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Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Mandalorian Wars
Chapter 21
The morning was crisp and cool even for this time of year. Avner led the way through the streets towards the Capitol Building. Unlike the other day the streets were almost empty apart from a few early risers. Those few glanced in Avner's direction before hurrying off to whisper to some about having seen the Revanchist walking passed.
"People certainly take more notice of you when your hood is up, Master," Meetra mused after the umpteenth time this happened.
"True," was all Avner said in reply.
The rest of the walk to the Capitol Building passed in awkward silence between them. Meetra seemed unwilling to speak with him now that she knew he was really the Revanchist Leader. Avner wasn't certain if he blamed her for this or not. He was still the same person he had been the other day.
When they arrived at the Capitol Building Reca was waiting outside from them. "I thought you said you were going to be here in the morning," her voice was sharp and lashed at them as wipe would.
"It is the morning," Avner stated. "Still quite early by the height of the sun alone."
"I've been waiting since before dawn since you didn't give Justin the exact time you would arriving here, Master Jedi."
"Who's up before dawn?" Avner was a little confused to why Justin would have Reca stand out here for so long. It didn't make any sense.
Reca glared at him and strode into the Capitol Building.
"What's wrong with her?" Meetra asked. "I've been greeted with discontent before, but we did just help save her boss's life last night, didn't we?"
"I doubt that's what she's upset about." Avner followed Reca into the Capitol building.
Reca was waiting for them again, her arms folded across her chest and tapping her foot against the ground. "Keep pace, Jedi, I don't have all day."
"Did we do something to upset you?" Meetra asked in as patient a voice as it sounded she could do.
"Yes!" Reca growled. "We shouldn't even be talking with your group and yet here we are talking with not only members of the Revanchists but the Revanchist himself!" she spat at Avner's feet.
Avner stared at her, stunned by her reaction and the sudden hate he sensed in her. His voice had lodged in his throat. After last night and being revealed as having been revealed as being Little Runner, there had been a part of him that hoped she wouldn't be as upset as before. Yet here she was just as enraged over the fact he was the Revanchist as she had been the night before… if not more so.
"The Revanchists are helping the Republic!" Meetra defended their group.
"Help?!" Reca scoffed at this. "What help have any of you been? Our soldiers are dying by the thousands per battle while you Jedi sit back and do nothing."
"We are doing something!" Meetra retorted as she took a step towards Reca. "Just because we've not fully entered the war doesn't mean there aren't Jedi out there who want to help."
"What help have any of you been?" Reca demanded. "The Republic is losing ground by the day and none of you Jedi are doing a damned thing about it. Your group," – she turned back to Avner – "is only making matters worse. You bring a false hope that the Jedi will do something about the war!"
Avner needed to say something. He needed to act before this got too out of hand, but his tongue felt heavy and mouth dry. Of all the ways he had expected to be greeted this morning, hatred this raw and deep from Reca of all people hadn't been one of them. The only time he had felt this much anger in her before was when he had been three. Her rage then had been directed towards another and not at Avner.
There is no emotion; there is peace. Avner repeated the opening phrase several times before he managed to take a deep breath and speak, "We are doing all we can."
"It isn't good enough," Reca snapped. She stepped up to Avner until she was less than a foot from him. Her purple eyes were made of fire as she glared up into the shadows of his hood.
"Reca!" a sharp voice intervened. Uncle pulled her back. "That's no way to act," he scolded her.
Avner took another deep, calming breath before he spoke again, "Our group walks a very fine line with both the Order and the Republic. While everyone of the Jedi in the Revanchists wants nothing more than to aid the Republic we can't do anything without either approval of the High Council or the senate.
"Without either groups' support the Republic Military can't accept the aid of 'rouge' Jedi without fear of backlash from both the Order and the Republic. Thus, we can't do anything but search for answers at this point in time."
Reca glared at him. Her hand balled into a fist and body tense as she prepared to strike him.
Avner braced himself for the strike, but it never came. Uncle still had hold of her wrist and thus she couldn't really lash out at Avner without breaking Uncle's hold on her which might just injure Uncle. She at least seemed to realize this much.
