"I haven't heard from you for a while, Jaster. What is it?" Cole asks.
[I was busy on Mandalore. I was finally voted Mand'alor, can you imagine?]
"Mand'alor, eh? Well, I don't think that anyone is more suited for the position than you are."
Thank you. After you taught me, I'd say it was expected, no? But anyway, I'm calling you because I need your help.]
"What kind of help are we talking about?" Cole asks.
[Essential one. I created a Supercommando Codex concerning the Mandalorian way of conduct, but I think that there will be dissatisfaction among the people. The leading opposition to the Codex is Tor Vizsla. I'm not sure how long it will take before they cause a riot or attack outright. Their forces are growing.]
"I see. Well, I suppose I could come to Mandalore. I'm not sure how quickly I can make it, though."
[I understand. The situation isn't dire or anything, but I promised that I would make you a Mandalorian once I became Mand'alor. So you need to come and collect your armour.]
"Ha! I see you haven't forgotten your poor teacher. Very well, I'll come as soon as I can," Cole says.
[Thank you, my friend.]
Cole has finished his preparation anyway, so nothing is keeping him on the moon. He walks back to the Space Yacht and fires up the engine. The powerful engine roars to life, and Cole leaves the deck, missing a warning light that comes on a second later. He moves to another room, where some of his weapons are showcased. He tends to keep the original piece of all the weapons he finds in there, while having limitless replicas in his inventory.
The Space Yacht rises into the air and, a short while later, jumps to hyperspace. Cole makes his way to the training room he created a while ago. Despite what it may seem, Cole continues to train regularly, as he has nothing else to do between jobs, and he feels there is still potential in his body that he wishes to tap into. He has no one who accompanies him. No one would be that bothered if he died tomorrow, except Aiva. But she cares for money mostly. Cole gets into his training gear and then starts taking out battle droids, which he has started to create out of the inventory.
All of them are set to kill, to give him the maximum benefits.
"Go."
The battle droids are armed with various weapons, ranging from melee to ranged. They attack him at the same time, forcing Cole to move around the rather small area while being heavily outnumbered. But that's what he enjoys, the high-stakes battles to the death. He has become a bit of a battlejunkie when he needs to be. He blocks a vibrosword with his own- the Deathstroke. His left hand points his modified blaster to the left.
*BOOM*
He shoots the incoming droid and kicks the one trying to overpower him with its vibrosword. Cole swings his blade in an arc, cutting off several droids' heads and shooting at five others, simultaneously. He throws the Deathstroke forward, impaling one of the ranged droids and takes out several grenades and throws them across the room, at specific places, which allow him to simply run forward in a straight line and shoot his way through the unsuspecting droids.
*BOOOOOM*
The grenades go off, and cull the many droids further. Cole blocks another set of attacks with the modified electro staff and swings it behind him, shooting with his other hand and blasting a hole through several droids.
After a few minutes, there is no droid left and only a lot of scrap in the room. Not thinking about it, Cole places all of it inside his inventory and then restarts the entire thing again. But before he can start the second round, an alarm rings through the ship.
*Beep Beep Beep*
He makes his way to the deck and sees the warning lights.
[Hyperspace engine failure.]
"Ah fu-"
*bbrooooommm*
With a mighty yank, the Space Yacht exits hyperspace and starts to plummet to the planet below.
.
- Mathas -
"Suffering blankets this planet like a miasma choking its inhabitants. Long have the people of Mathas been victims of the Niffin plague--a malicious disease that attacks the respiratory system over a long period of time, only affecting those born in the world," Jedi Master Cyslin Myr tells her apprentice.
"My heart hangs heavy to witness such pain, master," the Padawan says.
"As does mine, young one. As does mine."
"And what are we doing in the way of aid for these people?" the Padawan asks.
"There is no definitive cause for the disease. No one knows if or when one will become infected. Medical aid is, unfortunately, not within our purview. An outreach temple has been established on the planet to provide emotional and spiritual support to those who seek it. It is all we can do for these people, which brings us to why we are here," Cyslin Myr says.
"The heretic," the Padawan spits out the word with disgust.
"Master Kez Velaz was overseeing this outreach program. He has not been heard from in months. Our reports indicate a man called Drooz has taken up residence. Claiming to be a Jedi prophet and healer, exploiting the people and their suffering for profit."
"And we are here to put a stop to this swindler."
"We are here to assess and apprehend. Our eyes and our words shall be our primary weapons," the Jedi Master corrects.
"This man is perverting our sacred teachings to prey upon a vulnerable people. I can think of little my tongue could say better than my saber in this instance," the Padawan says.
As the two make their way towards the Jedi Temple, the crowd increases, with people going there for help.
"Dissolve your hostility, Padawan. Channel your frustrations into an appropriate emotion. Violence, as always, is our last resort."
