Chapter Eleven: Expedition to Dxun
Dxun stretched out before Meetra as she looked out the window of her dropship. Checking her gear for the third time, she looked to where Master Kavar was meditating. She wondered how he did it with the wind flowing through the ship like this.
"So this is Dxun, huh?" asked Meetra.
"Yes, this is it," said Kavar. "Stay away from the windows, though. Some of the creatures that fly up this way are dangerous.
"Pilot, take us down there in that clearing."
"Are you sure about this, Master Kavar? Coming all the way out here?" asked Meetra.
"Am I sure?" asked Kavar. "Well, things are rarely certain with the Force; you only see its hand guiding you after the fact. But I have a reasonable expectation of success.
"I've had some experience with traversing the wilds of Onderon, and we have a beast tamer with us. Aklus, your presence here is most appreciated."
"It is the least one can do for the nation of Onderon," said Aklus, a big, bearded man. "My grandfather fought with Ulric Qel'droma. He died to help ensure Oron Kira and Princess Gallia took the throne. I'd be shaming him if I didn't do my part."
"Well, what can we expect?" asked Meetra.
As they lowered down into the underbrush, the air got hot and musky. Meetra felt like there was water on her face. You could cut the air here with a lightsaber, and it was only getting worse. She didn't like the way the trees seemed like open maws to her.
"Many of the same animals, in honesty," said Aklus. "Onderon and Dxun share a biome because of the moon. However, they aren't completely identical, so we'll have to be on our toes."
"Have you ever been here before?" asked Meetra.
"Once or twice, years ago," said Aklus. "I'm one of the only ones, actually. Few of the Beast Tamers venture up to the moons, though. The empty spaces of Onderon have only recently been tamed.
"Perhaps that was a mistake."
Kavar nodded as the ship touched down. Stepping out, he drew his lightsabers and peered around. The Onderonian Soldiers they'd brought with them fanned out from the ship. Some of them were shaking as they held guns.
"Very well, them," said Kavar. "Sergeant Tobin, dig in here and stay behind with the ship. Camouflage it and don't speak on the com unless absolutely necessary. We may have been picked up as things stand, and I'd rather have a way off this place."
Sergeant Tobin saluted. "Yes, sir.
"We will die in defense of the ship if we must."
"I appreciate it," said Kavar. "But if you get attacked by Mandalorians, it'd be much better if you cut your losses. We'll know for sure we have a presence on this moon if they target you. Better to relocate and make a call."
"Understood, sir," said Tobin.
Kavar looked to Aklus. "Aklus, I want you to help Colonel Tobin to blend in around here. Our scans showed a certain absence of life signs to the north. On a world like this, that might just indicate civilization."
"Shouldn't Aklus come with us?" asked Meetra. "He is our guide."
Kavar paused and led Meetra a little ways away. "I'll be honest, Meetra. Aklus is here more for the benefit of our squad than myself. I know enough about Dxun to be as good as him. But I want Aklus' men to make it out of this alive.
"Onderon would benefit from having a greater presence on this moon, even if Revan's guess was wrong."
"Right," said Meetra, nodding.
"Now, Meetra, I want you to focus on the land," said Kavar. "Open your mind to it and feel the life flowing all around you. Sense the wills of the beasts here and let them wash over you."
"Yes, Master Kavar," said Meetra, doing as she was told. As she reached out, she felt... hunger. A seething, feral hunger that seemed to radiate in every tree. It was on every vine from the forest ceiling and every rock. There were things, shadowy things pacing the darkness that looked with hatred on them. Or something akin to hatred.
It wasn't... intelligent enough to be hatred, really. Hatred relied on knowing a thing.
"They... these creatures are savage, they're all preying on one another constantly," said Meetra. "Even the plants are violent."
"That's Dxun for you," laughed Kavar. "Come on, let's see what we can-"
"Look out!" cried Tobin.
Meetra sensed the danger as the warning and drew her lightsaber. A huge, serpentine, many-legged thing came out after her. Dodging aside, her lightsaber slashed, and she sliced it in half. Then other things, small, brown creatures with huge mammals, came at them. Kavar was slicing many of them down as they came, and Meetra heard blaster fire.
"-Nevermind then," said Kavar.
