Disclaimer: I do not own star wars or any of its character and while plot points are from various RPG games I take no credit for their origins only of their application in the story therein. This a labor of love and not for profit though if Disney or Lucas Arts would like to hire my creative brain I'd be more than happy to drop everything and come running. Please read and leave a review.
Episode 4: Mandalorian Captain Part 3:
Chapter 10: Call a Friend
Onboard the Outcast:
"C'mon Era...Just a bit more," Jarek breathed as he looked down at the sweat-drenched face of the Mirialin laying beneath him.
"I can't..." she moaned back, fatigue evident in her tone.
"Just a bit further..." he said leaning closer and placing his hands to either side of her head, her beautiful green skin contrasting slightly to his tanned flesh.
Era groaned cheeks flushed a darker shade of green. "It's too much..." she gasped with the last of her exertion spent. "Take it!" she called out.
Jarek smiled, gripped the weight bar in both hands and raised it the last few inches to rack it. Era lay prostrate and exhausted below him on the bench looking up at him with blank purple irises. Sweat soaked her black sleeveless workout shirt and slicked back her ravenesque hair. Her arms practically quivered from the effort of bench pressing almost three/quarters her body weight. The Mandalorian propped his elbows on the bar and smiled down at his new roommate.
"Not tired are you?" he queried with a smirk, "because that was just the warm-up."
An incredulous one replaced era's blank look. She sat us as Jarek started walking out of the rec room. Hurrying after him, conscious of the winging pain in her shoulders and arms. "That was a warm up?" she said in disbelief.
Jarek suppressed a laugh. He couldn't blame her for her skepticism. They'd already done multiple stretching exercises followed by a few core strengthening drills, then an upper body workout.
The Mandalorian was relieved the Outcast-formally the Ferialis-had a quality recreations room. It came complete with old-fashioned weights, pull-up bars, and a few comfort items, like a holo-chess table, a couch, and chairs for lounging, and a computer console with holo-net access and a communications terminal. It helped pass the time on these long jumps between systems. More importantly, it gave him the opportunity to get back into form. Though Era and the others commented on his athleticism, he couldn't deny that he was very much out of shape. Fatigue crept up on his way too often and it was only by pure skill and luck that neither the bounty hunter, Trex, nor the pirate, Gideon had killed him. If he ever faced a member of the Death Watch he doubted he'd stand much of a chance.
That being said when he'd rolled out of bed earlier that morning to start exercising, Era had wanted to join him. He told her she didn't have to, to which she'd made an undeniably good point. "I need to be able to better protect myself. Training with a Mandalorian seems like the best choice." Jarek had, of course, agreed though secretly he wondered if Era was truly aware of what she was asking. "Besides," she added tossing the covers aside revealing green shapely legs, "I have to get rid of this excess energy somehow." Jarek had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Though they'd slept in the same bed, the freshly minted couple never actually consummated their relationship hence Era's abundance of energy. Jarek wasn't trying to be a prude, and there was no denying he found the Mirialin attractive, he just wasn't ready to go that far. It just felt too early. Their relationship was still in its infancy and he wanted to savor these relatively innocent moments.
...not that Era wasn't a very tempting target. He'd managed a few discreet glances as she'd changed from her sleep clothes to her workout clothes and his self-control had nearly shattered. Even now her soaked shirt clung to her in all the right places and her flushed expression caused his own blood to boil. He took a moment to calm a bit before focusing on the task at hand; teaching Era how to defend herself.
"No fight is ever fair," he stated as they entered the empty cargo bay, "You need to be able to combat your opponent even when you're tired. They stood near the middle of the bay close to the loading ramp and Jarek continued with the lesson. "Also not all sentients are alike," he explained, "Some have tough hides, while others possess exoskeletons, but all have weak points. In the time it takes you to say 'hello' you have to identify those weak points and hit quickly and precisely. He stood in front of her, feet shoulder-width apart. "In other words, you need to learn how to punch."
The Mirialin scoffed a little crossing her arms. "I've been surviving in the Outer Rim for the last three years and living in a Hutt's palace for the last one," she gave him a confident look, "I think I know how to throw a punch."
Jarek shrugged, ignoring her attitude, and held up an open hand, palm facing her. "Ok, show me," he stated flatly. He knew she could handle her own, but if the archeologist wanted to be taught by a Mandalorian she had to be ready for some tough lessons.
