And I thought it was going so well... {Thaddeus}

[Murdock Reyes]

The Outer Rim, oh how Murdock loved it. It was the best thing in the universe, if you enjoyed having to sneak onto planets all the time. This was a nice reprieve though, having found a ship willing to take him where he wanted for a fee of course, loomed in the space between planets.Vjunn was still a few weeks from the station that Murdock was stopped at currently. He had been told it would take some time for them to get moving again. While he didn't like the idea, he had no choice. They needed to repair their ship and refuel before moving on. The station was rather small to Murdock, having been through a few that could have been declared their own city within alone. A shop or two, and some barracks for the local security.

Murdock's dark boots clicked against the metal of the station. He couldn't wait to get onto Vjunn, he was tired of the metal, it's noise alone was bad enough. His pure black attire made his blue skin pop out, he was getting a few odd looks here and there from others, but they couldn't have seen someone like him the way some of them gawked at him. He normally was used to it, but it still irritated him. He only imagined what some of the other species went through as far as racism went. He gave himself an internal shrug as he rolled it off his shoulders. The idea that his saber was the cause of it, wasn't even remotely close to it.

Murdock's feet carried him to one of the shops where he purchased a few items, mostly ammo for his blaster that was tucked neatly in the folds of his tunic against his left side. He had been careful enough to not have it visible, but at the risk of comfort. It dug deep into him with each step and he wasn't exactly appreciating it. Returning back to the ship he found it empty, something that seemed rather odd to him, normally a pilot would stay with their ship, right? Murdock couldn't shake the feeling in the bit of his stomach, he wasn't sure if what caused it was the missing pilot or something else. His answer was given to him when he felt a soft rumble a mere moments later, at first he believed it to be just a small asteroid hitting the station, but upon hearing feet stomping and scurrying he reconsidered.

He quickly hurried out of the ship to see the commotion, it seemed there was only a few handfuls of people out in the hanger. Emerging fully out into the open, he noticed it was mostly the security, and a few particular other patrians. Moving closer to the group he began to hear them arguing among each other, a few were cursing and others simply stood around, unsure what to do. Finally reaching the group he saw the issue, the door to the rest of the station was sealed, it looked locked also. He understood their frustration. It was then someone had to have noticed his saber as they stopped and regarded him, stating that he had to open the door since he was a Jedi. Murdock almost laughed at that, it was hilarious to him, to be thought of as a Jedi.

"I'm no Jedi, I just happen to be a guy with a lightsaber. I can't even use their magic."

Murdock said, the last bits being nothing short of pure lies. He figured that at least they couldn't tell the difference, which would save him as having to be the big hero. He needed as little attention as possible, and being a hero to these people would bring him unwanted attention. It was then that Murdock felt something, almost like a chill up his spine. Someone was looking at him, but it was different than the others, Murdock looked among the crowd but couldn't pinpoint it. A sigh escaped him, maybe it was just his inner voice. Telling him that he had to do something, but then again, he had noticed his pilot wasn't among these folks, so he had no choice.

"Fine, I will find a way, but you people, all of you I need people with weapons on either side of the door. Those without, return to your ships, I don't want you getting in the way."

Murdock spoke in a slightly confident tone, feeling good about himself at the moment. That is, until one of the security officials stepped to Murdock an expression of irritation on his face.

"And why in the hell should we listen to you? I've been in control of this entire situation and my men up to this point and have done fine."

Murdock laughed before he gave his reply.

"And where exactly has that got you? I don't see any sign of it opening, while I can just cut through it."

The man shut up then, still obviously very angry, but knew Murdock was right. He gestured to the others to do the same. Murdock's plan was coming into place, he checked and it seemed nobody else objected as only a few security officials and Murdock was all he saw ready. It was a small team, which meant at least he could be effective. He just hoped everyone was ready for the hell that could be unleashed.

