"Hi, Everyone, this is, 'Question Corner'. I'm your host, Kale, and today we have with us Cad Bane." I walk closer to the camera, wearing a green Mad Hatter hat that tilted on the side of my head, "He's mean, he's cruel, but please keep grenades under bay. He is our guest tonight, so please..." I pleaded with my eyes, "be nice."
Suddenly, I duck as blaster shots come from backstage and soon Cad Bane runs up the steps firing at three targets hanging up beside me. Three targets, three shots, and they were down. I smirk. Mini, my set designer, working with Cad Bane to give him a better entry. It was almost a shame if I hadn't found it assuming.
"Welcome, Cad Bane." I walk up to shake the tall man's hand, but his grip practically crushes my tiny fingers and instinctively I pull away and gesture to the chair. "Please," I inform him, "Take a seat."
He takes the chair and I take my beside him. I turn around in my chair and collect a few Halloween items when he says, "I won't be wearing any of those knickknacks," his voice is just as electronic and organic in person.
"But," I lift a pie hat and beg, "you were going to be blueberry pie!"
"You want to talk to Cad Bane?" He hissed, leaning towards me, "Then I don't wear the hat." He tips his own hat to me, "I have one already."
"Okay," I groan, "You know, General Krell at least wore the hat."
He propped his feet up on the coffee table, "Then I'll wear the hat and destroy your entire set. Your choice."
My eyes widen, "You watch my show?"
His shoulders rose and fell, "A bounty hunter has to do something on his off time. Don't take it as a compliment, your show is just among the few holo channels I get."
I sarcastically grumble, "Well, aren't you the flatterer."
He glared at me as he grinded down on the toothpick in his mouth, "What are the questions?"
I sighed and shuffled through the cards when I see one that seems right to start off with, "From, spikala, 'Why did you decide to enter the bounty hunter business?"
He laid his hands on his stomach, "I like the credits. It's as simple as that."
I lay back in my chair and cross my legs, not really caring for posture since Bane wasn't going to try either. "Bane, if you watch the show, you should know better than anyone else that I will not except that answer."
"Listen, I'm making the rules here." He pointed to the floor with his index finger, "You get what you hear, got it?!"
I couldn't help but shrug, "I guess so…" at this point I really wanted the shock collar. Bane would probably be more responsive with it, but I'd end up with a bounty on my head afterwards, so I let the idea slid.
"Next question," Bane ordered.
I look down at the card, "From, NobelMeta, 'Cad Bane, what's with the name? It can't possibly be your real name can it?"
"It is." He picked up his toothpick and analyzed it like it was the most interesting thing in the world, "And if it wasn't, why would I tell you?" there was a moment of pause, as though he expected someone to answer, "Let's move on." he growled.
"From gabierules, 'Why does everyone pair you with Ahsoka Tano together as a couple in the fanfic's?"
Bane raises a brow, "Ahsoka Tano?"
I nod, "You know, she's a Togruta?"
Bane grins, "I don't know her, but I think I'd like to."
My mouth gaps and I want to scream. Ahsoka Tano! You couldn't talk about Tano that way, she was…well, Ahsoka! She was like a sister, and this creep is imagining her the wrong way. Then a sudden thought hits me like a brick and I almost want to laugh, but instead I resign in telling him, "You know…Little Lady?"
He practically chokes on his toothpicks, but regains composure…as much composure as slouching in a chair goes, "I will never be seen that jedI slug!" He growls, "Next question."
"Okay, okay." I groaned, "Don't get all offended." I look down at the card and say aloud, "This next one is from AaylaKitofNiflheim, 'Bane, if you and Boba Fett got in a fight, who would win? Keep in mind that this question may determine your continued existence."
"I don't need to think twice about that. I know Aurra Sing, I informed her when she brought up that kid not to teach him and tricks I showed her." he gave a sly grin, "He's still a bounty wanna be. Next." He leaned his head on his hand as though he were growing bored.
