"Statement: The meatbag known as The Fico does not own anything below."


Chapter12:

Trials of Malachor

As the Ebon Hawk exited hyperspace, Canderous rushed to the cockpit. Once there, he looked out into the great expanse before him. Malachor, it just seems to scream evil. The acid green planet still looked like a gizka tried to put together a very complicated puzzle. Parts of the planet stuck out, and seemed to jab at the space around it. The planet was definitely no longer spherical. Lightning still streaked across the surface, and of course, the surface itself was in constant movement. Parts of the planet were constantly striking each other, creating more floating pieces and fissures as ships hung lifeless in an ever drifting orbit. We tried to make a stand here, at this taboo world. We were losing pretty badly, but the Mass Shadow Generator was overkill. It was more of a message than an actual battle tactic. The republic wanted to show what they were capable of after all those years of the Mandalorians doing the same.

"You want me to land there?" asked Atton incredulously. "That's impossible."

"Agreement: Master, I too believe that this particular pilot is incapable of landing on that planet," said HK-47 as he stood behind Atton's chair to Mandalore's left.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Statement: Chances of landing safely are fifteen percent with our current pilot. Master, as much as I like a fiery crash accompanied by death, I must caution against this action."

"We don't have a choice HK," said Lyna. "Malachor is where this thing with Kreia ends."

The descent to Malachor was probably the scariest thing that Mandalore had ever had to endure. This kid is going to kill us, thought Canderous. Rocks fell, lightning flashed, and everybody onboard gritted their teeth. The Hawk dodged left and right, and then up and down to avoid Malachor's many hazards. Crew members were thrown to the floor and miscellaneous crates fell from their racks. T3 beeped and whirred in protest as the Hawk received fresh damages that would need repair. I'm actually wishing Republic came with us. He'd be able to fly this thing. This kid flies like he's had too much juma juice, thought Canderous. Actually, he probably has. Canderous did not think that things could get worse until the Hawk lurched forward after being struck by lightning. Of course, it can always get worse. The ship started to dive and Canderous hit his head on something metallic and red causing him to blackout.

Your head ad'ika (darling). I always knew you had a hard head.

Krysta?

K'uur (Hush), you are close now, said Krysta's fading voice.

I'm losing you.

It is because you are waking. Get up, your companions need you.

"Gleeful Statement: You have awakened Mandalorian. Now we can kill things."

"What happened?"

"Statement: You weak meatbag head hit my metallic hide and-"

"I bumped my head on your ass?"

"Statement: And you dented me, not an easy task."

Canderous grunted, and stood to check his surroundings. The Hawk was wedged between two plateaus with the front pointing down. We must have escaped from the top hatch. "What's our status?"

"Statement: The Zabrak and the trash compactor are attempting to repair our vessel, and his remote went to activate the Mass Shadow Generator consoles."

"So Lyna plans to activate it again in order to completely destroy this place?"

"Statement: Affirmative. The fat bulbous one went after it, and my master and the bounty hunter went towards the core. And of course the Miraluka is meditating, unable to properly walk after the crash."

"What about Atton and Mical?" asked Canderous already knowing the answer.

"Gleeful Statement: The two pathetic meatbags are dead. The pilot struck his head on the controls, and the resulting electricity coursed through his body until his life functions ceased. The historian met his end as the many storage units in the med bay crushed his girly meatbag body. If I may say so, the ship is a very brutal killing machine."

"Well I don't suppose you want to just stand around do you?"

"Hopeful Query: Will I get to kill something? I particularly want to blast the fat one," said HK referring to G0-T0.

"Why?"

"Statement: He mumbled something about halting the Remote's progress. I cannot allow him to disrupt my master's plans."

"Sure go nuts. Just make sure you are back here in time before we leave."

"Assurance: I am an assassin droid. The fat one has no chance against my superior skills," said the droid as he stalked off.

"Droids," said Canderous shaking his head. His COM link beeped, "Meatbags."

Rubbing his helmet, Mandalore picked up his double blade, and started heading towards the core. The native storm beasts were everywhere as Canderous made his way slowly downward. The large lizard creatures had the unique ability to release a type of sonic boom. Several times the surprised Mandalorian was pushed onto his back, which allowed the fiends to pounce on him. The creature currently trying to claw his face off was massive. The lizard gripped his neck, and lifted the Mandalorian high above its head several feet in the air. Mandalore fruitlessly kicked at the beast's face as he struggled to breathe. Finally, the scaly monster slammed the warrior onto the ground with a thud. Breathing hard, Canderous worked quickly to turn the new position into an advantage. He grabbed the creature's arm with two hands as he used his leg to drive the behemoth to the ground. With the two combatants now on the ground, Canderous locked in an arm bar, and pulled as hard as he could. He finally heard the pop that he was waiting for followed by roars of pain from the storm beast. With the creature disabled, Mandalore rose and retrieved his blade. With a battle cry, the creature lost its head. Did not know who he was messing with. Storm beasts, yet another reason to hate Malachor.

Cracking his neck, Canderous continued his trek towards the core. Eventually, the Mandalorian came to a large valley. It was vaguely square in shape and it seemed to have hidden metal gates at the only ways of escape. "Perfect place for an ambush," he said readying his weapon.

"You're telling me."

The new voice caused the warrior to whirl around in the direction of its source as he brandished his weapon. It was not until he saw a familiar headband and red hair did he relax. "Mira? I thought you were with Lyna."

