The Knights of Mandalore: Rise of the Empire/Part 8

*The Knights of Mandalore: Rise of the Empire*
Chapters 1–3 | Chapters 4–6 | Chapters 7–9

## Chapter 22

*The* Streller*, YV-2400 freighter, somewhere in hyperspace*

*While the other Sons of Mandalore were encountering the Night Sentinel pirates on Hoth, Fej Torra was researching all night aboard the* Streller*. The Kel Dor scientist eventually fell asleep and woke up several hours later out of hunger, grabbing a bar for breakfast and encountering his fellow Sons of Mandalore as they returned to the ship. Gridlock briefly explained what had been going on, but Torra was still extremely tired and didn't retain the information, quickly falling asleep again.*

*A few hours later, the* Streller *has jumped to Hyperspace, and Torra is awake once more. He enters the living area, where the other Sons of Mandalore are talking, all except Jonax Frostwalker.*

TORRA: *(enters the room, yawning)* Ah. *(looks at the clock)* Oh. Hello?!

TRACINYA: *(to Astrovious)* What about the traitor? What exactly did he do?

TORRA: Huh? What happened? Where are we? Where's Jonax?

GRIDLOCK: *(to Torra)* Hyperspace.

TRACINYA: *(to Torra)* We're going to some trees! Finally.

ASTROVIOUS: The traitor was with the Night Sentinels, tried to lure me into a trap, from what I hear he failed.

TORRA: Traitor? What? What the kriff happened while I was working?

TRACINYA: We went to Hoth, Night Sentinels and a Tauntaun happened apparently.

ASTROVIOUS: He attempted to kill me, he works with the Night Sentinels.

TORRA: I see. See! I knew I didn't like him. At least I have a part of him.. heh.

TRACINYA: Guess we can't be too careful. *(goes to her cabin, lets Verd out, and orders it to guard the storage room)* Good strill.

GRIDLOCK: Hungry!

TRACINYA: *(who still hasn't had breakfast)* Yes?

TORRA: *(who has only eaten a protein bar)* Hmm, yes. Alright.

GRIDLOCK: No, that's Ravager's nickname.

TRACINYA: Oh. *(yelling in general direction of storage room)* HEY, HUNGRY! *(to group)* Do we just leave him in there to get even hungrier?

*In the storage room, Frostwalker awakens.*

FROSTWALKER: Ugh. My head. What happened? *(walks right into door)* OW! *sigh* Guys? Ya there? *(after a minute)* Ha, ha. Ok you got me. Now let me out!

GRIDLOCK: *(yelling towards storage room)* TRAITOR!!!!!

ASTROVIOUS: I've gotta go... meditate in my cabin, fix some things, don’t go to Kashyyyk without me, you need me as a guide and translator. *(leaves the room)*

TORRA: *(to Gridlock)* He's still on the ship?!

TRACINYA: *(wearily)* They went to Hoth, don't ask me why, and apparently he's in league with the Night Sentinels and they fought with Astro. Oh, and Grid brought back a Tauntaun. I sure hope it's 'fresher trained...

GRIDLOCK: I fed it a Ronto Wrap!

FROSTWALKER: *(calling to group)* Traitor? What? No. No no you misunderstand. Let me out and I’ll explain.

TORRA: *(calling to Frostwalker)* No, I'm not letting you out! I think I might release Dorin Gas in there, too!

GRIDLOCK: Ooooooooooooooooooooooh he'll die from the gas

TORRA: Yes. Although that seems a little harsh, for he will die a slow death. It will feel like his lungs are being pushed in by a hundred banthas.

FROSTWALKER: *(desperately)* The truth is that I was planning to betray the Sentinels. My loyalties have always been with Mandalore!

TRACINYA: Oh really?

FROSTWALKER: Trust me if I was in league with the Sentinels, you would be dead by now.

TRACINYA: He's crazy as a cross-eyed gundark. We wouldn't be dead *yet.*

GRIDLOCK: You are tempting us to kill you, Hungry.

FROSTWALKER: I was on a secret mission to infiltrate the Night Sentinels and kill their “King”.

TORRA: Shut up!

FROSTWALKER: Trust me. I’ll even show you the hologram.

TORRA: Mmhmm. Let me see if a local Wookiee wants to adopt you.

FROSTWALKER: I keep a record of all my dealings!

