Vala, Arvon, Aja, and their forces make their way to the top level of the Had Abbadon palace. After fighting through a few soldiers and droids, they enter the throne room, only to be met by a group of heavily armed Mandalorians.
Only Mandalorians? I see Joren Tarn, but… where are the rest of the Sedition leaders? Something… is not right here. Vala thinks.
The Mandalorians are dressed in various colors and styles of armor. However, one of them stands out. A man in red and gold armor, who is standing in front of the throne with his arms crossed.
"That one in front of the throne… must be the leader." Aja says.
"That's Joren Tarn, a member of the Sedition Council, and the leader of the renegade Mandalorians who joined the Sedition." Vala answers.
"Okay… he's here… but where's the rest of the council?" Aja asks.
"I don't know. Our last intelligence reports said they were here." Vala answers.
"Looks like our intel is out of date." Aja says.
Either out of date… or something else is going on here. Something we are not yet aware of. I am getting a strange feeling from the force. Perhaps I should discuss this with Arvon once our task here is complete. Vala thinks.
"So it would seem." Vala says.
Joren Tarn steps away from the throne, and makes his way to the front of the group of Mandalorians.
"Arvon Cade... a Jedi Knight who also follows the Mandalorian Creed. The Jedi and Mandalore were once enemies. You, your clan, and everyone else who have aligned with Clan Mudhorn are traitors to Mandalore! You… are a pretender, unfit to wear that armor!" Joren says.
"Unlike you, I have never dishonored our people." Arvon says.
"Prove it. I challenge you! Face me, in single combat!" Joren says.
"I accept." Arvon says. Vala steps in front of him.
"Arvon! What are you doing? We have them outnumbered! We can just arrest him and end this now!" Vala says.
"He has challenged me to ritual combat. I have no choice but to accept. This is the way." Arvon says. Vala shakes her head, and lets out a sigh of frustration.
"Alright. May the force be with you." Vala says.
Arvon nods, then slowly approaches Joren.
"I have been looking forward to this! At last, I will destroy the great Arvon Cade!" Joren says.
"We will see." Arvon says.
"Warriors! Destroy these Alliance fools!" Joren says.
"Good luck with that." Arvon says.
Joren takes out a previously concealed lightsaber.
"Our warriors have killed a number of your Jedi in battle. Their weapons make excellent trophies, and… my mentor taught me how to use them." Joren says, as he ignites his weapon's green blade. Arvon ignites his saber in response, and a rather unique blade emerges- purple with a dark core.
"Anyone can learn how to use a lightsaber, but mastering it… is another matter." Arvon says.
"I don't need to master it! I just need to use it, along with every other weapon at my disposal to kill you! That is all that matters!" Joren says.
"Then, if you are so confident, let us proceed." Arvon says.
Joren charges aggressively toward Arvon. The Jedi Master blocks the intended attack. Joren continues to attack, while Arvon seems to effortlessly block or evade every strike.
As Arvon and Joren continue to fight, U5, BB-8, and the other droids arrive. The droids approach Vala, and BB-8 utters a series of beeps.
"Well done, BB-8. We almost have things in hand here." Vala says. U5 looks at Arvon and Joren, who are still engaged in their duel. The droid draws his rifle, and aims it at Joren's head.
"Permission to terminate that hostile meatbag, master?" U5 asks.
"Denied. This… is Mandalorian ritual combat. We cannot interfere. Arvon… will fight him alone." Vala answers.
"Very well." U5 says.
Nearby, Demarak is fighting several Mandalorians. Vala, Aja, and U5 watch as the Chiss Jedi Knight struggles to hold off the enemy.
"It would appear the insolent meatbag has encountered some difficulty. I suggest allowing the enemy to kill him. This would eliminate a source of continued annoyance for you." U5 says.
As much as Demarak gets on my nerves, I can't give in to hatred. That's the path to the dark side. I must remember as I was taught. Allowing him to be killed would be almost as bad as killing him myself. I can't do that. I'm better than that. Vala thinks.
