Only Pawns are Left Behind -- Bothuwai [Flashback]

[Rev]

Daks journey wasn't quite what he had expected, much longer than he could have anticipated and much more up hill than ever down. His knees had buckled beneath him more times than he could count. The weight of the pack multiple times crashing down on top of him, only to push off from the dirt bed and continue his strenuous journey. It was at the gates of the small encampment that gave the Republic Medic his first feeling of true worry. It was hearing the two leaders speak with one another that caused him to wonder what he was up against. Time would tell, he was sure of it.

His feet were forced into the scouting camp, the interior coming off to be an almost fortress. From the outside the camp looked like mere tents and walls, but within those walls grew into larger buildings and the tents only acted as masks for the real fortress within. It was when he was put into a small cell that he finally began to relax, a relaxation that was soon broken by the entry of Vincent. The options he gave were each equally appealing, but the thought of rest overwhelmed him more than any other, and that would be his choice.

"I wish for rest, Sir.. or at least a moments solitude..."

He let out a breath of pent up stress and frustration. The journey had more than fatigued him, his bones ached as much as his muscles from the weight he carried. Using the wall to support his upper body he would look up at the towering interspecies truly unsure as to what was next in his journey. With one quick breath inward he closed his eyes, hoping it wasn't some sick joke Vincent had boiled up.

 

[Mars]

"Surely, Dak. I'll be back in a few hours with a field surgeon to patch you up. Don't worry, we have a full medical facility here."

The future Mandalore spoke in a warmer tone then he had around his men. Truth was, he was slightly happy to be around another human that wasn't a direct combat threat for once. Dak had shown some skill and a crapton of toughness and to be honest, Vin was looking to keep him around for a while. The only way he'd be permitted on the field of battle alongside him was if he'd passed through the battle circle though. Hand to hand combat against three Taung soldiers of increasing skill with but a moments rest in between.

"Rest up. You'll need it for later."

With that he spun on his heel and walked down the corridor to his own personal quarters on base. Once inside his room he removed his helmet and went to work reloading the four spent magazines from the week-long hunt. He removed his helmet and sat on the floor, sitting on his heels as he began to meditate. None of that weird Jedi crap, mind you, but something to help him keep the eerie calm he always seemed to have. After twenty minutes or so, he felt refreshed and moved to take a brief nap on his own cot, a small alarm device connected to the holonet would awake him when it was time for Dak's trial preparation.

((OOC: I'll let you post with Dak's doings for the few hours and then do a post with him coming to get you and such.))

 

[Rev]

Dak didn't quite expect to make it this far.. What was planned ahead of him he still had no idea of, only hoped it wasn't as difficult as his previous task. However, that feeling turned in his stomach when his captor spoke of how he'd need rest. Watching Vincent head towards the door he'd attempt to ask what exactly it was he was resting for... Execution?

"What am I--"

The door slammed shut and Vincent was as gone as smoothly as he had arrived. His speech immediately fell to a sigh, and his words to a mere whisper under his breath.

"here for..?"

He was beginning to lose a sense of hope, encaged in a 6x9 room with no view only angered him more; he couldn't even see out. As that door remained shut for seconds his rage grew and he ran at it, slamming his balled up fists into the hard metal like hammers, hammers that made little to no noise, and even less damage.

His hands pounded for what felt like hours, but only transitioned into seconds, the fatigue of the pack at long last catching up to him. The pounding became softer, the sound it let off quieter. His hand finally would slam into the cold steel of the door and hold it before sliding down to the floor in a disorganized heap. His body coursed with pain, his eye nearing the size of a baseball, the fluid build up needed to be released. Inching his body to the corner of the room he closed his eyes, when the door opened so would his eyes, at least he hoped. It took minutes if not seconds for his body to fall limp and into a deep sleep, doing all it could in the little time to replenish all that had been taken. Minutes of sleep would turn into hours, and those hours to the Republic Medic... sadly felt like minutes.

 

[Mars]

Buzzzzzz.

