The Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, Tuesday afternoon [FHT]
As Zayne's fake Mandalorian force made their way planetside in a shuttle, it was clear that the fighting was over. Honestly, the appearance of a Dreadnought in the atmosphere probably made the difference. Still, a temporary peace was preferable for this plan to work.
The shuttle landed in a clearing not far from the Jedi Enclave, giving time for Zayne - wearing Field Marshal armor now - to set up a flag in accordance with Mandalorian traditions.
As Kace's invasion force approached, Zayne (counting on the vocal distortion Mandalorian helmets provided) called out, "Su cuy'gar, Dorjander Kace! Well done! Caught a look at the brood you'd collected on the way down. Either you're adopting strays, or the operation was a success!"
"A complete success, Field Marshal," Kace responded happily. "When Mand'alor agreed to work with my Knights, a lot of warriors were skeptical." Kace nodded to Ko Sornell. Of course she was there. "Some more than others. But it worked! Mand'alor wanted an edge against the Republic. Now he'll get it!"
"Good to hear," Zayne said. "I'm Glomkettle. I command the Parjai. We'll have the Jedi whelps aboard and back to our territory in no time."
"Excellent! But you're alone," Kace noticed. "Where are the other two Dreadnoughts?"
"They're as slow as my grandmother, Kace, but they'll be along to escort us back," Zayne said, motioning for everyone to follow him toward the Enclave. Morvis, in red Rally-Master armor, grabbed the flag and carried it toward the new position. "Doesn't look like you needed our firepower anyway."
"No, not really. The Republic forces really are spread thin. Reciprocity passed through without a hitch," Kace answered. "Speaking of, I guess we don't need her anymore. Her job's done. It's not very Mandalorian to pass up on slavage, but bringing it back would divide our numbers. The students are the important thing, so let's just scuttle it. The Republic Navy would lose it to us eventually, right?"
Morvis almost panicked at the suggestion, but Zayne spoke up immediately. "Not so fast, Kace. Mand'alor contacted us on Halthor. He has another mission for you and your warriors using the Republic frigate. We'll take the younglings back with us. Assemble them here at the banner, Brundle, and bind their hands. Even Jedi runts are dangerous."
"You got it!" one of Zayne's men answered before heading into the Academy Enclave.
"Wait, what mission?" Kace asked. "Mand'alor promised me the students could remain with us! We're starting our own training center on Ordo!"
"Looks like he's had other ideas. And he's the one in charge, Jedi. Don't forget that." Zayne pulled a datacube out of his utility belt and handed it over to Kace. "Your mission details are on this datacube. Mand'alor says it should be viewed in the company of your Knights in private. Now let me get these kids loaded up on the shuttle!"
"Well, if Mand'alor thinks it's important, I guess we'd better do it," Kace said.
"That's the spirit," Morvis chimed in. "We'll see you again soon, Kace. Maybe on Coruscant!"
"Oh, and good to see you again, Captain," Kace responded.
"You, you too," Morvis said off-handedly. The answer hung in the air as everyone realized that Morvis answered to the wrong rank, and that things were about to get very bad very fast.
"So close," Zayne said, slapping his helmet in frustration as Kace lifted Morvis into the air and removed his helmet with the Force.
"I knew it! Dallan Morvis!" Kace said. "I sensed your reaction as soon as I mentioned scuttling the ship. Quickly, warriors, block them from their transport! Don't let them escape!"
Kace's Knights took defensive positions at the shuttle's landing ramp with their lightsabers on to keep anyone from making a move.
"This is crazy, Kace!" Sornell yelled. "We don't know who's who!"
"Sorting them out won't be a problem, Sornell. I have their Captain," Kace said, thumbing his lightsaber on, "and their Mastermind! Tell your people to disarm and unmask, Glomkettle - or should I say, Zayne Carrick! Do it or someone will get hurt!"
Zayne pulled his helmet off and dropped it to the ground, giving his troops permission to do the same.
"Stealing a Dreadnought? Raiding the Field Marshal's wardrobe? Trying to take the students out from under my nose? I don't know if I'm fighting an army or a circus act!" Kace yelled as his men surrounded the unmasked Republic soldiers. With that under control, he turned to his communications officer. "And how was it that I didn't hear that a Dreadnought had been taken, Sornell?"
"You didn't ask," Sornell answered.
