The fact that Lora would go with me was unpleasant. Most likely, with the victory over Garyn, my alliance with PMC 'Luna' will come to an end. The Hutts will try to attract them to their side... Or rather, the Hutts will try to absorb them. And what then? The logical option would be not to allow the Hutts to strengthen themselves in this conflict. They are already excessively strong. This means it is necessary to eliminate all sides by which they could theoretically strengthen themselves. "Black Sun" – I will remove. It doesn't matter if I leave Alexi alive, or kill him and all his comrades. But what to do with Luna? My participation in the conflict may leave Luna alone against the Hutts.
Jabba will take advantage of the situation, there's no doubt about it. Otherwise, he couldn't be the king of the criminal world in the Hutt Space. His kajidic is the most influential among all Hutt kajidics. Overall, I didn't want any remnants of "Black Sun", or Luna, to fall into the hands of the Hutts. Although I perfectly understand that my desire is impossible. One way or another, they will cut off a piece for themselves... But this piece must be minimized. Therefore, I intended to defeat Gawen afterwards, or rather, activate sabotage on the reactors through the virus. This action does not fit the definition of allied relations, but otherwise, I cannot prevent the Hutts from strengthening.
It will only remain to deprive PMC 'Luna' of all officers, a significant number of sentient beings, and the fleet. And I can do it all at once. Now the virus files have spread to the PMC bases, and even reached the base on the planet Run. If only the organization's ice cutters don't find the uploaded virus. Yes, such an elimination will clearly not make me look good. This is an operation of the category: "I regret that I am such a scumbag"... To form an alliance, to fight on the same side, and then to betray this side sharply. It sounds disgusting and unpleasant. But that's the objective reality... Am I acting, roughly speaking, like a villain? Yes, I am. But you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. I cannot allow the Hutts to strengthen. And here is my decision.
Which, by the way, does not contradict the Order's decision. It took a "relatively neutral position". More precisely, according to my report, observers were sent to the planet Run, this time not Tal, clearly not a combatant, but a diplomat and observer. At least I was signaled that Fimor, my former classmate, was sent to deal with the current events. As a Jedi, he belonged to the Defender class and participated in investigations against criminal groups. Usually, guardians or consuls came out of my clan, but Fimor became a very bright exception. However, the Jedi here can only play the role of saboteurs. Afterwards, I recommended the Order to consider the liquidation of PMC 'Luna', but there were no instructions on this point. Which means – I can either leave this group alone, or destroy them on my own initiative.
What I chose is known. I didn't want to give anyone a chance in this situation at all. The only place where I hesitated was Alexi Garyn. He is a canonical character here and his elimination might disrupt something. On the other hand, he was supposedly buried by Maul, on Sidious's orders, who was ordered to do so by Plagueis, who didn't like that Garyn killed Kabra, the current boss of "Black Sun", who is a Sith creation in this organization. Or rather, he acts within the paradigm of their plan. But again, I could send him to spy on "Black Sun" to get evidence for me of Plagueis's and Sidious's existence. A pretty good scenario and a mission suited to him.
We arrived at Ryloth late, as I had expected. Several "worn-out ships" with Hutt organization signatures hung in orbit. Apparently, the "showdown" had taken place. Although the fleet of Lora did not detect a single "Black Sun" ship in a damaged or destroyed state. While I was contemplating the "showdown" scene, Lora contacted Gawen.
"Everything is as you said," Gawen said. "These bastards seem to have colluded. Dengo Hutt and Alexi Garyn," he clarified. "Jabba 'knows nothing about Dengo's actions', but I'm sure he was aware of it."
"Correct," I picked up the thread of conversation. "Did you really think the Hutts were capable of altruism and saving 'PMC, which is fighting for freedom from 'Black Sun', from destruction out of the goodness of their hearts?' Goodness of heart from Hutts... A funny joke."
"I expected such an outcome, but I didn't think it would happen exactly like this."
