AN: Hope everyone is ready for the next chapter. Sorry it's a bit late, but I start half days at work next week, thanks to the holidays, so I should have more time to write. Anyways, let me know what you think and I hope you all enjoy!
MaySail199 - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed Quinlan being a scoundrel. I certainly hope to develop Anakin/Padme better, and I'm glad you think I did a great job with Siri/Obi-Wan. My puppy's name is Astra. She's a sweet girl . . . but full of energy.
TW - Thanks! I honestly had to look up the Esh-Kha, so thanks for pointing me in the direction of something to possibly use.
Chapter 68 - Dangerous Paths
"Well, this mission is going better now than it started," Merna Sy remarked to her surviving teammate, Mandalorian Colbert Varad.
"Way to jinx us, rookie," Varad returned with a scowl.
Though, Varad could admit that Merna was right. The discussions with the city dwellers had died down, and now their coalition was working to find guides and transport out to the tribes. While they were doing so, the Jedi were also walking through the local market, browsing the goods, and speaking with various Ansionians.
The Force Trooper squad had pushed out and taken outer security positions, doing their best to blend in with the populace or hide among buildings, making it seem like the Jedi were alone. This gave the various troopers a better vantage point to watch anyone trying to watch the Jedi.
"I might have spoken too soon," Merna said, suddenly, and Varad glanced towards where she was looking.
Two physically impaired Ansionians were making their way into the store that Padawan Offee had just entered — a store that featured sanwiwood sculptures. Normally, Varad wouldn't think much of them, but they glanced about in a manner he recognized, and he recognized them as Alwari, but they were wearing the robes of city dwellers . . . clearing trying to blend in. They were looking to ensure the coast was clear to do whatever they were going to do.
Varad signaled Bracco, the closest additional Force Trooper, and the Zabrak nodded and moved from his position to join them as they quickly moved on the store. Merna sent a signal through their comms to alert the rest of the team and the three other Jedi.
Varad, Bracco, and Merna entered the store, their hands near their weapons, scanning the small store. The store proprietor, an old woman, was unconscious on the ground, with Padawan Offee kneeling next to her in concern, trying to diagnose the issue.
"I'm not that familiar with Ansionian physiology, but there are certain bipedal constants that …" Offee was saying. "Her vitals appear sound." She sounded a note of puzzlement. "I don't think it's serious. Perhaps only a fainting spell." She started to rise. "A little cool water on her face, I think. I wonder what could have caused her to go down like that, so suddenly and silently?"
"Maybe this?" one of their suspects thrust a tube at the Padawan, as the three Troopers rushed to stop the action, but it was too late as Offee started to reach for her lightsaber after getting some sort of dose once.
"Stop!" Varad ordered as the man went to dose the Padawan again, and the man and his partner turned to look at them in shock as all three Troopers drew their weapons and leveled them.
"Padawan Offee, are you okay?" Varad asked, and Offee stumbled slightly but nodded.
"Some sort of drug," Offee muttered, "One dose isn't enough to incapacitate a Jedi. I'll be okay."
"How did these two get the drop on you?" Merna asked with a frown. "Shouldn't the Force have alerted you to the danger?"
"Two parts," Barriss answered slowly. "One, I can sense their chronic pain, and one of them seems to have some gaps in his thought process . . . perhaps some sort of brain trauma?" Barriss shook her head. "It clouds the Force, and makes it hard to sense their intentions."
Varad noted that the Padawan seemed hesitant to continue her answer, but finally continued.
"Two, they were wise to distract me by knocking out the shopkeeper first. I assumed she had some sort of illness, and as both healer and Jedi, wished to assist her. I did so without clearing my surroundings first."
Varad nodded, fully understanding why Offee had been hesitant to answer. The best case was that she showed her age and experience and made a mistake. The worst case was that she had just revealed a weakness that perhaps all Jedi shared. Granted, it was clearly something their foe already knew, but still not something that needed to become common knowledge.
Varad glanced back at their two assailants. One had a ripped and ragged mane of splotchy auburn hair and a crudely fashioned artificial arm. The other was completely shaved from head to spine, bald and pallid of skin, with a patch over one eye and a back permanently bent from some incurable injury. So, not only did these two have mental deficiencies, but physical ones as well. He suspected a job like this was all they could do to survive on a world like Ansion.
"What do you wish to do about them, Padawan?" Varad asked.
"What are your names?" Offee asked her would-be kidnappers.
"I Bulgan," the man with a hunched back and a prosthetic eye said.
"I'm Kyakhta," the other man finally admitted, looking defeated.
"I can sense that both of you are in pain – and probably have been for a very long time," Offee said softly, looking at the two men.