"She left before I did. I was trying to catch up with her, but I got sidetracked when I ran into an old friend," explained the huntress pointing to the corpse of Hanharr. "Damn wookie almost killed me."

Canderous shrugged, and remembered when Zaalbar took apart the rancors that they faced while on Rakata Prime. They sure are tough natural fighters. Imagine if they trained an actual army.

Mira spoke up again, "I'm pretty sure we're close to the academy that Lyna went looking for." Without another word, the two continued on their current path. Soon, they rounded a bend and saw an entrance carved into the mountain before them. Hasn't anybody ever heard of a secret entrance?

"Think we should knock?" joked Canderous.

"While that would distract them from Lyna, I'm in no rush to get killed."

The inside of the Trayus Academy held large vaunted ceilings, and many large pillars. Don't forget your red Sith symbols and unreadable dark markings. The trail of Sith assassin corpses went to the left. "Let's go right," suggested Canderous.

"Why? This way has been cleared, it should be smooth sailing," replied Mira pointing to the left.

"Exactly, let's mop up the rest of them," said Canderous with a wink as he activated the door.

With only one neophyte Jedi accompanying him, Mandalore found that the assassins were considerably weaker than they were on Dxun. However, their sheer numbers counteracted this, as the hordes of assassins were supported by Sith Lords and Marauders and the occasional trooper. The duo only had to rest a few times before continuing on. Eventually, they came to a large door. "I love these large doors. They practically say 'you're getting close to something important,'" noted the Mandalorian.

Opening the door revealed Lyna talking to a man that looked like Malachor personified. Look at that, he fits right in. His skin was covered in scars, and it was cracked a grey from years of abuse. Overall, he looked like somebody animated gravel into a slave. The man nodded in agreement to whatever Lyna had just said, and the fell to pieces. Thoroughly confused, Canderous walked over to Lyna as she wiped her brow with her arm. "One down, one to go," she said exhaling.

"So that was Sion?" asked Canderous.

"Yeah, he wouldn't stay down. He used the Force to twist pain into sustenance," said Lyna. "Mira, get Bao-Dur to pick us up here. The next room opens back onto the surface where he can get us."

Mira gave a mock salute, and ran off leaving Canderous alone with Lyna. "And how to you expect me to help you fight Kreia? She's a lot more powerful than you are. The old with was able to overpower my armor while you couldn't."

Lyna chuckled, "I was barely trying on Dxun, I wanted to fight with only minimal usage of the Force. Kreia knows I'm stronger than she is, she has even admitted to me. Our problem is that the Trayus Core will give her strength, and I need you to come with me to make sure she doesn't try to pull a fast one."

"How exactly does one pull a fast one that isn't simply just a Force power?" asked Mandalore as he unhooked his helmet to scratch his grey scalp. "I'm pretty much useless against somebody like Kreia if I were to use my blade. I could hang back and use my stealth unit and try to shoot her."

"Sounds good, let's go wussy boy."

Canderous grunted and reattached his helmet. He activated his stealth unit and shouldered his rifle before Lyna opened the door. The Trayus Core looked like a giant claw facing upwards with a red burn on its palm. Ugly looking thing. But it matches Kreia's wrinkled face. Aster Lyna and her master exchanged pleasantries, the battle began. Canderous did not think that Kreia stood a chance with only one red lightsaber against Lyna double blade, but he was mistaken. Old hag moves much quicker than she used to. Either she was holding back, or this place really does help her.

The Mandalorian finally saw an opening, and took a shot. Kreia easily deflected the bolt in between exchanges with Lyna. Mandalore found himself being hit by his own blast in his shoulder, knocking him to the floor. The pain was enormous as blood slowly trickled from the wound. Yes Mandalorian, I knew you were here all along. Did you think that a mere stealth unit could fool me? Pathetic, I am -. But the old witch never finished her sentence as Lyna chopped off her other arm. But Kreia was not done. She summoned three lightsabers to battle for her. Canderous roared and drew his blade to do battle with the three weapons. "Kill her," he yelled. "Strike her down, and the sabers will fall." Lyna rammed her saber into the Sith Lord's stomach and gently lowered her to the ground as the three lightsabers clattered to the floor.

Mandalore slumped against the claw-like pillars as his heartbeat filled his ears. He looked over and saw that Lyna was conversing with her former master. The old woman predicted the future of Onderon, Nar Shadaa, Dantooine, Telos, and Korriban. She even went as far as the crew of the Ebon Hawk.

"The fate of the Mandalorians has many paths that have yet to be taken. Perhaps there will be no new age no great Mandalorian crusade. Perhaps their people fought their last battle at Malachor V, and have been dying ever since. And perhaps all that remains will be what I see before me: a man, wounded by a Jedi, encased in a Mandalorian shell, haunted by the thought of being the last of the Mandalorians. It all depends on that man over there and that damnable Jedi Revan. The two have many battles left within them, but once they are gone, they will die a death that will last millennia, until all that remains is their code, their history, and in the end, the shell of their armor upon the shell of a man, too easily slain by Jedi." With her final monologue spoken, Kreia shuddered and finally died. Canderous thought his head would explode when the Ebon Hawk came, and he dragged himself to the med bay. He heard Lyna give the order to activate the Mass Shadow Generator again.

"Statement: What a lovely scene of death and destruction."

Canderous closed his eyes, and let the kolto he injected do the rest.

Are you coming ad'ika?

Of course I am.


Yes you read that right, Atton and Mical are dead. I never really liked Mical, and Atton is suppose to get ripped apart by Sion anyways, but it got cut.

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