The Shadow…The man
Behind the Cloak
The desire to know the face behind the mask can bring one to madness.
SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! I've been gone for over a month. Damn near two months, actually. So sorry guys. I've been caught up with my Black Butler and Kingdom Hearts fics, and I've been looking for a job. No luck on that yet.
Reference link - Primal. wikia. Com – Count Raum and Countess Empusa
Communications
"Italicized" – comlink communicate
Italicized – thinking
Regular - all
Let's recap real quick!
Obi-Wan, Luminara, and Cody received word of the townsfolk gathering in the square. Tanya's team radios in and alerts them to Tanya battling her uncle. The two masters arrive to see Tanya subdue her uncle, not before they spoke of their Hunter mercenary affiliations, and Tanya revealing the harsh reality to Kashjeen about how she could care less about his existence. She subconsciously obsessed over him for twelve years. She wasn't going to waist another second.
All the more while Tanya has been getting the strangest feeling she and the others were being watched. Twice she has seen a shadow figure skulking and monitoring them. Who is this shadow? And why does he seem so familiar to Tanya?
After that a game plan was launched to invade the square and locate Jar-Jar and Padme. Tanya and her team scoured the cemetery, Luminara and her team the residential district, Obi-Wan and his team the main entrance. Tanya discovered the horrifying secret of the planet Aetha. They had set dates and times, and would execute random people on those days.
As they all cautiously trudged through the ghost town of a city, the three Jedi noticed the townsfolk lurking in the shadows, leading them in the general direction of the square.
Little do the Jedi know, Jar-Jar and Padme are indeed in the Square. Their execution scheduled to begin in a few short seconds.
^(\/)^(\/)^
Their skin lost its usual vibrant and lively coloring. Their skin was pale, ashy, dirty, and wrinkled from dehydration. The vein and blood vessels shown through their skin. Thick black rings hung under their eyes. Their cheeks sunk in, barely hanging onto the bones in their faces. Eyes once bright and full of life were dulled, hanging to reality by the thinnest thread. Bruises, cuts, and scars dragged over every inch of their bodies. Their clothing was torn and ragged, barely protecting their sensitive skin from the frigid rain drops and cold stone execution stage. They were weak, frail. It pained them to sit on their knees. How they wished they could fall over and rest. But the strong hands of the female Wraith Soldiers held them firmly in place by the shoulders
The Commander positioned herself in center stage. Murmurs from the crowd died instantly. Eyes all locked themselves onto her fear inspiring presence, none daring to look away so long as they were in her line of sight. (1) "Persvek klewari," She cast a hand over the crowd, drawing them in, "Nomenoi republic vilklviri geou qe offered ekess wer navnikic di hesi thaczil!" The crowd stomped one foot rhythmically into the squishy dirt, grunting in sync, adding to the tension of the approaching execution. (2)Asta iejir geou drench wer shashti," WHOO! The crowd howled, "Sustaining wer tobor di hesi planet," WHOO! "Vur wer waphic di hesina vur hesi itova iri!" WHOOOO!The stomps sped up, echoing, roaring, and rumbling the space around them. The Commander unsheathed her sword, raising it to the storm wrought skies, (3) "Jaka origato udoka pray ekess wer ithquenti vur beseech astahi ekess fehlim udoka lotocra vur petranaswin ihk jiko months directing it to the prepped Guillotine!" She announced over the anxious roars of the crowd. She directed the sword to the prepped Guillotine. "In exchange ihk nomenoi jiil waphic!"
^(\/)^(\/)^
Obi-Wan and his squad of clones crouched in an alley, covering one half of the Square's exit routes. Spanned and ready for any change. Luminara and her clones took up position on the other half, watching for uninvited or unsuspected guests. Tanya and her squad hid on the roof tops, providing eye in the sky recon.
"Everyone stand fast." Obi-Wan ordered into his comlink in a hushed tone, seeking to maintain the element of surprise. His sight roved over the large crowd, the 15 armored female guards surrounding the stage. "Our timing must be perfect."
^(\/)^(\/)^
"This is team B," Luminara reported. The spanned team of clones signaled from a distance, "All's well on our end. It appears the square is no longer receiving guests."
"Confirming." Tanya agreed. "No incoming air support either." Luminara nodded. All good news so far. "Wait." Shoulders tensed. "A hover carriage is approaching from the north." The town and its square spanned for a number of miles. But there is a gap, a wasteland of mud, dead trees, and dying animals, between the Manor Estate and the town. In the center was a Great wall, truly defining the separation of powers and status between the classes.
"Any guards?"
"Yes. Five…ten of them."
"So plus the 15 here, there are going to be a grand total of 25 adversaries."