"No. Demarak is a Jedi and a fellow soldier of the Alliance. I... will help him." Vala says.
"Master?" U5 asks.
"You heard me. We are helping him. Come on." Vala answers.
Vala, Aja, BB-8, and U5 run to help Demarak, who has just been knocked down. As one of the Mandalorians prepares for the killing blow, Vala throws her lightsaber. The weapon impales the Mandalorian in the chest, killing him instantly. As Vala recalls her saber, U5 opens fire, quickly taking out a few other enemies. Aja manages to kill one Mandalorian, albeit with some difficulty due to her youth and smaller size. She is able to take out another thanks to help from BB-8, as the little droid shocks the warrior from behind.
"Thanks, buddy." Aja says. BB-8 beeps in response.
Meanwhile, Vala leaps into the air, landing between Demarak and the last two enemy Mandalorians.
"You take the one on the left. I'll take the one on the right. The rest of you, watch our backs!" Vala says. Demarak glares at her for a few seconds, then does as instructed. He engages one Mandalorian while Vala fights the other. Eventually, the two Jedi defeat their opponents.
"I had things under control, Vala!" Demarak says.
"Obviously. You tried to take on too many at once, and you did not have the element of surprise, therefore, you had no advantage. Perhaps you will learn from this, and act with greater wisdom in the future." Vala says.
"Are you… trying to teach me, Vala?" Demarak asks.
"No. The force is teaching you, as it teaches all of us." Vala answers.
"Typical Skywalker arrogance! Your grandmother may have founded our order, and your mother may be Queen of Aquilae, but that does not give you the right to lecture me!" Demarak says.
"I am not lecturing you! I am simply stating a fact!" Vala says.
"More like your opinion!" Demarak says.
"That's enough! You have a job to do, so get to it!" Vala says.
"Very well, but this… is not over, Skywalker." Demarak says.
You no longer behave as a Jedi should, Demarak. I fear for your soul. We have never really been friends, but I hope you find your way back to the right path before it is too late. Vala thinks.
Demarak walks away to assist a group of Alliance soldiers nearby. Vala, Aja, BB-8, and U5 move to engage another group of Mandalorians. Meanwhile, Arvon continues his fight with Joren. As the rogue Mandalorian continues his aggressive attacks, Arvon continues to block or evade. Eventually, Joren becomes fatigued, and Arvon takes notice of this.
Good. My strategy seems to have worked. He's getting tired. If he had approached this fight with any degree of subtlety, then he might have had a better chance. Now, his arrogance and lack of patience will lead to his downfall. Arvon thinks.
As Joren becomes more fatigued, his attacks become erratic. Arvon decides to at last go on the offensive. Taking his left hand off of his lightsaber, Arvon reaches to his belt, and grabs a second lightsaber. He ignites the weapon, and a blue blade emerges. He then leaps into the air, and lands behind his opponent. Joren manages to turn around in time to clumsily block Arvon's two sabers. The Jedi Master attacks his enemy with increasing speed and intensity. Soon, Joren is overwhelmed, and his failing defenses allow Arvon to end the fight with a decisive killing blow as he impales Joren through the chest. The rogue Mandalorian is dead before his body hits the floor.
With Joren Tarn now defeated, Arvon looks around the room as the remaining enemies stare in disbelief. After a moment, the Jedi puts away his lightsabers.
"Warriors of Clan Tarn! Your leader has fallen in the battle circle! According to the creed, I will now take his place! Your clan… is now part of mine! You will lay down your arms and surrender to the Alliance!" Arvon says.
The remaining Mandalorians drop their weapons, and get on their knees as they are surrounded by Alliance soldiers.
"Take these prisoners back to the landing site, and prepare them for transport to the command ship." Arvon says.
The Mandalorians are escorted out of the throne room. Vala approaches, accompanied by Aja, BB-8, and U5.
"Looks like the planet's ours." Vala says.
