Nine Tenths of the Law

[Alkaios]

“By the force you can’t do this! Please!” A strained voice cried out with what strength they had left. The voice came from a man with chains wrapped around his wrists and stringing him up from the ceiling. The robes that the man once wore were pooled on the floor at his feet, the man’s body littered with bruises, burn wounds and even open wounds. One of his eyes was completely purple, swollen to the point the eye was affixed shut. Blood stained the figure's lips and his body jerked and shook involuntarily. “What is this about? Please, you don’t have to do this.” The figure wheezed out. Any onlookers would know the figure, Ambassador Paeral, the ambassador of Taris.

“Of course I have to do this, do you think I’m ignorant to your misdeeds? Do you think the great Arhikos is blind to your actions? The people that have suffered due to your actions, the lives that could’ve been saved.” This voice was harsh, cold, cruel and belonged to the Hellyni known as Alkaios. Walking out of the shadows and grabbing the politician by his chin Alkaios forced the man to meet his eyes. The Hellyni’s brilliantly blue eyes bored into the ambassadors. “You and the people like you disgust me, you make promises to your people. Promise change, promise to get people off the streets, to focus on treatments on the sick and yet what do you do? That money that’s supposed to go to those deeds is pocketed. Did you truly think no one would figure it out? What you and the Senator were doing?”

“Listen, you- ARGHHH!!!” The man shouted his words slowly turning into an incoherent scream as a knife was buried in his side. One hand on Paeral’s chin holding his head up and other burying the knife into the man’s flesh Alkaios stared his gaze becoming far more intense. Slowly twisting the blade within Paeral’s body he raised his other hand from Paeral’s chin to his mouth in order to muffle his screams.

“I’m not interested in your lies, I’ve got all the evidence I need. Hundreds of thousands of credits embezzled from the honest, genuine, taxpayers.” Withdrawing the blade and stabbing it in again, and again Alkaios repeated the maneuver three more times, with the final stab he left the blade embedded in the ambassador. “Do you not think that there were others who needed that money?! With those credits you could’ve restructured a majority of the undercity, could’ve pulled those people out of poverty! What excuse do you have for that?!”

“It…”Paeral wheezed out his right eye slowly beginning to close. “I…”

“Oh no, you’re not dying on me yet.” Turning and going to a table lined with tools, weapons and medical equipment Alkaios picked up a syringe and a bottle filled with a red liquid. Slowly drawing the liquid into the syringe Alkaios flicked the tip of the needle. “I’m sure you’ll be enjoying this, far stronger than any of the spice you pleasure yourself with.” Walking back to the politician needle raised Alkaios chuckled. “Oh was that supposed to be a secret?” Without another word, without warning Alkaios stabbed the syringe into Paeral’s neck pressing down on the plunger Alkaios injected the ambassador with enough stimulants that a spice junkie would be feeling the high for weeks.

Gasping in a breath of air his functioning eye dilatating Paeral looked to Alkaios a look of terror on his face. “What are you going to do with me?”

“Well if you quit making this so difficult you could’ve been at a med facility by now.” Picking up a scalpel and holding it before a blowtorch Alkaios turned it on heating the blade. “Tell me what I want or things will get a lot worse.”

Eyes now scaring at the scalpel that glowed a bright red Paeral struggled against his chains. “ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! There is no excuse! But you have to understand, we’re not paid that well! For the hours of work we do me and the Senator aren’t paid well!”

“Oh so the Senator is in on it too?”

“Wait! No, that was a sl-“

“I already knew he was, I just wanted a confession.” Tapping the helmet clung to his belt Alkaios offered a smile. “See was that so hard?” Moving to loosen the chains Alkaios dropped Paeral unceremoniously to the floor.

“So I’m free to go?”

“Yea, here let me help you up.” In comparison to his earlier tone Alkaios sounded absolutely delightful, like a young man who respected his elders. Reaching down and helping the Ambassador to his feet Alkaios patted the man’s back.

“I, I swear I won’t say anything about you, or what you did.”

“Of course you won’t, because you won’t be around to.” Hands now holding Paeral in a death grip Alkaios walked them towards the penthouse window. “Quite the view you have here.”

“No! You promised! You said you’d take me to the medcenter.”

“No, I said that if you hadn’t made it so difficult we could’ve been there. But don’t worry you’ll be going somewhere similar.” Lifting Paeral off his feet and over his head Alkaios took delight in the politicians’ pleas, his cries for mercy. “Don’t worry, this won’t hurt a bit.” With that Alkaios threw the ambassador into the glass of the floor to ceiling windows where he crashed through with a raucous explosion of glass. The last thing Alkaios saw of Paeral as he fell a hundred stories to his death was the realization he’d been tricked followed by fear.

