Following a hunch

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

Zandar was no pushover, the Jedi Jade Sunrider quickly learnt. What had seemed a friend, now faced her with a powerful vibroblade and despite his lack in the use of the Force, Jade held no doubts in his ability, he was no slouch. A formidable opponent he truly indeed would be. Yet Jade being the elder and at least in her own mind the wiser, had other ideas than to just fight a pointless battle. Knowing that even if she were to defeat the clearly talented Zandar, that she'll never ever discover his employer.

"You've got it all wrong sir, if you'll just hear me out I'll explain." Jade yelled out, her voice calm and not giving away the fact that she herself was not even sure about what she was about to do.

"You dare attack one of your own young man, and one who is of a higher rank than you? I am lieutenant commander Cynna Jade Sunrider of the 7th Fleet of the Imperial Navy. I'm a TIE pilot and an Ace for that matter. My designation is OS-75-32. You've already seen my ship, it's a TIE Defender, state of the art and Imperial in design. So do us both a favour and drop the weapon as I'll come peacefully to see you're employer." Jade spoke with confidence in her voice not flinching once. In essence there was some truth in her story. She was once an Imperial pilot, and even when she had defected to the New Republic, she had flown for a special fleet known as the Retribution Fleet who used Imperial technology against the very Imperials themselves, meaning that as a New Republic pilot she still flew TIEs and had been stationed on a Star Destroyer.

"So what's it gonna be Zandar, you gonna lower your weapon as I'm about to lower mine." Jade said as she cautiously lowered her lightsabre and then deactivated it. With the four armed bandits approaching fast on their swoops, she needed a quick solution and she needed it now. Although having no idea what her opponent's next move was, she didn't completely lower her guard for the Force was strong with her and would guide her every move if the young man still armed with his vibroblade decided to attack her all the same.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Waves of dust would roll over the sandy dunes, as the two pairs of swoop bikes came to a skidding halt. The four gang members dismounted their vehicles and armed themselves, before calmly making their way towards [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] and Agent Zandar from a distance. The man had finally revealed himself, and it was time for the lowlifes to get their pay. As for Zandar, he stood silently for a brief moment, before twisting his blank expression into an amused smirk. His charge towards the woman had ceased, the vibroblade in his hand now simply pointing in her direction. His head would shake from side to side, as if he were disappointed in the Jedi before him.

"That might have worked, if I were still under Imperial command. Either way, most Imperial factions are just remnants now, and I know you are not undercover," Zandar stated, obviously not phased in the least by Jade's charade. The files on her were scarce, but what he had managed to pull up did reveal a bit about her past life as an Imperial. The Agent's eyes would then widen in what appeared to be surprise, his arm lifting to have a finger tap on the small headset within his ear. "Regardless, it looks like I have new orders... Thetan wants an audience with you, and so he'll have it." Zandar then began to move, pointing towards one of the free swoop bikes before climbing upon it.

The four armed gangsters there would surround Jade, ushering her towards the bike in hopes that she would cooperatively get on. If such was done, then the duo would proceed once again on their adventure, just under different circumstances. The remote villages gates would begin to slowly open outwards, awaiting their arrival. More gangsters could be seen, along with small vehicles and shelters that were spread throughout the outpost. It seemed to be some sort of headquarters.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

Thetan, Jade immediately recognised the name. "Oh so is that who you serve, Thetan? Well he clearly is aware then that I kicked his sorry arse the first time we had met. Wasn't once enough for him, cos clearly he wants another hiding." Jade smirked trying not to laugh as she spoke despite the obvious danger that surrounded her. But then again the gangsters that now surrounded her did not concern her. Not because she was a Jedi and could mow them all down with her lightsabre if she wanted to, but more so that if Thetan wanted an audience with her, then he wanted her alive.

"You know we Imperials could be ever so powerful again if we weren't all divided into remnants of factions and what have you." Jade again identified herself as an Imperial sounding like she was all proud of the fact. "However your Sith Thetan and whoever it is that he serves will never reign in this galaxy like the legendary Palpatine once did many centuries ago. You need unity which you obviously do not have to defeat the Republic."

