Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I only own the OC Jayden Shan/Darth Khan.
Nute Gunray, Viceroy of the Trade Federation, has been captured in a daring raid conducted by Naboo Senator Padme Amidala during negotiations on Rodia with Senator Onaconda Farr. Dooku's spies report that the Jedi Council had dispatched Jedi Master Luminara Unduli along with the Apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, to escort the Viceroy to Coruscant, where he will undoubtedly be put on trial for his war crimes.
And his information could be bad for the Separatists should Gunray spill everything to the Jedi and the Republic to save his own skin.
Right now, Count Dooku was sitting in his chair on his warship, where he has been contacted by his Master, Darth Sidious. As soon as the hologram of the hooded Sith appeared, Dooku fell to a knee and bowed to his Master.
Sidious wasted no time in getting to the point. "Gunray's capture could be a serious threat to us, my friend. The Viceroy will not last long under Jedi interrogation."
"I have already put a plan into action, my lord." Dooku said. "My best agents, Asajj Ventress and Khan will infiltrate the Jedi ship and either free Gunray or silence him."
"Ventress?" Sidious hissed. "You are putting a great deal of faith in an operative who has failed us in the past. As for young Khan, he has potential and has made up for his failures by killing Jedi, especially for one so young."
"They are gifted assassins." Dooku said with faith in his two Apprentices.
"You have my word, they will complete their mission to the letter."
Sidious was silent for several seconds as he considered it before he gave a barely noticeable nod. "Very well. You may proceed."
The hologram disappeared and Dooku stood as the door to the bridge opened and in walked Jayden and Ventress, the two having been sparring with one another as they often do to keep their skills sharp and develop them.
"Master?" Ventress began.
Dooku didn't look at them as he spoke. "There is no margin for error this time, my students. You must prove yourself worthy of being my Apprentices. Do not fail me."
"We won't, Master." Jayden said before he and Ventress bowed and left to leave.
Meanwhile, a Republic cruiser flew away from Rodia after Gunray had been brought onboard and put in a holding cell. Right now, Luminara stood in Gunray's cell with Ahsoka behind her, the two were interrogating Gunray with the experienced Jedi Master doing most of it.
Luminara embodied a sense of calm other Jedi envied, her very aura emanating peace while her soft-spoken nature conveyed a seemingly supernatural ability to remain unfazed by any circumstances. Situations like these could hardly test her patience, but even still, she hoped this particular assignment would pass without any hiccups.
As for Ahsoka, she was here because Anakin had sent her along to participate, believing she could use some hands-on experience when it came to prisoner transfer and guard duties. The 501st was almost constantly involved in frontline combat, there would be no shortage of those opportunities for her to learn from. It helped that Luminara was the Master of her fellow Padawan and friend, Barriss Offee.
As it stood, the Togruta didn't like Neimodians. In her mind, the Separatists were their fault, especially Gunray's for his role in the blockade of Naboo and getting things started.
"Your thoughts betray you, Viceroy. I can sense your concern, the fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the war has given you." Luminara said, her eyes closed. The Force telling her what she knows just from looking at Gunray's expression and sensing his thoughts. Gunray fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, somewhat thankful a table was between him and the Jedi.
"I… h-have no idea what you're talking about." He stammered. Ahsoka's gaze narrowed, every question was met with outright denial. Even though she and Luminara knew the truth, Viceroy was such a committed liar he had had the guts to refute them outright. It was really starting to get on her nerves.
"You hide a great many things; the names of your secret allies… the location of their bases…" Luminara continued, using the Force on his considerably weak mind to pry hints of the truth from him.
"I… I-I am an innocent pawn in all of this…" Luminara had to scoff at that. Ahsoka's gaze hardened even further, the methodical drumming of her fingers against her bicep halting as she simply started to clench them, struggling with her rising annoyance swiftly becoming frustration.
"If you're merely a pawn, then who are you protecting?" The Jedi Master questioned.
Gunray shook his head, knowing he shouldn't say anything or he will be killed, and not by the Jedi. "No one. I… I know nothing."
