Chapter One: New Journey

[Akirapryde]

Master Undull slowly walked in to the class room, “greetings, my able students” the male Mirialan said as he walked slowly over to the desk. “Today is a very busy day. We will be going over the Azgardian/Mandalorian War and how this conflict helped shape the Republic as we know it today.”

He stopped at his desk, “Before we continue, we have four new students. They are, Gadeon Halvran, Unna Chaanu, Ashla Marr, and lastly, Auro Syrdash.” He said pointing out the entire party of four. “I am sure you all will make our new arrivals feel welcome.”

He drew in a deep breath, “now, allow us to move on to the lesson. Take notes for everything you learn today will be tested.”

He leaned on his desk as he folded his arms before him, “Tell me, can anyone please tell me the year the Azgardian/Mandalorion War took place.” Lysire’s arm shot up and he let out a sigh, “Lysire…..”

Lysire stood up with pride, “the first in a series of violent engagements begin in the year Thirteen Sixty-Four, Before the Order of Korriban.”

“Good,” he said as he raised his hand to stop her. “This war erupted after a large group of Mandalorian raiders conducted a successful surprise raid in to Azgard space. They hit three Azgardian colonies. Prior to this date, no one had explored this region of space. From reports of the era, it is likely the Mandalorians were not looking for the Azgardians at the time of the raid. Still, there were rumors of a great warrior that could rival even the Mandalorians of old. It is possible that they were in fact looking for the Azgardians after all. We will never know the truth.”

“What we do know, is that this raid triggered a violent war between the two cultures that raged across serval star system. Despite how wide spread the death and destruction was, the conflict never entered in to either side’s home system. The vast majority of the battles took place in and around the Vjun and Gala systems. Both systems suffered greatly due to these conflicts. As the war took its course, both sides started to wear themselves out. Despite neither side willing to accept an official end to the war the fighting started to burn its self out. Can anyone tell me when history marks the end of fighting.”

Once more Lysire raised her hand and he smiled, “Lysire….”

“History marks the end of the 1st Azgardian/Mandalorian War at, Thirteen Twenty-nine, Before the Order of Korriban.”

He smiled, “good girl. Can anyone else tell me why this date is important.”

A Massassi male raised his hand and was called upon by the name, Xhan, “This date marks one year to the day when the last Azgardian or Mandalorian warship or unit was spotted by either Vjun or Gala.”

The old teacher nodded, “yes, neither side accepted an end to the war. They simply withdrew back to their respected space. And a year later, the war was reported official over. Not that the Republic would know any better. At this time, the Republic had little interest in this region of space.

He looked over the class as his smile faded. “This was not the end of the conflict though. Anyone tell me when fighting resumed?”

A young Twi’lek raised her hand, “Um…..Eight, thirty five.” There was uncertainty in her voice.

He looked at her and shook his head, “no little one. But close. Eight thirty-nine, Before the Order of Korriban.” He took a pause before continuing. “In Eight thirty-nine, a group of Azgardian warships cornered a Mandalorian fleet near the Vjun system. The exchange was short and the ill-prepared Mandalorian were decimated. Only a handful of Mandalorian ships managed to escape the battle. This battle reignited the conflict and once more the two sides went to war. Just like the war before the majority of the battles were fought in the Vjun and Gala systems. And like before nether side could claim any measure of victory.”

He paused before adding, “can anyone tell me when this conflict ended?” he said looking right at young Twi’lek.

She raised her hand and he called upon her, “Seven fifty-seven?” she said with more of a question in her voice than any measure of fact.

He nodded, “yes, that is correct. And ten years later, rumors of this conflict finally reached the Republic. Rumors of two great warrior races throwing everything that they could at each other started to make their ways around the parties on Coruscant. Oh such wondrous stories of grand battles delighted Senators and Nobles of Coruscant. Sadly, these wondrous and grand stories were far too real. The suffering was far too real. Only if those with power at the time had listened to these stories and saw the death and destruction that was leveled across the Vjun and Gala systems.”

