Jedi Expedition: Part 2 - Pursuit

Last edited by Salaris Vorn on Sat May 21, 2011 12:23 am; edited 1 time in total

There it was. The shuttle was tucked away in a secluded landing bay of average size. As they entered the bay Will motioned for the squad to fan out creating a half circle around the front of the shuttle. They then waited patiently for a few minutes to see if any automated defense blasters activated or if there was any detectable movement in the ship - or a Force signature.

Ok looks like no one's home. We're going to board it, see what's inside and send it back to the Hilt. Truger set your self up in a sniper position

On it Will

In a few nimble jumps Truger had scaled a stack of crates and set himself up on a ledge where he'd have a field of fire that covered the entire bay.

Bendell take the doc and a Guardian and set up a base of fire there Will addressed the heavy weapons specialist next and motioned towards a position that was off center of the shuttle's ramp but would give them a clear field of fire to attack any hostiles that might attempt to storm off the ship.

Right-o Kelvar

Jayne Bendell quickly deployed the repeating blaster, setting it up with the calm efficiency of a soldier used to performing such duties while under fire. Will was quietly pleased to see such professionalism, in his time as a Jedi Commando he'd seen plenty of green recruits or planetary security forces treat situations where there was no immediate threat with less care than how they acted while taking fire. More often than not such attitudes resulted in needless casualties, typically the gun crew itself, which could have been avoided if they had treated each weapon deployment as if they were taking heavy fire.

The rest of you with me. Let's see what's inside

Carefully moving forward Will, Jedi Guardian Zak Jensen, and pilot Illacia Arden moved to the landing ramp. Will and Jensen knelt next to the ramp to cover Arden while she accessed the ramp control panel.

It's locked, not a simple job either. Someone wanted to make sure getting into the ship wouldn't be easy. Give me a few minutes I'll get it open

The minutes ticked away slowly, seemingly like hours. Will flexed his fingers, never letting go of his carbine knowing the second his finger strayed from the trigger could be the exact moment that a threat would show itself.

Got it! Ready to open on your command Kelvar

Rotating his blaster across his body so that it was now slung across his back Will unhooked his two sabers. Jensen did likewise. Snap hiss!

Jensen first, then me and you follow us Will instructed. He'd prefer to lead but he knew that if a Sith was waiting for them Jensen was far better suited to the task. Will nodded to Arden to lower the ramp.

Thump!

The ramp dropped quickly, the override necessarily having disabled the systems that normally would have lowered the ramp at a slow, steady rate.

Go! Go! Go!

Jensen quickly boarded the shuttle, though perhaps not with the perfect muscle memory of a commando regularly drilled in such routines. Still the technique was good enough. Such observations passed through Will's mind in a split second as he unconsciously observed his comrade's behavior for cues for threats. Focused on the task at hand such minor issues barely registered in his conscious mind as he began taking in the sight, sound and smells of the shuttle looking for the slightest sign of life - or death.
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The problem with helmets, of course, was the inability to enjoy those things humans and all manner of other species tend to purchase from cantinas and restaurants and the like. The purpose of wearing said helmet is generally one of three. One, the wearer wishes to remain anonymous. Two, the wearer wishes to protect themselves from something presumably harmful. Three, the wearer just wants to look awesome. Most often, it is a combination thereof. In this particular case, Jayda was employing all three reasons. To enjoy her drink, however, and continue being inconspicuous, she would have to remove the helmet and thus defeat its entire purpose. She had been in this situation before and found it most distressing.

Jayda relucantly came to the conclusion that anonymity overrode all other factors at the present moment. Besides, it was time to meet this most mysterious duo. They knew she was watching them, and she knew that they knew. The time for fun and games was almost up. But there was one last hand to be dealt.

Watching as one of the pair made his way to the bar, she curiously noted how the two, though separated, were tag-teaming on locating her. These were exactly the types she was looking for. Setting her precious drink aside, she made a note to purchase something cheaper in the future, were she unsure the possibility of enjoying it.

Before she could fully rise from the table, however, several figures made their way into the bar. It wasn't a noisy entrance that alerted her to their presence, but the way the cantina instantly quieted. Everyone seemed to freeze in place as a heavy tension hung in the air. Jayda took the time to scan the newcomers into her suit's database for future reference. These didn't seem to be characters one wanted to purposely mess with. Odd insignias were located on the uniforms of each, and they didn't seem to be in the mood to play nice.

