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aeon2407 · 5 days

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Pyro's Pyrotechnic Love Life - Chapter 10

Late post. Quite late actually. But here you go. Dedicated to the amazing @contentment-of-cats as always. Also on AO3.

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Command Bridge, The Levinbolt, Task Force Spearhead, Fleet One

“Marshal on deck!”

Everyone snapped to attention as Artur stepped onto the bridge, in the uniform of a Tagge Armada Marshal – minus the cape, that was for ceremonies – and took his seat.

“As you were, everyone. How long until breakout?”

“Two minutes, sir.”

“I saw that the Executor stopped around Naboo for a few minutes. What was that about?”

“Uh… They stopped for Lord Vader, sir. He took his personal TIE for a separate mission after Death Squadron affirmed their loyalty to the Dynasty. They will arrive right after us.”

“Ah. All good, then. We’ll be expecting a guest coming up from planetside within the next few days. He is to be considered arm and dangerous at all times, but at the moment he is an ally and should be treated as a guest of honor. The name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. The codeword is ‘High Ground’. Any questions?”

A murmur of confusion, some small requests for clarification, and they were all settled. No one mentioned Order 66 or the numerous warrants and bounties on Kenobi’s head. They were all committing treason soon anyway.

“Captain on the bridge.”

Artur turned around. Yana and Yissa were both wearing the distinct red and gold uniform, the rank device for Captain and Commander respectively shining on their collars. “Commander, Captain, glad you could join us.”

Yana smiled at him. “Happy to be here, sir.”

“Stent, I’m reassigning you to late watch. Take a break.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Commander Hammerly, Sensors is yours.”

“Yes, sir.”

She took the newly vacant spot, getting herself used to the layout. Jashin, Odo, and Phyrre were already settled in, all three staying as senior loots after the jump over but would be promoted soon. Brilliant officers should be in command. Yana was the Levinbolt’s captain the same way Marinith was the Chimaera’s captain, so she took a spot next to the chair. “Orders, sir?”

“Break out over Tepasi, check in with Armada HQ, then pick up Kenobi. I have a meeting with the core family tonight to go over the details. Are you sure you’re up for this? The Empire gave you a second chance.”

“TaggeCo gave me a second chance, helped me break free from the exploitations of the Youth Corps when Commandant Martal wasn’t able to. My loyalty is with my family and the Chimaera first and foremost, but the rest of it is with you.”

A warm smile. A loving look. “Good to hear. Lieutenant Agral, how long to breakout?”

“Thirty seconds, sir! Slowing down hyperdrives, stabilizing sublight engines.”

“Lieutenant Lomar, signal Tepasi Control, tell them we’re on approach. Request Drydock One and a full resupply.”

“Aye, sir. Tepasi Control, this is Armada battleship Levinbolt on final approach, twenty seconds to breakout. Requesting Drydock One and a full resupply. How copy?”

“Levinbolt, Tepasi Control. Good copy, Drydock One on standby.”

“Commander Hammerly, be on the lookout for any approaching vessels once we break out. We’re an Armada ship, not many have legitimate reasons to dock with us.”

“Copy that, sir. Sensors at full range, we’ll see them coming.”

“Sir, breaking out in five.”

“Captain Pyrondi, you have the bridge. Lieutenants Lomar, Agral, report to my office once we land.”

The two exchanged glances and sounded off their affirmatives. Artur left to update the family and get himself updated on other parts of the plan. A coup on this scale took plenty of moving parts, and therefore plenty of chances for something to go wrong. The key was quick, decisive responses to the thing that went wrong.

They were still in the delicate stages. One false step could send it all burning up. He needed to make sure that didn’t happen.

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Commanding Officer’s Office, The Levinbolt, Task Force Spearhead

“Lieutenants Agral and Lomar reporting, sir.”

“Come in you two. Take a seat.”

They did so, sitting with perfect academy posture. Artur stared at them. “I’ll get to the point. This is about your families. You two are already onboard with this plan, but we want to make sure that the Agrals and the Slicing Clan are with us too.”

The House was powerful, but not all-powerful. There were factions they didn’t mess with unless they absolutely had to. The Slicing Clan was on top of that list, and the Agral name was known throughout the galaxy for a reason.

The two looked at each other before turning back to him. “We can’t speak for our families, sir, but with permission we can call them. I think both of our families will agree to it.”

Artur nodded. Well within expectations. “Permission granted. Get an encrypted line and call them.”

