CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE
KORRIBAN
Teffa Darkstar led the group through the remains of the spaceport uncontested. Most of the staff that would have manned the place likely ran the moment the alarm had sounded on their approach, he knew. The few troopers, had they stood their ground, were more than likely buried under the rubble and dead. Glancing about as they came through the doorway onto the raised grated platform, the bounty hunter noted the quiet of the valley about them. In the distance he could make out the worm-like moving shapes of k'lorr slugs. Ahead of them, a ways off, was the entry to the tomb of Ajunta Pall disappearing down into the ground.
"It really is a harsh place isn't it?" Asha Lightstar commented as she and Kira Carsen came to stand just behind the bounty hunter.
"Seems so." Teffa admitted before looking past the two jedi to his sisters. He did not know Korriban well enough, but Bloodshade and Aela both knew it.
"I prefer Tython." Kira stated simply and Teffa could hardly argue the point when he would have said any other planet, including Hutta would have been his preference.
"Aela, Bloodshade, I need options here." Teffa called out, the group parting so the two women could join him.
"We came down in a bad spot here." Bloodshade commented, the skull like helmeted head glancing about.
"We don't have much choice here but to go through the tomb." Aela said as she agreed with Bloodshade's assessment of things. "Not my first choice at all, but it will bring us out directly in front of the academy itself."
Teffa frowned as he listened and did not like the idea of heading into the tomb. K'lorr slugs were an annoying hazard, and being underground and easily cornered and trapped was not comforting. Marr and the rest of the Imperial forces knew they were there, and if there was only one way to go, they were sure to be guarding such in force. Mako I could really use your advice about now, he thought, a small smile touching his lips as he thought of his wife.
"If I may add, we know Necrolis will be heading there. It is our best chance to join up with him before the fight begins." Malavai Quinn spoke up, shielding his eyes with a hand as he looked about over the valley.
" I don't like it, but seems we have no choice." Teffa finally stated.
"No, you don't."
The voice made them all stop, hands reaching for weapons as they were caught off guard. Stepping out from the shadowy space between rock wall and the grated ramp that lead down to the ground from the platform, Necrolis Darkstar emerged and looked with a frown on his siblings. While Tormen cast a wave and Blizz jumped up and down clapping, Teffa crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at the man through his helmet. Bloodshade frowned and shook her head before smiling at her brother. Aela Darkstar moved quickly down the ramp and hugged the man before punching him in the chest.
"You're an asshole, Necrolis." Aela growled but still managed to smile at the man.
Necrolis shook his head even as he took the punch. Patting Aela's shoulder, Necrolis moved up the ramp, noting the presence of Asha, Kira, and Tormen. Nodding to them he still felt a touch of surprise that they had risked a great deal to come and follow after him right into the very home of the sith. As he drew close, there was no mistaking the angry blue skinned twi'lek that was his wife. Vette stood fists on her hips and glaring at him, lekku clearly shaking and foot tapping away on the metal grating. Necrolis could have laughed at the sight of her, the display of anger, but knew better.
Vette glared but as he drew close and looked at her, she felt that anger slipping from her. He was as stoic and calm as ever, even now, and yet she could see the bemused and loving truth there in his eyes. Swearing under her breath, she simply knew she could not help it. Giving up on being angry, Vette moved quickly throwing her arms about Necrolis' neck and burying her face against his neck.
"I thought you were going to die." She whispered to him, holding tightly to him.
"I'm fine." Necrolis said, returning the embrace a moment before drawing her off and back from him and glancing about, gaze finding and staying on his brother. "You should not have followed after me."
"You should have known we were not about to let you run off on a suicide mission." Teffa growled back, shaking his head.
"We have no time to argue." Necrolis held up a hand as he spoke, knowing anything he said would not make a difference with his brother. They had been down that road too many times to not know such. "We need to move fast, and that means through the tomb."
"My lord, it is good to see you." Quinn said, nodding to Necrolis before looking at the others. "He is right, we cannot spend time debating or bickering. We need to move."
"After you then." Teffa growled out, waving a hand down and towards the tomb entrance while he glared at his brother through his helmet.
