is not that I am not willing to step in and protect others or use violence when necessary, but it often leads people to underestimate me. For example, there was this one slave trader who believed he had merely captured me and several others and was going to make the sale of a lifetime before he found himself tied up and in an unusual position…”
–
–
“So, we’ve got a mixed battalion, and while the initial assault went off without a hitch, it seems that Saint Murphy had decided that we needed a lesson in humility. So of course, the fucking Big Mac decides to go out of their way to come and see what was up on this border world while on their way back to the CapCon, and boy were they pissed. So with a little bit of warning, we got to work,” My mind drifted back to the battle and those we had lost in it. “We punched way above our fucking weight class, but they still got some of our best people in exchange. But such is the way that things go.”
–
–
As the night wore on, we slowly moved to the twin sofas in the living room as we traded stories, and the drinks changed from liquor to water and eventually a small pot of coffee until the two of us gradually drifted off to sleep, the sun just beginning to peak above the horizon as we snored away.
“Oh good, you’re up,” Fay awoke to a pleasant smell and a voice calling her name. “
She took a moment to shake her head and reorient herself, calling on the Force to ease the slight headache before reinforcing her mind to remember specific details.
“It seems that I am,” she sat up and stretched before glancing at the small kitchenette. “Do you mind if I use the refresher?”
“Be my guest,” Hull grinned as he moved to a different part of the kitchen. “I already took a shower myself before starting on the breakfast. Take your time, breakfast,” he glanced at a clock and grimaced. “Lunch rather, will be ready in about thirty minutes or so.”
So Fay entered the refresher and splashed some water on her face before availing herself of the room’s facilities.
Last night had been… Enjoyable in a way that she hadn’t had in quite a while. Something was refreshing about meeting someone who had no idea of your reputation and who was able to see things with a fresh perspective.
She would also have to remember to try and collect some of that ‘whisky’ as she believed it was called. The liquid was something that would be very useful and would bring her some goodwill on many of the planets among the Outer Rim where such a drink was luxurious and most relied merely on common alcoholic beverages that were hardly refined.
But she had spent enough time reflecting on what lay ahead in the future, it was time to focus on what was in front of her at this moment.
And what that was, was breakfast. Which smelled divine.
“I take it you don’t get much in the way of fresh food on your journeys?” Hull asked. “Now, this ain’t anything fancy, and it’s certainly not what we’re able to get in the field, but you just can’t beat a homecooked Southern-style breakfast anywhere in the world. That there,” He pointed to a small hand-sized piece of some sort of bread. “That’s a biscuit, and what you’re going to want to do, is douse it in that sausage gravy, then, you’re going to want to snack on some of that bacon and enjoy some waffles. Unfortunately, I used up all of the chicken last night, so I couldn’t do Chicken and waffles, but I figure this is a good enough spread. And, even better, I made enough for it to last me the rest of the day.”
Then, it seemed the mercenary commander was done talking, because he closed his eyes for a moment, bowed his head, and then began eating like a man possessed.
“I’d forgotten,” he said in between bites. “How much energy being out on the water takes out of you. But with the local star and the wind, you wind up burning a lot, and well, might as well top off the tank with something hearty. Especially when you’re on vacation.”
“This is extremely filling and flavorful,” Fay said after she’d finished the first plate, and was reaching for a second. “I shall have to see if I can acquire some ingredients, or perhaps be instructed in the process upon how to make such a meal on my own?”
“I just follow a recipe,” Hull shrugged. “I don’t have the full recipe book with me, unfortunately, but I’ve got copies of some of the pages I can let you have. I’ll just need to print off a few of ‘em.”
“That would be most helpful,” Fay said after she pushed a second plate away, her stomach feeling as if it would burst. “Now, unfortunately, I have responsibilities to attend to, the Quarrens and Mon Calamari are not likely to agree on something without the neutral party benign present.”
“Sure,” Hull replied. “But let me know if you want to do something like this again, it was fun. Haven’t gotten to share stories like that with anyone in a good long while.”
“I am certain that our paths will cross again,” Fay stood up. “And when that occurs, we shall have even more stories to exchange.”
“See you round the ‘Verse,” Hull stood up and shook her hand. “And let me know if you need any help with those negotiations. I’ve been known to do one or two of my own, you know.”
“If I ever need salvage rights negotiated, you’ll be the first to know,” Fay laughed before finally leaving the hut and heading for the nearby town, she had a speeder to catch and a job to finish.
“What an interesting encounter,” she mused. “I wonder what his future holds?”
But she did not reach into the force to attempt to catch a glimpse. Some things were better left unknown. For even a glimpse of the future could send one spiraling out of control, and if there was one thing Fay had learned over her centuries, it was that control was necessary for any being, not just a Jedi.
“Does it matter one way or the other?” I asked in response. “I’m content with my life. Even if it has taken time for me to fully process things. I’ve got people who care about me and who I’d die for, and I know that they’d do the same for me,” I sipped my water before rocking a bit and looking out at the stars. “Besides, ‘A Friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’”
“I suppose that was a bit forward of me,” Fay finally said after the silence had continued for a few moments, only broken by the sound of waves crashing upon the shore. “I merely wish to see what sort of being it is that has such influence among those whom I have mentored and assisted over the years.”
“I’m an open book,” I shrugged. “What you see is what you get. Just a simple man, making his way through the galaxy,” I repeated a line nearly forgotten in my memory. “I don’t mind questions, so long as I get to ask a few of my own and I get answers.”
“I suppose that some questions would not be amiss,” Fay replied. “But I believe that if we are to continue this conversation, we should do so indoors, and with some more refreshments.”
“I suppose you’re right about that,” I looked across the sea as the wind blew, sending a bit of a shiver as the heat of the day finally left the shores. “Now, If we’re going to be talking stories, we’re going to need something a bit stronger than this.”
I gestured for the elfin woman to follow as I reached into a cabinet and brought out a bottle of whiskey that I’d collected a few years back in the Taurian Concordat.
“What’s your poison?” I asked as I poured a couple of fingers into a decanter with a bit of ice.
“What is that?” She asked of the bottle in my hand.
“Whiskey,” I replied. “I don’t get drunk, but sometimes it does help to tell a story or two when you’ve got a drink to make some of the memories a bit less harsh. And, this one tastes a bit like the ones that I used to sip around a fire with my family, sharing stories and smoking some cigars.”
“I shall give it a try,” Faye responded. “I have never had any of this ‘Whiskey’ before.”
“I’ll start you out with a finger, and we’ll go from there,” I poured a second glass before setting it on the kitchen table. “Now, a story for a story?”
“That’s as good a trade as any,” Fay shrugged as she took a sip of the whiskey.
I chuckled as she made a sour face at first but then grew to like it more with every sip.