Hopefully they were amenable to Titanfall. The Agrals would be a problem, but if the Slicing Clan turned hostile their best course of action was mutual destruction. That alone spoke volumes to their power.

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Tagge Armada HQ, Unlos Tagge, Tepasi

Thirty Hours Later

“So that’s why, even with the tentative agreements between us and both factions, King Jashin Agral Sr. and Matriarch Shiya Lomar want to meet. Should be a simple discussion on the finer details, nothing too complicated. How are things on other fronts?”

Domina leaned back in her seat as Artur finished his report. It was just the two of them in this room, catching each other up on things. Not even Lapin was there.

She scrolled through her datapad. “Neither Organa nor Mothma have cracked, not that we expected them to. The ISB is putting pressure on their families, Organa specifically has to worry about his daughter being charged with accessory to treason. As for Mothma, she’s been shown footage of Narkina 5, specifically what female prisoners go through. There are fates worse than death. We’ll let her stew in it for a few days then offer her a deal for information.

Ulric is doing his job, gaining allies and influence. Palpatine is getting delayed or outright falsified reports from all agencies. Orman reported that Vader is regenerating without issue, apparently the midichlorians are helping him along. We’ll take Coruscant when he is back and fully reacclimated. Should take another three days for him to fully form, then he’ll start the recovery process.”

Artur nodded. “I’ll prepare the fleets and inform Thrawn. What about the Spectres? Any news?”

“Yes. Kanan Jarrus was released from postop today. His body accepted the eyes seamlessly and he’s undergoing nerve therapy to reacclimate himself to sight.”

“Good. That’s good. Death Squadron?”

“Enough resistors to fill two ISDs, Vader deemed the rest to be loyal to him and by extension to us. The resistors are scattered in brigs across their fleet.”

“Shame, but expected. What do we do in the meantime?”

“You’re still on leave. As far as Palpatine is concerned, everything is normal. Keep it that way until it’s time to strike. Go prepare. Train with that new knee. Be with your girlfriends, which by the way, are you sure you can handle three, Artur?”

“Three?”

“Yes. Ilyana, Yissa, Merri.”

“Merri?! No, no, she’s… uh, I’m not sure, but-“

“Let me stop you right there. That girl has been crushing on you for years. I know because she was one of the scouting targets for the Armada. You took her virginity and left her to wake up by herself in a cold and empty medbay. Whatever you feel, make it clear to her. Don’t pussyfoot around like you did with Ilyana all those years ago. Be solid, be firm, make a tactical decision.”

Artur nodded. In hindsight, he could’ve at least taken Merri to his quarters before leaving for the bridge so that she’d wake up warm and with some privacy. Shit. “I’ll talk to her after my bridge shift. Thanks Auntie, needed that.”

“I know, kiddo. Go on, your fleets need you.” A chime on her comms. “On second thought, standby. Lapin just received code ‘High Ground’ over comms. Kenobi’s at TIS. Go pick him up. Put him on the Levinbolt while I arrange transportation.”

With a nod, Artur stood and left the room, mind still debating the Merri Barlin Situation. He needed to talk to Yana and Yissa. It was as much their say as it was his, and of course that was assuming Merri would even accept their little arrangement in the first place.

One step at a time, Artur. One step at a time.

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Arrival Gate, Tepasi Interstellar Spaceport

Obi-Wan was calm. He was on the right path and he knew it, it was just a matter of navigating that path. Said navigation now required him to get involve with the Tagges to get Anakin back, so that was what he was doing.

So why did he feel so exposed sitting here? Oh, right, security cams. He’d spent all of two hours on Coruscant. It was still strange being back in the Core, even if Tepasi had more nature. Not that it was a particularly high bar, every planet had more nature than Coruscant.

A man was approaching him. Even without looking, Obi-Wan knew who it was as the other man sat down next to him. That volatility and wrongness in the Force was unique to one and only one being. “Artur, pleasure to-”

“Don’t use my name, don’t say anything, just put this cloak on and follow.”

Right. A Tagge would naturally attract attention, especially here, and attention was the last thing either of them wanted right now. Obi-Wan took the offered cloak – gray and white – and slipped it over his head before following the scion to a speeder outside.

“We’re taking you to one of our ships in orbit. You’ll be treated as a guest, but try anything or be anywhere you’re not supposed to be and I’ll put your old ass in the brig myself, understood?”

“Understood. I’m just here to save Anakin and kill Sidious. That’s all.”