Jade then faced the closest gangster to her, while still maintaining her peripheral vision on Zandar and the other 3 mobs. She looked at him with total distain as the dangerous words of hate began rolling out of her tongue. "You do not believe me because I am Jedi?" She continued turning back at Zandar producing a fake smile. "It's such a pity, however I'll come willingly to meet Thetan once more. However it will be just you and I." Jade said almost snorting as she spoke, and before anyone could answer, Jade had somersaulted in the air, lightsabre on and cleaned off the head of the gangster closest to her. Before the other 3 could react, Jade already had sliced the next one clean through the torso, while the other 2 fired their blasters at her, only to have their blaster bolts ricochet back at them and ultimately drop to the ground dead.

"I could kill you too if I wanted to Zandar." Jade produced another of her trademark cheesy grins and turned off her lightsabre and holstering at the same time. "But then I wouldn't get to meet your pal Thetan." Jade continued as she got onto one of the swoops that had belonged to one of the deceased. "I guess he won't be needing it anymore." Jade said sarcastically and stretched one arm out to Zander. "So lead the way, we shouldn't keep your master Thetan waiting any further."


[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Zandar suffered through the woman's rant, finding some truths in what she happened to say. Either way it did not matter, for the Agent knew of the many rising powers, he just did not know how to stop them. At this point and time the Republic was already on the brink of destruction, and so [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"]'s mention of them did urge the man to chuckle as he fired up the swoop bike. Jade was rather full of herself, she spoke as if she already knew the intentions and goals of his higher ups in the slightest. She even thought that he cared about his Imperial heritage, which couldn't have been farther from the truth. "Foolish Jedi... For all your power, you have little foresight," Zandar replied simply, not one to be goaded so easily.

Then in the blink of an eye, the gangsters that had arrived dropped to the floor, a few flurries of Jade's saber was all that was needed to dispatch them. Zandar was surprised at how quickly it had happened, though he was not intimidated or remorseful in the slightest. The worthless goons had played their part, and there were a lot where they came from. After her last few remarks, the Agent chuckled to himself before speaking, "They were right, you are no Jedi," With that, Zandar hit the acceleration, propelling himself and the swoop bike he was upon towards the gated compound up ahead. It had opened up to receive the duo, and a large group of similar looking gangsters stood on guard. There were a lot of people within the outpost, and even if Jade could kill Zandar, he knew she would know better than to strike on another's turf. An almost regal looking tent stood out from all of the other shelters, with a few armoured guardsmen standing out front the entrance. They were unlike the gangsters, and appeared to be far more disciplined than anyone else present.

The two bikes would come to a halt, a cloud of dust rolling in their wake as they dismounted the vehicles. "He's waiting." Zandar spoke, pointing to the tent entrance while others began to gather around. Within, Jade would find herself walking upon a silk red carpet, surrounded by the finest of curtains that hung from the ceiling of the tent. At the very far end was a large shining throne, sitting upon it was Thetan himself. The old man would straighten out in his seat, standing up to his full height as he noticed Jade's presence. "Just as foreseen, you're here. Very good. Hungry?" Thetan offered, waving his hand through the air to a large buffet table off to the side, which was littered with the fanciest looking foods that Hok could muster.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

"They were right, you are no Jedi," the words echoed loudly in her head as she followed Zandar back to the heavily guarded compound. That was what she would have done a long time ago when she had really been an Imperial pilot. But not now. Her late husband, her mentor, he would have come out of his grave to haunt her had such a thing actually been possible regarding her slaying of the 4 gangsters. The move had been totally unnecessary, leaving Zandar not intimidated or remorseful anyway. She had done it as a futile attempt to prove her point that she was as ruthless as most soldiers in the Imperial navy had ever come to be.

