Witch Hunt

[Minuteman75]

Dathomir, Quelli Sector, Outer Rim Territories ​

Shiro Yama Fett with his helmet off. inspected his particle beam rifle, sitting behind a dursteel wall of a cargo hold with a dozen fellow Mandalorians. They were onboard a supposed civilian freighter approaching the system of their destination...the witch infested world of Dathomir. His skin crawled, remembering the few times he visited the place when much younger. As much he tried to be opened about different cultures, the force witch civilization in his opinion reminded him a bit too much like how the Sith operate. Of course, the dark side users seek to dominate the galaxy, the Dathomiri seem very much content with oppressing their own people and using them as playthings for their 'magic'.

Hopefully, we won't stay there too long. Personally I don't see why the Dominion, bothers dealing with these damn sorceresses. Smashing their civilization back to the primitive stage would be more efficient and honestly a frakking favor to the whole galaxy.

Of course the former soldier knew it was not to be. The mission itself was to deal with only one small coven of nightsisters that were becoming more brazen in their desire to challenge Mandalore's rule over the planet. He sighed and sliently prayed that the results of this mission would pay out as Command hoped. Turning a glance the young Chiss next to him.

"Ever been to Dathomir vod?"

@Kyle: The Rogue @JT-R3

 

[René]

Ji'Kel Vizsla sat in the shuttle carrying the other Mandalorian soldiers, quietly meditating with his helmet off. He had never liked Dathomir; the witches on the surface stank of the Dark Side. Glancing down at the twin lightsabers hanging from his belt, the Chiss began to reminisce about the past. His first lover, a fellow padawan named Elia Yon, had been a Dathomiri, albeit she had been born off of Dathomir. It was her death, and his old master's ignorant statements that her death was the will of the Force (meant to teach him that "a good Jedi had no attachments"), that had caused Ji'Kel to kill his master and leave the Jedi Order, returning home to Mandalore and earning his place as a warrior for the Mandalorian Dominion.

"Ever been to Dathomir vod?"

Ji'Kel turned to his side, re-entering the present as he looked at the other Mando seeking to him.

"Yeah I've been to Dathomir. Last year, I was tasked with doing some reconnaissance on a smaller clan of witches that were supposedly playing with some powerful Dark Side magik that could have posed a serious threat to Dominion rule if it was mastered and taught to others. When I discovered they were closer to mastering it than previously thought, I killed the entire clan, and earned the rank of SuperCommando for my quick actions."

"The name's Ji'Kel Vizsla, of House Vizsla, Mandalorian SuperCommando. And you are?"

 

[JT-R3]

Odious could hear his kin's crying out from the holding cell he was locked. For he knew all to we'll the reasons for those screams and the pain the Nightsisters can cause. Pulling on the electric collar around his neck, he felt sense of hopelessness as for he was too weak to save his brothers from the fatal fate of the rituals. Though it made him wonder whether or not being the only survivor thus far was a blessing or a curse. The air turned cold as the dark spirits filled the caves in the mystic temple. Suddenly the echo of the screaming eased for Odious also knew the reason why.
"A curse."

 

[Minuteman75]

Upon Ji'Kiel's answer, the ex-Republic soldier blew a whistle that pretty much said he was impressed. When asked of who he was Shiro answered back.

"Shiro Yama of Clan Fett. Was once a former member of the now dismantled Republic military till the Dominion took me into custody until I adopted Mandalore's cause."

"Took ya five cycles so I heard Shiro." Another Mando, a dark skinned woman in orange armor from Clan Renelo said opposite of them while she cleaned one of her dual pistols. Smirking Shiro replied with both a cheeky smile and a shrug. "What can I say Tiaret I'm a slow learner."

Tiaret rolled her eyes and the others chuckle in amusement their grizzled leader Garen Merrilk approached their group from behind. Seeing his entry they all looked to him with attention.

"Alright boys and girls, finish up your predations we're about to break surface for that little world called Dathomir we all know and love."

Announced with no small amount of irony at the mention of Dathomir. Then he continued in an more serious tone.

"Remember they maybe a bunch of schutta, but they're ones with magic powers. They're crafty and deadly and this is their home turf so use extreme prejudice even disintegration. Watch each other's back and don't play none of that holofim hero crap out there. Because if ya die doing so after I told not to I'll piss on your grave."