[Thaddeus]

The G-Type light shuttle nimbly entered the hangar and settled down in its place, part of the great rank of shuttles and cargo ships all here to be refuelled. The pilot flicked switches at an alarming pace and to the untrained eye in a seemingly random order. But there was no explosion just the noises throughout the shuttle slowly winding down and then going silent. The Rodian pilot stretched out in her seat and with a slight groan rose from her seat, she was not surprised at all when she saw that her passenger was already out of their bunk – he was a Jedi after all.

“We are just stopping to refuel, Master Balkk, we will be back on our way shortly.”
Balkk slightly bent over in the shuttle bowed his head in acknowledgement, gently adding in his hissed and rumbling Basic.

“I will sssstretch my legssss for a moment.” Stretch your neck more like it thought the Rodian pilot with a smile and a nod – the Trandoshan was as large as the rumours had said back at the Temple. However she had found herself pleasantly surprised at Balkk’s courtesy, as a member of the Service Corps she was rather used to being treated as little more than a washout and failure by the Jedi she ferried here and there. Of course they never said that, but she had sensed it, Balkk though he was as silent as a stone never seemed rude nor did she sense any arrogance in the old Jedi.

The ramp hissed and stale air rushed out of the shuttle mixing with the freshly circulated air from the hangar. Still bent over Balkk made his way down the ramp and as he cleared the shuttle stretched out with a delighted hiss. The Rodian pilot had followed him, and chuckled a little at his satisfaction before setting about her task. Balkk considered her for a moment and decided that she was, unlike many in the Service Corps, well aware that just as much as any Jedi she served the greater good of the galaxy. This pleased him as in his time he had seen far too many view the Service Corps as a lesser path, after many decades he had learnt that all who served others and the Force were equals no matter their strength, prestige or power. Balkk was one of those rare individuals of any species who had with age grown wise not peevish.

He was dressed as always in the plain robes of his Order, his sabre discretely hidden by the layers of robes, which upon his powerful frame looked more graceful than ever – indeed they did a lot to soften the angular and sharp features of his species. Balkk set off on a little walk, taking the time to quietly meditate somewhat, focusing on his breathing and drawing the Force toward him. There was much life on the station, and Balkk sensed it all, every being like a star – some greater and some lesser – in some unseen night sky. Suffusing it all was the Force, with each step and breath Balkk welcomed the sensation of the Force around and within him. And then he sensed something… stopping and concentrating on the feeling Balkk could only feel… a warning? A warning of what, he asked silently as he opened his eyes and looked around. There was nothing nearby, no what he sensed had yet to arrive, wait there was something here.

Balkk reached out in the Force and felt a presence that rippled in it more than normal, a Force-user then, but not a Jedi no this presence was not light but nor was it entirely dark. There were many other Force organisations in galaxy, both good and evil, Balkk knew this and had encountered many in his years as a Jedi. But the Force whispered to him in its way, and without doubt or hesitation the Jedi moved towards the exit from the hangar.

An alarm sounded, and the external blast doors to the hangar closed with a loud and rapid clang, as everyone looked towards them the door out of the hangar also shut. The lights dimmed in an instant and the great fans that circulated air cut out. In the darkness Balkk could sense the panic and fear, he moved decisively back towards his shuttle and as he did the emergency lighting flickered on and the fans resumed, and with that the panic died down – somewhat.

“Go into the sssshuttle, raissse the command centre and if you can’t reach them activate the emergency beacon. Do not open the ramp for anyone.”

The Rodian had been frozen in her place when the great clawed hand grabbed her shoulder, she jumped from fright and dropped the fuel hose however the familiar and oddly gentle gaze of the Trandoshan Jedi calmed her.

“Okay…” She ran a bit and then stopped, turned back, and handed Balkk a commlink. “It is on a secure frequency.” Balkk nodded and turned towards the crowd which had gathered by the door. As she reached the ramp the Rodian whispered, “May the Force be with you Master Balkk.” She turned and as the ramp sealed behind she heard echo within her head, “The Force issss with ussss alwaysss Ssssieo.” She could not help but smile and feel safer.