Adjusting the angle of her glance, she noted the particular apprehension that had siezed the mysterious duo. It seemed they had met this pleasant party before. And it also looked like they were ready to split, well before Jayda would have a chance to talk to them. She mulled that over for only a moment. This place was about to go to the nine hells, so she might as well have some control over how it got there. She made a split second decision.

With a push of the Force, Jayda sent several chairs flying at the newcomers still standing in the doorway. She watched as they casually batted them down before scanning the room for the offender. It only took a moment of nearly unbearable silence before the cantina erupted into pandomonium. With a Force enhanced burst of speed, she sent herself running toward the duo now in the middle of a fullscale barfight. As she ran, she pulled a table along behind her before sending it hurtling toward the one crouched in front of the bar. His attention was diverted elsewhere, and he didn't have the time to notice the table about to smash his head into obilvion.

Relying entirely on timing and the Force, Jayda made it to the man's side and yanked him up and over the bar at the last instant. As they dropped to the floor on the other side, pieces of the wooden table slammed into the cabinets above them like lethal daggers. Jayda turned to look at the man sprawled beside her. He was staring up at the wooden fragments before turning to face her. His curious expression turned to one of confusion and brief apprehension as he noted the Mandalorian staring back at him. It seemed the t-shaped visor had unnerved him.

Jayda wasn't about to take the time to remove her helmet and perform introductions, but she hoped saving his life and leaving him in the land of the living would speak for her. She supposed only time would tell. And with that, she pulled out her twin blasters and rose to continue the fight she had begun.
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"It's not about the legacy you leave, it's about the life you live." ~Mara Jade Skywalker

It all happened in a daze, and Jax was only dimly aware of it all. He acted on instinct, neither knowing nor caring what had happened, only wondering how to end it all. He remembered, though as if from observed through a peep hole, of several Knights entering the cantina, of the feeling of ice that encompassed him. Then, out of nowhere, chairs flew in at them, and then all became chaos as screams erupted, howls of fury and fear echoed through the chambers.

Doc's voice was one of these, his deep, hoarse voice reverberating with ancient war cries that he doubtless picked up in his travels, he forsook weapons and descended into the melee.

Jax was aware, too, of attacks coming from all quarters, perhaps one was a Knight, but others were just bystanders with a grievance, using the ruckus as an excuse. Things were too tight for his short sword and lightsabre, and so he resorted to his fists, delivering a blow here and there, not stopping to see if the blow landed. He was dimly aware, too, of a bottle being thrown at his head and he ducked under the counter. He looked up to see a Knight circle around his friend, and stretched out his arm to fling the combatant away, and in that instant he saw a red and black blur come straight to him, felt himself be yanked over and behind the counter, saw shards of wood spray out like confetti - and then he noticed the implacable gaze of a Mandalorian helmet staring, just inches away, at him.

He felt himself blanch, felt such fierce fear, that he knew he wouldn't survive, for Mandos weren't known for their love of Jedi. Yet the armoured villain didn't plunge metal into his gut, but stood, drew his dual blasters, and dived into the fight.

Thanking the Force profusely, he picked up an errant bottle off the floor and threw it into the brawl as he jumped on to the counter top. Picking his target carefully - a large Skakoan - he dives at him, knocking over one or two behind him. His fists fly in at the green face, his knuckles graze over the metal mask, tearing flesh, until all struggles fleas his prone body. Jax jumped up and looked round for Doc, saw him fighting in a group, and, with a quick Force shove, took Doc by the arm. The Duros turned angrily on the human, but his snarl lifted as he recognised his friend.

'We've got to go,' Jax yelled. 'Use the fight as cover!'

Doc looked round to find the Knights embroiled in their own engagements, paying them no heed. Doc nodded brusquely and turned to the corner exit. Jax followed, taking care to hide from the Mandolorian - but as he reached the exit, he cast a glance back over his shoulder to sight his rescuer. He was putting up one hell of a fight, as befitting a true Mandalorian, and he could probably survive to see another day, but Jax kept on replaying that moment in his mind, and he couldn't just leave him to it. Motioning for Doc to guard the exit, he plunged back in.