A dull vibration and the sound of an old Taung war song woke the Mand'alor from his brief but effective nap. He jumped to his feet off the small cot, feeling awake and energized. Vincent opened his arms wide as he stetched out his shoulders and shook any signs of drowsiness from his body with a quick bounce. Walking over to the shelf in his room, he grabbed his crushgaunts and his gun belt with all the various supplies he carried on him, as well as strapping his beskad onto his back again.

The staccato rhythm of his beskar boots against the durasteel hallway floor broke the silence of the largely empty barracks. He'd left his rifle in his personal quarters, that much weapon was usually reserved for larger battles, and he felt quite light without the eight pound rifle slung to his back and the ten magazines not on his person. It didn't take long for him to reach Dak's room, pulling open the door to see the medic had taken a nap, he tapped the man's foot with his boot.

"Aye, Dak, up and at 'em. We gotta get you to the doc, ours anyway."

 

[Rev]

Dak had long past passed out, only to be awoken by the not-so-pleasant nudges of Vincent. With heavy eyes he'd scan the room, finally realizing his captivity after only a few moments. That realization was followed by an intense pain, his face felt as if it were beyond repair; a constant sting pulsing throughout his entire face now. His body would slowly rise, using the wall for aid, pain and fatigue being the only thing letting him know he was still alive.

"Doctor..?"

His mind was still in that waking up mode, unsure of what exactly was going on. It took him a moment to regather everything before nodding to the larger being. Whether or not he wanted to see the medic he was sure it would be beyond his call. His was a prisoner, he'd lost his options when it came to choice and freedoms..

He'd be led out of the room and taken down the hall, it wouldn't be a long walk; but the strain his own body had taken made it a grueling task. It was safe to say he was running on almost pure adrenaline to stay awake and active at this point. Taking a seat on the Doctor's table he awaited the standard procedures of a medic, unsure of how these Taungs did their thing... He simply sat back and let whatever they did go, hoping he wasn't put under any medication...

 

[Mars]

"Yes, Dak, a doctor. Ya know, like yourself, but more advanced."

Vince's voice was lighter in tone then it had been previously, his good mood evident through that alone. He exited the room quickly after speaking without any real effort towards helping Dak move along. If the former medic was able to function well on his own, he'd be even better when he had a full squad supporting him.

It was but a short distance between Vincent's barracks and the medical tent, about thirty yards. Dozens of Taung soldiers gathered around the battle circle on the other side of camp as two young De'verde battled it out with newly crafted beskad. Vin smiled as he remebered his time spent in the circles fighting to prove himself. The doors hissed open and the future Mandalore stepped inside with his captive in tow, the doctor greeting them with a nod of his head whilst he finished up on a patient and moved towards them.

"Ah, Vincent! I've been expecting you. Is this him?" said the doctor, an extrodinarily tall and well-built man, even for the warrior Taung.

"Yes Doc, this is the one. Tore up two of ours pretty well. He'll be facing a stiff trial tonight, Kaz wants a piece of him."

"Ah, Kaz is a bit thickheaded, decent soldier but too stubborn to lead."

"Watch it old man, you once said the same about me."

"And many other things, ori'vod, but you've proved most of them wrong. Now, you there, Republic boy. Lay down please." said the good doctor as he indicated towards a padded table. At first glance one would assume he was the same as most others in the Mandalorian society. Something about him was....different though. His basic was very clean and fluent and his face bore many a scar. Age had brought this one wisdom to see past the xenophobia.

"Now, two things, what's your name and what am I fixing?"

 

[Rev]

Dak couldn't help but smirk at Vincent's comment. The medic on staff may be better than him, but he for some reason doubted it. There was one ability he was confident in, and that was his ability to sustain and repair life. As he listened to the two men exchange words his own mind began to piece together the vague puzzle that had formed.

"..A trial..? You have to prove yourself? ...To who? Them..?"

His mind drew a blank, trying to piece it all together in a half concussed sleep. It was the doctor's voice that would snap him out of his day-dream.

"Dok Xirrsk.."

A fumble of his own name and nickname of past drew him to an almost replica of the ladder. He simply ignored it and continued on.

..Bullet wound below left clavicle. Laceration right side of head..."