Finally arriving at the compound, she saw many more gangsters, yet as she arrived closer to a tent like structure, she could unmistakably feel his presence. Thetan, the familiar eerie that she had experienced last time the 2 had met flowed ever so menacing within the living Force that surrounded her. Jade took note of the several armoured guardsmen that surrounded the tent like structure, as they paved way for both Zandar and Jade alike to step across the silk red carpet into the tent where Thetan awaited patiently.

Jade not at all thrilled regarding the Sith's politeness to offer her food, simply momentarily looked in the direction of the buffet table that Thetan had pointed to, and then cast her eyes back at the Sith warrior himself. Jade's facial expression didn't hide the fact regarding her total disdain for the older man either. Barely acknowledging or thanking him for his feeble attempt at politeness in offering Jade something to eat, Jade simply sighed heavily folding her arms.

"You asked for me Thetan, Clearly I have come here willingly. So lets dispense with the pretense and all. Clearly you want something from me and if I had not been interested, then I would never have come here by my own free will in the first place." Jade said sternly, awaiting the Sith warrior's proposal, totally oblivious into to his devious overall intentions.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

A frown plastered itself firmly across the older man's lips, his arm lowering to his side after [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] had spoken. The food wasn't poisoned, but he figured that wasn't her point either way. Walking down the steps of the elevated platform in which his throne sat, Thetan himself moved over to the table, grabbing a brightly coloured fruit and taking a bite. He lifted a cloth napkin to his bearded face, wiping it before turning once more to face the Jedi. "Of course, I asked you here," the Sith repeated, amusing by her choice of words. "I was certain we would not meet again, but it seems destiny would have it otherwise," he continued, taking a moment to centre himself.

He seemed almost panicked, obviously worried about something. "And for good reason, I believe," Thetan then lifted an arm, rummaging around in his cloak pocket for something. It was a glowing cube, seemingly made of ancient materials at an ancient time. The dark side of the force surrounded this object, though it was almost as if an even greater darkness lurked within. It would seem at this point, that Thetan actually had no devious intentions. "This is a Sith holocron, if you were unaware. It contains untold power, yet I cannot open it on my own," the Sith explained, casually walking over to the Jedi so she could get a better look. His hands were glued to the cube however, and taking it from him would be no easy task.

"My master has used you, and whether you realise it or not, we owe you thanks for this wonderful prize. I owe you thanks, more accurately. We have had a falling out, and I wanted to offer an alliance before he strikes again," Thetan breathed in deeply, ready for the barrage of questions the Jedi would have. She would no doubt be interested in the specifics, but even he could not explain some of them. "Together, we can destroy him with the holocron's power. What do you say?" the Sith offered, hoping to sway Jade with the lure of the dark side. He would another powerful individual to stand against his old master.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

Jade cocked her head slightly to the right as the older man finished his speach, and showed off his prized holocron. "I see, and you want me to help you open it. How? My powers are aligned to the light, I can't possibly help you even if I wanted to Thetan." Jade said with caution, studying the small object in the older man's hand. It radiated strongly in the dark side of the Force, Jade could feel its power emanating.

"You have had a falling out with your master, why not tell me who he is? More about him? Jade asked the obvious question, the one she knew Thetan had already anticipated that she would ask. Jade kept staring at the object in Thetan's hand as if it was almost hipnatising her. Finally she could bare it no further as she placed her own hand over her eyes, and then moved her hand out to push Thetan away from her. The power the holocron he was holding before her was causing some overwhelming effect on her. Inadvertently Jade dropped to her knees, struggling to breathe. This all coming unexpectedly and to the surprise of both Thetan and Zandar who watched on startled at Jade's unexpected reaction.

