Jake's cold gaze under his helmet was returned tenfold by Gideon, the smirk on the bastard's face doing nothing to help Jake cool down. The others behind him each had their own stares. Teesh's slitted eyes cut through Gideon's skin, if Gideon cared, Teesh might not even need his claws to make the Moff bleed. Ada's gaze remained unreadable beneath her helmet, while Tac stared past Gideon at the droids behind him, calculating a way to free them.
Rusty, however…
Was trembling. The B1's poor circuits were working overtime to keep his systems stable. The explosions, the chaos, his friends disabled on the floor, the bug he'd talked to minutes ago now dead, the risk of more friends dying, it was too much. He snapped. For the first time in Rusty's lifetime, he screamed.
Not one of fear.
But of anger.
"Aaa...aaa..aa... AAAAAaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Rusty's screech started as if the droid questioned what it was doing, but that hesitation was thrown aside as the B1 raised its arms and charged, firing a storm of red blaster bolts at Gideon. The rest of the group flinched, and Jake instinctively reached out to stop him, but he couldn't.
Teesh was the first to react, sprinting forward behind the B1. Jake and Ada followed, gripping their weapons tightly. Tac moved with them but at a measured pace, still seemingly ignoring Gideons presence.
Gideon twisted to the side, the first red bolt streaking past him. In one smooth motion, he spun and knelt, grabbing a dead bug's body and hoisting it up. Rusty's blaster bolts slammed into the corpse, charring the exoskeleton as the B1 rushed past the threshold into the bridge. A hidden TK trooper lunged from the side, tackling Rusty to the floor. The loud clanking of metal on metal echoed as they struggled for the droid's blaster.
Teesh blew past them, backhanding another TK who attempted the same trick. The trooper crumpled against the wall, stunned, as Teesh leveled his rifle and fired, dropping another soldier to his knees as the blue stun blast engulfed them. Jake and Ada rushed in, kicking the TK off Rusty as Ada stunned them with her pistol. Gideon rose, his blaster firing shots that whizzed by the group as he stepped backward. Two more TKs and the surviving Death Trooper rushed past him into the fray.
Teesh was quick to hiss and lunge forwards, clamping the Death Trooper's arm with his teeth and slammed them into the wall. The trooper spun, throwing a right hook, Teesh ducked, but the smirk on his face was cut short as a knee drove into his gut. He coughed up blood but ignored it, rising to his full height and using the momentum to rock the trooper with an uppercut, sending them stumbling back.
One of the TKs stopped to aim at Rusty, but the B1 grabbed their foot and yanked them to the floor. Ada used her jetpack to tackle the other trooper into a console, sparks flying in protest as she landed punch after punch into their helmet.
Jake, meanwhile, locked eyes with Gideon.
The Moff was still smirking.
Jake's gaze flicked to the captives, Clank sat motionless, staring at Gideon. Scythe observed the battle, waiting. Mistep was still struggling to stand. And Racket sat limp, its programming having no answer.
"Free them, and we won't have to beat you," Jake spat.
"Beat me? You can't even touch me, all you are is a little sand rat, trying to get scraps from something you can't comprehend" Gideon sneered.
Jake huffed through his nose, raising his blasters and firing. Two bolts shot forward, Gideon sidestepped both effortlessly, returning fire. A red bolt slammed into Jake's chest. He stumbled back with a ragged breath as metal shards flew from his reinforced shirt. He looked down, exhaling sharply. He'd have to thank it later.
Gideon's eye twitched as Jake grinned. "Is that annoyance I see, oh great Gideon?" Jake mocked, taking slow steps forward. Around them, the battle did stop, the sounds of struggle proving his friends weren't done yet.
Gideon scoffed. "You lived your entire life in the sand. Lost the only brother you ever had, R4… Oh, wait. That wasn't the only brother you've had, was it?"
Jake froze.
Gideon smiled. He had won.