That was the last straw for Ahsoka who slammed her hand down on the table. "Liar! Liar! I'm tired of all this whining!" She activated her Lightsaber and brought it to Gunray's neck, threatening him. "Tell us what we want to know right now or I will gut you like a Rokaria'n dirt fish!"
Gunray cried out in fear, falling back against the wall and sliding to the floor.
Luminara walked up to Ahsoka, grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the Viceroy before chastising her. "Padawan! Terror is not a weapon the Jedi use." The Jedi Master said with disapproval.
"I wasn't serious. But the only way he'll talk is if he's scared enough." Ahsoka whispered back.
Luminara frowned, now in full-on teacher mode and completely prepared to enforce discipline. Ahsoka refused to back down, despite her expression softening to a meeker stance. Luminara was her elder and thus she had to show due respect. But at the same time, she was nothing like Anakin and she completely preferred the way he did things. It was more direct, it got the job done and provided answers quickly.
That said, Anakin wasn't here and she had to contend with Luminara's way of doing things.
There certainly seemed to be a stark visible difference between them, what with Ahsoka's body-revealing tube top versus Luminara's all-concealing robes. Only the green of her face and hands could be seen, making her look rather prudish. Ahsoka struggled with negative thoughts about her, knowing Masters in the past had chastised her for being overly emotional even with menial affairs such as disagreements with others.
Not my fault I know how to deal with Seps. She thought indignantly.
Gunray pulled himself up a bit before relenting. "Perhaps I was too hasty. Let us negotiate."
Ahsoka gave Luminara a 'you see?' look, but the Mirialan did not appear impressed. Her own expression seemed to say 'You're off the hook. For now.'
"Tell us what we want to know right now or I will gut you like a Rokarian dirt-fish!"
Ventress had a very amused look on her face as she and Jayden listened to the radio chatter aboard the Republic ship, thanks to the defector among them. "My, my, so much for the Jedi resorting to peace first, and violence as a last resort."
Jayden grunted in agreement, but even he had to admit to himself, he had never thought the Togruta capable of sustaining such a ferocious attitude, to see she still maintained a sense of primal forwardness intrigued him.
His attention shifted as he saw they were approaching the Republic cruiser. Pressing a few buttons to ensure they do not appear on radar, Jayden then started activating the Rogue Shadow's cloaking ability.
"Cloaking activated." He reported, pressing a few more buttons. "Now we can begin the next part of phase 1."
Ventress. "Getting onboard and finding Gunray." She then contacted the droid units they had brought with them. "Commence the attack."
Suddenly the ship shook, nearly taking everyone in the detention block off their feet.
"Captain, status report." Clone Commander Gree said.
The captain replied immediately. "Droid fighters incoming! They've brought boarding ships!"
"Green company, prepare to repel the enemy!" Gree ordered them.
Outside the ship, a small squadron of Vulture-class droid fighters ran interference for a trio of Droch-class landing ships, attacking the Tranquility and drawing the attention of its turbolaser batteries. Red and blue salvos lit up space as a battlefield quickly unfolded between the starfighters and the cruiser, while the boarding ships used their drill-shaped protrusions to pierce clean through the outer layers of the hull, ensuring their deadly cargo could be unleashed upon the hangar bay.
As that happened, something invisible flew into the hanger and lowered before it decloaked to reveal the Rogue Shadow.
The ramp lowered, allowing Jayden and Ventress to walk down it. Once they did, the ship's ramp went back up and decloaked again at Jayden's command.
"The Battle Droids will handle the Clones, distracting them so they don't notice us." Ventress said before they walked away from the ongoing fight.
"Gunray will be held in the detention level." Jayden said before spotting a shaft to the ventilation system. Activating his Lightsaber, Jayden cut a circle in it before climbing in, Ventress following.
"We might as well cripple this ship while we're here." Ventress suggested as an idea came to mind. "Something for the Jedi to focus on while we make off with our target."
"Hmm..." Jayden hummed, thinking it over for a few seconds then he nodded. "Split up. You take the reactor room and do what you need to do, I will go to the detention block and get Gunray."
"Do try to not kill the Jedi until I get there." Ventress called as they went in separate directions. "I do want to have a shot at Master Luminara myself!"
"No promises!" Jayden called back, getting a small chuckle from Ventress.
