Private More Than A Weapon

[Eliz Krayt]

He was distracting? Wait, was that a blush?

Yeah, there was a plan being made for the night, once they survived this.

Two spots were better for snipping, but he didn't like the idea of being away from her. They could spot for each other, make this even easier. Keep each other safe. But.. Well. He could at least rocket to her side if a problem arose. The Chiss crouched down, lining up his sights. He was targeting cameras and such, huh? The veripine shatter rifle he held would make it easy enough to take them down, quietly.

"Don't fire unless they seem to be alert. Better we take as many down, quietly, as we can." He spoke into his com, his helmet making it so only she could hear him. Then he went to work. Quick shots at the cameras, taking them down one by one. That'd be noticed soon enough, but if they weren't aware someone was shooting they could get away with taking them out.

Then his attention turned to the cannons. Those were going to be loud, if important to take out. Eliz took a breath before squeezing the trigger. The first cannon went up in a blaze. He targeted the ammunition. It'd be the sure fire way to make sure they never fired again. Then the next, and the next. Panic started like a wild fire, spreading through the outer guard as they desperately tried to get eyes on what was happening. No sound of fire, no noticeable line of the shot like with lasers. Just explosions on their most powerful weaponry.

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Everything was going according to plan.

Gwyn switched between her sniper scope and natural eyesight, her helmet on the ground beside her. Eliz had the accuracy of a surgeon as he made chaos out of the base. For a long while, there was just confusion on the enemy's side, until all the canons were destroyed and cameras blinded.

Gwyn smirked, this was going to be easier than she thought.

"Time to make this more interesting. Eliz, target the guards too. With no idea what's going on, they'll send more outside. We'll empty the base out."

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

"Copy."

He lit them up with a series of rapid shots. There was something to be said about just how fast he could switch targets, his rifle quickly, and quietly, sending round after round of small, metallic shards. The Verpine tech was something he truly appreciated, given his stealth kit. Everything needed to be silent, if he wanted to do this right. One after another dropped from his shots, filling the air with visible panic.

But, there was only so much he could do before they started firing on his position. Someone must have caught a muzzle flash. He frowned as blaster fire erupted, slamming towards the cover he was using. He didn't panic, though. Calmly continued to go from target to target, dropping them with that same brutal efficiency as his Beskar'gam tanked the shots. That was the difference between him and Gwyn.

Her armor wouldn't last.

His lips thinned for a moment. "Gwyn, how's your cover?"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

When Eliz had been discovered, Gwyneira opened fire with her own sniper rifle. Of course, unlike her lover's it was a blaster. She was far more noticeable than Eliz, and thus was getting shot at more frequently. Gwyn grimaced as she ducked behind her boulder, a laser vaguely missing her by a thin distance. She had to remain calm. Of course, her Aegis of the Watch was fantastic against lightsabers, but it was not built for the blunt force of being slammed into, even with a blaster. Unlike many Wardens in her order, she had not taken a single lesson in using lightsabers herself.

She was kind of regretting it now.

She gritted her teeth as she darted out, firing some more and hitting some targets before being forced back again. As Eliz spoke through the comlink, she kept her steady, thoughtful tone the best she could, "I kind of regret never learning to use my lightsaber, but I'm holding up. I-"

Of course, her shorter range came back to bite her. One of the gang members, a Rodian, lept over her boulder and turned, lifting a rifle. Quickly, Gwyn shot at the bandit with her rifle. As he fell, she put her sniper away and pulled one of her blasters out. "Sorry about that. They've reached me, get ready. This is where the fun begins."

She activated her comlink, "Hey, Mini, we could use some help. Turn their lights out and cut off their power. That'll keep them scrambling."

As Mini concurred, Gwyn pulled her other pistol out and turned. Her Force Sense was getting sharper. Just as another gang member came around her boulder, she blasted his head.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Fun, huh? A grin spread across Eliz's face, hidden still by his helmet. As a Mandalorian he naturally thrived and enjoyed combat. There were fewer things he felt more alive in than in a firefight. It's why he was able to continue fighting the Maw, despite all the horrible things he'd seen. It's just what he lived for. To know she had a similar mindset only made him happier. He rocketed forward, no longer bothering to use his sniper.

Instead he pulled out his heavy blaster, unloading in another that tried to get around Gwyneira Vizsla 's cover.

