Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, it is owned by Disney.

Shadows Rising

Chapter 2

The gloved fist swung through the air and then struck Poe on the right side of his face, knocking the commander down to the ground. "You understand why I struck you, right?" Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and a General of the Rebel Alliance asked, shaking his hand. "Freedom of initiative is all well and good, but not when it becomes outright insubordination, and when it gets your allies slaughtered on the battlefield."

"I did what I thought was right." Poe said, wiping at his mouth before looking up at the general. After a moment, he sighed and looked away. "And I was wrong."

"Yes, you were." Luke said, looking down at Poe sternly. At a gesture, Poe got to his feet, while Luke shook his head. "Until ordered otherwise, you are relieved of command, and confined to quarters. You'll have your chance to explain yourself at the court-martial, commander."

"Court-martial?" Poe echoed. "But general, I…"

"That will be all, commander." Luke interrupted, and after another moment Poe sighed, saluted, and then walked off. Luke followed with his eyes, sensing the other pilot's frustrations as he left, and then shaking his head and with a sigh of his own, Luke walked off to rejoin the rest of the senior staff at the command deck.

"Poe is one of my best." General Organa began after Luke sat down. "He's impulsive and headstrong, but there's no questioning his skills as a pilot or his loyalty to our cause."

"Yes, he is." Jedi Master Luke Skywalker said with a nod. "I can see that much, just by looking at him. But…"

The Jedi Master paused, rubbing at his wrist, eyes falling onto the mechanical prosthetic that was Master Skywalker's right hand. "…he's too reckless. Too proud and full of himself." He finally said. "In a way, I can all but see myself in him, like I was back at Hoth all those years ago."

"…who took it?" Luke asked quietly. "Your hand? An inquisitor, or…?"

Master Skywalker smiled sardonically. "You can see, can't you?" he asked, and Luke winced and nodded, as the Forces briefly echoed with sounds and images, of a lightsaber duel deep in the mechanical bowels of a city, a Jedi and a Sith Lord crossing blades and the latter taking the former's hand, before words were exchanged and a revelation shattered everything the Jedi had thought to be true.

"That said," General Organa began with an unhappy tone. "No matter how bad things turned out at Bespin, it's not nearly as bad as what Poe's actions have cost us recently. We lost a cruiser, six transports, and fourteen frigates. And one of the latter was a specialist vessel, specifically a medical one."

"To say nothing of costing us our bomber force." Admiral Ackbar glumly added. "And those transports also carried much of our disassembled infrastructure. Factoring in the manpower losses…"

The admiral trailed off, but it was clear: complete and utter disaster. "If we court-martial him," General Organa said softly. "He's likely going to be sentenced to death."

"Not necessarily," Luke said after a moment. "We do have…penal units, and they're short on officers."

"Penal units?" some other members of the senior staff echoed.

Admiral Gall coughed delicately. "As noble as our cause might be," he said. "It cannot be denied that there will always be problem cases, one way or another, among our forces. And we are not so blessed with manpower that we can always be…discerning, with our recruitment, nor can we be…so final, with the enforcement of discipline in the ranks."

"So you organize these 'problem cases' into penal forces?" General Organa echoed with mixed horror and disgust.

"As a punishment, yes." Admiral Gall said grimly. "Rest assured, it's not something any of us here or at Alliance Command particularly enjoy doing, whether assigning people to the 'Last Chance' battalions, or their very existence at all."

"And it's not like we just dump people into their ranks arbitrarily." Luke added. "It's a punishment, so people who end up in there do get a court-martial with official charges and legal representation, plus an appeal to Alliance Command, before being sent to those battalions."

"What crimes could possibly warrant the existence of such units though?" one senior staff member challenged.

"Crimes against civilians, usually." Luke immediately answered. "Rape, looting, massacre and such…and crimes against POWs too. We're not the empire."

"And yet even the empire doesn't use penal battalions." Another senior staff member challenged.

"No, but they don't have manpower issues, the way we do." Admiral Gall said.

