Chapter 26
A Friend in Need
"The look on your face." Elli laughed as everyone was sitting around a large table in the glasshouse of the estate letting in soft rays of warm morning sunlight. The maid droid Gerdy was walking around the table setting down food for a freshly cooked breakfast for them to eat "Elli be nice to Napole- I mean Leo, he is your brother." Arris said sitting next to her son reaching for his hand.
"We should have known the Jedi would take your name, booth of them." She hissed venom dripping on the word 'jedi' leo held here and softly as Iaco was filling a wooden pipe with some dried up leaves "Leo, it has nice ring to it better then Leon for sure at least they gave you three of the letters, but this Rock surname leave it to the Jedi to come up with that." Iaco said winking at Elli as she started to eat her breakfast.
Their father turned their attention back to their long lost kin "Tell us everything Leo, where you've been, your travels I want to hear it all."
Leo looked at his mother then at his father and sister "Yes father, there really isn't much to say I trained with the Jedi Master Krell for a time before I came under command of General Skywalker a few years ago." Leo said.
Iaco took his lips off the pipe and spat on the floor "Skywalker curse that man, fighting for that corrupt Chancellor."
"Kenobi is a bad father, his clones can't tell the difference between civilians and droids there." Elli said, hearing this Leo took his hand away from his mother listening to his family. Deciding not to talk about himself anymore "I was actually hoping to ask you how I was given to the jedi?" Leo asked, trying to change the subject.
Iaco and Arris shared worried glances "That's… a hard thing to explain son, perhaps better when Iaclyn is awake." Arris said. A loud yawn echoed in from the entrance as Iaclyn came in his eyes practically closed walking to his chair "What's better when Iaclyn's awake?" He asked when Gerdy poured him some blue milk and gave him a plate full of bacon and eggs.
"So your Iaclyn." Leo said seeing him, the sound of the strangers voice made Iaclyn's crusted over eyes open up he rubbed them "Uh… who are you?" Iaclyn asked.
Arris got up and waded over to her sleepy second son who took a sip of his blue milk "Iaclyn, this is Leo your brother."
Iaclyn spat out the milk onto the floor and Gerdy promptly started to clean up "W-what ack?" Iaclyn asked.
Arris nodded firmly and their brother looked to Elli, their sister who shrugged "Hey I was just as surprised as you were that we have brother, let alone he was a Jedi."
"Father, this has to be some kind of joke?" Iaclyn asked wiping milk from his lip, Iaco shook his head and stood up "It isn't in fact it's the furthest thing from a joke I'm afraid." Iaco said walking over to one of the glass walls looking out over the estate "It's the very reason we live here today."
CORUSCANT
Jedi Temple
Anakin and Aayla were watching Ahsoka facing off against three training droids at once in the training grounds, "Ahsoka seems to be training harder than usual?" Aayla asked for her hands behind her back.
"A master would smile seeing this, if I didn't know why she was doing it." Anakin said arms crossed next to Aayla "She's coping with Padawan Rocks betrayal?" Aayla asked.
He firmly nodded "You knew they were very close, like siblings." Anakin said.
"I wouldn't say that." Aayla said under her breath "What was that?" Anakin asked her.
"Perhaps Skywalker, she needs a new assignment, a better distraction there is none." Aayla suggested.
Anakin scratched his chin thinking it over like Obi-Wan would do "Perhaps I could speak with the Senate, the first ever sanctioned meeting between the Republic and Separatists on Mandalore, Senators Amidalla, Organa and Mothma are part of the Republican delegation sending Ahsoka would give the Jedi Council a set of eyes on Mandalore."
"And you won't have to go." Aayla added, making Anakin give the twi'lek jedi a sideways glare "Perhaps, we should go inform the Masters about this idea, I know Ahsoka will be glad to get off Coruscant for a while."
Later, Ahsoka and Anakin had arrived in the halls of the Senate tower walking into Padme Amidalla office "Greetings my lady." Anakin said before bowing, Ahsoka followed his protocol gracefully when she rose to see they weren't the only ones in the room. Senators Bail Organa and Mon Mothma were in the room as well "Master Skywalker, Padawan Tano so good to see you." Padme said walking up to them from between Mothma and Organa.
"I take it the Jedi have heard the news?" Organa asked with a smile.
"News?" Ahsoka asked "There is to be a summit on Mandalore between the Republic and the Separatists, the first in the history of the war a chance to maybe sue for peace." Mothma said hopefully.
Anakin crossed his arms at the thought of it "Or their surrender." He added.
"I rather doubt that, the Separaitst delegation will be held by Voe Atell she was a stark opponent of the last time we tried peace." Padme said frowning at Ahsoka who remembered what happened to Mina Bonteri and whatever became of her son, Lux.
"Which is why I will not be attending." Anakin said looking at Ahsoka "What, but the Jedi Council promised us a Jedi would come to represent them?" Bail asked.
Anakin nodded "And they will Senator Organa, my Padawan Ahsoka Tano will go in my stead."
Ahsoka looked at him shocked and surprised for a split moment, but kept her jedi composure "I… am at yours service Senators."
"Hmm sending a Padawan instead of a Knight may be seen as an insult?" Mothma guessed looking to Padme "Or as a padawan learner is a sign the Jedi and Republic are willing to learn a new way of ending this war, by diplomacy." Padme said, walking over to Ahsoka and putting a hand on her arm.
"Ahsoka has my full confidence." Padme said.
The other Senators were put at ease by Padme's words "Then we best be off, it's a long hyperspace route to Mandalore." Bail added.
RAXUS
Stark Estate
The Starks and Leo were gathered around in a living room with an open fireplace, there were three sets of chairs around the fire, a large sofa and two arm chairs. Leo was sitting in an arm chair across from Iaco and his mother, both younger siblings were on the couch. Iaco had taken a moment to gather his thoughts "Iaclyn, Elli you know that the wealth we have wasn't something I was born with."
"We know the story father, the Stark Commercial Combine?" Elli asked him.
Leo didn't say a word "You fought the Jedi and the Republic." Iaclyn said looking at Leo then at his father.
Iaco continued "I did, in our youth your mother and I lived a life on the stars, we wanted to create a fairer guild then the Techno Union or Trade Federation, something that didn't charge the people of the outer rim outrageous prices for the basic needs."
Listening to him continue "Leo, you probably know it as the Stark Hyperspace War, how the Stark Commercial Combine was made up of pirates, mercenaries and smugglers well most honest people in the outer rim who don't work with the massive corporations or guilds are labeled as such."
"And the pirates?" Leo asked "We needed ships." Iaco said, holding his mother's hand.
"And they called you King of the Pirates?" Leo asked him.
Arris let out a scoffing rolling her eyes "Oh stars don't even get him started he loves that nickname." Iaco gave a forced smile shaking his head and leaned in arms on his knees.
"Leo all I wanted was to give the people of the outer rim a fairer deal then what we had, when we first started stealing it was because all our suppliers were being bullied by the trade federation into not doing business with us, they were to afraid and in the outer rim when someone pushes you well…" Iaco leaned back covering his face in shame "You have to push back."
"By attacking their ships?" Leo asked "Yes." Iaco answered unashamed.
He looked to his other children "I became a pirate to steal food and medical supplies for the colonies on the outer rim, places that would probably never see a Jedi or republic aid if not for us."
"Then why did the Jedi intervene?" Leo asked.
"At the behest of the trade federation, I'm sure you know the Republic cares more for profit then people." Iaco said, pointing his pipe at him "All too well." Leo responded.