Alkaios didn’t need to stay to watch what came next, his job was done and now he had a bigger fish to fry. The Senator of Taris, by the time Alkaios reached the planet news of Ambassador Paeral’s death would be all over the holonet. In Paeral’s room an audio recording of his final moments and along with it his mention of the Senator.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

After visiting so many beautiful worlds, Taris felt like a cold shower. It desperately lacked something aesthetically pleasing, coming off like an ugly dump instead. Dense, overgrown swamps, wrecked space vessels, polluted atmosphere – none of it stood a chance at igniting the Mirialan Padawan’s lust for exploration and she pitied those who called the planet home. The business that had brought her there was an important one though. A life was endangered and the Silver Jedi heeded the plea for help, sending Kaiza Pawaro to guard Taris’ senator. The only weapon she had at disposal was a freshly constructed lightsaber, the only armour her plain robes. She did not plan fighting anyway – her task was to ensure the senator’s safety and, if it somehow came to that, apprehend the killer and hand him to the authorities. Without any doubt, her presence served as a deterrent to scare the assailant away. While the senator had a private army of bodyguards vastly more dangerous than the young, yellow-skinned girl, she represented the fabled warrior monks, famous for their skill in battle. Enough to make most bounty hunters think twice before going for the kill.

Fortunately enough, the young Jedi did not have to wander the foul-reeking wilds. A shuttle took her right to the civilized part of the world, among massive towers that loomed over the hopeless wasteland. It wasn’t hard to imagine those with wealth and influence lived hundreds of levels above everyone else. Such was the senator’s case, too. Armed men watched the robed figure with great suspicion as she approached. The following search revealed nothing aside from one silver cylinder and several basic tools, all attached to her belt. Well, and a flask containing Kaiza’s health tonic. After identifying herself, it’s been decided she could escape the inhospitable outside and enter a whole new world. One filled with luxury, lavish demonstration of wealth and power. The former farmgirl did not know where to look first, new to such extravagance, but before her poor origin became too apparent, she was greeted by a robust man flanked by a well-dressed guard at each side.

Endless pleasantries flowed from him without a stop, speaking of the Padawan as his honoured guest, praising the Silver Jedi for protecting innocent and model citizens such as himself, offering Kaiza both food and drink, declaring his importance to Taris and its people, …

Not too long after, she sat on an expensive sofa, feeling like royalty. Much to her discomfort; her lack of lofty gestures and complicated words joined forces with the young woman’s incredibly plain clothing one would find on farm workers and the lower class. Kaiza felt desperately out of place, sitting amidst colourful carpets, ornamented walls, and paintings. The senator sat opposite of her, sipping wine and regarding the Padawan with a confused look. A table filled with food and drinks stood between them, and while the senator ate and gulped, the Mirialan merely had a canapé or two, only to avoid offending the host.

“Have something. This isn’t the Jedi temple, you don’t need to be shy!” The man laughed.

“Thank you, senator, but I wouldn’t want to take advantage your hospitality,” smiled the Jedi, still feeling on edge, “About the situation you’re in…”

“Only a fool would dare to make a move,” the senator dismissed her concerns, “My men should be enough to dissuade him, but with a Jedi on their side? I repeat, only a fool would dare to make a move.”


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

Equipment: BRP-003 pistol, Lightsaber, Charric Rifle, Asheran Armorweave, Jetpack, Rocket boots

Standing on the roof opposite the Senator Treidum’s apartment Alkaios crouched electrobinoculaurs pressed to his eyes. Through the device Alkaios was able to perceive the numerous defensive arrangements that had been enacted by the Senator, after Ambassador Paeral’s death had been published all over the holonet it only made sense that Treidum would go into full lockdown. Alkaios had staked out the home for three days and the man never left, the only one permitted to come and go was his security guards… Personally hired, not local law enforcement, that said all it needed to. Treidum didn’t feel as if he could trust the local security to keep him safe, he feared for his life, he knew what was coming. The reckoning that would be brought on him, though on this day there one difference… A shuttle of little consequence arrived, yet the individual that exited the vessel concerned Alkaios to no end. The bland robes, the all too familiar silver hilt much like the one Alkaios wore on his own hip. He brought in a karking jedi! He thinks that will keep him safe! That he won’t pay for his deeds! No! Not even that will stop me!

Aggravated by the recent development Alkaios looked back through the electrobinoculars, this time keeping his eye on the jedi, tracking her, see how she carried herself. The yellowish-green skin, the tattoo’s that littered her face, she was a Mirialan. Alkaios did not know much about their species but considering the apparent youth of the woman she couldn’t be too large of a threat… Right? It was so hard to tell, in the tales Alkaios had been told it was often those who were older who had become true masters of the force, yet in the galaxy they inhabited it wasn’t all too rare to run into one of a significant skill at a young age. No use dawdling about. Jedi or not Treidum dies on this day.

Treidum had come out personally to greet the jedi before leading her deeper into the penthouse while the security guards returned to their positions. Some located at the door the jedi had entered through and a large amount on a roving sweep of the penthouse. Reaching down Alkaios dropped the electrobinoculars and with little effort hefted a projectile launcher from his feet. There’s no kill like overkill. Laying the launcher across his shoulder, right knee pressed against the duracrete of the roof Alkaios took aim. Finger resting on the trigger. Tap, tap, tap his finger went against the trigger toying with it, practicing and partially waiting for someone to realize what was about to happen.