He tried to think of more but gave himself more credit than most would. He gave most of his pain to the treck he had to make with the other Taung warriors. They were tough bastards, he gave them that; but he didn't quite understand their culture... It was... different.

 

[Mars]

The doctor nodded as Dak spoke, the wounds were common in the field and he fixed them flawlessly there, in such a controlled setting it would be a breeze. First things first though.

"Nighty night Medic."

The lights would go out for Dak as a stream of sedative drugs slipped into his bloodstream through an IV the Doc had plugged him with. He'd feel all the pain from his injuries slip away before he drifted softly into sleep, the good doctor going to work getting him back to a hundred percent....

---

"Aye, Dak, get up. It's go time."

Vincent's voice would rouse the former medic from his sleep, it'd be as if the drugs never wore off, the pain in his body completely gone thanks to the advanced battlefield medicine of the Taungs. He just realized that he'd never told him exactly what he'd be facing tonight.

"So, for your little challenge tonight, you'll be fighting that Taung whom I had to beat on earlier in the trip here. Except tonight I won't be stepping in. You fight and win, or you die here. It's better then execution right?"

Outside, the remaining Taung began to sing a war song, some fifty five of the elite warriors in perfect unison together. They stood in a thirty yard circle arounda single Taung warrior, stripped of all his armor and weapons and ready to fight for his honor against the captive that had killed his brother and uncle earlier in the day.

"I hope you're ready"

 

[Rev]

Cold liquid surged through his arm as he felt the pain begin to subside, numb... Looking up at the doctor that had just pricked him seconds before his eyes attempted to read his lips. He'd heard him faintly before his eyelids turned to led and he passed out; whatever had happened to him when he awoke he would never know.

"Aye, Dak, get up. It's go time."

The words didn't startle him, but brought him back to reality; a hell he had happily forgotten while being under sedative. Slowly sitting up a feeling of sickness rushed over his body, filling his head with a dizziness unlike any he had felt. Hunching over for a moment three deep breaths saved him from vomiting, the unsettling feeling slowly subsiding with each passing second.

The human would look at Vincent with a sense of shock coming over him; his only fortune was that he didn't feel as he had hours... maybe days before. Then came the subtle sound of several voices in melody, a chant... no a song. Then it was Vincent leading him outward to the battle circle, his eyes looking about in awe at what was before him. It was unlike anything he had ever saw, then his eyes stopped on the stripped Taung warrior, an ugly beast. His head would swivel to look at the future Mandalore for perhaps the last time.

"...and what if I win?"

Seconds after asking the question, whether he received an answer or not he was thrusted into the circle by means of a hard push. Dak's legs nearly buckled under him from the powerful push, catching his balance he found himself in the center looking at the man who had damaged his face. Reaching upward for the first time his hand felt the swelling that still remained, he lacked the pain it had once brought, but the damage was still very much evident.

Huffing in a deep breath he wouldn't be the first to attack, it would have to be the Taung's choice to do so. The fear that had developed in his stomach had somewhat passed, but to say it was gone would be a lie. Dropping into a defensive stance he simply prepared for whatever the creature had to come at him.

 

[Mars]

"You don't die."

Vincent spoke a final time before giving Dak a shove into the battle circle. Kaz stood across from him, psyched up by the war song chanted only moments before. The muscle bound beast stood at just a hair over six feet tall but was built rather densely. Once the human entered the circle across from him, he took the opportunity to attack.

Kaz charged forward, his first attack a pair of hook punches aimed for his opponents head. The strikes were wild but incredibly powerful, if they landed it would be disastrous for the former medic. Following the hooks would come a vicious right knee intended for Dak's solar plex, intending to drive the wind from his lungs and crumple him.

 

[Rev]

Dak's front foot pushed back, putting distance between himself and Kaz's first hook. The second came in with an almost possessed fury that brough Dak's own knees into a bend, narrowly ducking underneath the powerful attack. Thanks to the ducking motion, the distance had closed from the space he had made prior. Dak would brace for the incoming knee, using the incoming knee as a counter.

His arm scooped underneath his leg, behind the kneecap; his diaphragm shrinking as he let out a breath and took in the knee. The impact was nearly enough to knock the wind from his lungs, but the result was a hooked leg. His own leg would attempt to sweep Kaz's free leg as his other arm hugged Kaz's lower back. The intent was to bring them both to the ground leaving the bulkier of the two men in full guard.

