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This is Pandem. Since the outbreak, this safe haven has been in progress-developing into a stronghold for all who survive.
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It’s protectors are made up of the Grand Army of the Republic who were stationed on Bondo III before the beginning of the end. Among them also, is the Bondo Military Corpse: the inhabited soldiers of the planet who have served beyond the definition of loyalty.
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But also among the ranks are the Jedi, the guardians of the Republic, and protectors of peace throughout.
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“Sir,” says one of the clones to the High Chief of Pandem, “We’ve got two bogeys on the scanners.”
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“Biters?” asked Goff to Jedi General Ora Tay. The Kel Dor Jedi Master shook his head slowly,
“No. They are not dead.”
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“Chief Rubar,” General Thrad Neilous stated, “We have eyes on them. They are a Mirialian pilot, and a youngling; probably from the Jedi training outpost.”
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“Then let them in, be mindful. Stick to protocol.”
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“Yes, sir.”
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Outside the walls, Denny and Nava stand awaiting permission to enter Pandem.
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However, in the meantime, they are confronted by two screechers.
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“Got em?” Nava asked,
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“Got em.” Denny confirmed.
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Firing the shots, Denny puts down the screecher closing in on him…
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Then took care of the crawler scraping at the ground.
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“If this goes on we’ll have to go.” Nava grimly stated.
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“Survivors,” a clone captain called out from the top of the wall,
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“Yeah?” Nava responded,
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“You have been granted permission to enter. However we have a few protocols to go through…”
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“…Will you comply?” the clone questioned,
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“Yes,” Denny replied, “of course.”
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“They’re cooperating,” the captain spoke into the comm link, “I’m entering them.”
“Proceed, Captain.” replied the clone at the other end of the comms.
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“You may go up the ladder.” the clone offered,
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The two survivors make it up the ladder, and are instantly approached by the captain.
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“You’re not bit. If you were we would already begin to see symptoms. Now that that subject is covered, how many people have you killed?”
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A bit surprised by the greeting, Denny carefully responds, “I haven’t killed anybody. Neither has Nava. We’ve been together since the beginning.”
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“Interesting. We’ll go down below to finish protocol.” Captain Racer noted.
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Walking into the main head quarters escorted by a pair of clones, Denny and Nava are amazed by the wonder of Pandem. It has been a while since they have seen clean walls, clean floors, and also seeing so many survivors.
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“Welcome to Pandem.” Goff greets, his eyes scanning the two survivors.
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They’re clothes are dirty and bloodied: they have seen action as have most of the people on Bondo III who survived the outbreak. Blood stains are a darker color, the same color that matches the color tent of the dead who walk: they have never killed living specimens.
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Striding into the room is Jedi Master Tendo Nin, “Welcome Mirialan, welcome little Jedi. It is good to see more people join ours.”
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“You’re a Jedi?” Denny asks.
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“There are many Jedi here, child,” Master Tay was pleased to declare to the boy.
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Denny suddenly felt an overwhelming majority of hope wash over him. He was safe, and he was among his people.
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Although pleased for the sudden change of events, a part of Nava’s heart sank. Could the Jedi here soon take Denny from her? Over the past couple of years, Denny has become a son to her, and her a mother.
“What-” Nava hesitated, “what will happen to us? How will we make progress?”
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“Ma’am,” Goff replied with a small grin of assurance, “we have been making progress since the very beginning. With every survivor we add to our numbers, the safer and stronger we become.”
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“We soldiers do what we can to keep this place safe,” Commander Armatum added, “but we won’t last long unless you help and pitch in with whatever we need you to do. Can you do that?”
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“Of course…under one condition,” Nava countered, “Where Denny goes I go, and whatever happens I wanna know about it.”
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“The same conditions we hear from everyone who enters Pandem.” Tendo Nin smiled, “We will do our best to meet your needs. Civilians of Pandem will be constantly informed of the happenings of the community. Organization requires communication.”
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Just then, Captain Landon Kyberstrong entered the room, his face bloodied, his clothes battered and dirtied as if he just walked away from a battle field.
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“Captain Kyberstrong, you’re back!” Goff exclaimed, “Nava, Denny, this is Captain Landon Kyberstrong, one of the head leaders of this operation.”
