"Yako, we didn't agree to this!" one of his syndicate members, Trodos, said loudly.
"Exactly!" Burdaa backed Trodos up. "Didn't you say the Republic was weak. And the Senate was full of idiots, even those from the Militarist faction, like Tarkin. Supposedly they wouldn't conduct pre-flight checks and spy sweeps... And now what? We're getting screwed in every possible place in orbit!"
"It's not my fault..." Stark tried to justify himself. "It's that Jedi!"
"Obviously it's not you..." Tam Gozon snorted. "But you need to figure out how to get us out of here! Otherwise, those bastards in orbit will destroy the fleet and start an orbital bombardment of the planet!"
"Hutt," said Lom Portom. "We all need to get our act together... Or we'll turn into cinders. What about the comms? Are they fixed?"
"Captain Lom," the technician replied, "we can only contact ships in orbit! The rest of the galaxy is unreachable. They took out the comms station, completely cutting off the system from the galaxy."
"And there's no backup?"
"This is the Outer Rim, you idiot!" Trodos said. "Some systems still have outdated stations, and you're bringing up backups... Smart one. We need to break the blockade and then ask for help. Their fleet isn't much stronger than ours, which means one of our ships might be able to slip out of the ECM range. Hey, Stark?"
"I'm here," the red-haired man replied in a hollow voice. "Any comms?"
Before them, on the holoprojector, an image of Deputy Captain Grasso appeared. The man was from Corellia and had made his fortune smuggling.
"Well? Grasso... Tell me how things are."
Grasso's image was shaking, presumably from the impacts of the enemy fleet's fire.
"Their formation blocks almost all escape routes. As soon as they appeared, they opened fire with every available weapon... In the first minutes of the battle, almost half of our small craft were wiped out... And... They knocked out the hyperdrive on the flagship, Captain!" Grasso said. "We don't have a backup — you personally ordered it gutted for..."
"I remember," Stark interrupted him, now regretting that decision. However, their computers — because the comms were jammed — couldn't properly connect to the HoloNet and calculate jumps.
"Their bombing small craft are destroying our large ships... Out of twenty-seven ships, three are destroyed! The 'Sting' and 'Greeting' have no shields, and they're being finished off with missiles!"
"It's only a matter of time before they switch to orbital bombardment... And then we're finished," Tam said.
"That's it!" Stark exclaimed. "Orbital bombardment! That's a blind attack! It's done by squares, not specific targets. If we mingle with the Republic delegation's forces by then, the Jedi won't give the order to bombard..."
"You mean..."
"We'll engage them in direct combat," Stark said. "Deploy our main ground forces... And then those bastards won't be able to conduct orbital bombardment..." His supporters perked up. Unlike the Republic, they had stationed some of their people here. And there were enough of them to launch an attack on Senator Valorum and the Jedi. "And in the meantime, I can slip away... Hutt... I rushed my move, got too full of myself. I should have waited three or four years, gathered more strength... But Hask suggested acting now... Screw them all, even if these idiots die trying to capture the Jedi or break through Flyingstar's blockade — I can leave Troiken alone, and then lie low in one of my hideouts." "Alright, what are you standing around for, you gutter trash?! Blasters in hand, forward! I'll give ten thousand credits to whoever captures the senator or a Jedi — alive!" He said this, addressing the armed soldiers.
"YEAH!" came the powerful roar of the crowd. "Glory to Iaco Stark! Forward!"
Idiots... Though, if there were no idiots, there wouldn't be politicians to rule them either... Stark smirked. Now he had to make sure all his officers took part in the fight, then seize the moment and slip away to his ship. It was equipped with a hyperdrive... But where to jump? To Thyferra...
* * *
The space battle in Troiken's orbit unfolded almost exactly as I had planned. The enemy clearly expected their virus to work, but they hadn't expected it to be discovered and destroyed. As soon as the ships emerged from hyperspace in the proper formation, the bombing squadron was already racing at full speed toward Iaco Stark's flagship, the "Predator.".. While the red squadron covered the gold, and the blue and green — the forces of Ranulf Tarkin, arranged in attack formation. After my conversation with Stark, I had already contacted the Jedi on the planet.
"I see you got out in time," I said when my call was answered. "And it's good that everyone's alive."
"Thank you for the warning, Knight Light," Tivokka growled. "Honestly, those circumstances could have ended badly for me. As it is, only my wrist suffered."