Necrolis lead the way across the dirt and sand of the valley and down the crumbling and cracked steps of the tomb of Ajunta Pall. Glancing about, he noticed there were fewer cobwebs and the tomb seemed less threatening than it had when he had first ventured into it as an acolyte. He knew it would be a relatively straight run through the narrow corridors into the main chamber, through a couple passages and then out of a central chamber up a long flight of stairs to end up at the academy. It was going to be as quick and easy as could be, save for whatever surprises Marr had set up to throw at them.
"I'm not liking this." Torian Cadera said quietly as he walked beside Teffa, glancing about and then overhead noting the crumbling stone ceiling holding back the ground above.
"No helping it." Teffa grumbled quietly back, shaking his head. "Just make sure we don't use any explosives. I don't want to have to dig myself out at all."
The bounty hunter looked ahead noting Blizz half running, half skipping as he chased after the large form of the deshade. Bloodshade and Aela were behind Necrolis and in front of him. Behind came Asha, Tormen, and Kira. Bringing up the rear were Jaesa Willsaam, Pierce, and Malavai Quinn. Most seemed on edge, but the mood had certainly improved with Necrolis back with them. Teffa had to wonder if he was the only one still angry with the man for having run off on his own. He knew he should let it go, but Teffa just could not seem to get past such.
The group moved with purpose through the large chambers into smaller circular ones off to the right, then up a flight of stairs before entering a larger chamber. Past them, they walked through three interconnected square chambers before Necrolis brought them to a stop. Ahead was a large circular chamber, stairs leading off of it upwards. Moving about in the center of the room, a giant k'lorr slug writhed and moved. It was larger than most Necrolis had seen, a dark reddish brown, the circular maw full of teeth. The creature was right in the way of where they needed to go.
"Ok I seriously am not hanging out with you all anymore." Tormen Darklight muttered.
"What's next?" Teffa growled in complaint.
Necrolis sighed and frowned as he watched the creature, knowing there was no helping it. They had to get up the stairs to get to the academy. That meant going through the creature and fighting it. Drawing his lightsabers, Necrolis turned to look at the group. Organizing things was the easy part. Fighting and killing the k'lorr slug should likewise prove not too difficult. What worried him was how the battle would alert any forces waiting outside at the academy.
"Aela, Jaesa, Asha and Kira with me. We hold the line. Bloodshade stay with us and fry that thing when we attack." Necrolis planned out. " The rest of you open up on it from a distance. Watch out too, these things spit."
"Have I mentioned I hate these things?" Vette stated, making a face.
"Do not presume to tell me where to stand and fight." Khem Val growled aloud, arms crossing across the deshade's large chest. "I will rip that thing apart and gorge myself on its blood."
Necrolis arched an eyebrow at the creature that accompanied his sister before shaking his head and holding up both hands. He was far from about to argue with the beast.
"Khem you can do whatever the fuck you want."
"I think I just threw up a little in my mouth." Vette remarked, gagging with the thought of the deshade doing anything with the k'lorr slug.
"I think I did too." Jaesa remarked.
"Now that is saying something." Vette chimed back and Jaesa gave the twi'lek a hard glance back but said nothing else.
The group formed up as Necrolis had planned out, and once set, the lightsaber wielding members of the party moved into the chamber. The k'lorr slug sensed them immediately, tubular body writhing and turning towards them to let out a piercing snarling cry. Necrolis moved first, grabbing the thing with the force, holding it in place even as the others threw lightsabers at it slicing into its tough rubbery skin. Bloodshade let both arms rise as an almost purple coloured lightning flashed from her fingertips, streaking across to flow over the massive form of the creature. Khem Val rushed forward, large vibroblade in hands and hammering into the creature, the blackish green blood spraying about from the open wounds. Even as the deshade stood his ground, Vette, Pierce, Quinn, Torian, Teffa, and Blizz all took aim and let loose firing their weapons on the creature.
"Watch out!" Asha yelled seeing the k'lorr slug rear up then pitch its upper region forward.
The line of jedi and sith scattered left and right even as the large glob of bright green acidic spit flew from the k'lorr slug to land where they had been standing. Droplets fell on Bloodshade as it splattered and sprayed on impact. Ignoring that it burned and chewed into the armour on her left arm, Bloodshade drew more on the force, pushing and increasing the strength and width of the lightning she commanded.
