Here it is! The second part of 'The Path of The Righteous'. It's time to see just who this new faction is and how they managed to best our favorite sith!? Anyway i hope you enjoy and please, don't forget to review.
Bloodfeud got up with a groan, noting the broken bones and lacerations healing themselves as he did so. Bloodfeud laid himself against the side of what had formerly been half of his ship, groaning as he wait for his vision to straighten itself out again. He shook his head, forcing his vision to return to normal, before silently going over what happened. He was escaping the Jedi ambush, running away as much as he hated to admit it, and then suddenly, they took a hit starboard and crashed landed. But the peculiar thing was that the missile that brought them down came from a completely different direction than from where the jedi and their troops were. So on the off chance it wasn't them, then who shot him down?
The sound of approaching foot steps, spurred him to attention. Bloodfeud got to his feet, and hit behind a piece of the wreckage. Maybe he could ask them himself. Bloodfeud watched half expecting either clone troopers or Kota's militia, but instead saw men in armor he hadn't seen before. The men wore something with a mandalorian inspired design, with one singular upper chest plate that extended to wrap around and cover the upper back as well and short neck guard built in. They had square shoulder plate connecting to the arm plating. They wore gauntlets connected to armored gloves and elbow guards. They wore a kama/loincloth hybrid connect to their dark brown belts and armored boots. Their armor was a dark gray color with their clothes underneath being a combination of dark red and light gray. Completing their appearance was their helmets, which lacked the usual mandalorian 't' visor and instead opted for two standard eye glass that were rectangular in shape. But the most peculiar thing, Bloodfeud noted, was the bright red symbol on their upper shoulder plate, chest plates, kamas and even the front of their helmets. It was a place two-barred cross consisting of a vertical line crossed by two shorter horizontal horizontal bars are 'graded' with the upper bar being the shorter.
Bloodfeud had no idea who these men were or what the symbol one their armor meant. But he did know one thing, they shot him out of the sky, and he was very unhappy about that. So now he was going to 'inform' them of his grievances the only way he knew how. The sith lord suddenly turn the corner and lashed out, strike a man across the throat, causing the others to take aim with their mandalorian carbines. Bloodfeud used the first man to block the incoming shot as he charged forward, before throwing him aside, and unleash a massive force repulse disintegrating many of the men. The remaining ones tried to take advantage of the situation when they saw the sith lord stumble.
'Damn and i really thought i finally built up a tolerance to this move.' thought Bloodfeud as he dived behind cover when they opened fire on him again. One of them rounded the corner and activated a retracting blade blade and slashed at the sith lord, it's...silver blade singing over his.
"Silver? Who uses silver weapons?" questioned Bloodfeud with a snort, grabbing the attacker by his belt, as he ducked under a slash. He then proceeded to throw him into the air. The attacker activated his compact jet pack and motioned for the others to follow him, before turning to fly into the woods, the others in tow.
"Oh no you don't." growled the sith lord before giving chase. Bloodfeud ran into the forest, using his speed to keep close behind the fleeing men, several of them turning back, to blast him. With a wave of his hand Bloodfeud sent two men crashing into each other in a fiery explosion. Soon the men stopped and turn to face him, realizing it was a waste of time trying to outrun him. The bladed man activated both wrist mounted blades, popping the from under his knuckle plates and throwing a jab at the sith who easily avoided and thrust his palm into the man's chest sending him flying back. He then turned and shocked three men, overloading their backpacks and sending them flying into the air before exploding. Bloodfeud rolled out of the way of blaster fire before turning to catch a silver knife right before it his his face.
"Agh!" the sith suddenly dropped the silver blade, feeling as if he just stuck his hand in acid. He couldn't believe his eyes as he stared in his raw hand, slowly trying to heal itself from heavy burns, "the hell you dipped that thing in!?"
The man with the blades did respond, he merely stomped on his heels, clicking out a shoe knife in each boot. His men divided themselves, three in the air and two on the ground supporting the squad leader. One with a vibro ace, and the other also using retractable knuckle plate vibro blades.
"Okay, since you seem to be a mute, I'll just call you 'Blades', kay Blades? Kay. So mind telling me who you are? Or what the hell is going on with your weapons, no way any normal metal could do that."
The man Bloodfeud had sanctimoniously dubbed 'Blades' gave no response. Blades charged forward slashing at him with a right hook before doubling up on his kicks, making Bloodfeud dodge each attack. Bloodfeud slashed up ah him, making Blades roll back before one of his ground support came in Bloodfeud easily the first man's strike with his own retracting blade. It was soon discovered this one wasn't as fast as his comrade, when Bloodfeud grabbed him by his head and in one motion, twisted while pulling him, snapping the man's neck while throwing him into one of the jet packers.
'Blades' charged back in, swinging and kicking, vibroblades singing through through the air dangerously, "You got spunk Blades," commented Bloodfeud as he dodged, "I think I'm gonna make this last. And if you tell me what you know, I'll might give you a ten second head start before I waste you, deal?"
