Chapter Text
Prologue
Hi, I’m Jonah Amildala, here’s a few things that you might need to know.
I’m a surviving Jedi. I’ve been fighting against the empire from day one. I narrowly escaped with my life when order 66 was declared. After receiving Obi-Wan Kenobi’s message, I had to make myself disappear.
My goal at first was to find people I could trust. I had met clone force 99 in the few months after the empire’s rise. It then became a goal to find people who were willing to stand against the empire. Now, my goal is organized, galaxy-wide rebellion.
Like planets forming, isolated cells of resistance were gradually uniting with other cells. These larger groups of rebels were now being united across the galaxy with a common mission: Ending Palpatine’s tyranny and restoring galactic democracy.
This base on Kijimi is the home of Task force Kyber. I’ve helped it grow and expand for years under my command. I’ve gained many strong allies over the years.
Commander Mamba, Captain Taipan, Major Anvil. Many clone troopers brought valuable experience to TF Kyber. Phee Genoa, she was a major source of underworld information. Provided you could put up with hours of her tall tales of “liberating ancient wonders.”
The Kijimi spice runners were a major source of income. Our base was an old spice runner base. It was well suited to our needs, just as long as you didn’t mess with any unidentified rust colored powders.
I reunited with Ahsoka Tano 8 years ago. We had been working together ever since. Ahsoka was 2IC of Task Force Kyber, and a very close friend.
Chapter 1
Mid rim, Bryx sector, Kijimi, 5 BBY.
I dropped my ship out of hyperspace. Kijimi glowed in the forward viewport.
I sent a coded transmission to a ground station on the surface. “Prometheus, Kyber ground, you are clear to proceed. Welcome back General Amidala,” came the reply from ground control. I acknowledged and started the reentry.
My astromech, R2-J8 (I called him “Jate”) was plugged into his station on my left. “Jate, once we land, can you please get some maintenance crew to have a look at that cooling fault,” I said to him. “I’m gonna need you with me.”
He beeped back affirmatively. Jate had been by my side since I was a padawan. He was a very loyal, capable, and dedicated droid.
I flew my ship, called the “Prometheus” through the snowy canyons and gorges of Kijimi, into a hanger dug into the side of a canyon. I put the gear down as a marshaller guided me to the ground.
I shut down the ship, while Jate went to carry out my request. I saw Commander Mamba and 1st Lieutenant Jado Honall waiting for me. I disembarked and walked up to them.
Both came to attention and saluted me. “Stand easy,” I said. “What’s going on?”
Lt. Honall, an intelligence officer, spoke up. “We have a big development on the Imperial navy war games near Dressel.”
“Taipan’s ready to give a briefing to command once you arrive,” Mamba said.
Jate rolled up to me. “Let’s hear it,” I said, following Lt Honnall to the command center.
All of the leadership was present for Taipan’s briefing. (In person or via hologram.) I saw Ahsoka’s hologram and smiled at her.
She smiled back. Captain Taipan walked in and plugged a datapad into the main holotable.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Taipan said. He wasn’t one to waste time. “We’ve gotten new intel on the Imperial Navy’s war games at Dressel. They’ve got a new target for the live fire exercise.”
He brought up a hologram. I at once recognized it as a Venator-class star destroyer. The mainstay heavy warship of the republic fleet during the clone wars. The empire replaced them with the Imperial-class. Regulating most Venators to the scrapyard, although some remained in secondary roles.
Taipan continued. “This Venator has been listed as a live fire target. But there’s a catch. This Venator has been kept mostly operational. From the imperial com chatter, we think it’s going to be simulating a fully operational warship in basically every way.”
Several hushed conversations started at that statement. I looked at Ahsoka, she looked serious. We both knew the significance of these findings.
Taipan motioned for everyone to quiet down. “The exercise starts in 1 standard week's time,” he continued. “The ship is reported to be at the dockyard above Cato Neimoidia.”
He looked at me. “General, what do you want to do with this?”
I thought over this new information. The rebel alliance desperately needed heavy warships. A Venator would be an immensely valuable asset to the fleet. But of course, getting our hands on this ship was never going to be easy.
Yet I had no hesitation in our course of action. “Let’s get this battlecruiser,” I affirmed. “We need it. This is by far the best chance we’ve ever gotten.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. “We’ll start planning next rotation. In the meantime, let’s get some more intel on the Venator and the exercise.”
“Yes, General,” the room chorused. Everyone disengaged and went to their respective tasks.
Taipan came up to me. “This is good stuff, Taipan,” I said. “Thanks for calling me back here.”
“Sir, do you think we’ll be able to pull this off?” He asked.
“Yes we can, and we will,” I replied. “Nevertheless, we need more information on the ship’s status, route to Dressel, and role in the exercise.”
Taipan nodded. “Yes sir.” He then promptly went to his required tasks.
Jate rolled up beside me and beeped. Indicating he had downloaded the intel.
“Thanks Jate, do you need a charge?” bweop “Good, I need a charge too.” Jate went to my quarters while I went back to the hangar to check on the Prometheus.
I entered the hangar. The Prometheus was parked among the various other ships, including squadrons of Z-95 Headhunters and Nimbus-class V-wings.
I slowly wandered around the ship. The Prometheus was a highly modified Sienar Fleet Systems fast star courier. It was a unique ship in many ways.
The ship had originally belonged to Darth Maul. After the battle of Naboo, my master and I found it in a private hangar in Theed’s outskirts. Eager to learn more about the sith that Obi-Wan defeated, I brought it to the Jedi Temple.
The ship, then named ‘Scimitar,’ came back into my possession soon after I was knighted. Together with Anakin Skywalker, we modified the ship to suit my missions as a Jedi. And also to keep Anakin’s technical mind entertained. My friend Aalya Secura suggested its new name.
I checked the diagnostics on the radiator problem. It turned out to be a jammed valve in a coolant feeder tank. The mechanic had logged the issue and repairs done.
I closed up the ship and went to my quarters.
Jate was charging on standby when I walked in. I took off my jacket, boots, and utility belt. I put my lightsaber into its box beside my bed. I had been working with a Phoenix squadron and the crew of The Ghost when I was called back to Kijimi.
Ahsoka was currently finishing one more mission with Phoenix squadron. She would return next rotation. When she did, we could start the mission planning.
Next morning.
“Start and end every day with a meditation session.” My master Stass Allie had taught me the habit. Meditating when I woke up helped give me strength for the day, allowing the force to give me guidance. In the evening I could calm my mind from the day's troubles.
I went to the mess hall when I was finished. Ahsoka would be back in a few hours.
Main hangar, 2 hours later.
I watched Ahsoka land her Ghtroc 690 light freighter next to the Prometheus. It was a small ship, barely longer than a Z-95 Headhunter. Ahsoka used that to her advantage. Apparently she hitched a ride on an imperial freighter from Garel to Wobani. Spotting me, she disembarked.
“Hello Jonah,” she said, walking up to me.
“How’s it going, Ahsoka?” I gave her a hug. “How are the specters?”
“Ezra’s training is going well. Kanan is learning as much as Ezra.”
“That’s good to hear,” I replied.
Ahsoka smiled. “I told Hera and Rex that we would probably be needing them for this mission.”
“We’ll need Rex’s expertise for this one,” I agreed. We went to the command center to start planning.