Without another word Reca turned from Avner. Uncle reluctantly released her wrist and she started off down the hall. "Follow," she growled at them.
Avner fell in behind her. He kept enough distance that if she really did change her mind and turned to him he would have enough time to react to it. Uncle kept with Avner while Meetra walked on Avner's other side. The girl didn't seem to mind the way Reca had reacted to their group and what they were trying to do. Perhaps she had sensed that Reca's problem rested more with Avner than it actually did with the Revanchists as a whole and perhaps she was just able to hide her emotions like so many Jedi could.
"Reca," – Uncle was now walking beside Reca, trying to keep pace with her longer, more angry strides – "there's no need to be upset at these Jedi for what's happening in the war."
She snorted and shot a glare in Avner's direction. "Right, they're just making everything worse by trying to enter the war."
"Reca."
"Master," Meetra whispered to Avner, "do people generally meet you with such… hate?"
Avner smiled at her. "You should have seen them two years ago," he told her. "Compared to their reaction then, the commander's is minor. Besides, I would rather be shouted at for trying to help than for standing idly by and watching the Republic burn." He thought of the council as he said this and their words when he had last spoken to him. It felt as if it had just been yesterday when several months had passed since then. Still, the masters couldn't be pleased that Avner had ignored their orders once more and gone off to Cathar. If the Force was with them then the masters might be thrown off by his appearance here on Telos. This could buy them a little more time to find whatever was hidden on Cathar.
The rest of the trip to the office passed in silence between Meetra and Avner while Uncle tried and kept failing to calm Reca down. A part of Avner figured the reason Reca was so upset had to really do with his group. Another part of him couldn't help but wonder if it had to do with the fact he was Little Runner. Yet another part thought it just might have something to do with Jedi in general.
The doors into the senator's officer were massive and almost reminded Avner of the setup the Supreme Chancellor had back on Coruscant. Granted, Avner had only set foot in the Chancellor's office once before and that had been for only a short time. It had been near the end of his time as a padawan learner and was only because a higher ranked master had over seen the last year or so of Avner's training due to the passing of Avner's second master.
Beyond the doors the doors the office itself was spacious. It held a desk at the far end of the room with several soft chairs set up before the desk. A window looked out over the city and to the plains just beyond. Justin was seated at the desk, pouring over several data-pads when Avner and Meetra entered the room.
He looked up and smiled at them. "Welcome, Master Jedi," he greeted both Avner and Meetra. "Reca, thank you bringing them." He stood and moved around his desk until he was before them. "Master Meetra, if you wouldn't mind waiting outside with the commander, I'd like to speak with the Revanchist alone."
Meetra hesitated and glanced at Reca who glared back her. She looked at him and he nodded for her to do as the senator had asked. Meetra bowed to the senator before she left the room. After a moment Reca did the same. Uncle and the senator's wife, Sasha, remained in the room along with Zeel who was standing guard near the door.
"I do hope they don't end up in another argument," Uncle sounded more than a bit worried over this.
"Her problem is more with me than it is with Meetra," Avner pointed out.
"None of us were expecting to ever see you again, Little," Sasha stepped forward so she was standing by her husband.
Avner smiled. "The Force works in mysterious ways." He paused and frowned. "It has been a long time since anyone's called me by that name."
"That other Jedi kept calling you 'Master,'" Uncle stated as he took one of the chairs in the room.
Justin returned to his seat and Sasha also took one of the chairs. Not certain if he should follow or not, Avner remained standing.
"But you've yet to speak your new name, Little," Uncle finished.
"My name is whatever the media sees fit to call me at this point," Avner stated in way of reply. He turned to the matter he was really here about before they could keep asking him questions. "About last night, with the mandalorians targeting you and Sera both, it would be for the best if you increased your security, Senator. Perhaps even contact the Jedi Temple here for the protection they can provide both yourself and Sera."
Justin frowned. "I would rather not increase security, it would only cause a panic among the citizens if they learned the war has come to Telos as well."
