AN: Guys, I am so sorry this took so long to update! Not much time to write this week, and it took a bit longer than I thought when I actually sat down to do it. BUT! It's done, and I made it longer just for you! Next chapter coming to you Monday, I hope. I know exactly what's going on, so it should go quickly. Enjoy, lovelies!
Chapter 27: Call to Action
The Shadow King stood on top of Lothal's Old Republic Senate Building beside his rancor as he gazed into the sky at the massive Star Destroyer that hung low in the air, its shadow casting the entire city in an eerie, unnatural shadow, dark even under the grip of night. The building itself had been abandoned with the fall of the Republic, but still stood here on Lothal as an important and valuable city landmark, one the Imperials had discussed destroying several times, only to have their plans halted by the stubborn populace. While a military target may have been a more devastating target to the Empire, it was also a more difficult target, one that he couldn't quietly infiltrate with security and suspicion as high as it was, and so, he had chosen this building, one that had little use for the Empire, but resonated with the people of Lothal.
The result was a rallying of the populace of Capital City, thousands of the repressed civilians turning out in the street to witness the extremely public takeover of their beloved monument, the Imperial banner that hung from the building's sloping sides set to flames while a new banner hung from the building's massive spire. A grim inverse of the Empire's own black crest upon their red banner, a symbol born out of the marriage between the ancient Sith insignia and the crest of the Republic, Kenobi's own banner bore the four pointed star burst used by the Sith Empire so long ago, blood red upon pitch black and encircled by the dragon of the Mandalorian Crusaders, the ancient Sith allies and the Sith Order finally joined on a single banner.
The result was pandemonium, which persisted in the streets below him as the local populace looked upon the rancor and its rider perched regally on the top of the senate building.. They all knew what this was. The feared Shadow King had finally come for Lothal, and the recent influx of Imperial Mandalorian soldiers only added to the confusion and the panic, a terrified and uncertain populace turning against the Imperial garrison as they attempted and failed to maintain order. As far as strategies went, it was a good one. Obi-Wan didn't have the numbers to launch a successful attack against the Empire, and so he had weaponized the populace, leaving the Imperials to combat anarchy in the streets before they could even get near the real threat.
The first aerial attack the Imperials launched saw the troops within the troop carrier slaughtered when the Shadow King's red and black glowing blades deflected the rapid suppression fire back at the transport, striking the engines and sending the ship falling in a ball of flames down into the streets below, killing not only two dozen civilians, but equal numbers of Imperial soldiers and officers. The second attack was met with similar results when the mighty rancor had jumped into the transport, its massive claws turning armored troopers into fleshy, bleeding heaps, the steel hull warping and twisting under the beast's assault. The rancor had jumped from the cashing ship to land on the sloped building, it's claws digging in as it climbed the distance to return to its Master.
The third assault saw the transport inexplicably torn from the sky, metal screeching and groaning as it was torn and twisted, the troops inside screaming as they were crushed to death. In light of their failed attempts, no further air strikes were launched, but by that time, falling wreckage and flaming debris had killed so many in the streets that the entire city was in a panic, the population on the brink of riot as the Imperials attempted to maintain order, the situation growing only worse with the arrival of the Mandalorians and the Star Destroyer that loomed in the sky.
As bad as a riot was, the most difficult thing for the Imperials about the situation was their response. In the light of the Trayvis broadcasts condemning the rebel group as dangerous, violent insurgents, the Empire was left with a situation where exercising force against the natives of Lothal would likely result in a massacre, painting Senator Trayvis as a liar, which would spur more people to the rebel cause. A more careful imposition of order, however, while showing the Imperials in a good light, also stood to allow the Shadow King to exercise the full influence of the fear and anarchy he was inspiring, the terrified rioting of the civilians persisting far longer than acceptable, ceding control from the Empire and making such uprisings a more likely event in the future.
The question now was which commander's tactics they would be following, Tarkin or Thrawn. The Tarkin strategy would see the civilians massacred, a swift, effective show of Imperial might that would simultaneously discourage future misbehavior and see to it that the rebels were purged from Lothal. It was brutal and effective, but served to have both short and long term consequences in the Senate, which was miraculously still active after so many years of Imperial rule, though it was largely ineffective, a puppet organization that praised the Emperor for nearly every action he took. However, a massacre of that scale could not be ignored, and Tarkin had been admonished for such brutal tactics in the past, as they ultimately led to further resentment against the Imperials, which in turn led to an Empire whose populace was sympathetic to the rebels, made to look heroic against the cruelties of the Empire.
The Thrawn tactic, however, would attempt to limit casualties, viewed people as Imperial resources that were not to be wasted, and adopted a tactic to save as many lives as possible, giving ground and accepting defeats if it meant living to win the greater conflict. At least, that was what his previous tactics had demonstrated. Obi-Wan didn't know Thrawn nearly so well as Tarkin, but everything the Chiss did was unconventional, bucked against the Imperial ideology of might makes right, and was more than willing to give ground to an opponent if it meant he could seize an advantage later. In this situation, Thrawn would be patient, do everything in his power to enforce the Trayvis broadcasts against the rebels, and while Kenobi may be able to hold this building, growing Imperial sympathies would see the entire planet of stubborn Lothal turned against the rebels for good.
Better yet, the presence of the Mandalorian warriors was sending the people into a frenzy of panic and confusion, the chaos generated by the elite Imperial enforcements only serving to make it more difficult to regain control of the situation. Even better, the confusion was beginning to effect the stormtroopers, the presence of their new Mandalorian taskmasters causing conflict within the ranks when the irreverent Mandalorians swiftly usurped command from the officers in charge when they were proving to be ineffective.
The Senate Building was a carefully chosen target for several reasons, the first of which being that it was an important symbol to the people of Lothal, a building that they had fought to defend, even though it had long stood obsolete in the city. True, Tarkin would not hesitate to destroy it if it meant having a shot at killing Obi-Wan, but there would be hell to pay for angering the citizens of Capital City, not the least of those reasons being that nearly ninety percent of the population worked in the vital Imperial production factories. Displeasing the stubborn, backwards people would not just see major drops in production, but increases in rebel activity, which was already a problem. Taking the building was also proving to be something of a symbolic gesture, one that the Imperials would have a very, very difficult time combating. Obi-Wan had, in essence, peacefully moved in, not attacking the Imperials, but laying claim to Lothal's people and the spirit of freedom the building represented.
