Ch.4 Predictable
It was another typical day in the lower levels. The prisoners were fed breakfast and lunch on the hour, the guards patrolled their routes just like every other day before. Captain Lerron was inside the command center and taking his time looking at every security monitor that had a camera set on a noteworthy prisoner. This brought him over to the clone officer who was tasked with keeping a sharp eye on their rouge Jedi prisoners.
"Any change in miss Offee's behavior?" Lerron asked the officer.
"No sir." The clone replied. "She woke up, stretched a bit after the morning meal and now she's just meditating."
"Good, and the others?" Lerron said.
"The same, but Lhod has lost his patience again." The clone said.
Lerron saw what the officer meant on the screen in front of them. Lhod was sitting on the ground smashing his cuffs on the ground in a desperate attempt to break them. Lerron heard could hear metal clashing against metal over and over while Lhod yelled furiously.
"Come on! Break dammit, break!" Lhod shouted like a madman.
"Poor fool." Lerron said with a look of pity. "It's always a shame to see a young mind broken."
Lerron had seen enough for now, he left the clone to continue his work while the captain finished his own by checking in with other officers. With that done, Lerron decided to walk into the lower levels barracks and speak to the Jedi under his command.
Tyree and Kovo would often pass their time as prison guards in the barracks. As captain Lerron walked in the two were actually playing a game of holochess.
"Hello Captain." Kovo said as the captain came through the door. "Can we help you with anything?"
"Not right now, I just wanted you to know that your shuttle should be arriving in the next few hours." Lerron said.
"Thank you Captain." Kovo said. "Care to take on the winner?"
"Perhaps during you're next day. I still have work to do." Captain Lerron replied. "Enjoy your remaining time in our luxurious facility." He said jokingly as he walked out of the barracks.
After the Captain left the two Jedi continued their game. Despite often being at odds, they still had a mutual respect for each-others skill on the holoboard.
"Who's taking our place?" Tyree asked while he was deciding his next move.
"Veala Mel and Eruut Niviso." Kovo said while tying to predict Tyree's tactics. "They should do fine."
"I never liked Eruut." Tyree said while he moved his piece forward. "To stuck up."
"Are you sure that's it?" Kovo asked with a smirk as one of his pieces took Tyree's. "I seem to recall him beating you in a sparring match."
"That was just luck." Tyree insisted while trying to decide how to counter Kovo's move.
"Or skill." Kovo said in a cocky manner after Tyree fell into his trap, costing him another piece.
Kovo's mood dropped a bit when he saw how badly Tyree reacted to losing in holochess. He had never seen the man hit his hand on the table just because he lost a piece.
"Is everything alright?" Kovo asked with concern.
"Not really..." Tyree said reluctantly.
"I thought you'd be in a great mood today." Kovo said.
"Why? Because we're going back to the temple." Tyree said bitterly. "Forgive me for not feeling thrilled."
"Well would you rather stay here?" Kovo said sarcastically.
"At least here I can be somewhat useful." Tyree replied in a very blunt way. "We both know what's going to happen. The council will send you back into the war and leave me to wander the temple and spar with younglings." Tyree said, making his resentment very clear as he moved his piece forward.
"If that's true, you should consider yourself lucky." Kovo said with his eyes on the board, he noticed Tyree's anger was taking away his sense of strategy. "You haven't seen just how much things have escalated, or just how many have died because of it." Kovo said just as one of his pieces went through the animation of killing it's opponent.
"You say that like I had a choice." Tyree said, even more frustrated as he realized the mistake he made on the holoboard.
"That's not what I mea..." Kovo tried to say to diffuse the situation.
"Well then just tell me what you mean!" Tyree said before deciding to switch off the holochess board and stand. "I am sick of you tip toeing around your real opinion of me. I know you have no problem taking about it to others so for once just say it to my face!." Tyree said angrily.
Kovo sighed, he knew Tyree was too agitated to let this go. So he decided to give his fellow Jedi what he wanted. The full, harsh truth.
"You always talk about charging back into the fight, about standing on the front lines with other Jedi. But that's the problem, Jedi are not suppose to have that kind of mindset." Kovo explained as a matter of fact. "We're protectors, not soldiers."