That last comment earned smirks from the team including Shiro as he watched on the old man continued, pointing at Ji'Kiel.

"Ji'Kiel you're going to be our trump card. Those witches won't expect one of us to be a force user, much les one with glow sticks. So I want to ya to wait from showing it off until you can serve it up to into an nasty little surprise for them at the right moment."

Looking back to the rest of the unit he asked.

"Do I make myself clear?"

They answered with an affirmative yes. Seconds later they were done with the prep and the landing ramp opened up in front of them while the ship flew slightly above the twisted trees and then the temple that housed the Nightsisters. Shouting a battle cry Garen urged the Mandalorians forward and jumped out fo the ramp using his jetback. The squad followed suit in the airdrop, skydiving down with their leader. Soon they will land on top of the witches.

@Kyle: The Rogue @JT-R3

 

[René]

Ji'Kel nodded to Garen, placing his hands on two of his four DP-09 blaster pistols. It was wise to pull such a trick on the witches; they're magiks we're deadly, and so their overconfidence in that would be they're undoing when he unleashed his own Force powers against them. Making a final check of his weapons, the Chiss tensed as the landing ramp opened up, wind buffeting the soldiers inside the gunship as they prepared to jump.

Following Garen's lead, Ji'Kel placed his helmet on his head leaped from the ramp, activating his jetpack in mid-air. He descended towards the ground near the witches' temple, drawing two of his pistols as he landed lightly on his feet. He stayed near the middle of the group, as he didn't want the witches to see his lightsabers. With a quick shot behind himself without turning to look, the SuperCommando downed a witch scout spying on them from a nearby tree. He noticed the ex-GAR soldier from earlier was next to him, and he nodded in recognition.

 

[JT-R3]

The cellar door opened and Odious quickly turned to see a tall slender female in covenant clothing leaning against the doorway.
"Poor little Odie, are you sad that your brothers left you here all alone?"
This wasn't the first time the two met alone and the sound of her voice made his anger boil even more. Though something was off this time and it made him very uneasy.
Do you wish to join them?
She moved in closer and smiled for she can feel his hate flow through him. She unsheathed a blue hilt dagger from her belt.
"I can grant you that wish."
He snarled at her comment and impulsively lunged for her thoat, but failed to do so as a rush of electrical current pass from his collar through his body. The tense shock made him fall to the ground with his body tensing.
"But where is the fun in that,huh?"
She laid down next to Odious on the floor, toying with the dagger while her other hand holding down the button for the controller.
"I have to confess I really enjoy our moments together."
She leaned closer to him and let her thumb go off the button. The collar stop and he muscles relax, but his skin still felt like it was burning. He could hardly think and didn't hear her last words as she placed a finger on his forehead.
"You witc-."
All of sudden his world went black as the sorceress place a trance spell on the young zabrak. The two were no longer alone as two other nightsisters dragged Odious' body out of the cell.

 

[Minuteman75]

Ji'Kel nodded to Garen, placing his hands on two of his four DP-09 blaster pistols. It was wise to pull such a trick on the witches; they're magiks we're deadly, and so their overconfidence in that would be they're undoing when he unleashed his own Force powers against them. Making a final check of his weapons, the Chiss tensed as the landing ramp opened up, wind buffeting the soldiers inside the gunship as they prepared to jump.

Following Garen's lead, Ji'Kel placed his helmet on his head leaped from the ramp, activating his jetpack in mid-air. He descended towards the ground near the witches' temple, drawing two of his pistols as he landed lightly on his feet. He stayed near the middle of the group, as he didn't want the witches to see his lightsabers. With a quick shot behind himself without turning to look, the SuperCommando downed a witch scout spying on them from a nearby tree. He noticed the ex-GAR soldier from earlier was next to him, and he nodded in recognition.

