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[As other people have, so shall I.]
"So uh..., what's with the... you know."
Lieutenant Wilks was a man hardened by years served in endless war. Peering over the top of a Datapad in hand he looked to Private Kotchnek, a young man just barely out of training. Kotchnek was placed here with the team Wilks had assembled in order to get a feel for how deployment worked and work out a few missing pieces of his training from the rush job to get boys into armor for the war. Some of them walked and talked like soldiers but even the ones who put on a good show were far from it. Kotchnek was not one of those ones. Probably served to make some senator daddy proud somewhere or something. It didn’t really matter. Placing down the datapad atop his desk in his hastily put together office that they had built to give this makeshift training outpost some legitimacy he answered the question the Private wasn’t sure how to ask.
"Training the Militia, preparing them against the Imperials like the rest of us Private. That Jedi is also your commanding officer for this operation.” It was true officially. With the way the war was going the Republic couldn’t afford to place a Jedi and a proper commanding officer in charge of small operations like this one. That didn’t stop Wilks from taking charge however. As inspiring as Jedi can be on the battlefield, in places like this they were horrible for Morale. In his experience it meant a lot to soldiers to know that their commanding officer understood them, what they were feeling, what they were capable of. A Jedi was far too highly placed on a pedestal for that to ever be possible.
"If I may Sir," Kotchnek attempted to speak but was soon cut off by Wilks. Having had this same conversation with countless others who were shuffled into his unit.
"You may not Private. If you aren't comfortable with the presence of the Jedi get yourself transferred and if that's the case good luck. It will take at least Six weeks to get a response through with the way this war is moving. My advice kid? Dig in and get used to it."
Reaching for his cup not far from reach with one hand and taking the reports in the other. Wilks pushed his reading glasses back up his nose with a free thumb.
"You're dismissed Private."
Kotchnek gave a proper military salute and saw himself out of the room. Even without much formal training he knew better than to outstay his welcome. Not that he needed military training for that. With his Father being an ambassador he learned from a young age how to deal with certain types of people. Wilks was a man that was good to have on your side and the only way to achieve that was playing to his no nonsense attitude.
From the small office space into the even more cramped training area they had set up within a natural cave. To his left stood the aforementioned Jedi. A young Miraluka male by the name of Vell was looking far more pensive than usual. Driving the Private to walk a few steps further away as to not disturb the area of presence around him. Jedi gave him the creeps but Miraluka gave him the goosebumps. Once his father had told him that they see with the Force and how marvelous a thing it was. Kotchnek didn’t agree on that point. Something without eyes being able to see or… worse, feel everything he did unsettled the young man. Naturally so he placed distance between him and his concerns by walking up to one of the farmers who had come here after having learned of a few family friends who lost everything in a recent skirmish involving Imperial forces here on Tatooine. Deciding to rekindle a discussion about his boy Tonn.
Vell was standing atop a small platform. Like most Miraluka he wore a covering veil over the empty space where his ancestors had eyes. Being a Jedi he elected to have his veil of a simple make. Unassuming brown cloth covered his skin to maintain an appearance that wouldn’t turn the stomachs of the average human. Humans were simple creatures in his understanding. Often behaving far more like cattle than they realize with how easily such simple things cause them to startle. Having been paying less attention to the training practices than usual today. There was something in the air and a presence he felt that was getting closer. When he discovered the darkness in it, it became something he could no longer ignore.
"Lieutenant," he spoke calmly. Forcing the man to hurry by the simple calm insistence in his tone. That air of importance to his words that all Jedi seemed to master. Wilks hated that more than anything. Still, he was a man of the military and knew well how to follow orders. Just a few more of these ops and he might actually get moved to something more important. Maybe even promoted. Speaking after a few short seconds as he emptied his hands once again.
"Master Jedi, how can I help you?"
"Your men are in grave danger. We need to move as soon as you are able."
Wilks responded initially with a short laugh, but immediately changed back to a far more serious tone to match that of what he read from the Jedi and then straight to one that held an annoyed anger, “You can't really be serious."
"I do not take the lives of your men lightly Lieutenant. We must move immediately or..." Vell stopped mid-sentence. Though the veil covered what should be his eyes it appeared as if he was focusing on something before him. Then even Wilks could sense it. Suddenly the room outside had grown far too quiet. Neither had to share much further words before they exited the room side by side.
Stillness had taken over the open cavern. There were those in the room who had the sense to raise their defenses while others just stopped in complete awe at what they were witnessing. A Sith stood before them arms crossed behind her back in an Imperial Military standby position. It was obvious from her mere presence what her goal was to those who had enough wits about them to make sense of it all. However even they stood still, awaiting orders from their commander or a first strike from the Sith. While even then none of them knew just how dire the situation truly was.