"Justin," – Zeel stepped forward at this – "I must protest this move. Telos can't afford to lose you now and—"
Justin held up his hand to stop Zeel from continuing. "I will not increase security over this, Zeel." He looked Zeel in the eye. There was determined glint in his gaze that told Avner no matter how much they pressed he wouldn't change his mind. "Nor will I return to Coruscant. Running from the problem won't resolve it and it would only place Sera in more danger. My life shouldn't be held on a higher level than hers."
Avner looked between them. Zeel seemed upset over this matter while Justin was calm and steadfast in his belief. "It's doubtful the mandalorians would have given up just because Meetra and I appeared last night, Senator. You should listen to your security."
"And what of you?" Justin countered as he looked at Avner. "Now that the mandalorian knows you're here I doubt she'll stop coming after you as well. Your movement is more a threat to her people than myself or Sera are."
Avner frowned. "I don't see what that has to do with keeping you safe, Senator."
"Why don't you and Meetra stay with us?" Sasha asked. "That way you know for certain Justin is safe."
"That's a wonderful idea," Justin seemed to brighten at this.
"No," Avner stated in flat tones.
"Why?" Zeel was the one to ask this. "With you two nearby, Justin would be safer."
"For one, his reputation would suffer with associating with myself or any from the Revanchists. I suggested contacting the Order because then a master or knight could be assigned to you and your reputation wouldn't surfer for it. I'm not the most respectable knight in the Order at the moment." Or ever really.
"That doesn't matter," Justin stopped Avner from continuing on.
"I have information regarding their commander your guard will find useful," Avner stated, changing the subject once more and trying to make it clear he wasn't going to stay in the same instance. "The mandalorian commander was the one who led the ground assault on Tarnith nearly three years ago. She's ruthless on the field of battle and is capable of swaying loyalties to the side of the mandalorians as she did with the Prime Minster of Tarnith."
"I heard of that incident," Zeel said with a frown. "The same report stated a Jedi had been on Tarnith during the early part of the resistance. Was that you, Little Runner?"
Avner ignored this question and pulled out a data-pad. "This data-pad holds more information on her." He stated and held out to Zeel who took it. "Meetra and I will be staying until we're certain a member of the Order has been called in or your security has been tightened," he informed them.
"Then why not stay until you know for a fact they're no longer a threat?" Sasha asked. "It would be good to have some time to speak with you, Little Runner."
"No," Avner rejected the idea again.
"Where have you and your fellow Jedi been staying?" Sasha seemed to not have heard him.
Avner sighed. There is no emotion; there is peace. "I don't see how that matters," he stated.
"You could answer at least one question," stated Zeel with a less than amused scowl.
"Very well. Look at it this way, Jedi are funded through the Republic. The credits go to the High Council, who then divide it between the temples. The council at each temple then divide the funding up between the knights and masters who they send out on missions. Most of the time food and shelter are provided to the knight or master in question. As is transport and thus most of the credits are spent in order to get results in the mission or for other expenses or for the upkeep of the temples. If a Jedi helps someone and the person in question sees fit to give credits, then the Jedi in question is permitted to keep those credits or give it to the Order to help with funding the temples.
"Without the support of the High Council, the Revanchists are cut off from this funding. What credits we do have goes towards fuel and food. Those of us trained in piloting switch off on who is piloting or co-piloting at any given time when in transit. The shuttles are seen to by those who have even the most basic understanding of repair. Only a few of us leave the main group at any time on minor missions related to the war such as this one.
"Given this information, do you believe we have the credits to afford a hotel? Last night was the only night Meetra and I would eat something out side of military rations. What we have left credit wise will be spent on the fuel needed to return to the main group. To answer your question: we're staying in the shuttle we brought here."
For several long moments those in the room just stared at Avner. "You're saying, you're living in a shuttle right?" Sasha asked, sounding almost horrified.
"Sleeping, yes, living, no."
Their reaction to this was one of shock. Avner couldn't figure out why. A shuttle wasn't the worst place to sleep after all. In fact he had slept in far worse places during his years as a Jedi and especially during the early years of the Revanchists.
"You're staying with us then," Sasha said, her tone implied no one was going to argue with her this time.