'Blades' gave no response as he threw another kick at the sith lord who easily caught it, just as "Blades' had hoped he would. 'Blades' brought his other foot up, using Bloodfeud's grasp as a stepping before driving his his heel into the sith's face, knocking him back. Bloodfeud stumbled back, while 'Blades' landed in a kneeling position, which his partner then used to jump off of and bring down the vibro axe as he landed making the sith dodged. The axeman quickly brought his axe back around swing at the sith in a full circle, and coming back full circle with another swing. Bloodfeud dodged all three attack, before dropping and kicking the man's legs from under him. He stood to deliver the finishing blow before being suddenly blindsided by one of the jet packers. As he was trying to get back up, another jet packer slammed him into a tree and stepped back to trying and blast sith, sights on his head. Bloodfeud suddenly waved his hand knocking off the shot, and seizing him by the neck before pulling back, ripping out the man's throat. Bloodfeud side stepped the falling corpse before finding himself under fire by the remaining men. Bloodfeud took cover from the yellow bolts, looking for a way to take care of the firing squad, before settling his gaze on a tree. He smiled before reaching out with the force. The tree's body soon began to wind and crack, before suddenly it's base caved in on itself, and began to slowly fall. Right towards 'Blades' and his men.
"Look out!"
'Blades' and the axeman rolled out of the just in time, only to see their comrade unable to maneuver quick enough and be crush by the large tree. Bloodfeud, moved in charging right at the axeman, uppercutting the guy with his claws. His claws hit and sunk in with such force, that it became more immediate trauma than the neck could take, tearing the head from his body, spewing blood from the body like a geyser. Only one left. Speaking of which- 'Blades' brought up his blaster carbine, coming up behind the sith, who was barely able to duck under the shot. 'Blades' stepped back and adjusted his aim back to the sith's and pulling the trigger, only for the sith to side step and come in, grabbing the carbine. 'Blades' swung his blaster under and up, trying to break the siths' gras or at least get a shot, before firing another bolt, which flew right by Bloodfeud's head. The sith pulled the blaster away with a twist of his both and force pushed his enemy away. 'Blades' sprang back up to his feet, before dodging under a left then right swipe of Bloodfeud's claws. 'Blades' countered with a kicked on his own, that caught Bloodfeud on the arm, making him cry out in pain.
"Seriously what, is on those things?" asked the sith before, slashing at the man, who jet packed away and landed atop the fallen tree, more knives appearing in his hands. He remained silent as he threw a barrage of the silver blades at the sith who dodged and blocked each knife as they came his way. Blocking the last knife Bloodfeud looked to see 'Blades' charging him using his jetpack, deactivating it, and throwing a punch mid air, which Bloodfeud was barely able to dodge. The sith turn to slash at the man, who leaned back to avoid, coming back up with a spinning back kick which the sith ducked under, before countering with a palm strike. Only to impale his own hand on the wait vibroblade.
"Fuck!" cried the sith ripping back his hand as actual smoke wafted up from the gaping wound in the center of his hand, "That almost looked planned, you're better at this than I thought." growled the sith. He never met anyone who wasn't a jedi who lasted more than three seconds against him, given he was holding back for the sake of self entertainmen,t but still.
"Your kind is so predictable." replied 'Blades' making Bloodfeud look up.
"Oh, so you can talk-wait others? You mean the sith, right?" asked Bloodfeud, who only got more silence, "Back to the mute thing, 'beautiful'. Well, I've been having fun, but i should probably stop dragging this out."
'Blades' charged in,throwing another kicked which Bloodfeud easily avoided, before being pushed back by the one that immediately followed. 'Blades' threw a deadly jab at Bloodfeud's face only for it to be caught by the wrist, the sith then, thrust his hand into his opponent's elbow and breaking the arm, ignoring the burning sensation in his hand. 'Blades' scream in pain before being force pushed away. He got to his feet, nursing his arm, looking up just to see Bloodfeud slam into him at high speeds, sending him flying several fleet before making a hard landing, knocking off his helmet. THe sith then ran up and grabbed him by the ankle, and using it swing 'Blades' into the air and slam him back down on the other side, before slamming him into a nearby tree, many audible 'cracks' resounding through the forest right before the man fell to the earth unmoving.
"Ooohh, sounds like i just broke your everything." quipped Bloodfeud with a chuckled, before turning the man over, looking him in the face, "Oh good you aren't dead yet. Now, wanna tell em who you assholes are?"
The man cough up blood, pain torturing his entire body as he looked up at the blasted beast that bested him. Hated and defiance filled his voice as he addressed the sith.
"We are your end-" the man began choking on his own blood again making the sith snort unsympathetically. Part of him found this amusing while the other wanted to just put the poor man out of his misery. But he needed the information this guy had… and he did shoot him down.
"Uh, who's on the floor drowning in their own blood?"
"Laugh now you foul beast, the Arbiter will have your head, Gideon…. He's the greatest of us all" he began coughing up blood, "He'll be your end monster."
