Following the excitement of the battle of the Archives, and Wynne's subsequent arrival, Shepard found the next few days of downtime a welcome respite. Despite having their wounded members healed up and ready for action, Snake and T3 were still decrypting the data found in the Archives, and there was no immediate need to head out on a mission.
As such, Shepard was currently entertaining herself by watching Galen teach the secrets of lightsaber combat to Pyrrha and Thane. Currently, the two learners faced off against one another, both wielding jian swords, chinese officer swords found in the capital wasteland, rather than lightsabers for obvious safety purposes.
However the duo were not truly sparring, but instead performing a series of maneuvers and drills to familiarize themselves with the lightsaber combat style itself. Where Pyrrha would perform a wider sweeping horizontal and vertical attacks, Thane would deftly parry the attack, blades perfectly perpendicular, before riposting in a similar manner.
While Shepard was not a master fencer, she could tell that in comparison to both the huntresses and assassins usual blade work, this style of combat seemed… clumsy and straight forward. A far cry from the fighting styles the found themselves against.
"So Galen, think you can explain to me what these guys are doing?" Shepard asked, curious to the practicality of this drill.
Galen nodded. "What they are practicing are the velocities of the first lightsaber form, Shii-Cho. It is a beginner style for both Jedi and Sith, designed to teach the basics of sword combat and blaster deflection. What they are doing now are parry and counter attacking drills." he explained.
"Yeah but why does it seem so… slow?" Shepard inclined her head to one side.
Galen smirked, then called out to his pupils, "Why don't you guys pick up the pace a little? Switch to the live combat form."
Thane and Pyrrha gave a mid combat nod in acknowledgement as they began speeding up. Rather than the simple attacks they were previously doing, they began attacking from different diagonal directions, aiming for limbs and disabling strikes as well. It was much more intense than the previously drill, but kept the repeating pattern of attack-parry-riposte.
"As you could tell, the style is somewhat clumsy, but straightforward and direct, with simple but powerful techniques. For fighters as skilled as Pyrrha and Thane, they have picked it up rather quickly, and will probably master it soon. But the point is not for them to really learn these techniques, but to know and understand these fundamentals because it's what Dark Jedi would have learned, and therefore naturally draw and rely upon." Galen continued to lecture. "Normally we'd even do blaster deflection training with blindfolds, to have the students rely on the force rather than their own senses, but that wouldn't work with these two."
As the Pyrrha and Thane continued to practice, Pyrrha began relying on her aura to enhance her speed and reflexes. In response, Thane began to draw upon his own well of aura to keep up.
Following Wynne's introduction into the Legion, Thane had approached Pyrrha about getting his aura unlocked. Having seen how the superhuman capabilities that Pyrrha performed on the regular, combined with his less than spectacular performance during the mission to the Archives, Thane felt that he needed to increase his strength. Pyrrha agreed, and Thane became the third Legionnaire to have their aura unlocked.
It was even suggested going ahead and unlocking everyone's auras to be safe, but Pyrrha said she wanted to slowly unlock everyone's aura instead. In the same way Wynne was concerned about about the way her magic would affect the other's enhancements, Pyrrha was afraid of what aura might to do them. Both Shepard and Six have extensive enhancements to their muscular fibers, skeletons, and more, and if aura tried to "heal" the augmentations, it may end up crippling them. In the same way, Snake apparently has as many pieces of shrapnel within his body as he does bones, most obvious being the massive shard sticking out of his head. If they unlocked his aura, would it the shrapnel jettison from his body, or perhaps would his brain try to heal around the shrapnel? Pyrrha wasn't in a rush to answer these questions, so she'd focus on unlocking the healthier members aura's first.
Shepard refocused back on the training, "Makes sense. Learn the enemies fighting style so you know its weaknesses and strengths." Shepard then cracked a smile. "You know my mom tried to get me to do fencing back when I was in high school, but I couldn't get into. I was always more interested in more practical martial arts, like jujutsu or muay thai. I've had some training with knives, but where I'm from swords have all but disappeared. I've only ever seen them in the hands of cybernetically enhanced assassins, biotic asari swordmasters, or the occasional very aggressive krogan warlord."
"Yes in a world without the Force to enhance your senses and abilities, or a weapon that could cut through metal like paper, it only makes sense that swordplay would fall out of favor." Galen mused, still watching practice drill intently.
The conversation lulled for a brief moment as the only apparently sound was that of swords clashing. It natural pause seemed like a good time to bring up the real reason of why Shepard wanted to speak to Galen.
