Vengeance

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

The time between her desertion of the Liberty Concord and now had not been kind to Bluejay. She had lost an unhealthy amount of weight, and her armor hung off her like a too-big coat. Her helmet had been savagely mauled by some sort of creature to the point that it was useless, so Bluejay didn't wear it anymore. And she had a distinct limp in her right leg from a recentlyish sustained injury.

But the part that had decayed the worst was Bluejay's mind.

Bluejay had never been the most stable of individuals, but in the CIS, at least, she'd kept it under wraps for the most part. In the Liberty Concord, she had been slightly less stable, and towards the end - just before she'd deserted - she had been clearly a little crazy. Most of that could be attributed to the massive amount of poodoo she'd been through, both in pre-CIS life and CIS-and-after life, but some of it was a definitive sign of loosing your marbles. And since she'd left, it had only gotten worse, until she was where she was now - fully insane.

And that was why, armed with her knife and protected by her armor, Bluejay was closing in on Galaar's armor beacon. Galaar. The only person in the galaxy she still trusted. Murdered by his brother, Calico.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico's had just set his son down for a nap. The infant never made much of a fuss. Cal was smart enough to know this was a blessing, and made a point to thank whatever had created the galaxy each time little Corrin fell asleep without issue. His mother was away in Keldabe in search of supplies, and soon, they would be leaving Mandalore.

The former Chieftain lingered over the child for a time before the infant fell asleep. His time dealing with the younger clones had helped him to understand the basics of taking care of an infant--more so than the baby's mother, at the very least. He readied himself to move toward their ship and continue to pack: the young family would not remain on Mandalore much longer. There were too many bad memories, and Calico needed to be away from Galaar's grave.

That was when one of the sensors he had set up around the cabin tripped. Someone was in the vicinity. Cursing himself, Calico slipped into his combat armor--a much lighter variant than his katarn-- with ease, and took a step outside. It wasn't a tactically sound decision, but his child was inside.

Galaar's armor was buried with him in a grave nearby. Calico his Deece over the snow drift surrounding the grave, and whistled sharply for Lord Cabur. The Strill would surely find whoever stalked his home.

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

No need for the strill, Bluejay had no intention of hiding. As Calico emerged from his house, Bluejay was stepping forward to throwing distance, sending a holocomm sliding across the dirt to rest on top of Galaar's grave. Words she never got to say when she was alive. A tiny bit of closer for the broken woman.

Then Bluejay's head snapped up a fraction as she registered Calico. Stepping out of concealment, the sorry shadow faced Calico with an accusatory glare. When she spoke, her voice was rough and hoarse from disuse, but the word she spoke was clear enough.

"Monster."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Another ghost of the past had come to visit the dishonored general once more. This one he had not expected to see ever again. The Dreadguard had been released from service now. They were free to live their lives the way they wanted--Calico had expected Bluejay to be off with her sister working for some Hutt, or working security from some business bigshot. Instead, she was here, broken and half dead.

Calico lowered his Deece. "Bluejay." He grunted with obvious concern. "I thought you'd be off with your sisters. The Dreadguard are free from service--Galaar and I assured that on both side." He continued, helmeted head tilting to the right in confusion.

The hood he wore fell away with a gust of wind, revealing the new helmet he wore. It was a stark ebony black, far from the wholesome white and emerald of his katarn armor. He looked more like a droid than a human--an apt analogy for what Calico Tal'verda had allowed himself to become.

"What are you doing here?"

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay's eyes flashed madly when Calico mentioned Galaar, and her mind burned angrily at the question. "Where else should I be?" She bit out, taking a step towards Calico. She glanced towards Galaar's grave, then looked back at Calico, her grip tightening on the vibroknife she was holding.

"You murdered Galaar." She growled. "Monster."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

She had come to put him down. Calico finally figured that much as she growled at him. Galaar had a stronger bond with Bluejay throughout their service. While Calico had cared for her, led her, and did his best to take care of her, Galaar had just been around more. Most of the soldiers had been divided on their allegiance between the former Chieftain and his usurper--Bluejay must have been with the latter.

"Jay." He stated in a calming manner as he took a step forward. "Let's put the knife down, and talk. Galaar and I didn't have a choice. He was deceived by the Confederacy."The soldier continued as he strode slowly across the snow. "Neither of us wanted to fight, but he was convinced. Convinced by a liar, Salem Norongachi, to pit the Dreadguard against one another."