"Why not? You control an important transport hub for smugglers and slave traders – the planet Run in the Sith Mantle. Dengo is interested in this planet, as is Jabba's kajidic in general. It is not yet known whether Jabba decided to betray you, or if it is Dengo Hutt's initiative, but it doesn't matter for now. Now, the main thing for you is to survive the attack of 'Black Sun'. Have my tactical recommendations been followed?"
"We are your allies," a rough voice was heard. A Lasat-race sentient was speaking. It's one of the commanders, Zelmen, I think... "not your subordinates, Jedi."
"True, but who among you planned a major space battle up to this point? All of you, one way or another, have participated in skirmishes. But what awaits you is not an ordinary space skirmish, considering the forces you have accumulated and what the 'Black Sun' will deploy against you. I will enlighten you on what it's called. This is a full-fledged military conflict, a war... Not a special operation, or some ordinary skirmish... A special operation with the involvement of military forces is to liberate a couple of buildings. This is an attack on a planet. You won't be able to brush it off so easily. Either you will build a competent defense. Or even our stab in the back won't fix the situation, and it will quickly become dire if you don't use some kind of organized tactic, Gaven Hornly. If I wanted you to lose, I wouldn't insist. But I don't want that, so act as the situation and common sense demand, which has already planned a space battle, not as you are used to, playing with Outer Rim traders, who sometimes can't even shoot back. And also, a Jedi Knight will participate in the battle from our side – Fimor. He will arrive in his own fighter and help you in the war. I am sending the signature of his fighter, do not perceive him as an enemy," I said sternly. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes," Gaven said dryly, "I understand. But we'll come back to this later."
"Oh, don't doubt it," I smiled, "I have something to tell you, but before that, don't die, otherwise you'll never get back to this question. Is the jump ready?" I asked Officer Lora. The woman stood next to me on the captain's bridge of her dreadnought and listened intently to the conversation.
"Y-yes," he glanced at me, and then at Lora.
"Good, our forces should arrive simultaneously. Have you calculated when the light forces and strike craft, as well as heavy forces, should jump so that we arrive on time?"
"The calculation has been made. The strike craft will jump about twenty minutes after our jump, the light forces ten minutes later."
"In that case, prepare for the jump," before the connection with Gaven was broken, I turned my attention to him again. "As for my actions, I will tell you everything when the time comes. We're jumping," I commanded, breaking the connection.
"You really know how to piss someone off," Lora said thoughtfully, watching as the string of stars transformed into a hyperspace path.
"And who was I supposed to piss off? Surely your big guy Zelmen? Well, forgive him – small raids on not always protected traders are not a war with heavy ships from both sides. He didn't understand that, that's his problem. I'm starting to like this company of yours less and less. Some kind of gathering of marginals. Are you and the 'Black Sun' fighting, or did you just open a hobby club? This isn't a strategy game where you can use cheats. This is real life, and you either play professionally, with attention to detail, or you don't play at all. You yourself understand that these are not children's games. This is a war, where anything can happen anytime. Even my tactics, with all their advantages and thoughtfulness, can go off the rails. And you act as if you're out for a walk... I have a feeling that the scenario where the Hutts devour you is the most likely. Your leader, if he foresaw it, didn't consider it 'worthy of attention'."
"Gaven is just a human..."
"True, like all of us – just sentient beings with our own vices and weaknesses," I looked into Lora's scarlet, Chiss eyes, "but one who commands others besides himself must be better than an ordinary sentient. Understand risks, calculate, at least one step ahead. And I have the impression that Gaven's entire calculation is based on the fact that Rune is impregnable due to its location in the Mantle of the Sith... And the current situation came as a surprise to him. If he doesn't follow my recommendations, we might arrive too late."
"I'm sure we'll make it and Gaven will hold..."
"You believe in him too much," I said. "I don't know what binds you so strongly, but it might disappoint you too much. Do you still want to go with me, Lora?"
"Yes," she agreed. "I'll go with you, on your ship."