"Gotta love a good fight, huh?"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn smirked from under her helmet. She turned, both pistols at the ready. Back to back with Eliz, she spoke, "It's good stress relief! Takes me out of my mind and into the moment. Even working-" She shot another thug, "-on a good engineering project can't do that."

As the two continued to take down any bandits that came around, the lights flickered from the base and suddenly, the guards were in chaos.

"The power is out! How!"
"Wait! Our coms don't work either!"
"We need to get back inside!"

Gwyn turned and darted for those gang members, "Nope!"

She took them all down and turned to Eliz, "We still need to keep attention off of Mini. To the inside!"

She then turned, shooting another bandit as she made for the defenseless front entrance.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Was it stress relieving? Eliz hadn't thought of it that way, at least. But, he did often feel better after winning a fight. Mandalorian pride, even if he hadn't been taught exactly how to be a Mandalorian. Then, the blasterfire slowed. Gwyneira Vizsla was already on it. They were planning to run inside? Stop Mini? Couldn't have that. His jetpack ignited as he took off from cover, then barreled right for one of the guards. At the last second his jetpack cut off as he launched a kick for the man, breaking his neck from the sheer momentum alone.

Not that he was paying attention to what he did. He brought his gun up, firing for the next. They needed to get inside, huh? "Gwyn! Have Mini strobe the lights on the other side of the door!"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyn immediately activated her com, "Mini, strobe the lights in the lights on the other side of the door."

Mini beeped in response as Gwyn turned and aimed at two different thugs, taking them both out each with one pistol. In the back of her mind, she worried. Yes, everything was running smoothly so far. Perhaps due to planning, and perhaps due to raw skill. Mostly Eliz's skill. Yet, she could not help but wonder... if this was too easy...

Nonetheless, the trash was taken out and nothing but the desert winds howled in the shadow of the base. Gwyn lowered her blasters, looking to Eliz and nodding.

"Let's go."

As they neared the door, armed and ready, Gwyn ordered Mini to turn off the flashing lights. Then, they immediately jumped in to clean house.

~ ~ ~​

Tapping the Maw super weapon with an annoyed sigh, he turned to the small group of warriors surrounding him. In the dim lights, he pressed the button that independently sent them below the base. As heavy machinery resounded and the door closed above them, he scowled.

"Let them take this base. We have the most valuable equipment right here, to sell later. And they will pay for their nuisances when the dust of their easily earned victory settles. Meanwhile, send everything at the base's disposal at them, so they think their silver platter was earned."


Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Cleaning house proved a lot easier than he expected. In truth, it wasn't surprising. These thugs were little more than that. Anyone else, and they could overwhelm them with numbers alone. Fire enough shots and hit something vital to win. But Eliz was in his Beskar'gam. Fully armored. Fully armed. Him alone and they didn't stand a chance. With Gwyneira Vizsla ? It wasn't even a challenge.

Blaster fire and Charrics ripped through the air. He stayed in front, using his armor as a shield to protect them both as they progressed through the halls. With Mini's control of the facility, everything was even easier.

The Chiss wasn't surprised. This didn't feel like a cheap victory. Just, reality. No gang would survive an assault from a Mandalorian.

Eliz lowered his blaster as they neared a larger door. Where the weapon was. He frowned. No guards? Even if they were trying to deal with the intruders, wouldn't this need guards as a priority?

"Can Mini see what's going on inside?"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

No guards was indeed suspicious. Gwyn pressed her comlink, asking, "Mini, can-"

The sound of metallic rolling sounded from behind. She turned to see old but functional droids, rolling towards them at high speeds. She recognized the image from a textbook in the academy.

"Oh no..."

The droids stopped several feet away from them, standing up with blasters at the ready. When the shields came up, Gwyneira darted forth and pushed Eliz behind a pillar with her, "Droidekas! A favorite toy of the Separatist Alliance during the Clone Wars! With their shields, you can't just shoot them down!"

As the blaster fire continued to reign, Gwyn grunted in frustration, "I really regret not learning to use my lightsaber..."

The sounds of footsteps echoed from down the halls. There were still more gang members too... With the Droidekas, it would be difficult to deal with any of this.

"Karabasting Hoth!"

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

"A what?" Eliz wasn't knowledgeable on older stuff. At least, not on things not related to his ancestry. The Clone Wars? That was ancient! Why was there droids from that long ago here? He ducked behind cover as she pulled him, lifting up his charric. Hell of a time not to have an ion gun, huh? "Well, fuck. We're between a rock and a hard place, huh? What shall we do? Gangsters are easy enough, but that droid is gonna mess us up. Y'know how their shields work?"