"Oh please. In order to protect anyone we have to make sure threats like the separatists are dealt with as soon as possible." Tyree argued. "You can't negotiate with tyrants, you can only make them submit."
"Can you not hear yourself when you talk?" Kovo asked. "Everything you just said goes against what our order has always stood for. That is why your're here Tyree, and perhaps that is for the best." Kovo said, making Tyree scoff and roll his eyes. "Maybe the council wanted you to see what that state of mind can lead to."
There was a sudden, sharp tension in the air. Tyree knew what Kovo was implying, and it was an insult he would not take lightly. He put his hands on the holochess board and leaned in to be face to face with the Twi'lek.
"I am nothing like them." Tyree said with a hushed tone and furious expression.
"And I wish I could believe you." Kovo replied.
The next few moments were quiet. The two stared at one another as if waiting to see what the other would say or do. Their silent conflict could have gone on a while but it was interrupted when someone else felt the need to step in.
"Everything alright sirs?" One of the clone guards asked.
Tyree and Kovo turned their heads toward the guard, that's when they realized there was actually half a dozen of them watching the two Jedi have their argument. Tyree could not believe what he was seeing. These men were trained to break up fights and riots so they were always cautious towards the aggressor in any argument and it was obvious that they were doing the same for him.
"We're fine." Kovo answered to ease the tension. "Just a small disagreement, isn't that right?" Kovo said to Tyree.
"Yes.." Tyree said reluctantly, his temper beginning to settle. "And we can settle it later."
With that said, Tyree turned away from Kovo and left the barracks. Kovo thought about stopping him, but he knew it was always better to just let Tyree have his space. He also decided to not let their quarrel sour his mood.
"Would any of you be up for a game?" Kovo asked the guards, hoping for at least one more game of holochess.
While Kovo stayed in the barracks, Tyree decided to let work take his mind off of everything bothering him. After checking in with patrols he decided to follow Captain Lerron's example and look at the monitors. But unlike the captain, Tyree decided to look at the Jedi prisoners first.
"Nothing to report sir." The clone assigned to the Jedi monitors said.
"Alright then." Tyree said as he turned to walk away.
"Wait..." The clone said after looking at one of the screens closely. "This might be something."
The clone was referring to Lhod. He stopped his futile attempts to break his handcuffs once he got tired and spent the last hour resting on his bed. It seemed like he was having some sort of nightmare, the clone monitoring him noticed tossing and turning before Lhod woke up screaming. Now fully awake, Lhod stared ahead at the rayshield. He rolled off the bed so he could push himself up to stand, all the while still looking at the only way in and out of his cell.
"Is he about to...?" Tyree tried to ask.
"Probably." The clone next to Tyree said. "Wouldn't be the first time."
Both assumptions were correct, Lhod slowly moved forward to keep his balance and his strength. He stopped just a few feet away from the rayshield and showed no signs of fear, despite knowing all to well what it could do.
"He can't be that stupid." Tyree said as he kept watching.
Lhod took deep breaths, building up his adrenaline before he pushed forward. Volts of electricity surged through his body by the millions as soon as he made contact with the rayshield. Just one second was all it took to knock Lhod back and leave him convulsing in pain for a short while after. But one hard shock wasn't enough to make Lhod accept defeat. When the convulsing stopped Lhod crawled over to his bed to push himself up again.
"He's a tough one, I'll give him that." The clone said.
Lhod was able to get himself in front of the rayshield and push into it again. Just like before, he was shocked and pushed back and multiple shocks left him on ground for twice as long.
Although Tyree had no love for Lhod or anyone who could disgrace the Jedi order in such a way, that didn't stop him from feeling some sympathy towards a young man who's obviously lost his mind.
"We need to stop this." Tyree said. "Send the nearest patrol to calm him down."
"Yes sir." The clone said before tapping the comlink in his ear and giving out the order.
While the closest group of guards were on their way to Lhod's cell, the prisoner was doing all he could to ignore the obvious pain and fatigue he was experiencing. His breathing was heavy and his body trembled while he inched himself towards the bed.