Calico stopped a few paces away. Though he had no desire to hurt the woman, he knew she did not feel the same. If he gave her an opening, she would take it. He hoped she could be talked down, but if that failed, then she would lunge, and a decision would have to be made. Calico was not keen on killing a sister; doing so to a brother had already destroyed him. He would lock her up, perhaps, rehabilitate her--but then she knew he lived. Then she would come for him, for his son, to exact her revenge.

The former Grand Marshal swallowed heavily. "Doesn't have to be this way Jay. Gal'ika wouldn't want it to be."

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay knew Calico was right - but Galaar was dead, and that fact stuck in mind, overriding everything, except her desire for...completion. An ending. Preferably, a glorious one, to be remembered through the ages, but the chance for that had passed long since.

"Maybe he wouldn't have. I'll never know, because you killed him." Then, with a tired half-smile that spoke of the woman she used to be, she added. "And frankly, it's a choice of this, or jumping into a volcano on Mustafar...and I'd much rather die doing something...worthwhile." She took a pace forward.

"Wouldn't you?"

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Cal frowned under his helmet. She wanted to die. Everyone wanted to die these days--everyone who wasn't already dead anyway. Perhaps he could convince her to stop the thoughts of fatality and join him. She could help him raise his son, and fight alongside him in the inevitable darkness that was to come. Anything to keep him from putting down the last link to his old life.

"In self-defense, aye, I did." He agreed. He held his rifle with one hand, and motioned with the other as he spoke. "C'mon now. Death isn't the only way. We're finally free--it's what Galaar and I--we all fought for Bluejay." He motioned with his thumb toward the cabin. "I have a son in there. He's our legacy. Help me take care of him."


The former General stepped forward, within stabbing distance now. His middle finger remained poised to trigger the wrist mounted vibroblade within his gauntlet. If she made a move...then so would he. "We're family you and I." He continued. "No one has to die."

He stood there, expression hidden by his helmet. His shoulder slackened. It was her decision now...if she chose to fight, then they would. Calico was confident it would be over quickly. Bluejay was a mess. If not, things might turn out for the better, but in Calico's heart, he knew what her answer would be. She had Galaar's spirit. Just like Ga'ika, she would move forward stubbornly, and Calico would be forced to act.

He hated that. Hated it with every fiber of his being, and prayed that he was wrong, but he hadn't been on Drunkenwell. If he had then Galaar would still be here.

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay shook her head. "No." She said flatly. "We're not. Not anymore."

Bluejay had lost her mind, her friends, her family, her sisters, her strength, everything that made her who she was -

Except her speed. And will all her speed, her arm moved and the blade of her knife sang forwards and up, intent on slamming into that near-universal weak spot that was the throat.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

It all happened so quickly. Calico had expected her to make a move, otherwise, she would have cut out his throat. He shifted his weight and threw his shoulder forward. The blade grazed across his armor and cut thinly into the side of his neck, drawing blood. Another strike would have killed him, he knew that much. He couldn't give her another chance.

Fighting the sharp pain coming from his wound, he threw his fist upward toward her midriff, though he did not extend his vibroblade. "Don't do this Jay." He begged. He was in far better shape than Bluejay--he was positive of the outcome.

His stumbled back a step, and brought a hand up to his wounded neck. "It doesn't have to happen. You can join me again. We can be whole again. Please."

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay, caught off guard (though she shouldn't have been) staggered backward and fell to one knee, coughing and pressing her non-knife hand to her stomach for a couple seconds until she recovered enough to stand up again.

"I haven't been whole since decades before you came out of carbonite, Calico." She snarled. "But dammit, I was close - before you ruined it." Two long strides, just as fast as her first movement, brought her within knifing range of the former commando once again. She feinted for the stomach before jerking her blade up to drive it into the base of his trachea.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

"Then how come you weren't there trying to help me talk him out of it?" Cal demanded as she charged. He let his hand fall away from the bloody wound, and stepped into her strike. The blade would have slid easily enough against his breastplate if she came for him there, as he expected, and he paid her strike little heed.

Instead, he had brought his hand up to slam an open palm against her chest. He had not recognized her feint, and while the knife might have cut into his trachea, it now found purchase between the grooves of his arm plates. Cal shouted in pain as the blade drove deep into his arm, blood pooling around its sharp edge and spilling along his arm plate. she was out of it, drunk with rage.

Calico was out of options.

The blade dug deeper, threatening to pierce bone and vital arteries when Cal brought his Deece up to her chest level. The power setting had been lowered simply to stun, and the characteristic THUMP of the PEP laser exploded through the forest as it let loose against the Mirilians midriff.