^(\/)^(\/)^
Tanya's hands – every muscle – twitched and itched, ready for action. Her fingers firmly gripped her saber, not daring to let go. Amethyst eyes narrowed heatedly to Commander leading the crowd in prayer. The mere sight of Jar-Jar and Padme on the same grounds as the Guillotine brought Tanya's blood to a boil. Her teeth bit into her lip, drawing blood in an attempt to keep herself calm. Failing fast. But there is something else nudging her tail the wrong way. The same something she's been feeling for the last couple hours. Only the sensation was getting worse. Excitement? Anxiety? No. 20 enemies does not unnerve her. This sensation…was something…she isn't used to feeling.
"Calm yourself, Tanya." Obi-Wan advised in a dark tone. Tanya hissed past gritted teeth. She's been trying to calm herself down for the last five minutes. "It will not do us or them any service if you are distracted."
"Sorry." She moaned, running a hand over her one good eye. "I'm just…not feeling well…"
"What is wrong?"Luminara asked, sounding concerned.
"The person I've been sensing…" She breathed deeply, holding her whirling head, "He's close…" Her stomach tensed uncomfortably, "Very close." Chopper and Slick placed hands to her shoulder, easing her into a lying position on the sloped roof top. Tanya's bone's chilled. "Sickeningly close."
"Can you tell where he is?" Obi-Wan inquired excitedly, hints of hope in his tone.
"Yes and No, and that's the problem." She whined sickly. "He's everywhere and nowhere." Her dizzy eye darted over the crowd, the concealed allies, and the scenery in the distance. "He's watching…" She mumbled in paranoia. "He's watching us and I have no idea where!" Panic slowly began to overtake her. "Worst part is he's familiar." A hand snapped to her stomach, the contents swirling. "Oh god!"
"Center your thoughts!" Luminara advised gruffly, startling Tanya. "Surely even you know how to distract yourself from pain." She teased.
Tanya growled affrontingly, "Pain is nothing to me!"
"Then prove it!" She dared. Tanya was surprised by the challenge. Luminara isn't the type to issue them. "Let the troops keep an eye out. Obi-Wan and I have our positions covered. You locate our hidden foe. He may be the difference between victory and defeat."
"Okay." Tanya closed her eye, breathing in and out, slowly and deeply. Her mind went blank. "Where are you?"
^(\/)^(\/)^
The grinding gears of the city gates reverberated and echoed unbearably loud, shaking the nails of the rotted building from the holes. The praying citizens, the hiding Jedi and clones, a few emaciated cats covered their ears, feeling their ear drums about to burst. The uncanny thing of the grinding: the gates were 200 yards away. Rust and rain – metals worst enemy.
The carriage hovered through the city. The people continued to pray, expediting the verses before the carriage's arrival. Obi-Wan and Luminara raised a hand, ordering the clones to hold their positions and wait. The two Jedi looked to Tanya on the roof top, noticing a profound change in her thoughts. Tanya's ears flicked alternatingly, her tail swaying to and fro, fingers drumming – the force shifted. "He's moving." She mumbled, eye still closed.
"Where?" Slick inquired, opening the com channel.
"With the carriage…he's moving."
The clones on the roof narrowed their binoculars to the steady pace driving carriage. "We don't see anyone." Jesse reported, feeling jipped. "Just the harem and carriage."
"In the allies." Tanya felt her eyes leave her head, traveling the length of the alleyways, trailing the cloaked man. "He follows in the allies…staying close…"
"Does he have eyes on us?" Obi-wan asked, spanning his men in order to discover the cloaked man.
"Not any more. But…" She furrowed her brow. She could sense the man smiling. "He's aware of us. But I sense not malicious intent."
"How do you mean?" Luminara and her men peered into the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of their person of interest.
"Focus harder Tanya." Obi-wan encouraged harshly, hearing the motor if the carriage swiftly approaching. "What do you sense from this man?"
"A malignant elation." Another way to describe it: anticipation. "He's happy we're here, and he doesn't intend to interfere." These were rough accusations. Tanya's emotion sensing was not an exact science. It was educated guessing. And her guess was this man was waiting for something to go down. Her eye shot open. "HE STOPPED!" She gasped, glancing behind. She scrambled on the roof, hysterically checking the way below them. "He just freaking stopped!" The smirk flashed in her mind again. "He's closer than before! Right beneath us close!"
Obi-Wan, Luminara, the clones, all looked to the ground. No one was there. There couldn't be tunnels…could there? "Our carriage is here." Obi-Wan alerted. All eyes snapped to the northeast street. An extravagant carriage, shadow of two figures seen beyond veil curtain, entered into the square. The prayers halted in the spur of them moment. "Forget the man we can't see…for now." He swiftly added.
