Krest | A Star Wars Story

Chapter 12: Heldia

0825 hours, 21 BBY

The Reverie Republic Navy Venator-class star destroyer

High orbit, Planet Heldia

"So tell me again General, why were we reassigned here?" Krest asked as he and General Skitarr watched through a viewport as a portion of Heldia's surface went dark."I thought Heldia was supposedly hidden from Seperatist eyes."

"Well, as you can see Captain, you thought wrong. Seems the turncoat gave the Separatists the location of Heldia. They immediately amassed an armada to try and capture the planet. Thankfully our forces held and their invasion stalled." Skitarr replied, looking over a datapad.

Heldia, was what many referred to as "the forge planet". Over countless millennia since the first sentient beings settled on the planet, this once lush-green world bustling with wildlife and beautiful scenery was transformed into a desolate planet-sprawling mega-city whose heart beat for the sole purpose of creating war materials for the Republic's clone army. The biggest names in manufacturing had a hand in Heldia. Blastech, Kuat Drive Yards, Rothana Heavy Engineering, ;from the AT-TEs that Krest and his men marched alongside to the rich deposits of tibana gas that they used as ammunition, Heldia was one of if not the biggest manufacturer of gear for the Grand Army of the Republic. Weapons, tanks, walkers, armor, fighters, bombers,every man and woman on Heldia lived to work in the Manufactorums to provide their boys in white with the necessary firepower to win the war. However, Heldia is now little more than a smoldering ruin with the republic trying to desperately snuff out fires all across the planet. Whole regions of the once-lively planet were completely abandoned and dark as the citizens and the companies that employed them fled from the invading droid armies.

"According to the briefing, the Chancellor wants us to spearhead the combat operations here. He thinks with our expertise we can successfully take out Rakarth and drive them out."

Rakarth was the Separatist stronghold on Heldia. It was once a region called Krasnyy by the Heldians and was the main region for excavating raw materials crucial for building tanks and other walkers. Once the region was captured by Separatist General Aileen Rakarth a bitter woman who's tight, scowling, face was plastered all over their briefing files renamed the city after herself as an open mockery to the Republic forces and the Heldians that lived there. Ever since the raising of the Separatist flag in the region Rakarth has held a tight grip on the remaining Heldians that reside in the occupied zone. Krest shuddered at the thought of what cruelty Rakarth had in store for the civilians unfortunate enough to be trapped under her control. He'd heard tales of what she did to captured troopers, the most common being sold to Trandoshans to be used as hunting prey.

"Well, General, Sieges and Impenetrable defenses are our speciality." Krest said looking back out toward the besieged planet. "That's if we are allowed to do what is necessary."

Krest could feel Skitarr glare at him before speaking, "The sooner we drive the Separatists off this world, the sooner we can get these people back to work." Skitarr commented. Her comment immediately drew eyes from almost every deck officer nearby.

Krest clenched his jaw, "Uhm, General I think you might want to rephrase that." Krest noted. "Many of the people down there have suffered greatly."

Skitarr's eyes scanned the bridge, "Right, let's drive these Separatists off-world and give these people their homes back."

Krest unclenched his jaw, "Anyway, what's our first assignment?" Krest asked, walking closer to see what was on the datapad.

"Well, our first assignment is to meet with General Yao'l and what remains of the garrison. According to the briefing this is to be a joint operation with us at the forefront." Skitarr explained shutting off the datapad.

"I take it we'll take the blame for any mishaps that occur?" Krest added, eyeing the datapad then her.

"That's right, so we better not fail." Skitarr nodded. "Get the men ready; we depart in twenty."

Krest saluted and left towards the barracks. As he approached the barracks however, he heard the sound of something hard hitting the ground. The sound was then followed by muffled shouting and cheering. As he reached the door he was hesitant to open it, not fully prepared for what he might see. Krest took a deep breath and opened the door. As the door fwooshed open he was met with a fist to the jaw, causing him to stumble and fall back into the hallway. Krests instincts kicked in and he immediately got back on his feet and threw a punch. It was only when he saw who he was swinging at did he catch his gloved fist colliding with the side of Deuce's face. He immediately pulled back as Deuce spun around and fell over groaning and laughing at the same other troopers surrounding him immediately fell silent, looking pale and frozen in shock. Fodder was standing across from Deuce stripped down to his body glove from the waist up, with fists raised. His face however was completely full of fear as he locked eyes with Krest.

"Captain! Hey!" Deuce chuckled as he scrambled to his feet and rubbed his cheek.

Krest rubbed his jaw and growled. "You have three seconds to tell me what is going on before I have you all put in the brig!"

"Well erm...you see Captain, we were just....."

"Deuce and Fodder wanted to see who was better in hand-to-hand." Shaman interrupted, drawing and angry glare from Deuce while Shaman merely shrugged back.

"I need everyone geared up and ready to go in ten minutes." Krest said slipping on his extra-authoritative tone which he usually saved for when talking to shinies but he had to make sure the boys knew they were trouble. He glared intensely at Fodder and Deuce. "I'll announce your punishment when we get back."

And with that Krest put his helmet on and left the barracks. As he made his way down to the hangar to get the gunships ready he was joined by Skitarr who was exiting her own quarters.

"Ah captain, I see we're heading the same way." Skitarr greeted.

"Just, headin' over to get the gunships prepped." Krest answered, keeping his eyes forward.

"Tell me Captain, and I know this might be getting irritating but I need to know. How are we?" Skitarr asked, causing Krest to pause mid-step. He turned to look at her with a confused look.

"Excuse me, General?"

"I mean how are we as in our relationship. Have I improved at all? Or am I still the same as I was when we first met." Skitarr prodded.

Krest let out a small sigh, "General as far I go you've gone from someone who left me for dead and scolded one of my men for doing his job to someone who has become somewhat tolerable."

Krest felt the anger grow inside him. He felt his face grow into a scowl under his helmet as the memories of him begging to be saved over his comm came flooding back. Silently he swallowed his emotions and through his helmet looked her in the eye.

"Make of that what you will." Krest said. "We'll follow your orders, but you've not gained our trust yet nor our forgiveness...especially not mine."

"Right, even now..." Skitarr said, interlocking her hands.

"Even now..." Krest nodded before continuing to the hangar.

(A/N:Hey guys! Greetings from Uni! This one is a bit late and a bit shorter which is what I think I'll do every time a new arc/location comes around the first chapter will be a bit more exposition based. Again sorry for being so radio silent but i wanted to say thank you for the continued support and all the lovely messaged I've been getting it keeps me going knowing that you guys like what I write! Anyways glad you've all stuck with me this far and I hope you all stick with me for however long this story goes!

Ps: suggestions are welcome and to the couple people who wanted to make fanart of Krest and the boys, first off I give you full permission, I love that you guys are so into Krest that you want to create art around it! also if you need any info from me just let me know!)