Big Mahalo to BaM again. I clarified the confusing areas and created a few new ideas. Bravo to Anarchy and DC for figuring out the historic battle that this alluded to. Here, we see a bit more from Seja and look into how the war has and will change Atton as well as Malak. Malak still seeks the approval of Revan, but his ornery streak is showing. We also look at his brutal, physical fighting style. The title of this chapter is drawn from a description of the Battle of Tarawa.

Utmost Savagery

On a Shuttle Departing Malachor V

Seja sat on a bed in the main cabin of the escape shuttle, holding his hands over his wounds. His clothing was nearly torn to shreds and the pain of his injuries was written on his face. Kayla held a dirty rag over another wound, staunching the blood that sought to flow from it. She closed her eyes and whispy swirls of energy flowed into Seja and he breathed easier, relaxing his tense muscles.

"My power is nearly exhausted," said Kayla as the shuttle's ion engines thrummed. She looked briefly out the room's viewport at the departing planet. "I'm glad to be away from there. I'd been on Malachor Five too long. I've given too much to end this war."

Seja didn't respond right away, but he merely looked up at the ceiling. A single tear rolled down his cheek and his face turned red, darkening the horrid 'X' shaped wound that Vako Serphants had given him. He said in nearly a whisper, "I too, have given much to end this war. Revan has always asked much of us."

Kayla looked back at him and placed a med pack on his scarred cheek. "I heard…I'm sorry."

Slowly, Seja turned and returned her gaze. "These scars will always remind me of Callista. I will never kill again, Kayla. This is my oath."

The woman smiled weakly and squeezed Seja's hand. "You are a great Jedi, Seja. You do the Order proud. I, on the other hand…."

Her thoughts were interrupted by Atton's entry. He was limping along and holding a cold pack to his swollen eye. "Ugh, the Bantha that sat on my head got away," he said. "One of these days, there's going to be payback."

Kayla turned around and sprung up to help Atton into a seat. She looked at his eye. "It's getting better. You need to keep that pack on it for at least a couple more hours."

"Yes, mother."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't know how Revan and Malak put up with you. We're in the middle of a battle and you still can't be serious, can you?"

He winked with his good eye. "Don't you just love it."

Kayla grunted with frustration and her eyebrows furrowed and her mouth pursed in disapproval. Then, her face relaxed and her expression changed as she recalled something. "Hey, did anyone see what happened to that Sith master? What was he doing with the Mandalorians? Did he escape?"

Seja nodded. "Like Serphants, he fled."

Atton added, "It seems that the Mandalorians were trying to broker a treaty at the eleventh hour. They would trade intelligence about the Republic for military assistance. I'm sure no good can come of it."

Kayla's face registered horror. "This could prolong the war. We must notify Revan immediately."

Atton paused a moment and seemed nervous. He turned, avoiding Kayla's gaze and he sighed deeply.

She immediately sensed his reluctance. "What's wrong? We've got to talk to Revan," she said again with emphasis. "The admiral can be extremely unforgiving of disobedience."

"Well, uhh, I have orders directly from Malak that say that I'm to report to him." Atton shrugged. "You don't mess with Malak."

Kayla pursed her lips. "Something weird is going on between those two and I don't particularly like it."

Atton seemed taken aback. "You shouldn't speak about our leaders like that." He had completely discarded his flippant attitude at the mention of Revan and Malak. The awe and reverence that he felt for them was apparent to all. Although destiny would change his feelings, a younger, more naïve Atton would need to believe in the cause…even if it would eventually mean killing the very thing he would love.

"Revan…saved me. I was nothing…a lost and hopeless boy, wandering in the ruins of my city that the Mandalorians had destroyed. She-" He turned away and pressed the cold pack hard into his eye.

The woman shook her head. "No, I'm not criticizing them. I love Revan with all my heart and I would give my life for her. When she included me in the inner circle and told me of her plan to save the Republic, my heart leapt. When she defeated Master Vrook in that duel, I wept for joy. Her confidence in me to lead this covert operation on Malachor is my crowning achievement. Atton, my soul belongs to Revan."