"And these…penal battalions," General Organa said. "What exactly is their role? Cannon fodder? Sacrificial units?"

"Not cannon fodder," Luke said with a shake of his head. "They're not considered expendable, and get proper supplies and equipment of their own. Nor are they sacrificed meaninglessly: the nickname of 'Last Chance' isn't just for show."

"In short," a senior staff member said. "It's their last chance to do something meaningful for the cause. So they are sacrificial units."

"You could argue that," Luke reluctantly conceded. "But we don't throw away their lives like they're worth nothing. And the survival rate is much higher than you might think. They're actually some of our best troops, honed by the most dangerous missions so much so that despite being first pick by Alliance Command for high-risk missions, confidence in their success is fairly high."

Even with that, however, the Resistance members still looked uneasy, though after a few moments General Organa gave a delicate cough. "Earlier," she said. "You mentioned 'most' when describing the members of those penal battalions. So there are exceptions?"

"The exceptions are their commanding officers, along with other personnel such as support units." Admiral Gall replied.

"Is there no way to leave the penal battalions?" a senior staff member asked. "Outside of a body bag, that is?"

"It's a judicial punishment." Luke said. "A wartime and thus provisional measure, but still a judicial punishment. If you can earn a pardon…"

That seemed to mollify the Resistance commanders somewhat. "In any case," General Organa said. "As distasteful as the penal battalions are, the argument of limited manpower for our forces is a valid one. And while we can talk about it here, even if we decide to argue against them, we won't be able to do anything unless we address the Alliance Command itself."

Admiral Ackbar nodded, along with the other Resistance commanders. "Then perhaps we should move onto the key topic," he said. "Specifically, that of our integration into the Rebel Alliance. Strategically-speaking, having two separate organizations acting against the empire independently of each other is a far from ideal situation. Not only do we risk being destroyed one by one, we may inadvertently act against each other, or even be played against each other by the empire…or the First Order."

"That said," General Organa said with a nod. "The Resistance has been active for some time now, and our integration into the alliance has to bring that into consideration."

"Alliance Command had considered that." Luke said with a nod. "On that note, no rank changes will be made, beyond those to the alliance equivalent for organizational reasons."

"That is understandable." Admiral Ackbar said with a nod.

"With regard to unit commands," Luke continued. "No changes will be made from field grade commands and down…"

"Essentially a show of trust in our judgment," General Organa thought. "For our tactical-level commands…though with Poe's antics just now…"

"…however," Luke continued with a slightly-apologetic expression on his face. "With regard to flag commands and equivalent posts, no guarantees can be made, and will have to be determined individually during integration of our two organizations. That said, Alliance Command is willing to negotiate on this matter, and we could contact Sanctuary to…"

"No, that won't be necessary." Leia interrupted. "I understand the organizational difficulties that prevent a blanket accommodation like with field commands and below. And in any case, I have faith in the alliance's judgment. We'll deal with the issue of flag commands and such in cooperation with the alliance."

Luke and Admiral Gall nodded, and then Luke smiled slightly. "In any case," he said, glancing between General Organa and Admiral Ackbar. "I don't think either of you, general, admiral, will have anything to worry. Mon Mothma was quite eager to meet both of you, and of course, uh…that is, our universe's Admiral Ackbar was quite curious about how your meeting will go."

Admiral Ackbar chuckled and nodded as General Organa smiled fondly at the mention of Mon Mothma. "I'm sure I'll be quite the disappointment then." Admiral Ackbar said. "No, there is no need to deny it. We managed to defeat our empire…and yet could do nothing to stop the New Republic from letting it all be for nothing."

"With respect sir," Admiral Gall began. "I do not think it's particularly any fault of yours. From what I have learned of the situation in your universe, it was the politicians' naïveté which ultimately led to the downfall of the New Republic. There was nothing that you could have done."

"I agree, admiral." Luke said with a nod. "You only did as a soldier of democracy should have done: quietly followed the lead of the civilian government."