"Oh, poor little brother, massacred by the very droids you befriend around you. I'm sure he would've been just as sad as your parents… not that it matters, consideri—"
Gideon's cocky gaze lowered for a fraction of a second, and in that instant, the rapid clang of metal boots against the floor filled his ears. His instincts kicked in, drawing his blaster to fire from the hip, but his aim was off from the speed. The red bolt whizzed past as Jake crashed into him.
Jake tackled Gideon, slamming into him with full force. Gideon grunted, gripping Jake's shoulders as the two struggled, boots scraping against the durasteel floor in a desperate battle of strength. Jake's watery eyes burned with anger, locking onto Gideon's smirking face. Then, with a sharp knee to the ribs. Jake gasped, he gripped his chest as the prior wounds' soreness only helped to enhance the pain, his breath turning ragged.
"Thought I'd forget about your past injuries?" Gideon taunted, before twisting and throwing Jake stomach-down onto the cold, hard floor.
"I've read every encounter you've had with us...and being shot by a turrent and surviving?" Gideon crouched down, nodding to himself "no easy feat ill give you that....still hurts i presume?"
Jake looked up to respond but a shadow took over them both, Gideon could barely turn as Clank's heavy fist sent them sliding several feet away, a blood platter coating the steel floors. Jake's eyes go wide as he scrambles to his knees, the B2 yanking the boy up to his feet. Jake looked over to see Tac yanking off the restraining bolt off Misstep and putting the Gonk droid upright, the other three lay on the floor, Scythe slowly standing to his feet, Racket looking around in confusion.
"Thanks buddy....he...."Jake winced as he turned slightly. "got me real good...cheap hit"
"Affirmative" Clank replied in his deep voice, stomping on Gideon.
Moffs eyes filled with fear for only a brief moment as he rolled out of the way of Clank's stomp, before shoving the B2 back pulling out an electro rod. Ada heard the singe of electricity and turned to see, the TK finally collapsing to the floor after the beating.
Clank's programming disregarded the tool as he reeled another a punch, his servos creaking. That was a mistake.
Gideon jabbed the rod into his chest as the B2 shook from the shock, tumbling backwards, Rusty shoved Gideon from behind, only earning a spinning backhand, sending the B1s head spinning in circles on its joint before he kicked Rusty down. Scythe was busy with Teesh subduing the Death trooper, who despite his blood coated arm still fought with a resolve as tough as durasteel.
Ada skidded by Jake as Gideon stared them down, he was starting to get pissed, no snarky remarks came before the barrage of blasters bolts. Ada grabbed Jake and put him behind her, his wider shoulder stuck out but the bolts that didn't whizz by them rammed into Adas mandalorian armor, she grunted as Jake tried to push past.
"hey! h-hey! no no no let me..fight him!" Jakes words were shoved between gasps of air, as her pained grunts slowly caused her knees to tremble.
Gideons rage focused his view forwards, as Racket raised itself up to its three pointed limbs. the Droidekka stared between the Moff, and Jake, time seeming to slow down as the microseconds passed by. Racket looked ahead as the sparks from Adas armor slowed to a stop.
Racket's red eyes beamed at Gideon, his scans centered on an Imperial symbol dawned on his armor. Racket's flat face peered...no being could ever tell what was happening behind those eyes. the images...
of Kashyyyk...the Wookies....
The Flames...
The Droidekka took two steps to adjust himself to face directly at Gideon, and it ran the math.
Jake eyed Racket, his mind raced as he saw a familiar mecanisme click inside the Droidekkas body, his eyes widened. He was going to ram Gideon.
Before coiling completely Rackets red eyes flickered in a odd yet soothing pattern.
.. / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -. --- - / .-.. --- --- ... . / .- -. --- - .... . .-. / - .-. .. -... .