Back at the detention block, noticeably quieter than the action unfolding up above. Fidgeting with her lightsaber hilt, Ahsoka wished she had been a part of the battle despite knowing that guarding Gunray was an extremely important task on its own. As the ship appeared to even out, tensions in the Force lowering in respond to dwindling combat efforts, the Togruta concluded that the battle was over. She turned around to the cell behind her, grinning smugly.
"Sounds like your rescue didn't work out." She remarked. Gunray's slumped in his chair.
"I am… ready to discuss our bargain again." He sighed in defeat.
"Padawan Tano," Ahsoka turned back around to see Faro approaching her, "may I have a word?" He requested.
"Certainly, Captain." She answered, turning back to Gunray to act on one more childish impulse. "If I leave, you won't go anywhere, will you?" She cheekily teased. Gunray shot her a pathetic, unamused look from within his cell.
"You would make a better comedian than a Jedi." He retorted sarcastically. Rolling her eyes, Ahsoka moved to meet Captain Argyus halfway, the two convening in the hall connecting the brig command centre with the cellblock.
"I've got the all-clear. The enemy has been repelled." Faro announced.
"And their attempt to free Gunray has failed. Sounds like the Seps will have to try harder next time." Ahsoka determined, confidently clipping her Lightsaber back to her belt.
Suddenly, a Lightsaber pierced through the ventilation area at the control area of the detention block. The saber made a circle before it dropped to the floor and Jayden dropped down. The two guards stationed at the controls turned, only to be cut in half in one swing by Jayden.
Ahsoka gasped, her eyes wide before she moved to the forefront and ignited her Lightsaber, quickly assuming a Form VI stance as Jayden started moving, holding his Lightsaber at in a basic Form II stance. "Master Luminara! Darth Khan is here in the brig!" Ahsoka alerted the Mirialan over her comms.
"We're on our way, Padawan. Whatever you do, make sure he does not reach Gunray but do not challenge him by yourself!" Luminara cautioned, having heard of Khan's reputation through what the Jedi Council knows. he was one of Dooku's students, an Apprentice, had even killed several Jedi since his entry into the war.
"Don't worry, Master! I've fought him before, I can handle him!" The Togruta promised.
"Padawan! No!" Luminara's cries fell silent as Ahsoka cut her comms.
"Captain! Secure Gunray! I'll handle this oversized bucket head!" She ordered Argyus while simultaneously sprinting ahead and leaping towards Jayden, drawing back her saber with the intention of clubbing him as hard as she could.
If it wasn't for the mask, then Jayden's unimpressed expression would be evident for all to see as he threw Ahsoka aside with the Force and pinned her to the wall, watching her struggle. "You should've listened to the Jedi Master, Tano. Charging in so recklessly will get you killed."
"Like I need criticism from you!" Ahsoka retorted with a glare.
Jayden rolled his eyes, lifted her from the wall with the Force then proceeded to Force push her down the hall, Argyus ducking at the last second before the Togruta sailed over him and tumbled across the hard floor until she came to a halt outside Gunray's cell. The Neimodian had picked himself up and was now watching eagerly as the Sith Apprentice started a slow advance down the hall. Argyus drew his blaster and fired multiple times, but Jayden deflected each shots with his Lightsaber then threw Argyus aside with the Force, sending him into the wall hard to make him groan dizzily.
The two commandos at Gunray's cell were next, firing at the Sith Apprentice who Force dashed over and cut them down without hesitation. He then focused on Ahsoka, who got to her feet, Lightsaber gripped.
"Let's try that again." She challenged. Jayden scoffed and met her in a saber clash.
Having crawled through Tranquility's expansive air ducts, Ventress carefully emerged at her intended destination. She had not gone for the brig, not yet at least, her own mission lay in the Venator's generator room.
The massive power supplies for the cruiser were a vast and complex network of highly-intuitive machinery designed to provide power to the cruiser electrical systems. One of them was undoubtedly the brig controls, the power sustaining the impenetrable ray shield between her and Nute Gunray. On her person was sufficient material to take down these generators, but first she had to ensure they could be planted without being scene.
