The Cargo Deeques And First Kills

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~~~(POV: Jedi Padawan Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Cliff Edge, Outside Cargo Deeques Base, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

The macrobinoculars Mom's letting me use shows the sheer size of the base. It's a good six stories tall and a good 100 meters wide. There are multiple entrances that are heavily guarded. We've been here for about an hour, trying to figure out a way in.

Mom changed the mission and informed the council of the situation. We're to disable the leadership of the Cargo Deeques pirate gang.

Wess Barden, Mesa Barden, and Paxs Barden.

When a pirate crew's most vital is eliminated, rarely the crew stays together. Instead of taking on the entire base, all we need to do is get rid of their leaders.

"Tell me, Taylor. What do you think? How should we go about getting to the Barden brothers? Any ideas on how we can get past the security?"

Mom takes me from my thoughts with the sudden question, and she motions for the macrobinoculars back. I hand them to her and begin thinking about her question.

These are things I'll have to learn. The lessons in the Temple growing up don't detail bases built and occupied by pirates. We only learned about military installations and effective strategies for dealing with places of that caliber.

"I doubt they have ground sensors. They're using live patrols and checkpoints for security. We already know the rotation pattern; we only need to move in through the gap."

Since this place is less complicated compared to what I learned in the Temple, I think my suggestion is rather good. Her smile and light chuckle are of a more amused nature than anything.

Guess my suggestion isn't as good as I thought.

"Perhaps if we were dealing with an ordinary pirate gang. Here, look at the corners near the south side of the building."

She hands the macrobinoculars back to me. Once I'm looking through the visor, that's when I see what I missed.

"Oh."

They've got security cameras riddled all over the southern side of the building. They're really well hidden, and if they're that hard to see on the most visible part of the base, we're looking at. Then it's safe to assume more can be found.

"Yeah, security cameras aren't usually in the repertoire of a pirate gang. They lack the Credits most of the time. Cargo Deeques are a crew that can take that expense without batting an eye. So, any more ideas?"

Now that I know there are security camera's down there, it's not like I can rip off from my Initiate lessons anymore. Sure, we learned how to attack a base with security cameras.

Not sneak into one. Attack and sneaking are the key difference here.

"Um... No? You're putting me on the spot here, Mom. Maybe if we cut off the power supply, but that'd raise concerns too."

That's the best I can come up with on short notice. Cutting the power supply will alert the Barden brothers someone is here.

"What's something we can use but they can't?"

Ohhhh, I'm so stupid.

"I see it now. They're dumb pirates."