Mostly, though, he had chosen it because there was a quick and easy escape route through sewer tunnels that ran below the foundation.
So far, at least so far as anyone knew, the only people that had died were due to failed assaults on the Shadow King, both soldiers and innocent bystanders. Obi-Wan was making no moves, issuing no demands, killing no people but those necessary to defend himself, and it had been keenly noted, not just by the Imperials, but by the panicking civilians as order was slowly, surely restored by Bo-Katan's commandos, not always in the most gentle ways, but nobody was seriously harmed. When the fear had subsided, the people began turning on the Imperials when the Star Destroyer flew low into orbit, hanging menacingly over the city, fear of provoking the so far peaceful man taking over as they demanded they leave the Shadow King alone.
Obi-Wan looked up at the Star Destroyer again. The Chimera. Again. He growled, his helmet's modulator making the sound reverberate dangerously, the rancor following his Master's lead with his own deep, savage growl. With the intel from Minister Tua and Bo-Katan, and coupled with the way the Imperials were managing the situation, it seemed very likely that Thrawn was here and managing the situation. It was very likely this was his ship. This was the Chimera, not just one of the imposter ships. Or it wasn't. This could be another trap, another Star Destroyer with a transponder code set to make it appear to be the Chimera. How many Star Destroyers were a part of Thrawn's scheme? How many Chimeras were there in the galaxy? Was it just the one, or were there dozens? Hundreds?
Obi-Wan didn't know, and that was, of course, the point. Each Chimera was a trap, and none more so than Thrawn's actual ship. All plans to attack the Chiss had to be put on hold, even with the Chimera in the sky above him, even with the knowledge that Thrawn was in league with Tarkin and on the way to aid him because the ship might not be his. He couldn't simply board the ship like before and attack it, because Thrawn learned from each encounter, and this ship would be better equipt to deal with the Sith than the previous one. This required planning, research, careful timing, a solid strategy. Carelessness would result in capture and death, of that he was certain.
At least the possibility of the Star Destroyer targeting him with its turbolasers was minimal. The Senate building was a valuable piece of art, after all, and the casualties to the Imperial forces that surrounded it would be quite high. And with Bo-Katan on the ground...well, he was fairly certain Tarkin wouldn't risk her.
"Shadow King!" Obi-Wan looked away from the Chimera and down to the streets from where the echoing voice originated, his visor zooming in to look at the Imperial officer standing before the troops, a twelve tiled rank plaque upon his chest. The Sith Lord sneered. An Admiral, but not an effective one. Dealing with Thrawn had spoiled him. "This is Admiral Konstantine of the Imperial Navy. In the name of the Emperor-"
"You have not the right to speak to me, peasant," Obi-Wan snarled, his voice biting and cutting through the air and silencing the man below. "Send your betters to me, I will have no dealings with peons."
The air filled with the low buzz of hushed voices speaking, the Imperials conferring amongst themselves, and when the Admiral began speaking again, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and ignored him, instead activating his helmet's comlink. He had some calls to make. The soft dial and the burst of static indicated that the call had gone through, and far below him within the Senate building, the recipiant had answered.
"Greeting: Master! I was worried!" HK-47 gleefully chirped. "Quarry: is it time? Are we going to execute these meatbags? Oh, please say that we are, Master!"
"All in good time, HK," Obi-Wan said softly, his eyes running over the scene before him and watching the soldiers below hold back and contain the restless residents of Capital City. "But perhaps not today, if things go according to plan." The low, electronic whine over the com conveyed exactly what the assassin droid thought of that. "I sense you will have your opportunity for slaughter before the day is out, droid. Things never go as planned."
"Appreciative: oh, I hope so, Master. It's been so long since I have killed something for you."
"...fifteen hours, HK, it's been fifteen hours."
"Dismayed: oh, it may as well be an eternity!" the droid wailed, and the Sith Lord chuckled softly, his hand on the rancor's neck when the beast laid on his belly beside him, a low, pleased growl in his chest as the Sith reached under its helmet and scratched the tough skin around the powerful jaw. "Quarry: can't I go out and kill some stormtroopers? Just one platoon, Master? There are so many!"
"Stay yourself, HK..." Obi-Wan softly warned. "You will have your chance for violence soon enough. Speaking of which, how are our guests?" The faint whirring coming over the com approximated laughter, and soft, panicked pleas for help and mercy followed.
"Regretful: still alive, Master. They are still leaking. Presumably about the security detail we executed." There was a brief pause filled with a contemplative mechanical whir. "Analysis: these meatbags are broken, Master. I recommend immediate execution as a remedy."
"Perhaps it is time," Obi-Wan said softly. "Bring them to me, HK. The Imperials are insulting me by not sending out Tarkin or Thrawn. I deserve better than Admiral Konstantine." A swift affirmative and the com cut, and Obi-Wan looked down to the Imperials below, where the Admiral was still talking. A swift flash of anger ran through him, the Dark Side coursing and pulsing with violent life that ran from the Sith Lord directly into the rancor, the beast snarling savagely and rearing up, it's long claws digging into the building's domed roof as it barked a loud, deafening roar, and Konstantine was immediately silenced in the rise of panicked shouts and screams from the on looking public. If everything was going as planned, the Spectres would be closing in on the transmission tower. It was about time to attract more attention.
His eyes on the Star Destroyer, he called the second person he needed to talk to, the com chiming a few times before it was answered. "So a Star Destroyer just left its post and headed into low atmosphere. What exactly are you doing down there, brother?" Cody asked, his voice light and amused, and Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin wickedly.
"What I do best, my friend," he drawled in response. "What's it look like up there?"
"Not good," Cody said, the hard, serious tone back in his voice. Three Star Destroyers accompanied by a dozen heavy cruisers, and two of those Star Destroyers are Chimera and Executrix."
"Tarkin and Thrawn..." Obi-Wan mused, his eyes drifting over the soldiers below as they repositioned, the Mandalorians forming the front line as the stormtroopers fell back into defensive cover position, a common formation for slowly taking ground. They were planning on entering the building. "So you have a call sign on that third ship, Cody?"