"Of course, apologies, Master," he says.
"A fire burns inside you, Padawan. That, in itself, is not inherently wrong. It is my job to help you temper it. This is why I chose you to accompany me on this mission. I do so enjoy a challenge. Stay vigilant. Remember your training," Cyslin Myr says. "This may well be your greatest test yet. Are you ready, Mace?"
"I am ready, Master," the young Mace Windu says.
Inside the Jedi temple, the people are waiting for their turn to beg for help due to the suffering of the Niffin plague, while the fat man, going by the name of Dooz, sits on a large chair and enjoys faith and servitude. One woman steps forward. She looks haggard and burdened by what life has given her.
"I have prayed and prayed in your good name. But the Force does not heed my pleas. I cannot lose another child so early. Please, master Drooz! Save my child's life!" she begs.
"The Force is a complex, star-shattering power of nature. It is my duty as a Jedi Master to act as a conduit for its wisdom and potential. I search the ether, bringing hope and answers to those less in tune with its awesome might. So I must ask you... have you given yourself fully to the Force?" Drooz asks with a disgusting smile.
"I pray every day. I have given money as you have instructed. And yet the Force still does not answer. I do not know what else I can do," the mother answers with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"My people! Do not claim to give your all to the Force and then come back to these hallowed halls looking for handouts. The Force acts according to its own will. If you please, I will shower you with blessings. If no blessings are bestowed upon you, then you must ask, 'What more can I be doing?'"
Drooz touches the woman's chin.
"What more could you be doing, my child?" he asks.
"Excuse me. Master Drooz, was it? I was wondering if you might have a moment to discuss our differing interpretations of the Jedi doctrine," Jedi Master Cyslin Myr interrupts.
Drooz realises who it is that has appeared in his halls. But he isn't willing to give up his ruse just yet. He quickly hides his surprise.
"Discourse is an important aspect of any religious teaching. Speak, friend."
"Then let us begin with an important question. Where is Master Kez Velaz?" she asks.
"You must be mistaken. This temple is no longer under the appointment of the unfaithful Master Velaz. He has vacated this temple, the planet and his people. There is only one Jedi master of Mathas. Me!" Drooz says.
*BBROOOOOOOOMM*
The side of the temple is suddenly destroyed as a spaceship crashes into it. The wall to the left crumbles, and only the side of the ship is seen. The people gasp and scream in surprise, and even the two Jedi look at the scene with apprehension, thinking that Drooz might have something to do with it. The metallic wall suddenly breaks open, and from the inside, a man emerges, seemingly pissed, with a floating droid at his side.
"For fucks sake."
{That's what happens when you refuse my warnings, Master. I told you the hyperdrive system was not fully checked.}
"That's some bullshit D.O.I, I'm certain it was working yesterday."
{That might be the case, but you must realise that-}
"Hey! Who are you and what are you doing here?! You have endangered civilians with your actions!"
"Huh? For real? Shit, that wasn't my intention. The blasted hyperdrive system stopped working, and then the engine said goodbye right after, and... well, you know how it goes."
"Who are you?" the Padawan asks.
"Cole Cassidy, at your service. And with which stick-up-their-ass Jedi do I have the pleasure of talking?" Cole asks.
"I am Jedi Master Cyslin Myr, and you are a serious threat to the public," she says.
"I am? DOI, what's going on?" Cole asks the droid.
{It would appear that you have crashed the Yacht into a Jedi temple on this planet.}
"Shit. Well, that's bad luck, right? So if it's nothing to you, I'll pay for the damage and we forget this happened, alright?"
{Negative, Master. This planet suffers from a high degree of the Niffin plague. It seems that the man with the purple robes is having an argument with the two Jedi.}
"Hmm, seems like it, eh? Hey, disgusting pig, what are you doing to these people? Hold on, they sent a Jedi and a smaller Jedi here, so that means he did something to warrant that. And if we consider their hypocrisy and arrogance... let me guess, he told everyone that he's a Jedi and you guys are now angry beyond belief," Cole deduces.
...
"These are heretics! False Jedi come to slay your master, and they even hired an evil man to help them. They want to take advantage of the suffering you have endured! KILL THEM! KILL THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FORCE!" the fat man shouts.
The people present grow angry at the words and start surrounding the Jedi and Cole.
"He's insane! He is the heretic, not us! We are true Jedi. We're here to help you," Mace Windu says.
The mother from before grabs his coat in desperation.
"You cannot kill our master! He is going to save my baby! He is going to save us all!" she begs.
"These people have been poisoned by his twisted tongue. Fear and uncertainty are the entryways through which evil may bombard the mind. It ends now!" Master Cyslin Myr says and throws one of the guards to he ground as he is attacking her.