And then a giant green creature lumbered out of the forest straight at Meetra. She considered striking it as it came, then rolled out of the way instead. Slashing to one side, she caught it in the side. But it's tail lashed out and nearly took her head off. Kavar finished it a moment later.
"What is that thing?" asked Meetra.
"That is a boma," said Kavar.
"Fire! Fire! Fire!" said Tobin.
A bit more chaos ensued until at last, the corpses of the creatures had piled up. Miraculously, no one had been killed. Tobin had set up several barricades and utilized the ship's guns to defend.
"Alright, so apparently the creatures out here don't like noise," said Tobin.
"Just hold until we get back," said Kavar. "Come on, let's keep moving Meetra, we'll go on alone."
Meetra followed behind Kavar, shouldering her pack as she did. The Jedi Master led them swiftly through the ship, occasionally looking at a compass. Several times, he brought them into the trees or into the shelter of roots. Meetra sensed Kavar at work and realized that the darkness of the force was receding.
Kavar was sort of slipping them beneath them.
"Master Kavar, why did you decide to search here first?" asked Meetra.
"Mandalorians don't like to lose," said Kavar. "When Mandalore the Indomitable attacked Onderon, they were humiliated. Exar Kun had sent him there expecting an easy victory. However, he underestimated the power of non-Jedi. Mandalore attempted to withdraw to Dxun to make a stand, but he never got the chance.
"The wildlife had been driven into a blood frenzy by the battles below. The Mandalorians were scattered, and many were devoured. Later, the current Mandalore found his corpse and claimed the mask."
"Was Mandalore the Indomitable powerful?" asked Meetra.
"He was not Force Sensitive. But he was a powerful enough warrior to go toe to toe with Ulic Qel'droma and survive," said Kavar. "He even gave as good as he got. The Sith were impressed enough that he became one of Exar Kun's chief lieutenants.
"For him to be killed by wildlife was an inglorious fate—one which infuriated the Mandalorians. If Revan is correct that they have a base on one of the Moons, Dxun is the logical place. Taming it would be symbolic.
"Mandalorians like symbolism.
"Now, come, we should try to hide from any further beasts. Has Vrook taught you how to avoid notice?"
"Well, yes, but uh... I'm not very good at it," said Meetra. "Every time I try to sneak anywhere, I end up breaking something. He calls me a walking catastrophe."
"All the more reason to work on the skill," said Kavar. "Remember your training, and we'll be able to get through this."
Meetra saw a lot of things as Kavar led her through the jungles. It was slimy, wet, and often they'd see rivers flowing fast. In some places, there were stagnant pools that had been blocked up. Other times, she saw gigantic bugs scaling throughout the trees. Other bugs were merely as larger as her little finger. Warding them off with the Force was a constant problem.
"These insects are huge," said Meetra.
"Oh yes, you don't want to sleep anywhere on Dxun without cover," said Kavar. "Lie down in the open, and they'll drain you dry.
"Still, I think we should arrive on time with a bit of manipulation."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Meetra.
"I'm drawing on the Force to speed our progress," said Kavar. "It's a technique developed during the Exar Kun wars. It was meant for fighting in inhospitable terrain. You sort of ask the Force to direct you to a clear path and can work for whole armies.
"In my experience, Dark Jedi have trouble doing it. If you imagine the Force as a river, the Dark Jedi are those fighting the current. The Jedi, though, opt to use the current to speed us on our way."
"Well, where's the river going?" asked Meetra.
Kavar shrugged. "It's not a perfect metaphor."
On they went, until at last, they scaled up a hill. And suddenly, they came to the edge of the trees and saw a base. It was a large facility with a number of square buildings. A wall surrounded it, and there was only one gate and a whole series of automated turrets on them.
"Look there," said Meetra.
"A Mandalorian camp, a very well fortified one at that," said Kavar. "Long range scanners, fortifications.
"Aedal must have been here a long time. We'd better activate the signal beacon. Once we set this up, Vaklu should have a whole army ready to send in. Still..." And then Kavar saw a huge, white droid flying through the air and descending beyond sight. "Oh, damn."
"What is it?" asked Meetra.
"They've got Basilisk War Droids. A lot of them at that," said Kavar.
"What's so special about a Basilisk War Droid?" asked Meetra. "Aren't they just like, Mandalorian fighters."
