Part 7

The jedi's Defender class ship was ugly. At least, it was to Fatalitis. It looked like a big, red, fat, circle with engines. He had no idea how the jedi perceived the Defenders as graceful. the ship slowly moved in position to dock with the Ge'hutuun. Fatalitis donned his helmet, which looked more like something a pilot would wear than a soldier. Chor'sa stood next to him, holding the jedi prisoner by his neck.

The boy was on some crude, primitive crutches Doctor Fiana had dug out of storage. The Defender would have been deafeningly loud without his helmet for protection. Anderit and the two anonymous mandos from fireteam one were there for security reasons. There really wasn't a need for them. Fatalitis could handle a jedi master.

The security detail stood at the ready. None of them trusted jedi. The ship landed on the durasteel flooring with a loud thud. The grinding of hydraulics filled the hangar as the ship extended its stairs. "Thats a bit unnecesary." Fatalitis muttered to Chor'sa.

"Quite, perhaps he wishes to give a good first impression?" Chor'sa remarked, the jedi not being able to hear the Mandalorians because of their helmet's comm systems.

The Jedi wore a brown robe, no armor to be seen. Jedi were just stupid like that. "Welcome to the Ge'hutuun Master Backow."

Fatalitis greeted, forcing himself to sound happy.

"Happy to be here chief." He nodded at the Jedi prisoner, "Now why wouldn't you just surrender initially instead of causing this?" He asked.

The padawan just shook his head, staring at the floor.

"Very well then, if you wouldn't mind placing him in the room I had prepared for him, I need to speak with The Fatalitis." He commanded to Chor'sa.

Chor'sa grunted, she and the security detail leading the boy inside. She may have been old, but Jedi were not people she took orders from. She motioned for Anderit to stay back in case the jedi tried anything. Anderit nodded, checking his rifle's blaster charge again.

"Now, Joffe, I know you'd had a week of leave planned on Nar Shadaa." He motioned toward the planet, spinning outside of the ship's hanger, "But we have something important needed of you."

Fatalitis groaned, Backow knew he didn't like using his old name, "What is it? My boys and girls need some off time."

"As you know, one of the main theaters of war right now is Alderaan. The Sith are sending a group of saboteurs. Sith who are skilled in destroying capital ships. They have a ship that may jump into Alderaan's orbit at anytime. Your people are skilled in defeating force users and our forces are spread to thin to send a response team. We need you for this Joffe."

Fatalitis thought for a moment, "I want our pay tripled for this month, and two weeks of leave afterwords."

Backow frowned, stroking his pointed gray beard before nodding, "Fine, you will have it. You'll need to infilitrate their ship, as you don't have enough-"

Yelling came from the Defender, the sound of blaster fire and a lightsaber springing to life echoed through the hanger.

Fatalitis yanked the vibroblades attached to his back, holding them in front of him as he dashed toward the ship.

Master Backow's green blade sprung to life. He tailed Fatalitis, a bit slower than the Mandalorian. Anderit dropped to one knee, training his rifle on the entrance. Fatalitis made it half way up the ramp, before a blast of force energy sent barreling into Backow. The two fell back to the flooring and quickly jumped to their feet, as two hooded figures stalked down the ramp. They both had crimson double bladed lightsabers drawn.

"Is that the one my lord? I want to kill him, pleasssseee." The smaller of the figures asked, its voice clearly female.

The larger of the two Sith held up a hand, halting the female four meters away from the Mandalorians. Master Backow moving to the side to flank them.

"Are you the Fatalitis?" He asked, with a very deep voice, "And you, are you Jedi Master Backow." He said pointing at Backow with a clawed red finger.

The air around Fatalitis sparked a bit as his armor's shields were brought up, "Depends? Who are you? Where are my soldiers?"

"I am the harbinger of your destruction." The male launched into the air flipping around Fatalitis attempting to behead him.

Master Backow held his ground as the female assaulted him, easily batting off her rapid strikes.

Anderit trained his rifle on the male, waiting for the moment to fire.

Fatalitis whipped one of his blades around, warding off the attack. At the same time he brought his second blade above his head, slamming it down onto the male's saber.

The man growled from under his dark hood, red tendrils visible under the hood. The combatants tested each other's strength, as soon as one seemed to have the advantage the other would push harder.

Backow slid under the woman's crimson blade, sending her flying with a ball of kinetic energy. The woman flew into the Defender, a sickening crack was heard and she fell with a thud. Her lightsaber rolled from her hands and blood dropped from under her hood.

The man, seeing his ally fall, let out a roar. He began overwhelming Fatalitis, sending him back as the crimson blade met the cortosis weave of his vibroblades.

Backow leapt to assist, his green blade meeting with the back end of the Sith's crimson. The Sith slowly walked backwards toward the wall, desperately parrying the lightsaber and the twin vibroblades.

The Sith roared again, sending the last bit of his energy and throwing the Jedi and the Mandalorian flying. They both landed across the hanger, weapons away from them.

The Sith charged Backow's fallen form raising his lightsaber for a final blow.