Bloodfeud's face immediately darkened and any thought of further interrogation was lost. 'Not like he's got long anyway.' he thought darkly as he stood up. "Someone just used the 'M' word. You know, I really hate it when people used that word." said Bloodfeud, bring his foot up and over the man's face. 'Blades' closed his eyes, and accepted his face, just before Bloodfeud brought his foot down, a sound resembling an egg shell shattering, gooey and soft, echoing in the nearby area.
Bloodfeud turned and let, kicking blood and brain matter off of his boot. 'Let's see just who this 'Gideon' is.' he thought to himself. He paused hearing another voice.
"Basee? What have you found? Come in Basee, is that damned creature dead?"Bloodfeud's face twitched as he picked up the helmet from 'Blades''s corpse, putting it on.
"Sorry, Blades can't pick up right now, but luckily I'm here to take your call." said Bloodfeud putting on a seemingly pleasant tone. Silence reigned for several minutes before the man on the other side of the radio spoke up again, voice stern and full of disgust.
"General Bloodfeud, the beast we've been hunting."
"And you're one of the assholes who shot me down… I don't suppose you're this 'Arbiter' that Blades mentioned are you? Cause If you are, then I'm thoroughly disappointed already."
"Laugh now beast, you will pay for spilling the blood of my comrades."
"Sure I will, listen how about you tell me where you are and you can put that to the test." offered the sith rather cockily, examining the injury to his hand, not liking the fact it wasn't healing at it's usual rate. 'Seriously, what the hell was on that blade. I've shoulda been healed long ago.' he mused quietly, before the other man's voice roused him from his thoughts.
"Several clicks north from your position is a clearing. Got here, you'll probably be killed long before that, but on the off chance we underestimate you'll get want you want. To die at my hands."
"You sound confident in you and your guys. Can't wait to prove you wrong on both accounts." replied Bloodfeud, removing the helmet and tossing it to the side. "Time to get to work."
… Later …
Bloodfeud rolled, flipped, and corkscrewed, flying through the air and using his speed and agility to their fullest. This was the third group he ran into, since his talk with the so 'Arbiter' and he was quickly learning these guys weren't people to take lightly, as they were actually starting to wear him down. A fact that very much hurt his pride on so many levels. But honestly, it was starting to feel like these guys were custom tailored to fight him. The sith slashed another man across his throat, before rolling out of the way of an explosion, flipping as he stood up, never staying still for long, using his speed to his advantage. Yet still a blaster bolt hit him in the leg mid flip, throwing off his landing. Bloodfeud landed with a grunt, before glaring at his leg. These people were actually leading him, like they've trained to fight someone as fast as him. Where these people studying his fighting styles? The hell did he do to piss them off? He didn't know the answer to either of these, but he did know one thing. He was kriffing PISSED.
Bloodfeud let out a furious roar, raising both his hands and seizing all the remaining men around him in a force choke. He panted looking among them all, face set in a deep scowl. He fully closed his hands into a fist, snapping all their necks in unison. Bloodfeud released their unmoving bodies from his grasp and simply stoods there in silence, panting his frustration nearly palpable and his ego as a sith and as a warrior taking a bigger and bigger hit as the night went on. Honestly, these guys made the clones and droids look like pushovers, none of them could make him even break a sweat, but these guys? The holes in his suit and slow healing cuts told all. Another sore spot for him, whatever was going on with 'Blades' and his knives seemed to be the case with all their bladed weapons. He even had to stop and bandage his still bleeding hand, he could still feel them healing, but it was just so slow now.
Bloodfeud rolled his shoulders, relieving some of the tension in them, before stalking off to the north again. He still had appointment with the head asshole. The sith lord finally came to the clearing he was instructed to find, a base camp by the looks of it. He moved silently, eyes open for anymore enemies that were surely to ambush him. He paused at the Anti-aircraft gun they had the up dead center of the camp, making him shake his head.
"Good training and excellent hard-ware, so not just your average group of underworld sleemos." observed the general before sensing movement beyond the camp. He turned and began to approached the area just outside the camp, another clearing, set against a cliff side. The sound of charging blaster drew his attention skyward to see several more of the soldiers dropping down with their jetpacks and landing around him, with other staying up top. One of them caught his attention, being that his armor was inversed of the others. His armor being maroon with a dark gray undershirt, and a black double cross on his chest and shoulder pads. He didn't sport a kama, but still had a loin cloth, that white in color with the cross embroidered into it matching the shoulder cape worn over his left shoulder. Also he seemed to favor not wearing a helmet. The man had stormy gray eyes, full of disdain for the creature in front him and his face was contort in a fashion that reflected the sentiment. He also had black buzz cut black hair, and heavy stubble. The man stood at six feet, one inch and had the build of a veteran warrior, the sword on his back and blaster pistol holster on his right side added to it all.
"You?" began the man, "are the one killing my brothers and sisters?"
"Guilty as charged," replied Bloodfeud looking perfectly satisfied with himself, "To be fair you did kinda shoot me out of the sky, so not like you didn't bring this on yourself."
