A Match for the Mandalore

Jennet



Making love with Canderous was the most mind-blowing, physically challenging, yet relaxing thing I’ve ever experienced. He wasn’t tender, but he was completely there, mind, body, soul. He knew I could take his strength, and trusted me with his heart. All right, he didn’t have much of a choice with this mate thing, but because we could share so much so easily, I also knew now that he would have even without out connection. It was an incredible feeling.



Yes, I said love. I knew he felt it, even if he didn’t say it out loud, and even shied away from it in is thoughts. I didn’t harp on it. I just let him feel me, and gave him time to get used to it. I didn’t say it either; no point in forcing issues.



After we shared a wonderfully erotic and enthusiastic post-coitus shower and had dressed, Canderous commed Mira, asking her to meet us on board. Predictably, she hauled along everyone she could find, namely, the entire crew. Apparently, Canderous and I are the local entertainment. I mentioned something along these lines. He replied it didn’t matter, he wanted to talk to everyone anyway.



Canderous had kept himself well shielded about his latest plan. It was almost scary how easily he was learning to use the connection we shared. We had decided to tell the rest of the group everything. It was too important - the danger I potentially possessed not only to my own safety but theirs was too great. Not to mention my absolute frustration at the thought of having to stay on board, useless, while everyone else was fighting for their lives if we couldn’t fix it. I had not one doubt Canderous would find a way to physically restrain me if I refused to stay behind. I didn’t look forward to being the object of his creativity.



Bet your ass I would, Canderous’s amused thought flit through. Smart of you to know it.



Oh shut up, I scowled. His being right didn’t mean I had to like it. His chuckle was warm in my head.



Canderous and I brought everyone up to speed. Atton, predictably, laughed delightedly and gave Carderous some shit about being brought low by a mere scrap of a woman. Canderous glowered.



“Rand, you have a choice: Shut the fuck up on your own, or she’ll make you.” I glowed at this endorsement. Canderous was acknowledging me as his true equal. I smiled at Atton evilly, winking to soften my expression. Unrepentant, he grinned back and muttered an insincere apology. I let it be; Canderous did too after a quick thought from me about not having time for squabbles.



While we were waiting for everyone to show, I had cooked lunch; enough for the whole crew. I was wolfing down a bowl of stew and got up for more. With all the events of the day so far, I needed fuel. Bao Dur watched me eat, fascinated, and I could tell he was making note to make sure we had plenty of food supplies. I didn’t let it embarrass me, much.



“So here’s my plan,” Canderous’s deep voice was continuing. He had done bulk of explaining our situation, and had answered a few questions while I had been getting my third bowl of stew. “The Hutts might leave her alone now, but they sure as hell won’t let her enter the fight ring again. I’ve thought about it, and that seems the best venue for her to come to grips with battle ecstasy safely.” Everyone nodded. It did make sense.



“How will she get in? They know her by sight.” Ladria pointed out.



Canderous glanced at Mira. “That’s where we need your help. We need to disguise Jennet well enough that they don’t recognize her. I don’t think the Hutts know she’s with us yet, even with Go-To ‘bot hanging around. The Exchange will keep to their bargain with the Hutts, but they won’t want to give away too much, and a chance to make them look foolish would have appeal, so I don’t expect Go-To’s spilled to the Hutts where she is. If Jennet and I can enter a few fights, it will give us an opportunity to work out the kinks in our connection. Earn a few credits too, which might help us all in getting prepared for the rest of our mission.”



The details were discussed. Ladria and Mira left to purchase what they needed. Atton and Disciple headed out to procure provisions. Canderous went with Bao Dur on his own errand. I stayed put with Visas, out of sight. The Ebon Hawk was in a private hanger, and no dock workers came in without permission. As far as I knew, no one had seen me when I had arrived; Canderous wanted to keep it that way.



Visas and I used the time to get better acquainted. She was a really warm person, intelligent, and dedicated to making up for her fall to the Dark side. We swapped a few war stories, and she gave me some tips about meditation that might help Canderous and me. She seemed to approve of my reservations about becoming Jedi, even with so few left that a Padawan of any age would be welcome. Not because she didn’t like me or think I’d be a good Jedi, but because she agreed with personal choice and how complicated it would make things with Canderous and me if I chose it. It was the first real conversation with another woman I’d had in years, and I found I had missed it. Within an hour, everyone was back, and I was sorry we’d have to postpone more girl talk.



Mira and I disappeared into the female dorm and emerged an hour later. There was a general murmur of admiration for our efforts. I was changed enough that I hardly recognized myself. Mira had somehow managed to tame my curls; my hair was now straight, a little shorter, and in a careless shaggy cut, a nondescript brown rather than blonde. A simple implant made my eyes an electric blue, almost exactly the color of Canderous’s. My skin, usually rather pale, now had an olive cast to it. Mira assured me nothing was permanent, and could be discarded with a good shower. She had dressed me much like herself: a cut down to there shirt that bared my navel, and showed a lot of cleavage, low slung trousers that fit like a second skin. High boots hugged my calves. I felt less dressed than being naked, but I did rather like the light in Canderous’s eyes when he saw me. Atton was ogling shamelessly, and I felt Canderous notice and restrain himself from hitting our pilot upside the head. Even Disciple was open-mouthed. Bao Dur was serene as ever, but a small light of appreciation was there.



“Nice job,” the male voices of our party chorused, minus Canderous, and Mira grinned.



Don’t ever go out in public in that after today, I heard in my head. I smiled impudently back.



I don’t know; I’m thinking of changing my look.