Even as the massive form of the k'lorr slug was shredded, burnt, and filled with blaster holes, the creature continued to try and attack, large globs of bright spit flying out at the group sending them scattering each time. Torian's helmet took the brunt of a splash smoking and being melted through even as he yanked it from his head and cast it aside. Necrolis could see the beast was ripe to fall and rushed forward. Asha noted his movement and hurried forward, dropping in beside him in attack. Both jedi and sith jumped almost in unison, closing the distance and gaining height. Each of them drove their lightsabers in downward strikes, opening up the creature from its middle down to where it curved underneath on the ground.
"Blast it in the guts!" Teffa yelled, seeing the large gaping wound and the opening it provided.
Torian and Teffa both launched mini-rockets into the beast, while Vette and the others trained their fire into the wound. As the rockets exploded the k'lorr slug swelled and then blew apart, bits of flesh and black-green blood painting over the entire chamber as head and bottom fell in two places. Necrolis and Asha looked at each other even as they tried to wipe themselves off.
"You know this is not going to come off easy." The jedi remarked, blue eyes glinting with mischief.
" You won't have to worry about chasing off any suitors anytime soon at least." Necrolis shot right back at her, wiping more of the blood and bits out of his hair.
"Ok I have had it." Tormen complained loudly. "I've been shot at, spit on, crash landed, and all for what? I need a fucking vacation."
While the others laughed, Necrolis glanced towards the daylight streaming down the stairs from the chamber. It was good for them to retain their sense of humour and use it to relieve stress, he knew. The truth was, the worst was yet to come. Necrolis had no doubts Marr and anyone else had heard the screams of the k'lorr slug as well as the weapons fire. They know where we are, and they know we are coming, Necrolis thought sourly. Any chance of surprising Marr was now lost.
Blaster fire and explosions echoed up out of the tomb of Ajunta Pall, causing the ranks of troopers assembled to shift where they stood, blasters in hand squeezed just a little tighter in readiness. Marr heard the sound and smiled behind the mask. He had finally arrived, Marr knew. Necrolis had chosen to come straight at him, through the tomb, which the Dark Lord thought foolish but brave all the same. He had, after all, left him with no easy approach. Had he tried either side, he would have had to fight through squadrons of troopers. The tomb held its own terrors, the least of which were the k'lorr slugs.
Beside Marr, both Pyrannus and Raistlis heard the sound and began moving forward, each expecting to engage the enemy. Marr shot an arm out blocking their way, hooded head turning to look over his shoulder at each of them. Raistlis glared and then cast a questioning look, thinking for a moment Marr was about to change their agreement. Pyrannus growled and barred her teeth in frustration as she realized Marr was going to keep his word to allow Raistlis to challenge first, and she was being reigned in as if she were on a leash.
"Patience, both of you." Marr said calmly. "Let the foe come to us. Raistlis will deal with Necrolis first, but only when I say the time is right to confront him."
Pyrannus growled and cast Raistlis a glare, and when he returned her hard look she snapped her fanged teeth at him before crossing arms over her chest and falling silent. Raistlis looked back to the descending stairs that lead to the tomb entrance. Pyrannus was furious, and while he could understand such, it was also not her place to override Marr's orders he knew. So much for whatever was happening between them, he thought before returning his focus back where he needed it. Necrolis Darkstar was coming.
Looking down, Marr waved his hand across in front of him, signalling the commanders to form up their squads and be ready. Six squads stood in formation at the end of the long ramp of the academy, totalling sixty men and women. Off to the left and right another two squads each of twenty blocked either wing of the academy grounds. Further along, closer to each tomb on either side, two more squads were stationed. About the top of the flat entryway, ten of the Imperial royal guard stood silent and at the ready in their deep crimson robes and helmets. All was as ready as it could be.
"Master?" Pumirra asked questioningly, much like her sister eager to engage and confront their foes.
"As I said, patience my apprentice." Marr remarked without looking towards the other cathar woman. "The battle is almost upon us. Let the pawns have their moment to weaken our foe, then we strike."
"As you say, my lord." Pumirra nodded before casting Pyrannus a glance. Her sister shrugged and seethed in her anger still.