Iaco slapped his knee "When your mother, my crew all our partners heard Jedi would be at a negotiating meeting we're over joyed we knew that if anyone could oversee a peaceful deal where we would be able to work without conflict it would be the jedi." Iaco said before he sighed heavily.
"But we were deceived." Iaco said sadly.
Leo listened in "It was a trap, the trade federation had surrounded the meeting hall with battle droids and a fleet of warships headed by a Captain Tarkinn where amassing to attack our ships as soon as we were captured, we had no choice but to fight our way out before the fleet arrived." Iaco told him.
Holding his tongue he watched Iaco hold up his arms "Alas despite thinking we could win with our numbers, we were no match for the Jedi they dug in on Quotile, we charged up that hill five times and five times they threw us off before I knew it was over."
Iaco stood up and walked around the chair to hold Arris "The day before the Sixth battle, a jedi snuck into our camp and offered us an ultimatum."
"Ultimatum?" Leo asked "That we betray the Combine, receive amnesty and… give a hostage." Iaco said, his voice cracking "Me." Leo said.
Arris looked to her son "Your father spied on the Jedi Temple for years until he learned you weren't even there."
"I was raised away from the Order by another Master." Leo told them looking at his siblings "We learned that soon enough, but never knew where you were." Iaco said back to him.
"But thats in the past, our family is whole again." Arris said walking over to where Leo was sitting, but he suddenly stood and paced away "Napoleon- I mean Leo, whats wrong?" She asked, the others got up as well while Leo shook his head back and forth.
Turning a round so he could speak to them all "I shouldn't be here, I've sworn myself to Count Dooku."
"Why that's a good thing right, you're practically the second most powerful person in the Separaitst Alliance?" Iaclyn asked, holding up his hand dismissively "It puts you all in danger that I'm here." Leo pointed out.
"Danger?" Arris asked him "But the Count is a the Chairman of the Alliance, he would never harm someone of our status." Arris pointed out looking at Iaco who scratched his chin thinking, he paced away like Leo had done.
He turned slowly "Does the Count know you are here?" Iaco asked.
Shaking his head to his father he replied "No, but he may if I stay any longer."
"But you've only just arrived brother?" Elli asked walking up to him, Iaclyn scoffed "Something to say Iaclyn?" Iaco asked.
"You call him son and brother like he's been here his whole life father, but you heard him he has to go and he should." Iaclyn said his face turning sour "Iaclyn." His mother snapped.
But Iaclyn was already leaving the room "It was nice meeting you brother, see you never."
"Give him time, Iaclyn doesn't know what it's like to have an older brother." Elli said, taking Leo by the hand, "Neither have I."
Leo looked to his parents "Thank you… sister." Leo said patting his hand "But he's not wrong, I should go. I've already failed the Count once, should I fail again he can only punish me so much." Leo told them.
"Or the Republic." Iaco said to Arris "Would the Jedi send the assassin's father?" Elli asked out loud. Leo tensed up hearing Elli speak that way about the Jedi.
"Elli could you let us speak to your brother alone?" Arris asked her. Elli looked to her father who shifted his head to signal her to obey, Elli reluctantly headed out of the room and when they were sure they were gone before Iaco gestured over to Leo "Follow me."
Leo followed his mother and father into another room, it looked like Iacos private study, the walls were all dark brown with a desk, a holographic globe in the corner and the walls adorned with art and weapons like blasters and axes crossed on the wall "Leo, Napoleon we want you to be part of this family, but why can't the Count Know about us?" Arris asked him.
"If you've had encounters with the Jedi, you must know of the Sith mother?" Leo asked her.
"Sith?" She asked her husband with a puzzled look, Iaco on the other hand frowned "Jedi, but worse sometimes called Dark Jedi, Count Dooku has long been rumored to have dark… aspects to him." Iaco said looking at Leo "They are true, because I'm one of them now." Leo said taking out his lightsaber and turning on the red blade "Unlike Jedi, Sith do not forgive and like I said, I already failed the Count once I won't risk his wrath being used on you, any of you." Leo said, putting the lightsaber away.
Iaco leaned over his desk "When was the last time you spoke with him?" Iaco asked.
"Not some time, it was the Count who said he'd contact me." Leo replied.
"Then you should get back to whatever place you need to be for him to do so if he hasn't already." Iaco said much to his wife's shock "Iaco we just got him back and you-" "Woman didn't you hear him, if our family is to be whole again we have to be careful right?" Iaco asked Leo.
Leo looked at his father's face then to his mother "Yes father, Elli and Iaclyn can't breathe a word of this to anyone or it could prove fatal."
"Understood son, you best be off." Iaco said getting up, Leo nodded pulling his hood up to leave.
"W-wait." Arris said before Leo could leave the room she hugged him once more squeezing him tight like she'd never let go "We lost you once- I can't bear the thought of it again, promise me you'll come back."
Leo hugged her right back and looked at Iaco, the man's green eyes were puffy as he held it in "I promise, to both of you."
After he left the study, Leo walked down the steps of the mansion before he stopped sensing he was being watched, he looked up into an upper level mirror to see Iaclyn staring down at him, it was more of a glare of disgust if anything.
Later, Leo returned to Rogue Shadow camp where he saw it was abandoned, Turok, Oculus and Proxy were nowhere to be seen among the trees and waterfall. Leo felt something coming up behind him when he heard a branch snap, reaching for his lightsaber he turned around and saw standing before him was Count Dooku. "At last you returned as an apprentice when I first contacted you, your companions said you had gone away. I would hate to think you were abandoning your oath of service to me."
Dropping to his knee, Leo didn't dare to look him in the eye "Forgive me Master, I was seeking myself and am ready to serve."
"We shall see, it is time to see how much you support the Separaitst Alliance." The Count said arms crossed "I am at the Separatists command."
Count Dooku kept his glare on him "There is to be a summit between the Senators of both sides on Mandalore, you will be escorting a the Separatists delegation who will demand the legitimacy of the Separaitst state it will be denied of course, but you are to make sure no schemes are in motion."
Leo raised his head to meet the Counts gaze "Denied but if they should-" Leo halted himself from speaking "By your will my Master."
Count Dooku suddenly began to glow in holographic light and Proxy appeared before him, Leo rose seeing that it hadn't been Count Dooky in the flesh but a holographic image of him worn by Proxy. "I still don't think I'm used to this holographic droid, Proxy?"
"Forgive me Master, I don't really like being someone else like Count Dooku."
"I don't think anyone does, come we're going to Mandalore." Leo told the droid before he boarded his ship.
MANDALORE
The Republic delegation had just arrived in Mandalore, a squad of Senate Commandos led by Ahsoka walked down the ramp allowing Senators Amidalla, Mothma and Organa to follow them. Awaiting their arrival outiced the dom city on Mandalore's surface was the Duchess Satine herself flanked by her personal guards. Ahsoka followed behind the Senators and their guards as Padme embraced Staine with a hug "Mandalore welcomes you back my friend." The Duchess said.
Padme was dressed in a dark purple cloak and gown with a jeweled headdress around her brown hair keeping it down giving her a humbled but regal look.
"Duchess the Republic is indebted to you and your people for allowing us to have this summit here on Mandalore." Padme replied "With any grace it will mean an end to this horrible war, Mandalore would take great pride in knowing it happens here." The Duchess replied.
The other senators joined them "As would we all Duchess, ah I see the Separaitst delegation has arrived." Bail Organa said when a Separaitst transport ship with two Vulture droid starfighters landed on the other side of the platform. It was gray with blue paint, the colors of the Separatists flag and ships. Ahsoka glared at its ramp when it lowered a squad of elite BX series Commando Droids marched down followed by three Separaitst Parliament members, Voe Attell, Bec Lawise and Viacom Blyss. Lastly walking down the ramp without his cloak was Leo Roc, Ahsoka tensed up the second she saw him and almost took out her lightsabers.