Atton's nostrils flared, his natural suspicions still working on him, but he turned back to look at her. "Good, then we know where we stand." He took the cold pack off and squinted his eye. "I can see pretty good again. You're quite the medic. If you ever give up being a Jedi, you can easily have another gig." With a sigh, Atton's practiced insouciance returned and the edges of his mouth curled upward in a wry smile. "I'll go and call Malak."

He stood and walked out the door, his gait stronger. Kayla followed him and grasped his arm. "I give better care to those close to me." Then, she hesitated. "Jaq, when this war is over I don't know what I'll do. I want to return to the Order, but I've betrayed everything it stands for. I defied the will of the Council, I've killed the enemies of the Republic, I've felt…love." She gulped hard.

"Love, good for you. So, who is this lucky guy?"

Kayla sighed heavily. "For an intelligence operative, you are the dumbest man I know." She seized the lapel of his torn ribbed jacket and pulled him in close.

"Oh! Me?"

"Yes, you," she replied and kissed him passionately, awkwardly letting her fingers grip his shoulders. He gave in readily, tasting her fire, but then, he pulled away. She looked hurt. "Jaq?"

"No, Kayla, it's just that I have to call Malak. We can't keep him waiting."

Her mouth opened wide. "Oh yes! Malak…no, let's go call him," she said breathlessly. Together, they entered the communications room and sealed the door.

He gave Kayla a nervous smile and then set in the communications parameters – he focused the array onto the transponder code that he knew to be Malak's and entered the specific encryption code. He then beamed a narrowly-focused burst of energy to Malak's ship and synced his frequency-hopping algorithm with the mother ship. "Our transmission is point to point so it will be very difficult to intercept."

"Always the operative, huh?"

Atton was about to respond when a hologram of Malak appeared. The Jedi's body was tense and he stroked his strong chin with a pensive hand. "Jaq, I thought you were dead. I am pleased by your escape."

"Thank you, sir. We are not without our injuries though. I regret to inform you that Serphants has escaped, but his wounds are severe."

Malak pondered for a moment and raised one eyebrow. "That is sufficient."

"Sir, I also wanted to report that we observed Sith on Malachor Five."

"Sith?" questioned Malak. "Are you sure?"

Atton nodded. "Without a doubt. Their leader is Master Uthar Wynn. He is on Malachor Five to make a treaty with the Mandalorians. Are you sure I shouldn't notify Revan?"

"No, you were right to call me. Revan…cannot be bothered with such details at the moment. She is leading the final assault on Bendak's fleet, while I sit here, butchering the last of the Ordo."

Kayla noticed something odd in the tone of Malak's voice and she could see tension along his jaw. "Sir, our mission is completed. Vako is slain, the Serphants Clan is in disarray thanks to Seja, and all of our reconnaissance reports and communications intercepts have been forwarded to you. Our ETA to your fleet is two hours."

Malak held out his hand. "Wait, I have one more mission for you. A shuttle, carrying valuable cargo has…has been stolen from my ship by Mandalorian spies," he began and Kayla and Atton exchanged glances, mouthing, "Mandalorian spies?"

"I want you to intercept the shuttle, kill its occupants, and send it to Malachor Five. You are to input this code into the cargo," Malak finished as he transmitted some data. "Do you understand?"

Atton nodded as he read the code. "Yes, sir. We're on it."

Malak smiled warmly. "Good. You have always been one of our best operatives, Jaq. I shall let Revan know of your work and you shall be rewarded. There will be a place for you in the New Order when this is done."

Atton beamed. "Thank you, sir." The line went dead. "The New Order…I like the sound of that."

Kayla sighed and her face darkened for a moment. "The New Order? I'm not so sure, Jaq. I just want this to end and for things to return to the way they were before this…this horrible war. I still hope that the Order will forgive me and allow me to return."

"Don't worry, I know Revan and Malak will be able to convince you to stay on."