"They serve the same function, but no," said Kavar. "Basilisk War Droids are far more versatile. Properly utilized, they can tear apart entire fleets. Most also have much more firepower than your average fighter.
"The Republic Fleet could take them, but Onderon doesn't have much talent for space combat. Usually, they don't do much more than controlling the airspace. That and prevent orbital bombardments." Kavar raised his com. "Aklar?"
"Yes, what is it?" asked Kavar. "We've been trying to scour the area, but the beasts are gathering."
"We've found the Mandalorian camp and have set up the signal beacon," said Kavar. "Inform Vaklu that the enemy has Basilisk War Droids. I'm going to try and sabotage them while he mobilizes his assault. Tell him to account for them when he launches his assault."
"Understood," said Aklar.
"Now, wait for us, and we'll see if we can link up with you," said Kavar. "Meetra, are you trained with explosives?"
"Yeah, Revan and Malak taught me a lot," said Kavar.
"Good," said Kavar, drawing out a series of detonators from his pack. He handed them to her. "Take these, I'm going to set charges on the War Droids and ships. Set these charges on the automated defense turrets, then meet me back here. As soon as I activate the signal, we're going to be on the clock."
"Right," said Meetra.
Kavar drew out the beacon and began to set it. A few changes later, and the signal was sent.
"Let's go," said Kavar.
Kavar surged toward the walls, and then Meetra lost sight of him. She looked for a bit and couldn't find him. Finally, she went toward the auto-turrets. As she ran, one of them opened fire, and she looked. Only it was shooting an animal, one of the beasts of Dxun.
Meetra kept running, reaching the wall, and used the Force to scale it up. Getting to the nearest turret, she set the first detonator on the auto turret. Moving along it, Meetra set another. As she moved low on the wall, hoping no one saw her, she saw three people standing.
Actava was one of them, her pink hair falling over blue armor. Across from her was a gray-armored Mandalorian.
"Any idea why we're waiting so long for this invasion, Actava?" asked the gray-armored one.
"You know Aedal, Ren," said Actava. "He's not one to leave an enemy stronghold at his back. He wants to make sure the Zabraks are nice and pacified before we start on something new."
"Yeah, but that leaves us in the cold," said Ren, who was working with machines. "Killing the animals here lost its charm a long time ago; mostly all we do is maintain the automated turrets. That and keep the jungle from eating this camp alive."
"Well, patience is a virtue as they say," said Actava.
"Apparently, the Jedi have too much of it," said Ren.
Suddenly he looked up, and Meetra dropped down, scaling along the wall.
"Did you see something?" asked Actava,
"No, I..." Ren paused. "Nevermind."
"The beasts are attacking, activate the turrets, and defend!" said someone.
More blasts were heard.
Meetra continued to set up her explosives on one of the turrets as the ones on the other side fired.
"Not again. This is what, the millionth time we've done this," said Actava.
"Quit your whining and practice your shots," said another voice.
"That's another,"
Meetra was beginning to feel tired as she went along the wall. But at last, she set up the last of the explosives. The preparations were now complete. Explosions resounded as the Mandalorians fired shots.
"Great, they triggered all the mines again," muttered Ren. "I'll get out there and replace them. You two cover me. I don't want another one of those things coming after us."
Meetra got back down to the ground and ran back to the trees. She reached them unchecked and found Kavar waiting for her. He nodded in approval. "Were you successful?"
"Yes, an attack by the boma beasts gave me some cover," said Meetra. "These Mandalorians, they are expecting an attack. I think they have to fend off the wildlife constantly."
"Perhaps," said Kavar. "But they aren't expecting an attack by mechanized forces, are they? If Vaklu can arrive unnoticed-"
And then there was the sound of blasters in the distance. Meetra and Kavar ducked for cover as the Mandalorians rushed out the gate.
"What is that noise?" asked Actava.
"A lot of blaster fire. It's like a battle is going on," said Ren. "Have we engaged them already?"
Into sight came two Mandalorians with white and brown armor. The white-armored one held a huge machinegun.
"Canderous, Jagi, what's the story?" asked Actava.
"The Onderonians are here," said Canderous. "Somehow, they snuck past our sensors. But they ended up attracting a massive stampede of wildlife. They're fighting them right now.
"Where's Aedal?"
"At the moment, he's meditating," said Actava, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes. "He observed that Bastila girl in action. I think he is trying to figure out how she did that Battle Meditation trick."