Alkaios’ wish was granted, one of the guards turned to look out the floor to ceiling windows that looked out across Taris and what followed was a horrified expression, with a jaw that fell open. Perfection. Pulling the trigger Alkaios let the warhead go. The recoil from the launcher caused the barrel to kick up after the warhead was expelled. Smoke filled the air as the warhead flew straight and true striking the side of the apartment. A rolling ball of flame was expelled upon contact with a loud KABOOM that sent rubble from the floor falling to the streets below, all the windows for the next three floors beneath the penthouse exploded outwards and flames crawled up the side of the building, the fire repression system activating to keep the innards of the building safe. Activating the jetpack on his shoulders Alkaios drew his pistol ready for a fight.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

Something weird stirred in the Force, a strange sensation the Mirialan failed to identify. Inexperienced, the Jedi turned her questioning gaze towards the senator. Noticing the young woman’s look, Treidum stopped drinking and set his glass down, first signs of worry turning the soft wrinkles on his forehead into deep grooves. For a second, the two just continued looking at each other, both equally confused. Then came a thunderous roar, immediately followed by an even louder explosion that deafened all ears within the apartment while simultaneously swallowing the expensive tapestry in flames. Hot, white flash blinded every pair of eyes, everything shook and fell, glass shattered and went in all directions like razor sharp projectiles, panic everywhere. Gone was the table with food and drinks, all now splattered across the floor.

Kaiza found herself hugging the ground, arms protecting the head. Her ears were ringing, the whole body hurt, yet no injury to prevent her from standing up. So far so good. Shock and fear alike mirrored inside those emerald orbs as she glanced around, so fervent in searching for the senator that they failed to notice the tip of her long cloak burned in a vibrant mixture of orange and yellow.

Destruction, chaos. Blood.

Blood.

Completely disregarding the idea it could be her own, Kaiza frantically searched the hopeless clutter of randomly misplaced items for a body. A torso without arms, badly mangled, filled with shards. Regret came over the young Jedi, guilt for not saving the man. This was the first time she witnessed violent death up close - her stomach turned and threatened to make her vomit what little she had eaten earlier, but the feeling subsided upon discovering the other man. In a heap, right next to the soot-covered sofa, the senator peacefully slept, head leaning against the wall, right arm twisted in a strange angle. Numerous cuts had pierced his expensive tunic here and there, releasing modest droplets of red. And the Padawan’s robe burned still, yet to be noticed.

Kaiza called the man’s name, but heard nothing but ringing. Dropping down, she checked his pulse and injuries, during which his mouth moved in motions resembling a cough. Despite the man’s size, the entire body mass of his suddenly jerked up, adrenaline and fear allowing him to overcome the initial shock and pain, gaze fixed upon the Jedi. Her cloak still burned and his mouth still moved, but something far more important took place; an inner battle in which the pacifist tried to persuade herself into seizing that metallic hilt hanging on her belt. A most crucial decision, one that would mark the first time she seized her weapon outside of training room.

And much to her surprise, there were no objections. Jedi were to protect the weak and defenceless from evil – and without hesitating further, the Mirialan’s gloved fingers firmly wrapped around the hilt, freeing it from the belt in a single, well-practiced motion.

“Senator,” stated the Jedi, hearing a faint whisper of her own voice, “We have to get back to the shuttle.”

Something was burning, but there was smoke everywhere.

The man did not wait – he shot right for the door, only to be stopped by the Jedi’s hand seizing his shoulder.

“Stay behind me. If something happens, take cover.”

He said something she could not make out.

Finally, undoing the cloak, she let the burning piece of cloth kiss the ground and opened the door leading outside.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

Equipment: BRP-003 pistol, Lightsaber, Charric Rifle, Asheran Armorweave, Jetpack, Rocket boots

The flames of justice will one day consume the galaxy and in its wake, there will be nothing but the charred corpses of the unjust. Their souls reaped and collected by the flames for them to be forever punished. I am merely an agent of justice, I am but a spark to ignite the flame. Landing in the penthouse suite Alkaios slipped the jetpack from off his shoulders dropping it to his feet. He didn’t need it here, if he continued to wear it there was just a chance that someone would get a lucky shot in and send the Hellyni careening out of the building. A possibility that he’d rather not come to fruition. The smoke from the apartment billowed out the now shattered windows into the air and the sounds of sirens in the distance could be heard. What other occupants that lived in the building should be evacuating making it near impossible for his quarry to escape that way. Not before Alkaios could catch him.

The scent of singed flesh filled Alkaios nose, breathing it in Alkaios was taken back, far back. Back to the young fifteen-year-old who loathed violence, who wouldn’t even pick up his lightsaber, the one that had been forced into war. The sounds of war still echoed in Alkaios’ mind, the screams of his village as the Attikan’s forces and their droids besieged his village. The screams wouldn’t stop they were louder than the screams of the living. A hand reached out grabbing Alkaios’ booted foot snapping the man back to consciousness.

At his feet lay a body its right half completely charred, limbs missing and a majority of the face gone revealing the flesh beneath. Blood gushed from the wound and the individuals’ blue eyes looked up into Alkaios’. The man’s mouth moved, yet no sound came out but wheezes and coughs. “Help.” The bodyguard choked out not realizing that the one who brought such destruction upon them was the same one he asked for mercy.

“With pleasure.” Raising the pistol Alkaios fired one single shot, the bark of the pistol reverberated off the walls of the penthouse alerting all those within that there was a new hostile in the building or that an engagement was taking place. The round struck the guards head with enough force that the skull exploded outwards chips of bone pinging off the armorweave and the guard's blood painting Alkaios’ legs.