“These rumors didn’t warrant even a single debate in the Great Senate. Ten times the Great Senate was urged to send diplomatic missions to the region to find out what was going on. Despite this AND urgings from the Jedi, the Republic failed to do anything. This was such an unimportant region of space and the Republic was distracted with internal issues. History will record this moment in Republic history as a great missed opportunity to stop bloodshed before it started. When brave men and women fail to act, horrors WILL follow!”

He fell silent as he scanned the class, “And tell me, what is coming?”

Lysire shot her hand up and was called upon. “The third Azgardian/Mandalorian Wars. But this is a lie.”

He waved his hand and cut her off, “a lie? Dangerous words to speak of history.” The instructor’s voice was harsh, “explain yourself young Lysire.”

Lysire’s eyes didn’t faint as she stood her ground, “Instructor, despite what history writes. The war between Azgard and Mandalor was never truly over. Each world, each culture holds traditions regarding warfare dearly. Nothing short of the complete destruction of the other would cause the war to end. This didn’t happen yet so to call these wars, separate is to place forward a lie. The Azgardian/Mandalorian War which started in thirteen sixty-four, Before the Order of Korriban was still ongoing all the way up to the Great Hyperspace War.”

The instructor smiled and nodded his head, “well well, it would appear someone has done her reading. Know your enemies. Almost as important as important as knowing yourself. Fail to know either and you will always know defeat. A lesson the Republic is about to learn.” He waited a moment then continued, “When did hostilities between the Azgard and Mandalor resume.

A human raised her hand, and was called upon, “what is commonly known as the Third Azgardian/Mandalorian War began on four sixteen Before the Order of Korriban.”

He nodded, “good” he said then got up from the desk and walked towards a display that showed the region of space where Mandalor, Vjun, Gala and Azgard lay. “After decades of buildup, it was time to go to war again. However, this time, Mandalor wouldn’t be alone. After decades of manipulation, Mandalor managed to secure the loyalties of Vjun, Gala, Ar’Kani, Ulish, Quiin and a dozen other worlds between. The Mandalorian Collation was thought to be so grand that it was assumed that Azgard would succumb.”

He smiled and looked at Lysire, “tell me, why is this assumption wrong.”

Lysire nodded as she filled pride, “because while Mandalor’s forces were highly trained warriors, well over the majority of Mandalor’s allies were only part time warriors at best.”

He nodded and looked over at a human male, “tell me how Mandalor was able to amess such a collation.”

The human male shifted his eyes a bit, “because um, well Mandalor did conduct raids on their neighbors, so did Azgard. Mandalor focused their raids on worlds closer to Republic, Azgard directed their raids on worlds closer to home. Mandalor choose their allies from a list of worlds that had been targeted by Azgard in the past.”

The instructor nodded, “A collation of enemies now faced Azgard’s warrior houses.

“A group of ships from Quiin led by Mandalorian warships, conducted a deep raid in to Azgardian space. This raid is rumored to have stuck the Azgardian Temple On High. The single most sacred and cherished sites on Azgard. It was a foolish blunder by the Mandalorians. They didn’t realize what this single raid would unleash. Mandalor didn’t realize that during the past two wars between Mandalor and Azgard, Mandalor only battled a few of the warrior houses of Azgard. This raid caused all the warrior houses of Azgard to be consumed with a kind of hatred that will not be satisfied until all of Mandalor burned.”

He paused a moment as he searched the classroom, “who can tell me when this event occurred?”

The group students looked around as they thought about the answer. It was Lysire who raised her hand and was called upon. “History recorded this raid in four sixteen, Before the Order of Korriban.”

He smiled, “good Lysire. That is correct. It was Warlord Astrid of the Ulfdotter, or Astrid, daughter of the wolf god, who led the Azgardians during this time. She called upon all the Houses of Azgard in to a great war against Mandalor. It wasn’t until much later that the truth of this raid finally came out. During their raid on the Temple on High, it was accused that Mandalor had stolen a priceless scroll. Drawing upon this theft, Warlord Astrid was able to rally all of the Houses of Azgard in to one single war. In Azgardian culture, this was the first time that this happened since the Gods walked on Azgard.”