"Again?" asked Canderous. "I don't like how he's been focusing on Force tricks lately instead of fighting.
"Jagi, could you alert him to what's going on."
But Aedal appeared from the shadows of the gates as the blaster fire continued. "No need for that.
"The turbolaser fire did the work for you. Prepare to attack."
"Attack?" asked Jagi. "Aedal, the Onderonians have several whole battalions landing before us."
"Which is precisely why a defense would be useless," said Aedal. "Sieges are their specialty. And taking fortified structures is made easier by understanding them.
"A static defense would only delay their inevitable victory. An attack while they are still disembarking, however, could turn the tide."
"That could be difficult," said Actava.
"I highly doubt that," said Canderous. "The idiots are using turbolaser fire to defend themselves. They're fighting a battle with all of Dxun right now. Most of the Onderonians have no idea what they're getting into.
"They're afraid and being faced with an onslaught of horrific monsters. Ones they've only heard about in scary stories around the campfire. They'll be in disarray for a bit, and that can work to our advantage."
"We can use that to our advantage," said Aedal. "Canderous, Actava, Jagi take the entire garrison out. They attacked with whatever means or tactics you see fit. Death or glory."
"What about you?" asked Canderous, voice faintly accusing.
"Well, I'd hate for a large contingent of boma beasts to gnaw through the wiring," said Aedal. "So I'll stay here and be with you in spirit. Meaning I will not be there at all.
"Don't worry, nobody is going to get to our Basilisks-"
Kavar pressed the button on the detonator. In an instant, all of the auto turrets exploded into plumes of fire. Smoke also rose from the hangers as well.
"Our Basilisks!" said Ren. "I just finished fixing those!"
Aedal sighed. "...Apparently, Master Kavar has a sense of humor."
"Kavar?" asked Canderous. "What's he doing here?"
"Ignore Kavar and continue with your orders, Canderous," said Aedal. "None of you are going to fight Jedi today; we've an army to defeat first. We now have no static defenses to fall back on, and going on a wild goose chase against a Jedi is useless.
"Be creative."
Actava laughed. "We'll go easy on them."
Soon, the Mandalorians made their way out of the gates in speeders. They surged off toward where the sound of weapon fire was joined by screams. Aedal, meanwhile, sat down cross-legged by the gates. He looked to be levitating his lightsaber around him in circles.
"Master Kavar, I know you're out there," said Aedal. "Care to face me in single combat? Or shall I go join the battle against Vaklu's rabble?
"If you kill me before Canderous finishes off that so-called army, you might even save Onderon."
Kavar stood. "Meetra, stay here."
"We should just leave," said Meetra.
"Aedal and I have a history of attending to, I'm afraid," said Kavar.
Then he strode into the open.
Aedal stood from his cross-legged position and took his lightsaber from the air. He drew it as Kavar drew his. For a moment, the two-faced one another down. Meetra looked in awe at their stances, both coiling for a spring. Clouds gathered overhead above them, and the darkness of Dxun seemed to seep in.
"Oh, excellent," said Aedal. "I was afraid I'd have to go into the jungle. I realize that as a member of a proud warrior race, I ought to relish the challenge. But to be honest, after a few weeks out here, I think I'll be glad to have some air conditioning.
"I rather preferred negotiating with Adraas, to be honest."
"You wanted to fight me, Aedal?" asked Kavar.
"Well, obviously," said Aedal. "We always were rivals, back in the Academy of Dantooine. If I recall, my defeat of you was what get me sent to the Agricultural Corps."
"If I recall, it was the methods you employed. And it was my victory," said Kavar.
Aedal tensed. "Shall we give it another try?"
And then Aedal surged forward, blade slashing at Kavar. But Kavar didn't defend; he surged forward to meet him. Their blades moved against one another in a full-blown offensive against offensive. Kavar briefly backed away, only to shift on one foot, spin around, and unleash a feral assault.
This was a duel between masters.
Meetra stared in awe as their blades locked, and the two were face to face.
"You have become powerful in the Force Aedal," said Kavar. "You've control of your emotions, even as you dwell in darkness. If you had remained among the Jedi, you might have become a great champion of the Light."