A short staff poked from beyond the curtain on one side. A rotted black hand poked out on the other. Two zombie like Aristocrats emerged from their carriage, malicious sneers only darkened by the decaying wrinkles in their cheeks. The woman's dress themed in renaissance was basked in crimson red on the corset. The man licked his rotted teeth hungrily for the blood he planned to have spilt. The two meandered hand in hand to the stage, Padme and Jar-Jar so emaciated and worn out they took no notice.
The woman gazed upon the emptied square, catching the eyes of the petrified citizens hiding in the buildings surrounding them. The Wraith guards surrounding the stag spread out, forming a giant circle. Stabbing their swords into the dirt they knelt onto one knee, heads bowed. "My Dear Count Raum," the woman swooned and whined with a nasally voice, "Why must we attend the execution of these worms?" She hoisted Padme by the hair, smelling her like a turd. "They barely deserved to become our martyrs for the evening. They do not deserve our presence any longer." She dropped Padme like a sack of potatoes. Tanya gripped the tiled roof tops, chipping the paint.
"Now, now my Dear Countess Empusa, one must not damage the goods." Count Raum knelt to Jar-Jar, yanking the weakened Gungan by his flappy ears as he studied his poor state. "Their blood was of little use to us." The man purred in Jar-Jar's ear. "It did not feed me, nor did it quench my thirst!" He sucker punched Jar-Jar in the face, his head smashing into the hard stone with a sickening crack. Tanya twitched to jump. Slick and Chopper yanked her back, urging her to remain calm. "But perhaps these republic worms may serve to appease our land," He curled his fingers into a tight vengeful grip, "And send a message to the Republic dogs. A message which lets them know they may have forgotten us, but we have not forgotten them." He plowed his foot into Jar-Jar's face, grinding him into the stone. "And what better way to send the massage than by sending the heads of their most revered back in a box."
"We cannot send back heads that are mangled!" Another nasally voice reprimanded the count. A cloaked man entered the square, jogging squirrelly onto the stage. Obi-Wan and Luminara glanced to Tanya on the roof tops. Sensing their gazes she shook her head, signaling he was not the cloaked man she's been detecting. "The bodies you may do with as you please." He pulled the hood off his head, revealing the face of Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation. "But I want their heads sent back to the Republic on a platter. That should scare the Republic down a few Senators and grant the Trade Federation higher income." Obi-Wan and Luminara hissed and bit their lips. Chopper and Slick had to restrain Tanya by the arms and clamp hands over her mouth in order to keep her from leaping for a kill.
Raum drew his curved sword, touching the razor tip to the neck of the hypochondriac Neimoidian. "Just because you are serving as a Liaison for the Separatist, think it grants you license to command usss." He hissed, the tip piercing his neck and trailing blood. "Your Trade Federation will get their money and our support as well." Raum promised, lowering the sword down along Gunray's silk clothing. "But you will allow us to proceed with our ritual as we please and without interruption," He stopped at the stomach, teasing Gunray with a twist of his blade, "Or I shall add your blood to my collection."
"Yes…YES! Of course!" Gunray shrieked, backing away from the sword. "P-Proceed." He scrambled to the edge of the stage, fiddling his fingers.
"PFFT!" Empusa spat at the dirt. "Weaseling, leaching worm!" She kicked him in the face. Tanya bobbed and nodded her head in approval. Empusa and Raum were growing on her. "Get on with it, My Lord." Empusa snaked her arms around Raum's shoulders. "I have an eternity worth of pleasures awaiting you in our bedchamber."
Raum kissed the top of her hand. "I eagerly await, my impatient rose." Tanya, Slick, and Chopper gagged. Obi-Wan and Luminara did feel their stomach gurgling.
"Can we please kill them now? Gunray too!" Tanya begged, despising the lovey-dovey of the rotted and old. "We have probable cause and they're more than likely to kill Padme and Jar-Jar before giving them up."
"Tanya we cannot merely kill people unnecessarily." Luminara scolded her. "Raum, Empusa, and Gunray are of greater value alive than dead." She elucidated, hearing Tanya suck on her teeth impatiently. "They may possess information on the separatists we can use to our advantage."
"Speaking of advantage," Obi-Wan interrupted, "Time to increase ours. Tanya, do you have your cloak?" From the distance Tanya raised the rags. Obi-Wan and Luminara displayed theirs. "Don the cloaks. Infiltrate the crowd. Cody, Slick, Waxer – remain in the shadows and cover us."
"Yes sir." All three replied.