"Just stay down." Tyree said as he kept his eyes on the screen.
A groan of pain could be heard from Lhod as he used his remaining strength to stand up again. He felt weak, and sore all throughout his body. But Lhod still managed to make it to the rayshield again. He had enough sense to know this would be his last attempt, so Lhod threw himself forward with everything he had left. To no one surprise Lhod was knocked back again but this time did not look like he was going to get back up.
"Great..." Tyree said after a sigh. "Is the patrol almost there?"
"They're approaching the cell now sir." the clone replied
Five guards arrived at Lhod's cell, they followed the basic procedure for reviving prisoners. Two men go into the cell, three stay in front of it. The two clones who went in made Lhod lay flat on his back so they could check his pulse and breathing. When they were done, one of the guards used his comlink to give the clone next to Tyree Lhod's status.
"He's stable, but he won't be getting up for a while."
"Alright." Tyree said. "What would Captain Lerron usually do?" Tyree asked the clone.
"Leave him." Captain Lerron as he approached the Jedi. "For now at least."
"Why not just get him up now?" Tyree asked out of curiosity.
"Because I've seen plenty of fake illness and injuries. Sevrik Komen tried something like and managed to get out of his cell." Lerron answered. "That's why we're going to leave Lhod as he is for an hour or so. Most give up the act after that."
"I see." Tyree said, unsure about Lerron's order. "But doesn't the timing seem a bit...odd?"
"Yes. But your shuttle won't be here until after we wake him up. If he's hoping to make an escape while you're away, he'll be very disappointed." Lerron said. "But by all means, keep an eye on him if you wish."
Lerron walked away to get back to the rest of his work. Tyree meant to do the same, but an uncomfortable thought in the back of his mind made him stay where was and keep watching the screen.
He wasn't the only one focused on Lhod. Barriss Offee watched the entire thing unfold from her cell. Watching him hit the rayshield made her cringe every time. When the guards arrived Barriss wished she could see what they were doing, but the angle made it impossible. After they left, Barriss felt tense. She walked over to her bed and sat on it with her legs crossed. Meditation helped her pass the time in prison, but all attempts to clear her mind were interrupted by her growing nerves.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice said inside Barriss' head without warning. "I'm beginning to sense anxiety."
"I'm fine." Barriss thought, despite her face showing otherwise.
"Are you sure? We can't afford any second thoughts. I have to be certain you'll play your part when the time comes." Servrik said.
"I'll do what I must, just as long as your plan actually makes it to that point." Barriss thought in a derogatory way.
"Doubt will get us nowhere Barriss, all you need to do is have a little faith in me." Servirk said.
"It's hard to do that when your plan is desperate at best. I hope you realize that I'm not helping you with anything if this fails." Said Barriss.
"I do. I just hope you realize that if this doesn't work, we're going to be here for a very long time." Sevrik said.
Barriss did not a response, agreeing to help Sevrik appeared to be her only way out of the cell she felt trapped in.
Time went by, and very little changed. The guards left Lhod on his bed, and he had not moved since. Barriss continued to meditate, but was still nervous. Captain Lerron was going through his daily reports and Tyree was still standing in front of the security monitors.
He remained suspicious, even though he watched Lhod the entire time he was out cold and had yet to see anything to worry about. But it wasn't just his duty that kept his focus locked on the screen, a small part of Tyree may have actually wanted Lhod to be trying something.
"I admire your diligence." Kovo said, standing behind Tyree. "But the Captain says you've been at this for a while, perhaps a small break is in order." Kovo suggested.
"I'm fine." Tyree said, barely turning away from the screen as he replied.
"How about a meal? I'm sure you'd enjoy one more taste of the mess halls cuisine before we go." Kovo said jokingly.
"No thanks." Tyree said, still not looking back at Kovo. "I'll step away once the guards come back and wake Lhod."
It was obvious to Kovo that Tyree was still in no mood to finish their talk, but he was not going to let that stop him from saying what he came to say. He stepped up to Tyree and tapped his shoulder to make him realize Kovo wanted to be face to face.