"Indeed. The death of Joren Tarn is a crippling blow, but the Sedition is not defeated. This war… is not yet over." Arvon says.
"Agreed. We need to find the rest of the Sedition Council and bring them to justice. Then, this war will be over." Vala says.
"We might have a lead on the council. Probe droids have tracked a few enemy ships escaping to a nearby nebula. We'll leave a minimal occupation force here, then the rest of us will return to the fleet, and head for the nebula." Arvon says.
"I think we should reactivate the security droids and reprogram them. They could be used to assist the troops we leave behind. I can have BB-8 handle that." Vala says.
"Agreed. Could you… take charge of the withdrawal of our forces? I need to have a chat with Demarak." Arvon says.
"Understood." Vala says.
"Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, this won't take long." Arvon says.
Arvon walks away, and approaches Demarak.
"Demarak, walk with me." Arvon says. He walks toward the throne room entrance, and Demarak follows.
Arvon and Demarak leave the throne room, and walk down a corridor. Once they are alone, Arvon stops, and Demarak does the same.
"So, you want to talk to me alone. Away from her." Demarak says.
"I fail to understand this hatred for Vala." Arvon says.
"Hate… is too strong of a word. We simply do not see eye to eye on many things. While she is a capable warrior, I find her to be arrogant and reckless." Demarak says.
"Both words… could also describe you, Demarak." Arvon says.
"Arvon, we… have been friends since we were padawans! I used to be your second-in-command! Then, you promoted her over me!" Demarak says.
"You lost your position because of what happened at Cato Nemoidia. The senate wanted to take your general's rank as well, but I managed to convince the chancellor to let you keep it." Arvon says.
"Then you put Skywalker in my place, and gave her command of my fleet." Demarak says.
"Vala earned her position." Arvon says.
"Because of your… relationship." Demarak says.
"That… is not true. I gave her your post because I knew she could do it. Vala… is not a typical Jedi. Even you have to admit that." Arvon says.
"I admit that she does not follow the council as blindly as most. Still, she was once your padawan, then… you took things further." Demarak says.
"This is not the old Jedi Order. Our relationship is not against the rules, and is in fact supported by nearly every master on the council." Arvon says.
"Then, I suppose that the two of you will someday marry…" Demarak says.
"Vala and I... will discuss that further once the war is over. I know that you don't like her, but I ask you… please try your best to show Vala the proper respect. She is a very important part of my life, whether you approve or not, and she is not going anywhere." Arvon says.
"I will... work on it." Demarak says.
"Good. Now, I want you to go back to your flagship, and wait for me to contact you. Until then, consider yourself off duty." Arvon says.
"Arvon…" Demarak says.
"I am not pleased with your actions today. Vala had command of the ground operation. You… disobeyed her orders. You also broke your promise to me." Arvon says.
"I did what was necessary to win this war!" Demarak says.
"It is never necessary to kill innocent people!" Arvon says.
"This… is a rebel world! There are no innocent people! Everyone here… is a traitor to the Alliance!" Demarak says.
"We do not know the circumstances by which the Sedition took this world. We do not know the people, or their culture. It is unwise to pass judgement before having all of the facts." Arvon says. The two stand in silence for a moment as Demarak contemplates what Arvon has said.
"You are… correct, Arvon." Demarak says.
"The Chancellor and the Council will expect a full report. I'll have no choice but to tell them what happened here. I can't promise anything, but I will recommend that there be no formal charges against you. Now, go to your ship, and wait until you hear from me." Arvon says.
"Very well." Demarak says.
Arvon watches as his friend walks away.
We have been friends since we were children. We have been through many things together. Now, I am concerned for Demarak. He has changed since Tavani was killed. Kindness and compassion seem to no longer have a place in his heart. As his closest friend, it is my duty to help him find his peace, or he may be in danger of falling to the dark side. I cannot allow that to happen. Arvon thinks.
I am putting this story on hold for a while as I work on my other projects. I expect to return to this in about a month. Thanks for reading.
