WotH-2 Chpt 13

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 13 / Book 2==
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===One's Chosen Life===
Date: July 8th, 3017 AD/08.07.7956 CRC (Coruscant Reckoning Calendar)Location: Beloria, Independent world
"Get those captured ships moved into the moon's shadow," Commodore Jewel ordered. "And get me a report of all of the repairs needed."
"I'll get in touch with Rendili and Incom, maybe Subpro as well," Hull leaned over the command and control display. "See if we can persuade them to build some repair yards or shipyards here."
"We'll need them if we keep conducting operations like this one." Victoria sighed. "Thankfully, we require everyone to wear Mithril, and we depressurize before combat. Otherwise, we'd have had more casualties than I'd have been comfortable with."
"That's always the risk when it comes to blooding green recruits," He cracked his neck and stretched a bit. "Training can only do so much. Eventually, you have to put them into the crucible and hope that we did enough in training for it to go well."
"Military life," she rolled her eyes. "We chose this."
"You could always retire," Hull offered, his grin stretching across his face. "Start a family or something?"
"Me, retire?" She scoffed. "I'm in the void until I die, my friend."
Then, a comms channel opened, and Kaylee Frye's voice and image appeared.
<<"Took you guys long enough!">> she Cheerily greeted them. <<"We've been sorting through the salvage for hours now.">>
"Well, unlike your hit, we had some unexpected guests arrive," Victoria snarked. "Everyone good on your end?"
<<"Lost a few of Paige's Marines,">> Frye's voice took on a somber tone. <<"But we got what we came for and a lot more besides that.">>
"Alright," Hull changed the subject. "Frye, I want you and Paige to take a shuttle over here. I'm going to collect Sheppard, and we're going to debrief. The reward for more work, as always…" he trailed off.
"Is more work," Jewel agreed. "I'll go ahead and clear up the briefing room. Might as well get some use out of it."
<<"Leviathan's briefing room ASAP, aye, sir!">> Kaylee saluted cheerfully before her hologram dropped off.
"If anyone ever kills her sense of joy..." Hull said after a minute.
"Then the entire unit will find whoever did it and murder them." Jewel agreed. "She's a treasure, and all of us would like to keep her that way."
That said, Hull straightened up and headed for the briefing room. A song that the bridge crew could barely hear as he left on his lips.
o/~ "Take me out to the black, tell my ma I ain't comin' back. You can't take the sky from me; you can't take the sky from me." o/~
"Hmm," Victoria muttered. "That's catchy."
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===The Dooku Report===
Location: Coruscant, Galactic Republic
Siri entered the Council chambers, Yoda walking alongside her before distancing himself and moving to his seat.
"Congratulations on your padawan completing the trials," Plo Koon inclined his head towards her. "Now, while I am content to discuss further training tips for my own padawan," he chuckled. "I believe that others on this council desire your full report."
Siri took a deep breath and stilled herself within the force, centering herself and enhancing her memory before beginning. "Eight years ago, my padawan and I were instructed to make our way to Serenno to speak with Count Dooku and attempt to ascertain what his plans and goals were.
Unfortunately, at this time, the Trade Federation decided that Dooku had reneged on his family's contractual obligations despite him having only taken over in recent years. So they invaded, intending to seize whatever they could to recoup their costs for protecting Serenno from pirates.
My Padawan and I were on the planet at that time, and the leader of the Trade Federation forces took us prisoner…"
She trailed off as she immersed herself in the memory for a moment before dragging herself out of the past.
"I was tortured, and it was obvious that they intended to experiment on me. It was at that time that Dooku and the Mercenary company he had hired arrived with a fleet and a liberation force. They eliminated the ships controlling the droid brains, retook the palace complex and the system itself, and rescued me and my padawan.
The Count immediately saw that we were cared for medically, and Ferus and I were healed physically within a few months. Then, the Council ordered Ferus and me to expand on our mission parameters. We were now to keep an eye on Count Dooku as well as this new mercenary company that had seemingly come out of nowhere.
With this in mind, I charged Ferus with keeping an eye on Dooku while also requesting the Count to train him in lightsabers combat if he were willing to do so. Meanwhile, I joined a small group of Marksman as they searched for the Katana Fleet."
It was at this point that Ki Adi Mundi interrupted.
"Did you never consider that such a thing might bring harm to the Republic?" the Master asked, his arms crossed as he frowned disapprovingly.
"I was asked to report, not to interfere on behalf of any faction," Siri replied, calm in the face of this adversity. "That said, I did involve myself once we encountered a derelict with the remnants of a Dark Side force ghost onboard."
Siri paused and grabbed a small datacube that she had in one of the utility pouches on her belt.
"The recording for the combat against the Force Ghost was provided to this Council as soon as possible. I believe that we have all reviewed the footage multiple times by now."
"We have," Windu spoke up. "You conducted yourself well in that engagement. Now, please finish your verbal report for those of us who have not had access to the monthly reports that you have submitted."
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===Parting Company for Home===
The Council chambers were closed for a few hours as Siri finished her report. The eight years of missions, meetings, and everything else that had occurred were finally explained in person to the council for the first time.
And then, it was finished—Siri's last audience before the Jedi High Council.
"With that, my report is completed," Siri glanced around. "I will not attempt to sway this council to favor one side or the other. I agree with Master Kenobi's opinion that to get involved in favor of either party will end in disaster for the Order. Now, I have waited long enough to do this."
Bowing low, Siri moved to Yoda's chair and unhooked her lightsaber, setting the handle to her weapon next to him.
"I have served the order my entire life," She began, her hands clasped behind her back as she stood, confidence through her entire voice. "I will always treasure the time I have spent here, but I find there is more I want than the order can provide. I will continue to serve the Light side of the Force and will assist Master Yaddle with things that she may require. Should this council need me, they know where to contact me."
Siri calmly turned around and began to walk out when something nudged the side of her robes.
Glancing down, she saw that her lightsaber had settled down back into the place where it had been before.
And glancing over her shoulder, she smiled at the outstretched hand of Grandmaster of the Order. Yoda. A delighted light danced in his eyes as a mischievous smirk adorned his face.
"Expect great things, we do." Yoda's voice echoed behind her. "Need something reliable at your side, you will. Seen it, I have."
And with that, the doors to the chamber shut behind her, and Siri began to head for the temple steps. A ship headed for Beloria waited for her. She was going home.
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Chapter 2-13