Chapter Thirteen
The Fallen Part Three
I think, Jove thought, I've made a mistake.
Earlier, because she was so anxious to get off Taloraan and see if Aaryn and Maverick was okay she had left the ship to go investigate on her own. She knew something was wrong when she came across dead, mummified bodies scattered throughout the platform. While she was looking at one of the bodies, someone…or something took her. He put his ice cold hand over her mouth, taking her to some kind of separate control room where he seemed to have set up shop. It tied her down to a chair and that's when she got a glimpse of him. He was shrouded in a heavy, dark cloak, similar to that of a Jedi but it looked as if all the edges had been frayed off. The cowl over his head covered his face, but he appeared to be humanoid.
The figure slowly turned his shrouded face towards Jove.
"It's been too long since I've come across such a powerful Force user," The Vampire said. It sounded as if he spoke in a whisper like tone, but his voice seemed to fill all of her hearing.
"Did you kill everyone on this station?" Jove managed to ask.
"Yes, that was me." He said, turning around again.
"Why are they just husks?" Her voice was threatening to leave her.
"Judging by the company you seemingly keep, I would venture to guess that your Jedi friend has told you some things about how the Force works?" He left the question hanging the air. "The Force flows through everything, even the most basic life forms. It binds the galaxy together, but only some can tap into its…power. I, myself, feed off the Force that flows through the other beings. So when a Jedi comes around, as you can tell I get excited."
"Don't get your hopes up, this Jedi is going to kick your-" Before Jove could finish the hooded figure was directly in front of her, grasping her throat. She gasped for air as he slowly clenched.
"This Jedi will die like all the rest of them, and the only reason I haven't sucked the life out of you yet is so I can lure him into a trap. Now, shut your mouth." He said, pushing her to the ground by her throat. She crashed the ground, still tied the chair.
The Vampiric being stood over her, and she finally caught a flash of his pale face and saw a smile.
***
"We have to go after her now," Aaryn said as he paced back and forth in Veed Primus' former residence. Brahman's group looked nervous, holding their blasters tight to their chest.
"That's what it wants you to do, you're his new target." Brahman said.
"Why haven't you tried to leave this facility yet? If you have survived this long, why not try to escape?" Maverick was now starting to sound a little nervous himself.
"It won't let us leave, we've tried several times. But every time we come out of our hiding, he takes one of us. We've tried five or six times, and on every run someone has died. He could have killed us a long time ago, but he is playing a game with us. This is fun to him," Brahman shook his head. "And once he has killed us all, he'll move on to another planet. That's why I said in the transmission to blow this orbital platform out of the sky so this monster can't escape."
Maverick glanced over at Aaryn, who looked as if he was trying to come up with some kind of plan.
"Where is your ship?" Aaryn asked.
"On the other landing platform, on the opposite side from where your ship has landed," A Rodian from Brahman's group said in passable galactic Basic.
"Maverick, do you think you could lead them there while I go and try to rescue Jove?" Aaryn was terrified for Jove.
"That's what he is expecting you to do, it's what he wants." Brahman said.
"He's right, Aaryn. You can't go." Maverick said.
"I have to; I'm the only one who can save her!" Aaryn said, clearly frustrated.
Maverick approached him closer; talking in a hushed tone so only Aaryn could hear him.
"If you go, this thing will kill you and Jove both. You just keep masking yourself in the Force, or whatever it is your doing and lead them to safety. Make sure they get off this platform and then destroy any other ship this thing might us to get off this mining facility. Then you can meet us back at the Divinity, alright?" Maverick asked.
Aaryn knew that Maverick was right; he was letting his own emotions for Jove cloud his judgment. If he went in to save Jove with lightsaber blazing, they'd both die. He could feel that much in the Force. He knew Maverick would try his hardest to get Jove to safety, but he would most likely die in the process. Aaryn's hazel eyes searched Maverick's brown eyes.
"Just make sure she is safe," He said.
"I promise she'll get to safety." Maverick nodded. There was nothing more to say between the two men. Aaryn knew the Force was telling him to lead Brahman's group to safety, and not to go save Jove. He wasn't sure why, but he knew this was the right course to take. He nodded back at Maverick and moved from the room with Brahman falling in right behind him.