"I just wanted to apologize." Kovo said after Tyree turned to look at him. "I may not have the same urge to fight, but I can understand why you believe it's necessary." Kovo said before stepping away. "But that's all I had to say, we can talk again on the shuttle."
As Kovo began to walk away, Tyree sighed. He knew both men said things that made the argument worse so there was no point in acting like he was the one in the right.
"Wait." Tyree said to make Kovo stop. "I'd rather not wait until were back at the temple to eat."
Kovo smiled and gave Tyree a nod to join him, the two walked into the mess hall for a meal. One of the few things they ever agreed about was just how bland the food was, but it would at least give them an excuse to sit down and clear the air between them.
Not long after, the guards who checked on Lhod before returned to his cell. Captain Lerron had taken Tyree's place at the monitor, he took note of the Jedi's absence but it did not bother him. He knew they could be called at any time if he really needed them.
Barriss watched the guards return without drawing attention to herself, she could only assume Sevrik Komen was doing the same. She noticed the extra equipment some of them were carrying. One had a medical scanner in his hand on what seemed to be a vial sized spray bottle of some sort attached to his belt. Another had what seemed to be just a bucket of water that he carried by the handle.
They followed standard procedure again, two went in and three stayed out. The two men checked Lhod's vitals and breathing to see if there were any notable changes, but found none. They began their work, but started with a very simple method.
"Oy, inmate." The guard standing over Lhod said as he shook him by the shoulder. "Get up." He said as he moved on from shaking to a few slaps on the right side of Lhod's face.
Both men could tell they needed something s bit more effective. So the guard beside Lhod took the spray bottle off of his belt. The bottle's contents was a potent mixture of chemicals that was developed into an effective form of smelling salts. The guard sprayed the bottle twice over Lhod's face and a faint orange mist was slowly inhaled through his nostrils. It had some effect, Lhod's head swayed and a few mumbles could be heard. The guards had seen this sort of thing before, which is why they knew bucket full of ice cold water was usually enough to finish the job.
The guard standing in front of Lhod passed the bucket to the one beside him. The guard positioned the bucket above Lhod's head. Captain Lerron was still watching and so far had seen nothing out of the ordinary. But in those few seconds before the water was poured, something did.
Lhod's eyes opened, his head quickly moved up to headbutt the water into the face of the guard holding it.
"What?!" Captain Lerron said in shock.
Lhod had been waiting to make his move, and was quick to do so when the time came. He sat up and slammed his cuffed hands into guard beside him. With his strength and dense steel around his hands the impact was like a sledgehammer that was able to knock the clone unconscious.
But that was a small victory, four clone still stood in Lhod's way and three of them already had their rifles on him.
"On the floor inmate!" One the guards standing just outside of the cell said. "Now!"
Seeing he was at a disadvantage, Lhod made it seem like he was complying. He rolled onto the floor beside his bed and slowly raised his hands.
"Think you're so tou..." Said the guard who was still in the cell, before Lhod interrupted him.
The guard's plan seem to be knocking Lhod out with the butt of his rifle to pay him back for doing the same thing to his fellow soldier. But he made the mistake and underestimating Lhod because of his disability. He tired to stand over Lhod before hitting him but when the guard got close enough Lhod tripped him, making him fall face first into the metal frame on the side of the bed.
"That's enough!" One of the guards yelled with their rifle pointed at Lhod's chest. "Against the wall, now!"
Lhod did as they said and slowly pushed himself towards the back wall. Captain Lerron hoped that was the end of it, but his anxiety was still rising.
When Lhod had made it to the back wall he put his foot up against it, he head hung low in what seemed like defeat at first. But then he looked up to see how close the guards were standing together and couldn't help but smirk.
Any normal person in Lhod's state would be helpless, but he had an advantage. As a Jedi he was capable of augmenting his physical strength through use of the force. This skill, combined with the natural strength he had work so hard to maintain was enough to let him use one leg to dive across the cell and slam his body into the guards.
It finally gave Barriss something to see instead of just hear, seeing Lhod suddenly charge into three armed men was enough to startle her for a second. Meanwhile Captain Lerron was in state of baffled shock as he watched five of hi men losing to a man who could not even walk.
