"So, what will be our next step?" Cham Syndulla asked curiously as he entered your commanding centre.
"Isn't this your planet to free?" Bo butted in, slightly annoyed.
"There is no need to fight among allies." you stop their quarrel before it escalates, "for the next mission we will split up our forces. The resistance will attack a supply depot that is connected directly to Lessu. At the same time Commander Havok and I will attack the nearby communication hub so that you have enough time to escape before their reinforcements arrive."
"They won't notice us until it's too late." Cham Syndulla added and left to inform his fighters about the coming operation.
"I really start to dislike him." Bo stated with her eyes rolling.
"Do not worry I have a different task for you."
Her gaze met yours and with the confusion and curiosity Bo burned to know what you had in mind for her.
"Contact our spies within the republic senate. I want Senator Orn Free Taa on this planet as soon as possible and prepare a dossier about the crimes he committed. His execution won't be public, but his reputation will die with him in the eyes of everyone that thought they knew him." you elucidated and sent Bo off.
"Our soldiers are ready, my Lord!" Commander Havok informed.
"We will head out as soon as Cham and his fighters set out."
A few minutes pass before Cham Syndulla informs of their leave and as you watch his poorly equipped troops march towards their destination, you almost feel a sense of pity for them. The shadows have fallen over Ryloth and the Twi'lek, without them realising it.
"Let's head out as well." you tell your Commander, and your troops make their way under the cheers of the Twi'lek that remained in the basecamp.
Their applause and jubilation brought a faint smile to your face under that mask of yours. Not because you saw yourself as their saviour as they did, but because you knew better.
Shortly after you've arrived at the communication hub, Commander Havok pulls out his holo projector to discuss the strategy with the troops. Commander Havok stood before a gathering of Nathema's soldiers, all donned in their sleek black armour, ready for the mission ahead. The communication hub of the CIS loomed in the distance; a formidable structure surrounded by a network of defences. It was a critical target, and the success of this operation was paramount.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Havok began, his voice projecting authority and confidence. "Our objective is clear: seize control of the communication hub swiftly and efficiently. We have the element of surprise on our side, and we must use it to our advantage. The fewer casualties, the better."
He activated the holo projector, displaying a three-dimensional map of the hub and its surroundings.
"As you can see, the hub is heavily fortified, but it has a vulnerability. Our intelligence indicates that there is a maintenance hatch on the eastern side, here," Havok pointed at the holographic image. "It's a less-guarded entry point. Our initial strike team will consist of myself, our Lord, and a small group of elite soldiers."
He gestured to the soldiers who would accompany them. They were a seasoned and disciplined unit, handpicked for their skills in covert operations.
"While we create a diversion on the western side, our strike team will infiltrate through the maintenance hatch. Our Lord will lead us and neutralize any threats silently. We'll disable the security systems and secure the control room. Once we have control, we'll send out a signal to shut down all communications from this hub."
The soldiers listened intently, fully aware of the importance of their mission.
"Meanwhile," Havok continued, "the rest of our forces will engage the enemy on the western front. Draw their attention, but do not overcommit. We want them to believe that the main assault is happening there. We'll need precise coordination and timing."
He emphasized the need for synchronized actions.
"Remember, our goal is to control this hub, not to engage in a prolonged battle. Once the hub is in our hands, we'll regroup. The strike team will then attack the enemy from the inside."
Your gaze wandered around your troops. Each and every one of them was ready for what was awaiting them. You needed only to look into their eyes, and everyone could tell that they've been through hell and back and that this was nothing to them. Their eyes bore concentration and bloodlust. Their will to fight for you was incomparable. A whole planet loyal only to you and it's soldiers were the deadliest the galaxy has ever seen. A nod confirmed their readiness for the operation and so you headed out with the strike team.
The strike team moved with a silent and deadly grace as you approached the communication hub. The cover of darkness shrouded your movements, and your mastery of the Force ensured that you left no trace of your presence. You reached the maintenance hatch without alerting a single guard.