Bulgan's brown, gold-flecked Ansionian eye bulged even wider than usual. "How — how you know that?"
"In addition to the usual Jedi training, many of us have our own specialties," Offee explained. "Areas of learning that we are especially drawn toward. As for me, I am a practicing healer."
"But you humanoid. Not Ansion," Bulgan responded, and Kyakhta frowned in confusion.
"I know."
Her tone was tender and reassuring. Varad wondered if she was getting some insight from the Force, or if this was just a Jedi doing kriffing Jedi things. He wouldn't be doing what he was pretty sure she was about to do.
"And I can't fix your poor back," Offee continued, "or replace your eye. But the pain in your mind is akin to the pain nearly all sentients experience. It arises from certain kinds of neural breakdowns and malfunctions. It's as if someone was trying to wire a very complex computer and all the necessary materials and components were laid out before her, but she wasn't quite sure how to link everything together. So she did a job that was a little too hasty. Do you understand anything of what I'm saying, Bulgan?"
The Alwari nodded slowly. "Bulgan not dumb. Bulgan understand. Haja, that just how Bulgan feel most of the time. Not wired right." Tilting his head slightly to one side, he stared at her hard out of his one good eye. "Padawan can fix that?"
"I can't make any promises. But I can try."
"Fix pain in head." Her captor was clearly exerting a considerable mental effort. "No more pain here." He rubbed his forehead with his open palm. "That be a big thing."
"Why are you helping us?" Kyakhta asked in confusion. "We tried to kidnap you for bossban."
"I am a student of the Jedi arts, and one who has dedicated her life to mastering the skills of a healer," Offee responded kindly. "I see it as my duty to try and help you both. Perhaps then you won't have to resort to jobs like this, and can lead normal, honest lives."
"Bulgan want Padawan to try," Bulgan said with a nod.
Varad heard a noise and turned, along with Merna, while Bracco kept an eye on the two Ansionians. They relaxed when they saw the three other Jedi entering, with Knight Unduli looking at her Padawan with concern. Master Kenobi looked relieved, and immediately settled with Knight Ertay against the wall to be out of the way and observe.
"Come here, Bulgan," Offee instructed him gently.
He did so with head bowed, shuffling his feet like a child approaching its mother. Varad watched curiously as Offee extended both of her hands, palm downward, and cradled the sides of his skull, carefully not covering the aural openings. She closed her eyes, and everyone waited.
"Impressive," Varad heard Ertay say with admiration as Offee and Bulgan both opened their eyes.
Varad glanced at Bulgan and saw a discernible change in the man's eyes as he straightened as much as his permanently broken back would allow and looked around the room.
"How do you feel?" Offee finally prompted him when no words were forthcoming.
"Feel? Bulgan feel — I feel good. Very good," Bulgan responded gratefully. He made fists with both three-fingered hands, and raised them toward the roof. "Really exceptionally remarkably good! Haja, jaha, ou ou!" The little dance he proceeded to perform, joyfully throwing his arms repeatedly into the air all the while, lifted her hopes in concert with his spirit.
Bulgan turned excitedly to his companion.
"She fixed me! She can fix you, too!"
"No promises," Barriss warned them both.
"The pain is gone?" Kyakhta asked in wonder.
"The debilitating pain is really gone, my good friend," Bulgan assured the man. "Let her work her Jedi healing on you. I haven't felt this free since I was a child and was thrown from that suubatar . . . the throw that broke my back, stole my eye, and damaged my mind."
"Let me help you, Kyakhta," Offee offered kindly.
"Go ahead," he responded with a sigh. "Bossban isn't getting you from us anyhow."
Varad watched as Offee repeated the process, putting her hands on the man's head, closing her eyes and concentrating. It was several moments before Kyakhta opened his eyes, blinking in awed realization. Unlike his companion, he did not dance with joy. Instead, he bowed, gracefully.
"I owe you my sanity, Padawan. For had you not interceded, I see surely now that the pain I have been living with would have led all too soon to utter madness, and eventually to death."
Turning from her, he embraced his old companion-in-despair, long arms wrapping around Bulgan's broad shoulders, maned and bald head bobbing together in ardent, mutual exultation.
Varad glanced back at the three Jedi Knights, who all had proud looks on their faces, and he could admit that it was a touching moment . . . even if he still thought the Jedi were all karking crazy.
"We are in your debt," Kyakhta said, turning back to Offee. "We wish to throw ourselves under your protection. Without it, we two who stand now before you will surely be food for marauding shanhs before tomorrow's first light."
"Bossban Soerg will kill us himself without all that," Bulgan muttered.
"Explain," Kenobi spoke for the first time, stepping forward.
