Deadliest Catch

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha had never been on a planet surrounded by so much ocean. It was blue as far as the eye could see, and if this weren’t a mission, she would mistake this place for a vacation spot. She had arrived here with Zeven, a crusader that she had worked with once before. He was known for being brash and outspoken, but he was quite skilled as a warrior. She purposely asked him to join her on this operation, knowing he could prove useful in helping win Mon Cala back.

At the end of a long path were domed buildings that house the planet’s officials. Tasha had been allowed a command of a retinue of soldiers to join her in this attack, and Zeven would provide the extra muscle. The Imperial troops were armed to the teeth, marching behind the two Sith. Tasha was adorned in armor, her face hidden from view. She had twin sabers on her, along with a quickdraw pistol she hoped she wouldn’t have to use. Tasha much preferred blade combat over anything else.

She turned to look at Zeven, nodding at him, “If we get this quickly over with, I wouldn’t mind sampling some of the local cocktails,” Tasha said in her usual light tone. Despite the severity of the mission, she was seldom the type to ever lose her cool. Even now, she had a pep to her step, and she didn’t fit the profile of your usual run of the mill edgy Sith.

@Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

Well... it wasn't Korriban that much was for damn sure.

He had never been to Mon Cala when it was part of the Empire and now he was here to bring it back into the fold, accompanied by the woman who was making it a reality. Tasha Blackwell hadn't been a name he had really known or cared about in the past but that was quickly changing. She was making a name for herself and unlike some people it was a name that she was all too happy to earn through blood, sweat and tears.

Blood, sweat and tears of her enemies of course.

As for Zeven?

Well he was just happy to be along for the ride. He had his armor on and his mask-helmet firmly in place. There would be no need to show his face after all. Nodding in acknowledgement, he rolled his eyes in amusement behind the faceplate of his helmet at her comment about the cocktails of the locals.

"I'd make a comment about wanting to try the local sea food but I wouldn't want to scare the locals too much." he drawled in response as he strode alongside her, "I have heard it's delicious though. Shall we help ourselves to some? I'm sure they have enough."

@Sreeya

 

[Dalo Claxus]

.

"What do you mean this is a suicide mission?"

"Chances of survival against the Old Empire's landing force are 130,023 to 1." Dalo turned to 2B-43, taking his eyes away from the window. "Oh, you're just making it up as you go along, aren't you? One thousand to one? How the hell do you even get that number?" The Padawan looked back outside at the raging thunderstorm. The Jedi embassy was one of the only buildings above the ocean, having been built in a small village above the capital. Next to them were the houses of several officials, built there to make it easier for visitors to come, the Mon Calamari aware that not everyone could breathe underwater. They were right on the water level, plain domed buildings made of thick duracrete to combat the storms that were so common in a world that was completely water. A few humans cowered behind desks behind him, and several Mon Calamari were speaking to their loved ones on their datapads, some in tears. "Dalo, those aren't the odds. That's the number of invading troops." His expression hardened a bit as a craft landed about 50 meters away on one of the many landing pads the little duracrete island featured.

"Even better!" he replied, trying to stay optimistic. Two figures exited the craft, one green and one blue. At least this side of the Sith Empire was more inclusive. "We'll get a medal for this." He held the hilt of his lightsaber in his hand, and his pistol was at his side, hidden on his belt. The door was closed and no one would see him, but Dalo knew the first target of the Sith invaders would most likely be the Jedi embassy. He rose from his seat by the window and took cover behind the secretary's counter, about 10 meters away from the door. Might as well be prepared.

"I suppose I best get ready for our visit to Korriban. I hear it is lovely this time of year."

"You best get ready for your visit to Attahox. I hear the junk piles are lovely all year."

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

“I thought scaring the locals was the whole point,” Tasha replied all too sweetly, grinning beneath the helmet. She despised wearing these things, mainly because she loved flaunting her looks. She had made an entire career based on her looks and charisma, and to hide it all beneath armor was a travesty. Nevertheless, she had a job to do, and she would get back into her comfortable dresses as soon as it was done.

The Imperial troops marched till they were closer to the buildings. It was here that Tasha could sense a presence in the Force, and it was certainly not dark side. She tilted her head to grin at Zev, knowing they both were aware of a potential Jedi present. He was hiding in one of the buildings and expecting her to barge in while he had the advantage. Tasha wouldn’t play so kindly.