"Foul monster,"snarled the man making Bloodfeud chuckled mirthlessly shaking his head.
"You see, it's like I told Blades right before I made brain salad out of him… I really hate that word." said the sith stepping toward the man. His men readied their blaster but he raised his hand stopping them.
"He is my kill." he said simply and the soldier stood down obediently.
"Ooh tough guy, you know what, I'm not going to even bother using my force power, it'll make kicking your ass all the more fun." said Bloodfeud cracking his knuckles as he approached. The Arbiter removed his shoulder cape, throwing it to the side, advancing towards bloodfeud, reach for the handle of his, before pausing, and moving his hand behind his back and pulling a Merr-Sonn retractable stun baton.
"I'll prolong your demise, filth like doesn't deserve a quick death." reasoned the Arbiter, approaching the sith.
"My thoughts exactly-er, what's your name? I like to know who I'm gutting." asked Bloodfeud as the two began to circle each other. The Arbiter remained silent, giving the sith the impression he wouldn't be humored.
"Gideon Wren." stated the man simply slowing to a stop, Bloodfeud mimicking his actions. The two warriors stared each other down for what felt like an eternity, each studying the other and their stance, before Bloodfeud suddenly charged, swiping at Gideon's head. Gideon ducked and turn, striking the sith in the back of the head with his stun baton.
"Ah! Fuck that thing has serious power to it!" growled Bloodfeud before turning to strike at Gideon once more. The man dodged several before stopping one, with a strike from his baton and opening up with three rapid strike on the sith, before ducking under a counter strike, and delivering a kick to Bloodfeud side.
"Slippery bastard aren't you?" snarled Bloodfeud rotating his shoulder.
"You're just predictable." noted Gideon, as Bloodfeud came in again, lashing out and missing again, a shot to the back and chest. He swung again and Gideon easily dodged, almost as if he was expecting that exactly follow up before coming back and striking Bloodfeud in the neck, baton at full charge, and pressing it there. Bloodfeud cried out in pain, before suddenly grabbing the baton and palm striking Gideon in the chest, knocking back. Bloodfeud snapped the weapon like a twig and looked up to see Gideon rolling back to his feet, and aim an arm at him before activating a wrist mounted flamethrower. The sith used the force to redirect the fire around him, allowing him to pick up on it's strange, and actually irritating odor. By the time Gideon moved on from his flamethrower Bloodfeud was actually coughing.
"The hell do you put in your flamethrowers?" he coughed making Gideon raise an eyebrow.
"Silver nitrate."
"The hell is with you people and force damned silver!? You like bling out your shit that much or something?"
"No your imbecile." began Gideon as the two once again began to circle each other.
"Then what's with it?"
"There are many way to kill you, some are tried and. Destruction of the heart, fire, and so many others. But one that never has failed," began Gideon drawing his blade, "Is your… 'allergy' to silver."
"I don't know what your talking about, and to be honest it doesn't even make sense you crazy fu-" Bloodfeud was interrupted when Gideon jet packed into the air with a fierce battle cry before bring his blade down on Bloodfeud who blocked with his vambraces. Gideon landed and struck again, with another slash that the sith corkscrewed over. He landed and charged slashing at Gideon's head only for him to duck and come back and draw his pistol, aiming at the sith's head. Bloodfeud angled his head out of the way just in time and leapt back, only for Gideon to charged back in using his WESTER-35 to cover his advance. Bloodfeud blocked each shot, before spinning out of the way of a power stab from Gideon and coming back with vicious over head strike. Gideon ducked and delivered a powerful round kick to the sith's stomach before turning to deliver another kicked to the hunched sith's face with the opposite leg. The sith growled before coming back in slashing at Gideon, once, twice, three times, only for his opponent to dodge expertly each time. Gideon jet packed away, opening up with his flamethrower, forcing the sith to roll away from it, to avoid its effect entirely.
"Why you hiding up there for? I'm tougher than you expected?" smiled Bloodfeud tauntingly making Gideon snort.
"Hardly." he said angling his flight position before, suddenly launching a missile from his JT-12 jet back, that was locked onto the sith. Bloodfeud cursed, before running, the rocket following him, zig zagging with the sith until he made a sharp turn that the rocket couldn't making it crash into the mountain side. The sith sighed before turning to be jet packed charged once more. Gideon followed with an uppercut and the gut shot, before delivering a jet pack power knee kicked to the sith's face and flying away.
"You little bastard! I'm gonna kill you for that?" cried Bloodfeud as Gideon landed, drawing his sword again.
"You've wasted my time long enough. It's time I end this so you receive… 'proper punishment'." replied the Arbiter, reaching behind him to pull out what look like a simple injection (picture an epi-pen type thing almost). Bloodfeud charged forward, heedless as ever and Gideon ducked under his attack, lashing out and stick Bloodfeud with the injection device. It took a few seconds, but once it kicked in Bloodfeud, fell to his knees, agony suddenly overriding all other senses, as he clutched his head in pain. His veins were bulging underneath his skin, eye dilating as a severe, hellish burning sensation spread throughout his body.