Once Balkk had reached the group he heard someone shout for the Jedi to cut their way through the door. Instinctively he went to answer, but before he could someone else replied. Yellow eyes turned and looked at the young Nautolan which ‘happened to be a guy with a lightsaber’ so this had been the presence he had felt, concentrating more closely now Balkk studied the young man. No not a Sith, but definitely walked a darker path than Balkk would call wise or good.

* * * *

Meanwhile far above the hangars Mandalorian spacecraft landed on the exterior of the station, and cut their way into durasteel structure. Their purpose the disruption of Republic trade and transport, and with the destruction of this station the Republic presence in the outer rim would become even more harried. They moved with all the brutal grace that their society of warriors was famous for. Every person, armed or not, they met in the halls promptly fell in a hail of blaster shots.

It took the first squad of Mandalorians less than ten minutes to reach the command centre. Charges placed on the door made short work of things, and the shocked station workers and security barely had time to react before they all lay dead on the ground. Kess Halo looked through his helmet with a satisfied smile, in ten minutes he had overwhelmed the station, as he was not one of those people who believed that a close fight was a good fight. No Kess understood that for a fight to be close meant that you failed to prepare and underestimated your enemies, Kess was never unprepared and never underestimated his foes… and it was for this reason the Mandalorian could claim to have personally slain six Jedi Knights and one Jedi Master.

“Cut the emergency power.” And two Mandalorians moved to consoles, pushed the smoking corpses out of their chairs, and set to work.

* * * *

Balkk stood motionless and watched as the Nautolan took charge of the situation, he did not seem to want needless slaughter in that much Balkk found him palatable. As the crowd dispersed and the security guards took up positions as instructed Balkk remained unmoving, it was only when a few of the crowd returned with blasters and took up positions that Balkk moved. He walked towards the Nautolan, as he did so the emergency power went out and the guards swore, people hurriedly grabbed flashlights and clipped them onto blasters or shirts.

Balkk was now standing next to the Nautolan, and without any introduction the Trandoshan stated simply, “Mandalorianssss.” How he knew this he did not add, he was not famous for being laconic without reason, and instead kept his position beside the Nautolan. His sabre still unseen underneath all his robes, but to any Force-sensitive Balkk’s nature would be unmistakable. He dropped into a Soresu ready stance, sabre still not drawn, and with a nod indicated towards the door – adding in a rare moment of verbosity, “I will cover you.”

Well verbose for the Trandoshan Jedi at least.

[Murdock Reyes]

Those armed seemed to have some hope, that was, until the lights died. That meant the emergency lights themselves were off, in short, now they had a small time frame. No back up lights meant no back up anything. The wires connected in Murdock's mind and he tensed up, the life-supports would be shut off soon. So who in the hell was the cause of this then? His answer was given immediately by someone standing next to him.

"Mandalorianssss."

It was almost as if a snake was speaking and Murdock whipped his head to greet the voice. Holy hell the person always tall. He hadn't been expecting that, but he had to give the man credit, he knew what was happening, but how? Murdock didn't even...then that same chill pricked at him. This was the cause before, it had to be. Unless, he knew the cause before it happened? No, that would make it an inside job then, the idea beat dangerously close to what he considered the truth. The choice then and there was that he wouldn't trust this man. Not a moment longer the man said he would watch Murdock's back.

Murdock forced himself to blink at that, it was almost uncanny. Looking him over, Murdock saw no weapon, how would he cover him? Murdock had no idea, but wasn't going to argue. He returned his focus to the door withdrawing his lightsaber and blaster. As the blade hissed to life, his frame was highlighted with the yellow color that now guided him. Murdock moved to the door feeling for the lock with the energy around him. It wasn't easy for him and he couldn't find it, Murdock grew upset simply thrusting the blade into the door. The smell wasn't something he was prepared for, it was distasteful and nauseating. The metal greeted the blade with a hiss as it began to turn bright red. Murdock watched as it grew more and more hot, finally applying strength to the blade cutting up. Oh this would take time, and feeling as such, Murdock put his blaster in the small of his back gripping the saber hilt now with both hands. It seemed a bit quicker now, when it came time to turn his first corner he found it fairly difficult, but he managed it.