"What trick is this Thetan, the dark side is strong within that object. Tempting to open it I am. Resisting its power is hopeless. I..... I cannot, fight it's power, as it calls to me. Jade said weakly still on her knees, lowering her head and dropping her arms in defeat. "I will help you open it, but please do not hurt me." She cried out, suddenly and to the Sith warrior's utter surprise had now become vulnerable and defenceless.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The old Sith simply shook his head as [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] began to spoke, disregarding her comments towards the force and how she harnessed it. "Though you wield the light side, it is still possible to give in to your emotions at times," Thetan explained, knowing full well what Jade was capable of. She wasn't exactly the most clean cut Jedi, but she still had a lot of experience in using the light side. "I do not know how much time we have, but if you were to pledge your allegiance, the power we could obtain will be unimaginable," pausing, the old man turned away from the woman who clearly appeared conflicted, the ancient holocron having perked her interest greatly.

It was an object of great dark power, and Thetan had already grown obsessed with it as well. Suddenly, explosions could be heard ringing out across the dunes nearby, as gangsters and soldiers alike sprinted about the outpost to their battle stations. Jade collapsed, apparently overwhelmed and weak as two of the armoured guardsmen entered the temple, Zandar at their lead. "Lord Thetan, we're being hit by artillery. We've spotted armed vehicles approaching seven hundred metres away, even heavily armoured transports," the Agent reported, everyone in the tent looking anxiously towards the old Sith.

"Ready our own heavy weapons, and get our people into defensive positions. Do we know the enemy?" Thetan questioned, his face growing pale in anticipation. "Looks like Kelan's cartel. This won't be pretty for either sides." Zandar concluded, casting a glance down at Jade before turning to exit the tent with the guard duo. "Perhaps if we work together, we can defeat this enemy. We will need to in order to survive." the Sith spoke, his tone void of any deception or treachery.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

Jade was feeling sick in the stomach, the dark Force presence in the holocron that Thetan had produced had overwhelmed her beyond any doubt. She was weak and for a moment vulnerable, but surprised that Thetan did not take advantage of the fact. This clearly demonstrating that he needed her for something meaning he needed her alive rather than dead.......for now. Then explosions began rocking the tent as Zandar came rushing in explaining the situation to his master. Pulling back the menacing holocron and listening to what Zandar had to tell him sink in, Thetan then asked for Jade's cooperation in assisting with an attack from what Jade had understood as being from a rival gangster group.

Regaining her strength, she got back onto to her feet. "Do I have a choice or is that just a rhetorical question where you just do what you have gotta do an throw me into the fray of things?" Jade mused and continued, "You know I am quite happy watching your thugs out there along with the other mob just wipe each other out. Makes my life and job a lot easier. But then it doesn't solve the bigger problem," Jade sighed. "Defeating your master who I take is a greater menace by far." Jade looked around her, at the desperation of the men around her, the noises of explosions and gunfire dominating in the background.

"Okay, I will work with you on this one, however I will pledge no allegiance to you. Not now and not to defeat your old master either. However I will assist you in defeating him. This is not the first time in the history of the Galaxy that a Jedi and Sith have had to work together to defeat a common foe such as another more powerful Sith." Jade eyed Thetan directly in the eye not taking her gaze off of him and extended her right hand out to him. "Do we have a deal?"

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Screams and blaster fire filled the background while the group conversed, eventually thinning down to only the Sith and Jedi. [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] had regained her senses, and so Thetan was surprisingly pleased. He knew of his masters abilities, and knew that his skill in the dark side would not work to his advantage in the least. That was why Jade had been brought in the first place, for the old man required a powerful being in their prime that wielded the light against those of dark descent. "Of course you have a choice, and with them comes consequences," Thetan explained, not entirely sure if Jade understood the position she was in right now. Though she had the merit to talk a big game, she was now in between a rock and a hard place.

Two enemy forces that in any other scenario would probably focus their aggression upon her. Looking down at the Jedi with her arm extended, Thetan merely scoffed under his breath, turning away before walking along the red silken carpet of the regal-themed tent. "Frankly, you are in no position to be making deals. You will do as we have discussed," Thetan spoke, taking a rather clear stance on the hotshot Jedi's behaviour. It appeared as if he was willing to continue, for he was far from done with lecturing the Jedi. However, the force had called out, triggering an overwhelming danger-sense within the Sith's mind. His crimson saber ignited, spinning through the air in tight controlled rotations as blaster fire began to rip through the tent. Several calls for retreat could be heard over the battle, the mechanical whirr of machinery going to work growing ever closer.

