Burning Shadows

Chapter 5

After spending the previous day either training or studying, Yumikaya was told to take a day off and do as she pleased.

After managing to study almost all the holodisks Larkan had sorted for her, Yumikaya managed to convince him to let her pilot her star-fighter.

" I'm still not sure that your ready for this baby bird. I know i might just be over-protective but i don't want you getting hurt. On top of me being rather fond of you, Kalina would tear me a new one if you got hurt. " Although Larkan protested, He knew that Yumikaya would never learn to fly without actually trying it.

Before Yumikaya could respond however, The lights in the hangar went red and an alarm sounded.

Yumikaya spoke softly and there was a notable presence of fear in her voice. " W...what does that sound mean? "

Larkan looked at her with worry in his eyes as his hands shook slightly. " It...It means we have been boarded. Someone is trying to get into the ship. Get your lightsabre and go to Kalina. I'll take Master Orgus with me to see what whoever is here wants. "

Yumikaya nodded swiftly and ran out of the room. After running into her quarters and getting her lightsabre, Yumikaya ran to find Kalina. Most of the crew had gone to the airlock to see who was trying to board but there were still some people in the mess hall. Kalina was standing near one of the tables telling the crew members in the hall to set up the tables as cover.

When Yumikaya reached Kalina, A loud bang echoed through the ship. The entire crew froze where they stood.

" Kalina I'm scared...Whats going to happen? " Yumikaya held her lightsabre in one hand and had her free arm wrapped around Kalina's leg tightly.

" I...I don't know sweetheart. But we will get through it together. " Kalina smiled shakily and held Yumikaya with her free hand. Holding her blaster tightly and aimed at one of the two doors into the mess hall, Kalina and the crew stood silently as they waited for sounds of battle.

Nothing was heard. No screams. No blaster fire. No sounds of any kind. As Kalina motioned to walk towards the door, She felt a strong tug at her leg and turned to see Yumikaya being pulled away from her and into an open vent in the ceiling by someone wearing light Mandalorian armour marked with Imperial symbols and Mandalorian writing. As Yumikaya's lightsabre fell out of the vent and hit the floor, Kalina screamed.

"Yumi! Bring her back scum! " After firing a warning shot at the open vent, Kalina listened carefully for sounds of crawling or screams. The silence was deafening as Master Orgus ran through the door and jumped up towards the vent, crawling into it slowly.

As Master Orgus vanished into the vent, Larkan ran into the room. " What the blasted hell just happened? No one came through the air lock! "

Kalina almost spun in a full circle as she turned and ran past Larkan, Following the vents back in the direction the Mandalorian was moving. " A Mandalorian took Yumi into the vents. Orgus followed. We need to get to that ship before it leaves! "

Larkan almost screamed in rage and shouted to everyone nearby to keep the ship secured. After they reached the ship and opened the airlock, Smoke filled the passageway. Before they could react, The Mandalorian ship sealed its airlock and detached from the cruiser.

Larkan ran towards the cockpit as Kalina ran to the hangar. Kalina spoke to Larkan through her com-link. " Are any of the fighters warp capable? "

Larkan spoke softly. " Only Yumi's so far but if you take the Spear-Point at the rear of the hangar it has Homing Beacons equipped. Attach one to that hull and we can follow it. But hurry! Its about to jump! "

Kalina ran to the Spear-Point fighter as fast as she could but as the cockpit opened, The Mandalorian ship jumped into hyper-space. Kalina screamed as she slammed her fists against the wing of the Spear-Point. " Dammit! We were almost home! Why in the hell would a Mandalorian kidnap her?! "

Kalina almost drew her blaster as Master Orgus placed a hand on her shoulder. " There is only one explanation i can think of. Darth Malgus has become aware of her. He sent that Mandalorian to take her back to him. We must find that ship. "

Kalina slapped his hand away as tears fell down her cheeks. " Where the hell were you? And how do you suggest we do that?! I couldn't get a tracker on it and we have no way to know where it is heading! "

Master Orgus thought for a moment. " I took a wrong turn in the vents and got a little...lost. On the subject of finding Yumikaya, We could track the tracer I told Yumi to put in her lightsabre. "

