WotH Chpt 47

==War on the Horizon - Chapter 47==
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===Blade Training===
Date: June 20, 3015/20.06.7954 CRC
Location: Serenno, Serenno System, Aubek sector, Confederacy of Independent Systems
"It is obvious that you have never handled a long blade before," Dooku led Hull through the basic kata and stances of Form-I. "But it is clear that you have handled some form of bladed weapon before today."
 
"I learned a bit of knife combat," Hull shrugged. "But most of the time if you're that close to someone, either they're dead, or you are."
 
"I did notice that you do not remove your standard attire for this," Dooku adjusted Hull's stance, kicking his feet into the proper placement. "I assume there is a reason for this."
 
"Train like you fight," Hull immediately responded over the hum of the training saber. "I'm going to be wearing armor on the battlefield. I'm going to have all of this kit on me. A lightsaber would be a last resort for me. Rifle first, handgun second, and then melee if all else fails."
 
"All the same, should you run into someone who has some Jedi training, I would prefer it if you were able to defend yourself properly," Dooku smirked. "It would not do for one of my closest advisors to not know how to properly utilize a weapon."
 
"I'm not going to be able to pick this up right away," Hull shifted into another stance. "Honestly, it would be better if we put me under stress. I tend to perform and remember things better that way."
 
"Then let us begin," Dooku launched himself at Hull, his saber ignited and prepared to strike one of the less armored sections of Mithril, only to be narrowly parried by Hull shifting weight and locking blades.
 
"Good," Dooku laughed. "Now, we can really see what you are made of."
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===A New Situation===
"There is improvement," Siri Tachi and her Padawan Ferus Olin watched as the Mercenary Commander launched an offensive against Dooku, a training blaster in his right hand to mimic his usual sidearm.
 
"It is not that he is better with a lightsaber," Ferus pointed out. "It is that he is not as rigid as we are, and is willing to do things that we were cautioned against as younglings."
 
"Hmm," Siri contemplated the less graceful but nevertheless effective movements of Colonel Hull. "Master Dooku will retain an edge. But I believe that if he had a squad of his Marines that Hull would overcome the Count. If with losses."
 
"Master," Ferus turned his full attention to Siri. "I have noticed that you seem increasingly fascinated with military action and strategies. I worry that you may be focusing on the potential for war."
 
"Ferus," Siri smiled sadly. "War is coming. I did not understand it at first, for my visions of the future have often been plagued with conflict for that is where Jedi are most often called to settle things. But this, this goes beyond that. I have glimpses of what is to come, and if we are not ready for it, then the Galaxy as we know it will cease to exist in a recognizable way."
 
"But war?" Ferus shook his head. "I thought we were the defenders of peace? That's what Jedi are supposed to do!"
 
"And pray, tell." Colonel Hull's voice cut in. "How do you expect anyone to defend peace unless they are prepared to sacrifice their own for it? There's a saying from my homeworld, and I feel as if it's wisdom has been forgotten here. 'People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.'"
 
"I've not heard that before," Dooku stroked his chin. "I shall have to make a note of that, it seems useful for keeping the need for a military present and at the forefront of the CIS."
 
"Listen," Hull looked Ferus in the eye. "I wish we lived in a perfect galaxy, but we don't. And until the universe eventually dies off we're going to be stuck with the hand we are dealt. People fight, for many reasons, some of them noble, but many…" Hull seemed to look into his own past. "Let's just leave it at that. People fight, they start wars, and others step in and end said wars. The cycle of peace y'all have had is impressive, but it is at its end. So prepare for the war of the future so that you can ensure that peace will endure afterward."
 
"Now, Siri, it is your turn to step in," Dooku sat next to Ferus. "Our Colonel here must get used to fighting enemies with different and varying styles, otherwise he may get familiar with how any one person operates."
 
Siri leapt up and ignited her blade, a grin on her face as she began dueling Hull, a front flip over the man allowing her to strike from his blind spot as he spun around to continue the engagement.
 
"You are too slow," Siri taunted. "Where is all of your vaulted experience now?"
 
"I wasn't allowed to bring grenades," Hull grunted as he caught her violet blade on his own, a kick driving her back into a front flip as she brought her guard up.
 
