Well, I'm back again y'all, with another chapter of course. I had more time during this week due to spring break to write another chapter for y'all. Here is the closing of the first Mandalorian Arc of the Clone wars. Also, we get to see Thomas use flight for the first time in this series. Enjoy, like, and leave a review.
Chapter 13: Simple problems don't always get simple solutions.
December 28th, 2022, 22 BBY
1200 hours
Jedi Temple
Thomas POV
Well, I've been having some mixed feelings lately, mostly about Ahsoka. Ever since we celebrated Christmas together, I started to see her as more than my best friend. I've been questioning whether or not to tell her. Would she freak out? What would Anakin say? Obi-Wan? Would it be wrong for her to go against the Jedi code, the only thing that she knew? I'm not sure, but to avoid problems, I decided to keep it to myself. Luckily, from what they told me, they can't read my emotions through the force.
To help keep my mind off those feelings, I've been working on the wingsuit in my workshop for a couple days. In that time, I've created a new fabric combining regular fabric used for clone bodysuits under the armor and using some titanium and tungsten fibers and woven into a material that is blaster, bullet, and fire proof.
I've also made a parachute that in case of a booster failure or my suit, I can deploy it and safely drift to a landing zone. Hopefully I don't have to use it anytime soon. In addition to the parachute and wingsuit, I made two grappling hooks that double as flamethrowers and miniature missile launchers into gauntlets, similar to the one in Just Cause. I plan on doing the same to the booster pack, but I wanna make sure it works first.
So today, I decided to test it out. I slipped on the wingsuit and booster pack, which is all in one unit, climbed on top of the temple, and my mask.
"This is crazy," I told myself, "Luckily, I've been doing crazy for months."
I take a deep breath, close my eyes then open them, and get onto a ledge. I really hope this works.
"No turning back now," I say as I lean forward and fall off the roof top.
I flex my fingers, making the wings unfurl out onto my arms and the booster turns on. I spread out my arms and try to pull up using my core. I scream in exertion as I successfully pull up right before I hit the ground, surprising some bystanders entering and exiting the temple.
I laugh as I'm really doing it: I'm flying. I continue flying through Coruscant weaving through speeders passing by, laughing in disbelief and happiness.
"IT REALLY WOOOOOOOORKS," I yell as I'm zipping through the city, enjoying my new toy.
I zip through more speeders when I decide to try something out. I fly near a building and furl my wings in and run across the side of the building with some assistance from the booster. Man, this thing is so much fun. I then jump off the building and unfurl my wings and continue flying through. I can't wait to test this thing out in battle.
Normal POV
1200 hours
Satine had a hard time convincing the Senate that Mandalore was perfectly capable of handling Death Watch on their own.
First, a recording from Deputy Minister Jerec stated that he was in agreement of a republic military occupation. Satine knew that it was a lie and wanted to speak with Jerec. Sadly, he was killed in a terrorist bombing on Kalevala and this further swayed many senators to favor the occupation of a neutral world.
Second, a Death Watch assassin was sent to kill her. First her speeder was sabotaged and only through the selfless bravery of the pilot, Aramis, was she able to survive. Unfortunately, the attack caused the senate to vote in favor of Mandalore's occupation and troops were ready to leave for her world.
Third, knowing that Jerec would never say the things that were mentioned in the recording, Satine met with Davu Golec, a Mandalorian working in the Ministry of Intelligence in order to find the real recording from the late minister.
The meeting was successful and she did get the actual recording. However, the assassin killed Davu and framed Satine for the murder. Ironic considering her deactivator was dangerous to droids and not living beings. On the run and knowing that only Padme, a longtime friend and supporter of Mandalore's neutrality, she contacted Obi-Wan asking him for his help in getting the information to Padme,
A small fight between the assassin and Obi-Wan occurred and while the assassin escaped, the information Satine had acquired was given to Padme just in time. This proved a deadly blow to Death Watch. Without the support of the droid army, they would be seen as terrorists and would hold the planet for only a day.
Still, it was unclear who wanted Satine to be thrown into prison or why they wanted Mandalore to be occupied by the Republic. But those questions would have to wait for another time, as she needed to return to her people as quickly as possible.
Before she left, Satine had requested that the Jedi council have Thomas be he one to escort her back to Mandalore. She had grown fond of Thomas for his seflessness, bravery, courage, honor, and his attempts to lighten the mood at times. She believed that he had the traits of a true warrior.