Immediately he was set upon by a Knight, who seemed to be more surprised at finally finding his prey. But he had no chance to seize his good luck, as Jax head-butted him and then, when he fell down to the ground, cradling his broken nose, kicked him in the side of the head, twice, for good measure. Dancing around the brawling combatants, Jax finally reached the armoured rescuer. He laid a hand on the shoulder, and blocked the blind jab he was expecting. He leaned close to wear he approximated the aural fixture to be, but he still felt he had to yell to be heard.

'I guess I should thank you. For saving my life.' he paused, a mischievous smile flitting over his features, but for once denied the impulse. He wanted to make a good impression, after all. It was so rare that he got to do that, and he thought it was never smart to wise-crack in front of a testy Mando.

'We're using the cover of the fight to escape. You can come if you want.' he yelled. If the Mando had replied, he couldn't hear it in the hubbub. He nodded to the side exit. 'It's up to you, Buckethead. You coming?'
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I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it. These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

The ship was completely powered down and except for the multi-colored light from their sabers and what little light trickled in from the cockpit the main cargo compartment was completely dark.

Arden hold here at the ramp door while Jensen and I clear the shuttle

Roger that

Will and Jensen moved to opposite sides of the cargo compartment, moving their sabers back and forth using the light to try to find some clue as to what had happened. Will enhanced his sense of smell through the Force in the hopes of picking up some additional clue. Given the apparent absence of life there seemed little to be gained from enhancing hearing, in fact it could be a liability if any explosives had been rigged as booby trap. Much to his relief there was no smell of blood, though Will reflected there were many ways to kill without drawing blood.

Everything seems to be in place on my side Kelvar. No sign of struggle....nothing

Same here...strange Will's voice trailed off as they reached the end of the cargo compartment and neared the door to the cockpit.

Taking up positions on opposite sides of the door frame Will nodded to Jensen. Without a word they quickly entered the cockpit, Will close behind ready for the worst. But again nothing. Everything being so normal should have been a relief, but when dealing with Sith Will knew "normal" could just be one of many tactics for masking the truth and luring enemies to let their guard down. Still the shuttle was empty so they had a responsibility to send it back to the Hilt to strand the mysterious Sith from Hoth on Sullust so the local Jedi could handle handle hunting the Sith down.

Arden! Cockpit now! Get this shuttle preped for take off! Will called into the cargo compartment

Seconds later Capt. Arden was in the cockpit running the systems checks and warming up the engines.

Any special messages to give to Master Graves? Arden asked without looking up from the console

Let him know Jayda is still MIA, we're going to begin checking the spaceport and begin fanning out to nearby settlements from there if she's not at the spaceport

Roger that Kelvar. Be set to fly in another minute or two Arden said flicking a few switches

Jensen with me, let's get off this shuttle

Jensen nodded and followed Will off the shuttle, the ramp creaking and grinding up slowly behind them, its hydraulic systems still not functioning properly after the manual override. Turning around they watched the shuttle take off and make its way back towards space. Motioning with his hand Will signaled the squad to leave their positions and assemble for briefing on what the next move would be.

Jayda wasn't on the shuttle and all evidence indicates she may still be alive. So we're moving into the spaceport to search there. With any luck she'll be holed up there trying to blend in and find a way off the planet

Luck Will? Truger jokingly chided

Will glared slightly before continuing.

We can't draw too much attention so we'll break up in pairs keeping 30 to 40 meter distances between each other and follow the same squad order used to get to the shuttle. No one strays out of visual range but we don't stick close together to minimize the attention we draw. Keep in mind the spaceport is on the brink of a gang war so we don't want to attract too much attention from any trigger happy gang members so keep those blasters holstered unless fired upon.

The squad nodded their understanding.

Alright move out!
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Jayda proceeded to blast one combatant squarely in the chest. She preferred not to fatally wound those with whom she had no argument, especially considering she had started the fight. But it had been inevitable, and this particular creature was trying deperately to behead her with a vibroblade. Focusing her thoughts back on the battle at hand, she watched as her victim went flying into a still intact table before flipping over onto the floor, presumably dead. Barely pausing to take a breath, Jayda holstered one blaster and quickly brought her gauntleted fist up to backhand an attacker getting ready to assault her from behind, smashing him squarely in the nose.

