Přihlášení
When You Give a Man Power
Chapter 24
Jango was no stranger to violence. Both the lifestyle of a bounty hunter and the life before it had plenty of that. The one before despite being a Mandalorian wasn’t nearly as violent as most people in the galaxy would think it to be despite most having never seen a Mandalorian.
The life he now has to him is by far more violent. Both were violent but there was a difference in how often it would happen and the scale of how severe. As a Mandalorian, they would on occasion do bounties if they didn’t have enough money which on occasion would happen. But otherwise, they kept to themselves and only attacked when they knew a fight was going to happen.
Not even getting into the difference in honor he had as a Mandalorian compared to now. He still tries to hold himself to a higher standard even if those days with the rest of his clan and family are long gone.
Standards like never accepting a bribe from a target to be bought off to let them escape. It’s what catapulted Jango to the higher echelons of the bounty-hunting hierarchy. He would always get his target no matter what. If a civilian continued to get in his way then he would do what he has to do. But he wouldn’t go out of his way to kill someone who has done nothing to intervene or wrong him.
If the target believed they were safe in the core worlds like Coruscant thinking that a lot of guards would keep him safe then they were a fool. Like the current target for Jango and Bane. A member of the Trade Federation board of directors.
The Nemoidian believed he was safe with his personal Lucrehulk with two more acting as backup. Normally it would be a daunting task even for Jango and he would instead of attacking head-on try and find a way to sneak on, get his target, and leave.
But the Hutts providing a fleet of ships that chip away at the Federation's droid starfighters and defenses as it looks like an all-out war tends to do that. The scene playing out before Jango as he sits in the cockpit of the Slave I is almost reminiscent of the ancient wars the Mandalorians had waged long ago.
Obviously nowhere even remotely close when he had read the history of his people but the fact they have something that even if it is a shadow compared to the conflicts of old stirs up old feelings and memories Jango can never forget.
The Slave I surges forward as Jango pulls the trigger and with each shot several droid starfighters are dismantled turning into flaming debris as he moves past them. Two shots had missed their mark. He is getting rusty. Compared to what the new guy had managed to do Jango feels inadequate when he compares himself to Corvo on that job.
Several fighters come up behind Jango as they open fire alongside him, taking out many of the droids and doing their damndest to stop them from getting to the slimes ship. Jango knows he is the best in his line of work, but when he sees a new bounty hunter like Corvo accomplish what he did, getting Jango and Bane off that ship and managing to escape alive, it makes Jango realize he has more competition besides Bane.
However, Jango did have his suspicions on why Corvo was as good as he was. He held himself like a man who had military training. But what Jango saw when Corvo was evading that swarm of fighters as his and his ship’s movements were far too fast for anyone that Jango had ever seen. Split-second dodges and high-speed reactions makes Jango think of only one kind of group that is capable of that.
After that incident he along with Bane had reported what they had seen and the Hutts had kept a closer eye on him subtly. What little good it did them when he had proven several times he could sneak by them without them realizing he was gone until some time later if they didn’t have direct eyes on him.
After some time had passed the Hutts didn’t see any connection with the Jedi. Corvo could be a case of a random force-sensitive being aware of his powers. Regardless he hasn’t given Jango any real reason to not trust him so he will give him a chance after keeping an eye on him himself when playing Uno. He had earned that much as far as Jango was concerned.
Veering off to the side as a swarm of droids comes from the side crimson bolts impacting a few of the ships behind Jango getting hit, some outright destroyed with others trying to stay alive while parts of their ships are damaged.
Since that incident, Jango had pushed himself like he hadn’t in a long time. Even Bane who had believed Jango was at his best for the time he has learned under him now realizes Jango wasn’t. He had gotten complacent. Not knowing how or what he was going to do with his life. Revenge against the Jedi was always on his mind as that memory of what they and Deathwatch had done.
Deathwatch despite hearing rumors of them being active again near Mandalore. As far as Jango was concerned, that debt was settled after he killed his hated enemy and took the lives of the vast majority of his followers so this Deathwatch is not the same beast he had slain all that time ago. All for taking the lives of his original family and then the life of Jasper who raised him along with the rest of his clan.
The same debt the Jedi owe him. Cutting his closest friend in half with what he would later learn was a lightsaber move that was outlawed by the same people who had killed his second family! Clenching his hands on the controls before forcing himself to relax.
One day. A day that is quickly approaching to Jango's relief knowing his revenge is at hand hearing about how a Jedi has been seen by survivors of several battles that were complete losses for the Trade Federation to turn it into a complete victory. Of course, those cowards would have them of all people come to save them and the Jedi wouldn’t properly investigate like usual to see who was truly right and wrong.
