Chapter Twenty

Bait and Commencement of an Attack

As the cultists made their preparations for assault Obi-Wan mediated in corner while the others tried to calm themselves in their own way. It was so surreal that this was going well. Firstly, they had the support that they desperately needed and more importantly they accepted Yaotl's change. He'd been honestly worried that they'd schism would occur once Yaotl declared her intentions. But by the will of the Force that didn't happen. It would seem that Force was indeed with them in that respect.

"Master?" Ahsoka leaned over to him. "Master, I think they're almost ready."

And now, I show my conviction to the will of the Force, Obi-Wan thought as he dust off his knees while nodding to show that he understood. He walked forward where Menvra was going a speech in their native tongue. Since he'd removed his and Calliope's tizowyrm he couldn't understand what was being said. He just waited for the speech to conclude. Clearly it was successful because there as booming cheer and chant that came up.

"Master Kryze," Menvra walked up to him surrounded by some disgraced warriors that were loyal to the cause clearly. "We await your word. Those that can fight will aid the warriors while those that cannot shall assist where needed. But we need a distraction..."

A distraction...now there's something I can do.

"I volunteer," Obi-Wan raised his hand. "I shall be the bait."

"Master...You know somehow this is appropriate," Ahsoka said with a shake of her head.

"Da'nr, I'm going with you," Korto said. "Someone has got to cover your back."

"Well I appreciate the sentiment, Knight Tano and Scout are going to need you since you are going to guard the troops and Gil-Jae isn't well trained enough to handle things on is own so he needs help too. Yaotl will protect the Yuuzhan Vong reformers..."

"They refer to themselves as the Enlightened Ones Master Kryze."

"The Enlightened Ones, my apologizes...I believe that leaves Ventress to guard me."

"Oh man that's a role reversal," Ahsoka muttered.

"Well I shall go first," Obi-Wan said. "Remember, defensive only. We can protect them...But we can't fight a war for them."

"Yes Master," they all said back bowing to him with great respect. Yaotl walked towards the Enlightened Ones while Obi-Wan readied himself and adjusted his grip on the Darksaber as he walked out of the compound into the residential area. He was going more or less alone to face an entire army with another army in tow...Oh this was going to be interesting to say the least.

As he walked into Theed marketplace he noticed that the streets were extremely empty and devoid of activity. Not surprising since the Handmaidens probably warned most of the civilian population. Nevertheless he stuck to the shadows taking care to not be seen. They needed a distraction not a show...well not yet. He looked up and saw Gil-Jae. Gil-Jae bless him spotted Obi-Wan and smiled at him. Obi-Wan returned it before gesturing him to fall back. Gil-Jae frowned slightly but moved to obey. Obi-Wan sighed with relief as he walked forward. Now, now was the time for him to actually put into practice the teachings he'd been trying to pass on.

I am one with the Force. And the Force is with me, he thought as he walked archway leading to the square near the palace. He looked over to see one of the Mandalorians walking through the square their body language screamed tense and alert. So the Mandalorians were on the prowl? Well that wasn't good. He needed to make sure that the troops wouldn't be suddenly ambushed by them.

There's my distraction, he thought grimly as he walked forward to the warrior's line of sight. He had no intentions of killing the warrior but just keeping the warrior and fellow compatriots busy long enough for them to make a stand. The point was to distract them long enough to make sure that the defenders would be caught off guard. Like Amidata's initial attack in the courtyard and the Gungan army he was going to be the one to take the fall.

He'd hoped that Ventress would get the job done and the attack would begin soon.

It was quiet. Too quiet and Robin didn't like it. Neither did Sarai since she'd sent them out on early patrols in groups of two. No one was roaming the streets and aside from the natural noises all around it was peaceful. A perfect setup for ambush. She sincerely hoped that wouldn't be the case. Tal had gone ahead to see if he could scout anything. So far he hadn't reported back which probably meant that all was well on his end. Akiko was with Sarai in the northern end.