In the midst of all this, Jayda kept at least a strand of her Force awareness vaguely fixed upon the two characters she did not wish to lose before she could escape the bar. They were still nearby, which was good. Holstering her other blaster, she grabbed a nearby chair and raised it above her head, ready to smash another unruly bar patron over the head.

As soon as her latest victim was down, and the chair she was still holding was left minus its splintered legs in her hands, Jayda felt a tap on the shoulder. Not bothering to turn and look, she quickly realized it was her rescuee from earlier. Checking the three hundred and sixty degree view her HUD offered her, she noted no imminent attacks. Keeping her guard up, she turned half an ear to the human male now yelling at the side of her helmet. Cranking up the input volume on her auditory sensors with a few rapid blinks, she caught the gist of what the man was saying. As she'd hoped, he was offering her a part in their escape plan. Giving no indication that she was listening, she allowed him to finish what he had to say before she Force pushed the chair she still held into yet another patron invading her personal space. "...Buckethead." Huh. She was already pretty sure she was going to like this guy.

Checking her surroundings one last time, Jayda pulled her blasters free of their holsters as she made a mad dash behind her escaping duo. Piling out of a back door at roughly the same time, all three more or less tumbled into the alley. Jayda promptly rolled to her feet and trained her blasters on the two before they could make too much of a move. It was time to find out if she had made the right choice.

"So...who might I have the pleasure of blasting into oblivion?"
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"It's not about the legacy you leave, it's about the life you live." ~Mara Jade Skywalker

Jax felt the wind rush out of his lungs as a mass of Mandalorian iron impacted against him and squash him on the floor. Quickly that body sprang to its feet, followed reluctantly by Jax - to find a pair of blasters being pointed in his face. It was at that moment that he started to think he may have made a mistake.

'So...who might I have the pleasure of blasting into oblivion?'

The first thing that struck Jax was the fact that it was not a male - or male approximate - voice. 'You're a...woman?'

'Very good observation,' Doc interrupted, rubbing his chest as he arose unsteadily. 'Though I can understand the confusion, seeing that you normally see them running away from you.'

Jax ignored his Duros compatriot and regained his composure, though he couldn't help glance about for any possible enemies - besides the one in front of him. He put on his best smile. 'Well, I'm Scum,' he nodded to Doc beside him, 'and this is my associate, Villainy.' He dared to extend his hand in greeting, ignoring the blasters. 'And who might you be?'

The Mandalorian paused, almost imperceptibly, and answered, 'Kha'dar. Jayda Kha'dar. And I need your help.'

Doc cleared his throat politely. 'Well, they say admitting it is the first step. I'm Doc, and this bumbling baffoon of a human is Jax.'

'Nice names. Couldn't afford proper ones?'

'It's the way of things out here.' Jax said, before half turning away to talk discreetly with his friend. 'so what do you reckon?' he whispered. 'Can we take her?'

'I can, but you might get in the way. Best use you as a meatshield.'

'All right. How about we take her on three.'

'You two know I can hear you, right?' Jayda broke in.

Together, they turned to look at her. 'Ah!' Doc piped up. 'Enhanced aural sensors. A staple for Mandos.' He looked at her T-visor and smiled. 'And awesome helmets.'

'That, and I'm only standing a few feet away! Look, I don't want any trouble, I just need a ride out of here, then you two can go back to bickering like an old married couple.'

Jax snorted, though he was impressed by her attitude. 'Jayda, I don't want any trouble either, but those guys in there? They're after us, and they're not after a nice chat, but to kill us. Which means they'll be after you, too, since they'll probably see you with us. So we're leaving this hell-hole as soon as we find a ride, and, well, I owe you. We'll get you out of here too. I promise. But we have to go - now!'
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I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it. These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

The journey to the outskirts of the spaceport were uneventful. For once Will thought maybe, just maybe things could go according to plan. Motioning with his left hand he signaled the group to split into pairs which would hopefully decrease the chance of them attracting any unwanted attention. Bendell was teamed up with the doc, Truger with Guardian Jensen while Will was accompanied by the final Jedi Guardian, a Cathar Jedi Knight. Things seemed to be going well as they moved through the gradually increasingly busy streets. Suddenly a landspeeder shot through the crowd. Most pedestrians managing to jump out of the way, however a few failed to move quickly enough and got knocked to the ground by the passing speeder. The speeder was all black with an enclosed cockpit, however most interesting was its markings which indicated it was a security force speeder. Following close behind on swoops were some rough looking characters wearing paramilitary clothing. Before Will could begin to ponder the swoop riders his comlink crackled to life.

