Chapter 8
Frustration continued to build up inside Avalanche's leader as they made their way to the planet Krant. Biggs a good friend soldier and one of the more respected lieutenants in his band of pirates got murdered by a Jedi only because the sith acolyte that was with him was too weak. Barret stood in the bridge watching his crew maintain the ships Light speed travel, the anger evident in his face, and it also didn't help that the rail he was holding on to is bent from where his hands imprinted themselves on the metal. Gaian's are relatively strong throughout the Galaxy, but Barret was considered to be one of the strongest Gaian's of all time breaking academy records back before he was a pirate, hell it was proven that brute strength wise he was stronger than three average Gaian's. Barret is a living tank, and a certain Jedi master made the mistake of pissing of that said tank.
Jessie made her way to the bridge after receiving a quick message from one of the terrified crewman, Barret is furious and the only one able to calm him down was his wife. Jessie found her way to Barret's side as soon as the doors opened, luckily for her Barret hasn't noticed yet. Jessie placed her arms around Barret's massive arm, and gave him a gentle hug, catching the big man's attention.
"Honey I know that you're angry but letting out your anger like this not only damages your surroundings but also scares the hell out of your men." Barret took a look around and noticed some of the greener men were sweating slightly, and then he noticed the damaged railing. Taking a deep breath Barret faced his wife, "Ok I get it, I'm calm now." Jessie gave her husband a sexy smirk as she traced her fingers on his chest, "we still got a few hours or so before we even get to see Krant, how about we head back to your cabin and relax a bit." Jesse said as she stood on her toes to steal a kiss from her lover. Barret smiled when the kiss ended, and soon the giant of a man followed his much smaller lover to his cabin.
"Hey William make sure to turn on the sound mufflers around that cabin this time, no one wants a repeat of last time." One of the crew men said to the other, and the rest of the crew shivered, "Last time that this happened it sounded like two alpha behemoths trying to establish dominance." Another crewman said.
We now find Lenzor going over his equipment next to the shuttle that will take Barret Jessie and himself down to the planet's surface. He just finished reassembling his weapon and cleaning it for maximum performance. Lenzor was just about to go to his armor to make sure it's at top condition. "Hey you're Lieutenant Zvent, right." Lenzor turned around and saw normal Avalanche Grunts out of amour, a total of five. "Yes I am, what can I help you grunts with?" The main man that spoke smiled as the rest of the men mimicked their leader, "Well we heard that you were on board so we would like to ask you to assist us on our hand to hand combat training." Lenzor notice the men cracking their knuckles, the lieutenant stood up stretching out a bit then smiled, "sure now who wants their ass kicked first."
Aboard on a customized Avalanche smuggler.
Reaper sat in the command seat while harbinger and Dirge piloted the small smuggler ship, following the tracking device he planted on The Raider right before the avalanche flag ship left the port. "Do you think the blaster fodders can take care of themselves?" Harbinger said his tone the same as Reaper's. "Obviously no, the fleshies can't fend for themselves; sadly since their opponent is even more pathetic than them they shouldn't need our help." Dirge replied to his older twin's question. "Regardless on the capabilities on these Meat bags Master Cloud ordered us to watch and intervene if necessary." Reaper stated. (If you haven't noticed the three droids have the same personality but they regard organic life differently, Meat bags, Fleshies and Blaster fodder.) And since the Master sees value in these Meat bags we most make sure that we drag the meat bags out alive." Dirge and Harbinger agreed to that statement and the rest of the ride was followed with a silent stealthy pursuit of The Raider.
Back on the planet Xeon palace outer walls.
Darth Fenrir Stood on the top of the wall that makes up the perimeter of his castle, and from where he was standing he could see his entire city thanks to his castle's position on top of a mountain. To the somewhat secret darth lord was the representative of the civilians Navar Kalem. "as you can see Navar, since this is the only city, if we were under siege by the republic or any other military force. We can be easily beaten." Navar nodded his head in understanding. "Would you like for our workers to produce several AA guns and anti-personnel turrets." Fenrir nodded and handed the civilian a data pad that he pulled out of his cloak. "These are the places I want the turrets, Anti-air, anti-personnel, and anti- vehicle. Also I would like to offer our people the chance to form a militia, I will assign one of my Commanders to oversee and help with their training."