Well, perhaps I'll have to kill her myself. Or use her somehow differently... Honestly, I even feel a little sorry for her. Gaven Hornly did such dark things in the 'Black Sun' that even Garin himself, nicknamed 'The Executioner,' has a lot to learn from him. But maybe I should show Lora proof? Hmm... I'll have to think about it. Lora, in my opinion, is the only one among the commanders of this organization who is with Gaven more for the idea than for personal gain. She is capable, being a mercenary, of being inspired by someone's idea. It's surprising, considering that mercenaries mainly fight only for those who pay more.
"There can be honorable people among mercenaries," Revan's voice was heard. He sat on the hyperspace exit control panel and looked at the scurrying sentient beings. "It's a shame you think that mercenaries and criminals are all scum who will do anything for money."
"But didn't you say that criminals are scum?"
"I did," Revan agreed. "In statistics – yes. Reliably, most criminals are just scum who are incapable of living by the law. But there are those who have taken this path for reasons beyond their control. Like bad fate, poverty, destruction on their home planet, and so on. Although such people are not the absolute majority. This woman, Lora, her reason for becoming who she is right now is actually quite simple. She got tired too early. Tired of being a simple mercenary, like a Mandalorian, and decided to find herself in something more. And Gaven Hornly offered her this 'more'."
I communicated with Revan telepathically so that no one would think I was crazy.
"Gaven Hornly is quite a scumbag, I've seen his dossier. Torture, murder, hostage-taking, and kidnapping."
"And I don't argue, Light," Revan said. "But Lora needed a platform when she burned out, let's call it that. And he gave her that platform. However, the platform is also crumbling now. Doubts gnaw at her resolve, erode her will. She saw that Gaven is not the genius he portrayed himself to be. And, surely, she managed to find information about him, the very information you have as the Shadow. She's following him now – more out of inertia. And this is a favorable moment to bring her down. You wouldn't want to kill her, would you?"
"Hmm, I like her as a personality. A mercenary who got inspired by some idea... 'Justice for the Outer Rim'... That's quite an amusing case. I've seen a mercenary like that before, who was also obsessed with an idea."
"Are you talking about Dol Agid?" Revan asked. "Yes, he was obsessed with the idea of the triumph of the Sith. 'Order and submission to the strong.' People with a military mindset are always like that. They need a firm hand, a clear path. They don't care about dreamer democrats and freedom. In the army, structure and obedience are always an order of magnitude higher. And that mercenary Dol apparently wanted the same for the Galaxy. Lora is similar to him in this regard... And in part, you are now similar to them."
"In what sense?" I asked the man.
"In a very simple one. You're not even thinking about escaping now. Remember what you thought long ago, even when you were a Padawan? You told me that when you realized the future, you decided to run to the edge of the Galaxy and not stand out..."
"It happened..." I sighed, drawing Lora's attention to myself. "But since then, I've realized that the galaxy, the Force, won't leave someone like me alone. And then I got involved in all this myself. Now I just can't leave..."
"Like them, Light, like them... Just as Dol Agid didn't back down when he encountered your Yoda, Lora is still showing loyalty to Gaven Hornly now, albeit out of inertia. And you will have to use all of this. Do what must be done and what you have decided," he disappeared again.
We arrived at the unfolding space battle. Alexi Garin had already begun his attack on the forces gathered near Rune. Judging by the disposition of Gaven Hornly's forces, he took my words to heart, which most likely allowed them to hold out until our arrival. Some ships with 'Moon' signatures were already gone, though they should have been there. Apparently, destroyed. However, the 'Black Sun' also took a beating. A call came to the datapad. It was a call over a secure channel that Jedi could use. I was heading to my ship, to the hangar. Lora was already shifting her weight by my vessel. I answered the call on the secure line.
"Fimor," I smiled, seeing the face of my former cohort. "How is the situation?"
