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Chapter 34

~X~

"You anger our men, you'll end up with a lot of dead soldiers and maybe a few damaged buildings. But you anger our women and...well, you'll be feeling the side effects for years to come."

~Mandalore the Destined~

"Mandalorian women are frightening. They're smart, angry, and can shoot better than most men. Mandalorian men are a force to be reckoned with. But Mandalorian women? They're a kriffing force of nature."

~Zakc Paxus, noted Mandalorian author~

Aiming his blaster, Din ran straight ahead, only partially aware that Zax was right at his side. The two of them collided with the oncoming troopers in a frenzy of blasts, fists, and teeth – startling the enemy with their daring attack.

Raising his foot, Din kicked the first one in the stomach, sending him flying backwards into a wall and knocking him out. He took a shot to his pauldron, which thankfully bounced off the beskar plating, as he brought his weapon around and shot the offender in the chest. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Zax had once more latched onto the leg of one of the troopers, the confused man twisting this way and that he attempted to shake his attacker. This left the final two for Din, and after dodging several more blasts, he used his flame thrower to neutralize one, and take the other out by grabbing him by the arm and spinning him into the wall, face first. With only the one Zax was currently gnawing on, Din made short work of him with one shot from his blaster, ending the battle rather quickly.

Sadly, their victory was once again short lived. For no sooner had they dispatched the ones ahead of them, the door behind opened and in came another wave.

"How many of these blasted Imps are there?" Din growled, realizing he would need to find a way to escape if he ever wanted to return and save Ravana and the kid. "Zax! We need an exit. NOW!"

With a yip of understanding, the zaktan took off at a run, disappearing around the corner as Din turned and fired off a few rounds before following. The two of them racing down several corridors, until at last Zax found what he'd been looking for.

"This?" Din asked skeptically, eyeing the glass window up ahead in shock. "This is your exit?" Still, it was better than turning around and facing what was coming at them from behind.

So, picking up the zaktan and tucking him safely under his arm, Din lowered his head and ran straight at the window. The sound of glass and metal being destroyed echoed inside his helmet, nearly deafening him, but the strategy worked. Unfortunately, once outside the fortress, they found themselves falling, for the window had led not to a balcony, but off the cliff at the backside of the facility.

Good thing I brought this along, Din thought to himself as he pressed a button on his vambrace and the engines of his jetpack sputtered to life. Within seconds they'd slowed their decent enough for him to come out of the spin and reestablish control. Avoiding the ground and a few jagged rocks by very little, the two of them regained altitude and began to put some distance between the still firing troopers.

Now, it's widely known that most of the Empire's former soldiers were lousy shots, however even they could get lucky once in a while. And that's just what happened when one of the shots stuck the jetpack, sending a burst of sparks from the machine, and causing the Mandalorian to lose control.

"Hold on!" Din shouted, not knowing if he was speaking to Zax, or himself. They were going down fast, and he had little to no way of determining where they might land…or more likely, crash. Still, he tightened his grip on the zaktan and did his best to take the full force of the violent landing. His beskar helped some, but he still felt every rock and bump as his body skidded across the dark soil of the ground…and right over the edge into one of the craters. The painful thud that stopped his fall was the last thing Din remembered before everything went black.

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Ravana slowly opened her eyes, wondering why Din had let her sleep so late. It must be time to rise by now, and there was breakfast to make for the kid –

WAIT!

Suddenly, everything that had happened during the last few hours came rushing back, making her sit up with a start. Yet, for some reason she couldn't sit up…in fact, she couldn't move at all! A quick scan of her surroundings and her prone body revealed why that was. She was strapped down to some table, unable to move. Wiggling frantically, Ravana attempted to undo her bonds, but it was no use. She was trapped.

Looking this way and that, she tried to locate the kid, but couldn't see him anywhere. All she saw was that she was in a small room with stark white walls and a few control panels…but that was it.

"Hello?" she called, more worried about the String-bean than the possibility of alerting anyone to her being awake. There was no way she could free herself at the present time, so what she needed was answers. And there was no way she was getting any without calling in someone with whom to ask. "LET ME OUT OF HERE! I DEMAND TO BE RELEASED!" she screamed, thrashing about as best she could. "DO YOU HEAR ME?"