Aedal laughed and raised a hand. The move sent Kavar flying away, only for him to right himself in midair. "If I had remained among the Jedi, I'd have stayed in the Agricultural Corps. I'd have spent my life cleaning cesspits while spoiled nobles looked down on me. Mocking me for being kicked from the order. Mocking me for being exiled. All crimes they themselves commit every day for fun.
"If you held the Nobles to the same standard as commoners, not one of them would be in the order. Not. One."
Kavar, in return, hurled one of his lightsabers. It spun through the air toward Aedal, who leaped over it, only to find Kavar above him. Their blades locked, even as the lightsaber returned to Kavar. Aedal twisted in midair, but Kavar's blade caught him across the helmet.
Aedal let out a cry of pain and hit the dirt. Even as Kavar descended, however, the Mandalorian Sith spun away and drew off his cloak. As Kavar came at him, Aedal hurled the cloak. Kavar sliced through it, but for a moment, he had no vision. Aedal was on him, striking with powerful two-handed blows.
At last, their blades were locked again. Kavar gritted his teeth. "You were sent to the Agricultural Corps because of your disregard for the Jedi Way. You held the teachings of the Order in contempt. You had the same lack of discipline that corrupted Exar Kun and Ulric Qul'droma and so many others."
"Oh yes, I ought to be like Nomi Sunrider and the great heroes who defeated Exar Kun," said Aedal, withdrawing. The two circled one another like coiled serpents. "Tell me, where are they today?"
Kavar did not answer.
"Oh, right, of course. The great heroes whom you Jedi hold up as the pinnacle of everything a Jedi should be are gone," said Aedal. "Nomi Sunrider resigned her position as Grandmaster of the Order. And isn't it funny that it was just after we moved to Coruscant?
"Sylvar is nowhere to be found.
"Master Thon has likewise vanished from all record and public life. And uh... I can't really the other ones' names. Were there any others left alive?
"Well, that doesn't matter. What matters is that no one talks about them.
"Why?
"Did they not save most of what we now have from Ossus? Did they not defeat Exar Kun? Did they not redeem Ulic Qul'droma?
"Why are they forgotten."
"They are not forgotten," said Kavar. "They are heroes in the annals of the Order."
"How many students know about them, Kavar?" asked Aedal. "How many people remember Nomi Sunrider or her merry band?"
""A great many," said Kavar. "Their exploits are still taught today."
"Fair enough," laughed Aedal. "Now, how many people know about Exar Kun and Ulic Qel'droma?"
Once again, Kavar said nothing. He seemed to be looking for weaknesses.
"Everyone," said Aedal. "Literally everyone knows about Exar Kun. He is the great name of his age. He is the Sith Lord that all men speak of. He is an example of what not to do. And Ulic Qul'droma is the Jedi everyone remembers from his era.
"And the Jedi have ensured his legacy.
"To read the Jedi histories is to think Exar Kun the absolute center of the universe. As if he were a god."
"That's not true," said Kavar. "We honor the heroes of the order; Exar Kun is merely the one they opposed."
"Oh?" asked Aedal. "Then why was Ulic Qel'droma special? What made him so remarkable that people talk about him? Was he a great Jedi? Certainly, he was accomplished. But before he joined the Krath, he was merely above average in terms of achievements.
"He was part of a group that defeated a number of Sith Sorcerers and liberated Onderon. But Jedi save planets as a matter of course.
"Impressive, but not enough to warrant such a place in history.
"No, what made Ulic special was his fall. The fact that he left the order made everyone wonder what he might have been. He and Exar Kun made the perfect scapegoats. Ulic was the penitent Jedi. The one who realized he was wrong and returned to obeying the Masters without question. And Exar Kun was the perfect lost soul. He abandoned the order, refused his chance at redemption, and was destroyed.
"Don't you see?
"The Jedi Order is obsessed with the Dark Side and its danger because they need the Dark Side. If the Jedi didn't have the Sith, people would start asking inconvenient questions.
"'What right do you have to annex foreign nations because of their religious beliefs.'
"'Why do you protect the Republic, even as its diplomatic screwups lead to endless disaster.'
"'Why are the rights of corporations given more consideration than those of sentients?'
"'What right do you have to eradicate entire sentient species?'
"Can you answer any of those questions, Kavar, without resorting to 'the Dark Side' as an excuse? You know what I'm talking about. Or do you think the Korriban and Uba systems became ghost worlds by magic?"
