The Last Offensive

by Marvolo

I'm not including my fanfic in the challenge because a) it is lacking in ducks, and b) if I were to add in the first chapter (which does have a duck), it would be late.

The story remains incomplete. I began planning this story as a short one, but the idea rapidly snowballed and became a multi-chapter epic. Needless to say, it's not finished at the moment. So I've posted the prologue, (which I never got a chance to edit), and chapter one is on the way. Also, I expect the first few chapters will be changed and edited thoroughly once the entire story is done. I may even change aspects of the plot and the characters along the way. In posting this now, before the rest of the story is done, I'm breaking rule number two of writing, but I figured I should have something up today. So it will simply be a separate fanfic I have started, to be completed at a later date. I am, however, glad that attempting to do this challenge got me to sit down and write instead of making excuses.

More is on the way. Soon. Eventually.

Prologue

Supreme Commander Revan gazed out into the blackness of space through the viewport of the Interdictor-class cruiser. Revan’s flagship, the Vigilante, had hung in the empty vacuum at meaningless coordinates as the Republic fleet massed in the days before the final offensive. The fleet’s destination, Onderon and its five moons, lay several lightyears ahead.

Onderon occupied a portion of space far from the mainstream hyperspace routes and the galactic core, standing on the edge of the vast expanse of Republic space. Though isolated in its position on the outer rim, Onderon was one of the first Republic planets to fall victim to the Mandalorian conquest. The initial attacks by the Mandalorian crusaders had sent the Republic reeling. But the Republic forces, largely under the direction of Revan himself, had gained the upper hand during the past year, driving the invaders from the conquered planets and reclaiming worlds for the Republic. After several months, during which Revan’s forces had taken the offensive and eliminated the conquerors’ presence on key worlds, the Mandalorian grip on the Republic had been reduced to one outer-rim world and its jungle moon.

Revan stared at the distant speck among the stars that was Onderon. The Mandalorian wars were nearing their end. And yet the Mandalorian warriors had not relented, nor had they demonstrated any willingness to surrender. They had tightened their grip on the few worlds they held. The Republic had been forced to liberate Mandalorian space system by system, city by city, building by building, inch by inch. Though the Mandalorians were clearly on the losing side of the war, they were relentless, and the Republic had paid dearly for the ground they had regained.

A new presence entered the bridge. “Master Revan."

The voice was that of Admiral Saul Karath. Revan, reaching out with the force, sensed the admiral’s anger and ambition, yet overpowering and unquestioning loyalty. Not loyalty to the Republic; loyalty to Revan himself, to Revan’s power, and to victory. Revan smiled behind the mask that shrouded his face. Loyal subordinates had become increasingly valuable during these last few months of the war.

“Everything is in place, Master Jedi.”

“Excellent, Admiral Karath.” Revan turned away from the viewpoint to look at the Admiral.

“Our intelligence confirms that the Mandalorians have several important bases in the system. The outgoing transmissions from strongly suggest that they may be running the entire war effort from the system.”

Revan nodded slightly.

“Mandalore himself is said to be among them. If the enemy forces weren’t so depleted at this time, my instincts would tell me the Mandalorians have set a trap.”

Karath continued, “We can nevertheless expect heavy resistance. Onderon is the last Mandalorian stronghold in the Republic. The enemy will continue to fight this war until they have been completely destroyed."

“Admiral, I am confident that we will win this battle, but I fear the cost may be too great. Nevertheless, it is a necessary sacrifice. Should the Mandalorians manage to escape without being utterly destroyed, the survivors will be reduced to a small number of scattered battalions incapable of mounting a new offensive.”

“Yes, Master Jedi.”

Revan moved from his position in front of the viewport and began to pace the floor of the bridge. “We must launch a simultaneous attack upon Onderon and Dxun in order to liberate the system. The Mandalorians will allow Onderon to fall, but Dxun will not be taken with ease.

“Onderon itself is not held tightly in the iron grip of the Mandalorian,” Revan looked out again at the distant stars. “Victory on Onderon will be swift. The long battle will be fought on its jungle moon, Dxun.”

Revan paused. “When the Mandalorians began their attack on the Republic, their conquest of Onderon was rapid. Yet Dxun holds a greater significance. While the Mandalorians believe the people of Onderon to be weak, they wage a constant war against the jungle of Dxun. The Mandalorian bases were built in the jungle of Onderon’s moon, so that they must struggle against other worthy life forms for survival.”

Karath considered Revan’s words. “Should this information be correct, Master Jedi, it is imperative that the Mandalorians occupying the jungle moon be prevented from escaping. If our forces are successful, we may be able to capture the Mandalorian clan leaders and end this war.”

Revan ceased his restless pacing. The Mandalorians would not halt their crusade against the Republic with the loss of the Mandalore. A new leader would simply take his place, rallying the remaining warriors to defend the last few worlds they held. Though Dxun held the central command, too many Mandalorian warriors were off-world, occupying other systems, or engaging the Republic forces in suicidal attacks. And though the Republic clearly had the upper hand, there were still many enemy forces outside the Onderon system. Enough to re-group, even in the unlikely event of a swift victory on Dxun. Too many to assume an immediate end to the war. And too many to refuse to entertain the possibility of history repeating itself in the near future.

No, the Mandalorians had to fall. Revan could allow for no resurrection of the Mandalorian cause if he hoped to prevent a future tragedy from occurring. The Mandalorians thrived on battle and warfare. The result was a broken galaxy, razed worlds, and millions of casualties. Revan had seen the atrocities committed by the enemy, the deep scars left on the worlds that had been gutted by war. All for no real cause. All so that the Mandalorians would have a challenge in battle. The Mandalorians no longer deserved to exist as a people.

It would not be allowed to happen again, Revan resolved. Though the war may not end in the coming days with the Republic driving the Mandalorians from the last Republic system under their thumb, the Republic needed to be decisive and ruthless in their last offensive against the Mandalorians. The enemy needed to be left broken and scattered beyond repair. The barbaric culture would not be a threat to the Republic ever again.

This decisive battle against the Mandalorians would take place neither on Onderon, nor on Dxun in the coming weeks. But Revan would not fail.

“Admiral Karath,” said Revan abruptly, “have the Republic generals present in the fleet assemble in the command center of the Vigilante in two hours’ time. There, we will finalize the assault.”

“Yes, Commander,” replied Karath. Revan sensed the Admiral’s fierce desire for revenge against the Mandalorians. Yet Karath put complete confidence in the idea that Revan would formulate an effective strategy to accomplish this.

Karath saluted and started towards the door.

Revan looked out at the blackness of space once more, his lips curling, though no emotion was conveyed through his mask. He whispered, as if to assure the stars, “this will not be the last offensive. The Mandalorians will fall. Peace will be achieved by any means.”

To be continued...