Co-written with The Hoosier Alliance
Martius Shan and Maverick
Coruscant
Jedi TempleAs Martius and Maverick continued their walk through the Temple, a group of uniformed men armed only with simple light blaster pistols approached.
“Hey, stop right there!” the leader of the men stated “The Temple is undergoing renovations and is currently closed to the public, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Martius shot the man a curious glance and replied: “Renovations from what? What happened here? Did the Separatists attack the Temple?”
“Look, I’m a guard, not a tour guide; you want to know what happened here, come back when the Temple’s open and I’m sure it’ll be on one of the displays somewhere. In the meantime, you’re going to have to go.”
The guard placed his hand on his blaster in an attempt to appear threatening, at which point Martius drew his lightsaber and Maverick approached with his rifle raised, stating: “You’re gonna want to think twice about that.”
Seeing the lightsaber, the guard stated: “Woah, hey, sorry, didn’t realize you were with the Jedi. We didn’t have anyone scheduled to work excavation today; you’ll need to check in with the manager to let him know you’re working before heading in.”
“Manager?” Martius asked the man “What are you talking about? Where’s the Council?”
As he spoke, 3 men approached from outside the Temple wearing uniforms of the Coruscant Security Force. Seeing them enter, the guard stated: “I don’t know, but we’ve got to get back to work. Maybe they can help you.” With that the guards left and Martius and Maverick approached the police officers. As they did, the lead officer stated: “That your ship out front?”
“Yes, it’s our ship; now can you please tell us what happened here? Did the Separatists attack the Temple? Is Coruscant in danger?”
The lead officer raised an eyebrow and replied “No more so than usual. History’s not really my best subject, but I think it had something to do with the Empire; to be honest, I’d have thought a Jedi would know far more about it than I do. Did you guys hit your heads in the crash or something?”
“No, no our heads are fine.” Martius replied “Look, can you get us in touch with the Council? Or at least someone who can help fill us in on what’s happening here?”
“Yeah, sure; if you’ll come with us back to the station our Captain can probably help you out. We’re going to need you to fill out some paperwork first though; we registered your distress beacon, but you didn’t have landing clearance, so protocol is we still have to do a background check on you both, and we’ll need to investigate the cause of the crash.”
Martius sighed and replied: “Far be it from me to get in the way of protocol. You can do whatever you need to, just so long as you find us someone who knows what’s going on.”
“Fair enough,” the officer replied. “Right this way.” With that the two accompanied the officers towards a police gunship waiting for them at the landing pad…
Earlier...Calle Eldin took another swig of his drink as Deel Midosea, a Trandoshan and fellow bounty hunter, slammed another patron into a table, splintering it and sending glasses and plates flying.
The entire bar erupted in cheers and curses as credits were exchanged between winners and losers of a quick bar fight bet. Cado Hennis, a human just like Calle, took his seat next to him.
"Damn," Cado said, "I really thought that guy would put Deel down."
Calle chuckled. "No one has yet."
"I know," grumbled Cado, "I just thought...ya know...since Deel was plastered, he wouldn't stand a chance."
"Everyone knows that the more drink Deel has in him, the more likely he'll win. He can't feel shit and it makes him angry. Well, angrier."
Cado just frowned as he looked into the bottom of the drink the bartender had just placed in front of him.
"Your friend better be paying for that fucking table."
Calle assured the bartender Deel was good for it, and Cado grumbled a response about how he'd better be good for it, since he just won so many credits and free drinks.
"Hey," Vin Senesca, a Rodian, said as he approached the pair, "What was that about?"
"Some guy was talkin' shit to Deel." Calle said.
"Oh," the Rodian said, "Step out for one call, and you miss all the action."
"That's Coruscant," the two humans said at once, both chuckling.
"What was the call about?" Cado asked as Deel walked up next to him, ordering a drink.
"Did you seriously think I couldn't take him?" Deel asked, laughing as he hit Cado on the arm.
"Shut up," was the weak and defeated response.
"I might have a job," Vin said, ignoring the other two, "A, uh,
big one." He whispered the last words, leaning in close to Calle. Calle finished his drink, signaled for another, and turned back to Vin, "Will we need the rest of the crew?"
Vin nodded, "All of 'em. That Duro, uh, what's his name? Tej? Yeah, him and his brother. The Twi'leks too. All three of 'em. Plus, Cado's little butt buddy," Cado flipped Vin off when he heard his remark. "I'd even invite Butt Buddy's friends as well. The ones he keeps trying to get into the crew." Calle furrowed his eyebrows. "What the hell kind of job needs that much muscle?"
Vin looked around, making sure they were the only ones in earshot, before whispering, "Jedi."