A bright light illuminated a catwalk beneath her, a thin, sticklike shadow crawled forward into the vast room. It was revealed as belonging to a WED-15 Treadwell droid puttered into the room, its photoreceptors flicking on to shine a spotlight on the room. It's illuminated gaze swept around the generator room, checking every shadowy corner and even the edges of the ceiling, forcing Asajj to back away from the vent cover.
Security measures are up it seems. They're taking extra care to ensure that Neimodian slime doesn't escape. A pity I have to retrieve him, I do enjoy a good assassination.
The moment the light passed, Asajj was on the move, using the Force to leap from the duct all the way over to a generator, perching out of sight for the time being. Creeping into the concealing shadows, Ventress stood by and watched as the access doors slid apart to allow a pair of Clones inside. "See anything?" They asked the droid. It turned around to offer a series of trilling beeps in response. One of the Clones switched on his comms. "Generator room seems clear, we'll lock it down." He reported.
"Good, Captain. The enemy is advancing towards the prison level." Came the reply.
"We're on our way!" The Clones turned to go, offering one last command for the Treadwell droid.
"You keep watch here, Three-Twenty-Seven." 327 loosed a rapid series of agitated beeps. "Okay okay, Three-Twenty-Seven-Tee." The Clone corrected.
"You know droids don't like to be called by their nicknames." His brother remarked as they left the way they came, the access doors leaving 327-T in almost complete darkness. Shining his photoreceptors around the room again, the droid trundled along on its continuing mission to scan the generators for signs of unusual activity…
Harnessing the Force, Asajj vaulted around the room at blistering speed, plucking thermal detonators from her belt and winging them to solid surfaces wherever she could find them. Acrobatically dancing around 327-T, making an absolute mockery of his efforts, Asajj planted thermal detonators on every generator system. Expertly avoiding 327's lights, the Rattataki planted every detonator on hand and had disappeared into the ventilation ducts without having ever been spotted.
Chuckling to herself, Ventress was on the move back into the Venator. She had one more destination in mind…
Red and green sabers clashed furiously as Jayden and Ahsoka duelled, turning and twisting each other's positions. Jayden was on the offensive, forcing Ahsoka to go defensive but she noticed she was being backed up towards Gunray's cell. She then fought back furiously, slashing, slicing and thrusting her saber at her opponent, all of which Jayden blocked. As she went for a thrust, attempting a stab, Jayden parried her saber, twirled and brought it down but she blocked in time though it forced her to her knee.
Despite Ahsoka's own determination, she felt rather unnerved by the glaring, emotionless face that was Jayden's mask, unable to see past the black visor. Nobldy has ever seen Khan without his mask, expect Dooku and perhaps Ventress, those he calls allies but he would never allow his enemies to see his face. After al, if he was young as Ahsoka believed, like her age since they were about the same height, then letting everyone see him unmasked would destroy his reputation as a feared killer. They would only see a young child.
Ahsoka kicked him back and leaped away, blocking his follow-up saber attack and she landed on her feet. They charged, sabers meeting again in a saber clash. Grunting, they brought their sabers side to side, hitting the wall and leaving Lightsaber scorch marks in the metal of the walls. Jayden then elbowed Ahsoka in the face, causing her to gasp as she backed off while clutching her nose, checking for blood. But she didn't have time to fully check because Jayden was back on the attack with another swing of his saber, forcing Ahsoka to block it and be pushed back again towards Gunray's cell.
Jayden then suddenly kneed Ahsoka in the gut, causing her to lurch forward, then he grabbed her by the back of her top and slammed her against the wall hard to make her groan and fall down to her side. Growling, Ahsoka lashed out with a punch at an area she knew would weaken him. Right between the legs.
"Oh!" Jayden groaned, falling back against the wall in utter agony at the punch to his privates. However, the pain only made him angry and he growled before he stalked towards Ahsoka, swung his Lightsaber but she blocked with her own. Jayden smirked at seeing that same fire in her eyes, the spirited young woman from Tatooine was back in full force and, in a rare move, impressed him. She wasn't nearly as monotonous or underwhelming as other Jedi were. She was feisty, determined, and challenging.