“Several events took place during this era that are very important that you understand. The warning signs written across the Outer Rim of the coming war. It was the Old Republic’s inability to influence these events that led many to lose faith in the Old Republic. As we learn about this war, we will see the missteps take place. As the influence of the Old Republic becomes more and more degraded we will see the slow raise of the Republic that we know today, the Galactic Republic.”

“On Mandalor, we see the height of Mand'alor power and influence within the Mandalorian culture. It was Mand’alor Almec Vizsla who ordered the raid on Azgard which would lead to war. Almec was the man behind the Mandalorian collation. While there will be a few more Mand’alors after Almec Vizsla, he will be the last Mand’alor of Mandalor to hold any real power.”

“On Azgard we see the ascension of the title ‘Warlord of Azgard.’ Before this time, this title does not show up anywhere in Azgardian culture. Warlord of Azgard was more than just an honorary title. Warlord Astrid created a structure of leadership that would allow her to rule over her people. Hated like no other, Mandalor had unleashed a monster that it couldn’t hope to control or defeat. It is rumored that Warlord Astrid used a great Warhammer to create the Throne of Azgard by hammering the remains of Mandalorian armor together. Under this title, Warlord Astrid was able to unify her people in to a single war effort.”

“After a series of subsequent raids across all Azgardian colonies, Mandalor and their allies regrouped for a final attack on the Azgardian homeworld again. The destruction across Azgardian space was very extensive. It was suspected by Mand’alor Vizsla that these attacks would trigger the Azgardian culture to collapse in on its self. With Azgardian colonies in flames and Azgard once more in the crosshairs, Mand’alor Vizsla wrote that he had brought the end of Mandalor’s most hated enemy.”

“Azgardian warships exploded from Azgardian space seeking vengeance against those who attacked them. This counter attack hit hard and fast while Mandalor’s collation were preparing for the next wave of attacks. Because of its close proximity to Azgard space, the first major battle of this counter-offensive was fought in the system of Ar’Kani. Ar’Kani was a critical forward base of operations for Mandalor and her allies.”

“Mandalor and her allies stood against a fleet of Azgardian ships that was not even half their size. What Mand’alor Vizsla thought would be an easy victory, turned to become his first major defeat. For as courageous as the Ar’Kani fought, they were not on the same caliber as Mandalor or Azgard. Ar’Kani saw staggering losses during the battle for their homeworld. Mandalor warships simply couldn’t hold the lines together.”

“Mandalor and the surviving Ar’Kani were forced to withdraw from the system. This is when the real horrors of the war began. Warlord Astrid ordered the destruction of the Ar’Kani homeworld. On that order, Azgardian warships picked asteroids from within the Ar’Kani system and flung them on to the Ar’Kani homeworld. Three other colonies within the system were also attacked in the same manner.”

“Within a week, the Ar’Kani homeworld was near lifeless as tens of thousands of refugees fled the destruction. To ensure that others knew the price that would be paid, Warlord Astrid allowed these refugee ships to flee the system. She even made sure that they carried a personal message to Mandalor. ‘Death is coming for Mandalor!’ were the words she made sure each and every refugee ship carried with them.”

“With Ar’Kani in flames, the next major battle took place in the Ulish system. Ulish was only a stone’s throw away from Ar’Kani and would be a critical turning point for Mandalor’s war effort. Mand’alor Vizsla led his own personal clan against the Azgardians. Like in the Ar’Kani system, the Ulish fought alongside their allies. Just like with the Ar’Kani, the Azgradians targeted this group in hopes of breaking Mandalor’s lines.”

“Warlord Astrid created a battle tactic that called for a third of her battle units to break off from the main element. Already outnumbered three to one, the move was seen by Mand’alor Vizsla as foolish. As Warlord Astrid’s main lines approached Mand’alor Vizsla’s lines, her break off unit made a highly accurate attack run on the Mandalorian lines.”

“He paused and brought up a map showing two battle lines facing each other. “The move, now called the ‘Azgardian Hop Light,’ brought one third of her ships to conduct a hyperspace maneuver directly in front of the Mandalorian lines. The Azgardian warships exited hyperspace at very close ranges. This maneuver caused chaos among the Mandalorian lines.” The map reflected the new line of warships coming in at close ranges. Warlord Astrid then ordered her own lines to advance on the chaos. As her first line had completed their combat run, they exited the system at light speed.”