Snap-hiss! That sound made Robin freeze as her mind registered that it was a kriffing lightsaber that made that noise. She ran forward with her blasters at the ready to confront the foolish Jetii only to stop in mid step when she saw the color of the saber. It was black, pitch black. Tal was frozen in place shooting at the Jetii effortlessly blocked the shoots and deflected them. There was something about his stance that was completely different from what she'd seen briefly of Jetii fighting. It was defensive, not aggressive. He didn't charge forward but instead almost gently pushed Tal back.

But that alone wasn't the reason she froze. No it was the fact that he had the Dha Kad in his grasp. The significance of this was lost to Tal or perhaps he was hoping to claim it since it could only be won by battle. She dived forward catching the Jetii off guard making him jump back. But this Jetii was really good and recovered quickly putting up his guard and taking a defensive stance once again.

Robin aimed her flamethrower and shot out a blast which forced him to roll once again. Tal had by now recovered and shot him hoping clearly to wound him. The Jetii expertly blocked the blaster and reflected it back. Tal had to duck to avoid being hit by it.

Robin shot a few shots with her blaster keeping him on the defensive while Tal recovered again. The Jetii stretched out his hand and Tal was flung back into a wall. Robin taking the opening created by Tal she rushed forward pinning him to the ground...She'd won!

Robin had to hold in a joyful shout. She'd won so by right the Dha Kad was her weapon. The Jetii, who she realized with a jolt was the same she'd seen when she had arrived on Naboo, held up his hands in surrender with a calm look on his face rather then arrogant or panicked as would be assumed.

She quickly snatched up the saber and clipped it to her belt. The Jetii instead of fighting her claim instead calmly continued to hold up his hands and waited as she fumbled in her excitement with her equipment belt for some clamps. Oddly he didn't try to escape or fight back but Robin was too excited by the fact that she'd been blessed with a means to actually bring genuine reform to her people at long last to concern herself with the good behavior of her prisoner.

"It take it," the Jetii said conversationally. "That you understand the significance of the blade."

Robin nodded not bothering to deny it as she finally grabbed the clamps and put it on his wrists.

"Well," the Jetii continued on flexing his fingers checking for circulation clearly. "I do hope that you find a good use for it. I'm told that it's keepsake for Mand'alor. So I suppose wishing you luck would be in order."

"Robin!" Akiko called as he ran over with Sarai in tow. Robin quickly turned hiding her hard won gain while the Jetii didn't comment save for raising an eyebrow. Mercifully he stayed silent about it and stayed still even as the others approached.

"Report," Sarai said looking at the Jedi with a firm look of distaste once she'd reached them removing her helmet as she did so. Akiko kept his on and instead turned his gaze to Tal who was still knocked out.

"He came out of nowhere and a engaged us. We've gotten him subdued and will take him in for questioning," Robin answered quickly wanting to get him processed so she could tell Akiko the news.

"Ah, I'm afraid there's a slight problem with that issue," the Jetii said with a pleasant voice that made Sarai glare him. Robin was pretty sure it was because it sounded like old Coruscanti which was still considered to be snotty by most. "I won't as they say...'Come quietly" I'm afraid."

"Can it Jetii," Tal hissed as he rubbed his head while Akiko loomed over him. Presumably he kicked him awake and had taken off his helmet.

"Oh, so we're doing a hybrid speech then? Well tateyr ogir."

Robin and the rest of the group stiffened even as Tal got up from his position. No one, absolutely no one used Mando'a outside of the Mandalorians and especially not an Jetii. Was this how he knew of the significance of the blade that he'd once wielded?

"How do you know Mando'a?" Akiko asked calmly looking at the Jetii. Sarai and Tal just stared in shock at the causal usage. Sarai was the first to recover and then gave him a measuring look.

"I am well studied and well traveled," the man said easily with that easy smile of his that seemed tailor made to put people at ease. "I was just responding in a similar manner in which I was addressed."

"Think you're so tough? So where's your lightsaber Jetii," Tal sneered clearly recovering from the shock. "I mean I've got one," he tapped at the tube at his side. "But I earned through the hide of a Jetii."