Without another word or complaint, Madlyn dropped back into a decent fighter's stance, left foot forward, fists raised. It was a solid stance indicating she'd had some previous training. Quicker than he thought was possible she let loose a straight right jab. It smacked into his palm and bounced back. Jarek barely felt the impact. He sighed lowering his hands. "Pathetic," he stated dryly.
Era looked indignantly at him, and eyes narrowed. "You want to show me how to punch?" Jarek gave her a half smile and shrugged. Era held up her own hand saying, "Go ahead and show me -"
Before she could get the next words out, Jarek lashed out with his own jab...straight into her jaw. The Mirialin didn't even have time to notice the fist before it impacted. She staggered back gripping her jaw and swearing. Jarek shrugged again before stated matter-of-factly, "That's how you punch."
Era rubbed her sore mouth and glared at him in a mixture of utter disbelief and outrage. If she expected him to hold back simply because he liked her or that she was a female, then Era had another thing coming. Everyone in the clan was equal regardless of gender, which meant everyone knew how to take a punch. The Mirialin appeared to recognize this fact and her expression composed it itself into one of just pained annoyance. "Were you even aiming for my hand?" she asked.
"Weak points," Jarek reiterated even as he gently brushed her hand away and examined the spot where his fist had landed, "everyone has them. Nerve clusters under soft tissue, injured joints or even," he caressed her mouth making her smile at his next words, "weak jaws." Her nostrils flared and he had to suppress another laugh. "More on that later. Moving on?" Smirking now Era nodded for him to continue the lesson and he did.
"Knives," he stated briskly pulling out a pair of plasteel practice blades. Era looked at him curiously but eagerly caught one of the 'knives' he'd purchase in Toydor. Jarek quickly showed her the proper fighting stance; right leg slightly advanced, left hand open and that forearm at an angle across her chest. The knife she held a bit out and low, point angled and her thumb on the back of the blade.
Jarek took an identical stance. "Now what are we both doing wrong?" She shook her head wincing a bit as she bit her lip in puzzlement. "We're about to fight a knife dual," he said, "which means one of us is going to die while the other is going to be cut up real bad, maybe even crippled." He gestured to his leg where Gideon's cutlass had stabbed him, making his point. "I'll teach you how to fight like that, but it's a last resort unless the other guy is truly clueless." Jarek would've preferred his blaster when confronting Gideon rather than going toe to toe with him. Hell, the Deveronian probably - no - definitely regretted it as well.
"First let me show you something," Jarek switched the grip on his knife until his thumb was on the pommel blade sticking out of his fist. "Grab my knife wrist and hold me off. She tucked the fake blade into her pants and intercepted his slow backhanded stab aimed at her throat. The Mandalorian pushed using his weight and the strength of his arms and shoulders. Era stumbled backward, striking a stack of crates and grimaced as the point of the knife came exorbitantly closer. Suddenly her knee flashed up, but Jarek had been expecting that. He caught it on his thigh and pressed the blunt knife still closer.
"Check!" he said stepping back. He was breathing deeply and she was panting. "Okay, you're what, 5'8'' 145?"
She looked at him incredulously, but answered honestly, "Yes," adding with a wry smile, "But after this morning I probably lost some."
"Probably," He quirked his own smile and continued, "So you're a big girl. Tall as most humanoids, and about as heavy as some. Which means you got plenty of reach, and there's no reason you can't get real fast. You've got good reflexes and coordination..."
"But?" She said.
Jarek nodded saying, "But most sentients, even those a bit shorter or lighter are going to have stronger grips and more muscle on their arms and shoulders. He twirled his own knife as an example, "Speed matters, reach matters. Skill and attitude matter a lot," he paused tapping his shoulder with the flat of the blade, "but raw strength matters a lot too in close combat. Especially in hand to hand."
"What do I do?" she said tightly.
"Don't arm wrestle'em and don't get into any pushing matches," Jarek gestured up the stairs to the living quarters above. "Slick has reach and weight on me, and he's nearly as strong as I am. But I could still whoop is shebs one on one." A memory flashed through his mind and he rubbed the back of his head smiling sheepishly, "In fact I did."
"I heard that!" the Pantoran called from somewhere outside their field of vision.
