—/ Chapter 9 /—
Coruscant - Union Military HQ
[It was nighttime. Myles crouched in the loading bay of the dropship, arms resting atop his knees. He scanned the area below. Anti-aircraft guns as well as tanks shot at the dropship, though it seemed to make little difference given their speed. He turned his head halfway and saw Azura behind him, each grasping a handhold. Zanka was piloting the ship.]
Myles: As soon as I give the signal, we jump from here to the platform just ahead. We don't want to be aboardthis ship when it crashes. [At seeing Azura nod, he called out to Zanka in the cockpit.] Rat, get out here. We're jumping.
[The jawa joined the duo in the loading bay. The ship began to decelerate as it approached the decorative window near the top of the building. A platform jutted out below, a service tunnel entrance visible. Myles nodded to the two before jumping. Azura and Zanka followed suit.
Myles made contact with the ground first, his boots absorbing the shock easily enough. The twi'lek and jawa used the Force to cushion their impact. He wondered how they would have managed without it. A crash was heard overhead, several pieces of debris rained down upon them. Myles pointed toward the service tunnel entrance, a nonverbal cue for them to enter it quickly. There didn't need to be any more prompting, blaster shots from the ground had begun firing at their location. Myles opened the door, ushering the twi'lek and jawa inside before closing it behind him.
Steam billowed from the ends of pipes, obscuring the room considerably. Azura motioned for everyone to go ahead. Myles was pleased she seemed to be taking it seriously—though it could also have been her hearing everyone's thoughts in the building and knowing that something was seriously amiss. The trio continued throughout the tunnel, ignoring the occasional hiss that found its way out of the pipes.
WIthout warning, Myles was launched forward, his helmet hitting one of the larger pipes in the room. A resounding clang filled the room. Before he could recover, a Phantom materialized in front of Azura, sword poised to strike. The purple twi'lek motioned for the other two to remain where they were, the corridor was too narrow for them to join her. Activating her lightsaber, she slashed at several of the pipes, the entire corridor engulfed in a fog. The several seconds it lasted, a pained gasp filled the entire hallway followed by the sound of a body falling.
Myles had opened the other door that lead into the main building, the fog leaving as quickly as it had come. He turned to look at whatever had occurred between the purple twi'lek and her assailant. The Phantom was on the ground, convulsing. An odd yellow-greenish liquid was seeping out of his helmet onto the floor below. Azura stepped over his still moving body, followed by Zanka. She gave the Shadow a cheeky grin as she trounced past him. Myles shook his head, failing to grasp her sick sense of humor. He paused and looked back in the direction of the twi'lek.]
Myles: Are you going to finish him off?
Azura: [She gave a smile before pointing back at the Phantom.] Oh Myles, do you really think I would do sloppy work? [With that, she walked off.
Zanka soon followed. Myles turned his gaze to the Phantom. He had since stopped convulsing and now lay still. He closed the door and bolted it shut. He knew Azura wouldn't chance the Phantom somehow living but he wasn't sure of the technology that the Union had outfitted the Shadow's successors with.
Zanka turned to join Azura and Myles yet found himself unable to take more than several steps. They were on one side of a balcony that skirted three sides of a particularly large room. On one side was a carpet adorned grand staircase. Myles saw troops upon troops running up them. It wasn't several moments before the entirety of the balcony and floor below was filled with soldiers.
Myles gestured at Azura to take the ones ascending the stairs and for Zanka to take the ones on the floor below. He would deal with the ones on the balcony. Readying his rifle, he fired several shots before ducking behind a nearby bust of Arran on top of a column. He looked over to see Zanka vault over the railing into the fray below, lightsaber igniting mid-jump. Azura had since made her way to the soldiers coming up the staircase.
A blaster shot hit the top of the bust of Arran shattering a significant portion of the head. The debris hit the wall opposite of Myles. He'd have to make quick use of each cover on his side of the balcony. He stood slightly, firing off several more shots from his rifle, felling two soldiers in the process. As he dashed toward the next bust, he once again heard the sound of marble shattering. There went the entire bust. He peeked out from behind his cover and saw the jawa below.
Zanka stabbed an incoming soldier, jumping off of the falling body to the next one. The sound of blaster fire drummed in his ears as he continued fighting. The soldiers continued to pour into the room in droves. Myles wondered why more weren't firing at the jawa, yet the answer was clear when he caught sight of Azura. As she deflected blaster shots with her lightsaber, the Shadow saw every soldier who caught sight of her put down their weapon and curl up in the fetal position. Myles did not doubt the room would be filled with whimpers had not blaster shots already been fired.