TRACINYA: I don't trust him. ...Still, if we're all armed, plus Verd who is staring at the door right now willing it to open so it can chomp whatever's on the other side, I think we can let him out to show us the hologram. We'll be enough to take him down if he misbehaves.

GRIDLOCK: No.

TRACINYA: Okay, cap'n says no. I kinda agree. We should get Astro's opinion on this, though.

GRIDLOCK: I was watching him attack Astro.

FROSTWALKER: I know a Wook that can help me. His name is Jibacca. He’ll vouch for me.

GRIDLOCK: Sure...

TORRA: Oh, alright. We'll just quickly get one Wookiee out of 55 MILLION on a giant planet that scarcely uses technology.

FROSTWALKER: Fine. You go into the Shadowlands, it’s your funeral. He hates other beings, apart from me.

GRIDLOCK: We never said anything about the Shadowlands. We're landing at Kachiro.

FROSTWALKER: I know. You will need Jibacca. Trust me. You will need me to see him.

GRIDLOCK: We are going there for no reason.

TORRA: This is not going to end well, it's not...

FROSTWALKER: You have to believe me! I have the contract to kill the Night Sentinel King.

GRIDLOCK: *(finally, to Frostwalker)* Fine. But we will keep you in a mobile ray shield.

FROSTWALKER: Thank you.

TORRA: No! We—no!

ASTROVIOUS: *(walks out of his cabin, towards the others)* So, what’d I miss?

TRACINYA: *(has been doing research on her datapad)* Do you know how much noise a mobile ray shield makes? We'll be a target for miles. It also uses a kark ton of energy.

TORRA: Yes! Listen to her!

FROSTWALKER: *(to Torra)* Do you want to end the Sentinels or not?

GRIDLOCK: How will we keep you contained?

TRACINYA: We should open the door, stun him, make sure he's tied up at least, and then if Astrovious wants to go on what may be a wild goose chase in these Shadowlands, we can.

ASTROVIOUS: What’s going on?!

FROSTWALKER: The end of the Sentinels. Finally.

TORRA: I don't even know who 'the Sentinels' are! Plus, he's half whatever-the-heck. By the fact one blob almost killed us all, en entire organism would be able to escape that.

GRIDLOCK: We need to trust him.

TRACINYA: Trust him, all right, but everyone better have their weapons trained on him in case.

FROSTWALKER: Let me out and we will talk in a calm and orderly manner.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, he’s looking for a Wookiee right? I’m friends with one Wookiee tribe, on the southern equator, they may be able to help.

TRACINYA: He said the Wook lives in the Shadowlands.

FROSTWALKER: I’ll tell you everything. I promise.

ASTROVIOUS: *(draws blaster and converts to rifle mode)* Ready?

TORRA: Don't have to tell me twice. *(pulls out his activated rifle)*

TRACINYA: *(calling to strill)* Verd! Heel. *(draws beskad)*

*Gridlock, with zero weapons at the ready or armor, opens the door to the storage room where Frostwalker is imprisoned.*

TORRA: *(to Frostwalker)* If you try anything, you're dead.

FROSTWALKER: *(exiting the storage room)* Finally. Now let’s talk.

## Chapter 23

FROSTWALKER: Don’t worry. You can trust me.

GRIDLOCK: I do.

FROSTWALKER: Anyone else?

TORRA: NO, but kriffing talk already!

ASTROVIOUS: Why would I trust you, you haven’t done much to prove it.

TRACINYA: I'm neutral. For now. Can't speak for the strill though.

*Verd growls. Frostwalker hesitates.*

TORRA: *(to Frostwalker)* When I said don't try anything I didn't mean don't talk.

FROSTWALKER: *(clears throat)* As you know, I was working as a merc and was offered a ton of credits for the death of the Night Sentinel King. I took the job and infiltrated their organization after passing some brutal gladiatorial battles. I was about to assassinate him before getting assigned to “kill” the Sons. I know better than to betray Mandalore. It would make me a *Dar’manda* if I completed the King’s contract. So there you have it. Happy?

*The group is silent, processing this information.*

FROSTWALKER: I have the proof. *(pulls up a hologram with the assassination contract of the King)*

TORRA: Will I ever meet anyone normal?

ASTROVIOUS: *(feels through the Force)* He’s... he’s actually speaking the truth.

