[SW The Dark Mercenary] Chapter 8 - The Only Path

(Taris, Separatist Palace, moments later)

 

Things have become absolutely insane. Within one rotation, Kydan, Calena and the other soldiers of the Republic have been secretly working under the command of Lieutenant Higer to fight on Taris. Now, just moments ago, Higer was actually a disguised Jedi Master named Tirun, the Sword Master. The Sith General, Gualo Rolinth, somehow knew his secret identity quickly, yet, none of them knew how. But that didn't change a thing.

 

On the other side of the chambers, Master Tirun continues to duel against Gualo in a one-on-one single handed lightsaber duel as each one of them skillfully block each other's attacks and strikes.

 

Meanwhile, Kydan and Calena are left to face Gualo's personal droid guards, Commando Droids, as they each face each other with single handed Vibroblades. Kydan and Calena had to admit, the droids were good with sword to sword combat. But that didn't mean they were any better then they were.

 

Calena had just dodged a quick blow to the waist from the droid's sword as she swung her her own blade, colliding them both with a metallic sound from both of them.

 

Calena- *Groans* "These droids don't quit!"

 

Swiftly, Kydan ducks from a quick attack to the chest from his opponent as he collides his own blade with his enemies' sword, pushing their blades against each other forcefully.

 

Kydan- "I know! But we gotta' end this quickly! Higer--I mean Master Tirun will need our help soon! He's no match for Gualo!"

 

Meanwhile, Tirun and Gualo's duel still continues. Tirun swings another blow at Gualo that he had just tried to do earlier. But, sadly, Gualo was too quick and was able to block his attack easily.

 

Gualo- "I can sense your anger building, Master Jedi. You should surrender your life to the Separatist and join the Sith."

Tirun- "I would rather die than to serve the dark side!"

 

Smiling wickedly, Gualo pulls his blade back, catching Tirun off balance and giving Gualo the chance to force him back with Force Push.

 

Gualo- "That can be arranged..."

 

Cackling menacingly, Gualo starts to walk towards Tirun, watching him struggle to get up. Tirun knew that he has wasted too much of his Force and physical energy earlier on the front lines earlier. He had no chance of dodging one Gualo's next attacks.

 

Calena, who was able to finally defeat her droid opponent, turns her attention to Tirun and Gualo. Wide eyed, she saw that Tirun was on the ground struggling to stand back up. With that, Gualo was walking towards him, readying his blade. She quickly shouts to Kydan.

 

Calena- "Kydan, Turin needs help!"

 

Slicing his opponent in half, he looked over to what Calena was shouting about. His eyes widening, he knew that the situation was dire. He knew that Tirun was no match against Gualo alone. For anyone who was trained under "Nedoura", they were in for a beat-down. Most of the time, the one who fights one of Nedoura's Sith Acolytes, they were doomed to fail. He knew right away that he needed to act quickly.

 

Gualo, who was watching Master Tirun still struggling to stand back up, chuckles in amusement.

 

Gualo- "Well, this was too easy. It seems that you weren't a formidable opponent after all, Jedi. Oh well, I guess. Farwell...Master Turin."

 

Gualo then raised his blade slowly, aiming the blade right at Tirun's back. Gualo was now ready to end the Jedi Master's life once and for all. As he just swings his blade at Tirun...

 

Gualo's blade was quickly intercepted by Kydan's Vibroblade, which was inches away from Tirun's body. Gualo was a bit surprised about Kydan's, or Kedone's, quick abilities. He could sense something strange in him, but he was not quite sure what it was.

 

Gualo- "Brave of you, mercenary. Saving a Jedi's life is rather odd for the likes of you. Someone must be paying you quite a lot to let this Jedi Master live."

Kydan- "Hate to say it, but I'm no mercenary. And saving someone's life is my goal...and this is one life your not taking today."

 

At that moment, Gualo pushes his blade to the side along with Kydan's sword, slamming them down to the ground with the sabers slashing the floor slightly from the tips.

 

Gualo- "Well...if your willing to save this Jedi's life, then maybe I'll just take your in exchange!"