Once more the map reflected the change. “This led Mand’alor Vizsla to assume that the current threat was Warlord Astrid’s mainlines. While he fought to regain control of his battle lines, many hired mercenaries fighting alongside of Mandalor turned and fled the battle field. This left holes in Mand’alor Vizsla’s lines. Those fleeing mercenaries would be the first to witness the trap unfolding. As they attempted to flee the battlefield, Warlord Astrid’s first lines returned behind the Mandalorians. There would be no escape from Ulish.”

“As the battle played out, the last of the Ar’Kani fighting ships as well as the Ulish were destroyed in the Ulish system. Mand’alor Vizsla was able to create a hole in the Azgardian lines that allowed some of his ships to escape the slaughter. But the people of Ulish were not so lucky. Like with the Ar’Kani, Warlord Astrid ordered the complete destruction of the system. The Ulish’s homeworld and five colonies were laid to waste just like that. The death toll was so horrid that it could not be hidden. Two of Mandalor’s biggest allies were removed from the war.”

“While the Ar’Kani and Ulish were the largest systems whipped out during the war up to this point, a dozen other worlds suffered similar fates. It became clear that Azgard was out for blood and they were not being picky. Having fled their homeworlds, waves of refugees swarmed for the safety of the Old Republic. Rumors started to reach the Republic Senate of near lifeless worlds and millions of deaths. These rumors triggered a public outcry as the horrors of the conflict were becoming impossible to ignore.”

“According to rumors, both the Ar’Kani and Ulish were driven to near extinction at the hands of the Azgardians. To add insult to injury, Azgardian forces occupied both systems. While the Senate debated the truth of these rumors, reports of more death and destruction were being brought to the Senate. The Republic Senate ordered Jedi Observes to the conflict zone to uncover the truth.”

Jedi Observers were on scene to watch Azgardian warships arrived in to the Gala system. In advance of the Azgardians, the leadership of Gala offered their surrender. Warlord Astrid accepted the surrender and gave instructions to abandon their ships and military bases. At the appointed time, Azgardian warships laid waste to Gala’s military structure overnight. Warlord Astrid personally executed Gala King Lonnag as well as his advisors. This move effectively ended the rule of the Gala monarchy.

As Warlord Astrid’s fleet moved on, another Azgardian fleet forced Vjun to the same fate as Gala. It is important to note that while the destruction on both these worlds was complete, it was limited only to military facilities and members of these world’s leadership. Can anyone one, please tell me why this is important to note.

A human student raised his hand, “because the Azgardian culture is a strict caste system. In removing the military and leadership, they can in their own views justify sparing the remaining members of the population of these two worlds.”

A smile crossed the instructors face, “and what of the Ar’Kani and Ulish who saw their worlds laid to complete waste.” The instructor paused for a moment before challenging the young student, “what was different?” The young human looked down as he thought. Lysire’s hand shot up and the instructor waved her off, “let him think about the answer.”

Final the human boy looked up, “was it because Gala and Vjun both surrendered?”

The instructor nodded, “yes, very good. Because both worlds surrendered. Azgard’s view of justice is very simple. Gala and Vjun had joined the war against Azgard and their military had blood on their hands. However, in surrendering, their leaders had been able to shield the rest of the population from Azgardian justice. This didn’t protect their leaders though. Warlord Astrid ensured that key leaders on both worlds would pay for the Azgardian blood that was shed.”

“A fate that the Quiin King Shoni would do anything to avoid. King Shoni concealed reports from Gala and Vjun as he brought his world’s focus on Ar’Kani and Ulish. King Shoni promised that his people would stand against the Azgardian threat regardless of the cost. Mand’alor Vizsla sent over a hundred warships to support his last ally. The battle for Quiin would be one of the most critical battles in Republic history. Jedi Observers would be on station for the battle and its results would send ripples across the entire Republic.”

