A/N: So I said I would take a break. Immediately did fuck all so I started writing to make up for my laziness. Here. Have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Edit: Fixed most of the lack of spacing between certain words. Must have been a copy and paste issue. Sorry for not catching it straight away.
Myles Fett loved a good combat drop. Especially when the enemy had no idea you were about to make their day rather exciting, not to mention their last. Of course there was a hitch, there usually was in any mission. Of course this particular hitch in the normal flow of this op was currently tugging at the armored suit his father had given her. He shook his head as the Jetii fidgeted in the unfamiliar gear. However, the red ready light did a good job of highlighting the black suit which itself clung well to the Mirialan in all the right places. Of course those were only icing on the uj'alayi. The scar on her face, that was what drew his eye the most. Shame Jetii are celibate.
He let out a chuckle, but not before turning off his exterior vocals. The Jetii looked up and scowled in his direction. How did she know- right Jetii. They did that.
"Something funny?" The Jetii, Luminara, inquired.
"Not in particular. I just find it interesting that your kind never wears armor." Myles said, kicking back best he could. The other Mandos that lined the ship's interior seemed to perk up as ten helmets swiveled and turned her way. Luminara sighed as she noticed their interest.
"We forsworn armor after the Russan Reformations. Something about not needing it anymore in the new age of prosperity or some osik like that." She adjusted the balaclava part of the flight suit once more and put on the helmet. It wasn't quite a Mandolorian helmet, It was rounded like one. But had a simple horizontal slit for a visor rather than the full T-visor. Distinct enough to not be associated with the Mando'ade on a cultural level yet at the same time be known as a friendly combatant.
He raised an eyebrow, it wasn't the first time he noticed her use of Mando'a terms. So he made his next question a test. Speaking only in Mando'a he asked.
"You don't seem to approve of the custom?" He asked and was surprised as she didn't even hesitate on her response and even more so that she answered in fluent Mando'a.
"It's complicated. I understand the need to look less like warriors and more like diplomats, but it wouldn't hurt to have some ceremonial yet still functional plates at least." He was momentarily dumbfounded. Was it some sort of Jetii trick? Despite the helmet her body language said she noticed something amiss as she looked around.
"Was it something I said?" Luminara asked in aurebesh.
"Where did you learn our tongue?" A Mandolorian woman in silver and purple armor said with a thick accent. Myles looked to see Ida of Clan Atiniir giving her the side eye judging by her helm's angle. There was an edge to her voice. Clan Atiniir was former Deathwatch having switched allegiance to his buir sometime before Galidraan. He didn't know the specifics, but he did know that a small amount of the Deathwatch outlook remained among their members.
Luminara tilted her head. "That question has a complicated answer."
"We have time." Ida said, crossing her arms over her chest plates. Luminara's body language shifted in discomfort. It looked like she was debating mentally whether or not to tell them.
"At Galidraan, I discovered my knack for an ability the Jedi call Battle Meditation while I attempted to stabilize Myles." She pointed at him briefly and continued. "Being the inexperienced di'kutla padawan I was, I delved too deep into Myles' dying mind. It was a double edged blade in that it unlocked my ability and helped you all during the battle, but also left me with a lot of memory snippets from every True Mandalorian I connected with. I can firmly say that even as a people, even your memories are just as stubborn. I have given up trying to get rid of them."
Myles was impressed as he heard the chuckles of his fellows. Luminara didn't come across as the most persuasive Jetii, but she did know that ending a potentially hazardous answer with a compliment was a wise move. He knew Jetii could alter minds, but to influence the morale of a battle was something his people only whispered of in legend when talking of Revan. specifically his wife Bastila Shan or the Jetii Master Arca Jeth when his people fought under Ulic Qel-droma.
Ida didn't look all that impressed. Myles was just glad that she hadn't drawn a weapon. Then again she wasn't stupid enough to challenge a Jetii in an enclosed space. He opened a comm to Ida.