Sliding the pistol back into its holster and snatching up his charric rifle, Alkaios listened to the environment, beyond the flames, beyond even the groans of the still living he could still hear voices. A feminine one. That was the way he had to go. “There’s no escape! It is time for retribution! For all the lives you destroyed, for the people you left to wallow in despair while you made off with their funds!” Alkaios shouted loud enough for everyone in the penthouse to hear. He didn’t care about announcing his presence, it just brought the nerfs to the slaughter all the quicker.

Rising from the ground one of the guards looked up at the Hellyni and made a scramble for the blaster rifle that had been flung across the room in the explosion. Scampering across the individual was far from silent and just as his hands grasped the cool metal of the blaster a booted foot stepped on it. Looking up the guard stared directly into the barrel of Alkaios’ rifle. His last action was to scream as three shots echoed through the apartment followed by the appalling scent of freshly charred flesh.

Exiting the main room Alkaios stepped into the hall to catch up with the feminine voice he’d heard earlier. “If its credits you’re looking for I’ll be sure to pay you. Drop the senator where he is and you can get your credits.” Lowering the rifle as he walked past another still living guard Alkaios pulled the trigger blowing a hole in the rodian.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

Shouts came from within the penthouse, prompting Kaiza to stop, head turning in directions of the disturbance when a whole new set of noises arrived. Shots. Not from standard blaster weaponry, either. Somewhere above, private security tried to stop the attacker and failed, marking him a vastly more dangerous opponent than anticipated. Feeling lives snuffed out hurt the yellow-skinned Jedi’s heart, but there was nothing she could have done to prevent that lest she risked the senator’s safety. Frowning, Kaiza listened, hoping to assess the assailant’s position and, in turn, decide the next step. Her thumb touched the lightsaber’s ignition button, not quite turning it on yet, merely readied to do so. If Fate willed it, then perhaps the two of them could make a run for it – and if necessary, she’d stay behind to cover the man’s retreat and buy him enough time to escape.

A characteristic snap-hiss signed the activation of her lightsaber when the assailant finally revealed himself, armed to teeth and clearly without intention to find mercy in his heart. Instinctively, the Padawan pushed the man she was supposed to protect behind her and raised the humming beam of blue plasma in defence, vibrant green eyes never leaving the opponent’s form, carefully judging his motions. Although she did her best to hide it, her hands shook slightly. This would be the first time she ever encountered real danger, or at least danger stemming from a sentient being. All consequences that came with combat – Kaiza did not think about them. Right here and now, her task was to protect the senator. Everything else had to wait. True to Soresu, her mind tried to find peace, focus, maintain a calm centre and ignore all outside distractions. No matter how challenging the task at hand appeared, she had to push out all fear and uncertainty, for there was place for none.

“I keep enough credits for my next meal, so that I am not hungry. If the Force wants me to have more, it finds a way of letting me know.” The Mirialan repeated one of her favourite lines, smiling to herself as it helped put her mind at ease.

“A Jedi must protect the weak and defenceless from evil. I cannot accept your offer, though I can give you a fair chance to surrender. This terrible bloodshed can stop, but only if you choose so.” The Jedi said softly, keeping her voice low to avoid sounding overly demanding.

A simple step forward to better shield the senator and her well-worn boot now almost touched the burning remains of what used to be her robe less than few minutes ago. Silence settled in and Kaiza’s grip on her blade tightened as the entire Jedi training flashed before her very eyes. Deep, calm breaths attempted to soothe the desperate pounding of her heart, yet completely eliminating anxiety ultimately proved a doomed task.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

Of course if anyone was going to survive the explosion it was going to be the Jedi, would’ve been disappointing if she hadn’t. Impeding their path to freedom Alkaios raised a brow at the Mirialan eyes looking her up and down, sizing the woman up before the engagement that was sure to come. She seemed thin, a majority of her body hidden by the unappealing robes. It always made Alkaios wonder how the Jedi could even focus in their clothing, the thick wool just looked far too uncomfortable for his taste. The worn-down clothes and the Jedi’s first words told Alkaios this wasn’t the average jedi. One who strolled around in lavish clothes, believing themselves above others, but she was young, and still in his way.

“Of course, the force provides huh? Does it provide to those who live in the wastes of Taris too? How about those trapped with the Rakghouls? Where is the force for them? Those people out there that need help. You say you’re here to protect the weak and defenseless then why aren’t you out there with them?” Taking a step forward staring into the soft green eyes of the jedi with his own cold blue ones Alkaios was sure to pay attention to the blue beam of plasma. “Do you not know what that man you’re protecting did? The lives he and the Ambassador of this force forsaken world jeopardized in their greed?” Another step forward closing the distance.

Clipping the rifle back to its mount on his belt, Alkaios took another step slowly closing the distance between him and the Mirialan. Perhaps this wouldn’t come down to a fight, maybe, just maybe the jedi would see reason and do Alkaios’ job for him. “They stole the taxpayer money, stealing it for themselves, millions of credits that could’ve gone to aiding those out there in the wastes! I know you saw what it looks like out there, do you think that what Senator Treidum is right? If not why stand there and protect him?!” Noticing the slight shaking of the young woman’s hands Alkaios took that as a sign she may not attack at all. Was she scared? Looking for a reason out of the fight?