“That burns pleasantly,” She finally said after a small cough. “Now, where shall I begin?”
“I’d say at the beginning, but I figure that if we’re trading beginning stories we’ll be here longer than we should be,” I took a sip and savored the whiskey as it left a pleasant tingle on the way down. “You’ve got what, thirty years of stories to tell? And I’ve got some that cover a few centuries.”
“Something like that,” Fay smiled mysteriously. “But I suppose we should start with something lighthearted, like the time that I was mistaken as a fertility goddess to a culture that had receded to pre-spaceflight…”
–
–
“So, I’m not normally the one to supervise leave. I mean, my callsign is Mom for a reason, but on this occasion, they decided that they wanted to go to a Taurian Rodeo, and despite my warnings, they wouldn’t listen. So, I ended up having to step into my grandfather’s shoes a bit and get into the ring with a one-ton mass of muscle and fat, and have to get its attention before it stomps one of the poor bastards flat. So I step in, and…”
–
–
“So, as you’ve noticed by now, I do not carry a lightsaber,” Fay points out the obvious. “It is not that I am not willing to step in and protect others or use violence when necessary, but it often leads people to underestimate me. For example, there was this one slave trader who believed he had merely captured me and several others and was going to make the sale of a lifetime before he found himself tied up and in an unusual position…”
–
–
“So, we’ve got a mixed battalion, and while the initial assault went off without a hitch, it seems that Saint Murphy had decided that we needed a lesson in humility. So of course, the fucking Big Mac decides to go out of their way to come and see what was up on this border world while on their way back to the CapCon, and boy were they pissed. So with a little bit of warning, we got to work,” My mind drifted back to the battle and those we had lost in it. “We punched way above our fucking weight class, but they still got some of our best people in exchange. But such is the way that things go.”
–
–
As the night wore on, we slowly moved to the twin sofas in the living room as we traded stories, and the drinks changed from liquor to water and eventually a small pot of coffee until the two of us gradually drifted off to sleep, the sun just beginning to peak above the horizon as we snored away.
“Oh good, you’re up,” Fay awoke to a pleasant smell and a voice calling her name. “
She took a moment to shake her head and reorient herself, calling on the Force to ease the slight headache before reinforcing her mind to remember specific details.
“It seems that I am,” she sat up and stretched before glancing at the small kitchenette. “Do you mind if I use the refresher?”
“Be my guest,” Hull grinned as he moved to a different part of the kitchen. “I already took a shower myself before starting on the breakfast. Take your time, breakfast,” he glanced at a clock and grimaced. “Lunch rather, will be ready in about thirty minutes or so.”
So Fay entered the refresher and splashed some water on her face before availing herself of the room’s facilities.
Last night had been… Enjoyable in a way that she hadn’t had in quite a while. Something was refreshing about meeting someone who had no idea of your reputation and who was able to see things with a fresh perspective.
She would also have to remember to try and collect some of that ‘whisky’ as she believed it was called. The liquid was something that would be very useful and would bring her some goodwill on many of the planets among the Outer Rim where such a drink was luxurious and most relied merely on common alcoholic beverages that were hardly refined.
But she had spent enough time reflecting on what lay ahead in the future, it was time to focus on what was in front of her at this moment.
And what that was, was breakfast. Which smelled divine.
“I take it you don’t get much in the way of fresh food on your journeys?” Hull asked. “Now, this ain’t anything fancy, and it’s certainly not what we’re able to get in the field, but you just can’t beat a homecooked Southern-style breakfast anywhere in the world. That there,” He pointed to a small hand-sized piece of some sort of bread. “That’s a biscuit, and what you’re going to want to do, is douse it in that sausage gravy, then, you’re going to want to snack on some of that bacon and enjoy some waffles. Unfortunately, I used up all of the chicken last night, so I couldn’t do Chicken and waffles, but I figure this is a good enough spread. And, even better, I made enough for it to last me the rest of the day.”
Then, it seemed the mercenary commander was done talking, because he closed his eyes for a moment, bowed his head, and then began eating like a man possessed.
“I’d forgotten,” he said in between bites. “How much energy being out on the water takes out of you. But with the local star and the wind, you wind up burning a lot, and well, might as well top off the tank with something hearty. Especially when you’re on vacation.”
“This is extremely filling and flavorful,” Fay said after she’d finished the first plate, and was reaching for a second. “I shall have to see if I can acquire some ingredients, or perhaps be instructed in the process upon how to make such a meal on my own?”
“I just follow a recipe,” Hull shrugged. “I don’t have the full recipe book with me, unfortunately, but I’ve got copies of some of the pages I can let you have. I’ll just need to print off a few of ‘em.”
“That would be most helpful,” Fay said after she pushed a second plate away, her stomach feeling as if it would burst. “Now, unfortunately, I have responsibilities to attend to, the Quarrens and Mon Calamari are not likely to agree on something without the neutral party benign present.”
“Sure,” Hull replied. “But let me know if you want to do something like this again, it was fun. Haven’t gotten to share stories like that with anyone in a good long while.”
“I am certain that our paths will cross again,” Fay stood up. “And when that occurs, we shall have even more stories to exchange.”
“See you round the ‘Verse,” Hull stood up and shook her hand. “And let me know if you need any help with those negotiations. I’ve been known to do one or two of my own, you know.”
“If I ever need salvage rights negotiated, you’ll be the first to know,” Fay laughed before finally leaving the hut and heading for the nearby town, she had a speeder to catch and a job to finish.
“What an interesting encounter,” she mused. “I wonder what his future holds?”
But she did not reach into the force to attempt to catch a glimpse. Some things were better left unknown. For even a glimpse of the future could send one spiraling out of control, and if there was one thing Fay had learned over her centuries, it was that control was necessary for any being, not just a Jedi.
Book 1 End.