Necrolis, Teffa, and Aela Darkstar stood partway up the steps leading out of the tomb. All three had crept up carefully fully aware their position had been compromised by the fight with the k'lorr slug. Looking out, they could just see the middle and upwards of the academy ramp and entry. Necrolis noted the royal guard as well as numerous figures at the entryway. One of them he knew would be Darth Marr. Glancing over at his siblings, Necrolis could see they both were taking stock of the situation and what they were up against.
"You can bet there's a number of troopers armed to the teeth up there." Teffa remarked, unhappy with the obstructed view they had.
"They know we're here. They will just wait us out." Aela added, knowing Teffa was right in his assessment.
Necrolis sat on the step sideways, glancing up then back down where he could see the others waiting. Looking upwards, Necrolis noted the hot blazing sun overhead of them. Looking back to his siblings Necrolis grinned. Seeing Necrolis, Aela groaned and let her head drop, knowing that look. Teffa likewise shook his head and groaned.
"He's smiling." Teffa muttered.
"Great, just great." Aela stated back shaking her own head, knowing all too well when Necrolis smiled of his own accord it never was a good thing.
Still grinning, Necrolis ignored his siblings complaints, patting Teffa's armoured shoulder before moving back down the stairs and inside, letting the two of them follow him. The others had settled themselves, for which Necrolis was glad, as they would be staying a while. As the eyes turned to him, Necrolis looked back and then spoke.
"We're going to have to face a gathered force, we don't know how many." He stated. "That said we're going to stay in here out of the heat of day and let them sweat it out waiting for us."
"An intriguing strategy, my lord." Malavai Quinn commented and nodded in approval. "That said might I offer a further suggestion?"
Necrolis arched an eyebrow curiously before nodding. Quinn rose and came over to stand close to him, the smile indicating the man had come up with a possible plan. Necrolis had seen that look enough times to know what it meant.
"Do you remember Taris, my lord?" Quinn asked.
"I recall such, but some elaboration is required for what you are referring to exactly."
Quinn nodded before glancing off to his right where Pierce sat with his back to the wall, Jaesa sitting between the trooper's legs, quietly watching and taking everything in. When his gaze fell on her, Jaesa gave him a wondering look with those golden eyes. Looking back to Necrolis, Quinn elaborated.
"Jaesa can look at the force against us, see what we face and how hardened and resolved they are to confront us." Quinn stated, hands clasping behind his back as he spoke and standing at attention, ever the officer. "Much the same as we did on Taris when she accompanied you against that particular foe."
"Find the weak point and break their ranks." Necrolis commented as he nodded in approval, remembering well how Jaesa had used her unique gift of the force for their benefit.
"Exactly, my lord." Quinn agreed. "Sheer force will not win the day, but if we break their will, their resolve, then we may be able to claim victory over a larger force arrayed against us."
"I have an idea to help with that." Teffa commented as he moved to join the two men. "Hit them from orbit."
"We don't have a ship for that." Necrolis commented and watched as his brother laughed.
"Yes, actually, we do." Teffa remarked. "You think Shadellis was going to stay behind?"
"I do believe, my lord, we have a plan." Malavai Quinn remarked with a smile.
"We still have to face them, Malavai. And we are still outnumbered." Necrolis pointed out calmly, though knowing the truth was eventually they would have to fight up close.
"Indeed." Quinn commented before holding up a hand to stop either of the men from speaking. "I have already thought of such, my lord. These are Imperial forces. They have been regaled and amazed by tales of your feats. Each of you are the best of the Imperial and Republic forces, triumphing against all odds and accomplishing the impossible."
"What's your point?" Aela Darkstar asked as she moved up beside Quinn, joining them finally.
"My point, if I may make it, is they are all in awe of you. You are their idols, their heroes. We use that against them."
"I don't follow." Teffa said, head cocking to the side wondering what the man truly meant.
"It means we attack them. Charge them head on." Necrolis nodded as he understood what Quinn was getting at. "We hit them with the orbital strike at the same time we rush them. Jaesa can tell us where to hit for the most effect too."
"Shit." Teffa remarked as he looked at his brother and watched the smile spread over his mouth. "He's grinning again!"