The two Alwari glanced at the Jedi Master before Bulgan explained dolefully.
"We have to call in our position at regular intervals, or we'll die." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Bossban Soergg had explosive devices placed in our necks to ensure our compliance with his orders."
Varad snorted. "Hutts are apparently the same all across the galaxy. Ranger Elarel can disable those."
"I'll remove them when I have the proper tools," Offee added.
"Disabling them will be enough," Kyakhta said softly. "How can we repay you?"
"We need advice," Unduli said plainly. "We have secured an agreement with the Unity of Community to make peace with the nomads, if the Alwari will consent to share a percentage of their traditional lands with the city folk. In return, the city folk will agree to provide the Alwari with all manner of advanced goods and services, and will not try to intrude on or otherwise alter the time-honored Alwari way of life. Each will respect the other and the Senate will stay, insofar as it is possible for bureaucrats to do so, out of Ansionian affairs. In return, Ansion will remain within the Republic, which will ensure its economic and political independence from the Commerce Guild. Among others." Her tone darkened. "Ansion will not become another Naboo."
Kyakhta scratched at the bare skin of his neck, careful not to irritate the explosive still buried there. "Sounds complicated to me."
"So it is," Kenobi admitted. "More complicated than should be necessary. But that's the way of things these days."
"Do you think the Alwari will accede to such a proposal?" Ertay asked.
The two nomads exchanged a look.
"It depends on how it is put to them," Kyakhta finally decided. "If you can get the most prominent of the overclans, the Borokii, to agree, the others will follow their lead and fall into line. Among the Alwari, it has always been so."
Unduli nodded thoughtfully. "Then we must get their representatives to come to Cuipernam so we can talk with them in person."
Bulgan started to laugh, stopped when he saw that the Jedi was serious. "No chieftain of the Borokii will come within a hundred huus of Cuipernam, or any other city of the Unity. They don't trust the city folk, or their representatives. I speak now as a Tasbir of the Southern Hatagai. Albeit," he added painfully, "one who is presently clanless."
Varad watched Unduli lean forward and whisper something to Kenobi and Ertay, who both smiled and nodded.
"If you are clanless," Unduli said sternly, "it means you have nowhere to go. No responsibilities, no place to call home."
"Haja, that is all too true," Kyakhta exclaimed mournfully. "One who is clanless is as rootless as the blowing irgkul bush."
"Then," she continued, winking at Offee, "you're free to work for us, to lead us to the Borokii."
"Ou, I suppose we …" Kyakhta paused, blinked, and stared back at the Jedi. As he did so, his mouth parted slightly, the thin lips moving farther and farther apart, showing more and more whiteness of tooth. "You mean — you would take on two such clanless ones as Bulgan and myself as your guides? Even after what we attempted to do to your Padawan?"
"That's in the past," Luminara told him. "And besides, Barriss says it wasn't really your fault, and that you're better now. I accept her conclusion on that."
"Guides for Jedi! Us!" Bulgan exclaimed.
"The first thing," Unduli declared, "is to have these wicked devices removed from beneath your respective scalps."
"I know a healer who can do it in minutes, and will not be afraid to, once they have been deactivated." Kyakhta flashed bright, sharp teeth at Offee. "He is a fine craftsman, but he would never even have thought of treating us — before. To do so would have meant incurring the wrath of Bossban Soergg."
"Good." Ertay said. "Then we can hire a landspeeder, and proceed to —"
"No, no!" Bulgan cautioned her. "No landspeeders. We must take with us as few examples of galactic technology as possible. All Alwari are die-hard traditionalists. As you already know, this argument between them and the people of the towns centers largely on differences between long-established customs and new ways of doing things, of living. If you wish to gain the trust of the Borokii, to prove from the beginning that you do not favor the city folk, then you must approach them with reverence for the old ways."
Kenobi nodded amiably. "Very well then. No landspeeders. How do we travel?"
"For traversing the great prairies, there are many riding animals that are suitable."
"By far the best is the suubatar." Kyakhta's enthusiasm was palpable. "If you can afford them, they are the preferred means of travel for Alwari highborn. Arriving in a camp atop one immediately marks the rider as a person of consequence. Not to mention taste."
"I think we can manage it," Kenobi responded. "Given that we've been told to resolve this business as quickly as possible, no one should object to our spending a little to achieve that aim. The sooner we leave Cuipernam in search of these Borokii, the better our chances of quick success, and the safer we all will be."
"Riding a suubatar is like riding the wind," Bulgan said eagerly.
Varad sighed, figuring the Ansionian was overexaggerating the riding animal . . . but he was wrong.
*The Will of the Force*
"You look tired, Annie," Padmé's voice came softly through the holocommunicator.