^(\/)^(\/)^
The crank of the guillotine grinded and seared bone chillingly loud, sending shivers and chills down the spines of the crowd. The blade of the guillotine glistened, refining the sharpness of the caked with blood cleaver. Empusa snapped her fingers commandingly. A skinny to the bone man was dragged from behind the carriage and tossed into the mud, heavy duty iron clamps on his wrists and ankles. "This little worm was the first offering you wretched lot presented to us. He didn't even make my mouth water." She whipped her stiletto heel across his face, tearing his cheek open. "He will be the first to die, and then he shall be tossed into the sea." The armored women yanked him up by his arms, dragging him along the mud on his knees. His legs thudded painfully against the steps. He was slammed into the guillotine, the wooden restraint shut hard, scraping his flesh. Empusa shoved the two women aside, taking the lever in her hand. "Do not bother making peace with the spirits." Without warning she tugged on the lever. In a flash the man's head fumbled to the stone, his body falling limp. "You didn't have time."
On three different points Tanya, Luminara, and Obi-Wan stood, concealed by the thick tattered cloaks. Luminara and Obi-Wan glanced away in revulsion. Tanya, on the other hand, glared beyond the hood and her eyes patch. A deadpan expression, her amethyst eye narrowed into a vengeful slit locked onto Raum and Empusa. Luminara and Obi-Wan noticed the blank yet dark expression donning Tanya, and found themselves concerned. Her gaze did not move from the Count and Countess, nor did she flinch during the removal of the man's head. Very strange…even for her. This stare was nothing like the one they witnessed given to Kashjeen. Her eyes back then, though representing a shell, still held emotion. An infinitesimal annoyance to say the least. But now…now…she was truly empty.
"Now," Raum knelt to Padme, "My pretty little bird," He pinched her chin, forcing her blank eyes to look at him, "You're next." Two wraith women hoisted her to her feet. Tanya's fist clenched. The blade was raised. Padme was slammed and restrained to the guillotine. Obi-Wan and Luminara prepared to move. The commanding wraith officer took hold of the lever. Gunray smiled sinisterly, rubbing his hands together in a greedy fashion. "And now, Dear Halva, if you would be so kind." Raum gestured to the guillotine. "Severe our first gift for the republic."
Halva nodded. She stretched and filed her fingers onto the lever. Her arm twitched. Suddenly she choked and grabbed her neck, the hand leaving the lever. "WHAT IS THIS?" Empusa shrieked, spitting at Halva. "STOP FOOLING ABOUT AND PULL THAT LEVER!" Halva gagged and gurgled, trying to explain. "FINE!" Empusa roared and stomped for the lever. "I'LL DO IT!" Now Empusa was the one choking, pressure in her neck building. Empusa and Halva's feet suddenly left the ground, both women flailing their feet to touch back down.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?" Raum howled in outrage. "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?"
Obi-Wan and Luminara gaped in horror. Empusa and Halva were choking. Choking! They both cried mentally. Their gaze fell onto Tanya. Her expression was as void as it was two minutes ago. Their eyes trailed lower. Both of Tanya's fingers were curled in. Before the masters could stop her, Tanya closed her hands. Empusa and Halva's necks snapped. Tanya released her hands, allowing both women to fall to the ground dead. The guards ran to their dead Countess and Comrade. The Commander darted her head about, addressing the muttering and mumbling crowd, trying to discover answers from the fear in their eyes. Both Empusa and Halva were declared dead. Out of nowhere two more of the lady soldiers' neck's snapped and they fell to the ground. Then two more…and two more. Eight counting Empusa were dead.
Raum heaved and huffed impatiently, pacing back and forth. "SOMEONE HAD BETTER EXPLAIN WAS HAS HAPPENED," Raum drew an electrical whip from the other side of his holster. Cracking it he whipped it out and hooked a sickly woman to his side, "OR I SWEAR," He unlatched Padme and kicked her off to the side, "THIS WOMAN WILL BE THE NEXT ONE TO DIE!" Padme meant nothing to the townspeople. But a fellow member of their dwindling society was worth more than gold.
Luminara and Obi-Wan bit their lips. Padme and Jar-Jar were safe for the moment, but now they have another hostage situation to deal with. "Will no one come forth?" Raum tossed the whimpering woman into the guillotine, trussing her up tight. Luminara's hardened gaze dropped for Tanya. She was gone. "Then this woman is-" A hard footstep interrupted the good Count. Turning around he met the contemptuous and impassive gaze of Tanya.
Luminara and Obi-Wan tensed, praying Tanya knew what she was doing. They took note of Tanya crackling her fingers. Her gaze never left Raum, but her body was shifted somewhat away from him. The two masters spread. This wasn't part of their plan. In fact their original plan was half baked and possessed no means of progression. So they figured they'd run with it.
