Okay so before I get the story underway, thought I should mention the fact that there is now a poll on my profile for which Republic character's story I should write. So please vote for one.

Chapter 11: The Black Talon Part 2

Arkunov was not pleased. After he, Dannark and the others had finally cleared out all of the republic borders, they had their way back to the bridge. Once they were back the crew were rushing about their stations, attempting to gain a complete understanding of what had happened. As they got close to the new captain, Kilran's droid gestured towards them, alerting everyone to their arrival.

The captain turned towards them. "It appears that congratulations are in order. Reports confirm that all borders have been eliminated."

"What can I say? I'm just that good" Dannark replied smugly. Behind him Mako rolled her eyes, clearly she had grown use to these types of remarks from the bounty hunter. The captain scowled at him, "Yes. Yes. Of course. We've penetrated the Brentaal Star's outer defences. Their next attack shouldn't come until their fighters are in range. Which will be another minute. Two at the most."

It was then that one of the ensigns spoke up. "We have a transmission coming in" she said "Long range... it's a message, but it's not from the Brentaal Star."

"On screen. Now!" Arkunov ordered. He was curious as to who was trying to get through.

"I'll patch it through immediately."

They all turned to the holoterminal. It flickered for a moment till the image of the Satele Shan the Jedi Grandmaster appeared!

"This is Jedi Grandmaster Satele Shan hailing unidentified Imperial vessel" she said.

"Yes I am well aware of that" Arkunov replied, his voice full of contempt.

Unperturbed by this Satele continued, "I'm en route to your location with sixteen republic vessels. I'm asking you to retreat immediately before more lives are lost."

Scowling back Arkunov replied, "I am sith. Do you honestly expect me to surrender, because a Jedi asked it of me. There is nothing that you can do to stop me." He stared into her eyes, showing her that his resolve would be broken. She stared back unflinchingly, "I've heard those same words from others of your kind. They're never true. I've just crippled three Imperial dreadnoughts. I do not wish to destroy you. So I ask you once again to leave."

"Not gonna happen Jedi", Dannark grunted "I've been hired to grab the general and I fully intend to do it."

The Jedi turned towards Dannark. "I will not let that happen. You will never be able to make it through the Brentaal Star's defences before I get there and then you will be defeated." Arkunov glared at her, "Do I have to kill you to get you to stop talking?"

"You have made yourself clear" she replied, "but I suggest you prepare yourselves to face a Jedi. You may all want to consider what that means".

The Holo cut off. Arkunov turned to Dannark and the others. "Sounds like a challenge doesn't it?"

Dannark smirked back at him "Yeah. Lets get going then."

Arkunov nodded and promptly ordered the captain to prepare a shuttle for the four of them.

Once on-board they all prepared their weapons and armour for the following confrontation. Looking over towards Vette, Arkunov noticed that she seemed nervous. The Sith Warrior walked over to her.

"What's the problem?"

She jumped, clearly on edge. "Nothing. Nothing. Everything's fine" she replied, not looking Arkunov in the eye. He raised an eyebrow at this, not believing it for a second.

"Okay well...it's just that I never expected to fight a Jedi. A fully trained lightsaber wielding Jedi" she explained.

"You won't have to. I will deal with the Jedi myself."

She looked up at him. Looking into his eyes Vette saw rage and a determination the likes of which she had never seen before. "Are you sure? I mean what make you so sure that you can win?"

"I have trained all my life for this moment. I will not fail now" he replied simply. He walked away at this finished with his preparations.

Once they landed on the Brentaal Star, they were engulfed in a barrage of blaster fire. Arkunov raised his lightsaber and deflected many of the bolts back toward their enemies. Dannark and the others returned fire eliminating the remaining republic soldiers.

Once there was enough space cleared Arkunov leapt forward striking down a soldier with his lightsaber. Turning his attention to another soldier Arkunov seized him with the force throwing into another group, scattering them. Their lives were quickly ended after Arkunov dispatched the rest of them with his lightsaber. Sensing a danger behind him Arkunov saw that a soldier had his rifle raised pointing directly at his face. It was too late for him to deflect the bolt. Before the soldier could fire however he was struck down by two bolts slamming into the troopers helmet.

Arkunov turned and saw Vette was smirking at him. Her twin pistols smoking.

At the other end of the hangar Dannark and Mako had fought through waves of republic soldiers. Now they were faced with two heavily armoured war droids, with repeating blaster cannons. These two currently had them pinned, as a consequence they had been forced to duck down behind some crates to protect themselves. Arkunov and Vette joined them behind these crates.

"So. You got a plan for this?" Dannark said.

Arkunov examined the models, trying to find any weak points. He noticed that both of the droids only had three legs each. Two at the front and one at the back.

"I'll take the one on the right. You take the one of the left" Arkunov replied.

"On three then."

Arkunov nodded.

"THREE!" Dannark yelled. He rocketed into the air using his jet pack and unleashed a barrage of missiles on the first droid. They detonated as they made impact devastating the thick armour plating.

Vaulting over the crates Arkunov ran lightsaber in hand toward the cannons. Enveloping himself in the force Arkunov created a powerful shield that was able to absorb the worst of the the blaster fire, anything that did make it through this wasn't enough to penetrate his armour. Once in range he brought his lightsaber slashing down at one of the droids left leg cutting it off, this caused the droid to wobble to the left, disrupting its rate of fire. This was the only opening that Arkunov needed as he stabbed the droid through the face. Destroying it.