The cellar door opened and Odious quickly turned to see a tall slender female in covenant clothing leaning against the doorway.
"Poor little Odie, are you sad that your brothers left you here all alone?"
This wasn't the first time the two met alone and the sound of her voice made his anger boil even more. Though something was off this time and it made him very uneasy.
Do you wish to join them?
She moved in closer and smiled for she can feel his hate flow through him. She unsheathed a blue hilt dagger from her belt.
"I can grant you that wish."
He snarled at her comment and impulsively lunged for her thoat, but failed to do so as a rush of electrical current pass from his collar through his body. The tense shock made him fall to the ground with his body tensing.
"But where is the fun in that,huh?"
She laid down next to Odious on the floor, toying with the dagger while her other hand holding down the button for the controller.
"I have to confess I really enjoy our moments together."
She leaned closer to him and let her thumb go off the button. The collar stop and he muscles relax, but his skin still felt like it was burning. He could hardly think and didn't hear her last words as she placed a finger on his forehead.
"You witc-."
All of sudden his world went black as the sorceress place a trance spell on the young zabrak. The two were no longer alone as two other nightsisters dragged Odious' body out of the cell.

Initial surprise was achieved, the nightsisters on the outer edges of the temple were overwhelmed by the sudden assault from midair with only scattered resistance. Shiro aimed and without hesitation fired on a fleeting and seemly unarmed witch on the left. The shots cut through her bacand with a scream she fell in an heap. These magic worshippers made their choice when conspiring against Mandalore and now they will pay for that poor decision with their lives. The Mandalorian squad maintained a displined formation, laying down suppressing fire upon the Nightsisters in their sight. Soon however the witches regrouped and opposition stiffen with energy arrows thrown at their direction, killing one and wounding two Mandos.

Shiro had to dodge a poison dart shot form the side and open up on the shooter but only to witness a green mist began form around the supercommados. Garen, their leader commanded the squad stay together for witchcraft was at work. From behind using the mist as cover a dozen nightsisters with blood cluttering cried pounced the warriors, wielding swords. The firefight was now a melee and from on top of the temple, Mother Deiti watched on with a calm air about her, wearing red robes, spotted her most favor daughter with their pet Odious in tow on her right.

"Is our weapon is ready my child?" She asked in an eerily voice.

 

[René]

The initial element of surprise was gone. The witches had regrouped and were now assaulting the remaining Mandalorians with swords. 3 of Ji'Kel's comrades were already down, with more casualties sure to come if the witches mounted a powerful counterattack. While some of the others activated vibroblades to counter the witches' attack, the Chiss spared a look at Garen as 10 more witches appeared, 6 with swords and 4 with bows. Garen gave him an affirmative nod, making Ji'Kel smile under his helmet.

"Hey Shiro, now's your chance to see the self-proclaimed 'Coven Killer' in action!"

The SuperCommando kept into the air without the aid of his jetpack, trading his dual pistols for the two cylindrical devices at his waist. Activating the blazing yellow blades in the back-handed grip associated with Form V, Shien, he landed on the ground in between the group of 6, decapitaing 4 of them as his feet touched the surface. A powerful Force push sent the other two sprawling into a pile with the witch Shiro was fighting, giving him the opportunity to kill all three should he take it. Ji'Kel continued, using his jetpack to get higher up, hovering for a moment as he fired a wrist-mounted rocket at a group of archers. At the top of the witches' temple, Ji'Kel noticed 2 nightsisters, and a Dathomirian Zabrak. The Zabrak looked like one of their unfortunate slaves, so the Chiss fired a cord from his gauntlet, which tied the witch holding him up and dragged her along as the Mandalorian rocketed into the sky, before dropping her from that height to her death. He landed before the other witch, the Coven "Mother", and clicked his two lightsabers together, forming a saberstaff.

"That was my favorite daughter, Jedi scum!! How is it you're with the Mandalorians?"

"Oh, I'm no Jedi. Just the Mandalorian warrior about to destroy the revolution you think you can start."

Pointing the yellow blades of his lightsaber at Mother Deiti, Ji'Kel asked the Zabrak behind him, "Son, you're safe now. But you'd better stay out of the fighting until all of these witches are destroyed."

@JT-R3

 

[JT-R3]

Knowing he would only get in the way of the duel that is to come, Odious rushed over to dead body of the fallen witch and removed his restraints with the controller key. He looked back at the mandalorian and nodded in gratitude, before grabbing the nightsister's weapons and running back in the temple. As he went down the stairway, he could hear the sound of blaster fire and battle growing louder around him. Odious reached the lower floors of the Coven's great hall and there at near the entrance way, he could see a band of nightsister warriors banding together. He quickly took cover behind a large piller hoping he was not noticed. Then a single voice broke making the zabrak's grip tighter around the versistaff bow.