Suddenly, Ventress dropped down in front of Gunray's cell, getting Ahsoka's attention and she quickly backed off from Kha, now seeing she had two enemies to deal with. "Well well well, if it isn't the hairless harpy." The Togruta remarked, staring down the Rattataki. "Looks like all the termites are crawling out of the woodwork." She'd yet to encounter Ventress for herself, but having heard reports from Master Kenobi, she believed she knew what to expect.
"If it isn't Skywalker's bratty little whore." Ventress retorted, twirling her blades. "It's fitting to see you down here, where a piece of detention-block bait belongs."
"Oh ho, good one." Ahsoka scoffed. "Tell you what, I'll give you a merciful death." She offered with a growl. Ventress needed no further invitation to lunge into combat, quickly clashing with Ahsoka as Jayden twirled his Lightsaber.
"Get the Gunray out of here, Khan! I'll deal with this filthy little pet." Ventress ordered, repulsing Ahsoka's rapid assault with a dual-bladed defence. With the Rattataki applying enough brute strength to shove Ahsoka out of the way, Jayden darted past their duel and quickly moved on Nute's cell.
"Please! Open this door and I'll buy you a planet!" He begged from within. Jayden ignored his begging and just triggered the ray shield release, Nute breathing a sigh of relief as he stepped free. The clatter of feet behind him drew Jayden's attention and the Sith whirled around to see Luminara and Gree arriving with Clone reinforcements, the Clone Commander helping the commando captain to his feet.
"Halt, Sith!" Luminara ordered, Lightsaber brandished as the Jedi Master prepared to fight.
This will be a challenge. Jayden thought, having studied the Jedi masters, including Luminara in the case he ever encounter any of them. It was something he did after Ryloth, after killing Master Ima-Gun Di. Luminara was one of the Jedi masters Jayden had looked forward to facing and killing, next to the likes of Mace Windu, Yoda, although he's already faced the Jedi Grandmaster, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Shoving the Viceroy behind him, Jayden activated his Lightsaber and charged at the Jedi master. "Captain! Secure the Viceroy!" The Mirialan ordered before she met her opponent's charge with her own, their sabers clashing. Her mastery of Form III (combined with her incredible levels of flexibility that only Mirialans have) allowed her to defend herself steadfastly against the Sith Apprentice's Form II ferocity, vaulting over him and narrowly clearing the roof of the bridging corridor to turn him around and keep his focus on her.
However, Jayden also switched to Form II and met her clash with his own. This is why he wanted to learn and even master all seven forms of Lightsaber combat. Each Jedi used a different form, and he wanted to know them all so that should he encounter a Jedi, like Mace Windu, he'd know their form and meet theirs with his own mastery of it. Although, he heard Form VII was the most aggressive and closest to the Dark Side.
Jayden blocked and parried the Jedi Master's attacks, retaliating with his own quick attacks, trying to catch her off guard but there was a reason she was a Jedi Master as she blocked his attacks. Jayden went low, causing her to jump, and he went high, causing her to duck and swing for his chest but he parried her saber out the way, and they briefly collided back-to-back. Jayden then spun, brought his Lightsaber down but Luminara blocked it and pushed him off her. She twirled her saber, assuming a stance as Jayden did the same.
"You are skilled." She noted. "Dooku has trained you well, but I see you have studied more than his fighting form. You use Form III."
"Knowing more than one form isn't always a bad thing." Jayden said, twirling his saber around. "It increases my skill."
They met again in another saber lock. Gree and his men attempted to skirt around the battle and get to Gunray, the Viceroy trapped pathetically in a corner as two duels raged around him. Seeing their advance, Jayden pulled double-duty and used the Force to push them off their feet. However, he quickly refocused on Luminara as she went on the offensive, forcing him back into defensive and a few steps backwards. Jayden mentally used the Force to rip a piece of metal out the wall and send it directly at Luminara, who quickly turned and slashed it, allowing Jayden to leap to the roof and apply the Force into his legs, shooting into the metal ground with a Force shockwave that sent Luminara off her feet and rolling along the floor with a grunt.
Jayden got to his feet and blasted Force lightning at the Jedi Master but she blocked it with her Lightsaber, through was gritting her teeth as she was vulnerable due to not being fully back on her feet enough to push back against the lightning.
