Gideon Squadron: Chapter 16 - Unhappy Reunions
Leaving the warmth of the mountain's hidden fortress, the members of Gidon Squadron once again found themselves facing the harsh, frozen wasteland of Carnelion IV. The air gondola Bu'Narii had supplied them with was old and in rough shape, but it was serviceable. All three agreed it was better than taking their chances against the Fishers. Following the secured tracking device on Trace's bracer comm, they set the airship down gently (wishing to avoid unwanted attention). The Arlechi's signal was just up ahead. The ship's cloaking device had long since failed and its hull was now buried partially in deep snow. Eras and Sho raised their hands towards their vessel and summoned the Force to lift it from its icy grave, placing it down along the ledge overlooking the Celadon Sea. They would have to move fast as the Inquisitors would know of their whereabouts.
Trace began working on the repairs immediately, worrying that the engines would be too cold to get back on line. Eras could be found on the bridge, checking on system functions. He was relieved to find that the shields could be repaired relatively quickly and that the weapons system was fully operational. "The good it will do us if we cannot get off this miserable planet!," he thought to himself. Sho was attempting to repair the scanners when he suddenly felt a familiar presence through the Force. It was close. He stepped onto the bridge, nodding in acknowledgment to Eras, who looked at him inquisitively as he too felt this presence. They stared out the main viewport, seeing nothing but swirling snow. As if appearing out of thin air, two figures in black stood half a klick away in plain view. "It is Tarren.", said Sho matter of factly. Eras got on the comm with Trace. "Fire up those engines!" "If we try to jump them too soon, they could overload!", Trace responded (frustration in his tone). There was a momentary pause of silence. The enemy remained unmoved. "We need to buy him time.", Sho said resolutely.
Sho and Eras stepped off the Arlechi's loading ramp, readying themselves as they made their way towards the Inquisitors. Sho's eyes never left Tarren. Eras was more focused on the ultrachrome armor both adversaries had girded themselves in, not to mention the strange creature that accompanied Sho's "acquaintance". He wasn't quite human. His facial features appeared human, yet Eras could have sworn he saw a resemblance to that of a canine. Whatever it was, it was large and intimidating. At over two meters tall with a beskar forged physique, the imposing figure's eyes blazed with malice towards Eras. All parties present stood silently. Words were unnecessary. With a nod of permission from Tarren, his fellow inquisitor ignited his dual-spinning saber and gave a monstrous roar, revealing a maw full of razor sharp fangs. He bounded at Eras with unnatural speed. Eras, having both sabers drawn, waited for him.
Sho allowed the creature to move away from him as he continued to walk slowly towards Tarren. He raised his saber, taking up a defensive, yet fortified posture. Tarren, with the look of a ravenous beast, paced back and forth, searching for an opening. He lunged to test Sho. Sho deflected this attack, stepping back in order to draw his enemy in. Tarren obligingly charged once more, purposefully leaving himself exposed. Sho side stepped and slashed across the Inquisitor's ultrachrome covered chest, with little effect. Tarren smiled tauntingly. He then built up his rage-filled hatred and began slamming his saber repeatedly down on Sho's raised weapon, forcing him to one knee. Tarren kicked the weakened Jedi squarely in the side. Sho clawed for breath as he felt that several of his ribs had broken.
Whatever Eras thought, he was not ready for the creature that now was on him like a rabid animal. The Inquisitor hurled his body into Eras, crushing him into the frozen ground. Lying on his back, Eras brought his lightsaber over his body just in time to stop the enemy's blade. The creature batted Eras' weapon to the side (hoping for a killing blow), but not before Eras smashed a fist directly up into the beast's jaw. The dark foe stepped off of him with a look of surprise, blood trickling from its mouth. Eras was on his feet with his sabers at the ready. The Inquisitor let out a howl as two more arms ripped free of the armor that bound them. The now four armed creature produced a second dual-spinning saber. The enemy moved forward in a blur of light. Eras took up a simple but effective strategy of combining the precise strikes of the lightsaber form Makashi with the purely defensive form of Soresu. Attempting to reserve his strength, Eras made sure to constantly keep one of his blades in the creature's center line, forcing the beast to keep its distance. This enraged the Inquisitor, though Eras knew he would not be able to fend him off for long. Changing its tactics, the beast swung upwards with all its might, deflecting Eras's sabers off the center. Using the momentum to spin its body around, the Inquisitor struck a glancing blow to Eras's strong shoulder. Eras cried out as he felt flesh and cloth melt together. Distracted by the pain, Eras was struck by a Force Repulse that knocked his weapons from his grasp and sent him to the ground several feet away. The monster, looking like a predator ready to devour its prey, began to walk slowly towards Eras.
There was a sudden immense presence of the Force, followed by a tremendous earthquake. The ground exploded all around as all manner of Carnelian creatures sprang forth, swarming the Dark Force user. The Inquisitor lashed out with his sabers in a mad frenzy. "Thank you Master Bu'Narii.", thought Eras as he realized that the Jedi Exile had helped and must be somewhere close in her cloaked ship. Using the distraction, he summoned his lightsabers into his possession and took the opportunity to run to Sho's aid…
Sho managed to take small breaths, yet doing so caused a searing pain that made his vision blur. He fought through it. Tarren came into view, ready to deal a finishing blow. Before it landed, he was hit from behind by a wave of Force Lightning. With what little strength he had left, Sho added a Force Push that sent him flying back. Eras came to Sho's side, standing him up. Another explosion landed only a few feet from them, hurling them to the ground. The ringing in Eras's ears momentarily canceled out all other sounds of battle. He turned around to face where the attack had come from. Several larger versions of the Mech they had fought on Nar Shadaa were lined up on the horizon. The mechanized monstrosities began pressing forward towards the fray. The swarms of creatures turned their attacks on this new threat. Eras lifted Sho (who was barely conscious by this time) over his good shoulder. "We need to head for the Arlechi.", said Eras who began making his way back to the ship. Their vessel was only a hundred meters away when a horrible roar came from behind them. Eras peaked over his shoulder. Both Inquisitors were now in hot pursuit. "STOP THEM! THEY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE!", screamed Tarren. The other inquisitor was gaining on them. Eras did not know if they would make it. They were just about to board when the Arlechi began making a metallic grinding sound as it lurched towards the ledge. This was Tarren's doing. The ship went over and was sent into freefall as it was swallowed up out of sight by the poisonous haze. Eras turned around to see the other inquisitor who was almost upon them. "Jump.", whispered Sho. Eras momentarily hesitated, but obeyed. They too disappeared into the mist.