"We do, sir," K-2SO answered tersely. "Sovereign, currently registered as the flagship of Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin."
"Ooh, he's got two Star Destroyers now?" Obi-Wan cooed, looking behind him s HK-47 exited the access hatch and pulled up his two prisoners, the men tied together and gagged, their eyes wide with fear as panicked breaths through already restricted airways made them sway with lightheadedness. "Someone's moving up in the world. What about the Chimera, do we have confirmation on the authenticity of the vessel?"
"That has yet to be determined, sir," K2 said, a hint of irritation in his voice. "And the information you gave me is making it very difficult to calculate the probability of it actually being Admiral Thrawn's vessel."
"It may be irrelevant," Obi-Wan said softly, unable to suppress the faint, sinister grin on his face as he watched the soldiers below retreat slightly upon seeing the two hostages on the roof, the men led to stand before the Sith Lord, and with a deep, pleased growl, Yoda reached out and grabbed one man in each clawed hand, the two screaming and sobbing in newfound terror. "Here or not, Thrawn's tactics are at play. He doesn't even need to be here to make it look like he is, but we know Tarkin is here. We should be focusing on him, no man should have two Star Destroyers anyway."
"Is that the plan?" Cody asked. "Are we going to take down one of the Star Destroyers?"
"Perhaps, I've yet to decide," Kenobi muttered as he leaned in toward the droid at his side. "HK, they are moving to invade the building. If any stormtroopers come any closer than they are now, kill them, but do not shoot the Mandalorians. If it looks like they are safe, it will aid in the suspicion already cast upon them."
"Quarry: not even one Mandalorian?"
"Not even one." With a soft, mechanical groan, HK trudged off, leaving Obi-Wan to stand before his hostages, the sobbing ceasing as they looked into the could, uncompromising visor of the Shadow King. "What is the status of the Spectres, Cody?" Obi-Wan asked quietly, gesturing for the rancor to lower the men, bringing them eye level with the Sith, his hand reaching out to grab one man's chin, and at his touch, he broke into silent, helpless tears.
"All's well. We've got eyes on them and are ready to support if necessary. Here is on standby with the Phantom for extraction while K2 and I cover their escape."
"Very good," he drawled. "It should go smoothly. Expect some trouble, but be prepared for the worst. The force here is very large and they can afford to spread out, but I think I'm about to make myself the focus of their attention. They should have a clear shot."
"Call when you need to be extracted, brother," Cody said quickly, and with that, the call ended, and Obi-Wan turned his full attention to the man before him, his hand tightening upon his chin and forcing him to look into the visor at the glowing gold points of his eyes.
"Senator Gall Trayvis..." the Sith said slowly, the older man shivering and shaking under his grasp. "False dissident and rebel sympathizer, holonet hacker and communications expert, responsible for the execution of dozens of rebel insurgent groups." He laughed deeply, a cold, hollow thing through the helmet's modulator. "You have been busy, haven't you..."
"P-please..." Trayvis whimpered, and the Sith Lord groaned softly and patted the older man's sunken cheek.
"I love it when they beg...it won't help you, though." He turned his head to look at the other captive, a much younger man with disheveled brown hair, his cheeks stained with cuts and bruises. "And you. Alton Kastle. Journalist and hononet broadcaster, Imperial propaganda artist, distorter of the truth and liar..." He laughed softly when the young man began struggling, the fight not yet beaten out of him. "You are quite popular with the people. They call you soothing, which makes you very dangerous..."
"You won't get away with this!" he said as strong as he was able, but the shaking in his voice betrayed his fear.
"I already have," Obi-Wan snarled. "And next time you decide to speak, remember who controls the beast that holds you." Alton hissed in pain when the rancor tightened his grip, the young reporter squirming and gasping for air as his chest was constricted. Obi-Wan turned his sights back on Trayvis just as three rapid shots fired from the building, a loud roar of outraged cries coming from the soldiers down below, followed by the sharp barked orders from the officers and the Mandalorian commanders to draw back.
"Shadow King!" Konstantine shouted again. "This is your last warning! You have hostages, release them and-"
"Speak to me again, you insignificant wretch, and I will execute them," Kenobi snapped. "Try explaining to your superiors how you lost a Senator and the holonet's darling on your watch." Quick orders for the soldiers to stand down were shouted, and very quickly, word spread among the civilians of who exactly it was up on the roof, and new panic arose, the soldiers once again forced to turn their attention on quelling the nearly rioting onlookers. Satisfied with the new tensions, the Force straining with anticipation of what was to come, he quickly turned back to Trayvis. "If you value your life," Kenobi said quietly to the Senator, "you will tell me exactly what I need to know, understand?"
"Y-yes, yes, please!" Trayvis squealed, his voice cracking in his desperation as the Sith leaned closer.
"Tell me about the Bridgers," Obi-Wan said, calm and smooth and sweet, and the Senator shivered, whimpering at the sudden pressure on his head, like a vice tightening around his skull, the feeling made even more unsettling by the cool feel of water slowly trickling, not over his forehead, but within his brain. Nothing else mattered. He had to tell the Shadow King exactly what he wanted.
"R-rebels..." he choked out. "H-how did you-"
"Never you mind how I get my information, just know that I have it," Kenobi growled. "You tell me what you know. I need it for..." He chuckled softly. "Who its for is unimportant. Tell me."
"T-the Bridger transmissions!" the Senator squeaked. "The last rebels to speak out against the Empire on Lothal. I-I aided in their arrest!"
"Did you..." Obi-Wan said quietly. "Arrest, but not execution. Where are they now?"
"I don't know, transferred to some Imperial prison somewhere, they-" Trayvis gasped, gagging on his words as his chest seized with pain, the rancor's grip tightening around him as the Shadow King took a step back. The Senator was suddenly dropped when the heavy rush of blaster fire pulsed through the air, Yoda dropping to his belly and snarling viciously when bolts of plasma splashing harmlessly against the thick transparisteel visor of the helmet he wore. With a sharp, thrumming hiss, Kenobi ignited the lightsaber he drew from the back of his belt, the black blade crackling with an eerie glow even in the dark of night, the sharp whistle of it cutting through the air and striking plasma ringing with earsplitting intensity.