Myles ducked from one bust to the next, the soldiers that continued to fight shattered each one with relative ease. He was running out of cover quickly. Myles pulled out his blaster rifle and activated his stealth generator. The soldiers continued to fire at his last known location. Myles fired from another corner of the room, sending one of the soldiers flying. The next realized Myles' trick and took cover. Myles could hear the soldier calling in for backup. He ran toward the man, unsheathing his sword along the way. The man stepped out from around the corner and held tightly onto the trigger, spraying blaster fire around the entire room. His gun overheated, he cowered back behind his cover. A sword pierced through his throat. Myles deactivated his stealth generator, blood spatter visible on his helmet visor.
Soldiers had since ceased pouring into the room, allowing the trio to deal more efficiently with those left. Myles reactivated his stealth generator, holstering his sword for his rifle once again. He fired several shots at the soldiers cowering before Azura. He didn't know how long the twi'lek's trick would hold, the less that would come after them later on, the better. Within minutes the entire room was clear.
The trio met at the base of the staircase and ascended it, Myles taking point. After reaching the top, Myles took a right, followed by a sharp left. He knew the building by heart. He paused, looking at Azura. She gave a minute shake of her head, which Myles nodded in affirmation. After several more turns, the trio found themselves in front of a large door.]
Azura: Wait, there's someone strong in the Force inside...but it's fuzzy.
Zanka: I'm guessing that would be Jaden—
Myles: —Or Arran.
[He moved to the control panel along the wall next to the door. Taking out a knife, Myles popped the screen off and started hotwiring it. It was several moments before the door slid open with a hiss. A large cellblock was in view, a majority of the cells empty. One cell stood out amidst the rows of empty ones—the furthest one near the back of the room gave off the typical glow of a force cage.
Myles lead the group down the cellblock, and upon seeing who was inside, let out a sigh and was ready to turn around.]
Myles: It's just a Jedi. Regroup. We need to find Arran.
[Zanka looked at Jaden in the force cage. The man was sitting down, his face buried in his knees. He seemed to have been sobbing.]
Azura: [She turned to Zanka.] You know you have to let him out, right?
[He said nothing, instead giving her a look.]
Azura: You're the reason he's in there. Whether you like him or not, think what the Sith will do when they get their hands on him.
Zanka: [He muttered.] I don't hate him. I just want him to stop trying to drag me back.
Azura: [She spoke more gently.] You can't change him from caring.
Zanka: [He said nothing for a minute before looking again at the man in the force cage. He hit the button to release his former Master. He sounded wary.] Let's go.
Jaden: [He looked up, his eyes red with large bags under them.] What's the point? There's nothing to go to.
Zanka: [He looked at Azura's expression of concern aimed at the human. He wasn't sure how to snap Jaden out of it—especially when the man's depression was because of him.] Maybe if you got stronger, after we're finished with the Sith you could actually—[He hated these next words, he had no intention of following through on them, but if they were what snapped his former Master out of it]—bring me back. [He added quickly.] Not that I'd stay.
Jaden: I didn't want it to happen like this. I thought about what I'd say when I found you again. I blew it. I won't next time.
Zanka: [He nodded.] You have anything you want to say before then? Some of those planned one-liners, to get it off of your chest?
Jaden: [He stood to his feet, keeping his chin held high despite the smell of alcohol still being present on his person.] "The Sith are evil, come back to the light", "Only a Sith deals in absolutes"...I don't know, I thought about what Drasli would say.
Zanka: [He gave a shrug.] The last one sounds like a bad movie. Here's some good advice from Drasli—"say what you would say, not what you think someone else would." Get your lightsaber, we're getting out of here.
Myles: Are you two done? I don't like how there aren't any more soldiers coming our way.
Azura: Aw, bored already Myles? [She patted his helmet and walked back down to the staircase.] He's not wrong. I don't sense anyone. That doesn't sound like standard Union procedure.
Jaden: [He reached into his pocket and threw several metal parts out. They floated in the air and came together to build his lightsaber. He summoned the blade back to his hand.] You still have a lot to learn Zanka.
Zanka: That would have been useful on the Prometheus.
Jaden: Would have been useful for you not to be involved with terrorism either…
Zanka: [He gave a shrug.] I guess life's full of disappointments.
Jaden: Life is filled with paths. You chose the wrong ones.
Zanka: They don't feel so wrong to me.
Jaden: Look at where your choices have gotten us now.
Zanka: [He said mildly.] I'm surprised you weren't as mad when I blew up Azura's temple with you still in it.