"Knight Skywalker is correct." Master Skywalker added his support. "A key element of democratic government is civilian control of the government and military. While soldiers have their individual rights, they rightly should have no direct say beyond that of suffrage in the handling of political matters, except and only when it comes to questions of morality. And even then, there is a fine line which must be carefully respected."

"A question of morality?" General Organa echoed.

"To do nothing, or make a stand," Master Skywalker continued. "And how to make that stand…the end result, is the Resistance. You could have done otherwise, like say, launched a coup against the government, and forcibly opened its eyes and moved its arms against the First Order…but if you'd done that…"

Master Skywalker trailed off, and the Resistance leaders slowly nodded in understanding and agreement. "Yes," General Organa said softly. "I see your point."

Admiral Ackbar bowed slightly at Admiral Gall and Luke. "Thank you," he said. "I had not considered that angle."

"You are welcome, admiral." Admiral Gall said with a small bow of his own.

"On another note," one of the Resistance commanders said while leaning forward. "If we're going to be joining the alliance, then aside from issues on rank and leadership, there's also issues that need to be addressed over communications, security, and connected to the earlier discussion on penal battalions, discipline, organization, and regulation."

"On that matter," Luke said, pulling out a small container from a pocket and sliding it across the table. "Alliance Command has agreed to this show of good faith."

General Organa took the container, and opened it to pull out a data storage device. "Our communication and encoding protocols." Luke said. "In return, we ask for your trust, and that you allow us to escort you to one of our rallying points in the Outer Rim."

General Organa glanced at her fellow Resistance leaders, and then to Master Skywalker who nodded encouragingly at her. Turning back to Luke, she nodded at him. "You have it." She said. "Take us to the rendezvous point."

Luke nodded back, and smiled. "Thanks for trusting us." He said. "In a time when the alliance is on the ropes and we cannot afford to take too many chances, trust is such a rare thing and something to be really cherished."

General Organa smiled back. "I understand." She said. "And you're welcome."

"I'm surprised," Finn said, while eating with other Resistance and alliance members in a mess room. "The empire allows for non-government and non-military use of the holonet? If I remember right, didn't they use to restrict its use for themselves?"

"Yeah," one of the men he was eating with said while glancing at the holo-projector showing a pod-race in progress. "Key words there being 'use to'…one of the first things Vader did when he took control after Palpatine was killed was reopen the holonet for civilian use."

"…there's a catch there, isn't there?" Finn asked.

"Force yeah," the other man replied cheerfully. "Imperial Intelligence got a bigger budget come the next budget meeting."

"Figures," another man said. "Reopening the holonet lets Vader get some good points with the public, when in fact Imperial Intelligence is going to be keeping an even closer eye on what people say and do."

"And like the dumb sheep they are," the first man said in disgust. "People can't see the latter and just happily lick the dirt off Vader and his little whore's boots."

"…whore?"

"Invictus," the second man clarified. "Grand Marshal of the Empire, and Lady of the Sith."

"And the nastiest bitch you'll ever meet…or you'll pray not to meet." The first man added. "The stories I've heard…"

The man trailed off and shuddered. "So…compared to Vader…she's bad…?" Finn slowly asked.

"Vader will just kill you." The second man said. "Invictus would turn you into a slave…without you even realizing it."

"At least that's what the stories say." The third man cheerfully added. "You never know with these things, considering all the shit the imps throw out. Who knows if those stories are true or just stuff the imps are throwing out to make Vader's little whore look more powerful than she might actually be?"

"Hey now…" the first man began only to be cut off by the third man, who gestured at the holo-projector.

"Speaking of shit," he said. "Here comes one now."

Eyes turned to the hologram as solemn, military music played on the speakers, TIE Fighters being shown flying past in parade formation on the hologram. The words 'Join the Navy' zoomed out from the middle of the image, which then shifted to Star Destroyers flying past.

"Have you ever wanted to see the galaxy?" a narrator asked. "Earn life experience? Make your dreams come true? Now you can! Join the Imperial Navy and do all those and more!"