"Go get the Jedi." Captain Lerron said to the clone beside him.
"Yes si..." The clone tried to say.
"Now!" Captain Lerron shouted, making the clone sprint to the mess hall. "I want all guards near sector eight to converge and stop an escape in progress." Lerron ordered into his comlink, his stress making veins in his forehead visible.
Lhod accomplished getting out of his cell, but now he was on the floor with enemies at both sides. With no time to rest, he slammed his cuffs down the back of the nearest guards head before he could get back up. Before he could move on to his next target, one of them managed to hit Lhod in the face with a right hook. It hurt, but not enough to slow Lhod down. If anything it just made him more angry.
The guard who punched Lhod went in for a left hook this time, but Lhod was quick to block it and follow up with a headbutt and knock the guard down. Lhod crawled on top of the guard and started to hit him in the face. But Lhod seemed to get caught up in anger and didn't notice the last guard he was kicked in the back of the head.
It left him disoriented for a moment, but that was long enough for the guard to pick up his rifle. They both made their move, but just before the guard could pull the trigger Lhod was able to knock the gun out of his hand. The guard couldn't react fast enough to stop Lhod as he hit the clone in the stomach with his cuffs, making him lean forward enough for Lhod to quickly raise his hands and uppercut the guard into unconsciousness.
Captain Lerron was almost speechless, his mouth left open with a hand over his forehead as he watched Lhod escape.
"How? Lerron mumbled to himself. "He couldn't have done this on his..."
It was at that moment, when Lerron turned to look at the other monitors that he realized what was going on. Lhod may not have been smart enough to plan his way out, but the captain knew all to well that Sevrik Komen was. His first Jedi prisoner had proven to be one of the most difficult to deal with since he arrived, and seeing that devilish grin on his face made Lerron certain he was looking at the real mastermind.
While Lerron was just beginning to understand the real plan, Barriss watched in disbelief as Sevrik's plan seemed to actually be working. When she was told Lhod was the key to their escape she thought it was ridiculous. Even if he had both of his legs she thought his mental state would stop him from following orders. But she was proven wrong as Lhod grabbed an access card off of one of the guards belts with his teeth and started crawling towards Sevrik's cell.
As Lhod inched towards Sevrik a stun shot in the shape of a blue ring flew past his head. Lhod saw another squad of guards running down the hall towards him. He moved as fast as he could pushing himself up with the small console beside Sevrik's cell. He leaned down to drop the card into the slot and deactivate the rayshield.
Barriss was not sure what to expect, but she couldn't but wonder who and what would come out to greet. Since they seemed to need each-other to escape, she hoped he would at least look like a trustworthy person.
She saw more stun rings fly past, Lhod ducked behind the console for cover. But in the midst of the shots, a tall man with pale blue skin and long white casually walked through it.
"You'll be out in a moment." Sevrik Komen said to Barriss, his elegant tone and accent sounding the same out loud as it did in her head.
He had a smile that showed pure satisfaction, he kept smiling while he went from walking to a full sprint towards the guards. After having a brief moment to really see him, Barriss felt concerned about working with someone who seems so calm in a dire situation. She didn't feel any better when Lhod started to hop over to her cells console to let her out. She was happy to be free, but wasn't sure how to approach an unstable person like Lhod.
"...Thank you." Barriss said awkwardly while keeping her distance.
Lhod didn't reply at first, when he opened Barriss' cell he knew that his part of the work was done. He pressed his back against the wall of Barriss' for cover and to have a chance to catch his breath.
"You're welcome." Lhod said without looking at Barriss, he was more concered about resting then her gratitude.
Barriss stepped out into the hallway to see what had become of Sevrik, it was suprsing to see just how easily he could handle a group of armed guards. All Jedi learn hand to hand combat, but as Barriss watched Sevrik fight it became apparent that he had more skill then most.
The handcuffs proved to be just a minor nuisance for Sevrik. His tall body and years of training made his kicks quick and powerful. He used knees, elbows and every other part of his body in order to gracefully move from guard and take them down. When the fight was over, Sevrik was the last man standing. He noticed Barriss watching him and looked at her with a carefree expression.
