Chapter 34: Discussion and Lark Finally Does Something Right
34 BBY (Before Battle of Yavin) - 2 Years before Canon
Sector/System: Bandomeer
Location: Bandomeer Planetside - Outside 'Meerian Ionite Ventures'
While Jack and his men were going further down into the depths of the mine, outside the mine's entrance, a large number of people were rather busy.
Both Mandalorians and Meerians, and many of those saved on the ships, were busy building fortifications from the large number of wrecks and the exploded third ship.
A small way away from the construction, a small ramshackle hut had been erected for the leaders of the Mandalorian teams who took the ships.
Inside this small hut, two Mandalorians were talking, looking at the holographic table they secured from one of the captured ships on the ground.
These Mandalorians were Butch and Kurar, discussing what to do now.
"So you say that ship of yours had close to twenty thousand people in crammed little cages?" Butch questioned in amazement
"Sigh, yes, that many. That number even surprised me. My team is still busy over there, all of them being set free. Those saved are put on transport to the 'Valitas' for medical check-ups, due to it having multiple medical bays on board." Kurar said with a heavy sigh
"Well, things are interesting, but besides that, our fleet informed us not long ago that the other mines also had some trouble from pirates, and some just had them come in and go out quickly." Korar updated Butch about the current situation of Bandomeer
"Mmm, we can't be everywhere at once. However, we could potentially secure a few smaller mines nearby just with our two teams. For example, this one here. It is under the control of a corporation and mines 'Azurite'. It got completely ignored by pirates. I would like to ask you, Kurar, to take a look mainly at any data you could gather from them." Butch said, pointing at a small Azurite mining site
"Mmm… I am intrigued, at least. All the mines around it had been hit, all but that one, and why? Are they owned by pirates, paying them off? Are they a front for the pirates, and are all workers slaves? Too many questions and suspicion and not enough answers." Kurar said questioningly
"Look at these places, all hit by one ship that went in and out quickly. Communication with them said that the miners brought out lots of resources, then locked themselves up in the mines. So the ships landed, took the resources, and left." Kurar pointed out a few small mines around the one that was not hit at all
"Then look at this one here; it is also an Ionite mine like we are at now. However, it is many times smaller, likely only ten-ish levels compared to how many this one might have. See, those ships are still in place." Butch pointed out a place further inland, almost three hundred kilometers away from their current position
"True, but we do not have the manpower atm, we are not even sure if those two teams from Deathwatch that got blasted in the explosion will be up and fighting anytime soon, and the other four teams of theirs are mainly potential reinforcements for either the fleet or ground, but only in emergencies. That means we can't use them." Kurar said with a shake of the head
"True, they got blasted hard. Then we have no choice but to wait for the Heir to return… or figure out how to use those four remaining with the lowest chances of…" Butch started saying when he got interrupted.
*Knock* *Knock*
Two knocks came at the make-shift door of the small hut they were in.
"Enter." Butch said in a harsh tone, watching how a Meerian child stood there.
"Sir, a team of Mandalorians came out of the mine. They brought nine prisoners." the Meerian child said, slightly bowing.
"Time to check it out, shall we?" Korar said, walking out the door
"Agreed, show the way." Butch said, following Kurar outside, then behind the Meerian child, towards the entrance of the mine
When they arrived, the Meerian child quickly left to join the others in their work. Butch and Kurar walked to the group in question. They saw the one squad of Deathwatch that had followed Jack into the mines, surrounding a kneeling group of nine Humans.
"Report, why are these prisoners here, when a clear order had been to wipe them all out?" Butch questioned harshly
"Sir! Rook Squad reporting, Sir!" Rook 1 quickly saluted and reported out loud
"Sir, these Humans surrendered and said they have many codes and knowledge about minefields in space and around the bases on the ground." Rook 1 Finished.
