The Knights of Mandalore: Rise of the Empire/Part 6

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

## Chapter Sixteen

*Tatooine, 19 BBY*

*Aboard the* Streller*, Gridlock and Frostwalker are looking after Astrovious, who has just woken up after being knocked out by Frostwalker's alien symbiote, Ravager. Tracinya has appeared after a prolonged absence in her cabin and, not recognizing Frostwalker, confronts the trio.*

ASTROVIOUS: Well, there’s a monster on board, that’s all I remember.

TRACINYA: A monster on board? Well, good thing I was in here making armor for- no, Verd!

*The strill Verd, which is now wearing a harness with pieces of durasteel armor attached, runs out of Tracinya's cabin and charges at Frostwalker, growling. Tracinya quickly grabs it.*

TRACINYA: Someone tell me what's going on...

ASTROVIOUS: *(pointing warily at Frostwalker)* Well, I was giving him his trials earlier, then, he-he grabbed me, threw me against a wall, then I blanked.

TORRA: *(coming out of his room)* Well, I got that little snip contained in my handy container, there. Everything good? Oh, hey Aroa, I see you've come out of quarantine?

TRACINYA: I was locked up in there forging armor for Verd with some supplies I found. Surprised you didn't hear the clanging. Who's this stranger and what's this talk of a monster on board? I assume you've killed it... right?

ASTROVIOUS: I hope they did something with it, it nearly killed me!

GRIDLOCK: Oh... About Hungry...

ASTROVIOUS: Is that what it’s called? Hungry?

GRIDLOCK: Apparently its real name is Ravager, but I prefer Hungry.

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, well, where is it?

GRIDLOCK: Ask Jonax.

TRACINYA: Who's Jonax? This middle-aged cyborg staring at Verd?

TORRA: Oh, right, you didn't meet the insane kid yet.

GRIDLOCK: He was with us on Kamino.

ASTROVIOUS: Yeah, we did most the work on Kamino though.

GRIDLOCK: I blew up a Star Destroyer!

ASTROVIOUS: I killed an entire transports amount of stormtroopers, so, not as impressive...

TORRA: I wrestled an inch long worm.

GRIDLOCK: ...Oh! and then I jumped out of it and jetpacked around. Fej almost shot me though. I am not a V-Wing, Fej!

*While listening to the group's impressive stories, Tracinya drags the snarling strill into her room and locks the door on it.*

TRACINYA: Sorry, it doesn't seem too fond of this insane Jonax person you picked up. I can see I'll have some catching up to do. Is this... hungry monster still around?

TORRA: Headeater's gonna get along great with the insane kid. Now we have two animals on board. Great.

ASTROVIOUS: I haven’t seen it since his trial, did he complete it?

GRIDLOCK: Yep. He's cool. He likes Ronto Wraps!

TORRA: Did he rebuild his weapon yet? Hehe.

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, well, I guess that’s one way to do it.

GRIDLOCK: We need to scout the nearby settlement. It is called Mos Eisley.

TRACINYA: Ah, well scouting, there's something I can do.

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, never cared enough about this place, just sand, jawas, criminals, and savages. So, we gonna scout together, or split up?

GRIDLOCK: Together.

TORRA: Scout what? Sand? Drunks?

ASTROVIOUS: Well, should I head back and get into armor? Or blend in?

GRIDLOCK: Scout the towns. No armor.

TORRA: Well, I'm staying here. Comm me in if, and that's a big if, you find anything. I have work to be done.

GRIDLOCK: K

ASTROVIOUS: Got it, I’m still taking my weapons, hiding my saber under my jacket, and holstering my blaster on my chest.

*Tracinya, Gridlock, and Astrovious change into light desert clothes, ready their equipment, and leave the ship. Gridlock scans the distance with Quadnoculars. They agree that Gridlock and Astrovious will investigate the nearby town of Mos Eisley, while Tracinya scouts the area around the town.*

GRIDLOCK: *(to Astrovious)* Where should we go first?

ASTROVIOUS: The cantina, that’s where we can get the most information.

TORRA: *(over comms)* The Cantina? Don't tell me you're going to Mos Eisley!

ASTROVIOUS: *(over comms)* Well, every crime lord has people in the cantina, either drunks or sentries.