"Feel free to help anytime." Sevrik said jokingly.
"Halt!" Yelled another guard.
Behind Sevrik were three squads worth of guards, there was more then a dozen rifles lined up and pointing right at him. Observing his surroundings let him think of a couple options for attack, but that wasn't what Sevrik was waiting for.
"Stand aside." Kovo said as he and Tyree walked past the soldiers. "We'll deal this."
When Barriss saw two Jedi walk towards Sevrik, her heart began to race. Soldiers were one thing, but dealing with two capable knights without weapons or even the use of their hands seemed impossible.
Lhod could see the panic in Barriss' eyes, he leaned out of the cell and looked over his shoulder to see what was going on. Seeing the robes and lightsabers was all it took for Lhod to get angry again.
It wasn't fear or rage that was going through Sevrik's mind, he was entirely focused on the next stage of his plan. Using the Jedi was always a major part in his escape, but what really mattered was having the right pair and using the right words.
"Hello gentlemen." Sevrik said casually, but was still ready to move at any time. "I don't suppose we could just talk things out?"
"We'll only say this once, get back in your cell Sevrik." Kovo said sternly.
"I'm afraid I can't do that for you." Sevrik said to Kovo before looking at Tyree. "You should both turn around, it's the only way to be sure I won't hurt you." He said with a smirk.
"You couldn't if you tried." Tyree said, slightly aggitated.
"Oh but I could." Sevrik said in a cocky manner. "Feel free to prove me wrong?"
"Gladly." Tyree said as he stepped towards Sevrik before being stopped by an arm across his chest.
"You know how we're supposed to do this." Kovo said as he blocked Tyree.
He was reluctant, but Tyree still listened to Kovo. The two stood directly in front of the prisoner and gave each-other one confirming look before raising their right hands.
Sevrik knew what was coming, something he could never prepare for; only predict. But he was confident in his abilities and he had been waiting for a moment like this for far too long. Tyree and Kovo created a force push, hoping to send Sevrik flying back towards his cell. They were surprised to see it only push him back a few feet while Sevrik focused the force throughout his body as a way to weigh himself down. The two Jedi pushed harder, beads of sweat were on Sevrik's forehead as he continued to resist. After almost a minute Tyree and Kovo decided to stop, leaving Sevrik still standing but with heavy breath.
"You're strong, I can admit that." Sevrik said. "But I've had far more time and have far more experience."
He was not wrong. Sevrik aged well so it most wouldn't notice that as a pantoran male, he was considered middle aged. But Tyree didn't see an elder Jedi worth his admiration, just an arrogant traitor who was mocking him.
"Oh really?" Tyree said angrily. "Let's see if that's true." He said as he took hold of his lightsaber.
"Wai..." Kovo tried to say as he grabbed Tyree's arm.
"Enough!" Tyree said, pulling his arm away as he stared at Kovo. "I don't need you telling me what to..."
Tyree saw the surprise in Kovo's eyes, giving him just enough time to step out of the way as Sevrik tried to kick him in the face. In the moment, Tyree made a fatal mistake that Sevrik was hoping for. Losing his composure, Tyree reacted by turning on his lightsaber and swinging downwards. Hearing the saber turn on, Sevrik spun around and held out his hands in the exact place needed for Tyree to cut through the middle of his handcuffs and break them.
A collective gasp was heard from the guards, Barriss watched in disbelief, Kovo realized just how much danger they were in and Tyree was mortified by just how he had been played.
This is the moment Sevrik had looked forward to the most, even more then actually escaping. With nothing to hold him back Sevirk was free to quickly push out his hands and send the two knights flying down the hallway, but Tyree hit the left side wall in midair, making him land closer to Sevrik while Kovo was thrown all the way to the floor beside Barriss' cell.
"Stop him!" One of the guards said just before Sevirk used a force push powerful enough to knock all of them back.
"At ease men." Sevrik said, amused by his own humor.
Captain Lerron watched in horror, his men and the Jedi were being easily beaten by one man. With Sevrik free to use his full power the officer could only think of one sound strategy.