"Hurts, doesn't it?" began Gidon approaching, the kneeling sith, "like your being eaten alive, from the inside out?"
Bloodfeud turn to glare at Gideon before letting out a defiant roar and swing only to him. Gideon to to side step and counter. Once his blade locked with Bloodfeud's vambrace, struck out with another injection device, bringing the sith to his knees. Never had he been in so much pain in his entire life, not even during his training under Dooku, this was just, just… unreal. He clutched his head in agony, some of his veins even starting to turn black from whatever was injected inside of him.
"A potent mixture of silver nitrate and other substances to help carry it through the body. Still doubt its power against you? Monster." growled Gideon holding his sword to blade to Bloodfeud's face, pressing it's silver edge again his cheek earning a sizzle and burn right before the sith hit it away with his vambrace. The sith attempt the stand up, even affording a step toward Gideon before falling forward, coughing and hacking violently. With each fit came up blood, a hallmark of his bodies' quickly deteriorating status. Bloodfeud spared one last defiant glare at Gideon before finally being engulfed by darkness.
"This is what you deserve," began Gideon motioning for his men to move in now. They dragged him back to camp before quickly thowing on silver restraints connected to large generators by heavy, silver chains. The set up took two minutes, to finish completely securing everything and retrieve the proper 'tools' for the operation's final phase."Wake up."
Bloodfeud let out a sudden cry of pain as untold amounts of high voltage was suddenly pumped into his body. Gideon watched unsympathetically before motioning for them to stop. Gideon paced back and forth the sith watching him warily, his heavy breathing filling the area.
"I have a feeling you lack any information that could possible useful us, but better safe than sorry. Besides," he paused to address the table set up next him, picking up a silver place vibro knuckle duster, a smile placing itself on his face for the first time that night "this will be fun either way."
In response the sith spat on Gideon's shoes. The man's eyebrow twitched before he loaded his arm back and then delivered a thundering punch to the sith lord's jaw. He then grabbed him by his hair and held him up for another punch.
"As i said, no matter what the outcome, at least this will prove to be… rewarding in it's own way." said Gideon turning back to the table, hand ghosting over a silver scalpel and compact laser drill, trying to decided which he'd prefer. To hell with it, the scalpel, they'll be time for both anyway.
… Later …
"You're very resilient." noted Gideon,setting down the pliers. He looked down at the battered and beaten Bloodfeud who couldn't even find the energy for a smart aleck remarks or even to glare at him. "What's wrong no smart aleck remarks?" Bloodfeud weakly muttered something, making Gideon raise an eyebrow before lifting the sith by his hair once more. He looked his in the eye and sith silently stared back at him before repeating himself.
"Screw you."
Gideon narrowed his eye, releasing his head and rubbing his temples. What else should he have expected? Gideon sighed drawing his sword, staring at his reflection for a moment before stepping off to the side. He motioned to him men, who then came up and forced the sith to lean forward. Gideon lined his blade with the sith lord's neck before raising high above his head, poised to end the beast once for all. He exhaled and-
"Stop!"
Gideon and his men turned to see a dark skinned human male approaching them with what appeared to be republic clone troopers on either side of him. Gideon's men aimed their rifles at them as they approached but Gideon held up a hand, telling them to hold fire… for now. He eyed the approaching jedi and his soldier wearily until they stopped a few yards away.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" questioned Gideon looking at the jedi.
"I'm Mace Windu, and as for why I'm here" he turned to point at the restrained general situated behind Gideon, "I'm here to retrieve the war criminal behind you."
Gideon raised an eyebrow looking back at the general, "I'm afraid you've come all this way for nothing then, Master Windu."
"I disagree."
"Oh? And why's that?"
"Because i doubt some band of thugs and paramilitaries want to pick a fight with the Republic." replied Windu cross his arms over his chest, making Gideon narrow his eyes.
"You're meddling in things you don't understand in the slightest Jedi."
"Stand aside, I won't ask again." began Windu before pointing in the direction of the tree line to the west, opposite of their camp, "My men are already standing by and waiting for a reason, any reason to storm this place. We have more men and superior fire power. So if you want to keep yourself and your men alive, i suggest your peacefully hand over the sith lord." stated Windu with finality, his entire stature screaming of a danger daring Gideon to even try refusing him. Gideon looked the Jedi in the eyes, eye searching for something, anything to give him the upper hand. The Arbiter and the Jedi stared each other down for what felt like an eternity. Gideon then sighed, breaking the staring contest.
"You want him dead? Fine, let us dispose of him properly and then you can take the credit, like a good general." offered Gideon already turning to approach Bloodfeud, "Just be sure you make no mention of us or our involvement."
"I think not," began Windu making Gideon stop, "The general is worth more to us alive."
"Words like that only prove to me how ignorant you are of the situation." replied Gideon spiteful, not even bothering to turn around and address the jedi with eye contact.
"I'm perfectly aware of the current 'situation'." Windu spat, venom in his voice. Gideon soon realized they were watching them for sometime, "Now, I won't ask again."