Kalina looked at the floor sadly before taking Yumikaya's lightsabre off the clip on her belt and holding it up for Master Orgus to see. Master Orgus looked sadly at the lightsabre before gasping in surprise and taking out his Holo-communicator. " Kalina come with me. I may know someone who can help. He is someone you may not know but he will be willing to help. "

Kalina looked astonished as she followed Orgus back to his quarters. " What makes you think he will help? "

Master Orgus was in a hurry but smiled nonetheless. " He is a bounty hunter named Aratarus. And i know he will help because he is Yumikaya's cousin. "

Kalina stopped dead in her tracks and gasped in surprise. She had no idea that Yumikaya had any cousins, Let alone that one of them was a bounty hunter. After shaking off her surprise and continuing to follow Orgus, Kalina spoke in shock as she entered his room.

" So he works for the Empire like all Mandalorians? " Kalina was surprised as Orgus answered and the holo-call echoed across the stars.

" No. He answers only to Mandalore. The Empire means nothing to him and never has. His allegiance is to Mandalore and his fellow Mandalorians but he will help us. He has an odd fascination with breaking the rules. " Before Kalina could respond, The holo-call was answered by a tall and heavily muscled man with three scars running down the right side of his face and a cybernetic implant on the left. He spoke in a deep voice that echoed he honor and codes of ancient Mandalorians.

" Master Orgus Din. How can i be of service? " Aratarus looked from Orgus to Kalina and back again.

" Your cousin Yumikaya has been kidnapped by a Mandalorian Imperial loyalist. I need her retrieved and will pay generously for her safe return." Orgus looked sternly at the holo as a woman entered the holo and whispered something into Aratarus's ear. After a few moments, Aratarus spoke quickly but to the point.

" I may be bound by the rules of Mandalorian law. But NO-ONE messes with my family. I'll get her back and meet you on Ilum. " Before the holo ended, Kalina spoke up.

" Won't Mandalore exile you for this? And how did you know we are heading to Ilum?!" Kalina looked puzzled.

" To hell with that. My cousin needs me and I'll be damned before i turn a blind eye. I know you are heading to Ilum because my navigator hacked your navi-computer remotely. I'll contact you soon. Continue to Ilum. " Before anyone else could speak, The holo call ended. Kalina spoke sternly to Master Orgus.

" Well that was unexpected. A Bounty Hunter that is related to Yumi and willingly defies the laws that Mandalore has decreed. This should be interesting. I hope he finds her. " Kalina burst into tears as Orgus put his arm around her.

" Aratarus has never failed to find someone he was looking for. You'd be surprised how resourceful he really is. It is not uncommon for him to have a bounty on his head for the reason that he is such a skil..." Orgus almost fell over as Kalina gasped in surprise.

" Wait i do know him! He is the Grand Champion of The Great Hunt! It was all over the holo-net when i was on Corellia a few months ago! He is feared by most hunters in the galaxy for his relentlessness pursuit of his prey. It's said he has an extreme regard for the codes of honor. I heard he killed Tarro Blood after he broke the rules of the great hunt." Kalina stood in shock before Orgus spoke.

" Then you already know that he will not fail. Nothing will stop him in his pursuit of his cousin. He will stop at nothing to retrieve her. You may be surprised to know that he will not ask to get paid for this job either. He has a very high regard for the bonds of family. Family is all that matters to him and all that drives him. He will do anything, Literally, To protect his family. " Master Orgus smiled as Kalina left. Once the door closed, Orgus contacted the Jedi Council to inform them of the situation.

Meanwhile

On the Mandalorian ship, Yumikaya was struggling with the restraints she was in. She had never felt this kind of restraint before. It was like the cuffs were draining her force power. As she slammed them against the floor in an attempt to break them, A large Mandalorian wearing heavy armour, Walked towards her and spoke forcefully as he placed his foot on the link between the cuffs.

" Don't bother little one. These cuffs are designed to hold Jedi. Your force is useless with these on. Just sit quietly or ill put you in Carbon Freeze. " He walked away slowly as another, more feminine looking Mandalorian knelt down and helped her drink some water.