The blaster bolts that had been volleyed into the tent were deflected skillfully by the older man, a look of rage growing quickly within his burning golden eyes. With haste in his step, Thetan burst out of the tent, quickly examining the battle and determining its flow. His men were being pushed back, most of them scrambling for cover while others fought bravely in the open. A pair of walkers that had most likely been salvaged from scrap charged into the small village, releasing powerful laser cannon bursts that sent those impacted flying into the air. Even more foot soldiers rushed in behind the vehicles, some advancing passed in order to protect them. Men and women combatants fell on both sides, but it was obvious that Thetan's was losing. They had not been ready for an attack like this, for their air support was currently being tended to within the village itself. Sooner or later their only chances of escape would be destroyed, unless they took back control of the battle.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

As the blaster fire and explosions could be heard getting closer and closer, it was obvious to Jade that the older Sith's men were losing the fight. "On the contrary Thetan, it is you that is in no position to refuse my terms of condition." Jade smirked retorting. Despite the clear danger she was in, despite the others surrounding her, she seemed unusually calm and laid back, choosing to play Thetan at his own game.

"Oh Thetan, may I note that this situation is your problem and not mine. I could easily turn against you and your men will be of no concern as the other side will ensure their swift defeat. Then when the other advancing army sees me fighting you, I will be seen as an ally and they will at least initially take my side, meaning not so good a proposition for you. So you see my dear Thetan it is you and not I that is not in a position to be making demands or deals." Jade gazed at the Sith with a cheeky childlike grin, deliberately blinking both her eyes in a rapid motion in an attempt to mock the older man. Yet the older Sith was unfazed, suddenly becoming preoccupied with more urgent and dire matters, deflecting several blaster bolts with his Crimson blade in a blink of an eye before running outside of the slowly collapsing tent.

Jade on the other hand did the exact opposite. Unlike what a Jedi of her calibre would do, she did not retrieve her own lightsabre, but instead dived for cover. Of course her actions were not without purpose. Thetan was expecting her to fight for him, Jade wound not give him that satisfaction. By this stage Jade could hear the sound of something else not good. Was it what she thought it was? She got up and made a swift dash for outside, Force throwing several of the enemy men hard into a nearby vehicle with a swift raising of her hand as she eventually got out to find herself by Thetan's side.

"Ha! Walkers, looks like you have a serious problem on your hands Thetan", Jade said igniting her own lightsabre, allowing for her blue blade to face the Sith directly. "Note your problem, and an even bigger problem if I turn against you right now, but at the same token a problem for them if we fight together. We do this my way or nothing, the choice is yours and I suggest you decide quickly." Jade spoke standing there cunningly confident and so very sure of herself.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Though [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] made a fair point, she had forgotten one thing about the enemies they were to face. They were not strategic geniuses or trained soldiers, but gangsters that were truly inexperienced when it came to real battle. Sure, they could pull a trigger and blast whatever they saw, but they had no real concept of tactics and the overall 'bigger picture.' The conflict continued to rage on, thermal detonators being tossed by Thetan's infantry, managing to take out one of the walkers that had gotten too close to the landing pads that were further in the outpost. As for Kelan the Hutt's infantry, they had taken notice of Jade who had just slammed some of their brothers into a nearby stationary vehicle.

Though they tried to shoot her, she was too fast, avoiding the blaster bolts before eventually stopping by Thetan's side. That was when her blue saber ignited, an iconic weapon of the Jedi. If there was one thing that thugs hated more than Sith, it was Jedi. In reality, Thetan had been trying to get the woman to work with him for her own good, for he already knew that there was no chance of survival for either of them if they were divided. Shaking his head in disappoint, the old Sith continued to smack away bolts of energy that came his way, carefully directing them towards those who were unfortunate enough not to have any cover.