"Interesting, and the Heir?" Kurar stood with his hand behind his back in front of Rook 1, looking at him straight
"The Commander at the time was entering 'Level 9', Sir. They might already be at 'Level 10' or lower. It is uncertain how many pirates are down in the lower levels, due to the hundreds of them we eliminated on the way down. The last big fight on 'Level 8' towards the locked off 'Level 9', where there was a final stand on that level, and a group of Meerian Militia had some heavy weapons installed. Together with the Commander, they took all the remaining enemies down in a crossfire… it was a massacre, sir…" Rook 1 reported quickly about the aftermath
"Also, before the massacre happened, these Humans jumped from the sides onto the rails and ran upwards. We were ordered to deal with them. When we reached them and were about to get in range, they surrendered. After informing the commander of the reason we were ordered to bring them to you for questioning, sir." Rook 1 finished his report
Both Butch and Korar looked at each other, then back at the prisoners.
"What can you tell us about the mines not being attacked by pirates?" Butch began
"Also, why did you surrender so readily? Like you heard, we were not planning on taking prisoners at all." Kurar asked right after.
"I will answer the second question first. It is rather simple. You all arrived here, captured the corrupt Republic fleet we had on our side, then did heavy damage to another patrol that showed up to stop you… Then cleaned out many of us who tried to intercept you coming closer to Bandomeer, followed up, you took out all around here and freed the slaves on two ships while systematically cleaning the mine up." the leading Human answered.
"Also… we heard the stuff in the lower levels about this beast over the coms, so we had a bit of a fight at 'Level 3' before being forced to run into the lower levels by those groups of Mandalorians. So all in all, we were being cleaned up, so I took a chance and gave up because it is clear you want Bandomeer for yourselves. For that, you need to secure our bases, but without codes, you will never get close." he continued.
"... Also, with the many factions trying to gain control, we might as well go with you guys and maybe live as miners after everything is over." a teenage Human in the group said, getting the others to nod their heads.
"Interesting, and the other question?" Kurar asked when they stopped talking
"Sigh, yes… we have some deals with a few of them, some of the remnants that almost destroyed the planet in the past, and with some newcomers whose affiliation is unknown." the leader answered again.
[What do you think, Butch? What to do with this lot? Kurar asked the less talkative Butch over private communication
[Keep them alive and send them to one of the two captured ships we have here. We disabled the engines, core, and all that, and are in the process of taking the few turrets of the ships to be later installed outside the mine entrance for proper defence for when we leave again.] Butch answered with a calculative tone, not sure of what to think
[Good, then it is settled. Let's put them to work for now, and use the slaver ship to keep them in one spot. Then we take them one by one for questioning and get those codes they spoke off… do note they might not give everything right away due to fear of being shot.] Kurar told Butch, who nodded in answer.
"For now, the lot of you will assist in building some proper defences here. You, the one who spoke the most, will come with us to deal with some of that information you spoke of." Korar spoke up again, pointing at the leader of the group
— — — — —
Location: In space above Bandomeer - on board the Pelta Class Frigate 'Valitas'
While Jack was still going deeper into the mines, Butch and Korar had decided what to do with the prisoners. Back in orbit, things were looking better and better… or did they?
Acting Captain Lark, who had been sent back to the fleet by Korar 'Lazy Bones', was standing on the bridge of the 'Velitas', looking out into space at the planet Bandomeer, watching shuttles from the captured Republic ships flying back and forth between them and the world below
"Report on the rescued slaves, how many have been checked and sent back down to where they were taken from?" Lark ordered in a questioning tone
"Just past the five thousand mark, it is not easy to do with those numbers, but we do not have the logistics for a small medical camp to speed things up; this crude way is the only way, sadly." came the communications operator's voice from a corner on the 'Valitas bridge.'
'Too slow, but I need to be patient. That bastard Korar sent me here as a test. It has to be. Anything he does seems to be testing me. Better not be impulsive… not this time, it might be my last chance.' Lark thought to himself with balled fists
In a corner of the bridge, the two sisters, members of Clan Wren, were watching while standing guard. Likely to get used to things outside of prison, as a small part of the crash course of Hell, to get used to all aspects that one needs to know.
