Chapter 20: The Conquest of Balmorra
I watch from the factory's upper floor, as I wait for my target to come into range below me.
War Minister Vol Argen is walking at a rapid pace, barking orders into a com as he does.
He is surrounded by four bodyguards, their gazes wary and their weapons ready. A complication. But hardly an unforeseen one.
I open a com channel, "Kaliyo. Distract the guards. Give me a clear shot."
"You got it agent."
As she replies I see her begin to move. She steps out from behind a pillar in the room below. The rifle in her hands is raised and she fires in the same moment.
Her fire is wild and she makes no attempt at precision. However, that does not matter, for it has the desired effect.
Our foes are thrown into confusion, each one scrambles to get into position. Each of them try to protect Vol Argen, yet disrupting each others efforts in the process. Exactly as planned.
Vol Argen is sent staggering back in the commotion. Taking my chance I squeeze the trigger. Unexpectedly, he moves. The shot grazes his shoulder, rather than the headshot that was intended. He has superb instincts, no doubt honed during the multiple attempts on his life.
It does not matter. For they fail to save him; when my second shot spills his brains across the factory floor.
His remaining bodyguards whirl around, gaping in disbelief as their commander's body hits the floor. So distracted are they by the sight of this, that they are unable to avoid Kaliyo's final volley of blaster fire.
"We're done here." I say, the moment that the last bodyguard falls to Kaliyo's blasterfire.
"Shame," she replies, looking up at my vantage point as she does. "I was just starting to enjoy myself."
I leap down from above and join her on the factory floor.
"Don't worry. There are plenty more of them."
The landing platforms and guidance systems had been easy to cripple. Especially as Arkunov chose to make liberal use of his lightsaber in his efforts. As such, he had soon made his way to the upper hangar.
When he got there, Windrral was not visible. However, the Cipher Agent had announced his presence over the com. "Proceed. I'll cover you."
Arkunov had simply grunted an acknowledgement and proceeded further into the hangar. He was pleased to see that Windrral had been correct about Cheketta's plans. For at the far end of the hangar, the Grand Marshal stood in front of a Republic shuttle. However, Cheketta wasn't alone. Standing next to the Grand Marshal were a pair of Jedi.
"The Jedi are mine." Arkunov said, his voice a deep growl.
"Well, I wasn't going to take them myself," Vette replied, rolling her eyes as she did.
Soon the pair was close enough to hear what the Jedi was saying to Cheketta. "The fleet may be lost, but my Padawan and I can hold off the Imperials while you regroup."
Cheketta disagreed, "No. You've got your ship, we've got a few of our own. I want you to get the non-combatants and the wounded off Balmorra." This was when the group of three spotted Arkunov and Vette approaching them. Turning Cheketta said, "...after we handle this. You're damn tough, you know that?"
"How many years have you survived under siege? You've had a good run." Arkunov admitted, with a hint of grudging respect in his voice. He had to admit Cheketta's abilities as a commander were impressive.
The Grand Marshal narrowed his eyes, "It's not over yet." He gestured to the two Jedi standing at his side, who drew their lightsabers in the same moment. "I've got Jedi at my back and the finest armour Balmorran Arms ever designed. Ignore the scratches."
The Jedi on Cheketta's right, the master, flicked his gaze towards Cheketta, "We can cover your escape."
However, the Grand Marshal dismissed the Jedi's offer. Drawing a blaster carbine instead, "Nah. Let's see what an old man can do for his troops."
The second that he finished speaking, Cheketta pressed a button on his armoured wrist. A pulse of energy surged forward, slamming into Arkunov and vette. The young sith was caught off guard and was sent flying backwards. Vette was not so lucky. She too was sent flying backwards, coming to a sudden stop against the far wall. She groaned as her head cracked against the wall, sending spots flickering before her eyes. She hadn't been knocked unconscious, but she was definitely dazed and wouldn't be joining the fight for a while. No, she would have to bide her time and strike at the perfect opportunity.
However, Arkunov had been able to recover and landed on his feet. Lightsaber drawn and ready. Just in time to block an attack from the two jedi. Who had taken that moment to press their advantage. Arkunov pushed back against his opponents and forced the pair of them to step back. Now that he had room to move, Arkunov launched into a furious Juyo offence. His attacks were wild and unpredictable, preventing the pair of Jedi from coordinating their efforts.
The three duelists moved across the hangar. The Jedi desperately trying to regain their advantage, yet Arkunov refused to give them any opportunity to recover. During a brief break in the fighting, Arkunov spared a glance toward Cheketta.