Maverick stood alone in Primus' room, checking his blaster pack to make sure it was fully charged. He once again slung the rifle over his shoulder and began out of the room.
"Here goes nothing," He muttered.
***
Ta'sa paced back and forth in the main cabin area of the ship, Vanuy and Belo watching him. The tall, lanky Ho'Din wrung his hands together nervously. The Caamasi and Ortolan looked at each other and shrugged.
"We shouldn't have let her go out there. Aaryn is going to be so upset with us for letting her go. I am upset for letting us go. I can't believe this! Now she isn't answering her com either! What should we do? What should we do?" Ta'sa said to himself.
"Go after them?" Vanuy offered.
"Are you crazy?" Ta'sa broke his own trance, looking at the young golden furred Caamasi.
"They'd definitely do the same for us!" Vanuy argued.
"They also seemed to be trained in handling weapons." Ta'sa muttered.
"How hard could it be? Just pull the trigger, right?" Vanuy shrugged.
"I thought your people were pacifists," Ta'sa rubbed his green chin.
"Well I wasn't talking about me, I was talking about you." Vanuy replied.
Ta'sa sighed, his head tails wiggling due to his own nervousness. Perhaps he shouldn't have come along on this trip. If Aaryn would have just left him alone on Nar Shadda, he would have paid those three idiot Transdoshans off and that would have been the end of it. He could have already started his own restaurant by now. He sighed, laying his face in his hands.
"Why me?"
***
Aaryn peered around the corner, his lightsaber still in his hand. So far everything had gone smoothly and they have had no problems. He wanted so bad to reach out in the Force to Jove, to make sure she was okay and to let her know everything was going to be fine. But if he did that, then that thing…whatever it was would know what was happening. He just had to trust the whispers of the Force.
"We are almost there," Brahman said from behind.
"Alright," Aaryn nodded. "Do you have the mines?"
Brahman nodded, motioning back to someone in his group. A Selkath, an amphibious being from Manaan, made its way to the front of the group to hand Brahman a back of the mines. Brahman had explained on the way there that when the first initial attack begun, they had tried to horde as much of weapons possible. Aaryn was glad that they did, or he wouldn't really have anything to destroy the rest of the ships with. He put the pack on his back and started around the corner again.
"Be careful with that, you're practically a walking explosion waiting to happen." Brahman said.
Aaryn turned his head slightly around to address Brahman. "Oh, don't worry about-" A small tremor of the Force made him turn around quickly, and to dodge a very sudden blaster bolt. He jumped for to the side of a wall for protection, cutting him off from the rest of the group. He motioned with his hands to stay where they were. He peeked out of the corner, seeing two turret's set up outside the exit along with two patrol droids.
"Of course," He said to himself. He couldn't really open himself up the Force to fight off this threat that this Dark Side being had set up at one of the exits, but he had to try. He sat the pack of mines down behind the wall, igniting his green lightsaber.
"When I tell you to go, you need to go. Understand?" Aaryn called over to them. Brahman nodded.
Without any hesitation he moved out from the corner, his lightsaber blocking the several blaster bolts coming his way. The two Municipal patrol droids from Automata Galactica floated towards Aaryn, firing away. He knew that he had to take them out first. He aimed for the droid closet to him, and threw his lightsaber. The green blade sliced through the droid and then skidded to the ground. He would have guided it back to himself, but then the Dark Side being would have known where he was.
From behind, Brahman and his men began to fire at the remaining patrol droid and the two turrets. Thankfully it gave Aaryn enough time to dive to the floor and reach for his lightsaber. He rolled up over to it, grapping it in one single motion and quickly re-ignited his blade. The droid was taking heavy fire from Brahman, but its shield protected it. Aaryn ran towards the two turrets, slicing the barrel off the first one and then quickly sliced the last barrel of the turret.
The patrol droid floated around to face Aaryn, managing to get a shot in at his shoulder. Aaryn cried out in pain, but continued his charge and quickly sliced through the remaining droid. The debris skidded to the ground and the fight seemed to be over. Aaryn switched off his saber, clutching his left shoulder.
Brahman rushed out to help Aaryn.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he bent down to help the Jedi to his feet.
"I'll be fine, but we need to go now. I'm sure he'll be alerted to what happened." Aaryn said.