[Atti, listen, I know you are not happy, but we have to be careful. I do not like this Lark fellow either, after hearing him say all that out of jealousy of his clan's heir, and the false accusations about his clan's heir as well, before he was taken down. But you need to understand we… do not have the luxury to do as we please.] Reda said to her tenacious sister
[Fuck, we should be on the ground fighting, regaining Honor…] Atti growled back at her sister through private comms
[Sister! We never had Honor! We got captured at TWELVE! We were never even proper warriors, even these armors are borrowed and mended for training. We have to play this smart. The two Uncles were sent to deal with the large influx of freed slaves for the medical bays. You do not hear them complain.] Reda explained, trying to calm her annoyed sister down so nothing bad would happen to jeopardize their freedom.
[Shut up! You just want to 'DANCE' with that Heir after you learned he's around our age and commanding everything here.] Atti grumbled at her
[Sigh, Sister, please, that is not…] Reda tried to explain, when someone on the bridge started yelling.
"Sir! Reporting! Multiple ships emerged from Hyperspace at the jump exit! They are en route to the Planet ETA 20 minutes. It seems some Merc or Profiteers are finally showing up, likely those around a jump away, seeing them arrive now." the Sensors Trooper quickly stated
"That is too soon, we are barely here for a day and received the emergency message from the Meerians not long ago ourselves either."
"Keep an eye on them and inform those six ground teams from Deathwatch… no, the four remaining ones; two were harshly dealt with by that explosion earlier." Lark said, grimacing, thinking back at the harsh shaking of the ship they had been on back on the ground
'No idea how they even survived and that with just some concussions and bruising… but none besides their captain has woken up yet, likely meaning comas for a while.' Lark thought to himself, sitting down in the captain's chair as if he owned it
"Tell those remaining Deathwatch groups to be on standby for quick deployment." Lark quickly ordered
"Sir! Reporting! The Garrison Fleet of Bandomeer is moving to intercept a single ship leaving the planet's surface. The newcomers are on a straight line to the planet. The Garrison fleet left their hiding spot behind the moon, likely trying to intercept singular ships of the pirates while they could." The Sensors station trooper said in a loud voice
"Sir! The new ships, five in number, are… Two brand new CR-90 corvettes and three Cargo Haulers in good condition." The Sensor operator reported with a curse
"Maybe a supply run?" Lark mumbled intently
"Whatever the reason, their leader does not seem experienced… flying so far away from the haulers with the corvettes and so far from one other as well." The communication trooper said with a shaking head.
"Contact them, I wish to speak to them. New ships likely mean Republic. We already fought some patrols not long ago; they might be a trap trying to lure us out of position. I'll warn them first before they cry wolf about being attacked back home and make things harder for us and Mandalore." Lark said, with an explanation about his choice.
The communications trooper nodded his head while pressing buttons in quick order, then spoke up soon after he was done.
"Contact established, you can speak to them… now" the communications trooper said, pressing a final button
On the Bridges holo-table meant to show fleet deployments and the overall situation in space, everything shown disappeared and merged into a young Human woman with an ice-cold look on her stern face.
The woman in question was wearing the Republic uniform for captains with a commander's cap resting on her brown hair done in a military-style bun. Her eyes were an icy blue, no emotion to be seen from them, lips were in a tight frown.
[Speak, Mandalorian.] A smooth-sounding voice was heard ordering
Lark, about to say something, froze for a split second, due to the face and voice not mixing well, taking him by surprise
"I am just informing you that you have entered contested space. We, Clan Gryphen of Mandalore, are here on a cleaning operation against the pirates. Your precious republic allowed them to fester and settle down… at our doorstep. Oh! Also state your name and mission; otherwise, my fleet will attack you, and with the hundreds of troops, you will not last in a battle of ships or men." Lark began speaking.
The woman, still frowning, scoffed, unwilling to answer when someone on her crew told her something, and she started talking with a sigh.
[My name is not important, as if I will give it to a barbaric terrorist that is you. My mission, well, you will know soon anyway, is to deliver food and medicine, and prisoners to help the Meerians mine.] The woman said in a smooth voice, and her face was still stern and emotionless
"Those prisoners will disappear and join the pirates soon enough. Why else do they have a fortress and multiple medium-sized bases? To me, you are on their side, growing their numbers willingly in the name of 'You're Republic'." Lark said in a scoffing-sounding tone
[... I follow orders, nothing more…] she started saying when Lark interrupted her
"And since you are a woman, where did that lead you, into a dead-end job doing supply runs?" Lark stated, muted his side, hid his face behind his hand, and gave orders.