But first, she had to find the young man. Little did she know, he was testing out his latest creation.
-Scene Cut-
Thomas continued flying around in his wingsuit when he got a call from Ahsoka.
"Hey 'soka," Thomas answered, "What's up?"
"Hey Thomas," the snippy padawan responded, "Where are you? I didn't find you in your workshop this morning."
"Oh, just out and about," the soldier told her, "Had to get some fresh air."
"Well would you like to train?" she asked him, "Since you have yourself a real lightsaber," She added with a chuckle.
This made Thomas roll his eyes. "Yes of course snips," he said knowing it will annoy her, "I'll drop on by soon, just wait for me in front of the temple."
"Alright Tommy, see ya," she told him before she hung up. Very few people called him by "Tommy", and now Ahsoka was one of those people in his life.
He made a sharp turn in the suit and flew back to the temple.
Cut to the temple, Ahsoka was waiting outside for her friend wondering where he was.
"Where could he be at this time of the day?" she asked herself.
Just then she heard the roar of engines and saw a figure flying in with its arms as its wings. The figure furled them in, tuck and rolled and stood up in front of her. She immediately knew who this was as the mask covering the figure's face revealed the grinning country boy.
"When you said you'd drop in, I didn't think you meant literally," Ahsoka chuckled.
"You didn't ask to specify," Thomas said.
That got him a punch in the arm from Ahsoka with her saying "Idiot." The two friends laughed it off and went inside the temple to the training room. Once they got there, Thomas took off all his flight gear and weapons, excluding his new favorite, the Darksaber.
"I still don't know how you of all people got a lightsaber," Ahsoka says.
"Perhaps it's the Good Lord's plan," Thomas replied.
"So like the will of the force?" the padawan asked.
"You can say that," the soldier answered.
"Well, enough yappin," Thomas said, "Let's start duelin."
Ahsoka ignited her saber with a grin, "Thought you'd never ask".
Thomas ignited the Darksaber and twirls it around. They both get in a stance, not taking their eyes off each other. Ahsoka makes the first move and their blades clash creating sparks.
-Scene cut-
Satine made her way to the temple because that was where Obi-Wan told her that's where Thomas would stay while he was on Coruscant. She made her way over to his workshop that doubled as his quarters.
"Thomas," she asked while knocking on the door, "It's Satine, you in there?"
She got no answer from the door. She decided to walk around to try and find him. She passed by one of the training rooms where a black glow caught her eye. She took a closer look and saw it was Thomas dueling a Togrutta Padawan by the looks of it. She decided to watch a little bit before letting him know of her presence.
"Y'Know, for someone that hasn't been using a lightsaber for long, you're really good at it, Thomas," the padawan said.
This made Thomas chuckle, "Well I did have multiple teachers including Obi-Wan, your master's master, a Mandalorian merc, and some other people from earth. So, I had a lot of help Ahsoka."
Ahsoka blocked an overhead strike from Thomas and then Satine caught her eye. She backed away from Thomas and deactivated her saber which confused him.
"Why'd you stop?" he asked her.
"I think you got a guest Thomas," she told him.
This made Thomas turn and see the Mandalorian Duchess. He deactivated his saber and put it on his belt, then walked over to Satine.
"Your highness," he bowed to her.
"Oh, that's not necessary Thomas," Satine said with a smile on her face, "Satine will be just fine."
Thomas chuckled, "What can I help you with?"
"I sent a request to the council for you to escort me back to Mandalore after seeing you in action," Satine said, "Did they not tell you?"
The soldier shook his head, "No, I didn't hear," he said, "I was in my workshop working on some new weapons for myself that can give me an edge over Death Watch. As well as dueling with my friend Ahsoka Tano."
Ahsoka then bowed to the Duchess, "Your highness," she said.
"No need for that Ahsoka," Satine told her, "Any friend of Thomas is a friend of mine."
This made Ahsoka smile a bit.
"So, I assume you're wanting to leave so early now?" Thomas asked.
"Some, trouble had forced me to leave for my own safety," Satine answered.
"Say no more, I understand," Thomas said before turning to Ahsoka, "Ahsoka I'm s-,"
"Don't worry about it, Thomas," Ahsoka quickly said, "Duty calls of course."
Thomas sighed in relief, that was easier than he thought it would have been.