*Gridlock and Astrovious walk from their landing site on the outskirts of Mos Eisley to the town cantina. Inside, they see that the cantina doesn't have many patrons. The bartender notices them enter.*

BARTENDER: What drinks you gonna have?

ASTROVIOUS: Give me the strongest you got.

GRIDLOCK: I will have a Blurrgfire. Here are the credits. *(hands bartender 6 credits)*

BARTENDER: *(to Astrovious)* The Fuzzy Tauntaun? You may feel numbness in the lips. *(to Gridlock)* Aren't you like 14?

*Gridlock shrugs. Astrovious tosses some credits on the bar and takes his drink when the bartender slides it across.*

ASTROVIOUS: *(quietly, to Gridlock)* So, keep an eye out for someone looking... suspicious.

GRIDLOCK: How about that guy who has been watching us since we walked in?

*Just then, Frostwalker walks into the cantina. The atmosphere cools noticeably.*

FROSTWALKER: Huh. This is a good place to get a drink and make a few credits.

GRIDLOCK: *(calling to Frostwalker)* Jonax, what are you doing here?

*At a table in the cantina, one of the patrons sees Frostwalker enter and hears Gridlock say his name, and calls out to him.*

VOICE: *(to Frostwalker)* Jack? Jack the Slayer, that you?

FROSTWALKER: Depends who’s asking.

VOICE: Salazar.

FROSTWALKER: *(recognizing the name)* Sal?

SALAZAR: C’mon Jack. Let’s get a drink.

FROSTWALKER: Fine by me.

SALAZAR: So Jack, Ravager been since you left the Sentinels? And more importantly, who have you been, Slayer?

FROSTWALKER: No one calls me that anymore. But I’m fine.

## Chapter Seventeen

*In the Mos Eisley cantina, Frostwalker and his old comrade Salazar go to the bar to order their drinks. While keeping an eye on them from nearby, Astrovious returns to talking with Gridlock about the person who has been watching the Sons of Mandalore since their arrival.*

ASTROVIOUS: *(to Gridlock)* Yeah, you watch him, I’ll look away, what does he look like?

GRIDLOCK: He's the ithorian in the corner.

ASTROVIOUS: Huh, an ithorian, odd, never expect them to be, suspicious, or odd.

GRIDLOCK: Me neither.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, watch him, look the other way, there’s a verpine, also watching us.

GRIDLOCK: The Verpine is suspicious to me.

*Tracinya appears from scouting the wilds. She takes up a position lounging against the wall just inside the cantina doorway, keeping an eye on the outside world, and awaits developments.*

ASTROVIOUS: Yeah, but it’s an odd verpine, more of a sand colored skin, definitely has history here, dating back generations, probably works for a hutt.

GRIDLOCK: Well, I don't want to work for a hutt.

ASTROVIOUS: No, but he may be able to help us, with getting what we need on Tatooine.

*Nearby, Frostwalker and his old comrade Salazar leave the bar and go back to Salazar's table. They sit down. As they continue drinking, their conversation escalates.*

SALAZAR: Heard you been running with the Sons of Mandalore. Not a good thing.

FROSTWALKER: And how you’d you know, Sal? You left me for dead.

SALAZAR: *(in a slurred voice)* C’mon Slayer! You used to be so cool. What happened to ya? *(starting to yell)* You can do SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE SSONSS...

FROSTWALKER: Well you mind your business and I’ll worry about mine.

SALAZAR: They don’t know who Jack the Slayer really is. Do they? *(slams fist on table)*

FROSTWALKER: Shut up! Jack the Slayer died after I went on my own and got stranded on Kamino.

GRIDLOCK: *(calling to Frostwalker)* Jonax, are you Ok? are you drunk?

ASTROVIOUS: He seems to be dealing with personal stuff, we may need to stay out of it, but stay alert.

GRIDLOCK: *(to Astrovious)* What do we need?

FROSTWALKER: *(calling to Gridlock)* Ah, Grid. Meet my old partner, Salazar. We were in the Night Sentinels together a long time ago.

GRIDLOCK: Who the kriff is Salazar?

SALAZAR: AHH! YOU SONS DON’T KNOW WHO THE SLAYER IS! Do ya?! *Hut’uun!*

ASTROVIOUS: Ah, he seems like someone who could show us around better than that verpine.

GRIDLOCK: *(to Frostwalker)* Who is Sal?