"Valeera, remove her hood!" Raum ordered. The Commander yanked Tanya's hood away. Her ears flared up. The dark glow of her amethyst eyes ever more alighted by the overcast and her eye patch. Gunray gasped aloud in horror. The light returned to both Jar-Jar and Padme's eyes as they widened in disbelief. Valeera moved to search Tanya. Raum raised a hand, approaching as he drew his sword. Valeera bowed and moved back. Tanya remained oblivious to the sword as it touched her neck. "State your name child, so I may know who it is I am slaying."
"SHE'S WITH THE REPUBLIC!" Gunray howled. Obi-Wan, Luminara, and the clones felt their guts wrench. "She's the bloody Padawan to the Korun Mace Windu!" Tanya curled her fingers tightly; blue and white sparks surged around her fingers like snakes in holes. Luminara furrowed her brow. Is that it?
"Is that right?" Raum pressed his sword tip deeper into her neck. No blood drawn. Just enough to scar her should she decide to move. Tanya did not twitch, prompting Luminara and Obi-Wan to remain hidden. "Quite young for a Jedi. Far too beautiful too." Raum ran the backs of his finger down her cheek. "Tell me child, what became of your eye?"
"Nothing permanent." She answered simply.
Raum caressed two fingers down the sides of her one eye. "So I may only indulge in the pleasure of your one eye." He purred. "Alone it is beautiful." His fingers found the eye patch, "But together they would be gorgeous." Tanya's defiance only enticed his arousal. Unfortunately business needed to come before pleasure. "So the republic sends a child to retrieve their precious Senators?"
"The Republic didn't send me." She stated monotonously but with authority. "And I am no one's PADAWAN!" She spat the word with such resentment Luminara cringed. "I am my own Master. No one commands me."
"SHE LIES!" Gunray shouted again.
"SILENCE!" Raum ordered, startling Gunray. "If not for the republic, then why are you here?"
"A member of a rival organization and two Republic dogs were rumored to be on this planet." She explained with as little emotion as possible. The tone bothered the two Senators, the masters, and the clones. Something was off with Tanya. She wasn't herself. "Kashjeen Amatooli – a Member of the Crimson Knights. Bounty – 250,000 credits dead or alive. Captured." Sitting on his death bed on the Highlander Space Cruiser. "Padme Amidala – one million credits alive, 500,000 dead. Jar-Jar Binks – 250,000 credits alive, 125,000 dead. For both, dead or alive, its 750,000."
Raum smirked with a pleased hmph. "DON'T BELIEVE THIS DRABBLE, YOU FOOL!" Gunray howled.
"Gag him." Raum ordered nonchalantly. Two guards shoved cloth into his mouth and tied a bandanna over his mouth. The restrained him as he shouted protests through the cloth. Raum looked Tanya over once more. A noticed something beyond her cloak. Pretending to ignore it, he sheathed his sword. Tanya, seeming to relax, returned her eyes to normal. Her expression went from ominous to…meaning business. Chopper and Slick sighed with relief. She was back. "Tell me your name child."
"Tanya Fett," She answered in a dull drone. "Bounty Hunter and number eight of the Hunter's Creed." Obi-Wan had to admit he was surprised, but relieved she addressed herself as a Bounty Hunter. It maintained their element of surprise. The clones sat at the ready, prepared to shoot the moment ordered. But still, none could deny their apprehension. By all sense and analysis of Tanya's tone, she truly sounded as if she never severed her ties with the Bounty Hunters. What was she doing? The master's wished they could make a play for the Senators. But with all eyes to the stage, someone was bound to see.
"I have not heard of this Creed." Raum stated, circling her. "But you have yet to lie to me, so I shall believe you." Glancing to the Senators her recognized the sheer expression of horror lining their faces. He looked back to Tanya who couldn't care less. "However they do seem rather shocked to see you." Tanya furrowed her brow. "Might that be…" Raum extended a hand, opening her cloak and removing the light saber from her person, "Because of your lightsaber, Jedi." Valeera and the others instinctively drew their swords. Obi-Wan, Luminara, and the clones prepared to jump. "You have a lightsaber and these Senators seem quite familiar with you." He towered over her. Tanya did not break eye contact. "Why is that?"
"For six agonizing, tedious, and gut wrenching months I've been under the employment of the Jedi!" She spat, true resentment ringing in her tone. "Due to my losing a wager and my being force sensitive, I've had to bend over backwards for the man who killed my father! And to top it off I've had to protect Senators who couldn't wipe their ass without someone to hold their hand! Do you know how many times I've rescued those ungrateful bastards, and they still look at me as if I'm going to eat them?" Raum, the clones, the senators, and the masters were shocked by the outrage in her voice. She sounded sincere. Tanya glared to Padme and Jar-Jar. The two inched back, terrified by her glare. "My services were rendered. I made my escape." She shot an accusing finger to Jar-Jar. "But because of that plague of a Gungan senator, any chances I had of escaping were destroyed! Not to mention my last job at offing this Princess Senator landed me in prison!" She smiled, her teeth forming into fangs which none have seen before. "The least they can do is grant me a pay grade to last me a couple years."