"Shitty, to be honest," he greeted me with a nod. Fimor became a Jedi Knight faster than anyone from my graduating class. Largely because Qui-Gon Jinn, his master, was more looking for a "talented Padawan." Average Fimor was inferior to Xanaos in everything, whom Jinn took on with much more zeal than Fimor. Bringing the latter to the level of an average Jedi Knight, Qui-Gon recommended Fimor for the Trials, and as soon as Fimor passed them, he immediately ran after Xanaos. I understand the 'Unifying Force,' the 'Living Force,' and so on. But he acted as ungracefully as possible, and in addition, Qui-Gon completely failed with Xanaos. "These idiots first stood as you ordered," judging by the flashes, he had just escaped under fire, "but discipline is shit. The formation is already broken, there is no coordination of forces at all..."
"And what did you expect?" I asked him. "Military training?"
"Well, at least some logic and common sense, damn it! But no, they behave even worse than Drallig during puberty! He used to challenge girls he liked to duels..."
"Drallig?" I chuckled. "Well, he can do that. But will that help him make acquaintance?"
"It didn't help him," Fimor agreed. "But anyway, that's not the point now, I'm in the thick of it here, and your arrival, by the way, stopped their advance. Are you commanding the reinforcements?"
"No," I shook my head. "We're passing this duty to Lora's assistant. And I and the Mando will head to Garin's flagship."
"Using the peculiarity of your miracle ship," he guessed. "Alexi's ship seems to be hovering above the battle, staying away from the conflict. Apparently, this coward doesn't want to directly participate in the battle."
"And he's right to do so," I said. "A commander's duty is not to fly into everyone with a saber. In some situations, it's necessary, I don't argue, but now, in Garin's place, I would do the same. The forces are, with a stretch, equal. Here, you need to observe from the side, correcting events, not rush into the thick of it. But I won't do that now. Lora's assistant has been ordered not to fire on the flagship, convey this to Gaven Hornly. Let him also not focus on Garin. Leave him to me."
"What focus, bantha poodoo? We have enough to deal with here! But I'll pass it on! By the way, Light, are you aware that our virus is loaded into the 'Moon' system?" he looked at me suspiciously.
"Yes," I nodded, activating something like a jamming layer around myself during his question.
"Are you going to destroy them?"
"Everything in this battle, Fimor, depends on the circumstances. So be prepared for anything. Our task is to bring good to the Republic, first and foremost. And we, as Jedi, will do everything that is required."
"I understand you," Fimor's hologram began to disappear. "May the Force be with you, Light."
"May the Force be with you, Fimor," I replied, removing the anti-eavesdropping protection and rushed to the hangar. Lora's ship was going into combat readiness, her crew, consisting of ordinary sentient beings and droids, was running to their battle stations. Lora's strike craft had already engaged, and the light forces and the Dreadnought were just coming into firing range. In the upper hemisphere, about seventy units away, hung Garin's ship, which was a "heavily modified Dreadnought." Honestly, I don't even know what they crammed into it. 'Dreadnoughts' have a modular design, meaning you can screw anything you want and install whatever you wish. But it looked terrifying... Most likely, he installed enhanced kinetic weaponry on it.
"Here you are, why so long?" Lora asked, standing by my ship. "Your droids don't want to let me on board," she complained.
"Remark: a bag of female flesh may only pass onto the ship with the owner, how I dislike that word. Suggestion: if you wish, I can burn a hole in you with a blaster and bring in your corpse, if you so desire to get on board."
"Just shut up," she said, paying attention to the HK.
"Quiet, Lora," I hissed at her. "HK is a killer droid since Revan's time – it's better not to mess with him."
"Proudly: listen to my master, Chiss bag of female flesh!"
I sighed... Why me?
"VV, let's undock," I said, climbing the ramp, "Lora is with me, HK. Now we will dock with the 'Black Sun' syndicate ship. No restrictions, HK, show everything you can..."
"Joyfully: master gives me freedom. Anticipation: soon there will be many bags of flesh with holes burned in them."