"Ma'am, that really isn't—"
"No, arguing, Little Runner!" Sasha glared at him. "You're staying with us until your mission here is over and that's that."
Before Avner could argue, the door opened and Reca entered the room. "Senator," she started in a formal voice, "there's a transmission coming in from Cathar."
"Cathar? But that planet has been silent for over ten years." Justin looked at Avner. "Is that where your main group is?"
"Yes," Avner stated.
"Then send it through," Justin instructed Reca.
She nodded.
Avner moved over to where Justin now stood before the receiver. A moment later Darious appeared. "Master, Senator," Darious bowed to him and Justin.
"Did you find the information?" Avner asked.
"Yes, it appears you were correct in predicting we weren't the only group Arkoh Adasca invited. A Republic admiral, Saul Karath, and Mandalore were also invited," Darious spoke with an odd note to his voice.
"Mandalore would've had to cross the front to get to the Omonoth system," Avner pointed out. "I suppose what Arkoh was offering was tempting enough for the man to do so."
"So it would appear given the reports I managed to get from the admiral."
"That doesn't seem to be a wise move placing three groups who are ready to kill one another in the same room," Justin said from beside Avner. "How many did you send?" he asked Avner.
"One," Avner replied. "What happened?" he asked Darious.
"According to the report, Squint did try to attack Mandalore on his arrival but failed. It appears Arkoh was trying to use the product of Adascorp to move into a position of power with the Republic, Mandalorians, or us."
Avner grimaced. He could just imagine what that man had wanted with the Revanchists. It was no longer a shock to why he had invited them in the first place. As "rouge" Jedi he might have believed they would be swayed to become his own personal Jedi Order just to keep the slugs out of Mandalore's hands.
"What happened?"
Darious smiled at this. "It seems Zayne was brought in by the Republic as a prisoner, and with the help of Master Draay and a few others, they managed to turn the situation so that it appeared the Order had set a trap for Mandalore. The resulting battle saw the retreat of Mandalore from Omonoth space as well as Admiral Karath. Carrick was reported to have escaped during the battle along with a few others."
"Given that information it can be assumed Alek went with Carrick. Which in turn explains why he never reported in after the meeting."
"He's most likely trying to repay the debt so many of us owe Zayne after Flashpoint. Squint most of all wanted to repay Zayne by helping him clear his name of the false charges against him."
"I doubt we'll hear from Alek for a few months at the very least."
"Agreed. I've sent along the reports of what happened there as well as a list of causalities. The Republic took the fewest losses of any battle yet."
"My thanks, Darious."
"On another, related matter. On the off chance we found what we're looking for, I looked into how long it would be until we could meet with the High Council."
Avner raised both eyebrows at this. He hadn't thought on that just yet. Right then he would have just been happy to actually find something of note.
"It would appear they're only taking reports on current missions, Master. They're entering debates over electing a new member to their ranks."
Avner winced. Those debates could take years to complete. "Anyone of note?" he asked.
"Well, Master Kae's out," Darious joked.
"Obviously given the fact she's been traveling with us." And many other reasons.
"I've sent along those few we've managed to think of and note who have come up as options throughout previous council discussions. No matter who is elected, I doubt they'll see us any good light."
"Agreed." If this was also what Avner thought it might be and who he thought they might elect got elected, then they would be facing arrest next. "Darious, if the records in the other cities don't show the same pattern send a few knights back to check over the cities. Have the rest head for the capitol. I'll rejoin you as soon as I'm done here."
Darious smiled, seeing what Avner was doing. "All right. I'll have them finish packing camp and tell Master Kae where to meet us once her group is done. May the Force be with you."
"And with you."
The transmission ended.
Avner turned back to those in the room. Reca was still there. To the senator's wife he stated, "You've my thanks, my lady. I'll wait outside with your guard until the day's business has been concluded." He took the data-pads which would have the information Darious had sent on them from Justin before he followed Reca out of the room.
x – Twenty-eight years ago – x
The day was cold and light snow and floated down through the gapes in the old building. Little Runner huddled under his blankets where he sat above the other children in a small space all his own. He clutched a data-pad in his small hands. Right then he was reading about an ancient battle and the founding the Galactic Republic. Below he could just hear the remainder of the group shouting and laughing as they played.