The second Padme saw him she almost gasped "I didn't want to believe it." Padme said to Ahsoka "Believe, he's a traitor." Ahsoka whispered back "Whatever is on our side, we're here to talk. Ahsoka not fight." Padme replied in hushed words as the Separatists approached them. Even the Duchess gave Leo a disapproving look as they approached.
The Separaitst Senators all bowed in respect to the Duchess "Duchess, Senators of the Republic thank you for agreeing to meet us here on neutral soil." Voe Atell said, speaking for the others.
"But we know why we are all here, let us not waste anymore time with empty gestures and speak plainly, no?" Atell asked looking up to the Duchess "Very well, we will speak in my palace." The Duchess said walking back into the city. The two groups marched on behind her, the Senators behind the Duchess, Ahsoka sticking very close to Padme glaring at Leo who just kept looking forward to the city entrance. But before they passed the droids and the senate guard had to hand in their weapons, Leo and Ahsoka handed over their lightsabers too.
After leaving the docks, in Satine's throne room across from Ahsoka and Leo who remained, while the senators sat across from their Separatist counterparts and four Senate commandos stood behind the Republic senators as four commando droids stood behind the other senators. "The Republic recognizes the tragedy of war, but there is nothing we can change that is already occurred." Padme said to the Separaitst delegation.
"Say it aloud before this gathering, as representatives for Chancellor Palpatine, that you declare without reservation, the Separatist state legitimate." Voe Atell demanded.
"I have something to say about the legitimacy of the Separatists." a new voice rang out at the entrance of the hall. The senators and Jedi looked towards the entrance to see Lux Bonteri, the son of Mina Bonteri.
"Why is Lux Bonteri here?" Amita Fonti wondered as he strode forward unannounced.
"What does he have to say?" Bec Lawise asked beside Atell and Blyss. "He was not invited." Voe said as the man walked up to all of them. Lux was wearing a dark grey jacket and faded brown pants, leather boots, his jacket was adorned with metal epaulets of Onderonian make, his brown hair had been combed and he wore a blaster at his hip.
"You didn't mention that Lux Bonteri would be here." Ahsoka whispered to Padme.
"I didn't know." she whispered back, Ahsoka looked at Leo who had a cocked brow showing even he was a bit surprised like the rest of the Senators.
Leo scowl had turned into a glare as he watched Bonteri walk up to the Duchess and bow before the Duchess gave her his leave to speak, turning around to face the others. "I stand before you, son of Mina Bonteri, loyal Separatist, a patriot, a friend." he said, as he and Ahsoka looked at each other and smiled.
Leo clenched his hands into fists behind his back at the look.
"It has come to my attention that my mother was murdered by Count Dooku in cold blood!" Bonteri accused.
The Separaitst Senators suddenly sprung to their feet in a fury shouting "That is a lie! Remove this traitor immediately!" Lawise ordered the droids and Leo while standing up.
Padme placed a hand on Ahsoka's stomach to hold her back before she tried stopping them from grabbing Bonteri. "I will not be silenced!" he said as two of the droids started dragging him.
"Stop this!" Satine ordered as she stood her guards moved forward about to intervene when Leo got between her guards and Lux reaching for his lightsaber.
"We would ask you to respect that we deal with this matter ourselves." Voe said as she stood beside her compatriots while the Commando droids took Lux away followed by Leo.
"No, Dooku is deceiving you! You will all be betrayed just like my mother!" Bonteri shouted as the droids dragged him out.
When he was shoved out of the room Lawise spoke "I apologize for such a rude interruption. Please let us continue." Lawise said as he sat back down.
"We can't just let them take him. He'll be killed." Ahsoka whispered to Padme. "Do what you can Ahsoka, but be discreet." the Senator whispered back
Later, Ahsoka had followed the Separatists taking Lux out onto the hanger to a the Separatist transport watched as Bonteri was escorted onto a ship by the two droids and her old friend, Leo who had taken his lightsaber back from the dock guards.
Their prisoner was held tightly in the droid's grip as Leo walked in front "So you're the Count's new apprentice, it's funny how quickly he seems to replace your kind." Lux taunted behind Leo.
The Sith Apprentice said nothing he just kept walking forward onto the transport, "Why nothing to say when serving a murderer?" Lux asked him, while Ahsoka tailed them from behind, prowling across the lower support beams of the platform.
When they walked into the ship's interior out of sight Leo simply replied "Why say something to the dead, they can't hear us." He said smiling at Lux.
The battle droid and Leo dragged Bonteri into the ships command deck where they threw him to the ground before a hologram of Count Dooku, "Those are some rather strong accusations you have levied against me."
Lux recognized the voice before he got to his knees "You know what you did, Dooku." He hissed.
"Do I, I have done a lot of things, young man and choose to remember them in order of importance." The Count replied, Leo noticed Lux press a button on his wrist communicator while Dooku kept speaking "The death of your mother seems to have… escaped me?"
Lux shot his head up "I will have my revenge." He snapped glaring daggers into the Counts hologram.
"I think it's time we reacquaint the young Senator with his mother, apprentice and kill him." Count Dooku ordered before cutting the transmission, Lux looked up horrified at the thought he was about to die.
Leo actually smiled at the order and took out his lightsaber, activating only one end and holding it to Lux's neck, Lux backed up as the droids blocked any chance of escape he had from Leo's sword. "I just want you to know, while this isn't personal I will enjoy it." Leo said
Suddenly the door opened to reveal "Ahsoka?" Both boys said in surprise. Ahsoka ran in kicking one of the commando droids back against a chair it broke, then jumping onto a wall to take another one down where they stood before she force blasted Leo right out the command ship window off the edge of the city.
"Lux, I think it's time to go don't you?" she said, holding her hand out, Lux took it and she pulled him into the lift.
"Artoo, fire up the engines." she told the droid over her com as the door opened. The three ran out of ship and were noticed by droids. Ahsoka Force-pushed one over the edge.
"Run!" Ahsoka told them, they ran past the other droids and back into the dock building, the walls were lined with blue tinted glass that the droid quickly followed in.
"Hurry! Hurry!" she said quickly. "Ahsoka I appreciate your help, but-" he started before she cut him off as they turned. "Keep moving!" she said urgently. They finally made it back outside where their was a group of Senate commandos outside the ship they had come in. "Captain Taggert, we've got incoming clankers." she told the Captain. The commandos readied their blasters at the sight of her coming in. "We'll cover you, sir!" he assured as the droids caught up and the two groups exchanged fire. Lux and Ahsoka quickly made it onto the ship and took off for the skies and before the droids could do anything were out of reach except to attack the commandos.
They ran into the cockpit and Artoo beeped before a hologram of Anakin appeared as they sat down. "Ahsoka, Padme just contacted me. She just told me the peace negotiations have all but collapsed. Where are you?" he asked.
"We're on route to Coruscant, Master. We have Lux Bonteri with us." she replied. "Master Jedi, i'm sorry if I have caused you any trouble." Bonteri apologized quickly.
"It's nothing. You'll be safe now with the Republic." Ahsoka assured him.
"All right. Bring Bonteri to Coruscant immediately, we'll discuss giving him amnesty." her master said. "Yes, Master." she said standing up as he cut off.
Bonteri suddenly pulled a blaster on her and shot out his seat, ready to attack. "I can't go with you two." he said.
"What?" she asked surprised and frowning.