Kace dismissed that for the moment, figuring he had to focus on the mastermind. "You hid your presence well, Zayne. You almost made this sorry bunch pass for Mandalorians. And I'm surprised you got this vain little Captain to go along. He couldn't stand you!"
"People can always surprise you, Kace," Zayne responded. "Even people you think you hate."
Kace's Knights took a quick search through the shuttle before starting back toward the rest of the group and announcing, "We've swept the ship they landed in, Kace. There's no one else aboard and plenty of room for the students."
"Let's use it. Once we're to the Dreadnought, we'll level the Academy from orbit," Kace said, walking over to meet his Knights. "A bold try, Carrick, but your bad luck has cost you. Again."
Zayne took a long look at the Mandalorian Knights and made sure they were close enough. "That's the thing about my luck, Kace. I always know a bad break is coming. And because I know, I can prepare." Before anyone could react, he touched a button on his armor's gauntlet. An instant later, the shuttle exploded.
The shockwave knocked Kace, his Knights, and several Mandalorian troops down. In the chaos, Morvis grabbed the flagpole and snapped it open. "Here's your lightsaber, Carrick!" he shouted, pulling it out and tossing it over to Zayne.
"Reciprocity crew!" Zayne called, flicking the saber on. He saw Brundle leading the Younglings out at a dead sprint, knowing that the explosion meant they had a limited time. "Get the students to the frigate! Quick! Before the Mandos recover!"
Once the Younglings were on a clear path to Reciprocity, Zayne gave the order, "We're going home! CHARGE!"
Reciprocity had been boarded and was lifting off by the time Kace started to get up. "N-no! Won't... let you leave!" he shouted, grabbing his lightsaber from where it had fallen. He staggered to his feet, then used the Force to jump as high as he could before switching his armor's jetpack on and giving chase. "Those students are mine!"
The landing ramp was still down so Zayne and Morvis could watch the scene below as the ship started to rise. "Jetpack," Zayne muttered. "I always forget about the jetpack."
"We only need a minute to get the kids to orbit, Zayne," Morvis said.
"Then go!" Zayne answered, leaping out of the ship and starting his own jetpack. "Crazy Jedi are mydepartment!"
Kace raised his lightsaber to attack, but gravity and the thrust of Zayne's jetpack had him moving far too quickly. The impact was great, and sent the combatants hurtling down toward one of the Enclave's skylights.
"Get out of my way!" Kace ordered, though he was still too disoriented to do anything.
"Not a chance!" Zayne said, controlling their descent to make sure Kace would take the brunt of the landing.
After smashing through the skylight and leaving a dent in the floor, Zayne rolled to his feet quickly and took a very quick glance around. Mandalorian troops were still stationed all around. The Jedi Masters of the Dantooine Academy - specifically Zhar Lestin, who taught Zayne back when he was a Youngling - were handcuffed to columns throughout the space.
Kace's armor took the worst of the impact, so it was just a couple seconds before he was up and crossing sabers with Zayne while the troops and Jedi watched in shock.
"I haven't dueled in school in a long time, Youngling," Kace told Zayne as they held their saber-lock. "I've gotten my practice on the street!" With a swift knee to the gut, Zayne was forced to drop his saber and crumple to the ground. Knowing the fight was over already, Kace turned his attention back to the sky. "Sorry there's no time to give your old teacher more of a demonstration. I've got a ship to catch!"
Zayne wasn't giving up, though. He grabbed Kace's thigh in a bearhug and wasn't going to him take off. "No! You're not going!"
"Enough antics, Carrick!" Kace said dismissively as he raised his lightsaber. "I'm sorry, but this has to end!"
"I agree!" Sornell called out, pulling her blaster rifle on Kace.
"Sornell! Have our other Dreadnoughts arrived?" Kace asked, missing the obvious. Like the fact that the other Mandalorians in the room had already left."Tell them to stop any ship that tries to leave the system. And no disintegrations! Our students are aboard!"
"There won't be any disintegrations, Kace, because they're not comming. Kra'ake just signaled from Halthor," Sornell said. "After the stunt Zayne pulled aboard Parjai, the other chiefs agreed: messing with Jedi is more trouble than it's worth. All the warriors here are stealing shuttles and leaving. They'd rather win without your magic and without involving children. You never understood that, Kace. Yes, when our battles create orphans, we adopt them. But we don't steal children from their parents or guardians. No victory is worth that!"