A silent nod turned into a silent drive. Obi-Wan took the time to meditate and tried to reach out to Anakin. He knew they had him in a blind spot in the Force, but he tried anyway, just to be sure. Eventually, they arrived at a private landing pad, where a TaggeCo shuttle and a squad of black-armored stormtroopers – SCAR Troopers – were already waiting.

Artur parked the speeder in the back of a nearby hangar. Obi-Wan tensed instinctively as one of the troopers – an officer with cropped brown hair– approached them. “All good to go, sir. Still as planned?”

“Still as planned, Revy. Kenobi, this is General Revy Maklar, my ground forces commander. You answer to me, her, and Ilyana Pyrondi, in that order.”

Obi-Wan was staring. He couldn’t sense Revy at all. She knew that too, judging by the knowing smirk on her unhelmeted face. “What’s wrong, Kenobi? Never seen a Force Null before?”

So that was what she was. He’d suspected, given that there was nothing in the Force where she was supposed to be. Not the blank void like what most droids were either, just natural air where there should’ve been a Human woman. He’d also noticed the scar on her neck, the surgical mark of a freed slave, but wisely avoided commenting on it.

“Pleasure to meet you, General. Obi-Wan Kenobi, at your service.”

She shook his hand and motioned for him to follow. The trip up to the Levinbolt was as silent as the trip from the spaceport, Obi-Wan growing increasingly unnerved sitting between a Force Null and the non-Sensitive Apprentice of Darth Vader. They said nothing to him besides the necessary instructions as the shuttle landed in a hangar bay. Artur escorted him personally to his quarters, bigger than anywhere he’d slept in before, even Satine’s chambers.

“This will be your room for the duration of your stay here. We’re arranging a transport for you to Anakin on Byth, but until then you’ll be confined to this ship. Here’s your access card, don’t lose it. Any questions?”

Obi-Wan took the card and turned it over, tucking it into his robes. “How is Anakin? Have there been any reports?”

Artur’s expression softened. “He’s fine. Should be fully formed within the next few days, then he’ll need to go through the recovery process too. Uncle Orman’s with him – best bioengineer in the galaxy. He’ll make sure Anakin is stable, but you’ll need to be there for your old padawan, both physically and emotionally. We need the Chosen One at his best for what’s to come.”

Obi-Wan sighed, relieved. Anakin was stable and would recover. The severe damage he’d done to him on Mustafar would be healed. “Thank you. For doing this. Helping him. Thank you.”

“Wasn’t exactly for altruistic reasons, but you’re welcome regardless. Get some sleep if you want, there’s food and drinks in the preservation unit under the countertop, spare clothes are in the closet. Call for help if you need anything.”

Obi-Wan thanked him one last time and was left alone. He tried to sleep off nerves but couldn't, so he got a bite to eat. Good food, better than anything he had on Tatooine by far. Then he took advantage of the shower – hot water on a combat ship was a ridiculous level of luxury – and the clothes being provided. Different stuff, different styles ranging from casual sleepwear to formal suits.

He settled on light gray robes that he recognized as belonging to the Tenno, the Tepasi religious sect in the Temple of Lotus, just without any of the regalia denoting title or achievements. They were light and comfortable, airy yet warm, just like Jedi robes. He hesitated before throwing his robes into the washing cycle but did so eventually, clipped his and Anakin’s lightsabers onto the leather belt, and left for the bridge.

….

Where was the bridge again?

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Thirty Minutes Later

“Master Kenobi. I trust you had no trouble finding your way around?”

The teasing smirk on Artur’s face told them both that he knew damn well otherwise. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “You really are Anakin’s apprentice.”

“I’m Vader’s apprentice. Get it right.”

“Apologies.”

“Accepted. Your transport arrangements will be ready in an hour. Until then, there’s a meditation room and a dojo onboard.”

“Dojo please. I need to practice before we take on Sidious.”

“Right this way. Captain, you have the bridge.”

“Yes, sir.”

Obi-Wan noted the distrustful glare from the captain, Pyrondi if he wasn’t mistaken, and almost shrunk away. He followed Artur out of the bridge as the tiny captain turned back to her datapad.

A shiver shot through his spine. Small Brunettes.

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The Stinger Mantis, Tepasi Sovereign Space

Sixteen Minutes Later

“Unauthorized shuttle, power down and stand down immediately. This is your final warning.”

So obviously some mistakes were made.