For a moment, Meetra thought Kavar would be silent. But he simply laughed, and the laughter seemed to take Aedal off guard. "Aedal, you're not arguing in good faith.
"You who brutalize and destroy profess horror at the atrocities of the Republic. Your own position is indefensible, so you are trying to bring us down to your level by attacking us.
"The horrors you refer to were horrific failures that must never be repeated. And those knowingly responsible for them should be held accountable. Some of them have been.
"But the Mandalorians have performed such horrors deliberately. Not to mention with the full consent of their government. To you, such things are glorious."
"That might be a good argument if they had happened in spite of the Jedi's actions," said Aedal. He was, for the first time sounding annoyed. "But they did not.
"The Ubese were a race that were in the midsts of a perpetual nuclear standoff with one another. Failed diplomacy on the Republics' part had caused them to become hostile. They looked like they were about to join up with the Sith Lords. It would have been the perfect way to get out of their standoff.
"Unite against a common enemy to ensure internal peace.
"Such a thing would have caused them to become a grave threat to the Republic. Especially if race so inclined to the Dark Side came into the service of a Sith Lord.
"How convenient that the local officials launched an orbital bombardment without orders. One that just happened to trigger a nuclear war. However, even more convenient that no attempt was made to help them or rescue them from the wreckage. The entire species was nearly eradicated. Only a journalist exposing the fiasco saved them—a journalist whose life was ruined by various influential people.
"And she received no help from the Republic or the Jedi.
"Officially, all of it was the result of some rogue officials. I have my doubts.
"After all, the Jedi have visions of the future all the time. Krynda and her ilk are scanning it constantly. Do you believe that no Jedi in all the universe picked up that the Ubese civilization was going to be destroyed?
"And if you don't, what implications does that raise?"
"Quiet!" shouted Kavar.
The Master surged forward in a withering assault, striking with an aggressive flurry. But Aedal parried each one while ceding ground. "The Jedi came very well out of it, didn't they?
"There was mass outrage for a bit, but only against the wicked Republic officials who were given a slap on the wrist. The Jedi tragically mourned the loss of the Ubese Civilians. All while reaping all the benefits with no guilt." Halting his retreat, Aedal brought one hand from his lightsaber. With it, he unleashed a storm of lightning.
Kavar, however, caught it and tossed it aside.
"Still, your powers are strong, Kavar. You're not easily rattled," said Aedal. "You've become the Guardian you always wanted to be."
And then Aedal surged forward with a strike. Kavar caught it, but one of his lightsabers fell from his hand. Before he could retrieve it, Aedal was attacking him with a relentless onslaught. "But I've become more than what I wanted to be!"
Now it was blade on blade. But Kavar was unused to fighting with a single blade, and now he was on the defensive. He'd switched to Soresu from whatever technique he'd been using, and he was unfamiliar with it.
"You see, Kavar, I can respect the decision to destroy the Ubese," said Aedal. "From the Jedis perspective, they were a disaster waiting to happen.
"What I can't respect is protecting weak parasites for the sake of principles you don't hold."
And then Meetra sensed something.
Springing out of the woods, she drew her lightsaber in time. Raising it, she blocked a strike from Actava's double-bladed sword. Meetra parried her strike and found herself being hit by a withering assault. Slashing, parrying, and striking, Meetra spun away and unleashed a wave of Force. Even as it hit her, however, Actava set herself against the wave.
"What?" said Actava. "You think that Jedi Trick will work on me?"
Then she surged forward and attacked again. Meetra found herself being hit by an onslaught of strikes. They were stronger and faster than any normal person ought to be able to unleash. And then Meetra saw that Actava was using Ataru.
Halting suddenly, Meetra slammed her lightsaber hilt into Actava's face. It was enough to stun her, and Meetra whirled around and stabbed backward. Her lightsaber hit Actava in the stomach, but something turned it. Her lightsaber jarred in her hands, and Actava ducked low before kicking her legs out from under her.
As the lightsaber flew from her hands, Actava motioned, and it was drawn into her hand. Wiping the blood from her lip, Actava licked it. "Meetra, you've been busy."
Meetra looked around and saw that Mandalorians had come from all around. The blaster fire had stopped, and the scent of blood and ashes came on the wind. Kavar, who had retrieved his second lightsaber, drew back from his combat with Aedal.