"You were meant to!" Jarek retorted getting only good-natured chuckles as a reply. Turning back to his student, who was also laughing, Jarek said, "Take the same grip on your knife as I did and come at me. Give it everything you got.
Era did and stabbed a lot faster than he had as well. Jarek let her wrist smack into his right hand. He squeezed tightly enough to lock them together, then he let her shove him back. Era was strong for her size, especially in the legs. As they neared the bulkhead Jarek whipped his torso around and push-pulled on the hand gripping the knife, body checking her as her own momentum drove her towards him. Then he bunched his knuckles into a ridge and punched her, lightly, underneath the short ribs while she staggered off balance. "Oof!" she gasped but she made a quick rally, coming up to guard position again.
Her recovery speed was impressive, he had to admit. "What I did there was redirect you, instead of pushing you back," he explained mimicking the movements in slow motion as he spoke, "That takes strength, but not as much as the other guys. You just have to be strong enough. See my point?"
"Yes," she said slowly, nodding, "I think I do, Jarek. What you're saying is females need a different fighting style."
"Right; woman or any smaller sentient really," he stated before pointing back towards the rec room, "Part of the reason we lifted weights; it's a good way to maximize your upper body strength."
"The other part is you never know when you're going to fight so you need to be able to fight fatigue. Jarek smiled and winked at her and she grinned triumphantly.
The Mandalorian gestured for her to come closer and indicated for her to stand still before flipping the knife up into his hand. She visibly flinched but stood her ground. "Trust me and just stand still," he murmured and despite the nervousness in her eyes, she nodded. He took a deep breath, then he attacked, stabbing and slicing in a blur of motion hitting every soft target from the throat, to the abdomen, to the groin, though stopping just short of actually touching her. After ten attacks in half as many seconds, his final strike ended with the point just under her chin. Her eyes were wide in a mixture of fear and exhilaration. Jarek held her gaze, face mere inches from her own, chest heaving from the adrenaline spike he received.
Jarek nodded in approval at her discipline. "That's how you win a knife fight. You don't let it get started. Take them by surprise from the back or get all over him before he can get set, and kill the chakaar before he realizes he's dying. He held that position for a moment longer enjoying the closeness of their sweat-ridden bodies, but before they could get carried away he stepped back. "Ok grab your knife and I'll walk you through the strikes. Era took a deep breath before following his instructions.
As she slowly worked her way through the various stabs and cuts Jarek said, "My father taught me how to do this on animal carcasses," she gave him a curious look even as she continued working through the forms, "just so I would know what it was like to feel the blade going through meat and why it was a bad idea to turn the edge of bone."
"Your father sounds like a good teacher," she said in mid-slice to Jarek abdomen. Jarek nodded in agreement not even flinching as Era stabbed towards his ribs. She stopped short on every strike.
"Yes," Jarek said with the hint of a smile, "He was."
Deep Space Near Toydaria: Onboard the Krayt Fang:
Myler was calm and collected as he stared down at the pair of Klatoonians. Big bruisers they were yet not particularly bright. The moment their ships had docked with one another they'd let them right in. Not that they had much choice. The Krayt Fang's hyperdrive was disabled, so the freighter wasn't going anywhere fast.
It had been a stroke of luck that en route to Toydaria they'd picked up the Fang's distress signal. Apparently, it was adrift between systems and in need of repairs. According to one of the Klatoonians, its Hyper Matter Reactor Igniter hadn't been mounted properly and shorted out their systems when they made their jump. The issue had caused subsequent failures in multiple other systems as well as resulting in a complete shutdown of the ship's engines.
Gaegan had been furious when they'd boarded the craft and found no sign of Jarek that he'd nearly executed both Klatoonians. Fortunately for them Myler had stepped in and instead ordered them restrained while Vectis started hacking the bridge terminal for any clues.
After recruiting the former ISB Agent, they'd traveled to the settlement of New Meen in the hopes of picking up the trail once more. Rather than slaughter the whole settlement as Gaegan had wanted, Myler had opted for a more subtle approach. Coxing one of the dockworkers aside and plying him with enough credits and alcohol, they managed to deduce that Jarek and his crew aboard the YT1000 had taken a delivery of Ryll to Toydor, the capital city of Toydaria.
When the younger Mandalorian demanded to know why they hadn't leveled the mining camp, Myler stated, "If Jarek has gone through the trouble of building up New Meen and taking work from them, it stands to reason that he might return."