Instead, she gave the order for her troops to advance and begin to open fire. They marched ahead of her and began to fire directly into the windows of the buildings ahead. Mon Calamari began to scream and cry out as they died, the troops continuing their march. Tasha followed lazily behind them, wondering just how much bloodshed the Force user would allow before coming out to intervene.

@Nefieslab @vamp

 

[Darth Tagus]

Tasha reminded him of a Lothcat that was playing with a goldfish - she was having fun with this. The idea of tormenting the locals brought a smile to her face and he could admit that he felt much the same though perhaps with less mischief. He doubted he would ever feel the need to have the same level of energy as Tasha, it just wasn't in his nature really.

"I'm sure the fish will be terrified of you as it is." he assured her with a little smirk, "Probably that weird kind of middle ground you seem to strive for where they're both enamored and petrified."

Ah.

A Jedi.

And... yes.

"Ah... the little padawan from Kessel." he laughed, his lightsaber now in hand and ignited now as the troops pressed forward to cause their mayhem, "I like the way you think Tasha - Soldiers!"

He tilted his head to one side slightly as he focused on the Jedi.

"Execute the children in front of their mothers."

@Sreeya @vamp

 

[Dalo Claxus]

.

He recognized the presence of the green man faintly, having fought him on Kessel a few months ago. Dalo had wished he could have dueled him on even terms, but another Sith had quickly butted in, forcing the Padawan to exit before things got ugly. Here they were again, though the presence of the Pantoran would once again ensured they would not get that even fight they had been itching for.

Troops fired through their windows, filling several of the nearest Mon Calamari with plasma, though the remaining victims quickly took cover behind tables, chairs, and anything else they could find. The Force rippled with the fresh blood, a small cold patch having fallen over the building and its vicinity. Dalo frowned but remained behind the counter; now that the troops had executed all they could from the window, surely they would enter?

The glass had been shattered, leaving them open, and a few eager soldiers stood in front of the hole where the windows where. No doubt looking to impress by killing a few more unarmed civilians, they held their blasters leveled inside the building, though there was nothing for them to fire at anymore. Dalo reached out, wrapping the Force around the barrel of one of the nearest soldier's rifles, then snapped it upwards into the man's face. He was wearing a helmet, but was still sent stumbling backwards into his comrades, the troopers falling like dominoes almost comically.

"Still relying on others to do your dirty work?" he broadcasted to Zeven through the Force, taunting him. "Come into the building and defeat me in a one on one and I will let you raze as much as you want. Your friend can wait outside." It was a gamble, but it was all they could do to prevent an hour long stakeout where everyone just shot at each other until they ran out of ammo. The troops were slowly beginning to get up now, moving back toward the window where they would keep standing like idiots.

If Zeven were to take him up on his offer, he would rise from behind the counter and stand about 8 meters away from the door through which the Sith would enter, his lightsaber ignited. The Force slowly gathered for the Jedi in anticipation.

"Also, this is an embassy. There are no children here." Seriously, who brought their kid to the Jedi embassy?

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

This was already beginning to grow tiresome.

He "patched Tasha in" so that she could hear the Jedi speaking through the Force as well. It was clear that the young jedi was trying to bait him but Zeven was not falling for it. He gestured with a hand to the soldiers who began to mass around the building from all sides.

They had the numbers.

"You're a foolish young man." He remarked simply, "Captain - bring down the building if you have to."

At the order the dozens of soldiers began to unload on the building why rifles and repeaters. Even the walls were beginning to break away now because of the explosive nature of blaster bolts.

Zeven prepared himself in case the Jedi grew wise.

"At this rate we can have those cocktails now."

@Sreeya @vamp

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha rolled her eyes at the words, always surprised by the stupidity of Jedi. Did he mistake them for Mandalorians that made foolish decisions ‘for honor’? She looked over at Zev, happy to see he was just as unfazed by the pathetic attempts to lure. Tasha had to grin at his words, “I’ll need several cocktails, this Jedi sounds like a pain,” She muttered, realizing that Zev met this Jedi before. If the man was still alive, it meant he had a craft way of slipping away and coming to be a pain another day.

As the Jedi used the Force to upturn one of the troops, Tasha yanked the gun out of his hands. As a result, the remaining troops remained standing, the rifle being tossed aside. The rest of the soldiers continued to advance, the foundations of the buildings crumbling away. Anytime anyone popped up to fire back, Tasha coiled the Force around them and yanked them out, directly into the path of incoming fire. She was almost bored, easily picking off anyone trying to fight back.