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay choked as the blast hit her and she staggered away from Calico, her death grip on her only weapon yanking it free, and she landed on her back, crying out in pain as her head slammed into the ground. Slowly, painfully, she managed to pick herself back up again. Stubborn and determined as ever, she made for him again, lunging with suicidal bloodlust.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico wasn't prepare to do what needed to be done again. He couldn't. He would not survive putting another friend down--he'd put a bullet in his own head afterword. He knew himself enough to be sure of that. Before, Galaar had stopped him from making the ultimate decision. There was no one who knew of that side of him alive any longer. He was alone in that aspect, and the stress of another death was not something he would be able to cope with.

So Calico ripped the powerpack out of his Deece and cast it into the snow. The weapon was useless now. He met Bluejay's lunge, charging himself to meet her. The two went tumbling back into the snowy drift, brawling right alongside Galaar's grave.

Desperately, Calico ripped off his helmet and threw it wherever the wind would carry it. His expression was that of a grieving friend, rather than that of a man out to murder. "Jay." He begged. His voice cracked as he finished the quiet muttering of her name. "Please don't make me do this."

Tears began to stream down his cheeks. Short little droplets that melted the snow beneath them as they struggled. He swallowed heavily as he tried to maintain his composure. "Please."

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Somehow, Calico's words managed to fire a certain synapse that hadn't been fired in a while, and two pieces of Bluejay's fragmented mind knitted themselves back together. It wasn't much...but it was enough. She stumbled away from the fight, sinking her knees as she gazed at Calico with a mix of dawning horror and self-disgust on her face. "I..." She started brokenly, her shoulders shaking as she tried to retain what small scraps of composure she had left, "Calico...I...I'm so sorry." She managed. Her hand, still holding her knife, moved dangerously close to her neck -

- and with one swift, sure motion, Bluejay took the knife and threw it as far away as she possibly could.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Cal extended his vibroknife as he lunged. The blade ejected forward without a sound; a sharp flash of metal only a foot or so long. It came downward to pierce Bluejay's midriff. She had given him no other options, and he had to think about his son.

Until she apologized.

His fist stopped a foot away from her stomach, and the blade retracted. Cal stared down at her for a long moment, thanking the force, the Manda, and whatever gods the Corellians believed in for her change of heart.

"S'alright ad'ika." The snow flurry had died down for now. Calico lunged forward--and held his arms out wide to embrace the broken woman. "Everyone's got their breaking point."


[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

Bluejay flinched when Calico lunged a second time - then her brain nearly shorted out when he hugged her instead. She didn't know how to respond, so she just kind of nodded numbly, shifting slightly to take the pressure off an old shoulder injury that had started acting up again in recent weeks. "I'm sorry..." She repeated, swallowing tears.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico just shook his head. She had seen reason, to a point. Anything was better than shooting his friend. He would have never been able to forgive himself. Slowly, he rocked back and forth with her, shaking his head as she continued to ramble on. "It's okay." He echoed. "It's okay. I miss him too."

Cal breathed a quiet sigh, and grimaced as a shock of pain ran up his arm and culminated along his neck. His wounds were bleeding profusely, enough to make him worry. Reluctantly, Cal let his hold on the former Dreadsister fall away, and lifted her up to her feet as he stood. "I need to get cleaned up, and we need to get you fed. Come on inside."

It was less a request and more an order. He was the stern commander once more, tugging her along like a concerned father with a sick child toward the small cabin.

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]

 

[Bluejay Ungolfen]

While Bluejay's writer was busy laughing at the look of bemeused confusion on Bluejay's face, Bluejay allowed herself to be pulled along into the cabin by Calico - as if she had much of a choice. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled audibly at the mention of food. She was starving, although she only knew this by logic - she'd stopped feeling her stomach's hunger pains long ago. Initially, she resisted momentarily, drawn towards her knife like all soldiers were towards their weapons. But then sense prevailed and she followed Calico into the house.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Cal kept a tight squeeze on her forearm as he led her inside. He was gentle however, as he led her to a seat around a small table in their makeshift kitchen. Zandra would be coming home soon, he needed to have Bluejay acquainted with the place before the Echani arrived.

"Let me get you some food." He murmured quietly. Cal marched with a purpose over to the pantry, retrieving a few small ration cubes and a bottle of water. It wasn't much, but he and Zandra didn't exactly live well.

He returned to the former Dreadguard, and offered what he had. "Just stay with us, alright? We could use some help with the baby, and you wouldn't be alone."

[member="Bluejay Ungolfen"]