"Tanny…" Jar-Jar moaned raspingly, "Me'sa thought you'sa and I were friends."
"Charm and Charisma come with my job description, Binks." She narrowed her eyes, widening her grin. "I charmed you, won you over, now I'm dumping you." Padme, crestfallen, dropped her head, shaking it so to delude herself into not hearing her words. "You two, Ahsoka, Mace – all of you mean dirt to me. I could have killed you all five times were it not for that damn Gremlin appearing everywhere!" Gremlin meaning Master Yoda, and he did have a knack for keeping an eye on Tanya. "Once you two are gone I can finally go home."
"But…why?" Jar-Jar whimpered.
"The bet, Jar-Jar, the bet!" She stressed. "Ziro's in jail – who was Jabba's main source of power, and to top it off I saved you, Padme, Organa, and Notlu several times." She clapped her hands and spread them with a smile. "I'm a free girl. And what better way to celebrate my freedom than to give your heads to my employers." Jar-Jar whimpered and cried, lowering his head to the ground. Tanya inadvertently swallowed.
"Then kill us." Padme snarled with a wavering tone. "KILL US AND BE DONE WITH IT!" She glared to Tanya through tear filled eyes. "Kill me first so I don't have to look at you."
"You're worth more to me alive." Tanya raised a hand. Padme rose from the ground. Raum blinked in surprise. Padme rose just as Empusa and Halva. Tanya snatched her saber away from Raum, igniting the orange beam. "But nothing says I can't impair your sight." All eyes were glued to Tanya. She drew Padme in close, bringing her ear to her mouth. She whispered, "This'll hurt for a second." Padme closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face as Tanya rested her on her knees. She raised her saber, lining it with her eyes. Quickly she looked into the crowd, locking gazes with Obi-Wan and Luminara. "CATCH!" She shouted, all eyes shooting wide. Tanya pushed her hand, force pushing Padme into Jar-Jar, and both into the arms of the masters. Tanya whipped around lashed her saber for Raum's neck. Raum raised his sword, catching the strike. The two exchanged two more blows and Tanya kicked him hard in the stomach. She raised her saber, creating a gap between her and Raum.
The Wraith Count hissed and growled, massaging his stomach. "SURROUND HER!" The guards all leapt to the stage, swords pointed. Tanya raised two fingers.
Cody shook his head and shouted, "MOVE IN!"
Raum, the guards, and townsfolk all turned to find themselves surrounded by troopers, herding them like cattle. Obi-Wan and Luminara dropped their cloaks and drew their sabers. The troopers on the roof covered Waxer, Boil, Kix, and Sketch as they moved in to secure the two senators. The guards turned to the troopers, while a couple kept their eyes on Tanya and the other Jedi. "Your move, Count." Tanya dared. "And do think hard. Or shall I reunite you with your Countess and subordinate?"
Raum glanced down to Empusa and Halva. "You dirty little sneak." Raum hissed to Tanya. "It was you." Tanya licked her lips hungrily. "And to think you fooled me."
Tanya smirked. "Charm and Charisma, Count. Two of my greatest assets besides my subterfuge."
"You are not the only one with cards up his sleeve." Raum raised a hand. Half the audience dropped their tattered clothing, revealing fully armored male Wraith warriors with rifles and dual blasters. The rest of the crowd retreated into the shadows and the buildings. Tanya and the Masters bit their lips. They were led by soldiers. They were led like lambs to the damn slaughter. "Now what will you do, Tanya Fett?" Raum challenged. "Will surrender? Or will you fight?"
"I don't know." She sighed. "Master Kenobi, what do we do?"
Obi-wan analyzed the crowd. Guns, swords, lightsbaers – "AATTAAAAACCKKK!" Laser bolts fired from all sides. Gunray squealed and tried to run for the hills. Two clones jumped him and dragged him of scene.
Tanya ducked down and blitz tackled Raum into the mud below. She front rolled off of him. Coming crouched onto her feet, she displayed Raum's sword mockingly. Raum growled and punched the dirt. "VALEERA!" Valeera leapt from the stage, bringing her sword down. Tanya raised both swords, catching Valeera. She shoved the outraged woman back, then proceeded to engage in a barrage of sword strikes. Raum picked up his whip and intervened, barely missing Tanya as she jumped back. Tanya blocked and evaded the strikes from the heated Wraiths.