"You seem sure of yourself, but still fail to realise the situation we are in. I expected more from you," Thetan began to say mid-defence, pausing every now and then to focus on saving his own skin. The two force wielders were right at the front lines, holding it as efficiently as they could while their own infantry fought back with all they could muster. Having enough foresight to see it coming, the old Sith would quickly close the distance between himself and Jade, his crimson saber swinging gracefully through the air as the enemy began to focus their fire on the Jedi. His survival would be dependant on her own, and vice-versa.

If they were to turn on each other, it would only spell death for the both of them. "There is no 'my way' or 'your way', only survival." Thetan concluded, his efforts still focused on defending himself and the Jedi who seemed more concerned about being manipulated than anything else. It was too late for that, for she had already been used to great avail, and now it seemed as if Thetan's master was to dispose of his old tools. Just then, the remaining walker decided to focus its attention upon the duo, firing its powerful laser cannon directly at their position.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

With the battle edging on, Jade inadvertently found herself fighting alongside Thetan. Soon she would realise that the situation had become a little more complicated that she had anticipated. "What mess have I just gotten myself into now?" She cursed under her breath as soon as she realised that she wasn't going to be making any new friends, except with the old Sith lord Thetan. The gangsters it seemed, hated her more than him. "Oh just great, just frakken great you!" Jade snarled at the old man as she deflected blaster bolt after blaster bolt, with one coming in between the 2 of them narrowly missing them both.

"So I guess you win this one, you've forced my hand and now I have to fight alongside you in order for either of us to have a chance to get out of this one alive." Jade's ability to block blaster bolt after laser bolt almost seemed effortless as she move gracefully from side to side, blade moving up, then down, to one side and then the other in a constant flow. "Either way I should have myself to blame for being so careless in the first place and coming to you in the first place, and yeah I know what you're gonna say, I would have come here anyway because I couldn't resist the temptation of your offer."

Just then a rather large walker appeared before them, its laser cannon directly trained on both its Jedi and Sith adversaries respectively. "Oh great, now really this sums up my frakken day!" Jade said sighing and in an extremely pissed off mood. "Well then to my new jagged ally," Jade decided an attempt at sarcasm, of course it was a bad attempt, but she proceeded with it all the same. "How do you suppose we initiate our new lovely friendship, and as a team summon whatever in the Force we can, to stop that thing from turning us into some else's fried meal? Any ideas genius?" Jade asked dryly.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Sensing the frustration of [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"], Thetan could only smile to himself, glad that her efforts were working with him and not against. The two were back to back, stepping in circles in order to deflect blaster bolts from every direction. Jade seemed to have little trouble, whereas Thetan was slightly lacking in this area. He had trained all of his life as a duellist, only in the recent years learning the true forms of lightsaber combat. With their combined power they were slowly gaining the advantage, forcing back the thugs of Kelan while the Sith's own infantry began to retaliate. Agent Zandar had been pinned down under cover, but now began to release volleys of blaster fire from his rifle back at the enemy.

Upon noticing the walker that had stumbled on to the scene, he laid down covering fire for the duo as they prepared to act. Listening to Jade, Thetan would nod in agreement at her proposal, deactivating his lightsaber as both of his arms stretched out towards the bipedal vehicle. The dark side fuelled the old man, allowing him to reach out with a powerful field of force energy that manifested in a telekinetic manner, attempting to grip the walker and make it unstable, thus throwing off the precision of its laser blast. It barely missed the two, flying right passed them as the old Sith looked to Jade. "Go!" He shouted, waiting for her to act while he exhausted his power.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

As the battle ravaged on, the bipedal walker closed in ever so closer. The tide elsewhere was slowly shifting towards their favour, however if the walker wasn't dealt with quickly and swiftly, as far as both Jedi and Sith warrior were concerned, they were not gonna be around long enough to taste the triumphs of victory.

Thetan threw everything he had at the walker, summoning the darkside. It worked, at least initially as the terrifying machine began to wobble, lose balance and most important of all, dramatically lose its deadly firing accuracy. 'Good' Jade thought to herself, but then, 'Not so good,' as she realised the older Sith was rapidly being drained of all his power.