He saw that the Grand Marshal had deployed a personal shield generator, that was currently soaking up fire from powerful sniper shots. The old soldier tried to return fire, but his opponent kept moving. Firing from one position, then immediately moving to another one. Arkunov smirked, clearly Windrral was doing his job.
However, he could not afford to focus on the Chiss' battle. As the sith apprentice had his own problems to deal with. The Jedi padawan was getting frustrated. Bellowing, the young Jedi lashed out with a reckless Ataru strike. Cutting off his master as he did. Inadvertently preventing the more experienced of the pair from helping. Smirking, Arkunov twisted out of the way of the attack and retaliated with a thrust into the padawan's heart. The young Jedi gasped in shock, gaping down at the crimson blade in his chest.
Arkunov had no time to savour his victory however, as the master renewed his offensive. The young sith quickly withdrew his blade and was able to parry the masters attempt to sever his sword arm at the wrist. He then lashed out with the force, sending the Jedi Master flying back through the air. The older man was able to land on his feet, though it lacked grace and he stumbled slightly.
This led to his doom.
Arkunov hurled his weapon like a javelin. From his clumsy position the Jedi was unable to block the attack. Leaving him to be impaled on the crimson blade. Recalling his lightsaber to his hand, Arkunov finally turned his full attention to Cheketta.
The Grand Marshal noticed that Arkunov was now glaring at him and opened up with his blaster carbine. Arkunov charged forward, his lightsaber turning into a crimson blur as he intercepted every bolt that came his way.
Soon enough, Arkunov was in range and slashed at Cheketta's torso. However, the energy shield generated by the Grand Marshal's armour rendered the strike ineffective. Cheketta took full advantage of this and attempted to slam the butt of his rifle into Arkunov's jaw.
However, the sith apprentice was able to jerk his head out of the way at the last second. He then lashed out with his lightsaber, this time he didn't aim for the Grand Marshal's armour. Instead he aimed to the weapon in Cheketta's hands. The carbine was split into two equal halves. Arkunov followed up by unleashing a powerful force push, sending the Grand Marshal rolling across the hangar floor.
Despite all of this, Cheketta did not give up. Tossing aside the severed halves of his weapon, Cheketta retrieved a grenade from his belt and hurled it towards Arkunov. This was a futile effort, for the sith apprentice casually tossed it back to the Grand Marshal, before it could even come close to him. It rolled to a stop at Cheketta's feat.
There was no doubt it would have exploded soon enough. Yet that was clearly not soon enough for Vette. As a bolt flew from the Twi'lek's blaster pistol, blowing it up in the Grand Marshal's face. She sat there from her position on the floor, scowling in pain and frustration. Arkunov smiled at her and she grimaced as she pulled herself to her feet, taking her place beside Arkunov.
When the explosion settled and the smoke cleared, Cheketta was on his knees. His energy shield had died in the explosion, leaving Cheketta to feel the effects of the grenade.
Though his armour absorbed much of the damage, the Grand Marshal still bore scars. His face was burned and covered in scar tissue, and his heavy armour perfectly mirrored the damage.
The Grand Marshal's face twisted in pain and the agony of defeat as Arkunov approached him, a smirk on the sith apprentice's face. Through gritted teeth Cheketta said, "Good fight. You've got... well. You've got something I don't have anymore."
"I am Sith." Arkunov replied, "Next to me, you are nothing."
"Maybe so. But... hear me out. I know how much the Empire wants to expose the Republic's... involvement on Balmorra. Publicly. I'll confess the truth of it all, if you help my men."
Arkunov paused for a moment, considering his options. Eventually he said, "Talk. And make it good."
"Let the Balmorrans and non-combatants leave. Treat the Republic soldiers fairly, as prisoners of war. Help them, and I'll go on record. Tell everyone how we violated the treaty."
Arkunov paused for a long moment as he considered the offer before him. Everything that Cheketta was saying made sense. If the Grand Marshal was allowed to confess the truth of it all, the Republic would be crippled. Whole worlds might abandon them, perhaps even joining the Empire instead, once they saw that they Republic broke its promises. In the long run, this could serve the Empire as well. It could potentially give them an excuse to go to war, once they were fully prepared.
Arkunov's comlink came alive as he thought, and he heard Windrral's voice in his ear. "You should take the deal. After all what does it matter if a few soldiers live now, when we can cripple the Republic."
In response, Arkunov gave the smallest of nods. The only purpose the Balmorran's deaths would serve, would be pure sadistic pleasure. A rather pointless endeavour all things considered.
Finally, Arkunov returned his attention to Cheketta. "The Empire isn't without mercy. I have no doubt there is some agreement we can come to."
Cheketta seemed slightly surprised at the young sith's words, but recovered quickly. "I... appreciate that."
