A Match for the Mandalore

Canderous



We were on our way to Telos, and the crew was keyed up. The plan was to go to Artis’ hidden base first, assess the situation there, and see if we could come up with a clue as to where Kriea had fled to. I was eager to do something, anything. I was glad of our time on Nar Shadaa, and deeply aware of how short it had been, and how precious. Finding Jennet was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and I knew she felt the same. But now I was gearing for battle, and impatient to get on with it. Jennet was too, outwardly relaxed, but I could feel her anticipation humming in the background of my thoughts.



She was sitting at the table in the common room, eating lunch. I’m still amazed at her appetite; she’s hardly bigger than a child of eight in my world, and yet can eat more than many full-grown warriors. I liked her gusto with good food, and sincerely wondered how much she could drink. With her metabolism, I suspected she could put most of my men under the table. I made a mental note to test this someday, and wondered what she was like tipsy. I’d seen her irritated, gravely wounded, warm with desire, confused, crying, shouting, and, most memorably, in a magnificent rage. I was looking forward to seeing her in all moods. I suddenly wondered what she would look like carrying a child.



She caught at least some of that, and looked up, startled.



You’re thinking babies?



Someday, yes. How much did you hear?



Just a flash of me, pregnant. Not barefoot, though, thank the Gods.



I ignored the jibe. Our silent communication had progressed astonishingly. We were so used to it now that we tended to not ‘listen in’ exactly, but did keep our link open constantly. It was like being in a crowded room, having a conversation with one person, but hearing the buzz of voices in the background. You don’t actually listen to it unless something gets your attention. We had found, however, that even if we weren’t actively listening, we could sort of play it back if we needed to. We each could tell if the other was actively tuning in, or not, and could block each other entirely if needed. That was actually harder to do than you’d think, and blocking too long tended to give me a headache.



I’m not expecting to try right away, Wildcat. I’d heard the slight anxiety in her tone, and reassured her. I was only thinking…someday. I think you would look beautiful carrying our child.



The thing I liked the most about not having to talk out loud is that I could say things to her that I find difficult to express audibly. I’m possibly the least romantic person in the universe, but in my head I can say the things to her that I’d rather cut my tongue out than have anyone else hear.



I have a reputation to maintain, after all.



You just don’t want anyone to know you’re a softie.



That’s not what you thought last night.



True, she purred.



Is the Mandalore a hereditary position? She thought suddenly.



No. It goes to whoever the current one chooses as his successor. If he hasn’t chosen, and dies, it goes to who challenges for the helm and wins. Traditionally, anyway. I got it because no one else was around to challenge, and someone needed to. It does pass to a son fairly often, though.



You got it because you cared enough to try and rebuild, her tone was stern. Don’t sell yourself short.



I’m not. I had a decent chance of it before the war ended, actually. I lost focus after that for a long time.



Dax thought the world of you, she said. He didn’t mention you by name, sure, but he told me war stories and he practically worshiped his commanding officer. I believe some of his exact words were ‘hard-assed son of a bitch with a mind like a razor and the heart of a Lagartoz War Dragon’.



He did, eh? Well, he was a good soldier. I was pleased with the praise, and sorry Dax was dead. Did he and, Jareth, was it? I felt her confirmation. Did they ever know where you came from?



Yes, and no. I told them where my parents originated, and where I’d grown up. We spent four months flying around, doing odd jobs. We’d been at the cantina for two months when they were killed. I told them about my healing after Dax noticed that I never seemed to have a bruise and had seen me take a hit that should have killed me. I didn’t mention Jedi at first. He was stubborn though, and eventually I just told them an edited version. By that time, we’d been a team about three months, and they didn’t seem to care.



I remember Dax was a persistent bastard. How edited?



Just that my parents were Jedi trained, and passed it along to me. Neither of them were Masters, anyway. I told them the extent of my ability, and they dropped it. I never played up the Jedi angle, no point rocking the boat. They both were Mandalorian, after all.



She got up to put her dishes away. I was pleased that she seemed to understand Mandalorian mentality, even then. It spoke well for her chances of being accepted as my mate. I had no doubt she would win them over, but every bit helps.



“Attention everyone, we’re thirty minutes from Telos.” Atton announced over the general comm. “Captain’s orders: suit up, and be ready. Thanks for flying Ebon Hawk transport.”



As I was already in my armor, I had nothing to do except wait. Jennet was suited up too, blades and blaster in place, and several daggers about her person. She didn’t like carrying a bandolier for grenades, claimed it got in her way. Considering her style of combat, I didn’t argue. She was quick and fluid, relying on speed and accuracy over brute strength, though she was damn strong for all that. At only 40 kilos or so, she could hit hard enough to make me stagger, and I was almost triple her mass. I was looking forward to seeing her in the battle circle on Dxun.



After about twenty minutes of waiting, Jennet pacing around the cabin, Mira sitting quietly, eyes shut, looking as if she was dozing, Disciple with his nose in a datapad, and me waiting impatiently but trying not to join Jennet in her endless walking, another announcement came over the comm.



Everyone report to the common room. We’ve got a situation.



That woke everyone up. Visas joined us from the women’s dorm, and Ladria, Atton, and Bao Dur emerged from the cockpit, where the Iridonian had disappeared to after the first announcement. He was the unofficial XO of our little group, and took his duty seriously.



Ladria wasted no time bringing up to speed. “We’ve intercepted transmissions from Telos station. They’re under attack from the Sith, with a warship bombarding close by. Apparently, Sith troops have overrun the space station. We still need to get to the hidden base on the planet’s surface and talk to Artis if we’re going to have a shot at finding Kriea. This is the plan: Atton and I will drop the rest of you at the station to lend assistance there; they need every hand they can get, and you’re all far better trained and experienced than their militia. We’ll proceed to the hidden base, take care of business there, and catch up. Bao Dur, you are in charge until I get back. Talk to Lt. Grenn, if you can find him, and offer assistance. We’ll be in touch by comlink. We heard that the militia there is employing a group of mercenaries to help. It might be a good idea to join forces with them.”