"I know," Gideon then suddenly turn on Windu, sword brandished and singing toward Windu's head. The jedi master acted fast, pulling his lightsaber form his belt and activating it mid swing. The top half of Gideon's silver sword landed several feet behind the jedi harmlessly, who then put his purple blade to the man's throat.
"Last chance," growled Mace. The two entered another staring contest, one that neither was willing to forfeit. But eventually it was once again Gideon who appeared to concede to their jedi.
"Release the beast."
"But sir-"
"Just do it." repeated Gideon sounding irritated. His men looked at each other before reluctantly doing as they were ordered, releasing the sith before promptly dragging him to the jedi. One of the clones helped the sith to his feet, leaning the man on his shoulder while the other bound his hands. Mace Windu nodded in approval, before deactivating his lightsaber motioning for his men to leave. Once they were out of sight, one of Gideon men went up to him, frantic in his tone.
"That's it then? We're just letting that monster escape with those fools?" Gideon regarded the other man with a neutral look before shaking his head.
"Of course not."
"Then why-"
"The jedi was lying, If he really had as many men as he said they would've attack as soon as I attacked him. Hell Mace Windu himself, has a sound record for not letting attempts on his life go unpunished. But it's better if we figure out what exactly what we're up against in order to limit of casualties." explained Gideon before turning to more of his men, "Release our Anooba, and a surveillance droid. We see just what their numbers really are while thinning them out."
Gideon men straighten up and gave a collective 'yes sir' to their leader before dispersing to prepare themselves for battle. Gideon turned and called out to his troops one last time, "And remembers my brethren! There is no fear, there is only perseverance. There is no pain, only strength. There is no darkness, only the light. We are the light, we are the Followers of Natalis."
… Later …
The jedi moved through the woods with their men, Kota at point and Windu cover the back where the sith was. They had been in silence for the last ten minutes, with all soldiers on guard as they moved through the forest. Each man there was expecting those men to come out and attack them at any second. Bloodfeud himself seemed to be oddly calm about this whole situation odd as that was, yet Windu had resumed there was a chance he was just glad be out of the hands of those men. They had contacted the ship to pick them up back at the quarry where they had ambushed Bloodfeud.
"You know," speak of the devil, "Part of me thought that Gideon and his boys were with you guys. But i soon realized those assholes are way too hard core for you push overs to work with."
"Quiet, Blood-Sucker." growled the clone trooper who was marching with his blaster to the sith's back.
"Blood-Sucker?" smirked Bloodfeud, slightly amused, "How 'creative', but seriously I don't suppose you guys know who those pricks were."
"I said be quiet." repeated the clone trooper, level his sights with the sith's head. The sith's who while was still limping and try to heal was already back to smart ass remarks and sarcastic cynicism.
"Calm yourself trooper," began Windu, "He's trying to annoy you, just ignore him and he'll-"
Windu interrupted himself when there was a howl in the distance, followed by the beat of hurried foot steps hitting the forest floor. Considering their current situation, not a single soul was willing to believe this was just a coincidence.
"Everyone prepare for battle and keep the prisoner safe!" ordered Kota as the other readied their weapons.
"Protect me? I'm touched guys, I really am." quipped Bloodfeud right as the Anooba came charging from the woods around them. The clones and Militiamen began to open fire, downing as many of the Anoobas as they could while jedi charged in. Mace ducked under an Anooba's pounce slashing it's under belly as it went sailing over him. Then turned and stabbed his lightsaber down into another one before rolling out of the way of an attack. He then turned and threw his lightsaber killing another Anooba, and catching as it returned to engage another coming up behind him
Kota decapitated another Anooba, before picking one up with the force and slamming it into a second. He then sidestepped another charging beast, bringing his lightsaber down on it's passing body, cutting the creature in half. "Everyone, stay together! These creatures are fast and ferocious."
Bloodfeud watched with fascination as the republic forces battled the Anoobas, slightly impressed by valiance. Then the clones that were suppose to be guarding him were mauled, making him sigh. Of course. One of the canine creature turned on him before charging, and Bloodfeud sidestepped it. The created turned and slashed him, but the sith blocked using his full cover restraint devices. The creatures growled in frustration, before once more only to be once again side stepped before this time taking a hit to the back of the head. The Anooba shook its head angrily before turning to lunge at the sith, only to be shot by a militia man.
"Took you long enough." said Bloodfeud making the man growl at him, annoyed. The sith looked around to see the Anooba had been driven off by the jedi and soldiers, several bodies adorning the forest floor now.
"You know," he began turning to the jedi, "That was just them calling your bluff right? They probably just sent them to access your fighting strength."
"We can see that boy, now quiet before I have second thoughts on taking you alive." threatened kota, making Windu place a hand on his fellow jedi's shoulders to calm him.