Rescue One to Kelvar, come in Kelvar

Kelvar, go ahead Rescue One

I've picked up transmissions on an auxiliary security force band calling specific officers to assist aprehending suspects at the cantina Fistful of Credits. Sounds like you've got some officers on the take out to help apprehend whoever upset the local crime boss.

Frak, why does this always have to happen? Will frowned in frustration.

Any reports on a Mandalorian involved? Will inquired, focusing back on the immediate situation.

Negative, but it sounds like all nine hells broke loose so no one has any idea what's going on yet.

Keep me informed if they have any Mando sightings in the area

Roger that, Rescue One out

Will pulled out his datapad and pulled up a map of the spaceport. Not surprisingly Fistfull of Credits wasn't one of the easier cantinas to locate but thankfully it was on the map. Will then outlined a new map that would allow them to avoid coming too close to the cantina and transmitted it to the rest of the squad. As casually as possible Will resumed the journey into the bowels of the spaceport.
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Time was ticking and Truger was tired of wandering around like a womp rat without a head. He looked over at Jensen as an idea came over him. "Change of plans, Jensen."

The Jedi Guardian looked puzzled. "What do you mean."

"We've been searching everywhere and have found nothing. However, there's one place we've been staying away from. I think it's time to go find some trouble."

"Uh, sir, I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Maybe we should ask Kel..."

"Call it Jedi intuition, and there's no reason to bother Will. Let's go take a look, and if we need to, we can run like hell in the other direction."

Reluctantly Jensen agreed, so the two of them wandered off from Will's patrol path and toward the center of all the commotion. Security speeders were zooming through the massive cavern roads, while smaller caverns branching off the major thoroughfares were filled with fleeing civilians.

Then something caught Truger's eye. "Jensen, hold up."

"What is it?"

"I thought I saw a Duros."

"So?"

"Will said something about some thugs looking for a human and a Duros."

Jensen gave a patient shrug.

"There!"

Jensen turned and now he saw what caught Truger's attention, a person in full Mandalorian armor.

"It's Jayda! I think she's following the Duro. Come on, let's catch up. Might want to call..." But before he could say anything else, someone opened fire with a blaster and in return, a dozen people fired back. Within seconds a gang war was raging in the cavern streets.

"Kriff!" Truger took cover and continued toward the cavern Jayda ducked into. He pointed his rifle casually toward the gunfire but had no clue who to fire at. "Jensen, come on!"

Truger ran into the cavern which had all the appearances of a dark, Coruscant alley. He could see Jayda in the distance. "JAYDA!" He used the Force to project his voice. He'd come too far to lose her now.
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Will signed, they seemed to be getting no where.

Kelvar Truger and Jensen are gone The Cathar Jedi hissed.

Will spun around and sure enough they were gone.

ja...da Will heard Truger's voice echo in the Force, very faint as if he was distracted or at least trying to focus his thought to one person while being occupied with something else.

Will put his hand to his earpiece Truger come in. Truger status report!

Will! Jayda located...Fistfull of Credits...Kriff! Will heard blaster fire and then all there was was static.

Truger's found her near a Fistfull of Credits and it sounds like his right in the thick of things. Look sharp, no telling how many hostiles are there. Will addressed the rest of the squad. Flicking the switch to set his carbine to full power and began leading the group in a jog towards a Fistfull of Credits.
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As one, Jax, Jayda and Doc turned at the sound, weapons in hand. The sound, whatever it was, was loud and painful to the ear, but its meaning had been lost from the reverberations around the cave. Jax swore under his breath. He'd hoped that entering these caves would lose their pursuers, but these - more heavily armed than the thugs from the cantina, though they were too far away to make out much detail beyond that - seemed a lot more eager to catch them. He yelled at Doc and the Mandalorian, 'this way!' and chose a random branch of tunnel, hoping it would lead to a way out.