With a commanding Imperial tone Kristal offered the men gathered one chance at survival,"Lay down your arms and I will see you treated fairly. Resist and you will receive death. This will be your only chance."
Few of the would-be Militiamen simply dropped the weapons from their hands. They were ready to fight the Empire but a Sith? None of them were that crazy even with a Jedi behind them. This was a fight for their betters. One of which began by stepping into the center of the room in order to gain all of their attentions. The Jedi Knight Vell attempted to give Wilks a chance to organize while the Sith was distracted by Vell’s display.
“I felt your arrival Sith. You may attempt to hide the darkness in your heart but I can see it as clearly as you see the stars of each system you cast your shadow over,” the Jedi spoke as he arrived at the center. Beginning to pace as he crossed his arms around his back and continued to speak.
“I am Vell a Jedi Knight trained by my Master Orgus Din. You will have to return to your Master empty handed for I cannot allow whatever you intend upon this place to occur.”
“Kristal Serasai,” she offered in simple return.
“Now if you two are done playing house,” Wilks interjected in a short manner, allowing Vell to piece together that his men were prepared for combat. “Let’s get back to business here. You’re outmanned and outgunned. I would suggest you turn over that contraption of yours over to my Jedi friend here before my men and I are forced to put you down like the dog you are.”
“Lieutenant your eyes blind you,” said the Jedi. “There are a number of Imperial Soldiers hidden among the cavernous surroundings.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I do not jest when lives are at stake Lieutenant.”
“No. I was being-.. never mind,” he says before grumbling quickly to himself, “Damn Jedi.”
“Alright boys you’re gonna have to make up for your failure at noticing these damn Imps crawling into our cave by making sure not a single one of them makes it out of this room. Understood?”
“Yes Sir!” All five of the Republic specialists responded in unison as the Jedi stepped out a bit more to prepare himself for combat with the Sith.
“Lieutenant I would not be so harsh on your men. I find that many creatures that are born with eyes as your men are miss that which is not readily revealed to them. You do not cast blame on the prey for being surprised by the predator. You merely commend the predator for having perfected their craft.”
“My men can handle it. We aren’t some easy prey that’s about to go down without a fight.”
“Precisely my point Lieutenant.”
Kristal Serasai took a single step forward. Almost causing young Private Kotchnek to discharge his weapon. Shaky hands barely holding onto it. Never had he fought the Empire before let alone a Sith. This was as much training as a throw away detail for him.
“Now, Gentlemen. If your lovers quarrel is complete?” she said with an amused tone to her voice as she glanced between the two of them.
There was a brief pause where no words were said. Tension filled the room like a rain cloud. At almost exactly the same time Kristal’s lightsaber ignited a blaster bolt came from the cavernous surrounding. Dashing across the open expanse the bolt struck firmly against the young Private’s shoulder, surprising the few Militiamen standing beside them and spurring everyone else to action. While the Republic specialists and the few better trained Militiamen returned fire and sought cover the Imperials made sure to capitalize on the situation. Striking a few more good men down with well-aimed shots before their targets could find cover.
Kristal’s blue blade striking hard down at Vell’s center as it was blocked by his green beam marking the start of the age old conflict between Jedi and Sith. Pushing her back the Jedi created some room for himself as a blaster bolt crossed the space just between them. Holding her position firm Kristal retraced sold steps toward the Jedi once again. Coming in for a strong, heavy strike down from his right. Vell had been anticipating it turning her blade further down as the strike came as the blue slid along the green toward the floor. Spinning around from the deflection he came in to strike at her left. With a quick movement she blocked it just as the strike came close to her left elbow. Blades holding against each other in a tense moment of strength. Something Kristal eventually won out as she pushed him back with a thrust of her saber.
Meanwhile the shootout raged on around them. The few Militiamen who had armed themselves hit the ground after the first volley. Leaving three specialists and the Lieutenant alone in the fight against the Empire. That these men were geared and prepared to train men rather than actually engage in combat was becoming clear as another two fell to Imperial fire. They were completely outmatched and at a disadvantage. The surrounding cavern offered too much cover for the Republic soldiers to be able to track the Imperials movements properly. Leading to most of their shots being taken in hopes of suppressing the Imperials until the Jedi defeated his adversary. Hoping for that chance.
Vell used the momentum to jump backward. Placing himself out of the range of Kristal’s intended next strike and forcing a moment of reprieve.
“I know every move you are about to make before you make it. Yet, I sense you understand this already and yet you remained unworried. You are confident in the face of sound defeat. It is not too late for you to turn back to the side of the Light.”
“You are proper warriors. That I can commend. That is where my praise must end however.”
“As you will,” Vell said before moving in to finish this fight.