“So while you say the bloodshed could end if I stop you’re wrong. The Bloodshed won’t stop on this day, not till either you strike me down or hand Treidum over to me. I am the one chosen to deal out justice, to bring order to a galaxy in chaos. You jedi sit on your tails waiting and waiting, doing nothing to stop the corrupt politicians, the crimelords, the Sith threat on the outer rim!” Treidum was looking incredibly nervous as he stood behind the young jedi for protection but as Alkaios revealed more of his deeds that nervousness turned to fear.

“So tell me, do you truly wish to stand in my way? In the face of the truth do you want to impede justice? Go, leave, don’t turn back.” Now Alkaios was only a foot away from the Mirialan continuing to look at her. “I am not here for you, don’t waste this chance. Do what is truly right.”

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

“Whatever the senator’s crimes are, it gives you no right to act like an animal. If what you said is true, then the senator’s actions will be investigated. I won’t lie – it will be a long process, but there’s a chance at justice and that all the credits you claim he stole will be used to help the people who live in the wastes.” The young Jedi replied, hoping for her calm, focused voice to soothe the man’s anger a bit.

He approached, way too close for comfort. Kaiza lowered the shimmering blue blade a bit, if only to force him into keeping his distance. She stood her ground, uncompromising like a statue, and then beam of plasma served as a warning he should not come any closer.

“I promise the Silver Jedi will look into the situation on Taris. We will aid the people. But you’ve got to understand – we are few and cannot be everywhere. We're only people, too. There are refugees fleeing into the Silver Jedi space from all over the galaxy and we do whatever we can to help them.”

She shook her head.

“So, you see, I cannot let you murder this man. If he’s guilty, he has to stand trial. If he dies, those he stole from won’t see a single credit from reparations and everyone’s life will be even worse, as the only thing you’ll achieve will be one dead senator and one dead Jedi.”

Wary, yet hoping to address him through direct eye contact, Kaiza continued talking, still hopeful there was a chance at making him change his mind.

“If you care about the right thing, then drop your weapons and surrender. I guarantee you will be judged fairly and your accusations against senator Treidum will be investigated – but you’ve got to work with me.”


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

Alkaios knew that the Jedi wouldn’t understand, they were so obsessed with doing things their way that they didn’t realize that it just didn’t work. By the time they had the Senator on the stand what funds he’d stolen would be laundered, no one would see any of the credits anyway. Yet here she was judging Alkaios’ methods. Biting his lower lip his eyes hardening as they stared at the Senator who cowered behind the jedi Alkaios listened noticing the shift of the saber. A subtle warning not to come closer, looking down to the weapon and back up to its owner Alkaios raised a brow. “You’re right, you can’t be everywhere, you jedi can’t be expected to do anything besides propagate wars with the Sith. I could promise you that if this Senator was a Sith there would’ve been no hesitation on falling upon this world, you would be doing the exact same thing I am. And if not you it would be some other jedi. At least what I do its not out of some pitiful millennia old feud.”

The fingers of Alkaios’ right hand twitched, his index and middle finger flicking back and forth. He felt the itch, to simply snatch up his saber and plow through the jedi, it was obvious that neither were willing to budge on their view of things and that they would possibly come to blows. The way in which the Mirialan spoke though said that she didn’t expect to live if they came into conflict. “You would give your life for this scum? For this Hutt spawn?! And then speak of trying me?! As though I’m the criminal? I was ordained for this task, I am the chosen and I will never, not today, not tomorrow or even a year from now be judged by those who can’t even straighten their own affairs.”

Right hand moving off pure instinct it wrapped around the silver hilt on Alkaios’ waist. With ayank the hilt came free and came upwards in a slash from beneath the Jedi’s saber to knock her own weapon up. As the hilt rose Alkaios hit the ignition switch the smell of burnt ozone following the snap-hiss as an orange blade extended from the hilt. “Just get out of my way if you don’t wish to aid me! It is not yet your time to be judged!”

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

“Jedi do not propagate war,” smiled the Padawan, “We fight to protect and defend – and if tyrannical forces, such as Sith, bring suffering so great it renders all other forms of aid meaningless, we interfere if it’s within our possibilities. But as I said – we are but a handful of people in a galaxy with many problems.”

She believed what she said, that much was evident. And yet, the Mirialan’s tone lacked the far too common educative poison that usually came with correcting others about their misconceptions. Patience and calmness coloured her voice, offering an explanation rather than mocking the man’s misguided beliefs. This would have continued for longer, for patience was one of Soresu’s greatest strengths. Alas, the hands of Fate did not desire the conflict to reach a peaceful conclusion that Kaiza had believed in up until this point. When the man reached for his lightsaber, it meant the definitive end of talks. Even though inexperienced and never seeing battle before, the Jedi immediately acted. Not to kill the man; her goal was to eliminate him as a threat to herself and the senator that continued to cower behind her.

Lives were at stake. Hesitation would get them both killed. Whatever happened next was in Fate’s hands.