A few months ago Little Runner would have been down there with them, but that was before he had started to learn to read. His favorite parts of history were old wars, where the Republic struggled to maintain control and normally won either by a lot or just barely. The wars were won with the aid of a group called the Jedi. Some of them had another group which matched the Jedi called Sith. Little Runner didn't much like the Sith but the Jedi, they were amazing.
"Little!" a voice called to him.
Little Runner looked up from his data-pad to see Sasha had climbed up to join him. "Hi, Sasha!" he greeted her with a large smile.
"What are you doing up here, Little?" she asked as she settled down next to him. A blanket was wrapped around her shoulders and she shivered a little in the cold. "It's warm down below with the others.
"I'm reading," he told her and held up the data-pad.
Sasha blinked. "You've been reading a lot lately, ever since Uncle started to teach you. What are you reading today?"
"It's a battle," he told her, "between Jedi and Sith for the fate of the Republic." He grinned. "I like the Jedi a lot. They use their power to help those in need and no one is scared of them." His smile faded a little. "I wonder where they are now?" he mumbled. "They could help us here, couldn't they?"
"They could," Sasha told him, "but why would they? They have an entire Republic to worry about. Besides, I've never seen one even before I was on the streets."
Little Runner frowned and looked at the data-pad he held. "I wonder why," he muttered. "Could I ask Uncle? He knows everything!"
The soft smile appeared on her face. "He doesn't know everything, Little. I won't stop you from asking. Take Meca or Reca with you if you go," she told him. "And be certain to thank him for the food."
"I will!" Little Runner followed her down from the upper part of the building.
When he got down he spotted Meca sitting with Justin. The two of them where sitting close together, sharing their blankets as they looked over the data-pads Uncle had given them. As Little Runner had learned soon after he had started reading, they were studying for when they got old enough to try for jobs. Both wanted to work in political fields. And both were too intent right now for him to try to ask Meca to come with him.
Little Runner turned around and scanned the group of those playing nearby. Reca wasn't with them which meant she was in their sleeping place. He moved over to it and crawled in. Sure enough, Reca was there.
"Hey, Reca," Little Runner started.
"Go away, Little," she glared at him.
Little Runner blinked, taken aback by her sudden anger towards him. "Is this about asking why you don't like adults?" he asked. "I'm really sorry about that, Reca," he mumbled.
"It has nothing to do with that," she whispered. "It's just, I don't want to talk with anyone today. So leave me alone, please."
"O-oh, okay." Little Runner backed out of their sleeping place and glanced around. Reca wouldn't go with him and Meca was busy, but Little Runner really wanted to speak with Uncle. He glanced at where Sasha was. She was helping tend one of the other members who had tripped.
Little Runner edged towards the entrance. He glanced one last time at Sasha to make certain she was still looking away before slipping out into the cold, snow filled world. Little Runner took off down the street. The cold snow leaked through the clothes wrapped around his normally bare feet. Little Runner shivered but kept running until Uncle's diner came into view. He slid as he tried to make the turn and stumbled a few paces before he managed to get into the alley.
"Little Runner?" Uncle was shocked when the door opened. "What are you doing here alone?" he asked and glanced up and down the alley for others who might have been with Little Runner.
"The others went off. They'll come get me down the alley later," Little Runner lied, knowing that Uncle wouldn't like to hear the truth. "Can I ask some questions?"
"Of course, come in out of the cold." Uncle ushered Little Runner inside. A few moments later they were seated at the table in the back with something hot to drink. "What did you want to know?"
"The Jedi," Little Runner started, "why aren't they helping here too?"
Uncle frowned and spotted the data-pad Little Runner had placed on the table. "You've been reading about them, I see." He smiled at Little Runner. "For the most part, there aren't that many left. Just a hand full of them scattered throughout the Republic. The last war took its toll on them."
"Oh," Little Runner blinked. "There was another war? Were the Sith part of it?" he asked.
"Yes," there was a dark note to Uncle's voice.
"What happened?"