Aedal's armor was showing a number of new dents on it. "Ah, from the looks of things, our little duel has been interrupted. I can't really fault you on your strategy, only the men Vaklu chose to enact it.
"Canderous, Jagi, how did things go?"
"It was boring," said Jagi.
"That bad, huh?" asked Aedal.
"The Onderonians put up some pretty good defensive lines. But they were fighting a nonstop assault of local wildlife," said Canderous. "And they hadn't done much to secure their flanks. A lot of the beasts broke holes in their lines by flanking them.
"All we had to do was isolate and destroy one small pocket after another. Once they realized we were attacking them at the same time, they panicked. A lot of them broke and fled; the rest were easy pickings. We didn't even lose anyone. And we must have killed a thousand at least. The animals got the rest."
Actava laughed. "Give them some credit, Canderous. They fought bravely.
"Not well. But bravely."
"And the ships?" asked Aedal.
"Some of them escaped back to Onderon," said Canderous. "I think Vaklu was with them. The cannoks got to some of them and were eating them alive when last we looked.
"We seized a few of them, but they aren't much good for fighting. A bunch of our men is taking care of them. We'll see if we can slice control of them."
"Seems like a pretty good weregild to me," said Actava.
How had Actava learned to use the Force? Had Aedal been training her? It made sense; after all, he was a Sith Lord. Having an apprentice was good.
"I want my Basilisk War Droid back," muttered Jagi.
"Suit yourself," said Actava, tan lips pouting. "I don't have one."
"So, we've won the battle," said Aedal, sheathing his lightsaber. "But from the looks of things, we're in no position to launch an assault ourselves. Only two Basilisks left; I guess the explosives failed on them. Good work for a rush job, though, Kavar.
"Now, what to do. He paused, keeping his eye on Kavar.
"Canderous, Jagi?"
"Yes," said Canderous.
"What's the status on our fuel reserves?" asked Aedal.
"We've got plenty of the stuff from Paragus. Just nothing to fly them with," said Canderous. "Still, with these kinds of attacks, we should be able to hold out until Mandalore arrives with the main fleet."
"You sure about that?" asked Jagi. "Onderon has a lot of people. They could probably swamp us if they hired some beast riders and sent them here as guides. They hardly had any with them for this thing."
Maybe so, but I don't believe Onderon will attack us again," said Aedal.
So, they were just going to have a council of war in front of them?
"What do you mean?" asked Canderous.
"Onderon is a defensive civilization," said Aedal. "Their entire history has been one of holding positions—that and withdrawing in an orderly fashion when defense becomes untenable. Retaking territory is unheard of until the battle is already over.
"Master Kavar was smart to try and strike at us now.
"But as anyone can see, Onderon's soldiers simply are not trained for this kind of warfare. The Beastriders could, perhaps, be of use. But they are far fewer in number, and old hatreds still remain.
"It took a great deal of will on their part to try an offensive. Now that will have been broken.
"They won't try another one. Not with horror stories of Mandalorians commanding the beasts of Dxun around them."
"So I guess we're playing the waiting game," said Actava. "Shame, I was looking forward to trying the cuisine in Iziz."
"On the contrary. We're going to go on the offensive," said Aedal. "Canderous, Jagi, take the two remaining Basilisk War Droids and descend to Iziz."
"You want us to attack them?" asked Jagi.
"No, no, don't attack them," said Aedal. "Come to just outside the range of their guns and then withdraw back here. It'll be a short trip; we'll wait a few hours, and then you'll go again and repeat."
"I don't understand," said Canderous.
"Think about it, Canderous," said Aedal. "Onderon has just lost an entire strike force and ships even with a Jedi on their side. Their Jedi helpers have disappeared and are presumed dead. And they have no idea what kind of forces we have.
"We know that we lack the firepower for a full-blown invasion.
"But they don't.
"So, as soon as they see a Basilisk War Droid in the air above them, the entire city of Iziz is going to mobilize for war. Civilians will flee to their evacuation centers. Troops will man towers, and old mentors will speak of how the doom of their time is at hand.
"Then, nothing.
"Everyone standing in terror, on edge, waiting, waiting, waiting.
"And nothing happens. Eventually, it gets called a false alarm, and everyone goes back to their business. But they remember it happened and are stressed.