Seeing that the situation would not work out in his favour, the fat Drooz runs away through a door. Seeing him escape, Mace runs after him. But Drooz takes out a grenade and throws it at the young Jedi.
*BOOOOOM*
The grenade explodes and causes the wooden ceiling and chairs to catch fire. Parts of the ceiling start to fall down and threaten to crush the people inside the temple. Cyslin Myr grabs the burning wood before it can hit the civilians using the Force, while Cole simply looks at the scene.
"Master Myr!" Mace shouts.
"Go, Mace. Do not let Drooz escape. I will save these people," his master tells him.
"But I-"
"Do as you are told, Padawan! Go!" she orders.
.
Mace runs after Drooz into the dark halls of the temple, but is stopped by three guards.
"Bad timing, guys. I'm in a bit of a hurry. I don't have time to do this the easy way. Unlucky for you," the Padawan says and attacks them.
Mace Windu is a highly skilled young warrior who will become one of the strongest Jedi in the Order. He smashes his fist into the first guard's face and then turns around to kick the second one. He moves far too fast for them and slams his fist and heel into their faces, slamming their heads on the ground.
"An impressive display," Cole says as he walks forward.
Mace turns around and looks at the bounty hunter warily. He doesn't trust this man and feels that he is dangerous. He is a smart young lad after all.
"The question is, why did you do it this way? So much effort, for what?"
*BANG BANG BANG*
"NO!"
Mace shouts, seeing Cole killing the three goons, he just took out in cold blood. But he has no time to address the issue as a blaster shot from Drooz scrapes his shoulder.
"AHH!"
"People are no more than Banthas walking on two legs. Scared, stupid, they need to be herded, told what to do, what to believe in," Drooz goes on as he fires at Mace and Cole. "Mathas is a planet full of poor, pathetic souls bowing at my feet, willing to do anything for a miracle. How could one pass this opportunity up?"
Cole listens to the ugly bastard and waits, listening to the energy cell inside the man's blaster. He usually has his emotions under control, but this one challenges his restraint. Good thing, he's not a Jedi.
"You could have everything. Money! Power! The worship of millions! Yet you squander it. For what? Peace? Bah! That makes you Jedi the most idiotic of-"
Cole throws a smoke bomb down the hall, spreading the smoke and hiding his presence and that of the young Padawan. He is interested in what will happen. The end result is already clear in his eyes, but he is still interested in what the canonically stickler-for-the-rules Mace Windu will do here. Once again, Cole is just interested.
*SSSHHHHHHHH*
"You're the fool, Drooz," Mace says from inside the smoke. "You would twist such a beautiful thing as faith into something so vile. Wring out what measly credits and adoration you could from these poor people, all while besmirching the esteem of the Jedi Order. And you think that punishment would not find its way to your doorstep? Yet you claim we are the stupid ones?"
*CRACK*
Mace Windu smashes his fist into Drooz's face and points his lightsaber at his face.
"I will make sure you never hurt another soul again. This I vow as a true Jedi."
"Mace! STOP!" his master arrives and pushes the smoke away. "What have I told you? This is not the way!"
"He has taken everything we cherish, everything that we are, and spun it into a web of lies and deceit. For profit. He must atone for this," Mace says.
"And he will. But not by your hands. Not like this. I understand your frustrations, but we have to be better than our adversaries. There will be times when we are called to violence. This is not one of them. We will make him tell us all he knows about Master Velaz's disappearance. We will bring him before a court of law to decide his fate," Cyslin Myr says.
*BANG*
!!!
A hole appears in Drooz's head. The two Jedi look back and see Cole with his modified RSKF-44, the Colt in his hands.
"What have you done?!" the Jedi Master says angrily.
"What's it look like, woman? Killed the fucker, is what I did," Cole answers and places the Colt back.
"What kind of man are you? This was Jedi business. He knew details about a Jedi Master we were searching for," Cyslin Myr says.
"It is interesting coming from you to hear such accusations. We need to be better than our adversaries, my ass. You are right; there are times when violence is necessary, but who do you think you are telling the galaxy when that time is, huh? You abandoned these people. They are suffering from a disease, and you ignore it," Cole says.
"We didn't ignore it, we bu-"
"Please. You saw their pain, preached about 'compassion', and then, instead of helping them, you build a temple to have them suck your cocks and tell them about this Force that exists everywhere and within everyone, can do anything they could possibly imagine except... heal them from the one thing they are truly suffering from. And yet here you are, spouting your cult nonsense and feeling it appropriate to judge me."
"You are coming with us," Cyslin Myr declares and takes her lightsaber into her hand.
"I'm the Terminator, bitch. I'm not going anywhere with you. But you're welcome to try," Cole says and places his hand on his weapons.