She made a lukewarm smile. "We'll see. I'll think upon it."

He made a grin that went ear to ear. "And I can be very persuasive," he said as he maneuvered her onto his lap. Something within him screamed that time was running out and he could no longer bear the tension between them. He brushed her blonde hair away from her eyes and gazed into their depths. Though she had seen much, her blue eyes shone of innocence and longing. His breathing quickened as he opened her robes to look upon her creamy skin which glistened with perspiration.

At first, she tried to push him away weakly. "Atton…I'm a Jedi…please."

Gently, he turned her face back so she could look him in the eye. "Kayla, time is running out. Whatever happens here will change the galaxy forever. Time is running out."

In a need born of fear and uncertainty, Kayla buried her face in Atton's neck and inhaled his scent. She closed her eyes and let her lips brush his rough stubble. All of the oaths she had taken and all of the promises that she had made mattered not at the moment as she melded with him, letting her bare flesh chafe on Atton's ribbed jacket. Their rhythm blended with the throbbing of the ion engines, allowing themselves to be lost in the depths of space and time until they were spent.

At the moment of ecstasy, Atton's mind was flooded with energy.

He stands over Kayla, his face twisted and unrecognizable. He holds a sharp implement to her neck and her body is flayed and bloody. "I can be very persuasive," he coos those familiar words into her ear.

He expects her to scream, but she is quiet, whimpering with terror. Enraged, he grabs a rod, crackling with electricity and jams it into her form. Her body arches with pain, but still she remains silent.

"Are you ready to talk? Are you ready to join us?" he asks, haughty and sullen.

Kayla nods, her eyes full of pain and suffering. "Yes, come closer, Jaq. I'll tell you all."

With a smirk, he leans over her split lips and puts his ear over her mouth.

"Jaq, I love you," she says and then, her lips and eyes are forever frozen.

Spasms wrack Atton's body as he pulled himself into Kayla one last time. With ice in his gut from the vision, he immediately pushed away from her.

"Jaq? What's wrong?"

He forced a smile, but he could not look at her. "Nothing, sweets. You just wiped me out is all," he said with an immodest wink.

"I violated the Code and gave you my body and my heart. I would hope it means more than just sex."

He forced himself to look at her and for a moment, he saw her as a corpse with pale, mottled skin and filmy, soulless eyes staring off into eternity and he felt sick. With an effort, he pushed aside the image, focusing on the face before him now. "It is, sweets. You mean the world to me. Come, let's go bag Malak's lost shuttle, shall we?"

Malachor VII

Canderous Ordo lay, half covered in snow, scanning the landing site with his optics while Xarga watched a monitor that was set against a rock. Mandalorian warriors knelt around them, hunkered down behind cover, waiting for the chance to bloody the Republic.

"Xarga, General T'Sing has taken the landing zone. Revan's orbital bombardment has ended our counterattack," Canderous said.

"Things are not going well for us. We should fall back to the fortress – I think we're vulnerable to bombardment here."

Canderous rolled to one side and propped his head up on one hand. "That's why I'm having you set up the masking grid…so those damn ships can't see us until it's too late." He then knelt and put a gauntleted hand on Xarga's shoulder. "Remember…Strength is life, honor is life, death is life."

The other Mandalorian nodded. "That is the way of Mandalore."

"Good," Ordo said. "Now tell me what is happening with Bendak's fleet. Last I saw, he was pressing Malak pretty hard."

Xarga grunted and rubbed his hands together to warm them. "The situation has changed, my friend," he advised, turning the monitor so Canderous could see it. "Revan had her ships break formation and engage Bendak in small groups."

Canderous narrowed his eyes – Bendak had spread his ships apart to battle the starfighters and allowed Revan's capital ships to cluster around each vessel and eliminate them one by one. "His forces are now too far apart to support each other. He's being annihilated. Look, Malak is swinging around to close the trap. Where are my people? Where is my clan?"

Xarga shook his head. "Gone. All gone. A few escaped back to Malachor Five."

