Location: High Republic Space
The Covenant shuttle dropped from hyperspace without fanfare, a single vessel crossing into High Republic territory. Ace sat alone in the cockpit, black coat hanging open slightly. His hands resting in his lap, and his eyes were fixed on the stars beyond the viewport.
The alarms started less than a minute later.
Unidentified Covenant vessel. You have entered restricted High Republic space. Power down your systems immediately.
He almost laughed, he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the absurdity of it all. Ace reached forward and began shutting systems down - weapons, shields, targeting. All of it one by one.
A second transmission followed: Remain stationary and prepare for inspection.
He didn't say anything.
The shuttle drifted, waiting, and a few minutes later another vessel emerged from hyperspace. Then another. And another. Republic military ships. They were careful. Keeping their distance. Treating him exactly like the threat he was.
It was fair.
Eventually a boarding order arrived. Ace didn't resist. The metallic clang of a docking collar echoed through the hull, then the sound of boots followed. Lots of them. The "Grand" Army of the Republic. They were disciplined, professional, and cautious.
The hatch opened somewhere behind him.
"Hands where we can see them!"
Ace slowly stood. He unclipped his lightsaber, then the second one, placing both carefully on the deck. Nobody had expected that and the cockpit fell silent in response.
Slowly, Ace raised his hands and one of the troopers approached. Another kept a rifle trained directly on his chest.
"Who are you?"
For a moment he stared at the question. Then, finally he nodded.
"Acier Moonbound. I'm-- I was a Sith Knight. Killed three soldiers on the CSL Trinity. Was involved in the Tapani Massacre, Coruscant, Balmorra..." He didn't finish.
Silence followed, and for a moment they didn't move. Then, binders clicked around his wrists. Ace didn't struggle or attempt to escape. As the troopers led him from the cockpit, Ace glanced once through the viewport. The stars were gone now, hidden behind Republic warships, and a strange thought crossed his mind.
For months he'd been convinced that leaving the Covenant would feel like failure. Instead, he just felt a sense of relief... and exhaustion. Like a heavy weight had finally been lifted and the past several months had finally caught up to him. All at once.
His gaze lowered, and without another word, Acier Moonbound allowed himself to be taken into custody.
The alarms started less than a minute later.
Unidentified Covenant vessel. You have entered restricted High Republic space. Power down your systems immediately.
He almost laughed, he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the absurdity of it all. Ace reached forward and began shutting systems down - weapons, shields, targeting. All of it one by one.
A second transmission followed: Remain stationary and prepare for inspection.
He didn't say anything.
The shuttle drifted, waiting, and a few minutes later another vessel emerged from hyperspace. Then another. And another. Republic military ships. They were careful. Keeping their distance. Treating him exactly like the threat he was.
It was fair.
Eventually a boarding order arrived. Ace didn't resist. The metallic clang of a docking collar echoed through the hull, then the sound of boots followed. Lots of them. The "Grand" Army of the Republic. They were disciplined, professional, and cautious.
The hatch opened somewhere behind him.
"Hands where we can see them!"
Ace slowly stood. He unclipped his lightsaber, then the second one, placing both carefully on the deck. Nobody had expected that and the cockpit fell silent in response.
Slowly, Ace raised his hands and one of the troopers approached. Another kept a rifle trained directly on his chest.
"Who are you?"
For a moment he stared at the question. Then, finally he nodded.
"Acier Moonbound. I'm-- I was a Sith Knight. Killed three soldiers on the CSL Trinity. Was involved in the Tapani Massacre, Coruscant, Balmorra..." He didn't finish.
Silence followed, and for a moment they didn't move. Then, binders clicked around his wrists. Ace didn't struggle or attempt to escape. As the troopers led him from the cockpit, Ace glanced once through the viewport. The stars were gone now, hidden behind Republic warships, and a strange thought crossed his mind.
For months he'd been convinced that leaving the Covenant would feel like failure. Instead, he just felt a sense of relief... and exhaustion. Like a heavy weight had finally been lifted and the past several months had finally caught up to him. All at once.
His gaze lowered, and without another word, Acier Moonbound allowed himself to be taken into custody.