But putting all of that aside as he weaves around occasionally shooting down a starfighter Jango muses as he has recently thought about what he will do when he gets his revenge. If he lives to see another day then what? After he had abandoned being Mandalore of his people or rather the factions of Mandalorians who still held to the old ways he had grown listless and without purpose.
His only reason for living these days is simply to get revenge. But what after that? Watching Corvo pull off the stunt that he had made Jango realize he was getting older. He is not as young as he once was and eventually, he will get too old to keep doing what he is now. Maybe settle down and have a family to call his own?
The family Jango could see, and the settling down part gets a snort out of Jango as he shakes his head. That would never happen in a million years. Fighting and combat are as much to him as a family by this point. By no means did Jango seek out needless fights but they have found him regardless. It’s a part of him by this point.
Jango wasn’t resentful of Corvo for making this obvious to him. In fact, he had a great deal of respect for him besides possibly being a Jedi. The man despite being as resourceful and capable as he was was still a green bounty hunter. It was a stroke of luck or maybe he was smart enough to be at the right place and time? Regardless he managed to get his name out there by unearthing one hell of a conspiracy that even he would have found stupid and unbelievable if it wasn’t for the evidence.
Even without that incident, Jango held no doubts Corvo would find his name mentioned with the other great bounty hunters and possibly cement his name as one of if not the greatest of bounty hunters in galactic history. Along with himself and Cad Bane.
But a great deal of the respect he had for him did not just come from how capable Corvo is despite being new to the bounty hunter life but the fact he came back for Jango and Bane. Putting himself at great risk when like with Aurra he could have left them. Jango was of course still suspicious of an act like that but so far Corvo seemed legitimate.
Jango was angry but not at him. At his own weakness for getting himself and Cad Bane in that situation. As others had said there was no way that anyone could have expected the Trade Federation to do something that foolish. But Jango had a counter to that point. They were already foolish for even attempting to undermine the Hutts in the first place. Something he should have heeded and came far more prepared.
A lesson that Jango will never forget. He has gotten complacent and lazy. Something he will be fixing. He must if he is going to get some payback on the bastards who took his second family from him.
“We have an opening Jango.” Cad Bane's voice comes over the comlink as Jango sees several of their own fighters manage to take out several of the Federation's own ships with help from the larger Hutt ships. Leading straight to the central sphere.
Funny thing about the Lucrehulks. Despite how good they are with their arsenal of turbo lasers and impressive shields they have several downsides. First of all, their turbo lasers can never be fully used on a single ship simply because of their circular shape preventing them from all aiming at the same target.
Second, their shields. A random civilian would ignorantly believe that the Lucrehulk shields would be impenetrable from a ship or multiple ship batteries hitting it. Normally that would be the case for those not in the know about shields on massive ships like a Lucrehulk.
Case in point the numerous scorch marks and fires dotting the ship's ring despite the shields still being up. Courtesy of the concentrated fire from the Hutt forces hitting close enough with enough concentrated cannon fire that it pierces the shield and damages the ship. Normally this would be incredibly difficult and in some cases outright impossible.
For starters having the accuracy needed to focus enough cannon shots close enough together to pierce through without the target moving just enough so another portion of the shield is hit instead of the exact part they were aiming for to break through. The Lucrehulk's size makes it a pain to take down simply because its size makes the task difficult.
Along with how slow it is helps them in breaking through the shields. But the greatest downside to the shield currently installed on all Lucrehulks is simply the Trade Federation being incredibly cheap and installed shields that would not be able to hold up against the Hutts turbo lasers with sustained fire.
The Hutts ships with so many of them since seamless efficiency would be an impossible task for these criminals so they make up for it with sheer numbers of turbo lasers would choose different portions of the ship to fire at together where they note the shields are not as strong.
The shields can be weaker in different parts of ships, especially bigger ships like the Lucrehulk along with the capability to redirect the power of the shields on different parts of the ship. Their size and especially their shape is a weakness as much as it is its strength. Makes breaking through it temporarily that much easier and because they cut corners with the shields makes it far easier to break through their shields.
So the captain and crew need to adjust where the shields will be stronger while the remaining shield covers back up the portion that was pierced. The Trade Federation will never have much if not any of Jango's respect. But one thing he can give a compliment on is whoever designed the bridge of the ship to be at the center of it arguably the most defensible part of it was smart enough to realize that if the shields failed they would need extra protection for the bridge.
“I’m taking it.” He grunts gunning it for the hole shooting any of the fighters that get in his way while evading any shots fired his way as Bane is not far behind in his new ship. The bubble canopy of his ship zooms past Jango as Bane gives him a cocky smirk with a two-fingered salute as his Headhunter opens fire destroying his fair share of droids as they close in.