It didn't. The tunnel was a dead end. 'You know how they say there's always a light at the end of the tunnel?' he asked of the other two. The Mandalorian nodded. 'Well, this being a cave and all, that light's behind us. Behind the bloodthirsty mob.' Jax hugged the wall, hid behind a small outcropping, and gestured for the other two to do the same. Doc fell in behind him, while Jayda stood on the opposite side, blaster in hand, tense and alert. Jax pulled out his lightsabre, and the cylinder caught her attention almost immediately. He remembered that she had a lightsabre on her belt, too, and wondered if she was one of those feared Jedi hunters.

'Don't be alarmed,' he whispered to her, as he sensed his attackers - curiously devoid of anger - come closer. 'I'm actually a really nice guy.' and with that, he swung his yellow blade - to be met by another in a hasty, yet well performed, form II block. He heard Jayda yell something beside him. He felt her shock, surprise and - pleasure? Then the same mixed emotions from their supposed attackers.

'Jayda!' the lead, the one with the drawn sabre, said hesitantly. At that moment, he felt the Force flow through the cave. Through their pursuers. Through Jayda. And realised that he was among friends. Among his family - even though he'd never met any of them. The Jedi had come to Sullust.

And so, too, had the Knights of Pain; for behind them stood a dozen of their warrior elite, blocking the exit.
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I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it. These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

By the time they reached a Fistfull of Credits the action seemed to be dying down and moving as if pursuing something. The local security forces were busy "cleaning up" the scum who had been unlucky enough not to escape in time or too badly hurt to run away. A group of officers and a pathetic looking thug were in an alley mostly blocked from view with security force landspeeds. From the muffled thumps Will could hear and from the way one of the security officers periodically placed his hand on the thug's shoulder and bent close it was obvious they were milking the thug for information. On the other hand based on the delighted, if slightly sadistic looks, of the other officers "gathering information" might just have been a convenient excuse to beat the thug to a bloody pulp. Not that that was the first time Will had seen local security forces act with such barbarity and he suspected it wouldn't be the last time.

over there! One of the group called out in a low voice

Sure enough a squad of humanoids just like the ones they had encountered in the outskirts. And they looked like they were on the warpath, some cocking blasters, others brandishing a variety of blades.

Follow them, but don't get too close Will ordered

A short jog later they were at the end of a long dark tunnel. In front of the thugs was another group, and a Mandalorian! Will had seen that armor before, it was Jayda! Finally, it took long enough to find you Will thought as he motioned Jayne Bendell to set up his repeater with Doc Roe behind, ready to give medical assistance at a moments notice. Now lets see how this plays out He had barely finished the thought before the leader of the thugs spoke.

Hand over the ones called Jax and Doc and the rest of you may pass to fight another day.

Not a chance in the Nine Hells The Mandalorian shot back

I'd rather hoped you'd be so arrogant, it would have been a shame to let such perfect specimens for pain evaluation escape The thug leader replied

specimens for pain evaluation? Will thought.

Hold here and wait for my signal to attack Will then whispered over the comms to his squad and then slipped into Force Cloak.

So which of you mongrels would like to die first? You know none of you will now live The thug leader inquired, delight in his voice

Some of the Jedi trapped by the thugs ignited their sabers in response

You think we fear your light Jedi? Out here in the black the light you bring is snuffed out like a weak flame in a strong wind. The leader of the thugs said in a confident tone.

Rotating his carbine to his back Will unhooked his sabers but did not ignite them. Quickly and silently Will crept up behind one of the most formidable looking thugs. Holding the hilt of his short saber a few millimeters from the thug's back and location of his heart Will closed his eyes for a moment. Will projected through the Force Truger, Jayda I'm behind them with the rest of the squad. Attack in five, four, three...
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...two, one.

In an instinctual, smooth movement of reflex, Truger drew his blaster pistol from it's well worn dewback leather holster and sent a crimson blaster bolt into the loud mouth leader's forehead. A black hole belched smoke, and before the thug leader's body could fall, the thugs were lunging into action or opening fire.