The security officials seemed to be growing agitated with Murdock, seeming to have expected him to be through it by now. He could feel what he assumed was the head of security's anger. It was extremely strong, even as Murdock made his first turn. This would take a few minutes, but they didn't have that, and true to fashion a flashlight's heat was felt over the back of Murdock's head. Having done his best to tune out the voices, all he heard now was garbled yelling. It was beginning to irritate Murdock, and if he could save all but him, he would, just to show the man who really had power right now. Making the second turn the garble almost became to much, Murdock fed off the anger of the man using the energy around him to push the man over.

"Shut. Up."

Were the only words to escape his mouth as he continued to cut along the door. It was still difficult, but Murdock was getting close to being done, he just hoped that the Mandilorians weren't waiting for them on the other side of the door. The idea of being greeted with blaster fire crossed his mind as he made his third turn. He had noticed there was no more garbling anymore though, which was a plus. That meant his point was made, and he would be left alone. Murdock braced himself as he made the final turn connecting the lines. He pulled the blade free and pushed the door with the energy around him, it moved a little bit. He pondered a second then pulled at it from the opposite side, and with a loud groan the door fell to the hallway, the openning smoking from the metals heat.

"I'll go through first, you here on the right follow behind me."

Murdock said in a hushed tone, finally stepping through the metal. The corridor seemed rather empty, he didn't any anyone, but if they were like the stories, they worked well in the dark. Murdock let his blade fall into it's hilt as he pushed with the energy feeling for something, anything. Murdock cursed then, he could only feel himself. He really needed to work on that. Murdock made himself small as he almost crawled in his crouched state, he wouldn't be the first to get shot if someone was here. Two of the security guards followed Murdock through the door, flashing their lights behind him. It was smart he had to admit, checking your back. Then, satisfied with their inspection one returned to the others.

"Clear."

Murdock wished that hadn't been said, nobody was sure after all. Murdock began to hurry himself along finding a vent. A smile crossed his face, he could sneak through, if only he knew the layout he could--

"Squad III to command, we need help down here."

Murdock shot his head around to the security offical, his blood boiling. Before he could do anything the offical was decked squarely in the face by the man Murdock had pushed earlier. Good, so he wasn't the only one with brains, he hoped that wouldn't give them away though.

[Thaddeus]

Balkk studied closely the movements of the young man working to cut through the door. His stance was confident but still rigid like any youngling or padawan still not entirely grasping their lessons; it was definitely a Shii-Cho stance though. He wondered where the Nautolan had learnt that. Illumined in the light from its blade the hilt of the Nautolan’s lightsaber now drew Balkk’s attention as it plunged into metal. It was as unusual as its wielder, and as any great warrior Balkk put a lot of stock in how a man’s weapon reflected him, consciously or unconsciously when making a lightsaber the creator infused it with their nature.

Further pondering was cut short when Balkk felt in the Force the stranger lash out and as the Jedi stiffened the Nautolan pushed a man over. Balkk hissed and walked over helping the man up, who was probably more nervous at the half illuminated face of a Trandoshan looming over him and helping up than anything else. Walking back to his place behind the Nautolan Balkk slid his large hooded robe off his shoulders, had anyone bothered to look his lightsaber would now have been visible – of course in the dark there was little chance of that.

* * * *

Kess watched his men hurry to bypass the security checks on the consoles; they had already taken 2 minutes longer than he had expected and knew that he would not be pleased. Before the Mandalorian commander could let out another low growl of annoyance he was told to look at a screen. Kess turned on his heels and wiping some broken glass away saw that the door to one of the hangars was reading a breach. Another commander may have written it off as a malfunction, or as people escaping who posed no threat, but Kess was not that sort of man.
“Take a squad, if anything is alive and moving see that it isn’t.” A woman saluted and walked out of the command centre, a squad of Mandalorians following behind her with their weapons drawn and being made ready.