Lora looked at me with a strange look.
"Is he really effective?"
"Hmm, yes. During the skirmish on Radnor, he assisted me. Remember, we had a sniper on our side?"
"Apparently, in the heat of battle, I didn't have time to notice some details."
"With disdain: stupid Chiss bag of female flesh."
"He annoys me," Lora admitted.
"And he should," I shrugged as we finally entered the cockpit. "Dunn Moch is never superfluous."
"Dunn Moch?"
"A special technique that can be described by the words: 'infuriate your enemy, for an enraged enemy is prone to mistakes.' Jedi use it. I like it very much."
"Now I understand what you're using against me," Lora said as I sat in the pilot's seat. I planned to leave her ship's hangar without stealth. By the way, in my opinion, hangars on 'Dreadnoughts' are superfluous. Given Lora's life, I would recommend her to use this heavy cruiser as a battleship, for its intended purpose. Fortunately, the Z95 and many other strike craft of her group also have hyperdrives. Taking the 'Star Trek' out of the hangar, I began to initiate stealth mode.
"VV-7, commencing," I said, "disable sensors, leave minimal shields, remove power from weapons, and activate stealth mode."
VV-7, connected to the ship's terminal, obediently beeped its agreement. A moment later... Stealth mode activated...
"And that's it?" Lora asked, looking puzzled at some of the extinguished buttons and screens.
"And what did you expect? Pi-pi special effects? Maybe a smoke screen in the vacuum of space, after which we'll disappear? No... This mode activates as a given."
"Yes, I heard it's useful," she looked towards the sensors. "But even the sensors!"
"Yes, the sensors. Only the shields, and even they are not at maximum, engines and life support. Piloting a ship in this mode is preferably done by a gifted person with good sensory perception, otherwise, the fate of space debris awaits."
For reference, there was an invisible ship in the Clone Wars. It was used by the Republic in a battle with the CIS and its admiral – Trench. That sentient seemed to me like a mini-version of Thrawn in terms of command. By the way, Trench figured out how to detect the ship. Garin is definitely dumber than Trench. And he won't be looking for my ship in the heat of battle, although he probably knows that I'm helping Lora's group, and if he's not completely stupid, he could have found out what ship I'm flying, even though I use fake transponders. But it's impossible to completely erase yourself and your traces. There are small things that are incredibly difficult to account for. And a curious mind can latch onto them. Using my sensors, I piloted the ship in an arc, bypassing the place where some of Lora's strike craft collided with Alexi Garin's strike craft. I didn't plan to help by participating in the space battle.
Approaching the 'Dreadnought,' I began to examine its hull. Hmm... There it is... The place where the tractor beam projectors were located, or rather, where ships were guided when captured by projectors. Small ships were brought into the hangar, which was located at the rear of the vessel. Larger ships docked at special doors. My ship's docking bay was at the rear, essentially the same exit I used – it could simply be transformed into an exit with a docking bay. It was implemented a bit cringey and clumsily. To dock with the 'Black Sun' ship, I positioned my ship stern-to Alexi's ship and brought it to the docking bay.
"As soon as we dock, they will immediately notice us. Alas, there are no other options. Even if we send VV to hack their computer, they will still either notice the signature of an unknown astromech droid or the activation of their bay," I warned. "We needed stealth to get close to the ship, bypassing the weapons. Now, there will be no stealth."
"Adventurous: it's even more interesting this way."
"Listen to the end," I looked at HK and Lora. "Our target is Alexi Garin, he is a weak Force-sensitive, like his first assistant – Migella. Alexi is not a follower of any doctrine, but he is self-taught. That's what makes him dangerous to ordinary sentient beings. Migella is a Dathomirian witch. This is in some ways even more dangerous than Garin. Because Garin at most just shoots accurately, or wields a vibro-blade. But Migella is capable of witchcraft. I'll deal with them. You will deal with everyone who tries to interfere with me."