Gree, Faro and the few Clones still alive quickly secured Gunray in his cell and covered their position. The Commander was quick to realize that should either Wraith or Ventress win, none of them would last long against the specialized Separatists. "Take a shot at either of them if you can. Whatever you do, be mindful of General Unduli and Commander Tano. If you think you might hit them, it isn't worth it." He ordered his men. With a simple nod, both Clones knelt and took aim at separate targets, firing off a few rounds apiece.
Sensing the incoming assault, Ventress turned and flicked her crimson blades ever so slightly to ensure the incoming rounds were deflected back and killed one of the Clones shooting at her. That should send a message. She thought while turning to deal with Ahsoka. Launching herself overhead, a errant swing threatened to cut her head in two and it would've had the Padawan not dropped down in a split and raised her saber above her montrals to ward off the slash.
Her green saber raised as twin red blades clashed with her, Their duel continued and Ahsoka caught side of Luminara defending herself from Khan's Force lightning.
"Master! Let me help you!" She called out. "I know Khan better than anyone!"
"No, Padawan!" Luminara responded, managing to make it back to her feet and Jayden stopped his assault, tilting his head in delight that their duel will resume. She was every bit the challenge as he expected. "I am perfectly capable of handling him!"
"We shall see about that, Master Luminara." Jayden said, getting back into an offensive stance. "After all, several Jedi Masters have fallen at my blade, are you ready to join them?"
"Not today." Luminara retorted and they met again in a fierce clash, red saber meeting green, illuminating the walls as their sabers clashed and struck each other furiously, the two blocking and deflecting each other's attacks. However, Jayden leaned back to avoid getting his head cut off, then used the Force to throw Luminara into the ceiling and watched her drop to the floor.
"Master!" Ahsoka cried in fright, feeling very concerned for Luminara's safety. A chuckle from Ventress drew her attention back.
"Your Master cannot save you now." The Rattataki sneered.
"I don't need saving!" Ahsoka retorted, her lip curled into a snarl. Raising her wrist, Ventress suddenly revealed the pulsing red light attached to her gauntlet.
"Care to prove it?"
A sudden rumble ripped through the ship, throwing the Clones and Ahsoka to the floor as Ventress steadied herself in anticipation and Jayden quickly regained his balance. It was thunderous, coming from somewhere deep within Tranquility. "What's happening?" Gree wondered. Faro performed a quick check of the cellblock's systems using a nearby access panel.
"Everything's running haywire; doors, lifts, communications are down. Propulsion's dead. She's crippled the entire ship." He revealed. Hearing the news, both Jedi realized the trouble they were in escalated with every passing second.
"Time for a trade, Khan!" Ventress called over her shoulder before executing a kick flip that caught Ahsoka on the chin, the Togruta recoiling as she felt out the potential bruise while the Rattataki moved on Luminara. Passing Jayden she offered a whisper in passing. "We've wasted enough time. Ensure they will not get in our way and we will finish this rescue."
Jayden gave a nod before he leaped and met Ahsoka's saber with his own, the two glaring at one another fiercely as their duel resumed just as fiercely and aggressively.
Casually cutting down another Clone trooper, Asajj used the Force to slam Luminara up against one of the maintenance doors, her Lightsaber then cutting through the ventilation pipes to bathe the Mirialan with scalding hot steam. Luminara cried out as she called on the Force to dash away from the steam cloud, clutching a hand over her face as Ventress closed in on her. Gree watched on feeling helpless. "There's got to be something we can do." He muttered. His gaze shifting back and forth, Faro pondered his words.
"There is one possibility." Faro proffered, clutching his weapon in both hands. Suddenly turning on the Clones around him, Faro shot each one at point blank range, killing them all except for Gree.
"What are you doing?!" Gree cried. Faro said nothing simply training his weapon on the Clone and opened fire, scattered bolts blitzing the walls as Gree dove for cover. He opened fire, struggling to believe that Captain Argyus was turning on them like this but fulfilling his designated duty of attacking anyone who moved against the interests of the Republic.
Smacking the cell release panel with his elbow, the ray shield dropped and Faro quickly hauled a beleaguered Gunray out, trapping him in a chokehold as he turned the Neimodian into a living shield. "No! Please don't!" He shrieked in fright.