*Salazar continues his rant, causing several of the patrons to look uncomfortable and start to leave. A drunken Weequay staggers by Tracinya on his way out the door, grabs her and tries to kiss her. She smashes him in the face.*

TRACINYA: Ugh, this is why I usually never go to bars out of armor.

TORRA: *(suddenly, over comms)* Guys! This thing is amazing! I've never seen anything like it in my life!

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms)* Fine. I’m coming. *(to Salazar)* Sal. It was somewhat good to see you again. *(he gets up from the table)*

TRACINYA: *(eyes Weequay who is getting up with a nasty expression)* Yeah, I think it's time to leave.

ASTROVIOUS: *(over comms)* Aroa, you need help?

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* I'm fine. Sorry about that.

TORRA: *(over comms)* This thing has no brain, it's a blob. Yet, it's smarter than a zhuc!

GRIDLOCK: *(over comms)* Cool?

FROSTWALKER: *(heading for the door, where Tracinya is preparing to duke it out with a Weequay twice her size)* Ravager, you heard. We need to double time it NOW!

RAVAGER: *(in Frostwalker's head)* Right!

ASTROVIOUS: *(to Gridlock)* So, we leaving?

GRIDLOCK: Ok

*Astrovious and Gridlock put down their glasses and head for the door, following Frostwalker. The Weequay gets up just as Frostwalker rushes past, and is immediately knocked flat by the cyborg's hasty passage.*

TRACINYA: Well, he doesn't look like he'll be getting up in a while. *(kicks him just to make sure, then follows the group outside)*

ASTROVIOUS: Well, may as well start something before I leave.

*Astrovious ducks back inside the cantina, draws his blaster and shoots the verpine, then leaves before anyone notices it was him. A barfight involving the wounded verpine, weequay, and remaining patrons promptly begins. The bartender ducks under the counter, muttering something about Monodays.*

TORRA: *(over comms)* Find anything?

ASTROVIOUS: *(over comms)* No Fej, saw a verpine that probably worked for a hutt, started a bar fight, and Aroa put a weequay in his place.

*The four Mandalorians head back through Mos Eisley towards their landing site. On the way, something catches Jonax’s eye: twin vibroswords. He goes into the shop where the weapons are displayed.*

SHOPKEEPER: How can I help you, sir?

FROSTWALKER: How much for the swords?

SHOPKEEPER: 2,200 Credits.

FROSTWALKER: Hmm.. fine. *(he pays for the swords and leaves)*

TRACINYA: *(seeing Frostwalker's haul)* Oh good, now I have a sparring partner!

TORRA: *(over comms)* Oh, kriff! Almost killed me, there! Ah! AHH- *(static)*

ASTROVIOUS: *(over comms)* What the- double time now!

TRACINYA: That doesn't sound good.

*The group starts running towards the ship, which is barely in sight.*

ASTROVIOUS: Anyone want me to throw you?

TRACINYA: Uh sure - *(draws vibroblades)* I usually land on my feet.

ASTROVIOUS: Alright, be ready to catch yourself. *(uses the Force to throw Tracinya towards the* Streller*)*

TORRA: *(over comms, staticky and breaking up)* nOooOoooooo *(hissing sound)*

## Chapter Eighteen

*While running towards the* Streller *in response to Torra's distress call, Frostwalker experiences a flashback to a time when he was at the Night Sentinel Headquarters.*

CAPTAIN: Welcome Home, Jack. How was your mission?

FROSTWALKER: Fine. I found out about the intel you wanted, Captain.

CAPTAIN: The Sons?

FROSTWALKER: Yes.

CAPTAIN: Soon, we will take them all out.

*Frostwalker snaps out of it and continues running for the ship.*

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms)* Fej what is going on?

TORRA: *(over comms)* It's a fi—shhhhh—e—shhh

FROSTWALKER: Guys! What happened to Fej? TALK TO ME!!

TRACINYA: *(still flying through the air from Astrovious' Force throw)* AAAH! - *(faceplants on the loading ramp)* Oof. *(picks herself up, punches the* Streller's *unlock sequence, and runs inside, calling into her comm)* Fej? Where are you?

ASTROVIOUS: *(over comms)* Aroa you gotta hurry!

TORRA: *(over comms)* I'm in the kitch—ahhh!

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms)* He is in the kitchen. GO! NOW!