Meanwhile, inside the building, one of the Mon Calamari was crouching down and looking at the Jedi, “Why are you in here?! Why are you letting this happen?” He cried out desperately, “You are supposed to protect us! Go out there and stop this!”

@Nefieslab @vamp

 

[Dalo Claxus]

.

"I don't understand what you're saying!" he replied, shouting to be heard over the blaster fire. The Mon Calamari next to him had suddenly started gurgling loudly and pointing to the soldiers. "He said you're a pussy," his droid clarified. "And that you must have your lightsaber for use as a pleasure device, because it seems you have no other use for it."

The Jedi sighed and rose, igniting his blade and vaulting over the counter "If I die, please have my body mailed to Mon Cala's government." He stepped forward, and a few soldiers noticed, trying to fire on him. The Jedi deflected each bolt away from him, sometimes even into an opposing troop. "If you die, there won't be a government." Dalo ignored the droid, focusing on the task at hand. He reached the door and slammed his heel into it. His focus only made him feel more in tune with the Force, and it flowed through him freely. If anyone tried to hinder his movements, they would find that he was no push-over, and he was ready to block any attack coming his way.

Outside, the two Sith awaited his arrival like two old ladies gossiping about their grandchildren. As Dalo stepped out, the soldiers ceased fire, some bewildered while others simply curious. They wanted to see what he would do. They wanted to see if the tales of Jedi were true, if he would charge the Sith and cut them down in a second.

The Jedi planted his feet in the ground and held the Force within him, his ignited lightsaber in his right hand and in front of him, guarding him from any possible attack. He was only about a meter or so in front of the doorway, but not close enough to be in melee range with the Sith. "So is this going to be a tag team sort of thing? Does one start and the other hops in when they're feeling inspired? It would be nice to have some ground rules laid down." The thing the Sith didn't realize was that Dalo knew he was being annoying. In fact, you could say he was doing it on purpose. Maybe he was at a disadvantage, but that didn't mean he couldn't make the fight with these Sith as unenjoyable as possible.

It was clear someone would interrupt him while speaking, hence the lightsaber and Force gathering. Should they try something, he was ready to turn the energy into a shield in front of him, to avoid getting thrown back as so many Sith seemed to like commencing fights.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

Zeven clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Already this Jedi was annoying him and he was honestly hoping that this mission would get done sooner than this. The Sith had places to go and people to subjugate and this side show was just detracting from that. He frowned a little bit as he eyed the building and began to draw the Force to himself.

"Last time he just ran away like a bitch." he remarked bluntly, "At least this time he seems to have developed some spine. All the better to carve out of him but still, an improvement."

And then Dalo decided that it was time to make a stand, time to actually take up the mission of the Jedi Knights throughout the ages and actually stand up to the Sith, to the Darkness. He stormed out of the building and Zeven was actually somewhat proud of the boy for something.

For facing his death like a man.

Before Dalo could even utter a word, Zeven acted. He was prepared already so he wrapped the Force around the Jedi Padawan quickly, using his power over the Force to lock the young Jedi in a stasis effect. It was a draining technique to be sure but he probably didn't need to hold it for too long - he doubted that Tasha would just sit and do nothing. Still, he was prepared to move or adjust his attack as needed but for now he was happy to lock the Jedi in place to set him up for his fall.

@Sreeya @vamp

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha chuckled at Zev’s words about his last encounter with the Jedi. She shook her head, already knowing that running away like pansies was a trademark tactic of Jedi. She recalled when she had captured that Arda woman and how her ‘master’ turned tail and left the others to their fate. Before the Jedi could come out, Tasha drew out the gun she hadn’t really tried out yet.

This Jedi appeared to have some measure of a spine as he finally came out into the open. As soon as he began to speak, Zev was on the move, putting him in a stasis. With someone as powerful as Zev applying it, the Jedi would have a tough time doing anything about it. Tasha decided to add to that, coiling the Force around the man’s neck at the same time to choke him. Combined with the stasis, he was going to be entirely incapable of doing much.

While this kept his saber guarding his torso, Tasha simply leveled and fired two rounds at his upper legs, where there was no armor. Being quick-draw, it was a total of four shots abruptly coming his way while he was under all manners of Force influences that would make it exceptionally difficult for him to move.

@vamp @Nefieslab

 

[Dalo Claxus]

.