Commander Havok, you, and the elite soldiers quietly entered the maintenance tunnel. The confined space offered little room for manoeuvre, but your training and experience allowed you to advance without a sound. You led the way, your senses attuned to any potential threats. As you ventured deeper into the facility, you encountered CIS guards patrolling the corridors. With precise hand signals, Havok directed the team to take them out silently. Each guard fell without a sound, a gloved hand over their mouth and a quick, efficient strike to incapacitate them.
The control room was your ultimate destination, and you could feel it drawing nearer. Your connection to the Force guided your path, ensuring that you remained undetected. You reached a reinforced door, the gateway to the control centre.
Havok signalled for the team to halt, and you approached the door. Using the Force, you scanned the other side, sensing the presence of several guards. With a subtle nod, you relayed the information to Havok.
The commander whispered a plan to the team, and they readied their weapons. You reached out with the Force, using it to sow confusion among the guards. It caused them to move away from the door, believing they had heard something elsewhere.
Havok swiftly opened the door, and the strike team stormed into the control room. Blasters fired with precision, and the guards inside were swiftly overwhelmed. The control room was yours.
You moved to the central console, interfacing with it and taking control of the hub's communications systems. A message was sent to your waiting forces outside, ordering them to disable the hub's external defences. In the distance the heavy fire from your main forces could be heard. Like hell's rain the blaster bolts shot through the air and droids alike.
However, your moment of triumph was short-lived. Klaxons blared throughout the facility as alarms were triggered. The CIS had detected your presence. From all directions, battle droids poured into the control room, surrounding the strike team. But you were prepared. You ignited your red lightsabre, your movements a blur of deadly precision.
Working in seamless coordination, the strike team and you fought back-to-back. Blaster bolts were deflected with ease, and battle droids fell one by one. Havok's blaster rifle spat fire, and his soldiers picked off targets with ruthless efficiency. Your combat style was a sight to behold. Your every movement flowed with the grace and brutality of a true Sith Lord. You deflected blaster bolts with pinpoint accuracy and dispatched droids with swift and calculated strikes. Your mastery of the Force allowed you to enhance your physical abilities, making you a whirlwind of destruction.
As the battle raged on, the strike team and you remained a cohesive unit, covering each other's backs flawlessly. Droids were dismantled and destroyed in rapid succession. The efficiency of your teamwork was awe-inspiring. Despite the overwhelming odds, you and the strike team pressed on. The control room was now firmly in your grasp, and you were determined to hold it. The battle droids' numbers dwindled, but the fight was far from over.
Their numbers lessened and after Commander Havok confirmed that you're in the clear, you and the strike team moved out to support the main force as planned. With brutal efficiency you fought your way through the corridor to the enemy's defences. One droid after another fell victim to your crimson blade on your cold march to victory. In a matter of hours, the hub was yours and the remaining droids were disposed of.
"We've successfully taken over the entire hub, my Lord." Commander Havok informed, "We weren't able to pinpoint their exact location yet but intelligence says that their reinforcements are on their way already."
"Good. Our goal here has been fulfilled. Place explosives around the hub and blow it along with the reinforcements. The troops shall retreat immediately." you order.
"Yes, Lord (S/N)!" Commander Havok responded, "Also the republic seems to have sent out troops in order to reclaim Ryloth. Our spies indicate that Senator Orn Free Taa is not among them yet."
"Who is commanding the campaign?"
"High General Mace Windu along with the 187th has the lead. He is accompanied by the 212th and the 501st with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. They have already contacted basecamp and wish to talk to you, my Lord."
"They reacted faster than expected, probably due to our unannounced involvement. I will talk to them once we are done here."
"According to basecamp they've pointed out the urgency quite often, my Lord."
"They waited long enough to get here, so they can wait for some more time. I guess they've taken care of the blockade."
"Yes, Lord (S/N)." Commander Havok responded.
"Contact Cham Syndulla and tell them that we've taken care of our part. Inquire about his progress and then report to me."
"Yes, my Lord." Commander Havok responded and headed off to fulfil your orders.
It didn't take long before you arrived back at the basecamp. On your way back you watched the CIS reinforcements walking into the empty communication hub just to be blown up a few seconds later.