A quick flash of anger summoned the Dark Side, and this time, Obi-Wan took hold of the reins given to him by his dark companion, and pulling the line taut, the Force howled in fury for the gall of these wretches, the tendrils of darkness branching out and sinking into the rancor, the beast purring in satisfaction for the familiar feeling of his Sith Master settling inside his mind. The beast's black eyes widened, swirling gold and red branching out from its slitted pupils as Sith and rancor became one, and with a deafening roar, Yoda reached down and snatched Alton off the ground, the plasma bolts bouncing off thick, tough skin. Grasping the screaming man between both its powerful claws, the rancor savagely pulled the man apart, blood and viscera showering down to the streets below and with a low, satisfied growl, Yoda threw the torn pieces of the holonet reporter into the throng of soldiers and civilians in the streets.
"What did I say, Admiral?!" he shouted, his voice deep and savage, frightening and commanding and carrying with it the fury of the Dark Side, and the panicking civilians and frantic soldiers fell deathly silent, too terrified to move for fear of provoking the man and the beast.
"Shadow King!" Man and beast moved as one as they quickly snapped their gaze down to the streets below, the rancor reaching out to snatch the Senator into his grasp when the panicked man began to flee. Twin pairs of golden eyes focused on the Mandalorian standing alone in the street, boldly past the invisible line that had been drawn, her helmet fearlessly removed as she looked up at the Sith in challenge.
"Bo-Katan..." the Sith drawled, the black blade swinging carelessly in his hand, and with a gesture, the Senator floated out of the rancor's grasp to float in the air above Kenobi. "How good to see you. Have you finally come to bow before your king?"
"Funny," the woman scoffed, pointing an accusing finger at the man. "That weapon belongs to me!"
"Does it?" Kenobi asked in mock surprise. "Last I checked, the blade was in my possession, and you have never touched it." He sighed heavily and shook his head. "And here I even brought you a gift. Senator Trayvis, I believe, is on your list for further investigation, is he not?" The woman drew up, a look of surprise, confusion, then rage upon her face, and the Sith laughed softly. "Oh, he is. So many on that list have ended up executed as an example to others. I am merely aiding you in your task. You should be thanking me."
"How did you know about my investigation?!" Bo-Katan snapped, and Kenobi merely shrugged.
"Just as anyone manages to secure information, I have spies among the Imperial ranks. Among my people." A low, deep growl rose from his chest, a sound echoed in the rancor by his side. "By what right do you lay claim to my things?!" he snapped, becoming increasingly angry. "My lightsaber. My people! My Mandalore!" He held the blade out before him. "You want it? Come get it, slut. Don't worry, I won't kill you. I promised Tarkin that before I was done with you, the only thing left in your mind would be a burning desire to pleasure me in any way I desire..."
"Oh, I have had enough of you!" Bo-Katan snarled, slamming her helmet on her head and drawing her twin blasters. "That man," she growled, turning to address her troops, "has been making a mockery of Mandalorians for long enough! The Senator he holds may as well be dead, do not allow this insurgent to hold power over us a second longer!" A pit dropped in Admiral Konstantine's stomach when he realized what was about to happen, and he rushed forward toward her, but dared not cross the line in the sand, the divide between safety and a swift, fatal shot from within the building.
"Moff Kryze, you cannot do this!" he frantically pleaded. "Admiral Thrawn's orders-"
"If the Admiral doesn't like it, he can come take control of the situation himself! I will not be strong-armed by this traitor!" She whistled, a sharp, cutting sound, and the Mandalorians quickly fell in behind her. "Retake the building, cut off his every means of escape! No matter what, do not allow him to elude us, but do not engage him. This fight is between me and him!"
"Single combat, Bo-Katan? As you wish..." Obi-Wan said flatly, his clenched hand relaxing, his grip on the Force loosening, and as Trayvis fell from the air, a swift, vicious cut from the whistling hum of the darksaber sliced through the Senator, the bisected body landing with a wet, heavy thud upon the sloped roof, the pieces tumbling unevenly down and streaking the sides of the white building with a red, gory trail. Before the body even hit the ground, Bo-Katan was in the air, her jetpack blazing as she rocketed toward the Sith Lord, her Mandalorian forces led by Boba Fett rushing into the building as their Mand'alor commanded, several companies of stormtroopers following their lead and running behind them, their heads ducked to avoid the swift and sudden shooting coming from a high window in the building, each shot burning a fatal strike into pristine white armor.
Bo-Katan flew low along the curved slope of the roof to minimize the likelihood of being hit by stray blaster fire, her blasters clutched tightly in her grasp, and as soon as she rounded the top, the Shadow King in clear view, she pressed off the roof and flipped back in the air, her blasters trained on the man and opening fire, the pistols alternatively shooting with rapid precision. The black blade swung with perfect timing, the small, precise movements knocking bolt after bolt away from him before he reached out and grabbed hold of the woman with the Force, and pulling hard against her, Bo-Katan was pulled out of the air and sent crashing to the roof, her blasters knocked out of her hand and skidding off the slanted roof.
She dodged out of the way just in time to avoid the heavy, armored fist that slammed on the ground just where she had been a moment earlier, her hands planted on the solid ground and her leg sweeping out behind her catching Kenobi's legs and taking them out from under him, only to have the Sith Lord recover mid-air with a graceful flip and land in a ready crouch before her, the darksaber shutting off as he returned it to his place on his belt. The moved at the same time, each pressing off the ground and racing toward the other, Bo-Katan's speed aided by her jetpack and Kenobi's augmented with the power of the Force.
They met with the sound of dense, heavy metal colliding, balled fists striking armored shoulders as they attempted to twist out of the way, a swift flurry of powerful punches and kicks, quick evasive dodging, and rapid, last second blocking turning the conflict into a furious storm of martial combat. The small, lithe woman was proving to be far more agile, skidding on the ground and flipping to avoid the stronger strikes of the larger man, her advantages matching his in a perfect harmony, the two warriors balanced in speed and strength, preventing the other from taking the advantage at any given time. Occasionally, glancing blows would land, diverting their course only to have them move effortlessly into the new movements, not a second wasted in the swift, tactical match between the Mandalorians.