"It would be rather difficult not to," came the tired sounding voice of a man who had apparently been standing somewhere out of her line of sight. "And unless you wish for everyone in this facility to hear your complaints, and come running, I suggest you lower your voice."

"I won't do anything of the sort until you let me go!" Ravana threatened, eyeing the tall, thin man suspiciously as he came around to stand next to the table she was strapped to. However, he didn't exactly appear threatening…in fact he looked more like someone who worked for tech-support than the enemy. He even seemed nervous as he spoke, adjusting his round glasses several times as he looked this way and that.

"You are hardly in a position to demand anything," he continued, yet his tone lacked the air of superiority one should have in the position of captor. "And sadly, neither am I, for I too am just as much a prisoner as you."

"You're…what?" this shocked Ravana. "But, aren't you one of them?"

"I work here, nothing more," he informed her, looking at the floor in shame. "And even that I do merely to keep myself alive. For the moment I become useless to them, I'm dead. And that's exactly what will happen to you, unless we can find a way to get out of here."

"We?" Now Ravana was really confused. "You mean, you would help me escape?"

"As long as you promise to take me with you," he all but begged. "I am not here of my own free will, and sadly, all too soon I realized I was working for a madman with delusions of grandeur. I want no part of it!"

"And exactly what is going on around here?" she demanded. "And where's the kid I came in with, as well as the Mandalorian and my zaktan?"

"I do not know what became of the Mandalorian, though he was still alive and fighting when I last saw him. And if he'd been captured, I would assume he would have been brought here, same as you, for me to test. I, however, never laid eyes on any zaktan," he answered. "As for the child, he is safe…for now."

"What do you mean, for now? What are you doing to him? TELL ME!" Ravana growled, her motherly instincts kicking into high gear. She was relieved to hear that Din might have escaped, and she could only hope he'd been able to save Zax as well. Yet this news about the kid was not setting her mind at ease one little bit. "Not that I'd believe a word you say while you are still holding me captive."

"Then let me demonstrate that I am acting in good faith," he sighed, reaching over and pressing a button that released the bands holding her down.

The moment she was free, Ravana leapt to her feet, putting the bed she'd been lying on between her and the man.

"This could all be a trick. Why should I trust you?" she hissed.

"Because I'm your only hope," he answered. "And the Mandalorian you came with once trusted me enough to let me live. Though, looking back, perhaps it would have been better if he'd killed me. If so, then perhaps none of this would have been possible, and the assets would be safe."

"The assets? As in plural?" Ravana's gut was now not only clenched in worry, but rage. This was their worst nightmare coming true. Gideon was collecting others! Yet, for what purpose? She had to find out and stop it…now!

Leaping over the bed and grabbing the startled man by the collar, she slammed him against the nearest wall. "Now you listen here, buster –" she began, but he cut her off.

"Pershing," he told her in a nervous voice. "Dr. Pershing."

"I don't give a Dewback's hind leg what your name is," she growled. "All I want from you is to help me fix this mess you're wrapped up in and get my friends, as well as the others you're holding, out of here safely. Can you do that?"

"I…I can try," he stammered. "I will do my best."

"See that you do!" Ravana demanded, stepping back and letting go of his collar. "Now, where are we? And why am I here while the kid has been taken somewhere else?"

"I was ordered to initiate some tests on you," he explained, rubbing at his throat a bit where she'd ruffed him up. "To see if you might also be Force sensitive. I hadn't had a chance to start, though I now assume you are not, seeing as how you were unable to release yourself from your bonds when you woke."

"No, I'm nothing like the kid," she confessed, now wishing desperately she was. "But that's not going to stop me from saving him…and any others. Do you think there will be guards stationed outside this room?" Ravana eyed the only exit suspiciously. They had no weapons, and no way of defending themselves, but she had to try.

"I…I don't believe so," he said after a moment of thought. "I have never given them reason to view me as a threat, and you were completely immobilized when you came in. They shouldn't be back to check on my results for some time."