"Oh do shut up. Count Dooku's paying me a fortune to deliver your slimy carcass, so do please try and stay alive." Faro replied, filling Nute with a moment's hope. Provided he could survive this encounter, he might walk away in the end.
"Stop! This is your last warning!" Gree promised, moving out from behind his cover and fixing the two in his crosshairs.
"Don't shoot! I'm an innocent pawn!" Gunray wailed, desperate for his life.
"He won't shoot," Faro stated, "he doesn't want to damage his prize." He figured he had Gree dead to rights, using Nute as a living shield would secure their exit and safely ensure they left without a fight.
A sudden twitch from Gree and a shot left his blaster, striking Faro's own rifle and shooting it out of his hand, effectively disarming the traitorous commando. "Stand down, Captain." Gree ordered, slowly advancing.
"Come and make me!" Faro retorted, shoving Gunray forward and blocking Gree's aim for a moment. The Clone shoved him aside as Faro moved in with a lunge kick, knocking Gree's weapon out of his grip and his helmet off his head. Clone and Commando squared off, mixed amounts of training coming to mind as they circled one another, preparing for a fight.
"Why'd you do it, Argyus?" Gree demanded.
"A Clone… like you would ever understand." Argyus scoffed. "I wanted a life that had more than empty servitude."
"And for that you'd betray the Republic." Gree concluded.
"Some days, being a good soldier means doing what you think is right." Argyus remarked in reply. He glanced down, spying Gree's discarded weapon between them. Gree noticed it too. If either could move fast enough and out-pace the other, it would determine the outcome of this fight.
Argyus moved first, stooping down to grab the handle. But Gree's boot promptly stamped down onto it, pinning him for a moment as Gree wound up and delivered a hard punch that knocked the captain to the floor. Collecting his weapon, Gree primed a stun charge.
"You and I disagree on what makes a good sol-" He never finished his remark, for Gunray had managed to collect Faro's blaster in the chaos and turned it into an improvised club, bashing Gree in the back of the head and knocking him out. The Clone crumpled in a heap on the ground, unconscious.
"You should've taken my offer when you had the chance… Clone." He smugly remarked.
With Gree dealt with and Luminara on the losing end, Ahsoka was all that remained of the Republic defenders. However, Jayden knew they were short on time, so he battled Ahsoka fiercely, managing to knock her saber nearly out of her hand and to make her stumble. It allowed him to lift her with the Force and send her into the wall hard to disorientate her for a bit. Jayden then walked right up and delivered a punch that knocked her out cold.
He regrouped with Ventress, seeing she had knocked Luminara out under a pile of pipe sections and left the Mirialan pinned.
"Not bad for a rescue." Faro mused, massaging his jaw.
"We took longer than intended. Hurry, let's get off this foul ship." Ventress responded, urging them all to make haste. They did as asked, leaving the brig behind and cutting down more Clones on their way to the Rogue Shadow. Before Faro could even sit in the pilot's seat, Jayden pushed him out of the way.
"My ship. I sit there." He said warningly, taking his seat and starting the ship up.
"The external shields are still down. The ship is still in chaos, which means we're home free." He mused with a smile, as the ship propelled them away from Tranquility and out into the expanse of space. "As successful a rescue as one could hope for, Viceroy." Faro decided with a sigh, leaning back and putting his feet up on the console where he sat. "I will be a legend for this." He decided happily. Jayden and Ventress exchanged curious looks.
"I have a good feeling about you, Captain." Nute replied, singing his praises.
"You see, you two? Our plan went off without a hitch." Faro mused over his shoulder with a grin. Ventress quirked a brow.
"'Our' plan?" She repeated.
"And I will, of course, make sure your collective contributions are noted in my report to Count Dooku." He added. Ventress shot another look at Jayden, flicking his head in a silent, unspoken order. Jayden gave a nod, and Ventress could sense his smirk at what she wanted done.
"Don't worry..." Jayden suddenly said before Faro began choking as an invisible grip clutched his throat and brought him forward, allowing Ventress to impale him with one of her Lightsabers. "We'll make the report ourselves..."
And that's it for this chapter.