"I haven't been sleeping well," Anakin admitted, smiling softly at the beautiful woman.
"Still having dreams?" she asked in concern.
"I don't think they're dreams," Anakin admitted. "I think they are visions."
"But these dreams or visions have been of your mother," Padmé said in confusion. "Did you not just talk to her? You know she's not being held captive."
"Yes," Anakin agreed hesitantly, "but I think these are visions of the future . . . or at least a possible future. She and Owen both admitted the Tusken Raiders were getting aggressive. The Jedi believe the future is always in motion and thus can be changed. However, many also believe that acting on visions will often create the events that you were trying to change . . . which is something I have experienced."
"Has anyone managed to change the future for the better?" Padmé asked curiously.
"Many, I'm sure," he said with a shrug. "I do know Kastor has, so yes, it is possible to see things and then prevent them from happening."
"What do you feel in your heart?" Padmé asked softly.
"That mom is in danger," he finally admitted and she nodded.
"Then you should follow your heart," Padmé advised.
"The Jedi Council will never approve," Anakin said with a groan.
"Are you going to let that stop you?" She asked with a teasing and knowing grin, and Anakin chuckled.
"Of course not . . . but it won't be easy," he sighed. "It's going to take some effort to get what I need, get away, and find a ship heading for Tatooine."
"You could ask for help, Anakin," she said dryly.
"Kastor, Siri, Taria . . . pretty much everyone who'd help me do this is gone right now. Even Master Obi-Wan probably would have helped, but he too is gone," Anakin replied.
"You have other friends, Anakin," Padmé retorted.
"Well, yes," Anakin admitted sheepishly, "but I don't really think –"
"Anakin," Padmé cut him off with fond exasperation. "Trust your friends. They know you, and I think you'd be surprised what many of them might be willing to do for you. They'll know you're doing it for a good reason."
Anakin sighed.
"You're right, of course," he muttered, and she smiled wide.
"Of course I am," she agreed with a light laugh. "Go find your peace, Annie. You can tell me all about it when I get to Coruscant in a few weeks."
Anakin nodded in acknowledgement.
"I'll talk to you soon, Padmé."
Padmé favored him with a wide smile before the communication cut out.
Anakin sighed again, knowing she was right. First though, he might as well try to contact those who he knew would help him. Unsurprisingly, Obi-Wan did not respond, but he was surprised when the second person answered.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Siri Tachi Kenobi answered with a smile, and he could see she was sitting in the cockpit of her starfighter.
"Can't I just want to talk to my favorite Kenobi?" Anakin asked teasingly and Siri laughed.
"Flattery will get you everywhere and I'm telling Obi-Wan you said that," she replied, smiling wide, "but to answer your question, no. I do not believe you were calling just to catch up, and I only have a short window to talk, so you should get to the point."
Anakin chuckled wryly, already feeling a bit better. Over the years, Siri had grown to mean a lot to him and was someone who did provide comfort, just as much as Obi-Wan or Kastor did. He quickly explained his visions, his feelings about them, and what he wanted to do.
Siri listened patiently, and nodded thoughtfully at the end.
"If you feel like you need to do it, Anakin, then you need to do it. Trust your instincts, and trust in the Force," Siri said, and Anakin sighed in relief, getting a vote of confidence from Siri. "What do you need from me?"
"Do you have any contacts that can help me get to Tatooine?" Anakin asked. "Or anyone that can help me with supplies and funds?"
"You need your own ship," Siri said flatly before she sighed. "I'll send you coordinates for a drophouse that the Order has for Jedi Shadows. There will be a ship or two there for you to borrow . . . please try not to destroy them or it'll be a lot harder to cover this up."
Anakin snorted, but gave her a thankful look. "Thanks, Siri. I know you're sticking your neck out a lot by telling me about the drophouse."
"Of course, Anakin," Siri said with a soft smile. "Now, for funds, call Fay. She can help you out. You also need help. Go find Ferus."
Anakin gave Siri a flat look. "Ferus? Really, Siri? Ferus isn't going to help me."
"Anakin," Siri said in amusement. "Trust that I know my old Padawan more than you do. He'll help you. He'll voice his displeasure and disapproval the whole time," Siri said with a chuckle, "but he'll help you, and trust me, you need help."
Anakin sighed. "If you're sure."
"I am."
"Then I'll trust you," Anakin said with a groan, and Siri laughed.
"As you should," Siri said, mock pompously, before she gave him a fond smile. "May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Master Kenobi," Anakin replied with a grin, getting a chuckle from Siri as she cut the communication.
