As the blue tunnel of hyperspace turned into lines and then from lines to stars, the planet of Duro appeared and Talvon Esan gaped at what he saw. A fleet of Mandalorian ships were shelling the planet and the shipyards that orbited it. "Revan;" called Xaset, "they're trying to steal the raw material!"

"Launch all fighters;" said Revan calmly, "target any war droids and transports trying to haul them away. Meetra, I want you to lead the flight groups. Go."

Revan turned to Alec. "You and Xaset will each be leading assault teams. I want you to go to the planet below and disrupting any and all conscription attempts. Talvon, you will come with me. We will find whoever is leading this fleet and crush them. Commander Rhand, prepare your special forces. You'll be joining us."

A tall man with a wicked Corellian smirk nodded. "With pleasure, sir."

He bowed and hurried off the bridge. Talvon stepped in beside his commander. "Will you challenge the Mandalorian commander yourself, Master?" asked the younger Jedi.

Revan was silent before saying, "No, Talvon - you will. I will not because, in their eyes, I will show myself above them. I do not want us to slaughter all of them either. I want them to know that the Jedi are standing up to them. I want them to hear the name 'Revanchist' and be very weary."

"You want them to fear us?"

The master shook his head. "No. Fear is not what I want to cause. I simply want them to think carefully about their actions and how they formulate their campaign. Hopefully, I can influence them into making a mistake."

Talvon nodded. It sounded good but from what he heard of the Mandalorian war machine, influencing them was not likely. Even so, he followed Revan's lead. The man had not lead them wrong yet.

Meetra pulled her hair back into a tail and tied it down as she hurried to the hanger. "Attention;" came a call and all pilots snapped to attention.

Meetra jumped onto her Aurek-class starfighter and called out, "Mount up. We're targeting the transports and basilisk war droids. Blue and Green Squadrons, when their fighters show up, break off and intercept them. All Chela-class fighters, target all transports. If we need to gather the raw materials back from floating in the vacuum, we can but we need to make sure that the Mandos don't get an ounce."

With cheers, the pilots jumped in their fighters. Meetra put on her flight helmet and started up her fighter. The fighters filed out and formed up. "All flight leaders, report in;" she called.

After each squadron leaders got their reports, they reported to her. All squadrons ready. "Alright, boys and girls, let's get this done. May the force be with us and for the Republic!"

Almost immediately, the two designated squadrons broke off. The Mandalorians were ready for them and had their fighters moving to intercept. For just a moment, Meetra was tempted to turn to face them. However, Revan would rather she stuck to the main mission. Arming her torpedoes, she blazed towards a pair of transports and took aim, not with her computer, but with the force. Taking a steadying breath, she squeezed the trigger.

Talvon was piloting the shuttle himself as they headed towards the command ship. Most of the time, he had his eyes closed, flying mostly by the force. No regular pilot, not even the most talented or skilled, would be able to navigate the storm of laser fire and missiles. A solid hand landed on his shoulder. "Well done, Talvon. You have a strong connection to the force. Use it to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"I will, as you do, Master;" said Talvon as he avoided another barrage of laser fire. When he sensed that they had entered the enemy ship, Talvon opened up with the two laser cannons the ship had, opening his eyes and scattering the warriors aboard. Revan quickly went to the ramp and opened it. "Commander Rhand;" he said, his voice all calm, "follow me."

The twenty commandos dropped out of the ship after the Jedi master and engaged the enemy. Once they were clear, Talvon set the ship down and joined the fray. "Don't go straight for the armor;" called Revan as he blasted a dozen warriors and a war droid into a set of fuel cells across the hanger, causing them to explode and incinerate them. "They are highly resistant to energy weapons."

Talvon fought with two warriors with strange scimitars that proved, several times, that Revan was correct. He blasted one back and focused on slashing at the chinks in the warrior's armor. He found one, killing the warrior before gripping the other with the force and crushed him. The Republic soldiers were using specialized disruptor weapons that managed to burn even through the armor. They were highly illegal and they could only be found on the black markets in Hutt Space or from the Exchange crime syndicate. Their problem was that the power cells only had a couple dozen shots in them and had to constantly be changed out. They were also very hard to recharge since they needed specialized charging units.

Suddenly, the blast doors opened and a collection of Mandos came out, one of them obviously in charge do to his bearing and the marks on his armor. "Talvon;" said Revan as he buried a group of warriors under several defunct war droids, "he's yours."

Turning to the Mandalorian commander, Talvon pointed his lightsaber and said, "I challenge you, Mandalorian. Fight me!"

The Mandalorian laughed and drew a large, double bladed weapon and charged. The fight around them did not stop as they charged at one another with roars rage.

Xaset was fighting his way through the Mandalorians towards a prefabricated compound of Duros prisoners. Alec was beside him, battering and forcing aside them in groups. He didn't seem to care about killing them as much as getting to the prisoners at the moment. Using the force, Xaset wrenched the barricade down and saw dozens of Duros. "If you don't want to be slave soldiers;" bellowed Alec, "stand up and fight the Mandalorians, not for them."