So Uncle told him about the betrayal of Exar Kun and the war which followed in its wake. The war had been short, lasting just under a year, but it had been bloody. The Sith Lord Exar Kun had pushed through to Coruscant itself before he and Mandalore the Indomitable were killed.
Despite the short length of the war, the Jedi Order had taken the most losses. From what Uncle knew about it, their losses had numbered to be well over three fourth of the Order. They were searching now for Force sensitives to train and raise as Jedi.
"Force sensitives?" Little Runner asked. "What's that?"
Uncle hesitated as he looked at Little Runner. Little Runner had never seen such an odd look in Uncle's eye before. "A Force sensitive is what you are, Little."
This didn't help. It only made Little Runner more confused. "What do you mean?"
Uncle took a deep breath. "Do you remember the day we met?"
"Yup." Little Runner nodded.
"Remember how you saved Reca and I?"
"Yeah." Little Runner frowned. "I promise, I'm using the power."
"That power is how I know you're a Force sensitive, Little," Uncle explained. "I've only ever heard of Jedi being able to do what you did."
"My power is like the Jedi?" Little Runner felt his eyes grow wide at this. "It's a good power then?" he asked.
"It can be."
"I can use it to help my family?"
Uncle hesitated before replying, "You could."
"Then I'll practice it!" Little Runner declared. "To help all of them, to help Meca and Reca too so that they don't have to be so scared all the time." Yes, that was what Little Runner could use this power to do. It was what Jedi did, right? Help people. So he could use his power to help as well, right? To help his family!
Uncle chuckled. "Have you ever thought what would happen if the Jedi came for?" Uncle asked.
"What?" Little Runner looked at him in confusion. "Why would they?" he asked. "I'm not special or anything like that." He couldn't under why the Jedi would interested in him at all. He was just one of the many in his family. If they wanted to help anyone it should have been Justin or Meca or Reca, not Little Runner.
"Never mind." Uncle shook his head. "You should head back before it gets dark. I don't want you carrying anything back, it's too slick out there. And don't run, okay, Little Runner?"
"Okay," Little Runner said as he slid off the chair and headed towards the door. "Thanks for everything, Uncle." He bowed to Uncle before going off into the cold once more.
Once Little Runner was out of Uncle's sight he raced off towards home. He couldn't wait to get back and read more about the Jedi and tell someone everything he had just learned.
Little Runner slipped as he foot struck ice. The next moment his data-pad fell from his hand. "No!" he leapt at it only just catching it. He stuck the ground hard. Pain lanced through his body as he slid out of control down the street.
Whack – fire raced through Little Runner's head. Darkness flew over his eyes and he knew no more.
x – Present Day – x
Avner stopped in the hall and told Meetra they were staying for a time to guard the senator. Meetra just nodded and kept to her position close to the door. Avner joined her. The report that Admiral Karath had made was in his hand while he had tucked the other two data-pads away.
As it turned out, most of what Darious had told Avner had been what happened with Arkoh. The report ended with it being assumed that Arkoh had been killed when his slugs had been turned on him. It was fate Avner wished on one given all he had read about those slugs. Alek was mentioned several times through the report. The other reports on the data-pad were from the soldiers who had been with Karath. Lieutenant Carth Onasi, who had lost that rank after this report had been made, had the most detailed of the reports. It showed how he had helped with the plan to stop Arkoh and try to capture Mandalore. It also stated that Zayne had escaped.
The last any of them had seen, outside of Admiral Karath who had been knocked out in the fighting, of Alek had been him trying to help Lucien stop the HK droids from getting to the main group. Avner tucked that data-pad away and scanned over the one with casualties. He smiled. As assumed, Alek's name wasn't on the list so he had left with Zayne after all.
"What's the smile for, Jedi?" Reca asked her tones more than a little harsh.
"The reports from the latest battle," he told her. "The mandalorians took the hardest hit by the looks of it. Though, it also appears we won't be seeing Arkoh around anymore either."
"Arkoh?" Meetra asked. "Wasn't he the one who invited you to see some new invention or another?"
"Yes, a scheme to try and gain his own Order by what was said in these reports. He was pitting us, the Republic, and Mandalore against one another through politics for his own gain."