Gideons face of anger twisted into one of surprise as he saw the barreling droid coming at him, he fired a bolt but it bounced off Rackets bronzium armor, the droid crashed into the moff as breakneck speeds, sending them both crashing into the wall, debris falling over them as the alarms of the ship blared, Rackets inner core began to glow red, Gideon tried to push him off but his hand was burned, causing him to jolt his hand back as the others stared, even the Death Trooper, at the following blast, the windows cracked as the group made a mad rush to the exit.
Rusty being the closest shoved spun his head into place as he grabbed a semi stunned Clank off the ground, Teesh shoved the Death trooper away as Scythe hopped over him, Ada turned on her jetpack as Jake sprinted. Mistep trudged as fast as he could to the door.
Another crack..
Jake skidded to a halt as he looked back, everyone held onto the sides of dented door that led into the bridge, the Death trooper held his head as he stumbled to a sit, but that did not concern him, Ada had one hand holding on for support as she tried to drag Misstep to safety..
CRACK...
The glass shattered as Jake felt himself get pulled forwards, his grip on the door not weakening as everyone else held on, their feet skidding as Tac grabbed onto Clank at the last moment. The Death trooper flailed helplessly as he was dragged towards the shattered window, but as he flew past he grabbed onto the small handlebar of Misstep, Ada slipped as Jake grabbed her arm, his muscles straining to keep his remaining grip tight.
"MISSTEP!!" Ada yelled out as the Gonk droid followed the Death trooper out the window, helplessly spiraling around as its short legs tried to walk on a surface that didn't exist.
"GOOOoooonnk-..."
At that moment Teesh had found the correct wiring by the door, and snapped the wires with his claw, causing the emergency shutters to crash down, the group nearly fell as gravity reestablished itself. Jake's eyes snapped to the burning wreck of metal where racket and Gideon used to lay, as he took a step Teesh grabbed his shoulder, as well as Adas and turned them to him.
They looked at eachother, both sharing the same feeling, even if Jake felt it heavier then she did, Misstep would be missed, but replaced. They understood either way.
Survive now, grieve later.
------
Steam poured from bent vents as sparks erupted from the battered walls, Jake stumbled as a piece of the roof fell in front of him, Clank kicking it out of the way as the B2 came running from behind. The group heaved their way as more explosions erupted throughout the Imperial ship, the entire chassis rumbled as the lighter members such as Rusty and Jake nearly fell over, Teesh grabbing their shoulders to keep them steady.
"We've gotta get to the hanger!" Ada practically screeched, more rubble falling behind her.
Jake only nodded as the helmet he wore masked both his panic and his sorrow, the emotions were being shoved down by desperation as his muscles kicked his body into a sprint yet again. Rustys lanky body followed as the droid yelped, flailing his arms in the air, the others following suit as they all sprinted. Scythe was quick to pass Clank and Tac as he ran side by side with Teesh. Jake's focus was snapped back as he ran into a TK trooper, both stumbling back, the trooper did not give a second thought to the group as he continued running down a hallway, tripping over his steps.
Tacs eyes scanned the area as Teesh covered his head as a metal piece slammed into his back, the lizard hissing with annoyance.
"Sir, turn right!" Tac yelled out, Jake only nodded as he nearly fell over himself, grabbing the wall to help launch himself ever further.
"WERE ALL GONNA DIE!!" Rusty screeched as another blast rung out behind them, the distant screams of the TK from before being dragged into space filling their ears.
"Sssshut it you bag of boltssss!! KEEP RUNNING!" Teesh smacked Rustys head as the droid ran faster, nearly toppling over Jake as he stood still right outside the entrance of the hanger.
Jake's eyes had witnessed many things by this point, things he wouldn't mention to even his own brain...but this....
The flames curled around the shriveled corpses of TKs who failed to flee in time, living Imperials ran about with burn marks coating their armor, trying to help each other. Debris constantly fell from the ceiling as steel beams and massive wires hanging on by sheer luck, spewing electricity everywhere. Outside the blue barrier still held, keeping everyone from flying into space, for now, pass the barrier the battle raged on, but it was clear what was happening as a Bug fighter flew by covered in flames, crashing into an unseen part of Gideons ship, sending ripples throughout the hanger.