:Is that going to be a problem Vod?: He asked.
:I don't like it mand'alor be'ad. If true, it at least sounds like an accident so our people's honor is not altogether blemished. I still find the idea very unsettling. I will watch her for signs of any trouble.: Ida said. Myles could hear his vod's hesitation in trusting the Jetii. She was right to be hesitant, considering the Jetii role in the Dral'han. Myles for one, was willing to give this particular Jetii a chance.
:Acknowledged: He let the matter drop. Ida wasn't going to be trouble.
Luminara had gone back to fidgeting with her suit again.
Ida spoke up over the open comm, :Jetii, roll your shoulders.: Luminara did so. She nodded in approval, feeling the suit settle better.
:Vor'e: the Jetii thanked Ida.
Ida sighed, clearly still not liking to hear Mando'a pass through the Jetii's mouth. :Ba'gedet'ye.: the ori'ramikad reluctantly replied.
"Listen up," Myles turned to see his buir, Jango, walking down the aisle. "We are ten minutes from breaching the atmosphere. You all know the drill. Myles, ensure the Jetii has her jetpack on properly. We don't get paid if she ends up as a blood spattered stain on some tombstone."
The Ship started to rock and rumble briefly, leveling out as it transitioned from vacuum to atmosphere. Everyone unhooked and started their preflight checks. Myles went over motioned to the Jetii to turn around. He checked the jetpack she had on. He took his time, ensuring everything was in order. The jetpack was fine and so was her suit. The Mando beside him slapped his shoulder indicating he was good to go as well.
He noticed her lightsabers were nowhere to be seen. Then he noticed the nerf leather pouch hanging off her belt that must have contained both. She also had a thigh holster strapped to her left leg which held the blaster he had given her.
:Still have that blaster I gave you: he remarked over the comm.
:Yeah, hobby shooting mostly. Very fun: she said.
:Good to see it didn't sit in some vault collecting dust.: Myles said.
:It is too good a piece to simply leave in the archives. And it gives me an excuse to get out of the temple every so often.: Luminara admitted.
:You sound like you don't like your fellow Jetii all too much: Myles inquired.
:Mostly just disagree with some philosophical interpretations.: Luminara answered and looked at the light bracers on her arms, :How come I didn't get any cool wrist rockets or a grapple?:
:o you know how to even use those?: Myles questioned.
:No: She answered.
:Then that is the reason. Now we need to get going.: Myles replied.
Myles led her to the hatch where they would be jumping out of. It wasn't the most efficient system for a combat drop, but Mand'alor had commissioned a ship that would fit the ori'ramikad style a bit better from Mandalmotors. They were still working on it. Instead they had to use a modified freighter.
Wind rushed into the hold as Jango opened the hatch in the floor. The wind rushed about and various tombs and graves blurred past as the ship sped toward the Bando Goro citadel.
:Alright Jetii: Jango called over the helmet comms as the wind whipped about. :You have the honor of dropping first.:
Myles watched in amusement as she tiptoed to the edge of the hole in the floor. Of all the things a Jetii could be afraid of, it was heights.
:I feel so honored.: She said, covering her nervousness with obvious sarcasm. After about a second she started saying some sort of montra. She probably didn't realize her vocals were still on.
:Okay, one for the Money. Two for the show. Three to get ready-: And then Ida kicked her through the hatch before she could finish.
Jango, Myles, and the other Mandolorians present all looked at her. Ida shrugged as she jumped next.
:OYA!: She shouted.
Jango was right behind her. Myles jumped next in order to catch up to Luminara so he could watch her and make sure the brief jet pack training on Ord Mantell was being used properly. His father had put him on Jetii sitting duty after all.
