CHAPTER THREE
Han Solo took a sip of his beverage as he sat at a booth within a cantina on Nar Shaddaa. Beside him sat his Wookiee companion Chewbacca, as well as Republic captain Thrak Jal'daan, who was shifting in his seat somewhat nervously.
Han grimaced as he observed the other patrons in the cantina, acting shady and suspicious as usual. During his career as a smuggler, Han saw Nar Shaddaa as a second home to him. But now, it almost disgusted him how its streets were filled with vile and nasty criminals nowadays.
The only reason he was here now was because Supreme Commander Garm Bel Iblis had sent him to speak with a man known as Kale Karsa. According to Bel Iblis, Karsa had connections to the Mandalorians, a clan of warriors who 'Chancellor' Valorum wished to make an alliance with for their war against the Sith.
Han did not known much about the Mandalorians, other than that their armor was quite similar to his late rival, Boba Fett. Naturally, Han wasn't entirely sure these Mandalorians were exactly trust-worthy. It made him even more unsure that this Karsa person was going to show up...
Fortunately, he was proven wrong when a dark-haired man entered the cantina, wearing armor quite reminiscent of Boba Fett's armor, except in red and blue colors. He walked up to Han's booth and took a seat across from him, giving a weak smile.
"Sorry about the wait," Kale Karsa said. "I got...delayed by some friends."
"Whatever," Han replied, uninterested. "So, I hear you're connected to the Mandalorians, is that right?"
Karsa nodded. "Yes. I was born on Concord Dawn and was taken into the Mandalorians when-"
"That's nice and all," Han interrupted sharply. "But we're here to know if the Mandalorians will help us. We didn't come all the way here to hear about your life's story."
Karsa gave him a cold look before chuckling. "That's right, you didn't. Well then, I think the Mandalorians might be willing to offer some assistance, but only if it'll benefit them."
"I see," Han muttered. "Any idea on how to contact them?"
"Only way I know is to speak with them directly," Karsa replied. "If you need coordinates for the Mandalore system, I'll give them to you...but on one condition."
Han smirked. "There's always a string attached. What's the catch?"
Karsa gave a small smile of his own. "That you let me come along."
Han grimaced as he observed the other patrons in the cantina, acting shady and suspicious as usual. During his career as a smuggler, Han saw Nar Shaddaa as a second home to him. But now, it almost disgusted him how its streets were filled with vile and nasty criminals nowadays.
The only reason he was here now was because Supreme Commander Garm Bel Iblis had sent him to speak with a man known as Kale Karsa. According to Bel Iblis, Karsa had connections to the Mandalorians, a clan of warriors who 'Chancellor' Valorum wished to make an alliance with for their war against the Sith.
Han did not known much about the Mandalorians, other than that their armor was quite similar to his late rival, Boba Fett. Naturally, Han wasn't entirely sure these Mandalorians were exactly trust-worthy. It made him even more unsure that this Karsa person was going to show up...
Fortunately, he was proven wrong when a dark-haired man entered the cantina, wearing armor quite reminiscent of Boba Fett's armor, except in red and blue colors. He walked up to Han's booth and took a seat across from him, giving a weak smile.
"Sorry about the wait," Kale Karsa said. "I got...delayed by some friends."
"Whatever," Han replied, uninterested. "So, I hear you're connected to the Mandalorians, is that right?"
Karsa nodded. "Yes. I was born on Concord Dawn and was taken into the Mandalorians when-"
"That's nice and all," Han interrupted sharply. "But we're here to know if the Mandalorians will help us. We didn't come all the way here to hear about your life's story."
Karsa gave him a cold look before chuckling. "That's right, you didn't. Well then, I think the Mandalorians might be willing to offer some assistance, but only if it'll benefit them."
"I see," Han muttered. "Any idea on how to contact them?"
"Only way I know is to speak with them directly," Karsa replied. "If you need coordinates for the Mandalore system, I'll give them to you...but on one condition."