*Tracinya heads into kitchen, where she is greeted by the sight of several large nasty somethings. Torra is holding off a black blob wrapping around his arms on top of the oven.*

TRACINYA: Oh yeah, it's party time.

TORRA: Aroa! Stay—uh—stay away!

JONAX: *(arriving at the ship)* Ravager, switch!

RAVAGER: *(taking over)* LET’S RUMBLE!

*In the kitchen, Torra accidentally turns the oven fire on.*

TORRA: Arghhh! *(falls off the oven)*

*Tracinya ejects a grappling line from her left vambrace, using it to catch the blob as it launches itself off Torra and through the air.*

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* Someone let the strill out, might be a good idea -

RAVAGER: *(over comms)* ON IT! Jonax, switch!

*Ravager retreats into Frostwalker's body, and the cyborg runs to free the strill. Astrovious finally reaches the ship and activates his lightsaber. In the kitchen, Tracinya stabs the blob, grabs Torra, and throws the blob into the oven before backing out with the injured Kel Dor.*

TORRA: NO! Don't do that! This thing has neuroconnection systems! A strill's mental capacity is too weak to fight against us! Then we'll have a gooey black whatever the kriff strill against us! AUGHH

*Another black blob leaps out of the kitchen and climbs up Torra's shoulder. He tries to rip it off. Astrovious runs up and swipes at the blob with his lightsaber, attempting to destroy as much as possible.*

TORRA: I took it out to study! I had no idea this thing could—er—do this!

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* Jonax, no! It'll attack you, plus, it could be infected!

FROSTWALKER: What is going on? Haar'chak. WHERE IS THE KARKING CAGE?

*Frostwalker is looking around Tracinya's cabin for the strill when it sneaks up behind him and starts to maul him.*

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* It's not in a cage now GET THE *SHAB* OUT OF THERE AND DON'T LET IT OUT! From what Fej says it's some sort of parasite -

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms)* Aroa— Oww!! Get off of me!

TORRA: Jonax! You're—kriffing thing—can it breathe—ugh—Dorin Gas?!

ASTROVIOUS: *(looking at sizzling pieces of blob)* Wait, if my lightsaber seems to be destroying it, would two do better?

TORRA: I suppose it lives without breathing considering the lack of lungs, so never mind my question. Does it have any weaknesses?!

TRACINYA: *(throws her vibroblade at a blob, which splits in two)* That might've made it worse... *(over comms)* Verd, down! LEAVE IT!

FROSTWALKER: *(shoves Verd away and escapes, locking the cabin door and yelling into his comm)* What? Ravager said all it needs is a host. Meaning IT CAN SURVIVE ANYWHERE AS LONG AS IT'S BONDED TO SOMETHING!

ASTROVIOUS: Would two sabers help?!

TRACINYA: KILL IT WITH FIRE

ASTROVIOUS: Got it!

*Astrovious runs into his cabin and grabs the mysterious object. He comes out holding a second lightsaber, activates it, and a purple blade extends out of both ends.*

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms, to Torra)* WHY WOULD YOU TAKE IT OUT FOR STUDY IF HE WARNED YOU?!

TORRA: *(over comms)* It wasn't moving until I— oh.

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* Did you lock the door on the strill, Jonax?!

FROSTWALKER: *(over comms)* YES!

*Astrovious jumps towards a blob which has detached from Torra, using both sabers to cut it down. All visible blobs are now motionless, but the Kel Dor is still caked with black goop.*

TRACINYA: What is it Fej?

FROSTWALKER: FEJ! It can fake death or sleep until it is disturbed! What have you done?

TRACINYA: Does that mean we leave it alone or something?!

TORRA: I deduct these things are weak to loud sounds, so... *(takes out his backpack and presses various buttons, attempting to create a very loud noise)* Brace yourselves.

*Tracinya and Astrovious hastily back away and cover their ears.*

FROSTWALKER: What? NO!

TORRA: *(plugs his ears with extremely powerful plugs)* 200,000 db, 100,000 hz. You all ready? You will barely hear this but it could crack steel... it may or may not permanently damage your hearing.

*Astrovious runs to his cabin, grabs his helmet, grabs Tracinya's helmet from the armory, returns, puts his on and tosses Tracinya hers.*

ASTROVIOUS: This may help!

TRACINYA: Thanks Astro. *(puts on her helmet, and adjusts the HUD)* The thing's still moving - showing weird life signs -

TORRA: 3...