Anakin wanted to groan, thinking about approaching Ferus, but Ferus was different, and Anakin did count him a friend now. Besides, he trusted Siri, so if she advised him to do it . . . he would. First though . . .
"Anakin!" Fay exclaimed in delight, and he noticed Asuna next to her, so he knew they had to be on the Darasuum. "What a pleasant surprise."
"It's good to see you, Master," Anakin said honestly. "You as well, Asuna."
"Always a pleasure, Skywalker," Asuna responded dryly.
"How can we help you?" Fay asked with a smile. "As much as I would love to hear about what has been going on, I suspect this is a call for business, not pleasure."
"Can't it be both?" Anakin asked, and Fay chuckled.
"It could," she agreed, "but I don't think it is."
"Am I so transparent?" Anakin asked, actually starting to be a bit ashamed that both of the people he talked to seemed to know he was calling them for help and not to catch up. It made him feel like a bad friend . . . or pseudo grand-Padawan in regards to Fay.
"To those who know you best," Fay admitted, still smiling. "Now, how can we help you?"
Once again, Anakin explained everything, but this time added his conversation with Siri and what she had advised.
Fay nodded. "I can transfer some Republic credits to an account for you, but there's no point in doing too much, since they won't be worth anything on Tatooine. I can arrange for you to receive more funds on Tatooine. One of Rhys's contacts will meet you there."
"Thank you," Anakin said in relief.
"Of course," Fay said.
"Tell your team," Asuna advised.
"Er, my team?" Anakin said in surprise, and Asuna leveled an unimpressed look on him, and he squirmed slightly.
"Yes, your team," Asuna said sternly. "Have you not been working with the same squad for some time now? Talk to Vrang. You owe it to your squad to at least give them the chance to join you. Your actions will affect them regardless, even if it means they might get reassigned to a new Jedi. I know Vrang Wren. He'll want to help . . . even if it's just to get a change of scenery. If your squad is anything like most squads in the Force Troopers, they'll be raring to join as well, Council approval or not."
"You don't have to do things alone," Fay agreed with a nod. "Trust your allies, your friends, your comrades."
Anakin sighed and nodded. "Understood, Master, Asuna. I'll do as you say."
Twenty minutes later, he was cursing Siri's name, listening to Ferus ranting.
"This is dangerous, and reckless, and completely against what the Council mandates . . ." Ferus continued, and Anakin sighed, knowing this was a lost cause, when Ferus finally stopped and sighed. "Alright, Anakin. I'll help you."
Anakin paused, blinking in shock, and stared at his one time rival. "I'm sorry?"
"I said I'd help you," Ferus repeated slowly.
Anakin blinked. "One more time."
Ferus rolled his eyes. "Catch up. I will help you get to Tatooine and prevent your visions from coming true."
"I'm just . . . but you were always the perfect Padawan!" Anakin protested, thinking he was going to get an 'I told you so' from Siri.
"Blame Siri, Obi-Wan, Kastor, Rhys, and yourself," Ferus replied dryly before he sighed. "We spent a lot of years fighting, Anakin, but you're my friend, and I trust you. If you feel you need to do this, then I'll help you."
Anakin gaped for a moment, feeling gratitude rising up before he grinned ruefully. "Siri and Obi-Wan are never going to let us hear the end of this."
Ferus snorted and nodded in agreement. "While you talk to your squad, I can head to the safehouse and prep a ship for takeoff. Though, before that, I think there is someone else we need to recruit."
"Who?" Anakin asked with a frown.
"Knight A'Sharad Hett," Ferus said, and Anakin frowned further, not knowing the Jedi that Ferus was speaking of. "Knight Hett is a Tusken from Tatooine."
Anakin's eyes widened in surprise, and Ferus nodded.
"His father was a Jedi too, and also a chieftain for some tribe there at some point," Ferus continued. "I don't know the whole history, but Knight Hett still has ties to the planet, and if there is one Jedi that could help us soothe tensions between the Tuskens and everyone else, it's him."
"Do you think he would help?" Anakin asked hesitantly, wary of asking a Jedi he didn't know.
"I think so," Ferus said slowly. "He was raised among the Tuskens, trained by his father until he was fifteen, so I suspect he does hold some fondness for the Tusken tribes, but as a Jedi he would also respect and want to help the moisture farmers of Tatooine."
"Can you approach him for me?" Anakin asked, and Ferus nodded slowly.
"I suspect he'll want to talk to you, but if he's open, I can have him meet you at the drop house. That way, even if he disapproves, we'll be able to be gone before he can alert the Order."
Anakin's eyes widened in mock surprise.
"We've corrupted you, Ferus."
"I'm well aware," Ferus retorted and Anakin chuckled, figuring it was time to run off and talk to his squad.