…
They landed without much trouble. The Bando Gora had no reason to expect an attack so they didn't have external defenses. Well nothing made for taking out super commandos blazing in on jetpacks. When they breached the temple, the Bando Goro were ready for a standard strike. However, there was nothing standard about a Mandolorian strike team. Flamethrowers and accurate blaster fire took down the Bando Goro at the entrance no problem. They entered the dark and dreary structure, the walls made of stone showing its ancient heritage being a tomb world and all.
The fighting was initially a slog. Until Myles noticed that his shots were on point far more than usual and his area of fire seemed to flow and mesh perfectly along with hisvode. He also noticed that they barely used the comms as they almost instinctively knew what orders Mand'alor was going to call out next. The Bando Goro put up stiff resistance, but it was futile.
Then there was the Jetii, even using only her pistol. She would seemingly fire at nothing only for a Bando Goro captain with rocket launcher to pop up and get a new hole in his face. if there was a mob of Bando Goro slave soldiers bumrushing them, the Jetii would wave a hand and they would be tossed back violently. Luminara wasn't taking half measures with these creepy aruetii. Myles briefly wondered why she wasn't using her jetii'kad, but he realized quickly that would alert the Bando Goro to exactly why the Mandalorians had come.
Seeing the way the bodies were tossed around, it was a thorough reminder of what might have happened at Galidraan. Were it not for the calm and collected aura he felt around him right now, he might have felt more uneasy in the Jetii's presence.
Luminara moved, her body a brief blur to the Mandolorians' sight. She held up a hand as several thermal detonators were flung toward them down the hall. An invisible force sent them flying back at the enemy.
Myles, Jango, and Ida, fired at the grenades, feeling a desire to do so from the Jetii. Myles realized that this must have been the Battle Meditation Luminara had spoken off. It was quite the experience and almost made things too easy really. Of course, it was better considering their smaller strike team.
Their timing was perfect and had maximum effect as the mob of Bando Goro were obliterated by the thermal detonators. With that, the crossroads in the hall was currently emptied of any enemies.
Luminara looked about, before settling on a direction. She pointed down one hall.
:This way.: she said.
Jango didn't ask how she knew and just singled them onwards. All of them continued on. The halls were empty and no more Bando Goro loons had tried to bumrush them.
:They must have run out of fodder.: Ida commented as they methodically checked any indents in the walls as they moved.
:No, they have plenty," Luminara said grimly. :They are trying to reorganize. I am slowing their progress.: Her tone got even more grim. :They think it is the end times. Some are even committing ritual suicide.:
He didn't know how she could slow the enemies' progress from here, but he didn't know anyone who truly understood Jetii. It must have been that ability once again. He would still follow her however. His Father wasn't the only one that had a debt to repay.
They funneled into a large room at one point. By then they had fallen into a pattern. They would encounter the enemy, and the Goro Loons would shoot like they never even touched a blaster all while making suicide charges and screaming to whatever entity they worshipped. The ones with the horned helmets were the only real ones that had any skill. Even they were quite lacking. Then they eventually entered a massive chamber.
It looked like some sort of dining hall. On a raised platform toward the end of the massive chamber the walls were filled with even more glyphs and had an even more eerie feel to it. On the platform were men and women dressed in fancier robes. Their masks had an extra set of horns protruding out the top of their skulls alongside the standard side horns that the captains sported.
"Halt Mandalorians, it is now clear to us why you have come. You follow in the wake of the One-Eyed Dragon, Follow too closely and you will be burned," Myles had no clue what they were on about. However the way they spoke was what his brain seemed to focus on the most. Every word in the sentence had come from a different mouth of the Trio that stood on the platform. He mentally shook his head and focused on keeping his blaster rifle trained on the Bando Goro Head loons' guards.
"Then you know why I have come to this wretched place. I have my mission, and I will not shed a tear if you maniacs are taken out as a side effect." Luminara said just as dramatically. Her tone was a lot more severe than a Jetii ought to sound. She wasn't going dar'jetii was she?Jetii did that sometimes, didn't they?
His father's voice rang through internal comms.