Gwyneira Vizsla

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira grimaced. Those blasted shields! She sighed, looking onwards from behind her wall as footsteps pounded closer. Then, an idea. She looked up to a loose hanging balcony above the droids. On the balcony, several containers. If she could just...

She put her blasters away and lifted her hands, rattling the ramp. She closed her eyes in concentration, pulling the crates closer to the edge. Good, they were heavy. After a painfully long, short moment, she brought the containers down atop the droids.

The heavy metals slammed into the droids, causing them to falter and fall off balance. They each tried to roll around the new debris. Now!

Gwyneira dashed out, extending her arms and Force Pulling the droids forward. No time to consider how little she knew to use the weapon, she activated her lightsaber. The white blade flashed as she cut the two droids diagonally. As the debris slammed into the blast door behind her, a laser flew towards her from a bandit. She tried to block with her lightsaber. Tried and failed. The kick thankfully landed on one of the heaviest parts of her armor. She still felt the uumph, though she was spared from the bolt itself. She flew back, dropping her lightsaber in the process. She gritted her teeth beneath helmet. Two bandits rushed in closer, one with a strange sword and one with a deactivated lightsaber. She winced, her mind unable to come up with a solution so fast.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

"Gwyn! What's the plan!?" She didn't answer. Was she panicking? Gwyneira Vizsla was a warden, but when they first met she seemed so horrified. It hadn't been that long since then, so was she freezing? .. No, she was doing something. Eliz watched her in silence for a moment, studying. Yeah. She wasn't panicking. With that feeling of trust he let her do her thing, and only acted when it was obvious she was overwhelmed.

He was impressed by how he handled the destroyers. How could he not be? But now she was in danger. Eliz rocketed forward, flying through the air like a bullet right over Gwyn and into the man with the deactivated saber. Practically tackling him, the Chiss just squeezed the trigger of his gun, barrel pointed at his gut, killing him quickly. The other was a problem. The strike came down, slashing into his armor. It didn't cut through, but the scratch that was left on the Beskar and the hollow ringing was enough of an indication on what it was.

Beskad.

Anger flared in his eyes as he turned towards the other man, battering the blade aside with his forearm. "That's not yours!' He hissed his words, obviously infuriated.

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira was relieved that Eliz jumped in, but the rage at that sword was surprising. What was that sword? Was it one Eliz knew? Gwyn turned and extended her hand. She pulled the lightsaber into her hand. She could not help it, she loved lightsabers. As she looked up to the sword wielding man and the furious Eliz, she placed the lightsaber on her belt and stood up. Then, she extended her hand and clamped her fingers closed. The bandit choked, dropping the weapon as he grasped for his throat. Gwyn then tossed the thug down, breaking his neck.

Gwyn turned and picked up the fallen sword. It certainly had a unique feel to it. The curved blade was aesthetically gorgeous, and the weapon felt fine in her hand. She looked to Eliz and handed it to him, "This sword is beautiful. What is it?"

It must have been important, for him to react that way. Not only was she interested in the sword, but she more importantly wanted to learn more about Eliz.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

"Pure Beskar." Eliz took up the blade once Gwyneira Vizsla dealt with the man, closing his eyes for a moment. Just holding the weapon in his grasp. It wasn't one that was familiar to him, but there was no doubting it. Only a Beskar Smith could have made something like this. "A Beskad. A weapon sacred to a Mandalorian." He sheathed the weapon on his back, turning his attention to the facility around them. They still had a job to do.

Blaster in hand he moved back towards the door they were planning to burst through before the droid showed up. "You ready for what might be on the other side?"

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Gwyneira Craft nodded. She took in every word on the Mandalorean culture and weaponry, and how only their own could craft such unique blades. It was like the Wardens of the Shroud, and their unique Shroudsabers. But it was far more than just tradition by the way he spoke. It was sentiment, honor, and culture. She was hungry to hear more, but he moved onto the door.

For a moment, she pulled the new lightsaber out. Curiously, she activated it for only a moment. A curious icy glow was emitted from the blue blade. It reminded her of winter. She blinked in bewilderment, then deactivated the lightsaber and placed it back on her belt.

She pulled out her blasters and pulled back a bit, hiding behind Eliz's superior armor and bulk. But she was more than capable of stepping out and shooting the millisecond it was needed. She was determined. They were so close to finally ending this mission!

"I'm ready. Mini?"