"Don't worry, you'll get help once we deal with these scumbags," I answered the Wookiee. "Hmm? Qui-Gon Jinn, don't you think it's a bit much to take an eleven-year-old boy on a mission like this?"
"My Padawan is quite ready for such a mission, Knight," Jinn replied neutrally. "I sense it."
"As you wish," I snorted. "Anyway, we'll take down Stark's fleet first, and then deal with their ground forces."
"Get me out of here immediately!" Nute Gunray chimed in. "I order you to..."
"We have a battle in orbit over Troiken," I remarked, glancing at Gunray. "Do you know how to fly a starfighter? I can only get you out as a pilot."
"No..."
"Then sit tight and keep quiet. There's a time for everything," I chuckled. "Besides, you should be feeling proud of your handiwork. You are aware that the Bacta shortage and Stark's actions were engineered by your Federation, aren't you?"
"That's all slander and conspiracy theories..."
"That the Senate rules the galaxy is slander and conspiracy theories," I said seriously. "But that you're up to your neck in this shit? That's the truth. Anyway, we don't have time to sort this out now, Nute Gunray. We have a war on, in case you hadn't noticed. So sit still and keep quiet. We'll deal with Stark, and then the Senate will decide what to do with you. Jaro, would you be so kind as to finally take out that goddamn Gozanti?" I addressed the Padawan, who had already made two failed runs on one of the Gozantis, even though Gold Squadron had been handling them just fine before.
"It will be done, Master," said Jaro.
"Admiral Light." I was stunned. They're calling me an admiral? I stared in surprise at Jace Dallin, Tarkin's young aide. "Five ships are coming out of hyperspace... They're... Trade Federation Munificent-class star frigates?"
They emerged from hyperspace to the right of our ships. Zet Zorenei had calculated the exit point perfectly, allowing the ships to raise their shields, acquire targets, and immediately open fire with all weapons on Stark's ships.
"Zet Zorenei," I said as the Neimoidian's figure appeared on the holo-projector.
"My apologies for the delay, but we're ready to hit these bastards with everything we've got."
As if to confirm, one of Stark's dreadnoughts blossomed with a series of flashes and vanished from the sensors. A beautiful sight, even if the death of sentients from a reactor going critical hammers at a Force-sensitive's psyche. At that same moment, Jaro finished off another Gozanti...
"The campaign is going well," I remarked.
"All thanks to me!" said Ranulf Tarkin.
"If it's thanks to anyone, it's certainly not you, Senator Tarkin," Valorum's voice replied.
"I fear the success is temporary," came Plo Koon's voice. "They've decided to attack us... Knight Light. We've taken shelter in Mount Avos, not far from Kotail..."
"Because of the space battle, we can't launch a landing," I replied. "If we break formation now, the pirates will break through the blockade."
"Leave that to me," said Zet Zorenei. "I've brought fifty thousand B1-series droids as landing forces. I'll send them to the planet..."
"Squadrons, status."
"Red, lost three birds."
"Gold, lost five out of twelve," bombers were always at greater risk, flying right next to enemy ships.
"Green, two damaged, one lost."
"Blue, lost three."
"Gold Squadron, fall back to the main force and regroup. Red Squadron, same," I issued new orders immediately. "Green Squadron, protect the fleet. Blue, assist in covering the Trade Federation transports. Fleet, increase your rate of fire. We need to wrap this up quickly."
"Yes, sir!" came the acknowledgments.
The pirates were finally losing ground, especially with the bombardment coming from the right flank. Still, it wasn't easy. Through immense effort, they managed to knock out one of our Dreadnoughts, which I had ordered to fall back and be covered by two Gozantis. But even that didn't help them. They tried to break through the gap it created, but Green and Red Squadrons managed to stop them.
* * *
"What's the situation in orbit?" Stark asked, glancing warily at his own officers.
"We've lost the Armasu," one of the dreadnoughts, the most heavily modified one they'd stuffed full of powerful guns, extra armor, and a top-tier FCS... "and five Gozantis. The Hawk-bat, the Bite, the Guarantee of Happiness, the Black Virtue, and the Star Luck..."
"What about the Armasu?" Stark asked.
"It was hit first, the bombers took out its engines... and the reactor couldn't handle it... On top of that, the Trade Federation joined them..." "Hask betrayed him?" "Five Munificent-class frigates!" the pirate added to the report. "Our fleet is thinning out, Captain."
"It all depends on the assault on Mount Avos," Stark replied. "If we can take them hostage..."