Arkunov heard an explosion from somewhere behind him. But he wasn't surprised, he knew what was happening. Cheketta grasped a moment after the Sith. "Sounds like your troops made it inside. Keep your word. I'll keep mine."
Arkunov nodded, "I shall. Your troops can live, Grand Marshal. But someone has to pay for all this. Once you've confessed, you will be executed."
Cheketta smiled at that. He seemed strangely at peace with his eventual death. "I can't say I'm surprised. But I've made worse deals in my time."
The sound of running footsteps approached them, and Arkunov turned to see a squad Imperial soldiers running towards him. The squad's sergeant approached the sith apprentice, snapping to attention as he said, "My lord! Squad 815. Darth Lachris sent us to reinforce your position."
"Take the Grand Marshal into custody," Arkunov ordered, "We're done here."
"Understood." The sergeant responded, "There's fighting all over the factory my Lord. But it looks like we'll have things under control soon."
Arkunov nodded and turned away. He had his own business to take care of.
As he and Vette left the hangar, Arkunov heard Windrral once again, "It was a pleasure to work with you again, my lord. I wish you success in your endeavours. May the force serve you well."
It wasn't long before Arkunov and Vette reached the location of Rylon's squadron. A large barracks on the factory's second floor. They had met little resistance up to this point, the Imperial soldiers having cleared out most of the factory. However, this wasn't the case with this location. Rylon's forces were putting up an admirable defence. Holding back any Imperial attempts to break through.
The Imperials halted their efforts as soon as they caught sight of Arkunov. The Sith Apprentice had then ordered the Imperial's to move on, explaining that he would take care of it himself. They accepted this reasoning immediately, not daring to question a Sith. Though they would never know the true reason for Arkunov's presence here.
Arkunov broke through the enemy defences with little effort, and soon enough he was within the barracks itself. As he moved further into the barracks, Arkunov heard a resistance officer speaking into a com, "We're under attack Commander. The rest of the factory has been breached and casualties are severe." The officer paused for a moment, clearly listening to someone on the other end. Eventually he said, "Target is carving a bloody path in this direction. Unconfirmed reports, suggest that its Sith."
"Consider them confirmed." Arkunov said, a cruel smirk on his face. Every gun in the place was suddenly pointed towards Arkunov, though they didn't fire each one of them waiting for the order to be given. Every one of the soldiers before Arkunov took up a position behind a barricade, giving themselves as much cover as possible. It would not save them.
The officer spoke into the com. "Commander, contact confirmed. The enemy is Sith! Repeat: the enemy is Sith!" The officer stopped abruptly, as if whoever was on the other end had cut him off, and moved to the front of the defensive line. He then activated a holoprojector, which was placed atop one of the barricades. It flickered to life a moment later, and projected the image of a old human male in Republic uniform.
Commander Rylon.
"Sith, I know why you're here." Rylon announced, "Be aware these are the finest troops I have commanded in all my decades of duty."
"Then I'll take pride in slaughtering them," Arkunov replied.
Rylon then turned his attention to his second in command. "Captain Eligyn, engage at will and hold the line. I'm coming reinforcements. Rylon out." The commander's projection then flickered away.
The captain then raised his rifle, aiming directly at Arkunov's heart. His eyes narrowed, "You're about to find out what we're made of."
Arkunov chuckled, "You're made of bones that break, and blood that spills."
"You don't intimidate us. We've killed your kind before."
"You've never even seen my kind before."
"That's where you're wrong, Sith. Open fire!"
All things considered, Rylon's soldiers put up an impressive fight.
They had attempted to concentrate their fire on Arkunov, hoping that overwhelming firepower would win the day.
Not a bad strategy when dealing with force users. However, it was relatively easy to disrupt. Using the force, Arkunov had blown away several soldiers. Disrupting the formation and causing many of the remaining soldiers to lose all coordination in the ensuing panic. After that, it was easy enough for Arkunov to cut them down with his lightsaber and Vette to put blaster bolts through their hearts.
In the end, the only one left alive was the captain. Eligyn. He was lying on the ground, bleeding from several places and missing his left leg. The captain had managed to turn over, so that he was glaring up at Arkunov. Gritting his teeth, Eligyn gasped, "The commander... he should have been here by now..."
Arkunov smirked down at the man, "Your commander left you to die."
Eligyn shook his head furiously, despite the pain it clearly caused him. "No, he's safe... all that matters is he's safe..." An expression of triumph was on the Captain's face as he glared up at Arkunov. However, it vanished immediately once he caught sight of his commanding officer.
Commander Rylon had approached from behind Arkunov and now stood at his side.