Time didn't slow down. Instead everything went blazingly fast as lightsabers batted away blaster bolts, blades parted flesh, and return fire dropped more bodies to the ground.

Truger half spun as he deflected a blaster rifle bolt back at its firer while he simultaneously continued to fire with his blaster in his other hand. With the Force guiding his shots, he hit target after target. All head shots. Less skillfully he batted the blaster bolts with his lightsaber, sometimes hitting an arm or leg, sometimes the bolt would go totally astray and hit the floor or ceiling.

But the chaos of the moment engulfed his every thought. There was no time for thinking who was the biggest threat, where his allies were, or taking cover. He simply acted. His movements swift and sure. His responses all flowing at lightning speed.
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...two, one Will simultaneously dropped out of Force Cloak and ignited his shoto. The amber blade pieced the thug's heart, killing him instantly. Without loosing a second Will's silver-blue blade ignited as he made a 360 degree spin to his left to neatly decapitate the thug to the immediate left of Will's first target.

In the scarce second or so it had taken all hell had broken loose and Will was aware that the rest of the Jedi had made the most of the surprise attack. But these thugs were tough and seemed unusually skilled in melee combat from what Will was able to observe in the few seconds of the attack. But Will didn't have the time or inclination to document and admire the thug's skill with the blade. They were his enemies and as such had to be pacified with whatever means were required in as fast a means possible.
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For one blissful moment, Jax was filled with Force energy, his extremities tingled with the sensations. It felt so good to be around fellow Jedi again, yet as the moment passed, the high faded, he felt ... odd. Uncouth. Unclean, next to these beacons of light, these knights of wisdom and serenity beside him. He had a moment of clarity, that he wasn't nearly as good a Jedi as he thought himself to be, and a chasm of sadness, and loneliness, threatened to open up inside him and swallow him - but then he felt a touch through the Force. Not aimed at him, he thought, but a signal, a call to action. His senses caim to a sharp focus, his body tensed, just in time. The cave erupted into a furnace of heat, of fear and pain, of sounds of agony, of joy, and without knowing it he waved his blade around him in graceful, yet purposeful, arcs, as if it were a children's toy, batting away blaster bolts. A grin was plastered onto his face, and he knew nothing of the words he spoke. 'I'm right here!' he yelled hoarsely. 'You want some of this? Yeah, you do! Come on! Come on!'

He was no longer aware of single persons. They were just blobs of intermixed target to aim for. He felt the curious un-presence of Doc at his back, firing around him, not so much aiming for the blobs, but trying to anticipate where the enemies will be, when they dodge Jax's ripostes. Jax yelled incoherently, mixing Basic with his more familiar Durese. He took a step forward, then another, advancing on them with slow menace, at odds with his gleeful expression and yells. He was vaguely aware of bits of consciousness winking out as his Jedi companions killed others, and as he and Doc found their marks, too. The blobs recoiled in fear, the distasteful tang of it polluted the air, but then he felt their rage and anger and hatred, and he braced himself for the resurging attack that was to come.
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I am a Star Wars fan. That doesn't mean that I hate or love Jar Jar. That doesn't mean I hate or love Lucas, or agree or disagree 100% with him. That doesn't mean I prefer the PT over the OT, or vice versa. That doesn't mean I hate the EU, or even love all of it. These are not prerequisites. Being a man is not a prerequisite. Being a geek is not a prerequisite. The only prerequisite is that I love something about Star Wars. I am a Star Wars fan.

The fury with which the battle had erupted was intensified as the Knights of Pain finally pulled themselves together to fight back. They were skilled, but they had been caught offguard, though that had been temporary. Jayda ducked behind an outcropping in the cavern to reload the power packs on her blasters. Stretching out with the Force, she noted the locations of the Knights in relation to the Jedi. If someone could break up the middle pack, with Will in the back and Truger in the front...they might have a chance to end this early. She gave it only a second's thought.

Holstering her blasters, Jayda took her lightsabers in hand, stepped out into the open and Force leapt into the middle of the crowd, dual blades swinging.
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"It's not about the legacy you leave, it's about the life you live." ~Mara Jade Skywalker

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