* * * *

As Nautolan’s the sabre disengaged Balkk felt him reach out in the Force and push and pull – no it wasn’t as refined as that, it more of a yanking and angry and frustrated motion. As the others crept forward into the breach Balkk walked calmly behind them, he sensed and saw nothing – and perhaps more than any other Jedi even Balkk trusted in the Force absolutely. He was careful though to keep an eye on where the stranger was as the Jedi had no intention of allowing him to either cause harm or get away – no the Trandoshan had questions for this young Nautolan.

Balkk walked ahead of the group somewhat, barely noticing the scuffle that had broken out and ended behind him, they knew they were here… and they were sending men. Balkk turned on the spot and hissed as he walked back to the group.

“They are coming.” Even in the dark his yellow eyes rested perfectly on the Nautolan’s face, for even without the Force a Trandoshan could see exceptionally well in the dark. He turned back and faced the darkness of the hallway just as the Mandalorians made their way around the corner. Balkk hissed and once again he could feel the old voice call to him, that sound of his ancestors, the song of rage and the hunt, of blood and bone, of victory over everything – but at that line a clarion call echoed in his mind, but of defeat over yourself. He smiled a toothy grin, and inhaling deeply felt the Force flow through him.

Without waiting for a command and without hesitation the Trandoshan strode forth down the hallway, the ten Mandalorians did not hesitate either and aimed and fired. But even amid the chaos one could hear the audible gasp as the crystal blue of Balkk’s sabre ignited and like a beacon lit the night. Few had ever seen a Jedi fight, and certainly even fewer had seen Balkk fight – perhaps the greatest master of Soresu in the Order. Not blaster bolt made it past him, and his blade whirled like wind seeming more like a hundred blades than one, despite his size and power he moved with unnatural grace and gentleness.

The Mandalorians grunted and shouted their war-cry, but Balkk was silent and in those moments where you could see his face you could tell his eyes were closed – the Mandalorians who noticed this gritted their teeth in fear and determination. Balkk walked closer and closer toward the group, an unstoppable force, he directed two bolts back into the visors of their shooters. As the two Mandalorians crumpled to the ground Balkk could sense the muscles within him twitch urging his hands and feet to eschew the defence and launch a vicious blow. Eyelids twitching Balkk drew the Force in closer, encasing his whole body and mind in it, and slowly inch by inch he disappeared becoming more and more simply the will of the Force.

One of the Mandalorians managed to get off a single commburst to Kess, “Jedi” before Balkk’s lightsaber severed both of his hands and the Mandalorian collapsed passed out from agony. Balkk was now in the dead centre of the group, and though it was apparent to all that he could have struck them all down he waited. Balkk waited for the moment that the Force told him to strike, and in the meantime his blade seemed to smear into one solid wall of blue.

Slowly one by one the Mandalorians fell, some upon Balkk’s blade, some from their blaster shots reflected, and others were sent careening into walls by the Force. In the end Balkk stood alone among the bodies, and with thrum his sabre flashed out of existence. The great Jedi walked back to the group, and looking again down at the Nautolan spoke as he had before – without a single sign of being out of breath, indeed he was not.

“They will ssssend more; I ssssense many of them here.” He paused looked back at the group then to the stranger, and decided that his best chance for understanding who the Nautolan was was not to take charge. Something told Balkk that if he did the Nautolan would leg it at the first chance. “Jedi Ssssish Balkk, where to now?” A few men looked past the Trandoshan and Nautolan talking at the crumpled and smoking bodies of ten of the most feared warriors in the galaxy.

[Murdock Reyes]

Murdock heard the footsteps before he saw anything. First from the tall one, then a group, Murdock's brain raked itself for an answer before he heard a lightsaber hum to life. It was the tall man's which answered quite a few questions about him. Murdock had a way out know, he could run, but to where? This man was obviously a Jedi, or at least had a strong use in the energy around him. He would be able to stop Murdock and they both knew it. The blaster fire brought him back to reality, this man was exceptionally skilled in his use of the lightsaber. A small smile crossed Murdock's face, he would have loved to cross blade with him sometime.