Navar Kalem looked at his young master in surprise, "My lord, are we expecting war, for in order to complete all of these turrets we need at most a year." Fenrir turned to face the civilian, "I understand that, that is why I would prefer for you to put 70% of our work force into building the AA Turrets first, and then you can worry about the rest." Navar nodded in understanding, it should take about four weeks at least to complete the AA turrets my lord." The Master of the planet started to walk down the length of the wall back to the entrance of the palace, "Then I suggest you get started."
Back inside the privacy of his Mediation/Training room, we find our main Protagonist training against a dummy droid. But amazingly the droid was more than capable to handle this sith's fighting style, maybe the only reason why it stood a chance was because it is being possessed by the Jedi/Sith Kreia. Cloud was wielding his Kuro-Shikon successfully not giving his master enough time to counter attack. 'His skill in his own style has improved; sadly he is still no master in saber skills.' Kreia wasn't even trying to defend herself the strikes came fast at a seemingly unpredictable path, but the patter was there, and if he faced any Jedi worth their salt. Then this form would only serve to tire out the user. Kreia thought about her greatest students, Revan, Meetra Surik. 'Oh how this one's saber skills paled in comparison, but at least he has just the same amount of potential, maybe more.' With that thought done the Master of the two, deflected one last strike and easily used the fore to push back her apprentice. When Cloud felt himself get thrown threw they air he was surprised, 'I was so focused on trying to get threw her defense I wasn't prepared to defend myself with the force.' There was a large thud when his back hit the wall and when he looked up his eyes were wide at the sight before him. There hovering less than a few inches from his face was an activated light saber being held in place by the force. Cloud looked past the blade to see the droid raising no hands.
Kreia turned the blade of and retrieved the weapon without moving a single mechanism in the droid. "There is much for you to learn, and much for you to overcome, lucky for you the Jedi and sith of your time, are weak." Cloud stood up the Mask and the hood doing a perfect job of hiding the clear fear and shock by his masters' words. "That is enough training for now; instead I suggest something that will give you an edge over the current force sensitive. Come time for you to forge your blades, in the forge"
Just above the planet of Krant
Waiting inside the shuttle that was taking them inside the large forest of Krant, was Barret and the rest of his three man cell. As the shuttle drew closer and closer to the planet's surface the more eager each of the leaders of Avalanche felt, they were ready. Shortly when the Shuttle touched down, the three immediately marched of towards the last location of Biggs, tracking down the beacon built into every avalanche member's data pad. "How far of are we, from the beacon?" Lenzor asked, "about to clicks off, and it doesn't seem to be moving. I believe it's in Tann's fortress." Barret placed the rifle he held in his hand back on his back, "securing that data pad is first priority, let's move quick and quiet." The three Gaian moved at maximum speed, on foot arriving just a few hundred yards away from the beacon were they can see the remnants of the fortress that once stood up strong.
"Jessie, do you see any way to infiltrate the fortress without detection." Barret asked his lover, Jessie had her sniper rifle out checking along what's left of the fallen walls, "there is and opening in the wall near the edges of the forest, if were able to run towards it fast enough the few clone sentries wouldn't notice us." That was strange Barret made sure to note any republic ships in the area, and found none so why are a few clones still here. 'Maybe they decided to stay with their Jedi commander.'
"Ok, Lenzor you'll go first." Barret ordered. Lenzor nodded and made his way to where he can run the shortest distance possible. Lenzor waited for the command, when Jessie raised her hand to stand by. "I'm waiting for the two troopers closest to the break in the wall to move." Jessie said and after waiting one minute she made the go signal with her hand. Barret watched as Lenzor ran towards the break in the wall, and after watching his fastest lieutenant clear the distance in less than 10 seconds well suddenly the huge 100 yard gap wasn't so bad. Barret made his way to the same spot Lenzor was just in and as soon as he got the signal he ran the same route without gaining any attention. Soon Jessie followed and the team made their way through the fortress perimeter easily using piles of rubble and the darken rooms and halls to their advantage.
[Down the hall, 5 troops, objective beyond, no other route] Jessie used the hand sign language that she and Biggs developed for Avalanche so they wouldn't have to speak in stealthy situations. Barret nodded his understanding and pulled out his rifle and took aim, Lenzor paralleled Barret's actions while Jessi had her rifle's crosshairs already on a clones head. Barret took the first shoot witch was echoed by two rapid shots. And three clones instantly fell, nice neat little holes in their helmets indicating the accuracy of the shot. The other two clones barely had time to raise their blasters in defense as they too fell to the accurate gunfire of the Avalanche leaders.