Anderit raised his rifle, in the perfect position to end the Sith's disgusting life. A thought formed in his head. This was a Jedi master, like the one who'd used children as soldiers. They were all like that, indoctrinating children.

He could wait, let the Sith kill Master Backow and not feel a thing. Let the two monsters end each other. Backow looked at him with pleading eyes. The man was terrified. The Sith was rapidly closing the distance.

Anderit had to make up his mind now or the Sith would do it for him. He shook his head, knowing he'd regret it later.

The rifle lobbed a grenade at the Sith, catching him off guard. He quickly turned and brought up a force barrier, which broke from the force of the grenade.

What the Sith did not expect was the volley of automatic fire that Anderit spat out behind the grenade. He brought up his lightsaber, blocking the first dagger of energy, but he was to slow.

The dark robes man was cut into all over his body. The robes burnt, the blaster bolts searing through and Ito his vital organs. He fell, steaming to the ground, his hood falling in the process.

He hit the floor with a thud. He was dead before he hit the ground.

"Kriffing Sith!" Anderit yelled, the helmet speaker amplifying the sound.

Fatalitis was helping Backow to his feet. The Jedi called his lightsaber from the floor, catching it in a gloved hand.

"I have no id-" Fatalitis held up a hand, "Shove it hu'tuun."

Fatalitis put a hand to his helmet, "Doctor Fiana, might need you. Had an incident at the hanger, dar'jetii."

The trio hastily boarded the Defender, ready to see anything. As they jogged on board someone groaned to the left.

Anderit's stomach turned, he hadn't lost anyone in combat yet. One of the Mandalorians whom Anderit hadn't personally met was sitting with his back to the wall.

His helmet was lying across the room. He was a mirilian, his facial tattoos covered in his own blood. The upper half of his scalp had a two inch cut that was bleeding horribly. His left arm was twisted and mangled so badly that it looked like it was barely attached.

"Doc, doc can fix me right!? Oh please fix me. I- I'm fine I'm okay. It's not bad, oh force fix me please! I-I don't wanna die." He sobbed, trying to blink the blood out of his eyes.

Anderit looked down at the man with pity. Knowing that you only had a few minutes left to live was horrible. He fought back the tears trying to form in his eyes and looked at his companions, pleading for them to do something.

Backow went on one knee, using some force technique to stop the bleeding. The man screamed, tears mixing with thwart crimson liquid.

"I'm sorry Kard, Doctor Fiana will be here soon, you'll be fine." Fatalitis lied, he'd had many soldiers pass away under his command.

The mirilian quit screaming, now breathing quick raspy breaths, "Just let my daughter know I died giving her a future."

Anderit wasn't an openly emotional man, but he was having trouble biting back tears. This man had done nothing wrong, just followed order, and the Sith had caught him by surprise.

He turned away, deciding he would find the others who were aboard.

It didn't take long. He made his way to the prisoner's room. The Jedi padawan was bleeding out of a gash in his neck. At least he'd died quickly.

Chor'sa was sprawled on the ground near him. Anderit checked to see if the woman was still breathing. She was.

He attempted to lift her, slipping in the Jedi's growing pool of blood and almost dropping the Ithorian. Instead he gently place her near her fallen blaster rifle. Someone stronger would lift her.

He made his way to the storage room and frowned. The last Mando was hanging from a wire. She wasn't moving. Regardless, he cut the wire with his vibroknife and caught the woman. He gently roved her helmet. She was human, shaved head, and a pretty face.

Anderit checked for a pulse. Finding none he placed her back onto the floor. The Sith hadn't killed with the lightsabers, they'd kept it quite.

Anderit made his way back to the mirilian, Kard, who had passed out.

"Is he alive." Anderit asked, his voice cracking a bit.

"Barely, but I may be able to keep him with us until the Doctor arrives." The Jedi master sighed, sounding tired.

"Chor'sa is still alive, the prisoner and the other are...deceased."

Anderit stated, trying to hide the distress from his voice.

Fatalitis stormed out of the ship, likely going to check for any other Sith hiding in the bulkheads.

"How did this happen?" Anderit asked, not taking his eyes off the mirilian.

"I'd wager that the Sith found a place on my ship, and chose to strike when our guard was down." Backow mused, using his own energy to keep the man alive.

Anderit shook his head, he couldn't watch anymore. If he'd gone in instead of his comrades at the maybe Kard would be okay.

The ship echoed heavyset footsteps from the prisoner's room. Anderit trained his rifle on the door.

It was a pointless act, he couldn't fight another Sith singlehandedly.

Chor'sa's huge form lumbered into view.

"Dar'jetii, caught us by suprise." Chor'sa rumbled, staring down at Kard.

The Ithorian inclined her head, "Trattok'or Kard'ika."

The aged creature closed her eyes for a moment, in what could've been sadness and exited the ship.

Doctor Fiana ran down the halls, Ral'in in tow. Her white lab coat flowed behind her, making the small woman look a bit ridiculous. They reached the hanger and the door hissed open. She collided with Fatalitis, Ral'in skidding to a halt behind her.