At first they simply stood there, looking around. Xaset turned to face the enemy, snapping one's neck with the force and quite literally crushing another in his armor. "You are quite powerful, kid;" comment Alec as he cut another down. "I'm glad you're here to help us protect the Republic."

Xaset grinned and said, "It's what all Jedi should do, not sit in their temples and meditate on the force."

"You speak as if we aren't Jedi;" chuckled Alec.

"Well, perhaps I feel as though we are true Jedi and those who are passive and unwilling to protect are just mocking us."

Alec grunted as a blaster bolt struck very close to his left eye. Suddenly, the Duros prisoners ran out and grabbed weapons, blasting and hacking away at the Mandalorians. "Yes!" roared Alec, "drive them off your world, Duros of the Republic!"

All over the battle field, the Duros prisoners were rising up and fighting back. However, to the Jedis' surprise, some of them were fighting their own people along side the Mandalorians. "What the blazes?" snarled Alec.

"It would seem that some are drawn to the war-like nature of the Mandalorians;" sighed Xaset. Alec growled and said, "Blast them, then! If they would betray their own people, then they can suffer any consequences. Let's go, Jedi!"

They rushed forward and smashed into another group of Mandalorians. One of them had a pair of lightsabers on his belt. Seeing that, Xaset scowled and charged. This warrior was tough and wielded a sword of some kind made of a metal that withstood a lightsaber. "Die, Jedi!" he snarled.

Xaset swung and slashed at him but this warrior was good with his weapon, able to keep up with the Jedi. Impatient, Xaset lifted him and slammed him into a prefabricated structure before lifting the wreckage of a basilisk war droid and slammed it onto the building. Alec chuckled as they flung themselves into another group. Some of them had jet packs - which were not made with the lightsaber resistant alloys. Alec flung his lightsaber and slashed through the several of them before calling his blade back. The jetpacks exploded and managed to take out several others. Xaset nodded, impressed. "You have to teach me that trick."

"After the battle, I'll teach you several."

Talvon slashed, hacked and thrust at his opponent but this warrior was proficient at protecting the chinks in his armor. All around them, Republic commandos and Jedi battled the Mandalorians. With a thrust of his hands, Talvon flung the commander back and away from the main fight. "Your Jedi tricks won't save you;" snarled the Mandalorian commander.

"I wouldn't worry about saving me, Mandalorian;" replied Talvon as he doubled his attack.

Something from Talvon's force attack damaged his enemy and he was slower and limping. Grinning, Talvon wove a visual web of energy around his enemies weapon until, with a neat series of ripostes and thrusts, he disarmed the Mandalorian and flung him against the wall with the force. Talvon pinned his opponent to the ground. "You are beaten, Mandalorian;" he said, just a hint of pride in his voice.

His enemy struggled but there was no way for him to break free. With a chuckle, Talvon lifted his frozen opponent and went to the comms station, swatting aside or crushing Mandalorians along the way. When he and his prisoner reached their goal, he activated the holo-comms unit and broadcast over all frequencies. "Mandalorians, stand down. Return to your ships and leave the planet. Tell Mandalor and Cassus Fett that the Revanchist stands between them and the Republic. Commander-"

Talvon yanked the commander into view. "Choose your words carefully;" hissed Talvon.

The commander was silent for a moment. "Mandalorians, return to Mandalore and tell him of the Revanchist. Tell him that the challenge he sought in the Republic has finally lifted its head."

Talvon cut the comms and said, "You probably saved many a warrior's life today."

"Please;" snapped the commander. "Only a few will go. You still have hundreds to contend with."

"That's fine. The more dead now, the fewer to threaten the Republic in the future."

"Talvon;" came a call from the corridor. Revan stood there, his weapon firmly on his belt. "Turn the holo-receivers back on and broadcast again."

Talvon obeyed and Revan nodded. "Good, now execute him."

Talvon was shocked. "Master," but he didn't want to question his superior in front of everyone.

Revan pulled his mask from his face, revealing a handsome face with dark eyes. "The only thing these warriors understand is violence, power, skill in battle and death. Grant this man a warrior's death to show, not only that we are greater warriors but that we understand them completely."

Talvon nodded and ignited his weapon. The Mandalorian commander removed his helmet. "Perhaps you do understand us, Revanchist, but you will not defeat us. Treasure this victory. It may very well be your last."

He knelt before Talvon, placing his hands on his hips and gazing into the receiver. "For Mandalore;" he said in a confident yet reverent voice.

With one sweep, the Mandalorian slumped forward, his head rolling from his shoulders with a doll thud. Revan lifted his hand and shut down the receiver. "Well done, my friend."

He strode over and placed a hand on Talvon's shoulder. "Talvon, you must understand these warriors. They are savage, yes and brutal. They have no respect for innocence or worry for collateral damage. If we do not make ourselves known, if we do not at least show that we will not stand for their brutality, they will not take us seriously. We must make them engage us. That way, more systems that cannot defend themselves will be left in peace."