"Then it happens again the next day.
"We go silent for two days, and then they see it happen again, and this time they know, it's really happening. Then nothing again, and so on and so forth. Rinse and repeat.
"Are you taking notes on this, Meetra? It might come in handy when the Order joins the war."
Was she supposed to be taking notes?
Was this some really weird way of trying to corrupt her and Master Kavar?
"...All they'd have to do is sent one or two scouting forces up here and get a message through," said Jagi, looking at Kavar.
"But they won't," realized Canderous. "Because they're cowards. It took all their courage to make this attempt, and they expected it to be easy. Now they think we have a whole legion up here, and as long as we keep the pressure up, they'll keep thinking it."
"You're learning, Canderous," said Aedal.
"Alright, but how does this help us?" asked Jagi.
"Think about it, Jagi," said Aedal. "Every time you mobilize for an attack, it's a high-stress situation. You've got to resign yourself to the possibility you'll die. You've got to check your equipment and prepare for the end of the world. Civilians will have to abandon their daily routines and go into a cramped bunker. Everything gets locked down.
"Now imagine that you have to do that every single day. There is no end in sight, knowing it's probably a complete waste of your time. But you have to do it, just in case.
"If we play our cards right, by the time Mandalore arrives, the entire city of Iziz will be exhausted. Not to mention skeptical that an invasion is coming and jumping at shadows. They're already in poor spirits from a string of defeats. Now all they'll be able to do is wait for the end to come.
"What reason do they have to be confident?"
"None whatsoever," said Actava. She draped herself around Aedal's shoulders and offering him Meetra's lightsaber. "What about these two?"
Aedal looked at his burned armor. "Oh, Kavar and Meetra, let me think.
"Ordinarily, I'd order them taken to a cell, but I think we all know that's not going to stop them. Their first priority will naturally be to send a message detailing my evil plans. So, send the all-clear to Mandalore and blow up all long-range transmissions.
"Then release them into the jungle."
"Couldn't we just kill Kavar and recruit Meetra?" asked Actava. "She's pretty good."
"Tempting, but the last thing we need is to destroy two of our most dangerous enemies," said Aedal.
"What do you mean?" asked Canderous.
"We started this crusade so we could fight a glorious war. One that would be remembered for all eternity," said Aedal. "But everyone we have fought so far has been a complete walkover. Meanwhile, the Jedi have decided to take an indirect approach.
"If we don't get a worthy opponent soon, the Clans are either going to fragment, or worse, go soft. Nothing destroys a great warrior faster than endless, easy victories."
"But why to destroy the long-range transmitters?" asked Jagi. "Couldn't we just guard them?"
"Because the first thing he'll do after we release him into the wilds is try to alert Onderon," said Aedal. "Our operation has already gone black. And the benefit from having no possibility of leaks far exceeds the loss of the transmitter. I'd rather he have to work to get a message out.
"Carry out your orders."
"You're taking a very big risk by releasing us with this information, Aedal," said Kavar. "It could cost you the war."
"Please," said Aedal. "Even if you get down there, everyone is going to use you as a scapegoat. Vaklu will want to fob the responsibility for this fiasco off on you and may even take credit. His reputation can't survive another failure.
"Since you're an outsider, people will jump to conclusions. And they'll invariably side with the person they know better.
"And if you succeed in getting the Onderonians to put up a better fight, good. It'll give future generations something to write about.
"I haven't had a decent battle since Melinda Daan.
"Besides, I'm a Sith Lord, and your a Jedi. I can't just have you shot as soon as I have you at my mercy. That would be uncivilized. It was such a terrible thing that happened to Andor Vex."
"You have an interesting definition of the word," said Kavar.
"Whatever you say," said Aedal, tossing Meetra her lightsaber. "Get going."
Kavar and Meetra, without any other option, turned and made their way toward the trees. Night was setting on as they retrieved the packs and the Mandalorians waved goodbye.
"Goodbye, friends, goodnight!" called Aedal. "Have fun fighting the cannoks!"
"Do you think they'll make it back to Onderon?" asked Actava.
"It'll take a miracle," said Aedal.
Meetra turned to Kavar as they walked out. "So what happened to Andor Vex?"
"You don't want to know," said Kavar.
And that was how they began their time on Dxun.