His glower made me laugh.



Then Canderous gave me a beautiful gift. He’d gone to a weapons merchant and found a fibersteel shirt, with arm and leg pieces to match. He’d altered everything to fit me, and they felt like part of my skin when I put them on. They were perfect; I could move easily, and it was lighter than air. I marveled at his skill and speed in getting it ready. I was moving to kiss the shit out of him when he produced a blaster with holster, and a pair of gorgeous Twi’lik spinning swords. I sighed in rapture, and gave them a twirl to test the weight. A few moves, and they felt like extensions of my arms. I jumped on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissing him breathless with incoherent babblings of thanks. Atton and Mira made “Get a room” noises; everyone else just laughed or looked away. Canderous grinned, then suited up himself.



We all left then, with HK-47, Go-To and T3 in charge of guarding the ship. We made our way to the Hutt dens and the battle ring. Conversation was loud all around us, and I tuned out the chatter to scope the general mood. The really good fighters had been thinned out considerably, largely due to me. I caught anticipation at our arrival that maybe some good fights were coming. I translated this to Canderous silently, and he acknowledged with a pat on my arm. Then he went up to the Hutt in charge, and started bargaining. Within a few minutes, our first fight was agreed on.



He came over to me, and said low, “we’re going up against three of them. One uses a heavy blaster, one a double blade, and the last a blade in both hands. I asked for the best. Ready?”



I nodded. The others spread out a little to watch. They were there both to support us generally, and to be on hand if things went sour. Canderous and I entered the ring, shaking our joints out to loosen them. The Hutt made an announcement, and the fight was on.



The guy with the blaster hung back, pumping energy steadily at us. Canderous stayed back, returning fire, and I stepped forward with my swords to meet the other two. One, a female not much bigger than me, was very good. She was the one that used two blades, and whirled them with admirable precision. The other, a man not much smaller than Canderous, wielded his double bladed vibroblade with skill, if not finesse. He was big though, and had reach on me. I was kept busy blocking the both of them, but my slowed sight kept me out of danger. Then Canderous was with me, and I felt his ecstasy kick in.



He’d dispatched the third quickly, and had drawn his own sword. With a crash of steel, the four of us feinted and parried and lunged. I let Canderous flow through me, trying to keep the fire he transmitted contained. I opened to the force, and felt all my senses merge to a song of pure joy and deadly intent. Remembering how it had started to use me, I concentrated on keeping it at a level of useful awareness. It rose higher, seeking to break free. I struggled to control it as I fought the woman in front of me. She saw something of it in my face and smiled cruelly, aiming her blade at my head. I danced away, spun around, and followed with a blow that would have taken her arm off if it weren’t for the energy dampeners. I honestly don’t know how they work; I’d decided long ago it was just magic and not to let it worry me. She dropped that blade, but the other one stepped up its pace and tried to slip in to an opening at my waist. I smacked the sword aside, immediately following up with a thrust from my other hand and she went down. The joy sang all around, but I had it now and it didn’t overwhelm me. I turned to the last fighter, just as Canderous got in a last blow that dropped him like a stone.



We were declared winners, the fighters were healed, and the Hutts grudgingly gave us our winnings. It had been too easy, and I was worried.



What are the Hutts playing at? I asked Canderous silently. Do you think they know it’s me, after all?



Nah, I think they’re just wary about losing any more fighters, or discouraging the ones they have. You sure did a number on them, Wildcat.



If that’s their best, we’re not going to learn much.



When will I learn not to get cocky? The Force loves hubris.



Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.



He went up to the Hutt again, and the bargaining started all over. Eventually they came to terms, and Canderous let me know what happened. Six, this time. Two used blasters and single blades, one a double blade, one a single but monstrous two-handed sword, the others two swords apiece. This should be interesting.



The fight started a bit slow. They had all seen the first one and were wary of letting us get too close, and intent on separating us. Canderous again hung back to keep the blasters busy, leaving four to me. I felt the ecstasy flood me right away and managed to let it mix with my other senses. Suddenly, I felt a heightening of all my abilities, and saw the four swordsmen approach me as if they were walking under water. I felt Canderous behind and to the side of me, coolly and efficiently plugging the snipers. My four were attempting to surround me, and I ramped into high gear, dancing around their flank and taking out one with a vicious blow to the head. The other three were tracking me and using their swords with skill, but couldn’t land a blow; my beautiful blades were everywhere at once, blocking. I got under a second’s guard with a hard thrust to the gut; he went down and stayed there. The other two had closed in on me, and I felt a hit to my left arm. I ignored it, wrenched the blade over my shoulder and blocked his next thrust, while simultaneously parrying the one in front of me. Then Canderous was there, taking care of him, and I whirled to face the one behind me. It was the two-handed sword wielder. He was quick, but with my heightened awareness it was almost laughably easy to avoid his thrust. I crossed my swords over his, shoved down hard, and kicked him in the face over the blades. He went down, and the fight was over.



We left the circle, and Canderous went to take care of business again. After a much longer debate, he nodded to the Hutt and came back. Ladria had healed both of us in the interim, and I was feeling good.



“This one will be tough. They’re sending everyone against us.”



My jaw dropped. “How many?”



“Fifteen. On the up side, the payoff is great. Eighteen thousand credits.”



“Well,” I said doubtfully, “at least they can’t kill us, right?”



“Accidents do happen,” Canderous said unhelpfully.



“How many blasters?”



“Three. They didn’t want to make it too easy,” his tone was gleeful, and there was an unholy light in his eyes.



“For us or them?” I groaned.