The image shifted to a young woman with a military bearing, dressed in a TIE pilot's pressure suit minus the helmet, which was hooked to her belt, who then turned away from the TIE Defender she was helping to maintain to face the camera. "Ever since I was a little girl," she said while walking towards the camera. "Ever since the day I first saw a spacecraft, I've always wanted to fly in space. That dream led me to the Imperial Navy…and here I am, where I've always dreamed to be."

"We were always told we'd amount to nothing," one of a group of pilots clustered around a dropship said to the camera. "That we'd always be nothing more that street rats…but when we joined the navy, they taught us duty and honor, gave us direction in our lives, and made us into men that everyone can look up to."

"So, what's the catch?" a young civilian woman asked.

"No catches." The narrator answered, the camera moving backward slowly as a trio fresh out of school, two Humans and a Zeltron, approached with interest. "The only requirements for applying to join the Navy are a) be at least twenty standard years old, b) have completed the legally-mandated primary and secondary levels of education, c) have no pending or unserved criminal cases, d) be in good physical and mental health, and e) pass the naval service aptitude test."

"When I first joined the navy," a Twi'lek doctor in a naval uniform began while inspecting newly-arrived crates of medication. "I never expected to find my first, decade-long assignment to be helping people out on the frontier. Those people didn't have access to such simple necessities as droids or bacta, and were always living under the threat of being wiped out by local warlords or natural calamities. It was hard and trying work to give them real hope for the future, but in those ten years I found fulfilment where I least expected it, and how I least expected to serve the empire."

"See, viewers?" the narrator challenged as the doctor went back to his work. "There's more than one way to serve the empire."

"Joining the Navy was always out of a sense of duty for me." A redheaded woman identified as Admiral Natasi Daala said while striding across the bridge of a Star Destroyer orbiting a planet. "But I understand that not everyone can be satisfied with that motivation. And that's nothing to be ashamed of. Because in the Imperial Navy, so long as you have talent, so long as you're willing to put all you have to do what it takes, we can always find a place for you, and bring out the best in you."

"So what are you waiting for?" the narrator asked as the music rose to a stirring crescendo, TIE Fighters flying across a sunset on the hologram. "Sign up! Do your part! Be part of something bigger!"

"You think you have what it takes to be part of the Imperial Navy?" the TIE Defender pilot from earlier challenged before grinning and saluting at the camera. "Join us and find out. See you on the battlefield, pilot!"

As the recruitment video came to an end, Finn found himself staring. And he could only say a single word.

"…wow."

TIE Bombers soared down, proton rockets streaking out from their launchers to explode on the ground, sending mushroom clouds pluming into the air and bodies and debris flying. Behind the TIE Bombers came TIE Fighters, laser cannons lashing out as they strafed the rebel lines, explosions pluming into the air in lines across the ground, Imperial Stormtroopers rushing forward in a white wave to overwhelm the fractured rebel forces.

Stormtrooper transports soared down, escorted by TIE Interceptors, making landfall behind enemy lines, and quickly unloaded more Stormtroopers, who almost immediately began attacking the rebel forces. As the rebels found themselves being overrun, a green lightsaber ignited on the battlefield.

Jedi Master Quinlan Vos led the counterattack, running out of the Imperial Intelligence listening post they'd come to this unnamed planet on the Outer Rim to attack, only to be surprised and trapped when Imperial reinforcements arrived sooner than expected. Or so the Imperials thought. Vos though, still had a few tricks up his sleeve, enough to pull off a victory and make the loss of so many lives mean something.

Even if it meant he himself would either die or fall into the hands of the empire.

Vos' lightsaber was an emerald glow through the air as he charged at the head of his crack team of commandoes, harmlessly parrying the Imperials' laser fire away from him. And then leaping through the air, he landed in the midst of the nearest group of Stormtroopers, Vos' lightsaber swinging and chopping in a near-invisible blur, leaving white-armored bodies falling to the ground in pieces, melted plasteel armor and cauterized flesh steaming.