"If your enemy has gone to ground," Gaegan snapped back, "then leave him no ground to go to!"
Myler sighed as he did his best to keep his irritation under control. Gaegan was thinking only as a warrior hell-bent on revenge. Not as a hunter. Stalking prey took time and patience. With Jarek closer than he'd ever been in four cycles they had to tread lightly. Any slip-up and his son would disappear right off the grid again and they'd be back to square one.
The Klatoonians were both broad shouldered with the jowly faces and boney head crests typical of their species. They relied more on brute strength then cunning when it came to situations, but kneeling beneath the impassive visors of six armed Mandalorian Watchers helped to ease them into compliance. Every sentient preferred living after all.
"Where'd you get this ship?" he asked not really focusing on either being.
"Bought it off of a human," the tallest of the pair stated accent thick, his words barely discernable amongst the growls and slurring of vowels that were common in their speech. "On Toydaria." He didn't sound intimidated, but the subtle shift of his gaze from one warrior to another gave away his trepidation. His smaller companion made no effort to hide his fear; practically shaking where he knelt.
"Describe them," snapped Gaegan making both Klatoonians jump. Myler gave him a warning glare. He would not have a repeat of Teemo's palace if he could avoid it.
"Dark-skinned female," the shorter being answered eager to be of some use and perhaps avoid being spaced, "Alderannian accent. A male Lannik accompanied her. Didn't get either of their names." Not surprising, when ship titles traded hands it was typically incognito, especially if the craft in question had a sordid past. They also fit the description of at least two of Jarek's new crewmates, which meant they were on the right track. Myler was curious to know what happened to Jarek and the others between Ryloth and Toydaria that they'd sell their ship, and at a third of the price according to the Klatoonian. His heart fluttered in alarm when it occurred to him that Jarek might realize he was being hunted so he'd switched ships to cover his trail, but he'd reserve that theory until he had more information.
"What else do you remember?" Myler asked.
"After we bought it the pair of them lit off for another ship on a nearby platform," the taller one stated, "Met up with a fella dressed like you.
This grabbed their attention immediately and Gaegan leaned forward fist clenched demanding, "Are you sure?" He nodded. "What kind of ship?"
"Kestral class," the smaller Klatoonian said, "It landed the same time as the Krayt Fang. Departed a day before we did.
Gaegan and Myler shared a look, both minds working in unison. If Jarek and crew had switched ships then they'd been chasing the wrong craft, but that also meant that there'd be a record of the departure. Vertis seemed to be way ahead of him. He walked into the common area, data-pad in hand. His expression was not necessarily smug, but definitely pleased with itself.
"I hacked Toydor's Air Traffic Control Hub," he explained, "Only one Kestral class ship landed around the same time as the Krayt Fang; registered as the Ferialis."
Impressed Myler nodded to the Imperial to continue. "Original owner listed as a Deveronian named Gideon; wanted for piracy. He held up a finger to forestall any questions or comment. "Here's the interesting part. The Ferialis is shown to have never left Toydor's spaceport, but...another Kestral Class vessel matching its description lifted off about the time they said. Now his smugness showed, "Registered as the Outcast."
"That's them," growled Gaegan, "That's Jarek's ship."
"How can you be sure?" Vertis asked, though his tone dripped with condescension as if to say, 'beside the fact that I just told you.'
"Because an Outcast is what he is!" the younger Mandalorian snapped.
"Enough!" Myler shouted bringing a sudden silence to the freighter. It was bad enough he had Gaegan's immaturity and arrogance to deal with, but he wasn't prepared to tolerate a matching personality competing with it. He'd also felt his temper flare at Gaegan's accusations of Jarek still being an Outcast.
A Dar'Manda. The label still grated on his pride and soul.
His son may have been a traitor to the Watch but he had passed his Verd'Goten exceeding everyone's expectations. Even as a child under Myler's tutelage he'd proven he was more than worthy of the title Mandalorian. It also stung that he himself used to be an Outcast, nor was the Irony lost on him that if his son hadn't betrayed and escaped the Death Watch then they wouldn't have called on him. Though it was his duty and obligation to the Watch he couldn't deny his relief at being welcomed back into the fold, despite the circumstances. All that stood between him and full reconciliation was the capture of one Mandalorian; it was a shame it had to be his adoptive son.