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 60
"Assassinations! Multiple assassination attempts were made against the representatives from the Confederacy standby for the latest news." Coruscant Information network
"Hapes Consortium opens embassy in Confederacy, stating. 'This is to promote trade and cooperation between both of our nations.'" Eriadu General News
"Tensions rise as more systems join the Confederacy of Independent Systems!" Galactic Herald
"Katana Fleet completes refits and is deployed to assist in patrolling the Hyperlanes, bringing trade and the economy to an all-time high!" Business insiders
"Confederacy of Independent Systems celebrates serious victory as several pirate strongholds are cleared out by the Confederacy's newly established Naval forces." Holonet News Network
"Trial of Ex-Senator Orn Free Taa is held and publicly shown via multiple news networks!" Eriadu General News
"Senator Orn Free Taa is convicted of multiple accounts of murder, kidnapping, and funding terrorism. Sentencing to commence by the end of the week!" Outer Rim Publications
"Dac joins the Confederacy of Independent Systems after the Confederacy negotiates a treaty between the Quarrens and the Mon Calamari!" Holonet News Network
"Breaking! Trade Federation invades Beloria, homeworld of the Marksman Mercenary corporation!" Eriadu General News
"Information from Beloria becomes Scarce, nothing has been heard in months. Are they even still there? Tune into the Coruscant Information Network as we listen to the Experts. Tonight at 10! " Coruscant's Tonight show
"Senate refuses to bring Trade Federation to heel as the Confederacy Representatives have requested. The Confederacy prepares for war!" Outer Rim Publications
"Count Dooku issues statement. 'We will not be responsible for beginning a war. But we will defend ourselves. And should a war come. We will finish it." Galactic Independent News
"New ships come off the Rendili's yards, the Confederacy fleet grows stronger!" Coruscant Information Network
"Due to slim Majority, Senate votes to censure the Confederacy, Eriadu, Naboo and others stand opposed!" Eriadu General News
"In stunning move, Kuat moves to repeal the Russan Reformation, the Senate flounders as the Trade Federation is driven off of Beloria by the Marksman." Outer Rim Publications
"Mandalore elects new leader, one who vows to 'Honor our past, but look to the future.' Outer Rim watches closely." Holonet News Network
"Marksman launch retaliatory strike on the Trade Federation's Homeworld of Nemoidia. The Galaxy holds its breath." Galactic Independent News.
"Republic unveils secret military force, the galaxy stands on a precipice!" Eriadu News Network.
To be continued in Book 2...
"Assassinations! Multiple assassination attempts were made against the representatives from the Confederacy standby for the latest news." Coruscant Information network
"Hapes Consortium opens embassy in Confederacy, stating. 'This is to promote trade and cooperation between both of our nations.'" Eriadu General News
"Tensions rise as more systems join the Confederacy of Independent Systems!" Galactic Herald
"Katana Fleet completes refits and is deployed to assist in patrolling the Hyperlanes, bringing trade and the economy to an all-time high!" Business insiders
"Confederacy of Independent Systems celebrates serious victory as several pirate strongholds are cleared out by the Confederacy's newly established Naval forces." Holonet News Network
"Trial of Ex-Senator Orn Free Taa is held and publicly shown via multiple news networks!" Eriadu General News
"Senator Orn Free Taa is convicted of multiple accounts of murder, kidnapping, and funding terrorism. Sentencing to commence by the end of the week!" Outer Rim Publications
"Dac joins the Confederacy of Independent Systems after the Confederacy negotiates a treaty between the Quarrens and the Mon Calamari!" Holonet News Network
"Breaking! Trade Federation invades Beloria, homeworld of the Marksman Mercenary corporation!" Eriadu General News
"Information from Beloria becomes Scarce, nothing has been heard in months. Are they even still there? Tune into the Coruscant Information Network as we listen to the Experts. Tonight at 10! " Coruscant's Tonight show
"Senate refuses to bring Trade Federation to heel as the Confederacy Representatives have requested. The Confederacy prepares for war!" Outer Rim Publications
"Count Dooku issues statement. 'We will not be responsible for beginning a war. But we will defend ourselves. And should a war come. We will finish it." Galactic Independent News
"New ships come off the Rendili's yards, the Confederacy fleet grows stronger!" Coruscant Information Network
"Due to slim Majority, Senate votes to censure the Confederacy, Eriadu, Naboo and others stand opposed!" Eriadu General News
"In stunning move, Kuat moves to repeal the Russan Reformation, the Senate flounders as the Trade Federation is driven off of Beloria by the Marksman." Outer Rim Publications
"Mandalore elects new leader, one who vows to 'Honor our past, but look to the future.' Outer Rim watches closely." Holonet News Network
"Marksman launch retaliatory strike on the Trade Federation's Homeworld of Nemoidia. The Galaxy holds its breath." Galactic Independent News.
"Republic unveils secret military force, the galaxy stands on a precipice!" Eriadu News Network.
To be continued in Book 2...
Good chapter - but,i have few questions to @MarkWarrior
1.When they finally show Dooku and other leaders SW movies?
2.Why they do not just air it in Holonet? if everybody knew that Pappy is Sith,he would have little problem with his shemes.
3.When Mark finally start forming his Jedi harem? or,at least,Jedi waifu.It is important for story,too!
1.When they finally show Dooku and other leaders SW movies?
2.Why they do not just air it in Holonet? if everybody knew that Pappy is Sith,he would have little problem with his shemes.
3.When Mark finally start forming his Jedi harem? or,at least,Jedi waifu.It is important for story,too!
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
1. They don’t have copies of any of the movies. And even if they did, its episodes 4-6. Which would just look like a bad holograma.
2. It’s kinda hard to just do stuff like that and have it taken seriously. People say things like “Palpatine is a Sith Lord” on the net all the time. They’re usually considered crackpots.
3. I don’t write harems. Romance will happen when it happens.
2. It’s kinda hard to just do stuff like that and have it taken seriously. People say things like “Palpatine is a Sith Lord” on the net all the time. They’re usually considered crackpots.
3. I don’t write harems. Romance will happen when it happens.
1.Maybe Hull could say that to Dooku when they are alone.He should trust him by now.
2.That is indeed problem.Dooku could belive or not,but public would laugh.
3.Good,harems only bring more problems - you must explain why girls X,Y and Z agreed to share dude A.Or show how they backstab each other to remain his only woman.
Besides,Romance here is not really important,Hull here have time for that after he win war.
P.S You could use Vantrees as another Hull soldier here.She wonted just cause to fight for,after all.
Book 2: Chapter 1
New
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter 1
Date: March 26, 3017/03.26.7956CRC
Location: Beloria, Independent world
“Trade Federation ships, you are entering space protected by the Marksman Mercenary Corporation, please state your intentions or prepare to be fired upon,” Jasiah Ali, the Togruta captain of the CR-70 Two Birds, One Stone broadcast to the Trade Federation ships before shifting position to look at his bridge crew.
“Launch our fighters, and get me a line to Commodore Jewel,” Captain Ali ordered calmly. “That’s not a trade fleet like the others that have shown up.”
“Aye sir!” the bridge officers began to perform their jobs at their usual efficiency. “Fighters are deployed and taking up escort positions. Captain, they’re asking for orders.”
“Have them disperse and begin heading into the system. They won’t be more than Vulture fodder here.”
“Captain Ali, you put in a priority Comms request,” Commodore Jewel appeared on screen, her appearance that of someone who had just stumbled out of bed.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s a Trade Federation Fleet here at the Hyperlane entrance, they’re refusing to respond to hails and outnumber our defense forces by ten to one.”
“Get me scans of the ships,” the commodore was now fully awake. “Begin transmitting now and then begin pulling back to the rest of our forces.”