More Stormtroopers rushed, blasters blazing. Vos deflected a pair of bolts headed his way, but as a rebel commando nearby fell the Jedi Master flung a hand out towards the Stormtroopers who were hurled away through the air as though struck.

TIE Fighters swooped down, laser cannons blazing. Vos leapt out of the way as laser bolts lanced down, rolling across the ground as explosions erupted behind. The Force whispered warnings as Vos got to his feet, and he spun his lightsaber to turn a blaster bolt back to the Stormtrooper who fired it.

Another transport was coming in, and Vos narrowed his eyes, feeling the darkness within. He wouldn't be disappointed, as it landed some distance away, a Twi'lek stepping out before igniting a blood-red lightsaber. More inquisitors followed, hoods raised and faces concealed behind enclosing helmets reminiscent of those used by the Sith Empire during the Great Galactic War thousands of years ago.

Lightsabers ignited, and Vos gave a Makashi Salute as the inquisitors charged. Vos waited for them to come to him, standing in a Form One stance, but as they passed a certain point, instantly switched to a modified, Form Seven stance before leaping forward himself, spinning through the air to land right in front of the inquisitors.

The first inquisitor fell, literally losing his head before he could even try and block Vos' opening strike. The next inquisitor blocked Vos' attack, only to be left open to a powerful, telekinetic blast strong enough to break bone and crush flesh.

A third inquisitor was able to tie Vos down, exchanging several blows with the Jedi Master, Form Five against Vos' modified Form Seven, but Vos was quickly forced to disengage as the two other inquisitors charged in from the flanks. Backing away several steps and staying on the defensive to regain his focus, Vos allowed himself to sink fully into Vaapad, and returned to the offensive.

Moments later and one inquisitor was crying out as her right hand was severed at the wrist, the cry turning to a scream as Vos severed her legs at the knees as well. A blow from the rear was blocked, Vos dragging his lightsaber free before swinging around and trying to cut the inquisitor in half.

Another blood-red blade blocked Vos' strike, and again Vos was forced to fight two on one. Vos again gave way, blocking as he stepped back several steps, and then locking both of his opponents' blades on his own lashed out with the Force, and sent the inquisitors flying.

That left only the most dangerous opponent left, the Twi'lek who thus far had stayed out of the fight. "Who are you?" Vos demanded.

"High Inquisitor Atelmizif," the Twi'lek replied. "But you, Jedi…I know who you are. Quinlan Vos, Jedi Master and a former general in the Grand Army of the Republic. And now a general in the Rebel Alliance."

Vos smiled without mirth. "It seems my reputation has preceded me." He said. "Well, we know how this is going to go, so let's get to it, shall we?"

"If you know how this will end," Atelmizif asked. "Then why not just surrender? It is pointless to resist, and I was under the impression that you Jedi valued…non-violence, whenever possible."

"That was the rule," Vos admitted. "Or should I say…guideline? And it never applied to darksiders anyway."

"…I see."

Vos again leapt through the air, lightsaber coming down in a two-handed blow. Atelmizif stepped back, dodging the opening strike, and raised his lightsaber to block the follow through. The next blow was blocked, then the next, and then the next, the high inquisitor staying on the defensive and backing away step by step, before sidestepping another blow, and around Vos to his rear.

Vos continued to press the offensive, hammering away at the high inquisitor's defenses, Atelmizif keeping a tight defense around him with Form Three, blocking any and all attacks made by the Jedi Master. At the same time, he kept a good eye out, waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of.

Finally, it came, Atelmizif striking out to lock Vos' blade in place with his own, and for a few moments, they struggled against each other, both trying to overpower the other, until Atemizif seemed to give way only to hurl Vos back, the Jedi Master stumbling a few steps back. The opening was enough, Atelmizif lashing out with a torrent of Force Lightning from one hand.

Vos caught most of the bolts with his lightsaber, crying out in pain as they rest flowed around his blade and found purchase on his flesh. Struggling against the pain, Vos slowly brought his lightsaber up, to allow it to catch all of the lightning, and on regaining his focus, along with the Force redirected the lightning back to its caster.