Azura: Leave my temple out of i—could you two stop? Someone's coming.
Jaden: You told me that was an accident.
Zanka: It was more of a tactical decision to get Azura in the process. I thought you'd be fine, and you were.
Jaden: Oh? I should have made you run more laps as punishment.
Zanka: You were a soldier, you're telling me that's not a good tactical decision?
Jaden: Compromising your team? [He shook his head.] No.
[Myles and Azura were covering the door on the opposite side of the hallway while the two were still bickering. The two stood on either side, their weapons gripped tightly in their hands for whoever was approaching.]
Zanka: If you trust your team, you should be able to make those decisions as they come to you.
Jaden: Killing your team isn't trust. I'm surprised Arran never taught you that.
Zanka: He said my logic wasn't flawed, just the timing and execution of it.
Jaden: Arran knows a lot about executions. How many more have to die? Who's to say he won't turn on you?
Zanka: What're you trying to say—he'll turn on me and that's the reason I should come back with you today?
Jaden: He's a murderer.
Zanka: [He knew he had killed a lot since leaving the Temple.] Do you think of me in the same way?
[Before Jaden could respond, the double doors opened. Azura rose up from the ground, gripping at her throat in between sharp gurgles. Arran stood in the center, his lightsaber ignited and his hood pulled over his head. Azura was thrown over the staircase railing before another sound escaped her rattled voice.]
Arran: [He kept a dead stare at Jaden and Zanka.] Myles, Shadow Protocol 3-J is a go. Neutralize all Jedi in the area.
[Myles hesitated for a brief moment before unsheathing his sword and turning on Jaden and Zanka.]
Zanka: [He looked at Jaden before back at Arran. Something seemed off.] Kill Jaden? Arran, are sure about that?
Arran: Vallen, your pet speaks out of turn. If it fights anything like you, you're in for a rough time.
Jaden: [He muttered at his former padawan.] What did I just say?
Zanka: This doesn't seem right.
Jaden: Neither is you leaving me.
[Myles activated his stealth field generator as Arran walked towards the two, his lightsaber gripped firmly at his side.]
Jaden: Who do you want?
Zanka: [He activated both ends of his lightsaber. He glared at where the Shadow was.] Give me the traitorous bitch.
[An invisible fist popped Zanka in the mouth. Zanka's head reeled back. Righting himself, he swung his lightsaber at where he thought Myles to be, only to be met with air. He felt something brush against his side. Diving to his left, he narrowly avoided a strike by the Shadow. He had to improvise. He couldn't sense the Shadow, nor could he see him. He could still feel. Closing his eyes, he focused on his sense of touch. He heard a slight 'wooshing' sound near his torso. He brought up his lightsaber to block oncoming blow from Myles, the two vying for dominance. Pushing up, the jawa broke the lock with the Shadow only to follow up with a strike of his own. Again, he met nothing but air.
Arran's red blade swung at Jaden's dominant hand. The Jedi Master activated his viridian blade and blocked it quickly.]
Arran: I will enjoy killing you Vallen. This time you won't have Khaar to save you.
[Jaden swung at Arran, Arran pivoted his lightsaber to block just as Jaden deactivated his blade to follow up with a counter attack. Arran kicked the Jedi Master in the side, nearly knocking him down the staircase.]
Arran: I'm not falling for your cheap tricks.
[Jaden lunged at Arran, hoping to attack him in the midsection. Arran slapped the lightsaber down with his own, and used the Force to throw Jaden to the other side of the hallway. Arran jumped toward Jaden, his red-yellow hued eyes beaming at the Jedi Master. His lightsaber came down hard onto the ground just as Jaden narrowly rolled out of the way.]
Arran: Pathetic, Vallen.
[Zanka blocked another strike before shooting lightning at the Shadow. He heard a grunt and saw Myles phase into existence in front of him. Opening his eyes, the jawa leapt at him, his strikes parried by the Shadow. As Zanka struck faster at the Shadow, he seemed to gain an advantage only for the Shadow to phase out of existence once again. The jawa, mentally swore, closed his eyes once again, preparing to deal with the Shadow with the same method. This was going to be a long fight. He looked over at Jaden and used the Force to quickly leap to his defense.
Arran's lightsaber was brought down only to be met with Zanka's. He kicked the jawa in an opening between their blades, forcing Zanka backwards into the cellblock.]
Arran: Nowhere to run, little Jedi.
Zanka: You're the one who said I wasn't a Jedi in the first place.
Arran: [He rose his lightsaber up to his face, clashing it down against Zanka.] I've never even met you.