"We won't carry out sabotage on the ship's power plant?" Lora asked.
"Do you want to blow up this ship?" I asked her. "Maybe even kill Alexi and his people? But the point is, I need Alexi alive."
"What? Alive? You?"
"What's wrong? We are equal allies. And since I'm dealing with Alexi, it's up to me to decide his fate. He can tell me many interesting things. Therefore, I'm taking him. I hope you won't particularly mind?"
"No," Lora pursed her lips.
"Wonderful," I smiled, "wonderful."
We docked with the ship.
"The atmosphere in the bay is suitable," VV reported, "gravity is regulated."
Lora put on her helmet, HK took a blaster in his manipulators. I drew my saber in my right hand. Meanwhile, VV managed to remotely connect to the door on their side and opened it. We jumped inside, where we immediately ran into three 'Black Sun' soldiers. A moment later, I activated my lightsaber... The sentient beings had only begun to turn around, and their heads had already fallen at our feet. I brought up a ship schematic in front of me.
"So, we need to get here," I indicated. "It's about three hundred and fifty meters in a straight line." The captain's bridge and the docking bay were on the same level. Almost... Only in the final stage of the journey will we have to take an elevator, but not for long. "The crew of a standard 'Dreadnought' consists of sixteen thousand people, but you never use standard ones, do you?" The modular design of the ship allows a lot of unnecessary things to be thrown out of it for the end user. Plus, sentient beings can always be replaced by droids. So we will meet far fewer enemies. Well, let's go?"
Since we had already been detected, there was no point in hiding. We tried to overwhelm the enemy with surprise, speed of advance, and unique skills. I released the Force, stopped hiding it, and fought without restraint. Alexi's sentient beings and droids received lightsaber strikes from me, as well as pyrokinesis orbs, and with telekinesis – people and droids flew in all directions. Lora shot everyone with the blasters she held in both hands. And HK-47 didn't stay aside, killing with one shot, an advantage in the head, but sometimes, his shots also hit the heart. The most victims were on my conscience... An unrestrained Force-sensitive, properly trained, I dare to hope, caused far more casualties than Lora and HK. After clearing another compartment, where I split the last B1 series droid in half, Lora said with horror:
"I used to think you were just arrogant... But this," she gestured around at the carnage. "Are all Jedi such monsters?"
"Hmm. No," I shook my head. "Jedi have their own specialization, each one. And each develops their abilities differently. I, for one, focused on combat aspects. Fencing and Force techniques aimed at causing harm, up to lethal."
Blocking several shots that flew at us in the new compartment, I pulled several sentient beings to me with the Force, immediately beheading them and throwing their bodies at their comrades. Pyrokinesis... The clothes on the corpses ignited, and they collided with the living sentient beings. The fire spread to the living.
"Intriguing: oh, the idea."
HK activated a bomb and threw it at the burning sentient beings. I had to cover everyone with a shield from the resulting explosion. The slaughter continued. Because I covered HK and Lora, they acted more freely and were able to realize all their advantages. Finally, we reached Alexi Garin, who was on the bridge, surrounded by 'Black Sun' warriors. He sat in a chair, turned towards us, with one leg crossed over the other. To his right was Migella, the Dathomirian witch.
(Author's note - this is Garin from 30s BBY. I am from 49-48 BBY).
Garin was a tall, blond man with brown eyes. He was dressed in dark-colored clothing.
Migella reminded me of Shilazh, but only partially. She wore slightly different clothes and was younger than Shilazh. She had chestnut hair and tattoos on her face. Her irises were yellow due to the use of the Dark Side of the Force.
"Apparently, I was wrong to count on you being stopped by ordinary means, Jedi," Garin said.
I drew a second lightsaber into my left hand, preparing for battle.
"Spare me the need to fight with minor figures, HK, Lora," I said, moving towards Garin.
"Joyfully: I will make many holes in bags of flesh!"
"Stop ordering me around!"