“We won’t be able to make that,” Ali glanced at the navigation officer who simply shook his head with a sad smile. “We’ll do our best to stall them. But I’m fairly sure that you’ll want to let the Colonel know to prepare for a possible invasion.” The Togruta laughed a bit. “I’m hoping I’m wrong, but this isn’t the usual fleet that stops by to trade with us before moving on.”
“Captain, Lucrehulks are launching fighters, and the Munifex light cruisers are powering weapons and shifting into combat positions!”
“Commodore, we’ll hold them off for as long as we can,” Ali had the tech cut the transmission before shifting to focus on the battle in front of him. “Begin evasive maneuvers, and find me the ship that looks like it’s in charge of the fleet.”
“Analyzing signals,” the comms officer turned and began to scan the fleet.
“Munifexes are opening fire!”
“Use our portside chemical thrusters,” Ali held onto the captain’s chair with a tighter grip than normal, his orange knuckles turning white. “Get us around. Ensign, I need those readings!”
“This Lucrehulk is sending and receiving the most signals,” a Lucrehulk in the middle of the overlapping fields of fire of the other nine converted freighters was illuminated.
“Send transmissions to the fleet inside, and find me a weak point in the fleet, we’re going to bleed them and then we’re leaving.”
“Captain?”
“Have our squadrons get under our deflectors and get me hyperspace calculations ready,” Ali stood up and tapped the holographic display. “We’re crippling one ship and then leaving the system. I’m not wasting our lives today. Not when we can go get the rest of our fleet.”
“Understood, sir,” the CR-70 shifted and approached one of the Munifex Light cruisers, the aerospace fighters grouped up under the corvette’s deflectors until given the order.
“Fighters are to launch torpedoes. We’re going to follow up with concussion missiles and then jump.”
“Sending coordinates to fighters, all are signaling reception of orders and jump coordinates!”
The four fighters immediately split up and began to accelerate past the corvette, the sixteen Proton Torpedoes clustered on the Trade Federation vessel as a trio of Concussion missiles entered the fray before the fighters and CR-70 vanished into hyperspace.
The first four torpedoes detonated upon the deflector shields. The next four did as well, but the last eight tore a gaping hole in the side of the vessel that the concussion missiles detonated inside of, triggering secondary explosions.
–
–
“Ma’am, the Two Birds, One Stone jumped to Hyperspace, and the Federation vessels just shot our Hypercom relay!”
“Hopefully they manage to make contact with the rest of our fleet,” Jewel stood over the tactical table. “But until then, we have a job to do. If they haven’t detected us by now, they will soon. So we’re going to go into hiding. The shadow of the gas giant should be sufficient to block our signals from the enemy until we’re ready to move.”
“But won’t that leave the ground forces open to bombardment?”
“It might,” Jewel sighed. “But I’m not wasting your lives. And the Colonel won’t be wasting lives either. The main base and the big cities all have strong deflectors. It’d take more than a fleet of this size to take those shields down. Which means that it’s going to turn into a ground fight.”
“Then it’s going to become a slugfest down there,” her XO shook his head. “What’s your plan here, Commodore?”
“Captain, we’re going to be a thorn in their side, the sensor ghosts that go bump in the night. But we’re going to have to wait for the right moment. Otherwise, we’ll lose all of our ships and they’ll still have to deal with a ground invasion,” she sighed. “We just don’t have the firepower to deal with what they brought.”
“We’re sending the Stings down to assist,” Jewel looked at the comms officer. “Get Commander Hober on the line, he’s going to need to move now before they get to deployment zones.”
“On it,” the XO moved to begin issuing orders to the rest of the fleet while Jewel began recording a brief message.
“Transmit this to Hober, he’ll need to give this to Colonel Hull,” The commodore moved back to the tactical console. “Then pull us back behind the Gas giant.”
“Colonel,” Commander Hober handed me a datapad. “Critical information on enemy fleet strength and assets in the system are loaded onto here.”
“We’re evacuating the civilians to our bunkers now,” I replied. “Keep your dropships under the shields for now. I really hope the Gungans didn’t sell us shit for the defenses.”
I stood up and stripped my external uniform off, revealing the cooling vest and shorts that I wore when piloting my Warhammer. “You should get back to the Archon’s Favor,” I strapped a holster to my thigh and slid my sidearm into it. “We’re going to need the air support.”
“You’re joining the fight, Sir?”
“It’s my base,” I grunted. “And my world. The Trade Federation doesn’t know that they’ve fucked with the wrong group yet…” I trailed off as I stepped out of the office and looked past the translucent shields at the descending droid ships. “But they will.”
Date: March 26, 3017/03.26.7956CRC
Location: Beloria, Independent world
“Trade Federation ships, you are entering space protected by the Marksman Mercenary Corporation, please state your intentions or prepare to be fired upon,” Jasiah Ali, the Togruta captain of the CR-70 Two Birds, One Stone broadcast to the Trade Federation ships before shifting position to look at his bridge crew.
“Launch our fighters, and get me a line to Commodore Jewel,” Captain Ali ordered calmly. “That’s not a trade fleet like the others that have shown up.”
“Aye sir!” the bridge officers began to perform their jobs at their usual efficiency. “Fighters are deployed and taking up escort positions. Captain, they’re asking for orders.”
“Have them disperse and begin heading into the system. They won’t be more than Vulture fodder here.”
“Captain Ali, you put in a priority Comms request,” Commodore Jewel appeared on screen, her appearance that of someone who had just stumbled out of bed.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s a Trade Federation Fleet here at the Hyperlane entrance, they’re refusing to respond to hails and outnumber our defense forces by ten to one.”
“Get me scans of the ships,” the commodore was now fully awake. “Begin transmitting now and then begin pulling back to the rest of our forces.”
“We won’t be able to make that,” Ali glanced at the navigation officer who simply shook his head with a sad smile. “We’ll do our best to stall them. But I’m fairly sure that you’ll want to let the Colonel know to prepare for a possible invasion.” The Togruta laughed a bit. “I’m hoping I’m wrong, but this isn’t the usual fleet that stops by to trade with us before moving on.”
“Captain, Lucrehulks are launching fighters, and the Munifex light cruisers are powering weapons and shifting into combat positions!”
“Commodore, we’ll hold them off for as long as we can,” Ali had the tech cut the transmission before shifting to focus on the battle in front of him. “Begin evasive maneuvers, and find me the ship that looks like it’s in charge of the fleet.”
“Analyzing signals,” the comms officer turned and began to scan the fleet.
“Munifexes are opening fire!”
“Use our portside chemical thrusters,” Ali held onto the captain’s chair with a tighter grip than normal, his orange knuckles turning white. “Get us around. Ensign, I need those readings!”