"This, 'Gideon' and his men shouldn't far behind. We need to hurry our efforts to arrive at the pick up." said Mace making Kota nod in agreement. As soon as the dead were counted and wounded temporarily patched up enough for the trip to the LZ, the group was once again moving. The republic force move swiftly and carefully, wary of the impending attack from the Followers. Each and every soldier, clones or militia could hear their heart thundering in their ears, painting the rhythm to their pounding footsteps. The moved around tree, jumped over obstacles and kept their blasters at the ready, until finally the quarry was in sight. And the yellow bolts started flying their way from behind.
A clones cried out as he was hit, Ponds picking up him off the ground and helping the injured soldier the rest of the way, while Malco covered them. "Go, go! They're right behind us!" called Malco as the saviors came into view. Several soldier stopped to aid in covering the injured, trading fire with the incoming Followers.
"Eyes up, we got jet packers!" called a clone, shooting down a follower who was trying to flank over them. A missile came flying from one of the Followers, exploding and killing several men.
"Back it up, they're getting closer!" called Ponds, dropping two more Followers. Malco gave a fierce battle cry, firing off his rotary cannon until one of the other patted him on the shoulder. It was time to go, the Followers were pushing up too fast. The republic troops followed the others, their general covering them, lightsaber swinging furiously, deflecting blaster fire left and right. A true sight to behold.
"Get the prisoner and injured inside the main complex, and prepare them all for evac!" ordered Windu as he and Kota prepared to lead their men who were still able for a final stand against the Followers. The clones and Militia men took cover using rubble and old machinery, taking aim at the advancing Followers. The Followers came in hard and fast, using their jetpacks and superior numbers to their advantage, pushing the republic line to it's limit.
"Hold the line and watch the sides! If they flank us, we're dead!" yelled Kota, charging forward and cutting down several followers before deflecting several more shots. He rolled and sent out a force wave knocking several of the Followers back, before turning and charging another group of followers, lightsaber spinning and flourishing, severing limbs and heads in single swings.
Mace, unlike Kota who taking the fight to the attackers, was focusing on the defense. He deflected several shot back at the Followers, cutting down any who tried to get too clone. He suddenly ducked under a sudden blaster bolt and turn to see a familiar face that made his sour. Gideon stood their holding his blaster in one hand, and Mace narrowed his eyes.
"I suggest you run, or you'll find out what happened to the last Mandalorian who thought he could face me."
"Oh, I've heard." replied Gideon pulling out a second pistol he was borrowing just for this, "Luckily, I'm twice the warrior he was." and with that he was in the air, blasters alternating in blaster, putting Mace on the defensive, before charging in. Mace swung at Gideon, who flipped over the strike mid air landing behind him, and opening fire once more, which the jedi once again began to deflect. Switching tactics, Gideon unleashed his flamethrower on the jedi, who used the force to redirect the flames around him, much like how Bloodfeud had. Mace then began to charge through the flames, slashing at the Arbiter, who promptly jetpacked away just in time.
"This doesn't look good!" observed Ponds as another clones was dropped next to him. With both jedi now occupied, the clones and militiamen were now defending the main building by themselves. All the while, as the battle raged outside Bloodfeud sat with his two Militiamen guard, eyes closed as he focused on the force. The battle outside wasn't making it any easier, and neither was the blabbering of his two new guards. Honestly, why couldn't he get peace and quiet when he actually needed it?
"Sounds bad out there, should go out and help?" asked one of his guards.
"Of course not, we're needed here, to guard the prisoner."
"Guard him, he's not going anywhere though." said the first militia man before an audible 'clunk' was heard, making them both pale and look behind them. There stood the general, a pained smile from moving with his injuries, but a genuine smile nonetheless.
"Sure about that?"
….
Windu blocked several more of Gideon's shots before suddenly pushing out with the force sending the mando into the wall of the building and damaging his jetpack falling to the ground. Gideon quickly returned to his feet, blaster aimed and firing off at the charging jedi master. Mace swung his blade, destroying one of Gideon pistol's, following through for a second swing aimed to decapitate Gideon. But unlike the bounty hunter on Geonosis, Gideon's reaction time was far sharper than Mace had expected, and he was actually able to lean back far enough to dodged the attack. Gideon rolled backward, using his flamethrower once more, forcing the jedi back. Gideon then reached onto his belt and drew several thermal detonators at the jedi who caught them with the force, just as he had hoped. Gideon immediately took aim at the detonator and blasted one, which in turned created a chain reaction that set them all off, knocking windu back and kicking up dust for Gideon's next move.
Mace coughed due to the smoke, getting up and channeling the force to try and locate his opponent. He got a fix on him a moment too late, as Gideon himself had boldly charged forward, catching the jedi off guard, and ducking under a sudden lightsaber slash, elbowing mace in the gut hard. Gideon then flipped over mace and turned to deliver a hard kick to the jedi's back knocking him forward. Gideon then turned and blasted a pair of clone troopers taking aim at him before turning to the recovering jedi. Mace got up, now wary of the Arbiter and taking note not to underestimate him anymore.
"I told you there wasn't a bounty hunter in the galaxy that compared to me."