Zanka: [He pushed back against Arran's lightsaber, the light sting of his hands becoming more pronounced as he pushed against the ex-Sith's saberlock.] Something's wrong with you, Arran.
Arran: [His backhand quickly slapped against the jawa's face.] What did you say? I am Darth Militus. You will bow before me, welp.
Zanka: If you remembered me, you'd know that I don't bow for anyone.
Arran: Then you will die.
Zanka: [He ground his teeth in anger.] I called you by your name. What's wrong with you? You're being a schutta. [He shot lightning at Arran.
Arran pushed off of Zanka and deflected the lightning with his lightsaber. He smirked and used the Force to grip Zanka's throat.
Myles and Jaden were battling in the hallway. Jaden jumped up and over Myles' blows, using the railing and close quarter space to his advantage as much as he could. Myles studied this and feigned an attack, when Jaden dodged, Myles was already there to give another blow. His blade nicked Jaden's arm, causing the Jedi to retreat backward. He drew his blade again and ran at the Shadow, throwing punches and kicks in between parrying.
Myles deftly dodged each blow, yet struggled to keep up with Jaden's follow-up attacks. Though the man appeared haggard and panting slightly, he was giving the Shadow a definite run for his money. Jaden aimed a kick at the Shadow only to plant it firmly in the ground. Using his momentum, he gave an overhead attack against the Shadow. Blade met lightsaber, sparks clashing between the two.
Arran's grip tightened more with each passing second. The jawa was unable to fight back, his vision was quickly becoming dark. Azura entered the room, a no-nonsense look about her face. She hesitated as she stared at the battle ensuing.]
Zanka: [He called out to Azura in the Force.] ...Help..
Azura: [She responded, her voice soft in Zanka's mind.] His mind has been altered. Altering it back could cause damage, or worse.
Zanka: [He yelled at the twi'lek.] Not altering back is going to get me killed! Fix it, now!
[Azura rose both hands outward towards Arran. She closed her eyes and brought the former Sith Lord to his knees. Zanka dropped to the ground, gasping for air. Myles witnessed this and rushed to stop her. Jaden jumped in the middle of them and continued his attack. Azura could feel the hate, the rage, and the power. When Azura ceased and opened her eyes, Arran was still. She paced over to him, kneeling down beside him. Finally his eyes opened.]
Arran: Nk'ik...what have you done?
Zanka: [He took in large gulps of air as he lay on the ground.] Preventing you...from killing me...
Arran: You did a hellof a job. You look like shit. Get up.
Zanka: [He picked himself up off of the ground.] I already looked like shit.
Arran: [He looked around, glancing at Azura beside him.] Where am I?
Azura: Union Headquarters.
Arran: [He squinted, trying to remember what had happened. He felt his brain rattle, exerting a great pain. Arran grabbed at his head.] I remember...talking to the Union Commander. He's dead. I did it. But...it wasn't me. Then I was in my old room, and he was there.
Azura: [She brought her hand to her mouth in concentration.] The Cerean took control of your mind. He must be powerful.
Jaden: Or the simpler truth: Arran's weak-minded.
Arran: [He looked over at Jaden and Myles.] Myles, quit playing with the Jedi.
[Myles did not stop, instead increasing his strikes against the Jedi Master tenfold. Jaden blocked each strike, after which he kicked the Shadow in the chest.]
Arran: [He said sternly.] Myles that's an order. Stand down.
[He stopped, sheathing his blade on his back. Jaden deactivated his lightsaber. There was an uneasy air between the two.]
Jaden: That's a good little obedient soldier. Listen to your master.
Myles: There was a time I could have killed your entire Order. Remember that.
Jaden: You're not at the Order, are you? You're here with your master.
[Myles was silent for a moment. He had a rebuttal ready, but he decided to keep it to himself. Instead he crossed his arms and leaned against the nearby wall.]
Arran: Where's H8er at?
Azura: Nobody has seen him.
Arran: [He sighed and got to his feet.] I told him to find you after I was attacked at the Temple.
Azura: Well, he's not here. Myles and I were together for some time before the jawa dropped in on us.
Arran: [He grabbed at his eyes.] Well, we can't leave here without him.
[The party and Jaden trekked through the headquarters, walking down several flights of stairs and eventually entering a hallway lined with windows. As they went past one of the windows, several landing pads were visible outside. Myles recognized them as ones that Union officials would use before entering the headquarters. As they passed the last window, they caught sight of a familiar ship landing on one of the pads.]
Zanka: That's my ship.