 

Quickly, Gualo swings his saber at Kydan right in the chest. But the saber was again intercepted by his sword, blocking the attack just barely. With a quick opening, Kydan kicks Gualo in the chest, sending him flying backwards towards the center of the chamber room.

 

While Kydan and Gualo dueled each other, Calena took the time and chance to help Master Tirun up. Groaning, but yet not badly hurt, he gives Calena a reassured smile.

 

Tirun- "My thanks, Calena..."

Calena- You can thank me later Master Tirun. But right now, Kyd--Kedone can really use our help at the moment."

 

Calena, who lets go of Tirun as he was able to regain his strength and composure, charges towards Gualo and Kydan. Turin watched with a blank expression, trying to configure what Calena had just said. 'Kyd?' He never heard of the name before, but the first letters sounded familiar. Snapping himself out of his conscious, Turin reactivates his saber and runs towards the three.

 

Gualo- "Hahaha! Three against one, eh? This will be too easy!"

 

As quick as they could, Kydan, Calena and Tirun all charge at Gualo at the same time, preparing to strike him down. However, they all missed him as he jumps and flips over them as he lands right behind them.

 

Quickly, Gualo aims directly at Kydan who was still trying to regain his balance still. he takes his blade and swings it at his back, giving off an evil grin, thinking to himself that he was victorious.

 

Kydan turns his head, seeing Gualo going for a strike against his back. With no time to react, Kydan quickly drops to the ground, letting Gualo's blade to pass over him.

 

Gualo- "What!?"

 

As Gualo's blade passes over him, Kydan uses his skills to flip himself backwards, landing in front of Gualo with his Vibroblade grasped tightly in his hand.

 

Gualo- "Too slow!"

 

At that moment, Gualo uses Force Push to send Kydan flying backwards back, causing him to hit the wall and fall to the ground.

 

Turning his head to the side, Gualo sees Calena charging right at him, her vibroblade high in the air, with Tirun's saber at the ready, preparing to strike him down with a massive blow.

 

The first to attack Gualo was Calena as she slashes her blade at Gualo, only to be blocked by his saber. However, being so focused just on Calena, he didn't realize that Tirun did not charge up to him.

 

Silently and swiftly, Turin sneaks behind him, preparing to stab Gualo in the back with his own saber.

 

Regaining his composure, Kydan stands up and watches to see what was about to happen. But at that moment, Kydan's eyes widen at the scene. The way that Gualo was standing, the way he had his opponents at...he very well knew what was about to happen. And fear quickly took control of him.

 

Kydan- "Turin, don't!"

 

But before his words could even reach Turin in time, Gualo had already expected the outcome as he breaks off their stance, jumping in the air and landing right behind Turin. Turin was both caught off guard and very surprised.

 

Before Turin could have any time to react to the situation, Gualo had swung his saber, slicing Turin's back as Calena and Kydan watched the outcome.

 

Kydan- "NOOO!"

 

Turin's eyes were wide open, his jaw half opened and his body frozen into place. The pain he felt from the saber was unbearable, yet he couldn't even move from the reaction. His lightsaber suddenly deactivated, dropping to the ground with his own body followed.

 

Gualo stared at Turin's corpse, very pleased with his work. His wicked smile grew wider and wider.

 

Gualo- "I told you I would kill you, Master Turin."

 

Suddenly, the main door's open as Egile, Throte and the remaining soldiers of the 772nd Battalion swarm into the chambers with their blasters lifted up.

 

Throte- "Higer! Were here to he--"

 

But Throte stopped speaking. His eyes widen at what he saw with a gasp noise after. Lying on the ground on his stomach was Higer, or Master Turin, almost dead and breathing heavily with a splash of blood surrounding his bod,y in which, was lying in.

 

Egile- "It...can't be..."

Throte- "Higer...he's..."

Gualo- "Hahaha! Yes! He's dead! ! And now, the rest of you will be next to fall with him!"

 

Throte narrowed his eyes at Gualo through his helmet, rage and anger building up inside him. The sight of his commanding officer lying on the ground just barely alive was enough to make him lose his temper. Gualo would pay for his sin.

 

Throte- "You'll pay for that Gualo!"