"I understand, Master;" replied Talvon. Even so, he felt sick to his stomach.

"We were always told," said Revan, "that Jedi are not executioners. I think that, if the Republic is to survive, we may need to take on that roll. We must execute those who would slaughter the innocent and the peaceful. It is important that not every society face this war. Therefore, it is necessary that we embrace it. Meditate on this, my friend."

Talvon bowed and then followed his master off the ship.

Back aboard their ship, the Jedi watched as the Mandalorians, leaving many of the transports and all of the raw materials, retreated. One of the younger Jedi snorted. "And there they go. Funny, I got the idea that Mandalorians were too stupid and blood thirsty to know when they were beat."

"It's only a tactical retreat. Apparently they learned something during Exar Kun's Sith Wars. Whoever is in charge now apparently grasps strategy to some degree;" replied Revan.

Talvon was off to the side, his gaze distant. Abruptly, he turned and strode off the bridge. Revan watched him go before turning to Meetra. "Talk to him, please, Meetra. He's taking it harder than I thought."

Meetra nodded but then paused. "Isn't that a good thing, Revan?"

"Yes but at the same time, he will need to steel himself for the future. If nothing else, please comfort him."

"Of course, Master;" she said and strode off the bridge after Talvon. Xaset was frowning. "How did one so young attain the rank of Jedi Knight."

"She was only named 'Jedi Knight' under me. Apparently the Dantooine masters were hesitant to put her through the trials. So I did."

Xaset looked at him in surprise. "How did you?"

"I tested her skill against my own on Korriban, the ancestral home of the Sith. Of course, it was abandoned, the Jedi made sure of it after the Sith War. She went into a tomb for her trial of courage. I don't know what it was that she feared, but she passed, returning far stronger for it. She returned to the tombs for each of her trials and each time, she came out. That final time, we both knew that she was a Jedi Knight. I cut her padawan braid myself."

Xaset looked after her in awe. "She's..." but he didn't know quite what to say.

"She is a dear friend, a powerful ally and the rallying voice of the Revanchist. They say that this organization is centered around me but the truth is, if it weren't for her, I would not have the following that I do. Her charisma and empathy with others is astonishing and the reason that the masters on Dantooine feared her."

Talvon stood in the hanger, gazing into nothingness as he contemplated the battle. "Is this really what we're meant to be?" he asked himself.

"We are what the times need us to be, Talvon;" came a gentle, quiet voice.

Turning, Talvon saw Meetra and smiled. He had a soft spot for the young woman and felt slightly protective over her, an odd thing, since she was the general and he a Jedi officer in Revan's task force. "Have I said anything else while you were standing there? Nothing horribly embarrassing I hope."

Meetra smiled and went to stand next to him. "No, nothing else. You did well. You have steel in you that some of us will never possess. I don't know if I could have done it."

"And yet, you think it was the right thing to do?"

Meetra nodded. "Yes, I do. I am no where near as talented as Revan at reading beings and cultures but these Mandalorians;" and she shook her head. "The stories about them are filled with brutality. They only understand war, combat, violence and death."

Talvon nodded and they were quiet for a moment. Finally, Talvon asked quietly, "Shouldn't we be better than them then?"

"Oh but we are;" she said, taking his hand and gazing earnestly into his eyes. "If we ever come upon a Mandalorian world where they have civilizations set up, we won't slaughter them. In fact, we'll leave them be or even aid them if they need it."

Talvon nodded, appreciative to hear it. After a long silence, Meetra sighed, "The thing is, Revan doesn't think that there are civilian settlements or anything in Mandalorian culture. He thinks that they are all warriors or else they don't survive in society."

"That's barbaric;" hissed Talvon.

Meetra nodded. "It really is and that is why what you did is so important. It grabs their attention and lets them know that we will not stand for their barbarism. The Jedi are taking notice and they will not stand for the slaughter of the defenseless."

Talvon nodded. What was it about this girl that helped him steel his resolve and solidify his convictions? "Hey, I'm starving;" said Meetra suddenly, smiling at him. "Want to grab a bite. The food is pretty bad but it's better when you suffer with someone."

Talvon laughed. "Misery loves company."

"Exactly. So um... tell me about you and Xaset Terep. What's he... what are you guys... what was the H'Ratth Academy like?"

Talvon looked at her and found that she was blushing. Unable to help himself, he burst into laughter and said, "Wow... I guess the Revanchist is changing a lot of things in the Jedi order, isn't it?"

"I don't know what your talking about;" said Meetra defensively. "I just want to know about you and your friends."

"Okay then, let's get whatever is passing for food tonight and we'll talk where we came from. I'm quite interested about the famed Dantooine Enclave."

Meetra chuckled and said, "Really? Famed? Alright, if you insist but if you fall asleep in your feed, I will take it personal."

"Fair enough."

Updated 10/16/2018