"So is thi—"

Ah. Straight to the point. Dalo felt the Force gather around him, holding him in place, but he did not wait and let himself get killed like an idiot. The Force that had been gathering within him flowed to his hands—and only his hands. He used his left to direct a push aimed at the Pantoran, a wave that would hit her upper body and cause her shots to go wide, as well as break her focus and cause her to stumble or fall on her ass. It did mean that he had to allow himself to be choked, but only for a moment. The moment the grip on his throat broke, he began fighting back against the stasis, slowly feeling it ease. He wasn't free yet, but Dalo had taken the first steps needed to get himself out of it. The Crusader may have been strong, but the move he was going for was particularly taxing, and would be increasingly difficult to keep up.

The Pantoran would no doubt be rising soon, but hopefully by that time the Padawan would have broken out of the stasis. If so, he had his lightsaber in hand and was ready to block any more of her blaster shots.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

Well it seemed that the Jedi had some fight left in him - that was good at least.

Moving move to the right of the Jedi, stepping away from Tasha, he knew that keeping the Jedi in a stasis lock was not a viable option. So rather than continuing that, he instead moved the focus of his attack - rather than locking the Jedi's body in stasis, Zeven began to crank up the pressure around Dalo's neck.

If Tasha's Force Choke was interrupted, his own would replace it and if Tasha's Force Choke continued then his own would merely reinforce the effort, making it stronger and that much harder for the Jedi to resist. He would be beginning to feel the lack of oxygen at this point.

Still, Zeven had his lightsaber at the ready in his right hand and he was still moving, circling to Dalo's right to force the Jedi to divide his attention between himself and Tasha physically as well as in the Force, pushing the padawan beyond the limits of his current abilities.

@Sreeya @vamp

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

If the Jedi thought launching a push always resulted in someone falling over, he was sorely mistaken. She lowered the gun and broke the choke on his neck, withdrawing the Force back to her core. As the push hit her, she held fast, the Force forming around her to minimize the impacts. While it had broken the choke and had made her shots useless, it allowed her to simply skid back on her feet a short distance away. By then, Zev was already rounding in on the Jedi and applying a new choke on him.

Tasha decided to toy with him, beginning to close the distance as she applied her full energy now to choke him once more. This applied even more pressure, and she didn’t bother with the gun again, her saber now in her hand. If he tried another push, it would allow Zev to easily get a hit in, especially as now they were both working to keep him under constant pressure around his neck. It was as if the Sith were simply playing with their food.

She worked to get within saber range, but she didn’t make any other attacks just yet, prepared to react easily to anything he attempted to launch while under a barrage of attacks that would drain him rapidly.

@Nefieslab @vamp

 

[Dalo Claxus]

.

The pressure around his body was suddenly released, though his neck remained in grave danger. The moment Zeven let go of the stasis, Dalo's blaster flew to his free left hand and let loose a shot toward each Sith. The moment he did, the Pantoran joined in the choke, though hopefully not for long. He now focused solely on fighting them, though he was no match. It was like going up against the Force choke of a Master, and Dalo was severely overwhelmed.

His voice slowly began blacking out, the choke getting to his windpipe. He gasped for air that would not come, his hand reaching up to claw at his throat, dropping his weapons. They clattered to the duracrete floor unceremoniusly, and the Jedi did not hang on for much longer. He saw nothing. Then, his throat snapped, killing Dalo instantly. He crumpled to the floor backwards, hands falling on his chest. He'd met his end fighting valiantly, despite the odds. Energy left his body and joined the Force, where he was awaited.

That was when a lone figure walked out the building. "D—Oh dear." The droid turned its head to look at the two Sith. "I suppose I will be getting a new paint job," he remarked almost sadly.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab

 

[Darth Tagus]

The blaster bolt sent his way was a valiant effort by the Jedi to go down fighting and he could respect that. Still, his lightsaber was already ignited in his right hand and he was already continuing to move to his left and Dalo's right. He batted the blaster bolt away from himself, letting it impact harmlessly into the ground as he continued to apply the pressure.

And then it was over.

The Jedi's resistance ended and Zeven felt his throat break and collapse along with the neck snapping. It was a quick death for the young Jedi and that was probably a kindness that some other Sith would have robbed him of. As for Zeven? He didn't much care. The young Jedi had put up a fight and that was a plus in his mind but not enough for him to regret the killing of the young man and he wasn't enough of a sadist to be upset that the young man hadn't suffered.

He sighed once and crossed the droid's head with the Force even as he turned to Tasha.

"So. Where were we?"

He clicked his fingers, suddenly remembering.

"Cocktails."

@Sreeya @vamp