Ordo nodded. "Such is war," he said stoically and turned back to look at the Republic forces. "General T'Sing has landed the bulk of her division. I can see her first brigade maneuvering to our left flank, screened by armor." He thought for a moment before continuing, "They'll expect us to attack. That would have been my preference, but perhaps that whiny Serphants had a point. Establish a reserve two klicks to the rear and have them stand by. Thin our left flank to give General T'Sing the appearance of weakness on our part."

The other Mandalorian raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Canderous Ordo taking the defensive? Now I've seen everything." With a chuckle, Xarga donned his helmet and moved down the line to the left flank. There, he pointed to a number of warriors, including a red-haired woman bundled in thick furs.

"You warriors, report to the rear and form a reserve. Stand by for Canderous' command to attack. Anyone failing to obey will be killed."

The troops reluctantly began to move back and Xarga noticed the woman. "You there, what are you doing on the line? You are not Mandalorian. Who are you?"

The woman stopped and looked at the towering Mandalorian as her breath streamed in the cold air. "My name is Mira. I was a slave of the Serphants Clan, but my master, Vako, freed me to fight for the Mandalore. I can hold my own."

Xarga paused for a moment. "Vako? He is a worthy warrior. Very well, fall in with the reserves."

Mira nodded and continued to the rear. "Worthy warrior?" she whispered with a snicker. "More like a dead one. I'll get out of this and be free of the Mandalorians yet."

The Bridge of the RNS Indefatigable

Malak stood by his command seat and his hands gripped the armrest tightly, squeezing the black leather. Excitement was written across his face, his blue eyes wide and his teeth showing through a victorious smile. On his Tactical Display, clusters of Republic ships were hammering at individual Mandalorian vessels, using greater numbers and firepower to destroy the enemy.

"How could I have doubted Revan?" he whispered. He then turned to Bandon. "What is our status?"

The young man grinned broadly and wiped some soot away from his face. "Our shields are back to fifty percent and damage control crews are working on the engines, but we are battle worthy."

"Good," Malak said and pointed to Nisotsa at the helm. "Blow past the ruins of Ordo's force. Let our frigates finish them. I want a piece of Bendak's fleet before it's gone. Have the Aquos, Lion, and Qi Ren follow us and establish a diamond formation."

"Aye," answered the commander as he input the course and activated the controls to open the massive ion injectors into the turbines. The great ship accelerated and its engines hummed and fuel sprayed into the combustion chambers. The fuel then ignited and a sharp blue flame roared out the back of the engines. Malak's ship made for the nearest Mandalorian vessel, which was attempting to rejoin with several others for mutual support.

"Quickly, Nisotsa. I don't want them ganging up on me," Malak urged. He stood again, like the powerful hunter, one foot firmly planted on the deck with the other propped up on his seat. He leaned forward aggressively with his chin jutting out, looking down his nose at his prey. "Have the Aquos and Lion fire torpedoes at long range to slow them. I want us to close quickly to knife fighting range and we will beat them to a pulp. I like to grapple with my enemy and see his fear."

"Forever bold," said Bandon, citing Malak's creed. "Forever forward."

On that, Malak's two escort ships opened fire. Streaks of fire left their torpedo tubes and rocketed toward the Mandalorian ship. "Electronic identification tells us that the ship is the Malachor Dawn," announced Bandon. "Their weapons and shields are at full strength, but we'll overtake them in two minutes."

Malak watched with satisfaction as torpedo impacts lit up the Malachor Dawn's shields. The enemy dreadnaught returned fire and torpedoes streaked back at the Republic. The muscular Jedi tensed, but did not flinch. "Countermeasures," he commanded.

Bandon nodded and activated the countermeasure suite that began emitting powerful radio-frequency energy on a narrow bandwidth to confuse the targeting sensors. Next, giant canisters shot out of ports along the hull of the great ship and streaked away. Within the guts of these mysterious cylinders, emitters broadcast a signature that was identical to the Indefatigable – engines, electronics, acoustics. In essence, the torpedoes now saw five of Malak's ship.