Once both were destroyed Arkunov turned to his brother and said, "You just couldn't wait could you?"

Dannark shrugged, "You know me, I was never one to pass up on a fight."

"I suppose not. Lets continue on, we can't risk the general escaping" Arkunov replied. Dannark nodded then followed Arkunov, Vette and Mako further into the ship.

After fighting their way through the ship Arkunov and the others had made their way to the escape pods, where they had learned the treacherous Imperial general was heading to. They had been forced to fight they way through the entire ship and probably its entire crew. This had included a formidable Mon Calamari soldier, who had wielded a vibroblade. Arkunov had been impressed by his skill, especially since he was a non-force user.

Although the battle through the ship had been challenging, Arkunov was disappointed that he hadn't encountered the Jedi yet. That being set the anticipation, the exhilaration was all fueling his power. Once they reached the escape pod bay, they saw that a thick durasteel door was barring their way. Unperturbed Arkunov reached out with the force and ripped the door off of its hinges tossing it aside as if it were nothing.

As they approached the escape pods, they saw two figures on the far side of the room. One was an older human male with many cybernetic implants, presumably the General. The second was a female Twi'lek garbed in the robes of a Jedi. The Jedi had pinkish skin and carried a single lightsaber at her belt.

Before moving in Arkunov turned to face Vette and Mako, "Dannark and I will handle the Jedi. Once we engage the two of you will secure the general."

Vetted nodded. However Mako turned to Dannark quickly to get his opinion, the bounty hunter nodded his acceptance of the plan. Once done the four of them proceeded forward.

The Jedi turned to face them, having sensed Arkunov's presence. The General began to move away limping heavily.

"Halt where you are!" the Jedi ordered, "I am Yadira Ban, Padawan of the Jedi order. I was sent to protect the General, and you will not pass."

"Only a Padawan", Arkunov smirked, "That is disappointing. I was hoping to face a real Jedi."

"I am more than enough to defeat you Sith" Ban replied.

"Mighty confident of your abilities aren't you?" Dannark said. You could just hear the amusement in his voice.

"You Sith are a mockery of everything the Jedi stand for! I will drive you all back meter by meter, if necessary. Just as the Jedi once drove your empire into the shadows of the galaxy," Ban declared.

Arkunov narrowed his eyes. "You're quite proud of your predecessors driving us to near extinction then!" Ban looked back at him, confusion etched across her face. "Your masters don't teach you then. About how the Jedi slaughtered my kind! I can assure you that everything that has happened since then is because of the Jedi's choice! I can assure you that everything I do now and ever will do is justified! And to think that your order calls us genocidal monsters."

The Jedi took a deep breath and calmed herself. "I do not know if what you said was true sith. However I can tell you that vengeance is never the answer."

"We shall see."

And with those words the combat began. Arkunov began with a rapid flurry forcing Ban to back pedal and also allowing Vette and Mako enough time to slip away after the General. Ban had noticed this and send Arkunov staggering back with a force push, then attempting to move after the two women.

She was cut off by Dannark. Who chose that moment to open fire, forcing the padawan to block the incoming blaster bolts. The Bounty Hunter then followed up with a flame thrower, forcing the young Jedi to roll out of the way and towards Arkunov's lightsaber. She twisted out of the way at the last moment barely avoiding a killing blow.

Getting back up Ban re-engaged Arkunov. The began a rapid series of flurries and slashes, both were able to note the others skill as they were both able to force an attack against their opponent, yet not even a moment later they had to defend against a response from their adversary. Whenever Arkunov was forced back, Dannark gave him time to recover by opening up with his blaster or one of his many other weapons.

This cycle continued for a few moments longer.

"It appears that we are evenly matched Sith" Ban said as the pair were put into a blade lock.

Arkunov simply replied "Appearances can be deceiving." Removing one hand from his lightsaber Arkunov slammed his fist into Ban's stomach sending her staggering back. He followed up by lashing out with his own lightsaber and cut off his opponents weapon hand. He pulled the weapon into his free hand and impaled the Jedi on her own lightsaber.

As Ban was impaled she looked up at Arkunov, yet there was no trace of fear in her eyes. Only a strange acceptance. He let the body fall to the ground and tossed the Jedi lightsaber aside.

Arkunov walked over to his brother who had removed his helmet. "So you enjoy yourself?"

"The fight was exhilarating" Arkunov replied.

"But..."

"I should have been able to finish her on my own. I shouldn't have needed your help", Dannark nodded understanding. "How can I expect to defeat a Jedi Knight if I am unable to defeat one lowly padawan by myself."

"Arkunov we all need to start somewhere. I bet you'll soon be strong enough to take down those of her level with ease. After all, you now have experience in killing one don't you?"

Arkunov paused taking in his brothers words. "You are right. It is simply a matter of building my power. I thank you for the advice Dannark."

Dannark sent an elbow into his side. "Don't go soft on me now. After all we still have a General to collect."

Arkunov nodded and the two proceeded down the hallway together.

Okay finally finished as ever review and don't forget to vote on the poll.