"I told you, I have a plan." he replied. Ahsoka disarmed him quickly and pointed it at him, making relax and sit back down. "Shooting me is not going to be part of it. What are you doing with a gun anyhow? You're not a fighter." she said dismissively lowering the gun to look at it, the blaster itself was little more than a pea shooter.
"I'm no longer a Separatist either, I won't join the Republic." he said stubbornly.
"What other options do you have?" she asked him "There is a different way." he replied, turning around unable to face her.
"I understand everything that you've been through. I understand you feel alone but the Republic will help you." she assured him.
"Like they helped my mother?!" he snapped, turning to face her Ahsoka's face fell and she looked at the ground, Lux continued "I've already made contact with a group on Carlac who are noble and are allied with my cause." he said.
"And what cause is that?" she asked. "To kill Dooku." he said darkly.
"The only one you're going to get killed is yourself." she said before she got back into her seat "I'm sorry, but we're taking you to Coruscant. You're plan hasn't exactly been well thought-out, Lux. Without us, how did you think you were going to escape those droids?" she asked.
"Like this!" he said before tasering her out cold "I'm sorry Ahsoka." He said as Artoo came in warbling at what all the commotion had been.
"It seems Ahsoka is quite exhausted, she should probably sleep it off." Lux said getting into the command seat and jumping into hyperspace.
Meanwhile, far behind them without Lux or Ahsoka even bothering to check to see if a ship was following them was the Rogue Shadow, Leo was aboard it with Turok and Proxy in the other seats. "You get there hyperspace trajectory droid?" Turok asked Proxy.
"Hmm my calculation along with the ship's analysis suggest the Republic transport carrying the fugitive is going to Carlac" Proxy stated, Leo was already entering in the coordinates "Contact Count Dooku Proxy."
"Carlac, what in blazes are they going to Carlac for?" Turok asked as Proxy turned into Count Dooku in front of a kneeling Leo.
The Sith Lord gazed down at him "Report, the Senators are calming the negotiations have all but crumbled?"
"Before I could enact your will on the traitor, Skywalker's padawans intervened to help him escape. I have my ship ready to pursue them should you command." Leo said staunchly, the Count scratched his chin "They are not going to Republic space?" Count Dooku asked.
Leo nodded "No Master, our ship indicated they are heading to Carlac for some reason."
"A reason I would very much like to know, I sense Bonteri is not alone in this vendetta of his… go then my apprentice, find him and kill those who support him." Leo smiled up at him "As you wish."
CARLAC
The frozen world was a snowy planet in the Outer Rim Territories. Its surface was covered in forests and mountains and its atmosphere was breathable to humans. The planet had a cold climate that had pink leafed trees and white topped mountains, from the space above the world appeared to be a white and pink marble getting ever larger as the Rogue shadow approached it. "Proxy are you programmed with databases?" Leo asked.
"Yes Master, what would you like to know?" Proxy asked cheerfully.
"Tell me if Carlac has any space ports or advanced civilizations?" Leo asked "Carlac is a relatively peaceful world Master, however my databases indicate a small Ming Po village located on the surface." Proxy stated to him.
Leo glanced back from the pilot seat "Ming Po?"
Turok answered him "Simple farmers, they don't have anything but the food they grow and the stuff they make, pretty good tailors actually." Turok said.
"You've been here before?" Leo asked "No, but I worked on a ship with a Ming Po nice fella." Turok said as they started to break through the clouds, "We'll start at the village scan for any signs of Republic transmissions coming out of there, we may be walking into a trap." Leo told the droid before he got up.
He stopped at the door "Turok, does the ship have any winter gear?"
Turok quickly responded "In the captains locker, guess what color."
"Black." Leo said, rolling his eyes as he went to get changed.
Down on the frozen surface, Ahsoka awoke alone in the Republic transport with only Artoo to keep her company, not to mention her lightsabers were gone. "Lux… lux?" she asked before she noticed her swords were gone "Where are my lightsabers?" she asked getting up and walking to the window where she saw Lux standing out in front of the ship.
"Artoo try to see and find where he hid my lightsabers, I'm going to have a chat with Mr. Bonteri." she grimaced before leaving the ship.
Ahsoka slipped on a winter jacket with a hood that could fit over her montrals before the couple exited the ship and made their way over to the teenager. Her coat was dark brown with a fur collar around the hood and sleeves, even two fur tips on the hood. "Lux! Lux, where are we and what did you do with my lightsabers?" she demanded.
"You should have stayed on the ship." he replied before seven Death Watch members landed around them in a circle with all but one aiming their weapons. "Hey, kid, you're late." the sole female.
"Death Watch." Ahsoka said in a low voice, getting close to Lux "You get us what we need?" Bo-Katan asked Bonteri as she walked up to them. "Yes, I have the information with me." he replied before she looked at the couple.
"Who's this?" she asked. "I'm his- betrothed" she lied quickly.
"Um right, right." Bonteri quickly agreed.
"Betrothed, little skinny isn't she." Bo-Katan examined Ahsoka like the queen had done on Zygerria, smacking Ahsoka on the backside.
"Why, you-!" Ahsoka started as she turned back around with her fists up. "She serves her purpose." Bonteri said, standing between her and Ahsoka as Artoo was rolling towards them with Ahsoka's sabers. The padawan shook her head and the droid hid them inside itself just as Bo-Katan turned her head.
"We leave now the snow is coming." she said, moving past them. "What have you gotten us into?" Ahsoka asked Bonteri quietly. "It's all under control." he assured as a speeder car and two bikes showed up.
"These are the Death Watch; they're Mandalorian terrorists; they'll kill us all." she said. "You coming?" a death watch man asked them.
"Yes." Bonteri answered as he got in the speeder. "Uh, I should stay with the ship." Ahsoka said, turning around before the man stopped her. "No, you're coming too." he said as two others picked Artoo up and placed it on the speeder and Ahsoka got on the bike of one of the speeders and took off.
Meanwhile the Rogue Shadow had set down outside the Ming Po village, the buildings were almost all made out of wood, with wind chimes and art works of outdoor art hanging from them. Tall fans were perched on top of the shinkle capped roofs with a large gate at the entrance to the village Leo returned into the bridge dressed in what winter clothing he had over his black robes. It was a knee length black vatnik and a thick wool cloak draped around his shoulders to form a hooded scarf cape. He put on a pair of thick leather gloves saying "Alright let's go."
"You mean you and the droids, if you haven't noticed Leo I'm a lizard." Turok said before pointing out into the snow storm starting to develop around the ship and village "And that is not lizard friendly weather." the storm outside seemed be growing worse and worse with every second.
"Fine, stay on the ship I'm going to have a chat with the locals, droids." he said to Oculus and Turok who followed him out.
When they left the ship Leo looked at Oculus "Start sweeping the area, if you find anything suspicious send it back to me." Leo said "And be careful."
Later, Leo followed by Proxy walked into the Ming Po village, when the man in black and Proxy Leo noticed there wasn't a single person in sight. Anyone Leo did manage to see where were hiding behind cracked windows and doors that quickly slammed shut at the fear of being discovered. "My sensors indicate this village is populated, why are they all inside Master?" Proxy asked.
Leo stood there in the heart of the town and closed his eyes "Fear, the town is rank with it." Leo said.
"I am not programmed to fear, Master?" Proxy said as Leo rolled his eyes "Something is plaguing this village, we should go find its elder or chieftain." Leo said back to the droid walking through the village all the way up to the largest house in the middle of the town square, the doors to the large house opened and three Ming Po men came out, they were all shorter then Leo and Proxy, two were near identical in fashion and hair cut but the elder in the middle stood out.