Talking to his squad turned out to be as easy as Asuna had made it seem.
"New adventure? Disapproval from higher ups?" Vrang Wren said. "Count me in!"
"You can't leave me behind, handsome," the Echani, Latai, said with a playful wink, and Anakin snorted, knowing he wasn't Latai's type at all. She just liked to flirt for fun.
"I'm in," Mando Rialis, someone who was Latai's type, said with an easy shrug. "Could be fun."
"Obviously, you needed the best, and came to him," Carn said with a grin. "So, of course I can't turn you down."
Anakin groaned, as the rest of the squad snorted in amusement.
It wasn't long before the rest of the squad all offered up their assent to join the mission, and Anakin was feeling quite grateful to his friends and team, and was quite glad he'd listened to Siri, Fay, and Asuna.
Now, he just had to convince one more person to help him.
Anakin waited patiently while the squad packed their bags and grabbed supplies and munitions before they took a speeder over to the drop house, a rather nondescript apartment that had a decent sized private landing pad with three ships on it: a medium sized light-freighter, a Tri-Wing Starfighter, and an Eta-class shuttle.
Admittedly, Anakin very much wanted to take the sleek Tri-Wing, but he knew better. The Eta shuttle would be the fastest, but also had the least amount of room and wouldn't be great for the whole team if the mission took longer than one rotation. So, that left them with one option . . .
Anakin's focus however, shifted from the ships to the two people waiting for them. One was Ferus, of course, but the other was a tall man, wearing the trappings of the Tusken Raiders, including the robes and wraps. Anakin approached his fellow Jedi Knights, and Ferus quickly moved to help the squad prepare the freighter, leaving Anakin to introduce himself and convince Hett to help him.
"Anakin Skywalker," the Tusken Jedi greeted with interest. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You as well," Anakin responded politely.
"Siri speaks highly of you."
That surprised Anakin slightly and he smiled a little.
"That means a lot to me, since I hold her in great esteem," Anakin said. "I didn't realize you knew her."
"She's a friend," Hett said, with a nod. "Now, Ferus has explained your intent to me, but I'd like to hear a bit more on why from you."
"It all comes down to regret," Anakin admitted. "I feel like the Force is giving me guidance to go to Tatooine, and I feel I will regret not going."
Hett nodded slowly. "You know that Tatooine is outside of the Republic, that the Council cannot condone our actions, and that we have no real authority. Bloodshed may be unavoidable, but could cause major repercussions for the Order."
"I will accept full responsibility for my actions and for the team," Anakin said firmly. "I understand the risks, and accept what this could cost me, but I must trust in the Force and in my instincts."
Hett gazed at Anakin for a moment, sizing him up, and then finally he nodded, and Anakin let out a breath he didn't realize he'd started holding.
"Taking responsibility for one's actions is all we can ask of ourselves," Hett said in approval. "Trusting the Force and trusting our instincts is much of what makes us Jedi. As a fellow Knight, I will help you. It is the morally right thing to do, even if it is not the legally right thing to do. I hope that we can achieve the peace you are looking for. Our home planet has gone without that peace for too long."
Anakin smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly with A'Sharad, and admiring how Hett acknowledged their shared bond just from both being from Tatooine.
"Welcome to the team," Anakin said. "Let me introduce you to the others."
*The Will of the Force*
"Master, contacts just dropped out of hyperspace," Siri informed Adi.
"Shavit," Elbrick Antilles's voice cursed through the comms. "Missiles are flying from the ships up there."
"Target?" Adi asked calmly.
"The city!" Elbrick exclaimed in outrage. "Their targeting Point Modie!"
"Blast them," Sol Sixxa cursed, having left Nym to investigate with the Jedi and their forces, wanting to check on his people.
"Dagger squadron, you're with Siri and I," Adi ordered. "We'll move to the city and attempt to intercept those missiles. Captain Antilles, take the fleet and Nova and move to engage that fleet in orbit."
"Understood, Master Gallia," Elbrick responded.
"Understood, flight leader," Antoc Merrick responded
"Adi, we'll assist you here on the ground," Reti said.
"We have to protect my people," Sol Sixxa agreed.
"Of course," Siri agreed, and she put all of her ship's power into her engines as she pushed her ship to its maximum, racing to intercept the incoming missiles. Unfortunately, the first several missiles had already raced ahead, impacting several buildings in the city causing massive explosions in a very particular way.
"Trihexalon!" Reti exclaimed. "Those missiles are bad news!"
Siri grimaced, seeing dozens and dozens of more missiles still coming down. There was more than enough to decimate the whole city.
"Very illegal," Siri muttered to herself. "For good reason."