"We've successfully raided the supply depot and grappled guns and ammunition. Thanks to you the resistance gained a lot of strength today." Cham Syndulla explained to you.
"That are great news. I hope you'll grow even more in the future." you respond and end the call. His hologram vanished just barely enough to hide your disgust every time you see his face.
A face of hope, a hero for those in desperate need. A fighter for Freedom, that is what Cham Syndulla was, and exactly everything you disliked about him. Because for your plan to succeed you needed to be that face, that hero.
"The republic destroyer is calling us, my Lord." a communication officer informed.
"Put them through," you tell her as you take off your mask. "And stream the conversation to the holoprojectors in the camp, I want everyone to be able to see it."
The woman did as she was told, and three tall figures appeared on the holotable in front of you. The white colour of the hologram shimmering through the room you put on a friendly face.
"What can I do for you, Master Jedi." you began the conversation.
"What do you think you are doing!? I don't care which tiny planet you may rule over," Master Windu screamed furiously, "this is republic territory, and we will not allow you to do as you please here!"
"There must be a misunderstanding, Master Jedi," you begin, with the three Jedi all having puzzled look, "It was not my decision to come here and fight alongside the Twi'lek, it was merely the wish of my people to help those that suffered a similar fate to ours. The Twi'lek had the option to decline our help at any moment and wait for the republic troops to arrive, yet they have chosen to rather collaborate with us, why do you think is that, Master Jedi?"
Your tone held slight mockery under your breath directed towards the high general.
"And the Republic thanks you for your help, Lord (S/N), but this is now our issue." Obi-Wan added, trying to calm both sides down a bit.
"We have already fought alongside each other, Master Kenobi. You've witnessed my strength and that of my soldiers as well as our unyielding spirits. We began this fight alongside the Twi'leks and we will stand with them until the CIS is driven off Ryloth."
Once again Mace Windu grabs the attention, with his aggressive nature and unsettling voice.
"If you do not leave on your own, we will have to make-"
"Make us leave by force?" you mock him, "Have you really thought this through, Master Jedi? My troops and I are here because the Twi'leks wished for help and rather than reacting and rushing to Ryloth's aid, which is part of the republic systems, your senate discussed if they really should send troops and other "pressing matters" I believe. What signal does that send to the other members of the Republic. When the troops they paid so much for do not even come to their rescue once they are attacked? Making an enemy of us in this situation is the same as betraying the hopes of every Senator in the galactic Senate of the republic."
The three Jedi sink their heads, carefully thinking about their words while you continued to scold them.
"My people were the only ones to respond to their call, Nathema was the only one to help them and yet you dare to mark us as the bad ones? While you were exchanging words at pure saftey, my people fought alongside the Twi'lek and exchanged blood rather than words. We were the once standing next to those that fought for their freedom, that layed down their lives for freedom. Yet you arrive late and dare to throw accusations at us!"
The three generals all look into the ground like children that just go scolded by their parents, no one daring to say a single word, because they knew exactly that every word that left your lips was nothing but the truth.
"Thank you for taking care of the blockade outside." you continue, "If you are really willing to help the Twi'lek and not just spout those empty words of possession and affiliation, go prepare relief supplies, or does Nathema have to do every part of your job here?"
Without letting them say another word you end the call and put your mask back on your face. As you walk outside, you see a crowd of Twi'lek standing inside the basecamp and bowing down the moment they saw you.
"What is the meaning of this?" you asked Commander Havok.
"We thought that the Twi'lek might be interested in knowing why the republic showed up this late and so the commanding centre and I decided to openly stream your conversation with the Jedi." he explained, acting as if it wasn't on your command but rather a gesture from your troops without you knowing.
Writer's note:
I know I uploaded every saturday but yesterdy I was out in the forrest cutting down trees and I'll tell you, cutting down trees of over 10 meters height ( around 32 feet for the americans here) with nothing more than a small chainsaw and an ax is not something you can do in a few hours. Well that's the cause for the slight delay. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter and as always feel free to comment as you'd like. :)