'Oh I could just kill him now,' she found the whole thought somewhat amusing. Yet then again if she did, she would only be sentencing herself to death, and well despite it not being the Jedi way, there would be absolutely no honour in that, convincing herself that Thetan likewise wouldn't be one who would also attempt to kill her in a non honourable way.

"Okay here goes hopefully something," Jade yelled out at the ailing old man, using a Force assisted sprint to reach the out of control walker. Planting a series of thermal grenades at its feet, she effortlessly raised her lightsabre deflecting several stray blaster bolts that came at her from various directions before once again sprinting away back towards Thetan. Shock waves from the resulting explosion sent Jade off her feet and airborne, landing in a break fall that ended right at the feet of Thetan himself. "Ouch!" She yelped as the walker collapsed in a fiery explosion behind them.

Jade remained laying on the ground for several seconds, looking upwards at the what seemed like a towering Thetan who peered down menacing at her. "Um I hope you're not going to try and kill me whilst I'm vulnerable," the Jedi woman said almost giggling and forgetting that despite the walker being defeated, danger was far from gone. "If you may do so, can you please help me back onto my feet." Jade said putting her arm and hand up and biting her slightly blooded lip, not too sure what to think of the whole situation she had gotten herself into.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The mechanical joints of the bipedal walker groaned audibly, the dark side of the force bearing down on its entirety as it began to sway to and fro. [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] and Thetan had done a good job of keeping up their defense, and now was the time for offense. Though he had lost a great amount of stamina during the blaster bolt deflection, the old Sith was more than capable of holding the walker in place as Jade advanced. Zandar quickly flung himself beneath the cover he was behind, his blaster rifle having overheated temporarily. It needed a moment to cool down and recharge, which meant he would not be able to assist the others in their suppressive fire of the enemy.

One of the thugs across the battlefield squeezed carefully on the trigger of his own rifle, releasing a bolt that impacted directly with Thetan's shoulder. The Sith cried out, before utilizing the pain he felt with the training he had, releasing a stream of lightning that stretched across the sand and sent the shooter flying. Luckily for the duo, Thetan had done his part, the explosion that echoed outwards across the dunes almost knocking him off of his feet. Quickly drawing his bright crimson saber, the Sith defended himself from debris and the like, as well as the occasional blaster fire that cut through the dust cloud. It would be brief, but the explosion had given them temporary cover that they would be able to take advantage of.

All that was left was for Jade to get back up, Thetan looking down at her as she landed by his feet. Having sensed her treacherous thoughts earlier, the old man was impressed that she was able to keep them inline, knowing when and when not to act. Reaching down, he attempted to pull her up onto her feet, wincing in pain as his shoulder wound smoldered. "We'll jump through the smoke and take the rest out quickly. Have any other plans?" He asked hopefully, unsure of how he would perform with his injury.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

As Jade was assisted back onto her feet by the older man, she nodded to him in a thank you like gesture and immediately noticed him wincing his shoulder painfully. "Are you okay Thetan," Jade's voice sounded soft, sweet and caring. "I could heal that wound for you later using the Force if you desire it?" Although she shook her head as soon as she had finished asking him the question, unexpectedly ripping out the next part. "Oh, I guess you'll find the fact that I care a weakness – what I find hard to believe is that I really do, I mean you're a damn Sith Lord and all." For the moment the immediate threat had been neutralised by the duo, as Jade wiped the dirt that had been picked up during her landing off he pants with her free hand.