"Galen, when you're done with your training, would you mind if we had a few words?" Shepard politely asked.
"We could speak now if you wish. The two of them are skilled and disciplined enough to barely require my oversight."
"Fair enough. I wanted to know how you know so much about killing force users. I remember you said you were once a part of the Sith, but I feel like there's something more to it. Being able to out duel a Dark Jedi is one thing, knowing a dozen different ways for a soldier like me to do kill them is another."
Galen simply shrugged. "That's because I was much more than just another acolyte. I was raised from childhood specifically to hunt and kill Jedi. Fighting Sith is hardly a step off from that."
"And the Jedi were the good guys in your universe." Shepard conjectured, assuming the opposite of a Dark Jedi was probably a pretty decent person.
"Most points of view would agree with you." Galen acknowledged.
"Who raised you to do such a thing?" Shepard frowned, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer.
"You see, originally I was a child to a pair of Jedi. In my world, following the end of the Clone Wars, the war Sev fought in, the Galactic Republic was reformed into the Galactic Empire. And Emperor Palpatine used his army of clones to enact a purge against the Jedi, nearly driving them to extinction."
"Then that means your parents…"
Galen gave a solemn nod. "They were killed by the Emperor's own apprentice and chief enforcer, Darth Vader. But for some reason, Vader didn't kill me. Whether through pity or seizing of an opportunity, Vader took me in and made me his own apprentice. He was almost like an adoptive father to me even. He trained me in everything I know, specifically how to kill Jedi."
Shepard was enraptured by the story, as were Thane and Pyrrha, who stopped their own practice to listen to the story.
However the frown remained on Shepard's face. "No offence Galen, but your step dad sounds like an asshole."
That actually got a laugh out of Galen. "He was not the kindest person in the galaxy, no."
"Do you hate him?" This time Pyrrha cut in, now wanting to know more about her ally. "For what he did, killing your real parents, kidnapping and brainwashing you."
To Shepard's surprise Galen actually had to take a moment to think about that.
"No." Galen flatly stated. "For a while, I did feel anger and hate towards Vader, but eventually, it turned to pity. Vader was a shell of the man he once was, broken and twisted by Emperor Palpatine. He was as much of a slave to him as he was to the dark side." Galen let out a small sigh. "I do hope that he made the right choice in the end."
Wanting to keep the story on track, Shepard asked, "So how did you become a Jedi if you were trained to kill them?"
"Once my training was nearing its completion, I was tasked with hunting down several Jedi. General Rahm Kota, Master Kazdan Paratus, and Master Shaak Ti, all powerful knights and masters in their own right. I defeated them, killing all save for General Kota. It was after this that the Emperor discovered my existence, and ordered Vader to execute me."
"Wait, but why would the Emperor want to have you killed?" Pyrrha asked.
"To give a little bit more context, the Sith follow something called the Rule of Two. See the Sith believed that only the strongest should rule, and that having multiple Sith lords would only cause rivalry and dissension. So they established the Rule of Two, where there should only be two Sith in the Galaxy, a master and an apprentice. According to tradition, the Master would raise the apprentice to power, and when the apprentice surpasses the master, the apprentice would betray him. Should he succeed, then the more powerful Sith rules, should he fail, that meant the apprentice was weak and the master would start again. Nothing of value being lost."
"I guess that sorta makes sense, in a sociopathic kind of way." Shepard mumbled.
"Doesn't really seem like an efficient use of time however." Pyrrha added on.
"Regardless, Vader training me would have meant that he was planning on soon betraying Palpatine. He would become the master and myself the apprentice, and we would take control of the Empire ourselves. Palpatine knew this, and ordered Vader to kill me to prevent this betrayal from happening." Galen thought back his first betrayal, when Vader impaled him with his lightsaber then flung him into the vacuum of space. "But Vader in fact saved me from death. And in order to fulfill our plan, we needed something to distract Palpatine's spies that were still wary of Vader.
"I was given a mission. To raise an army of rebels and dissidents in revolution against the Empire. This rebellion would distract the Emperor enough for the two of us to strike. I traveled across the galaxy, even trained under General Kota, and eventually gathered up the necessary forces and leaders for the rebellion."
Shepard gave a nod in understanding. "Sounds like classic unconventional warfare."
"What's that?" Pyrrha asked. While she was well versed in all things combat and fighting, advanced military tactics was not something she studied.