"Blast it! I was afraid we were moving too soon," Kace snarled. "That you wouldn't accept us. But Mand'alor ORDERED you all to help me!"
"He wears the mask, but we do the fighting. Maybe we ought to be the ones to decide when we fight," Sornell answered. "Like now. If you hurt Zayne, Jedi, I'll blast you to bits."
"No! I have to finish this. I have to!" Kace vowed, raising his saber for battle. "Even if I have to kill the two of you!"
"Your count's off by one, Kace. Haarm and I recently learned we're expecting another child. But who's counting?" Sornell asked. "After all, you don't care about children, do you?"
"He does," Zayne said sympathetically from around Kace's thigh. "You showed me, Kace, remember? Here in your satchel. Right where you always keep her." Zayne reached into Kace's belt and pulled out an image sphere he'd seen before. "Varda. A Jedi working for the Republic killed her. Her and your unborn child. Is this really how you want to even the score?"
Kace stared at the sphere for a moment before taking it from Zayne's hand. After gazing at it a little longer, he said softly, "Perhaps... perhaps this wasn't the way." He reached to his gauntlet and pressed a button that released the durasteel cuffs that bound all of the Jedi Masters.
With things more or less settled, Master Zhar Lestin took control of the cleanup. "Dorjander Kace, I arrest you and your companions for treason against the Republic." After taking Kace's lightsaber, he turned Zayne, who pulled himself to his feet with as much dignity as possible during the silence. "I realize this isn't the Jedi Master you originally wanted to see arrested, Zayne, but it's something."
"When you were a pupil here, I never thought you would become a Jedi. I see now that I was right," Zhar said. "You seem to have become something more. I will enjoy watching your progress now that this madness is over."
"T-thank you, Master Lestin," Zayne said, stuttering slightly at such a compliment.
"Is this madness over, Zhar?" Kace asked. "No. Not while the Republic and the Jedi are still locked in a corrupt embrace. That must change. It will change. But for now, I simply ask that you let the Mandalorian woman go. Back to her family. It's what this war's about, you know?"
[OOC: Adapted from KOTOR - War #5 by Miller and Mutti. And aside from a couple epiloguey things, done with War!]
The shuttle landed in a clearing not far from the Jedi Enclave, giving time for Zayne - wearing Field Marshal armor now - to set up a flag in accordance with Mandalorian traditions.
As Kace's invasion force approached, Zayne (counting on the vocal distortion Mandalorian helmets provided) called out, "Su cuy'gar, Dorjander Kace! Well done! Caught a look at the brood you'd collected on the way down. Either you're adopting strays, or the operation was a success!"
"A complete success, Field Marshal," Kace responded happily. "When Mand'alor agreed to work with my Knights, a lot of warriors were skeptical." Kace nodded to Ko Sornell. Of course she was there. "Some more than others. But it worked! Mand'alor wanted an edge against the Republic. Now he'll get it!"
"Good to hear," Zayne said. "I'm Glomkettle. I command the Parjai. We'll have the Jedi whelps aboard and back to our territory in no time."
"Excellent! But you're alone," Kace noticed. "Where are the other two Dreadnoughts?"
"They're as slow as my grandmother, Kace, but they'll be along to escort us back," Zayne said, motioning for everyone to follow him toward the Enclave. Morvis, in red Rally-Master armor, grabbed the flag and carried it toward the new position. "Doesn't look like you needed our firepower anyway."
"No, not really. The Republic forces really are spread thin. Reciprocity passed through without a hitch," Kace answered. "Speaking of, I guess we don't need her anymore. Her job's done. It's not very Mandalorian to pass up on slavage, but bringing it back would divide our numbers. The students are the important thing, so let's just scuttle it. The Republic Navy would lose it to us eventually, right?"
Morvis almost panicked at the suggestion, but Zayne spoke up immediately. "Not so fast, Kace. Mand'alor contacted us on Halthor. He has another mission for you and your warriors using the Republic frigate. We'll take the younglings back with us. Assemble them here at the banner, Brundle, and bind their hands. Even Jedi runts are dangerous."
"You got it!" one of Zayne's men answered before heading into the Academy Enclave.