“This Lucrehulk is sending and receiving the most signals,” a Lucrehulk in the middle of the overlapping fields of fire of the other nine converted freighters was illuminated.
“Send transmissions to the fleet inside, and find me a weak point in the fleet, we’re going to bleed them and then we’re leaving.”
“Captain?”
“Have our squadrons get under our deflectors and get me hyperspace calculations ready,” Ali stood up and tapped the holographic display. “We’re crippling one ship and then leaving the system. I’m not wasting our lives today. Not when we can go get the rest of our fleet.”
“Understood, sir,” the CR-70 shifted and approached one of the Munifex Light cruisers, the aerospace fighters grouped up under the corvette’s deflectors until given the order.
“Fighters are to launch torpedoes. We’re going to follow up with concussion missiles and then jump.”
“Sending coordinates to fighters, all are signaling reception of orders and jump coordinates!”
The four fighters immediately split up and began to accelerate past the corvette, the sixteen Proton Torpedoes clustered on the Trade Federation vessel as a trio of Concussion missiles entered the fray before the fighters and CR-70 vanished into hyperspace.
The first four torpedoes detonated upon the deflector shields. The next four did as well, but the last eight tore a gaping hole in the side of the vessel that the concussion missiles detonated inside of, triggering secondary explosions.
–
–
“Ma’am, the Two Birds, One Stone jumped to Hyperspace, and the Federation vessels just shot our Hypercom relay!”
“Hopefully they manage to make contact with the rest of our fleet,” Jewel stood over the tactical table. “But until then, we have a job to do. If they haven’t detected us by now, they will soon. So we’re going to go into hiding. The shadow of the gas giant should be sufficient to block our signals from the enemy until we’re ready to move.”
“But won’t that leave the ground forces open to bombardment?”
“It might,” Jewel sighed. “But I’m not wasting your lives. And the Colonel won’t be wasting lives either. The main base and the big cities all have strong deflectors. It’d take more than a fleet of this size to take those shields down. Which means that it’s going to turn into a ground fight.”
“Then it’s going to become a slugfest down there,” her XO shook his head. “What’s your plan here, Commodore?”
“Captain, we’re going to be a thorn in their side, the sensor ghosts that go bump in the night. But we’re going to have to wait for the right moment. Otherwise, we’ll lose all of our ships and they’ll still have to deal with a ground invasion,” she sighed. “We just don’t have the firepower to deal with what they brought.”
“We’re sending the Stings down to assist,” Jewel looked at the comms officer. “Get Commander Hober on the line, he’s going to need to move now before they get to deployment zones.”
“On it,” the XO moved to begin issuing orders to the rest of the fleet while Jewel began recording a brief message.
“Transmit this to Hober, he’ll need to give this to Colonel Hull,” The commodore moved back to the tactical console. “Then pull us back behind the Gas giant.”
“Colonel,” Commander Hober handed me a datapad. “Critical information on enemy fleet strength and assets in the system are loaded onto here.”
“We’re evacuating the civilians to our bunkers now,” I replied. “Keep your dropships under the shields for now. I really hope the Gungans didn’t sell us shit for the defenses.”
I stood up and stripped my external uniform off, revealing the cooling vest and shorts that I wore when piloting my Warhammer. “You should get back to the Archon’s Favor,” I strapped a holster to my thigh and slid my sidearm into it. “We’re going to need the air support.”
“You’re joining the fight, Sir?”
“It’s my base,” I grunted. “And my world. The Trade Federation doesn’t know that they’ve fucked with the wrong group yet…” I trailed off as I stepped out of the office and looked past the translucent shields at the descending droid ships. “But they will.”
Last edited:
Book 2: Chapter 2
New
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Author’s Note: Finally… Some Giant Stompy Robot action.
Chapter 2
Losk Shigro looked out at the vast array of droids and tanks that were lined up in the fields surrounding the mercenary's base. A sense of pride filled him as more landing craft landed and dispersed more and more droids to join the assault. This was the first test of the more ‘independent’ droid forces, and as such, he had one of the first production models of what was being called a ‘tactical’ droid.
“Have the cowards stepped outside of their shields yet?” Shigro turned to ask the Tactical droid that stood nearby.
“Negative,” the droid replied. “They have not left the safety of the base’s shields.”
After the local star began to set though, things began to go wrong.
“Tactical droid,” Shigro peered through the Electrobinoculars that he had bought years ago. “Do you hear that whistling noise?”
Before the droid could answer, an explosion ripped the Neimoidian from his chair and threw him to the ground. The darkness was now illuminated by the destruction of the artillery pieces, the flames of ignited Tibanna Gas showed the wreckage of half of the artillery pieces that had landed.
Then Shigro began to scream and cover his ears and head as the ground began to shake. A War droid with blaster barrels for hands appeared out of the darkness, a searchlight on its shoulder shining a light on the remaining artillery pieces before it rotated and began to shoot ion cannons at the AATs that turned to face it, the assault tanks melting away and exploding as other war droids followed.
Even the smallest of them stood as tall as the nearby trees among the surrounding forests. The largest of them had a skull for a face, a glowing red eye gleaming before a red laser cut across the B1s that covered the fields.
The large one also had another trick, and a large bore weapon in its shoulder thundered, a slug the size of a hovercraft carving its way through several multiple troop transports.
But Shigro simply hid as the giant war droids decimated large swaths of his forces before vanishing into the night once again, the only sign that they had even been present was the scattered limbs and craters of destruction from the weapons they had used.
With shaking hands, Shigro pulled himself out of the crater that he’d fallen into and looked around at what had once been a grand droid army.
“Sir, we must counterattack,” the tactical droid crawled toward him, the head, an arm, and torso all that remained of the machine. “If we are to maintain operational control then you must give the order.”
The Neimoidian shook as he tried to process. But he couldn’t hear anything, there was a loud ringing in his ears, but nothing more. Eventually, the ringing slowed, and he could make out what was being told to him.
“Sir, your orders?” he heard, but when he tried to speak, nothing but air came out of his mouth.
So he breathed for a moment more before he tried again.
“The Savages can have this world,” Shigro finally climbed to his feet and surveyed the area. “Someone else can deal with these monsters.”
–
–
“Damage report!” Sheppard’s voice came over our secured comms, his Cyclops coordinating the entire operation.
“We’ve got some armor state red here. Those tanks hit harder than we expected,” I responded. “A few weapons need to be replaced, but Alpha Battalion’s still solid and able to fight.”
“Bravo’s having to drag a few lighter forces back with ‘em,” Sheppard informed me over a private channel. “Couple of Rookies and Regulars got cocky and we lost a couple of mediums to missile fire.”
“Which rally point do you want us at?” I asked.
“Beta. I want you at Beta. I have a feeling that things are only going to get worse from here.”