"From spikala, 'What tipped you off that Morale Eval wasn't what he seemed?"
"I keep my eyes on everyone I work with. It's why I'm still alive. There is no one you trust as a bounty hunter, it's those weak ones who trust their colleges." He groaned, "Next."
"Again from spikala, 'why do you have cybernetic breathing tubes?"
Bane stroked the tubes while he thought aloud, "Breathing tubes were designed to help individuals with breathing. But I use them for another reason, harsh environments and space battles. Next."
"Bane, you could be more polite."
"What? I am answering their questions."
I folded my arms, "I meant to me."
"You'll have to do more than complain to gain my respect. Next question."
I reluctantly complied and turned to the next question, "From AaylaKitofNiflheim, 'Why do people like you? You've never done a single awesome thing. Have you threatened them or something?" I smirk as I lean on my armchair, "I, myself, am wondering the same thing."
Bane snared at me, "I don't have to answer to any of that."
"Why?" I raise a brow.
"Because I don't want to. Move on."
"Fine. JediChick101 asks, 'after you found out you were working with Obiwan Kenobi, did you respect him any more as a fight?"
"He taught me to listen to my gut instinct when I want to kill a man, but that's as far as I'll go."
I let out a low raspy sigh. This wasn't the interview I was planning. Krell was more fun than Bane, but maybe the viewers could find this assuming and even forgive me for letting him on the set. "Again from, JediChick101, 'Was there ever a relationship between you and Aurra Sing?"
"What is with you people and romances?" He grunts, "I have no interest in Aurra Sing. My pleasure is in money. Next."
"Lastly, from, JediChick101, 'What would you do if I jumped onto the stage and began attacking you for hurting my friend Ahsoka?"
"I'd shoot you. What's next."
"Bane." I looked at him exhaustingly, "Please excuse me for saying this, but you're not being very nice to the fans either."
"I'm not here to be nice, now go to the next question. Or else." He laid his hand on his gun holster and again I wanted to groan. Was this an interview or a hostage situation?
"From Celtice, 'Dear Bane, when Kale picks up this card a grenade…will be thrown at you." I put the card of the coffee table and I leap behind my chair yelling, "Oh, come on!"
I peer over the chair to see the grenade landed beside Bane's chair. He stood, grabbed it, and tossed it back into the crowd. I yell, "NO!" but it's too late! It lands at the crowds feet and they all scramble to get away like ants to water. The explosion goes off and I see some people flying on the set.
"Finally, something entertaining." Bane smirked, "I saw when Krell was on, how everything turned out. I was beginning to worry it was all a lie."
"Bane!" I scream, enraged by the scene before me, "You could of killed someone."
He snapped, "I wasn't going to let a fan kill me."
I wanted to face palm, "Clearly, he wasn't a fan!"
He folded his arms, "All fans do that to me. It's a thing."
I roll my eyes and shuffle down the steps to help the anyone who might have gotten hurt. Might have gotten hurt? What was I thinking, a bomb was just thrown at them, so I ordered to Greg, my security guard, to call an ambulance.
I help a few people get up when I see Cad Bane's figure tighten. He's glaring off at an area I can't see from my point of view, but I take notice that his finger twitching over his gun holster.
"What's he doing?" I narrow my eyes on the man, but soon I see two. Presumably Celtice, I groan when I see he himself has two gun holsters hanging from his black jeans. His had his two pistols pointed at Bane. I grinded at my teeth, was this a hostage situation or a war zone?
"Guys!" I begin, laying a girl down to rest, "Listen to me, this is not the time!"
Bane draws his pistols and I want to scream and in the end I think I did, "Take it outside!" but was still ignored.
"You're out of your league, Boy."
"Celtice!" I yell, "What are you doing?"
"I'm about to do the biggest favor to every Star Wars fan in the world!" He seethed, "Say goodbye, Cad bane."
"I knew you were a fan." Bane said sarcastically.