“Any idea if the mercs are Mandalorian?” I asked.



“They didn’t say. But if they are, they’ll likely follow you. If that is the case, split into two groups with Mandalore leading his men. Work with Lt. Grenn about a way to take out that warship.”



I nodded grimly. I had an idea, but needed to see the situation before I offered it. “Aye, Captain,” I said, Bao Dur echoing.



“The rest of you…be alert, try to stick together. We’ll meet you as soon as we can. Good luck, and good hunting.”



Atton and Ladria returned to the cockpit; the rest of us, minus the droids, headed to the garage to evac the ship as soon as it touched down. Bao Dur gestured to T-3 to the controls for the door. We landed with a hell of a bump, the hatch opened, and we fanned out as we rushed out onto the dock, Mira and I in the lead, blasters at the ready. Visas, Jennet, and Bao Dur stayed slightly behind, swords and ‘sabers drawn and poised. A quick check turned up no one. I gave the ‘all clear’ sign and we proceeded to the door.



Mira and I covered it as Bao Dur opened it. It was locked, and Visas murmured there were at least six soldiers on the other side. Jennet was balanced on the balls of her feet as Bao Dur worked the door, the others in position, ready to strike. The door slammed open, and blaster shots began ringing out immediately. I felt Jennet leap into the fray; there were about eight Sith soldiers waiting for us, blasters blazing. I returned fire as my wildcat danced through the energy bolts and quickly dispatched one of the soldiers. It was hardly a fight; between the three light sabers, Mira and my blasters, and Jennet’s swords, the Sith didn’t last two minutes. The Ebon Hawk was hardly away when we bolted down the corridor.



We found Lt. Grenn fast, he and Bao Dur had a quick conference. The rest of us listened in, and the upshot was that they desperately needed to get to the ship that was bombing the station. He gave us the location of the shuttle that could take us there. Bao Dur told Grenn that Ladria and Atton would be returning soon.



“We’ll keep the docks clear, and help with communications so they can locate you when they arrive. We need to protect the fuel supply, as well.” Lt. Grenn.



“We’ll see what we can do about that. I’m in touch with the General by comlink; but any assistance is appreciated.” Bao Dur said.



“Were are the mercenaries?” I asked. “Are any of them Mandalorians?”



Lt. Grenn looked surprised. “Yes, they all are in fact. They’ve been putting up a hell of a fight, and we’re grateful for the help.” He gave us the last known location, and I turned to Bao Dur.



“Jennet and I will head that way and round them up. They’ll be useful for storming the Ravager.” I was also eager to get into action with my kin, but didn’t say it. I saw Jennet give me a quirk with her mouth, and knew she’d heard the thought.



Bao Dur nodded. “All right. The rest of you, come with me.”



Visas unexpectedly spoke up. “I’d like to go with Jennet and Mandalore. A Jedi on hand might prove useful.”



I opened my mouth to argue, but Jennet stopped me with a thought.



She’s right, and I have a feeling we’ll need her.

All right, Wildcat. We’ll deal with my men when we get there; they won’t appreciate a jetti in their midst, but they’ll do as I say.

And what will they assume I am?

Not necessarily. I didn't think jetti when I saw you fight the first time.

What did you think? Her tone was curious.

That you were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

Really? She sounded surprised, but very pleased.

Yes.

"We could use you," I said aloud, looking at Visas.



Bao Dur agreed, and he, Disciple and Mira headed one way, Jennet, Visas and I the other.



We ran into a mess of Sith almost as soon as we were out of sight of the other half of our party. Eight or ten, with a Dark Jedi to boot. Visas took that one on, and Jennet, with an inner shout of exaltation, stormed into the thick of it, slicing a bloody swath through the enemy. I felt her absorb my battle ecstasy and join it with her Force abilities. My vision and awareness grew stronger, and I picked off the stray fighters with deadly precision. Soon, there were bodies littering the area, and we were off again.



I could tell Jennet hadn’t taken a hit, and Visas had paused only momentarily to heal herself from a nasty burn on her arm the Dark Jedi had given her. Continuing down the station, we ran smack into another patrol, only four this time. I got two before Jennet or Visas could even engage; they made short work of the others. We fought our way to the area where my men were last seen.



When we got there, it was to find six Mandalorians, pinned in a room, under fire from about twelve Sith soldiers; I could see about six more, dead. The battle was about even, really, the Sith couldn’t enter the room without being cut down, and the blaster shots were thick in the air. We plowed in from behind, me picking off as many as I could, Jennet ferociously swinging through the rabble with her whirling blades, and Visas efficiently cutting down anything that moved. Between us and my trapped kin, the Sith were dead in minutes.



I entered the room, and looked over the men. Visas and Jennet were briskly frisking the bodies and tossing weaponry into the room.



“Good job, men,” I said generally. There was a start of recognition that rippled through the six that had survived. Two bodies of fallen Mandalorians were nearby. “How many did you get before you got bottlenecked?”



There was a rumble through the group, and one man stepped forward. “About twenty, Mandalore,” he said with a grin. “Only lost Cerdic and Janus.” His face fell a little at that. Rallying, he continued, “Sith aren’t as tough as we hoped.”



I stared at the man, stunned. “Dax?”



Then I heard Jennet behind me gasp and felt her shock as she caught sight of him. I wasn’t looking at her, but knew she’d just turned white to the lips.



“Dax?” she echoed me, uncertainly. “You’re alive?”