REALLY!? Robin looked at Akiko whose body language looked stunned at this new revelation. Even Sarai from her scowl on her exposed face looked supremely disgust at the kid. Had this child really gone and done that? Clearly he had much to learn about combat...Well then again Rhal clan wasn't exactly well renown for their subtle or for that matter smart warriors. Their style was brutal shock troopers style which prioritized intimidation and brute force over cleverness. Well then again they were clever sadists and torturers or so the rumors went...

"You mean to tell me d'aneh," she hissed glaring at him and pulling Robin out of her thoughts. "That you had a superior weapon and didn't bother to even use it during battle resulting in you getting beaten?"

"Um..." Tal now looked like he was caught off guard. Robin rolled her eyes at his stupidity and Akiko looked supremely annoyed and disgusted with him. What a di'kut. Who has a superior weapon that he doesn't even utilize in battle. It's a wonder that this d'aneh has survived for this long.

"Well?" Her voice was a harsh but not loud. "I'm waiting."

"I...I didn't think of it."

The Jetii looked amused at the answer which Robin couldn't say she blamed him since the whelp was stupid enough to advertise his weapons and now his incompetence in actually utilizing it. Sarai shook her head with disgust before turning back to Robin with a weary look of exasperation.

"Let's get him to the prisons. I'm sure that their inquisitors will want a word with him."

"Oh I don't think so," the Jetii said with a quiet confidence that made everyone pause around him. "I think you'll have far more to worry about then an incompetent soldier or little old me."

Robin was about ask what in the blazes he was talking about when a shout came loud and clear across the city center.

"Vod An! Rala mhi gra'tuar Jetiise mhi juha sara'gagr! Sru Jetiise!" The cry was clearly a call to arms only Robin had no idea where this Mandalorians came from. Robin quickly pulled out her blasters as a rain of blaster fire came out shooting at them causing them to retreat back. The Jetii instead of running towards her who had the previously taken it instead summoned the other and turned back to them.

"Now then," he said with voice still as pleasant as ever. "Please surrender and you'll be-"

"Jetii laosr ash'amur!" Tal snarled opening fire on him. The Jetii reflexes were good and he just managed to activate his lightsaber just in time. There was another snap-hiss and another Jetii came from out of the shadows unexpectedly with their lightsaber ready to attack.

Ahsoka sneaked out of the group so that she could assist Ben. She knew her duty to the others but she'd never forgive herself if something happened to him. Grandmaster of this world or not, she was going to help out in the way she hadn't before. Fortunately Gil-Jae's arrival to assist with the evacuation of the civilians distracted the others long enough allowing her to reach the courtyard where...Of course he was caught by the Mandalorians. Typical. Ventress would launch her attack soon that was a guarantee but...

I'll protect you Grandmaster, she thought as she readied herself to launch into battle. He would need help that much she knew and she was willing to provide it. Ahsoka sneaked forward making sure not to make a sound as she listened in hard on what was being said. It was clearly that Master Kryze was having a conversation with them with enough sneers and posturing from one of them which made a typical affair even if she couldn't hear the exact details of the conversation. Finally the shout was given and Ahsoka used their distraction as cover to shoot forward coming up even as he deflecting shoots by one of them.

"I've got your back Master!" She shouted activating the blade coming to his side blocking one of the other Mandalorians fire.

"I believe I told you to stay with the others," Master Kryze said with disappointment and exasperation coloring his tone.

"You did but I felt I was needed here, my Master taught me that sometimes we've got to creatively interpret our orders."

"That...Sadly does sound like your Master," Master Kryze sighed. "Well since you're here let's take out these Mandalorians."

"Copy that." Ahsoka smiled as she settled into position at Kryze's side. Here we go!

Translations:

Mando'a: Vod An! Rala mhi u Jetii mhi juha sara'gagr! Sru Jetii! - Brothers All! Let us avenge the Jedi we call kin! For the Jedi!

Jetii laosr ash'amur!-Jedi scum die!

d'aneh- brat

Tateyr ogir- Hello there.