" I'm so sorry sweety. He never was one for compassion or mercy. I don't think he has ever had a heart but i could be wrong. I've only known him for a few months. " After removing her helmet and letting her long red hair fall to her shoulders, The Mandalorian smiled and introduced herself. " My name is Shae Vizla. I know where he is taking you but i don't know what will happen once we get there. I only hope they are gentle with you. "

Yumikaya looked at her with tears in her eyes and a pleading tone etched into her voice. " Then please...let me go...I was almost home and now your taking me to a place where for all i know I'll be tortured and put back into slavery. I can't go back to being a slave...I can't...please..."

Shae Vizla looked sadly at Yumikaya but stood up and put her helmet back on. " I'm sorry. But i don't know if i can help you. I...I owe him a debt..."

Yumikaya spoke softly as Shae Vizla walked away slowly. " Then you are as much a victim as I am..." Yumikaya rested her head against the floor as she burst into tears.

Shae Vizla walked to the cockpit where the male Mandalorian was telling the pilots where to chart the course after they left hyper-space. He stopped talking as Shae Vizla entered and removed her helmet. Shae Vizla spoke forcefully. " Ironfist this is wrong and you know it! Malgus only wants her because she has the strongest force connection he has ever felt. He will torture her and turn her into a weapon of darkness. She deserves better than that! "

Ironfist slapped her forcefully, knocking her to the ground. " I don't care if she deserves it or not. I don't care what Malgus plans for her. I only care about getting paid. "

Shae Vizla stood and made to draw her blaster but instead picked up her helmet and stormed out. Ironfist laughed deeply before telling the pilots to chart a course for Korriban once they left hyper-space.

After a few hours in hyper-space, The Mandalorian ship arrived at the edge of the Dromund system.

Ironfist decided to stay for a day or two before making the jump to Korriban. After sleeping for the night, Ironfist awoke to alarms sounding and lights flashing red everywhere.

When he arrived at the cockpit, What he saw outside the view-port made his jaw drop. A Mandalorian fleet bearing the mark of the current Mandalore was surrounding his ship. The ship in front however was unmistakable.

It was the D5-Mantis, Captained by The Grand Champion of The Great Hunt.

Before they could respond, A deep voice echoed through the ships com system. " You are outnumbered and outmatched Ironfist. Surrender and be spared. That girl is not yours to take. Return her immediately or we will board you and take her back. "

Ironfist roared with rage as Shae Vizla entered. " It's him! The Grand Champion! Still think that this is a good idea? Surrender Ironfist. We can't win this fight. " Shae Vizla almost smiled as Ironfist spun and stormed out the door after shouting at the pilots to power up the weapons.

After seeing this on the sensors, Aratarus spoke to his companion before moving the ship into position and preparing the airlock for boarding. "Guess they wanna do this the hard way. Let's go. " The young woman smiled before standing and following him without question.

Ironfist was still emanating rage as he walked towards the airlock. When he arrived at the airlock, The door opened and Aratarus stepped through it followed by a young woman.

Aratarus spoke bluntly. " Give me the girl Ironfist and I will let you leave with your lives. "

Ironfist drew his blaster. " I never surrender scum! "

As he was about to fire, Shae Vizla pressed the barrel of her blaster to the side of his head. " Enough Ironfist. She deserves better. If you won't do what honor demands then I will. She is yours to take Grand Champion. I also ask that you allow me to accompany her. She has... Made me realise what I've become and I've decided to do something about it. " Shae Vizla kept her blaster pointed at Ironfist as she stepped slowly towards the door to Yumikaya's room. After moving inside and releasing Yumikaya, Shae Vizla gently carried her to Aratarus and handed her to him.

Aratarus held Yumikaya gently in his arms as he looked her up and down for injuries. She was clearly unconscious but there were no injuries or marks to show mistreatment other than the light marks on her wrists from the restraints. " Your alright now cousin. Let's get you home. "

Shae Vizla stood in awe. " She is your cousin?! We doomed ourselves the moment we took her..."

Aratarus chuckled softly. " I suppose you did. I'd find a way to rectify that error if i were you. " Aratarus turned and walked back towards the airlock but as he did, A blaster bolt flew past his head. Ironfist almost screamed as he spoke.