As Mini opened the door, four people stood within. A Rodian with an arsenal of arms and weaponry, a Terrelian Jango Jumper with another lightsaber on her person, a Gungan with a visible scar on his throat and a machine gun, and in the center... a man with a full set of armor that looked very similar to Eliz's.

And they were alone in the room. No Maw weaponry to be found. It was so confusing, where did it go?

Gwyn asked, "Mini, where's the weapon? What do you mean you don't know! They blasted the cameras?!

The armored warrior tilted his head, "Welcome, pests. If you thought we all were just your next thugs, you were surely mistaken. Now, pay."

The three others immediately attacked. The Rodian aimed several crack shots on Eliz, unfortunately unable to kill because of the armor, and the Gungan started firing as well. As Gwyn hastily dodged the rapidly firing lasers, the Terrelian activated an orange lightsaber blade and darted forth with actual skill.

This had been too easy, and now Gwyneira knew why.

Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

"Chit."

Of course it was a trap. It obviously had to be a trap. Miniaturized or not, a super weapon was still something incredibly valuable. Eliz gritted his teeth as he dived for cover, trusting Gwyneira Vizsla would to the same. His armor was slammed into, thankfully tanking the shots. But even he had his limits. Whatever the Rodian had, it wasn't a normal gun. Wait. He felt it. Bruising?

Sonic weapons.

Chit!

He held his Charric, eyes narrowed behind his helmet. Well, he tried to lift his arm, but it was broken. Muscle and bone, ruined by the sonic weaponry. The only reason he wasn't in pain was the auto stim unit built into his armor. His arm was down for the count in this. And Gwyn? His eyes turned to her. She seemed fine for the moment, but that wasn't going to last with the lightsaber wielding foe.

Good thing he had his blaster. He lifted it for the figure, taking a couple rapid shots. The first was blocked, and the saber was promptly wrenched from his grip. A grin formed on Eliz's face as the second and third shot ripped through the now disarmed foe. That was the thing about Charrics. They had hell of a kick on impact. Then the sonic blaster fired and hit him in the chest, slamming him backwards.

Everything started to go black.

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Something was wrong.

The way Eliz slumped after being hit with another shot. It just wasn't right. Goosebumps coated Gwyn's skin as she was unable to sense a thing from Eliz. Worry overcame her. She looked over to the Rodian and used the Force in a heated moment of tension. As he flew back, Gwyn leapt out, dodging the Gungan's lasers, and pulled Eliz behind a pillar.

He was unconcious.

This was bad.

Gwyneira hissed as she heard a voice from behind, the machine gun stopping its firing, "Heeeeere, kiddie kiddie kiddies. Come out and play..."

As footsteps grew closer, Gwyn slung Eliz over her back, "Mini! Help!"

The astromech chirped back as a random mechanical sound echoed from the background. The Rodian cursed, and the armored leader vocalized something as well. Not taking the time to check to see how Mini was distracting them, she dashed out of the room with Eliz on her back. Just as she darted into the hallway, the Gungan's machine gun blared again.

"After them!"

Gwyneira was panting. Worry flooded her over how Eliz had so easily been dispatched. The Rodian had no regular pistol. What had Eliz been hit with? As she slid into another room, the machine gun flung rapid lasers again. "Mini, shut and seal this door!"

As the door closed behind her and Eliz, the Rodian could be heard cursing again. Safe behind the door, for now, Gwyn gently lowered her lover to the ground. She carefully removed his helmet, gazing upon Eliz's face. He was so wonderful, his dark blonde hair sprawled down to the floor, long ears uncomfortably tucked inwards. She reached down and placed a gentle hand on his cheek. She reached up and pulled her own helmet off, "Mini, what was that?"

Mini filled her in on the sonic blaster and how it worked. Gwyn winced, looking down to his chest. What about his heart? Had it...

Mini then chirped again, telling her to look around.

Gwyneira looked up. Amazingly, she had slipped into a medical bay near the front of the base. A large window looked out into the desert at dusk. Through the window, she saw medical equipment and medicines poorly organized and cleaned, but still usable.

Gwyneira sighed, "Mini, how do I take care of this?"

~ ~ ~​

Gwyneira sighed, wiping her forehead. She had done everything she could for Eliz. His arm was properly slung, and she had performed emergency treatment on his chest. He would have to heal the rest on his own.

"Thank you, Mini."