The trio jogged up to the door that lead to the room ahead,[Jessie take point] Barret commanded, and soon as he finished his signs Jessie poked her head threw the door, witch lead into a large open roof room, what was left of the room's official roof is now rubble on the ground. Jessie made the signal to stand by, as she watched a man in Jedi robes walk to a door on the opposite end, holding a data pad. [Target sighted] with that said Jessi lead the group down the room. The group made their way across the room using the shadows and rubble. If you waited patiently you can hear the unique sound of the birds of Krant sing. If Barret had to guess it was sometime after Mid-day on Krant.
Waiting just beside the doors opposite sides was Lenzor and Jessie, waiting for Barret to charge in threw the door and try to catch the Jedi by surprise. Barret looked at both of his lieutenants, and they both nodded back. So with a deep breath Barret held his rifle in hand, took a few steps back and just as he took his 5 step back, the leader of Avalanche ran through the door letting out a huge Gaian battle cry. Lenzor and Jessie followed right after but when all of them went through the door they were through right back across the room they came in from.
Dazed and looking around Barret saw his wife and friend struggling to get up from the unexpected force, that through them out the room. "You know, the vision I had was an army that would come after me not, three soldiers." There in front of Barret was Jedi Master Echuu Shen-Jon, the human who killed Biggs, and behind him were probably all of the clones left on the fortress, clearly outnumbering them 3 to 50, and a Jedi. Quickly Barret stood up and ran behind a chunk of what used to be the roof, noticing that Jessi and Lenzor have found cover of their own. "I suggest you surrender, no more blood ne" He was cut off when he had to deflect a blaster bolt with his green light saber.
Barret had his rifle aiming directly at Echuu Shen-Jon, "Shut the fuck up, I will kill you." The Jedi master shook his head and walked away leaving the three to face the large number of clones. "Eliminate the intruders" the commanding clone said. Soon the clones started to fire at the three, but luckily the rubble and handle normal blaster fire. Barret having survived the last great Gaian war, as the youngest soldier, had always somewhat developed a sixth sense in these dangerous situations. Knowing that the entrance to the door isn't that far, he reached to his belt and primed a frag grenade. After chucking the explosive he waited. "Watch out Grenade!" As soon as that was shouted the grenade exploded and Barret charged out of cover to see a total of 3 clones dead and 5 others injured from the grenade, taking aim while running to the next pile of rubble Barret manage to kill 3 more before he had to dive to the next pile of rocks.
When Barret threw the Grenade both Jessie and Lenzor waited for the explosion, and while Barret ran for a better position, Jessie stayed as sniper killing off a few more clones due to the explosion, while Lenzor rant to where Barret was at sending blind fire towards the clones forcing them into cover. Lenzor peeked over the top of his cover and saw a medic team about to go get the injured, only to get shot when Jessie saw them in her sights. With 1/5 of the clones dead or injured Barret Jessie and Lenzor started to push through the republic troops.
In the planet Krant, fallen CIS fortress hallway just behind Avalanche's battle
A Blaster shot found its mark on another Clone trooper, Dirge was lying down prone as he killed his 15th clone trooper, with his rifle. "This hall way does a perfect job of funneling the fleshies into my line of fire, it's almost as if they are lining up to die." Dirge shot another red slug at a clone only for this clone to dive into the safety of the pillars in the hallway, the clone behind him wasn't so lucky. 'So the fleshies are smart enough to start using the pillars as cover after watching a few of their own die. How boring.' With that thought done dirge saw one grenade flying through the air, and immediately shot it down before it could reach its destined location. There was a flash of Light and a loud sound, 'A stun grenade, ok these fleshies are smarter than I thought,' Dirge suddenly felt like disabling himself, 'note to self never complement another enemy, after all stun grenades only work on organics so they still don't stand a chance.' As to prove his point he quickly shot down the five troopers that tried to run down the hall hoping they stunned the sniper. Dirge watch with glee as the bodies of the clones fell, but its enjoyment was gone when he noticed one of his shots was of and one clone was still alive, another blaster shot was fired ending the clone's life, but only after the clone shouted, "It's a droid!" 'Correction these fleshies are actually worth some credit.' Just then an EMP grenade was through but was shot out, the blast only inches short from hitting Dirge. "Just slightly worth their credit."