"Yes agreed, we'll have to jump through the smoke and finish off the rest of the thugs. With the Force and our mastery at lightsabre combat, I think it should be a piece of cake Thetan, especially after having taken out that walker. Not sure what next after that though. It would seem that part is up to you since you brought me here in the first place and, well......" Jade shrugged, "Looks like I'm your humble servant for the time being. "She looked at the old man for a split second, the pain from her past radiating clearly, with Jade making no effort at all to hide the fact. "Let's go then, and please do be careful." Jade said as she then quickly swivelled around, leaping into the hazy cloud of smoke and re-engaging herself back into the fight.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

"Let's save the chatter for after we've driven the enemies back," Thetan simply replied, adjusting his blade arm after helping [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"] to her feet. The force healing was an offer he was tempted to take up, especially if it meant possibly learning the method in which it was done. Though, the Sith knew that they had to emerge victorious before anything else happened. Sensing the pain that memories from her past summoned, the old Sith began to nod, "Channel those thoughts into anger, Jedi. We will need all the strength we can get." Thetan concluded, before proceeding with the loosely thrown together plan they had organized.

Through the force their movements would be coordinated, the Sith's crimson blade swirling through the air as he released it in a throw, before leaping into the dust himself. The blade emerged on an arc, slicing through the front line of enemies that had been approaching, taking them out one by one before curving back towards Thetan. Moments later he was visible once more, and completely defenseless. Jade would need to act in tandem, for there were still thugs about that were more than willing to end the two. She would need to take them on in a manner that also protected Thetan, allowing him to do the exact same thing immediately after.

 

[Cynna Jade Sunrider]

"Thank you," said Jade after being helped back on her feet. "But I do not need to turn my past sorrows into anger to be powerful - in fact on the contrary, I am even more powerful than I ever would have been by not resorting and giving in to my anger." Jade gave the old Sith her trademark cocky grin, knowing too well that Theten would never agree to her ways or ideals.

Thetan did not respond to Jade's comments, rather he leaped straight into battle since there was no time to discus the differences between their Sith and Jedi ideals now. The Sith Lord's blade swirled through the air in arcs as he advanced forward, mowing down enemy after enemy in what seemed like relative ease. Yet he was defenceless without backup. Jade knew that the moment Thetan had leaped into the thick of it. She needed to follow him in tandem and do the same thing in order for this work. If she didn't, it was highly likely that the Sith Lord would be struck down and killed - a positive prospect as far as the Jedi was concerned, but it meant that she too would be defenceless in the end. She thus followed him through, very much copying the Sith's very moves, in tandem, except she did it all by harnessing the light side of the Force. After the first lot of men had been dispatched, the second wave would follow through, with the process being repeated again with both the Sith and Jedi fighting together side by side in tandem and what looked like harmony - almost.

[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

Once shining leather boots slammed upon the ground, a wrinkled palm following it as Thetan caught himself from falling over. Lifting an arm, the old Sith prepared to catch the saber he had thrown earlier, watching as the thugs that had been struck by it collapsed upon the sand. The second wave was taken aback, surprised by the initial attack and how many had been killed. They all lifted their weapons, ready to advance or simply blast the Sith to smithereens. Before they could do so, [member="Cynna Jade Sunrider"]'s own lightsaber came flying right passed their faces, slicing into them and their weapons in the blink of an eye. The element of surprise had been on the duo's side, and the unorthodox method in which they had attacked left their opponents in shock.

The Jedi and Sith managed to work their way to the outposts entrance in a speedy fashion, their own infantry having taken out any stragglers. Everyone couldn't help but pause, coming out from behind their cover to witness the dead bodies that were littered here and there. The gangsters began to holler and cheer, celebrating the victory that had almost been out of their grasp. Agent Zandar had survived too, though he stood solemnly with arms crossed, a look of disappointment flashing across his face briefly. Thetan allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, smiling as he lowered his crimson saber to his side and looked to Jade.

"I am impressed, you are ruthless for a Jedi. The dark side would grant you great power, especially with your amount of control," The old man commented, even though he knew her light side abilities would come in handy. Some of the vehicles had survived the attack, there was even a functional shuttle further within the gated outpost. The gangsters numbers had been cut significantly, and they began to fan out in search of fallen friends or loot for themselves. "Surely, my old master has more in store for us. Retreat would be our best option." Thetan concluded, knowing that the city that Jade had come from was somewhat close.