"Enough." Celtice walked behind the coffee table and tipped it to it's side with his boot.
Bane smirked, but didn't wait for any showdown. He ran backstage, throwing laser bullets at Celtice while Celtice chased after him.
"Greg!" I said to the man beside me, "I'm going after them."
"Kale, I won't let you." He grabbed his com link and began to order his man to join the main sector, "I and the guys can handle this."
I stand to my full height, which was regrettably not that tall, and replied, "They'll only listen to me, Greg. And plus, Ahsoka owes me a favor, anyways."
"You got Ahsoka to come here?" He looked shocked and I almost felt hurt. Did he really think I wasn't capable?
"This is Cad Bane we're talking about, Ahsoka was very pleased to lend a hand on extra security."
I run onto the set and get backstage, where Celtice and Bane were held up. Both running after each other like cat and mouse, except roles kept changing. A grenade went off and all our cargo boxes for set props was no more. Everyone in the room had vacated to the far corner, quivering in fear. This was suppose to be a tv show, not bloody murder. My workers weren't prepared for this kind of thing. I hide behind a pillar and raised my arm to speak into the com link clearly.
"Ahsoka?"
A couple seconds later she replied, "I'm ready when you are."
"Good." I begin, "They're in the second sector, I'll try to reason with them while you come up from behind."
"They're?" I can hear her voice weaver, "Does he have a hostage?"
"No, but there's definitely a war going on."
"I'm coming." the com died and that was clearly my signal to proceed. I step off from behind the pillar and raise my hands in the air, "Both of you, stop!"
Cad Bane barely glanced at me, giving Celtice the upper hand to scrape Bane's upper are with laser fire. Bane clutched his arm and yelled at me to leave.
"Celtice, this is not your war!" I come up from behind him and he doesn't even cast me a glance. I crouch in the corner with him and continued, "I know you hate him, but don't you like the jedI as well?"
There was no reply.
"Assuming that's a yes, than maybe you should not kill him out of anger?"
"I do like the jedI." Celtice finally relented, "But he's lied, kidnapped children, and is just another reason why blue skinned men groups need to go!"
I stare at Celtice for a moment and saw there was no changing his mind, so I glance up and see Cad Bane it looking for his grenades. I needed to act fast.
"Listen." I begin in a low tone, "Commander Tano's coming and if you and I keep our cools, he'll end up in jail where he belongs." I pull out a stun gun from the back of my jacket and instructed, "Bane's going to start throwing grenades at us, so I need to get those workers to safety. Will you help?"
He looks down at my stun gun, then back at me and nods.
"Alright then, go get them out. I'll keep him distracted."
While Celtice worked his way towards the employees, who were probably going to quit after this anyways, I pulled out a card in my pocket.
"HEY, BANE!"
"What do you want?!" He yelled back. I was held back from telling him when a grenade landed at my feet. I run the other way and the blast flew me in the air a couple feet, but not enough damage to stop me from getting to another cover. I lean against different pillar and yell, "This ones for captainrex35, 'if you were trapped in a cage with Captain Rex and Ahsoka, who do you think would kill you first?"
"Neither," He answered, getting ready with another grenade, "No JedI Knight could kill me, lot alone a youngling, and this Captain Rex?"
"A soldier in the army." I answer harshly. Looking up, I see Ahsoka slowly creeping in through the back door, just above Bane.
"A clone?" He pressed his thumb down on the bomb's detonator and yelled, "I won't even waste my breath!" he waved me off, "Next question, this time it's from me! Can you say, 'goodbye!"
I run as the next grenade comes my way and I topple to the floor, this time in plain sight. There was no more cover near enough for me to run to. Bane lifted his blaster and aimed right between my eyeballs, "You're just the interviewer."
Ahsoka Tano ignited her light saber behind Bane's neck and hissed, "Rex isn't here to get your message, Bane, but I'll inform him that it would in fact be me who would have the honor of killing you."