The elder wore his hair in a unique style where it hung off the top of his head in an arch, his face was tattooed and he wore a robe of yellow, red and green. The men all had their hands pressed together as they walked, Leo seeing it appeared to be a custom like hand shaking did so himself before he bowed. "Greetings, my name is Leo Rock and I seek a fugitive from justice. Where do you speak for this village?" Leo asked as the old man looked him over
The icy wind blew back Leo's cape revealing Exar Kun's lightsaber and immediately the man gasped "A jedi."
Leo looked down at the blade then up at the man "Not a word." he whispered to Proxy as the chief approached him "We are saved, we are saved my people a Jedi has come!"
Suddenly the village doors and windows opened up with the Ming Po exiting to come get a look all whispering and talking "Jedi… a Jedi… we are saved…" they all said as they quickly started to surround Leo.
"Master we are being surrounded, if we are to escape we should att-" "Shuddup." Leo said between his teeth to Proxy.
The Chief walked up to Leo "Welcome, welcome Master Jedi you are a blessing to see in these times." The Elder said taking his hand "Please, please come in, bring what food we have for our guest."
The Chief led Leo into his large hut where they sat across from each other with a fire lit, the entire village appeared to have surrounded the town house looking inside every window and door, despite heavy snow around them. The food that the Ming Po had given Leo was a simple bowl of rice and a cup of tea that the old man was pouring. "I am Chief Peiter, I must ask for your forgiveness Master Jedi I wish my people had more to offer you."
Leo noticed the faces of the crowd were mostly young men and older people, with very few young women in sight. The faces he did see were all frail and bony as if they hadn't eaten properly in weeks "If this is little that you have, give it your people Chieftain." Leo replied pushing the bowl to a small boy in the corner who quickly started to eat.
"You are most generous my friend, but you said you came seeking a fugitive surely to be aware of what has befallen my people?" Chief Pieter asked him.
Leo looked up under his hood and thought up a quick lie "The Jedi Council is… preoccupied with the war, but we have not forgotten the people, but you are correct I am seeking only one fugitive but there are more here?" Leo asked the Chief.
"We are simple people and trust easily, for that we were betrayed by strangers from the stars." Chief Pieter told him"They came with ships, weapons and armor we were no match for, they stole our food and the young women of our village to be there slaves even my own granddaughter Tryla."
Leo listened to him as the same boy who's rice he had given Leo a crude drawing of the brigands, they were dark armor with blue markings appearing to be flying with fire from their backs and their helmets were all marked with a T shaped visor "Mandalorians?" Leo said before the boy pointed to a symbol drawn on the armor of the warrior, a red trident shape "The Death Watch." Leo said.
"Please Master Jedi, will you help us?" Chief Pieter asked bowing before him, Leo put the drawing down and looked at the Chief then at the other villagers. Leo looked at their faces, at how the Chief their leader humbled himself before him, the little boy looking up at his lightsaber. Despite every instinct he had telling him to leave, that his mission took priority the teachings of the Jedi to be selfless were not yet extinguished. "I will help your village Chief Pieter."
Back with Ahsoka and Lux, who were still in the clutches of the Death Watch They slowed down upon entering the camp and saw a few shooting at the feet of some droids while laughing. Another shot a droid for fun before they stopped and got off as the ones flying landed around them. Artoo gave a worried beep as the droids were shot. "The boss will see you in there." Bo-Katan said, gesturing to the tent behind her. The two Jedi and former Separatist walked into the tent.
"Don't ruin my plan, okay?" Bonteri asked.
"Plan? What Plan?" she asked. "This is a holo-trace device." he said, pointing at the small watch-shaped device on his wrist.
"It can identify the origin of any holo transmission, I knew if I accused Dooku of murder, I would be brought to face him, well, it worked, and now I know Dooku's exact location if Death Watch moves quick enough, we can destroy him. Is that enough of a plan for you?" he asked, grabbing her arms and smiling at her.
Ahsoka shrugged him off. "This is not some idealistic political group, they will take the information and kill you." she said. Bonteri rolled his eyes and moved away from her.
"I knew you wouldn't understand." he said, still not convinced.
"The Death Watch are murderers sworn to destroy Jedi, you don't know what you're doing! This-" Lux saw the flap of the ten was about to open, and suddenly grabbed Ahsoka kissing her as Bo-Katan and two others entered. "Am I interrupting something?" the middle on asked, his armor and the horn-like antennae on his helmet identified him as Pre Vizsla . Lux pulled away and covered his mouth again before shaking his head at the Mandalorian "No, were just um..."
"It's time to talk business and tell your woman to leave us." he said, taking his helmet off.
"Of course." Bonteri said, looking at the two before Bo-Katan grabbed both by one arm and escorted them out.
Outside the Death Watch camp, Leo along with Chieftain Pieter with two other Ming Po men were gathered on a hill, Leo was looking through a pair of binoculars at the camp when he spotted Ahsoka being pushed by Bo-Katan to another tent "Chieftain it appears our goals align the fugitives I seek have joined with Death Watch." he said putting the binoculars away, Oculus had returned to Leo and beeped at him "You found their ship good, head back to the Rogue Shadow now and tell Turok to keep the engines hot." Leo ordered the droid before it flew away.
"Then it's providence you came to us in our hour of need, Jedi." Chief Pieter told him.
Leo looked down at the Ming Po "The came is too heavily fortified for one man to take alone, even a Jedi we will need to find a way to get your women out another way before I take the fight to them."
"Before you arrived, my men and I had planned to demand that the Death Watch leave, their leader Pre Vizsla though is an uncompromising man he forces our women to serve him as slaves for his feasts." Pieter told him.
Leo nodded "I'm aware of Vizsla, but I have a plan, but it will be risky."
Kneeling down in the snow he looked to them "We are ready Master Jedi." the Chief replied.
"Very well, Chieftain you and your men will go and demand the Death Watch to return your women as a distraction, Proxy." Leo said up to the droid "Can you disguise yourself as one of the Death Watch?"
Without speaking Proxy's holographic generator coated him in the dark blac and blue armor of a Death Watch soldier "How do I look?" he asked in his usual voice.
"Good, but change the voice and think more scum?" Leo asked, Proxy calibrated his audio box before speaking "Whata about dis?" he asked in a male voice sounding very rough and gurgled, "Perfect, you and I will sneak in and sabotage their ships when the Chief is out we'll blow the ships and escape with your women out the back." Leo said then looked down at the camp where he saw Vizsla walking out with Lux under his arm "And then Vizsla and Bonteri are mine.
Not soon after in the camp, the Death Watch were feasting with the Ming Po's food and women as servants, even Ahsoka was being forced to cary bowls of foood to Lux and Vizsla, just as she came over with a tray and some soup, she handed one to her 'betrothed' and offered him some food "Hungry? Careful not to choke on your stupidity." Ahsoka said to Bonteri with a fake smile as he took a bowl.
Suddenly the Ming Po walked into the tent. "Vizsla!" Pieter snapped.
"Chieftain Pieter, I don't remember summoning you." Vizsla said as he, Bonteri and Bo-Katan stood. "You have taken our women, stolen our food and threatened us for too long!" the Chieftain said.
Outside the tent, Leo who clung to the shadows while Proxy walked through the camp unnoticed in his disguise. The thick snow storm made it hard to discern the other Mandalorians apart, he walked up to one of them guarding the ships "Guard change."
"But my shift isn't over?" the guard asked him "You want to miss out on the feast?" Proxy asked in his disguise.
"Haha no, thanks friend." the guard said before walking off to join the others, Leo was about to go join him making his way through a junk room of broken droids when he bumped into a familiar droid. Leo had come face to face with Artoo who beeped in absoluter surprise seeing him warble up to him excitedly, "Shhh." Leo told the droid.