That was an understatement actually. Many severe mistakes were made.

Cal was locked in probably the most powerful tractor beam he’d ever encountered, with more firepower than he could’ve imagined aiming at him, and no backup to speak of. He was kriffed.

“BD, open a channel to that ship.”

“Beep boop?”

“Just trust me on this, buddy.”

“Boop boop bah.”

“Thank you bud. Tagge battleship Levinbolt, this is captain of the Stinger Mantis speaking. I’m not here to cause any trouble. I’m here to see Obi-Wan Kenobi. I know he’s here, so don’t bother denying it.”

A beat of silence. “Power down and stand down. I will not repeat myself again.”

A woman, the same one that identified herself as the captain of that posh ship keeping him trapped. She had an edge to her voice, a cold sort of fury that told Cal he’d better obey or she’d erase him from existence.

“Copy that. Powering down now.”

The first thing he did was cut comms with the Levinbolt. “BD, send a signal over the encrypted line. Request backup and extraction for two, then hide in the floor.”

Some arguing and beeping later, BD was finally squirreled away in the hidden compartment under the caf table and Cal was ready to fight his way out if necessary. The Mantis was reeled in via tractor beam and he tucked himself into the little corner next to the boarding ramp.

The plan, as stupid and suicidal as it sounded, was to fight his way through the initial boarding party, find himself either a set of armor or uniform, find and disable the tractor beam, then fly out. Simple, right? Cal split his saber in two, prepared to deflect blaster bolts and ready for a fight from all angles as the Mantis settled into the hangar bay and familiar bootsteps approached.

He wasn’t ready for them to pump gas into the ventilation system.

BD squeaked in alarm as Cal slumped, unconscious. He tried to fight back as troopers in black armor flooded the main cabin. The droid managed to shock one of the troopers before another one turned and shot him point blank with a restraining bolt. BD felt his programming freeze and locked up as they scooped him up into a durasteel box.

After years of fighting, running, and hiding, Cal Revano Kestis, one of the last Jedi Knights left alive, was finally captured.

His comlink chimed and was promptly turned off. On Tanalorr, Merrin frowned, told Greez to babysit Kata, and took her fighter to Naboo. ‘Quick check in’ her ass, her idiot of a husband was probably captured or on a suicide mission somewhere.

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TaggeCo Veteran Rehabilitation Centre, Tepasi

Kanan, or Commander Dume as he was registered here, had been diligently going through every exercise they wanted him to. Some were very useful in helping him regain hand-eye coordination, which had atrophied over the past year, while others were useless to him on account of Force sensitivity. He went through all of it regardless, being with Hera in their dorm after every long day.

It was a wonderful thing, being able to see her again. She was as beautiful as the day he last saw her, perhaps even more so now. He got to watch, and listen, and feel, as the child, their child, grew more and more in her womb.

Life under the Tagges had restrictions and he knew there would be plenty of compromises in the future, but at least his family was all safe and any new additions wouldn’t be born on the run.

So of course, in typical post-Order-66 Jedi fashion, he felt one of his old creche-mates, his best friend of all people, appear over orbit and almost immediately dulled. Not dead, but unconscious.

He went through his day, went back to his dorm, and immediately grabbed the comlink next to his bed. Lapin had given him their personal comm code for emergencies. “Lapin?”

“Is this about the Jedi we just caught?”

“Uh, yes. I think I know him. You got Cal Kestis right?”

“Yep. If you wanna talk to him, I can arrange that.”

“Please do. He was my best friend back before.”

“Keep your inbox open. I’ll send details after I’m done eating.”

“Thank you.”

They ended the call right as Hera walked in. Kanan filled her in on what happened, which led to a long conversation about his time in the Temple.

Kanan didn’t sleep that night. If there was one thing he knew for certain about Cal, it was that the man could be more stubborn than Master Windu, and just as good with a lightsaber.

It was going to be an interesting conversation.

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Residential Wing, Tagge Manor, Tepasi

Lapin rubbed their eyes and sighed. How many kriffing Jedi were still alive!? And why was half of them suddenly their problem?

They called Artur and told him to tell Kenobi about what just happened. They had three Jedi right now, all of them connected one way or another. Might as well put them all in a room together and see what comes out of it.

#star wars #star wars rebels #sw fanfic #pyrondi #star wars empire #hammerly #cal kestis #nightsister merrin #cal x merrin #obi wan kenobi #domina tagge #lapin tagge #hera syndulla #scar trooper

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