While Wilks was now alone. All of his men had been shot, most likely dead. With a last desperate action he made a move to interrupt the fight at the center of the small camp. Rushing out to get a line on Kristal as she fought the Jedi. Spurring a reaction from Biggs and showing himself. It was a feint, one that the Lieutenant could hardly believe worked. With a quick turn he was able to get off a few shots, one of them struck across the Imperials shoulder and a few others landed nearby. Biggs attempted to scramble behind cover as he saw the Republic Lieutenant turn but as the shot found him he fell backward. Giving Weaver an opening to place a volley of blaster bolts into the chest of Lieutenant Wilks. Ending his career.
Pushing off from where he stood Vell made a good sprint into the destined fight. Aiming to use the momentum to throw Kristal’s defense off as he feinted left and struck from the right. Turning his blade up from a low point to strike at her core. With a step back Kristal dodged the first strike but a second came down from the high point of his arc. Vell had anticipated Kristal’s move. Knowing well that she would grab for his wrist he would strike with his knee toward her core. From there the fight would have been over. Except…
Kristal’s left hand reached up and grabbed the Jedi’s wrist. Surprise took a hold of him the moment her grip set in. There was a much greater force than he anticipated. Squeezing with the strength of her cybernetic arm, nearly crushing his wrist.
Simultaneously her right hand shove forward. Bringing the blue blade straight through his abdomen with a sense of finality to the jolt of motion. Pulling her hand away from his core she disengaged her saber. Expression left Vell’s face as life slowly started to drain from him. Releasing him from her grip Kristal stepped past him as the Jedi fell to his knees as the lightsaber rolled off behind him.
“A Cybernetic arm… I hadn’t anticipated that…” he said with his last breath, falling forward to the floor.
With the Jedi defeated Kristal’s team had moved out from their cover positions. Their firefight having ended first they had kept themselves ready but had full confidence in their commander’s ability to remove the threat. Moving in with Imperial Military precision they secured the area. Rounding up the would-be militiamen and posting Wedge to watch over them as Biggs and Weaver made sure that the bodies were truly that. As they combed through Weaver raise a fist, indicating to Kristal that she had found a survivor. Though Biggs was wounded he continued to search as Weaver performed as she knew Kristal would expect her to tending to the man she found alive, Private Kotchnek.
Meanwhile Kristal knelt beside the body of the Miralukan Jedi. Honoring him with a few thoughts and whispered words, “It is a pity that you had to die here, on this planet. Killing you was a necessity as we entered combat there could only be one warrior that remained. For that reason I do not regret having to end your life. Though we were enemies you have earned my respect. You were a brave, honorable Warrior. I will not allow you to be simply forgotten.”
Looking up from him she noticed his lightsaber just within reach. Taking it in hand as she rose to her feet once again. Moving over toward Weaver.
“He’s conscious, my lord, barely. He will not be able to respond but he shoulder recall anything he sees now,” said Weaver as she finished tending to the Republic soldier. Not wasting a moment to turn toward Kristal as their working relationship had become. It was succinct just as Kristal desired.
With a nod Kristal showed her understanding of the predicament. Lowering herself until she was on her knee once again but now beside Kotchnek. Weaver finished then found a spot to tend to Biggs as he confirmed the rest of the combatants had been killed in action. Looking over the feeble man Kristal couldn’t help herself but to shake her head. It was a disgrace to allow such a clearly incapable man to serve. Perhaps if it was not for him things might have turned out differently for the Republic, but then perhaps not. Pulling his right hand up with her Cybernetic one she made sure to place the Jedi’s weapon in the Private’s hand with her true hand. Looking to his half open eyes she offered a short and clear directive, “Deliver this to the Jedi’s Master.”
“Are we ready to move?” Kristal asked as she left Kotchneks side and looked over toward Weaver and Biggs. In one motion she was on her feet and had left him there with the lightsaber and his task.
“Affirmative my Lord,” they responded in Unison.
“Splendid. Biggs, Wedge, escort the Civilians out of the cavern. At the entrance they will be allowed to return to their homes,” she paused as a hand went up to the communicator nestled within her ear, “Harad, the mission was a success. We’re pulling out. Keep us covered and then take your leave.” Without pause she continued off of the communicator. “Weaver take point. I do not want anyone we might have missed in the caverns getting a lucky shot in because we weren’t paying attention.”
Kristal turned toward the cave’s exit as her team followed their orders. Offering one last set of words before taking up a position behind the team and covering their backs.
“Now, let’s get off this bloody planet.”
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Force Sensitive | Human | Reputation: 7 | Imperial Noble | Acolyte | Disciplined | Jedi Killer | "Traitor's" Daughter
On Person: Heavy Clothing, Comlink, Combat Knife, Ancient Sword/Lightsaber
"Cowardice is beneath me."
Bio
Last edited by Kristal Serasai on Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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