"Was that where Master Alek was heading to when Master Darious called?"
"Yes," Avner stated. "Given the option between politics and this mission, he chose the politics. Something about not wanting to sneak around too much."
Meetra laughed. "We've not done too much sneaking, Master."
"True."
"But Alek assumed it would be trying to stay unnoticed. Keeping a low profile and Alek don't always go well in the same sentence."
Meetra laughed at this. "He did make it known he was Dantooine. You should have seen Master Vrook's face when we all left with him." She grinned. "Priceless."
"Oh, I can imagine it well enough."
"Isn't Master Vrook the name of one of the High Council Jedi?" Reca asked.
"Yes, he's also known for the fact he takes everything seriously and his conservative nature. Which is rather ironic considering he is the only master to have learned a Dark side technique. Though he rarely uses it."
Meetra stared at Avner. "He knows one. But that's forbidden!"
"I have a feeling he picked it up during the Great Sith War," Avner stated. "He was a knight at the time." Avner frowned. "Though, I will admit when I asked he just scowled at me."
"That sounds like Master Vrook," Meetra smiled. "I've never gotten an answer out of him which wasn't met with a scowl or a look of disapproval. I don't invy any of his former padawans that's for certain."
"I don't know, Master Marcus isn't too bad."
"Isn't he a duel wielding specialist who actually uses two normal lightsabers?" Meetra asked.
"That would be him."
"I've never meet him. But I heard he's just as conservative as Master Vrook."
"True. You should have heard the argument he and I had over the relationship of the Jedi Order and the Republic."
Meetra blinked. "I take it your stance has something to do with Jedi acting even when Sith aren't around?"
Avner looked at the girl. "Obviously."
Something was wrong. Avner straightened. A moment later Meetra did as well. Danger, in the other room. Crash – the sound of a window breaking came out to them. Avner raced into the room. Sure enough a Mandalorian had crashed through the window. Zeel was the on the ground before Justin and Sasha. Blood trickled from a head wound, but the man was straight backed and held his blaster steady.
Avner activated his lightsaber. This drew the mandalorian's attention.
"Osik," the mandalorian spat before he raced towards the window. He leapt.
Avner threw his 'saber towards the mandalorian as he took the air. The blade sliced through the jetpack. The mandalorian fell towards the ground below. Avner caught him with the Force while he caught his lightsaber with his other hand. He flicked his wrist. The mandalorian flew back into the room and slammed into the wall behind Avner.
The mandalorian gasped as he straightened. His blaster was in his hand once more. "Kote kyr'am," he growled and pointed the blaster at Justin.
Reca leapt forward, her blaster out.
"Wait!" Avner shouted at her, but it was too late. She let out volley of shot at the mandalorian.
The mandalorian fell limp, blaster loose as the life faded from him. A small breath escaped Avner. He walked over to the mandalorian as he sheathed his 'saber.
"Why did you say that?" Reca demanded. "He was going to kill Justin!"
"'Kote Kyr'am,'" Avner whispered as he knelt down by the mandalorian. "It translates to 'glory in death.' He was hoping one of you would kill him so he would still maintain the honor of dying in battle instead of living as a prisoner of war."
"How the hell was I supposed to know that? I see him point a blaster at my senator I am going to shoot first and ask questions later!" She stormed out of the room.
Avner watched her go. He couldn't blame her for thinking that was what the mandalorian had meant. Before he had started to learn their language, he would have made the same assumption.
(Author's Note: This chapter starts out weird to write. The main reason being, even though all of the back information is no longer canon I am still trying to stick as close as I can to the timeline and events that are in the comics. I spent some time going over the comics and reading through the parts where Alek appears in order to get it right. Several other events as well.
Also, just because the character list won't be up until later here are the ages of each character in this chapter (minus Uncle). Avner/ Little Runner: about 31 (flashback: about 3), Meetra: 21, Darious: 30, Justin: 42 (flashback: 14), Sasha: 41 (flashback: 13), Zeel: 36 (flashback: 8), Meca and Reca: 34 (flashback: 6))