She smiles, knowing that I've come to the same conclusion she has regarding a plan.

~~~(POV: Jedi Master Krayla Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Elevator, Cargo Deeques Base, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 36 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

Taylor has her eyes close as we slowly ascend the six levels of the base. It's not like they built it for speed. They have no idea we're coming up, and I can sense all three Barden brothers. They're here, and we'll stop whatever they're planning.

She's meditating on my advice. No matter what happens, when the elevator door opens. We'll be in a fight. They may not know we're coming, but they've got eyes.

My thoughts drift to the first time Roland and I had a mission where we took life from others. It was a process the first time, but in the end, they became one with The Force.

Master Garness always said it was justified since it was the last option. I've taken solace in that mindset many times. It's helped me remain pure to the Jedi Code as much as possible. No senseless violence and death.

Only what's been deemed necessary.

"We're almost there, Taylor. Prepare yourself."

Her eyes open as the words leave my lips, and a breath enters her. Before we fight, we'll try to reason with them.

"I'm ready, Mom."

When she says that, the door to the elevator opens, and we come to a stop. I'm the first to step off, and she's right next to me a second later. It's a large open room with several men around a large table.

About 20 in total turn their heads and look at us. Everyone has faces of shock. I scan that group, and the Barden brothers are all together on the other side, at the center of the table.

It's a giant hologram of Iziz. They have troop placement, armament locations, and entrances. It looks like they're planning a full-scale invasion. They have thousands of pirates spread across Onderon; they're likely on standby for the order.

"My name is Krayla Azure. Jedi Master. This is my padawan, Taylor Azure."

The moment I finish my introduction, hands around the room start reaching for blasters. The only thing that stops them is a raised voice coming from Paxs. The three brothers look very alike; the only difference is age.

Paxs is the leader of the Cargo Deeques and the eldest of the Barden brothers. His eyes stare into mine, and there is a calm anger in him.

"Jedi Master, huh... Looks like our security gave you no problems. Not a peep in warning us you were coming up."

That's the point.

"We're giving you one chance to surrender peacefully. None of you need to perish this day."

My daughter takes over now. At first, she didn't want to speak with them at all. It took some persuasion, but I convinced her it's essential for her to learn this part about being a Jedi too.

Saving lives by asking those that wish to cause harm to surrender.

"The little Jedi thinks we'l-!!"

Smack

The brother, known as Mesa, is clobbered in the head, hard enough to be knocked to the ground. Paxs stands over him with gritted teeth. A large spike in anger is coming from the man.

"Shut up."

He lets go of the fist full of hair and turns his attention back to us. Specifically me.

"Onderon is ours, Master Jedi. Even if you kill everyone in this room, you won't rid this world of pirates. They'll continue to fester until someone else comes along."

He's trying to bargain with a losing endgame for Onderon, no matter my current move. It's not an ineffective tactic for most people. He's unaware the Senate and the Republic will send help to Onderon.

That's what happens when you try to take over a world in the Republic.

"And what? Better you stay and control the pirates? Judging from the holomap, you're planning a siege on Iziz. It's the only place on Onderon you don't control."

My rebuttal is only to buy time. Once we entered the base undetected, it behooved me to send a message to Dardos. He's on his way with a force of men to arrest people. Be it survivors or everyone.

His eyes squint in thought, and a short breath enters his lungs. Before anything else happens, Paxs draws his blaster from his belt and takes a shot at me. Everything slows down as I take my lightsaber hilt from my belt.

Igniting my green blade and deflecting the bolt right back to Paxs. He has no time to react as the blaster bolt hits him square in the head. Falling over, dead. The room is silent, and that's when Taylor pulls out her lightsaber and ignites it.

Her green blade that's matching my own.

"PAXS!! NO!!!"

The youngest brother rushes to his brother's side and holds him in his lap. Tears are falling from his eyes. Wess stands up and stares at us; rage and hate radiate off the man. Mesa is standing next to him and looking at their dead brother.

"KILL THESE SCUM!!!"

The room echoes the scream the youngest brother releases, and everyone has blasters pointed at us now. Fingers are pulling back on the triggers.

~~~(POV: Jedi Padawan Taylor Azure)~~~

~~~(Location: Command Room, Carge Deeques Base, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

All the blasters in the room are pointed at us. A second later, I'm using my lightsaber to deflect the blaster bolts away from me. I'm not skilled enough to aim for the head like Mom. But I can send them back to the bodies.

The bolts fly at me, and everything is moving in slow motion for me. I watch Mom leap from her spot and land on the center of the table.

BRRROOOOMM

She releases a Force Repulse and sends every person around the table flying away. Not wasting any time, I leap from my spot and land between two guys about to get up. I don't hesitate. My saber cuts through one's chest halfway.

Killing him.

And my next attack is a piercing jab through the man's heart. Force Pushing him away into another couple of men. Knocking them over.

It only takes a moment for me to reach them using The Force, and I dismember them with the skills of a Jedi. After I look around, none are getting up. I look at Mom, and she's dispatching the ones closest to her.

Her saber moves quickly as she lethally cuts through the men. Removing limbs or deep saber strikes is all they receive.

After another few seconds, all the movement from the pirates in the room ends. I sense there are some still alive. The ones alive are unconscious from Mom's use of Force Repulse.

A highly advanced technique and one I hope to learn one day. I walk over to her now that we're finished. I turn off my lightsaber and attach it to my belt. She does the same and places a hand on my shoulder.

"They are one with The Force now, Taylor. We did the right thing. We gave them a chance."

It's a Jedi's inevitable duty to defend oneself from death.

"Thanks, Mom... Didn't think our investigation mission would suddenly turn into an assault..."

There is a light and slightly joking tone in my voice. My Mom smiles and wraps me in a hug; after a minute, the blaster fire coming from outside takes our attention. Dardos is here, and he's engaging the pirates outside. It's time we help them.

