Around Cham’s home it had become something vastly different. Alien flora grew in abundance, with vines coming from the wall of his massive home, plants of all kinds grew out from the building and spread out for some distance, and it was still spreading even now.
Cham accepted the deal, and one of the first things I did was introduce him to the seeds of Eden, telling him what they would do. He was skeptical until the seed was planted, and he and the rest of the spectators witnessed the seed quickly spread. Many of them declared it such an event for a celebration.
Get Cham Syndulla to agree to a deal with you to uplift his people. One silver ticket. Use now? Y/N
What was gained almost made me swallow my spit and choke on it… Had I no longer needed to breathe, that is.
[HK 47]
|Rare Familiar|
Star Wars - "Defiant Statement, there is nothing you can do to me." HK is an incredibly experienced and advanced Assassin Droid, being extremely skilled in all forms of combat and sorts of weapons, as well as in combating and assassinating enemies thanks to his brilliant computational mind and engineering. He is also a very skilled mechanic. He comes equipped with standard droid gear, such as a blaster.
Pitou, by my side, gave me some side-eye before a knowing smile formed on her face. She knew I got something good. With HK-47, that just opened up so many doors…
Not just from a droid army made from him as the template but also as who I am masquerading around as. It added a level of legitimacy for anyone who is even slightly aware of HK’s identity and who he served and was made by. It took a not so insignificant amount of willpower not to summon him here and now.
Help uplift Ryloth. One bronze ticket. Use now? Y/N
[Scenic Wind]
|Trash Trait|
The scenic wind favors you, making your clothes and hair flutter majestically, even in impossible weather conditions and indoors whenever it is opportune.
That was just disappointing. I get it’s a bronze ticket and it’s the lowest tier possible, but I’d like to think there are some things in that category that could be a lot more useful than adding to my ability to look cool to everyone while aura farming.
Not that I was going to complain about it considering that combined with my acting skills, I easily could use it to sway people to my side and make those with bad intentions think twice before attacking. Never let it be said too much publicity was bad when it involved getting the public on your side.
Cham himself was in awe at the power bestowed upon him by Pitou. The man, while talented, would take some time to properly master Nen. It was something I intended to do for some time, I just waited for the right moment.
I knew all too well people were not going to leave Ryloth alone, especially after the seed was planted. Either because they would see the potential for profit or, in the Republic's case, connect that what happened on Tatooine had now happened on Ryloth, so they must be working together.
They could also think we were conquering the planet or any number of bad things when it was me simply trying to help these people out. All of this had been made known to Cham, who, after the initial agreement, still remained fixed on his decision. He had already thought of what was said, and as he put it to me, it was something he and his people were willing to bear if it meant their people finally managed to have something for themselves.
I wasn’t dumb and knew that even with the Mandalorians helping train Cham and his people, they would need something else to give them all the edge they would need if they were to help free their planet and keep it free of any foreign invaders.
It’s why I had given them Nen. It wouldn’t save them from an orbital bombardment, but it would help them fight off invaders. Now does that mean it wouldn’t get spread around to others and less desirable people who would potentially use and abuse it? No. It would likely get around the galaxy.
I wasn’t concerned about that. With all of my powers and capability to create new Hatsu on the fly, just like Pitou, it could mean either I would have enough abilities to handle whatever weird Nen power is thrown my way or my Hatsu, The Crown of The Undying Beast, with its new combat form completed, would handle them.
If anything, the people of Ryloth with just Mandalorian training wouldn’t be enough to retain control of their homeworld. It was a gamble to give them Nen, but I didn’t mind giving them access, and the possibility of it getting out into the wider galaxy, while annoying, was an acceptable loss.
On the trip over here my time had been spent mastering any abilities not in use by the training and scouting version of my Hatsu. But one thing that had been dedicated more than most was completing the first version and developing the combat form.
We didn’t stay too long beyond having several of Jabba’s contacts bring Cham and his people weapons that had been smuggled to them, Pitou awakening their Nen and teaching them what she could on short notice and leaving specific notes on what to train, how to train it, and what to do once certain thresholds had been met.
It took only a few days. We would have left sooner if it wasn’t for Cham insisting I and Pitou stay for a few days to celebrate not only Ryloth and her people finally having a chance at true freedom but also pushing the boot heel that had remained on their figurative necks for so long off of them.
The warm arms that lay draped across my body slowly fell away with the two yellow and orange skinned women in the guest room. The two tiredly complained about the missing heat, with them snuggling back under the covers when they found one another hugging each other, thinking it was me. The two lay fast asleep in the bed after a thorough session with me when the festivities reached their height the other night.
Our clothes lay all around the room, lying on both the floor and furniture. Brushing the well-made cloth that acted as a tube top off my shirt before sliding it on and leaving the planet behind after giving the message for the various Mandalorians to send people to discreetly train Cham’s people.