It only took a minute for them to fall into an effortless rhythm, years and years of training together allowing their bodies to move in perfect counter to the other, each strike, each block, each step instinctual, like they had done this a thousand thousand times, because they had. It was vicious, yes, a brutal confrontation where each strike was meant to cause serious harm, but it had always been this way with each other, each sparring match a fight for survival, each training session a struggle to bring harm to the other, and in doing such, Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan had sharpened the other, pushed themselves to the outer edges of their abilities and crafted something as deadly as it was beautiful. As they fought, Obi-Wan could sense excitement and elation within the Mand'alor, the exact same feeling that pounded in his chest.
"It has been so long since we have fought each other," Obi-Wan said lightly, his hand extended to push back on the woman's shoulder with the Force, the slight shift in her balance causing her punch to miss, and balance lost, she went with it and rolled forward, jumping up and spinning in the air, a swift, whipping kick cutting through the air to catch Kenobi in the head, and the Sith Lord grunted in pain and irritation as he pushed the woman far away from him.
"Much too long if you would fall for that one," she said lightly, her arm extended as she fired two swift, stunning pulses at the Sith from the guard on her wrist, a wave of his hand calling the Force to his command to dissipate the energy rushing toward him. "We shall have to correct that. Meet me on Carlac after our work here is done?"
"Mm, perhaps. We shall have to see how this goes." They both rushed forward, their right arms raised behind their shoulders as they wound up to strike each other, each catching the other's attacking wrist in their left, the two struggling for control when they found themselves locked together, too dangerous to let the other go. "So," Obi-Wan chirped, "what's the plan?"
"I don't know, sweetie," Bo-Katan said in a voice tight with tension. "There was a plan, but all that went out the window when you took over." She quickly pulled both arms down, jerking the Sith Lord forward and right into the knee she drove into his stomach, Kenobi grunting from the impact and catching her jetpack in his hand as she spun away only just too slow. With a vicious snarl, he pulled back, sending the women toppling backwards with a startled cry, the Sith swinging his leg around and slamming his heel down on her stomach, a sharp, pained gasp torn from the woman as she was pinned, leaving her gasping to catch the breath that was knocked out of her.
"Is Thrawn here?" Kenobi asked smoothly, leaning over her and putting more weight down upon the leg on the woman's stomach as her hands clawed at his armored boots in an attempt to free herself.
"Well his ship's here, isn't it?" Bo-Katan snarled between clenched teeth, coughing when Kenobi angled his heel just right to make her heart start fluttering in panic of being crushed.
"I didn't ask about his ship, love, I asked about him."
"I haven't seen him," Bo-Katan growled as she slammed her fist into the unarmored joint behind Kenobi's knee, causing the man's leg to buckle, and with the sudden release of pressure, the Mandalorian kicked both her feet upwards, catching the Sith Lord just beneath his helmet and sending him dazed to the ground, the woman springing off her hands to land with her knee upon his chest, her small fists repeatedly slamming into the exposed, vulnerable joints in the armor, the Sith snarling and growling in pain and anger with each strike. "Is this what you wanted?" the Mandalorian hisses, punctuating each word with another strike to his body and indicating with her head to the absolute chaos below, the rancor on the roof with them bounding back and forth as he snarled and hissed in distress.
"Exactly what I wanted," Kenobi snarled, his arm hooking under Bo-Katan's leg and throwing her over, the Sith rolling with her and landing with his legs pinning hers, his weight pressed down on her hips as he mounted her, an arm laying across her wrists to hold her arms still. "Chaos...look above you, Bo-Katan."
"You aren't giving me a choice!" the Mandalorian spat as she tried to buck the man off, but to no avail.
"That Star Destroyer has its turbolasers primed. I've no doubt that they'd finally be shooting at me if you weren't here."
"Yeah, that's what happens when you brutally murder two very public figures!" Bo-Katan snarled in fury when Kenobi tore her helmet from her head and tossed it to the side, a coy smile on her lips when Obi-Wan ran his fingers down her cheek. "You're lucky that killing you isn't worth losing me. I am very highly valued by Wilhuff..."
"Mm, Wilhuff..." Obi-Wan mocked. "Sounds like love..."
"Don't be ridiculous!" the Mandalorian snapped, her struggling renewed as she thrashed under the Sith's grasp, a deep chuckle sounding through the mask's modulator.
"Perhaps I will make good on some of my promises to Tarkin," he drawled, his hand threading through her bright red hair. "Think of how mad he'll be when I ravage his precious Mandalorian..."
A loud roar of an oncoming ship reverberated through the air, and a distant ship flew from the Star Destroyer down to the building they fought upon, the troop transport turning sideways on its approach and opening fire, the Sith swiftly rising to his knees and drawing the black blade, the weapon slicing through the air and knocking the bolts back at the ship. With a savage, barking snarl, the rancor galloped on all fours toward the ship and with a powerful push of its rear legs, Yoda launched himself at the ship, sharp claws piercing metal as the beast clung to the transport. Immediately, the ship was knocked out of equilibrium, the uneven weight sending the transport spinning as it fell, the rancor savaging the hull and reaching for the troops inside as it crashed.
The momentary distraction was enough to allow Bo-Katan to kick her leg free, causing the Sith to pitch sideways and she quickly rolled atop of him, her hands quickly reaching out to grasp the wrist that held the saber, the Sith's awkward angle and her dominant position allowing the smaller woman to temporarily out-power the man. "If you're going to ravage me, Shadow King, it damn well be for a better reason than making Tarkin angry." She gasped in shock as cold suddenly gripped her, and before she knew what was happening, she was flat on her back, Obi-Wan straddling her hips and the black blade angled down toward her chest, her outstretched arms holding his wrists the only thing keeping the weapon from piercing through her.
"I'm willing to take that as an open invitation..." Stilled for a moment, he took a few long, deep breaths, Bo-Katan not moving a muscle as she looked up at him. Without warning, the lightsaber retracted and he clipped it back on to his belt, his other hand wrapping around the woman's throat, his grasp firm, but not enough to keep her from breathing. "Cody, Yoda is in the city," he said quietly into the com in his helmet. "I'm sending him out to rendevous point six. Extract him and return to monitor the Spectres."