"So how did you get this tip?" Deel asked as he checked his sniper scope while they flew past residential buildings. "A buddy of mine works at that old Jedi Temple. Said he saw a fucking Jedi crash land. He called me the moment he saw the lightsaber. I figured, since we're so close, we might as well. It's just one Jedi, and some dipshit wearing, and I quote, 'some dope ass armor.'"
Calle turned his head back for a moment from the driver's seat to shout back at Vin and Deel, "You really think the twelve of us can take him?" Vin shouted back, "Yeah. With Deel giving us cover fire from the building across the way, he should be an easy mark. Biggest problem should just be getting away from the police, but we've done worse. Remember that job on Naboo?"
The group shared a collective laugh.
"That shit went sideways real quick. I thought we were gonna have to take on the entire planet's security force!" Cado said through his chuckle.
The convoy came to a slow stop at Deel's vantage point, letting him off. "Remember, aim for the Jedi and don't shoot until I tell you to, or until we start shooting the Jedi." Deel nodded. "Got it, boss."
The other eleven bounty hunters made their way to the Jedi Temple. They parked within walking distance of the landing pad, which they had grabbed a glimpse of before landing. A group of security guards tried to stop them, but a few well-placed punches knocked them out cold. The rest of the way up to the Jedi was clear, save for a few workers that kept their distance from the group of men carrying rifles.
The group began ascending the steps leading to the landing pad. When they reached the top, they spotted police officers speaking to the Jedi. Not wanting to allow them to call in reinforcements, Calle said, "Vin you take left, Cado, right. Everyone else, fan out."
As the officers turned around, they couldn't even look surprised before the trio fired their blasters, killing the officers.
"Well, hello gentlemen," Calle said, smiling, as the rest of his crew formed a semi-circle around the pair of accidental time travelers. "Fancy seeing you here today. How 'bout you drop your weapons and come with us?"
Martius ignited his blade and tried to warn the officers as he sensed a threat approaching, but was too late, and could only watch as the three men fell to the ground, killed instantly. As they fell, the gunship took off from the landing pad, presumably to summon help for the fallen officers, leaving Martius and Maverick on their own in the process. Maverick kept his rifle leveled at the group as they formed a semi-circle in front of them, and the one who was presumably their leader suggested they drop their weapons and come with them. Martius snickered at the suggestion and stated: “What, the Seps hiring thugs to do their dirty work now?”
“Could’ve at least hired a professional crew.” Maverick interjected “Got to say, I’m feeling a little insulted.”
“Look, we faced far worse than your kind on Christophsis alone, so take my advice: lay down your weapons, place your hands behind your heads, and wait for the police to arrest you. It’s been a long day already; I’d really rather avoid whatever paperwork is undoubtedly required for killing all of you.”
Calle chuckled to himself. “I don’t know what a ‘Sep’ is, but I can tell you one thing. If I had a credit for every time some fool told me he’s ‘faced worse than me’, I could retire. I’ve heard it countless times, and yet, here I stand. Since you’d rather do this the fun way, I guess we should get this show on the road before the police arrive. I don’t much feel like blasting my way out of here. Besides, they still pay for dead Jedi.”
Calle turned on his comm link. “Deel. Show these fools the error of their ways.”
Deel, who had the Jedi lined up in his sights, a clear shot from the side, smiled as he replied, “You got it, bossman.”
He pulled the trigger, sending a blaster bolt directly at the Jedi.
Martius’ Force Precognition and Speed allowed him to move to intercept the blaster bolt with exceptional agility, and in one move he deflected the bolt towards another of the bounty hunters with his lightsaber in one hand, while directing a powerful Force push along the entirety of the semicircle with the other. Maverick meanwhile recognized Martius’ reference to Christophsis, and moved immediately to grab two thermal detonators from his pack and roll them towards the sides of the semi-circle, right where the bounty hunters were expected to land, then quickly rolled off to his side towards some cover, raised his rifle, and began to fire on the bounty hunters at the semi-circle’s center.
Calle was knocked back by the Jedi’s Force push. He rolled into it, quickly coming back to his feet. All he could do is watch as the Deel’s redirected blaster bolt struck one of the Duro brothers, killing him instantly. He couldn’t tell which one. He hoped it wasn’t Tej, since he never bothered to learn the other one’s name. The exploding thermal detonators killed a few of his men, one of the Twi’leks and all three of the new guys. Calle never bothered to learn their names either.
Eh.
“Blast ‘em!” Calle yelled, rolling out of the way as the rifleman opened fire on him. Everyone, now back on their feet, began to light up the duo. Most of the bounty hunters aimed for the Jedi, including Deel, but the two Twi’leks and Cado focused on the clone.