"We can't let any more missiles impact the surface," Adi ordered, almost reading Siri's thoughts in her opinion.
"Sabaoth fighters incoming!" Merrick called out.
"Nova, move to intercept," Elbrick ordered. "We'll take the fight to the fleet, but we can't let those missiles impact."
"Bombers dropped into orbit, and are making their run from the opposite direction of the enemy squadron," Adi briefed grimly. "They clearly do not want us to stop them."
"They're trying to overwhelm us," Siri said. "We will not let them do so. Captain Antilles, continue your efforts. Destroy those Deployers and their Sabaoth Frigate I detect in orbit. We'll take care of the fight down here. Nova, continue to intercept. Dagger, move to intercept those bombers. The rest of us will take care of the missiles!"
Siri aimed her ship towards orbit and started moving to intercept the missiles. She had to hope that their forces were enough to prevent the destruction of the planet's capital city . . . and the murder of thousands of innocent lives.
*The Will of the Force*
Kastor raced forward, ignoring the jarring inhuman screams and he cut through a rakghoul that had been bearing down on a Tarisian Security Force Officer. Kastor jumped away, for even in its death throes, the rakghoul was trying to swipe at Kastor, to cause him harm and infect him.
"Hold the line!" Koba ordered loudly. "They do not push us another step further!"
All around, the remainder of the Taris Officers were desperately trying to follow Koba's orders, with the Force Troopers and Allara being the bulk of the reason that they hadn't already been overrun.
Thankfully, Kastor hadn't come alone.
"Slay those abominations!" Major Marilliono Tarko ordered harshly. "Leave none still alive!"
Dozens of ORSF soldiers poured forward, unleashing a hail of blasterfire that leveled the closest rakghouls, providing some breathing room for the haggard defenders. A cheer went up from the Taris officers.
"For the Outland Regions!" many of the ORSF soldiers cheered back, something several of the Taris officers took up.
"Leave the right flank to the Jedi," Tarko ordered. "Crush their central charge!"
Kastor scowled, knowing that Tarko leaving the Jedi forces on their own had nothing to do with trust. It was a subtle way of ordering his troops to not aid the Jedi or their forces in any manner, putting them at greater risk. If they held the line, oh well, if they fell, Tarko could reposition his forces easily to shoulder the new burden, especially as more ORSF soldiers continued to come down the lifts.
Thankfully, though, it was easy for Kastor and his allies to hold their flank, with their squad, Allara, himself, Bant, and Yoda there. Yoda used the Force to enhance all of their efforts, providing a smaller version of battle meditation and Kastor pushed forward with his daughter and Bant, slicing through the frontmost rakghouls in a deadly dance of blades, clearing some space before using the Force to return back behind the Mandalorians and Antarian Rangers who were unleashing a concentrated volley of blaster fire to hold the gap the Jedi had just created.
"What have you noticed?" Kastor asked both Allara and Koba who was nearby.
"They're definitely being directed," Koba said. "They're probing our defenses, and everytime someone starts to falter or wane in their energy, the rakghouls concentrate their efforts there. We've been fortunate that we were fresh, or you would have come back here to find us all rakghouls trying to tear you apart."
Kastor nodded thoughtfully.
"So far, there's been no sign of who is coordinating them," Allara added. "I have noticed a pattern of movements, so I do believe I can predict where the host is heading, but they're staying far enough back behind the line or possibly in an elevated position, allowing them to coordinate fairly well without showing their face."
"Based on the timing though, they have to be a decent way behind enemy lines," Koba continued. "With how the rakghouls are arrayed, we'll have to do a wide flank to hopefully avoid having to fight hard our whole way to our quarry."
"I don't think we can do it with the sized element we have," Allara admitted. "We'll need support."
"We aren't going to get anymore Jedi or Force Troopers," Kastor replied grimly. "The Tarisians are being stubborn. However, I think we can get some ORSF forces to assist us . . . the issue is going to be subduing the host and dealing with the amulet before the ORSF makes their own play to orbitally bombard the location or to steal the amulet for themselves."
"You really think they'll help us?" Bant asked in surprise. "They didn't seem interested."
"Overall, they're not," Kastor agreed. "They'll help us simply because they won't want to risk us being proven right and ending this conflict without them playing a key part. They'll be willing to sacrifice a platoon to save their reputation . . . and if they can get rid of us at the same time . . . well . . ."
"I'll approach Major Tarko," Bant said with a sigh, and Kastor nodded approvingly, and sympathetically, as she walked over to effectively feed the man's ego at the Jedi Order asking for their help.
They continued to fight, as they occasionally glanced over to see Tarko having an argument with Bant, but continuing to look more and more smug.
"I should have gone," Kastor muttered.