"Copy that, brother," the clone said after a moment of silence. "Whatever it is you're doing, keep it up. The Spectres are dealing with minimal resistance, they're all too busy dealing with you."
"The other Star Destroyers?" Obi-Wan asked as he stood, dragging Bo-Katan up with him and holding her captive against him, one hand wrapped around her wrists and holding them against her lower back, and the other laying across her chest.
"Still standing by, sir."
"Keep an eye on those, Cody, the second they move, we can expect trouble."
"It's always trouble with you, Kenobi..." Cody grumbled. "One day, I'm going to retire on Zeltros and have a harem of beautiful women to serve me, and there will be no trouble." The com cut and Obi-Wan chuckled deeply, holding the struggling Mandalorian closer.
"Make a show for your boyfriend, my Mand'alor," Kenobi whispered. "He's certainly watching me triumph over you."
"You always do in the end," Bo-Katan said softly, her entire being filled with deep respect and admiration. "It's good to see you're still worthy of leading us, the years have done nothing to dull your edges." She scoffed bitterly. "Or perhaps not having you around has failed to keep me sharp." She struggled violently for a moment, gasping in pain when her arm wrenched painfully in his grasp. "...I need you," she whispered, her head hung in defeat, her entire being relaxing against the Sith Lord.
"Bal ni gar, ner Mand'alor...and I you." Obi-Wan growled deeply, his grasp on her tightening when the main hangar doors on the Star Destroyer opened up. "Who do you suppose is going to take the fall for this failure?"
"Not me," she said, wincing even as she chuckled softly. "Admiral Konstantine will certainly be blamed for his inability to act against you. There will be others, though who can say who will be on the end of Tarkin's wrath. He won't be happy about what's happened to me."
"I imagine not..." He drawled, his eyes focused on the squadron of TIE fighters that screeched through the air toward them, the Sith raising his hand to hold Bo-Katan in the air as he drew his red and black sabers, preparing to destroy the starfighters when they shot at him. Bracing himself, Obi-Wan watched as the TIE fighters flew swiftly toward him, then watched in stunned surprised as each starship in the squadron flew overhead and then past, nearly twenty of the speedy ships rocketing toward the distant transmission tower in the distance. He could feel his heart stop in his chest as the cold gripped him, the Force flowing and pulsing around him as he began to realize that he may not have been the focus of the Imperials.
No sign of Tarkin or Thrawn, no ISB Agent Kallus, no Grand Inquisitor. And now, Obi-Wan was pinned down in the city, far, far away from his Spectres. This had felt like a test before, and the feeling returned now in force, a cold panic gripping him when the chances of losing the new family he had just adopted suddenly seemed like an inevitable reality.
A test...but for who?
"Obi-Wan!" Cody's voice said over his helmet's com, tight and tense in concentration. "I've got the rancor, but the Star Destroyers? They're moving. Not toward you, toward the communication tower, they're closing in on the Spectre's location!"
"The other Destroyer just released a squadron of TIEs that headed that way as well," Obi-Wan growled, his grip on his lightsabers tightening as more of the starships were dispatched from Chimera. "Get in there and extract them, Cody! You only have a few minutes before they arrive, hurry!"
"Already on the way, brother," Cody said quickly. "I shouldn't be...wait..." There was a burst of static and the sharp whine of interference, Kenobi gritting his teeth as the ringing in his ears subsided, giving way to the sounds of explosions and blaring alarms. "W-what?!" Cody shouted in the background, swift and violent cursing following as he scrambled in the cockpit. "Obi-Wan, we've been hit!" the clone snapped, addressing the Sith Lord once again. "It's not bad, but..." Another explosion and more violent curse. "Damn it, they see us! Kenobi, they're tracking us, the kriffing Star Destroyers are on us!"
"Engage the stealth drive, you imbecile!" the Sith shouted, releasing the Mandalorian from the Force's grasp and furiously striding back and forth across the roof, his lightsabers effortlessly batting back the green bolts of energy fired from the low flying TIEs and sending several of them spinning out of control to crash into the surrounding buildings when reflected energy pierced the thin wings.
"It is engaged!" Cody shouted back. "Obi-Wan, they're tracking us somehow!"
"...oh, that little shit!" Obi-Wan shouted, his hand extending and blue lightning arching from his fingertips, the wide, savage spread electrocuting several TIEs as they passed, shorting out the systems and sending them crashing to the ground. "Anas yunoks asilas, nu valia zudyti jis! Tarkin knows the technology, he used it on his personal ship before I stole the Carrion Spike and crashed it into a research center! He knows the stealth system, and he knows how to beat it. This was never Thrawn's trap, this was Tarkin's from the beginning! Sith Hells, I am an idiot!" Kenobi paced as he listened to Cody bark orders as K-2SO, commanding the droid to refine the clone's piloting and correct any mistakes he made. "Cody, get out of there while you can, make the jump and get out."
"Obi-Wan, the Spectres are still down there, and-"
"Hera will get them out, she's a better pilot than you!" Obi-Wan snapped. "Contact her and tell her what's happening and then get yourself out of there!"
"And what about you?" Cody growled defiantly. "I'm not leaving you behind."
"I'll be fine," the Sith hissed, his eyes focusing on the new group of TIEs released from the Star Destroyer. "You will obey me, Commander Cody. I may lose a family today, but I will not lose you as well!" For a long moment, there was silence as the Sith paced, his hand clenching and unclenching as he eyed his targets.
"Understood, sir," Cody said between clenched teeth. "Don't die on me, Kenobi, I-" The clone growled deeply. "Never mind. Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur. Today is a good day for someone else to die. May the Force be with you, brother."
The com cut, and reaching his hand out, Obi-Wan gripped the recovering Bo-Katan with the Force, dragging her toward him and holding him in the air before him. "Does your jetpack still work?" he asked, and the Mandalorian nodded. "Very well. Happy travels, beautiful," he drawled and with a flick of his wrist, Obi-Wan threw the Mandalorian off the sloped edge of the roof, the woman crying in surprise as she plummeted toward the ground. Kenobi felt her life through the Force as the TIE fighters screeched toward him, the woman surprised, panicked, relieved, and then an odd, comforting mix of grateful and positively furious, injured and worn, but alive and well.