FROSTWALKER: *(running into the room)* NO, WAIT! STOP! This will affect more things than you understand!

TORRA: Any objections, Jonax? Or would you like to share once these two become jerky?

FROSTWALKER: If you do it, you’ll kill us all!

TORRA: Give me a reason! Because I have all reason I need to press this kriffing button!

ASTROVIOUS: *(sarcastically)* Please elaborate, we have so much time to talk about this!

FROSTWALKER: A Symbiote cannot handle fire or sound 4,000-6,000 decibels. It’s lethal for them and me! It will kill both of us!

ASTROVIOUS: Then get out! We can deal with this one and you survive!

TORRA: Doesn't seem so bad to— I mean, yeah! Run as fast as you can!

FROSTWALKER: I cannot just stand by while you kill it!

ASTROVIOUS: Then what do you suggest we do?!

TORRA: You gonna stand by and watch it kill us?

FROSTWALKER: *(pulls out his twin WESTARS and points them at Torra)* Now stand down!

*Astrovious gets down, deactivating both his sabers. Tracinya draws her second vibroblade.*

TORRA: Kriff. No. *(readies his rifle, set to ranged explosive plasma)*

FROSTWALKER: Do not think I won’t pull the trigger!

ASTROVIOUS: *(reactivates sabers and jumps in front of Torra)* Don’t do it!

FROSTWALKER: Then stand down and he won’t be harmed.

TRACINYA: Can't you destroy it with your Jedi skills or something, Astro - before this madman does something stupid?

ASTROVIOUS: I-I don’t know, I haven’t taken life with the force in a long time, it does something to you! It-it corrupts you from the inside, it makes you lose those you love, I’m not going through that again!

TORRA: *(to Frostwalker)* Ugh. If you object to me killing this thing, what can I do to keep this THING FROM KILLING EVERYBODY HERE?

FROSTWALKER: Just let it find a suitable host. It will take care of the rest. You will live through the process. I promise. Let it find a host.

TRACINYA: Kark no!

TORRA: It is not finding a host!

ASTROVIOUS: Wait, what if I just remove it from Fej with the Force, that could work, right?

TRACINYA: You're the Jedi, Astro -

FROSTWALKER: No. It will kill both of them. It needs to find a compatible host. If it does not take possession of Fej, it will leave him alone.

ASTROVIOUS: Well, there’s no harm in trying...

*Astrovious uses the Force to attempt to remove the black goop that has stuck to Torra and coagulate it into a ball. The remnants of the blob attempt to hold onto the Kel Dor.*

FROSTWALKER: Strong little kriffer ain’t it?

ASTROVIOUS: *(lets go)* I can’t do it!

GRIDLOCK: *(running in)* Why is that blob on Fej?

FROSTWALKER: I told you. Fej was the one who released it.

TORRA: Gridlock! Welcome back! Mind participating in our little team exercise?

*The blob suddenly leaves Torra, deeming him of no compatibility, and gets onto Astrovious.*

TORRA: Ah, that feels good. *(pulls out rifle)*

ASTROVIOUS: No! I don’t want this! I’ve found balance with the parts of me! I don’t want to find it again!

GRIDLOCK: No thanks I don't want to fight a blob.

TRACINYA: Oh *kriff* - *(runs to let Verd out of her cabin)*

ASTROVIOUS: How do I keep it from connecting to me?!

TRACINYA: *(over comms)* Let it bond with the strill, at least then I can control it! ...I hope.

*The blob, suddenly deeming no one of use, goes back to Torra's jar, which has remained miraculously unbroken throughout the fight.*

TORRA: *(sees the blob enter the jar and jumps onto the lid, enclosing it)* I'm not letting Headeater get possessed by this!

GRIDLOCK: Now I feel sorry for the blob.

FROSTWALKER: Now you see?

ASTROVIOUS: Thank goodness... *(deactivates his lightsabers, hiding the double-bladed one)*

TORRA: Well, that was fun. Time to never again do that.

FROSTWALKER: It needs to have a compatible host.

*Tracinya arrives back with Verd in tow, and sees Torra gasping on top of a safely enclosed blob. Frostwalker and Astrovious are staring at him. Gridlock has left, and the kitchen is still in flames. She collapses into a fit of laughter.)*

TRACINYA: *(laughing)* Next time... please be a little more careful... with your experiments.

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