One Mandalorian torpedo shot by and vanished in deep space, deceived by the jamming. Two more slammed into the decoys, creating fireballs in the darkness.

However, two crashed into the Lion and her shields flashed from the blast. Holes appeared in her hull near the bridge and Malak could see her veer off course and begin to tumble.

"Stay on target," he said passionately as the Aquos launched another volley. The Malachor Dawn shuddered under torpedo impacts and one of its engines grew dark.

"Malak, the enemy ship is slowing," informed Bandon. "Turbolaser range in thirty seconds."

Revan, do you doubt my skill now? I can be your equal if you let me. I can stand by your side in the New Order if you'll have me. I will prove it to you.

"Malak, we're in range."

"Open fire…all batteries. Continue to close to point blank range," the blond Jedi ordered. He then sat back down into his command chair as turbolaser batteries unleashed their energy and he whispered, "With that technician's creation, Malachor Five will be my gift to Revan. Then, she and all of the galaxy will see that we are meant to dominate…together. My dream is unfolding."

Little did Malak know, but his gift would be the galaxy's curse and his dream would become a nightmare.

Aboard the Malachor Dawn in Bendak's Fleet, now commanded by Thax

Aboard the massive dreadnaught and pride of the Mandalorian fleet, chaos reigned. With Bendak missing, Thax had assumed command of the fleet…or what was left of it. On the bridge of the Malachor Dawn, steam and flame shot in every direction and many warriors lay slumped over their consoles, dead as a result of the damage caused be turbolaser and torpedo hits on the ship. One officer, no more than a boy covered in soot and ash, ran from the bridge. "Malak is here!"

The Commander, a Mandalorian with graying brown hair, drew his pistol and shot the boy in the back. "You are no Mandalorian!"

The report of the weapon broke the panic that had infected the crew and the wails of the warriors vanished into the venting steam.

We are not the same Mandalorians that crossed into the Republic. Boys and old men are all that remain. Now Bendak and Canderous are gone…my leaders, my friends. We have seen every campaign together since the dawn of war. Looking at the tactical display, Thax shook his head. We came close this time, didn't we? We bloodied Saul Karath and we hurt Malak pretty bad. We would have broken his line if not for Revan. Next time, Canderous…next time.

The Commander growled at his men. "Get back to your stations, you Banthas! Prepare warriors to repel boarders."

Initially stunned, the Mandalorians focused on his words and then moved with a sense of purpose. A young man sat at the Ops terminal and glanced at the readout. "Shields are inoperative. Weapons offline. Engine thrust down seventy percent."

"There is no use running," the Commander said with a grunt. He drew his razor-sharp vibrosword and held it to his chest. "It is time to fight."

A cold stillness replaced the hot panic from a moment ago and Thax was answered by the sound of vibrodaggers being hammered against armored chests. The great ship lurched and men staggered from the movement.

"They have a tractor beam on us," announced one warrior. Then, a loud squeal sounded and the bridge lights flashed and sparks blew out of consoles. "Commander, they have disabled our targeting sensors and self-destruct systems."

Thax clenched his fists. "I wasn't going to blow myself up anyway…not without a shot at Malak."

A deep, heavy crunch rang on the hull outside the bridge. Then, there was quiet for a moment before the sound of a cutting laser reverberated in the room. "That will be their assault droids. Do not fret yourselves," said the Commander to calm his men. Anxious Mandalorians stood, blasters, disruptors, and swords drawn, waiting for the blow to fall.

Black lines appeared on the bulkhead along with hot sparks until an oval was formed on the durasteel.

"Warriors, stand ready!"

The oval blew inward with smoke and flame followed by grenades and blaster fire. Bright red, yellow, green, and blue bolts of lethal plasma sliced the dark, smoky air and men fell on both sides amid screams and the high-pitched whine of blaster fire. Republic marines in golden armor poured through the breach to meet the rapid fire of a heavy blaster and the assault stalled at the hole.