"Duly noted. I'll be sure to stop underestimating you and actually start taking this seriously." stated Windu, readying his vapaad shrugged, ready his blaster and flamethrower, being sure to stay ready to move at any moment.
"About time." returned the arbiter cooley. And then they clashed once more.
Kota slashed a Follower's side before stabbing backwards into his body He deflected several more blaster shots before turning to his men. "Alpha squad, moved up and support Delta! Clones, move to flank!" he shouted before throwing his lightsaber into the air before lunging up and catching it. Then just as he did during his fight with Bloodfeud, brought the blade back down and sending forth a large surge of energy that slammed into the surrounding Followers. Kota stood up once more, ready to cut down more of the seemingly endless forces of the Followers before a ship suddenly flew over head. Kota looked up hoping to see their evac, but felt his heart fall when he saw it was another separatist drop ship.
"Guard team, come in! Sergeant Kiv, respond!" he called into his wrist comm, only to get static in return. Bloodfeud had escaped and contacted a pick up.
"Force dammit! Everyone hold the line here, I'm going after the general!" called Kota before charging back toward the main compound. Mace and Gideon paused their combat, also noting the separatist ship landing on the roof, which could only mean one thing.
"No!" and with that, mace abandoned his opponent force jumping to the roof, just in time to see Bloodfeud limp onto the ship. The sith regard Mace with a passing glance before sending out force lighting to impede the jedi, his droids joining in with their blasters. The jedi charged, forward but the ship was already leaving, and out of his reach by the time he got to them. Leaping to try and board the ship before it's ramp closed, Bloodfeud denied him access with one powerful force push. Mace landed with a grunt, looking up to see a smirking Bloodfeud.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get another, exceedingly rare chance to capture me." quipped Bloodfeud before adding, "thanks for getting me outta here by the way, even if it was to stick me in a cell. I kinda feel obligated to pay you back, so i had something special set, enjoy!"
Mace growled as he watched the sith once again escaped. He let out a frustrated yell, punching the ground in pure rage as Kota came running up the stairs stopping when he saw the shuttle leaving.
"Dammit, we were so close!"
"I know," replied Mace, standing up with hilt in hand. He sighed, frustration and failure wearing the last of him thin. He rubbed his temples before turning to Kota.
"We need to hold out until the-" sudden explosions got the jedi's attention, making them turn to see several vulture droid bombing the enemy positions, making Mace realized what Bloodfeud had meant by 'something special'.
"Sir, we just suffered heavy casualties and the republic forces are no pushing forward.! Orders?"
Gideon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Damned Jedi got in their way and botched everything, now all the losses they suffered today meant nothing. And he'd have to tell his superior about this failure...Perfect.
"Retreat for now, objective is lost anyway. But mark my words, the jedi won't be getting away with this. I'll make sure of it." and with that, the Followers retreated leaving the republic troops semi-victorious.
… Later, Jedi Cruiser Justice …
Mace and Kota stood on the bridge of the latter's cruiser, relaying the past events to the council.
"Most unfortunate, this is. More caution in his future missions, Bloodfeud will take. Ready, he will be." said Yoda making Mace look down, shame overcoming him briefly. Yet another sith to slip through his fingers. Yet another wasted opportunity to turn this war around.
"This new factions also sounds to be quite troublesome." added Mundi.
"Have you learned anything of the symbol we sent you?" asked Kota.
"Not much," replied mundi honestly, "The most we can say is that the symbol is actually part of a larger family crest dating back to family of nobles from naboo. The House of Natalis. But the two heirs to the name, Jun and Brag disappeared during an expedition into uncharted space. No one has seen or heard anything related to the family for millennia. We're not sure if there is even an connect, but chances of such are very slim." said Mundi.
"And this 'Gideon' I faced? What about him?" asked Windu.
"A name, we have. Gideon Wren, of Mandalore he is. Disappeared as well, after great tragedy he did. Presumed dead, but returned it seems. Further investigation need, it is." said Yoda, pausing "A shift in the force indeed. The one we had hoped for, it was not. The rise of a new power this is. A new enemy to face, and face it, we must."
"Indeed, I doubt this will be the last we see of this 'Gideon Wren' and his men." said Mace with a sigh, rubbing his chin. But more so, this wasn't most definitely not the last time Bloodfeud saw the last of them. Whatever he did to them, however it was that the sith managed to earn their ire, this new faction seemed just as keen of removing the young sith from play. As brutally as possible no less. And to this Mace had to admit, while it may have been the general they were sent to destroy, they saved a man from a fate no one deserved. Even if he escaped in the end, Windu felt in his heart that he had made the right call.
'After all, no one ever said the path of the righteous, was an easy one.'
Woah, for some reason these last few chapters feel like I rush the endings, I hope it's okay. Anyway, tell me what you think of the 'Followers of Natalis'? What about their champion Gideon? Thought he was gonna go down like Jang did for a second there right? I wanna know what you think, so please review. Anyway next chapter should be out faster since i just gotta edit the orignal one. Anyway, until then see ya later!