~~~(POV: Kenneth Dardos)~~~

~~~(Location: Command Room, Cargo Deeques Base, Onderon)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 52 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

My troops follow me around the room as we round up those we've cuffed. Krayla and Taylor are effective warriors. Among the dead are Mesa and Paxs. The only Barden brother to survive is Wess.

I move to the large holotable and press a few buttons on the console. As I do, a live feed goes out to all the pirates on Onderon.

"Pirate filth. Your leaders are dead and arrested. The Cargo Deeques pirate gang is destroyed. You have 24 hours to leave Onderon. If you don't. You'll meet the same fate."

The Jedi that's helped us in our crisis watch from the side. Master Azure has a slightly disappointed look on her face at my words. The daughter doesn't show anything she's feeling.

"To all the corrupt nobles, public officials, and officers. You have 24 hours to surrender. If you don't, you'll be charged with High Treason and executed."

My fingers run across the console as I force it on repeat. A sigh escapes from me. All I can do is lean against the holotable and tilt my head forward. So much changed in the eight hours the Jedi arrived.

We learned of a plot to invade Iziz. We uncovered pirate scouts in our capital. Without them, we'd have been destroyed come morning in a few hours.

Master Krayla moves in my direction, and her daughter follows next to her. I stand up straight on her approach and fill my chest with air.

"I won't say anything about your message. Given the circumstances."

She shrugs at the pile of limbs and corpses next to us.

"Thanks for all your help, Master Krayla. Without the intervention of the Jedi Order and you. Onderon wouldn't belong to Onderonians come morning. King Gaes has informed me he wishes you to attend a celebration in the capital."

Krayla simply shakes her head with an understanding grin. No matter how much we want to show our gratitude to them, they won't allow it.

They're Jedi.

After today, I wouldn't be surprised if their reputation increased.

"It's been a pleasure working with you, Kenneth. May The Force be with you."

This time, it's Taylor that speaks. As she finishes the farewell, they both bow their heads slightly and head for the door. Once they enter the elevator and start descending, I can only look around the room.

Watch my troops drag away and pile pirate bodies. The alive ones are at the side of the room. Wess Barden is among them. He's got a nasty look on his face as he stares at the elevator's closed doors.

While the women I spoke to are beautiful beyond description and elegant beyond words. The amount of carnage they unleashed in this room is staggering.

"Only the Jedi..."

It's quite remarkable...

~~~(POV: Adren Saydra)~~~

~~~(Location: Light Freighter, Hyperspace, Trellen Trade Hyperroute)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 569 BBY)~~~

Beep. Boop. Beep. Boop.

"I'm immune to the effects of the Zeltron species."

D4 is raising concerns about the planet we're a day out from. Zeltros is the home planet of the Zeltron species. It's a humanoid race with varying colors of skin and hair. They produce pheromones that induce sexual desire and arousal.

Many regard them as the most attractive species in the galaxy. I'm not among them.

It's where my next target on my list is staying. Why he's hidden on Zeltros is obvious, but it's not the best place to escape me.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"When I've killed the Hutt, we'll move on to the next target."

D4 knows I'd never plan to stay and relax. Not a chance in hell. He's asking this question to irritate me.

I don't and won't waste time on such frivolities.

My priorities are higher than sex and parties. I'll leave that to the Zeltrons.

Boop. Boop.

"Keep pushing me, and I'll jettison you into space near the next planet we pass."

BEEP. BEEP. BOOP.

He's quick to rush off in frustration. Releasing all sorts of sounds as he does. Astromechs are handy, but this personality problem is giving me second thoughts. D4 is lucky I trust him.

It's not long before we reach Zeltros. It'll take some time to track down the Hutt I'm after once I'm on the planet. The list I took didn't have a specific planetside location. Meaning I'll have to use other means to locate him.

Farf'ro the Hutt.

One of the worst creatures you'll ever come across. I'm looking forward to igniting his body with Force Lightning. Just thinking about red bolts of electricity coursing through him makes me smile.

My list is long, but that's not something to complain about. Twelve Hutts. Farf'ro is the first among them.

This hunt across the Rim will need to be quick. Once word gets out that I've killed Farf'ro, the Hutts will switch locations again. I don't want my list to become useless so quickly. But that's part of the game too.