Leo patted the droid on its head "Hmmm forced to fix the droids huh, yeah yeah good to see you too Artoo but you can't tell anyone I'm here especially Ahsoka." Leo told the droid who warbled out something in droid speak.
"I know I haven't seen you in a long time, I have my reasons but please stay quite." he asked the droid before he ran out over to the ships.
Leo passed by Proxy who paid him no mind, Leo came into the ships cockpit and started to open its panels and tear out the wiring and inner workings.
Back in the feast, Vizsla had received Chief Pieter "Brave for you to come here with such bold words." Vizsla said.
"You are no longer welcome here." Pieter stated with some courage. "Well, if our presence here isn't welcome, we'll make ready to leave." the Mandalorian said, earning snickers from the other Death Watch members around the feast tent.
"And you'll return our people to us?" the Chieftain asked.
"Yes. Sunrise tomorrow you have my word." the Mandalorian replied with a smirk. glared, he didn't need the Force to know Vizsla was lying.
"Very well we'll be waiting." Pieter said before he and the other two left the tent. "You see? They're not the butchers you make them out to be." Bonteri whispered to Ahsoka.
When the Ming Po left the camp, they regrouped with Leo who was waiting "Master Jedi, something has happened?" they said coming up to him.
"What?" Leo asked "The Death Watch, they have given their word to return our people to us, by sunrise tomorrow.' Chief Pietr told him.
Leo scratched his chin "It's a trick." Leo said quickly "But his word-" "Means nothing, Pre Viszla is a terrorist and murderer, this all some sick game to him so I say we play it." Leo said smiling.
"Master Jedi?" Pieter asked him, "Listen carefully Chieftain it may be the only way your people are saved." Leo told them.
The next morning Death Watch and the other three zoomed into the town with the girls who served last night and stopped in front of the Chieftains hut. Vizsla landed in front before the others dismounted from the speeders just as Pieter walked up to them. "You have kept your word we are very grateful for your understanding." he said as a dozen more Death Watch landed on the roofs of the buildings around them.
"I am a man of my word here is your granddaughter, as promised." Vizsla said, pushing her forward before activating a black-bladed lightsaber and thrusting it toward Pieters grand daughters back.
"Tryla!" Ahsoka cried, but it was in vain because Vizslas arm and the dark saber was frozen just an inch from her back, Tryla and the other girls backed up to the safety of her people as the Mandalorains saw Vizsla was absolutely paralyzed where stood "What- what magic is this!?" he demanded.
The doors to the Chieftains hut opened up and out of it walked Leo who had his hand out before dropping it letting Vizsla go, when the Mandalorians saw the newcomer they all raised there weapons but Leo didn't take his eyes off them "Warriors of Death Watch, this village is under my protection, leave these people in peace… or die where you stand." Leo called out to them, he turned to the Chief of the Ming Po "Get your people to shelter Chieftain."
He was answered by a chorus of chortling laughter under their helmets, even Vizsla snickered while Ahsoka and Lux looked nervously at him "And who are you to defend these people?" Vizsla demanded to know how, as Ming Po began to flee the area.
Leo smiled under his hood "I am your death." Leo said, throwing off his cloak, Pre Vizsla's eyes got wide "I know you, Kenobi's apprentice?" Vizsla said with a scowl "I heard you turned on the Jedi, why defend these people."
"I don't really care about them." Leo said walking into the snow hands up "I just wanted to bring you and your warriors here, you, Bonteri two birds one stone or should I say Rock." he said holding up two figners before curling them into a fist.
"Then I am truly blessed, first I will kill the apprentice and then the Master." Vizsla said, raising his sword to him "You couldn't kill an ant even if you stepped on it." Leo replied drawing Exar Kun's lightsaber.
The two warriors rushed each other, Leo locked blades with Vizsla noticing the scar he had on his cheek "Hmm new scar, did you cut yourself shaving your head?"
"A gift from Count Dooku, one I will gladly return by taking his head." Vizsla said as Leo broke the lock and parried before moving in the circle, the Death Watch cheered their leader on.
"Still all talk Vizsla, maybe if you used your sword as much as your tongue you may actually be a threat." Leo replied before Vizsla held up his gauntlet trying to blast Leo, he deflected them "Pathetic." Leo said deflecting them without even moving much of his body just his arm, walking toward Vizsla.
Ahsoka and the others watched him "He's playing with him." Ahsoka said next to Lux, unaware Bo-Katan heard them.
Vizsla charged him again swinging left and right, Leo dodged his attacks but Vizsla used his jet pack to suddenly shoulder charge Leo, forcing him to defend himself. The rage Vizsla was using to fuel his attacks wasn't wild or chaotic, they were all fierce and close calls now. There was a reason Vizsla was the leader of Death Watch and he showed it with his skill with a bladed "Am I pathetic now?" Vizsla asked "AM I!" He screamed using his flamethrower to set fire to Leo's wool jacket.
Leo tore it off wearing his bare minimum black sith garbs, "Warriors set fire to the village and killed the villagers." Vizsla barked.
"What!?" Lux gasped, the warriors on the top of the building started to ignite the buildings with their flamethrowers.
"Coward." Leo barked at him "And I thought you didn't care so much for the power of Count Dooku?" Vizsla asked him.
Leo stood up straight and held up his blade turning on the other end "You want power." Leo chucked his lightsaber at Turok and it spun like a propeller blade and Leo used the force to make it fly with lighting speed to cut off the heads of half the warriors on the roofs before the others leapt out of the way taking to the air with their jet packs. Leo drew the lightsaber back to his hand "I'LL SHOW YOU POWER!" Leo yelled raising his hands and using a force push the Death Watch off their fleet, Lux grabbed Ahsoka pulling her close as they tumbled back "Kill him!" Bo-Katan ordered.
The Death Watch opened fire on Leo who started to twirl his lightsaber around deflecting almost all of the incoming lasers, almost all of them. Ahsoka watched as Leo started to get hit by a few that knocked him off balance, "Take him, I want him alive." Vizsla ordered him to get up. Some of the jetpack soldiers soared around Leo like vultures and one of them shot out his grappling cord to cease Leo by the left arm. Leo grabbed the man with the force and pulled him close, pulling right onto his lightsaber and using his body as a shield moving toward the Mandalorians on the ground. But before he could the other Mandalorians in the air let their cords fly roping Leo up and pulling him back. Leo swung his lightsaber around cutting the cords on him but with his back turned Vizsla drew his blaster pistol and shot the lightsaber right out of Leo's hand. Without his deadly weapon, the Death Watch surrounded him charging, Leo let them come dodging the first punch and kicked him away. Another one of them tried to tackle Leo from behind but he threw the Mandalorian over onto the cold dirt and smashed his hand down on their neck.
He saw another one coming and used the force to snap his neck before he got close, but it cost him dearly. The Deathwatch piled on top of him kicking and punching their metal gauntlets drawing blood before he used the force to repulse them off him "Is that all you got!" He barked at Vizsla who raised his blaster "Fire."
"No." Ahsoka snapped without thinking when the Mandalorians opened fire with blue stun rings exploding out of their blasters, the pelted Leo with electrical surges that stunned him but he stayed standing and started to walk toward them. "Fall damn you." Vizsla snarled at the boy, shooting him again, but Leo kept coming so kept firing before Bo-Katan came up from behind and knocked Leo out with the but of her blaster, she picked up his lightsaber and tossed it to Pre.