TRACINYA: Okay, easy, Verd. He's a friend. For now.

FROSTWALKER: I’m sorry for deceiving y’all, but it was necessary. Don’t ask me about my employer, she prefers to keep my missions off record.

GRIDLOCK: *(to Frostwalker)* Why did you try to kill him?

FROSTWALKER: Who? Astro?

TRACINYA: I don't know who tried to kill who, but Astro says he's telling the truth, Grid trusts him, Fej is prepared in case they're wrong - I guess we're going to the Shadowlands. C'mon, Verd. *(goes to her cabin to get ready)*

TORRA: *(to Frostwalker)* Like I always say, "Never be loyal to your plan, for if you are, you are reluctant to assess surprises." I'm not gonna take my rifle off ya' any time soon.

ASTROVIOUS: Alright, enough of this, how much longer ‘till Kashyyyk?

FROSTWALKER: Jibacca will not like you at first. So let me do the talking.

ASTROVIOUS: You underestimate my Wookiee relations, trust me.

FROSTWALKER: They call him a “Mad-Claw”.

ASTROVIOUS: Oh, then we may have a problem, the tribe I know is more honorable than most, so a Mad-Claw isn’t good. Fej, can I borrow your workspace for a while, I have a weapon idea?

TORRA: Can you build weapons?

GRIDLOCK: I have a workbench too.

ASTROVIOUS: I have plans, simple, but it’ll be effective.

TRACINYA: *(entering the room)* I built a kind of temporary forge setup. There's a lot of old junk on this ship that works without exploding if you put it together the right way. Hence Verd now having fore-shoulder plates. *(gestures to the strill, which is following her and wearing an armored harness)*

ASTROVIOUS: Well, I’ll just borrow Fej’s, it’ll be especially effective against the design of the stormtrooper armor.

GRIDLOCK: Can I build a Lightsaber?

ASTROVIOUS: Well, you need a crystal for a saber, and the Force, it’s not an easy feat.

TRACINYA: Have we landed yet?

GRIDLOCK: We will be there in an hour. Hyperspace takes time, Aroa'yr. *(to Astrovious)* I have a crystal.

TRACINYA: I know that, it just seems like time is doing the opposite of flying right now. ...Wait, is Grid a Force-user too?

ASTROVIOUS: Alright, I’ll be back, gonna try this design.

*Astrovious heads to Fej’s workspace, and begins constructing his design: a small slugthrower with a rotating ammunition holder - basically a six shooter revolver. He returns with it, and shows it to the group.*

ASTROVIOUS: *(twirling gun)* You like it?

TRACINYA: Looks powerful.

GRIDLOCK: Nice! can you help me build my Saber now?

ASTROVIOUS: Yeah Grid, I’ll help you, it’ll be harder without the force, but doable.

FROSTWALKER: I’m going to be building a weapon. The WESTAR double barreled scattergun.

GRIDLOCK: We don't trust you with weapons yet.

TRACINYA: Yeah, we're not letting you have a weapon. You have your Rav-hungry-whatever. And you're still kinda under suspicion.

FROSTWALKER: Then why do I have my WESTAR-35s with me then? *(points to his holstered blasters)*

TRACINYA: Because Astro forgot to take them away when he threw you in the cooler. Now put them down and we can discuss this like civilized beings.

ASTROVIOUS: *(to Frostwalker)* Check your blasters, they’re not loaded.

TRACINYA: Well, that's all right I guess...

GRIDLOCK: I'm good with swords.

TRACINYA: Grid, good with swords? The kid has yet to impress me on that angle.

ASTROVIOUS: Alright Grid, get pieces that you would like in your saber, I’ll help from there, get something that works for you.

GRIDLOCK: I have a crystal, and some spare parts.

FROSTWALKER: I have the parts necessary for my scattergun. I’ll be patient.

TRACINYA: YOU ARE NOT BUILDING A SCATTERGUN.

FROSTWALKER: Why not? I’ve been waiting to build one and eventually mass produce them on Mandalore when my merc work is done.

TRACINYA: Yeah, but not on this ship. We don't trust you, y'see. Which is why your pistols are unloaded. Of course, you still have Hungry. He should come in useful when we run into a nest of giant spiders.