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“It’s good to see more of us,” the tall, broad figure smiled grimly, “especially after this morning. Our supply run turned into a fight pretty quick. That’s what I came here to inform you, Chief. We lost one of ours to the walkers.”
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“Wait, so you don’t have enough supplies to hold the community?” Denny questions anxiously.
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“We have enough to last us the rest of the month, but we don’t know how many will come knocking at our door with the week.” Landon replied,
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“Which brings me to an important matter,” Master Tay declared, “We need to exhaust the resources of the strength in our numbers.”
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“Actually I have considered the same.” Goff answered, “Our troops are not enough to protect these walls. The civilians have to be involved as well.”
“Precisely, Chief,” Ora Tay added, “Will you speak to our people?”
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“Of course I will,” Goff replied firmly, “Lieutenant, gather the people of Pandem.”
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The people of Pandem have gathered in the briefing room. Their numbers are small, but their hope is larger than life.
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“People of Pandem,” Goff began, “for the past few days my eyes have begun to open…”
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“…opening to the idea that my soldiers, and Ora Tay’s troops might not be enough.”
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“We are in dire need of support from all survivors. I cannot protect this place without help from everyone.”
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“My people; every single one of you are vital to our survival, and you and what you can learn is vital as well.”
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“Starting tomorrow each of you will be taught how fight like a soldier. Your motivation will be those who we lost…”
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“Our spouses…”
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“Our families…”
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“…and our brothers in arms who died so that we can live.”
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“As some of you know, our power supply is beginning to run to a critically low level…”
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“But if we can increase our power supply by rerouting it to our community we will be able to keep this place up and running for much longer.”
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“However, the power grid is guarded by the Confederacy. We will need to fight to bring back the power.”
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“I need everyone’s help in taking back the power grid. It is how we survive.”
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The people stood silent.
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“We will help in any way we can.” Tay answered firmly,
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“You have our blades.” Tendo Nin added.
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“Thank you, friends.” Goff smiled, “May the Force be with us all. We embark tomorrow morning, the Captains will debrief each of you on your jobs.”
Then the people were dismissed. Everyone united under a single commitment selflessly have joined alongside the soldiers of Bondo, as well as the Grand Army of the Republic to fight for eachother’s survival.
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“Your words seemed to have been enough.” Master Ora commented, a grin forming behind his mask.
“Yes. For once I feel as hopeful as my people. Things will change if we succeed.”
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“We will, sir. We will win this fight because we have to.” Landon stood.
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“I know.” Goff smiled.
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Resting her hands on Denny’s shoulders, Nava looks into his eyes, so scarred after seeing so much.
“Denny I want you to stay here tomorrow. I’m going with them to help.”
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“No, Nava, you can’t!” Denny cried, “You said it yourself, ”where I go you go“. That’s how it works!”
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Nava sighed, “Denny I need you here. It’s one thing to go up against herds of the dead its another when you’re facing an enemy that is shooting back at you.”
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“Stay here, protect these walls.” Nava repeated, her heart sinking as a tear fell from Denny’s face.
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“I love you, Denny.” Nava comforted. Denny sniffed hard, clinging to Nava,
“I love you too…”
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“…Mom.”
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The mist has settled…
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The armies of the Republic knock on the front door of the grid control room.
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“My team has secured the left flank,” Captain Racer informs to Commander Armatum,
“Good,” he said…
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“My team will move forward, then Captain Chance, I want your team to watch their six.”
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“Yes, sir.”
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“My scout team has reported twenty droids at the front gate.” Officer Mudlfap reported,
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“They’ll be split up as soon as they catch the Jedi on their scanners.” Armatum stated,
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The Jedi move in from the left side of the facility. Ora’s team is composed of almost every Jedi:
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Zara Joss, Jedi Knight, and former Padawan under Ora Tay,
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T’Challuh Doon, Jedi Master, and former teacher of kyber crystal forging, also greatly known for his color-changing light saber,
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And finally, Naluiq Sov, Jedi Knight and light saber thrower specialist. Known for fighting alongside Commander Cody and Sky Corpse.
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Today there will be blood shed. There will be death.
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Armies of good and evil clash.
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One shall stand…
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…One shall fall.
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War has begun.
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TO BE CONTINUED……………
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