Unfortunately, due to the number of bodies crammed into one place, Tanya couldn't fight efficiently. She put her com to her mouth. "Fade! Fade!" Fade was the code for surreptitious retreat. A part of the plan Obi-Wan conducted for after they figured out a way to apprehend Jar-Jar and Padme. A plan he had yet to come up with until Tanya stepped in. Not what he had in mind. But if it works, roll with it. "I repeat! Fade!" Tanya sheathed her saber, clipped Raum's sword. With a hard and massive push of her hands she gusted mud into their eyes and ran away.
One by one Wraiths and Clones fell. The clones steadily retreated back, keeping with Padme and Jar-Jar as they were escorted out. One at a time they retreated into the alleys. The fighting was too heavy. To keep to the alleyways, avoid taking the main gate, the exertion and long trip would seriously injure Jar-Jar and Padme. Possibly kill them. "This is Waxer! I need and emergency evac at my coordinates, and the Coordinates I'm sending to you!" Gunmen ambushed the retreating troopers, separating them. One group took Padme, the other took Jar-Jar.
"Roger that, Waxer! Help is on the way!"
Obi-wan and Luminara fended off four sword bearing women. When one struck, another would counter. Never-ending battle of twisting and parrying. Obi-Wan and Luminara sheathed sabers, and shot their hands up, levitating the four women. They both whirled around and slammed them together, knocking them unconscious. Finally they struck them down instantly. Next Six gunmen surrounded them. Both diverted their volley of bullets. Hardcase, Jesse, and Tup provided support, subduing the six men, providing Obi-Wan and Luminara a chance to divide and conquer. The three fell back. Luminara and Obi-Wan retreated as well.
In a matter of seconds the battle field cleared of Clones and Jedi. The Wraith officers pursued after them, only to find empty paths and street ways. In every sense of the phrase, the republic troops vanished into thin air. The roars of battle died, leaving dead silence ringing throughout the entire area. "They escaped?" Raum huffed. "And they escaped with my prisoners, my liaison, AND MY SWORD?" Raum whipped his whip around a gunman's neck and wrenched the head from the shoulders. "YOU ARE INCOMPETENT FOOLS!"
"Now, now, Count Raum, let's not get emotional." A gravelly British voice taunted from the stage. From a secret hatch in the stage, the cloaked man meandered up stairs from an underground tunnel. "The young Aquatisan who stole your sword has an uncanny talent for sensing strong emotion." He chuckled wolfishly.
"Then I hope she can sense my rage, because it is burning for vengeance against this humiliation! I WAS SWINDLED BY A CHILD!"
"She is quite the charmer." The man remarked humorously, sauntering onto the moist dirt. "It appears her charms are more powerful than you imagined."
"LISTEN HERE-"
"Do not worry, my friend." The cloaked man tapped a button on his com link. "I'm having the situation dealt with as we speak."
"Do not kill the Aquatisan!" Raum ordered. "I care not what you do with the others. I want the child."
"What a coincidence?" The Cloaked man meandered past Raum. "I want her as well."
^(\/)^(\/)^
After a few minutes of running, Tanya met up with Appo, Sketch, Jester, Tup, Fives, Hailster, and Echo lugging a still gagged Nute Gunray. Appo, Sketch, and Tup tended to Padme who was severely weak. Jar-Jar must have been taken with the others during the commotion. The troopers planned to take Gunray and Padme down the cliff Luminara scaled earlier. Many of the other clones escaped through the front gate with their injured. But given the circumstances, escorting Gunray through the front gate would be too predictable. They needed an inconspicuous exit. But Padme wasn't well enough for a cliff scale, even being held.
"Highlander, this is Tanya. I need a code three pick up at my location."
"Transport on the way Commander."
"What of the other transports?"
"En route to R6-D3 and Commander Cody's location." D3 was still at the saloon by the port with Senator Farr. Cody was with Obi-Wan and Luminara.
"Roger that. Standing by." Tanya knelt to Padme, touching a hand to her cold, sunk in cheeks. Padme glanced to her, surprise and relief glistening in her eyes. Tanya was her old self. "Are you alright, Padme?"
"Tired…" She wheezed, "But I'll live."
Tanya sighed with relief, touching a hand to her pounding heart. "Thank goodness. I was worried there for a second."
"So you were acting?" Padme inquired, praying what she witnessed was all an act. "What you said about hating us and looking for profit. It was all an act."
"Of course it was." Tanya assured her, resting her hands to her shoulders. "Padme I'm with you guys for the long haul." She giggled with an impish smile, "The only way I'm leaving you guys is in my casket." Padme's eyes beamed as brightly as her lack of energy would allow her. Tanya's smile faded into concern. "What did they do to you in there?" Padme froze. "Why are you so emaciated?"