Her foot shifted forward ever so slightly, the last bit of preparation before she executed the mental image in her head and projected it into reality. In one fluent motion, Kaiza kicked up the burning rag, sending it flying at the opponent as he forced her blade up, immediately followed by the Mirialan going for a slightly angled lunge forward that saw her azure laser blade escape the lock. Aided by the flaming distraction, the strike turned into a subtle, yet painful slash headed for his right shoulder, only to suddenly flick downwards in a defensive motion, aiming to kiss and sever the lightsaber hilt in his hands.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

And with that the fight had begun. They often said that in times of war it was often due to opposing sides feeling as though they were both right. This was exactly the case between Alkaios and the Jedi. The Jedi believed that trials, judges and juries would be the ones that made the corrupt pay. That the Jedi were protectors, and defenders. How much of a lie was that? In an age where Jedi waged war and went to planets simply to preserve the light and destroy the darkness. And then she thought that their form of justice was any better than Alkaios’ she stood in the way of his goal, of his path. She wished to imprison him, never allow Alkaios see the light of day. How was his justice any different from that of the courts? Alkaios knew the difference, he couldn’t be bribed, he wouldn’t grant leniency and he would not be cowed.

With the grace matching a dancer the Jedi was the one who seemed to be on the attack. The still burning robes were kicked at Alkaios, a distraction most likely. One the man noticed and instead of seeking to dodge it while retaining his position Alkaios went into a willing retreat. One step back created distance between him and the jedi. Enough for breathing room and to carry Alkaios out of the path of the slash. Noticing the shift of the Mirialan’s saber Alkaios was glad he took a step backwards, if he hadn’t he could’ve possibly lost a hand or his lightsaber. Left hand flicking out Alkaios released his will commanding the robe to fly to its owners face. He was paying her back for using it as a distraction as Alkaios’ right leg slid forward, his arm parallel to the ground and his upper body leaning forward in a thrust sending the tip of his saber through the robe and aimed at the Jedi’s shoulder.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

At times, the duel resembled a strange and deadly exchange between dance partners. When her opponent retreated, it was a sign to step forward and vice versa. Driven into the defensive after failing to make her strike connect, Kaiza sidestepped back in a swift and almost instinctive reaction that proved all those endless hours of lightsaber training well worth the effort. It also allowed for an escape when the stabbing attack neared her body, his saber narrowly missing the chance for a burning kiss upon the Jedi’s shoulder.

What followed was a simple swing to bat his blade with her own and another step back; now completely killing the chance of retaliation should he continue with a slash.

Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, intense focus hard to maintain when threatened by imminent danger. Re-establishing the two handed grip on her weapon slightly renewed the Padawan’s confidence and she sidestepped once more in tight, short pace that served their purpose without spending more energy than necessary. Also a necessity lest she wanted to slip over the messy flood covered in dust and rubble.

Then, out of nowhere, the saber twirled in her hands circling in an angled flourish that licked the floor they stood upon, carving an orange line and showering her opponent’s position in sparks. A diagonal thrust forward ended the manoeuvre, launching the azure blude column of superheated plasma towards the opponent’s legs, only to push further and turn the strike into a perfectly vertical slash headed for his torso.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

The Jedi he faced was fairly experienced considering her appearance, Alkaios had been deceived into thinking that her youth had been a sign of inexperience. Inwardly scolding himself for the foolish mistake Alkaios watched as the saber missed its intended target by a hair. On his world they are trained from the age of six to wield sabers and other such weapons, trained in combat for the day war came. At least his people were, the noble and prideful Spathi. That pride had always been Alkaios’ downfall. He thought himself so much better than other Force users or species in terms of combat he often underestimated them. With his blade now smacked off to the side Alkaios was forced to lean back up his right foot returning to its position alongside his left.

Taking a sidestep to match the Jedi’s own Alkaios noticed the sweat on the Mirialan’s brow. Much like his own, the heat was mounting in the building part from the explosion earlier and then the heat of combat. Was the Jedi enjoying the battle or was she so intent on protecting the Senator that she had failed to recognize her own abilities? With the jedi flinging sparks in his direction Alkaios allowed a majority of the sparks to hit the asheran armorweave where it caused no harm, though his eyes were forced to avert lest a stray spark end up in his eyes. Taking this chance to cast a glance in the direction on the Senator who continued to retreat further and further away from the two force users that fought in his midst.

Looking away was always a fatal mistake in combat, one that could be capitalized upon. The Jedi seized the opportunity and her vertical slash at his legs. A quick step back helped Alkaios avoid this blow but as it switched to the horizontal strike Alkaios noticed all too late what was happening. The blue blade bit into the torso of Alkaios the armorweave protecting him from the effects, yet still Alkaios’ body temperature spiked from the heat that still transferred through the armorweave. Asheran armorweave was created to take a few lightsaber blows before they broke through and for this Alkaios thanked the force. Left hand lashing out Alkaios would seize the Jedi’s wrist, with his greater height also came a greater reach. The grip on the Jedi’s wrist was just to hold her there as Alkios’ right arm snapped around to close line the woman.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

Green eyes wide open, Kaiza experienced a sudden rush of emotions. Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing the saber’s blue tip strike true, thinking it signed the end of hostilities. Killing the man has never been her intention, but Fate worked in mysterious ways, or so she told herself. Before regret started pounding on her conscience, the Mirialan was forced to process what immediately followed in short succession, mind bombarded with information. First off, the man remained standing, even though a dark smudge now graced his torso. The way she felt her weapon encountering resistance hinted at some sort of lightsaber resistant material. Making a mental note to aim for his hands or lightsaber next time, Kaiza relished the dubitable alleviation of mind that stemmed from not actually killing her opponent.