"Prepare the fleet to intercept them, but no shooting just yet." he quickly ordered and watched the communication trooper get to work
[... What do you want… Deathwatch, we are not blind.] The women stated, and in real time, the brand new CR-90 corvettes turned around and banked full speed back to the haulers.
"Deathwatch? We are Clan Gryphen, we are not Deathwatch…" Lark started saying when her scoff and next words agitated him
[Really? Do you think the Republic has no sensors or eyes in Mandalore? We knew you joined Deathwatch fleets to go to Bandomeer. We could not evade, since by the time we got the news, we had just jumped to hyperspace. But your little CLAN is nothing but terrorists in our eyes.] she stated, looking murderous
Lark, though relaxed all of a sudden, laughed out loud.
"Hahahaha! Oh… that is a good one!" he laughed so hard he held his stomach from the pain
"Women, the Deathwatch joined us, not us joining them. So I will give you one option… surrender or die." Lark stopped laughing suddenly and said with a cold, emotionless voice
This surprised everyone on his bridge and the women's bridge; this sudden shift in tone came out of left field.
[...] the woman looked shocked with wide eyes that turned cold and harsh in quick order, her frown deepening
'Now we wait, what will you choose, this is my last chance, no two ways about it, and I will make this work… one way or the other.' Lark thought in grim determination
— — — — —
On the bridge of the women in question, things were not good; she could see nervous looks around her.
She moved and pressed the mute communication button and started talking.
"Look through the database of anyone Mandalorian and use his face for reverence, who is he really, what are the chances here."
"Ma'em, I already did. His name is Lark of clan Gryphen, it says here he almost failed his coming of age thing but brought honor or something by leading a ragtag group to win against a small pirate incursion…" a nervous young man said, reading from his terminal on the bridge.
"In what system?" she asked, looking at the young man with her stern face still in place
"Bandomeer…" he only got to say this before the captain interrupted
"So he's back to where it began for him, and now he has a proper fleet…" the captain mumbled
"Many ships were lost, but all pirate ships were taken out. I hazard a guess that due to this, the pirate group those ships had been from went all out. But since he left, I guess they took control of the system and built up defenses, planning to stay." The young man, not watching the captain, stopped being nervous and speculated
"I want everyone armed in case they start shooting when they board after our surrender. If they do shoot, self-destruct the ship by overloading the hyperdrive. If we are to die, we take them with us. ONLY if they start shooting." she spoke in a grim tone, her voice no longer smooth-sounding
"Yes ma'em…" the communication operator stated, watching her press the mute button again to speak
— — — — —
With Lark, when the sound went off and it was clear she started talking, he did the same, after muting again
"Look through the Republic database for that woman. Whom are we dealing with here?" Lark ordered, sitting in the captain's chair, speaking from behind his crossed hands, not showing that he talked to the other side.
"On it, sir, normally it will take a while; they got tons of info on Republic personnel, but since we got her face, no problem… I already got it here, sir." the trooper said in a smug voice
"This is Captain Aubrey 'Sunny' Riverdale, captain for a few years, who prevented a coup on the ship she served on, and in turn was able to fight with a ragtag crew to keep the ship's most vital locations in hand till other ships showed up and assisted them against the would-be rebels or likely pirates… promoted to captain and put in charge of supply runs ever since." The trooper read out her file
"Not bad, it seems they wanted her out of the way, and such a dead-end job as supply runner seems logical for corruption and all that, wonder what she will choose." Lark stated
[We surrender…] Lark heard the women Aubrey say
"Wonderful, do not resist, and no one will get harmed." Lark said with a smile after ending the muting system
After the line closed, Lark gave some new orders.
"Send Chuck and Nora with the remaining four teams of Deathwatch, then send their crews to Butch and Korar near the main mine… do be sure to send them a message." Lark stated, rubbing his hands
'Can't believe they believed my lie about having that much man under my command, easy surrender, too bad I can't show what I learned over the years in terms of ship against ship combat.' a smug Lark thought smilingly