Azura: I sense soldiers coming to greet us.
[A garrison of soldiers entered from both sides of the hallway, surrounding the party. They opened fire, forcing the group to take defensive action. Myles dove behind the nearest cover he could find. Arran covered him, deflecting incoming blaster fire. Myles took out his rifle and fired back. Jaden and Zanka fought back to back, cutting down enemy forces and working as a team. Azura ignited her lightsaber and helped defend with Arran. Arran used his free hand to throw soldiers around, smashing them against each other's armor and into walls.
The soldiers were quickly disposed of by the group. They continued down the hallway only to pause at a door. Myles opened it, gesturing for everyone to follow him. They walked along a narrow pathway that lead to the first of the landing platforms. Each platform was connected by a narrow walkway that lead to the next. As they crossed the walkway that lead onto the path of the 'Long Ago Junk', the ship's ramp lowered and Meeka N'ik walked out.
She ran over to Zanka, engulfing him in a hug. The jawa stood there, arms limp at his sides. Meeka grabbed his hands and seemed about ready to say something but paused, instead she continued looking down at Zanka's hands, noticing the burns beneath their wrapping. She looked back at Zanka, her voice unsteady.]
Meeka: I was angry, I am...still angry, but I am sorry. I—I want to make this work. Somehow. Make us work.
[Zanka was unsure how to react. A part of him was livid at her for turning them in. Another was willing to accept his own wrongs and understand that they were what had driven her to do it in the first place.]
Zanka: You sent droids, troops, and random bounty hunters after me. Do you know what I had to do to get up here?
Meeka: [She guiltily averted his gaze before looking back at him. She let out a breath she had been holding and looked at him, a growing resolve in her eyes.] I had orders and I was angry. I know that does not excuse my behavior, nor do I expect immediate forgiveness, but we have both committed wrongs. We can use them to learn going forward.
Zanka: Yeah? What about the Force?
Meeka: [She replied somewhat stiffly.] I do not approve of it. My main concerns are still your actions against the Galactic Union and the actions of Arran Zarkaine. I can...perhaps adjust on the F—on that. The others I cannot. You can go on trial, testify against Arran, get leniency—
Zanka: [He said flatly with a hint of anger.] No.
Meeka: Why do you have to fight me on this? Why can you not leave the life you lead and be solely with me? I saw you in the Undercity. Slaughtering your way to the top-most level, all to survive. Do you honestly enjoy a life like that?
[Zanka was silent. If someone were to ask him what he was good at in life a decade ago, he'd have said machines. Now he would say killing.]
Meeka: [She continued on despite Zanka's silence.] If you really wanted a life like that, you could join the Union military, you do not have to just work with machines. I am trying to make it work somehow Zanka. [She said frantically.] What more can I do?
[Arran and the rest had caught up to Zanka and Meeka. Myles shook his head and bypassed the two of them, immediately going to secure the area around the ship. Arran placed his lightsaber on his belt and crossed his arms.]
Arran: You renounce your corrupt government and let Nk'ik live the way he wants to.
Jaden: Yeah, because that's worked so well in the past.
Arran: Oh? And I suppose you'd rather me lie to him and say, "you'd make a great Jedi someday you pyromaniac".
Jaden: I punished him for the destruction he caused in the past.
Arran: [He looked at Zanka then back at Jaden.] A lot of good that's done him.
Meeka: [She looked at the two before glaring at Arran.] My corrupt government? I am not the one who has killed billions of people!
Arran: More would die in time if you knew who was really pulling the strings.
Meeka: I doubt you would even tell me, would you? The man who killed our current leader, who I might add, was going to undo the mess you brought about.
Arran: Mess? If it weren't for me you wouldn't have a job. Not only did I create the Union but I desegregated our workforce. I didn't kill the Commander out of choice. It was the Sith who—
Jaden: Right, just like when you attacked us earlier. You blame the Sith but I think you're just a loose cannon sociopath who just looks for any excuse to kill.
Arran: Cut back on the cheap booze Jaden, it turns you into an idiot.
Azura: [She shook her head and stepped in between Jaden and Arran.] It's true, Arran wasn't in control. The Sith have found a way inside of the Union and they take control of people's minds in the process.
Arran: Not everyone. The Commander spoke to me before he died. He seemed enthusiastic about meeting me. I don't think he was under.
Azura: That explains why they used you to kill him.
Jaden: Maybe if you weren't weak-minded—
Arran: I'd like to see the Jedi do any better. Where are they while the Galaxy is going to shit?
Jaden: You're the reason it's going to shit. Assuming what you say is true, you're the one that made the Union in the first place. You are responsible for their mess.