Right now, from what Pitou’s spies on Ryloth have shown, no one is as of yet aware of the treachery underfoot from Cham trying to retake Ryloth. They are freaking out about the sudden surge of plant life, but that is what held their attention and likely will for some time.
It wouldn’t stop them from getting any information on Cham when they focused on him, but it's going to be hard to do that when everyone and their mother wants to know where all the plant life came from and why it’s spreading so much.
It was nice putting off the war and focusing on helping others, but unfortunately the war wouldn’t be kept waiting while I had things to do.
…
A week had passed since the galaxy unknowingly had Ryloth turn from a harsh planet into a possible world full of prosperity.
The Republic fleet waited in orbit above Quell. It was a far larger fleet than what they would normally have for such a planet, even one that was currently the only, if not one of the few, major foothold they had left in the Outer Rim. While it would normally require a significant number of ships to protect it and keep the Separatists from creating a staging ground for invasions towards the mid and inner rims, this size of a fleet was overkill for such a task.
Many of the ships and the various clone divisions that comprised their forces could have been used for other battles and campaigns raging across the galaxy. But it showed the severity of the threat that Republic Intelligence had learned would be here to take the planet.
“To think the Sith Lord responsible for this horrific war that has scarred the galaxy has finally come out into the open…” Ki-Adi-Mundi said aloud to himself and the other Jedi on the ship's bridge, where they oversaw the operations undertaken to ensure the Sith did not come out of this alive.
“We’ll get him… I have to admit I have my doubts about this.” Quinlan Vos said, breaking the tension.
“How can you say that? When this man has helped the Separatists, he also has killed both clones and Jedi alike. He beat a Padawan.” The smooth voice of Aayla Secura countered. She had come a long way since her days of being Quinlan's Padawan.
“Because of what I had heard happening on Tatooine. Plant life spread far out from Mos Eisley, with it becoming an agriworld, slaves freed, and the entire system now a place where any former slaves or people looking for a fresh start in life can go… He even helped Obi-Wan and Skywalker alongside his Padawan escape. Does that sound like a Sith Lord?” He countered back calmly, his gaze not wavering from Aaylas, who, after a brief stare-off, looked away with a dusting of purple on her cheeks.
“All questions we might get answered if we can bring him in alive. If he is as powerful as we believe, it isn't likely to happen.” The stern voice of the Master of the Jedi Order spoke up. Mace Windu’s hologram showed his stern visage, all of his focus dedicated to ending this conflict once and for all.
He had made the mistake of not killing Dooku at the cost of his own life at the hands of Jango Fett on Geonosis, he won’t make that same mistake again. He would end this war and save countless lives and the Republic itself, just as most of the other Jedi would do. A few like Quinlan had reservations about this, questioning the actions of this supposed Sith Lord.
But they were in the minority, and while it was suspicious to have someone doing such deeds called a Sith Lord, he was still their enemy helping the Separatists. So he had to be dealt with regardless of whether he was the true Sith Lord or not.
The clones went about their duties, Jedi generals and the officers gave their orders, and the ships flew into position, waiting for when the enemy fleet would come through to attack. Aayla eyed the small, nearly impossible to see objects floating further out in the system just within reach of the hyperspace exit.
Something that was used on her just after the beginning of this war. She shared a look with Master Shaak Ti. They and Master Mundi will never forget that day. A pang of guilt at what was waiting for their enemy and what they would subject the Quiet Hand to.
The time finally arrived when Windu broke the silence. “A disturbance in the Force… prepare yourselves. Everyone to their stations.” He exclaimed across the fleet, and everyone rushed to action.
Then they finally arrived. Only a few ships. At most five of them. They were munificent frigates. Everyone collectively asked the same question-- why so few of them?
The ships flew closer, and it wasn’t long before all five became a small star. The various mines lying in wait were drawn towards the ships that carelessly charged towards them. The bright light from the explosion had nearly everyone cover their eyes or briefly look away.
But those who remained watching were surprised to see the ships come out of the explosion damaged but still functioning. Those mines should have crippled if not outright destroyed most of those ships.
Yet not a single one was destroyed. Then the music began to play.
They were charging straight towards them, and all their weapons were revealed to be ion cannons when they began to shoot back. “Fire at will.” Mace Windu commanded, and the fleet responded.
Lasers, missiles, and everything they could bring to bear were used against those five ships.
Everything was launched at those five ships, which were damaged, and from the looks of it, heavily, judging by the holes they could see through, yet they somehow remained functioning.
“General… their shields aren’t even up?” One of the deck's clone officers said to them in confusion, and the three Jedi realized he was right. Not a single ship had their shields up, yet they were taking so much damage.