“You’re only increasing the size of our shares!” Calle yelled, a sick laugh echoing across the landing pad as he fired time and time again at the Jedi.
With the bounty hunters on either flank largely dealt with, Martius’ skill in Soresu gave him little difficulty deflecting the incoming fire away from himself and back towards the bounty hunters; compared to the incoming fire he was used to having to deflect from droid battalions, this made for a rather simple affair. Maverick meanwhile ducked down to avoid the incoming fire from the Twi’leks and Cado, focusing his own return fire on the closest of the three. Martius at first advanced slowly, at which point he heard Calle’s remark and replied: “Yeah, just think, at this rate there won’t be anyone left to collect!” Then lifted a nearby crate with the Force and sent it flying towards one of the bounty hunters, leaping forward immediately afterwards to place himself near a group of the foes such that his targets were between him and the other bounty hunters, then slashed at them rapidly with his blade, aiming to destroy their weapons or remove their arms when possible, but striking at their chests when necessary.
One of the Twi’leks firing on Maverick took a bolt to his leg, causing him to fall back. Cursing, he continued to fire from his sitting position. Cado, angry at the death of his friend at the hands of the Clone, gave an angry warcry and charged the ARC Trooper, firing wildly as he did.
The Jedi managed to slice the weapon of Tej, the other Duro brother, as well as cut the uninjured Twi’lek’s arm, causing his weapon and hand to fall to the ground, and sending him back, wailing in pain and grabbing his stump. The Duro, hatred overtaking him after his brother’s death, pulled a dagger and tried to stab the Jedi.
“You killed my brother, you fuck!”
Seeing both the Jedi and Clone were distracted, Calle got on his comms as Vin continued to fire at the Jedi, trying not to hit Tej.
“Deel. Wound that guy with the rifle. Hit his leg, bring him down.” Calle started to run towards the Clone, hoping to take him as a hostage.
Deel turned his sight on Maverick, got his knee in his sights, and fired.
As Cado wildly charged Maverick’s position, he made an easy target for the ARC Commander, who quickly fired a burst from his rifle directly at the man’s chest. After he did so however, he felt a surge of pain in his leg as a sniper bolt impacted the lateral edge of the armor protecting his left shin. Fortunately, the impact was angled enough that it didn’t penetrate his armor, but it did still impact with enough force to fracture his fibula. Looking to his side, he saw the glint of the sun reflecting off a scope, and quickly activated his helmet’s macrobinoculars to see where the shot came from.
After identifying the sniper’s location, it became clear that his current position was untenable, so he stated over his helmet comm to Martius: “Repositioning, watch your 3” then drew his left DC-17 from its holster and activated his jetpack just in time to avoid Calle’s blaster bolt. As he took off, he blasted at Calle with his sidearm in his left hand while simultaneously laying down heavy fire towards the others in front of him with his rifle in his right, aiming not so much to hit them but to keep them suppressed as he flew off rapidly towards the sniper’s position, turning both his weapons to the sniper and firing continuously as soon as the man was in range.
Martius meanwhile had little difficulty dealing with the Duro attempting to fight him with a dagger, and simply bashed the man in the head with the pommel of his lightsaber to knock him out. While the man dropped towards the ground unconscious, Martius grabbed the knife from his hand and lobbed it with a Force-enhance throw directly into the nearest bounty hunter. Walking forward with his lightsaber at the ready, Martius stated to the remaining foes: “Last chance: lay down your weapons and surrender now and you may yet live to see tomorrow!”
As Maverick flew towards Deel, the sniper continuously fired blast after blast, aiming for his chest and jetpack. Back on the platform, Cado was strewn out on the ground, dead. Only Vin and Calle stood. An injured Twi’lek sat dangerously close to the Jedi. Tej’s blade flew towards him, landing between his hand and the blaster he was going after. The Twi’lek scooted away. Deel was distracted with the Clone.
Calle turned his head to Vin. “Go get the speeder. I’ll deal with him.”
Vin began to slowly back away, until he fully turned and ran towards the stairs.
“Look,” Calle said, reaching behind him, “Let’s finish this. Man to man. No tricks. No powers. No blasters.” He brought his arm back from behind him, and presented the Jedi with a relic of his own.
A Z6 riot control baton. Capable of withstanding a lightsaber attack.
Maverick took advantage of the mobility his jetpack gave him to rapidly maneuver out of the path of the sniper’s fire, which seemed to become less controlled and more rapid the closer Maverick got to his target. Eventually a bolt from his pistol struck the sniper in his arm, causing him to fall back from his weapon and giving Maverick the chance to fly in and knock him unconscious with a jetpack-assisted kick to the head. With the sniper down, Maverick contacted Martius over comms and let him know: “Sniper’s taken care of.”