FROSTWALKER: He cannot handle blaster fire. A few shots yeah that’s ok. But not a KARKING barrage!

TORRA: Well, unless we have anymore important conversations, I'm going back to work.

ASTROVIOUS: Well Grid, then let’s head to your workbench.

*Astrovious, Gridlock, and Torra leave to work on their various projects. Tracinya hangs around the living suite to keep an eye on Frostwalker while she researches Kashyyyk wildlife. A few minutes later, Frostwalker, seeing that she is distracted and muttering something about how cute the giant spiders are, stealthily leaves the room and heads for the armory.*

FROSTWALKER: *(to himself)* Spiders. Why did it have to be spiders?

## Chapter 24

*While the* Streller *travels through Hyperspace towards Kashyyyk, Gridlock and Astrovious go to Gridlock's workbench to build a lightsaber.*

GRIDLOCK: So this is my workbench, and this is my crystal.

ASTROVIOUS: First Grid, you wanna start out with the interior, then add the body.

*Gridlock starts tinkering. Astrovious helps him with a few things. Meanwhile, Torra sits in his room, door closed. He places the Blob Jar atop his table, and places a life scanner above it. The readings are off the charts. Electromagnetic pulses are frequent.*

TORRA: What, are you?

*Gridlock finishes putting the lightsaber together, under Astrovious' guidance.*

GRIDLOCK: Shall I test it? *(holds up the silver lightsaber hilt)*

ASTROVIOUS: Go ahead, it looks good for a first timer Grid.

GRIDLOCK: *(ignites the lightsaber, a green blade extends from the hilt)* I'd say it's a success!

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, well, we can head to the storage bay to test it, you can go against me or Aroa.

GRIDLOCK: I'll go against you, cause you have a saber and I don't want to be responsible for breaking a sword.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, I could’ve given her a saber, but that’s fine, learning to fight my style is just as important.

*Meanwhile, Frostwalker reloads his pistols in the armory. He is walking back to the others when he suddenly starts yelling.*

FROSTWALKER: OW! SON OF A KATH HOUND! Well, that is just great... FEJ!

TORRA: *(calling from his cabin)* Yes?!

FROSTWALKER: *(yells)* You come here for a moment?

TORRA: *(to the Blob Jar)* Stay right here, little guy. *(starts running over to Jonax' location, calling to him)* Yeah?

*While Torra goes to see what Frostwalker is yelling about, Gridlock and Astrovious walk to the storage room. Gridlock turns on his new green lightsaber. Astrovious goes to his room, returns with his saber, and ignites his own green blade.*

ASTROVIOUS: Ready?

GRIDLOCK: Ready.

ASTROVIOUS: Your move. *(puts one hand behind back, one holding out saber, and does Makashi salute)*

GRIDLOCK: I have practiced form 3 with a stick. You are Doomed!

ASTROVIOUS: So you may think... Arrogance isn’t a great start.

*Gridlock and Astrovious duel.*

ASTROVIOUS: *(blocking Gridlock's attacks)* Sloppy, unrefined, you have much work ahead of you.

*Gridlock quickly roll dodges behind him, and their blades meet.*

ASTROVIOUS: Hmm, impressive. *(pushes Gridlock's blade aside and thrusts for his chest, stopping inches away)* Dead.

*Gridlock dodges back.*

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, better...

*Astrovious slides back, taking a defensive stance. Gridlock blocks in anticipation of Astrovious' next attack. Elsewhere in the ship, Torra converses with Frostwalker.*

FROSTWALKER: Two things: One, what was that electric shock? Two, I need help with my WESTAR scattergun.

TORRA: What electric shock? And what about your gun?

FROSTWALKER: I’m building a new WESTAR weapon that I can mass produce when this is all over. I call it the WESTAR Scattershot. Besides that, I just felt an electric shock and I was nowhere near anything electric.

TORRA: I believe WESTAR is a brand. What would you need help with? Also, I sensed electrical pulses in the blob but I assume it was just it's way of neuro-electricity. Thinking. Since it has no organs.

FROSTWALKER: I’m planning to get a job at WESTAR. Been my life long dream. Fej, hand me the trigger, would ya?

TORRA: Hand you what trigger?

FROSTWALKER: Huh. Looks like Ravager hasn’t been completely honest with me. It’s on the table behind me.