Thax stood next to the gun crew, directing the fire and bodies piled up. Smoke coiled off of the barrel and from the plasma chamber as heat radiated from the weapon.

"We have to change barrels, Commander!" called one gunner and his mate pulled out a long tube and another plasma chamber. As if on cue, a grenade flew toward them and began spewing thick, black smoke. Another grenade landed near a cluster of warriors and detonated, hurling frozen crystals on the men.

"No, keep firing!" countered the leader and he pointed his vibrosword at the now obscured breach. The blaster continued to belch flame and death, but the sounds of another Republic assault were growing. Men shouted and cried out as explosions rocked the corridor and then, marines poured through the smoke amid the renewed sounds of blaster fire.

The Commander saw the enemy rush at him, swords drawn and he rallied his warriors. "Throw them back!" he shouted and led them into the melee. He raised his durasteel to meet a cut and then forced the enemy's weapon down with his arms. With a backhanded slash, the leader removed the marine's head. He then spun the sword with the precision born from years of combat and clove the next man from shoulder to belly through golden armor.

His vibrosword stuck in the man's falling body just long enough for another Republic marine to bring his weapons down on Thax's helmet. The blade glanced off of the finely-made Mandalorian helm, but part of the durasteel was shorn away, revealing bare skin. On instinct, the Commander drew his arms back and drove the point of his weapon deep into the marine's chest.

The first Republic assault had failed.

Smoke coiled through the corridor while the hellish glow of fire danced along the walls and the Commander looked about to see only a few warriors still standing with him. Though his heart pounded and his breath came in ragged gulps, he stood proudly with his men.

"Strength is life!"

"Honor is life!"

"Death is…." he began before the sound of lightsabers tore the air and all fell silent.

The heavy blaster gunner pulled the trigger but nothing happened. Then, the weapon and the crew flew backwards and smashed against a blackened wall. Through the haze and fire stepped two Jedi – one with black hair and the other blond with red body armor.

"Malak…." said the Commander through gritted teeth, now visible through his shattered helmet. "I had prayed for this meeting."

The Jedi curled the edge of his lip up and bared his teeth. "Then I hope it is all that you prayed for."

The remaining Mandalorians hurled themselves at the two intruders and Bandon stood with a sneer upon his face. Before the charge could reach him, he thrust his violet-bladed lightsaber into the throat of a warrior and then spun, slicing the legs cleanly off of another. Bandon's eyes glowed momentarily before he caught the arm of a third warrior with his hand and flung him into the bulkhead, smashing muscle and bone.

Malak seized the initiative, striding into the mass of warriors with his powerful physique. He unsubtly parried the blow of one man and then rammed the hilt of his lightsaber into his enemy's face, splitting the helmet in two. Blood poured down the warrior's chest as Malak wrapped his left arm around the man's neck and snapped it.

The massive Jedi then delivered an uppercut, slashing through armor and flesh, sending another warrior pitching over backward. A third Mandalorian thrust forward with a sword, but Malak sidestepped, spun, and clove the man in two at the waist.

Without waiting for the rest of his men to die, Thax rushed in and cut down at Malak's head with all of his might. The Jedi brought his blade up to meet the attack and durasteel clashed on pure energy with sparks and crackles. Malak turned his wrist and slashed at the Mandalorian's flank, but the man twisted his blade downward and the weapons met again.

Malak's crushing fist came down on the Mandalorian's face and bits of metal, skin, and blood sprayed on the ground. The Commander staggered, but drove his armored boot into Malak's shin. The Jedi howled and fell to one knee.

"Die!" Thax cried and plunged his sword down at Malak's chest, but the Jedi batted the tip away and flipped the Commander over him onto the deck. As the Mandalorian crashed on his back, Malak rolled him over with his brute strength, mounted his back, and then twisted his head completely around.

Bones snapped as flecks of spit flew from Malak's lips in his terrible fury. As the light of the Mandalorian's eyes faded, Malak dropped the corpse to the ground. His eyes shone with the utmost savagery.

"No, it is you who died."