Once his fingers curled around her wrist in a strong grip, denying free movement, there was a painful realization nothing could be done to stop what was to come, completely open to attacks. Suddenly feeling at peace more than even before, silent acceptance of Fate's grand play, Kaiza closed her eyes and listened to the Force. In a split-second decision that she had before the inevitable arrived, the Jedi’s hands let go of the lightsaber – it extinguished with a hiss, azure light gone as if signing the end of her struggle.

And then it burst to life again, as the hilt slid into the girl’s free hand and she pointed the igniting saber his direction, exploiting the man’s own lack of defences. In the very same moment, her head received the blunt of the impact and the whole world spun around. Weakness stole into her knees as more and more of her body grew limp, will struggling against this numb feeling that urged her to let go of everything, give up and simply fall down without a care in the world.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

For a split second, it seemed as though the jedi had accepted her fate, the faint hiss of the lightsaber deactivating and the blue blade shrinking back within the hilt said as much. The Jedi knew there was no other choice but the clank of the hilt hitting the floor never came. No there was another snap followed by a quick hiss. Eyes widening Alkaios felt a burning in his side. Mouth opening in a silent scream he waited till the jedi was floored by the close line. Releasing the Mirialan’s arm and looking down to her prone form Alkaios noticed the lightsaber had been activated once again. Feeling at the area where the burning sensation had become agonizing Alkaios felt blood, charred flesh. Falling to a knee Alkaios was forced to hold himself up by using the wall.

Leaning against the cool material Alkaios reached out snatching up the Jedi’s lightsaber. Every movement made the man wince as the right side of his body burned. Senator Treidum stared at the sight before him a mixture of awe and fear. So, caught in the moment the Senator nearly forgot that his savior was down and the one who’d come to kill him was still alive. Turning on his heels to flee the Senator abandoned the jedi. So much for altruism. This scumbag isn’t a Senator. Drawing his BRP pistol Alkaios fired one shot, that’s all that was needed. The Railgun pistol went off with a sharp bark and before the Senator was able to move more than three steps everything beneath his left knee was blown off in a splattering of paint and bone. A mural was painted with the Senator’s blood and a symphony from his screams.

Each breath was a struggle, every second a new pain. Pressing his body against the wall Alkaios rose to his feet moving slowly to the Senator, the Senator’s screams mounting higher and higher the longer time went on. His lungs seemed to be endless, Alkaios would get nothing out of the man now, standing over the Senator’s body Alkaios pressed a foot on the back of Treidum’s neck. “Wait, I’ll… I’ll give it all to you, the money, everything.” The Senator begged each word followed by a heavy breath.

“I don’t want your money, I already had a confession from the Ambassador and left it for the authorities to find, all your assets will be seized anyways and then put to good use. You are of no use to me, to the people of Taris, or even the galaxy as a whole… For that I sentence you to death.” Raising the pistol Alkaios fired one last time. The Senator’s body went limp as what had once been his head was no more than a blood splatter on the tile. “You up little Jedi?”

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

She must have blacked out for a second or two – only for a second or two – because while she did not remember hitting the floor, she did open her emerald-like eyes to witness the senator’s murder and felt his life snuffed out through the Force. Dumbfounded, suddenly feeling the rush of vomit from her throat, she threw up on the floor, struggling to stay awake while hoping this was just a terrible dream. Everything turned into a nauseating blur. Knowing that she had failed in her task was a terrible sensation to suffer, especially if said failure resulted in a death of the man she was supposed to protect. Anger swelled in the young Padawan, accompanied by regret. With her inner balance and focus completely unhinged, she gave way to her emotions.

“How could you?” exclaimed the Mirialan, “He was unarmed…”

Her body got up faster than expected, dizziness throwing her into a stumble that resulted in hitting a wall with her back. Barely registering the thud, her eyes shot down, noticing the lightsaber was missing from her belt. Head instantly turned in his direction – of course, the silver weapon was there, in his possession. Feeling like a trainee on her first day of telekinesis practice, Kaiza raised her right hand and immersed into the Force. Focus proved to be a rare commodity impossible to achieve in the Jedi’s current state, and thus the art of moving objects with the power of mind did not come naturally. Still, the subtle and intimate connection between Kaiza and her personal lightsaber meant the difference between failure and success – and so her invisible grip wrapped around the hilt and called it back it its owner’s outstretched palm.

While the senator lied dead on the floor, the Padawan still had a chance at making the killer face justice for his crimes.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

The sounds of the Jedi vomiting was enough to turn Alkaios’ stomach which was saying a lot since he hadn’t even flinched at the deaths he’d caused or the bloody mess left behind from what had once been the Senator’s head. It was just one of those common reactions where seeing or hearing someone else vomit made another sick. It made no sense to Alkaios but he fought against the urge to follow the Jedi’s lead. “So, you are awake? Hmmm, though you’d be down a bit longer." One hand resting on the hole in his side where the Mirialan’s saber had bit through him Alkaios grimace. The wound was cauterized thankfully and he’d be able to get to a bacta tank but a long drawn out engagement was not in the cards currently.