Jango can only smile and shake his head at Bane. Ever since Corvo had shown up and made a big splash Bane had gone out of his way to get more dangerous and better jobs to compensate for that and to prove to everyone and in Jango's own opinion to himself that he is not one of the best but The Best.
Jango wasn’t blind to how competitive yet dedicated Bane was. Despite learning under Jango after asking him to teach him which was something Jango never expected to be honest. Bounty hunters in general take great pride in what they do and in what they are regardless if they had earned the right to think so highly of themselves.
For one like Cad Bane to come and ask to learn under Jango was something he could respect. Yet despite teaching Bane what he could of his methods and his ways Jango himself learned his fair share from Bane.
As Bane and Jango got closer to the ship several ships had entered into the battle from hyperspace. From what Jango could see as he glanced there were four frigates of the Nebulon B line and a single Dreadnaught class heavy cruiser. The former would cause some worry for him but the latter he has no fear of it.
That model is nearing sixty years since its conception and usage by the Republic. The Hutt's ships together could handle them if it wasn’t for the Trade Federation ships and the Jedi.
“This is Jorm Gurdai of the Jedi order with the Republic task force. All those under the Hutt's service are ordered to cease and surrender themselves to us immediately.”
Jango had expected the Jedi to get involved. What he didn’t expect was for them to bring a fleet of ships into this ready and willing to fight the Hutts for the Trade Federation instead of attempting diplomacy first. Despite his own personal grievances, he knows they tend to try and resolve things peacefully at first before resorting to violence.
Something that he can never respect not because of trying to resolve conflicts but how they turn a blind eye to some of their actions without properly investigating things yet other times when they should investigate they don’t and proceed to do more harm to the victims in a conflict than they do to the perpetrators.
The dead silence across the comlink for both sides was deafening until the Hutt admiral who was tasked with being the one in charge of this battle once they had gained the information on where this board member was finally spoke. Jango knew it wasn’t anything the Jedi or Republic forces were happy to hear about with what he was telling them. Jango failed to hide his snort as a chuckle escaped him at the colorful insult leveled at the Jedi.
Jango was forced to back off alongside every other fighter and bomber that was going for the Lucrehulk as blaster bolts from a fighter detachment from the Republic left the ships. Jango could handle some ace pilots. But if they were Jedi pilots that is another story entirely.
Jango might be able to handle one in the right circumstances but a large group of them with normal pilots? And the only person he could rely on would be Cad Bane who was a decent pilot but not at the level of Jango.
Jango is no fool and knows damn well to pull back until he can get an advantage of some kind. The ships dispatched by the Republic open fire on their own as Bane and Jango weave through the laser fire from both the fighters and the corvettes and dreadnaught. The Azalus-Class dreadnought opened fire alongside the frigates and corvettes as the Trade Federation was no longer on the defensive.
Jango weaves through and avoids several shots that are too close for his liking. A glance tells him all he needs to know. A pair of Delta 6’s chase after him as many of their fighters are destroyed. Rapid fire blasts force him to take evasive maneuvers using the debris-littering space from the other wreckage to avoid the shots.
Like anything involving a Jedi, it’s never easy. Tilting his ship to the side narrowly avoiding a shot. Despite this several more from the combined efforts of both of his adversaries pick away at his ship's shield. As durable as the Slave I was it also couldn’t hope to currently compare with the Delta 6’s combined with the abilities of the Jedi.
Just as Jango was about to pull the trigger and use one of his aces up his sleeve laser fire arcs through the debris field as the pair of Jedi spin and weave in a stunning display of piloting as they avoid the debris moving at great speeds while the laser fire goes wide.
“I got your back Jango. We can take them!” Bane says excitement leaking into his voice. Jango had his reservations but this is an opportunity he can’t pass up. Even if they are in a bad situation, Jango by this point lets go of his fear and worries and lets that cold yet hot fury he has had inside of him since that day he killed them with his bare hands take over.
“Let’s kill some Jedi Bane.” Jango says with a vicious smile that promises great pain and retribution.
Both of them go on the offensive as he keeps tabs on the rest of the fleet as they are in one hell of a fight. The other Jedi besides the two they are shooting at are working with the droids to take down and kill off the rest of the fighters. Some had tried to flee but it was a pointless thing to do. Any that did were shot and killed not making much of any distance. The others realizing they have to fight do so rushing in taking what shots they could before getting overwhelmed.
Jango and Bane go back and forth with the Jedi as they play their game of cat and mouse; the occasional droid starfighter tries to intercept them but is easily destroyed, being nothing more than a minor pest at best. Then to his annoyance another Delta 6 makes its presence known shooting at him as his shield takes before whirling the twin blaster cannons around and shooting at it as it takes evasive maneuvers.