Arran: Typical Jedi excuse. Go back into hiding then Vallen, continue drinking yourself to sleep every night.
Jaden: Everything was fine until you took Zanka from the Order!
Arran: I didn't take anybody, he wanted to go. Can you blame him?
Azura: [Her voice doubled in size and echoed all around them.] Enough! Both of you.
Jaden: [He knelt down and extended a hand for Meeka to shake.] Hi, I'm Jaden Vallen, Zanka's M—friend. I wish I would have met you sooner but I wasn't invited to your wedding...
Meeka: [She took it and gave a firm handshake.] I had told Zanka to invite those closest to him but he seemed...reluctant.
Arran: He did. That's why I was there.
Azura: [She turned and whispered in Arran's ear.] You're not helping.
[Arran sighed and gave her a slight nod, letting the others speak.]
Meeka: [She gave a nod to Jaden. Though her smile could not be seen beneath her face-wrapping, one could hear the warmth in her voice.] I am glad someone has Zanka's best interests at heart.
Jaden: [He glared at Zanka as he got back to his full stance.] I always did.
Zanka: [He gave Jaden a look.] Yeah, because running laps and drawing maps is better than having a lightsaber.
Jaden: You didn't earn that lightsaber. In my eyes, you don't deserve your current one. You never completed my training.
Zanka: It's a great thing I need your approval to have a weapon.
Jaden: It's not a weapon, Zanka. It's a tool, but you wouldn't know how to use a lightsaber like one, would you?
Zanka: Then I used it as a tool against you. I beat you earlier, didn't I?
Jaden: [He scoffed.] Winning one battle against me on the worst day of my life and against a hologram by Arran does not make you better than I.
[Jaden decided to switch track, he didn't want to follow Zanka around for years, trying to persuade him to come home. He believed the jawa could be redeemed. If there was ever a time for the jawa to come back with him, it was now.]
Jaden: Look Zanka, you have a choice now. Meeka is willing to make things work. We can take her back to the Temple, she can meet the Jedi, you can continue your training, and everything can go back to normal.
Arran: [He pushed past Azura.] Normal? Even if Nk'ik goes back to the Jedi, the Sith won't stop. The threat won't just magically disappear Vallen. Where the hell were you when the Jedi needed you? You were drinking from the bottle and ignoring them, and you blame the rat for leaving? You did the same thing.
Jaden: You don't know what's best for him.
Arran: Neither do you, only he does. Nk'ik's no Jedi. He never was. From the moment he joined you and Khaar knew he was different.
Zanka: [He looked at Jaden.] Things will go right back to how they were, huh? I'll just give up what I've learned, run some laps, sit under a tree and meditate all day?
Jaden: There was more to being a Jedi than that…
Zanka: None of which I was shown.
Jaden: You weren't ready.
Zanka: So I could make the decision to be a Healer but not much else?
Jaden: You were impatient.
Myles: [He came jogging back over, his rifle holstered on his back.] We're all clear to leave. But I suggest we leave soon before more arrive. I don't know how much of a beating the ship can take.
Arran: [He gestured Myles to start the ship.] You speak of Nk'ik as lacking necessary attributes of a Jedi. I didn't take him away Vallen. He came on his own. He's not a Jedi anymore, he's taking a different path. He doesn't need you, or the Jedi...or Meeka.
Meeka: [She glared at Arran as she crossed her arms.] Excuse me?
Arran: End her Nk'ik. Meeka has betrayed you once, she'll do it again. She will continue to make this difficult on us. You will never be free in her company.
Meeka: He would never kill me. Would you, Zanka?
Zanka: [He used the Force to pull his lightsaber from his boot though he looked uncertain.] I...
Jaden: [He was incredulous.] Zanka...you're not seriously considering this?
[The jawa's thoughts swam. He had thought of fighting her to exact some kind of revenge. Did she deserve death? He killed his way to the surface levels easily enough, he had almost killed Jaden. She had betrayed him before, he knew that she could betray him again. Anyone else he could have ended the case immediately and killed them but here, he hesitated.]
Arran: [He spoke mockingly.] Don't worry Vallen…."There is no death, there is the Force."
Jaden: Zanka, put down your lightsaber and walk away. Meeka doesn't have to die.
Arran: You know what you need to do. You know what she's capable of, Nk'ik.
[The jawa activated his lightsaber despite Meeka beginning to protest.]
Meeka: [She spoke quickly, clasping her hands together.] Zanka—please, don't do this. I'll do anything. Please don't kill me.
