Star Wars: The Untold Stories

It had been a little over a week since the start of the war between the Republic and the Separatists and things had escalated quickly. Systems across the galaxy quickly chose a side and various domestic conflicts sprung up due to the chaos caused by the sudden war.

Sar was currently onboard one of the Republic Star Destroyers headed for the location of his assigned mission. He was standing on the bridge with various commanders and admirals all surrounding a circular device that was currently displaying the hologram of Mace Windu.

Sar and his crew were currently receiving a detailed briefing from the stern Jedi Master.

"You all know your destination, the planet Liv," Windu paused for a moment as a hologram of a planet sprung up next to him. "Specifically the region the locals calls Vont"

The hologram of the planet zoomed in on a specific location on the spinning globe and highlighted it with a lighter blue color.

"This region is where the Liv rebels are currently holed up. Sar, you and your team will meet up with them and train the rebels," Windu looked at Sar and when he saw him nod he continued. "Our goal is to put the rebels in power, converting Liv from Separatist controlled space to Republic, and ensure that the rebels are strong enough to maintain control."

As Windu said rebellion had sprung up in Liv. This wasn´t all that surprising considering that the current royal family had misused their powers for as long as any Liv resident could remember.

So why had Rebellion sprung up only now?

The simple answer would be money.

Since Liv was a large trading planet much of its power came from the various trading groups that operated there. These trading groups had managed to keep the flames of rebellion down by keeping any supplies or war equipment out of the hands of the common people.

But, now that the galaxy was at war and the Liv royal family had voiced their support for the Separatists, all trade with the Republic or its allies were banned. This placed the trading groups whose largest clients came from the Republic at a huge disadvantage and loss of revenue compared to their Separatist friendly competitors.

Obviously, this led to the Republic friendly trade groups to begin funding the already unsatisfied populace, and so a rebellion was born. Not because of a genuine wish to make something but out of greed.

A fact that the royal loyalists did not hesitate to point out, nicknaming the rebels Avarice rebels and referring to the overall conflict as the ´Greedy Civil War´.

"The situation on Liv is complicated but we must ensure the rebels achieve victory." Windu gave a small nod. "May the Force be with you."

The hologram of Windu and Liv vanished and the various soldiers returned to their positions leaving Sar to ponder over his mission before he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"General Landala, all preparations are complete and we are ready to deploy."

Sar turned to look at the source of the voice and came face to face with the captain clone trooper of his little squad. Along with the captain were three other clones all wearing their helmets and standing at attention.

Sar gave a stiff nod at the captain's words.

"Thank you, captain."

The captain gave a salute and fell into line with the rest of his brothers.

Sar looked them over remembering each of their names as his eyes glided over them.

The one standing furthest right was named Mend, he was the squad medic and had a red lines running across his otherwise white armor.

The clone standing next to Mend was named Taxer, he was the squad Heavy Gunner and had various markings across his armor making it look battle-worn, although he had never actually been in active combat yet.

The one next to Taxer was Flex, the squad engineer. Flex wore the standard trooper armor and had no markings or distinguishing lines on his armor. He did, however, have a large backpack strapped to his back which looked a bit strange when he stood next to his brothers.

And finally, there was the captain named Glitch, he also wore no distinguishing features except for the blue markings on his armor which indicated his rank as a captain.

These were the members of Sar´s squad. '

As for the reason why each of these clones where wearing their helmets even on board of a Republic Star Destroyer. It was simply because every time they showed Sar that familiar appearance of the bounty hunter he had slain he was reminded of that boy he had made an orphan.

Sar knew that he had to overcome this feeling of guilt sooner rather than later but currently he felt it was more important to focus on the mission ahead.

"Then let´s get going." Sar walked towards the hangar where the drop pods were located followed closely by the exclamation of the four clones.

"Yes, sir!"

¤¤¤

Sar and his squad soon arrived in the forest of Liv their drop pods had destroyed some of the trees but had otherwise left the area undamaged. The reason for using drop pods instead of a ship was due to the likelihood that a ship would be picked up by the enemy's scanners whereas a drop pod was much too fast to be noticed.

Glitch and Taxer were the first to exit the drop pod their weapons trained on the area in front of the drop pod. They were quickly followed by Mend and Flex who circled around the pod to make sure that no one was sneaking up on them from the back.

Finally, Sar calmly stepped out of the pod his eyes scanning the areas between the trees as if he was looking for something. While he was doing this Mend and Flex came back to the front.

"We´re all clear from the back Glitch." Flex and Mend relaxed their stance a little but remained vigilant.

Glitch gave a nod and also relaxed his stance but gestured to Taxer to keep his weapon trained forward. He then turned around and addressed Sar.

"Sir, we seem to be in the clear."

Sar nodded to Glitch indicating that he agreed with his conclusion before he pulled out a rectangular device from his robe. Activating the device revealed a grid-like map wherein a small red dot was blinking.

"The rebel base should be about a kilometer north," He then made a hand gesture that signaled for the clones to form up and follow him. "Let´s get going."

The trek through the forest was a rather uneventful affair the hostile wildlife was quickly dispatched by the clones or by some of Sar´s Force abilities so it did not take them long to arrive at a clearing that seemed to be their destination.

"Stop!" A wary voice sounded out as soon as they exited the treeline.

A group of young men each holding a laser rifle stood in front of the Jedi and his squad.

Glitch returned the hostility by signaling for the clones to also raise their weapons. Sar glanced at the clones and the young men before he raised his hands.

"Captain lower your weapon."