"Then I say we put that theory to the test." Grabbing him by the arm, Ravana pulled him over to the door.

"But…I don't have a keycard to get us out," he protested, holding out his hands helplessly.

"Then it's a darn good thing that I do," she grinned, reaching her hand down her shirt and producing the card she'd taken off the trooper out front. Sliding it over the door panel, it opened immediately, the two of them bracing themselves for whatever awaited on the other side. Thankfully, Dr. Pershing' assumptions had been correct, and all they found was an unguarded hallway. "So far, so good. Now…let's go, and don't you dare do anything stupid and get us caught, do you hear me?" And shoving him out in front of her, she let him lead the way.

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As Din slowly regained consciousness, the first thing he became aware of was that someone, or something, was nudging him rather insistently. This was accompanied by a plaintive whining sound, something he eventually came to realize was coming from Zax.

"Stop…I'm awake," he protested, reaching up and gently pushing the zaktan away. "Just give me a minute, everything's a bit blurry still." His head felt like he'd gone a few rounds with a Rancor, and his body was sore all over. What had happened?

As his vision cleared, so did his memory, and soon he recalled the escape from the facility, as well as taking a hit to his jet pack and eventual fall from the sky.

"Where are we Zax?" Din asked, not expecting an answer, but the animal was the only other being around to converse with. However, as he sat up, it became painfully clear exactly where they had landed. Right in the middle of one of the many deep pits they'd seen on their way to the facility. Staring upwards, he could easily see that this would not be someplace he could simply climb out of.

They were trapped.

Forcing himself to his feet, though still swaying a bit, Din looked down at Zax, grateful to see that the little zaktan appeared uninjured. He'd done his best to shield the pet from any blasts of the trooper's rifles, as well as their rather graceless fall from the sky. He was happy to see he'd at least been successful at that. Yet, he'd failed to protect Ravana and the kid, as they were now being held captive back in the facility, an idea that had Din's blood boiling.

Reaching back and removing his jet pack, he found that it wasn't beyond repair. However until he could get his hands on some tools to fix it, the machine was useless in helping them get out of this pit. Next, he checked his vambrace, suddenly regretting having already used both of his grappling lines during the process of taking out the previous troopers. Those could have really come in handy right about now.

He still had a full round of Whistling Birds, as well as enough fuel for a few blasts from his flame throwers, but neither of those would help him get out of this hole. It was then that he realized his blaster, as well as his incinerator rifle, were missing. They must have been knocked loose and fallen on the ground above, both now out of his reach. He still had his vibro-blade stuck in his boot, however, which was at least something. Din began to walk around the perimeter of his temporary prison, feeling the slick walls for any form of handholds or cracks he might utilize to climb out.

Zax padded long behind him, acting as if he had no doubt that Din would discover an escape route, the animal apparently having a lot more confidence in the Mandalorian's abilities than he did himself.

Yet, at the end of his inspection, Din was left without any ideas and completely frustrated. For the hot gasses that had once spewed out of the ground and created the hole, had also melted the black rock, creating an almost glasslike surface up the sides. Using his knife, he attempted to carve some holes, but even on full vibration the blade didn't make a dent. So, unless he suddenly sprouted suction cups on his hands and feet, there was no way Din would be able to climb out.

"I'm open to any ideas, Mutt," Din sighed, looking down at his white companion, his fur nearly glowing against the black soil around him. "Otherwise, we might be stuck down here."

The only response he got was a small whine of sadness as the zaktan laid down and placed his head despondently on his front paws, acting as if he understood every word.

Things were not going as planned.

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Din had long ago given up on finding a way to climb out of the pit, sitting down on the ground with the zaktan curling up beside him for warmth. At least they were well hidden from any searching Imps who might have bothered to come check if he'd died in the crash.

However, each time a deep rumble came from beneath them, or the sound of another hole spouting out hot gasses nearby, both he and Zax would flinch in anticipation of it being theirs's that would blow next. Din had no idea how often they did such a thing, but he knew he had to think of a way out before it happened to them. Ravana and the kid were counting on him.