Vizsla holstered his blaster "So much for the power of the Jedi or Sith, we'll deal with those pesky villagers later for now, burn this village to the ground." Pre Vizsla ordered the remaining warriors who turned on their flamethrowers as Ahsoka watched them drag Leo away.
"Why are you doing this?" Lux asked "Because the weak need to know the consequences of challenging the strong my friend." Pre said taking Lux under his arm "Welcome to Death Watch and now your final test." Pre said handing Lux his blaster.
He pushed Lux forward "End him."
"But wouldn't he… be more valuable to us alive, as a prisoner?" Lux asked Pre Vizsla "Perhaos but we must send a message to Count Dooku, this boys head will suffice." Vizsla told him.
Lux took one look at Ahsoka who shook her head "Okay I've had enough." Bo-Katan said walking up to Ahsoka "Katan?" Vizsla asked his lt.
"I think our friends betrothed isn't what she appears to be?" Bo-Katan said, Ahsoka backed up but the Death Watch warriors around her seized her by her arms pulling off her hood revealing her silka bead braid "She's a jedi!" Bo-Katan yelled.
Ahsoka used the Force to break free from the warriors and through her coat off, grabbing a fallen farmers staff before tossing it and impaling a troop who was trying to burn a house down. She held it up as Vizsla came down and cut it in half before dodging his slashes. Two flying troops wrapped cables around her wrists as another wrapped around her waist and she fell to the ground. "Now what do we have here? I think we caught two Jedi!" Vizsla said triumphantly. "Drag them both back to camp." he ordered.
Meanwhile far up on a ridge, Turok was spying down with the Rogue Shadow landed safely away "Hmm doesn't look good Oculus?" Turok said over to the probe droid "Good thing we got a man on the inside."
Later, after returning to the Mandalorian camp A few troops picked them up after they stopped in the camp and moved them into Vizsla's tent. They pushed the two Jedi to the ground in front of Vizsla as another held Bonteri's arms behind him. Both Leo and Ahsoka were cuffed wrist to wrist when Leo came too.
"Now, Lux Bonteri, this does not look good, this does not look good at all I ask you to join us in good faith, and you bring a Jedi into our camp while luring Count Dooku's apprentice to us." the Mandalorian exclaimed in mock shock.
"They weren't meant to be here please, let the girl go." Bonteri said before looking at Leo "Do whatever you want with Dooku's pawn."
Ahsoka snarled at Vizsla "You know usually I'd say nothing, but at least I agree with that." She hissed at Leo who just scoffed.
"I'm afraid that's not an option." Vizsla replied, taking the Darksaber hilt out, Lux moved toward Vizsla but one of his warriors grabbed Bonteri before he could move. "I believed you had honour but you're just murderers no better than Dooku!" the teen snapped.
"You call us murderers? And yet it was your own lust for revenge that made you seek us out." Vizsla reminded. "I wanted justice for my mother's death." Bonteri replied. "And you shall have it but the Jedi are no different from Dooku and these two shall pay in part for their crimes against Mandalore so you see it's not murder at all! It's like you say! It's justice!" he said with a cold smirk and raising the saber.
"Oh work the shaft why don't you dirty tease." Leo said from behind Ahsoka, the sudden and vulgar interruption took everyone by surprise "W… what?" Vizsla asked.
Leo looked up at one of the four other Mandalorians "Hey would one of you just shoot me before he says another word I mean honestly, does he ever shut up?"
Vizsla growled "On second thought, maybe we should make your execution slower a quick death would be too merciful for the both of you."
"Anything, anything at all would be more merciful than having to hear you talk another minute." Leo said, causing Vizsla's face to turn bright red "Would you shut up." Ahsoka hissed at him "Why so you can keep making googly eyes with your 'betrothed'?" Leo asked her looking up at Lux, everyone else did too.
Ahsoka's eyes got wide and her cheeks rosy "Are you seriously doing this, here?" she asked.
"Why not, we're about to be killed by this Mandalorian neophyte, who plays with that lightsaber like it's between his legs, stars know there's not much to work with down there." Leo asked looking away from Ahsoka up to Bo-Katan "Am I right?"
Bo-Katan like the rest of them were stunned at how Leo had chosen to use his last words "This is our sworn enemy's apprentice?" she asked.
"ENOUGH!" Vizsla screamed walking around Ahsoka to stand over Leo as another 'Mandolorian' came in obviously drawn by the shouting standing behind Vizsla "You die now, right here, right now no more prattling from your vulgar mouth."
Leo looked up starring his sith eyes into Vizsla "Oh that wasn't prattling, that was a distraction." Vizsla suddenly felt the back of a blaster pistol pressed up against his head "Traitor." Vizsla said seeing the Mandalorian behind him and to everyone's surprise except Leo, was in fact Proxy who had remained in the camp the whole time.
"Apologizes for the delay Master, but primary objective includes not allowing anyone to kill you but me, now meatbag would kindly release my Master."
"Warriors." Vizsla said to his men "Even if this droid shoots, I order you to kill these scum, if I die we all die." Vizsla said down to Leo, but before he could reply, Artoo bumped past the Proxy at the entrance and released a smoke screen.
"Ahsoka, now!" Bonteri said, using the distraction to break free and push Bo-Katan and the warrior holding him away. Artoo rolled up behind Ahsoka and gave her lightsabers back. "Thanks, buddy." she said. Ahsoka ignited them before cutting free as she jumped, then decapitating all four troops that held her. Vizsla moved with incredible speed to avoid Proxy from shooting his head off. Leo used the force to tear off his own restraints and summon his lightsaber from Bo-Katan's hip, turning it on and getting back to back to back with Ahsoka, Lux and Proxy.
The remaining troops moved to attack before Vizsla stopped them. "Stop! The Jedi are mine!" he said, activating the Darksaber again. "Lux, get to the ship." Ahsoka told him before he and Artoo left the tent.
"Proxy, kill them all." Leo ordered "With gusto Master." Proxy dropped the blaster and reached behind his back pulling out two lightsabers built into its system.
Ahsoka dodged Vizsla's first slash then blocked the other two before he narrowly dodged Leo'ss attempted decapitation. The Mandalorian attacked the padawan a few more times, then kicked her out of the tent before getting tossed to the side from a burst of Force push from Leo rushed out as Ahsoka got up "I think Artoo made some friends." Bonteri said with a smile as he gestured to them. Vizsla came out with the other Death Watch and the droids opened fire on them. While the others took to the air and returned fire on the droids, the Padawan resumed their duel with Vizsla.
Leo took charge of the rest of the Death Watch including Bo Katan cutting many of them down with his lightsaber drawing most of the fire. Proxy did what he could with his lightsaber but got blasted in the shoulder making the droids right arm useless, "Proxy get out of here." Leo ordered the droid before it fled the battlefield.
The Mandalorian blocked their attacks before trying to shoot them with his wrist-blaster. They continued exchanging blows with him before Ahsoka flipped over his back and slashed his jetpack. "Not bad, Jedi." he said.
"I didn't miss." the padawan replied a look of surprise came over Vizsla's face as he turned his head behind him before taking the jetpack off quickly. Everyone blew forward and backwards as it exploded when they tried to run, Ahsoka hit the back of her head on a rock knocking her out. When Leo saw she was down with Vizsla approaching her he used the force to jump between them and hits him with a force push as Lux came up in a speeder hopping out. "Ahsoka!" he said, kneeling down in front of her as Leo picked her up helping carry her to the speeder.
Leo laid her in the seat as Artoo's battle droids attacked the Death Watch "Get her out of here, I'll cover you."
He got into the speeder "You're not going to kill us."