"Stark!" Tordos found him. "Urgent news! The traders who just arrived, under Zet Zorenei's command, have started landing! They're deploying a massive force in front of Mount Avos!"
"Hutt! Bitch! Anyone but Zet Zorenei," Stark slammed his fist on the armrest. "That bastard hates me!"
"And not just you," Tordos reminded him. "Don't forget, we both screwed him over back then!"
"These droids will stop us..."
"They won't just stop us... They'll wipe out our forces completely! We barely have eight thousand men stationed here!"
Stark felt a lump forming in his throat... It was over... If he stayed, the Droid Army spreading through the Federation's structures would destroy them. If he tried to run, they'd blow him up in orbit. The Federation's Munificents were known for their excellent sensors. And Zet Zorenei always found him... He had to surrender... Preferably to the Republic's commander-in-chief. Who was that? Light Flyingstar? Would he even accept his surrender? And how would his subordinates, currently storming Avos, react? Could he slip away...
"I sense your confusion," a strange voice said, seeming to come from inside his thoughts.
"Who's there?" Stark asked out loud, catching Trodos's eye. "What are you doing here? Go! We need to secure Avos quickly. If we capture Valorum, we can get out of here alive and free!"
"You're actually thinking about something else," the voice continued. "And you don't have to speak aloud to talk to me. Just think the words."
"Think the words... You... You're a Jedi, aren't you? Is this one of your tricks?"
"Yes, my name is Plo Koon. I am part of the delegation... and we can offer you what you want. If you order your entire faction to cease this pointless resistance..."
"So that rat with a grenade, Tarkin, can have me shot?" Stark asked sharply.
"Tarkin is not commanding the fleet, and you know that already," the voice replied. "Light will cease fire if you agree to meet with us."
"I agree... Where do I sign?" Stark asked.
"We need actions, not signatures," Plo Koon replied. "Lay down your arms."
"In return, I want amnesty," replied Iaco Stark. "And protection from Zet Zorenei."
"If you cooperate, your request will be considered. But with every second of this senseless slaughter, your chances dwindle. Act now, Iaco Stark."
His men weren't completely loyal. Some of his officers were definitely plotting betrayal and would sell him out... But he would betray them first... Yes...
"Captain Iaco! The Predator has been destroyed!" a report came in. Iaco looked up... He couldn't see his flagship being torn apart by flames and explosions right now, but he should at least remember it with a kind thought. They had spent so much time together.
"Well then," he said dryly. "Enough."
In the distance, shuttles carrying droids began to land in front of the pirates. Even if these hulks weren't very smart — good software costs money, after all — there were a lot of them, which was genuinely unnerving.
"Order all troops to surrender. We've lost," he told his subordinate.
"S-surrender?" the man asked. "But we..."
"Are you blind, you fool?" Stark snapped. "Look! There are fifty thousand goddamn B1s out there! There might be fewer now, but our forces are dwindling too! And you'll run out before they do! So we surrender! Give the order!"
The man ran to the holoprojector. It was only ten meters away, but the order was urgent... As for Stark... he smiled.
"Time to get the hell out of here. I'm sure I can slip past the blockade and lay low somewhere in the Outer Rim..."
About twenty minutes later, he reached the landing platform where his fighter was waiting... He was fifty meters from freedom when someone called out to him...
"Hey, Stark, going somewhere?" asked Burdaa, one of his officers. Standing next to him were Eni and Reni, Twi'lek girls he occasionally slept with... And not just Stark... "Decided to cut and run instead of surrendering?"
"Burdaa, you've got it wrong..."
"Oh no, my slippery friend," the Gamorrean aimed a blaster at him. "I've known you too long and too well. You decided to sneak away in the chaos and leave us to deal with the consequences."
"Burdaa, what's the problem?" Stark asked. "Have I ever lied to you? Come on, let's fly together, if you want."
"It's a single-seat fighter," Burdaa replied. "You can squeeze in two or three sentients at most, if you know a few tricks. And sorry, my friend... but all seats are taken."
"Trading me in for whores," Stark fumed.
"Twi'leks are prettier than you," Eni remarked. "Now, sorry, darling, nothing personal. Reni, you'll pilot... And... by the way, how are we fitting Burdaa in?"
The impending intellectual standoff was interrupted. A shot rang out. Stark thought they had shot him and prepared to meet his maker, but no. The shot was too loud. The explosion came from the fighter. Stark watched in horror as his ship vanished in flames. It had no shields up, so a single turbolaser shot was enough for a grounded fighter. A Dreadnought emerged from behind the clouds. A ship, looking like a modified Star Courier, detached from it. It quickly covered the distance to the ground and landed between them and the smoldering wreckage. The ramp lowered, and three sentients and one droid, clearly a protocol droid, stepped out. Among them, Iaco recognized the Jedi who had been commanding the fleet.