“They outnumber us more than a hundred to one,” I replied. “If things only go well for us, then Murphy’s got worse plans for us later.”
I glanced at one of my displays to make sure that I was headed in the right direction before nodding to myself and switching my mic back on.
“Alpha’s moving to Rally Point Beta. Let me know where you need us next.”
The local star peeked over the horizon, the light shining down on what had been a hellish battlefield during the night and revealing that which had been hidden by the shadows.
There, on the plains that surrounded the Marksman Base, lay the remnants of a shattered force. Droid parts littered the fields and the artillery guns were all either aflame or destroyed. Craters deep enough to bury the droids were embedded in the ground next to the Trade Federation artillery pieces, and the few landing craft that had been on the ground were broken, their wings and repulsors damaged by the fighting.
Flames of Tibanna gas still burned wherever the storage had been ruptured, and the flattened heads of massive slugs were embedded into whatever it was that had finally stopped them.
By contrast, the Marksman base appeared pristine, with a shimmering translucent shield rising in a dome over the buildings.
“You mean to tell me, that you have fled at the sight of our objective?” Nep Valva, the head of this expedition glared at Losk Shigro. “You were given all of the tools needed for success and yet you have failed.”
“They struck in the night, and took us entirely by surprise,” Shigro shook his head, trying to get rid of the low buzzing noise that he could still hear. “They were outnumbered, but it did not matter, for they stood as tall as the trees around us, and destroyed much of what we deployed.”
“Luckily for you,” Valva sat down. “I believe in second chances. So you will have another opportunity to prove yourself. You have three days to consult our archives and figure out how to deal with these mercenaries. Then, you will execute your plan. And if it is not successful then the consequences will be fatal. You know just as well as I do that there can be no loose ends on this one.”
“I will require a cruiser on standby for orbital fire support,” Shigro looked at the image of the planet. “What were our orders involving the civilian population?”
“It is as I said before,” Valva leaned forward. “We were told to leave no loose ends.”
“Then I will complete my plans and consult with the tactical droid. He was able to analyze their attacks. Perhaps there will be more that he has for us to utilize against this foe.”
Chapter 2
Losk Shigro looked out at the vast array of droids and tanks that were lined up in the fields surrounding the mercenary's base. A sense of pride filled him as more landing craft landed and dispersed more and more droids to join the assault. This was the first test of the more ‘independent’ droid forces, and as such, he had one of the first production models of what was being called a ‘tactical’ droid.
“Have the cowards stepped outside of their shields yet?” Shigro turned to ask the Tactical droid that stood nearby.
“Negative,” the droid replied. “They have not left the safety of the base’s shields.”
After the local star began to set though, things began to go wrong.
“Tactical droid,” Shigro peered through the Electrobinoculars that he had bought years ago. “Do you hear that whistling noise?”
Before the droid could answer, an explosion ripped the Neimoidian from his chair and threw him to the ground. The darkness was now illuminated by the destruction of the artillery pieces, the flames of ignited Tibanna Gas showed the wreckage of half of the artillery pieces that had landed.
Then Shigro began to scream and cover his ears and head as the ground began to shake. A War droid with blaster barrels for hands appeared out of the darkness, a searchlight on its shoulder shining a light on the remaining artillery pieces before it rotated and began to shoot ion cannons at the AATs that turned to face it, the assault tanks melting away and exploding as other war droids followed.
Even the smallest of them stood as tall as the nearby trees among the surrounding forests. The largest of them had a skull for a face, a glowing red eye gleaming before a red laser cut across the B1s that covered the fields.
The large one also had another trick, and a large bore weapon in its shoulder thundered, a slug the size of a hovercraft carving its way through several multiple troop transports.
But Shigro simply hid as the giant war droids decimated large swaths of his forces before vanishing into the night once again, the only sign that they had even been present was the scattered limbs and craters of destruction from the weapons they had used.
With shaking hands, Shigro pulled himself out of the crater that he’d fallen into and looked around at what had once been a grand droid army.
“Sir, we must counterattack,” the tactical droid crawled toward him, the head, an arm, and torso all that remained of the machine. “If we are to maintain operational control then you must give the order.”
The Neimoidian shook as he tried to process. But he couldn’t hear anything, there was a loud ringing in his ears, but nothing more. Eventually, the ringing slowed, and he could make out what was being told to him.
“Sir, your orders?” he heard, but when he tried to speak, nothing but air came out of his mouth.
So he breathed for a moment more before he tried again.
“The Savages can have this world,” Shigro finally climbed to his feet and surveyed the area. “Someone else can deal with these monsters.”
–
–
“Damage report!” Sheppard’s voice came over our secured comms, his Cyclops coordinating the entire operation.
“We’ve got some armor state red here. Those tanks hit harder than we expected,” I responded. “A few weapons need to be replaced, but Alpha Battalion’s still solid and able to fight.”
“Bravo’s having to drag a few lighter forces back with ‘em,” Sheppard informed me over a private channel. “Couple of Rookies and Regulars got cocky and we lost a couple of mediums to missile fire.”
“Which rally point do you want us at?” I asked.
“Beta. I want you at Beta. I have a feeling that things are only going to get worse from here.”
“They outnumber us more than a hundred to one,” I replied. “If things only go well for us, then Murphy’s got worse plans for us later.”
I glanced at one of my displays to make sure that I was headed in the right direction before nodding to myself and switching my mic back on.
“Alpha’s moving to Rally Point Beta. Let me know where you need us next.”
The local star peeked over the horizon, the light shining down on what had been a hellish battlefield during the night and revealing that which had been hidden by the shadows.
There, on the plains that surrounded the Marksman Base, lay the remnants of a shattered force. Droid parts littered the fields and the artillery guns were all either aflame or destroyed. Craters deep enough to bury the droids were embedded in the ground next to the Trade Federation artillery pieces, and the few landing craft that had been on the ground were broken, their wings and repulsors damaged by the fighting.
Flames of Tibanna gas still burned wherever the storage had been ruptured, and the flattened heads of massive slugs were embedded into whatever it was that had finally stopped them.
By contrast, the Marksman base appeared pristine, with a shimmering translucent shield rising in a dome over the buildings.
“You mean to tell me, that you have fled at the sight of our objective?” Nep Valva, the head of this expedition glared at Losk Shigro. “You were given all of the tools needed for success and yet you have failed.”
“They struck in the night, and took us entirely by surprise,” Shigro shook his head, trying to get rid of the low buzzing noise that he could still hear. “They were outnumbered, but it did not matter, for they stood as tall as the trees around us, and destroyed much of what we deployed.”
“Luckily for you,” Valva sat down. “I believe in second chances. So you will have another opportunity to prove yourself. You have three days to consult our archives and figure out how to deal with these mercenaries. Then, you will execute your plan. And if it is not successful then the consequences will be fatal. You know just as well as I do that there can be no loose ends on this one.”