"Not today Bonteri." Leo said looking at Ahsoka's sleeping face, he cupped her cheek and Lux took note, but the moment was ruined by the sound of Death Watch reinforcements flying in from outside the camp to take out the droids from the air. "Go, now." Leo said turning around.
"Don't let them get away!" Vizsla barked, Leo watched Bo-Katan and two other warriors.
"Your friends won't escape Berserker and neither will you." Vizsla said holding his sword up as his army came up behind him, Leo looked to see he was out numbered thirty to one. The other Death Watch members must have been from another camp or out on patrol. Leo looked at his odds and smiled, liking them "Do you even know what a Berserker is Vizsla?" he asked.
Vizsla only tightened his grip on the dark saber "Enlighten me boy."
"It's a higher form of warrior, one who refuses to stop fighting till the fight is won, but you wouldn't even know the lowest form of a warrior." Leo taunted again, Vizsla didn't seem to be having any of it "I AM THE BLOOD OF CLAN VIZSLA, WE ARE WARRIOR BORN!" Vizsla screamed at Leo.
Leo swung his lightsaber up at the Death Watch "Then let's see that blood and what its worth, let us test the power of the Mandolore's warrior legacy versus real power." Leo said drawing it back and "Warriors, attack!" Vizsla shouted, running at Leo, the warriors charged forward shooting and igniting their flamethrowers again. Leo jumped over the fire and lasers and landed right in the middle of them smashing his lightsaber into the ground causing an explosion of force repulse.
He ran at the first one he saw impaling them on the ground, when another came at him he sliced their head clean off, thinking their sheer numbers would give them an easy advantage for the Death Watch. One by one they ran toward him and he cut them down, taking of arms and legs hearing their screams like sweet music in a symphony of death.
Something about this…
Something about the feeling Leo was getting…
Vizsla appeared against him again using his skill with the dark saber to push him back before Leo caught his blade and head butted him and picked Vizsla up throwing him against one of his ships. It reminded him of Geonosis and like Geonosis it didn't fight it, instead he embraced it, for so long he had kept the Berserker chained and at long last the beast was finally unleashed as Leo stabbed a mandalorian right in the stomach "YEEEESSSS!" He screamed, making all the warriors stop and see Leo lift the corpse off the ground still on his lightsaber before using the force to rip him asunder. Leo was showered in the entrails and blood of his enemy "More... Bring me MOOOORRREEE!" Leo's blood stained face roared and he attacked again.
Outside the camp, Lux, Ahsoka and Artoo were escaping from Bo-Katan and her troops were flying behind with their jetpacks and the left one shot a rocket that hit the snow beside them, waking Ahsoka up onto his back on the side of the speeder and Ahsoka on him. She quickly got up and ignited her blades to start deflecting bolts, she deflected one back and the Mandalorian was knocked away before he exploded. The one on the right zoomed towards them and tackled Ahsoka, knocking her sabers away as he tried to choke her. Artoo shot a smudge of oil in his faceplate before she kicked him off the speeder. Followed by Bo-Katan landed on the back and tried shooting her, Ahsoka dodged before the two women ended up in a fist-fight. The Death Watchwoman managed to knock her off and Ahsoka grabbed onto the side as her feet were dragging against the ground. The woman chuckled as she took aim before Bonteri swerved the speeder, causing her to stumble a bit and giving Ahsoka time to hop back on. The padawan punched her in the back of the head before she turned around and Ahsoka dodged her punches then kneed her in the stomach, punched her in the head again and finally Force-pushed her off.
A few seconds later they stopped beside the ship and quickly made it inside before Artoo automatically started the ship. Once safely inside, the Jedi and droid entered the cockpit before Ahsoka took the pilot seat and relaxed in the co-pilot seat starting to take off. Ahsoka looked out the window at the Mandalorian camp that was in a blaze, she could see a flash of a red lightsaber surrounded on all sides, Leo was fighting the Deathwatch alone.
Even at the current distance she saw Leo wasn't just fighting the Mandolorians, he was slaughtering them and he was laughing "HAHAHAHAHA MORE, MORE BRING ME MORE!"
Suddenly the Death Watch's two ships exploded causing Vizsla and his warriors to get distracted, far away from them Proxy was holding a detonator in his hand "That'll teach you to shoot my arm dirty meatbags."
With their ships gone the Death Watch turned around looking at Leo soaked in blood, his white hair stained red along with his robes, he was panting not from exhaustion but exhilitartion. Leo's heart was racing, his blood pounding his soul on fire from what he knew he was, what he'd always been "Kill hi- ACK" Vizsla tried to order but Leo grabbed him by the neck with the force "Kill me?" Leo snapped as he raised Vizsla off the ground.
"Kill me HA, You can't kill me!" He yelled, throwing Vizsla across the camp knocking him out cold when he hit the ground if not for his armor he'd be dead. "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" He asked while he stood on a small mountain of dead Death Watch warriors "I AM DEATH, I AM THE HUNDRED WARRIOR SLAYER I-AM-THE-BERSERKER!" He yelled, jumping into the fray once more, be it pride of a warrior of fear of being though cowards the Death Watch still standing came at Leo head on in hopes of seizing the glory of the kill.
Just then Bo-Katan and her warriors came back to see half their numbers dead and Vizsla down, they ran over to their leader and picked him up "We need to withdraw, there's no honor in death." she said as she took one more look at Leo, he had one arm around a warriors throat the other using his lightsaber to impale one and rip his lightsaber out laughing like a madman the whole time.
Back on the ship Artoo beeped, "No one followed us, good job Artoo." she said with a small smile.
Artoo beeped again. "What do you mean the escape pod has been activated?" she asked. Artoo beeped a reply. "Lux! Artoo, the ship is yours." she said before leaving the room, she climbed down the ladder and walked put to the escape pod.
"Lux! Lux, what're you doing?" she asked him through the glass as he walked over to them.
"I can't go with you, Ahsoka. You- You know that." he said. "But- But we can try to change things together.'' She tried reasoning with him.
"We make a pretty good team, don't we?" he said looking away before he pressed his hand on the glass Don't worry, we'll meet again. I promise." Bonteri assured with a smile. "Be careful, Lux." she replied before the pod launched into space leaving Ahsoka alone on the ship with Artoo. Meanwhile back on Carlac the sun was rising on the snow covered planet, Leo was on top of a Mandolorian warrior pleading for his life "M-mercy…" he received none as Leo drove his lightsaber into his chest slowly killing him "Shut up and die.". The snow inside the remains of the camp had turned red and black from the blood and sut, Leo stood up then taking a look around to admire his work.
He heard the sound of boots crushing snow under them from behind and turned around to see Proxy as Count Dooku, Leo dropped to his knee and looked up with pride on his face "Impressive apprentice, when the droid told me you had discovered a Death Watch camp I was pleased to know you already formulated a plan to get rid of them."
"Your enemies are my enemies my master they will suffer the same fate." Leo replied "And yet I do not see Lux Bonteri's corpse among these dead?" Count Dooku asked him.
Leo smirked "He is no threat to you, he has no evidence and what we have of him collaborating with Death Watch is proof enough to disavow him to the Separatists." Leo explained "And yet he lives, did I not expressly order you to kill him."
"You did my lord, but I believe if we leave him alive a bit longer he will lead us to more of your enemies and I shall do as I have done to the Death Watch here." Leo said gesturing to the field of death around him "And what of Pre Vizsla?"
"Escaped, for now my Lord but it will be some time before he can recover from this defeat." Leo replied up to the hologram "Agreed, you have done… adequate, rise my friend." Leo did so and the Count put his, or Proxies hands on his shoulder "You are indeed worthy to be my apprentice, return to me on Serenno and we shall continue your training."