“Noting that she was once more outnumbered, Warlord Astrid sent a large number of her forces in an end run maneuver to attack the Mandalorian colony, Concord Dawn. Concord Dawn was only a few light years from Mandalore its self. With much of his forces between Mandalore and Quiin, Mand’alor Vizsla made the fateful decision to pull forces from the front lines to reinforce his lines at Concord Dawn. This left the world of Quiin underdefended. And this was when Warlord Astrid launched her assault on Quiin.”

“The Quiin fought valiantly but couldn’t hold up against the might of the Azgardians. And like the Ar’Kani and Ulish, Quiin faced destruction on a level that shocked and terrorized the Republic. Almost overnight, the Quiin population went from a thriving fifty billion, to just over a million. Many of them were not located on the Quiin homeworld. King Shoni fled the destruction of his world and managed to reach the Republic. He spoke before the Republic Senate begging for their help against the Azgardian menace.”

“The Republic Senate convened an emergency meeting and voted to intervene in the war between Azgard and Mandalore. They commissioned a fleet of over a thousand warships from hundreds of worlds. While the Republic fleet was massive in numbers, it is important to note that many of the ships were nothing more than armored patrol ships unfit for the kind of war that was going on in the Outer Rim. At the request of the Jedi Order, a young untested Jedi Knight, Knight Crlisst from the world of Mrlsst, was placed in command of this important relief operation. His orders from the Senate were simple. Stop the Azgardian menace!”

“Knight Crlisst would spend much of the journey to the conflict zone reviewing the reports of the war and in meditation. By the time his fleet arrived in Mandalorian space, the Mandalorians had just lost their last major battle at Concord Dawn. To the horror of his commanders, Knight Crlisst ordered half of his ships to blockade Mandalore while the other half of his ships engaged the remains of the Mandalorian fleet.”

“In a short battle, the battered Mandalorian fleet was driven from their homeworld. After that critical battle, Knight Crlisst ordered his half of the fleet to reinforce the blockade of Mandalore. With complete control of the space around Mandalore, Knight Crlisst issued a long list of Mandalorian transgressions against the Republic. He then demanded that Mandalore accepted terms for negotiations.”

“As Warlord Astrid’s three battle lines converged on Mandalore, Knight Crlisst refused to turn his ships around and face the threat behind him. Instead, he sent a transmission to the approaching ships that his fleet was laying claim to Mandalore. He sent the same list of transgressions that Mandalore had committed against the Republic to the approaching warships. The Azgardians replied with, ‘stand aside little bird!’ Knight Crlisst knew that his thousand ship fleet could hardly stand against the might of Warlord Astrid’s three fleets of pure warships. Still he stood his ground and replied with, no….”

“This bold move triggered a three-day standoff between Republic and Azgardian forces. During this critical time, Mandalorian forces tried twice to break the blockade on their world. Both times, Knight Crlisst’s forces threw back the Mandalorians. On day four of the standoff, Warlord Astrid invited Knight Crlisst to her flagship.”

“Despite concerns from his senior officers, Knight Crlisst selected a lone Bothan pilot named Ogon Koo'Lak to accompany him. According to Koo’Lak’s first reports, the trip to the Azgardain flagship was a journey in to a dark world filled with blood thirsty warriors who wore the skins of their victims. Even Warlord Astrid wore the skin of a fallen Wookie, who had been defeated on the world of Ulish.”

He paused and walked up to a human female. He leaned down as he placed booth hands on her desk. “Tell me youngling, there you are Prim. Standing before the mighty Warlord of Azgard. She commands nearly a thousand warships. Hundreds of her warriors are watching from the shadows. As you look up at her, you see the skull of a Wookie upon her head. His skill hung over her shoulders like a cloak. What do you do Youngling Prim….”

Youngling Prim appeared clearly shaken by the mental image. She opened her mouth in an attempt to speak but nothing came out. It was a human male behind her that spoke up, “nothing teacher.”

The instructor turned to face the human male, “continue” he said waving his hand.

The human youngling nodded, “Azgardians are well known for their honor. If safe passage is promised, then safe passage will be assured. Knight Crlisst and his pilot were under the protection of the Warlord herself. No one would dare challenger that promise.”