 

[Mars]

Kaz's rage manifested itself in an anger-fueled roar as his pair of hooks missed their intended target and his knee stroke home, but landed him flat on his back. A rough grunt escaped his lips as he hit the floor, immediatly placing his feet on Dak's hips and pushing outwards, seeking to get the fight back standing again. If that failed, Kaz's inability to fight off his back would be exposed as he began just throwing punches and elbows from the bottom seeking to somehow hit the smaller fighter.

 

[Rev]

Dak was surprised the man fell to the ground with such a thud. His larger build caused him to think it'd be like taking a tree down, not like any other being. His hands would quick reach upward and latch to the back of the groups rookie's head. Interlacing his fingers as quickly as he could he felt a foot drive into his hips; the latching of his hands happening just in the knick of time. The kick only caused his body to sprawl out further, blanketing the Taung more as it allowed Dak to pass into a half guard.

Naturally his right hand held onto the back of the Taung's skull, his other hand attempted to wrap around his torso from under the arm and grip his shoulder. If his hand locked into place Dak's left knee would rise into the air and drive into Kaz's side with all the power he could muster. If he didn't get that pass his body would slam downward, chest-to-chest in hopes of wearing the stronger man out.

 

[Mars]

As the knee went up to strike towards Kaz's lower ribcage, he immediatly rolled in that direction, using both his superior strength and lucky timing to end up on top of the former Republic soldier. A grin spread across the face of the rookiee Taung as he pushed his hands onto Dak's chin, seeking to break the clinch and posture up. If he was able to get free, he'd pin Dak to the ground with his body and one arm whilst throwing hard strikes with his free hand and elbow.

 

[Rev]

Dak's knee had put him in a worse position, something he didn't quite expect the brute to take advantage of. As he was flipped and found on his back he cursed himself, being under the large man would end him if he stayed there too long. As Kaz's hands pushed against Dak's own face his hand began to inch from his opponents body. With one final grasp for life he pulled himself forward and gripped his left wrist with his right hand, locking them in place. It left Kaz's arms open, but Dak's head was pressed to the mans chest and should offering little room for power to be taken hold.

Dak's arms squeezed with all the power they could muster in an attempt to hold the heavier Taung in place. It was in that instant his mind was acting on impulse instead of thought process. His body reacted to the unfortunate position in the best way he knew how; to improvise and surprise. Relaxing the tension his arms had locked he'd space their body for only a half second. This space allowed him to thrust his body upward, his head acting as the point of attack.

The tip of his forehead would drive towards his opponents left eye socket in hopes of pushing him off. If it worked his left arm would "swim-move" over and above Kaz's head to grip his left elbow. Dak's own right arm would drop to grip onto Kaz's left wrist. Both of Xirrsk's own hands would push and pull in opposites, his right arm pushing. The result was a kimora on what Dak hoped to be a dazed Taung's left arm; one he didn't anticipate to stop. If the space never came however he'd momentarily be at the mercy of the clan's rookie.

 

[Mars]

Vincent smiled, acting as an onlooker as his rookie squadmate got dominated on the ground by a recent POW. It was humerous to him that the two fighters, weightclasses apart, were relatively evenly matched. His mouth dropped open as the momentum shifted.

Kaz let loose a roar of pain as the kimura got sinched up and his left arm was ripped up to near his head. An incredible burning sensation of pain ran across the powerful muscles of his shoulder. The warrior spirit beat into him from a young age meant he wouldn't tap and slowly but surely the tendons began to rip and tear, taking that arm out of the fight and leaving him wracked with pain.

However, Taung duels went untill one man gave up, and Kaz certainly had no quit in him. He was also pinned in a position in which he had no way to get out, the kimura fully locked in. The ball was in Dak's court.

 

[Rev]

"Crack..!"

The sound filled Dak's ears, almost sickening him as he could not only hear the man's tendons snapping; but feel them in his hands as well. The thought of the mans flesh breaking by Dak's own hands nearly brought him to a release, but something else held onto the powerful submission. As he stopped the leverage against Kaz's arm his own legs tightened around the rookie's waist; bringing them closer.