Before he knew it, it was over, the worst part being that a few were still alive. Murdock understood it though, it was against some kind of code to kill outright, even if it was their just desserts. As the blade died Murdock stood to his full height expecting the man to met him again, and he didn't disappoint. When he said that more were coming Murdock didn't doubt him, that meant they needed to find any more and also get the power back on. The man introduced himself, Murdock nodded to show he understood then moved past the man. Time was off the essence then, and he could only hope there was enough left.

Mirdock placed his left hand along the wall and began to walk quickly, expecting the others to do the same. Why the hell was he leading if there was a full fledged Jedi here? He kept the thought bouncing in his head, wondering the answer as he turned the corner. He tried again to feel for others, the energy didn't respond well to him, but at least he confirmed the man was indeed using the energy. He did, however, pick up a small sense of malice. A smirk came across his face, he just had to follow the feeling. As he began walking in it's direction he heard labored breathing, a sound that caused him to stop dead in his tracks. He evaluated his options, he could continue or deal with this person. What if they weren't an enemy though?

He pushed the idea from his mind as he took another step and felt a door, surely the control room wasn't so close. That would be far to easy. Murdock could tell though that the breathing was at the same level as his head, they had to be standing up. Taking a deep breath he pushed so that he could feel again, yet nothing. The smell of blood was now in the air though, that meant thiis person needed help. He could choose to help them, or more on, saving more in the long run. Mandilorians were known for being brutal and clever, so what if it was a ruse? All just a very clever trap to kill them? No, Murdock wouldn't suffer it, and he countinued on.

He passed a few hallways before he had noticed the footsteps behind him were becoming fewer and fewer. Had they abandoned him? Were they being picked off one by one? One thing he knew, if that Jedi was gone, it was time to split. Murdock felt again, but no luck, seemed the Jedi was still near. It ruined his plan, that means either the others were being quiet or had chosen to stay behind. It wasn't until he heard a body hit the ground he actually worried and turned around. He heard some raspy breathing and went to it quickly, it was one of the security officals. He seemed to be choking but Murdock couldn't tell from what. Had the others suffered this as well?

Then her heard a rush of feet, it was the others. The lights all fell to who Murdock assumed led the group.

"He wanted us to fall back, thought it would be safer..."

One said as the light shined on the man's face. It was almost as if he heart had stopped, just as a random act of will. Murdock laughed inside himself, seeing the irony in how little control this man had. Moving the man aside Murdock stood and countinued on, he wondered how long they had before be--

The footsteps were louder this time, seemed a few extra Mandilorians found their way to the group. Murdock freed his blaster firing off a shot as his saber screeched to life. The bolt had to have missed as he hadn't heard a body fall while Murdock rolled towards them, his lightsaber facing away from him. Knowing full well he couldn't deflect much of anything, when the blasters started again Murdock relied in his speed to help him, jumping this way and that barely moving in time to avoid the bolts. Two Mandilorians fell, having been blasted by one of their own, and only three remained. Getting to his feet squarly Murdock's saber moved quickly, slashing at their weapons as he moved, the technique being rather effective at confusing them. Before he knew it, one was down, having been stabbed in their left thigh causing them to fall. The other two seemed to grow more irritated, their fire becoming more erratic. Murdock, finished with the game rolled towards one of the two stabbing them in the stomach before turning his attention to the other by firing his blaster at them. Murdock had to admit, his fighting wasn't graceful like the jedi's but it was effective.

Murdock tucked his blaster away once more walking to the wounded Mandilorian, how he was still awake he didn't know. It was bad luck for him though. Murdock put the blade of the saber close to the foot of the Mandilorian before speaking.

"Where are the others? And don't lie, if you do, well, let's just say you can retire and call yourself a failure. I don't know many Mandilorians with missing feet, and that's just where I start."

((OOC: Sorry for stepping into the Mandilorian part, but I felt Murdock needed something.))