"Iaco Stark," came the Jedi's voice, clear and loud. "If you've surrendered, why are you running?" the Jedi asked. "You agreed with Padawan Plo to surrender, why do you need this fighter?"
"That's right, Jedi. I surrender," Stark threw down his blaster. "And I'm willing to point out names."
"You mean name names," the Sephi chuckled. "Cooperate with the investigation, and your fate won't be the same as your accomplices'."
"I agree to anything!"
"Stark... you bastard," Burdaa hissed. "You set us all up!"
"To betray in time is to triumph, my friend Burdaa."
"Don't expect this to end well for you, my slippery partner," the Gamorrean replied.
"Yes," the Jedi drawled. "What else can you expect from pathetic scum like you?" He sighed. "The moment things got hot, you all started tripping over each other to betray one another... You disgust me," the Jedi remarked.
"Did you expect anything different from pirates?" a voice came from the side. Stark flinched... Zet Zorenei. The one person he'd hoped never to see again. "Long time no see, Iaco," Zet said, approaching him.
"Zet..." Iaco smiled and immediately got punched in the face.
"And you still have the nerve to grin like that?" the Neimoidian asked him. "Bastard." Stark couldn't stay on his feet and fell to the ground. "But you won't escape now."
"Easy, Zet," the Jedi said. "We're not here for vigilante justice."
"It's a pity you surrendered so timely, Stark. I would have loved to blast you with turbolasers..."
"Arrest them," the Jedi ordered. "All of them."
* * *
The Stark conflict would have been different if Stark had waited. Most likely, it wouldn't have even been like it was in the comics, all because Stark and his organization would have been stronger. But he gave in to Hask's proposal, who had invested too many resources in Tanalorr and was looking for a way to replenish them. Still, exploring a planet that's so hard to reach is a very enticing idea, especially given the rumors surrounding Tanalorr. And those rumors are fully justified...
In the future, a Jedi branch could be established on Tanalorr, as Dagan Gera had dreamed, or more precisely, an enclave. But I was more attracted to its strategic resources, which could be used to create various interesting things. For instance — armor or lightsaber hilts. I didn't need the latter, as my hilts were made of beskar, though I added a little phrik to them, just a tiny bit, which I forged using Force Forging, creating a kind of coating. The idea of armor was the most appealing... Many would gladly clad themselves in armor made of phrik, beskar, or neuranium. For me, the idea of armor came down to the fact that it added weight and could restrict my mobile fighting style... However, that doesn't mean I gave up on armor; I just didn't make a full suit. After Tanalorr, I forged a thin phrik chestplate using Force Forging, reinforced my bracers, and created greaves. The armor was relatively light, yet it had unique properties for reflecting all kinds of energy... Although that didn't mean I would now just stand there and take blaster shots or lightsaber strikes. But knowing I had this ersatz armor — not a full set, but a few protective elements — would help me act more boldly... I also made myself a full gorget.
I managed to hide my armor under my clothes, literally making a lining in the clothing and inserting the armor plates. That way, I still appeared to be in my regular outfit — at least, everyone saw me in a regular outfit. But no one could tell I had armor underneath protecting me. They'd have to tear my clothes off to find it... Celeste, by the way, made similar upgrades for herself. We did share a similar fighting style based on agility. Jaro, on the other hand, decided to make a full suit of armor for himself. Given his immense physical endurance and his focus on that style of combat, it was completely justified.
But back to the war's conclusion. Stark chose to cooperate... And while we were fighting on Troiken, Master Tholme and his Padawan, Quinlan Vos, found evidence implicating the upper echelons of the Trade Federation in the event. Hask resigned, and Nute Gunray took his place... Just like in canon. Zet Zorenei got a promotion within the Federation, becoming a prominent figure and the head of the Corporate Sector's security department. But the most important thing happened in the Senate. Following the war, a hearing was scheduled, and I was invited as a... speaker. Chancellor Kalpana, recently elected, decided to hear from all participants in the so-called "Stark War," or "Bacta War." It didn't get the name "Hyperspace" because the cause was nipped in the bud... Referring to Stark's navigation virus... Well, then... I'll have to take a look at this Senate, and it's a good thing I have something to say.