"HK," Obi-Wan barked into the com. "Whatever it is you are doing now, get yourself out of it and come to me. I don't care who you have to kill, just come here quickly."
"Affirmation: understood, Master," the droid said swiftly, the com falling silent, and Obi-Wan turned his attentions to the sky.
His attention on the TIEs, Obi-Wan dove out of the way as the fighters flew fast and low, their weapons discharging indiscriminately to hit him now that the Moff was out of danger. As they flew away on their first pass to circle around for the second, Obi-Wan put the darksaber away, his hand crackling with lightning as he centered himself in the Force, his eyes focused on a single fighter. Breathing deeply as the ships rushed toward him, he bent his knees, enveloped himself in the primal, savage rage that rushed through him, the panic of losing yet another family filling him with the focus to stop it. He wouldn't lose anyone today. Not anyone.
His red saber batting back the green plasma fired at him as the starfighters flew lower to better their aim, several ships spinning out of control when a line of lightning tore several out of the air, and the Sith allowed the second pass to fly overhead, the TIE fighters regrouping right before they came in for the third pass, even more falling to deflected bolts and lightning strikes as the Sith held his ground. When the droid rushed up to join him, its rifle in its grasp, its outer plating worn and covered in blood, it was time. Waiting for HK to stand beside him and eyeing the fighters as they circled around, more ships joining their ranks on this pass, Obi-Wan readied himself, silently commanding the droid to bring down every ship it could save for the one he had set his sights on.
The droid opened fire on the TIEs as they swept in for another low pass, the Sith covering HK as he fired, and just before they passed, Obi-Wan jumped up high, flipping in the air to angle himself just right, and reaching out, he grabbed the rust-colored droid and pulled, the mechanical flying through the air to the falling Sith, and together, they landed on the top of Kenobi's selected starfighter. A quick gesture of his hand and the cockpit hatch opened, the droid leaning in and shooting the pilot in the head, and with another pull of the Force, Obi-Wan tossed the body out of the ship, dropping in himself to land in the pilot's seat and assume the controls. When HK dropped down behind him and closed the hatch, Kenobi flipped the ship around, and shot the remaining two TIEs out of the air, and pushing the small fighter to full speed, the cockpit filled with the high-pitched whine of the fast and powerful engines as Obi-Wan shot toward the transmission tower.
"You said I'd have time, Kanan!" Sabine shouted over the Jedi's hand-held com, her usual calm beginning to shatter under the untimely arrival of transport ships, stormtroopers, TIE fighters. The Mandalorian was with Chopper high up in the large oval control room atop the massive, vertical spike that was the transmission tower, hard at work installing the data spike that would give them control of the tower, and with Zeb and Ezra manning the tower's defensive turrets and Kanan dealing with anyone that got past them, he could buy the girl a little time before Hera got down for extraction...but it wouldn't be much.
"Well, we don't have time anymore, Sabine," Kanan said, his eyes on the transports coming quickly down the long expressway from the Capital City proper. "How much time do you need?"
"I don't know, three minutes?" the Mandalorian said, cursing under her breath in her native tongue. "I might be able to go faster, but we have ships enclosing and I don't want to give away our location!"
"Right, agreed," Kanan said quickly. "Keep your head low, Sabine, I'm calling in Hera for pickup. Do what you can before we go." He cut the com and quickly called up Ezra, the device picked up almost immediately by the boy.
"Little busy, Kanan," Ezra said quickly, the sound of the turret cannon pulsing in the background paired with the green flash of the weapon that Kanan could see from his position.
"Busy or not, it's time to go," Kanan commanded forcefully. "Before we're completely trapped, we need to make our escape now. Get Zeb and meet me back here."
"Kanan, our extraction point-"
"Has changed. Do as I say and get back here." He cut the com, keeping his eyes on the turret that Ezra was operating, the lines of fire still being shot at the oncoming transports, and when the flash of an explosion lit up the dark, Kanan could see his young student jump off his post and onto his speeder, racing across the distance across to the other turret where Zeb was shooting TIE fighters out of the air. With the kids on their way, the Jedi punched in the frequency to Hera.
"What's wrong, Spectre One?" Hera asked tersely. "There's a lot of activity up here. I don't like it. There's no way Spectre Zero is causing all this."
"You're right, he isn't," Kanan said, relief washing over him as Zeb and Ezra came shooting across the compound, the two jumping off their speeder and running to Kanan's side, their blasters drawn and ready to make a stand with the Jedi. "We need you for extraction at the top of the transmission tower immediately."
"That wasn't part of the plan, Spectre One, we-"
"Plans change, just get down here!" He didn't give her a chance to respond as he clipped the com back on his belt and took his lightsaber in hand, the blade igniting as troops surrounded the area and slowly began advancing, the sky above them filled with circling TIE fighters, not firing, but trapping them in. There was nowhere to go but inside the transmission tower. Beside him, the snapping hiss of Ezra's lightsaber powered on, casting the wall behind them in its green glow.
"Why aren't they shooting at us, Kanan..." Ezra whispered, his hands clutched tightly around the weapon, his eyes on two incoming shuttles.
"Looks like they're trying to take us alive..." Kanan muttered, his hand slamming on the control panel behind them to call down the elevator from above, one of the shuttles hovering above them, the loading hatch opening and a lone figure dropped from the ship, falling the distance and landing effortlessly on the ground. He stood, his pale skin a sharp contrast to the black he wore, and Kanan gripped his lightsaber tighter. "Shit..."
"The Inquisitor?!" Ezra said, his voice high and tight with fear and panic. "What's the Inquisitor doing here, I thought our friend-"
"Or friend is a much bigger, much scarier predator than this guy, of course he's going after smaller fish!" Kanan snarled as he stepped in front of Zeb and Ezra, his eyes narrowed as he stared down the Inquisitor as the red blade ignited.
"I see your student now has a lightsaber," the Inquisitor drawled as he slowly approached, stopping when Kanan took steps forward to meet him. "So there are officially two of you now?" He chuckled softly, low and sinister. "I have always appreciated a challenge, though I fear it will not be much."