"See when one government wants to take down another government, but can't legally send their armies in, they instead send their special forces. The special forces would do a variety of black ops missions, from sabotage and assassination, to espionage and reconnisance. Unconventional warfare is the concept of sending in commandos to train local rebels and resistance fighters. With their training and support, the hope is that the rebels will take down the old government, creating a new government that is indebted to them." Shepard explained. Such a tactic truly came into fruition during the 20th century when various the various global special forces units were established.
Pyrrha frowned at this. "That seems like quite the underhanded tactic."
"That is simply war." Thane finally added on matter of factly. He knew that often times morality and conscience would have to take a backseat to the needs of the mission.
"And trigger a war it did. But in the end even that mission was a lie. Vader did not want me to start a rebellion to distract Palpatine, but instead to bring the rebels together so the Emperor could destroy all of his enemies in one fell swoop. Vader never actually planned to strike at the Emperor with me. And so he betrayed me again, and as I barely escaped with my life I realized I was on the wrong side of this war. So I went to the Death Star, the super weapon of the Empire, to rescue the rebel leaders and stop Vader and Palpatine." Galen declared rather nonchalantly.
"Seeking atonement for sins committed is something I understand well. It is good you were not only able to realize your mistakes, but take responsibility for them as well." Thane spoke with a hint of respect and admiration for the former Sith.
"And then what happened?" Pyrrha asked, on the edge of her metaphorical seat.
Galen gave a shrug. "Simple, I failed. Well I suppose I shouldn't say that. With the help of my friends, the rebel leaders were able to escape, fleeing the Death Star to continue their fight for freedom. However, I proved too weak to defeat the Emperor, and perished in battle."
The revelation set a rather downcast mood on everyone but Galen.
Pyrrha, the most dour out of all of them, spoke up first. "Even though you failed to slay the Emperor, even though you have no idea if your friends made it out or succeeded in their war, how do you seem so at peace with it?" This story echoed Pyrrha's own far too much for her comfort. For the longest time she felt as if her failure was suffocating her, crushing her soul and spirit, and she wanted to know how he dealt with his own.
With a small smile Galen said, "For me, I have faith. Faith in my friends. I did my part, the Force will see the rest through. Whether it's the way anyone expects it remains to be seen."
Pyrrha mulled over the words, unsure if she could put her stock into an unknown force or fate. She did not want to believe in destiny anymore.
Seeing Pyrrha's discomfort, Shepard stepped up and slapped Galen on the back, giving him a hearty pat with a big smile. "Well I for one am just glad you're on our side now. God knows I wouldn't want to fight you if you were still part of the Empire."
"Yes I do suppose it would be a rather one sided fight." Galen joked, causing the smile to fall from Shepard's face.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked, completely straight faced.
Galen didn't need Force powers to sense that he made some sort of mistake. He quickly tried to process something to say, but unfortunately of all the skills Vader taught him, talking to people was not one of them. "I feel like I said something I shouldn't have, and would like to apologize."
That put a smile on Shepard's face, but it wouldn't be enough. "Why don't you apologize to me in the ring."
Galen sighed while Pyrrha's eyes went wide. "Shepard, is that really a good idea?" She asked out of worry for both her and for the base.
"Don't worry about it P-money. Besides, I've always wanted to spar Galen, test my biotics and enhancements against his Force powers."
"I suppose it could be fun." Galen lightly chuckled, as Shepard clapped him on the back once again.
"See even Galen agrees. Now go get your butt into the ring so I can beat it down."
Shepard cracked her knuckles as she and Galen faced down in the battle circle. Flexing her fingers, purple biotic energy coalesced around her hands as she grinned maniacally. Galen on the other hand, sighed and took a casual martial arts guard, one first raised up in defense and the other by his waist.
Standing between them outside of the ring, Pyrrha raised one hand into the sky. Taking a quick glance at both fighters to make sure they were prepared, Pyrrha cut her hand downwards yelling, "Begin!"
Shepard moved first, using her biotics to lift Galen into the air. Where most mooks would panic at the being biotically lifted into zero-g, Galen only raised an amused eyebrow. While he was trapped in the air, Shepard let her biotics surge through her, as she then biotically charged him, slamming into him like an eezo cannon ball.
Galen felt not only the impact of both of Shepard's biotically charged fists, but also of the subsequent detonation that followed as the two abilities synergistically exploded for more damage. At the moment of impact, Galen was forced to cocoon himself with the Force, protecting him from damage but draining his powers.