:Tracyn!: The Mandolorians lit up the figures on the platform and their guards. One tried to hop back but a round seemed to dome his skull due the Jetii's precognition again.
The Jetii hopped up on the platform to search the bodies with haste. She picked four lightsabers out of their robes.
:As expected: She muttered over an open comm. She handed the lightsabers to Ida and to him. :Hang on to these for me.: Myles took the two sabers. They were both curved. He didn't know much about laserswords, but he was pretty sure he had never seen any jetii'kad like that before.
Then Luminara led the squad into one of the side doors. :This way. There shouldn't be much resistance, just cell guards.:
They rushed into the cell block. It looked more like an ancient dungeon. Like something those nerds at Mandalmotors would describe while playing there dumb holotable top games when on break or after work. They encountered guards. They were put down simple enough.
:Here: The Jetii pointed at three cells.
:Shouldn't we check the others?: Ida asked.
:I sense no life in the other cells.: Her tone was a lot less emotionless now.
The Jetii waved her hand and the cell doors wrenched open with a creaking and straining sound. She walked and Myles saw a Jetii hanging in some sort of energy field. She was blonde with short shoulder length hair and looked ragged. Her robes were marred with dirt and grime.
She looked familiar. Myles couldn't place her at the moment.
"Who is that?" The Jetii called out. Her eyes were unfocused. And he recognized the fear in the Jetii's eyes. He did his best not to make any sudden moves.
Luminara took off her helm and smiled with relief, seeing her friend was alive. "A friend."
"Luminara," The Jetii breathed a sigh of relief and gave a ragged chuckle as Luminara took one of the lightsabers on Myles' belt and cut the projector holding up the other Jetii. Luminara caught the Jetii and helped her stand. "Am I glad to see you even if you have a strange escort?"
"Strange, They're outright crazy. Luckily, that crazy is for sale." Luminara replied. Myles couldn't help but smirk at the line. "Let's get you all out of here first before the Bando Goro figures out where we are." Luminara said.
"Why haven't they figured it out yet?" Jango remarked.
"I have been using Battle Meditation mixed with some light force persuasion to have them running in circles. We killed most of their captains, so their ability to resist such a technique is limited. That and I don't think the thought occurred to them that Mandolorians would be here to rescue Jedi- nevermind there is a big bunch of them on the way. One of the Captains is rallying them. We don't have much time."
Ida returned from the other cells. A bigger Mando in black and blue armor by the name Randol had another jetii slung over his shoulder. :The third one is dead.: he said
"We should take the body as well," Luminara ordered.
:I was afraid you would say that. Halon, grab the Jetii corpse.: Jango ordered.
Myles moved and grabbed the other arm of the blonde jetii.
Luminara placed her helm back on. Myles keyed her comm. :I will take her Jetii. We will need you unburdened if whatever you are doing stops working.:
Luminara nodded and took point with Jango.
They made their way out to the complex. They encountered light resistance but the Mandos moved too quickly. Which was good as Luminara kept looking back nervously. The ship picked them up again. He didn't realize how close a run things were until the Bando Goro loons poured on to the Starship landing pad.
Luminara looked at Jango. :This ship have enough firepower to level this place?:
:Yes.:
:Then turn this fortress into slag.:
After he set the Jetii down and strapped her in, He looked to see Luminara by the viewport.
The pilot was eager to get some sort of action and didn't hesitate. The Fortress eventually crumbled as the pilot focused on the base of the ancient structure. Heavy Mandalorian Blaster Cannons dug into the base and melted the stone. Luminara did not turn away from the fortress' destruction and looked through a viewport, watching through the zoom of her helmet's visor. He couldn't help but feel uneasy as he recalled the Head Loons in the creepy castle's words.You follow in the wake of the One-Eyed Dragon.