 

Without another word, not even a signal, Throte, Egile and the other troopers all raised their guns once again and started blazing hell-fire on Gualo, who was having a bit of trouble blocking all of the incoming blaster shots.

 

With no other option, Gualo quickly rushed towards the glass window and used the Force to break it, creating a gaped hole in the middle. He jumps and leaps over the broken glass, right out to the docking bay platform as Throte, Egile and the Republic soldiers followed after him.

 

Quickly, Kydan rushes over to Turin's body, pulling him out of the pool of blood and into his lap. He didn't want another Jedi friend to die on him again. Not like how he lost everyone on Geonosis.

 

Kydan- "Turin!"

Turin- "...Ked...Kedone..."

 

Kydan's eyes were getting teary. Here he was, holding on to Master Turin, who was just barely alive because of Gualo. He knew this feeling too well. He can still remember the incident with Rilicia, watching her drifting away, becoming one with the Force while holding her hand for the very last time. Just like back then, he was doing the same for Turin.

 

Kydan- "Why.... Why Turin!? You knew that Gualo was gonna strike you!"

Turin- "Yes...I did."

Kydan- "And for what!? What were you trying to accomplish?!"

Turin- "...Because...I wanted to protect you all..."

 

Kydan looked at him in surprise. Because Turin wanted to protect them all? That didn't make any sense to him. If he wanted to protect them, why would he let Gualo strike him down?

 

Turin- "I...know who you are. Your Coneros' apprentice...aren't you, Padawan Kydan?"

 

Kydan didn't even hesitate, but that didn't mean he was a bit surprise still. Not many Jedi in the Order knew him too well. But there were a few that knew him very well, and one of them was Turin himself. In fact, Turin was the one who helped construct Kydan's lightsaber years ago.

 

Kydan- "How... did you know?"

Turin- *Chuckles* "Who do you think helped you build your lightsaber?...No, I could...sense the power within you. Not...many Jedi has that much...which led to realize...that it was you."

Kydan- "If you knew who I was, then why did you let me part of this?"

Turin- "...Because...you were the only one that I...could truly trust among everyone else..."

Kydan- "..."

 

Turin starts to cough up a bit of blood from his mouth before he could continue. They both knew that Turin didn't have much time left.

 

Turin- "That's why...Kydan...that you must promise...promise me... that you will protect everyone in this war...as many as...you can...no matter the cost..."

 

Sad but yet, slightly confused, Kydan nodded in agreement to Turin's promise.

 

Kydan- "...I promise, Master. I will do my best to save everyone I possibly can."

Turin- "Heh...I always knew that you...had a good heart......your father would have been...so proud of you, my boy..."

 

With one last smile on his face, his eyes begin to close as his body goes limb, now lifeless. He was now one with Force.

 

Kydan just stared at Turin's lifeless body, sad and angry all at once. Turin was like family to him at the Temple, and now, losing him too...was enough.

 

Calena, who was watching the entire thing, slowly approaches Kydan from behind. She could tell what he was thinking next.

 

Calena- "Kydan..."

 

Laying Turin's corpse on the ground gently, he reaches over to his friend's lightsaber, gazing at it for just a brief moment when he stands up and faces towards the broken glass. He knew that he had to kill Gualo, for both the good of the Republic, the Jedi Order...and for Turin himself.

 

Not even looking over his shoulder, he speaks up to Calena.

 

Kydan- "...I know Gualo's tactics. I've dealt with those kind of moves before for a long time. Stay close to me and follow my lead closely."

Calena- "...Understood."

_________________________

 

Yes...we know this was very short and not really exciting, but...here it is lol!

 

So yeah...another friend of the main character's have once again past away. We know this is the fourth time he had lost something, counting the two Clone Squads from Geonosis, his old friend and new love, Rilicia, and now one of his teachers, Master Tirun. I never said his life would be a good one, let alone a happy one. His story can be sad, but you have to also consider that he is fighting a war, and those around him are likely to die at some point. However, who's to know. Perhaps later on in life, he'll have a great life ahead of him. I guess time will really tell...

 

That will do it for now, so thank you all as always fro your support, and as always, have a fan-tucking-tastic day/night! See ya' in the next one.

 

- Director K.W.

Done