"All remaining squads, protect the command center!" Lerron yelled into his comlink.
The impact Tyree had with the wall left him on the floor and in severe pain. Meanwhile, Kovo was just coming to his senses while Barriss and Lhod stood just a few feet away. The violence had escalated so quickly that Barriss had little time to process it all, or decide how to react to it. She cautiously approached Kovo, hoping to get his lightsaber to cut through her own handcuffs. But as she did so a small feeling of uncertainty dwelled in the back of her mind.
The same could not be said for Lhod, he had dreams about an opportunity like this. He crawled towards Kovo until he was ready to push forward and slam his cuffs down on the Jedi's head. But Kovo was aware enough to see Lhod coming and roll out of the way.
Barriss continued to watch in hesitation, even as Kovo was occupied with keeping Lhod back with his lightsaber.
"Stay back!" Kovo said with his lightsaber on and just inches away from Lhod's chest. "I don't want to..."
Kovo was cut off by Barriss making a split second decision, she decided that freedom was the top priority. She had kicked him just above the hip, making him stumble onto his hands and knees. There was doubt at first, but seeing Kovo turn to look at her with an expression that was at first shocked; and then disappointed. That look was enough to make her feel a split second of doubt before Lhod made her experience complete horror.
Seeing Kovo down and distracted, Lhod hit Kovo in the face with his handcuffs. After that he pounced on the Twi'lek like a wild animal and kept hitting his head without mercy. He crushed the poor mans skull, leaving a gruesome mess that Barriss witnessed right in front of her.
"No!" Captain Lerron yelled as he watched the whole ordeal, his fist smashing the desk.
Even Sevrik was somewhat disturbed by the sight, he looked away until Lhod was finally done. Then he noticed the lightsaber beside Kovo's body and couldn't help but admire Lhod's work. He reached out towards the weapon and made it fly into his grasp with just a flick of the wrist. It felt good to hold one again, and he savored the moment before turning it on. With another advantage in his possession, Sevrik turned his attention to the last major threat.
"Dammit..." Tyree groaned in pain as he picked himself up, looking left and right for his companion. "Kovo?"
Tyree didn't see what happened until he looked over his shoulder. His eyes became wide and he let out a quick, horrified gasp at the sight of Kovo's corpse. Lhod was the obvious culprit, as he sat beside the body with it's blood staining his handcuffs and from the way Barriss stood over the body, Tyree knew she had a hand in the death of his friend.
Even with his shocked state of mind, Tyree still realized one murderer was missing. He looked ahead and instantly recognized the lightsaber in Sevrik's hand. At that instant, every word of wisdom and restraint he had been taught left his mind. In a blind rage he charged at Sevrik, his own lightsaber drawn with intention of cutting the traitor in two.
Sevrik stood his ground, completely unfazed. He waited until his attacker was a few feet away before he raised his hand made a loose grip towards the Jedi's neck. Tyree was stopped dead in his tracks as he the actual Force began to crush his throat. He had never experienced this, and was left defenseless as Sevrik used his other hand to put Kovo's lightsaber through Tyree's chest.
Seeing the merciless way Sevrik disposed of someone and Lhod's total lack of remorse made her natious. Although she had killed before, seeing it done in such brutal fashions made it was something different. It made her remember another awful death, the one that drove her to the events that brought her to this moment.
"Barriss!" Sevrik yelled, sensing Barriss' fear. "There's no time for second guessing." Sevrik said before the guards tryed to get up only to be pushed back again by the force. "Get over here, now!"
Barriss did as he said, but with the utmost caution. At this point she just hoped escaping meant she would never have to see these men again. He told Barriss to lift up her arms, and when she did Sevrik used the lightsaber in his hand to cut through her handcuffs.
"Take this." Sevrik said as he picked up Tyree's lightsaber and handed it to Barriss. "Do the same with Lhod and then give it to him. He'll know what to do after that."
"What about you?" Barriss asked.
"I'll be there in a minute." Sevrik said as he walked away from Barriss and towards the guards.
The way he spoke and approached the clones made his intentions obvious. As she looked away and jogged down the hall, Sevrik started killing the guards with ruthless efficiency.