"Right, let's go guys." Brahman said to the rest of the survivors. Aaryn led the way out into the cold night air. Two large freighters were on platforms along with a single pilot starship. Aaryn directed them to the largest of the two ships and everyone quickly made it on. Brahman made sure he was the last one on. He stood on the ships ramp and extended his hand to Aaryn.
"We won't forget what you have done for us, Aaryn. Thank you so much." Brahman said.
"Jedi do not require thanks, it's our duty." He smiled. "And it was my pleasure to help you."
Brahman smirked. "Be careful," He turned and the ramp went up into the ship. Not long after the ship lifted off the platform and shot up into the cloudy night sky. Aaryn watched as it winked out of sight. Finally, the survivors of Taloraan were safe. He then quickly worked on setting up the mines to the rest of the ships.
"Just hang on Jove, we'll get out of here soon enough." He told himself.
***
Maverick studied Veed's datapad, and the display map of the entire facility. He knew whatever this thing was, it wasn't keeping Jove in the main control room that Aaryn and he had visited. No, it had to be in a separate, much smaller control room. Maverick hadn't exactly worked out any plan on how he was going to help Jove escape, the only thing he could think of was to distract him long enough to give Jove a chance. He reached in his pocket, fingering his vibro-knife. She was most likely tied up, so the knife would probably come in handy.
He stood outside the door, and checked his rifle one last time. He closed his eyes and then turned to the entrance. The doors quickly slide open and Maverick began firing. The hooded figure raised his hands and seemingly absorbed the blaster bolts. Maverick didn't stop to marvel at this, but instead intensified his firing.
The rifle then felt like it was sucked out of his hands and into the hands of the hooded figure.
"Not exactly who I was expecting," The Vampire sounded disappointed. Jove looked up from her chair to see Maverick eyeing her.
"Sorry to disappoint," Maverick grinned.
"No need to apologize, any last wishes before you die?" The hooded figure seemed to tilt his head.
"Yeah," He said as he reached for his back to pull out a heavily modified hold out blaster and fired. "That I see you in hell!"
The Vampire hissed and jumped towards Maverick with his hands outstretched. He landed on top of him, the Vampiric being flashing his fangs. Maverick tried to struggle out of his grasp, but not to escape him. All he wanted to do was to throw Jove the vibro-knife. Suddenly he felt the hooded figure bight down on his up shoulder. He actually could feel the life being sucked out of him, not through his blood but through the Force. It was as if very own life force was draining away.
One last thought occurred to him as dark spots swam up in his vision.
This is the death I deserve…
***
Four Years Ago…
Maverick didn't care what that drunken Jedi Master thought, he was going to get his revenge. He had been wronged a long time ago, the most precious thing to him had been taken away from him. The drunken Arkanian Jedi Master named Cruuso said that one wrong choice could lead to death, and he had been right to an extent. It wasn't going to be death for him, no; it was going to be death for the man named Oped Rex. The Gotal he was doing business with had turned out to a person of interest in Maverick's past, according to Kes'um.
The acidic rain of Taris stung a little as it hit Maverick's head, but he didn't care. He had contacted the Gotal that he was doing business with and told him to meet him early at this abandoned sit located in Middle Taris. Inside his jacket pocket he fingered the trigger of his blaster. The Gotal walked around the corner and strode towards Maverick.
"Mr. Hess, it is very good to see you again!" The Gotal began. "I have your money, and mine with me-"
The Gotal stopped, looking at the smug expression on Maverick's face.
"Is everything alright?" The Gotal asked.
Maverick pulled out his blaster and aimed for the Gotal's chest, shooting him twice. The Gotal clenched at the gaping hole in his chest and fell into a puddle behind him, dropping the brief case. Maverick stood over him, the smoke rising from the barrel of his blaster as the rain poured down on them. Revenge, at last.
He bent down towards the very confused and dying Gotal, pulling out a holocube. The image of a family popped up; An older man, who had similar features to Maverick, his wife, who was also smiling and their small child.
"Do you recognize this family, Rex?" Maverick yelled over the roar of the now pounding rain.
"Wha—"The Gotal muttered, backing away from him.