TORRA: What is? I'm confused. Maybe I'm just tired. Do you still need my help?

FROSTWALKER: No. That was the last part. Thanks! *(he aims his weapon system at the wall, and shoots blanks)* Perfect.

TORRA: Ooooooooookay.... I'm going to go back to my... studies... now.

FROSTWALKER: *(starts loading up WESTAR Scattergun)* This is going to be fun. Very fun.

TORRA: Alrighty then.. I'll be working for a LONG time tonight. And Kashyyyk is several million light years to go, so, see you in the morning. Or, whatever it is in space. By tomorrow I'll have this thing figured out. *(goes back to his cabin)*

FROSTWALKER: *(walks through the halls, doing spin tricks with WESTAR-35s)* I don’t think I felt this good since... ever. *(continues tricks until he sees Astrovious and Gridlock dueling)*

*Astrovious lunges forward, swings from the right. Gridlock rolls to the side and goes for the feet.*

GRIDLOCK: Defooticated!

*Astrovious' right swing was a feint. He swings down, hitting Gridlock's blade, and angles the blade to go to his opponent's legs. Gridlock rolls away, jumps, and swings towards Astrovious' head. Astrovious blocks once more, and twirls his blade to disarm Gridlock.*

*As Gridlock's lightsaber extinguishes and the hilt clatters away, he looks down at his wrist chrono. He suddenly runs to the cockpit, and pulls the* Streller *out of Hyperspace.*

ASTROVIOUS: Well, I’ll take that as a win... *(follows Gridlock to cockpit, and sees that they are in orbit above Kashyyyk)*

GRIDLOCK: We are here, but Fej said to wait till he is done, so tomorrow morning, we land. Also, I will set a lock to the cockpit so Jonax doesn't fly us anywhere. *(locks cockpit door)*

FROSTWALKER: *(still doing spin tricks with pistols)* Fine by me. The steering is a little off though.

ASTROVIOUS: Got it, I’m gonna test out my new weapon, as now with the Jedi dead, and the Empire hunting survivors, I don’t want to give myself away.

GRIDLOCK: Yet I built a lightsaber.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, I’d only use it in dire situations, find a way to keep it hidden, whether it’s a way to detach it into multiple parts, or just hide it on your person.

GRIDLOCK: I'm gonna build a mod that allows me to Force pull it to me using magnets.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, that’ll come in handy if you’re disarmed, but still, find a way to keep it hidden on your person, if the Empire sees it, they’ll send something after us, I don’t want to risk anything.

FROSTWALKER: Good call. I‘m already being hunted by the Sentinels. We don’t want anything else coming for us. Best to keep it hidden.

GRIDLOCK: I'm gonna find a way to split it into sections to put it on my belt.

ASTROVIOUS: I’ve heard rumors, whispers in the Force of fallen Jedi joining the Empire, that they’ve already found and killed many Jedi, let’s not make them think you’re a Jedi too.

GRIDLOCK: Come on, do I look like a Jedi?

FROSTWALKER: No. And that is for the best.

GRIDLOCK: Yay!

ASTROVIOUS: Well, do I look like one?

FROSTWALKER: It is not obvious. My guess it that only a Dark Jedi or whatever would notice. But what do I know? I’m not a Force user.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, you never know when there may be one, so who knows?

FROSTWALKER: Well, I’m always looking for a good fight.

ASTROVIOUS: Yeah, but who knows when we’ll be outmatched?

FROSTWALKER: *(cracks knuckles and neck)* We shall see.

ASTROVIOUS: Yes, we shall...

FROSTWALKER: *(loads WESTAR Scattergun)* Oh! I almost forgot Jibacca cannot speak. He uses sign language.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, then I hope you know it, as my only other languages are Mando’a and Shyriiwook.

FROSTWALKER: Yup. I only know Basic, Sign, Mando’a, and Shyriiwook

ASTROVIOUS: Well, that’s good, guess we have two Wookiee translators then.

FROSTWALKER: So what are we going to do on Kashyyyk, other than getting my friend. Most important objectives first, right?

ASTROVIOUS: Stir stuff up, attempt to protect the Wookiee’s from the empire, push them back as much as we can.

FROSTWALKER: Roger that.

*The Knights of Mandalore: Rise of the Empire*
Chapters 1–3 | Chapters 4–6 | Chapters 7–9