"Of course, flashbangs are a little unnecessary at this junction." Siri replied.
 
"Who said anything about flashbangs?" Hull grinned as he pulled out a tubular device from a hidden pack and pulled a pin, bright red smoke filling the arena as his visor hid his face once again.
 
"I thought you said you weren't allowed to bring grenades?" Siri covered her mouth with a small section of her tunic as she focused the force on slowing her breathing.
 
"I'm not," Hull's voice echoed from a few different spots. "But that doesn't mean I didn't bring them anyway."
 
"Never fight fair," Siri sighed as she recalled a statement I had made while we were looking for the Katana Fleet. "I had forgotten how ridiculously far you take that statement."
 
"A lost fight or battle means more dead." a flurry of blaster bolts came from a section of the smoke and were casually deflected by the knight. "I prefer to win," the larger and armored figure appeared in front of her, his blaster firing rapidly as he narrowed the gap, his saber meeting hers and pinning it in place as the training blaster stung at her skin and burnt some of her tunic.
 
Then Siri did something odd, she allowed one of her hands to leave her blade and shift to the small of her back where a small holdout blaster was located, with a quick twist of her wrist, she fell back, allowing Hull's blade to strike the ground as she squeezed off shots of her own, the armor absorbing some, but the simulation settings showing that he was still taking some damage.
 
Then the smoke cleared as massive fans and other aspects of the new training room manifested itself and Dooku stood between the combatants.
 
"Unfortunately, we shall have to end this here, as entertaining as it is," Dooku looked at Hull. "There is a situation. A group called the Ryloth Rising Storm has taken their new representatives hostage and are demanding that the Confederacy return Ryloth to the Republic immediately."
 
"Count," Hull took off his helmet, revealing sweat dripping down the bearded face. "You can't negotiate with terrorists or their ilk. They'll just demand more."
 
"Then what is it you recommend?" Siri asked. "They're likely to kill the hostages if nothing is done."
 
"I'll get the hostages out," Hull stated firmly. "Or die trying, but you cannot give them what they want."
 
"Can you guarantee the safety of the hostages?" Dooku closed his eyes and reached into the force for a brief moment.
 
"No one can guarantee anything in this life," Hull replied. "But I'll be damned if I let terrorists lead anyone I'm serving around by the nose."
 
"You have one month," Dooku's eyes snapped open. "If this goes on longer than that I will broach other options to the Confederacy government."
 
Hull nodded and took off at a jog towards where his personal vessel was in the landing bay.
 
"Siri, Ferus," Dooku looked at the two Jedi. "I believe that he will require your assistance. The Future is clouded and dark at the moment, but you two will be required."
 
"Ferus, go fetch our packs from our quarters," Siri instructed. "I will meet you at the landing pad."
 
"Remain cautious," Dooku cautioned the Knight. "I do not believe that this was a happenstance, and those who are responsible will seek to ensure that they are secured and hidden from view. And keep an eye on Hull, I sense a unique danger ahead."
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===Briefing to possible Trap===
"How long will it take you to put together a hostage rescue team?" A hologram of Colonel Hull greeted Paige from a pedestal in her office.
 
"Three days," Paige replied. "I take it there's a lid on this intel?"
 
"We've got a month to rescue hostages," Hull informed her. "I need tight lips and good operators without twitchy trigger fingers."
 
"Got it," Paige nodded. "What kind of resistance are we expecting?"
 
"Unfortunately, we don't have much intel, and the usual channels aren't bringing up enough to satisfy me."
 
"Fuck," Paige sighed. "Mark, this sounds a lot like a trap."
 
"I know," Mark stroked his beard. "But we can't take a chance when it comes to a new government and terrorists or hostages."
 
"How'd they manage to capture them?" Paige asked.
 
"Small escort, and the Federal government doesn't provide transport for the individual planetary or system governmental officials," Hull responded. "They wanted to avoid the very image of corruption, after all."
 
"Alright," Paige looked at the limited data she'd been sent. "I'll meet you in orbit in three days. Godspeed, Colonel."
 
"Godspeed, Major," Hull replied. "Godspeed."
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Chapter 47