"...Submit you fool... "

His brow had puddled with sweat. The fatigue again came to his mind as he further twisted Kaz's arm. In truth he hoped the man would surrender, it'd be a wasted life in his eyes; but he would no doubt continue the painful wrench on the mans arm until he was atop his back.

 

[Mars]

Kaz was...well, to be put it lightly, screwed where he was. If he submitted, the Taung would be on his ass untill the day he died about how he was beaten by some Republic POW and if he didn't the arm lock would continue to destroy his shoulder, eventually beyond repair. The area was silent as a Kaz performed a single motion.

Tap tap.

The thuds against the floor might as well have been the seperate impacts of nuclear warheads. The shocked expression on the faces of those gathered were glorious. A slow clap came from one man, the one who'd brought him here and kept him alive throughout the journey. Kaz rolled off Dak and just stared into the night sky as the many Taung merely stood there. Vincent stepped into the circle and offered a hand to help the former medic up.

"Excellent. Come, we have much to talk about."

 

[Rev]

The soft taps finally came only to Dak's surprise. A burden felt as if it were lifted off his shoulder, glad he didn't have to take the probably young man's life for no reason. His glory would come at a later time. Releasing the rookie from his grasp he slowly untangled his body from the larger Taung. Clapping to his rear alerted him to Vincent, his eyes turning to meet the apparent leader of the group. His eyes would look at the stranger's hand before hesitation set in. The pause felt like a lifetime, but he reached out never-the-less, taking hold of Vincents forearm and pulling himself to his feet.

"..I had a feeling you'd say that..."

He sighed as he looked around the battle circle. The few Taung that still were gathered looked on with a mixture of shock and prejudice. He was an outsider, and he had defeated one of their own on more than one occasion now. Halting his follow of Vincent he'd turn and walk over to the still downed Kaz. It was now he reaching down to help the man up, for reasons he couldn't understand. If the rookie took his hand he'd pull him to his feet and return to Vince. If he didn't, Dak wouldn't hesitate to leave him downed in the circle and return to the group's leader.

 

[Mars]

The Taung surronding the battle circle had not yet begun to disperse. The shock was still etched on the green and silver faces of the elite warriors, all the years of xenophobia shattered by Dak. Kaz still laid on his back, staring absent mindedly into the night sky despite the excruciating pain in his ruined shoulder. A smile crept across Vincent's face as Dak turned and walked back to the circle, to be gracious in victory was honorable.

Unfortunetly, Kaz was a little bastard, unable to to recognize defeat and the epitome of a sore loser. When Dak came to help him up he smacked the mans hand aside with his functioning arm and spit towards his face from the ground.

Vin facepalmed once he saw what had just occured and walked over, grabbing Kaz's the wrist of Kaz's good arm in one of his crushgaunts and snapping it in front of everyone, eliciting a gut-wrenching scream from the young Mando.

"Show some respect you worm. The doctor will not help you now. You will wait for these wounds to heal naturally, a reminder of your mistakes here today."

The words of the future Mandalore were stern and even, they bore no malice, only moderate annoyance, but it was clear that they were to be respected. He turned on his heel and walked Dak back towards the barracks they were in before. The two would end up in Vincent's personal quarters, the big human hybrid taking a seat on his bed and gesturing for Dak to sit on a nearby chair.

"You defeated Kaz in most impressive fasion. You shocked the entire camp. This much is impressive. What makes this more impressive is not one other POW has ever triumphed in this challenge." He took in a breath and laughed softly. "I grew up in this society, the only human to ever do so. Because you won, I offer you two options. You can either take option A and return to the Republic, making no mention of what you saw today. The safer option. Or you can choose option B, and join me and the society you witnessed today. You won't be a full member for....some time, and possibly not ever. It won't be easy, you'll have to face the toughest tests of training known to the galaxy and the standards are higher here then any Republic unit. However, at the end of the day, you'll know you stand alongside the best of the best." Vincent took a breath in, letting Dak think for a few moments.

"Which path you take is up to you."