" Face me Champion! If you have the gu..." His voice was drowned by a gurgling sound as blood flowed from the deep slice across his throat. The young woman that followed Aratarus had run forward and sliced his throat with a vibro-knife that was sheathed on her belt. After wiping the blood on her blade off with a cloth, she walked back past Aratarus. The Grand Champion turned his head back to Ironfist before the dying Mandalorian fell to the floor. " Never threaten my family. It's a death warrant. "

Shae Vizla smiled with the most happiness she had felt in years. She had not felt this much pride or honor since the sacking of Coruscant. Three years felt like a lifetime since that day. Pride swelled in her heart in the knowledge that she had upheld the honor of the Mandalorian. After taking a moment to take in the gravity of being free from her debt to Ironfist, Shae Vizla followed Aratarus back to his ship.

Once they were all aboard, Aratarus put Yumikaya in his quarters so she could rest before walking to the bridge and setting course for Ilum. As the ship went to warp and the Mandalorian fleet left to return to they're leader, Shae Vizla spoke to Aratarus.

" How did you know where to find us? We left no trail and there were no tracers on our hull. " Shae Vizla was surprised that they knew where to find the ship.

" Technically i didn't. My companion that killed Ironfist hacked into the holo-net and it was buzzing about a Mandalorian ship coming out of hyper-space near the edge of the Dromund system. Mandalorian ships don't normally stop at the edge of the system so it seemed like a good guess it was your ship. We made the jump and found ourselves in the right place at the right time. Call it luck i suppose. " Aratarus smiled before sitting down and resting his on a nearby console.

Shae Vizla smiled. " I can see why the young bloods fear and admire you Grand Champion. Even when you don't know where to go you still manage to find your way. How long until we reach Ilum? "

" Well considering that Ilum is a decent twenty thousand odd parsecs ...give or take...away from here? Your guess is as good as mine. That also depends on which route we take. " The subject of time or distance didn't seem to bother him at all. It was like he had nothing but time and not a care in the galaxy. Like he was completely free.

" How do you do that? " Shae Vizla stared at him unintentionally but curiously.

" Do what? " Aratarus sat upright and looked at her strangely.

" Go through life with no concern or fear. Not be bothered by things like time or distance. How are you so free? " Shae Vizla sounded envious.

" I dunno. Guess i found something more important to worry about. You saw the woman following me right? Name is Mako. Me and her have had a thing for a year or two but never taken it further. We want to but we don't think that the life of a bounty hunter is an environment for a kid you know? " Aratarus purposely dodged answering and Shae Vizla noticed it.

" Don't dodge my question. A straight answer is all i want. " Shae Vizla was intent on getting an answer even if it meant she had to annoy him to get it.

" Ok ok ok...I...I lost someone important to me a few years ago. She was my closest friend. We grew up together and were inseparable up until the great hunt. I was gonna take her with me. Chased the bastard that killed her halfway around the galaxy. When i got my revenge though...It felt...empty. I mean it was great to kill him for what he did but..." Shae Vizla cut in unintentionally.

" But it didn't fix anything. Yeah i know the feeling. So how did you get like this? Freedom i mean? " Aratarus smiled before continuing.

" Well Mako has been with me since the start. She has always been here to help find the people I'm looking for and get us the highest paying jobs. But during the hunt, She kept me alive. More than once. Even when the deck was stacked against us she never backed down and never left me high and dry. She has always had my back and I tell her every day how much i appreciate her and how much I love her. I got my freedom because I learned to let go of the past and accept what was right in front of me. Mako opened my eyes and gave me a reason to keep fighting. To keep living. I usually don't look back to the past, But that's your answer. " Aratarus smiled as Mako walked in and sat on his lap happily.

Shae Vizla looked at how they were together and finally knew what she had been missing in her life. It wasn't freedom or riches or the thrill of combat. She was missing something worth living for. Something worth fighting and dying for. Somehow she felt that sticking with the girl she helped rescue might lead her to it. But for now she was content to listen to Mako and Aratarus tell her of they're adventures across the stars.

After being rescued from the edge of Sith space, Will this experience change Yumikaya or give her new perspectives of the galaxy?

Keep reading to find out!

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