Harbinger was enjoying himself currently moving down any moving organic in sight wither it was a clone trooper or one of the Kantians in the fortress trying to play soldier. Using the higher position on standing on the walls he had a clear and easy sight on any of the clones that were trying to teach the natives of the planet how to wield a blaster. Though Harbinger's joy was short when he saw three Missiles come towards his position, reacting quickly Harbinger jumped down and was face with a total of 50 organics, "you Blaster fodder were much more fun to kill up there," with that said he activated his cloaking device, and moved around in top speed easily picking off the organics while they try desperately to pin point his location.
Reaper was standing right outside the fortress using one of the walls as cover as he shot down the scouting parties returning, about 100 clones or Kantians are now hiding behind the trees and flora of Krant trying their best to take down there unknown enemy. There were already dozens of bodies in the opening between the fortress and the tree line, many of those bodies were killed by make shift Mines Reaper planted as soon as he arrived. Reaper sniped down one of the organics heads easily; bored as he count them of and with each shot was an instant kill. It was then that the Clones manage to blow down a tree and Reaper could only watch as one of the many giant trees fell into the open not only providing better cover for the organics but covering up Reapers line of sight, it also had the side effect of setting off and mines in the way. 'It's such a shame that the droids that my master uses for the bulk of his army are so much more pathetic than these organics.' Reaper said as he retreated inside the walls, 'I can't hold that position much longer, must make my way to Harbinger.
Krant fortress, Avalanche position.
It took about Ten minutes for Barret and his team to kill the clones inside, there were a few close calls but they manage to get through the clones without injuries as they chased down the Jedi. Barret went back to the door he flew out from and looked around nothing really there but another door the only door the Jedi could have taken. In his furry Barret charged towards the door. Lenzor saw something glowing by the door, 'Oh shit it's rigged,' Lenzor called out to his leader but it was too late as the Giant Gaian opened the door leaving to take on the full force of a kilograms worth of concussion grenades. After the deafening sound stopped Ringing Lenzor saw that Barret was blown back a bit with burn marks all over. Jessie was trying to get him to speak but it seems the human tank was stunned and in shock. Lenzor suddenly felt a bad feeling and rolled off to the side as the heat from the green light saber descended right where he was a second ago. The Jedi master ambushed them, facing the three Gaian's "So much death you three can create, there is not time for this to be handled safely, either you surrender now, or you die.
Lenzor reacted by throwing a flash grenade at the Jedi who caught it with the force, but was surprised when one of the intruders covered themselves while the female aimed towards the grenade. Before the Jedi master could react, Jessie shot the flash grenade blinding not only herself but the Jedi as well. Lenzor had his eyes closed and Hands over his ear so the grenade wouldn't affect him. When the light stopped shining, he quickly stood up and raised his blaster. Lenzor shot a few rounds at the Jedi but amazingly the Jedi was still able to deflect them while he was blinded, "you are foolish f you believe that will kill a Jedi we are trained from an early age to fight blinded.
"You may be right, but do they train you to handle a Gaian's fury?" Lenzor looked behind him to see Barret standing up rifle in one hand while Jessie was still trying to regain her sight. The Jedi Master still had his eyes closed but raised his weapon, Lenzor was going to face his first Jedi.
The Jedi charged towards Lenzor's presence, deflecting the fire that was aiming towards him, Lenzor had to duck under the Light saber and had to run off, but as soon as he was out of the blades reach the Jedi force pushed him into the wall, Lenzor made contact face first as he dropped his blaster and tried to ignore the fresh cut on his fore head. The Jedi didn't have much time to watch as he turned only to get back handed by Barret, the Gaian's strength sending the Jedi master through the weakened wall behind him.
"Damn, Barret remind me not to get you mad." Barret ignored Lenzor in favor of checking on his wife, who was now standing up rifle at the ready, "Lets avenge Biggs." With that said the Jedi came back in looking furious, "I know that I'm supposed to meditate on the code but, I can't you must die so I can continue my exile in peace." He jumped at Barret who ran underneath and all three Gaians shot at the Jedi only for the Master to reflect them like child's play. Master Shen-Jon notice that Barret was about to charge at him again, reacted quickly. Using the force to pick up Jessie he quickly threw the woman at the charging Gaian.