Padme shuddered, holding a hand to her mouth sickly. "For the last 24 plus hours…" She swallowed, "Jar-Jar and I were kept in this…dungeon. I'm sure where it was, but I'm sure it was under a river or something. Water was everywhere." Likely the dungeon she spoke of is built in a hollowed out reservoir deep beneath the surface. "They strapped us to this machine, drained our blood every other hour into these cups." Tanya and the Clones shuddered. Empusa and Raum said Padme and Jar-Jar's blood didn't satisfy them. Never did she imagine people drank blood in this day and age. "The other inmates…their eyes were wrenched from their sockets. It was punishment for being defiant." Jar-Jar's eyes were missing in Tanya's vision. Padme's description fit what she saw. "I've never felt so helpless in my life."
Tanya hugged her. "Don't worry." She hummed soothingly. "Once our ride gets here, we'll get you fed, watered, and you can sleep the rest of the way."
"That sounds really nice."
Gunray panted hysterically, gazing at the thousand meter drop between him and his death. Smirking smugly, Tanya ripped the gag away. Gunray coughed and spat to the dirt, then glared to the prideful Aquatisan. "Did you miss me Gunray? I sure missed you." She chortled with malicious sarcasm. "Last time I saw you, you were giving some Bullshit story about Ziro's innocence. Now here you are handing out our Senators to be slaughtered like cattle. I dare say this won't go well for your Federation Neutralist Alliance Claim." She cupped a hand to his chin, piercing her nails into his jaw, forcing Gunray to meet the hardened gazed of her hatefully glowing purple eyes. "I'm so going to enjoy watching you wriggle like a worm on hook as you try to weasel your way out of a trial. The entire Trade Federation may fall because of your actions."
"That will never happen." Gunray chuckled. "My actions may only serve the Federation. With the discovery of a Republic Hostile planet," His eye beamed with elation, "The Republic will come to us, and our business profits will sky rocket." Fives and Echo glared from beyond their helmets. Business! That's all the Federation, Clan, and Union see this war as. A business arrangement which could only go south if the war ends or Republic wins. "The Federation will not fall, My Dear. In the end it is the Federation that will save your sorry hide."
Tanya shrugged. "Maybe you're right." Tup, Appo, and Sketch nearly fell over in utter disbelief. "Maybe the Federation will come out on top, and the Union and Clan beneath them." A complacent smirk crept onto her lips. "But there are two sides to every coin, Viceroy. And you should consider the other side of the coin of your little fantasy."
Gunray threw his head back in hearty laughter. "And what side is that?"
Tanya grabbed the collar of his clothing, bringing him in close. "Now it is evident more than ever that you Neimoidians do in fact kiss the ass of all who hate the republic." She shrugged her shoulders in acceptance. "Sure the Federation will find a way to disprove the claim and continue business. But at least the truth will be out there."
"What truth?" Gunray forced a smile.
"That you greedy bastards work for the highest bitter in opportunities." She cast her gaze over the clones who Gunray noticed were watching him like hawks. "With all of those eyes watching, all the ears listening – somebody's bound to screw up." She licked her lips. "And imagine the Sepies don't take kindly to failure."
"Indeed we do not, Young Tanya." A voice chuckled, sending dreadful chills down her spine. The Clones clicked the hammers back on their blasters, aiming to the alley. "I'm Ventress can attest to my claims." Tanya stiffly turned to face the voice, discovering a cloaked man standing before them. The same man she had seen near the saloon. Impossible…I didn't even sense him. "You seem surprised, Tanya." He chuckled, reaching for his hood. "I told you back on Rilgar," Removing his hood, all eyes and bodies stiffened as he revealed his face. Tanya subconsciously moved in front of Padme, "You and I would meet again."
Tanya staggered back. "Count Dooku." She trembled.
Count Dooku bowed at the hip. "A pleasure it is to see you once again, Ms. Fett." In his brown eyes, Tanya made out bluish white sparks. "You and I have much to discuss."
^(\/)^(\/)^
Translations –
1 - In moments…these republic worms will be offered to the spirits of our land!
2 - Their blood will drench the dirt, sustaining the life of our planet and the lives of ourselves and our loved ones
3 - Now let us pray to the Gods and beseech them to grant us happiness and pleasure for six months...in exchange for these two lives.
Oh and for those of you who have noticed I switch between representative and senator for Jar-Jar. Reason – on Naboo he is a Senator. On Coruscant he is representing the Gungan. At least that's how I see it. In one of the episodes in season 4 he's called Senator.
I'll be back again. See you guys soon. Within two or three days top. I promise.