"Wait, what mission?" Kace asked. "Mand'alor promised me the students could remain with us! We're starting our own training center on Ordo!"
"Looks like he's had other ideas. And he's the one in charge, Jedi. Don't forget that." Zayne pulled a datacube out of his utility belt and handed it over to Kace. "Your mission details are on this datacube. Mand'alor says it should be viewed in the company of your Knights in private. Now let me get these kids loaded up on the shuttle!"
"Well, if Mand'alor thinks it's important, I guess we'd better do it," Kace said.
"That's the spirit," Morvis chimed in. "We'll see you again soon, Kace. Maybe on Coruscant!"
"Oh, and good to see you again, Captain," Kace responded.
"You, you too," Morvis said off-handedly. The answer hung in the air as everyone realized that Morvis answered to the wrong rank, and that things were about to get very bad very fast.
"So close," Zayne said, slapping his helmet in frustration as Kace lifted Morvis into the air and removed his helmet with the Force.
"I knew it! Dallan Morvis!" Kace said. "I sensed your reaction as soon as I mentioned scuttling the ship. Quickly, warriors, block them from their transport! Don't let them escape!"
Kace's Knights took defensive positions at the shuttle's landing ramp with their lightsabers on to keep anyone from making a move.
"This is crazy, Kace!" Sornell yelled. "We don't know who's who!"
"Sorting them out won't be a problem, Sornell. I have their Captain," Kace said, thumbing his lightsaber on, "and their Mastermind! Tell your people to disarm and unmask, Glomkettle - or should I say, Zayne Carrick! Do it or someone will get hurt!"
Zayne pulled his helmet off and dropped it to the ground, giving his troops permission to do the same.
"Stealing a Dreadnought? Raiding the Field Marshal's wardrobe? Trying to take the students out from under my nose? I don't know if I'm fighting an army or a circus act!" Kace yelled as his men surrounded the unmasked Republic soldiers. With that under control, he turned to his communications officer. "And how was it that I didn't hear that a Dreadnought had been taken, Sornell?"
"You didn't ask," Sornell answered.
Kace dismissed that for the moment, figuring he had to focus on the mastermind. "You hid your presence well, Zayne. You almost made this sorry bunch pass for Mandalorians. And I'm surprised you got this vain little Captain to go along. He couldn't stand you!"
"People can always surprise you, Kace," Zayne responded. "Even people you think you hate."
Kace's Knights took a quick search through the shuttle before starting back toward the rest of the group and announcing, "We've swept the ship they landed in, Kace. There's no one else aboard and plenty of room for the students."
"Let's use it. Once we're to the Dreadnought, we'll level the Academy from orbit," Kace said, walking over to meet his Knights. "A bold try, Carrick, but your bad luck has cost you. Again."
Zayne took a long look at the Mandalorian Knights and made sure they were close enough. "That's the thing about my luck, Kace. I always know a bad break is coming. And because I know, I can prepare." Before anyone could react, he touched a button on his armor's gauntlet. An instant later, the shuttle exploded.
The shockwave knocked Kace, his Knights, and several Mandalorian troops down. In the chaos, Morvis grabbed the flagpole and snapped it open. "Here's your lightsaber, Carrick!" he shouted, pulling it out and tossing it over to Zayne.
"Reciprocity crew!" Zayne called, flicking the saber on. He saw Brundle leading the Younglings out at a dead sprint, knowing that the explosion meant they had a limited time. "Get the students to the frigate! Quick! Before the Mandos recover!"
Once the Younglings were on a clear path to Reciprocity, Zayne gave the order, "We're going home! CHARGE!"
Reciprocity had been boarded and was lifting off by the time Kace started to get up. "N-no! Won't... let you leave!" he shouted, grabbing his lightsaber from where it had fallen. He staggered to his feet, then used the Force to jump as high as he could before switching his armor's jetpack on and giving chase. "Those students are mine!"
The landing ramp was still down so Zayne and Morvis could watch the scene below as the ship started to rise. "Jetpack," Zayne muttered. "I always forget about the jetpack."
"We only need a minute to get the kids to orbit, Zayne," Morvis said.
"Then go!" Zayne answered, leaping out of the ship and starting his own jetpack. "Crazy Jedi are mydepartment!"