Azura: [She wavered uneasily, grabbing at her head and trying to steady herself from her shaking legs.] She's telling the truth! She wants to make things work!
Meeka: [Her voice was small and scared.] I don't want to die.
Arran: Do it.
[Jaden used the Force to tear Zanka's lightsaber from his hands as well as his pistol from his holster.]
Jaden: [He smirked at Arran.] Now he has nothing to kill her with.
Arran: You think taking his lightsaber will stop that? You don't have any control over him Vallen. You never did.
Meeka: [She fell to her knees. She sobbed hysterically, begging for forgiveness and her life. Zanka could detect her pheromones. He knew her feelings were genuine, all of them. He raised his hands over her kneeling form.] I'll leave. I'll leave and never come back. I'll leave everyone, everything behind, please just let me liv—
Azura: She's telling the truth Zanka, please don't do this! [She turned to Arran.] Arran tell him he doesn't have to do this. He doesn't have to prove anything. Let Meeka walk away from this.
Arran: [He glanced at Azura before letting his gaze fall back onto Zanka.] He's made his choice. Now he'll have to live with it.
[A myriad of emotions battled within Zanka. The most prominent ones were anger and a want to forgive, to move on. Though he didn't want to, he knew he had to do it. In that moment, his anger latched onto him like a hot iron, filling every part of his being. Fire erupted from his hands, engulfing Meeka. The makeshift bandages burned away as the fire continued to roar in his ears along with her screams. Azura fell to the ground, grabbing at her head. Her screamed intermixed with Meeka's. What began as a sting on his palms continued as a agonizing burn. Her screams eventually stopped, yet the fire continued to pour out. He looked down where Meeka's body had been, just kneeling moments before. Instead lay a pile of ash with several bones on top of it. The fire ceased. He looked down, seeing his hands. There was no pain, only numbness. From the mid-forearm down, they looked a monstrous mess of third degree burns. He turned Arran, his eyes a blood red.]
Jaden: [He was horrified at what he had just witnessed.] Zanka….you are lost. What have you done?
Arran: [He gave a sharp wink to Jaden.] Hell of a job, Nk'ik.
Jaden: [He glared at Arran.] You condone this?
Arran: I condone him making his own decisions.
[The 'Long Ago Junk' started up, smoke and exhaust billowing from crevices between the rusted metal plating. A droid rolled down the loading ramp, coming down at full speed. It rolled over Zanka's foot when it approached, halting before Arran.]
R5-H8: Master, I've found you! I located the rest just as you ordered.
Arran: You were held away in the ship?
R5-H8: I calculated the jawa would most likely come back to his ship. He loves it more than his ionization blaster—[He was thrown back into the ship with a crash.]
Zanka: That's better.
Arran: Everyone on board the ship. There's no telling how many soldiers are coming.
[Zanka leaned on his right as if noticing something behind Arran.]
Zanka: This fucker.
Arran: [He said sharply.] You want to run that by me aga—
[Zanka didn't pay attention to Arran, instead he bumped him slightly as he walked past the man. The wookiee from the undercity stood several feet away, face glowering at the jawa. A crude metal graft had been put in its chest where Zanka's lightsaber had cut. It crouched slightly, arms spread out, claws glistening with blood in the mid-day sun. It let out an enraged roar.]
Arran: Nk'ik, what have you done?
Zanka: I'm going to put this fucker into the ground.
Arran: You've done a hell of a job so far.
Myles: If you are going to do something do it quickly, we need to get out of here before more Union troops arrive.
[The wookiee and the jawa charged toward one another. Zanka dodged two swipes from the wookiee instead rolling between its legs. He kicked at the back of the wookiee's knee, his ears registering the growl from his opponent. The wookiee turned and grabbed Zanka by the torso, violently shaking him several times before slamming him into the nearby wall.
Zanka squirmed free of its grip before jumping on the wookiee's shoulders. Tightening his legs around its neck to secure himself, he tried to land several punches on the wookiee's head. Whatever damage the fire had done was now apparent as the blows seemed to do nothing. He'd have to remedy that later. The wookiee abruptly decided to backpedal into the wall at an alarming speed. The jawa hit it before dropping to the ground. The wookiee leaned over him as if to grab him again only for his mouth to be met by the tip of Zanka's boot. It yowled in pain, blood sprayed outward, furred hands clutching at its mouth.
Zanka jumped up, kicking the wookiee down with a blow to the back of its head. Placing each of his legs on both sides of the wookiee, he moved both in synch. A sickening crunch followed this along with the wookiee's body going limp. He picked himself up off the ground and walked back to the group, resuming his place as normal.]