"I'll get my things packed, with some extra firepower of course," Thomas said.
"Normally I would be opposed to that, but in these circumstances, that would be necessary," Satine responded.
Thomas then turned to Ahsoka and said, "I'll be back," with her nodding.
With that, the trio left the training room with Ahsoka going to find her master and Thomas and Satine heading to his workshop to gather some items he was going to need. They made it to the workshop and when they entered, Satine was in awe of all the machines and weapons that Thomas had in the room.
"Did you build all this?" she asked him, getting a nod from him.
"All of it," he answered, "a lot of these weapons are based off the ones from my home world. Others are straight from imagination."
"This is incredible Thomas," she said.
She then noticed a picture on the wall of his family she guessed. He was in the middle, with an older man on his right, a younger on his left, and an older man and woman in the back.
"Is this your family Thomas?" she asked.
He turned to her as he saw what she was talking about.
"Yeah, it is," he said, "That's my uncle Blane on the right, my cousin Michael on the left, and my grandparents, Raymond and Paulette Sullivan in the back. My grandfather served in the Vietnam war of 1955 and was drafted in 1972."
"After he got out of the war, he then went to work for a pipeline company for the next 48 years, working his way up slowly but surely. He was the one who helped raise me after my dad and mom were both killed. He was a hardass, but he loved me like a son."
"On his right is my grandmother. Don't let her sweet demeanor fool you, she's tougher than a honey badger on crack cocaine. She's been like a second mother to me after my first one died. She taught me how to cook and be a gentleman. I remember helping her cook many family dinners after my gramps would get home late."
"My Uncle taught me how to hunt and introduced me to martial arts. My cousin was like my brother, in the sense we fought over a lot of stuff, but had each other's backs. All in all, my family has taken care of me and had my back for years, and I wouldn't trade that for nothing."
Thomas sighed as he stared at the picture. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see the Duchess, giving him a smile.
"You will see them again, Thomas," she reassured him, "I promise."
"Thank you, Satine," he said.
"Anytime, Thomas," she said.
Thomas then gathered more of his things, including his wingsuit and his R5 Remington with his new 40mm grenade launcher attachment. He strapped both the weapons on his back along with his 10 gauge shotgun, and two new Ruger MP9 with similar 60 round drum magazines he uses for his R5. He loaded his carry-on bag with spare magazines, his clothes, toiletries, and his Bible. He also changed into a long sleeve shirt, some boot cut jeans, and some combat boots.
"Ready when you are Satine," Thomas said holding his bag.
Satine nodded and the two left the workshop and headed to the Coronet which was recently repaired and they headed for Mandalore.
Meanwhile on Concordia, Pre Vizsla had received word that Satine was returning. Furious that his assassin failed, he killed the assassin for his failure and decided to deal with Satine, personally. Gathering his armor, along with a lightsaber he took off a Jedi he slain, he set course for Mandalore.
-scene cut-
Thomas POV
Two hours after we left Coruscant, we arrived at Sundari. We were about to head to the palace when a speeder exploded knocking me, Satine, and her guards to the ground. Coming in by jetpack was none other than the traitor Vizsla himself.
"Duchess Satine," Vizsla said, "Today, you pay for your crimes against the people of Mandalore."
He then pulled out a lightsaber no doubt taken from the corpse of a Jedi and ignited it.
"The price is your own life," he said as he raised the saber over her head.
I wasn't going to have that so I fired a grapple from one of my gauntlets onto the arm with the lightsaber. Vizsla saw it was me who fired it and I could see the hatred within them. I smirked ran current through the line electrocuting the ex-governor with the latter screaming in pain.
"INSOLENT BRAT," he snarled while turning towards me.
In response, I pulled out the Darksaber and ignited it.
"This 'brat' kicked your ass once," I say, "And he'll gladly do it again."
"You shall die then," he said as he charged towards me with a war cry like the last time.
He swung to my left making me block that way. I push the blade away and decided to go for a series of strikes his left, then when he expected another strike to his left, I feinted and kicked him in the gut. I then lunged for an overhead strike which he blocked barely missing his face.
"You're skilled, I'll give you that," Vizsla said.
"I was trained by Kal Skirata and Obi-Wan Kenobi," I said, "I learned a lot about wielding a lightsaber."