It was only after one of the ships finally came to a stop, only lurching forward because of its momentum. It may as well be nothing but countless holes punched into it, but that didn’t stop them all from opening fire. Instead of the turbo lasers they all expected, knowing full well the firepower these ships could bring to a fight, the blue of heavy ion cannons raced towards several of their ships.
There were too many of their ships to all get hit and disabled, but a few under sustained fire were left drifting with the various fleet members getting in front of them, protecting them from what they thought would be other weapons used against them.
Instead, more ion cannons just fired away. More ships after sustained fire were disabled temporarily. The music never once stopped playing, heard across all of the fleet and anyone in the system.
“Sound of the drums beating in my heart, the thunder of guns tore me apart.” On the music went, and privately many of the clones and even the Jedi would admit it was catchy. Whoever the band was, they were good.
Aayla and Quinlan shared a look, knowing that if it weren't for the tense and dire situation, both would probably be tapping their hands or feet to the tune of the music. But it made them and others grow wary. This wasn’t something anyone has done before in this war. Maybe any war.
None of it made any sense. Master Windu was now suspicious of the incoming ships not stopping or even attempting to form a formation besides staying near one another. His gaze was drawn to the one ship that had stopped that somehow could still shoot despite being riddled with holes that should have made it completely inoperable in every sense of the word.
Two ships passed it, and the one disabled began to follow them, staying right beside them. “… A tractor beam.” Numerous ideas or notions on what their plans were went through his mind until, through his shatterpoint, he finally realized what they aimed to do.
“Send all of our starfighters to disable the engines to those ships. Do not let them get close to the fleet.”
Everyone did as ordered, with every starfighter leaving behind the fleet, buzzing the enemy ships like a swarm of flying insects picking apart a great beast nearing its end. The various ion cannons fired on them and took out several fighters, but there were far too many. Some of them prioritized the weapons systems, and the rest prioritized the engines.
“Move the ships… now!” Windu barked out, realizing the fighters, despite hitting the engine’s critical systems more than enough, were somehow still functioning. The ships were now close enough to theirs, with many not having regained full control once the first three ships came into range.
“Everyone get away from them!” Windu yelled out in concern.
But instead of an explosion like they were all expecting, nothing happened… The ships just continued to move past the now empty space the majority of Republic ships occupied. No suicide run to try and take their ships with them.
They just continued to float like that seemingly unconcerned with their ships getting ravaged and destroyed.
“What the hell?” Quinlan said on the bridge, completely at a loss as to just what was happening.
The ships passed their own eventually, with another one that was helping carry the first casualty shutting down, finally with it stopping. The two ships were left behind with the three remaining racing towards the planet.
Watching the trajectory of where the ships were aimed made several of the commanders of this operation's blood turn cold. “They’re aiming for the base!”
The ships were beginning to glow from entering the atmosphere of the planet so fast without even bothering to go in from an angle, just dive-bombing straight down. All of them were lined up aimed straight towards the Republic base they had quickly constructed to retain a foothold in the outer rim.
Just when Mace Windu was about to give the order to chase and disable the ships, the two that had been crippled and may as well be dead had a blue glow emanate from within as coils of electricity erupted from them. Everyone’s eyes widened watching the ships violently rupture the power for the ion cannons, which became far more potent as they surged out violently, cracking the ships open like eggshells.
The surge of energy rushed out in a bubble that slammed into and disabled any ship unfortunate enough to be caught in the radius of it. Within a matter of seconds large sections of the fleet were caught by the ion energy, and what was left of the two ships were burnt-out husks of metal. Finally, they were truly dead.
The lights flickered before shutting off, terminals sparked and whirred, giving warning signals before abruptly shutting off, shields were completely disabled, and their ships' armaments were as still and quiet as the cold depths of space.
Some ships had fires erupt along them from the wires and electronics; for some ships, they were completely fried, and the crews were working tirelessly to get the situation under control. Various ships are now adrift with no power, whether they were simple starfighters or capital ships. A few groaned, and the various crewmen were knocked over when the ships drifted into one another. It was complete chaos.
The sections of the fleet not hit with the sudden ion sphere instead were trying their absolute best to stop the rest of the ships. No matter what was thrown at them, none of the ship's systems would shut down. The damage was never enough even when any other ship would have long since been crippled.
The ships moved even faster, likely all power having been directed to the engines. “We need those ships down now.” Windu said coolly, but anyone around him knew he was not happy.
Concerned everyone did their best, but it was for nothing. The ships glowed bright orange upon atmospheric entry, and they flew straight down like missiles. The Republic base had been notified right when the surge of ion energy spread out, so they at least knew something was happening and were told to evacuate.
It mattered not. They just didn’t have enough time to evacuate an entire base on such short notice. Especially when a fleet their size should have easily handled five ships. The heat from reentry melted away at the already warped metals. It was peeled back like skin, exposing the insides to the heat, but just like all before it, it shrugged it off and continued onwards.