The two Delta 6’s continue fleeing from the shots Bane sends their way but Jango knows it’s a matter of time before they overwhelm them. Knowing it’s now or never Jango gets to work. “Bane keep the two in front of us like that.”
“Consider it done Jango but you better hurry with the one behind us looking ready to start shooting at me.”
Jango's hand taps away at the console on the dashboard as a turret comes to life on the Slave I before the tractor beam projector starts pulling at one of the Delta 6’s as its movement is slowed and more shaky showing the pilot is fighting the tractor beam but it’s over. Bane seeing what is happening knows to take advantage while he can.
He opens fire on the ship with no hesitation turning it into a flaming wreckage. The tractor beam now affecting the other ship as it tries to slip away. The only downside to the tractor beam is it can only target one ship at a time and it’s most effective against smaller ships like fighters.
“Oh no you don’t. You're not getting away from me.” Jango mutters to himself as the blaster cannons continue to harass the Delta 6 behind him preventing it from helping their allies.
The ship slows down just like the other one as one of the mounted proton torpedo launchers on the Slave I shoots its payload out as it flies at the ship it squirms and wriggles trying desperately to get away. Managed to fly behind some wreckage in hopes of the torpedo hitting it instead.
Laser fire from Banes Headhunter brings that to an end as the debris and wreckage are destroyed and blown out of the way while he shoots at the ship himself hoping to steal his kill. To Jango's joy the missile rides along behind the Delta 6 before hitting it and detonating.
With the second one taken care of the two of them quickly reorient and begin chasing the third one. Despite some impressive maneuvers, it is all for naught. Stuck between the two of them regardless of how good they are against them they had no chance. Narrowly avoiding laser fire from Bane, Jango launches another proton torpedo at the ship as it tries to evade it and the shots from Jango and Bane.
A few Republic fighters move towards them trying to help the lone Jedi. “I’ll handle them.” Bane says grudgingly as the missile still is in hot pursuit of the Jedi. Bane veers off immediately, opening fire and taking out one of the ships as they return fire with several more getting scrapped with Bane evading their shots. It would seem he has been practicing since the last time he checked Bane wasn’t that good at being a pilot before.
Shaking his head with a grin at just another thing for Bane to have a rivalry with Corvo over Jango continues shooting at the Jedi. Nothing the torpedo is nearing the end of its flight with a quick press of a button the torpedo detonates as part of the explosion manages to knock the Delta 6 off course. As the Jedi inside he notes is a purple-skinned Twi’lek who with wide eyes watches on in horror as he pulls the trigger and his shots hit true.
Quickly flying away from the flaming debris and helping Bane clear out what’s left of the Republic fighters. Doesn’t take long to do so since Bane had been busy while he took care of the Jedi.
Jango and Bane once finished both reassess the state of the battle having taken care of the three Jedi and the others before they see that it’s not going in their favor. Most of the other fighters have either managed to flee and the rest are nothing but scraps in space. The combined power of the Trade Federation ships with that of the Republics they have no choice but to retreat.
“I’m leaving Bane. This is a losing battle.”
“Same. Meet you after this is done, Jango.”
They both quickly leave as a few more fighters harass them with more Delta 6’s in hot pursuit before Jango with a press of a button drops a seismic charge behind the Slave I with most of the Jedi aware of what he was doing before he did it veering away with only a single Delta 6 with the other fighters bound and determined to give chase.
With a blare echoing out across the cosmos Jango has a satisfied smile. Despite having four Jedi die in this battle with three of them by his hand the feeling inside Jango did not abate. It only got stronger.
Jango and Bane make a tactical retreat, helping keep each other covered if any of the Republic forces or Trade Federation tries to attack. Both made it back to the Hutts dreadnought along with the others who managed to make it before it entered hyperspace. The massive ship is covered in battle wounds as scorch marks and holes leaking the insides out into the vacuum running along the length of the ship.
Not too badly damaged but enough to force them to flee. A tactical retreat never bothered Jango and this is no different. When faced against overwhelming odds and you have an opportunity to pull back there is no shame in doing so. One of the first lessons Jasper had taught him. Something that took Jango a long time to let sink in and learn the lesson.
Stepping off of his ship Bane steps out of his own as they both feel the rush of battle and killing Jedi leave them as a pervasive thought remains. One that Jango voices. “This conflict just got more complicated.”
Bane snorts at that, shaking his head as he wears that hat he likes so much. “That’s putting it lightly. But something good came of this. Got my first Jedi.”
The smile he has is infectious as Jango is sporting his bloodthirsty smile. “One that will become many I am sure. For now, we resupply and prepare ourselves. The Hutts won’t take this lying down.”
With that, the Hutt's forces turn around and enter hyperspace as the news of the Republic coming to the aid of the Trade Federation spreads wide and far as the conflict becomes that much greater.