Hearing this, Martius walked over closer to Calle with his lightsaber at the ready and replied to his request: “As you wish” then gave a well-practiced flourish, akin to a salute to his opponent, before entering into the traditional Soresu stance with his blade running parallel to his head in one hand, and his other arm extended with his first two fingers pointed towards Calle. Grinning abit, he gave Calle a nod, then rotated his hand and flexed his fingers forward, motioning towards himself and stated: “After you.”
Calle returned the Jedi’s smile. He got on his comms and said, “Deel. Stay out of this one.” He waited a moment for a reply, but when he didn’t get one, he frowned.
“For his sake, I hope your little friend didn’t hurt Deel too badly. He doesn’t take kindly to such insults. Neither do I.”
With that, Calle ran forward, closing the distance in a few long strides before bringing the old First Order riot baton down on the Jedi. It was deflected, and Calle drew it back and attempted to stab it into Martius’s side. It was easily sidestepped, causing Calle to snarl, “Hurry up and die already. I don’t got all damn day.”
Martius continued parrying the next few incoming blows, evaluating his opponent’s attacks and probing for weaknesses. The bounty hunter was not an inept fighter, but it was clear from his strikes that he fought more with fury than form. After blocking an attempted overhead strike, Martius held Calle’s baton in place for a moment, and through the sound of the weapons clashing, calmly stated: “Not bad for a hired thug, but you’ve still got alot to learn about taking on Jedi.” When Calle next attempted to strike, Martius saw an opportunity to counter, and after blocking the baton with his blade, Martius flipped his grip on his hilt and plunged one of his crossguards into Calle’s arm to force him to drop his weapon, then stated: “It should be pretty clear by now that whoever hired you knew they were sending you and your men into a fight you weren’t prepared for, so it seems only fair to me that you should have the chance to get back at them. So tell me, if not the Separatists, then who is it that wants me dead?”
Calle took a few steps back, holding his arm. “You ain’t so special, Jedi. Everyone knows who put the bounty on all Jedi. Marken Frey wants your kind, dead or alive.”
His comm link started to blink green. That was the signal.
“Sorry I can’t give you more than that. I just don’t have the time.”
Suddenly, a speeder came flying over the landing platforms side. Vin, the driver, flew towards the Jedi, forcing him to jump out of the way. Vin fired a few blasts at the man, trying to keep him away as Calle jumped in the back, smiled, and shouted, “Until next time, Jedi!”
The speeder took off, flying near the shot Twi’lek, who had just gotten to his feet. He extended his arm and Calle reached out, grabbed him, and quickly pulled him onto the speeder as it flew off the platform, racing away.
After the speeder departed, Martius deactivated his lightsaber and returned its hilt to its place on his belt. Looking out in the speeder’s direction, Martius softly replied: “Until next time, indeed.” Maverick made his way back to Martius, still limping abit from his injury, dragging the unconscious Deel to put with the others. A short while later sirens could finally be heard as a half-dozen police gunships swarmed in front of the landing pad and Temple grounds, and scores of police officers and droids poured out to secure the area.
“Hands in the air!” they ordered as they approached the group “And no sudden movements!”
“Easy there, men” another voice stated while approaching Martius. “Don’t you recognize a Jedi when you see one?” The voice belonged to an older Bothan man, whose highly decorated uniform suggested he was likely of high rank and experience. When he reached Martius, he extended his hand and stated: “My apologies Master Jedi. I’m Captain Grenur of the Coruscant Security Force; seems you found yourselves abit of trouble here.”
Martius shook the man’s hand and replied: “Indeed, my apologies for the mess Captain. Seems someone put a bounty on Jedi and these individuals were hoping to collect.”
Surveying the damage and the various bodies strewn about the area, the Captain asked: “Any of them still alive?”
“Yes” Martius replied “A few of them are just injured or unconscious.”
“And my men?”
Martius looked down and shook his head, then replied: “I’m sorry, I’m afraid they were all killed in the line of duty.”
The Captain shook his head and replied: “That’s a shame, they were good men. Not looking forward to having to tell their families… At any rate, for now, I suppose you should head back to the station; my men and I will arrest the survivors and see to the scene. Figure you’ve earned yourself some rest.”
“Thank you Captain, and if there’s another officer there I can talk to, I still have a few questions about the situation here.”
“Of course” the Captain replied “I’ll inform one of my Lieutenants to answer any questions you have; he’ll need to get a formal statement from you on what happened here as well.”
Martius sighed, looked to Maverick and replied: “Knew there was no way we’d get out of paperwork for this one. Oh well, appreciate your help Captain.” With that, the two made their way to one of the nearby gunships, which flew them back towards the nearest station…