Kace raised his lightsaber to attack, but gravity and the thrust of Zayne's jetpack had him moving far too quickly. The impact was great, and sent the combatants hurtling down toward one of the Enclave's skylights.
"Get out of my way!" Kace ordered, though he was still too disoriented to do anything.
"Not a chance!" Zayne said, controlling their descent to make sure Kace would take the brunt of the landing.
After smashing through the skylight and leaving a dent in the floor, Zayne rolled to his feet quickly and took a very quick glance around. Mandalorian troops were still stationed all around. The Jedi Masters of the Dantooine Academy - specifically Zhar Lestin, who taught Zayne back when he was a Youngling - were handcuffed to columns throughout the space.
Kace's armor took the worst of the impact, so it was just a couple seconds before he was up and crossing sabers with Zayne while the troops and Jedi watched in shock.
"I haven't dueled in school in a long time, Youngling," Kace told Zayne as they held their saber-lock. "I've gotten my practice on the street!" With a swift knee to the gut, Zayne was forced to drop his saber and crumple to the ground. Knowing the fight was over already, Kace turned his attention back to the sky. "Sorry there's no time to give your old teacher more of a demonstration. I've got a ship to catch!"
Zayne wasn't giving up, though. He grabbed Kace's thigh in a bearhug and wasn't going to him take off. "No! You're not going!"
"Enough antics, Carrick!" Kace said dismissively as he raised his lightsaber. "I'm sorry, but this has to end!"
"I agree!" Sornell called out, pulling her blaster rifle on Kace.
"Sornell! Have our other Dreadnoughts arrived?" Kace asked, missing the obvious. Like the fact that the other Mandalorians in the room had already left."Tell them to stop any ship that tries to leave the system. And no disintegrations! Our students are aboard!"
"There won't be any disintegrations, Kace, because they're not comming. Kra'ake just signaled from Halthor," Sornell said. "After the stunt Zayne pulled aboard Parjai, the other chiefs agreed: messing with Jedi is more trouble than it's worth. All the warriors here are stealing shuttles and leaving. They'd rather win without your magic and without involving children. You never understood that, Kace. Yes, when our battles create orphans, we adopt them. But we don't steal children from their parents or guardians. No victory is worth that!"
"Blast it! I was afraid we were moving too soon," Kace snarled. "That you wouldn't accept us. But Mand'alor ORDERED you all to help me!"
"He wears the mask, but we do the fighting. Maybe we ought to be the ones to decide when we fight," Sornell answered. "Like now. If you hurt Zayne, Jedi, I'll blast you to bits."
"No! I have to finish this. I have to!" Kace vowed, raising his saber for battle. "Even if I have to kill the two of you!"
"Your count's off by one, Kace. Haarm and I recently learned we're expecting another child. But who's counting?" Sornell asked. "After all, you don't care about children, do you?"
"He does," Zayne said sympathetically from around Kace's thigh. "You showed me, Kace, remember? Here in your satchel. Right where you always keep her." Zayne reached into Kace's belt and pulled out an image sphere he'd seen before. "Varda. A Jedi working for the Republic killed her. Her and your unborn child. Is this really how you want to even the score?"
Kace stared at the sphere for a moment before taking it from Zayne's hand. After gazing at it a little longer, he said softly, "Perhaps... perhaps this wasn't the way." He reached to his gauntlet and pressed a button that released the durasteel cuffs that bound all of the Jedi Masters.
With things more or less settled, Master Zhar Lestin took control of the cleanup. "Dorjander Kace, I arrest you and your companions for treason against the Republic." After taking Kace's lightsaber, he turned Zayne, who pulled himself to his feet with as much dignity as possible during the silence. "I realize this isn't the Jedi Master you originally wanted to see arrested, Zayne, but it's something."
"When you were a pupil here, I never thought you would become a Jedi. I see now that I was right," Zhar said. "You seem to have become something more. I will enjoy watching your progress now that this madness is over."
"T-thank you, Master Lestin," Zayne said, stuttering slightly at such a compliment.
"Is this madness over, Zhar?" Kace asked. "No. Not while the Republic and the Jedi are still locked in a corrupt embrace. That must change. It will change. But for now, I simply ask that you let the Mandalorian woman go. Back to her family. It's what this war's about, you know?"
[OOC: Adapted from KOTOR - War #5 by Miller and Mutti. And aside from a couple epiloguey things, done with War!]