“I will require a cruiser on standby for orbital fire support,” Shigro looked at the image of the planet. “What were our orders involving the civilian population?”
“It is as I said before,” Valva leaned forward. “We were told to leave no loose ends.”
“Then I will complete my plans and consult with the tactical droid. He was able to analyze their attacks. Perhaps there will be more that he has for us to utilize against this foe.”
They're going to regret committing war crimes where the Marksman can act on it
Indeed - but they think,that they could kill him.They are SW Wall Street banksters with army,after all.
Book 2 Chapter 3
New
MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Book 2 Chapter 3
Two weeks later…
Location: Serenno, Serenno System, Aubek sector, Confederacy of Independent Systems
“Commodore Frye,” Captain Jasiah saluted.
“Captain,” She nodded at him. “I assume you have your final report ready for me to review.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He set the datapad down on the table. Commodore Jewel ordered me to head directly here and collect what reinforcements I could.”
“It’ll take a week at minimum to get all of the ships patrolling the hyperlanes back here and then another two weeks to get back to Beloria,” Frye sighed as she looked through the information on the datapad. “You’re certain that this is the group they had?” She passed the datapad over for him to look over the ship counts again.
“Well, we did manage to take out one ship on our way out,” he modified the number. “But I expect they may have replaced that ship if we don’t return soon.
The door then slid open, and four figures stepped through.
“When do we depart?” Count Dooku sat down at the conference room table.
“Pardon me, sir?” Kaylee cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “I’m afraid that I misheard you.”
“When are we departing to relieve Colonel Hull and his forces?” Count Dooku asked more firmly.
“Count,” Captain Jasiah shook his head as his montrals twitched in time with his lekku. “You are the head of a Nation, and we cannot allow you to come with us. After all, what would you have us do if you fell on the field of battle? What would become of the Confederacy?”
“I am not the foundation of the Confederacy,” Dooku’s voice seemed to echo through the room. “The founding documents will see to it that it endures beyond my demise should it happen.”
The Count leaned forward, and his blue gaze turned icy.
“I will not be found idle when my friend comes under siege from those who seek to do evil to him.”
“It’ll take a week or two to gather our forces,” the Commodore sighed. “Any faster, and we risk pushing the hyperdrives beyond their limits.”
“Where do you need us to help?” Siri spoke up.
“Ensure that the repair yards are ready for emergencies,” the Togrutan captain looked up. “The captains will be pushing their ships, and I bet we’ll have some issues that pop up.”
“I will see to it that they are free for use,” Dooku replied.
“Thanks,” Kaylee smiled shyly. “We’ll need all the help we can get.”
“Jacen,” Satele called for her brother in the middle of the massive repair bays that dotted the Marksman base.
“Who’re you looking for?” A Twi’lek asked.
“My Brother Jacen,” Satele replied. “He’s joined the mechanics here about a year ago.”
“Let me check the records,” The woman wiped her greasy fingers on her coveralls before grabbing a datapad and flipping through it. “He’s at garage number fifteen. This garage is listed as number twelve. So you’ll need to follow this route to get there in good time.”
“Thank you,” Satele gave a slight bow and glanced at the map, looking through it and nodding at where she needed to go.
Leaving the garage, she jogged a few streets down before noting the number on the side of the repair bay she entered.
Thankfully, this was the right Garage, and Jacen poked his head out of a nearby engine when she called his name.
“What?” Jacen asked.
“We need to talk,” Satele gestured for him to follow her.
“What is it this time?” Jacen sighed. “I’ve got to get these fighters back in the sky, I don’t have all day to talk.”
“My unit’s getting deployed to capture one of the Feddie ships,” Satele sat down on a nearby workbench. “I just wanted to let you know in case something goes wrong.”
“Hey,” Jacen pulled his little sister into a hug as he reached out through the Force and began to radiate waves of peace. “Remember to slow down and listen to the Force,” he poked her forehead and then grinned as she rubbed the now sore spot. “You’ve had good training, rely on that and the people beside you and you’ll make it through this.”
Jacen then pulled the girl in for a hug, his large arms wrapping around her as if a heavy and warm blanket.
“You good now?” He asked.
“Yeah,” she smiled up at her oldest brother. “I’m good now. I just needed a minute to be a scared little girl again.”
“Everyone needs the chance to be scared,” He reminded her. “It’s the only way we get to be brave.”
“Alright people,” I looked at my consoles and ran through some checks. “Give a status and ready-op. We’re playing distraction for Mathis and his crew this time around. So watch your fire, and keep your IFF tuned.”
“I’ll be on standby for the IFF jammers they introduced,” Sheppard informed us. “As soon as I’ve pinpointed one, I’ll have arty deal with it.”
“Copy that,” I shifted my ‘Mech’s sensors to active and began scanning around me. “Alpha Company, let’s move.”
We had quickly shifted our unit composition after we had pulled off that first ambush. As we had predicted, it didn’t work a second time, and even though we had an edge in quality, Trade Federation droids and Tanks were cheap. They could afford to throw bodies and ammunition at us in amounts that we couldn’t counter. So our slower units had been grouped together and they relocated and moved with the artillery emplacements.
Of course, the Trade Federation had learned quickly that the counter to artillery was air support. But their air support was trash, and they had no counter for massed Partisans that coordinated fire with the local ‘Mechs.
After organizing our defenses for our mobile artillery, we had to reform our mixed units, and anything that was able to move at a speed at or faster than 86 km/h had been grouped together. Which all culminated in what was happening now.
Drawing on faint memories of a Star Wars scene long ago, I knew that the Droids, even though they weren’t entirely controlled by a central brain anymore, were still reliant on the ships in orbit for the advanced tactical and strategic decisions. So we were going to capture one of their ships and have a company of Mathis’s best try to eliminate or capture the vessel.
–
–
We broke through the trees, a handful of branches breaking as I pushed through them and opened fire as soon as I had a lock onto an AAT.
Ducking under the dumbfire missiles, I moved closer while it cycled through the reloads, my lasers carving away at one of the large wheels and rending the machine only partially mobile.
Behind me, the group of Toros, and freshly built Phoenix Hawks began to tear into the forces, the tanks finally responding and hammering into the biggest target they could find.
A trio of AAT’s focused on me, and I checked the battlefield to ensure that they were entirely focused on the ‘Mechs attacking instead of the trio of Maxim hovercraft that were penetrating deeper into their lines and moving towards one of the giant landing craft.
“And now, the droids had our number and their cannons began concentrating fire, the heavy weapons slowly turning armor plates into slag as we fell back in good order, the Pixies moving through and burning their ammunition stores to the ground as we pulled back into the trees once again.