Barret stopped running, and caught his wife, "Barret watch out," Barret turned to see the Jedi was in the air deflecting the shots from Lenzor as he descended. Jessie noticed this and with all the strength she had manage to push Barret out of the way. Barret fell of balance form the push, quickly stood back up and the world froze. His wife Jessie was standing in front of the Jedi whose weapon pointed to the ground, Barret hear his wife speak, then she fell to her knees and her body was split into too diagonally. Barret couldn't move as he stared at his wife's dead form, her words echoing in his mind, "Take care of Marleneā¦" those words replayed over and over again in his mind. "I hope you can forgive me in the afterlife woman." The Jedi stood straight up, and immediately felt a disturbance. Turning to face the larger of the two men alive, his eye's widened in fear. The rubble near by the Dark skinned Gaian was slowly floating in the air, "You killed her." Echuu Shen-Jon felt this presence before, it was the dark side of the force, but this man can't be sith he doesn't wield a saber. "You killed my wife!" Lenzor stood on the side shocked at the events before him, things were at a stalemate until the Jedi killed Jessie next Barret letting out a familiar feeling he only felt when Fenrir was angry, 'I'm pretty sure Barret's eyes weren't yellow."
On the planet Xeon meditation/training room
Cloud was in the process of forging his sabers into Synthetic crystals he was merely half way with one of his blades, something that took most of the day away from him when he felt something echo in the force, someone has awakened there dark side. "Focus on your crystals apprentice." Kreia's angry tone was heard. Her curiosity peaked as she recognized who the individual was.
Krant with Barret.
"You killed Jessie!" With that Barret lunged towards the Jedi at a speed that was rivaling a blaster, Barret raise an arm to punch the Jedi, but the master reacted quickly bring his saber back up to cut the arm right above the elbow, but what surprised him was the man before him didn't even feel it as he raised the other arm and landed the punch. Lenzor watch in shock as Barret leaped at the Jedi the force of the leap shattering the ground, and when the Jedi cut of Barret's right arm, Lenzor thought it was over, but Barret used his left arm to punch the Jedi so hard that not only was there a sickening crack when Barret hit the Jedi's face, but the Jedi was sent flying so fast into the wall that he was imbedded into it. Lenzor knew that Barret was strong but, being able to hit someone that hard with one arm should be impossible even if he was the strongest Gaian.
Echuu Shen-Jon raised his hand trying to retrieve his weapon that flew out of his hand but in the next second he found himself off the wall and into the Ground pinned down by the man with monstrous strength. Shen-Jon saw the man raise his Left fist to strike again, but the former Jedi Master use both of his arms to try and force push the fist away, but that only served to piss of the man even more as he started to punch again and again, while Echuu tried to stop it every time. Each time Barret swung his massive fist the Jedi could barely hold it back, until his arms gave out. Lenzor counted that Barret punched at least ten times very rapidly to wear out the Jedi's force powers, and watched in horror as his Leader swung one last time, successfully making the Jedi's face cave into his skull. Lenzor looked away as he listened to Barret as Barret continued turning the man into a grease stain, soon the shouts of anger turned into sobs as Lenzor looked up. Finally the beating on the unrecognized able Jedi was over and Barret crawled his way to his wife's body. Were the World's strongest Gaian began to mourn his wife.
Lenzor radioed The Raider for a shuttle to pick them up. After confirming that a shuttle was sent, Lenzor searched the Jedi's bloody corpse for Biggs data pad. After finding the data pad undamaged somehow, Lenzor walked to his leader. "General, we can give her a proper funeral back on Xeon." Barret, was now a broken man, only able to nod and carry both halves of his wife, Lenzor quickly led the man out of the fortress only to be surprised that hundreds and hundreds of clones and Kantians were found dead, near the GHK squad.
"It seems the Meat bags have completed their mission on time. Dirge carry our brother back to the ship so we can finish our repairs." Dirge picked up harbinger who had been riddled with blaster fire but still functional, "How fragile organics are, but surprisingly they have the ability to surpass my expectations. I'll be leaving."
"Wait, did Lord Fenrir send you?" Lenzor asked as Barret continued his march to the LZ. "We were supposed to back you guys up in emergency, while you were playing games with the Jedi we cleaned up any meat bags you left behindā¦..Tell Barret he has my regards."
"Wait a minute, I thought you were supposed to be cruel and ruthless when did you have feelings." Lenzor then flinched when a blaster bolt went right past his head the tip of his hair singed, "I am programed to adapt to situations, and understand necessary action. So if you doubt my personality I'm sure Master only required one Meat bag to return at least." "R-right my apologize." Lenzor then made his way to the LZ, the rest was a long silent trip to Xeon, no one on The Raider spoke that night.
