Interlude- A Glimpse of DawnScreaming, Rikard’s green saberstaff met his two opponents’ red blades, their wielders doing likewise. Locking up the three weapons, the humans stared hatred into one another’s eyes, Rikard’s green into two pairs of yellow Sith irises. It was testament to his exhaustion that he didn’t immediately follow up his attack with another but he’d been fighting for hours and on muddy terrain to boot.
Clearly, the two Sith were just as tired: both of them clung to their sabers, catching their breath. Rikard knew that he had to act and quickly. Without taking his eyes off of his opponents, he Pulled on the earth with the Force, focusing with all of his might directly at the ground under the two Siths’ feet whilst simultaneously backflipping out of the way. Violently, the buried rocks beneath the Sith erupted skywards, shredding both bodies. As Rikard landed heavily, he was oblivious to the filth on his face, beard, and armor as it rained blood, offal, and mud upon him.
Winded, Rikard took stock of his surroundings and was grateful to see that the fighting around him had died down, his own Clansmen obviously victorious.
…About Maker-damned time… He thought. Jedi victories had been the exception rather than the rule, at least this day.
Jedi Lord Gale had led them across the Ruusan plains in a mad attempt to silence the Sith artillery turrets that had been dropping death and destruction upon the collective heads of the Army of Light. And while Gale had been unwavering in his bravery, his tactics had been…debatable. Gale’s two most senior generals were at odds with how to achieve their objective, polarizing their respective contingents to either side: General Kiel Charny of Corellia and “Black” Rikard Macias, Kage of the Vhal’Dan Clans.
Rikard had wanted to wait under the cover of darkness and take a squad of Guardians supplemented by Shadows, using stealth and subterfuge to take the out the Sith encampment’s guns. Kiel loudly proclaimed for the “honor” of a full-frontal assault, reminding everyone that they were “Jedi” and only cowards would employ such tactics. And while taking the insult in stride, Rikard’s face impassive, he reminded them of the reality they faced.
“We are at war and our objective is to win. And for us to win, we need to eradicate our enemy. If I could, I’d gladly kill the Sith while they slept. As long as they die and me and mine live…that is my strategy.” Silence followed Rikard’s quietly intense words until Lord Gale stepped between his two generals.
“We shall assault the encampment until the turrets are destroyed.” He looked pointedly at first Rikard and then Kiel. “But General Macias is in command. You
will submit to his authority.” The last was said directly to Charny. Nodding, the Corellian locked eyes with Rikard, the larger Corellian trying to loom over the slender general. Neither man backed down. “Jedi, generals…you are dismissed.” Lord Gale’s tone broached no argument. And with that, both men turned and headed towards their respective commands.
…Was it only this morning…? Rikard thought, his mind sluggish from exertion. Looking up, he saw the first of Ruusan’s three moons already high in the sky, twilight starting to darken the eastern horizon. Extinguishing his saberstaff, he sat on one of the larger boulders jutting from the mud.
It was only after he’d sat that he suddenly realized that the Sith cannonade had gone silent. Removing a muddy glove, Rikard rubbed at his eyes to ensure that his sight was not playing tricks on him. When he looked again, sure enough, the Sith turrets were not only silent but were indeed smoldering ruins. Breathing a sigh of relief, he slumped the rest of the way down upon the boulder, his armor feeling as if it weighed more than a Hutt.
He sensed her before he heard her but the innocuous serenity of the moment was broken by his adjutant—and friend—Sulen Reu Lai, Arbiter of the Vhal’Dan. “…Rikard are you OK?” Her slanted eyes were full of worry, her copper skin as dirt-covered as his own. He noticed that her armor had several carbon scores on it but she seemed none the worse for wear despite what were obviously saber burns on the plate.
Smiling, he nodded…and immediately regretted it. A wave of vertigo washed through him and it was all that he could do not to vomit. He felt a gentle touch upon his face, Sulen’s hands cupping his face as she directed healing flows from the Force into and through him. “…Thanks Su.” He grinned, thankful. Gesturing with a hand, he asked. “Does that mean what I think it does?” The tall woman gave a perfunctory smile, her rich brown eyes never once leaving Rikard’s face.
“It does. Our forces finally got through the encampment’s defenses and fragged the artillery.” She dropped her hands. “I’m surprised; I thought you would have been the one to lead the vanguard.” He saw the gallows humor of her tone reflected in her eyes.
“Frell that. Kiel wants ‘glory.’ Let him and Gale have it. I’ll not uselessly waste the lives of my Clansmen…” His voice trailed off when he noticed the odd look on Sulen’s face. “What is it?” Inadvertently, Rikard stood up. The tall woman joined him, her eyes level with his.
“Lord Gale’s dead. Word from Lord Hoth came down right before I found you.” Sulen’s face was stoic, her back rigid.
…Damn she’s a good Arbiter… He thought and not for the first time. Instead, he slowly inhaled before speaking.
“‘May the Maker speed him to his rest.’” His litany was said almost by rote but Sulen knew that her Kage was being sincere. “So am I to assume that Kiel just got promoted?” He laughed humorlessly. “He’ll like that: ‘Jedi Lord Charny’ indeed… I swear, the only true warrior of the seven Lords that Hoth has is Kage Ga'Lan'Chillum of the Mak’Tor.” His hood fell back as he ran a hand through his blonde hair, his gaze on the faraway conflagration of the—now former—Sith encampment. “The war against the Sith is
far from over, regardless of what we accomplished today…” He looked back at Sulen. Again, he was surprised by what his Arbiter had to say.
“General Kiel…was not in command. Gale gave that to you.” She let that set in for a moment, moving by Rikard so as to stand in front of him. “As I said, I spoke to Hoth. Seems that there are now two ‘true warriors’ counted among the Lords…” Rikard sighed, slowly shaking his head.
“…Damn. Knowing Hoth, refusing is so much a worthless gesture…” Again, Sulen grinned momentarily but soon sobered. A sudden, strong gust of wind carrying the smoke and stench of death blew her hood off, loosening her long, straight black hair.
“Rikard…Lord Hoth demanded to speak to you forthwith.” Sulen was all business now.
Slowly nodding, Rikard started walking towards the transports he’d hidden in the event they’d needed immediate exfil. “I’m sure. With those guns gone, the Army of Light is presented with a strategic opportunity, one Hoth will want to take advantage of…” He continued talking to Sulen, making necessary plans concerning the tactics and strategy that would best ensure victory. And, true, he was committed to the cause of the Republic and the annihilation of the Sith, but his first loyalty would always be to his Clan. And he knew that after a thousand years of conflict, the end of the New Sith War would not mean peace…at least not for everyone. And so, he prepared.
Jedi Lord “Black” Rikard Macias, Kage to the Vhal’Dan Clans hoped he was wrong but knew without a doubt that they’d crossed an event horizon from which the entire galaxy would be forever changed…
And he would do whatever he could to ensure the survival of his own people.
