Chapter 11
The Tempest Point
Venus Lok- or now Venus Fett, was unshakably worried. She dared not to comm Klavier- because Styx had told her not to. And she trusted him. She wondered why, but she did. She thought she had established that special bond with the clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic now, she had become family with them. It wall went back to Dex's Diner, all that time ago now, months ago, where she and Klavier first went on a pseudo-date. I will be the friend of any clone in need, she remembered herself saying. Which is every clone. She would cherish the memory, and await for the return of her husband, the man who has left to defend her, to defend the Fetts, to defend his sons. And she knew as well as Styx that he would give his life to do it. It wasn't like she should just zoom in on one of the Mandalore-stationed Gunships and swoop him up and live happily ever after. . . No. She knew he had to do this, for himself, by himself. And she knew that he would return, and hold her in his arms once more again.
Across The Plains
Klavier Artyom Fett had spotted the bandits. He saw them through the sights on the Centurion. He had forty-five minutes until sunrise, and the cover of the night was not of much use to him. He fired three shots from the mounted blaster, and there was wispy smoke trials excreted by four skulls, as they fell wordlessly. Two birds, One stone. I've still got it. A bandit caught on to where Klavier was, and he ran to alert some by the fire, screaming obscenities. Klavier carried the heavy blaster rifle in his left hand and held his newly-acquired WESTAR 47 in his right hand. He fired at the bandits, a man with a reason. He didn't miss anything- not even the shot he took at the bandit priming the thermal detonator, which created a fireball. These were immigrants trying to set up some sort of crime thing, Klavier could only guess. You're not allowed here. He fired and sprayed his carbine, ignoring the rounds rippling off of his beskar'gam. He fought his way to a small tent- and found a trussed up soldier. In armour, painted to look like magma, black all around with glowing orange and red details. He had found Prime Ranger Krayt.
"Mission Objective complete." He said out of habit. He gave Krayt a light wake-up-slap. Krayt stirred.
"You'll get no kriffing weapon locations off of me you skag..." He muttered.
Klavier picked up the helmet beside him and fixed it onto Krayt's head. Krayt moved his neck to get a look at his tormentor.
"General? You're dead! I mean- in a coma! How did you get the ad Mand'alor's armour you spaaka chakaare! Answer me!"
Klavier removed his bucket, to reveal his familiar blond hair and young looks, and smirked at Krayt. It was funny, smiling when he had little else to smile about.
"General! You're back! Sir, it's bloody chaos out in these wastes..."
"Look at me, son." Said Klavier, disdain seeping through his voice once more. "I'm on a journey, and in thirty minutes it will be complete. I'm going to have to bring you with me, but you have to promise not to interfere. Okay?"
"Yessir. Is it... the-"
"Yes. It's the Nemesis." Said Klavier. "I'm gonna free you now. . ." He warned, and brought his wrist-mounted vibroblade into action. He cut at the rope bonds holding the lone Ranger down. Krayt got up, and Klavier held up the Centurion. "Brought you a present."
Krayt snatched it. "Thanks, Sir. You're very thoughtful." They strolled out of the camp, ready to fight an unfeeling enemy, an unknown alien entity, a coward. Klavier looked across at Krayt. "What do we know about him?"
"Nothing about who the shab he really is. We know he's Mando. You've seen the armour, like yours but black with a blue visor. He's a crack shot. And a coward."
Klavier saw it was getting brighter, and Szurszok Ridge was visible now. He broke into a run. "Right. He can speak Mando'a, and wears beskar'gam, but that doesn't mean he is Mandalorian. We ran into an acquaintance of his yesterday, threatened my girl. Have you met her yet?"
"No, Sir. Will you introduce us when we get back?"
"It'd be my pleasure, Krayt." Klavier liked that. Because it meant they would both get back.