Being an engineer, tinkerer, and artist, Gwyn was already precise and steady with her hands. But it had been Mini who walked her through every step. Still, the time spent busy in here was matched by the business on the other side. The elite bandits were still struggling to get through the blast proof door. She worriedly watched as sparks began to fly from the middle section of the blast proof door. She gritted her teeth.

"Karabasting Hoth!"

With Eliz still unconscious, she found it more acceptable to lose her cool, "We could just break through the window and leave, but you're still in the control room, Mini! And even more, that weapon still needs destroyed! Kriff it!"

Gwyn swept her helmet up and thrusted it to the other side of the room in frustration. Panting, she cried out, "What in the galaxy am I supposed to do! I can't think of anything!"


Eliz Krayt

 

[Eliz Krayt]

Everything was dark. Black.

Eliz hated being unconscious. Floating aimlessly amidst his own thoughts, unable to hear or know the world around him. He never remembered being unconscious, but here, now. He remembered every time he had been. Memories of his past flashed in his mind. Of his time learning how to fight under his father. Of his twin sister. How was she doing? She'd chosen the path to become a medic like their mother.

He could only hope her life was peaceful.

With a groan he woke, his red eyes scanning his surroundings. A.. Medical wing? Everything was still hazy. He was shot. Sonic weaponry, right. Kark, his arm. Gwyn. Eliz shot right up, his eyes looking around for Gwyneira Vizsla with worry in his gaze. Sure enough, though. She was there with him. Worried. Panicked? Oh. His gaze followed hers towards the door. Right, the bandits.

He scooted off the table, wincing in the process. His body healed quick, sure. But not that quick. Yet, he needed to help. Without a word he set a hand on her shoulder, smiling. Nodding. If there was anyone who could figure this out, it'd be her.

"You got this."

 

[Gwyneira Vizsla]

Eliz.

Oh, Eliz...

As sparks continued to fly from the door, Gwyn turned to face the perfect man, who had placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. He truly believed she could do it. He truly believed she was capable. He made her want to cry. No one had given her this kind of trust, this kind of faith before. It continued to change her, soften her, and expose her flaws. Her blank eyes drifted to the window behind her. Wait. Wait, she had an idea. It would take an incredible gamble, however.

The gamble of her own life.

She reached and placed her hands on Eliz's shoulders. Both had no helmets to hide their feelings. Gwyn's face was torn with joy, sorrow, and fear. Back to the door, she subtly positioned Eliz to have his back to the window. She sighed, preparing herself. For this plan to work, she needed to gamble. But... but she had something to say first. Her stunned lack of words when he confessed to her in her room. Now, she had words to say too.

"Eliz, listen..."

She did not speak like the thoughtful, detailed planner who had fought with her mind. She spoke as the young woman, scarred, battered, and touched by light after a life in darkness.

"Jac'Eli'Zirem, I am far from a good person. I had a massive hole in my heart, still do. But I handled that hole through shady and impure methods. I didn't care what damage I left behind, I went from boy to boy, bed to bed, using them and toying with their emotions for meager attention. I did that to you when we first met." She lowered her head in shame, "And I'm sorry for that."

She then sniffled, before looking up, "But you're different. You actually considered me, and took care of me. You defended me, and believed in me. You actually care about me, and I care about you to. I never felt love before, and this love just made everything clear to me. Genuinely, when I say I love you, I mean it. And I want to take care of you. I want you to be happy, and to live a good life."

Tears flooded her eyes, "You made me realize how rotten I can be, but you make me want to do better as well. And-"

The sound of metal breaking a falling to the ground announced that time was up. Her face hardened. She let go and pressed her hands against the chestplate. Eliz was Force Dead, but she could still telekinetically use his suit. She used a powerful Force Push, throwing him back. Additionally shattering the glass so it wouldn't hurt as badly, she shoved him out of the vicinity and into the wilds of Tatooine. Then, she turned to her fate.

This was where the gamble came in.

The Rodian and Gungan pointed their weapons, but Gwyn took hers' and dropped them. As the blasters and lightsabers fell to the ground, the Gungan reached and stopped the Rodian from shooting. Then, from the shadows, stepped the leader.

The man clad in Mandalorian stepped in front of them, pointing his blaster.

"You surrender?"

Gwyneira nodded.

The man scoffed, "Very well. Hands behind your head, on your knees."

Gwyn winced, closing her eyes. She won her gamble, but she knew she still had an unpleasant road ahead. Here she was, damseled, and waiting for her rescuer...


Eliz Krayt