I didn't realize until then that I had been holding my breath. I looked over and saw all the 'Question Corner' employees were gone and off somewhere safe. "Good job, Celtice." I muttered to myself. Getting to my feet, Ahsoka handcuffed Bane and said to me, "I can't stay. I have to get this skug to his new home."
I smile, "That's alright, but I have a feeling I owe you one now, Master Tano." I cup the back of my hands over each other and give a faint bow of respect.
She smiled at the 'master' compliment and replied, "You pulled your weight out there too, Miss Kale."
Celtice came up beside me and I place a hand on his shoulder, "Couldn't of done it wouldn't Celtice. Or else we would have had a lot more casualties."
"Sorry about your set." Celtice shrugged, looking over his shoulder and seeing the ambulances arriving.
Greg came running up and asked, "Are you guys okay?" looking pretty worried, he set his eyes on Celtice and growled, "Why are you here?"
I instantly stepped between Celtice and Greg and answered, "He's on our side now, Greg. There won't be anymore trouble."
After Ahsoka and Bane left and Bane was yelling some threats at me for what I had done, Celtice, Greg, and I went back to the set.
All the people who had injuries were taken away by the ambulances, but I was pleased to know no one died.
I sighed, "Well, I guess that's it then. I'd like to thank: NobelMeta, Kickincupcakebutts6, Guest, glabierules, Ahsokatano191, JediChick101, Shadowmaster77, Celtice, AaylaKit, Bookreaderninja, Yaya The Elf, AaylaKitofNiflheim, Dogmatup23, Spikala, Shadowclanwarrior, Snip1212, Captainrexbest35, Rex133668, monsterhuntergod-Ratholas Mkl, Gamergirl052, Nat13cat, AaylaKit, Avalonyx, AL0LT0, just another fanfic author, Angel's anthem, Anakin Ahsoka, Azalea, Rose, Tessika 14, Queen, Thearistacats, Skywalker02, Onryo, KitFisto'sGirl, Alex Tsukino, lady gaga, lefty blondy, Ahsoka33, and TCTrent45..."
"That's it?" Greg raised a brow.
"What?"
"I'm no expert at this, Kale, but I think you're suppose to announce the next guest."
2-2-7 came running up in front of me, "Yeah! Who's the next guest?!"
"2-2-7, I don't think there's going to be a next guest." I gesture to the gaping hole in the audience seats, "People got hurt this time. I think they'd rather not get the answers than get injured."
"What?! But my comedy act has been interrupted three times now! You can't stop!"
"Ah, come on, Kale!' Mini yelled from backstage, "Tell us the next guest!" The audience, or whatever was left of thee audience, cheered on the notion. It caused me to blush.
"Alright, alright!" I calmed them down so I could speak, "But you guys all have to come up here and take a bow with me because we just survived Halloween Week!"
They cheered more and I hugged every single person as they all ran up on stage,
NobelMeta,Kickincupcakebutts6, Guest, glabierules, Ahsokatano191, JediChick101, Shadowmaster77, Celtice, AaylaKit, Bookreaderninja, Yaya The Elf, AaylaKitofNiflheim, Dogmatup23, Spikala, Shadowclanwarrior, Snip1212, Captainrexbest35, Rex133668, monsterhuntergod-Ratholas Mkl, Gamergirl052, Nat13cat, AaylaKit, Avalonyx, AL0LT0, just another fanfic author, Angel's anthem, Anakin Ahsoka, Azalea, Rose, Tessika 14, Queen, Thearistacats, Skywalker02, Onryo, KitFisto'sGirl, Alex Tsukino, lady gaga, lefty blondy, Ahsoka33, and TCTrent45..."
We all grab each others hands and take one big bow to the camera.
I place my arms around a couple of fans and say, "All Saints Day' is coming up, so I want you to leave your feedback on who should be on the show. No M-rated questions and no Separatist allowed ON!"
Everyone yells at once, "Question Corner!"
"Thank you guys and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!"