"Don't play dumb with me, Rex. I know you use to be a Mandalorian. You killed this family in cold blood…my family!" Maverick's anger was now overflowing.
"I-I-I," He struggled to say. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me, Kes'um told me everything!" Maverick yelled.
"Kes'um?" He coughed and shook his head. "You don't know what you're doing, do yeah? I was going to pay Kes'um back, I promised."
Maverick shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
"My name isn't Rex, and it never has been Rex. I-I owed Kes'um some money." The Gotal spat out blood. Maverick clenched his teeth in anger, he had been conned by another con man to kill someone. Kes'um knew about Maverick's past and exploited it…
Maverick stood over the innocent Gotal as he breathed his last breath, his blood on his hands. It was the first time Maverick had ever killed someone, and it was the wrong person. Tears flowed from his eyes, masked by the rain that fell. He had become the very thing he hated, a murderer.
***
"Maverick!" Jove screamed.
Her voice snapped him out of the daze that was being induced by the Force Vampire. With a last ditch effort of strength, he managed to bring out his vibro knife and cut across its chin. Maverick saw that it wound quickly re-healed itself, sealing up. The momentary distraction forced the Vampiric being to stop draining the Force out of Maverick. Before Maverick could see what happened next, he passed out.
The Vampire hissed and then lunged once again for Maverick's neck. Except he couldn't reach it due a sudden blaster shot from behind. The large concussion wave knocked him off of Maverick and across the floor. Ta'sa stood at the doorway, holding the large blaster rifle with two hands. The Ho'Din seemed shocked himself that he managed to save the day.
The Vampire stood up, his cowl slowly turning towards Ta'sa. Ta'sa fired again, but this time the Force Vampire was ready and it didn't stop him from coming for Ta'sa. Ta'sa squeezed his eyes shut, hoping that his death would be quick but he then felt as if he was suddenly being pushed down hard to the ground.
Over Ta'sa, Aaryn came straight for the Vampire with his lightsaber blazing. Aaryn let the Light Side of the Force flow through every single cell of his body, temporarily relieving the extreme pain in his shoulder. The Vampire seemed shocked by the Jedi's presence and stopped mid way, but it was too late. The green blade went straight through its chest. The Vampire let out a scream and slowly fell to the ground.
"Ta'sa, get Maverick and let's get out of here." Aaryn said. Ta'sa shook his head out of the daze and quickly ran over to Maverick's body. He hefted him over his shoulder and ran out of the room. Aaryn let Jove free quickly and she ran right after Ta'sa. Aaryn stayed behind and looked at the seemingly dead Vampire. In that instant that he stabbed him with his lightsaber, the Vampire felt like the Dark Side itself. A walking, living nexus of the Dark Side. Aaryn stretched out his hands, using the Force to bring down the entire ceiling of the room. Dust flew out of the room, and Aaryn quickly followed his escaping crew.
They ran out into the cold frigid air of Taloraan, the stars shining brightly down on them as they ran towards the Divinity. It looked as if the ship's sublight engines were already warming up, thanks to Vanuy and Belo. They had finally made it up the ramp and Aaryn collapsed on the deck as he felt the ship lurch into the air and take off.
"Whoa," Ta'sa managed between breaths. Aaryn felt so drained after he used the Force so directly, like a tool. The blaster burn hurt even more than it had before.
"Let's get him hooked up to some Kolto," Aaryn said as he looked at Maverick. Ta'sa nodded and picked up Maverick's limp body and carried him to the med bay.
"Come on, I'll apply some to your arm." Ta'sa called from behind. Aaryn slowly stood to his feet and followed the Ho'Din. Jove took a moment to lay on the floor by herself and let the events replay through her head.
While Aaryn did ultimately save them from the Vampire, it was Maverick that came to her rescue first. He had risked his own life for Jove, despite the major disadvantage due to the fact he wasn't a Force user. Perhaps Maverick wasn't all bad after all, maybe there was true feelings deep within him. She saw the way he looked at her right before she thought he was going to die. There was definitely something there. It seemed as if Maverick did have a heart after all.
***
As the Divinity rushed away from the gas giant of Taloraan, and its crew tending the wounds they received during their brief stay on the floating mining facility, something stirred in the debris caused by Aaryn. A hand popped up out of the debris, grasping at the air.