[center][b][color=a187be]Aria and Alek[/color]
[color=f26522]Cathar[/color][/b][/center]

Well, this was unpleasant. Reality and the imagination of war proved to be immensely divisive in their two planes of existence. As the ambush of neo-crusaders swept upon Aria’s path and her unsuspecting troops, reality proved to be far less forgiving than the imagination. Battle cries of her enemies stirred Aria into sudden action, spinning around with her saber tilted into a defensive position. She was prepared for the worst, whether it was blades or a bombardment that could be result in her monotonous demise. 

Clouds of dust splashed into the air, blinding her. Aria squinted through the haze of dirt and the swarms of bodies clashing across the ruined strip of beachfront. Gravel already had stained her robes, and fresh blood streaked over her cheek. She was ready to lunge into the oncoming attack until a Jedi whom she did not recognize skillfully dispatched the Mandalorian warriors. Keeping her blade held in front of her, Aria warily scanned the chaos for any new sudden threats.

There were none, and the ambush was promptly scattered by the Zabrak woman. Sola Jansen moved with an otherworldly grace with her saber in hand, and Aria seemed fixated upon each cut and slice of her blade. It seemed an odd thing to be rather enamored by a war companion’s skill with the sword, but Aria was drawn to watching. If only for a few moments before she re-directed her saber to deflect a tiresome barrage of repeated blaster fire. 

Aria enhanced her senses with the force, a wash of calm blanketed her. She glanced over to Sola, and her intense violet gaze flickered over to the defensive installation. For the first time during the fight, Aria had the audacity to laugh.

“Forget the body bags, I’m not all that keen on being sent home smelling like roasted meat.” Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her saber. Its violet glow burned away at the air, like it had a soul of its own. Fight, it said. Kill the enemy. There was a new rush of energy to the girl. “On my count and we’ll finish this fight.” She raised her other hand. Three. Two. One.

In a flash, Aria took off waving forward the soldiers sweeping right around to attack the central force of the battlement. A blaster bolt ripped hard against her shoulder and sent the young Jedi to her knees. Well, there goes not smelling like roasted meat. She leapt up from her feet and charged again, unflinching from the wound. Neo-crusaders tried to meet her, but a quick force push sent one flying and then Aria jumped towards the other spinning her blade in a fan-motion. Her attacker met a swift, brutal demise.

Hesitation faded. The crimson-clad rally master lifted a tremendous vibroblade and seemed much larger than his underlings. Aria pondered the Jedi code and the ideas of passion or chaos. Fear, thrill, anger, the burning sensation brought forth from flooding emotions betrayed the code. Once, she may have taken a step back. But now, there was no choice but to cross that line.

Aria dove head first into the battlement. It would be her and Sola against one of the more skilled fighters in the Mandalorian army.

----

Leon and Alek’s charge was a bloodbath. Republic soldiers fell like flies, but if they didn’t move forward all progress would have been lost. Alek and his frontal unit provided a heavy shield covering, but with Alek in the lead they were also an impressive battering ram. Hosts of Mandalorians smashed into the ground by violent blaster hits. With a sweeping blow, his saber cleaved a blade in two, and subsequently a Mandalorian helmet with head inside rolling through the sand.

“Now’s the time, Major! Move, move, move!” Alek’s vibrancy and natural war command quickened the feet of the soldiers behind them. “They killed innocent people, burned down homes, and they’ll kill us too if we don’t MOVE!” A roaring charge lifted and his heavy armed unit reached the battlement. Blaster fire could no longer be solely directed on the charging armies. Swords were drawn.

“Space these Mandalorian fuckers!” To that, a violent upsurge of enthusiastic Republican soldiers yelled out in answer. Alek proved to be exactly what Aria needed within her commands. Leon as well with his skill in the force and strength. The two of them combined were a seriously useful blunt weapon to break through bulky enemy lines.

With the men in front of him, Alek sat behind waiting for his moment. He witnessed Leon’s impressive use of the force just moments ago.

“Not a bad kill, Major. Remind me when this is over to spar with you.” Alek grinned. Some men were cowards, others went through battle with a grim seriousness. The towering Jedi guardian was not one of them.

--

The rally master was prepared for Aria. Already a heavy swing smashed against her violet blade. His strength knocked her onto her heels, but luckily she was able to keep her saber up in time to avoid being cut in two. Despite his raw strength, the Mandalorian beast proved to have eyes as well and suddenly jumped back when he saw the Zabrak as well.

“Finally.” His voice muffled underneath his mask and the cries around them. “I’ve been waiting for someone worthy to fight me.” In that moment, the warrior reached down and pulled out an equally large vibroblade for his other hand. He was at least a head taller than both of them, carrying a great deal of power and speed behind him.

Idly, behind her façade of calm Aria began to wonder. If this was who the Mandalorian’s kept on the front lines, then how powerful were the men commanding them?