The two had sat there for quite a while, with Din wracking his brain to think of a way out when something overhead caught his eye.

A ship!

And while it could very well have been an enemy vessel, perhaps even bringing Gideon with it, something in Din's gut told him differently. He had no idea when, or even if, Paz and Cara would have received his message, but there was always the chance that reinforcements had arrived. Now he simply needed to tell whomever it was where to find him - and do it in such a way that only a friend would understand. For the last thing he needed was for the Imps to figure out where he'd gone down and come finish the job.

Leaping to his feet he began to pace once more, with Zax also sitting at attention, waiting for orders. Unfortunately, there was still no way he could see to climb out, the top of the pit nearly three times his height out of reach. However, when his zaktan companion gave a small yip, it was then that Din got a somewhat plausible idea.

"You aren't afraid of heights by any chance, are you, mutt?" Din questioned, watching as the white animal cocked his head curiously at his words. "Well, I guess we're about to find out." Then, reaching up, the Mandalorian removed the Mythasour pendant he wore, before kneeling down to place it securely around the zaktan's neck. Zax shook his head a few times, unused to wearing anything of the sort, but he quickly got used to the idea. "Now, if I can manage to get you up and out of this hole, I need you to go find out who is on that ship…and if it's Cara or Paz, lead them back here to me. Both will recognize this symbol and know it was me who sent you. Understand?" He knew this was a lot to be asking of the animal, but what other choice did he have…and so far, the zaktan hadn't let him down yet. "Now, let's get you airborne."

At this, Din picked Zax up and walked over to the wall of the pit, looking up as he gauged how much strength would be needed to toss the animal up and over the side.

His first toss fell rather short, with the zaktan giving a strangled cry as he attempted to latch on to the wall and scramble up, but failed at the attempt, falling back into Din's sturdy arms.

The second and third went much like the first, but each time Zax looked ready to try again, not wiggling from Din's grip or trying to get away. Thus, on the fourth try, he was able to get the zaktan close enough to the top that his paws found purchase in the sandy soil, his back legs doing all they could to aid in getting him up and over. A shower of sand and small rocks pelted Din as he stared up, his hands still outstretched in preparation to catch the mutt should he fall back down. However, much to his joy, Zax managed to scramble over the edge, disappearing from view. He was quickly back, his head appearing over the rim and a happy bark telling Din that he was alright.

"Good job, Zax!" he called up, his respect for the mutt growing by leaps and bounds. "Now, go find help! Just remember, don't go near any of the men in white armor. Stay away from them. And hurry, Ravana and the kid need us." He watched as the zaktan gave another yip and then disappeared, leaving Din alone at the bottom of the hole. "And don't take too long or this hole might blow and there won't be anyone for you to bring help back for," he whispered to himself as he heard yet another loud blast of hot gasses escape somewhere nearby.

He could only hope that Zax would return in time.

"What is it Lassie? Is Din stuck in the well?" ha ha. I couldn't resist. Yes, Zax, go find help! And if you see another jet pack lying around, drag that back too.

Well, Ravana has taken control of the situation, it would seem. Let's hope Pershing is telling the truth and is really on her side and not playing false.

And let this be a lesson to you, Din...never use BOTH your grappling cables just before you fall into a large smooth-sided pit! Otherwise you have to play "toss the Zaktan" for a while. ha ha.

Thanks to OliviaAdel for pointing me in the direction of a few new Mandalorian quotes for the start of each chapter...I have so many now I won't be able to use them all before the story is over. Also, thanks for all your wonderful Mandalorian words. They're great.

See you on Friday!

Guest Reviews:

Lilais: Don't worry about it, family comes first. Din would agree. And having two chapters to read at once is always nice, right? Hope you enjoyed this one as well. Thanks.

Phantom Guest: No...passed out and separated is NOT good. Hey, if you're about to be knocked out and you know your man is going to flip out and worry, cracking a joke is the best thing you can do. Help? You think they'll be getting help? Hmmm, guess we will have to wait and see. Glad you enjoyed it! T.O.W.G.