Han smirked. "There's always a string attached. What's the catch?"
Karsa gave a small smile of his own. "That you let me come along."
* * *
"Rogue Squadron, reporting in, sir," the voice of Gavin Darklighter said over the Liberator's comm-channel. "Where's the target?"
"Have your men fire on that Super Star Destroyer and those fighters," Lando replied. "Also, do you have Corran Horn and Jaina Solo with you?"
"Yes, I do," Gavin said. "Why?"
Lando scratched his chin. "See if they can board the Super Star Destroyer. I think they've got a Sith Lord there..."
* * *
Toah ran across the field of battle, towards where he could see Kyle Katarn and other Jedi Knights dueling humanoid beings in crimson armor. Turning on his lightsaber, he made his way through the lines of stormtroopers until he was eventually fighting side-by-side with Kyle.
The veteran Jedi Knight glanced at his friend with a smirk. "Took you long enough," he said. "For a while, I thought I was going to do this by myself."
Toah chuckled in reply. "And let you have all of the fun? Fat chance."
As the two Jedi Knights blocked blaster fire and lightsaber blows from the stormtroopers and crimson knights, Toah noticed two figures dueling nearby. One appeared to be a fellow Jedi, wielding a violet-colored blade. The other, however, struck Toah to be quite familiar. Too familiar for his liking...
Absentmindedly, Toah approached the two figures so he could get a better look at the familiar-looking stranger, whose scarlet blade was clashing with the Jedi's. The Sith Lord kicked his opponent in the shin and rose his blade to strike them down. Toah then moved to intercept the blow and his lightsaber struck against the Sith Lord's.
He turned to around to make eye-contact with the stranger and froze.
The person he saw was Valan.
* * *
Zel watched as several squadrons of TIE fighters swarmed in on the X-wing fighters that had just exited hyperspace. Despite being outnumbered, it seemed as is these reinforcements had suddenly turned the tide in the Republic's favor.
Either that, or Darth Scythe had decided to cease using his battle meditation.
Zel clenched his teeth. Did the Sith Lord want them to lose? The admiral headed down the bridge and towards the lift to Scythe's chambers. He couldn't let this person tear them apart. If their Empire was to succeed in controlling the galaxy, he had to make sure the right people were in charge.
* * *
Toah winced as he hit the ground with a painful thud. Valan-or rather Starkiller as he now knew him to be-had used his distraction to his advantage and used the Force to push Toah away. Just as the Sith Lord turned back to the other Jedi, Kyle Katarn came charging towards him and lunged at Starkiller, lightsaber raised high.
Before Kyle could strike at him, Starkiller lashed out with a blast of lightning, sending the Jedi Knight to the ground. At that moment, the mysterious Jedi took the opportunity to retrieve their weapon and attempted to strike at Starkiller's back. The Sith Lord saw the attack coming and blocked the blow. He then reached out with his hand and seized the Jedi's neck with the Force, choking the stranger.
Noticing this, Toah regathered his strength, and ran towards Starkiller again. A strange force seemed to take over him as he brushed his lightsaber against Starkiller's arm, leaving sever burns. Howling out in pain and rage, the Sith Lord sent out another blast of lightning, which Toah deflected with his blade. Filled with anger, Starkiller charged towards him, screaming with hatred. He attacked the Jedi Knight with a series of blows, all of them being parried.
Starkiller came to a halt, panting heavily as he deactivated his lightsaber. He glanced up at Toah and said breathlessly, "You are indeed a skilled Jedi Knight." He let out a quiet laugh. "But skill alone will not save you."
Suddenly, Toah heard the faint sound of roaring thrusters. He looked up towards the sky and his eyes widened at what he saw.
Hanging overhead was a tube-shaped superweapon the size of four Star Destroyers. The Galaxy Gun...
And it was aimed right for Dantooine....
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