…
The Temple was only beginning to wake up as Master Plo-koon made his way to the Infirmary. Word was sent to the Council that Luminara was back and with the captured Jedi from the failed Baltizaar mission. The rest of the temple had no knowledge of their return yet. It was all hush-hush so far. Not very in character for the Mirialan Jedi. The Council would have expected her to barge in the front of the temple loudly proclaiming her triumph. Instead she used a side door and informed the High Council first.
Plo-koon was glad to see her show restraint. Half the Council was still at odds with the young knight's insubordination. He himself, while disappointed she didn't wait for the Council to change its mind, was just glad she had succeeded instead of falling victim to the Bando Goro or worse, herself.
He found Knight Gren in the medbay treating the Jedi. Both survivors were human, the Rodian Knight having succumbed to torture. Knight Komari and the other Jedi Knight, Jesker, were going to make a full recovery it seems.
Knight Gren turned and bowed. "Master Plo-koon, I assume you are here to check on the survivors?"
"Inpart, but I was told Luminara was still down here. I plan to hear her debrief on the matter." He said as he grasped the item he held in his right hand, a symbol of the punishment the council had laid down. Knight Gren frowned and pointed to the other side of the Medbay where the door to the other end of the temple lay.
"The Little Hero is that way." He said with a small hint of derision. "Can't believe Master Tal'or choose her of all people." He grumbled. Gren continued to mutter to himself. Plo-Koon knew the Mirialan Jedi had their own customs. As a former Baran Do sage he could respect that. They still kept those customs close to the chest as well as the selection of Padawans. It was a big deal amongst them, especially when it came to certain members like Tal'or.
"Thank you, Knight Gren." Plo-koon found her just outside the medbay. She was clad in some sort of armor, a somewhat mandalorian helm sitting next to her. She sat, head resting on her drawn up knees by the wall, half asleep.
"Luminara," She looked up at him. He could tell she was exhausted, by how her eyes seemed to drift when focusing on him.
"Master Plo," she said, a bit surprised to see him there. She made to stand, but he held up a hand stopping her.
"Please, you can just call me Plo." He said as he knelt down.
"Oh, okay, uhm, the council sent you?" She asked a bit nervously.
"They did."
"Are they going to kick me out?" A half smirk formed on her lips.
"No, but it was brought up." Plo admitted.
"Let me guess," She tapped her chin, "Rancisis?"
Plo nodded his head in confirmation. "Master Windu as well, but the Grandmaster overruled them."
She nodded, "I suppose I will have to go face the music."
Plo wondered at the strange terminology. "Interesting way of putting it. Is that a Mirialan turn of phrase?"
Luminara held up a finger, but seemed to be at a loss. "I don't know. Bith maybe?"
Plo nodded. "Well, in any case, the Council is glad yourunauthorizedmission was a success. You still disobeyed us however and they sent me to bring the music to you." He held up the item he had been carrying.
Her eyes widened and an annoyed look crossed her scared face. However, Plo sensed her acceptance of the Council's punishment.
"Of course, that would be what they had in mind. I figured I would have to take on a padawan or something." She admitted.
"Taking on a padawan is never a punishment." Plo said to her. Luminara smiled.
"You're right there, I guess." Luminara said as she took the white and gold trimmed Temple Guard mask in her hands. "When do I report in?" she sighed.
"Tomorrow, however, the Grandmaster stipulated that you are to still train with other Battle Meditation practitioners." Plo stood and held out a hand to the young Knight. She took it and he helped her up.
"I will be sure to get all those curfew dodgers rounded up, then." She swung her arm around her head like a Nerf farmer attempting to wrangle a stray nerf from the herd.
"I can think of no one better suited to the job." Plo said in an amused tone.
"You bet yourshebs." Luminara said with a wave. "Well I better get to sleep. Goodnight Mas- sorry, Plo."
They both bowed departing for the night. Plo was happy to see Luminara was growing more as the years went by. Ever more glad to see that fire inside her to do the right thing was still being stoked. However, he hoped that she never let that fire consume her or those around her.