Glitch didn´t hesitate and lowered his weapon, the other clones following suit. The rebels seeing that they had lowered their weapons seemed to relax before the person at the front directed a question towards Sar.

"Identify yourselves!" Sar could sense that the man was nervous an obvious sign that this man was no soldier by trade.

"Sar Landala, Jedi Knight of the Republic." Sar calmly replied while looking towards the figure who had emerged from the building in the middle of the rebel camp and was currently rushing towards them.

"Wha-" The young man began but was quickly interrupted by the figure who had finally made her way over to them.

"Jordan! Lower your weapon immediately!" The voice was calm but there was a recognizable sternness to it making it seem louder than it actually was.

"Commander!" The men panicked and they quickly lowered their weapons before backing up slightly.

The female commander ignored them and walked over to Sar who had already lowered his arms.

"I apologize for the hostile reception," She gestured towards the group of men behind her. "They are a little on edge due to our...new circ.u.mstances."

Sar just gave a small smile before reaching his hand out.

"No harm done commander..."

Sar trailed off at the end but the commander picked up on his hint and took his hand while she replied to the unasked question.

"Slate, Slate Pendorra."

Sar shook her hand before he let go.

"Well, commander Pendorra, we have a lot of work to do so I would greatly appreciate it if you could brief me and my squad on the current situation."

"Of course, follow me," Slate glanced at Jordan and his group. "Continue keeping watch, and try not to shoot any of our allies."

Sar used this short walk to analyze the woman walking next to him. She was beautiful for sure, but not in the traditional sense but more in a warrior kinda way.

Her hair dark hair was cut in a short in length and it was clear to see that they didn´t have access to any showers the way it was mattered with dirt and grime.

Her face looked rough due to the large scar that ran from the top of her right eyebrow all the way down to the bottom of her chin. Whatever attack had caused the scar seemed to also have taken her right eye because instead of the light green color of her left the right was a milky white.

Her body was further evidence that she was a warrior. It was slender but clearly well trained. She wore leather armor which looked to be made for ease of movement rather than actual protection. On her back hung a large sniper rifle and holstered on her h.i.p.s were several throwing knives.

Sar´s impression of the woman could be summed up as such: Strong warrior and competent commander.

Sar turned his sight forward again just in time to see Slate open a large door and entering.

Inside was what looked to be a war room. A large hologram projector stood in the middle of the room displaying various buildings and people. Sar also noticed the various people running around with files or crates.

"Welcome to the heart of the rebellion." Slate made a waving gesture towards the chaotic room with a tone of self-deprecation.

"Most of these guys were farmers up until a week ago. Hopefully, you can do something about that." Slate turned her gaze to Glitch who was standing slightly behind Sar.

"We´ll do our best ma´am." Glitch gave a curt answer.

Slate just nodded in response before she turned to the hologram projector. She walked over to the console connected to it and began typing something into it.

"While your soldiers are busy with the training I was hoping that you might help me, Master Landala?"

Slate kept typing as she addressed Sar and his team.

"It would be my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, miss commander."

Sar turned to the squad captain.

"Glitch, take Taxer and gather some of the rebels and begin their combat training."

Glitch and Taxer gave a salute and a "Yes sir!" before they both exited the war room.

Seeing them leave Sar turned to Mend.

"Mend, find the infirmary and see if they need any help."

Mend also saluted and began searching for the infirmary.

Sar then looked at Flex.

"Flex I think you know what to do, go see if something needs fixing."

Flex gave an "of course general" before he walked towards some of the people inside the war room probably to inquiry about anything that needed, as Sar had put it, fixing.

Having delegated orders to his soldiers Sar finally walked up to the projector just as Slate finished whatever she had been doing. A hologram of a large complex popped up and began spinning.

Sar looked over the hologram and he couldn´t help but utter the first thought that came to his mind.

"A prison?"

"The prison to be more precise." Slate heard Sar´s question and answered. She made a hand movement and the hologram zoomed in showing the layout inside the complex.

"The royal family constructed it a long time ago to imprison their political opponents or critics."

Sar rubbed his chin before he pointed at a location on the hologram that was highlighted in red.

"I would guess that we are rescuing whoever is located there."

"You would be correct," Slate made a swiping motion and the hologram shrank and the model of a young girl roughly fifteen years old popped up. "This is princess Lema Polaris."

Sar raised an eyebrow.

"Princess? Why is a member of the Liv royal family in a prison for their political opponents?"

Slate gave a wry smile.

"Let´s just say that the royal family hates illegitimate children just as much as their opponents."

Sar nodded in understanding but there was still a single question that nagged at his mind.

"Why is this girl so important? She doesn´t seem like a warrior."

While Sar was intellegent he wasn´t well versed in political matters so he had a hard time to see how this girl could swing the tide of battle.

"She isn´t but her worth is much larger than any warrior. While she was still free she showed great disdain for the current royal family, I´m confident that she will be willing to join the rebellion should we free her, and this will give us a powerful weapon," She paused and a hologram of a great palace was displayed next to the prison. "A claim to the throne."

"If we wish to maintain power after the war we will need someone of the Polaris bloodline on the throne otherwise the various trade groups will quickly take power. Lema will allow Liv to remain friendly with the Republic even after you leave."

Sar finally understood but still found something unsettling about what Slate had said about claiming the throne but pushed his doubts down. The alternative was either the current royal family or the greedy trade groups who would no doubt turn their back on the republic if offered a better deal.

"Well," A small grin came to Sar´s face and his figure became clad in the power of the Force.

"Let´s go save a princess."