"About time." Lhod said as Barriss stood in front of him, he held out his hands so the handcuffs could be taken care of.
They were not cut right away, Barriss was more then hesitant about giving a lightsaber to a blood stained brute like Lhod. But if she didn't, she would have to deal with that brute and Sevrik along with him. After cutting through his handcuffs, Barriss gave Lhod the lightsaber and stood back just in case.
Lhod took a second to twist his wrists before getting to work. With his hands free, it was much easier to crawl over to the middle of the floor and then stab the lightsaber into it. Barriss wasn't sure what he was doing at first, but it became clear once she realized he was making a man sized circle.
While all this went on in the prison, Captain Lerron was making sure his remaining men were ready at the command center.
"No one get's past this perimeter!" Lerron said as he stood in front of his men. "Stun them if you can, but I want them taken down by any means necessary."
"Captain!" One of the clones said. "You need to see this."
Lerron followed the clone back to the security monitors. When he saw Lhod in the midst of cutting through the floor and Sevrik finishing off his men it became all to clear what was happening.
"Oh you sneaky son of a..." Lerron mumbled, his frustration stopping him from completing his sentence. "Change of plans! We go after them, now!" Lerron yelled at his men as he ran back to them.
As the Captain Lead his men towards the escaping prisoners, Lhod was just inches away from creating a way out.
"Catch this." He said to Barriss.
Barriss played her part by using the force to lift up the carved part of the floor and placed it beside the hole.
"We're through!" Lhod yelled at Sevrik.
"Keep going." Sevrik said as he stabbed the last living guard in the back. "I'll be right there."
With a nod of his head, Lhod showed his compliance before dropping down through the hole he made. Barriss looked through the hole, below was a series of small pipes running along the walls and one very large pipe that was halfway into the middle of the floor. Lhod pulled up his jumpsuit to cover the bottom half of his face before beginning to make another hole in the large pipe.
"You should go with him." Sevrik said to Barriss as he picked up one of the guards rifles and another keycard for the cells. "Just prepare yourself for the smell."
Having little time to argue, Bariss jumped down the hole in the floor. Meanwhile, Sevrik walked over to the nearest cell and used the keycard he acquired to open it.
"Take this." Sevrik said to a Duros prisoner while he threw a rifle at their feet.
The prisoner eagerly picked up the weapon and ran out of his cell. Sevrik did the same with two more prisoners but gave the keycard to the third so they could do the rest of the work for him. After that, he joined Barriss and Lhod on the floor below.
"Wait..." Barriss said to herself as a unpleasant thought came to mind. "What smell were you talking ab..." She tried to ask before the answer became obvious.
When Lhod finished cutting a section out of the pipe the room was filled with a horrible smell. Barriss had to cover her mouth with her hand and hold back the urge to vomit. She looked into the pipe after her stomach settled and realized it was likely meant for draining the prisoners sewer system.
"You must be joking." Barriss said in protest.
"I wish I was, but we need to get going." Sevrik replied.
"There is no way I'm going through that!" Barriss said while pointing at the pipe.
There was a moment of tense silence among the three trying to escape. After a long sigh, Sevrik walked towards Barriss until she was forced to back up against the wall. He didn't touch her, but the way he stood over her gave him an imposing presence.
"I'm going to ask this just once Barriss." Sevrik said in a hushed tone. "Would you rather be clean but imprisoned, or filthy but free?"
In more ways then one, Barriss was forced into a terrible position. Any hope she had when her cell first opened had been replaced by anxiety. As she looked away from Sevrik and back to his awful idea for a way out, she couldn't help but regret agreeing to help get this far. Soldiers and Jedi died just for doing their jobs, and now two very dangerous men had a chance to be free and do whatever they please. But Barriss had done before today, and she knew that. That clear fact made her choice just a little bit easier. She pushed Sevrik back, making him think she was going to back out.
"Lead the way." Barriss said in a no nonsense kind of way.
The shove was actually meant to send a message. Barriss was willing to crawl through a tunnel of crap, but she was never going to let them intimidate her.