He nodded, “well said youngling” he said as he turned to face the rest of the class. “However there is a flaw in this line of thinking. Knight Crlisst wasn’t aware of such things. Remember the Azgardians were as much a mystery to us, as we were to them. The lesson here is that Knight Crlisst trusted in the Will of the force.”

He walked back to the front of the class room, Unna set there looking out the large windows of the classroom. She couldn’t help but think about her time on the 501st. She had met many members of the elite unit. She met several members of alien races aboard the Unyielding Light. However, Unna had heard that a sister ship that traveled with the Unyielding Light, the Firestorm. Like the Unyielding Light, the Firestorm was a Venator class Star Destroyer. What Unna learned was that the Firestorm was manned completely by Azgardians.

Even though Unna was half paying attention, she couldn’t help but think about their trip here. “After a long drawn out negotiation, Warlord Astrid challenged Knight Crlisst to find a flaw in her battle plans to defeat Mandalore. She offered that if Knight Crlisst could find a flaw in her plan to end the war after this single battle, then she would take her forces home. If he could not find a flaw in her plan, then Knight Crlisst would order his forces back to Republic space and leave Mandalore to its own fate.”

“Knight Crlisst spent the following day and night carefully going over the battle plans. After spending the night meditating Knight Crlisst went to Warlord Astrid before her entire War Council.”

Unna’s attention was drawn beyond her control outside. In her mind, she heard a female’s laughter. As the teacher continued, Unna couldn’t shake the laughter in her mind. “Knight Crlisst stood there surrounded by all these massive Azgardians who watched him. The entire conversation was well recorded and reported by Knight Crlisst’s pilot, Ogon Koo’Lag. He confessed that the Warlord’s battle plans were in fact brilliant. But he pointed out that there was indeed one flaw in her plan. He explained that if Warlord Astrid issued the order to attack Mandalore, that she would not be able to end the war during this single battle.”

Unna looked out over the city as she heard the lecture continue. “He explained that should her ships attack, his own ships would be caught in the middle. They would be forced to defend themselves in the coming battle. Knight Crlisst admitted that Warlord Astrid’s forces would victorious, but that victory would only expand the war. This battle would draw the Republic in to a war with Azgard. He explained that while Azgard would most likely be victorious over the Republic, this war would not end at Mandalore.”

In the distance, Unna saw a bright flash between the buildings on the far side of the city. Her eyes grew big as the instructor continued speaking, “Warlord Astrid thought she had the Jedi Knight as spoke to him. There is a flaw in our assumptions Jedi. If you fail to find flaw in my plans, your ships will be removed from the battlefield. Therefore, your Republic will not be drawn in to the war.”

Once more Unna saw another bright flash in the distance as a thick cloud of black smoke rose above the city. “Knight Crlisst accepted the statement but countered by saying, if all things were equal the Warlord would be correct. But all things are not equal. Knight Crlisst explained that his orders were clear. Stop the Azgardians from destroying Mandalore. This meant that he couldn’t remove his ships from the system no matter what.”

Unna watched a second think column of smoke climb in to the sky. “Warlord Astrid and her council withdrew from their meeting with Knight Crlisst and Ogon Koo’Lak. After two hours, and without any other explanation Warlord Astrid informed Knight Crlisst that she had ordered her ships to withdraw back to Azgardian space. She informed Knight Crlisst that Azgard would maintain possession of the Ar’Kani and Ulish systems….”

Unna saw a flash and felt the rumble that shook the building. The blast seemed to be just beyond the wall of the academy. Unna’s eyes widened as she watched the blast wave approaching the windows. She turned her head to see the class completely oblivious to the coming wave. Unna turned back to the window just in time to watch the wave hit the window with full force. Within seconds the window shattered inward as the Unna threw up her hands to shield her face from the coming glass. She felt the shockwave and smelled the order of the explosion. Unna let out a scream as the glass ripped past her….

The instructor stopped speaking as he looked at Unna, “are we okay?” Unna looked at her hand and saw that her hand had been cut by the glass. She looked back at the window which was still intact. In her mind, Unna heard that female’s voice laughing. “Okay class, that is enough for today.” He said as he walked up to Unna and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Tomorrow will talk about the Great Hyperspace War and how it was effected by the Azgardian/Mandalorian War.”