"Please enough of this." Rylon said, a small measure of regret in his voice.
The Captain was horrified, "Commander, no! Run! Save yourself!" He tried to pull himself up, but fell to the ground immediately as pain lanced throughout his body.
Rylon sighed, "Just put him out of his misery, Sith!"
"He's suffered enough I suppose," Arkunov replied, boredly. As he spoke, the young sith reached out with the force and snapped the Captain's neck.
"It's unfortunate they were on the wrong side," Rylon said, his tone almost mournful as he looked down at the Captain. "They were excellent soldiers and exceptional men."
"Why didn't you convert them to our cause?"
"I followed Lord Baras' orders to the letter. Recruitment was never my purpose her. But if it had been... well I suppose there is no point thinking about it now. I served for the glory of the Empire. But the life of a spy... it's a slippery one. I had to become a Republic soldier and... I've done things against the Empire that have sickened me."
"For the greater good, Commander," Arkunov replied, a small hint of respect in his voice. He was impressed with the sincerity that he sensed from Rylon, the man was really quite admirable.
"I have lived believing, hoping, that was the case. My friend. Today was always inevitable. I knew that Lord Baras would eventually want me eliminated, but I'm proud to have been of service. To our Lord and the Empire."
"Any last requests, Commander?"
Rylon hesitated, but eventually said, "If I many, there is one thing. My son. He was the only thing in the world that was truly mine. And in love or weakness... I told him my secrets. I... I know you had to cover my tracks. But please tell me, did he face his fate well?"
This time it was Arkunov who hesitated. In the end he decided to be delicate. It was the least he could do for a man who had served so well, for so long. "Better that I spare you the details."
Rylon bowed his head, hiding his expression from Arkunov. Though the young sith suspected that he would see tears if he looked. When Rylon eventually raised his head, there was no sign of them. "I feared that would be the case. My thanks, for being delicate. My friend."
He then began to walk away from Arkunov. Eventually, the two men stood a few metres apart, their eyes locked onto one another.
"When they find my corpse," Rylon began, "there must be evidence of a valiant fight. We must make this look convincing, Sith."
"Arkunov," he interrupted, "My name is Arkunov. You have earned that right."
Rylon nodded, "Arkunov then. I will not hold back. I shall fight you as though you are my mortal enemy."
"I'd have it no other way."
"Then arm yourself."
Arkunov's crimson blade ignited. The two men began to circle each other.
"Tell Lord Baras, it has been my great honour to serve him."
All things considered, Rylon had done rather well. He had fired several shots, some of which had come close to slipping past Arkunov's guard. The young sith had even allowed the commander to throw a few grenades at him, though these had been absorbed by a force barrier or simply deflected by the force.
It hadn't lasted much longer after that, Arkunov had closed the distance and swiftly decapitated Rylon. An efficient and merciful death, at least by a sith's standards.
Arkunov had then sheathed his blade and turned to leave the room, Vette falling in behind him. However, before they could make any progress Arkunov's holocom pinged urgently. Frowning the Sith apprentice accepted the call, the image flicked for a moment before resolving into the figure of Lieutenant Quinn.
"My Lord, we've got trouble," the Lieutenant said, his voice much more hurried than usual. "I heard your conversation with Commander Rylon."
"How could you hear my conversation? Have you been spying on me, Imperial?" Arkunov replied, the barest hint of menace in his voice.
Quinn shook his head, "No, my Lord. As I told you, I've been surveilling the Jedi investigator. Apparently, she bugged Rylon's quarters, and as she listened in on your investigation, I heard what she said. The investigator knows everything, my Lord."
"That is the worst possible news, Lieutenant." Arkunov said, not even attempting to hide the anger in his voice now.
"All is not lost, my Lord," Quinn said, his tone reassuring. "She was heading to her ship, but I had my men move in and cut her off from the Republic landing bay. I am systemically blocking her avenues of transmission and escape, herding that Republic scum towards her only hope, the spaceport at Sobrik."
"Very good, Lieutenant." Arkunov said, taking up a long stride again making his way out of the factory. "Seal off all hangers in the spaceport, except for mine. Make sure that she has no other avenue of escape."
Understood, my Lord. Something that you should also know my Lord. My men report that she is wielding a lightsaber. This investigator appears to be a full Jedi Knight. Unless you stop her, she is fully capable of fighting her way through the spaceport. I'll be able to delay the Jedi long enough for you to engage. But I advise caution when facing her, My Lord."
"Do not be concerned, Lieutenant. She won't be the first Jedi I have slain this day."
Okay wow, a lot happened in this chapter.
The next one should be the last one on Balmorra.
Hopefully I will be able to get that done soon.