"My sisters, draw strength from the spirits and let them guide you. Give yourself to the night and show them the wrath of the Daughters of Dathomir..."
Suddenly the voice was tuned out as his mind focused on the flashbacks of his trails. Visions of the rituals he suffered and losing his brother flooded mind his making his emotions becoming unstable. His adrenaline rushed through his body as his anger grew.
"As long as they live I will never be free. No! As long as I have hate, I will never be free of myself."
The voice across the hall returned as the speech continued. Odious took a deep breath and drew back on the bow. He then turned and aim down at the direction of voice. He exhaled releasing the bow along with his anger. It went silent for a moment after bolt met it's mark, but as the witches returned fire the entrance wall behind them blew in caused by a large explosion killing several other Nightsisters with the rumble. Taking advantage of the disaray, the Mandalorians flew in the great hall and mopped up the rest of the Nightsisters inside the hall. Surprisely Odious found himself quickly surround by the warriors pointing their blaster weapons at him. He dropped his weapon on the ground and raised his hands on the air to surrender. Fearing for what coming next, Odious nervously said.
"You all sure know how to make an entrance"


@Minuteman75 @Kyle: The Rogue

 

[Minuteman75]

Ji'Kel's force abilities paid off. The Mando Team finished off the cult ambushers and pushed forward into the temple. Garen turned to Tiaret gesturing toward the wall. Understanding his meaning the small woman placed a charge of demolitions on the wall. Once the team moved back from some distance, she pressed the trigger and with an explosion a new hole was. Swarming in the warriors stumble upon a group of disoriented witches and cut them with both blades and guns. Shiro Yama shoved a wrist blade into a young witch's throat, she spilled out blood unto his visor. Grimacing in disgust, he removed the blade from the now dead enemy.

He looked and saw the squad had surrounded a Zabarak armed with a bow. A Nightbrother no doubt, he thought when the horned headed fighter dropped his weapon and commented on their entrance. Garen grunted in amusement, keeping a pistol aimed toward Odious.

"What ya know, the males here are the smart ones apparently. Mind telling us why you're willing to surrender boy?"

 

[René]

Ji'Kel watched calmly as the Zabrak he just rescued removed his restraints, armed himself, and escaped into the Temple. He noticed the Coven Mother attempt to stop him, but the Mandalorian caught her hand with the Force, preventing her from doing anything. He disconnected his lightsabers, holding them in an "X" guard postiton, saying,

"No, no. You're fight is here, witch. Now face your death."

It was at this moment the rest of the Mandos broke though inside the temple, causing the roof to shake. Taking advantage of the Mother's temporary perplexity, Ji'Kel leaped forward, barely giving the witch enough time to parry his strikes with a blade fashioned from her magic. The green mist clashed with the yellow plasma, each matching each duelist matching their opponent's strikes with equal speed and ferocity. The former Jedi soon elected for a change in tactics, reconnecting his lightsabers and activating his gauntlet-mounted flamethrower with his now free hand. This caught the witch off guard, and the explosive spell intended for Ji'Kel hit below her as she tripped trying to avoid the flames.

The ground exploded below them, and the combatants tumbled though the newly made hole into the Temple, the SuperCommando using the Force to break his fall while the witch Mother landed hard. Spinning his lightsaber, Ji'Kel advanced with such speed and power that the Coven Mother was able to block only a single strike before she was pierced in the chest. Gasping, she let out a loud moan as her body disintegrated into green mist, leaving only Ji'Kel.

 

[JT-R3]

Odious turned his attention to the armored man who spoke out.
"My name is Odious and i have no quarrel with your people, Mandalorian. I was a slave to the power lust of the Nightsister, until one of your own saved from my fate. My clan brothers are all dead and I am without purpose. The witches of this place has taken everything from me, but I still have my will to survive."
Guns still pointed at him, He lowered his arms as he knelled down next to the bow.
"I ask of you to give me a new life and allow me to join your ranks."
Before another word was said, an explosion blast shock the temple again. This time it came from the upper levels off the temple.
"It must be Ji'Kel!" A female voice said.
Odious looked back at the armored man giving out orders as he and a small detail took off making their way up to the upper levels. The rest stood guard over the Zabrak.
@Minuteman75 @Kyle: The Rogue

 

[Minuteman75]

Hearing Odious' explanation, Shiro paused. It seemed this was only a victim but one who could be brainwashed for all he knew. He and his fellow warriors kept their aim Odious for a moment longer until the Zabrak bowed and asked to join them. Garen, the squad leader was about to reply when they felt the temple around quake. Tiaret noted that it must be their force wielder Ji'Kel. Grunting in acknowledgment, Garen Merrik said.