The two landed on the ground as gravity overtook them, but Galen was the faster to recover. Using the force to then enhance his speed, Galen turned into a blur as he almost instantaneously appeared in front of Shepard. Galen let loose a flurry of punches and kicks, faster than Shepard could even see, let alone react to. So Shepard turtled up, tucking her chin in and raising her guard, letting her enhanced muscles and skin take the brunt of the damage.
Through pain that felt like someone put her under a jackhammer, Shepard kept her eyes opened and focused, looking for an opening. And, lo and behold, she found one. Trying to get passed her guard, Galen threw a right hook that went a bit too wide. Shepard shot forward, grabbing onto the sleeve and collar of Galen's robes. With a quick twist, Shepard put him into a classic judo shoulder throw, flipping him over her back.
To her shock however, Galen not only rolled with the momentum of her throw, but flipped with it, and landed on both feet directly in front of her, quickly slipping one hand on her wrist and the other gripping her shirt. Without hesitation Galen put her into a counter of his own, and with a mighty shoulder throw smashed Shepard into the dirt ground.
Shepard felt the air leave her lungs as she slammed back first onto the ground. She was unable to catch her breath as Galen then bent over above her and let loose a series of rapid fire chain punches, punching her face into the ground over a dozen times in less than a few seconds.
Pushing through the pain of being literally pummeled into the dirt, Shepard responded by unleashing a biotic nova, a massive area of effect explosion that blasted Galen backwards. Shepard took the pause in combat to stand, something that she struggled with dearly. Pyrrah couldn't help but wince as she saw Shepard's face. Her left eye was already swollen shut, and both her nose and lips were bleeding profusely. Shepard brings both fists back up, but swayed unsteadily.
Galen on the other hand, shook his hands to get rid of the pain and numbness in his fingers. "You're a lot more durable than you look." He commented. "You must have had quite the training regimen."
Shepard spit a wad of blood onto the ground before giving a crimson smile. "Push ups, sit ups, and a whole lotta juice." Even on her last legs, Shepard gave an aura of confidence, even if it was all just a show.
Come on Shepard, you got this. Just be unpredictable. She thought to herself as she recalled Galen's advice for fighting force users.
Galen cocked an eyebrow. He knew he could end the spar then and there, but wanted to see what Shepard had come up with.
Reaching into her pocket, Shepard pulled out a small metallic disc. She chucked the disc as hard as she could at Galen, who easily stopped it in front of him with the Force. Before Galen could crush it or throw it away, the disc began to glow. Galen braced himself, thinking it was some sort of grenade. But instead the disc projected a small hologram, a miniature, orange version of Shepard.
The Shepard VI looked right at Galen before saying, "I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favorite store on the Citadel."
The strange distraction succeeded in confusing Galen, who couldn't react to the VI overloading and exploding in his face with a burst of heat and smoke. Galen coughed and choked on the smoke, and didn't notice Shepard flying towards him with the strongest biotic charge she'd done in a long time.
Shepard's biotic fists connected with Galen and sent him flying backwards. Galen ragdolled and slammed into a nearby shipping container, severely denting it. As the smoke cleared, Shepard stared the secret apprentice down, arms still raised and barely able to stand as Galen slowly pulled himself from the crate, clutching his ribs.
Even though that hurt, a lot, Galen was still in much better condition than Shepard. However Galen looked down and smiled. Apparently Shepard's charge had knocked him clean out of the ring.
"Seems like this is my loss." Galen shrugged, this ending was fine with him.
"Damn right!" Shepard cried out, raising both fists into the air in victory. "I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite spot in Mother Base!" Shepard then immediately collapsed on the ground.
With a grin, Pyrrha walked up to Shepard and helped lift her up, throwing Shepard's arm over her shoulder and her own arm around the commander's waist. "That's right Shepard, you won. Now let's get you to Wynne, though I doubt she'll be happy to hear about how you got these injuries…"
A/N:
Review Responses:
Solemn Vigil: That's always a possibility. I will be keeping who shows up secret though for obvious reasons of course.
I will admit, this was probably my favorite chapter to write thus far. This fight was actually one of the first I wrote/choreographed for this story, and the whole chapter was just a lot of fun. Unlike the previous chapter, which I felt like I had to force out, this one felt a lot more natural to write.
Also, turns out that when you're on vacation, you'll have a lot of free time to write chapter outlines and actual chapters. I honestly didn't expect to finish this chapter so soon.
In addition I've also released the first chapter for my second fic, Jaune Arc, Lord of Hunger. Go check it out in the RWBY + Star Wars crossover section!
But with that, I want to say thanks for reading, have a safe and happy New Years, and I'll see you in the next one!