The base quickly grew into sight, and the various clones looked up and pointed at it. Seconds later, the ships impacted the base, destroying it and everyone inside with a crack like a cannon heard across the planet. Dirt, rock, and everything else was sent flying away with a massive plume of dirt rising high into the sky.
What was left of the base was mere duracrete with not much left, and only two and a half ships remained intact. That was being generous. The half-ship was nothing but massive slabs of metal barely held together with the other two ships severely damaged and now no longer operational.
At least it mostly was. One of the ships stirred with a shield forming around it high into the sky. Several starfighters flew down with clones and Jedi inside of them, seeing the shield and quickly reporting back to the others in orbit. Windu didn’t take long to make his decision. He and the rest of the Jedi knew what was at stake and wouldn’t leave the Sith Lord who caused all of this to escape. He and the Quiet Hand had to be dealt with. They were too big of a threat to leave unchecked.
Numerous transports came down and swiftly released the troops who all converged around the single operational ship. Windu moved, leading his men towards it. He marched forward at a brisk pace, eyeing the surroundings and feeling saddened at the loss of all the clones in the base. Even if they could turn against them on a moment's notice, that didn’t mean he enjoyed their deaths.
He looked down and picked up a small fragment of their armor plates. “You will be avenged.” He said solemnly as the clones around tightened their grips on their weapons. Whether or not the clones around them would betray them was up in the air.
But he and the rest of the Jedi were confident that together they could handle them. That mission had spread across the GAR and the Jedi Order, leading to a tension between some clones and their Jedi commanders. It hadn’t caused any incidents between them, just a tension that neither wanted to break for fear of what would happen.
But in this moment, both sides set that issue to the side to focus on the enemy of the Republic. Clones and walkers of all kinds moved around the outside of the ship, clone squads ordered to move in with Jedi leading the way.
Even though Windu and the other Jedi Masters wished to go in first, they had faced enough Separatist traps to know better. The clones fearlessly went into the dark and sparking insides of the ship, armed with special weapons they had decided to use, learning from the mistakes of the past. The shield generator remained on, and they were curious as to why they didn’t use it before charging down onto the planet.
The music had finally come to an end. “I liked that song. It wasn't half bad.” One of them muttered. He hefted up the flamethrower; every squad had at least one.
He grunted when an elbow nudged his side. “Careful. If the generals hear that they might consider it treason.” His brother playfully said, trying to ease his nerves with some humor.
“Oh yeah? Well, consider me a big traitor because that song was awesome.”
They all acknowledged the song was good. They all just wished it wasn’t something associated with what it was. They moved along with countless other squads checking their corners and making sure no clankers were around to attack. Nothing. Not one droid besides the few they managed to find, and those were all thoroughly destroyed. The ship had nothing but a skeleton crew to man it.
The squads all converged deeper into the ship, avoiding the occasional sparking wire and hazards from sections of the ship that had collapsed in on itself until they all came to a room near the section of the ship that would hold its droid complement to deploy on a planet.
Their flashlights had been turned off when they all had heard something. They moved in quietly, sticking to the shadows, before they all saw something so bizarre they collectively believed they were drugged.
Sitting at a makeshift metal cylinder used as a table sat the current and new faces of the Quiet Hand playing a game of Pazaak. The red clouds adorned the silk cloaks and outfits, with even the massive creature that all the clones had heard horror stories about staring down at the few cards in its massive meaty fingers.
Each member, from the giant monster to the two fully cloaked figures with hoods up hiding what lay beneath to the two beautiful women of the group. One a near-human with feline features and the other a drop-dead gorgeous blond-haired woman with her outfit being the most revealing.
Seated between all of them was a figure with an orange mask that spiraled towards the single hole for an eye, but only darkness was there. They all placed their cards down, and the masked figure pumped his fist in the air in victory.
“Fuck yeah! I win! Finally, in your face.” He pointed at the near-human, who just smiled with half-lidded eyes before her ears twitched, and they all collectively turned towards the clones watching them.
“Welcome to our little party, boys. Who wants the first ass kicking?” The sound of their blasters and the hum of the flamethrowers was their answer. “Sweet, you all do. Let’s get started!”
The last thing any of them saw was five other figures joining the rest of them before they all charged at them.
Chaos Gacha:
[HK 47]
|Rare Familiar|
Star Wars - "Defiant Statement, there is nothing you can do to me." HK is an incredibly experienced and advanced Assassin Droid, being extremely skilled in all forms of combat and sorts of weapons, as well as in combating and assassinating enemies thanks to his brilliant computational mind and engineering. He is also a very skilled mechanic. He comes equipped with standard droid gear, such as a blaster.
[Scenic Wind]
|Trash Trait|
The scenic wind favors you, making your clothes and hair flutter majestically, even in impossible weather conditions and indoors whenever it is opportune.