The Bugs were running..
and if they didn't get on their main ship in time they'd be left behind.
Without a word began his sprint towards Adas parked ship, somehow only baring a scuffs from the falling metal, Teesh lept forwards as Ada used the open space to finally make use of her jetpacking, flying off the jet the ship started, the droids wobbled behind the group, their mechanical legs unable to keep the same pace. Rusty turned and flinched as he saw a TK running with his hands covering his head a few feet away, only for a piece of slag metal to crush him, intestines spewed from beneath the red splatter that lay oozing from under the debris.
Clank nearly shoved the B1 out of the way as another boom shook the hanger, Rusty started back up his run as Jake hopped onto the stairs of Adas ship, practically crawling up them as the engines roared. The boy looked behind to see Tesh leap aboard as the ship slowly started to hover off the ground. A few meters away Rusty, Clank and Tac ran to them, Jake's eyes narrowed even through the chaos. Where was Scythe?
Jake was dragged from his confusion as Clank reached the stairs, jumping up and landing right beside the boy, the entire ship tilting half a degree from the force before the B2 walked in, another explosion rang as a piece of Debris fell in front of Tac, who skidded to a stop before running around it.
"COME ON!" Jake waved his hand as Teesh grabbed the B1 backpack and threw him into the ship, another boom rang, this time it was clear as the blue ray shield began to stutter it wouldn't hold much longer, Jake reached out his and Tac took it, Clank appeared behind them, throwing Teesh into the ship before yanking Jake and bu connection Tac into the ship, before the door slammed ship.
"GO" Teesh yelled out, no response came from Ada as the engines blasted, outside a few TKs running waving their arms at her ship as it sped off past the ray shield, said shield stuttering frantically before the sides exploded into a massive fireball. The TKs inside were all thrown into space...
Jake ran into the cockpit, as Rusty scrambled up the ladder to the turret, the others buckling into their seats. As Jake sat down Ada tapped his shoulder.
"y-yeah!?" Jake said, bracing himself for more bad news, only for her to point outside to his right. The boy turned to see a V-Wing flying at equal level to them, inside however wasn't the bright white helmet of a clone, it was Scythes, who red piercing eyes somehow grew stronger as the droid turned the steering stick, send the V-wing barreling out into the distance.
"There he goes..." Ada said with a sigh, watching as the battle seemed to be calming down, Imperial ships regrouped in squads as they retreated into their remaining cruisers, bug fighters flew back into their own vessels, as Gideons ship slowly tore itself into two pieces, descending into Tatooines atmosphere.
"Jake stared out as Ada's ship finally parked itself with a spin into the lead bug ship's hanger. Mustafarians ran about performing duties while others celebrated their victory...
Victory?
Is that what this is?...
Jake's throat felt tight. His helmet clattered to the floor as a lump swelled in his chest. He swallowed a hiccup, trying to hold back the tears, but they came anyway, splattering onto the cold metal beneath him. Ada sighed—not in annoyance, but something softer. Pity? Sympathy? Jake wasn't sure. She patted his shoulder gently, and that small act of kindness shattered what little restraint he had left. The tears fell freely.
...
...
---------------------Location....Mustafarian Head Cruiser..20)0--- Nicknamed-- "Chitinaught"---
Movement was abundant throughout the hanger bay, looking outside past the ray shield the glorious blue streaks of hyperspace seemed to bless Jakes eyes after they had been drained of nearly every tear. As much as Jake didn't want to admit, Racket's loss didnt hit him as hard as he wished it did, he never spoke, never reacted.... to Jake... all that droid knew was murder.
That's what people thought all of these droids were, murderers...
But he had to throw in the towel with the Droidekka, there wasn't enough to save up there, at least that's what it seemed.