“I did it because it had to be done. You wouldn’t have done what was necessary, months would’ve been spent trying to bring this peace of Sithspit to justice! Months in which the credits he stole could’ve been hidden and out of reach. I’ve already delivered the confession of the Ambassador of his and the Senator’s actions. What they stole will be returned though this time without them intervening… If you haven’t realized the Ambassador of Taris is dead too.” Chuckling at the statement Alkaios turned to the jedi allowing his own body to rest against the wall.

“What did you truly think I was going to do? Allow you and him to leave, so that after the months of the legal system dragging their feet that he simply gets put in a low security prison, one in which he wouldn’t truly be punished?” Shaking his head Alkaios couldn’t believe how naïve the Jedi was. She judged him for killing the man unarmed, she would never see the galaxy as it truly was. Lips stained red Alkaios pointed the BRP pistol at the Jedi.

“I’ve done what I’ve come for, you are not on my list. You have proven yourself a member of the light, not a monster like those false Jedi of the Galactic Alliance.” Taking a few steps back towards the room in which the missile had initially impacted Alkaios began to put distance between him and the Jedi. “You can see me as a monster, you can say I’m no better than those I hunt, but in the end once I rid the galaxy of them I shall be rid of myself.”

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

Her body ached, but she dismissed the sensation as an undesired distraction. Pain itself presented the least of her problems; Kaiza couldn’t achieve inner balance, too shaken by the events that took place. No more being the eye of the storm – and thus the option to effectively utilize her defensive form went right out the window. Blinking, trying to shake off this dark curtain restraining her view, she frowned, flickering emerald gaze never leaving the man. His ramblings made little sense, but whether to blame that on her state or brand him a madman, the yellow-skinned Padawan didn’t know.

Placing her trust in the Force, she re-ignited the azure blade, a sight all too familiar for one day. Truth to be told, there was little fighting spirit in her after what had transpired. Only the Jedi’s sense of duty and lust for justice – possibly a bit of revenge, even if she’d deny it – prompted her to make a move and stop the man.

“I can’t… allow you to leave.” The Padawan released a heavy sigh, realizing her own vulnerability due to being unable to achieve the core rule of Soresu.

A terrible situation, yet there was no going back once the weapon’s been ignited. Mentally, she prepared herself in case he decided to pull the trigger. Quickly calculating the shot’s trajectory and assuming exceptional accuracy at this distance, the young Jedi positioned her blade accordingly, ready to intercept the potential shot’s path. With that, she moved with the man. At first her steps were slow, unable to match his own, but quickly sped up.

Hardly in condition to fight, Kaiza still took her chances and lunged forth, lightsaber singing through the air as it made a perfect vertical cut downwards, headed for nothing else than the weapon in his hand.


[member="Alkaios"]

 

[Alkaios]

“You Jedi and your sense of duty, it will be the death of you all. Much like my own will be the death of me.” Alkaios said this loud enough for the Jedi to hear but he knew she probably wasn’t listening, the hum of the blue lightsaber signaled that the Mirialian was all too serious about this fight. One that neither were in any true condition to continue with. Her mentally and Alkaios physically. He had a few minutes left in him at best the fight would either have to end incredibly soon or Alkaios could kiss his chances at freedom goodbye. The Jedi would overtake him if they went on much longer and then Alkaios would be locked up in some penal colony on the outer rim. No, he had no intentions of going there.

So as the Jedi approached her movements growing ever quicker Alkaios knew there was no escaping her righteous fury. She craved to put an end to Alkaios or at least disable him. Taking a quick step to the left that would carry his body out the direct path of the blade Alkaios was forced to scold himself as the pistol he held was bisected. He’d been foolish, he’d thought the Jedi was aiming for his body as a whole. Left hand coming up Alkaios would attempt to cup the Mirialans throat in a vice-like choke, while his left dropped the remains of the pistol to latch onto the Jedi’s wrist. Leaning his weight forward Alkaios would attempt to slam them both into the floor with all of his weight while his right hand pushed the saber away so neither would have to worry about being impaled during it.

[member="Kaiza Pawaro"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

At first Kaiza thought her strike would miss entirely – a dire prediction spelling death, as she had placed all her bets on slicing the weapon in two. Be it for her extensive training or the man’s grievous wounds – possibly both – the weapon struck true and left the killer with a smouldering husk of a gun. A short-lived rush of victory washed over her, the kind of feeling that often visits those who believe they are close to achieving their goal. One last push, one last strike and this nightmare would be over. Then came a searing sensation of pain; the molten remains of the pistol grazed the Jedi’s wrist. Wearing gloves prevented serious injuries, though it did little in terms of hurt. Suddenly stabbed by thousands of burning hot needles of pure agony, the right hand released its grip from the lightsaber, extinguishing it, and a cry tore itself from the Jedi’s mouth.

And without even realizing what happened, the yellow-skinned woman found herself on the ground, choked. While the left hand had retained its grip on the silver cylinder, there was no use trying to ignite it now. Too dangerous, too little time to come up with a plan when she gasped for air and found herself greatly disadvantaged. Every senseless motion meant less energy in her already exhausted body, and thus Kaiza soon stopped the pointless struggle. Knowing her wounded hand stood no chance against the physically stronger man, the Mirialan pressed her upper half against the ground and jerked the lower half upwards. Both legs kicked up, seeking to wrap around her opponent’s head. That was all she needed – enough leverage to push him off, stop the restraining grip on her neck.


[member="Alkaios"]