"Eyes off the boy, ugly, I'm all the challenge you need," Kanan growled, breathing deeply as he raised his saber, the elevator behind them hissing open. "Zeb, Ezra, go," he called over his shoulder, and his young student stepped forward, stopped only when the Lasat grabbed his wrist.
"What about you?" Ezra asked, and Kanan flashed him a quick, devious grin.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be right behind you." Ezra slowly nodded, allowing Zeb to pull him inside the elevator, his eyes on his Master as the door closed, and Kanan turned his attention back to the Inquisitor, his expression hard and serious as he locked eyes with his opponent. Kanan flipped his lightsaber around, caught it backhanded, and thrust the blade into the elevator controls, shorting them and blocking off all access to the transmission tower from the ground. The Inquisitor's eyes widened for a moment and narrowed when he realized that something was amiss.
"You mean to sacrifice yourself?" the Inquisitor asked incredulously, his blade held out before him. "It won't matter, you know. This is the end for you, just as it is the end for your friends. There is no escape."
"You don't think so?" Kanan asked, a clever smirk on his face as he quickly blocked the Inquisitor's sudden strike, the red blade fast in its uncompromising offense, but Kanan kept up easily, his own blade moving effortlessly as he caught each strike, his time training with the Sith Lord paying off as his calm resolve held fast. "Because the way I see it," Kanan drawled, "you're only here because there's something very, very scary in the city. Something much stronger than you." A wicked grin spread across Kanan's face as the unmistakable look of fear stained the Inquisitor's face, the fingerless hand at his side flexing as his muscles filled with tension. "And you know what?" Kanan chirped. "He gets really angry when you touch his stuff, and me and my crew? We're his stuff."
Fear turned to rage, and with a savage howl, the Inquisitor increased his speed and power, his saber beating against Kanan's with all his strength, the Jedi managing to perry each blow, but he was forced to retreat, the Inquisitor controlling the flow of battle. "You've been practicing, Jedi," he snarled. "It won't make a difference..."
"Maybe not," Kanan growled, his saber moving up, down, spinning as he struck back against the Inquisitor, a smirk on his face as he heard the familiar sound of engines in the air as the Phantom screeched through the sky, masterfully evading fire from the TIE fighters as it swooped down low toward the transmission tower to pick up the Spectres. "Must be frustrating to know that no matter your advantage, you lose." Realizing what was happening, the Inquisitor grabbed the Force and pushed Kanan hard, the Jedi resisting for a moment before the Inquisitor slammed his red saber against blue and kicked Kanan in the chest, the Jedi flying backwards to hit the wall. Before he fell, the Force grabbed hip and slammed him hard against the wall, immobilizing him as the Inquisitor quickly barked commands to the Imperials to focus their fire of the new arrival.
"Spectre One!" the com at the Jedi's belt sounded, and he grabbed the device, struggling against the pressure to bring it to his lips. "What are you doing, get up here!"
"There isn't any time, Spectre Two, get out of here!" Kanan hissed, the Inquisitor's eyes turning on him, the TIE fighters in the sky circling around and preparing for an attack run on the vessel as their weapon systems locked on, the anti-aircraft cannons around the tower back in Imperial control and aiming at the Phantom.
"We aren't leaving without you!" Hera said without a beat, and Kanan's hand tightened on the com.
"Now, Hera! Before it's too late!" The Phantom wavered in the air, the pilot's hesitation obvious, the TIE fighters beginning their attack run just as the shuttle lurched into movement a moment too late, evasive action taken as it began to fly away, but was quickly overwhelmed. The screeching howl of another TIE cut through the air, this one approaching at full speed, the starfighter spinning as it fired, its green plasma bolts shooting toward the swarm and striking the TIE fighters, several ships hit and destroyed as they fell in flames toward the ground. It was immediate chaos, the TIE fighters breaking away to fall back into formation to deal with this rogue starfighter, but the ship would not let up, relentlessly pursuing the other fighters in an effort to break them up and free up the skies.
Now with a new target, one of the anti-air cannons locked on to the speedy TIE, the powerful lasers firing at both the rogue ship and the Phantom, but with their attention now divided and the renegade ship shooting starfighters down, Hera's expert piloting allowed her to steer the Phantom through the sky, covered by the rebel TIE fighter as they made their escape. Kanan grinned like an idiot when the two ships disappeared from view. He knew they were not in the clear yet, but Hera was a good enough pilot to evade whatever the Empire could throw at her, so long as she had the ruthless Kenobi supporting her. The smirk dropped from his face when the Inquisitor's lightsaber pointed at his neck, a triumphant grin showing his sharp, pointed teeth.
"Well..." the Inquisitor drawled, his hand extended and the Jedi's saber flying to his hand. "It seems as if your friend is not coming for you."
"So much the better..." Kanan whispered, his eyes on the sky as it filled with ships, the circle of soldiers tightening around him, his hands grabbed and roughly cuffed behind him, and he was pushed toward a waiting shuttle. "Though, I have to tell you, I usually have my dates buy me dinner before I let them cuff me."
"We shall see if that carefree attitude of yours lasts, Jedi," the Inquisitor snarled as he stepped on to the shuttle, the hilt of his lightsaber striking the back of Kanan's head and sending the man grunting to his knees in pain. "You don't seem to understand the gravity of your situation." The pale hand grabbed Kanan's chin and forced him to look into the ruthless yellow eyes. "But you will, Jedi. Grand Moff Tarkin will see to that when he makes an example of you as a warning to all those who would oppose the Empire."
The shuttle lifted off the ground, and Kanan watched in silence as gunner ships took position around the transmission tower and swiftly destroyed it, knocking out communications around the planet, the Imperials willing to destroy a potentially sabotaged tower rather than preserve their asset and correct the problem. Kanan silently hoped that the swift destruction had meant that their message had gotten out, otherwise the entire mission would have all been for nothing, though even if it was a failure, Kanan didn't regret his sacrifice. He'd bought Hera and the rest of his family the time they needed to escape, and that was enough.
Breathing deep, he watched the tower burn as it fell, and strengthened his mental defenses in preparation for his meeting with Tarkin.