"I imagine so. Eren and Sar with me. As for the rest of you bastards keep watch over this stray pup."

With that order, Garen with his detachment went to investigate the crash. Shiro and the others stayed with Odious, waiting in awkward silence. To break the tension, Shiro lowered his blaster, removed his helmet, and placed a gloved hand over the young man's shoulder.

"If you're going be one of us, don't be so quick to bend the knee. We're not some damned witches who demand worship from slaves, but warriors bound by honor and family."

Gesturing for the Zabarak to rise as a man, the Fett clansman added.

"My name is Shiro of House Fett and its a pleasure to meet you, Odious."

Meanwhile Garen's team found Ji'Kel standing by himself as green mist evapored. Glancing at the hole that was made above, the old vet whistled, clearly impressed.

"Not bad lad, not bad at all. Come on we got ourselves a possible recruit if he's legit."

 

[René]

Ji'Kel stood panting for a moment after Garen and his team found him. The witches were defeated. What he hoped was that the witch Mother hadn't laid any curses or cast any spells on him before her death. Deactivating his lightsaber, he said to Garen,

"A recruit huh? Must've been that Zabrak slave I set free. I have a foolproof way to check if he's legit, but it'll be his decision."

The Chiss separated his lightsabers and placed them on his belt, following Garen and he others down to where Odious and the rest of the assault team were. Bodies of witches lay scattered across the floor and their wierd green mist was everywhere. When Ji'Kel got there, he approached Odious, placing his helmet down on the ground to reveal his blue skin, red eyes, and burn scars on the right side of his face. He said to Odious,

"You're safe from the witches now, but my comrades and I need to make sure that we can trust you. I have a way to prove your story, but it requires you to open up you're mind completely. Don't worry; it'll hurt me more than it will hurt you. I just need your consent."

Turning to the other Mandalorians, he said, "If he accepts, I will search his memories with the Force. Will that be good enough for you?"

 

[JT-R3]

Odious was relieved to see the capped mandalorian returned alive from his battle with the Nightmother. Surely he thought he would never defeated her alone, but this only strengthen his decision to join their ranks. He wanted to be strong again and free of the stench of this world. He looked back at Shiro as he gave Odious a nodded as in giving a sense of trust. As he thought to himself these word of security and trust began to have meaning again to him. Odious turned his attention back at the man they call Ji'kel and cleared his mind.
"I willing to whatever is necessary."
Odious did as he was instructed by the Ji'kel and sat down him taking deep breaths, while he waited for the unknown. Ji'kel wasted no time to began and Odious could feel the force of pressure in his mind for which it was a mild discomfort for him. Unfortunately, the visions that was brought upon it was the troublesome part. The images of his ordeal and trials were enhanced and more extreme then ever before. Unable to control himself he reacted to the images flooding his mind as if he was being tortured all over again. But the pain finished as quickly as it began. Odious opened eyes to see Ji'Kel in the same distress he was in.
"What happened?" He said on to him. "We were just getting to the best part."
Ji'Kel smirked at the comment and turn to the other who stood by.
"He checks out."

@Kyle: The Rogue @Minuteman75

 

[Minuteman75]

The sight of the force at work was unnerving experience for most of the Mando company. Shiro had more personal experience with such display, considering his past affiliation even so watching both Odious and Ji'Kiel writhed from torment was something he didn't enjoy. No matter how much power the Force can give Shiro was eternally grateful that he was never born stron with it. Ji'Kel seems to handle his abilities quite well and come in handy, he thought.

At least I know where his loyalties to our people. The bloody Jedi too often get their act mixed up between serving others or the Force itself. No wonder the republic lost the last war.

Shiro thought just as he watched the two finish the 'test'. In respond Garen Merrik gave another of his trademark grunts.

"I'll take your word for it lad. I already called in our transport, they will be here shortly. You and Shiro are going to take our new recruit back to the ship while we make sure this frakking temple is completely purged."

Looking at the young Zabrak, the old warrior chuckled.

"Welcome to our club."


[OOC: The End]