Zanka: [He panted slightly.] We can go now.
[Jaden had already boarded the ship. Arran could see the ship lifting on and off the ground impatiently.]
Arran: Let's go, Nk'ik.
[Zanka walked over to the pile of ashes and bone. He picked up the few bones and looked at them for a long moment. He put them in his bandoleer and boarded the ship. Arran noticed Azura still on the ground in a static position. He looked over at her and then at the pile of ashes where Meeka once stood. He nonchalantly kicked the pile of ashes off of the pathway before walking over to Azura. He knelt down and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot. She stood, pushed him away, and walked back to the ship. Arran was the last to board.]
Long Ago Junk
[The ship kicked up off the ground. They encountered heavy resistance as they flew away from the HQ. Zanka was quick to out-maneuver them and fly towards The Works, a sector of Coruscant with not many buildings or people to interfere. Arran made his way to the cockpit, where Zanka was piloting and Jaden was sitting—in his spot.
Zanka: [He outstretched his right hand to Jaden. He didn't look at Jaden, instead focusing ahead. Pus bubbled from several areas of his burned appendage.] My lightsaber and blaster.
[Jaden gave Zanka his weapons without any hesitation. Instead he stared straight ahead out of the central viewport.]
Zanka: I said, my ligh—
Jaden: [He responded in a tired voice.] I just gave them to you.
Zanka: [He paused and looked at his hand holding them. He gripped the two weapons tighter, ignoring the pus that oozed out. He felt nothing. He holstered the pistol and put the lightsaber on his left side.] Right.
[The jawa turned back to continue piloting, eyes catching the leg he normally kept on his dashboard. Next to it was the wedding necklaces he and Meeka had exchanged. She hadn't moved them. For everything he had taken from her, she hadn't touched anything of his. He said nothing, instead focusing on flying.
Arran: [He pushed Jaden out of his seat and sat uncomfortably at the end, his legs spread out and his arms laying over the armor plating covering his thighs.] You were in my spot.
Zanka: [The ship exited the planet's atmosphere violently as it always did.] Where are we setting course for?
[Jaden and Arran answered almost simultaneously, both paused, Arran continued.]
Arran: Bestine. We're going to the Jedi Temple to drop off the drunk at his rehabilitation center.
Jaden: And Zanka.
Zanka: [He began putting in coordinates into the navicomputer. He looked up and saw the pin-up calendar with jawas. He tore it down and tossed it underneath the where he kept his feet. He turned back to pilot the ship as it entered hyperspace.] Try again, Jaden.
Jaden: You need help Zanka. You just murdered your wife.
Zanka: [He wasn't sure how to deal with how he felt. As a whole he felt empty. He knew he had no other choice. It didn't stop him from regretting it.] ...I'm not staying at the Temple.
Jaden: You might not have a choice.
Zanka: [His voice was dangerously low. He gripped the controls harder.] You want to say that again?
Jaden: You're an endangerment to yourself and others. It'd be irresponsible to let you leave.
Zanka: That's funny since Drasli let you leave in your condition.
Jaden: Drasli didn't know.
Arran: So you left him to look after the Temple on his own? Good work Vallen.
Jaden: You aren't exactly the best brother to him either, Zarkaine.
Arran: Out of respect to Drasli, I won't space you.
Zanka: I could drop him over the ocean near the Temple.
Arran: No...it'd do him some good but we need to stop there. I want to check over the Shadow and maybe see my son before I leave.
Zanka: I'll leave Jaden with a crate I've been meaning to leave behind. I'd say hi to a few people but—[he shrugged]—we're not on the best of terms.
Jaden: So your old friends mean nothing to you then?
Zanka: One killed my parents, the other bashed my head into a railing for even talking to Arran. I could say hi to the first if you want.
Jaden: What about Drasli's boy, Jorin? He always looked up to you.
Zanka: Jorin lives in his own little world—it'd be best not to talk to him.
Arran: We'll have time Nk'ik. At least say hi. I'll even have time to say hello to my nephew.
Jaden: And niece. Lyla is there now too. Actually, scratch that. She's still fragile from the last time you saw her.
Arran: I saved her, Vallen. Don't blame me for what happened.
[The three sat in awkwardness for some time. Arran fidgeted in his seat before finally getting up and heading to leave the cockpit. He didn't say anything to them as he left. Instead he headed to his room, passing up Azura and H8er as he made his way to his room. He fell face first on his bed and closed his eyes. It had been a while since he last had time to rest.]