He growled and pushed me off. He lunged for me once more so I sheathed the Dark saber and ran at him igniting my booster pack, tackling him and we both rolled over to a ledge, with his lightsaber being deactivated in the process. He stood up and walked over to me drawing a blaster pistol. I look up and see a malicious grin on his face.
"Usually, I don't take killings personally," he starts, "But what I'm about to do, I'm going to savor, for years to come."
"Too bad," I say before rolling off the ledge surprising him.
I then unfurl my wingsuit and fly back up and give him a roundhouse kick to the face making him stumble.
"Catch me if ya can Vizzy," I taunt before turning on the jets and flying away.
He yelled in rage and flew after me with two other Death Watch members with murder on their mind.
"Satine, head to the palace, I'm going to distract them," I comm the Duchess.
"Thomas you can't po-," she started before I cut her off.
"Satine it's the only way, trust me," I tell her.
I then feel hot plasma rush by me, I look back and see my pursuers shooting at me. I decide to try a risky maneuver. I pull my body right-side up to slow myself down, causing my pursuers to quickly dodge me. I go back horizontally and began pursuing the Death Watch.
I took an aim at one of the members' jetpacks, primed my gun, and opened fire on the member, destroying their jetpack making them sail downwards and explode in a fireball.
"One down, 2 to go," I say as I continue my chase.
The second member turned around and opened fire on me once again. I do barrel rolls and other maneuvers to avoid the blaster fire. I decide to shoot my grapple at him and electrocute him, causing him to go limp and making him fall to his death.
"Escorts are down, I'm coming for yo ass Vizzy," I say as I open fire on Vizsla.
He dodges nearly every one of my attacks. We make our way to the city limits and end up on another ship yard. He tried using a flamethrower on me which I dodged firing my grapple hook which snagged his arm. He quickly cut the line before I could charge it and he fly directly at me and tackled me as we both sailed towards the ground.
We both hit the ground and roll. I pull out my Rugers and open fire at Vizsla. The bullets seem to do some damage, but only to his armor. He hid behind a crate and opened fire from a closed position. I decide to put the Rugers away and I pull out my 10 gauge. I aim at his position and blow a hole in his cover, no doubt shocking the piss out of him.
"Vizzy boy," I taunt, "I think you might wanna surrender."
"I'd rather die than surrender to a mere boy," he spat.
"Choose your next actions carefully," I say while cocking my 10 gauge.
I then didn't get the chance to arrest him as more Death Watch members show up and opened fire on me. I duck behind the same crate as Vizsla got up and retreated to his ship. I holster my shotgun and pull out the R5 and fire the grenade launcher at the ship killing a few more members.
"WE WILL MEET AGAIN BOY," Vizsla shouted as he retreated with on his ship along with the other Death Watch members.
"SON OF A BITCH," I yell as the ship escape out of the atmosphere.
I sigh as I comm Satine, "He got away again Satine, I'm sorry."
She responded with, "It's okay Thomas, as long as you're alright."
I then smile, like a mother worrying more about her son.
"Y'know, you kinda sound like my gram, or my mom," I say with a chuckle.
"Well then 'son', you're needed back at the Palace," she says, "I'll have my best doctors examine you for injuries, and once your cleared, you may be on your way back to Coruscant."
"Copy that ma'am," I grin as I make my way back to the Palace.
Satine is such a wonderful person; I have no clue as to why Obi-Wan had let her go. God forbid he break the code though. I sigh as I fly back to the palace. To clear my mind, I decide to put on Luke Combs' "Beautiful Crazy."
Her day starts with a coffee
And ends with a wine
Takes forever gettin' ready
So she's never on time for anything
When she gets that come-get-me look in her eyes
Well, it kinda scares me
The way that she drives me wild
And she drives me wild
Beautiful, crazy
She can't help but amaze me
The way that she dances
Ain't afraid to take chances
And wears her heart on her sleeve
Yeah, she's crazy
But her crazy's beautiful to me
I then hum the melody as my mind drifts away from the worries of Vizsla and the war. Can't beat the melody of a soft country song. I then arrive at the palace and make my way inside. I knew Vizsla was going to return, but for now, it was time to relax.
Well this wasn't as bad as others, but it was difficult nonetheless trying to come up with original content. And y'all might be thinking I'm turning Vizsla into Grievous but you have to realize, with all the Jedi he's killed, he had to have kept some lightsabers right? But anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it. I will take a two day break from writing due to work and whatnot. I will catch y'all later, Mr Gator out.