"Enough," he repeated in a much calmer tone but managed to glare down both men. "We'll go to Toydor and try to pick up the trail from there. If not, we'll double back to New Meen, Hive Gogum, or even kriffing Mos Shuuta if we have to. Jarek will not elude us forever."
As he turned to exit the freighter, Gaegan looked back at the two still bound and kneeling Klatoonians. "What about them?" he asked finger stroking his blaster in eager anticipation.
Myler glanced at the pair of pitiful beings. They neither served as a new source of information, nor as a potential ally, but they also weren't a threat, therefore not worth his time. "Leave them as you found them," he stated and left.
The Klatoonians looked relieved at the words even as the cuffs were removed and the warriors departed. Just as quickly, and with no small amount of panic, they realized they were being abandoned on board a ship that didn't have a functioning hyperdrive.
"Wait," called out the taller of the two, "You can't just leave us out here!"
"We need a Hypermatter Igniter or else we're stuck!" the smaller Klatoonian spouted in a panic.
Myler paused at the airlock and turned to stare at them. Though both Klatoonians shuffled nervously under his glare, and those of his warriors, they didn't back down. Either too stubborn or too stupid, he wasn't sure. Regardless, he didn't care. "We don't have a spare," he stated and sealed the hatch.
Onboard the Outcast:
Era had excellent focus, he admitted several minutes later. She was streaming sweat but her form had gone from novice to exceptional in very short order. She was conscious of her knife's edge and point at all times, probably due to her focus as an archeologist. But on her final attack aimed at his throat, her arm wobbled from fatigue and she tried to compensate but ended up overcorrecting. In a blinding blur, Jarek leaned to the side grabbing the arm. Not being in the right stance, the action pulled them both off balance and they crashed to the floor. Era sprawled on top of the Mandalorian driving the wind from his lungs.
"I'm so sorry," she exclaimed propping herself up and looking down at him, "Are you okay?"
Jarek took a couple deep breaths before replying in a raspy tone, "other than you landing on my pride, I think I'll be fine. Era smiled and lowered herself until she was on her elbows. With her breasts pressed up against his chest and face just inches from his, Jarek was starting to feel a whole different kind of heat sweep through his body.
"Want me to kiss it?" she whispered teasingly, "and make it feel better?"
Jarek's brain actually short-circuited at the words. He stuttered and mumbled incoherently making the Mirialin giggle. Just like earlier, Jarek self-control was in a losing battle with his desires. It was all he could do to keep his hands off of the sweaty and flushed young woman lying on top of him, her hips dangerously positioned over his own...and...Grinding?
"Ancestors preserve me!" he thought even as one of his hands moved to her hip and the other touched the side of her face. His thumb traced the spot where his fist had landed. Era moaned softly, before leaning closer.
"Hey, Jarek! We got a message-Oh stang!"
Jarek and Era's heads whipped around to see Madlyn standing at the foot of the stairs that lead up to the bridge. Her mouth was agape in an expression of obvious embarrassment.
Jarek cleared his throat trying to be cool and collected, despite Era's weight pressing down on him, as he asked sharply, "What is it, Maddy?"
Shaking herself to regain her composure she replied, gesturing over her shoulder "We-we got a message from Nyn and B'ura."
Even laying on the floor with a Mirialin female on top of him, Jarek managed to look both mildly curious and annoyed. "We're en route for the next pickup. What could they possibly need before then?"
"Nothing to do with the Ryll," she stated her expression morphing into one of concern, "They're asking for help."
The word 'help' got Jarek's attention. It hadn't been so long ago that he and his crew had rescued the mining settlement of New Meen from gangster's posturizing as land developers. If Nyn and her militant group needed their aid again then it must be serious. Reluctantly he stood detaching himself from Era, grateful he wore loose pants to workout in. After helping her to her feet and trying his best regain some of his dignity he headed for the bridge. He noticed Madlyn hang back to walk with Era. Despite the lowered tones and sounds of the ship, he managed to overhear a part of their conversation.
"I interrupted something didn't I?" the Alderanni asked guiltily.
He couldn't see it but he knew Era was giving her a dirty look judging by the sarcasm in her tone as she said, "Yeah, kind of." Jarek growled in frustration and wondered if he could hop in the fresher before taking the Twi'lek's call. The colder the better.