Either way, Racket's sacrifice to kill Gideon was why he was losing it before, if Gideon did die that is, but that wasn't the reason he was so out of it right now. The up and down of emotions was like a hammer deciding the perfect place to crush was Jake's brain, Jake's eyes bore into the metallic flooring, thinking back.
Panic attack, Ada helped.
Super confident, Ada helped.
Back to worrying, Ada helped.
Racket dies and Misstep is lost to space, Ada....
As the memories played into his head he found himself finding a weirdly recurring theme, Ada, she always helped him. he turned his head to look at her ship, she was perched atop of it scrubbing away was jake assumed was Ash, with Rusty standing by her holding some equipment for her, all the while trembling from fear of falling as the droid often looked over the edge.
Jake was well enough to scoff lightly at this, finding his face grower hotter than it was normally.
"Hey kid" a familiar voice echoed behind him. Jake turned and saw Teesh with the same tattered leather jacket as he took a seat on the crate next to him.
"I ssssent Clank and tac to help the bugs with repairs, and they've already replaced the leader we met before" Teesh paused as his eyes scanned Jakes tired face "but you don't care about the sssstatisssticsss do you?"
Jake fiddled with his fingers as he sighed, the lights of the hanger irritated him to the point he just kept looking down, but he didn't have the care to bother moving.
"yeah its just.....Racket...Misstep...their losses didn't hit me as hard as...Buckets, and..." Teesh cut him off before the boy could finish, patting his shoulder.
"I know kid.." Teesh forked tongue flicked out for a moment as he too sighed. They were both tired, hurt, and more importantly, angry. More so Teesh than Jake, anyone who knew what those two have been through would be surprised to hear how Teesh is the angrier one. Jake had lost so much, and yet, while he was certainly angry, it was different.
Jake was angry at himself, he wanted to miss Racket, he really did, but unlike his other droids the Droidekka never provided a base to connect with, so by nature, Jake disassociated him from his circle of care. Teesh however, he wasn't self loathing, he wasn't mad for the loss of two droids, which in his opinion, where the two most robotic of the group, he was mad at the Empire, for having such a grudge against just a kid, it gave him him a itch beneath the scales he couldnt get rid of, and it pissed him off greatly.
Despite this, Teesh's face wore a calm look, slitted eyes lazily tracking the floor for its details to pass time, clawed hand limp on Jake's shoulder as the boy couldn't help but glance over to make sure Ada was alright.
Teesh noticed, a toothy grin coating his mouth, but he didn't say anything...
not the time.
------------------------------------------
Rubble.....dust...fire...all things when combined would push any normal person to think of things such as a wreckage, maybe a crashed starfighter or an unlucky grenade misfire.
But no, one person could only have images of Relics...and an odd helmet, in his mind.
A helmet that would be seen as an offense by both sides if shown to them while they were still around.
a helmet of clones and droid, one worn by a teeanger...one very
very..
persistent teenager, but that's not the word this person would use...
annoying...felt like a more fitting term...
afterall what was a boy to a Moff of the empire?
This phrase echoed in Gideon's head as his eyes snapped open, he saw a blurry vision of the stale roof, seeing his white masked underlings staring at him in his side vision.
He lived?.....
I lived?....how...
Surely that blast should have turned my skin to ash.
my arm feels strange...
Gideon raised his arm to find his forearm being a metal casket of what it used to be, wires sticking out of the clearly incomplete work.
Gideon only laughed after checking the rest of his limbs..including the fifth one...only then did he laugh....and laugh...
"Did you give him an overdose of that silly gas we use on kids?" One of the medical personnel asked another..
"What? no...why would i even give that to him"
Gideon coughed "Silence...." he heaved his sore body out of the white bed.
"Get me into contact with Tarkin....NOW!" Gideons yell caused the medical troopers to flinch as they rushed out the door, leaving Gideon alone to curl his fists into balls and heave heavily....every breath coated with rage.