"What's the situation?" She asked urgently.

"Kards got a fatal head wound, I was just coming to find you...and apparently Ral'ika to." Fatalitis muttered.

"Su cuy buir," Ral'in looked past Fatalitis toward the two Sith, "That ones moving."

He stood in front of Fiana, raising a scatter fun. Fatalitis raised his hand in a fist at the Sith, extending a built in blaster.

It was the female, as she was crawling toward them unarmed. A trail of bright red blood followed in her wake.

The Doctor shook her head, walking around Ral'in and marching up to the Sith, placing a holdout blaster to the woman's head.

"Please tell me the point of this dear." She stated calmly.

The Sith looked up at her, the hood hiding her bleeding face, "If I tell you you'll let me live?"

Fiana didn't answer, but pushed the blaster hard into the woman's skull.

"Yes, yes, my lord wanted to intercept the attack group that was being tasked with destroying the infiltration force." She squeaked out in fear.

"Did you hear that Fatalitis?" She asked nonchalantly.

Fatalitis nodded, tapping his helmet. The doctor smiled, and the Sith smiled back.

"So are you ta-" The Sith was cut off as Fiana's blaster discharged into her skull.

The woman dropped with a thud, her head smoking.

"Shes a keeper." Fatalitis remarked, elbowing his son.

"Yes buir, I know." Ral'in murmured making his way to the ship

The group quickly walked up the steps, moving past Chor'sa. Ral'in frowned when he saw Kard, Fiana went on one knee shoving Backow away.

"He seems to be alive, but we'll need to get him to the med lab quickly." She snapped her fingers in his face, and his eyes fluttered open.

He was in a daze, not understanding what was going on.

Anderit hovered around the group, looking over the ship and occasionally glancing at Kard.

The Doctor produced a strong from her breast pocket, injecting it into Kard's neck.

"Now stay awake sweetie. No need for sleeping." She stated with a motherly tone.

Ral'in lifted the smaller man and the group quickly followed.

Everything was rushed as Kard was placed on one of the beds. The Doctor waved them all off as she and her medical droid began working on the man.

The group slowly dispersed, Fatalitis Master Backow, and Chor'sa headed for the bridge. A'den and Kharandras showed up to check on the situation. They left soon and Ral'in accompanied them.

Anderit paced in front of the door like a caged animal. That should've been him. This wasn't fair.

Hours went by, no word came from the Doctor. Eventually a small mirilian woman holding a toddler turned up. She looked as if she'd been crying. The toddler was asleep.

"Is Kard okay?" She asked Anderit.

He froze, their entire clan lived on this ship. Even the housewives. Of course, they were all capable of fighting he was sure of it.

How could he tell this woman she might be a single parent and a widow.

"He took a head injury, but I think he'll be alright." He lied, in his mind it was necessary.

The woman sighed with relief. The toddler seemed to do the same, although Anderit was sure that was his mind playing tricks on him.

"Oh thank the force, I'm Sallin, I cook for everyone. Kard and I've been married for two years, and this is Sadiie." The woman held the toddler's hand waving it at Anderit.

This just made it worse. If Kard died, Sallin would never forgive him for lying.

That was the least of his problems, however.

"I'm Anderit, although people are calling me Anderit lately." He answered, not sure how to handle the situation.

"Thank you for helping Kard, Andy, say thank you Sadiie."

The toddler stirred, looking wide eyes at Anderit. "Thank." Was all she said.

Anderit smiled at the child, feeling guilty and horrible.

"It was really nice meeting you two, but I need to go speak with my fireteam." He muttered almost inaudibly.

"Oh of course, don't wait up for us." Sallin gave a friendly smile.

Anderit could still see the worry in her eyes.

He turned around, marching down the corridor toward the lounge room. Everyone was in a circle.

"It was a dar'jetii?" A'den questioned.

"Yes ner'vod, two actually." Ral'in answered.

"Is everyone okay?" Rawnie asked, concern in her voice.

Cuddles growled, bearing his teeth.

"The prisoner and Shanlew were KIA, everyone else is fine." Kharandras stated with finality.

"Poor Sallin, they have that little girl you know." Hithiss muttered, a living contradiction to the Trandoshan stereotype.

"What about Anderit? Is he alright?" Sanya asked, concern in her tone.

"I'm just fine." Anderit answered, entering the room.

The chiss sprang to her feet throwing her arms around him. Anderit stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. After a few moments he hugged her back, seeing A'den grin at him.

She released him much to Anderit's embarrassment and for a moment he forgot about Kard.

"Is Kard going to live And'ika?" Kharandras asked bluntly.

"I-...probably not." Anderit tried to hide the distress in his voice.

Rawnie stood up, dragging Kharandras with her toward the door, "Well we can at least comfort Sallen, Kharan."

Kharandras nodded letting her drag him out the door.

A'den leaned back in his chair, "So my children, what shall we do with the evil bathrobe brigade?"