This time it was Atelmizif's turn to cry out in pain as he was struck by his own lightning. But typically for a darksider, the high inquisitor fed off his pain and turned it to hate and fury, increasing the intensity of his lightning only for Vos to throw it back at him, the increased pain further fueling Atelmizif's pain and power.

The stalemate could have continued for much longer, Atelmizif striking with the power of the Dark Side and Vos redirecting it back, had not another inquisitor from earlier thrown his lightsaber at Vos. Vos was forced to break away, deflecting the thrown weapon but leaving him vulnerable to Atelmizif's Force Lightning.

The bolts coursed over Vos' body, the Jedi Master crying out as he struggled to bring his lightsaber to bear, only for another inquisitor to charge in. Blood-red struck, severing Vos' right hand at the wrist, and a telekinetic, uppercut-like blow sent Vos reeling.

A stun blast knocked him to the ground, and before he could use the Force to shrug it off he felt heavy boots run up to him, and stun cuffs being placed around his wrist before being lifted to his feet. Pain-clouded eyes beheld one inquisitor standing before him along with the singed and panting Atelmizif, and Stormtroopers all around.

Then Atelmizif struck out with his fist, and darkness fell.

"You have done well, High Inquisitor Atelmizif," Grand Inquisitor Barriss Offee's hologram told the kneeling high inquisitor. "His Majesty will be most pleased at our capture of yet another survivor of the Great Jedi Purge. And not just any survivor, a Jedi Master no less."

"I am honored by your praise." Atelmizif said, head bowed.

"The loss of two inquisitors, and the effective loss of another, however," Barriss continued. "It tarnishes your achievement. That said, it is not truly your fault. They were simply not strong enough to stand against a Jedi Master. A shame, but these things happen in war."

"Yes, my lady."

"In any case, I have new orders for you."

"I exist to serve."

Barriss nodded. "Inquisitors Aphra and Jafher will escort the prisoner back to Imperial Center." She said. "You however, will proceed to the Outer Rim, where you will rendezvous with Admiral Xiaoling. Accompany her fleet into the Unknown Regions, and secure a bridgehead for further operations against the First Order."

"It will be done, my lady."

"Admiral Xiaoling will have operational command." Barriss continued with a nod. "Your presence will be to support the admiral with your power in the Force, and in case these…Knights of Ren, make an appearance."

"I understand." Atelmizif said. "Rest assured, I will make every effort to fulfil my duty."

"Be mindful, high inquisitor." Barriss cautioned him. "While Lady Invictus considers the threat of the Knights of Ren and their…false, dark lord, to be…inconsequential, in the long term, she admits they have potential, to be a major thorn in the empire's side. Furthermore, she also suspects they may know more than is appropriate for mere flatterers who ape the empire and the Sith."

"I will temper my actions accordingly then, my lady." Atelmizif said. "If I may ask, speaking of the Grand Marshal, will Lady Invictus be joining us on the field?"

"Lady Invictus has other matters to attend to at present." Barriss replied. "Though it may change in the future, your new assignment should be answer enough that Lady Invictus may not lead suppression operations against the First Order at this time."

"I understand, my lady." Atelmizif said. "I apologize for my thoughtless words."

"Actions speak louder than words." Barriss said. "Lady Invictus may yet join you on the field, in time. You understand, do you not?"

"Yes," Atelmizif said. "If I truly regret my thoughtlessness, then it would be best to express it by ensuring Lady Invictus, or His Majesty, would not be disappointed when the time comes."

"Do so, and the Emperor will be pleased." Barriss said, and her hologram vanished.

A/N

Starship Troopers – the film series – is supposed to be a satire of militarism…and yet I can't help but think it backfires horribly. If anything, it makes militarism look cool. And their recruitment videos make for great templates to make your own recruitment videos/POVs. I own nothing, Paul Verhoeven owns the Starship Troopers films, though the novel is of course, Robert Heinlein's.

…anyone want to join the Navy?