"She's fully capable of dealing with a bastard like that," Allara said.
"I know she is," Kastor agreed. "Doesn't mean she should have had to."
It was only a couple more minutes, before Bant made her way back over, nodding that their request had been filled, and it was another twenty minutes of fighting before the ORSF had gathered enough troops and had shifted their line to take up the entire fight, relieving the Jedi, Rangers, and Mandalorians.
The Jedi and their allies moved to the ORSF platoon that was going with them, and Kastor was surprised to see Captain Gideon Argus with them. He honestly would have assumed they wouldn't have put anyone of any rank with the unit, thinking this a suicide mission.
"Jedi," Argus greeted politely, if tersely.
"Captain Argus," Kastor returned. "We predict the source will be heading to observe the left flank, so we'll push out the far edge of that flank and make a wide turn around the battlefield, hoping to avoid conflict and catch the source by surprise."
Argus nodded in understanding, and raised no complaints, but Kastor didn't really expect any at this point. The ORSF forces engaging the rakghouls creating an opening, and they rushed out, crossing into enemy territory, before they pushed away from the fighting.
They moved carefully, scanning their surroundings. Kastor was unsurprised to see that the ORSF personnel were perfectly content to let the Jedi lead the way, and take the risks of traps or ambushes.
Unfortunately for them, their first complication didn't come from the front.
"Contact!" a voice cried out, and Kastor spun around seeing three small rakghouls rush out from some rubble to attack the rear of their column.
The ORSF had been doing their due diligence and providing security to the rear and immediately started firing, but the rakghouls had struck when they were closest to the column, and as two of them dropped, one managed to leap above the blaster fire, landing on an ORSF soldier, crushing him with a sickeningly crunch. The rakghoul then swung its claws savagely, smashing two more soldiers who screamed in pain as they were launched back.
Captain Argus moved forward with purpose, firing steadily and accurately, and the creature staggered as three well placed blasts knocked it off balance before a perfect shot between its eyes dropped it, never to rise again.
Immediately, many of the ORSF soldiers leveled glares at the Jedi, Rangers, and Mandalorians.
"You walked by those on purpose!" one soldier accused, glaring.
Ania, Koba, and Coria all tensed, their weapons raising slightly.
"Of course we didn't," Rhys retorted angrily. "Why would we take the risk that they might attack us if we knew they were there?"
"Because you did some Jedi devilry to keep yourselves safe!" another soldier exclaimed.
"Enough!" Argus interjected. "We'll deal with this later, but not now. We have our mission. Continue forward."
His own soldiers grumbled, but seemed to acquiesce. Kastor nodded in appreciation, and he and his people continued forward. Kastor mourned the losses, but the ORSF was wrong to accuse them of deliberately causing them sorrow. Kastor hadn't sensed the creatures, nor had he sensed any danger . . . something he did find concerning.
They continued to move, engaging more and more small groups of rakghouls as they went, and Kastor felt his nerves rise slightly as he realized that the attacks seemed coordinated. He glanced at his fellow Jedi, Mandalorians, and Antarian Rangers, and almost all of them recognized it as well.
They were being herded into a confrontation.
They pushed up a large hill, which gave them a fairly clear picture of the continuing assault on the ORSF and Tarisian officers that were trying to prevent the rakghouls from having a clear route to the lifts to the next floor. It seemed that not much had changed since they'd departed, which was both comforting and unnerving at the same time.
Suddenly, Kastor heard it, and he swiftly used the Force to push himself to the right and his lightsaber met another lightsaber that had ignited and was going to strike at Ranger Haren, who had turned to check something out.
Kastor parried the strong and swift strikes from the woman with jet black hair, wearing silver armor, and somehow a fierce expression . . . and yet her eyes seemed rather devoid of thought. All around, rakghouls started pouring out of the rubble and debris scattered all around the hill.
"Ambush!" Koba called out. "Cover your sectors of fire!"
Kastor continued to engage their assailant, before he pushed the person back with the Force, their blue lightsaber swinging wide as they lost some balance with his action. Kastor didn't know the woman, but he had a strong suspicion of who she was. Around her neck, he saw the gold talisman they'd expected, but feared they would find.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a familiar voice echoed ominously through the darkness, and the rakghouls paused their assault, and the possessed woman backed off.
Kastor glanced at where the voice had come from and scowled as Darth Nox and six Sith Acolytes appeared. Nihilus's mask glowed eerily in the darkness, and Kastor could almost feel Nox's hunger growing as he eyed the group.
"The Talisman of Karness Murr," Nox continued, and Kastor could almost picture the man's smile beneath the mask. "A trinket of incredible power . . . and now it will help me destroy you all."