“Trojan Horse secured,” Mathis’s calm voice informed us. “We’re in hiding until this ship’s in orbit. We’ll be comms silent until mission completion.
“Godspeed,” I replied.
Author's Note: Sorry for this being late, I was sick for the past two days and my brain was too fried to write during that time. Expect a lot of my fics to get updates today.
Two weeks later…
Location: Serenno, Serenno System, Aubek sector, Confederacy of Independent Systems
“Commodore Frye,” Captain Jasiah saluted.
“Captain,” She nodded at him. “I assume you have your final report ready for me to review.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He set the datapad down on the table. Commodore Jewel ordered me to head directly here and collect what reinforcements I could.”
“It’ll take a week at minimum to get all of the ships patrolling the hyperlanes back here and then another two weeks to get back to Beloria,” Frye sighed as she looked through the information on the datapad. “You’re certain that this is the group they had?” She passed the datapad over for him to look over the ship counts again.
“Well, we did manage to take out one ship on our way out,” he modified the number. “But I expect they may have replaced that ship if we don’t return soon.
The door then slid open, and four figures stepped through.
“When do we depart?” Count Dooku sat down at the conference room table.
“Pardon me, sir?” Kaylee cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “I’m afraid that I misheard you.”
“When are we departing to relieve Colonel Hull and his forces?” Count Dooku asked more firmly.
“Count,” Captain Jasiah shook his head as his montrals twitched in time with his lekku. “You are the head of a Nation, and we cannot allow you to come with us. After all, what would you have us do if you fell on the field of battle? What would become of the Confederacy?”
“I am not the foundation of the Confederacy,” Dooku’s voice seemed to echo through the room. “The founding documents will see to it that it endures beyond my demise should it happen.”
The Count leaned forward, and his blue gaze turned icy.
“I will not be found idle when my friend comes under siege from those who seek to do evil to him.”
“It’ll take a week or two to gather our forces,” the Commodore sighed. “Any faster, and we risk pushing the hyperdrives beyond their limits.”
“Where do you need us to help?” Siri spoke up.
“Ensure that the repair yards are ready for emergencies,” the Togrutan captain looked up. “The captains will be pushing their ships, and I bet we’ll have some issues that pop up.”
“I will see to it that they are free for use,” Dooku replied.
“Thanks,” Kaylee smiled shyly. “We’ll need all the help we can get.”
“Jacen,” Satele called for her brother in the middle of the massive repair bays that dotted the Marksman base.
“Who’re you looking for?” A Twi’lek asked.
“My Brother Jacen,” Satele replied. “He’s joined the mechanics here about a year ago.”
“Let me check the records,” The woman wiped her greasy fingers on her coveralls before grabbing a datapad and flipping through it. “He’s at garage number fifteen. This garage is listed as number twelve. So you’ll need to follow this route to get there in good time.”
“Thank you,” Satele gave a slight bow and glanced at the map, looking through it and nodding at where she needed to go.
Leaving the garage, she jogged a few streets down before noting the number on the side of the repair bay she entered.
Thankfully, this was the right Garage, and Jacen poked his head out of a nearby engine when she called his name.
“What?” Jacen asked.
“We need to talk,” Satele gestured for him to follow her.
“What is it this time?” Jacen sighed. “I’ve got to get these fighters back in the sky, I don’t have all day to talk.”
“My unit’s getting deployed to capture one of the Feddie ships,” Satele sat down on a nearby workbench. “I just wanted to let you know in case something goes wrong.”
“Hey,” Jacen pulled his little sister into a hug as he reached out through the Force and began to radiate waves of peace. “Remember to slow down and listen to the Force,” he poked her forehead and then grinned as she rubbed the now sore spot. “You’ve had good training, rely on that and the people beside you and you’ll make it through this.”
Jacen then pulled the girl in for a hug, his large arms wrapping around her as if a heavy and warm blanket.
“You good now?” He asked.
“Yeah,” she smiled up at her oldest brother. “I’m good now. I just needed a minute to be a scared little girl again.”
“Everyone needs the chance to be scared,” He reminded her. “It’s the only way we get to be brave.”
“Alright people,” I looked at my consoles and ran through some checks. “Give a status and ready-op. We’re playing distraction for Mathis and his crew this time around. So watch your fire, and keep your IFF tuned.”
“I’ll be on standby for the IFF jammers they introduced,” Sheppard informed us. “As soon as I’ve pinpointed one, I’ll have arty deal with it.”
“Copy that,” I shifted my ‘Mech’s sensors to active and began scanning around me. “Alpha Company, let’s move.”
We had quickly shifted our unit composition after we had pulled off that first ambush. As we had predicted, it didn’t work a second time, and even though we had an edge in quality, Trade Federation droids and Tanks were cheap. They could afford to throw bodies and ammunition at us in amounts that we couldn’t counter. So our slower units had been grouped together and they relocated and moved with the artillery emplacements.
Of course, the Trade Federation had learned quickly that the counter to artillery was air support. But their air support was trash, and they had no counter for massed Partisans that coordinated fire with the local ‘Mechs.
After organizing our defenses for our mobile artillery, we had to reform our mixed units, and anything that was able to move at a speed at or faster than 86 km/h had been grouped together. Which all culminated in what was happening now.
Drawing on faint memories of a Star Wars scene long ago, I knew that the Droids, even though they weren’t entirely controlled by a central brain anymore, were still reliant on the ships in orbit for the advanced tactical and strategic decisions. So we were going to capture one of their ships and have a company of Mathis’s best try to eliminate or capture the vessel.
–
–
We broke through the trees, a handful of branches breaking as I pushed through them and opened fire as soon as I had a lock onto an AAT.
Ducking under the dumbfire missiles, I moved closer while it cycled through the reloads, my lasers carving away at one of the large wheels and rending the machine only partially mobile.
Behind me, the group of Toros, and freshly built Phoenix Hawks began to tear into the forces, the tanks finally responding and hammering into the biggest target they could find.
A trio of AAT’s focused on me, and I checked the battlefield to ensure that they were entirely focused on the ‘Mechs attacking instead of the trio of Maxim hovercraft that were penetrating deeper into their lines and moving towards one of the giant landing craft.
“And now, the droids had our number and their cannons began concentrating fire, the heavy weapons slowly turning armor plates into slag as we fell back in good order, the Pixies moving through and burning their ammunition stores to the ground as we pulled back into the trees once again.
“Trojan Horse secured,” Mathis’s calm voice informed us. “We’re in hiding until this ship’s in orbit. We’ll be comms silent until mission completion.
“Godspeed,” I replied.
Author's Note: Sorry for this being late, I was sick for the past two days and my brain was too fried to write during that time. Expect a lot of my fics to get updates today.